On the veranda, Gron tries to rub its eyes with the paws. Perhaps it is not used to the sharp change between darkness and light.

“So, why did you pray to me?”

“Prr, there is an obstacle in my way.”

“Well, if you've reached the A-nine area. Surely, you've already overcome some obstacles. I mean, doesn't every hall have gargoyles guarding it?”

Gron nods. “The gargoyles gave me a hard time. But small creatures like me have a much easier time in the Underwasteland. Seeing in the dark and having Explorer skills worked to my advantage.”

“What do you mean?”

“Like pipes, you didn't know existed. There are countless ravines and openings. Passages in the dungeon. Even shortcuts down.”

“Oh, I see. Did you advance according to logic? Did I give you some tips that I don't remember?”

“I simply went down. I had no idea you forgot about the Golden Doors.”

I cross my arms and close my eyes. This situation makes me think. I have no way of dealing with it.

On the one hand, it makes me anxious. On the other, I do not think it should overestimate. In case of a threat, the System would warn me.

A bit, but sure.

I reopen my eyes and scratch my ear. “Tell me about this obstacle then. Then we will decide how to act.”

“Prr, don't you want to put me to rest?”

“No, no, don't worry. Even if I don't remember, I have no intention of breaking my word. I'm a little dizzy, that's all.”

Gron nods and picks its nails at the boards. No problem, I know that the Underwasteland self-regenerates.

“Good,” Gron retracts its claws and sits on its hind legs. “When I travel in fairly large spaces, I usually summon undead. They aren't strong on their own, but they take their time. When I trigger gargoyles, I have a way to keep them busy and get around them.”

Sure. A simple and efficient tactic.

“The fact is that a few miles away from where you found me. There is a particular area. I wouldn't have gotten there straight away. I don't know why I crossed that abyss. Honestly, I did it because I would have had to go back up, and honestly, I didn't feel like it. Getting down is the priority, right?”

I understand.

Stumbling into the great abyss of the area [A-9], from a point different from mine—perhaps the other side Gron decided to continue.

Then it came to the [Sanctuary].

That is the only particular area I can think of in that place. The fact that it made the premise about zombies summoned with [Necromancy]…

“I bet the undead can't follow you over the edge.”

Gron nods.

Sigh.

“I understand, but I think I can't help you.”

“Prr. And why?”

“Because I have already been there, I have seen interesting things. But there is no way to go further down. For all I know, the plan could extend for thousands of miles or more.”

I gaze at the table on which the umbrella is still resting.

The idea of holding it and venturing back into the [Sanctuary] excites me.

Just the thought moves my mood. I feel butterflies in my stomach. My newfound friend and I lost ourselves exploring that land of frost and metal.

Hehe, like when I chased the [Devil] with Sylviette… ironic that I can be nostalgic for such a tragedy.

It is true that time erases, if not memories, at least reality.

However, I would be of no use to Gron.

“Even if I accompanied you, you are the first to say that there are roads in the dungeon close to me. I can't see in the dark. I couldn't pass through the hidden streets you told me about.”

“Hmm, you could still accompany me for a certain distance. Nobody says we have to reach the Golden Doors together. Also, is there nothing that inspires you about a remote place? Maybe I can help you find something you missed.”

I nod and smile. I lower my head and look at my hand on the floor.

“There are some things I would like to explore further, and I won't deny that your proposal is intriguing. But I cannot. I have to get to the bottom of the coral problem first. I'm afraid that when I leave the desert when I return, I will find some forest.”

Gron licks its chops and turns to look out the window.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

“Oh, I see. You have some big problems here. Given how I've treated you in the past, you might even be offended. Prrr. I wouldn't blame you. But…”

“But what?”

Gron looks back at me with wide eyes. “The fact is, there are other people.”

“What!? Other people?” I raise my eyebrows and blink.

What does it mean by other people?

Does it mean those atypical metal beings?

No, it cannot mean them. It would have said there are monsters, not people. At least, I think a cat used to living among humanoids would say that.

I hide my mouth behind my hand and think of an answer.

Gron purrs, perhaps happy to have caught my attention.

“According to your words, the dungeon should not have guests wandering freely through the rooms and corridors. I'm an exception, right?”

I nod.

The dungeon does not contain—maybe they are giant insects?

No, it cannot be. Once they exceed a certain size, they would be subjected to my [Judgment] and then…

…when would it rain?

…How did they get past Gron and its shortcuts?

With a hand wave, I signal for Gron to tell me more. I want to understand.

It smooths the fur on its paw. “From your face, I can deduce that you are surprised to hear this news. Pr… the fact, perhaps it will shock you, is that you don't have to blame yourself for anything. They have camped at the edge of the abyss and organize periodic excursions within the area.”

“I call it Sanctuary.”

“Yes, Sanctuary seems like a good name to me. Obviously, I never got caught, but I did some tests and inadvertently alerted them.”

I tilt my head, perplexed.

“I used my zombies. They systematically took them down. They are only interested in the area beyond the chasm and are now convinced that there are undead in the rest of area A-nine.”

Listening to Gron's story arouses in me a mixture of emotions that are difficult to untangle.

Curiosity.

Doubt.

Uncertainty.

Courage.

The fact that they are an organized group and so deep into the tunnels is a mystery that absolutely must be revealed.

