Chapter 36: Reward

(Morax: POV)

Ryuu and I continued gazing up at the crystals for three hours straight.

Making small-talk as we did so.

Then before we knew it our watch-shift ended.

As soon as it did so I went over to Rogue and Gaul's shared tent and woke them up.

"Get up you two, time for a shift change." I said inside of their tent.

As soon as I did so they slowly but surely woke up and came out.

Once they did Ryuu went to her tent, and I went to my own. Which I have since I am the captain.

Being such has many benefits.

Once inside my personal tent I slipped off my boots and then climbed into my cover and laid my bed down on my pillow.

Immediately I went straight off to dreamland.

A smile on my face as I did so.

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Hearing the flap of my tent open my eyes immediately shot open and I grabbed my spear, pointing it in the direction of the opening.

Seeing Gaul as I did so.

"It's morning." He told me.

"Ok." I told him, lowering my spear as I did so.

Gaul then left my tent.

Once he did so I stretched and woke up for real. Then after I did so I put back on my boots and went outside the tent. Finding everyone sitting around a morning campfire enjoying some breakfast.

Not wasting any time I went to get me some of that.

It was delicious.

"Ah, that was good." I said. Finishing my food.

"I'm glad you liked it." Ardi said.

"Oh, so you made it." I said.

Ardi nodded. "Yes, it's the least I could. After all, you all have done so much for me already and I've done nothing to repay your kindness."

"It's fine, really." I retorted. "If we had been in the same situation I'm sure you would've done the same for us."

"Yes." Ardi said.

Once she did so we cleaned up and then Ardi, Rogue, Ryuu, and I headed back towards Rivira while the others remained at camp.

Bors told us to return today to receive an update.

Reaching the town we quickly made our way to town hall.

The moment we arrived we saw Bors standing outside, several other adventurers surrounding him.

"Bors, my friend how are you today?" I asked him. A stupid grin on my face as I did so.

"I'm good kid." He told me.

"Wait Bors, that kid. He's Glaukopis." One of the adventurers near him said, pointing at me.

"Yeah, it's true." I said. Seeing no reason to deny my alias.

It's why I have it in the first place after all.

"What, you're a level two?" Bors questioned me.

I nodded. "Sure am." I told him. "So anyway, what's the latest on the matter we discussed yesterday?" I asked him.

"Right." Bors said. "Well we contacted the surface and just got a response a little while ago. A party from the Ganesha familia is on its way down, being led by Ankusha herself." He explained to us.

"Big sister." Ardi muttered. A complicated expression on her face.

Right, I almost forgot Ardi feels slightly inadequate when compared to Shakti. Though she has her own strengths.

I'm sure she'll realize that eventually.

"How long until they reach here? Rogue asked.

"Two, three days tops." Bors retorted.

We all nodded.

"Thanks for the information Bors. I'll tell Ankusha and the Ganesha familia how helpful you were to us." I told him. "Bye." I said.

Once I did so we four left the city and returned to our campsite. We then explained the situation to the others.

"That's great news." Ryner said. "Especially since they will defeat Goliath on their way down here. Meaning we can pass back up to the surface without fear of said monster rex."

"Yeah." Rogue added.

"I can't agree more." I said. "So now that that's settled I am going to go and take a bath." I said.

Since I stink something fierce.

Dungeon diving its seems is the enemy of hygiene.

Hearing my words the others and I shared a quick laugh.

I then went to retrieve my supplies and headed to one of the nearby lakes to clean up, and wash my clothes.

Once I was done I returned to camp, and the others decided to follow my example. Coming back looking completely refreshed and rejuvenated after their own baths.

After this happened we simply went about letting our bodies recuperate from the dive to the 18th floor.

Two days passing in the blink of an eye.

Until finally Shakti and the others from the Ganesha familia arrived.

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A adventure/romance book in my hands I flipped to the next page. When all of a sudden I heard rustling in the nearby bushes.

Closing my book I immediately picked up my spear resting at my side.

The others collecting their weapons and joining me.

However we let ourselves relax in the next second when Shakti appeared from the bushes, along with the members of the Ganesha familia she brought with her.

The moment this happened Shakti's eyes landed on Ardi.

"Big sister." Ardi mused. "I..I..."

