Chapter 34: Making Inroads

"I have to wonder whether or not you actually realize the significance of your actions sometimes, Bartford." Chris says, tightening his armor. "Really, inviting the commoner girl to join us just to get her something from a dungeon that would put her in Lady Redgrave's good graces? People might think you're trying to court her through the girl, given your connection to the Redgraves through her brother."

"Saint above, just how paranoid is everyone?" Leon grumbles, double checking his own armor. "I'm just taking the most efficient and expedient action to get things done and people jump to all sorts of conclusions. It's crazy!"

"Hah. Yes, well, member nobility are quite capricious of their power. And attempts to usurp it can come from all sorts of unexpected angles." Chris smiles. "Given your track record of using unexpected angles to get at a target, I would have thought you'd see it."

"Stupid stuffy nobles and their stupid assumptions…" Leon grumbles. "Bah. I'll write a letter explaining the situation and hope Lady Redgrave doesn't think any deeper on it."

"That's a start." Chris nods. "Maybe make a recommendation to take Miss Freycross as one of her followers as well. It will help relieve any other minor worries and quell any rumors about you taking her as a paramour."

"Damn, those kinds of rumors are cropping up already?" Leon clicks his tongue. "My boys are already gossiping about me and Lana being together, I don't need them gossiping about me being with Olivia next."

"Your followers are quite rambunctious, aren't they?" Chris laughs. "I would have thought you'd discipline them by now?"

"I did. They just started gossiping again immediately after." Leon grumps.

Chris laughs and Leon lets him, turning to the rest of the 'expedition' force as they do their last minute checks so everything is in order. There is a group of pretty-looking gynoids helping the other expedition members don their gear, taking the equipment and weapons from crates with the logo for Nielsen Courier co. stamped on their sides. Sybil, notably, is helping Olivia with her own preparations, tightening the light armor she wears while offering encouragement.

There are 15 people in all– Leon, Chris, Olivia, 10 of his followers, a supervising teacher mandated by the Academy so nothing untoward happens during the dive, and a surprise guest that all but demanded to be brought along so he could see the Raven in action with his own eyes.

Greg Fou Seberg, one of the Prince's entourage members and arguably the best fighter among them. He had pestered Chris into letting him join, and the swordsman had relented after asking Leon. He carries himself with the air of an experienced warrior, though prideful to an extent, and flexes his impressive build for the gynoid that's currently helping him into his armor. The bot giggles obligingly, but shows no other signs of being affected.

"No guns, no additional gear, a handful of supplies, light leather armor, and the bare minimum needed for a safe dungeon dive." Leon clicks his tongue. "I can't tell whether or not he's that good or just too full of himself."

"It is a little of both. Greg is a capable warrior, but he's been on so many dungeon dives that there is little ." Chris shakes his head. "The Sebergs espouse martial prowess and bravery, but also caution and experience. He does not have the latter two yet, so…"

//"Typical New Human… no, it's just normal human arrogance."// Hustler One comments. //"Perhaps some humbling is in order?"//

"Maybe later." Leon replies. "He hasn't done anything deserving of a proper thrashing."

//"Yet."// the A.I smugs.

Leon grunts, clipping a sword to his side and picking up his weapons– the assault shotgun and the sniper rifle. He gives both a quick check, nods his satisfaction at their states, and slings them on as he stands. Chris notices his motion and follows, rising to his own two feet.

The reincarnate whistles and everyone gathers, with Greg needing to be reminded by the gynoid he's flexing for that everyone's grouping up. Leon waits until everyone's assembled before hopping onto a wooden crate.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he starts. "Welcome to the dungeon diving activity we've set up today. The aim is relatively simple enough– we go in, kill monsters, build up on our camaraderie, keep our skills sharp, and loot whatever goods the monsters drop. Afterwards, we head into the capital for a quick meal; on me."

Eager cheers go up and a few applaud Leon.

"Hell yeah!" Greg whoops. "Well, what are we waiting for? Come on!"

"Hold your horses, Seberg. We go once we've established the details." Leon chides. "Anyways, we'll be moving in 3 groups. Group 1 will be led by me, with Olivia, Chris, and Greg. Group 2 will be under Harold and Group 3 by Davian; with them picking who they want with them. We'll have Mrs. Henderson as our supervising teacher, and people from the Nielsen Courier co. acting as our loot haulers; meaning any Mana Stones or similar loot you find can be handed off to them. They'll have separate hauling bins and trolleys for each individual group, so make sure to remember which is yours. They'll also be ferrying ammunition and spare weapons, so you can run to them to restock and rearm if you run dry."

