The arena in the Monster Lord's Castle was filled with the sound of clashing steel as Micaela was twirling around Granberia, putting the dragonkin on the defensive. Even after fighting since she could lift a sword, the dragonkin felt simply overwhelmed by that opponent. However, she still held steady, her mind entirely focused on the battle in front of her, her expression a grim mask of focus that was in all fashion identical to her opponent. For her, it was another fight, an opportunity to further grow, and she refused to let herself get impressed by a seraph with millennia of experience. Giving anything else than her best was simply unthinkable.

Micaela struck like a lightning bolt with an attack aimed at Granberia's head. The dragonkin barely had the time to deviate the attack that the seraph pushed her onslaught in a smooth motion with a strike aimed at her side. The dragonkin leaned sideway, and while she couldn't fully dodge the attack, it barely left a small trail on her body instead of really hurting her. She riposted with a punch that missed its target but had the intended effect: Micaela had moved back and was accumulating energy for her next attack, just as she expected.

"Vaporizing Rebellion Sword!"

The quick assault completely turned the situation, putting Micaela on the defensive as she barely blocked each strike from Granberia. She remained steady herself even as she was pushed back, the brutality and speed of Granberia's attacks not leaving her time to gather energy enough energy to do anything more than defend herself. Then for a single split second, Granberia noticed the seraph's hand slightly trembling as she showed difficulties to parry an attack. Sensing an opportunity, Granberia slammed her sword with an impressive brutality in the side of the seraph. Once again, Micaela barely blocked the attack in time and had difficulty recovering. Granberia inwardly grinned and struck another time sideway, and this time Micaela dodged the attack back, placing the seraph exactly when Granberia wanted. The dragonkin jumped up, sword at the ready to deal a crippling blow, but a sudden burst of light completely blinded her. Granberia cried out in pain and protected her eyes, losing focus. Then she felt a force throw her back across the arena, crashing her in the ground. She felt her ears ring for a moment before seeing and hearing Micaela at her side with other healers. The seraph looked passably ashamed.

"My apologies. That was cowardly and dangerous as a counter-attack for mere sparring."

Granberia made a dismissive gesture while the healers took care of her. "Do not mention it. You only used the weapons that are available to you. If anything, I should be the one who apologize for falling for a basic trick. If anything, that pain reminds me that I should never underestimate any opponent."

"Maybe, but… I'm still sorry again. I wanted to spar with you to see more about how you fight and I only did hurt you." Micaela looked away. Once the healers were done with her, Granberia stood up and looked in the seraph's eyes.

"I still learned a lot from you. Besides, I would never refuse to spar, particularly from someone who was so obviously needing an outlet for her frustration after seeing herself get killed, even if it was in a story."

Micaela smirked. "Is it that obvious? I'm probably getting riled up over a silly story anyway."

"I would say that this story stopped being silly the moment we saw one of those Tartarus." Granberia's tone remained as serious as ever. "And I perfectly understand that you would be frustrated by the feeling of powerlessness as you see yourself die. The idea that you would get killed because you weren't powerful enough is unpleasant to accept."

"Do you say that as a fellow warrior?"

"Yes, but also as a fellow living creature who appreciates living. We will all die one day or another." Granberia's voice became sympathetic. "But we're not confronted with the vision of our own death every day. It's only normal that you want to get stronger to avoid this fate you saw inflicted upon you."

A light flicked in Micaela's mind as she remembered the philosophy of Granberia. "Did you really spar against me just because you knew I wanted to get stronger?"

Granberia blushed slightly. "A little, but it's also because I wanted to see how an ancient seraph fought. It doesn't change the result in the slightest however." Her voice regained its confidence. "I learned a lot with our exchanges, and while I don't know you as much as Tamamo does or even Luka and Alice do, I want you to know I will be here for you. Whether you want a sparring partner or an ally, I will help you with the best of my skills. And while I don't speak for them, I'm sure everyone else thinks the same. We will be here for you, and if a strange creature like that Gnosis shows up to threaten you, we will all stand by your side and face it together."

Moved by Granberia's declaration, Micaela hugged the surprised dragonkin. "Thank you Granberia. Thank you."

Granberia was surprised by the display of affection, used to either the coldness of the Monster Lord and Erubetie or the lewdness of Alma Elma and Tamamo, she didn't know how to react to a simply affectionate hug. After a short moment of awkwardness, she returned the hug.

"Let's get to Tamamo's theater. Everyone should be done with their own work any minute now."

Everyone was already installed when Tamamo and Alma Elma arrived. The kitsune was nervously fanning herself when she arrived, while the succubus queen was pouting, her arms under her chest.

"Our apologies for the delay everyone, that meeting with the Gold King to clarify yesterday's events took longer than expected…"

Amira clicked her tongue as she stood up, livid. "There was such a reunion, and I wasn't invited?! As the main and in fact sole victim of that terrorist action, I should have been the first person summoned!"

Tamamo's eyes dangerously narrowed. "The destruction of your manor has been classed, and it has been decided that you will receive a minor compensation from several stakeholders according to the responsibility each person shares. Unless you have several debts unpaid, it should be enough to comfortably live in your seconday house in Iliasburg for the next ten years.

"That's it?! Tch! I should be able to build myself the same manor again! No, in fact I should be able to build myself a bigger one with the compensation for the psychological damage!"

Alma Elma groaned. "You're welcome to try, but I also want to point out that the fact you invited us in your manor was considered as an ambush and assault of officials and if the Lilith Sisters were freed you'd be considered responsible for any damage they'd do." She then muttered to herself. "The sexiest, most dangerous succubi… as if!"

