“What the hell is this? It stinks!”

“Ah, this is decent. I can sell it for some cash.”

“Whoa—women’s lace underwear? Too filthy. Forget it.”

“Damn it, isn’t there anything valuable here?”

“Seriously poor. Does this dungeon drop nothing at all?”

Inside the ogre’s cave, Albel rummaged through what looked like a storeroom behind the chieftain’s throne.

Lucia clasped her hands tightly, still shaken by Albel’s earlier display.

What was that move?

He’d wiped out every enemy with one sword strike—even the twelve-star red-and-green ogres. Not a trace remained, as if they’d never existed.

Why would someone so powerful be on a Shinra family Skyship?

Lucia shuddered at the thought. If that ogre hadn’t shattered the Skyship’s barrier, she might have been killed by him.

He could dodge any attack. His power was terrifying. His skills even had area-of-effect damage. Was this guy cheating?

She should run now.

Lucia glanced at Albel, who ignored her completely, then at Blaze Delight planted three meters away. If she grabbed it and slipped away quietly, the forest cover might hide her.

But what if she met stronger enemies like the ogres? From the Great Disaster Flame’s effect, it barely hurt twelve-star monsters anymore.

Torn between choices, Lucia hesitated. Fleeing risked worse threats in the forest. Staying meant relying on Albel’s mood—if he turned hostile, she’d be helpless.

She bit her lip, recalling their kiss. Her first kiss. Could he have fallen for her?

Sure, she was cute and pretty, but would someone that strong really be charmed so easily?

No, Lucia. Face reality. Albel wouldn’t like a sky pirate who attacked him. He must have other plans.

Ugh. Staying or leaving—both were dangerous.

Watching Albel’s back as he searched, she decided: choosing Albel was safer. At least he was human.

“Ha! Found it! Lucia, come help!”

Albel’s shout cut through her thoughts. He’d discovered something and waved her over.

“Sigh.”

Lucia exhaled. No escape now. She’d have to play it by ear.

“What is it?”

She softened her voice, careful not to anger him.

“I found a hidden room, but it’s heavy. Lift that side.”

Beneath debris, Albel uncovered a basement hatch. He couldn’t budge it alone.

“I’ll count: three, two—huh?”

Albel hooked his fingers under the plank’s edge. Before he finished counting, Lucia lifted her side effortlessly.

“How did you—?”

Albel gaped. Was this girl stronger than him?

“You lifted the wrong side.”

Lucia rolled her eyes, pointing to the handle on her end. The hatch opened from there.

“Stupid design! Ha, hilarious!”

Albel scratched his head, chuckling awkwardly. He kicked the plank to hide his embarrassment. Who’d make such a backwards hatch?

Wait—it wasn’t meant for humans anyway.

“So now?”

Lucia crossed her arms, peering into the dim basement.

“Let’s go down. Might be treasure inside.”

Albel nodded confidently and jumped through the hole.

“B-Be careful!”

Hearing “treasure,” Lucia blushed, remembering her earlier misunderstanding about his intentions.

“Don’t worry. But you care about me?”

Albel landed safely, surprised. Had his heroics charmed her?

“W-Who cares? I just need protection if you die!”

Lucia turned away, arms folded. Her flushed face betrayed her words.

“Wait up here.”

Albel smiled. Her awkward concern felt nice. He felt invigorated.

*Plop!*

He landed in a pool of unknown liquid.

“What the hell is this?!”

Albel leaped out, gagging at the rotting stench. Torchlight revealed a mix of animal innards. He nearly vomited.

“Disgusting luck.”

He shook off the foul sludge, dizzy from the smell. Should’ve stayed up.

But since he was down, he couldn’t leave empty-handed—especially covered in filth.

Grabbing a torch, he scanned the room. More slaughterhouse than storeroom, with dried blood everywhere.

“Nothing valuable. Just covered in crap.”

After circling the basement, Albel found no treasure. He cursed his bad luck.

“Lucia, pull me up!”

No ladder or footholds—he needed her help.

“Okay.”

Lucia’s voice came from above. She hadn’t noticed his state.

“Yah!”

*Thud!*

Albel jumped, grabbing her hand. But she shrieked and let go, dropping him back into the sludge.

“Why’d you let go?!”

He scrambled out, furious. Was she sabotaging him?

“Y-You stink! And your hands are greasy!”

Lucia pinched her nose, frantically shaking her hand.

“I didn’t know about the filthy tub! Hurry, pull me up—I can’t stand this!”

Albel shoved the tub aside, but Lucia didn’t reach down.

“Hey! Did you run off?”

Panic hit him. Was she abandoning him? How would he climb out?

“I’m no coward.”

Lucia’s voice returned. A wooden pole lowered.

“Grab this. I’ll pull you up.”

Albel gripped the pole. With Lucia’s help, he hauled himself out.

“Whoa! Did you fall in a dung pit? You reek!”

Lucia covered her nose, wrinkling her face.

“Like I planned it? And it’s not dung. Can you use water magic? I need a bath.”

Albel glared, stripping off his clothes. He had to wash now.

“I’m fire-attribute. No water magic.”

Lucia shook her head.

“Useless.”

Albel stripped naked in front of her and strode around the cave, searching for water.

“You pervert! Why strip without warning?!”

Lucia covered her eyes, cheeks crimson. But curiosity made her peek through her fingers.

“How else to bathe?”

Albel ignored her, desperate to find water before the stench overwhelmed him.

“When they captured me, I saw a stream outside.”

Lucia pointed, face still red. The river’s sound had woken her when the ogres carried her past.

“Why not say sooner?”

Albel grabbed his clothes and bolted out to wash them.

“Total pervert.”

Lucia dropped her hands, muttering. She moved to reclaim Blaze Delight but spotted a moss-green, patterned stone where Albel had undressed. Curious, she picked it up.

“This looks just like the power source core on the Crimson Flame.”

She turned it over, tilting her head as she murmured to herself.