(Congratulations to 'LS Sixteen, Night' for becoming this book's Alliance Leader!)
(Many thanks to 'LS Sixteen, Night' for the 100,000 reward! And to 'Lei Xiang', 'Winged Shadow', 'A Few Glances Back', 'Arthur's', and 'Outermost' for their rewards!)
Time gradually passed.
Before they knew it, dusk had arrived.
Noah and Ais, who had spent the entire afternoon talking beside the fountain in Central Plaza, only noticed the time then and both fell silent.
"All right, it's getting late. I should be heading back too."
Noah stood up, stretched lazily, and spoke to Ais beside him.
"I just got back from the Dungeon and haven't gone home yet. I wonder how Hestia, Bell, and Lili are doing."
"...I should go back too." Ais nodded and stood up as well.
"Riveria told me not to return too late. We'll be making another expedition into the deep levels soon, and if I don't go back early, everyone in the Familia will worry."
"An expedition?" Noah nodded thoughtfully.
"I remember you went on one before, but turned back halfway through, didn't you?"
Ais nodded, confirming Noah's words, and explained.
"On the 51st floor, we encountered monsters that could dissolve weapons. They were troublesome. If we kept fighting, everyone's weapons would be dissolved, leaving us to fight unarmed and greatly reducing our combat strength. So Finn ordered a retreat."
"Monsters that dissolve weapons?" Noah raised a brow.
"I've been to the 51st floor too, but I never encountered monsters like that."
"You've been to the 51st floor?" Ais looked somewhat stunned as she asked uncertainly, "Alone?"
"Yes." Noah nodded.
"Alone."
"...You really are strong." Ais's voice lowered slightly, as though she had been stirred by this. "I want to be as strong as you too."
"You will be someday." Noah gave a wry smile and reassuringly