It was several minutes later that the Lizardman King finally fell.
"...He was too damn tenacious."
Even with his two elite guards and the remaining Lizardmen, he held out against the dual front-line of Mei and Mariabelle for that long.
He certainly lived up to the name of King.
His curved blade strikes were sharp, and his movements were fast and accurate. He kept moving despite being hit countless times and maintained his oppressive presence until the moment he crumbled into light.
If Ren, Shion, and Iris hadn't quickly dealt with the entourage, the outcome of the battle would have been uncertain.
"Drops!"
The victory condition for the 30th floor was the defeat of the King.
While some Lizardmen might have survived and hidden, they also vanished the moment the battle ended, and in their place, dropped items appeared.
Furi, who had little role in the fighting, enthusiastically went to collect them, cheering as if to blow away everyone's fatigue.
"Wow, this is super luxurious! Dungeons really do pay well!"
Although they had recovered their HP while organizing and collecting the dropped items, their companions' fatigue was still heavy, and an atmosphere of "I don't want to move right now" permeated the air.
They rested for a while, taking advantage of the fact that there would be no further fighting, and Ren held the now-normal-sized Shion to recover her MP. Neither Furi nor Iris complained about it being "unfair" this time; only Mei, with a twinkle in her eye, offered, "You may hold me as well."
Nevertheless, their energy to move was restored within ten minutes.
Leaving the village, Ren and the others walked for about ten minutes until they reached the descending stairs and the stone monument.
To achieve the counterattack that was never realized, and to clear our regrets, we grant greater power to our children.
Iris and Mei confirmed the content and finished copying it. They then checked their status windows.
Iris immediately let out a cheer.
"A level has been added to the race section!"
Everyone except Mei gathered to look into Iris's window. Sure enough, there was a display that read: "Race: Half-Elf Level: 1."
A corresponding experience count had also begun.
Mei's status also showed a level count for 'Golem.' This meant that from now on, Iris and the others could also level up.
"So, Iris's magic is going to get much stronger—"
"And Mei-chan can remodel her body more and more?"
"Yes! I feel like I can learn all the magic I wanted to use!"
"It was a long journey, but perhaps the days of being humbled by Mother will finally end."
Starting at Level 1 was also good news.
Iris and the others already possessed multiple skills through their own efforts. They could level up quickly at low levels—at this current floor level, they would likely level up with just one monster kill, meaning they would gain skill points rapidly.
Including the status increase from leveling up, they would quickly approach Ren and the others' abilities and be able to exert first-rate combat power.
"But what does 'the counterattack that was never realized' mean?"
Shion answered Iris, who had tilted her head in confusion.
"Perhaps it refers to the deep-seated desire of the people of this world before it was destroyed."
The next day, the Sage, who heard the report from Ren and the others, offered a similar interpretation.
(Ren had sent a message saying, "We'll come to see you tomorrow since we cleared the 30th floor," and received a reply that was practically "Come now," but she replied, "I'm too tired," and made him wait.)
"The battles on the 20th and 30th floors are likely tracing the battles that actually occurred—or had the potential to occur—in this world before its destruction."
"Then, the battles on the lower floors as well?"
"Yes. That tendency is particularly strong on the milestone floors. While constructing the world with the Fragments, we are simultaneously being made to save the world by defeating the replicated enemy forces."
Of course, the destroyed world would not return to its original state.
Still, the creators of the temple and the dungeon couldn't just do nothing.
"When we advance through the dungeon and strike down the final enemy—we will have defeated the enemy that threatened the world. Only then will this world truly be saved, and our mission will end."
"...How far into the future is that going to be?"
"Who knows? It didn't end at the 50th floor, at least."
They were being told to "annihilate an enemy settlement of 200 members" on the 30th floor.
Was the continuation of such a tough mission for a single party because they were meant to save an entire world? Frankly, that's impossible for anyone who isn't a hero.
In fact, this world was probably destroyed because there weren't enough heroes.
"It's also good news that Iris and Mei have gained race levels."
Seeing Ren and the others fall silent, the Sage changed the subject.
His voice brightened somewhat, and a clear smile appeared on his face.
"Your combat power will significantly increase with this. I look forward to your future activities."
"That's fine, but you won't make any reckless suggestions about sending in more children, will you?"
When Ren glared at him, remembering previous incidents, the Sage shook his head. "I won't," he said.
"After all, what was added was a 'Race Level.' It's far too limited in the number of people who can benefit."
Most people living in this world are of the "Human Race." The effect of that is a correction to their basic stats. Class characteristics become more pronounced, and their physical abilities and magic power increase.
A human who cleared the 30th floor would likely experience this effect and become quietly stronger, but being told "It's a modest stat boost!" after struggling so much to reach the 30th floor would be somewhat disappointing.
The Sage would prefer to send non-human races to dramatically enhance their skills, and without that, it would be difficult to advance much deeper.
"Candidates include Iris's younger sister and others, but—risking the few non-human children is too great a risk."
If that were the case, Iris and Mei would also be in the same boat. However, the meaning and importance of the first few individuals who gained race levels were significantly different.
In Iris and Mei's case, their safety was somewhat ensured by Ren and the others accompanying them, so it wasn't an entirely comparable situation.
"As for them, they will speak up themselves if they want to go into the dungeon. If not, it's enough if they marry and have children."
"So, you'll increase the number of non-human children and look forward to the next ten or twenty years?"
"Yes. I have entrusted the plan for the dungeon to be conquered in the near future—about five years—to someone else."
Ren could guess that he meant her party without him needing to say it explicitly.
Ren sighed.
"I think we'll slow down the pace and incorporate some leveling up for a while. It might take another six months to clear the 35th floor, possibly more."
"That's fine. It's still much faster than we were. I was right to gather you all."