Amira cowered in a corner. With a final sigh, Tamamo tried to grab the gamepad, but Alice snatched the item by the wire right before her.

"It was your turn last time. It's mine today."

"…I was going to indeed ask if someone between you and Erubetie would prefer today's turn and who would take the one for tomorrow. I guess you will take today's?"

"I don't mind." Erubetie made a dismissive gesture. "The Monster Lord takes precedence on me."

"Still, that was rude of Alice."

"Ruuude…"

The Monster Lord sighed and loaded the last save. The faster they got back to it the better.

"Alright, what's so important about the church's plan that required us to get mithril armor?"

San Ilia King: "In a few days, a certain ritual shall have to be performed. A prayer to Ilias must be conducted in the depths of the Ancient Temple's Ruins, deep in the forest."

"That's absolutely not shady at all… isn't the church of Ilias supposed to be about spreading her light?"

"Only where that arranges her." Tamamo massaged her forehead. "Which means only if it's about burning monsters."

Micaela waved forward. "I concur. Still, I don't think we'll go much further if we don't help him, so let's carry on."

"This is Luddite, a village where we live in accordance to the Goddess' teachings. I'd rather not let non-believers enter..."

Alice raised an eyebrow. "So the church of Ilias underwent a schism here… it's funny by the way, I half expected it to collapse with her death, but ultimately it's carrying on very well."

Micaela nodded. "Even angels are agreeing that what she did is wrong. In a few months or years though, I'm sure some people will ask for her return and act accordingly. But for now, the memories of her genocide are too fresh and impossible to deny."

Man: "People all over the world are depraved. They don't keep the teachings of Ilias, and there are many who conspire with monsters. Such fools should burn in hell!

Ilias: "Well, that may be true, but this guy's attitude rubs me the wrong way. Is it because he hides behind my words so that he can behave like a god himself?"

"Even Ilias disapproves of this place." Erubetie bubbled up. "That says a lot about this settlement."

Man: "Listen, the system of private ownership gives birth to luxuries and corruption. A small segment of society monopolizes wealth and suppresses the weak. However, things in this village are everyone's joint property. Houses, gold, food, and of course... ...whoops, I can't tell this to outsiders."

The controller slipped out of Alice's hands. Tamamo felt tempted to comment about how the Monster Lord had dropped an item she had fought to snatch earlier, but she herself was too disgusted to react.

Ilias: "Once I return back to normal, I shall destroy this village first and foremost.

Luka: "Eh, why?"

Ilias: "I will not tell you. At worst, you'll stain your hands with blood..."

Luka raised his hand, talking in an unusually harsh tone. "I actually understand what is it about. I'll just say that I'm happy- no, relieved that Ilias herself agrees."

"This… this is just sick." Alice wallowed on the armchair and massaged her face. "I mean… I understand wild monsters doing that out of desperation because they need to eat… and I mean I understand that, not that I tolerate it, and certainly not that I enjoy that idea. But humans doing that to other humans? No, just no."

Erubetie chimed in. "Maybe as a sort of punishment for criminals…" She shook her head. "Although even then, it might be too degrading."

"Making sure this disappears is one of the top orders of every country. Including ours. These are not memories I'm fond of, even after being on the side of the system that enjoyed it."

Something is carved into the wooden box. It looks like a little girl did it.

Happy village
Everyday is wonderful
Loving family
Pretty surroundings

"…Can I just say Fuck Promestein for throwing that at us and clearly not allowing us to do anything about it?"

"Yup."

"Yes. And even with the lack of details, those houses look incredibly poor, not even having a stone or wooden floor…"

Granberia expressed her discontentment. "I am willing to bet that the leader of this village does not follow the life of purity and frugality he imposes on his followers."

Archbishop's Mistress: "Wh-what is it?! If you don't leave now, you'll pay for this!"

Ilias: "Yup, I've reserved a ticket to hell for him."

"Granberia, if you ever tire of the sword, you could still consider a career in the cards."

"It wasn't luck. Only pattern recognition."

"It also helps when playing cards. And we can't do anything about this place for now… I took notes, I'm sure we'll get back here later to clean everything up."

Sonya: "So... unofficially, they aren't a temple? Then what on earth are these ruins, actually?"

Priest: "...You should see the rest for yourself. The real ruins will tell you more than my words ever could."

"Oh boy, did they exhume one of Promestein's laboratory and used it now that Ilias is away?"

"That would probably be the single best way to restart her faith."

"Let it be known that Ilias's second in command personally said that the best way for the faith in the goddess to grow is to get her out of the way of the work of her subordinates."

"I take responsibilities for my words."

King of San Ilia: "You might already know this, but I can't fight at all. That's why I'll leave it to you to escort me to the deepest part of the ruins.

Sonya: "Yes, leave it to us, Your Holiness! I shall smash everyone who harms His Holiness with my club!"

King of San Ilia: "In that case... shouldn't the first person you strike be Lazarus, your foster parent?"

Sonya: "Eh?!"

"Eh?!"

King of San Ilia: "My apologies, I was just making a little joke."

Sonya: "Your Holiness shouldn't make dark jokes! That was bad for my heart!"

King of San Ilia: "Well, I was blown up by Lazarus' bomb, so I do still have something of a grudge. I'm not a saint, after all."

"Wait… Lazarus is actually a terrorist in this story too?!"

Sonya: "Yes you are! Your Holiness, the Pope, is the holiest saint in the entire world!"

King of San Ilia: "Your reactions are all so interesting."

