Danmachi: There’s Absolutely Nothing Wrong With Seeking a Harem

The road of the expedition was a long one.

Keeping Riveria's words firmly in mind, Bell spent the six-day journey practically inseparable from the beautiful elf princess.

After accepting the crystal from Ais, Bell immediately sealed it away.

When he saw the blue crystal, the [Luck] on his back had reacted strangely. If his intuition was right, and it was a magic item with special effects similar to the ring on his hand, then the Guild was probably trying to use Loki Familia's eyes to investigate the secrets hidden deep within the Dungeon.

Bell did not know what exactly the Guild was hiding, but if he could go along with it and do the Guild a favor, it would help lay the groundwork for future negotiations.

He put the crystal away, intending to bring it back into the open when the time was right.

"What's wrong, Bell Cranel? You look like you have a lot on your mind."

Riveria asked softly.

The two of them were now walking side by side through the Dungeon. Behind them, the other members, especially Alicia and Lefiya, kept sending sharp, unrelenting stares their way. That heavy emotion seemed to turn into an invisible club, as if it meant to beat the boy down to his knees.

But Riveria only glanced at Lefiya and the others, easily dissolving the girls' assault.

An expedition was not a date.

Riveria had warned the members as much, yet as she walked beside the boy, she seemed to have slipped out of the mask of [Nine Hell]. The atmosphere surrounding the two of them was like an ambiguous barrier, leaving no room at all for anyone else to step in.

"Riveria-san, to be honest, I'm a little concerned about the identity of the remnants of Evilus."

Bell answered honestly.

After they reunited with Loki Familia, Finn told Bell what Loki Familia had found. The villains who had framed Ryuu in Rivira Town had all been hunted down and met a nightmare.

Just like the remnants in the [Water City], when they realized they had nowhere left to run, they all chose to detonate the Kaenseki on their bodies. Thanks to that, Finn and the others had gained almost nothing.

The one who appeared before them then was Jura, the Cat-person man Bell had personally slain.

"Thanks to your decisiveness, we were able to gain something."

Riveria praised him softly.

Under the effects of the [Status Thief], everyone was able to see the secret hidden inside Jura's corpse.

It was a crest made up of a scythe and pitch-black wings.

People called that God, [The Grim Reaper].

"..."

Bell did not respond to the praise.

He had a feeling that he was one step closer to the answer.

The tragedy that had bound Astraea and Ryuu, and the girls who had devoted their lives to justice.

His grandfather's final promise, the [Higanbana] growing around the River Styx.

The members of Evilus who, for the sake of their dead loved ones, were willing to embrace death itself if it meant seeing them one more time.

And the Black Goliath that had been drawn by divine will and born on the eighteenth floor.

The answers to all of those mysteries were likely in the mouth of [The Grim Reaper].

The fact that this evil God could appear openly in the Dungeon, while Orario had been completely unable to trace even the slightest clue, meant the Dungeon definitely was not as simple as having another entrance.

In the worst case, the remnants of Evilus might have control over an unknown place that neither Adventurers nor monsters could reach, where evil and darkness continued to breed.

To fulfill his promise to the Goddess and eliminate that risk, Bell would one day have to fight this massive dark force.

"..."

Riveria could tell the boy's thoughts were in turmoil.

She knew Bell had not been frightened by the words "Grim Reaper," but had his own special considerations.

Riveria waited quietly for a short while before saying, "If something is troubling you, you can tell me."

"Thank you. I was just reminded of a few things."

Bell pulled his thoughts back, thanked her, and changed the subject. "Riveria-san, do you think that red-haired woman will appear again this time?"

Compared to the Grim Reaper, whose whereabouts were unknown, the expedition in front of them was more important.

According to Riveria, during their last expedition, they had encountered the same kind of Female Body Type monster that had appeared in Rivira Town.

If the enemy had continued drawing nourishment from the Dungeon in that unique way, just like during the incident at the twenty-fourth floor pantry, then after two months, their forces had surely expanded.

"If she's still heavily injured, we shouldn't need to worry."

Riveria recalled the details Ais had given about the incident and answered softly.

Only a few days had passed since their last clash. Even if the Creature's recovery ability was strong, it could not completely transform in such a short time. Otherwise, after the failure in Rivira Town, the red-haired woman's potential would have risen rapidly, and she would not have been defeated by Ais's sword.

It was precisely because they had considered this that Loki Familia had quickly pushed forward with the expedition plan and entered the Dungeon.

"In that case, the only things left are the unidentified enemy and the [Calamity]..."

Bell organized his thoughts.

The remnants of Evilus treated Jura and the others as disposable pawns and clearly had no intention of starting a full-scale battle. Although Bell and the others had adjusted their formation to be ready for an Evilus attack at any time, the odds of an actual fight were very low.

The real threat was the Calamity sent out by the Dungeon.

Even if the enemy destroyed a floor to summon it, could that monster really stand against so many opponents on its own?

Unlike the former Astraea Familia, Loki Familia had multiple experienced Level 6s. To them, the Calamity was merely a rare monster.

Unless it struck while their fighting strength was scattered...

Bell did not continue thinking about it. It would be better to discuss something like that with Finn and the others after they reached the fiftieth floor. Bringing it up now would only make everyone uneasy.

"The arrow is already on the string, Bell Cranel. I know you're worried about us, but if you worry too much, humans get wrinkles, you know."

Riveria spoke gently.

She could tell the boy had stopped dwelling on it, and her tone unconsciously gained a hint of playfulness.

"I see. I've finally found the reason why Riveria-san is more beautiful than the flowers in the forest."

Bell understood her meaning and smoothly followed her lead.

"Hehe, like I said, even if you praise me..."

Riveria paused for a moment.

"You won't get anything out of it."

The two of them smiled and spoke in unison.

"Even so, Riveria-san, you still have a bet you haven't fulfilled, don't you?"

Bell's gaze fell on her cherry-colored lips. "I don't mind even if it's in front of everyone else."

"..."

Riveria froze for a moment, realizing the boy was jokingly bringing up the [kiss] from their bet.

Her cheeks instantly flushed a delicate pink, like cherry blossoms in spring.

"That was only Elfy talking nonsense. It absolutely doesn't count. But..."

"As compensation, Bell Cranel, when we meet in private from now on, just call me by my name."

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