Rache-san’s eyebrows arched in anger at Masso-san’s overbearing attitude. The air crackled with tension as the two A-rank adventurers glared each other down. A single move from either side would have surely ignited a violent clash.
"Oh ho, what’s this nya~? What kind of muscle blockhead picks a fight with me nya~?"
"I won't be swayed by your flattery, even if you call me a 'muscle blockhead.'"
"I wasn't flattering you nya! Our values are so far apart it’s a waste of breath nya."
Rache-san recoiled, taken aback by his unexpected reaction.
Apparently, to someone like Masso-san, "muscle blockhead" was a term of endearment. Rache-san, who had intended it as a mockery, seemed to have the wind taken out of her sails by his earnest response.
Thankfully, the move broke the suffocating pressure just enough for me to finally speak up.
"Masso-san, what exactly is on your mind? You know something about the key, don't you?"
"...Hmm."
At my question, Masso-san stroked his chin, lost in thought. After fixing each of us with an observant, scrutinizing gaze, he gave a slow, firm nod as if reaching a decision.
"When you found that key, did any of you hear a mysterious voice?"
"I heard it nya! It was the voice of that fraudster nya!"
"A fraudster...? Well, that's likely the one. But of all people, for it to be Rache..."
Masso-san clearly knew about Garnalava's voice. The grimace on his face suggested he was worried about the possibility of her being possessed. Among our group, Rache-san would definitely be the most dangerous person to have as an enemy—at least in a fight.
"Um... I don't think Rache-san is under its influence. Probably..."
"It certainly appears that way... but what makes you so sure?"
"Well, you see—"
Masso-san definitely had information of his own. I decided it was best to share what we knew. First, I reintroduced our group properly. I made sure to mention our connection to the Destiny God. If Garnalava was pulling the strings, it was better to be transparent about our background.
"What did you say nya!? Then the part about this guy being a Holy Beast was actually true nya...?"
"Waf! Waf-waf!"
"Even if you say that, he’s a Horn Dog no matter how you look at him nya! Normally, a Holy Beast would look way cooler than this nya!"
When I explained that Halfa was the Maiden of the Destiny God, Rache-san let out a shout of pure shock.
Wait, I hadn't even mentioned Shiroru being a Holy Beast yet...
Or rather, were they actually holding a conversation!?
Shiroru and I can communicate through the Bracelet of Bonds, but that only works for things she specifically intends to tell me. If she’s just barking "waf-waf," I don't know what she’s saying unless she consciously projects it. And yet, somehow, Rache-san was following along perfectly.
The answer was quite a surprise. Apparently, the blessing Rache-san had received from her Job God was the Divine Protection of the Tamer. A skill unique to Tamers called Tamer's Heart allows the user to vaguely sense their companion's feelings. At high levels, it supposedly allows for near-perfect communication. Rache-san had clearly mastered it.
『Hmph. To think she understood me all along but didn't believe I was a Holy Beast!』
Shiroru complained that she had been insisting she was a Holy Beast every time she was called a Horn Dog. Since Rache-san had been brushing her off as "making no sense," Shiroru hadn't realized the communication was actually going through. She was still grumbling and pouting... but honestly, I couldn't blame Rache-san. The only thing remotely "Holy Beast-like" about Shiroru was her Thought Transmission. To someone who could communicate without it, she probably just seemed like a talkative, ordinary monster.
Steering the conversation back on track, I finished explaining Rache-san's recent situation.
"I see. So that 'Song of Soothing' is what brought her back to her senses."
"Was that it nya? I had no idea that song had such a deep meaning nya."
Masso-san seemed satisfied with the explanation for now.
"So, Masso-san, what's your connection to the key?"
"Umu. To tell the truth, several members of the Warrior Group also came into possession of similar keys."
"Really!?"
"Yes. However, they became obsessed, as if the keys themselves were haunting them. Their behavior grew erratic, and eventually, they vanished. The common thread is that they were all seen exploring this specific floor before they disappeared."
It turned out the executives of the Warrior Group, Masso-san included, had been using their training sessions as a cover to watch over the Tenth Floor for clues about their missing comrades. When we showed up carrying a key, they had been on high alert. If we had been possessed, they were fully prepared to restrain us by force for our own good.
"Do you know anything about Godfee-san?"
"The former Guild Master? I had my suspicions about his disappearance as well... but I found no evidence."
"I see..."
I took the opportunity to tell them about the incident in Garond involving the man we believed to be Godfee. Since I hadn't had concrete proof until now, I hadn't properly told Rache-san either. She looked absolutely horrified.
"Which means I was only one step away from ending up like that nya! Phew... Halfa, you really saved me. Thank you nya!"
"Hehe, you're very welcome!"
Halfa gave a radiant smile as Rache-san bowed her head in gratitude.
In all honesty, without the Song of Soothing, there was no telling what would have happened. Rache-san had been fighting the voice, but if the speaker was truly Garnalava, then she was up against a god—evil or not. Resisting that kind of power forever would have been an impossible task.
Now that we had pooled our information, it was time to decide our next move.
"We might finally find a lead on my missing men. I’d like to come with you."
Masso-san requested to join the party.
Thinking back on Godfee, I doubted the people who had disappeared before him had managed to keep their sanity. I wasn't even sure if the Song of Soothing would work on someone whose heart had been completely hollowed out by the voice. Even so, I could tell Masso-san wasn't willing to give up on even the slimmest hope.
I understood his motivation, and his combat prowess was undeniable. Lowell’s face twitched slightly at the prospect of more "muscle," but with no objections from the rest of the group, Masso-san officially joined our ranks.