Granberia pointed an accusing finger. "Are the characters in this story aware of our reactions?"

"…I'd just say Promestein is better at guessing our reactions than what we originally thought."

Ilias: "As I thought, there was no way there would be a temple in a place like this. An ancient temple... A nicely conceived cover."

Promestein: "Such sophisticated research equipment... This is several hundred years ahead of the technology I know!"

"Called it."

"CALLED IT!"

"It was so obvious there's not even a feeling of elation about being right at that point. Only a middling feeling of acceptance."

King of San Ilia: "In regards to what this laboratory is or who made it, absolutely no records remain. It's shrouded in mystery."

Granberia groaned. "It's Promestein! Which is surprising given she's in the party. Does it even make sense?"

"Given that there are multiple dimensions in this game, could it not be a Promestein from another dimension who built this?"

"That's dum… that's actually a good call Luka."

Promestein: "Then, let's examine this place in detail later... Ufufu, I'm getting all excited!"

"Oooh, boy." Tamamo's ears fluttered in fear. "Alice, I might not have checked thoroughly enough. Can you look for a way to make sure she doesn't act up like sending her to a pillory?"

"Unfortunately, that would be roughly as effective as putting her in a cavern." Micaela slowly exhaled and followed up with a tense smile. "And we all saw how it went, didn't we?"

"Good point."

"Throwing her in a pit filled with succubi however..."

"Dibs! I call first round!"

King of San Ilia: "Within the church, only a select group of upper hierarchs know of this place. Outside the church, only a small handful of trusted professionals know of it. We didn't choose you by chance, of course. It's clear that you aren't from the anti-makina faction, and you have received the Goddess' divine blessing. "

A mouthful of biscuits was sprayed all over the screen, courtesy of Alice.

"Alice, you can't play and eat at the same time."

"I'm not eating at the same time."

"Wait, did you actually stuff your mouth BEFORE taking the place?"

"…I'll always be shocked by just how much stuff lamias can put in their mouth." Micaela facepalmed at her own phrasing. "Please don't add another layer on the matter Alma Elma."

"I'll just say that capacity doesn't equate skills in that case."

"Feh! Every one of your words carries the stench of jealousy!"

King of San Ilia: "Above all, though, the main reason for our trust is that you have entered and left Tartarus. That bizarre place is also full of information and artifacts."

"…Did he casually reveal that he had people spying on us?" Luka nervously chuckled. "I know it's just a game, but it feels quite convenient that they always know everything important I did!"

"(Ok, aside from whatever monster I could bribe to keep an eye on them and Amira, who else was watching over Luka during his adventures?)"

"(If it was anything like Heinrich… I'd say there was at least Ilias or several angels watching him. To say nothing of religious citizens reporting anything to the church. They call themselves loyal. The politest term I can think for them is snitch.)"

"(…not a word to Luka.)"

"(I watched him sleep at night a few times~.)"

"(REALLY not a word about that. Also god damn it Alma!)"

"…So he's really convinced that Lazarus is responsible for his situation."

King of San Ilia: "The reason I cannot forgive the perpetrator is because they used a bomb. They used such a device, despite the danger they can pose to so many people. And how foolish, to use a timed bomb. If my schedule had changed even slightly, their plan would have failed completely. They could have used a remote or pressure-activated bomb. Why use something as devoid of craft as a timed bomb? Had they utilized a pressure-sensitive sensor on my chair, they would have only required a tiny explosion. Despite that, they used such childish technology..."

"Did he always have so poor priority choosing or is it just Promestein projecting her idea that all humans would act like that?"

"It's peak Promestein writing. Nothing more."

Luka: "Eh? There's something inside the capsule... A girl?! No, a machine?"

King of San Ilia: "We call her the Sleeping Beauty. Even the church's most sophisticated technology can't activate her."

Alice raised an eyebrow. "An entirely mechanical girl… good grief, Promestein really went all in with that fantasy of her. She probably thought of it at the same time she created Radio."

"Can we even call these creations alive? Going by the ancient definition established by the conclave of Romae, you'd have to establish whether she has a soul or not." Eyes were rolled as Tamamo continued on her tangent. "Also, as an artificial creation, she should belong to her creator, however the accumulation of energy could result in a creation of a proto-consciousness which would qualify as giving her own identity if it happens with them being none the wiser. Sooo, I don't know what to do with it."

"I'd tap her mechanical ass!"

"That's a simpler vision to have." Erubetie shrugged. "Though I can't say it's one worse in any way."

"…Please tell me you mean that you would beat her in a fight."

"Yes. And then I would do it the other way."

Granberia sighed in exasperation, but blushed slightly in jealousy. Luka noticed, but wisely decided to remain silent on the matter.

King of San Ilia: "80%, 90%... Scan complete. I lost more than half of my body to that explosion."

Luka: "M-more than half of your body?!"

In my surprise I put my hand on a machine's operation panel. When I do, a shock similar to static electricity flows into me! At the same time, the capsule the girl is in starts ringing, and the whole room begins to shake! The girl inside the capsule, who hadn't budged until now... suddenly opens her eyes wide!

Ilias: "Luka! What have you done?!"

Luka: "I didn't do anything! Nothing, honest!"

Promestein: "That's the stereotypical line of someone who's actually done something..."

"Like pulling an innocent mandragora by her leaves, opening a chest that was obviously a mimic and blindly stumbling toward the mastermind of a village-wide orchestrated orgy."

"I didn't do the last of these! The only one who keep saying that is Eva! Besides, I do remember SOMEONE waking me up by foraging in my rations in the middle of the night!"

