We had returned to the 9th level. The girls managed to walk into the boss room shortly after I had defeated the boss, so it looked like there was at least one trick to helping people get down to the next level. The door closed as soon as we left the room. That must mean that the boss was respawning now. I was interested in seeing how long it would take.
In the meantime, I healed the girls and gave them both some waters of life. Both girls were dirty and starving. I thought the village would take better care of them than this.
"It's not their fault," Lydia said quietly, "Miki and I decided together to sneak out and enter the dungeon on our own. We didn't realize how long it would take. I didn't pack very well. We ran out of food two days ago. We forgot to bring a change of clothing. I… I forgot how much Master did for me when we were in that dungeon back then."
Her eyes grew teary. Miki patted her on the back.
"It's okay, Lydia. I didn't know what I was doing either."
Grrrrrrr….
Both girls blushed, and it wasn't clear which stomach rumbled. As it were, I actually had a change of clothing for both girls still in the bag. Our official dungeon bag had been packed and taken by me. That was part of the reason I didn't struggle so hard. The other reason was that I had all of those support skills with took the pressure off of some of those things.
I started a fire and the girls made noises of shock as I was able to start it with a flick of a finger. My Create Fire skill came into play. I then made a basin of water and washed the girls. Well, I had offered to turn away and let the girls wash, but somehow I had gotten roped into doing it. While that was going on, I used a chunk of my good rations. I still had tons of tofu to eat, but I felt the girls needed a feast.
The girls ate excitedly, and I suddenly remembered how quickly food went when your partner wasn't the size of a fairy. Even Miki was feeding herself now, engulfing the food with ease. I supposed there was no way that she could pretend to be weak after fighting her way down to the tenth floor. In fact, I allowed the girls to join my party, and I could see how hard they struggled based on their levels.
Lydia was now a level 30 Swordsman, and Miki was a level 25 Spiritualist. They had both truly fought many difficult battles to get here. The door finally opened heading down to the boss. It had been about an hour before the boss spawned. I was a bit surprised it was so quick, but it made sense.
Looking down into the darkness below, I finally let out a sigh."
"Master? What is it?' Lydia asked, her brow furrowed.
"There is someone I left behind down there," I said cautiously. "I'm… going to have to leave you."
Both girls let out cries of shock.
"L-leave! Master?"
"N-no!"
"I'm sorry, I stepped on a trap and ended up back up here. That's why I ran into you guys. I'm glad, but I abandoned a friend who has been helping me down this dungeon. I must return to the 19th floor quickly. I can teleport to the 15th quickly and using the maps make my way to the 19th. It shouldn't take more than a day."
"T-then we'll come with you!" Miki protested.
"You can't teleport unless you register with the kiosk. I'd take you down by hand, but that could take a few more days, and I worry about her mental state alone."
"Master…"
"Furthermore, the levels are much harder after 15. You two can't handle it yet. You need to become stronger!"
"Ah!" Lydia's eyes instantly brightened at those words.
Being stronger was something that she understood a bit better. It wasn't inaccurate either. The 19th floor was a dangerous place. I have the benefit of many extra jobs and tricks, not to mention my cheat sword and cheat spells. Celeste was already level 50 on her first-tier job and nearly 20 on her second-tier job. Comparatively, Lydia and Miki weren't even in the same league.
I suspected that Lydia would unlock some kind of advanced swordsmanship at 50, and Miki would get some kind of stronger form of spiritualist. However, they needed to keep fighting hard enemies.
"We understand, Master…" Miki lowered her head.
"I'll be waiting for you both on the 19th floor. We'll take that boss out together."
The two girl's eyes brightened at those words, however, Lydia still looked a bit uncertain.
"M-master…" Lydia said, shifting anxiously, "Before you leave, there is still something I would like you to do."
"What is that?" I asked.
"Make me your slave… officially."
That was right, I never took Lydia's slavery yet.