Is it wrong to try to build a criminal Empire?

chapter 11

"It seemed quite valuable. Do you think it was wise handing it over to him?" Riveria asked Ais.

They were heading to the surface after Ais had faced Udaeus, the monster rex of the 37th floor, and emerged victorious.

Although not unscathed, her clothes and armor were a little worn out, with the right side of her breastplate exposing part of her right breast where the cloth had torn, revealing a small portion.

They were discussing the fate of the drop item from the boss. "It's not like I can use it myself." Ais said, They had handed the item to Bors Elder, the representative of the 18th-floor adventurer town.

As they walked toward the surface, now entering the sixth floor, Riveria said, "After this solo endeavor, I'm sure you'll be satisfied with your next status update," a small smile on her face.

Ais was about to respond when they were both taken aback by the sight of five people lying still.

Some were visibly dead.

"What happened here?" Riveria asked, shocked, what could have happened for these people to fight each others like this?

"Maybe a dispute?" She didn't dwell much on the thought, and quickly moved to the nearest body, a red-haired man, and inspected him for any Fatal wounds.

Ais looked past Riveria to the other bodies. The man in the middle was definitely dead, the blood puddle beneath him and his burnt legs confirming it.

She saw an arm lying there, past it was the white-haired kid she'd saved, along with a dwarf and a pallum-wait. White-haired kid?

Ais moved toward him, wanting to confirm if it was him and, if needed, help him.

She wasn't sure why, but he seemed to hate her.

Approaching closer, Ais looked at the white-haired kid-Bell Cranel, the one she'd saved from the minotaur.

"Ais, let me check him. You check on the dwarf and the pallum," Riveria said as she approached, having finished her inspection on the red-haired man. Ais nodded and moved on to the others.

Riveria eyed Bell Cranel. "Finn seems to be interested in you; no harm in making sure you're not dead," she sighed and checked him for possible injuries.

'No physical injuries. Exhaustion. Mind down,' she concluded. He must have had a fierce battle.

The black-haired human and the dwarf were certainly dead, judging by the amount of blood pooling beneath them-a pity.

"Riveria, the pallum's head is bleeding," Ais calmly called, holding the pallum in her hands.

"Lay her down here; I'll heal her up," Riveria instructed.

A faint green glow of her magic started the healing process on the pallum, mending her injuries.

"She's unconscious, she just need some rest." Riveria confirmed to Ais, who was looking at Cranel with a troubled expression.

"Is something wrong?" Riveria asked, curious.

Ais turned to her. "I think he hates me," she said, gesturing toward Cranel.

Riveria was surprised. "What gives you that impression? Didn't you save him from certain death?" It was true-she had seen how poor of a state he was in.

Ais thought about it for a moment. "I think he wanted to beat all the minotaurs by himself."

So that was it?

Riveria chuckled lightly. "I think you hurt his pride, Ais. He's a man, after all; being saved by a girl must have stung a little."

Ais pondered, then said, "I want to make it up to him," her expression determined.