"Or delegating her duties to a subordinate without any authority on the matter."

"Or being caught chewing a whole mouthful of raw, uncooked dough in the kitchen."

"Or stealing my one true love!"

"Or pulling on the tails of the kitsunes… the next time you're so harsh toward Luka, I'll add a Alice is a hypocrite button. And no, this is not a threat. This is a promise."

Alice pouted and returned to the game, reminding herself that she would need to discipline her subordinate.

Brynhildr: "Are you destroying the world? Hild will protect the world, when the world ends..."

Luka released a long, drawn-out agonized sigh. "Whyyyyyy does it keep happening… It happened in the Southern Sea Temple with kraken who thought I came for the orb… It happened in Grangold… it even happened in the castle last month when the kitsunes came back! Why does it keep happening to me?!

When nobody dared answer, Alma Elma politely cleared her throat.

"Luka? I'm sorry that I have to be the one to break this information to you, but in your case, you're such a tasty-looking morsel that most monsters you interact with -for the first time, don't hit me Monster Lord- will plan about having their way with you and make their decision accordingly. It is beyond the subconscious. Monster, angels, it doesn't make a difference, it might look like it originates from a misunderstanding, but I assure you that a minute in the battle, they'll have forgotten about that and only focus on the possibility of turning you in a moaning mess."

"(I did sanction the perpetrators by the way…)"

"Huuurgh…" Luka's folded over himself.

"Look, on the bright side, even the very first thing a machine does when she sees everyone is challenge YOU! And I'm sure that she will try to rape YOU! Be positive!"

"…damn it Alma Elma. Just damn it."

Ilias: "No way, it can't be?! She has holy and dark powers?! To think she can use both at once! Incredible, this high level of perfection for holy and dark fusion machinery is..."

King of San Ilia: "It seems that the situation is urgent. I'll assist you!"

"Somehow the king expects to be able to help us against a dangerous boss when he couldn't do anything against little chimeras?" Granberia sighed. "I'm all for pushing people more, but not to the point of getting delusional."

King of San Ilia: "Don't worry, my maintenance is already complete. Shifting to battle mode!

Sonya: "Ehhh?!"

Mini: "Pooope was Mecha Pooope!"

"…"

"What?"

"The?"

"Fuck?"

"Language, Alice."

"Oh, please Tamamo, try telling me that you're not just as surprised by that mecha-pope as everyone else!"

"I am, but I also know how to remain cool and polite in front of surprises, even unpleasant ones. And you should learn to do the same. I mean, is it stranger than some of the chimeras and equipment we dug up from Promestein's laboratory?"

"Good point."

"You're all too lacking in imagination!" Amira inflamed herself, spinning on her spot. "Try to imagine the numerous applications! From healing people to give them advantage in fight, or even as additional help for mundane and back-breaking tasks! Think of all the money we would be able to get that way!"

Alice groaned, aggravated by someone she no longer wanted to acknowledge as a fellow lamia. "We're already studying the matter, and the one thing that everyone could agree on, is that by the time you'll get unrestricted access to this technology, we'll all be dead."

"Tch! Rude!"

Alice rolled her eye and returned to the game.

King of San Ilia: "Do you disapprove? I won't be left behind by you fleshlings."

Alice raised an eyebrow in front of the casual declaration. "…Did he just casually threaten the team?"

"Yes. Yes, he just did. Leeet's put him on a bench and make sure he stays far from anything too fleshy. Forever." Tamamo sighed. "If even Promestein makes those technologies look dangerous, it confirms that we have to be careful with them. There are a lot of questions we'll probably need to ask ourselves about the application of these, starting by whether we can craft more of them or not."

"Do you think he has all the important bits under that armor?"

Everyone silently turned toward Alma Elma, letting a contempt audible over the music pour from them.

"Can't you just stop being so lewd?"

"Nope~. And none of you answered my question!"

Alice disapprovingly shook her head and returned to the screen.

Mecha Pope: "Booting up... Body-double mode activated... Travelers, thank you for coming here. Now, allow me to help guide you..."

Ilias: "I'm about to cry over here. Where did it all go wrong..."

Tamamo and Micaela answered in sync. "The moment you decided to rely on Black Alice, you hypocritical goddess!"

"Jinx!" Tamamo enthusiastically raised a fist and presented it to Micaela, who remained confused for a second before returning the motion.

"(That was weird… like, an old couple where one of them is acting like a child weird.)"

"(At least they're going along nicely…)"

"Huurgh… Tamamo?" Tamamo whacked Alice on the head with her fan. "What was that for you old hag?!"

Tamamo glared at Alice with her face hidden behind her fan. "You were about to ask me to research the possibility of building a robotic duplicate of you so that you could spend some time eating and traveling with Luka, except you would be able to cast a projection spell to do just that if you had properly followed my lessons!"

Alice whimpered and returned to the game. "…How did you guess?"

"I raised you little missie!"

Alice pouted again for a full half-minute before returning to a somewhat more dignified stance. "Ah, next is Chrome's manor. After those insane twists, something familiar will feem somewhat nicer."

"(Tamamo… can you do an Alice is a hypocrite box?)"

"(Really? You, Luka, of all people, ask me for that?)"

"(I just… have some feelings about what comes next.)"

Tamamo innocently got up. "Mmh. Maybe it's time for a short break. We're going to need to resupply on snacks anyway."

"We're already out?! How?! I only ate… ok, I ate the full box. Sorry."

"Kehehehe…"

"(Note: make sure to check Amira's notes before she leaves.)"

[…]

Sonya: "So this is the Haunted Mansion. Well, it sure is creepy, that's for sure."

