Because there were loud sounds and tremors which echoed in the Dungeon, it's pretty easy to know the direction and even I who was slightly under the weather could recognize them. Though saying that—

"...I didn't expect myself to be carried with piggyback ride." I commented softly.

"What's wrong?" Fei glanced to me.

"No, it's nothing." I answered before sighing in my mind.

To be honest, I'm not fit enough to walk much less fighting but moving together was far better than leaving each other to our own devices. While there was a sense of shame for being carried like this, I remembered the times when I carried Arika in the same way.

...it's unexpectedly nice. No wonder she often smiled gleefully whenever I did this to her. Hm... If only my illness hadn't relapsed then we could've gone faster...

"...sorry. Relying on you right at the start even though I said all that."

"It's fine. I'm your knight so I will uphold my duty as one."

I curved down my lips hearing Fei's words, an odd sensation of warmth spreading in my body as my heart fluttered. Leaning my body to his back further, I circled my arms around his neck slightly tighter. Fei didn’t seem to mind it since he said nothing but I got the feeling he’s flustered if not blushing now.

“By the way, Fei. Will your fiancée get upset if she sees us like this?”

Fei flinched, nearly tripping and I yelped. He quickly maneuvered to regain his balance and he glanced at me with a terrible expression.

“I! Don’t! Care!! Or rather, you’re still hung up about that abominable conspiracy?!”

Conspiracy…?

“So you’re not engaged?” I assumed.

“Of course not. I’d rather kill myself a hundred times over if I were engaged to someone other than you!”

Eh? You… you’re fine with me but not with anybody else? Does that mean—

“Besides, I don’t need to make certain the house not burning if I’m engaged to you, Charlotte.”

Geh. He expects ME to do house sitting rather than spending time with me? Somehow, it makes me upset in my own way that I tightened my grips to strangle Fei!

“Gah!? What-what’s wrong with you, oy!?”

“Shut up, stupid Fei! Who do you think I am!?”

“Haa…!? What the heck’s wrong with you, all of a sudden?!”

The small trip ended upon leaving the staircase which connected the 18th Floor and the 17th Floor. I recognized the place being nearly the same as the 4th Floor excepting the vast empty space with less to no pillars around.

A hemispheric ceiling illuminated with shining crystals and ores fueled by the mana fed from the mana vein under the Dungeon made the Floor looked beautiful if not ethereal.

"This place is the common ground for new students to mine ores." Fei explained. "Since magic catalysts and crafting materials are necessary for various things it's a popular destination for all Courses students."

Hee... don't tell me it's because of the mined materials' quality? I don't think people want to stay long for common ores here. Assuming what Fei said was right, then this Floor must be full of rare ite—

*BOOM!!* A cloud of dust flew as I saw a gigantic figure smashed to the wall. Breaking apart crystals and ores into chunks, the figure groaned as I heard a familiar roar.

"Die!!"

The black figure pressed to the wall was hammered with powerful fists which made the sound of breaking bones. It trembled while howling in anguish yet it was unable to do anything once the boy smashed his fist again.

"Raaaaaaaaaaah!!"

...Uwa. He's rapidly punching it as if treating the monster as a sandbag. And he's so fast the enemy couldn't react till its last breath.

After I watched the brutal scene in dazes, the boy stained with blood and flesh spitted to the side while complaining.

"The third Asura. Hmph, and here I thought the last one standing was the strongest."

The boy snorted, and Fei judged with a deadpan gaze.

"…He's a moron, that battle maniac."

"Please don't just insult my little brother even if that's true..."

"Oh, I see... wait, what? Since when did you have a little brother, Charlotte?"

Urgh. I don't want to explain that for now so I hushed Fei to let me down. Once I tried to stand upright I wobbled and Fei assisted by holding my hands.

Then, the boy named Leonhardt turned to us and he dropped his jaws.

"...eh? Big... sister...?"

"Oh, hi! I'm back, Leon!!"

The boy's eyes widened and he was showing a dumbfounded face like a fool. However, his teeth soon chattered and he raised a finger which was trembling to me.

