Chapter 15

No Life King.

It is the most heinous threat in this world.

The undead, who defy the laws of nature and reanimate after death, with the No Life King reigning supreme among them.

A great wizard or high priest, possessing great magical power and intelligence even in life, transforms themselves into an undead and becomes eternal.

The tenacity unique to the undead. The magical power to transform oneself into an undead.

In addition, the accumulation of knowledge over a long period of time, which far surpasses that of mere humans.

The No Life King, the king of the undead, is a conglomeration of all these various troubles.

The only beings that can match its strength are dragons.

Encountering a dragon or the No Life King in this world meant certain death.

* * *

...That was the explanation Plat gave me about the No Life King.

Such a dangerous being had made its lair in this dungeon.

Stepping into the deepest level of the dungeon, where the No Life King awaits, is, of course, extremely dangerous.

No, once you step in, you are guaranteed to die, making the danger irrelevant.

Even if you try to run, you can't.

After all, this is deep within the dungeon, the No Life King's stronghold.

With its abilities and intelligence far surpassing those of humans, there is no way to escape once it targets you.

All we can do is face it head-on.

That is the only possibility of surviving, however slim.

So we fought with all our might.

And we won.

* * *

“Why did we win!?”

We were more surprised than anyone else!!

We defeated the most heinous threat in this world quite easily!!

How did this happen?

‘It’s because of the sword you wield, my lord.’

The defeated No Life King raised both hands in a ‘surrender’ pose.

Though I had slashed it to pieces, it was originally a zombie, and it seemed to be in pretty bad shape even before our battle.

More importantly...

“Huh? The sword?”

Is it the sword I picked up in the dungeon?

It was my main weapon in the battle against the No Life King.

‘Why are you surprised? To defeat the king of the undead, you must have brought a holy sword, right?’

“Holy sword!? This one!?”

No, no, no!

It’s just something I found!?

I picked it up near the entrance! Is a holy sword just lying around like that!?

‘Hmm...? Wait a moment.’

The No Life King turned and retreated to the back of the room, rummaging through the clutter.

‘As I thought, it’s gone.’

“What’s gone?”

‘The holy sword I once possessed. I recognized it because it must have found its true master and come to you.’

Huh?

‘A holy sword has its own will. It chooses its master to fight the righteous battle. You have been chosen by the holy sword.’

With that, the king of the undead knelt before me.

‘Now that the holy sword has found its master, my role in this world is over. Please, end my existence with that sword. My body, cursed by undeath, can be purified by the light of the holy sword.’

“Even if you say that...!”

I didn’t know what to do.

I turned to Plat behind me, seeking help, but she shook her head, indicating it was beyond her.

I had to make the decision myself.

But this No Life King (??). When we faced each other, he seemed like a reasonable person.

I didn’t want to kill needlessly. Well, he’s already dead, but...

“Ah... I’m probably not the true master of this holy sword.”

‘What?’

“I came from another world and received a power from a god...”

I briefly explained that with this power, I could become an expert in anything I held.

“...So, I think I’m just using this holy sword through the power of the gift. I’m not its true master. I’m sorry for taking it without permission. Here, I’ll return it.”

I offered the holy sword.

But the No Life King’s reaction was extraordinary.

‘I see, summoned by the hero summoning magic...! However, such an exceptional ability is no longer just a skill...! It must be a gift from the gods!’

He started speaking in a more formal manner.

‘A summoner who receives a gift from the gods is no longer just a hero. ...A saint. You are a saint, my lord!!’

“Some kind of rank-up!?”

‘Oh, my saint...! I apologize for my rudeness, though I was unaware! To have you visit such a place is an honor...! I will offer you the highest hospitality...!!’

The king of the undead prostrated himself before me.

What is happening?

I, and Plat who accompanied me, were completely taken aback.