Ilias: "W-what are we doing here?! We should just leave! Right now, preferably!"

Luka: "Are you scared?"

Ilias: "I'm the Goddess of Creation. There is no way that I am scared. Fine, let us satisfy your curiosity then get out of here."

Alice grinned. "I can't wait to see that small goddess suffers in this ghost-filled nightmare."

"Alice is a hypocrite!"

The controller in Alice's hands was instantly crushed. Everyone flinched as the dark aura emanating from the Monster Lord intensified, except for Amira who fell unconscious on the spot, standing midway toward the exit as she was trying to escape the upcoming wrath of the Monster Lord.

"Who. Said. That."

Erubetie sneered. "Alma Elma pressed the button."

"Tamamo is the one who crafted the button."

"Luka is the one who asked me to craft the button."

"Thanks for your support everyone…" Luka placed his face in his hands and released an agonized sigh. "But… yeah, when we were there ourselves, you kept running around in a panic to the point I'm wondering how you didn't put the whole manor on fire."

"Yes. Yes I remember that."

"(Kehehe, the Monster Lord just confessed, let me write everything down.)"

"(How did you wake up so fast?! And I won't let the name of the Monster Lord get stained by your unapologetically money-grubbing ways!)"

Alice ignored the scuffled between Amira and Granberia, grinning maniacally. "So you can be certain I will enjoy the hell out of seeing Ilias suffering the same. Just because I suffered the same doesn't mean I can't enjoy that bit of schadenfreude, does it?"

"That's…"

"…"

"…"

"…surprisingly complicated to answer."

"Then stop thinking and enjoy."

"Hey, that's my catchphrase!"

"We'll pass on the context Alma Elma, thank you very much. Also, here's another controller."

Cursed Doll: "The big chest or the small chest, which will you open?"

Luka received Small Medal!

"…I'm surprised you made that choice Alice. Maybe all my lessons carried on more than I imagined."

Ilias: "Now that she is gone, we should open the remaining one."

The chest was a mimic!

"Or maybe not."

"You wouldn't have done the same out of curiosity?"

"Forget I said anything."

Ilias: "That cake looks quite appetizing. A small sample couldn't hurt."

Tamamo sighed. "Just like Alice, Ilias is a glutton…"

"I at least acknowledge that I would do it."

Ghost: "They took the food we worked so hard on... HOOOOOOOW DAAAAAREEEE YOOOOOUUUUU!

Ilias: "I didn't eat any!"

"(That scene is REALLY awfully familiar…)"

Sonya: "They're dancing…"

Zombie Girl: "King of the zombies... Thrilleerr... Thriller niighttt..."

"Why does this feel even weirder than everything else we already faced?"

"Let's just keep going before we get our own flashbacks of the mansion."

Alice: "*tremble* *tremble* *shiver* *shiver*"

Ilias: "Fufu, how disgraceful, to end up curled up and unable to move in a place like this.

Alice: "Hmph, that's a funny sentiment coming from you. Look at how bad you're trembling."

Ilias: "I-I am not trembling! In fact, I would not mind living here."

Sonya: "Both of you are trembling though."

"A shining moment for the both of them, isn't it?"

Alice frowned, but refrained from commenting. At least, Promestein was equal in dishing out her loathing on both her and Ilias.

"Next room… are these zombie girls taking tea?"

Zombie Girls: "YOOOUU SAAAAAAW IIIIITTT?!"

Ilias: "Hey Luka, where are you taking me? Please stop pulling on my arm!"

Luka: "U-um, I'm not doing anything."

Alice chuckled. "It's a shame it's not more visibly detailed, I'd skip a meal to see that mess occurring in real time."

"Wow… coming from you, that means a lot."

"I'd skip teasing Luka for a week! No, a day!"

Most of the group sighed at Alma Elma.

"What, don't tell me you don't want to see how that mess would actually look like!"

Ilias: "HYAA! Wwawawawaa..."

Sonya: "WHAT IS THIS?!"

"…If I was sure I would come out unmolested, I would."

"Aww… what's wrong with that?"

"What's NOT wrong with that?!"

"Party pooper."

Ilias: "I-I was not scared, not at all."

Luka: "I guess we are all more or less okay then. Let's keep going then."

"That Luka has a strange definition of more or less okay."

"Let's just finish exploring the place."

"You're taking a little too much glee in this."

"We're seeing Ilias suffer. Don't tell me you don't enjoy it?"

"Honestly? Not as much as I imagined. Still, much more than what I'm comfortable with… maybe because she was still my old leader…"

Zombie: "Oh my, a human. W-wait! There's no need to be afraid!"

Sonya: "A talking zombie?"

"A priestess of Ilias with a club?" Everyone stared at Amira. "What? I thought we were repeating obvious statements! Tch!"

"…I understand why zombies can't talk. This one rags on and on about the past as much as Tamamo."

Alice received a pillow in her back and chuckled.

"Aaand here is Chrome, leaving in an obvious secret passage."

"On zhe zight zand zall, zhere is a zidden zassage, zeading to a zidden zoom, zith a zreasure zhest.

-Zunning Chrome-chan"

Sonya: "This is the kind of encryption I used when I was a kid."

"…Was it a good idea to put her in charge of the rebuilt San Ilia hospital? Because as far as I can remember, this description of her is pretty on point."

Tamamo started nervously fanning herself. "Well, the result improved as far as I heard… it might not have been only thanks to her, but they're getting better. So let's just be polite and say that she improved a lot."

Ilias: "There is nowhere for you to escape to now. Am I correct in assuming you are behind this abominable mansion?"