"Wh... what... what are you... what happened to you... your uniform... and those bandages... wait, what is that guy doing? How come the two of you... And what’s with the smell of blood…"

Eh? Oh? I turned to Fei who was still supporting me and he stared at Leon. After a few moments, the Black Hero smiled and he suddenly pulled my hands.

My head touched Fei's chest and I felt one of his hands holding my left hand while the other was circling behind my waist. With a smile giving the air of superiority, he said.

"Of course it's because I'm Charlotte's Knight. Stupid little brother."

*SNAP!* There was the violent sound of something akin to a thread snapping and blood red aura suddenly burst out from Leon's body.

What an ominous aura! Even I could feel my skins shuddering at the sight and just what kind of mode is that!? Trans-Am Burst?!

"Take-off-your-hands-from-her." Leon demanded. His voice sounded inorganic and there was venom in each and every word.

"Why should I? As a knight, I am allowed to give care for my princess. Right, Milady?"

Eeehh!? What are you saying?! And why are you leaning your head closer to me!? Close! This is just too close of a distance! It’s only limited for lovers, you know!?

At this rate, being caught up in crossfire will be unavoidable!! I don't want to die just because of some brawls happening between the Demon Prince and Hero!! More like, since when did a lower level Dungeon become a place for Last Boss fight!?

While I was stricken with fear in the inside, the sparks between Leon and Fei gradually increased and...

"Heeeeey! Leonhardt, you're alright!?"

Huh... that voice...? I turned to the direction it came from and there was a group of people I knew well. I immediately slip off Fei's grasp and called out.

"Ah... Mr. Shield! You're alright!"

"Uwoaah!? La-Lady Charlotte!?"

Cleo and Rebecca popped out from behind him and the three had their eyes bulging out from their eye sockets. Sort of. It wasn't long until the two girls burst out into tears and suddenly rushing to me.

"Thank the gods you're safe!"

"We're sorry for being so useless!"

"No, no... as long as you're all safe then I have nothing to say."

"But-but..."

While I reassured the two girls, I found someone else who's behind Mr. Shield and she's giving me a weird gaze. Hm...?

"Oh my. Miss Mia, you've woken up? How—"

".....!"

The girl shrieked and she hid behind Mr. Shield further.

"...Is something wrong?" I asked.

"Well... I think she must have felt ashamed for being seen in her wounded state before." The shield bearer answered. "Though Lady Charlotte's sibling saved her so we can't thank both of you enough now."

Ah... Is that so? I glanced at my little brother. It's quite rare for Leon to help out but it's good if she's alright now. I almost forgot that he can use magic since he’s a demon and he studied herbs pretty well.

"No! Stupid Milo, I'm not ashamed!!"

"Yes you are."

"I'm not!!"

"But you cried while apologizing."

"I'm not!!!"

"And you're even bawling with snot."

"I'M NOT!!"

...ah. Why do I feel like I've seen this scene somewhere before?

"Please don't mind them. They're often doing that when there's a trouble."

"Yes, though I'm kind of jealous..."

Hah? I glanced at Rebecca who was smiling bitterly then to Cleo. The two made a slightly sour expression and it caused me to tilt my head.

...are these two jealous of Mia? Or is that shield bearer treating the three as friends and nothing more? Rather... could it be that Mia is the one who knows him more than anyone and the two felt like losing against her?

These people really have weird relationships. Are all harems like this? I bet Haru would use his signature corkscrew blow right at Mr. Shield if he saw this scene and I would simply falcon punch him if he's dense.

I just hope Fei isn't like that though he started to look like typical harem Protagonist. Also—

"You red mutt."

"Bloody bastard!"

"Piece of shit."

"Scumbag!"

....For now, I guess hitting these two counted as a method to solve some problems right? I was about to stop the two idiots from fighting but I heard the sound of crumbling stones.

Everyone was frozen stiff upon hearing it. As none was about to move, I encouraged myself to trace the surrounding with my gaze and it fell upon the staircase I came out from earlier.

*CLATTER* The sounds of crumbling and falling rocks were heard along with trembling crystals. The earth was shaking and even the air was rumbling.

Second by second the noises increased its frequency. Moments after moments and the whole world seemed to vibrate and rocking like a ship within a stormy sea.

Chills ran down my spine as something inside of me screamed to run from this place.

