Chapter 214 - CH. 216: She Isn't My Mistress!
On the 10th floor.
Alise turned to us with a serious expression. "Watch each other's back in the mist."
"Aye aye, Captain!"
Alise shook her head and treaded further, holding her two-handed sword. This time I could sense everything without using the special goggles. The girls also refused to wear to make it challenging.
Slaughtering the orcs, hard armored, and infant dragons in our paths. Entering the 11th floor, I heard howls in the distance. Strange. There should be no hellhounds on this floor.
Nobody else heard it, so it should probably be from the end of this floor.
I got the answer soon. A horde of orcs fiercely chased a pack of silver-furred wolves to no avail. The wolves ran around, stopping occasionally to spit out a white ball. The swirling orbs tore through the orc's chest with no effort.
The owner of these wolves was none other than Natsumi. She put her hands on her hips with a mischievous grin, her blue eyes narrowed to slits. "Ara, Master. It didn't expect to meet you here."
"...Who are you?"
The Natsumi I knew was a gloomy woman lusting for revenge. This onee-san wasn't Natsumi!
"Master… how can you forget your slave?" she covered her face and sobbed. "I'm sorry, Master. I-I won't do it again. Please don't abandon me!"
"Natsumi Aizawa," Lyra whispered. "the new captain of Apollo Familia. She is a level 4 Monster tamer with an exotic collection of monsters."
"Asahi, who is this monster tamer lady?" Alise asked. "Why is she lying about being your slave?"
At least she trusted me enough to not fall for this act.
"Oi, stop this act right this instant!"
Natsumi stopped sobbing and let out an exaggerated sigh. "Master is no fun. Always treating me like air."
Was she high or something? It didn't look like it, so there was only one reason for her behavior—mana. Like how Saya used to change. This could be the same phenomenon. I'll deal with her after she becomes normal. Still, for her to become an onee-san was surprising.
I pulled out my appraisal glasses to gauge Natsumi's growth.
Natsumi Aizawa Lv. 26
—Designated Title: The Irregular's Slave
—Race: Human
—Class: Summoner
Attributes:
—Strength: 35
—Dexterity: 38
—Constitution: 50
—Defense: 45
—Charm: 31
—Magic: 125
Skills:
[—Summoning 'Creation Version' (D-Rank): The user can summon any fictional creature, but their level cannot exceed the user's level. The number of active summons at this rank is ten.]
[—Physical Reinforcement (C-Rank): The user can reinforce a specific part of their body with the help of mana. At this rank, 1 MP can be used to gain 3 DEF points.]
[—Water Magic (D-Rank): Only those with calm, peaceful, uncompromising, and honorable trait can awaken this magic. This skill allows the user to create spells in exchange for mana. The maximum output of magic is limited by the rank.]
[—Mutated Soul (Unique): The user's Soul underwent mutation after bonding to the Soul of a high-ranking being. The user's MP increases according to their loyalty to the high-ranking being.]
Should I be worried about this new skill that increased her MP according to her loyalty to me?
(It is a freebie for bonding with you. Your soul is too powerful compared to her.)
'Apollo got the same benefit?'
(…Yes. But his loyalty to you is pitifully low. After the monsters drilled him… He lost his dignity…)
'I don't need his loyalty. I don't even know what to do with his Familia right now.'
"Aa-chan, you there?"
"Ah, sorry for dozing off like that."
"Aa-chan," Rika called with a dead serious face. "Did Natsumi's onee-san act turn you on?"
"Oh my. Asahi-kun, you naughty boy. Don't daydream around this onee-san—"
Saeko slapped Shiori's back. "Stop, Shiori. Don't play around in the dungeon."
Leaving the Busujima sisters aside, I turned my attention to Alise who looked like she had a lot to ask. The question however came from Kaguya.
"Is… Is that woman your mistress?"
"How the hell did you come to that conclusion?"
"I have seen men who get aroused when a woman acts like a slave… I thought you might be one of those."
"Natsumi is my old friend. As you can see, she is… a bit weird."
"I'm the weirdest woman alive!" Natsumi declared and drew closer with arms stretched, trying to hug me.
I stopped her with one hand and gave a wry smile to Kaguya. "See."
The women nodded together, finally accepting Natsumi's idiotic character. Two of the wolves sat rubbed their heads on my leg as if pleading to forgive their master. Their soft fur felt so nice…
"How did she become a Captain?" Ryuu asked.
I quietly pointed to Alise, who was another example of a weird captain. Ryuu gave a nod in understanding as her lips lifted a few more degrees.
"I understand now."
Alise frowned. "Why do I feel you two are saying bad things about me?"
Ryuu evaded Alise's gaze and crouched before the wolf. She reached out and started patting its head. The wolf closed its eyes as its tail wagged crazily behind it.
"This damned wolf," Rika cursed and started patting the other wolf. "To think this cute thing almost chewed my leg before."
"Eh, that happened?" Alise asked.
Natsumi formed a serious expression and bowed her head. "I'm sorry, Rika-sama. I never apologized for that incident… I am terribly sorry. I was so horrible at that time. I'm ready to accept any punishment, so please—"
"Shut up, idiot," Rika said and waved her hand. "Past is past. Don't dwell on it."
Natsumi raised her head and with clenched fists, she declared, "Thank you, Rika-sama. If you ever need my help, please don't hesitate."
"Alright," Rika turned with a soft smile. "I will make full use of you."
I connected to Natsumi with telepathy. "Even if she forgave you, I haven't."
Natsumi grinned, her eyes burning with a flame of determination. "Master, I will do my best to redeem myself."
***
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