Chrome: "Kukuku, stupid. I wasn't running away. I was merely going to show you the results of my forbidden craft! Now, my servants! Awaken!"

Ilias: "A necromancer, truly abominable. Be careful, she will be a tricky opponent!"

Chrome: "Now, zombies! Drive the trespassers out!"

"Boss time." Alice leaned forward, her tail threateningly rattling as she mentally planned out her strategy. A necromancer plus two zombies would certainly be weak against holy, so as much as she loathed her, Ilias would prove invaluable in this fight.

Then the two zombies moved with Chrome. Alice raised an eyebrow at the unexpected movement, but remained on her guards.

Chrome was driven out from the room!

The zombies returned to their coffin.

"…Did that just happen?"

Ilias: "I wish to return home after witnessing a spectacle like that."

Granberia facepalmed while Alma Elma was holding her stomach, laughing on the ground. Behind everyone, Micaela was pretending to massage her face to politely hide her mocking smile.

"That's awkward for a necromancer. Then again, those are pretty demanding and rare arts, and if she only got some second-hand information from her kin, then her failure is more understandable if still awkward."

-Chrome Note- When commanding zombies, be meticulously precise. Use commands that cannot be misunderstood.

"She noted that…" Tamamo's ears drooped. "Never mind then, she's just an idiot."

Luka grimaced at the insult, but could only silently agree.

Luka: "You won't get away!"

Chrome: "H-ha, you thought I was running away? This is my mansion! I've filled it to the brim with cunning traps! And with my genius planning, I've lured you into one! Now fall, pitfall activate!"

Luka: "Khh, damn it!"

"Contrary to what some drama writers may think, you often have the time to act when you have the time to talk. Sooo, moving away should have been an option."

"Micaelaaaa…"

"I know it's just a game. But I feel that it needs to be said."

Chrome: "UWaahh!"

Alice snorted. "Beaten by her own zombies, surprised by her own trap… This is officially a sketch. This is a whole new level of incompetence!"

"I would still advise staying on your guards, Monster Lord." Erubetie announced with utmost seriousness. "This might be an attempt to make us underestimate her by making us think that she's weaker than she actually is."

"Do you really believe that?"

Erubetie then exploded into laughter herself, projecting slime everywhere. "No. She's just a klutz."

Ilias: "Beneath here is the entrance hall. We should probably go down there and finish her off before she does it herself."

"Do you think we can actually wait for her to kill herself in the game?"

"Nope, if only because I want to see how it ends!"

"I don't know if it's cruel or merciful."

Alice grinned. "Luka, I thought that by now you would have understood that having Ilias live and be forced to run around is way crueler than it would have been to just slay her on the spot."

"Not that it was an option."

"Thank you for the reminder Tamamo. Anyway, you will soon learn how mercy can be cruel. Let's find Chrome quickly and give her a taste of that…"

"Monster Lord, you're making it sounds worse than you think."

Guard: "We suffered no casualties, we didn't even suffer any major injuries, but the things they did... I, I don't think anyone will ever marry me now..."

"(On a scale of one to ten, just how badly timed was that talk of cruel mercy?)"

"(I'd say eight.)"

Chrome: "My partner here is Frederica. She died in this mansion from illness, and she is an exceptional corpse. I'm going to use her to make my masterpiece, the ultimate zombie! "

Ilias: "I cannot forgive such savage actions! Regret your sins as I turn you to ash!"

Chrome: "Hmph, there's still more I need to research. Fortunately for me, I just received a new batch of volunteers! Let's go, Frederica! We'll teach them the strength of my art!"

Frederica: "I am Chrome's servant. I won't show mercy to Chrome's enemies."

"I don't remember Frederica being supportive of Chrome at that moment…"

"Remember. Promestein wrote it. She probably thinks that anyone who's used as a guinea pig should feel elated by it."

starts.

Chrome uses Auto Crossbow!

Luka, Ilias, Sonya and King of San Ilia took damage!

Frederika uses Dead Man Walking!

Luka, Ilias and Sonya got zombified!

"Aaah, damn it, I need to heal before anything. I didn't expect to face Chrome and her creation at the same time, and for them to do that much damage. I would be sure that if I only used Luka that she'd only try raping them."

"Then why don't you do it?"

"Please don't!"

"Whatever. Let's heal everyone first."

"Wait, that's not a good timing!"

Sonya uses mass heal!

Luka, Sonya and Ilias get incapacitated!

Luka and his party have been defeated.

"Zombified status effect makes healing do damage instead." Tamamo patted Alice on the back. "I won't blame you for missing that one, it's the first time we see it in action."

Having collapsed on the ground, Chrome stared down at me. It's as if she's evaluating me...

Chrome: "First shall I see if you have any value as a guinea pig? I'll squeeze out some semen and analyze its quality..."

"(And our eight has increased to a ten.)"

"(Awww… being the sex partner of a succubus isn't that bad, is it?)"

"(Don't forget. Science with Chrome. Corpse fucking will quickly follow.)"

"(Ewww…)"

Luka: "Ah...! Aaaaah...!"

"I can no longer bear the sight of the legendary hero Luka being used!" Amira exclaimed herself, and with an alacrity that caught everyone off guard, plugged off the installation. "And we should all be ashamed! We're not here to see the hero get violated, but to get a better understanding of Promestein through the work she left behind! This is just intruding on Luka's personal life! You should all be ashamed."

Alice stared at the reverse lamia, wide-eyed. She then placed the controller on one of her armrests with a measured movement, and, still slowly, joined both of her hands under her chin. Everyone remained silent, staring at Amira and letting her cook for a few minutes before Alice started talking with a small smile.