Before Ardi had a chance to really say anything Shakti closed the distance within seconds and then wrapped her little sister in one of the biggest embraces I've ever seen. A small stream of tears coming out of her eyes as she did so.

"Ardi, I'm glad. I'm so glad you're safe." Shakti cried. Hugging her sister even tighter as she did so.

"Ah....wah!" Ardi cried. Tears beginning to stream out of her eyes as she hugged Shakti back. All her pain and trauma coming to the surface and flooding out.

No one said a word as the sisters had their tender moment.

Ten minutes passing before they stopped crying and separated, smiles on their faces as they did so.

Once this happened Shakti came over to us and literally bowed her head. "Thank you. Thank you all so much." She said. Raising her head a moment after she did so.

"It's no problem, really." I said.

"Yes, if we were in the same situation I'm sure Ardi would do the same for us." Ryner spoke up.

"I am certain of that as well." Ryuu spoke.

"She definitely would." Shakti said. Smiling as she did so. "Since that's just the kind of girl she is."

"Big sis." Ardi said, a light blush on her cheeks.

"I am just speaking the truth Ardi." Shaki said. Ignoring her sister's blushing face as she did so. "So moving on, what would you all like as your reward?"

"Am, we don't need a reward." Gaul spoke up.

"Nonsense." Shakti retorted. "You risked your own lives to save my little sister, and a member of my familia at that. Even though you had no reason too. I know not many people who would do that. As such I see it only fitting you receive a reward. And I won't take no for an answer." She explained to us.

Yep, I can tell she's serious right now.

I shared a look with the others, who all simply looked back at me. So it seems they want me to decide on the reward.

Alright then.

I took a few minutes to think about what we as the familia needed. Then when the answer came to me I spoke.

"If you would, can you please train us?" I asked Shakti.

"Sorry, what?" She questioned.

"I'm saying can you train us?" I asked her again. "I use a spear but I've never had any formal training, and I know you use one as well. Since you saved me once before."

"Ah, I'm sorry I don't remember." Shakti admitted.

"It's fine." I said. "What I am saying is I remember how you handled your weapon at that time and would like to learn how to do the same. My friends would also like to sharpen their fighting skills, so that's why we want our reward to be training from Ganesha familia members in combat." I explained.

As I did so none of the others voiced objections, which means they are all fine with my idea.

"Are you absolutely sure you want that as your reward?" Shakti asked us.

"Yes." I said. "Given that we intend to fight Evilus this will help us immensely." I spoke.

Having no issue revealing our plans to take on Evilus to Shakti. I know she's one of the good ones in Orario. Same with most of her familia members.

"I see." Shakti said. "Alright then. You shall receive training from the members of the Ganesha familia just as you have asked for."

"Thank you." I said. "Also, if its not too much trouble can you personally show me how to wield a spear?" I asked Shakti.

Since currently she is one of the best spear users in Orario.

I found this out sometime ago.

Leaning from her my skills will increase dramatically. It will also give me real experience in fighting against a superior opponent.

Which will serve me greatly when going up against Evilus members in the future.

Since while monsters are predictable, people are not.

This combat training from the Ganesha familia will help me and my fellow familia members survive what is to come.

It will also give me the added bonus of being able to get closer to Shakti. In my last life I quite liked her, and now that she is before me I've decided to make her my woman.

While I still want Ryuu, I also want several other females. I'm going to create a harem.

Why you ask?

Ever since I've been reborn I've been asking myself a question.

Is it wrong to pick up girls in a dungeon?

After thinking about it over these past years I've decided it's not wrong at all.

Every single day could be an adventurer's last. That's why so many of them try to live life to the fullest.

Which is exactly what I promised myself I would do after being reborn.

So that's why I am going to pick up several girls in the dungeon, and go all out before I die again.

Enough said.

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A/N: So here are the ages of some important characters.

Years left until canon begins: Nine

Current ages of the Athena familia:

Morax Lapis: 12 years old

Ryuu Lion: 12 years old

Gaul Galette de Rois: 12 years old

Millhiore Biscotti 13 years old

Ryner Lute: 12 years old

Leonmitchelli Galette de Rois: 15 years old

Rogue Cheney: 15 years old

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Ardi Varma: 13 years old

Shakti Varma: 29 years old