Adventurer's Guild Café: I Was Wrongfully Exiled by the Saint, So I Will Enjoy My Second Life with My Fluffy Friends - V 2.1 Chapter 3.6

“Well, here we are. Are you ready?”

When Simon asked that, I nodded firmly. After taking a short nap, we were finally heading toward the hundredth floor. In front of us was a dimly lit cave.

Up until now, many Mokomotts had helped us along the journey, but from here on, it would be just us again.

“Wow! I’m so excited!!”

Rouge said cheerfully.

“You never know if you’ll get to see a gryphon even once in your life.”

“Kuuna-chan, it’s probably scary, but we’re with you, so it’s okay.”

Stella-san gave me a wink. I nodded and focused my gaze forward.

“We’ll go down first as the vanguard and send a signal. Kuuna, make sure you stay with Simon.”

“Understood.”

Gier led everyone into the cave.

After waiting for a while and confirming it was safe, we began our descent as well.

We moved forward through the dimly lit cave. Only the lanterns glowing with magic light illuminated the path.

But after descending for some time, it gradually grew bright enough that the lanterns were no longer needed.

It wasn’t like the dazzling sunlight on the ninety-ninth floor.

What filled the space was a cool, deep blue light.

We continued through the cave until we finally reached the hundredth floor.

“U…wow…”

I couldn’t help but be captivated by the sight before me.

There, a vast underground lake stretched out. The surface of the water emitted a mysterious blue light, and when I moved closer to look, I saw strange, glittering fish swimming inside.

Even though there shouldn’t have been any sun, there was a hole in the ceiling, and a single ray of light shone down on the center of the lake. And where that light touched was a small island in the middle of the lake… and something large lying there.

“Is that… the gryphon…?”

I could hear someone muttering. In the light pouring down from the ceiling, there was a giant animal lying down.

It had the face of an eagle with a sharp beak. Yet its body resembled that of a lion with wings.

Its fur glittered as it bathed in the light.

The creature in the center of the lake had a very mystical appearance.

“So beautiful…”

I murmured unconsciously, and the griffin raised its head to look this way.

“Alright, Kuuna.”

“Y-yes!”

Simon called out to me, and my voice cracked. What should I do? I might actually be a little scared…

Flat stones that seemed to act as stepping stones stretched out toward the island in the middle of the lake.

It looked like I was supposed to step on these stones and make my way to that island in the center.

“Kiril, are you sure this is really okay?”

Gier asked Kiril. Kiril snorted and replied.

“See how it’s got that ‘I’m a noble creature’ look on its face right now? But once you talk to it, it’s not really like that.”

After saying that, Kiril suddenly shouted.

“Hey, you gryphon who loves the ladies! I brought Kuuna here for you!!”

Kiril!? What are you doing!?

Kiril’s shout echoed across the underground lake.

“Hey, Kiril! Stop it, you idiot!”

Gier, looking completely panicked, shook Kiril’s shoulder.

“Are you out of your mind!?”

“It’s fine, don’t worry.”

“Give me a break! Because of you, I always get dragged into trouble!”

Even with Gier yelling, Kiril just waved his hand nonchalantly, saying it was fine.

The gryphon stood up and let out a not-so-friendly cry. It growled with a gruuuuh sound, much like the noise Lulu makes when she’s in an extremely bad mood.

I-Is this really going to be okay…!?

“Well, whatever. Let’s go, shall we?”

Simon didn’t seem too concerned and held out his hand to me.

“I’ll take you to that place.”

“Y-yes.”

I took his hand and nodded.

“Kiril, you go first. Everyone else, wait here.”

“I’m coming too,” Gier said.

“Alright then, Gier, follow behind us.”

“Got it.”

And so, we lined up with Kiril at the front, Simon and I in the middle, and Gier at the back, making our way to that isolated little island.

I-It seems angry, but is this really going to be alright…?

“Kuuna-chan, do your best!”

“If anything happens, we’ll come right away!”

Hearing everyone’s cheers, my frozen legs began to move forward.

…I decided that I would do my best. And if everyone is with me, maybe things will work out somehow.