But a doubt arises spontaneously: can we trust this friendly stranger?

What if this cat was the enemy?

Maybe an envoy of some strength like Kirlh'iau...

Hmm…

“You said I shouldn't blame myself for anything, as if it weren't my fault. Do you have any evidence that these guests have been here since ancient times?”

“Pr-prr… no, no. I don't know how long they've been here. The fact is that I wouldn't call them guests. But invaders. They are not dead. I used Scan on them and—” the cat pauses for effect, pulling and puffing out its chest, “I saw that they have no malus. But rather a curious status.”

Oh.

I understand. There is no need to add anything else. The clues seem to paint an accurate picture.

People instead of monsters.

Located in depth instead of in the desert.

Organized instead of lost.

Live instead of dead.

This must be a consequence of Sylviette's findings. Hmm…

I pat my thigh.

Ci-cin.

“Gron, by any chance, the status of these people is Astral journey?”

The cat yawns. “Wow, you ruined my surprise.”

Ci-cin, Ci-cin, Ci-cin!

Even though I am wagging my tail excitedly, I try to keep my expression serious. I must not take the situation lightly.

“I understand, er—have you spoken to them yet? Can you tell me what types they are?”

“Prr, no. I sent a zombie ahead of the camp, but those rude people destroyed it without listening!”

“Hm, are they armed?”

“They are equipped rather than armed. But they have wizards among their ranks. I'd say I've spotted a Cursed Priestess.”

Hmm, maybe they thought a zombie was a threat… or it goes against their religious beliefs.

In any case, I know who to ask for some information about it. I doubt there are other planets hosting such technology, then.

“Gron, excuse me for a moment.”

[Necromancy]

In the room, the dust accumulates, forming an increasingly human-looking shape. It has blond hair and brown skin. The clothing is elegant but suitable for long crossings.

Sylviette, the elf of the Empire and assassin of the [Devil], and my friend appears.

Gron raises its head and lowers its ears. I doubt it is feared as it also uses [Necromancy]. I should not say, but Gron is admired.

Sylviette looks around her, checks the cape, and looks at me. I am used to her absent expression. I know that she knows how to hide her emotions efficiently.

“Hi, Sylviette. Sorry if I woke you up from your sleep.”

“Hm. Don't worry, I don't remember my dreams when I wake up. I can't regret it.”

Those words strike me. Sylviette pronounces them carelessly, without knowing that they fit well with the chat I made earlier with Gron.

How could regret something she does not remember?

However, it is a good thing that dreams of the dead are not remembered with [Necromancy], I had felt guilty choosing [Dreams] otherwise.

So…

I wave my hand at the cushion.

Sylviette senses my invitation to sit down. But she refuses with a nod.

“N, forgive me if I'm frank. I don't remember, but I know I was fine. If I am useless to you, could you leave me to my sentence?”

“Prr, remarkable. A level forty-five undead. My current abilities only allow me to recall up to level fifteen. She also talks and seems smart—oh!”

Sylviette frowns and looks down at the cat.

“Gron, don't scan Sylviette without notifying her. It's not very nice. Anyway… you don't know why I called you? Usually the targets—ah, of course! Excuse me. I didn't wake you up to fight, you will be confused. Sorry again.”

Sylviette looks at me without saying anything.

Is she waiting for her to move on?

However, her surprise is not part of her state of mind.

Gron is a cat, yet it speaks and casts magic. Is it possible that there are such peculiarities in her world?

Hmm… then…

“The fact is that Gron, the cat on your right, has met some adventurers.”

Gron nods, moving its tail slowly. Sylviette does not take her eyes off me.

“Do you think they used Astral journey?”

“Yes, they are elves. Gron, could you tell us if they were similar to her?”

“Prrr… hmm, actually, only one looked like her. Two were dark with dark hair. The others were lighter in complexion.”

“Sylv, does it tell you anything?”

Hearing the diminutive of her name, Sylviette lets out an expression of sweetness—which immediately disappears.

“They could be from my empire or neighboring kingdoms. Although the Empire is made up primarily of Dark elves, that does not mean the adventurers are all purebloods. There are foreigners and mixed blood, especially in areas far from the capital.”

I nod.

So, could they be her countrymen?

“However, beyond ethnicity, there's one thing that doesn't add up.”

“Prr, that is?”

“There are only three rings of the cosmic root, at least in my nation. They are given only to high Diplomats. There is no way that so many adventurers have the ring. I think it is obvious what I mean.”

Ci-cin.

“Yes, it's clear. Either the tables have turned in your country, or they are not from your country.”

Sylviette nods and bends down, reaching out to Gron.

The cat immediately moves back with its neck. But eventually, it lets itself be petted.

“I've never seen this type of animal; did you say its name was a cat?”

Oh! This explains why she was not surprised. There are no cats in her area. Nothing strange in seeing a talking one.

“Prr, I'm not just any cat! I am the great and only cat-golem created by the mighty Dal-Dazzer.”

“Gron don't—” I stop.

I would say brag.

But a sense of what has already been experienced stops me.

Dal-Dazzer the [cat-golem] inventor. And Gron's unnatural vitality as a construct.

A mild headache.

I remember these things. They emerge blurry in my mind.

“N?”

Ci-cin.

“Ah! Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts.”