At my proposal, the group of elves are astonished. They nod and introduce themselves in turns.

Clavynia, [Apostle of the Hunt], is the group scout. She acts as a vanguard. She sets up cords and lanterns in the tunnels. In this way, she has already mapped miles and miles of the [Sanctuary].

She is clean-shaven and lean-built, and she barely speaks to me, keeping her head bowed in deference.

The massive elf Vallycum, [Explorer] and [Miner], handles explosives and studies terrain and materials. He works closely with Clavynia and takes care of the safety of the routes. He keeps a travel diary and an index of materials.

When he returns to his world, he takes care of the logistics.

Drucyw, [Fire paladin], is a burly elf skilled in supplies and combat. She is the one who dealt with Gron's zombies and wields a flamberge. Her armor is the most complete of the group and protects the shoulders, knees, and chest.

Amerio, [Arcane eater], is the one hunched over and covered in the red habit. He does not tell me anything other than that he is ill and is the promoter of the expedition.

Kavfyra is his follower, and both trust that the gods of beauty have entrusted them with the task of saving the best of the elves.

As he speaks, I sense that Amerio does not respect me despite the judgment of that mysterious wand.

Fulzo, [Veteran captain], is a former elven soldier. He is the executive commander of the expedition.

“And so, we all introduced ourselves, N.” He concludes the speech by smiling at me under his mustache.

Ci-cin.

I stand up and stretch my extremities. I pass my gaze from one to the other. They are an organized group, perhaps a little minimal for an expedition of this type.

“How do you get food? I can guide you to the large structure, but it will take a long time. Not for me, but for you. It is certainly a lot.”

“Don't worry, inside what you call Sanctuary, we don't feel hungry. It's as if we are completely separated from our world.”

“Hmm… doesn't your body waste away there? You could die on the way.”

Kavfyra grimaces. “It will not happen. We have also hired skilled magicians to leave the bodies in stasis.”

“Oh, great organization.”

“We came and went several times. We decided not to return until we got some results. We have seen those entire weeks here—”

I nod. “I know that time flows differently. Okay, okay, if you're calm, I am too. Get ready, I'll go get equipped, and let's go!”

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

[Dungeon path]

Their perplexed faces fill me with joy, and I emerge into my room.

Ah, I left Gron there!

Patience.

It will make friends.

Even if they eliminate it, Gron will fall back here. Assuming they succeed, Gron is now superior to ordinary mortals.

Anyway.

I hop on the boards and reach the kitchen. Creaks.

Both the umbrella and the Atmosphere-eater are on the table.

Hmm, looking at the black blade, I see new iridescent veins. The error is expanding.

Given its strength, I could bring it into the sanctuary, but I would risk alarming those adventurers. The two dressed in red already think I am a monster…

…I do not know how they would react to seeing a real monster.

Plus, this sword is always so hot. It is true that with [Immortality] it is not a problem, but it is also heavy…

I grab the umbrella.

[Umbrella of murder] will be more than enough since I can use the last [ability].

I draw my blade, and a wave of marine-effect blue light invades the room.

The sword of sapphire that killed Kirlh'iau.

I admire the blade. It is bound to a new question. If I met the owner before Gron, how do I not remember Gron?

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

I remember the assaults on the [core]. But I remember almost nothing about the Golden Doors.

If Gron had not told me about it, I would have remained unaware of the same. Yet I am sure they have something to do with the [Leviathan], the [Devil], and…

…something I do not remember.

Sigh.

The ears flap. I sheath my sword.

There's no point in crying over what I've lost, just as there's no point in regretting when I have other things to do.

Well.

I open the umbrella and turn it over with the shaft between my fingers.

Dear adventurers, let's go!

[Dungeon path]

♦

At the head of the group is Clavynia, followed by Vallycum and, a few minutes away, Drucyw. I, Fulzo, and Gron are immediately behind the two massive elves while Kavfyra and Amerio bring up the rear.

They are the slowest, most fragile, and most ‘important’ expedition members. However, I think they are behind my back because they do not trust me.

Differently from the other side of the chasm, the path is wider, and although it does not allow walking in pairs, there is no need to hang from the ivy adhering to the wall.

They picked the wall by inserting hooks with a safety cord. Not that it helps.

We walk in silence, and Gron climbs onto my shoulders.

“From here, you can no longer use skills that require magic.” Whisper in my ear.

I nod and continue walking, looking at Fulzo's shoulders as a reference.

[skills] that require [Magic]. Does this mean that my [poison skills], produced by my body, still work?

Or was Gron wrong?

♦

Once we reach the other side, the party regroups. We wait for Clavynia to return.

Before starting the crossing, I could have transported them to the other side. But curious to see what they've been up to so far; I have followed them.

With relief, I note that the clearing is the same one I know. I recognize the cave and the narrow path I usually come from.

