You are all my wings...

Lyon understood.

He reached out and grabbed Iris's shoulders, looking directly into her eyes.

This move was somewhat unexpected for Iris. She looked at Leon in surprise, thinking that Leon was finally going to reveal his purpose. But having been caught once before, she found that she did not instinctively reject Leon's touch.

Moreover, this time, Iris noticed that Leon's expression was so solemn, unlike the stern figure she had imagined.

"Elise, actually, before we set off today, I did a divination for our exploration. Do you want to know the result?"

"Seeing how serious you are, I'm afraid to ask you anything."

Elizabeth shook her head as if relieved, then nodded and said:

"Tell me, what exactly happened?"

"The divination results tell me that our exploration of the dungeon this time may yield clues related to what you need."

Elizabeth was momentarily stunned, then suddenly realized what was happening and her face showed shock:

"Are you saying that the dungeon where my father met his tragic end is this Alado dungeon?"

"There's a high chance, after all, you witnessed your mother here, which means that after years of investigation without any leads, your mother might be planning to go back to square one, right? Of course, it's also possible that it's to resolve the issue of her failure to become a legend, but I think the former is more likely."

Lyon's divination was, of course, a lie.

However, these reasonable speculations, combined with the plot that Leon knew in his previous life, undoubtedly have a high accuracy rate and are more reliable than ordinary divination.

The reason he brought this up at this time was to pave the way for his future involvement in the Hamra depravity.

At the same time, it also prevents Iris from suspecting something after she obtains the Elemental Ring and turning against her in the future.

After all, as long as the favorability rating cannot reach 100%, it may decrease at any time due to external forces.

Therefore, Leon's principle is that he will never intentionally test human nature.

"Alright, you've convinced me, Leon."

Iris laughed; at least this time Lyon didn't try to plant flowers, and a huge weight was lifted off her shoulders.

"If we actually come across any clues later, I'll really have to think of a way to thank you."

"Then I'll look forward to it."

Lyon had already started a fire, and flames were rising up around their sleeping bags.

“Elise, considering that my physical strength and magic power are not as good as yours, you go to sleep first, I will keep watch for you, and then we will take turns. This way, when I wake up, I will be in good condition, and your damage will not be too great. Let’s go to the 25th floor, no objections?”

No objection.

Iris was equipped with protective gear and wasn't afraid of Leon's nighttime attack. So, right in front of Leon, she took off her leather armor, revealing her bare, close-fitting clothes and beautiful figure.

Her hips, like flower petals, were turned away from Lyon.

Two long, slender, fair arms gripped one side of the sleeping bag.

Then, she crouched down and slipped into her sleeping bag, her movements as quick and delicate as a squirrel climbing a tree, with a touch of elegance.

After a while, the flames began to shrink.

“Elise,” Leon suddenly spoke.

"What? You're already bored with keeping watch?" Iris chuckled, feeling that this kind of dungeon adventure wasn't so bad after all.

"She has a great figure and her movements are very cute."

Iris didn't answer. She paused for a moment, then suddenly turned to the side to avoid being seen by Leon's flushed face.

[Character Iris's affection level +2%, current affection level 68%]

Damn it, why do I feel so happy!

Didn't I temporarily team up with him in the first place to find evidence that he lied to me?

No, Elizabeth, you must stay calm!

I must be wary of the possibility that he is lying to me!

Her flushed face didn't subside even after she fell asleep.

Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Water City

Six hours later.

The fair, luminous face inside the sleeping bag suddenly moved, its long, slender eyelashes trembling slightly.

Iris slowly opened her eyes, her pupils, like emerald jewels, revealing a hint of confusion. She stared at Leon's profile as he sat by the fire for a while, seemingly attracted by his handsome appearance, or perhaps wondering why there was a man beside her.

"By the way, I'm in the underground city, not at home."

She murmured softly, then realized what was happening, and her bewildered face flushed slightly.

After a night's sleep, her memories seemed to return as if they had been reset. Oh no, how come she still remembered that sentence after just one night's sleep?!

"You're awake, Iris?"

"I slept very well and had a good dream. Right now, I feel like I could tear the Minotaur apart with my bare hands."

Iris pretended to have forgotten what Leon had said last night, quickly crawled out of her sleeping bag, and then showed off her arm muscles to Leon with a proud look on her face.

Her beautiful figure and bust curves were quite impressive.

"Then I'll leave the night watch to you."

Leon glanced at it, nodded to himself, and then casually crawled into his sleeping bag.

That calm demeanor made Iris feel frustrated. Damn it, didn't you just say I was cute? Why aren't you saying it anymore?

Iris quickly snapped out of her daze, realizing how strange she had been to care so much about such things. She turned her head to look around, shifting her attention, and asked:

"Were any monsters bothering me while I was asleep?"

“A group of second-tier slimes passed by, but the beast-repelling incense worked, and they didn’t bother us. They were quiet after they passed by.”

