Side Story: An Accident

"The choice is yours, and there's no need to feel guilty. I'm just offering you two suggestions."

Because she hadn't been through that dangerous situation with Clinton and the others, Lucina naturally had no idea how much Galan meant to Clinton.

"Um...

After listening to Galan's advice, Clinton's face showed a thoughtful expression.

Should we continue?

Or should we stop here?

If he left like this, he might miss out on the reward for this commission. But honestly, he didn't think anyone in the team that came this time was capable of completing the task of exploring the Dungeon.

Therefore, the very act of "completing the commission" seems like a joke.

Continue?

He gave a bitter laugh to himself; this would only... increase casualties...

Clinton didn't want to experience that feeling again—watching his companion die beside him, feeling utterly powerless to stop it.

"Let's go back."

After much deliberation, he decided to turn back.

If things continue like this, they don't know what other dangers they might encounter, and as a team leader, his first priority must be the safety of his team members.

From any perspective, evacuation is the best option right now.

"Walk?"

Lucina seemed surprised by Clinton's decisive judgment, but quickly agreed with his assessment: as things stood, their team was absolutely incapable of conquering the Dungeon. Continuing on like this, they didn't know how many dangers they would encounter.

Having endured repeated setbacks, will they still be able to cope with those potential threats?

Most importantly, once they choose to continue exploring here, there will be no chance to back out later.

"Okay, whatever you say." Galan nodded; for him, this couldn't be better.

All he wanted to do was get out of this awful place as soon as possible; he didn't want to stay a second longer.

"Yes! We'll do whatever you say, Captain!"

Pass was initially a little surprised, but quickly realized what was going on and expressed his agreement.

However, he didn't have that much thought in mind; he simply followed Clinton's decision.

"Hmm... In that case, let's leave here immediately."

After receiving unanimous approval from everyone, Clinton seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and gave Galan a grateful look. Then, as he had taught them before, he led everyone back the way they had come, following their previous memories.

"Speaking of which, you really did find us using this method?"

Seeing that Clinton, who was walking ahead, would occasionally close his eyes as if he were recalling something Lucina couldn't help but ask him curiously.

It seems my earlier assumption was correct; they would surely be able to guess the secret of the Dense Fog and turn back to find us. Fortunately, I didn't act impulsively and take Lia to find them, otherwise the two groups might have simply passed each other by in the Dense Fog.

"Yes, but this method wasn't my idea. It was Galan who first figured it out and then taught us."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Lucina turned her head and looked at Galan, who was walking in the group and tightly holding Lia's small hand, a strange look appearing in her eyes.

"I never knew Galan was so smart!"

"More than just smart..."

Suddenly remembering that Lucina hadn't witnessed Galan's abilities, Clinton clicked his tongue and said with a bitter expression:

"If it weren't for Galan's timely intervention, Pass and I would probably be dead there by now."

"Huh? What's going on?"

When Lucina heard Clinton say that, an expression of disbelief appeared on her face.

When she saw that the three of them had returned with all their limbs intact except for Pass who was missing an ear, she instinctively assumed that Clinton had led them back to fight.

But now that the other party claimed that Galan had saved them, she couldn't help but look at this seemingly refined and reserved young man in a different light.

Seeing the curiosity on Lucina's face, Clinton sorted out the situation and told her about the dangerous situation they had just encountered.

"You weren't hurt at all here just now, were you? How did Lucina treat you?"

"No, Lucina was very nice to me, and we chatted for a long time."

Galan's fingers gripped Lia tightly, making it difficult for her to break free, though Lia had no intention of doing so.

Whenever Galan held her hand tightly like this, she felt a strange sense of security, and the terrifying Dense Fog around her seemed to become less frightening.

Lia suddenly felt a strong urge to ask Lucina what exactly was going on...

"What I said before wasn't a joke."

"Soft?"

I will never bring you here again, not to a dangerous place like Dungeon.

Why? I'm perfectly fine.

Seeing that this girl was still trying to argue, Galan gave her a threatening look, interrupting her "protest."

"This time, it was because you were too good at being cute that I couldn't do anything with you... Now that it seems we almost got into such great danger, I really shouldn't have brought you in."

Hmm.:::

Seemingly knowing that no matter what she said, she couldn't change Galan's mind, and given that she was indeed in a dangerous situation this time, Lia unusually listened for a while and didn't insist anymore.

"And... I really do need to find a teacher to properly instruct you in magic, otherwise I'm really worried about you like this..."

Thinking back to what Lia had just told her about her and Lucina's battle against the Copy.

Galan couldn't help but feel worried for Lucina.

Having a monster with terrifying Mana power by your side who can't fight at all is a real headache.

Despite possessing such immense Mana, its only means of attack is to directly unleash that Mana...

He rubbed his forehead inwardly, but then he remembered that Lia hadn't made much progress even forty years later. It wasn't until she received guidance from Duncan and Frieren that she barely started to look presentable, and he couldn't help but feel somewhat relieved.

Oh well, let nature take its course...

The five of them wandered aimlessly in the Dense Fog for an unknown amount of time, Galan gradually began to sense that something was wrong.

He closed his eyes and began to concentrate, carefully recalling the feeling he had when walking earlier. Although Clinton had indeed led him in the right direction, for some reason Galan felt that the group seemed to be getting further and further away from the original route.