"Destroy that staircase!" Fei roared.

However—it was too late as crimson orbs gleamed from the darkness inside that place. The walls around it cracked and an Asura armed with plate armors as well as gigantic battle axe emerged. Bringing with it was a horde of monsters consisting of magic beasts with blue flames enveloping their bodies.

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"How in the—?!!" I gasped but Fei snatched me from the spot immediately. "If you don't want to die then go upstairs! NOW!!"

The usual Fei was shouting frantically. He carried me over his shoulder and everyone snapped from dazes before breaking a leg to run.

"RROAAAAAARR!!!" The armored Asura howled so loud it shook the entire Dungeon.

The stalagmites cracked and falling with the ceiling, the place for footing decreased and Fei wobbled while avoiding the obstacles.

However, he reacted without hesitating and he kept on evading like a flowing water. From the left to the right, noticing the falling rocks and dodging them with ease to the point of stunning me.

Just how much efforts and talents could bring him this far? How could I even catch up with this monster of a prodigy? Those questions were blown away by another deafening roar and I stared back in horror.

"Ten... thirty... fif-fifty of them!? Just how many monsters are there in this Dungeon!?'

"Stop talking or you'll bite your tongue!!"

Ev-even so...! The numbers are strange and it makes no sense!! Isn't this more like someone just freed a bunch of monsters to slaughter us!? What's more, an Asura can't be so civilized enough to wear armors!! It must be armed and controlled by someone else if not taught by the right-hand of an eccentric goddess!!

"That's the staircase!!" Leon shouted.

Really!? The group hurriedly entered the staircase with me and Fei lagging behind. That was when another roar resounded and I saw the number of monsters multiplied again! Did they just multiply or something!?

I exasperated upon seeing some of the magic beasts blasting out blue fireballs at us. The ceiling was quickly illuminated by a shower of blue fireballs.

"Shit!!" "This is bad...!!"

Mr. Shield and Leon yelled. The two quickly took the girls and they leaped straight into the staircase which was beyond a small and narrow tunnel. Most of the fireballs which had no accuracy struck the wall instead of the tunnel but the others rained upon the entrance!

"Oh no! The path—"

"Not gonna happen!!"

I suddenly felt my sides being grabbed and my sight blurred. The sense of being unrestricted by gravity followed as I glimpsed the raining fireballs above me. Soon everything darkened as my body descended in the tunnel--

"BIG SISTER!!" Leon received me in a hurry and both of us fell to the ground just beyond the wall of azure flames.

However, I was staring blankly at the person beyond the flames. He brandished a black sword and he smiled at us. Behind his back, magic beasts have caught up and he...

He was smiling at me with the same smile like five years ago.

Something snapped inside of me. All thoughts were erased and my body pushed aside Leon with strength impossible for the current me to have. The flames flickered as if they were candle lights in a windless area and I stormed out from the tunnel with a leap.

I heard screams. I heard Leon's voice fading as the entrance of the tunnel crumbled after being struck by many powerful blasts of blue flame hot enough to melt the crystals and walls which sealed the exit completely.

I passed by Fei and slashed at the magic beasts right behind him. It did not even take a moment for me to twist the hand holding the sword and the blade slashed another batch of magic beasts.

"Charlotte...!? What are you—"

"More incoming!!"

Fei stopped breathing for a moment but he clenched his teeth strongly before raising up his sword. Then he swung down the black sword which cleaved a magic beast cleanly. Again and again he defeated the magic beast with ease but he knew he couldn’t leave me.

Standing and leaning my back to Fei's back, I exhaled while feeling the murderous gazes of the enemies which had taken the chance to surround us. Not sooner after my left leg transmitted sharp, searing heat which stabbed my mind.

Gritting my teeth, I calmly watched the movements of the magic beasts.

"What are you doing here?!" Fei yelled.

"...didn't I tell you? I want to stand by your side and that includes in this kind of event." I said.

Fei was silent. But he soon replied with heavy tone in his voice.

"I'm..."

"Don't apologize. I hate to hear it for a second time and it started to sound like an excuse."

The boy never looked at me. He stared up ahead and he continued to watch for any sudden movement though I knew he wanted to deny my words. Therefore I added.

