"Yeah. If someone thinks what they're doing is wrong, they're not a criminal with conviction. True criminals with conviction are those who believe they're doing the right thing. It's those who are convinced they're not doing anything wrong that are more dangerous. You're not one of those, are you?"
"Stop nitpicking."
Saying that, Cineraria nudges me.
Holly, floating ahead and guiding us, glares at us again, but I choose to ignore her this time.
"So, what happened to Jasmine after that?"
"Well... apparently, she was so scared when she suddenly saw a man's head split open with an axe right in front of her that she ran away. And in the end, she couldn't cure her parents' illness, and they died."
"Didn't she use the Healing Sword to treat them?"
"She hadn't realized she was chosen by the Healing Sword at that time. By the time our master found out about the previous wielder's death and tracked down Jasmine to hand her the Healing Sword, it was too late. The damage was done."
Cineraria places her hand on Jasmine's head, who I am carrying.
"This woman has always regretted that moment. She thinks if she had just given in without resisting, her parents wouldn't have died. She's a dangerous woman."
"Ah."
At least, I understood the backgrounds of Cineraria and Jasmine, along with how they obtained their saintly swords.
Both have had anything but smooth lives.
Unlike me, they've lived incredibly dramatic lives.
And still, what intrigues me most is the master who gave them the saintly swords.
Who could they be?
Exhausted to the point of collapse, we somehow managed to reach the dungeon's entrance.
Along the way, we encountered monsters several times, but Cineraria, despite supposed exhaustion, gave her all in the fights, and I, borrowing Jasmine's Healing Sword while she was unconscious, could fight thanks to being possessed by Holly.
Despite nearly collapsing from the fatigue of battle and travel, and our consciousness blurring, we successfully escaped the dungeon.However, I was speechless.
There was a stone square in front of the dungeon entrance, but the problem was the surrounding scenery.
Clouds as far as the eye could see.
Yes, the dungeon entrance was above the clouds.
Or rather, the dungeon itself seemed to be floating, suspended in the sky.
Standing on the square at the entrance alone wouldn't have given it away, but moving to the edge would reveal the unimaginable height, enough to send anyone into a panic.
**Holly**: "This dungeon is in the air and moves slightly. Remember when the entire capital was covered in clouds and turned dark? That was because it floated over the capital."
"Didn't know. I was asleep."
**Holly**: "...It caused quite a stir in the city and the castle. When I went to inform you and think of countermeasures, you were nowhere to be found... I was worried."
"I see. So, when a dungeon appears, it affects its surroundings, but this time, it somehow sucked me in while floating above the capital."
When a dungeon appeared in Iris's hometown, Blue Dragon, it absorbed the surrounding water, causing drought. It might be a similar phenomenon.
It's concerning how pinpointed the damage to me seems.
But let's just chalk it up to bad luck.
Someone with good luck wouldn't regularly find themselves in life-or-death situations like this.
I glance over at Cineraria, who's a little distance away.
Near her, still unconscious, is Jasmine, alongside a winged dragon zombie.
Probably, those two rode on the back of that dragon zombie to get here.
Because the entrance was too narrow for the dragon zombie to enter, they had it wait outside while they struggled for days to conquer the dungeon, during which the dungeon dropped me into its deepest part.
If we ignore the details, maybe this event was fortunate for all of us.
If I hadn't been in the deepest part of the dungeon, there's a high chance those two would have gotten lost inside and wouldn't have made it out alive.
And for me, despite being nearly useless from exhaustion, it would have been impossible to escape the dungeon without joining forces with the two wielders of the saintly swords."Well, Holly would probably say it'd be more convenient if those two troublesome adversaries just dropped dead in this dungeon."
"Wake up, Jasmine. It's time to go home."
"…Where is this…?"
"This is the dungeon's exit. Somehow, we made it out alive."
"…I had this dream where I was riding on my father's back…"
"Get a grip, you daddy's girl."
That was the exchange between Cinelaria and Jasmine.
Keeping a bit of distance from the two, I whispered to Holly.
"So, how are we supposed to get back? Any ideas on how to descend to the ground?"
"I've called the Pegasus Sword here. Please wait a moment."
"Oh, that horse can be summoned from afar?"
"It's originally one of the swords designated for heroes. It can locate the position of the gem in the Holy Sword you possess and track it. I'll return alone for now."
"What?"
"Shion is worried sick about you, crying his eyes out. I'll go inform him that you're safe… Huh? What's this…?"
With those words, Holly vanished.
Hey, hey. Leaving me here all by myself.
Sure, we've escaped the dungeon, but getting home is part of the adventure too.
Well, Holly can move instantly between the location of the Holy Sword that Shion has and the gem I possess, so she should be back soon.
"Crow."
But still.
Leaving me alone while Cinelaria and Jasmine are still here.
"Crow."
Sure, we worked together to escape the dungeon, but it's not like we're comrades or anything.
We did share a laugh or two along the way, but that doesn’t mean we're exactly friends...
"Crow! Don't ignore me!"
"Yes!? Uh, Cinelaria?"
Cinelaria was suddenly behind me.
I hadn't noticed her at all.
And she's never called me "Crow" before.
"We're planning to ride that dragon back. What about you?"
"Oh, I'll be using the Pegasus Sword to get back, so I'm good."
"Hm? And where is this Pegasus Sword? You used it to come to the dungeon, right?"
"No, as I said, I found myself in the dungeon without knowing how I got here. It wasn't my choice to come."
"…So the story you told inside the dungeon wasn't a lie?"
"Of course not. There's no way I could have made it that far on my own."
"I see. Sorry for doubting you. So, you can summon the Pegasus Sword from another location?"
"Yes. So, I can get back on my own…"
I tried to give off a vibe that said, "Please, don't worry about me."Honestly, I'd be in trouble if they decided now was a good time to kill me after all.
I should get them to leave quickly, especially since Holly isn't here right now.
"…I'll wait until your Pegasus Sword arrives, at least. If you end up alone and it doesn't show up, you won't be able to get back, right? Or do you want me to drop you off on the ground with the dragon?"
"No… I'm fine."
Huh? Cinelaria is being nice?
Could it be that convincing her to join might be easier than I thought?
Saffron and Platanus also joined us quite easily after all.
"…"
No, wait, hold on.
Remember how all the persuashion in the world didn't work on Amaranth.
It's best to part ways while I'm still being treated nicely.
"Don't poke the bear," as they say.
These folks have no intention of betraying their master.
And their master is opposed to Shion, the hero.
Our relationship, with no intention of opposing Shion, is incompatible with theirs.
Besides, it's just me here, without Holly or any of my companions nearby.
I'd better keep things simple and distance myself quickly.
"Let's start negotiating, shall we?"
As she said this, Cinelaria pressed the scythe of her Underworld Sword against my neck.
What the heck!?
I'm cursed by a god I didn't even touch!?
The previously kind Cinelaria has done a complete 180!?
"You know, you're quite useful. You know the shortest routes through dungeons and can wield the Pegasus Sword. Plus, your combat skills seem to be on par with those who wield the saintly swords. Can't be too careful. Leaving you be feels dangerous."
"…!"
Damn. Her attitude flips on a dime.