When we arrived at the 10th level of the Tomb of Faith, all the tension melted away.

Setting aside the Dragon’s Tomb, it seemed the Great Sage Illo had been suffering from both body and mind for quite some time.

“Mr. Balutak! We’re here!”

Isabella cupped her hands to her mouth and shouted.

Of course, she was looking for Balutak first, as if he were her best friend.

Her shout was loud enough to pop open the officer’s room, and out jumped Estizel.

“You’ve come! …Hieek?”

Estizel exaggeratedly gasped upon seeing the witches.

It was hardly surprising, given that it wasn’t just one or two of them, but a whole extended family.

Come to think of it, every time we returned from an outing lately, it felt like our family was just getting bigger.

“These are our new members who will be joining us. Treat them well.”

“Um… it’s been a bit lonely, so that’s perfect! By the way! I’ve moved up in rank! I’m now 60th!”

Estizel put her hands on her hips and huffed in pride.

Her face was clearly begging for praise, but I couldn’t help but feel proud of her.

I really did a good job bringing her along.

“Your progress is quick.”

“Hehe!”

Estizel happily beamed and threw up a peace sign.

Her actions were so reminiscent of Isabella that it was no wonder Balutak called her Little Isabella.

“Go greet the witches. Help them adjust.”

“Whoa… The kids are just so cute…!”

“Mr. Balutak! Hey, you bug!”

While Estizel was chattering with the witches, Isabella had already moved up in rank.

It seemed she really wanted to see Balutak that much.

I turned my gaze toward Selina.

“I have a question.”

“Please, ask away.”

“Do you know much about carnivorous plants or maze plants?”

Honestly, I had no intention of using her or the young witches as fighters.

Given her background, Selina was knowledgeable about carnivorous plants and maze plants.

The only subordinate who specialized in maze plants was Charlotte, and even she only had a shallow understanding.

Thus, Selina was the best choice as the gardener of the dungeon.

As long as the young witches received proper training, they could hold their own.

“You hit the nail on the head! I love plants! I’ve dealt with both carnivorous and maze plants before.”

“Then that’s settled.”

We could purchase plant seeds from the guild, and Charlotte would handle that.

From the 1st to the 3rd levels, traps were primarily set up, so we needed carnivorous plants.

From the 5th level onward, it seemed better to cultivate maze plants used for medicinal purposes or that bore fruit.

Of course, I trusted Charlotte and Selina more on that than I did myself.

‘Should I make a separate room for the witches on the 10th level?’

Since they weren’t combatants, it was better to keep them in the safest place possible.

There was an empty space next to the officer’s room, so I should get the insect workers to take care of it soon.

If the progress reports were lackluster, we could just hire dwarves from the guild separately.

“Ki-ri-ri-ki!”

That was when a terrifying scream echoed.

As I turned my head, there was Balutak in my sights.

“Ki-ric! Great Chief!”

Something had definitely changed!

It seemed he had evolved, with a specialized part sprouting from his shoulder that was longer than his arm.

It looked like a scorpion’s stinger, but there were two of them on his shoulders, making it oddly even more intimidating.

[Lv. 81]

His level had skyrocketed as well.

Just not long ago, he had been in the low 70s.

While it was good to have progress, it baffled me how he had grown so quickly.

Unless there had been an intruder, the dungeon should have been peaceful in my absence.

Had he secretly indulged in some potent elixir?

‘But why is he welcoming me like this?’

Balutak tried to rush over and hug me, but was stopped by Charlotte.

Meanwhile, on the stairs, a familiar yet unfamiliar silhouette caught my eye.

Seeing him reminded me of something I’d forgotten.

The 9th Legion from the fortress was supposed to arrive.

“I humbly greet you, my lord. My subordinate 9th Legion is currently guarding the 6th level of the Tomb of Faith. We present our tribute on behalf of our minions.”

As he approached, Carleon knelt and bowed deeply.

