Chapter 84

Update ('ω')

"What does that mean?"

"I don't understand it either. But at that time... my 'Samurai' part definitely transmitted the sensation of cutting someone."

I'm not doubting Marina, but walls and floors are obviously not human. It would be more natural to think that some element caused Marina to misidentify them.

...But.

Unfavorable speculations keep popping up in my head, and I can't shake them off. If we believe the words of that old man Rogue, everyone seems to be in the desolate 'Glad See-Im.'

Who does he mean by 'everyone'?

Those monsters?

The people who have settled there, like the children we rescued?

Or...

The more I think about it, the worse the premonitions and terrifying conclusions become. But I can't voice them. If I, as the leader, say them, it might cause everyone great anxiety and bias. I need to organize the information and examine each possibility one by one.

"Should we cut around here and check again?"

I pointed at the wall and asked, but Marina shook her head in response.

"No. I already tried in the next room... but I couldn't tell. I think it's because my 'Samurai' part is still immature. It seems I can only feel it when there's an exchange of life."

I gently patted Marina's head, which was drooping. Her 'Samurai' abilities are still new, but everyone knows how good Marina's senses are. I don't think she's lying, and at least the common point that she felt the sensation of cutting someone from the strange monsters we've encountered in this dungeon is significant information.

"Sorry... I said something weird."

"No, thank you for telling me, Marina."

I patted her head again. Her fluffy hair feels as good as ever.

"Let's take a break and then head to the castle as planned. We'll check inside a bit and then withdraw."

"That's right. This dungeon feels a bit off. The spirits also have a strange presence..."

"Strange?"

Silk nodded at my words.

"The spirits are here. The spirits of the four elements are here, and the balance is not bad except for the monsters. But..."

"But?"

"There's a subtle miscommunication. It's like talking to someone who doesn't understand your language, using gestures, or the responses don't match the intent."

Communicating with spirits is usually very difficult. If you have a special innate sense like elves, it's different, but human spirit users are very rare. Their values, existence, and concepts are different from living beings. Spirits are part of the world, willful nature, and spirit users ask them to lend their magic to create magical phenomena. This is quite the opposite of magicians who rewrite the world's structure and common sense with magic and logic.

It's odd that Silk, a spirit user, can't communicate well with the spirits that govern the world.

"They do lend their power. But it's like speaking a foreign language I'm not used to."

"Because it's a dungeon?"

"No, even in a dungeon, the spirits are just more segregated. This is—"

Silk suddenly looked startled.

"What's wrong?"

"If I had to say... it might be close to the 'Gray Field.'"

Hearing that, not just me but everyone tensed up. That place has a strong traumatic feel, especially for me.

"But, maybe I understand."

Rain nodded and closed her eyes in thought.

"This dungeon is also, magic-wise, different. The air is different from where we usually are."

"I can feel that too, somehow."

Maybe because of the blessing of the 'Pale Lich King,' I can feel the distorted consistency of this world, just like Silk. But I can't see the core. The essence of this terrifying sense of wrongness.

I have a conviction that 'we'll understand if we go further,' but I also strongly feel that I don't want to delve deeper. In any case, this 'Glad See-Im' dungeon doesn't seem to be a treasure trove that tickles the adventurer's heart like other discovered dungeons. All that's here are beautifully yet somewhat desolate streets and the indescribable forms of monsters.

"All I can say is that it's creepy. My ex-thief instincts are telling me to retreat!"

"Right. But it's a job. Let's go."

◇

With Nene leading the way as a scout, we cautiously advance down the main street.

"That's a big castle."

The castle in front of us was grand and large. It was a sturdy and beautiful structure, suitable for both administrative and defensive purposes.

"Is the inside the main dungeon?"

"According to the usual theory, yes..."

As we gradually approach the castle, I look up and mock the theory in this 'Glad See-Im,' where the theory doesn't seem to apply. As a supporter, I have accumulated a fair amount of experience. Five years is enough to move from a novice to a mid-level adventurer, and I am proud of the knowledge and experience I have gained.

But, still.

I feel somewhat anxious that such experience is almost useless in the current situation. The danger of this investigation quest is abnormal. As a supporter and leader, I am worried if I can protect the party... these girls.

"Yuk, over there...!"

Nene, who seems to have noticed something, points to the area near the castle gate. Squinting, I can see it too. Something black is standing there, as if waiting for us.

"Rogue...!"

A black robe with a veil hiding the face, a protruding nose, a low back, and a cane to support the body. The old man we met when we first came here stands in front of the castle gate.

How was it? ('ω')

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