Chapter 216: She Who Held the ck Staff in Her Sleep


    The frontline unit sessfully escaped the Stampede for now, and they continued their retreat toward Sentrea while fending off monster ambushes along the way. While resting their exhausted horses, Tsutomu passed by Alma, whose ck hair had stiffened due to the dried Sandworm blood.


    I REALLY need to wash this off soon


    While the smell had not been too bothersome before due to everyone being upied with monster ambushes, Alma had now realized that she smelled terrible  something akin to rot, perhaps due to there being things inside the Sandworms stomach that had notpletely digested.


    With Tsutomu passing by with a slightly wrinkled nose, Alma turned to face him, alert to his presence. Normally, Alma would not have struck up a conversation with Tsutomu due to the awkwardness between them, but in her current state of agitation after being swallowed by the Sandworm, she reflexively opened her mouth,


    What, you think Im stinky?


    To be fair, you ARE stinky. Maybe your nose has gotten used to it by now, but you smell like rotten meat to me.


    Uh fair enough, I guess? Alma, hearing Tsutomus response, looked away after an awkward and hesitant pause.


    For a simr reason, the space around the rescued Explorers who had been swallowed by the Sandworms was noticeably vacant.


    Tsutomu, observing Almas reaction, made a face with a mix of amusement and exasperation before calling out to the Undine in his pocket.


    Can you clean her up? She smells so bad, my nose is about to curl Tsutomu made his request while holding his nose, and the Undine, the Slime-shaped Spirit, turned away in a decisive refusal.


    Tsutomu proceeded to negotiate with the Undine, stacking up more and more Water Magic Stones. He eventually managed to entrust the clean-up of the fluid-covered Explorers to the Undine.


    Arent you a White Mage? Howe your affinity with the Spirit is so high? I cant believe one of them would be willing to do such menial tasks like this


    Eh, because Im a lucky boy, I guess?


    Gah Look, Im sorry about that, all right?


    I should say sorry, too. I know its behind us now, but well, I couldnt resist.


    Tsutomu had already received a full apology from Alma, and seeing that she was genuinely apologetic, this time he was the one to apologize for making an insensitive joke. The Undine crawled up from the ground and started scraping the gunk off Alma who, while appearing slightly ticklish, lowered her gaze.


    Say, do you remember that one time, while that nickname fiasco was going on, when our eyes met?


    I pretended not to see you. I was afraid that if we spoke, Id be asked to return the ck Staff. Really, Im sorry. The face you made at me I still remember it sometimes.


    Its all right. As you can see, Im doing perfectly well for myself.


    Despite what he said, Tsutomus expression was not particrly bright. When the nickname Lucky Boy became known, Tsutomu had no reliable allies in this fantasy world. Almas act of deliberately avoiding eye contact with him at that time stuck with him due to it happening when absolutely everyone around him was a stranger  It felt as if he had been pushed off a cliff.


    Youre strong, you know  strong enough that you actually dont need the ck Staff. But I really should have talked to you then. When Weiss took the ck Staff away, I felt a bit of what you were going through  and if it werent for my nmates doing that I wouldnt be here. Alma nced at Garm and Amy, who were chatting with the other Absolute Helix members. And you you have good friends, too. There is no telling what wouldve happened if they hadnt been there for you. I mean, back then, you seemed like a lost child. All the more reason that I shouldve spoken up instead of avoiding you, you know, seeing that I was the one who penned that nickname.


    Its all right, really. You apologized, and thats good enough for me.


    I dunno, you didnt exactly leave on a good note thest time we talked But for the record, I treat the ck Staff as just a tool now, all right? I dont hold it in my sleep anymore, really!


    [She actually did that!? I mean, that mightve sounded cute out of context, but still]


    As Tsutomu stared with widened eyes at Alma, she blushed and took a moment to regain herposure.


    A-anyway Considering how badly I treated you, I Mmph!?


    Huh? A-are you all right?


    Mmph!? Blub blub blub


    Whoa, Undine! Stop it! Youre drowning her!


    The Undine, seemingly unable to overlook Tsutomus saddened expression, suddenly pounced on Almas face. Alma, with the blue Slime-like creature covering her face, could not breathe and struggled, while Tsutomu hurriedly tried to peel it off.


    As the chaos unfolded, Weiss looked on with a solemn expression.


    The frontline unit, having rested their horses, resumed their journey and safely returned to Sentrea without any further monster ambushes. House Babenberg had put up shields spanning from the underground to the sky in Sentrea, providing ample protection against monster attacks. With the threat seemingly averted, the troops finally let themselves rx, engaging in casual conversations.


