Chapter 17

SHALLTEAR POV, EARLY NIGHT:

Lili and Shalltear found themselves back in the dungeon room on the 8th floor where Lili had left her backpack before. As Lili began to put on her robe, her demeanor was a mixture of nervousness and uncertainty. Her cat tail swayed low, a sign of her anxiety, occasionally peeking out from beneath her skirt.

"Lady Shalltear... how did you know Lili is Lili?" She asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and apprehension. She had assumed her catgirl form, complete with a different face than her usual appearance.

The silver-haired female, acting like a vigilant guard dog, was busy checking each of the four entrances to the room, ensuring no monsters could intrude. "I simply followed the distinctive blood trace from your backpack in this room," she replied matter-of-factly.

The brown-haired girl began to say, "About Lili's form, Lili can explain-", her tail high, bristled with a mixture of nervousness and unease. However, before she could elaborate, Shalltear interrupted with, "I know, you're a shapeshifter."

Lili's cat ears twitched in confusion at the unfamiliar YGGDRASIL term, her tail once again dropping low. "...Shapeshifter?" she repeated, her head tilting in bewilderment.

Shalltear clarified, "Someone who can change forms."

Now... After what happened I am not gonna leave Lili alone and not with Soma Familia

"Lili, if it's okay with you... why don't you stay with me at my home?" The silver-haired female proposed, her tone filled with genuine concern and affection.

"Thank you, Lady Shalltear. But just the thought alone is more than enough for Lili," She responded with a soft smile.

The silver-haired female was genuinely puzzled by Lili's response. She couldn't understand why Lili wouldn't want the protection and safety she could offer, especially after what had transpired.

"Wha... Wh-why?!" Shalltear exclaimed, her confusion evident.

"Lili would feel bad for taking advantage of your kindness again, and... Lili is still a member of Soma Familia," She explained with a touch of sadness in her voice.

Shalltear shook her head in disagreement, determined to ease Lili's concerns. "That's not a problem, I'm not worried about that," she asserted, her voice firm.

However, the brown-haired girl gently shook her head, her expression carrying a mix of sadness and worry. "As a member of Soma Familia, Lili isn't allowed to go to Lady Shalltear's home. If anyone found out that Lili was staying there, it could cause trouble for you. Lili couldn't forgive herself if that happened," she explained with sincerity.

Shalltear's expression displayed genuine concern as she placed both hands on Lili's shoulders. "Lili... I'm gonna cause trouble for myself anyway when I attack Soma Familia, don't worry about that, I just want you to be safe," she reassured, her tone gentle but determined.

Lili's voice wavered as she cautiously asked, "Will... Lady Shalltear really..." Her sentence was left unfinished as Shalltear interrupted, her voice resolute, "I will get revenge for you and kill Soma to set you free, they will never abuse you again." She moved closer to Lili, their faces almost touching, her expression fierce yet protective.

Lili's cheeks turned a bright shade of pink, and her cat tail, now upright, trembled with a mixture of embarrassment and surprise. She found herself at a loss for words.

Gathering her thoughts, Shalltear asked, "...Lili where would you be staying?"

"L-Lili's staying at cheap motels... And she could ask for help from a friend," She replied with a slight quiver in her voice. Her friend was none other than Bom Cornwall, the owner of the store she frequented.

"But that would still be in Orario, right? They could still find you. How about staying somewhere they can't easily reach?" Shalltear suggested.

Lili tilted her head in confusion. "Where would that be?" she questioned, not quite understanding the alternative.

"In Rivira, I have a tree-house there," The silver-haired female revealed. She looked at the brown-haired girl, her expression genuine. "Lili, if there were no consequences, what would you truly like to do?"

A faint blush graced Lili's cheeks as she admitted, "...I would like to... go with Lady Shalltear..."

The silver-haired female nodded twice, her eyes earnest. "Lili, do you realize that the way they left you here in this room, everyone would assume that you are dead?"

Lili's golden brown feline eyes widened in realization. "Ah... AH!" she exclaimed, the truth sinking in.

"And you can shapeshift, right?" Shalltear continued. "If you change your race and face, nobody would recognize you."

A spark of realization lit up Lili's eyes as she followed Shalltear's train of thought.

