After Defeating the Demon King: The Enchanted Depths Below - Three Mismatched Perspectives——The Tragedy of Trap Destruction and Missing Retorts

Morning came to the Silent Garden. Crystal light bloomed pale. Reiwin Arceide opened his eyes. Stared at the ceiling. Stone ceiling. Light grew slowly. Brighter. The Abyss layer crystals shifted. Like counting time. (Yesterday. Was it real?) Rose from bed. Body felt light. No injuries. The holy sword's glow had healed him. All night. Scanned the simple room. Stone walls. Small window. Mana-lit lamp. Once belonged to the Demon King's aide. Now it was Reiwin's. Opened the door. Stepped into the hallway. Headed for the great hall. Center of the Silent Garden. High ceiling. Natural spring flowed quietly. Around it—Luna and Leia waited. "Good morning!" Leia called. Leia jumped up. Flame fox-girl. Tail stood straight. Full of energy today too. "Morning," Reiwin replied. Luna said nothing. Just pointed at the table. Simple breakfast. Mana-preserved rations and water. Standard wartime food. "Eat. Prepare for exploration ahead," Luna said. Cold voice. But her words held care. Reiwin sat. Started eating. After breakfast, Reiwin spoke. "We need to find a way out," he said. Luna stopped moving. Icy eyes fixed on him. "Reckless action is useless. The Abyss layer structure is complex. Finding an exit requires minimum weeks of investigation," Luna said. Analytical. Completely logical. Probably right. But— "Adventure! I want to explore with Reiwin!" Leia raised her hand. Eyes gleamed. Luna's eyes narrowed. Just for a moment. "You always move on emotion alone. No planning. Dangerous," Luna said. "But it's boring!" Leia insisted. Reiwin watched them exchange words. (Interesting.) These two. Complete opposites. Luna cautious and cold. Leia free and innocent. "Let's investigate the surroundings first. Then decide next steps," Reiwin suggested. Luna started to speak. Then stopped. Reluctant agreement. — Deep in the old Demon King's sector. Complex magic circles covered the floor. Red-black color. Stagnant mana. Traps. Multiple ones. Luna stepped forward. Observed the floor intently. "Triple-layered trap. Impact-sensitive on ground. Pressure-sensitive above. Combined with mana-detection. Careful disarming required," Luna explained. Fingers hovered over the circle. Ice patterns floated. "Complex," Reiwin said. Reiwin stared at the holy sword. (Annoying.) "Wait. Watch carefully," Reiwin said. Drew the holy sword. Light flashed. Silver blade. Gold mana runes. "What are you—" Luna shouted. Too late. Reiwin swung the blade at the entire floor. BOOM!!! Explosion. Magic circle detonated instantly. Light scattered. Flames danced. Shockwave shook everything. Something crumbled. Stone shattered. Dust swirled. Smoke cleared. A huge hole opened in the floor. Beyond it—a new passage. "Amazing! Reiwin is so strong!" Leia clapped innocently. Luna's expression froze. "...Are you genuinely stupid?" Luna's voice was quiet. But despair ran deep beneath. "The result is what matters," Reiwin shrugged. "Come with us, Luna!" Leia grabbed her hand. "...Fine," Luna sighed deeply. "Why am I with these people..." Luna muttered to no one. — Deeper still. Mana concentration rose noticeably. Air grew heavy. Each breath felt like something entering deep inside. Leia began to stumble. "Can't... breathe..." Her voice weakened. Golden eyes clouded slightly. Reiwin supported her. Their arms touched. Her body was slightly warm. "Your mana adaptation is low. I'll create a barrier," Luna said calmly. Raised her hand. Ice patterns wrapped around Leia. Crystalline mana blocked surrounding mana. "...Better," Leia's voice regained life. "Luna, thank you!" Leia turned back. Beaming smile. Luna said nothing. But her cheeks flushed red. Just for a moment. "It's... just practical judgment," Luna turned away. Reiwin watched. (She's actually kind.) Reiwin smiled slightly. "You're actually kind," he said. "Don't misunderstand. Logical judgment. We share this space. One person unable to move reduces group efficiency. I prevented that," Luna insisted. Her cheeks were clearly red. Leia giggled. "Luna's blushing?" she teased. "I'm not!" Luna denied immediately. Heat crept into her voice. Reiwin watched their exchange. Felt strange nostalgia. (What is this feeling?) Did he once have days like this? He wondered. — They returned to the Silent Garden after sunset. Ceiling crystals glowed pale. Moonlit light. Luna sat alone in the great hall. Magic book open. But her eyes didn't focus on it. Stared into space. (What are those two?) She whispered internally. During her time as the Demon King's aide. Surrounded by power-seekers. Ambition. Desire. Killing intent. Only those filled the air. But these two were different. Leia was innocent. No calculation. Reiwin seemed bored. But something else lay beneath. (It's been so long. This... liveliness.) Luna took a deep breath. (What am I thinking?) But deep in her heart, she felt something warming. She knew it. Meanwhile, in another corner— Leia spoke to Reiwin. "Luna's actually really kind. Just not honest," she said. "I'm starting to understand," Reiwin answered quietly. "You're not just innocent either. You care about your friends," Reiwin said, looking at her. Leia wagged her tail happily. "Hehe, I got praised," she said. Her smile was truly innocent. The distance between the three shortened. Just slightly. The Abyss layer crystals glowed blue-white.

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Episode 3

Name: After Defeating the Demon King: The Enchanted Depths Below
Author: Novelia

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