"My, quite the thorough plan you've cooked up Mr. Bartford." the supervising teacher nods approvingly. "Would you mind terribly if I bring this up to the school when it's time to plan for the dungeon excursion class? I'll be sure to credit you for it."

"By all means, Mrs. Henderson." Leon nods at the older woman, then turns to the others. "Alright, group up. We move in 10 minutes."

"Man, you're something else aren'tcha Bartford?" Greg grins, walking over with Olivia in tow. "Takin' the lead like you did and makin' all these plans… you're the real deal."

"Comes with being a war veteran." Leon shrugs. "You sure you don't need anything else? You're going in practically naked as you are."

"Course I don't! My muscles are all I need!" he laughs, self-assured and proud.

Leon sighs, wondering why he's this dumb. Isn't he supposed to be the heir to a really prominent noble house? Shouldn't he be taught about all the other things to worry about in combat? Hell, how good is he in matters outside of combat?

"If you're sure, Seberg." Leon grunts. "Olivia, you have everything you need?"

"Mm! I picked out armor, a sword, a handgun, basic supplies, and a map of the dungeon; just like you said!" the blonde nods, hopping in place. "Ooh, I'm so excited! This is my first time going into the dungeon! I hope I'll be able to get something good enough for my tribute!"

"You will if you keep up that positive attitude, Miss Freycross." Chris smiles.

"Heya boss man and friends!" Sybil chirps, bouncing over with trolley laden with supplies and empty bins. "I'll be your gopher for today! Let's get along well, yeah?"

"Good to see you too, Sybil." Leon smiles. "And Chris, eyes front. You can ogle her after we finish up here."

"H-How absurd! The mere notion alone that I would be d-distracted by the likes of a woman as beautiful and well-endowed as S-Sybil…" the swordsman coughs, pushing his glasses up his nose and angling it in a way that reflects the light; conveniently hiding his eyes. "Preposterous! Simply outrageous!"

"Hah! Well now, I hadn't expected you to like Demi-Humans, Chris!" Greg laughs. "Can't blame you though– you're gorgeous, Sybil."

"Thanks! I try my best to look good!" the beastwoman giggles. "It's okay Chris, you can look. I don't mind~"

Leon sighs again as Chris splutters, Olivia giggling at the by-play between him and Sybil. He turns to everyone else.

"Alright! I hope you've all grouped up properly, because we're moving out!" Leon orders. "Group 1 will be the vanguard into the first floor! Guns loaded and blades out, ladies and gentlemen!"

"Yes sir!" is the unified reply.

=X=X=X=X=X=

"They fuckin'."

Harold Fou Hansen cleaves another cave monkey in two as it lunges of him, not even breaking a sweat. Around him, his group members gossip even as they fight; not even the least bit scared or terrified of the dark, cramped environment of the dungeon. Compared to the chaos of war, this was child's play. Relaxing even, considering the sort of opponents they were up against here and their past experience fighting much more dangerous foes.

"Oh hell yeah, you see the way Olivia looks at the commander? She wants in on that, no question." Roy nods, gunning down a giant ant. "Reloading."

"I got you." Abe says, stepping in to take over Roy's overwatch duty. "But man, she's got some competition; Captain Nielsen's got her beat in the body department. Experience too, given how she's way older than her."

"How the hell did the commander manage to get with Captain Nielsen in the first place, though?" Joshua asks, casting a Lightning Bolt that turns a score of leaping Cave Monkey's into fading miasma. "She's awfully close with him from what some buddies and I managed to pry out of the colonel. They even go by a first name basis, and she swore herself to him after he was removed from the military."

"How the hell did he manage that?" Roy asks, tapping Abe's shoulder and taking his place.

"Oh, I have the answer to that." Harold laughs, impaling a Centipede-Snake and bisecting it down its length. "See, before he was wedded, there was a big monster infestation at the Bartford Barony– and he went with his father to quell it. Things got rough enough that he piloted an Armor to give the Bartford fleet a fighting chance, but separated when one of the Old Monsters dragged him into a storm. The Little Buzzard and its crew found him on an island trying to fix his wrecked Armor and offered him a lift home."

"Damn, really?" Michael whoops, stomping a Cave Monkey's head in. "Isn't the Buzzard's crew all women?"