"Since Lili is 'dead'," she started, a smile gracing her lips, "there is no reason for Lili to continue being involved with Soma Familia. At the same time, they won't come looking for Lili. Why would they? Lili's 'gone', after all."

In an instant, all the concerns that had weighed on her seemed to dissolve. Her attitude underwent a complete transformation.

Without hesitation, Lili reached out and firmly took hold of Shalltear's arm. Her eyes gleamed with determination as she exclaimed, "Let's go!" Her smile was infectious, and the enthusiasm in her voice was unmistakable.

The silver-haired female extended her hand forward and confidently commanded, "Gate!" Immediately, the air seemed to ripple, and a black hemispherical portal emerged, casting an eerie ambiance in the room.

Lili's eyes widened in astonishment. "What is THAT?!" she exclaimed, her surprise evident.

Smiling, Shalltear replied, "That is a Gate, a portal generated by a teleportation spell. It allows you to quickly move from one location to another."

The catgirl's confusion was palpable as she stammered, "You... move locations with it? Lili thought that Shalltear would protect Lili going through the dungeon until the eighteenth floor."

The silver-haired female's smile grew even more reassuring. "This way is safer for you. You only need to walk to it. Come, let's go together."

With Lili still hugging her arm, Shalltear led the way toward the portal. As they stepped through, the surroundings changed dramatically. Now, they stood on the 18th floor of the Dungeon, nestled high within the enormous tree that cast shadows over Rivira. The light from the crystals on the ceiling was dimmed, indicating it was getting nighttime.

"Wow! It really works. Lili had heard stories but had never been this deep", Lili's excitement was evident as she gazed around the lush 18th floor, her feline eyes wide with wonder.

She then turned her attention back to the black portal, and then to Shalltear. Lili's expression shifted from wonder to concern, and her voice turned serious. "Does Lady Shalltear understand what this 'Gate' means? If the adventurers were to know about this, it would start a war."

If it ever becomes known that Shalltear could teleport people it will catch a lot of attention. The Gate spell would let Familias and their expeditions skip straight down to the deepest point in the dungeon that they've ever been, avoiding the dangers in the journey to and from that deepest point. It would be a game changer, and they would fight for it if needed.

She acknowledged Lili's concern with a serene smile. "I know, Lili, and I am entrusting this secret to you," she replied, her tone sincere.

Lili's face flushed slightly as she responded with determination, "...Li-Lili promises to not tell anyone! Ever!"

o-O-o

In the dimly lit interior of Shalltear's tree base, Lili's eyes glowed with a golden hue, the only source of light in the dark space.

"Let me turn on the lights" mentioned Shalltear as she moved around, pressing buttons on the magic stone lamps, causing the room to be bathed in warm light. Lili took in her surroundings, her gaze settling on the wooden interior that seemed to be seamlessly integrated into the tree.

"Here it is, my makeshift home," she announced, her voice soft. "We can stay here and go around Rivira until I can free you from Soma Familia."

Lili nodded, a mix of gratitude and uncertainty in her eyes. "It looks... carved directly on the tree..." she murmured, still in awe of the uniqueness of the tree house.

Shalltear passes through the wooden living room and goes to the bedroom, Lili takes a moment and then goes after her, curious about her new temporary living space.

Upon entering the bedroom, Lili's eyes widened slightly as she took in the sight of Shalltear in a crimson nightgown that matched her eyes, her hair now tied into two pigtails falling behind her head adorned with matching crimson scrunchies and long front locks ending in curly ends.

"It is getting late in Rivira, and you are probably tired after today," Shalltear said, her tone soft and inviting. "Sooo, it would be good that we prepare to sleep", her fingers idly played with the ends of her hair making them curl, emphasizing how cute she looked.

She did a small jump, landing sitting on the edge of the bed with a poof. "So I have two types of pajamas for you to wear, choose whichever you want" signaling with her hands to both sides over the bed, left and right, where two pieces of clothes lay extended.

On the left was a crimson nightgown that matched Shalltear's own attire, and on the right was a more childish set of sleepwear with a cute rabbit logo.

If one were to wonder why would she have sleepwear if undead don't sleep? "Because she looks good on them!" Peroronchino would answer, giving a thumbs up.

