Chapter 25 – Love and Dungeons

It was Miria who woke up first again. She found herself lying on top of Ast’s chest while tightly hugging him. A slight blush painted her cheeks as she slowly raised herself up on her elbows and glanced at his calm, sleeping face.

She moved her body up so that her head was above Ast’s and kept staring at his soft expression. It was really charming. A single thought surfaced in Miria’s mind and she could feel her face become redder as a reaction to it. She moved her hand and poked Asterios’s cheek a few times to check if he was still asleep. Nodding her head in confirmation, she began descending while intently watching if he wouldn’t suddenly open his eyes.

Just before their lips connected, Miria drew herself back and shook her head.

「No! It wouldn't be okay with him asleep. But… it’s so embarrassing when he isn’t...」

She turned her gaze away while straddling Ast’s waist. It didn’t stop her from stealing glances back at his lips.

「A light one… only this once...」

Still slightly hesitant, Miria lowered herself above his face again and very slowly moved closer and closer, but she stopped barely millimetres away from her goal. She closed her eyes and sighed softly. No matter how she looked at it, it just wasn’t right.

A quick peck on her lips made Miria’s eyes instantly shoot open and they met Ast’s blue ones staring back at her. She immediately sat up and covered her mouth with her hands.

“Master… ummmm… you… were awake?”

Asterios smiled. “It would be hard to keep sleeping when you sigh right into my face, don’t you think?” He also raised himself and patted her head a few times.

Miria flinched in embarrassment. “I’m sorry…”

“Don’t be. No man would be angry at being woken up by a good morning kiss from a cute girl.” She started squirming from both his caresses and pleasant words. “Listen. This stuff is quite new to me and I can’t know what exactly you are thinking, so let me just tell you that you don’t need a specific reason for a kiss or anything else, okay? I don’t want you to assume that it’s only fine when we share mana.”

After getting released from his hand, Miria looked at Ast with slightly widened eyes.

“Does that mean…?” she asked while realizing the slight change yesterday.

He nodded. “Yeah. It would be pretty stupid of me to ignore how you feel. I definitely don’t dislike being close to you. You know that I value the happiness of my partners quite highly. Ah, but don’t think that I’m saying this only because of that.”

She hastily shook her head. “I don’t!” Miria’s tail appeared in between them and she started nervously kneading it while shyly glancing at Ast. “Then… is Master okay with… becoming my mate? Like… officially?”

“If you are fine with me.” His kind smile accompanied by those words made Miria shiver. “Do I have to do something special? I’m not familiar with your customs.” Asterios scratched his cheek.

Miria’s face was already beet red, but she took a deep breath to slightly compose herself. She then started moving her face closer to Ast’s. He expected her to seal their relationship with a kiss, but she didn’t aim for his lips and Miria’s head went by the side of his.

A moment later, he felt a careful bite on his earlobe. It was strong enough to feel a prickle of pain, but nothing exceedingly uncomfortable. Miria backed away and dropped her gaze to her hands playing with the tail.

“Umm… in our culture… we mark our mates by biting on their left ear, which for us Pantherkin is the most sensitive spot. And…” Her fingers began moving even faster. “It can also be viewed as saying… I love you.”

Without a second of delay, Asterios placed his hand on top of Miria’s which was playing with her tail and leaned forward. She immediately understood his intention and closed her eyes in anticipation while her heart kept trying to escape from being imprisoned inside her chest. Then, it happened.

“Nyaaahn~”

A hot wave of shivers ran through her whole body after she felt Ast’s teeth close over her fluffy ear. An enticing moan escaped Miria’s lips from the pleasant sensation. She felt unimaginably happy. They were now truly together. It wasn’t just her one-sided affection. Asterios had really accepted her and confirmed it by performing this action. She waited for him to move back and as she expected, he was smiling at her.

Asterios plopped his hand on Miria’s head and affectionately brushed through her hair. “Did I do it correctly?” She nodded her head, with her mind still a bit hazy from the current development. “Good. Come on, let’s get up. We should join others for breakfast so that they don’t think we are mad at them.”

Before moving off Ast, Miria pondered for a second and mustered up all the courage she had at that moment. She let go of her tail, placed her hands on his chest and leaned forward, joining their lips in a gentle kiss. Miria backed away after a while and smiled shyly.

“Good morning, Master.”

Asterios chuckled seeing her cute act. “Yes. Good morning.”