"Yeah, all of them. Captain Nielsen confirmed it." Harold nods. "According to her, the commander's the only man she's allowed on-board."

"Lucky bastard." Michael spits. "You can't believe how many people have tried to get on the Buzzard only for Captain Nielsen to say no. And he just gets a lift on it without a second glance?"

"They fuckin'!" Abe laughs. "I got good money on it!"

"You have good money on everyone fucking, Abe. Fuck off." Roy scoffs. "Or better yet, ask the commander and see if he's willing to share!"

"Hah! I'd have better luck getting a pass into the Buzzard!" the other boy laughs. "Joshua, do we have any more incoming?"

"One sec…" the mage of the squad gathers mana in his hands, compresses it, and then releases it. It fills the tunnel and travels forwards into the darkness. Joshua narrows his brows and shakes his head. "Nope. Tunnel's clear."

"Alright then. Able, you're on overwatch. Everybody else, start gathering Mana Stones and loot." Harold orders. "And Roy's right Abe, fuck off with your conspiracy theories. You know the commander doesn't like it when we speculate."

"If he didn't want me to speculate, then he shouldn't have gotten so many pretty blondes attached to him." Abe sniffs, picking up Mana Stones. "And don't talk like you're any better– I know you've been muttering about Lady Redgrave getting with the commander too!"

"Shh! Quiet, he'll hear!" Michael hisses.

"Oh please, he's in a separate tunnel further down dealing with Chris and that Seberg kid." Abe snorts. "No way he'd be able to hear us and deal with those guys at the same time."

(Unfortunately for them, Leon does and plans to reap his terrible petty vengeance on his overly imaginative underlings once they're out of the dungeon.)

=X=X=X=X=X=

Olivia takes a deep breath as she sights the Salamander, already bleeding and hissing. It pains her that the poor monster has to suffer for this lesson, but she reminds herself that this is necessary so she'd have experience handling her handgun. So she steels herself and fires thrice, killing the monster on her third shot with a hit to the head.

It dissipates into miasma, leaving behind a large Mana Stone and a small chest.

"Oh, a chest? Well done." Chris praises. "Getting those is quite uncommon. They usually hold rarer rewards than normal– maybe even something Lady Redgrave might like."

"I hope so– I feel so guilty to have Leon take me with him on something that was supposed to be between all of you." Olivia sighs, glancing at where Leon and Greg were off killing more monsters of the dungeon's 7th floor. "I've troubled him enough already by getting him to send some of his people to help and look after me, I don't want to owe him any more than I already do."

"I haven't known him too long, but Leon does not strike me as the kind of person who finds it annoying to help others." Chris smiles. "You know of his story, correct? Of the Forest of Ladies and how he was forced to enter the army at 13 because of them?"

"I-I do. It was such a terrible thing…" Olivia swallows the rising horror and disgust. "How could those ladies do something like that?"

"Some people are but monsters wearing human skin." Chris shakes his head. "But back to my point; he wasn't the only victim of those disgusting fiends. Yet he chose to stay behind with them and fight with them for longer if it meant completely getting rid of the problem." the Arclight heir tilts his head one way. "Plenty of chances for him to reap rewards at no expense, yet he chooses the more difficult or dangerous choice to help others; at his own risk no less. I would imagine bringing you with us for a brief excursion so you can find a good gift is of little issue."

Olivia thinks over the swordsman's words as she beholds the young man wrestle with a Salamander that had tackled Greg to the ground, hoist it over his head, and lob it down the hall. He shouts and his men form ranks around him, adding their gunfire to his as they commit to a staggered retreat back to the central tunnel.

He could have easily grabbed Greg and ran back on his own, but he instead chose to do a fighting retreat so the people around and behind him wouldn't be put in danger. And he stays with his men despite the host of injuries on his person, leading them by example.

"...Leon's an incredible person, isn't he?" Olivia murmurs.

"Hmph. I suppose he has to be to have survived the things he has." Chris smiles at Oliva. "Go and collect your earnings, Olivia. I shall go and help them with their little problem."

Oliva watches him go, sword drawn and legs pounding as he runs to the firing line. She watches him jump over the line and proceed to butcher the approaching monsters singlehandedly, giving Leon and his men a moment of reprieve to reload and reorganize.

But they don't run. Instead, they draw blades and charge in after Chris– sweeping over the mass of monsters and cutting them down through furious energy.

