Chapter 17: The Long Road to the Imperial Capital – Part 11
Now, we find ourselves on the final day, camping out in preparation for what lies ahead.
Since the Safety Zone was reserved just for us, we decided to throw a rather extravagant barbecue party at the request of Larni and Karma.
In the depths of the 30th floor, we were about to face an unknown boss, and as the leader, I had to keep an eye on the condition of my party members. However, from what I could see, there didn’t seem to be any particular issues with the members up to Karma, considering the order they joined the party.
Geshura maintained her usual stoic expression, making it hard to gauge her feelings, but given her abilities, she should rank among the top within “Soul’s Guidance,” so I felt assured about her.
The real concern was Sakurahime, who was still relatively new. Since joining “Soul’s Guidance,” she had been diligently working on her skill training and was eager to gain battle experience. However, despite her original stats not yet reaching A-Rank, I could sense her anxiety.
I feigned interest in hearing more about the Empire and sat down next to Sakurahime.
“Sakurahime, after resting, are you feeling well-rested?”
“Lord Soushi. Yes, I do not feel any fatigue lingering into the next day. Right now, I feel incredibly fulfilled, and I can sense myself growing stronger day by day.”
“Then your spirits might be high. By the way, you mentioned that you didn’t delve into dungeons much while with ‘Supreme Radiance,’ correct?”
At that question, Sakurahime slightly furrowed her well-defined brows and closed her black eyes for a moment before responding.
“The three of Garsonia did not particularly enjoy entering dungeons. It felt as though I had to repeatedly emphasize the importance of gaining skills before they finally agreed to enter…”
“Was there a reason for that?”
“It seems they often encountered irregular situations with dungeon bosses, which they found quite unpleasant. They repeatedly faced powerful Rare Bosses and resorted to using magical tools to escape, so they struggled to acquire skills.”
“I see…”
Garsonia possessed the Bad Luck skill known as “Divine Fortune,” which meant he likely encountered Rare Bosses in the dungeon just like I did. While we fought and emerged victorious, it seemed Garsonia and his companions had continuously fled, missing out on opportunities to gain powerful skills. This was undoubtedly a decisive difference between us.
“If they hadn’t fled, perhaps ‘Supreme Radiance’ would have been a bit different now. However, it’s pointless to dwell on that now. I do have some regrets, but…”
“From an outsider’s perspective, it seemed like you were risking your life to save your comrades, so I believe you did your utmost. It’s not something you should feel responsible for. But whether you can come to terms with it yourself is another matter.”
“I appreciate your words, Lord Soushi. I too am determined to truly embark on my journey as an adventurer now that I’ve joined your party. Moreover, ‘Soul’s Guidance’ is incredibly comfortable… I can understand why Larni said it was ‘impossible to escape.'”
As she spoke, a smile graced Sakurahime’s lips. It was the first time I had seen her smile, and knowing that her heart had found some peace brought me joy as a leader.
“Isn’t it wonderful? You can grow stronger through battle, enjoy delicious meals, take relaxing baths, and sleep comfortably. There’s no other party like this in the world! Even while camping, it’s more comfortable than a shabby inn!”
Larni chimed in, her ears perked up and her tail wagging excitedly.
“Indeed, I completely agree. The difference between this journey and the previous ones is like night and day. At first, I thought I might be overwhelmed by the sheer number of monsters, but everyone fought so calmly that it soon became the norm.”
“I feel the same way! I thought having so many people in the party would make things easier, but that was far from the truth. Facing three bosses at once would normally spell disaster!”
Karma, slightly tipsy, leaned closer to Sakurahime. Yes, she had indeed had a bit to drink. I had also had a little earlier, but it seemed my body had become resistant to alcohol, so I was currently abstaining.
“This time, we’re facing one Rare Boss and two regular bosses. But Lord Soushi, you defeat those powerful bosses as if they were mere insects, so I feel I must work even harder.”
“Haha, Sakurahime, you’re so serious! But you know, once you get used to Soushi’s strength, it becomes impossible to escape. Well, it’s already too late for you now that you’ve joined our party.”
“Exactly! You won’t find a leader with such capabilities easily. Plus, the potential is immense, so even if you can’t escape, there’s no need to worry. The only thing left is to see when Soushi decides to strike, but that’s just like hunting; timing is everything.”
“Hunting, you say? I don’t quite understand, but I can see that maintaining the right distance is crucial when defeating monsters.”
It seemed we had veered into girl talk before I could even ask about the Empire. Though it felt a bit dangerous to call it girl talk…
Well, as long as there were no issues with Sakurahime’s condition, I felt reassured as a leader. Now, all that remained was to consider how to confront the unknown boss tomorrow. I would proceed without letting my guard down.