Chapter 35: A Chat under the Crystal Night Sky

Once camp was set up we created a nice-sized fire.

We then got to making some proper dinner.

Since all we've had to eat for the last few days is dried meat and other non-perishable foods like nuts and grains.

We've had enough.

It's time for some real food.

Courtesy of our best cook Millhiore.

She whipped us up a nice meat and vegetable stew that everyone enjoyed.

Even Ardi.

Who has decided to stick with us for the time being until we hear back from the surface given the situation.

Placing her bowl down she has a smile on her face. "So good." Ardi mused.

"Ah, thank you." Millhiore said.

"Yeah, it was good." Gaul said. Stifling a yawn as he did so. "And now time for some sleep."

"Hold up little brother we haven't decided on a guard schedule yet." Leonmitchelli said.

Which is true.

Since even though the 18th floor doesn't spawn monsters they can still find there way here from the above or below floor easily. Not to mention other adventurers crawling around that wouldn't hesitate to try and loot us for all we're worth.

Even if a safe zone the dungeon isn't truly safe.

And given how fast we moved our asses here we didn't really have time to discuss minor things like a night-watch schedule.

Oh well.

"I'll take the first shift." I said.

"Oh no Morax, you shouldn't." Leonmitchhelli spoke up. "After all you're injured."

"I'm fine." I retorted. "The medical treatment Bors people did has made the pain all but disappear." I explained. Which is true. "Besides, I am the captain so I am saying I will take first watch. No one is going to stop me."

"If so, then I will also watch with you." Ryuu spoke up.

"Sure." I said.

Since it will give us a chance to have a proper talk about her behavior ever since I got injured.

The others took note of how I wasn't going to budge so they just accepted things. Once they did everyone headed into their tents and got ready to sleep.

Ardi being in Millhiore and Leonmitchelli's shared tent.

Ryuu has her own for obvious reasons. Elven pride is no laughing matter after all. She is not comfortable sleeping in such close proximity to others at all.

But since she's our fellow familia member we are going to accommodate her.

While everyone else drifted off into dreamland I looked up at the sparking crystals on the ceiling of the floor. Taking in their beauty.

As well as doing my best to ignore Ryuu's eyes on me.

But after an hour passed and I didn't feel her gaze lessen I decided it was time for that chat I've been being to have with her.

I turned in Ryuu's direction, and she quickly started looking elsewhere.

"Ryuu, I know you've been staring at me this whole time. So please don't try and hide it." I told her. "You're not very good at doing so anyway."

As soon as I said this Ryuu looked at me. "Ok." She said.

"Thank you." I said. "So, want to explain your behavior?"

"I don't know what you mean." Ryuu retorted.

"Ryuu you are not a very good liar." I told her. "And I think you know exactly what I'm talking about." I said. "Listen, accidents happen."

"But, you got injured because I messed up." Ryuu quickly retorted. "You...you could've died, and it would've been all my fault." She said. Her voice shaking as she did so.

"No, Ryuu it wouldn't have been your fault." I retorted.

"Yes, it would hav-"

Before Ryuu could say anything more I moved her to her and flicked her forehead lightly.

"Enough of that." I told Ryuu. "Listen to me. I am an adventurer. Just like you. I know that a knife is resting on my throat literally every time I step into the dungeon. But I do it anyway because it is my choice. The same as you."

"Still-"

"-Still nothing." I said, cutting Ryuu off. "If one day I do die in the dungeon then at least I will have died doing what I wanted. No one is making come to this place. Certainly not you. So, don't take things all on yourself. It's not healthy and there is no need for you to do so. We're familia Ryuu, so that means you can lean on me and the others. Understand?"

Ryuu slowly nodded.

"Good." I told her. "So let's put all this behind us. Also, I simply got injured this time. I didn't die. So we can both learn from this and be prepared better for the next time that situation arises, and I know there will be a next time." I said. "Sound good?"

"Yes." Ryuu said.

"Great." I told her. "So enough with the heavy stuff let's do some stargazing, or crystal gazing in this case. What say you?"

"Sure." Ryuu said.

"Excellent." I retorted.

I then moved a bit closer to Ryuu but not too close and started looking up at the crystals atop the floor roof, her doing the exact same thing.

The moment becoming a bit magical.

-------------------

(3rd Person: POV)

As Morax and Ryuu gazed up at the crystal ceiling of the 18th floor the leader of the Athena familia had no idea he had just placed a seed in the heart of his elven friend.

A seed that would one day bloom into a flower of love.

The same for Ryuu, she herself had no idea a seed had been implanted in her by Morax.

At least not for a while anyway.

But when she did the relationship between the two would irreversibly change forever.

As for what will happen after their relationship changes.

Well, only time will tell.