“Huh? Did you go up against the dragon by yourself?”
Hilde inquired, and Lysette nodded.
“Yes. I was fighting it while eating and sleeping. I even grew plants in the barrier field in the room’s corner.”
“That sounds like Lysette would do…”
Leonhardt was impressed.
Lysette continued, her face flushed.
“I was pleased with how well I was fighting, but Dragon-san went into self-healing mode, and we were at a standstill… I was running out of food, so I thought about going back to the upper layers to get more.”
“…You’re not tense, are you? That’s just like you.”
Douglas, Gunter, and Hilde all looked at Lysette with respect, as Dee said, with admiration.
Lysette turned away, embarrassed, and looked at the hotpot.
“Oh, isn’t it about time?”
The pot was fully cooked and looked delectable.
Everyone eats together after dividing the food amongst themselves.
“Itadakimasu! It’s… It’s very tasty.”
The flavors of the various ingredients are combined to create a complex flavor. She hasn’t had such a lavish dinner in a long time. She could have eaten whatever she wanted.
Lysette then remembered. The meals she had eaten by herself were bland. A big pot of hotpot with many people is unbelievably tasty, warm, and filling.
“Let’s go back to the surface when we’re done eating. Hilde, can you prepare the return spell?”
“Wait a second! I’m almost done with Dragon-san!”
Lysette stood up and insisted emphatically.
—It would be a pity to leave.
“I don’t have enough firepower to win this fight on my own, but I’m confident we can win if we all work together!”
Lysette had to retreat due to a lack of firepower, but she was nearly there. Her magical power has been restored by the food. She wants to try it as many times as she can. Of course, only with everyone’s permission.
“…It is true that returning to the surface will not solve the primary issue.”
“That’s right, but not only that… it’s the adventurer’s desire for conquest.”
To defeat the dragon
To venture deep into the dungeon where no one knows about and reap the benefits of it.
Lysette turns to face Leonhardt.
Leonhardt is the party’s leader. He will make the final decision.
Above all, her encounter with Leonhardt prompted her to confront Dragon.
But even if he refuses, Lysette has no intention of returning to the surface.
She would try once more to gather enough strength to face the dragon.
“…I’d like to take on the Dragon.”
His emerald eyes shone with determination.
“However, the goal of this party was to save Lysette. We can’t afford to push ourselves any further now that we’ve done that.”
Leonhardt examines each member separately.
“So, from now on, each of you must make your own decision.”
“…If you want to challenge the mystery of the dungeon, I will be with you.”
This was stated by Douglas, the church knight.
“The mystery of the dungeon has not been solved, even in the Church of the Goddess. It is one of the knight’s sacred duties to get to the bottom of it.”
“I agree. We’ve already progressed this far.
“I concur with Gunter. I’ll make sure that you all recover.”
Gunter and Hilde were in agreement.
“Me too. Just don’t expect me to fight directly.”
Dee was not as forthright as usual.
None of his comrades disagreed with him.
He returned his gaze to Leonhardt and nodded vigorously.
“OK, fine. Let’s go! This time, I’ll protect you!”
“Yes! Let’s win and eat Dragon Steak together!”
“Ooh!”
“O-Ooh…
“Yes!”
“Ooh!”
They raise their arms high in the air with a shout.