Chapter 64

In the northwest direction from the capital, there is a temple where a transfer array is installed. Until now, only those deeply involved with the royal family knew about it, but this time, all the explorers will know the location.

The stone temple and its surroundings, located in a dense forest, have been repaired many times over a thousand years, and they still maintain their grandeur and the surrounding environment.

When our seven-person vanguard entered the temple, there was a transfer magic array large enough for a hundred people to transfer at once. It was a single-story structure with a very high ceiling, designed to allow sunlight to enter while protecting from rain, with soft light filtering through.

"I and Verlene, and Master, obtained the effects of our breakfast, but what about the four of you? Should we do it after we get there?"

"Yeah, let's just get some milk for now. Dick, this place is close to the fire dragon's grazing land, isn't it?"

"Yeah, that's true. But I don't think the gathered adventurers will go that far."

Verlene has a magic tool called the "Elf's Hidden Box," which looks like a box-shaped bag but is magically expanded inside, enhancing its storage and preservation capabilities. It is said to be very useful for long journeys in the Elsain Magic Kingdom.

She took out a thermos filled with chilled milk and gave it to everyone who hadn't yet obtained the meal effects. The thermos contains a paste made from "Dif fruits," which, in addition to enhancing combat power through my enchantment magic, also boosts defense. As a bonus, it replenishes nutrients that milk alone cannot provide.

"Hmm, hmm... phew. That's the right way to drink milk, right?"

"My father used to do that after a bath... My mother and I told him to stop, though."

"My father did it too. Milk should be drunk as little as possible, but it strengthens bones, so it's good, right?"

Aileen, Miralca, and Yuma each took two or three sips of milk. While they didn't visibly become stronger, the meal effects were not to be underestimated.

If we knew the enemy's attribute, we could take something to counter it, but we can't just do that randomly. Even without meal effects, we can defend against it with magic, so this much preparation before infiltration is sufficient.

"In terms of preparing for battle, it's better to keep it to a moderate amount."

"Yeah. We have other food prepared, but it's better to wait. We can't afford to break this box, so I can't be in the front line."

"I'll support Verlene and the others, so I'll leave the front line to Cody and Aileen."

The reason I don't call Cody "Cody-chan" is that Master understands why she dresses as a man and respects her feelings. At first, she asked me which name to use, but I recommended calling her by her name. I could see that Cody would look troubled if called "Cody-chan."

Master raised her hand toward the transfer crystal floating above the magic array, preparing to activate it.

"...Well, let's transfer. Be careful, as monsters might attack immediately after we transfer."

"There's supposed to be a guard watching the magic array on the other side. Still, better safe than sorry."

Since the lower levels are connected to the first floor, it's possible that a monster that breathes fire has come up. I cast the "Protective Wall" spell on everyone to reduce the power of breath attacks for a certain period.

"Warm... Dick's defensive magic is so gentle, like being wrapped in a warm embrace."

"Y-Yeah... I do wrap you in magic power, but it's not gentle."

"...Being wrapped in magic power makes me feel uneasy. Dick, you're not taking advantage of this, are you?"

"No, I'm always serious. I don't have any impure thoughts."

Being wrapped in magic power doesn't give the same feeling as being touched, so I answered confidently. Master covered her mouth and laughed. Without mental defense, I don't want her to peek into my thoughts.

"Ah, right, I should also set up mental defense. Individually, you have some resistance, but the worst thing is being confused."

"U-Uh, sorry, Dick. I used to cause you trouble. It's because my brain is made of muscle."

"When Aileen was confused, it was indeed difficult... She was strong and fast, and if Cody wasn't there, we couldn't have controlled her."

"When confused, she couldn't transform into a demon god, so in that sense, we were helped. Still, when we gather like this, we end up recalling many memories."

"I guess I'm the endpoint of those memories. At that time, I was prepared to die, but now, I think living is better than drinking muddy water. In fact, I'm tasting the sweetest nectar every day."

