The outing with Elaris ended with Enrico carrying her on his back back to the castle. After placing her on the bed while she slept, he closed the door carefully so as not to wake her. Elaris had fallen asleep after getting tired from the small fight they had. That training area was only not destroyed because they were very careful, so she promised she would strengthen that zone just like her parents used to do when they trained seriously.
[So now you're going to spend tomorrow with Grakka?]
'Apparently not, because the test Elaris gave her was to hunt some rare flowers for her garden'
Since the system had to leave to deal with something it was keeping secret, it didn't hear that part. But Elaris's test was for Grakka to bring two types of flowers. One was located in the human world, in the lilac forest of Sanos, hidden in a magical field, and the other was located here in the elf world, on an island where creatures of Syl'Morath level were born, possibly even an Eld'Rhaen.
'From what Elaris mentioned, Grakka left quickly, taking some training letters I saved for her when I was halfway through the sixth circle'
[She took those letters? I doubt she's at that level, so that orc is definitely planning something crazy]
'You're probably right… but I'm sure she'll manage'
He thought that way mainly because he didn't see Grakka dying. Besides, from what he remembered, in those letters he had left teleportation stones, since he had already imagined that someone obsessed with following the orc path would do something like that.
'Besides, I know she'll get stronger. Orcs are like that—if I tried to stop her, I'd get hit with an axe'
[That's probably why she likes you then]
That was true. Besides being strong—something orcs wanted in their partners—Enrico was someone who wouldn't stop Grakka from following her path. He might disagree with some orc traditions, but it was their choice, so he wouldn't interfere unless it put her in danger beyond what was acceptable.
Walking back to his room, he looked out the window and saw Malunes testing the cannon in the distance, even though it was so late at night. She seemed excited, blowing up seven mountains at the edge of the elf dimension, undoubtedly waking anyone who had been sleeping. He could see her because he had activated his crimson eyes. Malunes had gone very far away to test that weapon without causing too much damage, and poor Ocirne was standing beside her with a small drop of sweat running down her forehead.
'She's pretending well'
[If she doesn't want to be discarded, that's what she has to do]
When the mana cannon seemed to start fading, Malunes crouched down, deactivating it and began adjusting something inside. She had certainly already thought of a way to improve it. Placing his hand on his neck, he continued walking toward his room.
[How do you plan to be chosen for that true dungeon? From what I saw, only one person can enter]
'If you're asking that, it's because you went to read the side story'
[I got curious]
That side story tells the journey of one of the last characters to appear in the original story. That character was very strong, but very foolish, as she was considered a villain who worsened the situation of the true dungeon world. A stupid mage who, after helping destroy that world, returned to the original world stronger and became one of Kai's main rivals when the evil gods descended.
'Karina'
An ambitious woman who sought the death of a ninth-circle mage of Sanos. That ninth-circle mage was none other than the shadow mage who operated behind the scenes in Sanos, aiming to take control of all territories. Among the ninth circles, he and the queen of Tianlong were the only ones who could truly be considered villains.
"The good thing is that this queen is on our side… and I'll need to find a better way to make Tianlong grow attached to me, because the elixir alone won't restrain the ancient mages"
Those mages were considered among the twenty strongest of the past era. Six of them had survived from the former top ten. They appeared in an arc where the new generation surpassed the old—although the only one who truly won his fight was Kai. Back then, he even felt down seeing the other characters being defeated. That team included Tolen, Chalés, Valença, and Elaris. Lan was also there, but honestly, he was glad about his defeat.
'At that time they were in the seventh circle, so it was obvious they would lose, even if they weren't at full strength'
To make things worse, they could have returned to their peak form, which was the eighth circle like the opponent Kai faced, but it wasn't even necessary against inexperienced youths. It was a complete humiliation. Of course, it made them stronger afterward, but they still didn't come close to Kai.
Currently, they were evolving and had already far surpassed their original story versions—at least for this year. If he calculated correctly when that event would happen, maybe some would reach the eighth circle—Kai, Victoria, and possibly Lira, who had disappeared after graduation. The only thing she left behind was a letter saying she would follow the advice he gave her, but would make that advice even better in the place she was going to train.
'I need to reach that dungeon quickly, so I'll leave tomorrow'
[You'll have to explain it well, since you'll be gone for at least two months]
'I have an idea'
Entering his room, he closed the door quietly. Before he could turn around, Enrico felt something soft press against his back, and his cheek was kissed by Yumeha, who was wearing her favorite sleepwear—a nearly transparent outfit she wore when she wanted to spend a night alone with him.
"Master, now that I'm back, I want to show how much I missed you"
Her cheek rested on his shoulder. With a neutral expression, he simply lifted her into the air and sat on the bed with her on his lap. Yumeha was slightly blushing, and in her eyes it was clear she had missed him. When he mentioned he would be gone for two months, it would be even worse for her then.
"We should start before the others come to interrupt, Master"
'System, turn off the screen'
[You damn pervert]