396-Episode 396: Good at Amae

　Me and Sakura go down the right aisle, while Finia and Mr. Elfin go down the left aisle.

　Soon we can no longer see each other and can only hear our partner Sakura’s breathing.

‘Even though it’s a dungeon, is this area maintained?’

　Currently, there are four levels.

　Even though it’s not a residential area, they’ve probably put up a barrier to prevent demons and other things from entering, and are probably making the rounds from time to time.

　Perhaps that’s why it’s just as clean as the third level, and there are no demons to be found.

”I’d like to make my way to the lower levels as much as possible before the demons are out.

Oh.

Yeah?　Sakura?

　Sakura takes my pants in her mouth and pulls on them.

　It’s as if she’s telling you to come over here.

‘Do you happen to know where the stairs leading to the lower level are?

On!

　A powerful squeal.

　I can feel the confidence that I’m in charge.

　I’ve heard that this is Sakura’s first time plunging below the fourth level, but…

　Maybe it’s because he’s a part of the burrowing wolf tribe, or maybe it’s because he feels something.

”Alright, I’m begging you!

Whomp!

　Sakura ran off at a brisk pace.

　There is no hesitation at all in that run.

　You’re reliable…….This is not the time to be impressed.

　If I’m taking it easy, I’ll be left behind.

　I rush out and follow Sakura.

　I run through a straight line and turn right and left.

　And then I arrive at…..

….

….

　It was a dead end.

“Sakura?

…Oh.

　Sakura lowered her head in a way that seemed to be inexcusable.

　It seems that she is aware that she did it.

”Kuhn……..”

　This is different, something is wrong.

　It wasn’t supposed to be like this……………………..and that’s how Sakura sounds.

　I don’t understand the words, but I can somehow understand what she is thinking.

　She seems to be in a tremendous hurry.

‘I don’t care.

Oh…?

　I pat Sakura’s head as if to calm her down.

It’s true that we can’t lose this game, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to put the blame on Sakura alone. Let’s do our best together.

On!

　Sakura seemed motivated and squealed again, with an effort to regain her motivation.

　Then it sniffed and began to find its way to the lower level.

　It whirled around in place, sniffing for a scent.

　Grrrr.

　Grrrr.

　Grrrr.

　Is he confused?

　He spun around on the spot so much that he was suspicious of the situation and didn’t want to leave.

　Rather than………

Oh?

　Apparently, he’s confused.

　From Sakura’s reaction, there’s a path here that leads to the lower levels.

　But there are no such things in sight and therefore, why?　I guess I’m confused.

‘Hmm,’

　Do you believe in cherry picking?

　Or do I look elsewhere?

If you have to choose between those two, it’s settled, right?

　Now, me and Sakura are partners… and friends, in fact.

　Then you have to trust Sakura.

Yeah?

　I suddenly noticed a crack in the floor around where Sakura was hanging out.

　It wasn’t something that would come naturally, but a crack that looked like it had been made artificially.

　When Sakura put her nose close to the crack, she could see the hairs swaying slightly.

　That means……..is the wind blowing from that crack?

Sakura, get out of the way.

　After calling Sakura back, she casts a spell.

Fireball!

　When the fireball landed, the floor collapsed in a circle, unable to withstand the impact.

　I looked into the room, being careful not to fall, and saw five layers of flooring.

I see, the ceiling is about to collapse.

　That’s why Sakura must have reacted here.

　But there were no stairs in sight, and she was confused………

‘Well, there’s no rule that says you have to use the stairs to get around, you know. Well done, Sakura, good job.

On!

　Realizing that it worked, Sakura instantly feels better.

　She stretches her chest wide and looks dignified, like she’s done it.

　Then she stares at me.

　Her eyes are shining and her tail is wagging from side to side.

　Praise, praise, praise!　He did his best to appeal to her.

　He patted Sakura’s head, chuckling at such a sight.

”Thanks. Thanks to Sakura, we were able to move to the fifth level in no time.”

Ooh … on, on.

Wow.

　Sakura was very happy, but also thrashed her body to me.

　She is being spoiled tremendously.

　Since the reaction is so big, I can’t help but spoil it, or maybe I just praise it….

　Sakura is a sweetheart.

　I suddenly think.

　By the way, how old is Sakura?

　I’ve heard you’re Sigre’s grandson, so I don’t think you’re any better than me…

　Well, that’s okay for now.

　We’ll hear about it after it goes well.

All right, let’s keep it up, Sakura!

On!