Verlene sent me a sidelong glance, so I defended myself with my hand. The "sweetest nectar" is a phrase that sometimes comes up when Verlene and I clean up after a store, apparently a pick-up line. It's used like "Drinking with my master is the sweetest nectar for me."

"The 'Dungeon' is just a cave to me. If monsters are in control, I'll show who truly has the right to rule."

Verlene's words, coming from a former Demon King, were convincing. We nodded at each other, and Master activated the transfer crystal. Several pillars of light rose from the magic array, and the scenery outside the array changed.

◆◇◆

We arrived under a hemispherical roof supported by arched stone pillars. The size of the magic array remained the same, and when the light subsided, the surroundings became quite dim.

Several candle stands with magical fire were placed outside the magic array. As our eyes adjusted, we could see that the cave walls emitted a faint light, so it wasn't complete darkness away from the candle stands.

"Wait a moment. You're the guard for the magic array. What are you doing there?"

Outside the magic array, near a candle stand, a man was crouched, holding his head and trembling. He didn't respond to Miralca's question for a while.

"Pull yourself together. We'll help you, so tell us what happened."

"Verlene, bring out the 'Droplet of Tranquility.'"

I gave the man a drink with a reviving effect that Verlene brought over. His vacant eyes regained their light, and when he saw us, his face changed as if he had seen a savior.

"M-My comrades... I was patrolling to defend the magic array on this first floor when a terrifying roar came from the hole leading to the lower levels... M-My comrades, they were too slow to escape..."

"Is this from a little while ago? Did a powerful monster appear?"

The man nodded, trembling. Our worst fears were confirmed—maintaining this magic array for a thousand years was a miracle.

It seems that a monster from the deeper levels has come up. His comrades encountered it and were attacked.

"Hurry, we need to act quickly. I hope they managed to escape...!"

I cast "Agility Enhancement" on everyone. Aileen carried Miralca, and I carried Yuma as we started moving. Mages and priests are carried by those with higher physical abilities until they enter the combat zone, just as we did in the past. Verlene and Master followed behind, but they can move at an SSS rank speed on their own.

As we moved, we were silent. The first level was a cave with exposed rock walls. There were decayed weapons and bones of monsters scattered around, and we could sense the presence of weaker monsters. However, they were too frightened to do anything, probably fearing being preyed upon by deeper-level monsters.

Then, we saw a massive, red-glowing mass far ahead.

The red color was fire, and the black, giant shadow floating within it was a lion with dragon wings, towering over us.

A Dragon Chimera. According to the map we were shown, it was on the 50th floor. However, its appearance was completely different from the one depicted. Its body had turned black-brown, with sharp horns protruding from its shoulders, and its muscles were bulging—clearly a mutated individual.

A thousand years of neglect had created this monster. I linked my thoughts with everyone through magic and relayed the strategy. Without a word, everyone began to coordinate—when SSS rank adventurers work together, there's nothing they can't defeat.

The Dragon Chimera noticed us and, instead of trying to intimidate us, immediately launched a lethal attack. The fire enveloping its body swelled and was released as a scorching pillar of flame.

Even though I had already set up a protective wall, I didn't want to take it head-on. I synchronized my will with Master, and we worked together to contain the scorching heat with a wide protective wall.

—Quadruple Barrier—

With the two of us at SSS rank, it was easy to push back. The Dragon Chimera was hit by the rebounded flames but roared and tried to charge at us.

Cody took on the role of restraining it. While setting up the protective wall, she summoned her sword spirit, Ragnar, and before it materialized into a sword, she transformed it into countless light projectiles and fired them at the enemy's massive body.

—Light Sword: Curtain of Light Projectiles—

To block the enemy's advance or seal its attacks, it's called a "curtain," but the best defense is a strong offense. The Dragon Chimera hesitated for a moment before charging—its forehead, eyes, chest, and shoulders, which are weak points, were pierced, and it spewed black blood, but its eyes still glowed, and it tried to charge while thrashing.

It had survived for over three seconds after receiving SSS rank attacks. The reason it didn't die even after being shot in the heart was its extraordinary regeneration speed. The wounds closed immediately after Cody shot them.