"This is what I want to do, Fei."

"........."

Soon I heard a deep and low growl. My eyes recognized the monster which was towering over three meters with its six arms holding various close-range weapons as the leader of the horde yet the unease inside of me remained the same.

I wonder if I can surpass it? Like how I defeated Bravzgaim, maybe miracle could happen again. However... I noticed that I was just being extremely lucky.

I don't know if I will survive through this. I don't know if my body could last through this imminent danger. I don't even know if I will see something worse than the hell which appeared endlessly in my dream. But...

"I want to do it. I will fight with you no matter how weak I become."

Yes. That's why I will be as selfish as possible to achieve this objective of mine. I don't care even if I'm not a Hero. I don't care even if I can't change the world. All I wanted to do is to stay by this person's side till everything's over.

Because he is similar to me. Because I can't let him alone. And also because I don't want to be left behind by him.

...I guess... I'm just being lonely huh? Even so—

"How stupid. That's why you're going to end here, you pitiful wench!"

Huh!? Th-this voice...?! I stared at the shadow of a person appearing far behind the waves of monsters along with Fei and we both widened our eyes at it.

A person... A student!? And that is a classmate! Why is he there!? But wait... don't tell me...!

"It has been a while, mademoiselle..." The boy curtsied politely.

"...you... you are..." I frowned as a sign of anger swelled inside of me.

His gesture was refined. His air exuded the impression of a nobility and he possessed a rapier which I knew well hanging beside his waist.

That Spatula guy! I thought he's undertaking special extra lessons but...

"...I see. So you're the perpetrator of this incident." Fei suddenly said. "Such an ill hobby you have there to make leeway for a third party to interfere with the education system. How did you do it?"

The boy snorted at Fei as if he didn't care even though he's up against the Black Hero.

"This does not concern you, his highness the prince. I am simply settling a personal matter with the mademoiselle over there so please don't interfere."

"Is that so? You don't look like an acquaintance to her so I must refuse."

Fei stepped forward once as he exuded hostility at the Spatuwhatnot. However, the noble boy laughed.

"So it really is true! How truly laughable!!" He said before going into a fit of laughter.

"...what do you mean by that?" Fei asked.

A piercing cold air drifted around the blazing scenery and I could feel my heart thumping with unease. What is this...? This sense of foreboding....?

As I carefully watched the boy who clearly had ill intentions at me, he suddenly stopped laughing.

"Do it."

A roar reverberated and the Asura jumped. So high! And he's going to land at us!? But what about these magic beasts—

"CHARLOTTE!" Fei shouted as my vision once again shook.

My back then hit the rough ground and I rolled for a few turns as a massive shockwave and the ear deafening sound similar to explosion sent me further away.

I got up and I stared at the clouds of dust. That Asura... He squashed the magic beasts and he swung down his weapons wildly like a berserker would! But what about Fei!? Don't tell me...!

"F-Fei...!" I shouted out but my voice couldn't hope to reach the noises made by the Asura until a black figure leaped out from the smokes and dust.

The person landed moderately far from the crash site but he was quickly approached by the giant. That must be Fei but when I saw a wide red stain on his left shoulder I choked.

He's wounded! This is bad—

"Now then... how about we have a little duel again, mademoiselle?"

I looked to the right and there was him. This Spatula guy... just how did he command a Celestial Monster so easily...? Is that his ability?

...no. I don't have any basis but I knew he has some tricks in his sleeves. I stood up with slight difficulties and readied a battle stance. In the meantime, Spatula drew out his rapier and he brought a dozen of the odd magic beasts with him.

Now that I looked at them carefully... are they subspecies of Hell Hounds? If not, are they similar to Kerberos?

"...ganging up on a girl? What nerves you have there." I commented.

"So? Let's see how you fare now. And if you can't... surrender yourself to me." He said with a nasty smile.

Ugh. I know that people can be disgusting but not to this extent. I hid the shiver running down my back by staring hard at my enemy and I replied to his demand.

"Unfortunately, I hate people like you the most so I will have to refuse."

"You will regret your choice... wench."

Ha! This guy finally showed his true color now! With a swing of his rapier and the magic beasts charged to me.