It's awe-inspiring, the courage on display against such foes. It's amazing, the way he can still keep going despite being injured. It further cements the idea, in Olivia's mind at least, that Leon is perhaps one of the greatest people she's had the honor of befriending. It fills her with energy, the kind that makes her want to act and improve.

Then she hears the hissing.

She turns and screams as a small Salamander lunges at her from the darkness– no larger than a dog but scalier and far more vicious. It forces her to the floor, jaw snapping as its claws fail to find purchase on her armor. She hears panicked voices and shouting, but has no time to turn and look as she holds the Juvenile Monster's head away.

Panic rises up in her as she struggles, eventually getting the monster off of her with one solid kick. It flies back and rolls across the dungeon floor, where two more of its kind scamper into view.

"Olivia!" a voice shouts, but it's distant under the loud pounding in her ears and the gunfire behind her as she gets up to her feet.

One of the small monsters lunges at her and her instincts scream at her. She throws herself to the side in a roll and draws her sword. The second one hisses and charges, jaw open.

With a cry of exertion, she brings her sword down– missing the beast by inches but forcing it back. She spots the third beast move, leaping up to her, and she brings her sword up. It's edge catches the little thing's underbelly, but its momentum carries her off her feet.

Olivia falls with a pained cry, drawing her handgun as the second monster rushes in. She shoots three times, hitting once– forcing the monster to slow down into a limp; giving her ample time to draw her knife. When it lunges for her, she manages to pin it to the ground and finishes it off with a stab into the neck. Then she notices the first monster, having waited until she was vulnerable at the cost of its two fellows, rushing in.

"Leon!" she screams, arms coming up–

A silver blur hits the monster and bisects it clean through the middle, its two halves disintegrating into nothing. Olivia blinks the panicked tears out of her eyes and turns to her savior.

"Sorry, was a little tied up." Leon pants, bleeding from a few cuts and sporting a few bruises on his face. "You okay? You're not hurt are you?"

"Y-You're hurt!" she gasps, panic and fear forgotten as she scrabbles to her feet.

"What, these? Nah, I barely felt them." he snorts, turning around. "Well, don't jsut stand there– go clear the rest of the tunnel! Poor Olivia here almost got mauled!"

"Yes sir! Sorry sir!" one of his underlings shouts, running past him. "You heard the commander, move it!"

"Fuck, sorry Bartford." Greg winces, walking up to him. "Got too ahead of myself back there and you ate it. I'll make it up to you, promise."

"You can make it up to me by making sure my boys don't end up eating shit." he snorts. "Follow the ones that just ran past us– I don't want a single one of them getting hurt, you hear me?"

"Gotcha! I'll take care of 'em real good, just you watch!" Greg promises and takes off running. "Oi! Save some for me!"

"I take full responsibility for your injuries, Olivia. I hadn't thought to make sure the area was safe before going off to help Leon and the others." Chris says, looking guilty and contrite. "I will cover all your medical expenses and give you half of my Mana Stones."

"N-No, it's okay. They didn't get through my armor anyway, so it's alright." Olivia laughs, only a little nervous, before turning to Leon. "But Leon, you're hurt!"

"Bah, the healers up top can fix this." he scoffs. "Besides, I barely felt them anyways. Don't worry about me, Olivia."

"Leon, you shouldn't be forcing yourself to say that." Olivia puts her hands on his face. "Here, let me…"

Before he could protest further, Olivia calls upon her power and white light glows from her hands. She meets his eyes and watches as they damn near bug out of their sockets, making her laugh even as the many cuts on Leon's face reknit and the bruises fade. Beside him, Chris chokes.

"A-Are you okay Chris?" Olivia gasps. "Don't worry, I'll heal you next!"

"N-No! No, there's no need for that!" the bespectacled swordsman says, hands rising up. "I-I am not hurt, j-just… surprised is all. Very surprised."

"Olivia…" Leon blinks. "You… you can use healing magic?"

"Mm. I've always been good at this." she nods, smiling at him. "I-I know it's not enough to repay you for all this, but… I'm glad I was able to help you, Leon."

"...heh." the young man smiles at her with that same, genuine expression and her heart skips another beat. "There's nothing for you to repay, Olivia. And besides, friends help each other don't they?"

"Y-Yeah. Yeah, they do!" she beams up at him. "You're right, Leon!"

"Of course I am." he grins. "Now, Chris mentioned you got a chest from killing that big Salamander earlier. Why not check it out?"

"Oh, you're right! I almost forgot!" she gasps, rushing to the chest and kneeling in front of it. "Please be something nice that I can give to Lady Redgrave…!"

