I approached them, while they rested on the floor, breathing softly.

“..I can’t move any more. Really.”

Before I could say anything, Eri said with a desperate expression on her face.

I nodded to reassure her.

“Don’t worry. I have no intention of going any further today. You are free to rest.”

Only then the three women sighed in relief.

I smiled and asked them.

“How was it today?”

“I really thought I was going to die.”

Eri answered immediately.

“Honestly, it was really hard..”

Neria looked into my eyes and said.

“..”

Ophelia didn’t even have the energy to speak, so she put her hands together and nodded her head readily, indicating that she agreed with the two of them.

“But, we were successful, right? We came from the 1st to the 15th floor in one day, and no one was seriously injured.”

None of the three women put a word to it.

Because it was correct.

Although they were so exhausted that it nearly felt like dying, the danger was not big.

“I don’t lie in such cases. I don’t irresponsibly promise things I can’t do, so don’t worry.”

Three pairs of eyes turned to me.

They were asking what the hell was I trying to say. Yeah, it’s understandable.

I laughed bitterly.

“I’ll be honest. The journey ahead will be more difficult than it is now.”

“..more than now?”

Eri was astonished. Neria and Ophelia suddenly looked more exhausted.

“Yes. In fact, the results will be as great as the hard work. You will be stronger than you are now. Truly worthy of the name of the Hero’s Party.”

“..can we say no?”

“There’s another way. We can go down the dungeon slowly as you guys want. Should only move when we are in our best shape, and make a complicated plan to greatly reduce the risk and suffering. If we choose this route, we will be able to reach the 30th floor without suffering much difficulty.”

The three women’s expressions got better.

They looked into each other’s eyes, silently made a decision, and then nodded their heads in sync.

Eri came forward as their representative.

“Then let’s do the second one. It was so hard today, I can’t stand anything more difficult than this.”

“Yeah..”

A bitter laugh came out.

I can’t help it. The choice is their’s.

“All right. Get a good night’s sleep. We have much to do tomorrow.”

Finished with my words, just when I was about to turn my back.

“Cloud.. what happened? What’s with the look on your face? Have we disappointed you because we chose the easy way?”

Neria stopped my footsteps.

There seems to be some misunderstanding.

“I’m sorry if that’s the case. However..”

“No, it’s not like that. Why would it disappoint me? It is only natural for people to find an easier way when they are having a hard time.”

The faces of the three women slightly but surely, brightened.

I kept talking.

“It’s just.. it’s a pity that the trip with you guys ends in this dungeon.”

It’s been a while since I had a real party-like party, but it seems this one’s also going to disband soon.

To organize a new party, I have to wait until the Behemoth appears..

It’s really sad sometimes.

“..Cloud? What are you saying? It ends with this dungeon?”

Neria’s expression hardened when she asked that question. It was not just Neria. Eri and Ophelia had a similar expression to her.

Yes, it must have been a little sudden.

I have to explain it to them so they don’t get confused.

I scratched my cheek and said bluntly.

“Um.. you know, I’m a Hero, right? In the future, there will be many more difficult situations than this, so I thought it would be difficult for us to go together because it’d only increase your suffering.”

Although the explanation was given, the faces of the three women did not improve.

Oh, I forgot!

“Don’t worry. I’m not oblivious to your situation either. I’ll ask Frillite to make sure you guys don’t face retaliation either by Gis or Lorian. If you sell the treasures obtained from this dungeon, you will be able to eat and live well.”

Guaranteed food, clothing and shelter.

As an added bonus, I reminded them of the reason to clear the dungeon together.

Well, that’s enough for them to understand..

“Let’s go with the other way.”

“Yes?”

“The hard route you spoke of. I will go that way.”

Neria replied in a trembling tone.

What, why did she suddenly change her words?

“Are you really sure? Honestly, it’s going to be really hard. It will be impossible to stop halfway at that time.”

“I’m sure. No matter how hard it is.. so.. don’t just say it’s over..”

Neria was biting onto her lips and making a distorted expression.

I was frankly embarrassed by her sudden change of attitude.

I took turns looking at the other two.

“Do you also agree with Neria? You can make your own free..”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

Eri and Ophelia raised their voices with determination.

‘..they really want a revenge on Gis and Lorian so much?’

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

At the same time, I felt a little sorry for them.

How much had they endured in the past few months?

“..are you sure of your choice? I’ll pay no heed to your complaints later. None.”

Because then, I won’t be able to slow myself down.