Chapter 11: Promotion

"I'm glad. Everyone is safe."

Misha smiled broadly, looking at Karen sleeping on my back.

"Yeah, Thanks to everyone's unyielding heart."

It was a close call.

Since Ellie was panicked, I headed to Karen at full speed, but when I found her, the Golem's fist was already swinging down.

Thinking I had to do something, what flashed in my mind was Misha's figure flying flashily with a smile every day.

When I hit my back with 《Wind》 too, I fell into the illusion that I had become a pinball. The dungeon passage looked like a vertically stretching canvas, and monsters passed by at high speed.

I'll be honest. It was super scary. The sensation of a roller coaster safety belt coming off and flying away might be easy to understand.

Karen's persistence was good too. Despite a situation where it wouldn't be strange to close her eyes in fear with a Golem's fist looming, her not giving up and using the Binding Eye was one of the factors that saved us.

Clarice and I were perfectly in sync too. Clarice, who sneaked up behind Karen, sent me a sign. Two are critically injured, draw attention.

With a magical performance, I succeeded in gathering not just Karen's but everyone's gazes. The 《Fireball》 I didn't need to use was to camouflage the gentle light of Holy Magic. It succeeded brilliantly, and no one noticed Clarice's Holy Magic.

It was unexpected that Sasha talked Karen down, but the result is all good.

When we arrived safely at the room on the fourth layer where the teachers were waiting, cheers rose, and some even started crying.

I lowered Karen slowly so as not to wake her, and praised the good fight with Clarice and the others.

"Good work. Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm tired as expected. I haven't taken a bath once since the Dungeon Exam started, so I want to return to the inn quickly and soak in a bath."

Although Clarice said she was tired, her face was immaculate as usual, not a single hair out of place. It's probably true she hasn't bathed, but she radiated enough cleanliness that I wouldn't know if she said she just came out of a bath.

"What do you want to do? Should I prepare a bath?"

I whispered close so Misha nearby wouldn't hear. Since the three of us dove into the Almeria dungeon constantly, I became able to easily make a bathtub with Earth Magic.

"Really...!? ...But I'll pass. It's not a good idea for Mars to stand out any more. I'll accept just the thought."

Her eyes sparkled for a moment, but thinking of me, Clarice endured her beloved bath.

Then, Sasha, who had been talking deeply with other teachers, walked over.

"We were saved by you guys this time. I'm sorry, but could you come to the academy for a moment?"

"That's fine, but what will we do?"

"I want to report to Duke Regan. Also a decision on whether to continue this Dungeon Exam. Just in case, based on field judgment, I intend to have diving past the third layer's Safe Zone prohibited."

Indeed, sealing off past the third layer seems better.

"Understood. Then I'll excuse myself here since I'll rest early. See you tomorrow, everyone."

I wanted to stay near Clarice more, but my party member is Cyrus, and he's the boss. If I spoil his mood, the consequences are scary, so I walked toward Cyrus drifting with an air of sorrow.

———Dungeon Exam Day 10

We returned from the Arahan dungeon last night. Without time to relax, we departed early in the morning and headed to Lister National academy. Since Johann and Josef were still not in good condition, 【Sickle Weasel】 members stayed behind. So the returning members were me, Cyrus, Sasha, and the four from 【Flower Lotus】, totaling seven... wait, nine people.

After being shaken in a carriage for several hours, we entered the academy as is, got off in front of the staff building, and went to the principal's office.

"Duke Regan, It's Sasha. We have returned."

When she knocked on the door, the thick door opened.

"Thank you for your hard work. You two, please go outside and take a break."

The two staff members who opened the door were ordered by Duke Regan to go outside; they bowed to us and left the principal's office, closing the door.

"I know the rough circumstances from the express messenger. Could you let me hear the details?"

Sasha tried to answer, representing everyone, but Duke Regan stopped her.

"Please let me hear Sasha's story last. Let's see... first, from Dominic."

Dominic, nominated by Duke Regan, had a high-pitched voice perhaps due to nervousness, but every word coming out was subjective and exaggerated. Like how several Rock Lizard heads flew with one stroke, or how he drove the Golem to near death. In the end, he went as far as to say he could break through the fifth layer alone.

I listened feeling nervous about when Cyrus would explode, but Cyrus just wore a creepy smirk.

"Thank you, Dominic played a big role, didn't he? I expect great things in the future too. Next, Baron. Let me hear your story."

Baron, like Dominic, lined up nonsense. That he suppressed all attacks with 《Earth Wall》 and everyone got off with scratches. He said he fought until the end too, but ran out of MP at the very end and couldn't deliver the finishing blow, exuding regret.

"Is that so? Baron also performed worthy of the name Hero of the North? I am proud too."

Duke Regan smiled throughout. Could this person be a pushover?

I thought that only until this point.

When that manufactured smile turned to Cyrus, Cyrus erupted as if on cue.

"Are what you guys just said true!? You're saying you can do what even I can't!? Come outside right now. If you're stronger than me, I'll acknowledge you. But you know!? If you can't, be prepared!? I'll thoroughly beat that rotten nature out of you!"

Frightened by Cyrus's intimidation, the two sought help from Duke Regan.

"I believe in you two, so please just defeat Cyrus or something."