She opens it and gasps at what's inside.

=X=X=X=X=X=

Angelica Rafa Redgrave beholds the bracelet she's received as tribute from the scholarship student, Olivia of Freycross.

It is a well-made item, with an intricate gold-inlaid pattern engraved onto its cool platinum surface. She picks it up with her hands and gasps at the finer details on its surface, marveling at the exquisite craftsmanship that couldn't have possibly been made by mortal hands. Or perhaps, it was made by mortal hands but the technique for it had been lost to time– adding an air of mystery befitting a treasure of the dungeon.

She looks at the commoner, who fidgets nervously in her seat but nonetheless wears a proud expression that makes Angelica jealous. Not because of her managing to find a treasure in the dungeon, though that does play a small part. No, she's jealous because the commoner managed to go on a dungeon dive before the planned dungeon excursion meant to be done in a month's time, and reaching a floor deeper down than any freshman student was allowed to go in! And with the war veterans too, whom the rest of the Academy have started to refer to as the Ravens!

How?! How could she have managed to join such a select group and go so deeply into the dungeon?! And to have found a treasure on her first dive– Angelica sets the bracelet down and takes a deep, calming breath.

Goodness, here she is losing her composure over a commoner's good fortune. How improper.

"I accept your gift, Olivia Freycross. You have my sincere thanks." Angelica says. "This is no doubt a treasure from the dungeon. It must not have been easy to obtain."

"I-It wasn't, no." she nods. "I had to kill a large Salamander to get it, and even then it was with Leon's help. If it weren't for them I might have been injured."

"I see." Angelica nods, then waves at her two attendants to leave her and the commoner on their own. "I am curious that you were able to gain Lord Bartford's approval to join in his dungeon expedition. Especially one so deep– Salamanders are usually encountered on the 5th floor, correct?"

"Y-Yes. We went all the way to the 8th floor before we turned around and headed up." Olivia confirms.

"The 8th floor?! That's–!" Angelica coughs, face flushing. "A-Apologies. The subject of dungeon diving is fascinating to me."

"I-I understand. Leon said you would because your family has Adventurers as ancestors." the girl smiles. "I'm glad you liked it.

Angelica laughs. It's refreshing to not need to worry about any sort of verbal sparring in a conversation and just… talk. Outside of her family and closest confidants, Angelica can't say she has anyone that close in the Academy. Julius perhaps, but…

She takes a deep breath and exhales, willign the though. No, now is not the time for that.

"You hadn't answered my question, however." Angelica states. "How were you able to gain Lord Bartford's approval to join him and his people in their dungeon dive? And why are you referring to him so casually?"

"O-Oh, was I not supposed to?" the girl fidgets. "He told me to call him by that name, so I did. As for your first question, my lady…" she looks away, ashamed. "He helped me when I was being bullied, because I had no idea about all the etiquette and unwritten rules in the Academy. So he brought me to his sister and she explained what I needed to do."

"I see." Angelica nods. She supposed it should have been expected, given the girl's commoner status. But to think it was bad enough for Bartford to get involved… "So the rumors about you seducing him and his men…?"

"S-Seduce?! Me?!" the girls blushes a deep red, stammering and spluttering. Angelica laughs. "I-I wouldn't! That– Leon's– I-I'm just a commoner a-and he's–!"

"Calm down, Miss Freycross. I had suspected as much too, but given your reaction I can confirm that you're telling the truth." the ducal daughter shakes her head. "Regardless, with this, your bullying troubles should end and you can resume your studies without trouble."

"I-I hope so… I just want to learn more about magic and its mysteries…" the commoner nods, then brightens. "Oh! I almost forgot! Leon wanted me to give you this!"

She reaches into her cardigan and produces an envelope. Plain and white, addressed to Angelica. The ducal daughter blinks and accepts it, opening it to read the letter within. Then she reads it 2 more times to make sure, before looking at the girl with wide eyes.

…can use Holy Magic, possible Saint descendant, recommend adoption as one of your followers…

Ah. No wonder Bartford's gone so far for her. And to just give her to Angelica, and thus the Redgraves… if she weren't already betrothed, she might have even considered…

"I see." Angelica smiles. "Tell me Olivia, have you always been interested in magic?"

Her father would need to know of this, and soon. After all, it's only polite to return one good deed with another.

NOTE: The author of this fanfic might be making a patreon; I'll give the link on here when he/she posts the link. Support him/her if you like this ff.