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According to the Guild's regulations, to operate on the 24th Floor, one must at least possess upper-tier Level 2 strength.
And to venture into the 27th Floor or deeper, it's best not to bring along any Level 2 Tier 3 Adventurers.
Of course, that's assuming a standard three-person party. If the team is large and includes multiple Level 4 or higher experts, then it's acceptable to bring along a few Tier 3 or even lower-level Adventurers.
As for Ryoji, he naturally preferred forming a three-person team.
When it comes to party composition, unless absolutely necessary, it's best not to have too many people, because Excelia (experience points) will be split among teammates.
Furthermore, since Lefiya was no longer suitable as a middle guard in the lower floors and could only serve as a rearguard, if Ryoji wanted to go deeper into the Dungeon for leveling, he at least needed a Level 3 or higher middle-guard type Adventurer.
"Sorry, Line."
"It's fine. I knew this day would come eventually."
Ryoji informed Line about his party plans.
Line gave a wry smile, but quickly and graciously accepted the news.
"By the way, thanks to you, the leveling atmosphere in the Familia is superheated right now. You should have no problem finding a teammate who can handle the lower floors."
"I see. Thanks."
No wonder so many people had seemingly vanished in recent days.
Looks like his feat of leveling up twice in forty days had completely ignited his companions' enthusiasm for leveling. Ryoji wondered whether any of the middle-guard type members in the Familia were still available.
Leaving Line's residence, Ryoji began thinking about suitable candidates for the middle guard position.
Ideally, a Level 4 middle guard, that way they could better protect Lefiya, and Ryoji could go wild in combat without holding back.
"Loki, what are you doing?"
At the Familia entrance, Loki was dressed in a lavish sky-blue gown, her face beaming with joy.
Normally acting like a scruffy old man, Loki at this moment actually gave off a somewhat dignified goddess-like aura... though her chest remained a hopeless flatland.
Suffer as you must, but never let the children suffer.
So, Ryoji had absolutely no intention of making a move on Loki.
"It's you...!"
The moment Loki saw him, her body visibly flinched, and a hint of fear instinctively surfaced on her face.
Shortly afterward, remembering she was the chief god of the Familia, she lifted her chin and puffed out her chest, trying hard to project an air of authority.
Beside her was a rented carriage, with the coachman being everyone's old friend, Raul.
The moment Raul spotted Ryoji, he was instantly overwhelmed with terror. He hunched his shoulders, turned his back, and pulled a classic "if I can't see you, you can't see me" ostrich move.
"Ahem... We're heading to attend the Ganesha Familia's God's Banquet!"
"God's Banquet?"
"In short, it's a laid-back feast held by gods! This time, Ganesha is the host. Next time, it'll be someone else. There's no fixed schedule or venue, it's just whenever someone wants to host one. I heard this one's about discussing the Monster Festival."
"You'd go to something like that?"
"Normally, I wouldn't bother... but I heard a certain archenemy of mine is going to be there."
Loki's archrival... could it be Freya?
Ryoji immediately tensed. If Freya spilled his secrets there, he'd be in big trouble.
"Who's your archenemy?"
"A goddess named Hestia. Just descended to the lower world. You wouldn't know her, Iya!"
Oh ho!
Now that was an old acquaintance.
Believe it or not, I've read her doujins before.
Well, as long as it wasn't Freya, he was safe.
As for that former heroine, whatever she was doing now had nothing to do with him. Though that blue ribbon was pretty enticing... since she's still a virgin goddess, better stay away.
Besides, Ryoji had been abstaining from lust recently.
"By the way, Loki, do you know if any middle-guard type Adventurers in the Familia are free lately?"
"Looking to form a party? Hmm... Alicia doesn't seem busy right now. She's an all-rounder type, being a middle guard is a piece of cake for her!"
Alicia?
Ryoji remembered her, she was the Spirit/Elf girl who kept gravitating toward him during their return from the expedition. One of the core members of the Second Army, technically a Mage, but her bow skills were excellent and she could wield a sword too.
And she was Level 4, so definitely qualified for the lower floors.
"Thanks."
"Wait a moment, I have something to ask you."
Loki was just about to board the carriage when something suddenly came to mind. She grabbed Ryoji's arm with a serious face and pulled him into a corner of the courtyard.
"You haven't been using your Charm recklessly these past few days, have you?"
Using it recklessly?
Hmm...
Does using it over ten times for fun during that "duel" with Freya count?
"Of course not, how could I possibly be that kind of person?"
Ryoji firmly and seriously denied it.
"Good."
Hearing this, Loki visibly relaxed, but then her expression turned stern, intimidating, even.
"Let me warn you, absolutely do not use your Charm Skill recklessly. Especially not on anyone in my Familia!"
She didn't say the rest out loud, but Ryoji clearly understood the implication:
'Otherwise, I won't let you off easily.'
"Relax, don't you know what kind of person I am?" Ryoji patted his chest confidently.
"I go out wearing a cloak every time. I never sell my body to strangers!"
"...Good that you think that way." Loki's expression became complicated.
It's precisely because she knew what kind of person he was that she couldn't be at ease.
Still, thinking it over, ever since he joined the Familia, he had kept his promise not to flirt with any of the Familia girls. In that sense, maybe his word could be trusted. Loki finally, reluctantly, let it go.
"Alright then, I'm off!"
Loki hurriedly climbed into the carriage and urged Raul to set off.
She'd heard that that little pipsqueak had just started her Familia and was dead broke, probably couldn't even afford a proper dress. She had to go give her a good mocking!
"Charm, huh..."
Ryoji lowered his hand and silently watched the carriage disappear into the distance, deep in thought.
It truly was a powerful force.
With just a wave of his hand, he could subdue immensely powerful enemies. If he wanted riches, peerless beauties, or even empires, one smile using Charm, and they'd all fall into his lap.
To be honest, he had considered using Charm to get everything he wanted.
It was so convenient. He wouldn't have to struggle at all and could still stand above all others.
But---
"That's not the kind of strength I seek." Ryoji shook his head, a calm clarity settling over his heart.
In the end, what he pursued was the strength of the self, true invincibility, the opposite of weakness.
Back in the Rakudai (Chivalry of a Failed Knight) World, Ryoji's dream had been to surpass Edelweiss and become the strongest in the world. That dream hadn't changed. In fact, after gaining the ability to cross between worlds, his ambition had only grown larger.
If I'm going to do it, I'll become the strongest. If there are countless worlds, then I'll conquer them one by one.
Even if it takes a lifetime, this was the mission he would chase to the very end.
It was the meaning of Ryoji's existence now.
Charm, at best, was just one of the many powers he had gained. A tool. It was never the end goal of the strength he sought.
Brushing away the dust from his heart, Ryoji felt clarity in his mind. He turned around and stepped into the towering spire.
(End of Chapter)