The remains of the Boss Monkey were shoved into the 【Hideout】, and afterward, we promptly decided to withdraw.

We had initially planned to retreat after defeating the boss, but it seems we’ve likely cleared out the middle layer’s monsters.

For several tens of minutes, we continued to defeat monsters relentlessly, from the depths to even those closer to the surface.

There were no injuries among us, so I thought perhaps we could explore the middle layer a bit while we still could… but it seems the plan remained unchanged.

Very prudent.

On the way back, we sprinted through, just as we had on the way in.

Although we matched Fiora’s pace again, the speed at which we defeated monsters on the return trip was much higher.

We had been quite fast on the way in as well, but it seems we had conserved energy in preparation for the boss fight.

Thus, we returned easily.

“Coming back is part of the expedition…” That thought crossed my mind, but this group never lets their guard down.

After returning, our first destination was a room within the Knight Order’s headquarters.

This room, while not entirely shady, was used for matters that couldn’t be publicly disclosed, and access was restricted to a select few.

Touching the wall there, we activated the 【Hideout】.

The remains of the Boss Monkey were manageable for two people to carry out its limbs and head, but the torso was a different matter.

Even with 【Prayer】 cast on it, it was still difficult.

Ultimately, we used a rope retrieved from the warehouse to pull it.

Though it wouldn’t fit through the entrance, this allowed August to participate, and he worked up a sweat alongside us. Interestingly, with the door of the 【Hideout】 open and access granted, it was possible to pull items out from inside to the outside.

From inside, we could clearly see the outside through the door, but from the outside, it appeared pitch-black—a door-shaped shadow on the wall.

It was like a one-way magic mirror, perhaps?

While this technique might not be used often, we inadvertently discovered a hidden trick.

“Wow! This really is heavy!”

Pulling from outside, August, who hadn’t helped during the initial push, was visibly straining and widening his eyes at the weight.

Alec and the others, also straining, couldn’t help but laugh at his earnest struggle.

“Keep at it!”

Encouraging voices came from inside, but it was unclear if they reached him.

Well, it was amusing enough as it was.

◇

My cheeks hurt.

Wait… they really hurt!

“What the heck!?”

I shouted as I sat up.

Wait… sat up?

“Finally awake, huh?”

Hearing Seriana’s voice from behind, I turned to see her looking exasperated.

What had happened?

“You stayed awake for a while, but then you quickly fell asleep. Liesel arrived, and since we were about to start talking, I woke you up.”

After pulling out the remains from the dungeon, we had bathed, eaten, and gathered for a report. However, Liesel had been delayed by an urgent matter.

We waited for his arrival… and I see.

The location was the usual lounge, now filled with Liesel and the influential figures aware of the dungeon.

I must have dozed off after getting clean and full.

“My cheeks hurt, though?”

As I touched my aching cheeks, Seriana gave a wry smile.

“Good thing you woke up before they got torn off.”

“Ugh…”

I might be to blame for falling asleep anywhere, but Seriana’s wake-up methods were getting increasingly aggressive.

“Seriana, let’s leave it at that. Sorry for the delay,” Liesel said. “I had set aside the day for the report, but an unavoidable matter required my attention.”

“Not at all, it’s part of your duty as a lord. Please, don’t worry about it,” August swiftly reassured him.

“Well then, let’s begin,” Liesel said, prompting the meeting.

◇

The monsters in the middle layer didn’t present a significant issue.

While there was a mix of shallow and upper-layer monsters, their strength didn’t seem to change.

If anything, the middle layer’s structure was disadvantageous to us humans because of the poor visibility.

The shallow areas had similarly restricted monster movement, but the middle layer offered no such limitations.

That said, adventurers capable of reaching this point would likely have no trouble.

The explanation proceeded smoothly, with no questions from the participants as they listened to August’s report.

Finally, we reached the topic of the Boss Monkey.

“Could it truly be a Demon King Seed?”

Everyone seemed unable to hide their shock.

We had mentioned the boss’s existence in a previous meeting, but no one had expected it to be a Demon King Seed.

I was surprised too, but these people were much more knowledgeable about dungeons than I was.

It was all the more shocking for them.

“Lady Sera, could you show us 【Fairy’s Eye】 and the Submerging Snakes?”

“Sure! Hoof!”

Responding to August’s request, I extended the Akame trio from my collar.

“Ohhh…”

Although the Akame trio was often visible, seeing all three at once was rare enough to draw surprise.

Then…

“Take a look!”

“…”

Seeing the 【Fairy’s Eye】 left them speechless.

Well, it was quite grotesque. Even I sometimes scared myself when I let my guard down, so it was understandable.

Nonetheless, August used these items to explain the details of the battle with the Boss Monkey.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Seria ・ 【Hideout】 +1 【Prayer】【Mira’s Blessing】・【Floating Orb】【Shadow Sword】【Crimson Bee Needle】【Fairy Eye】【Dragon’s Lung】【Amber Sword】【Danrem’s Thread】【Snake Tail】【Ankle Bracelet】・64 cards

Seriana ・ 【Area Identification】・【】・28 cards

Elena ・ 【】・【Green Fang】・1 card

Alec ・ 【Strong Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・4 cards