A shrimpy’s serious effort!
We have continued searching the Cold Ruins, but there was no sign of Pochi. Finally, Rinka made a proposal.
"In that case, let's gather everyone! It's time for a full-scale sweep!"
The pint-sized self-proclaimed detective Rinka maximized her enhanced intelligence to devise a strategy. Her extraordinary memory for things she found interesting allowed her to grasp the Cold Ruins’ layout entirely, including traps and hidden rooms. Using the Cold Ruins map created by Rinka, we—meaning myself, the Wolfanea Commander, and Rosarinjas detection abilities—divided the search areas effectively.
"... How does your brain even work, Rinka? This is your first time at the Cold Ruins, right?"
"It's what you call a divine knowledge cheat!"
While Jend still seemed unconvinced, he didn’t push further.
In truth, it was a map straight out of a game created by Shiva, so calling it a knowledge cheat wasn’t entirely wrong. Still, memorizing the map in its entirety was beyond ordinary. Half the credit—or blame—went to Shiva, but the other half was Rinka just being her usual, eccentric self.
Without Geraldin-san, we commenced the sweeping operation.
The result? We reached the boss room on the 30th underground floor.
We had searched every floor, but there was no Pochi. This was the only place left. Could it be that Pochi was triumphantly conquering everything solo? Pochi, who was supposed to be a lonely Pochi… What exactly happened to him? Did he gain strength and become a mighty warrior? No way—that’s not Pochi. Pochi is Pochi.
With everyone except Geraldin-san, we entered the boss room, feeling tense... only to be greeted by—
"Huh?"
A surprising absence. No boss.
Wait, is it even possible for the boss to be out? What!? This is my first time experiencing something like this!
The boss room was completely empty. What now? What do we do? Normally, after winning a boss battle, we’d be teleported to the entrance automatically. To prepare for that, Jash, who rushed over after finishing urgent tasks, and Rinka, along with Lavita (who finally escaped thanks to a barrier sandwich), were waiting at the entrance. But there was no word from their end either.
"Ah, Pochi might have been favored by the Dungeon Master. Maybe he got invited to their private quarters."
"Excuse me?"
Geraldin-san, who had arrived later, said that casually. Then, as if it were his own home, he opened a hidden room that even Rinka didn’t know about.
Inside was an unexpectedly beautiful place.
Soft light illuminated sparkling treasures. Multicolored spheres of light...
And a heart shimmering in rainbow hues. There was a twin-headed Crystal Griffin, and Pochi sketching it. Around them, four figures were running about.
"Rosaaariiin!"
"Wahaha!!"
"”Kyaaahahaha!!"”
There was a muscular lady bursting with energy, with a face resembling mine, a very familiar boisterous muscleman, and two incredibly familiar adorable angelic twins.
"Oh, it’s me!"
"Oh, it’s me!"
"Whoa… You’re identical. It’s almost impossible to tell who’s who."
Seeing them side by side, the resemblance between Geraldin-san’s hustle-muscled duplicates became even more apparent.
Wait. Which one was the real Geraldin-san? This is bad. I genuinely can’t tell them apart!
"”Wahahaha!!"”
Seriously, I have no idea! Wait, which one is real? Huh???
While I was confused, Dirk’s expression shifted…
"Rosarin—my wife is way cuter and more beautiful than that! She’s not so overly muscular!!"
"What!? That’s what you’re focusing on!?"
Honestly, I feel like this is such a non-issue that I don’t care anymore.
"That’s right! Rosary is much more elegant, refined, and beautiful! You lack her kind of dignity!"
"What!? Shouldn’t that part matter more!?"
"... Give it up. Milfi won’t stop once she gets like this."
Cider-kun seemed to have reached some kind of enlightenment. What happened!?
"You! Apologize for insulting Rosary!"
An unexpected demand for an apology. The impostor, likely created by the strength-enhancing Tsuyoshi gifted to Pochi, bowed its head with a sullen expression.
"Rosariiin…"
For some reason, it seemed that my lookalike could only say my name. Bowing its head apologetically, it seemed surprisingly earnest.
"Well, as long as you understand."
Wait, what exactly!?
"... Rosarin really is Rosarin, huh."
Dirk, though I wasn’t sure why, seemed satisfied. But what exactly did you figure out in that exchange!?
"Pochi, are you hurt?"
"Pochi, we were worried!"
"Pochi, sorry about our old dumb man!"
"Are you safe...?"
"... Thank goodness (sniffle)."
"....................."
Yet the main subject of all this, Pochi, was utterly absorbed in drawing.
"Excuse me, could you pose as if roaring?"
"Oh, like this?"
"Yes, perfect! You’re magnificent—so beautiful and cool!"
With a bright smile at the Crystal Griffin he seemed to view as the boss, Pochi resumed drawing.
"Meow… Pochi’s in full concentration mode, nya."
"Carefree as ever... That’s so Pochi."
Despite Mary and Ernst’s chatter, Pochi didn’t seem to hear them and kept drawing intently.
"Now, raise your wings. Both of them! Oh, how wonderful!"
It seemed the griffin had different attributes for each side. When it raised its wings, embers danced on the right, and icy particles swirled on the left—a truly stunning sight.
"Ah… so breathtaking! Thank you for modeling!"
"Y-yes…"
Despite Pochi’s unceasing focus, the griffin didn’t seem to mind. In fact, it looked quite pleased—its expression even smug. Being praised must’ve felt pretty good.
But seriously, someone needs to explain how this all happened.
How did it come to this!?
What do you think about this chapter?