The word 'believe' is convenient but scary. Because it allows for rational abandonment.

Grabbed by the scruff of their necks by Cyrus, the two exited the principal's office.

"Next is Mars. Please let me hear your story."

Duke Regan's eyes captured me straight on.

"Yes. I remember seeing Lady Karen confronting the Golem and thinking I had to do something, so I cast 《Wind》 on myself to accelerate... but after that, I was frantic, and when I realized, the Golem had fallen..."

"You say you don't remember?"

"I apologize, but..."

When I bowed my head, Duke Regan turned his gaze to Karen.

"I apologize. I also fell into a confused state of consciousness after stopping the Golem's movement with the Binding Eye... When I regained consciousness, I was already on the fourth layer..."

"I have heard that story from the staff too. It is just a confirmation. You do not need to apologize."

Good. It seems Karen doesn't remember much about that time either.

I sighed in relief, but Duke Regan's pursuit continued.

"There is something else I want to ask Mars, According to testimonies from multiple staff members, there is a report that you made Cyrus a porter and traversed the second and third layers alone. Is this true?"

Since he said he wanted to hear from Sasha, I thought it was about Karen's rescue, so I had prepared an answer for that beforehand, but I didn't expect to be poked there. Moreover, since everyone saw it, there's no way to make excuses.

"...Yes. That is correct."

When I admitted it honestly, Duke Regan nodded with satisfaction.

"I'm not particularly blaming you. However, since staff and other students have seen it, we cannot keep Mars in E-Class forever... and at the bottom rank at that. I intended to have you move up classes little by little, but from today, I will make you S-Class."

"""———!?"""

Eh!? Suddenly S-Class!?

While Clarice, Ellie, and Misha held hands and rejoiced, Sasha showed a confused expression.

"D-Duke Regan!? Is that alright!? Suddenly S-Class is..."

Indeed, I feel like the conversation last time in the principal's office was about raising me gradually.

"Yes, I intended that too, but while you were in the dungeon, various things happened here as well..."

Duke Regan mumbled vaguely. What is 'various things'? I want to ask but can't.

Sasha seemingly couldn't ask further questions and changed the topic.

"So regarding the Dungeon Exam, should we cancel it? By our judgment, we have prohibited entry beyond the third layer's Safe Zone."

"As expected of Sasha, You made a good judgment. The Dungeon Exam will continue until the end of this month as scheduled, but I will dispatch the Knight Order. Due to schedule, I cannot move the Knight Order immediately, but they should arrive in Arahan in about five days at the latest. So, I have a consultation there..."

Duke Regan put her elbows on the desk, rested her chin on one hand, and took a peering posture.

"I would like to ask you to guard the dungeon until the Regan Knight Order arrives."

"Does that mean performing the same role as a party formed only of staff?"

When Sasha asked again for confirmation, Duke Regan tilted her face on her clasped hands and smiled.

"That is correct. If Mars, who can dive to the third layer alone, and Sasha join, I think a party comparable to 【Crimson Lotus】 can be formed, what do you think?"

"Eh? Me too?"

My voice cracked at the unexpected nomination.

"Of course. I considered Cyrus instead of Mars, but a role has been created for Cyrus to thoroughly train Baron and Dominic. I don't want you to misunderstand; I truly evaluate Baron and Dominic highly. But those two do not know fear yet. This incident was a perfect opportunity for them. Though I can only say this because everyone was safe."

"...Understood. I am fine with it."

Honestly, a party full of women makes me shrink, but being able to accompany Clarice and Ellie is big. Being separated from them made me worry. I don't want to go through that again.

"Karen is fine too, right?"

Naturally, everyone's gaze gathered on Karen, but when our eyes met, she looked away.

"Y-Yes. But can I fulfill the role? I exposed everyone to danger."

"Sasha will follow up there, so it's fine. It is best for the rearguard, who has many opportunities to see the whole picture, to be the leader."

Karen started to say something at Duke Regan's words but swallowed it.

"Hey!? Then! Let's make a party with everyone! A social gathering and also a celebration for Mars's promotion to S-Class!"

"Misha. I understand your feelings, but please save that for after the Dungeon Exam ends. It pains me, but I would like you all to return to Arahan immediately."

Misha nodded while pouting at Duke Regan's words. I didn't expect a round trip either, but I understand what Duke Regan is saying.

"Certainly. Then we will excuse ourselves."

When we went outside led by Sasha, there were Baron and Dominic, helpless against Cyrus even with two of them.

"Cyrus? We decided to go to Arahan again, but what will you do?"

"Ou! I decided to thoroughly train these guys! Take care of Mars!"

The two showed expressions of despair at Cyrus's words. Don't make such faces. The man in front of you is the best teacher. Though I can't say that in front of Cyrus even if my mouth is torn.

Boarding the carriage, it was heaven.

Until now, it was a two-man journey with a beast who might snap at any moment. Now, Clarice on the right, Ellie on the left. The two held my hands with both hands and leaned their bodies on me.

Moreover, in front was Sasha, and on her sides were Karen and Misha. As far as the eye could see, beautiful women and girls. This might be the harem men dream of at least once.

Wrapped in flowery scents, the carriage headed lightly toward Arahan.