Year 7444, Month 1, Day 17
Since we had a lot of baggage and to avoid as much combat as possible we hurried back down the passage we came. We even lessened our caution against monsters a bit to put priority on speed.
"Hurry, even in the case that monsters come out I'll blow them away. It's a battle with time."
"Ah!"
"Yes!"
I quickly explained things to everyone after that and without even taking a short break we all ran back the way we came from. The number of corpses of {Bright Blade} that were remaining there was 9 in total. There should be 1 more. Either they were there during the attack but were far enough distance away for me not to notice and ran away or they were left to look after their luggage in the teleport room of the 4th floor I guess. When we teleported into the 5th floor there was traces of a camp on the 4th floor but no one around. So most likely it wasn't someone looking after their bags but rather they ran away.
Somehow the atmosphere is heavy, I guess I'll try to change the mood. I started talking while we walk.
"Hey~ everyone. I have a bit of something to discuss. It's about the days we explore the dungeon."
I said that and everyone made faces like "so it's finally come" with faces filled with resolve as they looked at me.
"Since we've explored quite a bit of the 5th floor. It's about a good time to go to the 6th floor. I'm going to change our schedule starting next month. Starting from February we'll enter 3 and then 4 consecutive days, we'll gradually increase the number of days we spend exploring the dungeon. However, we'll properly have the same amount of days off per month 7.5 as we have until now. We'll do the same 2.5 days of cooperation training as well. But, since I'm sure it's exhausting to explore consecutively, I'll probably increase the number of days off as well. I'm taking into consideration consecutive holidays. Well I'll see how things go until partway through February and then modify the schedule. It depends on our stamina."
Excluding Zenom everyone's making complicated faces.
"That's true. Even if you increase the number of days off a bit the amount of time we spend deeper in the dungeon should increase so I'm sure our earnings will go up, I agree."
I guess it's because I talked to him about ti before, Zenom immediately raised his voice in agreement.
"That's true..It's just as Zenom-san said. I think that's fine as well."
Toris agreed as well. Hey now, I thought that you and Bel would be against it though. I mean, if you think about it through the month, the amount of nights we'll spend in the dungeon will increase. With our schedule of exploring the dungeon until now we've only spent one night at a time in the dungeon so it was only 10 days in the month but I think it'll increase from here on. For him to agree with something that would decrease their consumption rate of "Saya"...
"..I'm fine with it as well. Let's earn some more."
There was a strange pause in Bel's reply. I wonder if that means since I've spent more time with her than Toris I can read her feelings better?
"If everyone is fine with that then I am too. Let's give it our best."
Gwine is making a slightly stiff smile but agreed.
"..Che."
I'll ignore this girl. However, well I guess I'll say it for her.
"Hey Ralpha, I'll teach you so you can understand it with that pitiful head of yours. The fact that we're exploring the dungeon longer certainly means that we'll earn more as well. Up until now on the days we return from the dungeon and even then only on the Tuesdays or so when there was no training the next did you have chances to drink through the night but when we have consecutive holidays you'll be able to drink several days straight, so I think the number of chances for you to go drinking will increase.
I intend to do the cooperation training in the afternoon of several days as well."
After I said that and the edges of her mouth raised up a bit. She's so easy~
............
We returned to the teleport crystal that brought us to the 5th floor. We're about to teleport to the center of the 4th floor teleport room. It's a good thing only the top teams are able to make it to that room so either no one will be there, if there is it will be people from a different top team, or it'll just be the single remaining member of {Bright Blade}. I thought everyone's expressions would lighten up a bit because we were finally able to return to the safe area but that wasn't the case. Alright, my carefully selected elite properly understand the critical moments it seems.
We'll teleport in and restrain the remaining member of {Bright Blade}. Otherwise, counter attack them.
I stretch out my hand to the crystal rod.
"It's just right, I'll talk a bit before we teleport."