Lili's eyes flitted between the two choices before she smiled and made her decision. "This one," she said, her gaze fixed on the left option, matching her attire with Shalltear.

"Got it! Let me know when you are ready to sleep" Shalltear gracefully got off the bed and left the room, giving space so Lili could change.

She neatly folded her previous clothes and placed them on the bed, taking a moment to admire the uniformity of the crimson fabric against her skin, "Matching clothes..." she murmured.

When she was ready, Lili called Shalltear back into the room. As the silver-haired female returned, Lili's gaze briefly shifted around the room before she spoke hesitantly, "Lady Shalltear, there is only one bed in the house?"

Her response was as lively and unexpected as always. "Yes~ There is only one~~ So we can sleep together~~~ And have a pajama party!!" she exclaimed, her arms extended in a V shape as she jumped onto the bed with enthusiasm.

Lili's cat ears perked up in curiosity as she asked, "What is a pajama party?" Her genuine confusion was met with the silver-haired female's patient explanation. "It is when people sleep and talk together... You have questions for me, don't you?" she said while patting the bed, indicating for Lili to join.

Knee-walking on the bed, Lili positioned herself near Shalltear, who was lying on her side and looking at her with interest. As they settled into their spots, the brown-haired girl took a moment to gather her thoughts before posing her question.

"Lady Shalltear said before she 'is different', how exactly?" Lili's curiosity was palpable, her cute cat ears perked up in anticipation.

She began to explain, detailing her unique nature. "Well, for starters, I am not exactly a goddess but have the blood-soul of a god running in my veins." She continued to elaborate on her unconventional existence, drawing Lili's full attention.

Her response was a mixture of surprise and confusion. "Haa?" she exclaimed, tilting her head to the side, her adorable cat ears twitching

Shalltear continued to clarify, providing more context to her situation. "Lili, you know that with certain items like Status Thief can unlock the locked status of an adventurer, right? Well... it is made from the blood of a god, and in my case, I am a person made with the blood of the God Cainabel."

Lili's eyes widened in shock as she processed this revelation. Her hands instinctively clenched into fists near her neck, and she exclaimed, "There was someone crazy enough to use a god as a material?!!" Her disbelief was evident in her tone.

The silver-haired female's response was matter-of-fact. "And that person is dead now, technically I am and am not Cainabel, but I can give a Falna without problems."

"Lady Shalltear said that she wants Lili to be the captain based on Lili's skills, but what is the objective of the familia then? Is it an exploration-type familia?" she inquired.

Shalltear's response provided more insight into her Familia's mission. "Not exactly... The goal is to clean the trash out of Orario. As you have experienced, there are too many gods and adventurers that are a problem or a net negative for the city."

Lili's next question was direct and carried a hint of cautiousness. "The goal is... to kill them?".

She wasn't concerned about the moral dilemma, she was past that at this point. Lili had committed so many crimes over the years, and there were a few times she'd seriously considered taking the lives of adventurers. However, those adventurers had been so tenacious. Despite losing everything, they clung to life with the persistence of cockroaches. That was the reason she had stayed her hand—it wasn't worth it.

Shalltear's response was candid, "Killing is only one method of doing so, ideally the least amount of intervention to get rid of the problem would be the best. An example is Soma Familia."

As Lili processed the information about the impending attack on Soma Familia, she couldn't help but ask, "Lady Shalltear told Lili that before, but when will that attack happen?"

The silver-haired female responded with a clear timeframe. "In four days from now when preparations are complete, or more like three days since it should be night, I suppose?"

With the plan in motion, she suggested taking advantage of the present moment. "Until then we can rest and wait, but for now we can sleep..." she concluded.

Lili takes the opportunity and snuggles closer to Shalltear, who responds by hugging her gently with one hand and extending the other she was using to rest on to pat on Lili's head, between her cat ears. She slowly moves her hand left and right, applying a bit of pressure to massage the top of Lili's head and the base of the cat's ears.

The sensation of Shalltear's gentle touch seemed to ease Lili's worries and bring her comfort. Her golden brown eyes expressed contentment as they slowly closed, and the rhythmic motion of Shalltear's hand patting her brought a sense of security. Lulled by the soothing gestures and the presence of someone who cared, Lili gradually drifted into sleep, carried away by a feeling of safety and warmth.

