Chapter 44 - Venturing Deeper (1/2)

After Rio and the others woke up, they freshened themselves with a makeshift bathroom Rio created. The bathroom was a small, new space he created by digging another channel into the wall. There was only a bathtub which was filled with warm water to soak.

In the beginning, Rio didn't have a habit for soaking in hot water like Japanese, but that had become his new habit after he socialized with the students. In Heiligh Palace, he would enjoy the dip in hot water together with some male students such as Hajime, Kouki, Ryutarou, Kousuke, and his two friends. Before he knew it, he had been influenced by those children's culture.

It wasn't like a bad thing, and he found the experience from soaking in hot water was comfortable. However, it made him very spoiled and he wouldn't take a bath unless the temperature of the water was up to his standard. Well, it wasn't a problem with his transcendental elements affinity. He could create water using his magic and warm it fast.

Regardless, the three of them finally finished preparing for their next venture inside the labyrinth. Rio had donned his tunic and leggings under his black robe while Liselotte wore her combat-maid's uniform. For Aletia, Rio had created a simple one-piece gray dress for her.

The dress was created by spinning a massive amount of insectoid monster's string which was like silk he'd collected and stored into his pocket dimension into yarn before knitting it into a simple one-piece dress. He used Transmutation to do everything.

Of course, the quality was bad. Even Liselotte complained about it for the silent Aletia's sake. However, they must make due for the time being. After they arrived in the abode of Oscar Orcus, Rio promised them for better accommodations. Well, he'd leave all knitting and sewing for Liselotte, though. His knowledge and skill in that field were limited, unlike Liselotte who'd learned them from the best. Moreover, he thought it was a waste to enter the Root just for something like that.

”Is everyone ready to go?” Rio asked his two companions who stood at each side of him. He turned at them alternately.

”Yes. I'm ready.” Liselotte replied shortly while fingering the handles of her sheathed rapiers. Rio nodded his approval at Liselotte before turning in Aletia's direction.

”...Yeah.” Aletia responded curtly with a short nod.

Rio the turned his view towards the hole that'd send them to the next floor. It looked like a gaping maw of a monster that connected to the unknown abyss. Regardless, no one in his group seemed worried about what waited for them on the next floor.

”Very well. Let's go!”

Rio stepped into the sloppy staircase and ventured into the darkness and unknown. Meanwhile, Liselotte and Aletia followed after him closely.

And so, their dungeoneering advanced.

★★★| BREAK_LINE |★★★

”Daaaaah! Dammit! There are too many of these lizards! Annoying! Rio! Aletia! Help!”

”Aren't you a bit too relaxed!?” Liselotte retorted as she beheaded another monster that thought she was easy prey. After she executed all the monsters around them, she took a short break to catch her breath. She then turned at Rio who was daydreaming about something and became annoyed. ”Rio! Could you stop daydreaming!”

”Hm? Ah! Sorry, Liselotte. Oh, well, you have done a good job of cleaning these weaklings.” Rio replied absentmindedly.