Succubus, Half-Elf, Golem, Yōko.
The diverse races and their skills had carried Ren and the others this far. Of course, Ren didn't think Furi and Mariabelle—the two humans who accompanied them—were weak. Rather, she thought they couldn't have come this far without them.
If Iris and Mei became stronger, the party's combat power would increase again.
"I'll do everything I can. I want to go back to Japan, too."
In the end, Ren agreed to the coming battles with that promise.
-----------------
The second year's Christmas was celebrated grandly, inviting the neighboring residents, Iris's family, and even the ladies from the brothel.
With the exception of one person, every participant was female.
Iris's father, the sole male, was slightly—or rather, quite—uncomfortable in the corner of the normally men-only space. The main reasons his participation was allowed were his stoic nature of living quietly in the forest and the question of whether he would flirt with other women when his young wife was present.
(Also, the fear that an enraged, high-level Elf like Iris's mother would be absolutely terrifying.)
"Father, I'm sorry for insisting you join us."
When Ren approached him and spoke, Iris's father mumbled, "It feels strange when you call me 'Father,'" and then continued.
"It's fine. The children are happy, and it's a good break for my wife as well. I truly think it was a good thing that you all moved near the forest."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Smiling, Ren looked at the party taking place outdoors.
The simple tables were lined with dishes brought from each home. It was a lavish menu that included takeout from professional restaurants, and there was plenty of alcohol in stock. Since the residential area had been established for some time and the residents had become familiar with each other, the mood was amiable.
Ren had a plate of food and a glass of red wine in her hands.
She was nibbling on food, finding the cold winter air somehow pleasant, when,
"But what's with that outfit?"
"? Don't you think this is cute?"
Ren's attire was a seasonal costume composed of white and red—in short, a Santa outfit.
She had purchased it from the cosplay shop (the one where she bought Mei's maid uniform), which had pushed a set of several outfits. Although she was partly tempted because buying a set made it cheaper, it was quite warm and fluffy, and comfortable to wear.
Shion, who was acting as the mascot and being pulled from one person to another, was also wearing an animal-sized Santa hat on her head, making her look auspicious.
However, Iris's father's expression was somewhat stern.
"Well, you know. I'm sincerely glad there are no men here."
That made Ren finally realize what he meant.
She looked down at her own chest, which was slightly exaggerated by the costume, and the mini-skirt-like hem.
"So men really like this kind of thing."
"You should know yourself if you put yourself in a man's shoes."
"No. I didn't even have a girlfriend, and I never went as far as fantasizing about them wearing cosplay."
Dating a girlfriend in a school uniform was enough of a dream for him.
Since Ren's relationships with girls started after coming here, such fantasies had never materialized.
...Wait, the uniform itself was still in Storage, so Furi could wear it. When I imagined it, the image that came to mind was Ren being forced into the outfit instead.
Shaking her head slightly, Ren thought, "It's poison for men's eyes." Since her body wasn't suited for layering clothes, she hugged herself and shrunk her body, aiming for a psychological effect.
"Do you ever want your wife to wear something like this?"
"No. ...Just between us, she wore it once a long time ago. Her appearance is the same as it was then, so I can easily recall it even now."
"I see, I see."
Although not as much as Mei's father, who often complained of back pain, he also had his masculine sides. All men were like that when they were young.
As for Ren, she no longer felt that desperate sense of urgency that men felt.
Her interest, or desire, for "that kind of thing" was still strong, but since she had people who indulged her regularly, she had never experienced the feeling of "not being able to endure it."
She felt that she would be in serious trouble if she were deprived of it for a few days.
The thought of what would happen if that occurred led to an intense mental image, so she stopped that line of thought.
"...It means I've completely become a 'girl,' doesn't it?"
"You are a charming girl. You should be confident."
"Thank you."
Ren smiled and gently stepped away from him.
She had approached Iris's father, who was alone, to make him feel more comfortable, but Ren could no longer have a "casual conversation between men" with him. She felt a little lonely, but at the same time, slightly happy about the fact that she was enjoying her current self.
Iris's mother, who had just finished making her rounds, was heading their way, so the timing was perfect. Ren exchanged a bow with her and headed toward her companions.
Then, Iris, who looked slightly tipsy, grabbed her arm.
"What were you talking about with Father, Ren-san?"
"It was about how our outfits look like Christmas costumes."
Iris was also wearing a Santa costume, like Ren. However, Ren's was long-sleeved, while Iris's was a sleeveless design that seemed easy to move in. Since there was a bonfire in the center of the party, she probably wasn't cold, but when viewed like this, it was quite provocative.
However, it seemed Ren was the only one who felt that way.
Iris's two younger sisters, wearing normal clothes and hats, rushed over to Ren and the others without paying any attention to their older sister's outfit.
"Big sister, have you eaten this yet?"
"Ren-san. May I pour you some alcohol?"
Ren and Iris exchanged glances and laughed softly.
"It's become quite lively."
"Yes! It's lively and fun!"
It had been a year and a half since the transfer.
Time flew quickly. There had been many encounters during that rapid year and a half. She had found her place, and she still had many goals remaining.
Although this life started suddenly, Ren felt like things were progressing well.
"Let's keep up the good work."
Ren walked into the circle of people and spoke to Furi, who was nearby. Furi laughed, asking, "Why so formal?"
"We'll be together as long as one of us doesn't die. Right?"
"Definitely."
As they were laughing together, someone hugged Ren from behind.
It was a soft sensation.
"How is it, Master? This is a prototype."
"Hmm. It's soft, but there's a slight strange feeling."
"Room for improvement, then? That's unfortunate."
Ren laughed again at Mei's usual emotionless demeanor.
It seemed she wouldn't be bored anytime soon.
Ren affirmed to herself that she would continue fighting alongside these companions.
============
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