Reunion

I see, so that's what the hermaphrodite girl (?) Setsuna is after.

"In other words, you were also mixed with things through [Super Alchemy]?"

"Something like that… Grandma's the only person that can restore me."

"That so? I don't really know the details, but good luck with that."

"Un, thanks. I'll bring you something next time."

"If you do, please bring me some information about the Divine Beddings."

"Divine Beddings… un, alright."

With that, our conversation came to a close.

Setsuna returned to the small room and pressed the interrupt button to leave.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

Then the next day arrived. Setsuna and Nayuta promptly dove into the dungeon together.

They were supposed to have shifts as waitresses today, but Niku took their place. I knew their circumstances, so I readily gave my permission, but — well, yeah. I'm looking forward to seeing Leona's reaction.

"… I feel like I should just head back to my room and lie down in my bed in anticipation. Rather, I want to lie down."

"Don't steal my lines… well, I get what you mean."

"If Leona does anything, I'll dash straight back to bed!"

It was too troublesome to carry her to her bed, so she decided to just head back if she felt anything unusual.

While we were talking about stuff like that, Setsuna and the others had easily arrived at the Meadow Area where the Succubi were. It was obvious since I'd had Golems guide them there… but still, did they never consider that I might be deceiving them? I'm not deceiving them, though.

Well then, let's sit back and watch.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

As they'd been told beforehand, no dungeon traps or monsters interfered with them.

Rather, a Golem guided them so that they'd easily pass right through the Labyrinth Area without encountering any other adventurers.

They made their way down the Staircase Area, which they'd heard was chock-full of traps, without anything happening. Even the Warehouse Area, which they'd heard only the Hero had been able to properly explore, was nothing more than a peaceful stroll thanks to the Golem's guidance.

Once they'd been guided to the staircase that marked the boundary to the next area, the Golem guide waved and left.

"We really are being welcomed in, huh. Could this actually be a trap?"

"I feel like we can trust Uuma-san."

"I haven't met him myself, so I don't have any basis for that, but… oh well, when do I ever? But if Onee-chan says he's trustworthy, I'll trust him too. So she's right past here?"

"Seems like it… Let's be cautious and see how it goes."

When they went down the stairs, they found a meadow. There was even a sky despite being inside a dungeon.

There were occasionally rooms and floors within dungeons that had environmental changes like this. This wasn't their first time seeing something like this, so Setsuna and the others were able to calmly continue their exploration.

They had been told there was a cluster of rectangular buildings with a woman named Leona living there.

… She hadn't heard the details, but Uuma had told her that he couldn't guarantee their safety on the floor where Leona lived. In other words, there was someone there not under the dungeon's control — probably a companion or pet of Leona's. That was their original assumption.

"… Still though, this really is a community."

"I'd heard talks about there being a village in the dungeon… but is it like this?"

The buildings were surrounded by a fence made of waist-high wooden poles. There was even a small gate with a brand-new wooden sign that said: "Passionate Welcome! Succubus Village."

"Succubus Village… Succubus, huh. Looks like Grandma's here."

"Succubi are troublesome as enemies. Since it says welcome, should we just go ahead and ask them?"

"Let's do that. Umm… hello～, is anyone there～?"

When Setsuna called out at the gate, several small house doors opened with a clatter.

Out came a woman wearing a provocative outfit that could better be described as strings than clothes.

"Hello～, are you adventurers? Oh, girls?"

"Succubi? So this really is a Succubus Village…"

"Yes… Umm, what should we do? We didn't expect that our first guests would be girls."

"Ah, actually. Is someone named Leona here? We came to see them."

When Setsuna said that, the Succubus put herself on guard.

"… Pursuers after Leona-sama!? Come out, everyone! To arms!"

"Eh, pursuers!? Where!? Hey, bring the spears!"

"We won't let you take Leona-sama!"

Various Succubi popped up and approached.

"W-wait! I, umm, just want to talk and ask a favor!"

"To Leona-sama?"

"Yeah! … Well, that's if she's the 'Leona' I'm thinking of—"

At that moment, a woman wearing ordinary clothes came out of the room furthest from them.

Her face was exactly the one Setsuna and Nayuta knew: the black-haired, red-eyed Leona.

"Ah! You're here!"

"Grandma! Is it really you!?"

"Oh, if it isn't Setsuna? Nayuta too? How have you two been～?"

Setsuna and Nayuta reflexively assumed their battle stances. This made the Succubi wary of them again, but Leona simply waved her hand. She was the only person there looking carefree, as if she was just meeting her relatives after a few months.

"Umm, Leona-sama. Should we not attack them?"

"That's right, Suira, don't let this get violent. These are my cute granddaughters after all."

"… Huh? Leona-sama, weren't you seventeen? You have grandchildren this grown?"

"Yes, these are the grandchildren I had when I was seventeen."

Setsuna and Nayuta both looked at Leona with reproachful eyes. Leona simply smiled back at them.

She apparently wasn't accepting complaints.

"Grandma? Would I lose if I retorted here?"

"It's fine, Nayuta. So, you came to see me? But instead of 'Grandma,' you should call me 'Leonan' with lots of affection, okay? Go on, try saying it. Repeat after me～, Leonan～"

"… Setting that aside, I want my body restored."

"Oh?"

Hearing Setsuna's request, Leona tilted her head.

"But aren't you cuter this way? Besides, you got a power up out of it, didn't you? Strong and cute, what could be better～, fufufu."

"You…!"

"Oh my, don't get angry now. You'd ruin your cute little face — wait, not really. You're even cute when you're angry, Setsuna. Let Grandma give you some allowance."

As Setsuna tried to punch her, Leona slipped a silver coin into her cleavage from behind.

Although she definitely hadn't taken her eyes off of her, Leona had vanished instantly and appeared behind her.

"Hyah! W-when did you…!?"

"It's alright, Setsuna. If you keep training, you'll be able to surpass even me, you know? After around three hundred years."

"Three hundred years… my lifespan would run out first."

"Oh? Setsuna, I made you ageless, so you don't have a lifespan, remember? Congratulations, Setsuna, you can train forever!"

Setsuna whipped around and launched a backhand strike at Leona behind her. But her fist missed completely. Leona had already moved entirely out of Setsuna's range and was now gently stroking Nayuta's cheek from right in front of her.

"I'll make you ageless too once I have the materials, Nayuta, okay?"

"…! I'll decline! You're just going to force some ridiculous cost onto me anyway!"

"Eternal youth is a woman's dream, you know? It's more than worth enduring some pain and hardship. Besides, it's not like it's really a bad side effect, is it? … By the way, Nayuta. Are you traveling alone with Setsuna? You're sharing a room at the inn, right?"

"We're sisters, so of course! W-we haven't done anything strange!"

She was swinging her knife around while blushing, but Nayuta was a rear guard type in the first place, far less suited to combat than Setsuna. Even Setsuna's quick fists hadn't been able to land, so there was no way Nayuta's attacks would ever hit.

"Enough already, restore Onee-chan!"

"Mmm, unfortunately, that's not happening…"

Leona spoke with an innocent smile.

"I mean, that wouldn't be any fun."

Although Setsuna took a short run-up to punch her, her fist was blocked nonchalantly.

Even after receiving Setsuna's full-powered punch, Leona's palm didn't so much as quiver.