He helped her stand up and they fixed each other’s clothes, grabbing what they took off before going to sleep. The sounds of the party already eating and chatting could be heard through the material of their tent.

Before they left it though, Miria sensed Asterios contemplating something. Without her trying to hide her own mind from his, she now was able to discern a bit more than just his surface thoughts. It still couldn’t compare to when they both established a conscious connection to share thoughts and images, but it was enough for her to understand that he was thinking about something related to their recent confession if she could call it that.

Miria walked up to him. “Is something bothering you, Master?”

He showed a slightly hesitant expression. “No, it’s just… considering the fact that I literally just accepted your feelings, it’s slightly insensitive for me to ask but, how do your people view polygamy?”

Miria furrowed her brows, not due to the nature of his question but at the thought that asking something like this might be rude and out of place. She soon understood where that came from.

“Ah. Are you perhaps thinking about Tina, Master?” she asked.

“Well, partially, yes. Since you pretty much marked me as yours, I was wondering how I should act from now on. We do know that she is at least a little interested in me...”

Miria smiled widely from seeing how considerate of her Asterios was. She stepped closer and hugged him tightly.

“Don’t worry, Master. It was just a thing we do, like a custom or tradition. It doesn’t mean that we are now bound to only each other forever or something. In fact, it’s not unusual for strong Beastfolk to have multiple mates. And it works for both genders.” She rubbed her face into the side of his neck. “Thank you for thinking about me. I don’t mind if you find more mates. I know that you will always take good care of me nevertheless. And, with how kind Master is, I’m pretty sure there will be many girls wanting to get together with you.”

Asterios grazed with his hand over Miria’s back while smiling. “I certainly do not plan on forming a legendary harem though.”

She giggled in his embrace. “But what if you summon more girls, Master? Wouldn’t you also want to keep them happy as you always do with your beasts and partners?”

“Ah, right. There’s that possibility now too.” Asterios sighed when he imagined more unique girls like Miria appearing during his summons.

“That’s why it’s fine. I know that Master is not a person to go after any woman he sees. Besides, I will always be Master’s first mate, right?”

He chuckled again. “You are collecting quite the number of my firsts here. My first contracted girl, my first kiss, my first girlfriend, or rather, as I should call it, my first mate. I don’t think anyone has even a chance to compete with you now.”

Miria was glad that they were hugging each other as Asterios was not able to see how flushed her expression was from him reminding her of all the things and also calling her his girlfriend. But that was true. She should do her best to start acting less embarrassed and shy in front of him. At least when they were alone. It wouldn’t be easy, but she would at least try.

Asterios sensed her determination and figured out what Miria might have been thinking about. He pulled her back so that they faced each other.

“Do not try to forcefully change who you are, okay? I have nothing against you being a little bit timid. In fact, I think it suits you with how cute and lovely you are. Just be yourself.”

“Okay.” Miria glanced away for a moment and nodded. “Then… Master can be more proactive too. I do enjoy your hands or snuggles even if I look embarrassed a lot, ehehe~”

After Asterios took her advice to his heart and showered Miria with a set of ferocious ear scratches, making her squirm under his caresses like a wriggling dancer, they finally left the tent and joined others. They were greeted properly by everyone and dined together while chatting about the journey ahead. Ast and Miria didn’t have anything against staying at the back of the convoy. The adventurers didn’t ask Miria many questions, still feeling a little bit uncomfortable after being slightly rude to them. 

Without delay, they resumed their trip. During one of the short breaks for some toilet time, Tesser couldn’t hold back his curiosity anymore and drove his horse to where the duo was.

“So, ermmm, is she some kind of a legendary beast? I thought it was only Dragons and incredibly powerful entities that could assume different forms,” he asked Asterios since Miria was under him in her panther shape.

Ast glanced down at her and she let him know that she was fine with whatever he said.

“Well, she certainly is legendary to me,” he stroked Miria’s head with one hand, “but, she is more like a different race from far away. They do seem to possess the ability to morph. That’s why the animalistic features.”

“I see. I’ve never heard about them. You must feel really lucky to have one as your summon.”

He smiled. “Definitely.”

After Tesser left, Miria tilted her head to Asterios. ~Master, I’m wondering about something. How is it that there’s nothing in your world about people with ears and tail like mine if Princess Kaguya supposedly travelled it with her Human partner?~

Asterios pondered for a  moment.

~Well, there may be many possibilities here. Maybe they somehow managed to find a way to hide her features. She might have also gone to a different world which also had Humans. Or, even if they lived in mine, they still could have done so in a completely different region, who knows how far from this continent or ones adjacent to it,~ he shared his theories.