It felt rather burdensome, this formality.

Only after I gestured for him to rise did Carleon straighten up.

Now I understood how Balutak had managed to grow so rapidly and why he was welcoming me warmly.

Carleon had surely taken notice of Balutak’s potential, and given his knightly spirit, he must have been pushing Balutak hard to help him grow.

How remarkable that he had taken it upon himself to do such a commendable thing. It was my first time wanting to kiss a corpse!

“I see you had a good time with Balutak.”

“I apologize for taking unilateral actions.”

“Ki-ric!”

As expected, my prediction was spot on.

Balutak looked a bit humiliated as he grinned slyly from behind Isabella while I felt quite amused at the scene.

Anyone who saw would think he was being mistreated by Carleon. What a thankless creature.

“No, I think it’s great. While you’re here, keep training Balutak.”

“I’m honored you recognize my efforts.”

“Ki-eeek!”

Balutak grabbed his head and screeched.

That annoying little one needed to be worked even harder.

“My lord, this is a bold request, but may I ask for a favor?”

“…”

“I’ve been looking forward to dueling with you. I was so depressed at your absence.”

Damn. I wasn’t in a position to mock Balutak.

Carleon was a knight filled with determination.

He was a lunatic who only felt satisfied after clashing swords with someone stronger than himself.

Considering his personality, it was clear he would nag and persist no matter how much I refused him.

“Sir Carleon.”

Suddenly, Charlotte, who had been standing next to him, spoke up, and Wilhelm appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

“Our boss is quite busy. Making such a request to someone who just returned is inappropriate.”

“Hmm…”

“Instead, how about a duel with this gentleman? It’s Hero Wilhelm. It should provide you with a satisfactory match.”

“Oh, I see. Understood. I’ll borrow this friend for a bit. Balutak, you shall come along as well.”

“Ki-eeek!”

“I wanna go too!”

“Isabella! Save me!”

Carleon forcibly took Wilhelm and Balutak upstairs.

Isabella followed along, her steps lively with excitement.

Balutak was seeking help, but Isabella simply laughed it off.

I swallowed my relief and gazed at Charlotte.

Peeking, peering; for some reason, Charlotte seemed flustered and was acutely aware of me.

As if wondering why she was acting that way, she suddenly lowered her head.

“I’m sorry if I overstepped my bounds. It seemed like the boss found it bothersome.”

So that was it.

She was worrying over trivial matters.

“You handled it well.”

“…Thank you.”

“You’ve worked hard. Take a break and recover from your fatigue.”

Having just come back from my own struggle, it was high time I took a breather.

I needed to recharge with our cute Helbok while waiting in the boss room.

***

“Let’s call it a day for today.”

After trading blows dozens of times to our heart’s content, Carleon satisfactorily sheathed his sword.

Wilhelm nodded in agreement and stood by Charlotte.

“It’s been a while since I’ve encountered a knight of such caliber.”

For Carleon, one of the few pleasures he found was an evenly matched duel, and if his opponent was a knight, it was all the better.

In that sense, Wilhelm’s presence was a refreshing rain after a long drought for Carleon.

Wilhelm was a rival who could quench the thirst he’d been feeling.

When Carleon turned around, his gaze naturally fell on Balutak.

“Ki-ric!”

Balutak trembled in panic and hid behind Isabella.

Isabella giggled, moving along, and Balutak hurriedly followed her.

Carleon examined the trio with a calm gaze.

The officer Charlotte.

The sentinel Balutak.

The 8th ranked Lord Isabella.

Even for the mid-boss Carleon from the Seven Lairs, they were a striking line-up.

There was no need to mention Isabella, the 8th ranked Lord of the 72 Lords.

Charlotte’s magical energy alone was undoubtedly fitting for a subordinate of the Seven Lairs; it said enough that she could command Wilhelm.

While still lacking, Balutak likewise possessed similar potential.

From my experience after colliding for over a week, Balutak’s battle sense was notably exceptional.

