Chapter 137
The Celestial Dragon’s waves race through the dungeon middle layers.
The first area is breached, and they are now in the second area.
Many of the floors are experimentally maintained in a pseudo-environment.
Forests, volcanoes, snowy mountains, wetlands—there’s a variety of terrains.
Monsters from the Yuguru Great Forest and other places live here under normal circumstances.
Well, right now, it’s an emergency, so they’re taking refuge somewhere else.
The first place the rushing water reaches is the volcanic area.
The heat is so intense it’s causing the display through the monitors to distort.
It’s a volcanic area crafted using fire elemental magic stones gathered from the depths, designed by Tres, Feru, and Robun.
Balancing the circulation route of heat and magical power was quite a struggle.
But, thanks to that, it’s a work they’re quite proud of… or at least, it was.
The sound of rushing water fills the air as the volcanic area is gradually extinguished.
Sizzle…. Sizzle…
Due to the Celestial Dragon’s water, steam explosions occur, causing white smoke to rise everywhere.
With the endless flow of water, the flames that should reignite are quickly suppressed, turning everything into a black rocky landscape.
The painstakingly crafted volcanic area is now just a field of rocks.
Lava golems, which should have had their moment, are being absorbed back into the dungeon’s magical essence.
It’s a feeling of indescribable emptiness.
This is brutal.
『―――Report. The magical power circulation route in the volcanic area is malfunctioning. We cannot maintain the environment』
Gijie reports ruthlessly.
The much-awaited volcanic area is ruined.
It was destroyed on its first unveiling.
Damn that Celestial Dragon…
For a moment, I consider confronting it directly after tasting a bit of the white powder.
It’s infuriating.
It’s the most I’ve been irked since the incident with Wald.
Using water as a form of attack is such a nuisance.
It’s not fair that the water can’t be drained.
Even if Gijie sets up a teleportation gate in the water’s path, the water avoids it entirely.
But, there’s something we’ve realized.
Once the water pass through the teleportation gate, it is released from the Celestial Dragon’s control.
Well, it’s more accurate to say it returns to being regular water.
The moment the Celestial Dragon entered the middle layer of the dungeon, the magic in the water in the surface dungeon disappeared, allowing it to be drained.
So, the amount of water the Celestial Dragon can control is limited to a single area.
But it’s unclear how much water that is.
We don’t know the extent of the Celestial Dragon’s magical power.
Considering the analysis results from the surface and the first middle layer, I think it’s probably less than mine, but…
「The depth of its magical power is unfathomable… The ‘core’ or rather, its main body seems to be fluidly moving within the water」
Elibel remarks as she operates her terminal.
In a corner, a teleportation gate shines brightly, and several skeletons emerge from it.
With the rattling of bones, they hold leather bags and silently hand them to Elibel.
「Thanks.」
The skeletons seem to humbly reply, “No biggie.”
Elibel pours the content of the bag into a cup she pulled out of nowhere.
Or maybe it’s more like a test tube.
It’s filled with water.
『…Wait, is this the Celestial Dragon’s water?』
「Yes, it’s the water left on the surface and the first middle layer. Gijie is analyzing it, but I wanted to examine the actual thing with my own eyes.」
I see. That makes sense.
「Hmm, there’s no magical reaction… No toxins either. It truly seems like just regular water. It seems that once out of the Celestial Dragon’s control, it returns to being plain water.」
Interesting. I ask Elibel to share some water and I examine it. Then, I take a sip.
…It’s horrible.
I can’t help but spit it out.
What is this?
It’s incredibly unpleasant.
Isn’t this just regular water?
Yet it tastes as if I’m licking mud.
I feel nauseous.
『Elibel… Is this really just water? It tastes awful.』
「Uh, yes, it should be genuine plain water. I couldn’t detect any magical reaction. It shouldn’t contain any toxins… or so I thought.」
Perhaps my reaction is unexpected, because Elibel tilts her head in confusion.
Berg, standing next to her, takes a taste as well, but his reaction is muted.
It doesn’t seem particularly unpleasant to him.
Is it just me who finds it especially disgusting?
But this taste… it feels familiar.
What was it again?