"Answer my call, Earth Spirit!"

"Thank you, Verlene! Haaa... 'Asura Slash Moon Kick'!"

But even a moment's delay was enough. Verlene used earth spirit magic to create a massive pillar of earth, and Aileen ran up it, using it as a platform to fly. She kicked a rock hanging from the cave ceiling, cutting it off and making it fall on the Dragon Chimera.

The rock, equal in size to the Dragon Chimera, fell on it, but even then, it tried to burst out of the ground, releasing its fire magic to destroy the rock and fly up—until.

"It's complete. This is the end...!"

—'Limited Annihilation Type 92: Contraction and Annihilation Array'—

Miralca's magic array spread around the Dragon Chimera in a 'spherical' shape. As her magic flowed through it, the Dragon Chimera's movements stopped, and the array slowly shrank.

When Miralca brought her hands together, the Dragon Chimera was compressed and disappeared forever. While it took time to deploy, it was a spell with tremendous power.

"Lost souls... Gather to me. The forgiveness of the gods will guide you to the promised land."

The Dragon Chimera's body disappeared, but countless spheres of light emerged and floated aimlessly. They all gathered around Yuma and were purified and disappeared. However, one particularly large sphere of light changed shape.

Master picked up the object that fell at Yuma's feet. It was a red, round gem.

"This is... a Soul Gem. The soul of the long-lived Dragon Chimera has transformed."

"Is this a mana crystal...?"

"Yes, it can be used that way. I've never seen such a large gem... It might be the first time in my life."

The other souls could be from the dungeon's monsters or the people who were sacrificed.

Facing that monster, survival was hopeless—so we thought. But a miracle happened.

"Master, there are survivors with severe injuries! Please use healing magic!"

They could have been killed immediately after being found, but they were safe. Two people, a man and a woman, were lying in a hidden spot, with the man shielding the woman and suffering severe burns on his back.

Both were unconscious, but the man was in a dangerous condition. I and Master used the highest-level healing magic, 'Light of Regeneration,' to treat his horrific burns.

◆◇◆

After the treatment, we returned to the transfer magic array. The man, who had been trembling in fear, repeatedly thanked us when he learned that his two comrades were saved.

The guard had A-rank capabilities and was on duty in shifts of three. When the Dragon Chimera appeared at the entrance to the second level, they said they were prepared for the kingdom to fall.

It was far too understaffed. Considering the danger of the dungeon, more forces should have been deployed—King, I want to complain, even if it's disrespectful.

"Indeed, it was already at its limit. If the magic array had been destroyed, it would have been very difficult to enter."

"I'm sorry... But until the monster appeared, we managed to continue our duties. Other monsters were just goblins, and we wouldn't lose if we didn't let our guard down."

"Still, there are too few of you. I understand the need for secrecy, but don't push yourselves. Oh, are you going to clear the dungeon this time?"

Aileen said it casually. The three guards looked at her in disbelief—then Cody revealed that they were part of the Demon King's slaying team, and they were greatly moved, their eyes shining.

Verlene, the former Demon King, said, "I was the one to be slain," in a voice so low it was almost inaudible. She took out a cloth from the Elf's Hidden Box and laid it on the ground, then had the three exhausted guards sit on it and provided them with food and drinks. The sight of sandwiches with meat and vegetables made their stomachs growl. They probably didn't have the time to eat.

"It was a short but intense battle. While we wait for the others to arrive, take a rest. I'd like to say we didn't expend any energy, but we have a long way to go."

Everyone took drinks from Verlene and refreshed their throats. The role of the meal provider was a joke, but she fulfilled it perfectly. Her maid-like behavior was a comfort in the harsh dungeon—smiles, albeit weak, appeared on the faces of the three guards.

If we hadn't come first, there would have been unnecessary deaths. The information about the dungeon is not the same as it was a thousand years ago, so anything could be waiting for us.

It would be good if the Dragon Chimera had reduced the number of other monsters before coming to the first level. While thinking about this, I also took a sandwich, talked with everyone, and took a short rest.