~Oh. That sounds possible.~

~But, what I would bet on is just that with her being very likely the only, if not one of the very few persons with animalistic features arriving in this world, people just didn’t have enough information to pass on through books or such and thus it didn’t spread with the common population. Most were most likely lone sightings and reports, but those can be easily disregarded. Who knows, maybe one day we will stumble on some traces of them somewhere.~

~That would be amazing!~

Ast kept scratching his fingers through her fur. It definitely would be, considering that she was pretty much Miria’s idol.

Rest of the expedition went on pretty calmly. They only stumbled on an overgrown Devil Boar shortly before reaching their destination. It was a monster the size of one of the wagons, but besides its violent charge and sharp tusks, it didn’t pose that much of a threat. The party easily took care of it while Miria didn’t even have to switch out of her panther form as she supported them by distracting the beast.

After getting into the town, they escorted the caravan up to the location of the jewellery store it was meant to reach. When everything was confirmed to be clear of any issues, the quest document was signed and the group headed to the local Adventurer’s Guild to submit it.

They received the reward and split it equally. Well, Rudy insisted on counting Ast and Miria as two members of the team at first, but they both didn’t agree with her as Miria kept telling the woman that she was just Ast’s familiar and not really an adventurer and that she wasn’t even listed as a quest taker in the first place.

Faced with a sound argumentation of the duo, she had to back down. She felt even worse now for judging them by stereotypes back there. Most adventurers would jump at free money straight away, given the chance.

“So, I guess that’s it. Thanks for the help in that fight,” Rudy spoke as they sat around a table in the Adventurer’s Guild.

“Right. Tesser would be having a second asshole if not for you, hahaha,” Douhlim laughed while taking a sip of his bear.

“Oh, shut up. There was a chance it would ricochet off my shielding layer. But, there also was a chance it wouldn’t, judging by the angle, so thanks a lot.” The person in question slightly bowed their head.

“That’s how a team works. We just did our part,” Asterios said.

“You could very much have just turned a blind eye and watched from the sidelines after we ridiculed you. But, remember kid, don’t be too kind to everyone. There’s lots of scum wandering around, just waiting to exploit people like you,” Rudy sighed as she lectured him while looking into her mug.

“Hahaha, thanks, but they should rather pray to not stumble onto me. I don’t think Miria would take kindly to such characters.”

Miria squinted her eyes and started releasing waves of ferocious killing intent, making everyone around the table flinch a little. She then sucked it in and showed a brilliant smile like nothing had happened. The dwarf audibly gulped the beer he took a sip of in the middle of the sensation.

“Well… we’ll be off then. We have a thing to do in this town. I hope we’ll meet each other someday.” Rudy showed a wry smile.

The party walked out of the building, leaving the duo at the table by themselves. Miria glanced around the hall and turned to Asterios.

“So, what are we going to do now, Master?”

“I’m not sure. We can check the quests first. We can also check the town out if you want. I don’t have a specific plan to follow in mind,” Ast answered while thinking about their options.

“It would be nice to gather some more experience in fighting together, I think.”

“True. We might as well. Let’s find ourselves an inn and come back here to—”

“Apologies my friend. I’ve overheard your conversation. You guys looking for a decent spot to train yourselves?”

A man dressed in what looked like most likely a ranger armour with a cape and even a feathered hat, both in dark green shades, stopped by their table. Judging by the quiver and nice-looking bow on his back, he most likely was one. 

Miria glared at the eavesdropper while Ast looked up at him. “Yeah, that’s the case, Mister…”

“Roalt. I’m a C-rank Sharpshooter. Judging by your plate, you are an E-rank, and the girl… has none, huh. Wouldn’t it be better to register your girlfriend too if you are adventuring together?”

Miria’s eyes widened at the man’s remark and she blushed slightly while dropping her gaze. She quickly realized that it was not the problem here.

“Wait! I’m Master’s familiar in the first place!” she shouted at him.

The man furrowed his brows. “Familiar?”

“I’m Asterios, an E-rank Summoner. And yes, she’s my contracted beast. One that can take a humanoid form for a time.”

“Oh. So that’s why the ears. I see. I understand now. You didn’t want to put a collar on her if she looks like this. Well, anyway, you two are new here, right?” Roalt stroked his chin for a moment while observing Miria and then switched back to the main topic.

“Yes, it’s our first time in this region,” Asterios answered.