    Christia conveyed to House Babenberg the intelligence she gained from the Stampede, instructing the knights to readjust Sentreas defenses, including its walls and weapons. Afterwards, she called over Leon, who had been conversing with the head of House Babenberg.


    Listen, Leon  if this information doesnt reach the Royal Capital, I fear that things will take a turn for the worse. You must ensure that they are informed. Return to the Capital immediately and ensure this information is delivered. The documents are allpiled here.


    Mm-hm. Sure, leave it to me.


    Sorry for making you do this. When you sessfully deliver this information urately to the Royal Capital, Ill have a reward ready for you.


    For real!? All right!


    Leon, who had been working himself to the bone since being summoned to the Capital, was suddenly reenergized upon hearing of Christias promised reward. With Leon brimming with enthusiasm as he left Sentrea, Christia headed toward the head of House Babenberg to discuss matters concerning the defensive battle.


    Meanwhile, Tsutomu, leisurely seated in the inns lobby, spected about the recent behavior of the monsters.


    Hmmmmmmmm


    [Monstersmanding other monsters I dont think that has ever existed before.]


    Beside him, Hannah, wearing a difficult expression as she practiced Magic Fist with Magic Stone Scraps. Tsutomu crossed his arms and dug through his mental archive of Live Dungeon knowledge. However, in the game, creatures with the intelligence tomand monsters were nonexistent. Although there were talking monsters, they usually were encountered alone in pseudo-boss fights, making it unlikely for them to assume amanding role.


    Ow!? Teach! Im hurt again!


    [Also, the members of the Scarlet Devil Squad and Absolute Helix were specifically targeted. If theres someone who canmand monsters, theyd typically aim for Christia, themander right? Considering what the targeted members have inmon its probably that theyve progressed further down Gods Dungeonpared to the others. Besides, the targeting toward me specifically seemed even more persistent.)


    Even if there actually was someone capable ofmanding monsters within the Stampede, Tsutomu could not discern the motive behind the attack. Concealing Wyverns in the clouds, ambushes from Sandworms in the ground  particrly in soft soil where Sandworms could easily advance, and likely having other monsters help with the digging. Despite possessing intelligence capable of issuing such detailed instructions, the individualmanding the monsters did not seem to target Christia but rather those associated with Gods Dungeon.


    Cmon, Teach, can I get some healing here? What, youre not gonna make me waste a Potion, are you~~?


    Hannah, dont bother him, Korinna said, Here, Ill heal you.


    [If it spawned in a Dungeon like a Devourer Dragon, it probably wouldnt target me, and instead go for someone stronger. Still, the fact that it specifically aimed for me suggests another factor Maybe the monster infiltrated Dungeon City even before this Stampede?]


    Arriving at such a conclusion, Tsutomu turned to Hannah, who was having her injured fingertip healed by Korinna. As Tsutomu reached his hand out to Hannah, she brightened, hoping for a swift recovery.


    <<Holy>>.


    Gyah!! Whyd you attack me like that, Teach!? WHYYYYYY!?


    <<Holy>> had almost no effect on humans  at most warming them up a little  but Hannah rolled around on the ground, exaggerating her pain.


    Well, it seemed like someone wasmanding the monsters in the Stampede, you see, and its probably someone rted to Dungeon City  So I thought it might be you. Looks like I was wrong, though.


    What!? I mean, I have absolutely no idea what you were talking about, but youre suspecting me of doing something!? Why!?


    I dunno, maybe you were getting kinda annoying with how much you hurt yourself?


    Oh cmon! Im working hard on my training, you know!


    Indeed, Tsutomu had been finding Hannahs recent practice of Magic Fist somewhat irritating  especially how she would do it near him. His casting of <<Holy>> on her, however, was unintentional. Hannah was angry all the same, however, as apparent in how she was pping her wings.


    Also, back when we were in Dungeon City, I already told you not to use the Magic Fist out here. If youre going to keep unting it just because youre Sir Melchors apprentice, I wont heal you anymore.


    I wouldnt do it here!


    And Korinna, dont feel obligated to heal her, all right?


    Yes, of course.


    Korinna! Dont let him poison you! I still want you to be a good girl! KORINNAAA!!


    Oi, retorted Tsutomu, feeling that he had been indirectly insulted.


    In return, Hannah looked at him with a mixture of fear and expectation. Tsutomu proceeded to ignore her, standing up from his chair.


    Ill talk to Garm and the others. Since Healers might be targeted from the start this time, you should be careful too, Korinna.


    Y-yes, I understand.


    Following Tsutomus warning, Korinna, looking scared, and Hannah, appearing jittery, were left behind as Tsutomu went to the other n members, conveying to them his spection about the possibility that the onemanding the monsters might be rted to Dungeon City. <hr/>