The upper layer of the dungeon, in the very first chamber near the entrance.

That was today’s hunting ground.

For the past few days, we’ve been exploring the dungeon as a way for Seriana to get some exercise and a change of pace, but we’ve stayed in the shallows since the first day.

Well… since hunting wasn’t really the main goal, it wasn’t a problem even if the location felt a bit lacking for the group. However, the dungeon closure was set to be lifted tomorrow.

With a plan in place to deal with the monsters and the teams dispatched to Arios returning yesterday, there was now enough manpower to spare for the dungeon again.

This closure was always meant to be temporary, so we knew it would be lifted soon. But now that it was happening, Seriana seemed reluctant to leave and suggested going to the upper layers today.

If it were Liesel, she could visit the dungeon under the pretense of an inspection, but for Seriana, that wasn’t an option.

That said, even if the monsters blocking our path weren’t particularly difficult to defeat, traveling to the upper layers itself was a hassle.

There was no way around that.

So, for the final day, we decided to take a shortcut using 【Floating Orb】 and 【Small Orb】.

Teresa carried Seriana while riding on the main 【Floating Orb】, and Elena carried me while riding on the 【Small Orb】.

To be extra cautious, I made sure everyone stayed within the range of my 【Wind Cloak】.

In the end, we passed through the shallows without incident, but with this method, we could probably transport about five people at once if we really pushed it…

◇

“…Oh?”

After flawlessly winning yet another battle in the upper layers and finishing up the monster corpse disposal, Seriana suddenly let out a surprised voice.

I was handling the cleanup while the others had moved to the wall, but her voice reached me clearly.

Alarmed, I quickly turned around to see the three of them peering at Seriana’s hand.

Did she pick up something strange…?

“What’s wrong?”

When I approached, Seriana lifted her head.

Her expression… was a troubled smile.

What kind of emotion is that…?

“This.”

She held out her right hand toward me.

In her palm was a small medal… a Holy Coin.

“…Oh. Congratulations?”

During the last attack, August and Zighart each got one after defeating a Demon King Type, and I’ve seen them drop from Demon King Types in the dungeon before. But seeing someone acquire a Holy Coin from regular hunting… it felt like it had been ages.

Everyone’s just too strong these days…

“Yes, thank you. I haven’t gotten a Holy Coin from hunting since my time in Zelkis…”

“Well, given your position, it’s not like you go out hunting often.”

Seriana and Elena nodded at each other.

Seriana rarely gets the chance, and Elena, having transitioned from adventurer to full-time lady-in-waiting, doesn’t get to go on hunts often either.

Come to think of it, what about Teresa?

She’s technically a lady-in-waiting too, but as my adjutant, she frequently goes out on Knight Order missions.

As I turned to look at Teresa, she noticed my gaze.

“Is something wrong?”

“Hmm? Oh, I was just wondering if you’ve ever gotten a Holy Coin from anything other than a Demon King Type.”

Hearing that, Teresa nodded in understanding and murmured, “Ahh…”

She’s fought plenty of monsters from the Demon Realm… but considering her strength, it’s no surprise she doesn’t get Holy Coins that often.

She’s been in Riana for over two years now—how many has she gotten?

Seriana and the others seemed curious as well and turned their attention to Teresa.

Noticing their stares, Teresa gave a slightly troubled smile.

“Only three, if we’re talking about ones not from a Demon King Type. I do go out hunting often and fight frequently, but… I rarely deliver the final blow myself.”

When leading troops, Teresa’s style leans more toward command rather than direct combat, unlike Alec.

And when we hunt together in the dungeon, she primarily acts as my bodyguard.

She also doesn’t have Alec’s overwhelming attack power, capable of taking down monsters in a single strike…

Now that she’s started using 【Red Sword】, will her pace pick up?

“Besides, it wouldn’t be right for a commander to be too focused on collecting Holy Coins.”

“…That’s true.”

If a commander hogged all the finishing blows, it wouldn’t sit well with the troops.

There are various rules about how Holy Coins are handled during missions, but if someone really wanted to abuse their authority, they could.

Maybe she’s able to keep herself in check because, with her skill and status, she doesn’t need Holy Coins to grow stronger anymore.

Seriana and the others are the same…

They just don’t seem desperate for them.

I don’t think I go out of my way to hunt them either, but once we’re actually in battle, I can’t help but get a little fired up.

…Is this the difference between those born into nobility and those who aren’t?

“What’s with that weird look on your face…?”

Apparently, my thoughts were showing on my face.

Seriana, who had been checking her equipment and rehydrating, was giving me a cold stare.

“…Nothing. So, what should we do? Go a bit deeper?”

Not exactly trying to change the subject, but I decided to shift the conversation.

We’d already been in the dungeon for nearly three hours, with one break in between.

If we wanted to head back, the monsters in the corridors hadn’t respawned yet, so now would be a good time.

“Yes… let’s start making our way back. Sera, you can use your bow on the way.”

“Mm! Got it!”

Until now, she had only used it to clear the way home…

But this time, she could properly aim and take down some monsters.

Heh… time to rake in some loot…!

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Sera・【Hideout】+1【Prayer】【Mira’s Blessing】【Wind’s Garment】・【Floating Orb】+1【Shadow Sword】【Scarlet Bee Needle】【Fairy’s Eye】【Dragon’s Lung】【Amber Sword】【Danrem’s Thread】【Serpent’s Tail】【Ankle Bracelet】【Amber Shield】【Purple Wings】【Red Sword】・16 cards

Seriana・【Range Identification】・【】・33 cards

Elena・【】・【Green Fang】【Amber Sword】・4 cards

Alec・【Strong Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・9 cards