“Figured. If you are searching for a nice place to test yourselves and also earn a little, then there's a dungeon not that far from the city. It’s quite an old one so the upper floors aren’t that bad, although no one has reached the core yet.”

“A dungeon, hmmm…” Ast pondered for a moment. “Certainly, that sounds like a good idea.”

“You can learn more about it from the guild employees. The Guild even uses it for some of their promotional exams. Just make sure you prepare properly. It doesn’t matter how easy one might seem.”

“Thanks for the advice. We'll definitely check it out. May the winds always stay in your favour.” Asterios thanked the man with a greeting most rangers and archers often used.

“And in yours too, friend.”

The man saluted casually to his forehead with a smile and left towards wherever he was heading previously.

“Master, what is a dungeon?” Miria asked curiously.

“Hm? You don’t have them in your world?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe we call them differently? Or just there was none where I live.”

Asterios gathered his thoughts for a moment and began his explanation.

“A dungeon is something that is created out of contaminated spiritual essence. They appear in two places, with either being an area of highly condensed corrupted essence. First one is a natural occurrence. As all in nature, contaminated essence exists by itself too. Sometimes, its hubs can start forming deep underground. It often takes long years before it reaches the level required for a dungeon to form.”

Asterios stopped for a moment to take a sip of water and glance if Miria was following. She nodded so he continued.

“But when it happens, the gathered essence crystalizes and forms what we call a dungeon core. It gains partial sentience and becomes aware of its surroundings, starting to use mana to create layers of protection around itself. Years pass and there are tunnels or chambers, filled with monsters born out of the contaminated essence, reaching higher and higher until they get to the surface, making the entrance.”

Miria made a thinking expression. “If it wants to protect itself, why dig up then?”

“Good question. Protection of itself is only one of two things the core wants. Can you guess the other one?” Asterios pointed his hand at her.

Around thirty seconds of silence passed. Miria finally raised her eyes from the table and spoke, uncertain of her answer. “Is it… more essence?”

“Bingo. And where can the core find it?”

“Ummmm… Ah. People?”

“That’s right. As you most likely are aware, every entity should be in possession of two energies - spiritual essence and spiritual energy. We call the latter one mana for convenience. That’s why the core decides to open its gates for people to come in. Whenever mana is spent inside its home, it gains a little bit of spiritual essence by converting the amount of mana that is leaked into the air into it. It’s almost impossible to perform magic with the exact amount of mana the spell requires and some additional bits almost always get released into the air. And when a person loses their life there, their main spiritual essence is all sucked out by the core.”

“I see. It’s pretty much baiting people to explore for it to grow even stronger.” Miria nodded in understanding.

“Yeah. And it doesn’t only use the curiosity fueling the adventurers but also the promise of rewards. While expanding its domain underground, the core naturally stumbles on various minerals and materials, sometimes even on remains of some structures or things. It can convert those into potential items and gold and such. That’s why you have to show the money you find inside to the Guild. They verify its source by checking the essence traces and buy the coins from you for their exact value. Only after that, they can be later reintroduced to the system by the kingdom or other power governing the area where the dungeon has manifested. But, that’s a talk for another time.”

Asterios could see how interested Miria was in hearing his explanations. She was pretty much yearning for more with how excited her eyes were.

“Anyway, back to the topic, I pretty much explained to you what a dungeon is and how it works, but I said in the beginning that there are two cases of it coming to existence. The first was natural and the other one is usually ruins or graves. There’s a reason why abandoned cemeteries are often called surface dungeons. If a lot of people died in some underground structure, at some point in time, it will be filled with contaminated spiritual essence and it will go the same way as I spoke about earlier. Sometimes the core will be influenced by the ‘style’ of the area. And that’s it. Rings any bells?” Asterios finished and looked at Miria.

She energetically nodded her head with a charming smile. “Yes! I don’t know if it works exactly the same, but from the entrance and monster parts, I assume that it’s what we call Monster Domains back at home. I never knew there was so much about them! Master really knows a lot!”

Asterios smiled. “Well, I did a fair deal of studying, you know. In the end, everything is connected to spiritual essence.” He took a sip again. “So, I guess we are going dungeon delving?”

“I’d love to.”

“Great. We have a plan then.” Asterios nodded to himself. Now, they just needed to find an inn for their stay.

“Ummmm…” He noticed Miria staring at him while fidgeting with her fingers a little. “About the collar…”

Ast chuckled and shook his head. He could already see where this was heading.