The Saintess and Flame Cavern

"… Phew, that was quite a job…"

"Good work, Kehma."

Operating the messenger golem I named Uuma, I was actually sending my voice from further down the corridor beyond the wall.

I told Rin, "My name is Uuma in human speech, so please use that," and somehow managed to fool her.

By the way, "Uuma" wasn't added to the named monster list. Come to think of it, Tester wasn't on the list either, so I guess golems created with [Create Golem] don't count.

There was a real possibility my voice could give me away, but since the golem couldn't reproduce the high-frequency components, the voice came out distorted… basically in a "crackling" state, so hopefully that was enough to fool her.

If she asks about it, I'll just push through with: "I'm just mimicking the voice of the first adventurer who came to this floor."

The golem making a pseudo-voice based on mine isn't a lie in terms of how it works.

I mean, I had no choice but to come out because Rin made it impossible to repel the saintess. Let's get along as fellow followers — and go home already.

… I really wished Rin wouldn't protect the saintess, but… damn, we couldn't communicate at all.

Anyway, beyond the wall I was stationed at… the saintess is now heading toward the magma area that leads to [Flame Cavern].

I even said "It's pointless to go on. What you're looking for isn't beyond here. I've taken care of it," but… her target is a Dungeon Core. [Flame Cavern] has a Dungeon Core, and I definitely didn't take care of anything. Yup, nothing I said was true!

Still, that saintess really did have a skill to detect lies after all. It might be a bluff, but assuming it's real shouldn't cause any problems.

… For it to work even through a golem is impressive. Maybe it is a bluff after all? But considering how freely she spent money, she probably learned it through spending lavishly. There's also the possibility that her country gave her priority access to rare skills.

Her return rate is 100% regardless of survival, so giving her rare skill scrolls wouldn't be a waste.

Anyway, I was defeated, and the path opened up. However, that path doesn't lead to our Dungeon Core. This should buy us plenty of time.

I let out a breath of relief. The golems and traps I'd prepared so carefully, the poison arrows made from leftover poison I'd tested on Rin — all wasted, and I ended up having to appear myself…

… With this, I've bought time until the seal ends. If she goes to [Flame Cavern], it should work out somehow. That place isn't sealed after all… Right? Just because they're connected…

If it were sealed, they would have complained.

"Well done, Master. Rokuko-sama."

"… Rei, you've gotten much better at using the archer golems."

"Yes, golems are the only means I have for dealing damage… I've practiced a lot. I even bought archery skill scrolls with my DP salary… fufu, but I still can't beat Niku-senpai. What's the deal with that senpai? Is she really just an ordinary beastkin child? Ahaha, seeing arrows flying at her and dodging them easily, ahaha, that's impossible, ahahaha."

Rei spoke emotionally, her eyes somewhat distant as she laughed dryly.

Seriously, Rin's been making our subordinates' efforts go to waste.

Right now, Rin is at the entrance to the magma area Rokuko created — which leads to [Flame Cavern] — along with the saintess.

It had hesitated to enter before, but magma itself wasn't the problem. Rin had simply said it looked hot and stuffy, and it would rather sleep somewhere more peaceful — a reason anyone could understand.

Also, apparently it's fine even if it drinks magma instead of water… Magma isn't H2O, so thinking about it logically, that's ridiculous.

"Boss. The atmosphere is different from here on."

"… Beyond this, I haven't, been. I don't know, the way."

The saintess and Rin hopped across the stepping stone platforms.

Wait, has the saintess gotten completely comfortable calling Rin "boss"?

"… Sending half-baked golems against Rin is pointless, huh…"

"The gargoyles I prepared aren't getting any action either～"

"Alright, time to mess with them. Feni, go～!"

Thinking it would be unnatural if nothing attacked them, Feni swooped in partway through.

"Mu! That's a… phoenix?! C-c-catch it!"

"Hmm? This is also, Uuma's underling?"

"Tame! Let me tame it! The first saintess's partner was a phoenix! I-I also, I also want a phoenix as my partner!"

"Feni, run away～!?"

The saintess tried to catch Feni, so it quickly fled. The saintess was about to dive into the sea of magma to chase it, but Rin stopped her.

"It belongs to, my follower. No. If you want it, ask, Uuma."

"Uuu… t-then when I destroy the Dungeon Core…! Before it collapses…!"

I wondered what would happen if I offered Feni in exchange for giving up on the Dungeon Core… but then Rokuko glared at me. Yeah, can't do that, right.

Then, they found the door leading to [Flame Cavern] and Rin went through. The saintess followed.

Finally, I can sleep peacefully—

"—Boss, from here on appears to be a different dungeon… Probably [Flame Cavern]. Let's head back."

"Mu? I see. Another guy's, house, huh. Then, another time."

—Just as I thought that, the saintess turned back around, with Rin behind her.

… Eh, how did she figure that out? Saintess, what the heck are you…

"… What do we do, Kehma?"

"At this point, we have no choice but to face them head-on. I'll lure them to the boss room. Can't be helped… I wanted to save it as a trump card, but let's unveil the new haniwa. And I'll use the special anti-Rin golem."

"Hey Kehma, when did you even prepare something like that?"

Of course I prepared properly. I don't want to die, after all.