"Slime? Come to think of it, there are a lot of slimes here."

"This is the dampest underground city on the continent, so it's normal for Slimedos to be here."

"By the way, I didn't talk in my sleep, did I?" Iris wondered if it was because of Leon's words, but last night she started having many strange dreams that made her feel quite excited and nervous.

"Talking in your sleep?"

Leon paused for a moment, then gave a meaningful look, his gaze sweeping over Iris's body as he occasionally clicked his tongue.

"What's with that look?! I'm the type who never talks in my sleep! Don't try to make up some lies to fool me!"

Just as Iris put on her leather armor, she sensed the ill intent in Leon's eyes and quickly crossed her arms and backed away.

“Elise, stop fooling yourself. You do have dreams.”

"Then tell me, what did I say?"

"It smells so good, so delicious, so sweet! I want to eat more!"

Leon mimicked Iris's speaking style, his tone filled with a longing for food.

It smells so good? It smells so sweet?

When did I eat that stuff?

Although Iris thought it was impossible, there's always something unpredictable in dreams. Maybe she had forgotten? She only felt a surge of heat climb up her neck, cheeks, and ear tips, rushing to the top of her head, as if steam was rising from her brain.

She abruptly turned her head, her face away, forcefully suppressing the unnaturalness in her voice, which seemed to be stuck in place:

"That's enough chit-chat, go to sleep! I'm in a hurry!"

Leon laughed and stopped teasing Iris.

In fact, Iris was not talking in her sleep.

But judging from Iris's state and expression while sleeping, she must have had a wonderful dream of indulging in delicious food.

Therefore, his imitation of sleep talking is not inherently problematic.

I never expected that Iris would be so ashamed in this regard; it was quite unexpected.

Incidentally, Leon didn't stay idle during his six-hour watch either; he was meditating on the magical imagery of intermediate-level fire magic.

Although it is very difficult for a first-level mage to master intermediate magic, it does not prevent Leon from starting to train in advance and striving to reach the level of uncastable magic as soon as he learns it.

……

25 floors.

After a six-hour rest, Lyon was refreshed, and Iris calmed down as if nothing had happened.

The two had now descended to the 25th floor.

The view on this floor is quite different from the previous tiers.

Because this place is filled with many ancient and mysterious buildings, they are clustered together, forming one broken castle after another.

In the center of this shattered castle, a large underground river cascades down from the upper levels, transforming into a super waterfall that flows through ten underground levels, numbering 25-35.

The sound of water has been constant for days, attracting countless water-based monsters to gather here.

At the top of the waterfall, the space is vast and expansive, and the fluorescent moss at the top of the rock face emits a brightness comparable to the twilight outside.

Bathed in a hazy, golden light, the waterfall exudes an even more unique atmosphere.

Therefore, it is hailed as one of the nine most spectacular sights in mainland China.

Spectacular and awe-inspiring.

This is the 25th floor, which is known as the starting point of the Water City.

After walking for a while, the two crossed a passageway and were greeted by a magnificent view that made them forget everything.

"It's really great. Just seeing this legendary water city makes the trip worthwhile."

Lyon couldn't help but sigh at the sight he had never seen in his previous life.

“Our Elven Sanctuary has a much more powerful waterfall, far superior to this one.”

"Really? I can tell from your expression that you quite like this place."

"You're talking nonsense."

"That's not necessarily true, but if you have the chance, Iris, you must take me to see your hometown."

"Hmph! I'm just your teammate, not your mentor," Iris said, still feeling resentful.

"Didn't you say before that you wanted to visit my hometown? Why won't you let me go now?"

“I…” Iris was still struggling with her words and didn’t know how to respond.

Lyon smiled faintly.

As they were talking, their expressions changed slightly, and they immediately switched to a state of alert.

In the distance, a unicorn three and a half meters tall leaped out from the cascading waterfall ahead, carrying a large amount of water vapor, and strode onto the water. It did not sink, but instead galloped across the water.

This unicorn is entirely white with glossy fur that is impervious to water. Magical shimmering patterns of water and clouds emanate from its four hooves, and the sound of rushing water echoes as it runs.

The way it came towards us was truly extraordinary.

However, the surging magical aura and the terrifying expression that seemed to devour people made the two realize that this guy was definitely not someone to be trifled with.

"A powerful Tier 3 monster, the white unicorn, Unnignis!"

Leon whispered the name of the monster.

Iris recognized the monster, and her expression immediately turned serious, forcing her to temporarily put aside her earlier frustration.

Although they might not be unable to handle monsters of this level.

But they've only just entered the 25th floor and haven't even entered the side street area yet.

Moreover, judging from the time frame, it shouldn't be past the time when Kairon and the others cleared out the powerful monsters, right?

Is it because the water city itself is quite special?

If we encounter these kinds of monsters too frequently in the future, we'll have to consider a temporary retreat.

After all, the aura of water-based monsters is too strong in this area, and the number of monsters is definitely more than in other levels.