Now everything is taken care of... We only need to wait on Rivira and pass the time... That's it... What is the worst that can happen?

o-O-o

It was the early morning of the next day. In the dimly lighted wooden house, Shalltear was in the living room and restless because she was bored.

Watching Lili sleep is cute but you get tired and feel like a creep after hours of doing it... And since I don't sleep I have a lot of time to burn... What to do? What to do?

She needed to pass the time until Lili woke up. In the midst of her pondering, a solution presented itself. She realized that she had barely explored the contents of her inventory, or Item Box as it was known in YGGDRASIL. This could be an opportunity to uncover and examine the items she had carried with her into this new world.

As Shalltear delved into her inventory, she discovered a curious assortment of items, particularly focusing on the various dresses stored within it. Her inventory seemed to contain multiple copies of certain items, such as the masked white lady disguise, numerous bath towels, several sets of dark-red swimsuit dresses, and even a collection of bikini armor.

Why the hell are there multiple copies of the same dresses?!

The inexplicable redundancy piqued her curiosity, leading her to recall a saying from her creator, Peroroncino: "Buying equipment skins is like buying fap material. Regardless of whether you'll use it or not, it's always better to have a copy stored somewhere."

But OF COURSE he would keep multiple copies of clothes that might never have any use!!

She continued to sift through the array of dresses and outfits that her inventory held. The collection spanned a wide range of styles and themes, each item representing a memory or a whimsical choice made by her creator, Peroroncino. Idol outfits, white valentine dresses, red wedding dresses with flower bouquets, red new year yukatas, and even a Christmas dress with a cape. It was evident that Peroroncino liked to participate in seasonal events to get female clothes that she tried on Shalltear when she was an NPC. And for the looks of it, Peroroncino participated even multiple times in each one.

What... is THIS?!!!

She pulled out a white blouse with a light brown sweater plus a blue skirt and a blue bag–it was an otome gal academy uniform–a costume that changed Shalltear's makeup to be like a gyaru.

But the item that had caught her attention was a Japanese blue school tote bag with a zipper. The bag was adorned with various decorations, including a smaller version of Shalltear's ribbon, a pin of Peroroncino, a miniature skeleton, a little bat, a figurine of Momonga, and a red scrunchie. As she examined it, shock and disbelief flashed across her face.

She uttered in disbelief, "After all this time I had a bag THAT I COULD EQUIP?!" The realization hit her with a mixture of frustration and self-deprecation. She double-facepalmed as the absurdity of her oversight sank in. She murmured in a tone of exasperation, "And instead I carried around a bag with one hand, looking weird because I cannot equip it... I am a moron..."

With a renewed sense of curiosity and a touch of excitement, Shalltear delved deeper into the contents of the school tote bag she had discovered in her inventory. She carefully removed Japanese school books and a pink and red pencil case, placing them into her inventory and clearing the bag's contents. Then, she donned the bag like a backpack using the double long shoulder straps.

"What more is in there?" her exploration continued, she maintained a childlike wonder, much like a young girl discovering hidden treasures. She reached into her inventory once more and retrieved another item, only to be taken aback by its unexpected nature. "I had a Virgin Killer in there?!" she exclaimed in surprise.

Holding up the attire, one of Peroroncino's most prized possessions, she revealed a blue knee-length skirt, a white shirt, and a string tie combo—an outfit that perfectly matched the attire worn by Saber from Fate/stay night, famously known as the "Virgin Killer" outfit in the world of Overlord.

Intrigued by her inventory's contents, her exploration continued, her enthusiasm unabated. "Ah! This one is from the Feast Glitter event!" she exclaimed, revealing yet another attire. This time, she produced a stunning red Chinese dress, adorned with intricate golden and violet patterns.

Upon equipping the dress, Shalltear's appearance underwent a dramatic transformation. Her hair was fashioned into double buns that cascaded into twintails, and she donned heart-shaped earrings, silk gloves, and thigh-high knee socks. The dress, known as a Qipao, featured a high-necked collar and two long slits on either side, creating an alluring and elegant look.