But what could it mean?
Is it because of the Earth Dragon’s innate ability, Gluttony?
Or maybe…
「Although I’m curious why you find it so distasteful, we have more pressing matters. The Celestial Dragon is close to reaching the floor where Ann and the others are.」
『Wait, what?』
With rising doubt, I shift my gaze to the monitor.
I witness a torrential flood entering a corner of a floor in the middle layer.
Inside the second area hall in the middle layer of the dungeon―――
There’s a tense atmosphere on the floor.
Ann stands at the center of the battle-ready expanse, with Othel and Tres beside her, and Robun close by.
『Elibel contacted me. The Celestial Dragon will be here in just a few minutes.』
「Fo-fo-fo! To think we would get to see the Celestial Dragon… life is full of surprises.」
Othel chuckles, fiddling with the monocle in his left eye.
He can’t tear his gaze away from Tres, who shivers.
Othel also trembles (for a very different reason) at the sight. Panting.
Ann moves to shield Tres and asks,.
『Othel, haven’t you never met a Dragon King species?』
「Fo-fo-fo! Fal and Ragin saw the Celestial Dragon once before creating the dungeon. But I, myself, have never had the pleasure.」
Othel admits.
While trying to discreetly look over Tres with a lecherous gaze, Ann shifts her body to block and prevent this.
Don’t look at her, pervert. Your eyes will stain our Tres.
「That’s right. Ah, but I’ve never met the Celestial Dragon, though I have encountered the Holy Dragon Harshalud at Airén Pass. …No, maybe he didn’t notice me then… Ah, memories.」
Robun joins the conversation.
While fluttering his robe to shield Tres from Othel’s lecherous gaze.
Don’t look at her with your dirty eyes, pervert.
「But are we sure we should be the ones facing it? No offense, but against a dragon like the Celestial, even with our group, chances of victory are slim… Unless Fal, in perfect condition, or your master joins.」
『It’s fine. Our objective is to “fight”, not necessarily to “win”』
「Fo-fo-fo! Precisely… That’s why we have “these bodies”」
「Hmph…. I wish Pururu and Tsumugi were with us.」
Tres grumbles adorably.
Her puffed cheeks are cute. I want to lick them all over.
『It can’t be helped. Pururu and Tsumugi have other tasks. Moreover, we could only prepare bodies for us in such short notice.』
Ann says as if confirming her own body.
The sound of rushing water reaches their ears.
『…It seems our chitchat ends here.』
Water can be seen flowing from the other side of the corridor.
『Everyone, proceed as planned!』
Ann mentally communicates with the others.
As if on cue, everyone assume battle positions.
Murky water flows into the floor where Ann and the others are, but then it suddenly stops, as if held back by invisible glass.
『…?』
Everyone tightens their guard at this strange sight.
In the next moment, parts of the water rise and shape into a human form, with the surrounding water being absorbed into this human-like shape.
A man, looking in his late twenties with blond hair, appears.
He has a fixed grin and sharply focused eyes – this is Yamu, the leader of the Celestial Dragons, in his human form.
The group’s alertness intensifies.
「At last, beings other than mere scarecrows appear…」
Yamu comments, glancing at the monsters in front of him.
「For such inferior races, you possess decent magical power.」
Arrogance in words.
At the same time, an overwhelming pressure surges.
The immense magical power emitted by the Celestial Dragon prickles Ann and her companions’ skin.
However, it seems the dragon isn’t making any aggressive moves.
Is he looking for a conversation?
In this tense atmosphere, Ann breaks the silence.
『Celestial Dragon, can you answer our question? Why did you―――』
「Shut your mouth, inferior being.」
Suddenly, a flash of light emanates from the Celestial Dragon.
『―――!?』
Ann narrowly dodges it.
It grazes her cheek, slices the floor, and pierces the wall behind her.
『…Was that… water?』
『―――Correct. I assess it to be a blade of water highly compressed with magic.』
Gijie confirms through their communication link.。
I see, a blade made of water released at an extreme pressure.
Ann herself uses a technique called “Acid Spear” where she shoots out highly compressed acid.
She was able to evade it because she too utilizes a similar technique.