More than anything else, his growth happened in the realm of instinct gained through body learning, not mental education.

He was a born fighter.

‘Their actual ranks might differ.’

In the case of a single entity dungeon, only the boss’s strength applies for the rank.

Other dungeons might allow subordinate monsters to grow in rank as they gain strength, but that wasn’t the case for a single entity.

No matter how many powerful subordinates I brought in, at the core, he’d still be a single entity by birth.

Only personal growth could change the rank.

If those three were officers, they would be on par with other Seven Lairs, but the actual ranks were likely quite different.

‘With how things are, I feel like the boss would still be higher than 2nd place.’

Regardless of impact, ranks are absolute.

Of course, being a single entity, adding in officers would alter the actual ranks.

“Ki-eeek! Please hide Balutak!”

“Hehehe. Not happening.”

At first glance, it might have seemed like they were a random bunch.

But when Carleon approached, Balutak started panicking.

Carleon, unfazed, opened his mouth.

“Is everyone interested in visiting the fortress?”

As fellow members of the Seven Lairs and allies, he wanted to strengthen their friendship.

Without a doubt, his queen would also desire interaction with the Tomb of Faith.

“As the right hand of the queen, I invite you all.”

“Oh… really?”

Just before he could nod, Carleon realized he was the 8th Lord and bowed his head.

“You may choose any time that suits you. If the Lord comes, I’m sure the queen will be pleased.”

“Sounds great! I’ve been curious about how the other Seven Lairs look!”

“I’m curious too.”

“Balutak won’t go! No way!”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take you, Mr. Balutak. But is it really a castle full of lust, just as the name suggests?”

“It’s not always like that. About half the time it is.”

“Oh my, that sounds a bit embarrassing…”

Isabella scratched the back of her neck awkwardly with a shy smile.

Carleon acknowledged that part as well.

“It can be a bit risqué, but that’s just the queen’s taste. The night’s minions grow accustomed to that ambiance. Normally, during the night, it’s more about mixing bodies than words, and rather than negotiations, they engage in copulation. Hence, it’s a castle full of lust.”

The stern Dullahan suddenly started speaking like a waterfall.

The trio who had only been listening struggled to conceal their discomfort on their faces.

“There are various devices for pleasure on each level. They don’t discriminate against gender and can be used both ways. There are devices for hermaphrodites as well.”

“…”

“Even the underground library of the dungeon is filled with erotic tales. While there might be some romance novels, those are just for warming up.”

The atmosphere suddenly grew solemn.

Carleon, feeling awkward, turned away from the face he had been resting his hand on.

None of them were accustomed to such discussions, and it was only Carleon who had lived alone in the fortress with an open-minded approach.

“By any chance, do you have the novels I’m looking for?”

Charlotte broke the embarrassing silence.

Carleon nodded in agreement.

“Speak freely. I can have the librarian find it for you. You’re looking for romance novels, right?”

From her appearance to her demeanor, Charlotte seemed like the epitome of a refined lady.

A heartfelt romance novel would suit her well, just as one might imagine for a noblewoman.

“It’s something erotic.”

“…Ahem. Alright, what do you need?”

Charlotte paused for a moment.

Then she quietly looked around before whispering next to Carleon’s ear.

When Carleon heard, he flinched involuntarily.

“Do you have it?”

“…Perhaps. There’s no form of erotic literature missing from the fortress.”

Charlotte kept her expression neutral, but her lips were tightly pursed.

It seemed as if she was, in her own way, finding it enjoyable.

“Thank you. I hope you can find it for me.”

“Consider it done.”

After saying that, I couldn’t help but wonder if such a thing even existed.

A piece dealing with the relationship between a witch and a Death Knight?

That was something even Carleon had never heard of.

‘…Could it possibly reflect on his boss?’

Carleon decided against digging deeper into that thought.

It was something best left for outsiders not to concern themselves with.