Time quickly came to noon.
However, Astrea was still working at this time...
She was quite serious about the 'criminals surrendering themselves' matter.
Besides asking about these criminals' past experiences, she also investigated their recent contacts to ensure no one was trying to deceive her and Chen Hai.
Chen Hai, feeling much lighter, instructed the Adventurers' Guild to prepare a lavish lunch for Astrea, then took Haruhime to the mansion in the back.
Having finished their Dungeon exploration, Saeko Busujima and Liliruca had just returned to their residence.
Chen Hai also seized the opportunity to visit the duo with Haruhime.
Both Saeko Busujima and Liliruca had bandages wrapped around their arms.
"Did you run into trouble in the Dungeon?"
"Yes, we encountered a somewhat troublesome monster, but fortunately, we repelled it. We only suffered minor injuries, but when Teacher Marikawa saw them, she insisted on bandaging them up thoroughly..."
Saeko Busujima looked at the bandages wrapped around her arm, which even had a heart symbol drawn on them.
It was the same for Liliruca.
"What about Chen Hai-kun? Did you go see Takagi-san and the others train?"
"They didn't tell me about it."
Yet, they were together 'disciplining' the Goddess of Beauty, Ishtar, just last night.
"Takagi-san and Classmate Miyamoto, in order to become stronger, 570 signed up for the 'Adventurers' Guild Training Program.' I heard that a member of the Ganesha Familia will also be participating."
"Sounds interesting."
"Never mind that... Chen Hai-kun, the person next to you..."
Saeko Busujima's gaze fell on Sanjōno Haruhime.
Liliruca was also curious about the fox-eared girl from the Far East.
Chen Hai immediately introduced her:
"This is Sanjōno Haruhime. After being kidnapped by bandits, she coincidentally ended up in Orario."
"That must have been tough..."
After Saeko Busujima spoke, Liliruca on the side quickly went to brew tea.
At this moment, Sanjōno Haruhime also began her self-introduction.
After explaining her experiences, thoughts, and current aspirations, she bowed her head to Saeko Busujima and Liliruca.
"Please... may I join your party?"
Instead of being passive, Haruhime was now very proactive.
At her words, Saeko Busujima and Liliruca exchanged glances and began to speak in turn.
"Dungeon exploration is very tough."
"As Boss Busujima said, we often encounter troublesome monsters."
"There are unknown dangers."
"Boss Busujima and I almost fell into a trap before. Even though the Dungeon monsters are no longer fatal due to Chen Hai-kun's new rules, there's still a possibility of losing one's life."
"And we can't guarantee daily earnings, but you don't have to worry about that aspect. Chen Hai-kun is reliable. It just seems like... we're cheating at adventuring, because Chen Hai-kun provides us with security."
"Long live Chen Hai-kun!"
It got strange towards the end... After hearing their explanation, Haruhime stated that she was well aware of the Dungeon's dangers.
Thinking this, she expected to be rejected, but then Saeko Busujima and Liliruca changed their tone.
"If you can persevere, we welcome your addition."
"One more companion means one more layer of security."
At these words, Haruhime's eyes widened in surprise.
"Really... is it okay?"
"You're someone Chen Hai-kun recommended, so I have no reason to refuse."
Saeko Busujima spoke honestly, then extended her right hand.
Haruhime, seeing this, quickly took it.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Sanjo."
"Okay, nice to meet you too, Miss Busujima!"
"By the way... you're wearing a kimono, right? Although I've seen them in Orario recently, I haven't encountered such a standard outfit."
"You're not wrong, this is a kimono. Does Miss Busujima know a lot about them?"
"I used to wear them too, like during New Year's."
"Then we're the same!"
As the two conversed, Liliruca asked curiously,
"What's a kimono?"
"That's a long story."
Saeko Busujima looked at her Supporter, deciding to educate both her and Haruhime thoroughly.
As for Chen Hai... listening to the girls' conversation, he finished the tea Liliruca had just poured and began to think about his plans for the afternoon.
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There wasn't much to do in the afternoon, but it was important.
"Asfi Al Andromeda, captain of the Hermes Familia."
"Amide Veliyustein, from the Dian Casket Familia."
"Wano Mikoto, from the Takemikazuchi Familia."
"Naza Illyis, the current captain of the Miach Familia."
"Shakti Farma, captain of the Ganesha Familia."
Eina confirmed the five people who were about to arrive at the scene based on the list.
These five, besides the Izdihar, were the first group personally selected by Chen Hai to go to the 'Otherworld Dungeon.'
"Um, um... Chen Hai-kun, why did you call me here?"
After Eina finished speaking, Shizuka Marikawa, who had been called over, curiously approached Chen Hai.
She was wearing a white coat, having just finished work.
"Minami Rika, Miss Marikawa, you're familiar with that name, right?"
"Eh?! Is it really her?! How does Chen Hai-kun know her? Could it be..."
"I ran into her when I went back earlier, so I'm having you go meet her now and explain the situation clearly."
"Of course!"
Hearing that Chen Hai had found her friend and that she could meet her now, Shizuka Marikawa was very happy.
Huh?
After agreeing, Shizuka Marikawa saw the group of five appear in her sight.
They varied in height and race.
But they were all going to the same place.
"Am I going with them?"
"That's right."
"I see."
Shizuka Marikawa ran up to the captains and members of each Familia, introducing herself while handing out candies from her pocket.
Asfi, Amide, and the others were puzzled, but still accepted the gifts from Shizuka Marikawa, after all, she was with Chen Hai.
Once everyone had gathered, Chen Hai walked onto a nearby platform.
"Are you ready?"
At this question, everyone nodded in unison.
"Then let's go."
"Should we go to the Dungeon entrance first?"
Amide asked curiously.
Chen Hai shook his head, handed the subsequent work over to Eina, and prepared to teleport.
"Once you arrive there and complete your investigation, your next task is to report to me."
"Of course."
Wano Mikoto nodded earnestly from the side.
"Based on your reactions and thoughts, I can make further arrangements."
After Chen Hai finished speaking, he waved his right hand, and the area was immediately enveloped by fluctuating energy.
Teleporting the girls to the dimensional gate in front of the seventeenth floor of the 'apocalypse' dimension, the people who arrived at the scene all exclaimed in surprise.
It was their first time seeing the 'dimensional gate' of the Dungeon, and also their first time seeing the new world behind the gate.
A world completely different from Orario.
"Let's go."
Chen Hai said, then led the female Familia members, female captains, and Shizuka Marikawa into the 'apocalypse' dimension.