"Amira. A few things. We all expressed an appreciation of your work in the past balanced out by your tendency to act in the most aggravating way that could be depending on the context. However, your intelligence network clearly failed you because everyone already accepted -if not agreed- at the beginning that there was a risk of seeing representations of Luka being forced to debase himself with monsters. Representations, which, by the way, should be more aggravating for Luka by virtue of being the victim and myself by virtue of being his other half… not that it stops others people from enjoying it."

The rest of the group all pretended to be busy helping Tamamo adjust her own chair. Alice continued with a happy yet threatening tone as the unfortunate lamia started trembling.

"Of course, your alacrity could be accounted to a desire to prove yourself to us, even at the cost of respecting authority or even basic courtesy, but given your past history, I can't be concerned that you would have ulterior, unsavory motives in your actions. In particular, you acquired some… personal information on us. Now, I wouldn't be so crass as to do like some Monster Lords in the past and make you disappear, if only because I know deep down that you're a good monster that still value our friendship. Or am I wrong?"

Amira frantically shook her head left and right.

"Good… I suppose your stay in the castle exhausted you, so how about you go take a rest before returning to Iliasburg? If our information's right, you still have a decent house there. We will… discuss your little outburst later."

Amira nodded and scurried away from the room in a panic, leaving Alice free to plug the installation back in.

"Good, now that it's done… let's return to our game."

"Holy crap, Alice, that was… did you really need to threaten her that hard?!"

"What?" Alice shrugged. "I won't actually hurt her. I didn't intend to in the first place. But the perspective of angering us should keep her on the straight path for at least a few months. Maybe years if Tamamo or one of her kitsunes poke her from time to time. Given how she's been visibly alienating a surprising amount of people since the end of our adventures, reminding her that her actions can have lethal consequences without harming her should help her a lot."

"Huh. Sooo, you're not actually going to punish her?"

"No. Consider this an example of cruel mercy." Alice gestured for Tamamo to help her. "Did she damage those cables by ripping them out?"

"No, it's only a little metal plate that got moved. Voilà!"

The music returned, bringing a relieving note after the heavy standoff between Alice and Amira.

"Let's load… wait, the last save is back to the entrance of the mansion?"

"Well, that's the last time you saved… sooo, back to it, young lady!"

Alice pushed out a long, agonized scream.

Omake: CRITICAL OVERLOAD.

Melon Girl has appeared!

"Cute…" The Queen Slime melted in a puddle again.

Tamamo's ears flattened on top of her head. "Damn it Erubetie… you're not going to melt in a puddle every time you see something cute?"

"And what if I do?"

"It's just that I've never seen you do that before or in the castle!"

"That's because there was no one cute enough in the castle."

"Reallyyyyyy?" Tamamo put on big puppy eyes and stared at the Slime Queen while pouting, her tails wagging as if starved for a touch. However, Erubetie simply turned away in a huff and crossed her arms under her chest. As an answer, Tamamo completely froze and got up.

"Oh. Okay, I see how it is."

To the surprise of everyone, the kitsune left without further ado. Her departure was followed by an awkward silence as everyone stared at one another in bewilderment.

"Tch! I didn't expect the famed Heavenly Knight of Earth to display such thin skin…"

"Yeah… I hope we didn't offend her. I'd feel bad if we did."

Granberia disapprovingly shook her head. "I thought that she was stronger than that."

"She is. I can tell that she had only a plan on her mind." Alice gritted her teeth. "I can only imagine what evil plan that devious kitsune is masterminding… we must be on our guards."

"I didn't need to sleep tonight anyway. Rest is overrated."

"Sorry auntie."

To their further surprise, Tamamo reappeared in front of them a minute later with another young kitsune in her tails. Everyone quickly recognized the same two-tailed geisha as in the game, the bells near her ear jiggling slightly as they trembled in nervousness.

"There!" Tamamo presented her pupil with a big goofy smile. "Try telling me that Kamuro here is not the epitome of cuteness!"

"D'awwwwww!"

Kamuro shuffled back, her lips trembling. "T-t-tamamo sensei? Why are we in the Monster Lord's Castle? I thought we were just going to discuss my grades! My training to serve everyone barely started!"

"And so humble with that! Sooooooo cuuuuuuuuute!" Alma Elma was swooning over the cute kitsune.

"W-w-what should I do Tamamo-sensei? I-I-I don't know what to do!"

"Oh, don't worry, you just have to stay here and look cute!" Tamamo made a dismissive gesture.

"So cuuuuuuuuuuuute!" Alma Elma started pulling on the unfortunate kitsune's cheeks whose tails were wagging frenetically.

"Awawa… awaawwawawawawawawaaaawawawawaaa…"

"Mph." Erubetie took her turn and left afterward, which didn't go unnoticed by Alma Elma who rushed after her.

"Oooooh, don't you think you can beat me at that game!"

"Can you all stop violating the castle security at least?" Granberia got up and left. "Ah, to hell with this, I refuse to stand here with my arms crossed."

"What are you… hey! Don't abuse the teleport network!" Tamamo followed suite, repeatedly fanning herself. "Boy oh boy oh boy…"

"Awwwawa…?"

Alice massaged her face in exhaustion. Her eyes locked on Kamuro, and although she felt her innate hatred for kitsunes slowly surface, she didn't find the strength to do more than somewhat glare at her. It was still enough to make her whine in fear before Micaela got up with a reassuring smile and started patting her.

