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Roxy laughed. "Well, it's your own fault you can't stay in Orario anymore."
Esdeath tilted her head. "Are the monsters in that dungeon really that strong?"
"Only the upper floors are weak," Roxy explained. "The deeper you go, the nastier they get. Yesterday Alex went solo and killed the floor boss on the 17th level—Goliath."
Esdeath's eyes lit up. "Is a floor boss impressive?"
"Mhm. About the strength of a Level 4. Roughly equal to an average Servant from the Nasuverse."
"So many powerful monsters… sounds like fun. Now I want to go to Orario too."
Hestia chuckled. "Next time. Let them finish the expedition first."
Once the group entered the dungeon, they didn't waste any time on the upper floors and followed the map straight down.
Whenever monsters appeared, Saeko, Irisviel, Sella, Leysritt, and Maiya handled them. Level 1 mobs were perfect practice for the newer fighters, and with Alex and the others watching their backs, no one had to worry about danger.
By midday they reached the 18th floor.
Alex's group had come here yesterday, so they weren't impressed. But for Roxy and the others, it was their first time seeing this underground paradise, and they stood frozen in awe. Even the people watching the livestream were shocked. Who would've thought such scenery existed beneath the earth?
After a short rest, they pushed deeper.
The 19th floor was similar to the 18th—dense forest everywhere. According to the Guild records, floors 19 through 24 were collectively known as the Great Tree Labyrinth. With so much greenery, naturally there were plenty of plant-type monsters: dark mushrooms that spread poisonous spores, vines that tried to strangle you, and all sorts of traps hidden in the underbrush.
The air was damp and gloomy, making the whole place uncomfortable.
Roxy muttered, "If we just set everything on fire, wouldn't all the monsters here burn to death?"
"Stop thinking dangerous thoughts." Alex shot her a glare like she'd grown another head. "If you start a forest fire down here, this entire floor turns into an oven. We'd either suffocate or roast alive."
Roxy's cheeks flushed. "But we have ice magic and barrier spells. We could block the heat and smoke…"
Before Alex could rebut, Merlin cut in with a smile. "Did you forget about 'abnormal incidents'? If you damage a floor too much, the dungeon will spawn a Juggernaut."
Roxy immediately shut up.
Honestly, with their current strength they could kill one. Alex, Roxy, and three Servants… the five of them together could probably fight a Level 7 if they had to. But that only worked if everyone could keep up.
Saeko and Maiya had basically stopped fighting since floor 13. They simply weren't strong enough to handle Level 2 monsters yet.
Roxy noticed their frustrated expressions and walked over. "In my world, besides magic, we also have another cultivation system called Battle Aura. Want to learn it?"
Saeko's spirit lit up instantly. "Does it make you stronger fast?"
Roxy nodded. "Battle Aura is basically another way to use mana. You coat your body with it to enhance all your physical abilities."
"I'm in," Saeko said without hesitation.
"Me too," Maiya added.
Sella and Leysritt also asked to learn.
Even though they were high-grade homunculi with basic combat skills and magic, in Orario they were still weak. Their talent was limited too. Without something new to boost them, they might never reach high-level adventurer status. Learning techniques from other worlds was their best shot.
"All right," Roxy said brightly. "But Battle Aura works best alongside a martial art. In my world, the most famous ones are the three sword styles: Sword God, Water God, and North God. I'll teach you the basics."
As they walked, she wrote everything down on paper. None of this was secret in her world—only the advanced forms and final techniques were restricted. The basics were public knowledge.
Alex, walking ahead, heard everything. He'd been wanting to learn the three sword styles and Battle Aura himself. He had the Skill "Grandmaster Martial Arts," meaning he could absorb any technique. Naturally, he wasn't going to pass up this chance.
Roxy finished writing and handed the pages to Saeko. "Take a look. I'm terrible with swordsmanship, so you'll learn it better than I can teach it."
Saeko carefully read the notes and her face lit with excitement. She had finally found her path forward.
Maiya was a little disappointed—she used bows, not swords—but Battle Aura still worked for her since it boosted the whole body.
Because Roxy was streaming, Hestia had seen everything too. She immediately opened a private chat with Alex.
Hestia: Alex, our Familia has all these training methods now. Should we compile and organize them for our members?
Alex: We should. These techniques are our foundation for rising. But don't give them to everyone. Only trusted core members get access.
If normal members studied these and later defected to another Familia, Hestia's secrets would be exposed.
Hestia: You're right. I'll start organizing them now.
She messaged Roxy for the sword styles and Battle Aura methods, then retreated to the church basement to write.
She compiled all magic from the Nasuverse, Fairy Tail's world, and Roxy's world into a single volume called Arcane Codex. Future discoveries could be added later.
Then she gathered the three sword styles, Battle Aura, and any martial arts they could get into another book titled Martial God Compendium.
Alex would've loved to contribute the hundred martial arts he'd learned from Luo Hao, but knowing her personality, teaching them without her permission would lead to disaster. It would damage their sibling-like bond too.
However, Merlin and Artoria could share their Western martial traditions freely. That alone added a huge amount of content.
Hestia was thrilled with the idea. Since she couldn't contact Merlin or Artoria directly, she instead messaged everyone in the group chat, trading magic and martial arts.
She obtained ninja taijutsu from Tsunade, Requip Magic from Erza, and Barutu martial arts plus Imperial military combat techniques from Esdeath.
All of it went into the Arcane Codex and Martial God Compendium.
She still regretted that Luo Hao refused to trade. With her knowledge, the Compendium could be filled to the brim in a single day.
…
By nightfall, Alex and the others had reached the 24th floor. One more floor below was the Water Maze, also known as the New World.
He didn't rush forward. Instead he set up camp near the entrance.
Five tents total. Alex, being the only man, got one to himself. The women split the remaining four. The tents formed a protective ring, with the strongest taking the outer edge and the weaker ones sleeping inside.
They also arranged night watches. Merlin and Morgan took first half; Artoria, Roxy, and Alex the second. Each of the five would guard for two hours.
After the tents were pitched, Alex took food and water out of Unlimited Blade Works and handed them to Sella and Leysritt to cook. Then he headed over to Roxy.
She was in the middle of teaching Saeko and Maiya how to cultivate Battle Aura. Alex sat beside them and followed along.
With Roxy's explanation, he grasped the method almost immediately.
He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began guiding his mana through his body, letting it merge into his muscles and bones, strengthening them from within.
"..."
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