Shalltear admired herself in the stunning red Qipao dress with genuine pleasure, "This looks incredibly good on me, though I may need to buy a mirror to properly check, I forgot to add that to my house..".

However, the true nature of the dress was more than just its aesthetic charm. It held a high-level combat potential, stemming from a special event that allowed its wearer to engage in a unique form of combat through dance. Additionally, the dress came equipped with two summonable dance fans, which could unleash magical attacks akin to a storm of fire and wind.

Yet, what truly made this dress special to Peroroncino was not its combat potential but its design, if you were to ask him he would exclaim "The area between a mini skirt or the slits of a qipao and the knee-socks is invincible. It's almost the Absolute Territory of God!!" while elevating a fist into the air to emphasize it.

Just as Shalltear was lost in her thoughts, Lili made her entrance into the room. Clad in her crimson nightgown, she appeared slightly tired, rubbing her eyes as she greeted the silver-haired female with a soft "Good... morning..."

It seems that after so much talking, Shalltear ended up waking Lili. Lili was in her usual Pallum appearance, her magic had run out while sleeping and reverted back to her pallum form.

"Hello Lili, ready to start a great day?" The silver-haired female's cheerful voice resonated through the room, her lips curved into a welcoming smile that matched her radiant crimson Qipao dress.

Lili's eyes widened, her gaze involuntarily drawn to the captivating attire adorning Shalltear. She uttered, "Lady Shalltear..."

"He he he he," The silver-haired female's response was a mischievous chuckle, her cheshire grin emphasizing her playful demeanor. "Do you like my new dress? Does it look good on me?"

A light shade of pink tinted Lili's cheeks as she mumbled, "...yes..." The mere sight of Shalltear's attire seemed to evoke a gentle warmth in her.

"Your scars are mine. My scars are mine" With a soft chant, Lili's transformation began. Her form shifted as chestnut-colored dog ears perked atop her head and a tail emerged, giving her a uniquely endearing appearance.

Over the years of her life, Lili had gained a predilection for dog and werewolf forms for her to use, it was her personal preference among all other races.

"One moment", Lili excused herself momentarily, disappearing into the bedroom. Upon her return, she had reverted to her familiar attire.

Drawing closer to Lili, Shalltear presented a vibrant red yukata adorned with violet floral patterns. "This is for you, Lili~" she announced, her voice carrying a tone of gentle generosity. "It has a high defense due to the materials it's made of, so it will keep you safe."

The summer outfit's defense was high enough that it did not interfere with battles between members of Nazarick, meaning that it would protect Lili against anything the Dungeon could throw at her. Shalltear had chosen this outfit because of the defense capabilities and it was what she had closer to a robe, which was what Lili normally preferred.

"...Is this from the Far East?" Lili's curiosity shone in her eyes as she examined the yukata, its design unfamiliar yet intriguing to her.

As Lili began wearing the yukata, Shalltear turned her attention to arranging Lili's hair, meticulously placing an ornamental hairpin adorned with a crimson rose.

Lili's puzzled voice interrupted, "How do you close it?" She searched the dress for buttons, only for Shalltear to gracefully offer a blue obi sash and belt, aiding Lili in adorning the attire properly. With deft hands, the silver-haired female deftly tied the green decorative obi string, creating a knot that resembled a delicate flower in bloom.

Lili gazed at herself, the yukata draping elegantly around her form. A smile touched her lips as she turned to Shalltear, gratitude filling her voice, "Lili never dreamed of the day that she would be able to wear this fancy fabric. Thank you so much, Lady Shalltear. Lili'll take good care of it."

The silver-haired female's hand covered her lips, a motherly smile gracing her features. "It looks good on you, you look cute~" she complimented with genuine fondness.

"R-really?" Lili stammered, her nervousness melting away as she glanced up at Shalltear. Her eyes soon lit up with radiant happiness.

"Yes, you do~" Shalltear affirmed, drawing nearer to Lili and gently patting her head, her touch tender and reassuring.

"...A-anyway, we should go get some breakfast! Lili heard that there is a town on the eighteenth floor, let's go eat!" Her voice exuded enthusiasm to hide her embarrassment. As she turned forward, her dog ears perked up, and her yukata's fabric rustled softly as her tail happily swished back and forth.