"Now, now, don't worry. Miss Monster Lord might be scary but she won't hurt you in the slightest. Do you want a snack?"

The small kitsune purred and nodded while Alice rolled her eyes.

"Hurgh, my apologies Micaela but you sound just like Tamamo when she raised me…"

"Huuh, isn't that supposed to be a good thing right now Alice? I mean, right now I'm pretty sure Kamuro is in dire need of a comforting figure."

"I agree. Which annoys me all the more that the one who is taking care of her is a guest -no offense Micaela-"

"None taken."

"…And not Tamamo who was the one who brought her here nor one of the other Heavenly Knights who include the head of the castle's security, nor even the numerous guards and courtesans whose job is to take care of people in the castle!" Alice slowly exhaled. "Sorry. I'm getting worked up over something dumb and trivial, but they've really disappointed me." Luka tenderly patted his wife on the arm.

Alice stared at Kamuro who was happily purring while being petted by Micaela. The fluffy triangular ears of the small monster were happily flapping and her tails wagging repeatedly while she was enthusiastically smiling. To her displeasure, the Monster Lord was forced to acknowledge that, by any and all definitions, the kitsune looked cute.

"I guess she's right."

"No she isn't!" Erubetie's voice echoed from the corridor. "My slimes are cuter!"

"Puru!"

Erubetie showed up with another head, until Luka realized that she was only carrying another slime girl just like the very first one he faced at the beginning of his adventures on her back.

"Weeee!" Contrary to the kitsune, the small girl wasn't scared in the slightest, instead enthusiastically shouting with her arms raised. Erubetie delicately placed down the giggly girl on the floor, even as the latter was begging to let her ride.

"Again! Slime Mount Again!"

"Lime, I'll let you do it if you do the boomerang dance in front of everyone."

"Yay!" Lime started waving her arms. "Boomerang! Boomerang!"

Luka blinked a few times in utter bewilderment. "Wait… what am I looking at?"

"It's a classical slime dance practiced by slimes from a young age. It's an important part of their culture."

Luka stared at Alice, trying to guess whether or not his wife was trying to fool him again or not.

"It's a joke… right Alice?"

Alice and Erubetie glared at him. "Luka, I don't think you realize just how insensitive you've been. Did you really think that slimes were shapeless blobs that spend their time lying around, eating fish and thinking about raping men?"

"No, but… why have I never seen one do that before or hear about it?!"

"Because surprisingly, slimes stop dancing and start defending themselves when they're getting attacked."

Red faced, Luka awkwardly stuttered and turned around to hide his shame-filled face in the pillow. In the meantime, Micaela chuckled.

"I admit, she's pretty cute as well with her innocently waving around to everyone."

"Yay!"

"But is she cuter than HER?!" Alma Elma held out a sleepy white-haired imp at arm's length.

"Zzzz…"

"Whyyyyyy…" Alice facepalmed. "Alma, we already all agreed that their pranks stopped being cute the moment they peed in the water reserves. Fortunately, Erubetie was around there."

"You're just mad because no lamias can be as cute as them. She's definitively cuter than Tamamo's pupil, isn't she?"

Rami was lying on her stomach like a loaf. "Zzzzzz…"

"Awa?"

"…I won't answer that question, if only because Tamamo will already be angry enough as is after you abused the teleportation network."

The door slammed open violently and revealed Granberia followed by Tamamo. A small detail about the dragonkin quickly ticked off Alice that something was wrong.

"Did something happen to your hair?"

"Tamamo said that repeated teleportation could cause an energy discharge." Granberia pointed at her new afro. "But it matters little, I won't let my kin be shamed! Show them Papi!"

Luka recognized the small dragonkin that Granberia pushed forward as the dragon of the Four Bandits. The dragon girl was slightly drooling as she was looking at Granberia with dreamy eyes.

"Gaaaaaaah…"

"Show everyone the best you got! Be fiercely cute!"

"Gaaaaaaaah!" Papi roared with all of her might. The shout of a mighty dragon would have made the castle rumble, but hers had instead the power to melt the heart of everyone around. The Four Heavenly Knights and Micaela swarmed around her for a moment, gushing over her all the while.

"D'awww… come on, do the roar again."

"Awaaaa?"

"Queenie?"

Kamuro was starting to tear up while Lime was nervously jiggling. Tamamo and Erubetie both noticed, and the kitsune queen started nuzzling her pupil with a small smile to calm her, while Erubetie hugged Lime, making the distinction between the two slimes difficult to see. When she saw Rumi pout, Alma Elma took her up and started scratching her back, making the small imp purr like a cat. The heartwarming sight made Alice wistfully sigh.

"Look at them. The four terrifying Heavenly Knights getting all motherly over a group of young monsters. Maybe we should use one of those makina to take pictures and show them to everyone… I wonder if they'll be the same for our kids."

"I'm sure of it. At least we're sure that they'll be in good hands."

"Mmmh. Amira, you better not have taken notes about how to exploit their cuteness."

No one answered her.

"Amira? Did you hear me? Amira?" Alice turned around and gasped. The unfortunate lamia was a ghastly palor, all color missing from her body. Concerned, Alice slithered up to Amira to check on her vital, quickly joined by Luka and everyone else. She could still hear her breathing. Good. As annoying as she was, Amira didn't deserve to die on the spot for seemingly no reason. Before anyone could interrogate her, they understood the wailing whistle coming from Amira.

"Cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute."

Alice sighed. "Give me my concern back."

"Can we note it as a way to neutralize Amira? It's a bit violent, but in case she decides to act up again…"

"Write it down. Just… write it down."