Kaguya's ruby-like eyes blinked rapidly several times.
I shouldn't get involved.
Su Lun was practically dismantling the team's internal harmony—it was infuriating!
But to be honest, it was ultimately Ryuu and Alise who had chosen Su Lun. Kaguya didn't really have a leg to stand on when it came to questioning their choices.
Nevertheless, regardless of the logic, Kaguya's fist tightened. It tightened hard.
Kaguya remained silent for a while, then looked at Su Lun, her expression turning somewhat somber.
"Forget it. I didn't want to interfere in this anyway. Just make sure your relationship with Alise and Ryuu doesn't affect the bond of the entire Familia."
"...Everyone, let's return to the Starlight Garden first."
The group finally arrived back at the Familia's headquarters.
Su Lun gave a detailed report to the Goddess Astraea regarding their experiences from the 18th to the 24th floor, including the life-and-death struggle with the Wood Dragon, the progress of his relationship with Alise, and the encounter with the "Xenos."
Astraea listened quietly, falling into a long silence after he finished.
Her mouth opened slightly, and for a moment, she didn't know what to say.
She had expected her children to face fierce battles in the Dungeon, to find wondrous treasures, or to encounter various accidents—all of these were within her expectations as a Goddess.
However...
Alise's confession, Su Lun becoming lovers with both Ryuu and Alise simultaneously, and even the existence of "Xenos," those monsters possessed of reason... all of this far exceeded the Goddess's anticipation and imagination.
The Goddess gently closed her eyes and then opened them again. Her gaze fixed on Su Lun, and she spoke solemnly.
"I don't wish to say much. Since Ryuu and Alise are willing to accept such a relationship, and you can earnestly respond to their feelings... then how you proceed from here is your own freedom. I will not interfere."
She reached out and tenderly stroked Su Lun's cheek, but her tone suddenly turned heavy and helpless: "However, Su Lun... if you ever fail Alise or Ryuu in the future, I will not easily forgive you."
"Alright."
The Goddess's voice returned to its usual gentleness.
"Go and get some proper rest. Later, we'll look at the experience you gained this time; it should be time for a Level Up."
After Su Lun had rested for a day, all the Familia members had become aware that Alise and Ryuu had chosen him as their lover.
At that moment, Su Lun was walking through the central courtyard of the corridor when he encountered Kaguya.
Kaguya didn't lose her temper with him as she had before. Instead, she looked at Su Lun with a complex expression, her red eyes flickering with an unidentifiable emotion.
Eventually, she spoke to him: "You guy, why did you accept Alise? I thought you would always choose Ryuu."
Su Lun thought for a moment and then gave his declaration with total bluntness:
"To be honest, it's because I'm a bit soft-hearted, and I like beautiful girls. So, how should I put it... I just can't say no."
Hearing Su Lun's shameless honesty, Kaguya couldn't help but feel a surge of amazement.
This guy is certainly direct...
It made her feel that his skin was truly thick enough to be a shield.
Paradoxically, Kaguya felt a hint of admiration for Su Lun; at the very least, he was able to state the answer in his heart quite candidly.
"Do whatever you want. It's your life anyway. I'm certainly not going to stick my nose in your business anymore."
Kaguya couldn't help but let out a speechless laugh, feeling both exasperated and amused by Su Lun's incredible audacity.
Eh?
Why am I so annoyed by this?
Kaguya felt frustrated by the strange, inexplicable emotion bubbling up inside her.
"Before you say that, you should probably put some clothes on properly. If you walk around like that, it's hard to say what might happen."
Su Lun was retorting to Kaguya, because at the moment, she was wearing very little. With even the slightest movement, her semi-nude state would be fully exposed.
When inside the base, Kaguya often moved around quite casually in a state of partial undress. When there were no outsiders around, she was even more reckless.
Furthermore, Kaguya didn't really view Su Lun as a "normal" male, so she acted very straightforwardly.
And for Su Lun, seeing such a beautiful girl at such close range every day... as long as he was a man, it was hard not to feel something.
Now that Kaguya realized the issue, she shot Su Lun a glare.
"I used to think you were a eunuch. Am I not attractive enough as a beautiful girl? Why did you go after Alise and Ryuu instead?"
As Kaguya spoke, she did indeed tighten her clothes slightly.
Realizing she was standing in front of a man, her face couldn't help but redden, and she quickly walked away.
Su Lun watched Kaguya's departing figure, feeling somewhat helpless.
He thought of how the usually blunt and somewhat rough-mannered Kaguya could actually be so bashful.
To be honest, he hadn't expected Kaguya to show signs of being jealous.
His relationship with Kaguya had only ever been on the level of ordinary friends; they didn't have a deeper connection.
But Kaguya's current behavior had already exceeded the bounds of being "just friends."
Su Lun thought about it for a second, then shook it off.
Whatever. First, I need to find Goddess Astraea to update my status. It's time to Level Up.
Meanwhile, Alise and Ryuu met once again at the training ground.
Ryuu looked at her captain in silence.
How should I say it?
Should I ask directly?
Or should I ask why she fell for Su Lun?
Alise, who was usually as bright and open as a blazing fire, appeared somewhat at a loss for words.
In the end, it was Ryuu who broke the long silence, asking in a low voice:
"Alise, do you like Su Lun?"
"Yeah," Alise replied to Ryuu with total frankness.
"Back in the Dungeon, Su Lun saved me so many times. Maybe it has something to do with his skills, or maybe it's just me, but I definitely like him. I won't waver on that."
Looking at Alise's determined expression, Ryuu felt incredibly conflicted.
She knew that Su Lun was likely to attract the attention of other women. It would be strange if a man who was handsome, powerful, and helpful wasn't liked by women.
The critical issue was that this "rival" was her own trusted captain.
The fact that her lover and her best friend were now lovers themselves made her feel a bit suffocated. However, in a sense, she felt relieved—if Su Lun's other lover was Alise, Ryuu felt she could accept it.
If it were anyone else, she wouldn't have accepted it so easily.
Thinking of this, Ryuu became curious, though she felt a bit shy to ask.
"You and him... how far have you gone?"
Alise was stunned by the question, a blush creeping onto her face.
"We only kissed! We haven't actually done that yet! Besides, why is a hopeless elf like you thinking about that sort of thing?!"
Hearing Alise's words, Ryuu's face turned beet-red instantly.
She had only meant to ask how much their relationship had progressed, but she had clearly been misunderstood by Alise.
Realizing this, Ryuu had no choice but to change the subject.
"In that case, Alise... what if other girls who like him show up? What will we do?"
────────────────────────────────────────
Grand Opening Celebration
Sign up now and get 50% off – from today until the end of the month!
My : https://p*tre*n.com/Noctra418
Danmachi: My Magic Style is Different from Yours (Simulpub – Ongoing)
────────────────────────────────────────