Chapter 258 It Will Take All Day
We defeated the area boss of the 50th floor, 'Sword Saint Cain.'
He was a tough enemy. It was only because Logan and I teamed up, activated [Chaos Strength] and [God's Armor], and even used the "Platinum Sword" that we managed to take him down in such a short time.
Even so, the scars from the battle were severe, and the huge bridge leading to the island that towers into the sky... whatever it was, had collapsed miserably.
But the biggest crisis was that I lost my clothes because of him.
I had no choice but to go on completely n*ked――just as I was about to give up, thanks to Fiona preparing a change of clothes for me, I was able to wear something.
It seems this is the only outfit she has left, so I can't afford to lose it.
Can I really pull off such a feat with the [Evil God] battle coming up...?
I pushed down my anxiety and told Fiona that I would do my best so she wouldn't worry.
And then――
"This is the space elevator station on the Earth Port side."
We each flew or ran through the air, crossing the broken bridge, and entered the huge dome-like building through the massive door that Cain was guarding. By the way, members like 'Dark Crow,' who didn't have a way to move in the air, were carried by those who had the means.
Anyway.
Inside, there was a giant hole in the center of the ceiling, and something like a huge black pillar stretched up through that hole. However, even though there was a hole, no light from outside was coming in.
It seems like the white outer walls surround a black pillar in the center like a tube. However, the inside isn't dark; it's lit up by unfamiliar lights everywhere. But...
"It feels kind of lonely here..."
As Fiona murmured, the place was empty. Everything was intact, but it gave off a vibe like a ruin.
Even though there were many facilities for humans, the only people here were us intruders.
Some might find it lonely, while others might think it's creepy.
Since it was a whole island's worth of buildings, the inside was ridiculously spacious. And along the inner edge of the dome, there were corridors and rooms spread out over many floors. This area was quite thick, and we had to walk a long corridor to reach the open space in the center.
Lucia explained that this inner area was filled with "shopping malls, accommodations, labs, and management facilities." I understood with a nod.
And then we arrived in this space with the towering black pillar...
"This is the elevator. We'll take this up."
Guided by Lucia, we reached the center of the dome. It was the base of the towering black pillar.
There was a building there that was much larger than our clan house――or even bigger than if you laid the explorer guild flat.
That said, it didn't look like a normal building. The outside was covered in a transparent material like glass, and it was shaped more like a quartered donut than a box.
"Is this... the elevator?"
Chloe asked, looking up at the building with a dazed expression.
But I understand that feeling. An elevator is a machine that moves people and things up and down... so, it moves.
It's hard to believe that this huge thing actually moves.
"Hey, is it okay? It won't drop us halfway, right?"
Even the usual drunker seem a bit worried.
If it were just us, we could probably survive being thrown out from thousands of meters in the air, but riding something we don't understand is a different story. If we get thrown into the sky in a coffin――then even a sensible person like me starts to worry.
I hope this coffin can break and let us escape if something goes wrong.
But Lucia, who had untied the straps and got down from the floor, seemed to brush off our worries.
"Don't worry. It's just one of the gimmicks recreated in the labyrinth. So, the chance of an accident happening is really low."
...So, it doesn't mean an accident can't happen?
I looked at Lucia, but she was next to the coffin――uh, I mean, the elevator――continuing to operate something that came out of the floor, which she called a "control panel."
Soon enough, the elevator doors opened by themselves, and Lucia turned to us.
"Okay, everyone, get on."
"Got it... Garon, it's up to you."
"Garon-san, please!"
"Come on, let's go, Garon!"
We let Garon take the honor of being the first to ride.
"......sigh."
Garon looked at each of us with a suspicious gaze, then sighed and stepped into the elevator.
...
...Looks like it should be okay.
* * *
When we entered, the inside of the elevator had several rooms, and it looked just like a fancy hotel. Each room had a clean bed, and it even had a toilet and a shower room, which was surprising.
The girls were especially happy about this.
"Wow!! There's a shower!!"
"My dear sister, let's go in together! I can wash your back and everything!"
"Um, I'll pass."
Lucia touched the glowing panel built into the wall――was it integrated?――and moved the elevator.
As the huge elevator started moving surprisingly quietly, I asked Lucia.
"Lucia, how long will it take to get to the top?"
"Well... this has been shortened quite a bit, so it won't take too long. Still, it will take all day to get to the top. Maybe until tomorrow morning."
"That's a long time."
"Yeah. There won't be any enemies here, and we have time. At least we don't need to worry about monster alerts. Everyone can just relax."
When Lucia said that, the girls got excited.
One of Glen's party members, a little girl, leaned forward and asked Lucia.
"So, Lucy?"
"Yeah?"
"Can we go take a shower?"
"Sure, do as you like. If you get sleepy, you can sleep in the bed."
"Yay!"
The little girl jumped up in joy.
Then she linked arms with Glen.
"Okay, Glen, shall we go take a shower?"
"Hehe, got it. ...Princesses, shall we go?"
And with that, they all went into one of the rooms together.
Following that, the other female members also entered various rooms one after another. I noticed that Fiona was fidgeting as well.
Lucia suggested to Fiona.
"Why don't you take a shower too, Fiona?"
"Uh, yeah, I guess... Should I? Well then, Aaron, I'm going to go for a bit."
As Fiona was about to leave, I stopped her.
"Wait, Fiona."
"What? What's wrong?"
I said with a serious face.
"It seems safe here, but you never know when the [Evil God] might attack. It's dangerous for you to be alone... I'll go with you."
"...Um, how far?"
"? Of course, I mean all the way to the shower room."
"Well... I've only been able to wipe myself down these past few days, so I'd prefer if you stayed out?"
"I don't mind, though?"
"...I'm worried about the smell of sweat."
"You're going to wash off the sweat, right?"
"......"
"......?"
Fiona looked at Lucia.
"Lucia, should we go together?"
"Yeah! Let's go!"
"So, it's okay because Lucia is here, right?"
"...I guess so..."
Fiona went into the room with Lucia.
I muttered sadly.
"We're a couple, so there's no need to worry..."
"No, no, Master."
The one who spoke to me was "Butt liker" from the ≪Gentlemen's Alliance≫.
"What is it?"
"Even couples should have some things they hold back on. Women always want to be seen in their beautiful form. Even if she's your wife, if you try to peek at her secret preparations, it's only natural for her to get mad, right?"
"...You sure sound like you know a lot."
"Butt liker" nodded with a wry smile.
"Well, believe it or not, I've been married longer than you two. This is from my experiences with my wife. Master, you should be careful too."
"Huh, is that how it is?"
I nodded,
"――――Wait!? Are you married?!"
I shouted.
No way.
I can't believe there's a woman who would marry this pervert. The world really is a big place.
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