Dismissed! And...

The moment we destroyed the main core at the deepest part of the tenth dungeon, the dungeon began collapsing. Our combined-transforming Golem, GGiant Tester, got buried along with it.

But all of these damages will be covered by Haku-san, so there's no problem at all.

Also, thanks to Soto, we secretly recovered it, so we're actually profiting.

[… Confirmed. Core Number 10 has been terminated.]

Just to be absolutely sure of survival status, we re-applied for a Dungeon Battle, and confirmed it wouldn't go through—a system-level confirmation. With this, Core Number 10 is definitely gone.

[With this, the operation is complete. Good work, everyone.]

In front of all the avatar members of the Traitor faction, Haku-san declared the mission complete.

With her words, the raid Dungeon Battle against Core Number 10 officially ended.

The tense atmosphere finally softened. I was still using my Golem avatar and I could feel the tension in my shoulders I hadn't even noticed begin to melt away.

The participating Dungeon Cores each said a quick goodbye to Haku-san before disconnecting. Apart from the war funds she compensated us with, the actual rewards are to be delivered secretly at a later date.

[Well then, Golem-kouhai, it's time we part ways. Let's meet again if fate allows.]

[We probably won't meet again since we'll never have a mission this big again, but still—oh, and forget that fake number Core Number 10 told you! Got it?! … But you can sneak over and visit if you like, okay?]

[Your Golem did great, so I'm really looking forward to the rewards! See ya!]

The senpais who helped defeat Core Number 10 left one by one.

[Man, even if it was a fake-kyu, Core Number 10 popping out really freaked me out, right 564?]

[M-My Glorious Self was not freaked out! If someone could scare me, they must be pretty amazing!]

For context, Mikan used a rabbit avatar. But Core Number 564? That was his actual self, unhidden. (By the way, the other senpais seemed to assume he was on loan from the Demon Lord faction.)

Naturally, all those Core Number 10s were fakes. They were doppelgangers—decoys.

[You were freaked out during the collapse, weren't kyou?]

[…As expected of Core Number 10. A formidable foe indeed!]

Incidentally, Core Number 564 was about to get buried in the collapse, since it really was him. But thanks to Mikan's intervention, he was successfully [Retrieve]-ed and managed to survive. That master-slave link sure comes in handy.

[Alrighty then, we're heading home! See you around-nkyuu!]

[Farewell! My Glorious Self looks forward to the rewards!]

"Yeah, have a good one."

With Mikan and the others gone, and it was just us and Haku-san now.

[Good work, Rokuko-chan. Kehma-san… You exceeded expectations magnificently.]

"Man, I thought we were done for when those undead cores attacked, but somehow we made it through."

[Oh please. Not only did you hold out, you wiped them all out solo… And attracting Core Number 10 himself? That was huge.]

Haku-san pressed her fingers to her temple, clearly wondering just how much reward would be appropriate.

Then, something about her caught my eye.

"By the way, Haku-san, did you always wear that accessory? The one on your thigh?"

[Mm? Accessory?]

She was wearing a dress like an ao dai that showed off her body contours—especially the thigh through a high slit. And on that thigh was a white gemstone accessory.

… I'm pretty sure that wasn't there before.

[I don't remember wearing anything like that. Right, Chloe?]

[… No, it's definitely there. Could it be… perceptual interference? A curse, perhaps? I didn't notice it until he'd mentioned it.]

[Huh? That's really bad, isn't it? For something to bypass my defenses, it must be a seriously powerful curse. If it's Core Number 10's last hurrah, who knows what it might do.]

Haku-san and Chloe-san started to get visibly concerned, so I chimed in.

"If it's a curse, I can lift it. I've got the [Divine Alarm Clock] after all."

[Oh my, then please do. Let's meet at the beach. I'd like to discuss your reward there too. Bring Rokuko-chan with you.]

"… Understood."

Honestly, I could've just sent Narikin with the alarm clock and been done with it, but hey, this is how it turned out.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

And so we arrived at [White Beach]. Haku-san and Chloe-san were already there with a parasol, table, and tea set ready. A full tea party setup.

"Good work, Haku anee-sama!"

"Yes, you too, Rokuko-chan… ah, wait. Let's dispel the curse before hugging. We don't want to risk it if it happens to be contagious. It seems pretty weak now, probably because it's already been weakened by my defenses, but still."

"Ah, right. Kehma?"

"Sure thing."

Prompted by Rokuko, I pulled out the [Divine Alarm Clock] from [Storage].

And then it struck me—if I didn't lift the curse right now… Well, Haku-san would probably find another way. Still, delaying the hug might give me leverage to negotiate a bigger reward.

"… So, would lifting this curse count as part of the reward?"

"Sure. Any particular request?"

Haku-san replied smoothly, and I swallowed hard.

… Maybe, just maybe, I could use this, combined with the battle rewards, to finally get her to approve my relationship with Rokuko. I did go all out, after all.

That's what I was thinking.

Should I say it…? With Rokuko right here, I didn't think she'd execute me for being rude, but… My throat was getting dry.

"Uh, well… um, how about—"

"Ah, Onee-sama, could you tell Kehma to marry me? That can be the reward for lifting the curse."

"Wai—Rokuko!?"

Just as I was struggling to speak, Rokuko casually dropped a bombshell. She continued, smiling.

"Why not? It's just ringing the alarm clock. Barely any effort. That's reward enough, right?"

"No, that's not… I mean, come on—"

"Right? Let's go with that, please, Onee-sama?"

From dating to… to marriage!?

"Oh my… Well, alright. Kehma-san. Rokuko-chan says so… so—marry her."

"… …!?"

And Haku-san responded instantly, without a hint of hesitation.

… Eh? Haku-san… have you been brainwashed by Rokuko?