So, we took an alternative route to get to the same point. Well, from here, just keep right and—

“N, Clavynia did the inspection. Now she asks if you want to lead the way?” Fulzo looks at me seriously.

Behind him, Clavynia is standing still, continuing to avoid my gaze.

I clap my hands. “Sure!”

I set off, passing the members of the group. Gron lets out a few purrs.

The footsteps of the adventurers' boots echo in the cave. I am not used to such intense noises. I try to keep my ears down with my hands.

“Is something wrong, N?”

“No, don't worry…” …I just have to get used to the confusion of the echo.

We continue for a long time.

The dark tunnels and cave were lit by ivy and coral. There are no distractions or suspicious noises.

The temperature drops, and even in astral form, the adventurers seem to be affected.

Slopes and steep walls are an obstacle for them. With boots and gauntlets, they cannot grasp the ivy like I do, and instead, they lower themselves with ropes, nails, and ice axes.

Gron stays on my shoulders for the crossing, coming down to stretch now and then.

“Great N, I don't want to distrust you with my words…” Clavynia has reached me and keeps her gaze at my feet. She scratches the back of her neck nervously.

The rest of the group remained behind and talked.

“Just tell me.”

“There, er… we've already been walking one hundred and eight turns of the shadow. Are you sure you didn't get lost?”

Huh?

I do not know how to translate the shadow turns familiarly, but it must be a long time.

Hmm, and yes, it has not been that long since I took the lead—phew.

“We're not lost, we're about a tenth of the way there. I mean, compared to the glacier. I can't be sure, but more or less a tenth, yes. A tenth.”

I scratch my ankle with the other foot. Clavynia looks away. She looks shocked, but I do not say anything to her.

“I-I—I understand, supreme N. I will report this to the rest of the team.”

“Hey, look, you don't need that ‘supreme’. I'm N, N, and that's it. Just I live here, I have nothing to boast about compared to you living people. After all, we're the same, aren't we?”

Clavynia raises her head. I cannot decipher her expression: amazement, fear?

She turns around without saying anything and joins the group further back. Vallycum finishes placing a nail in the wall, threading the rope through the eye.

“And with that—it's over.” He mutters.

It refers to the rope. They must have completed it.

Clavynia speaks to them in a low voice. So, I cannot understand, even if the individual glances are talkative.

Looking at his hand gestures and expression, I assume Fulzo is coming to my defense. Kavfyra and Amario have different gestures.

Amerio coughs.

So far, he has coughed a few times, but now he is coughing more frequently.

Scrambling my feet on the grassy and coral surface, I try to distract myself from their discussion.

“You don't think they will betray you? Prr.” Gron has placed itself between my ankles and is following the progress of the debate.

“How can they betray me?”

“Right, it'll be more of a mutiny.”

“Gron, you have little faith in others.”

The cat puts a paw on my calf. “No, no. I have faith in those who deserve it. You who are forgetful, Dal-Dazzer who created me. My adventure companions. But I don't like these people.”

“Are you still angry about the destroyed zombies?”

“Don't be superficial. Those two red-clad fanatics hate you. You don't correspond to their ideal when they have the opportunity—worse when you are no longer useful, they will eliminate you.”

Ci-cin.

I wrap my snake-headed tail around Gron and pull it up, carrying it in my arms.

“Even if you were a seer, they couldn't. I have you to defend me, right?”

I press my face against its hairy belly, trying to lighten things up with affection.

Ci-cin!

Breaking free, Gron slips away and falls to the ground.

“Don't be silly! When you find a downway, I will not hesitate to continue my journey. You are in charge here. You cannot rely on the contingency of the living.”

“Look, I'm a living person too!”

“You are as silly as them. Prr… look, sorry. As long as that happens, I'll keep my eyes open for you too.”

Gron walks away, approaching the group who have meanwhile finished discussing.

Fulzo comes towards me with a heavy step.

“N, N!”

“Hi, tell me.”

“The journey is still long, right?”

I nod.

“Then we would ask you to rest for a few hours. Is it safe around here?”

I nod again and look at the group beyond Fulzo's grandeur. “Safe is safe. But aren't you in astral form?”

“You are right. But the fact is that two are sick, and the disease, even if it doesn't progress in the Sanctuary—in short, it's still trying.”

I imagine he is referring to Amerio. I cannot identify the second patient…

…maybe the disease is in its early stages?

“Will it be enough for you to rest?”

“Yes, in shorter expeditions, it was enough. Being a divine disease, it works in ways that are obscure to us… I am desolate.”

I fumble with the umbrella, twirling it.

“Uh, don't worry. I'm not in a hurry. I'll wait.”

Fulzo makes a bow in thanks, and out of habit, I lower my ears and do the same.

Getting up, I see Gron hiding among some rocks.

Although I cannot read its expression, I have an uneasy feeling. Is it angry?

I look away and sit up.

The adventurers take some gear out of their packs and set up camp.

I think back to those white cubes.

[Holy explosives].