Yamu, having seen this, seems a bit surprised.
「Huh… You dodged that. I aimed to kill. Fine, for that feat, I’ll overlook your earlier insolence. Be grateful.」
『What did you just say…?』
Ann’s patience is tested by his unending arrogance.
However, in contrast, Yamu looks at Ann with growing interest.
「…Ah, on closer inspection, you’re that black ant from before.」
『From before…?』
Recalling his words, memories of the Yuguru Great Forest flood Ann’s mind.
『―――! From the time with the Giant Lizard!』
During their past encounter in the Yuguru Great Forest, they were battling the Giant Lizard.
Then suddenly, the Celestial Dragon appeared, and the battlefield was thrown into chaos by a mysterious flash of light.
「Yes, that’s right. It’s been a while, black ant.」
Without any sign of caution, Yamu starts to approach Ann.
「Interesting. So you too are a creature of this dungeon… Then this is perfect. Answer my―――」
In that moment, Othel acts.
Or to be precise, his shadow does.
It stretches infinitely in every direction, and from it emerge numerous dark scythes.
At an astonishing speed, these scythes aim for Yamu’s neck, but water surges from beneath Yamu, blocking them.
With a sharp glare, Yamu’s piercing eyes lock onto Othel.
「Shadow wraith… How disrespectful of you to interrupt my speech」
With just a glance, Yamu discerns Othel’s species.
Shadow wraith.
A creature that can freely control shadows, change its form, and attack.
「Fo-fo-fo, impressive… but―――」
The shadows continue to branch out, transforming into countless weapons that surround Yamu.
It’s payback for not being able to lay eyes on Tres earlier.
Take this, Celestial Dragon!
「―――I wonder if you can handle all of this.」
With a snap, Othel commands the weapons.
They close in on Yamu at a breathtaking speed.
Yamu doesn’t move.
The water barrier he’s conjured blocks every single attack.
「Disappear. You’re an eyesore.」
Suddenly, part of the water turns tentacle-like and lashes out towards Othel.
Yet, without a hint of panic,
「Fo-fo-fo! Now’s the time!」
Othel stretches out his shadow to repel the attack.
Seizing the moment, Ann approaches and swings her magic sword, Ridill.
Robun and Tres begin constructing spells for long-range support.
They back up Ann.
As Ann gets close to Yamu, he looks at her sword with genuine interest.
「―――Hmm, that sword…」
Narrowing his eyes slightly, Yamu uses water to defend against the spells from Robun and Tres.
At the same time, he sidesteps, “dodging” Ann’s sword swing.
Ann’s eyes widen in shock.
（―――He realized the sword’s special ability in just an instant!?）
The special trait of the sword, Ridill, is to nullify magic.
If Yamu tried to guard himself with the surrounding water, like before, the sword would have easily sliced through the water, reaching him.
As evidence of this, Robun and Tres, who are attacking from behind, are being defended against with water.
She swings her sword once more to check, but again, Yamu doesn’t use water, instead, he dodges the blade with a swift body movement.
Between the casting of spells, Ann retreats for a moment.
Yamu doesn’t try to close the distance.
It still seems like he’s sizing up the situation.
『…This going to be harder than I thought.』
Despite his arrogant demeanor and tone, he possesses refined magic, an immense amount of magical power, and a calm analytical gaze.
「What’s the matter? Not coming at me anymore?」
『………』
Yamu speaks in a tone dripping with condescension.
I hate to admit it…
But the man before me is undoubtedly stronger than anyone I’ve ever fought.
His power compels me to think so.
I don’t know how much I can do in this body.
But I’ll do my best to get rid of this Celestial Dragon.
With the Magic Sword Ridill in her hand, Ann once again approaches the Celestial Dragon.
Deep within the dungeon, in Elibel’s laboratory―――
「It seems the Celestial Dragon has temporarily halted his water attacks and switched to a hand-to-hand combat mode.」
Elibel notes, looking pleased.
Displayed on a monitor, Ann and the others are shown fiercely battling the Celestial Dragon.
『But Elibel, is it okay to let Ann and the others fight like this?』
I’d feel guilty if something were to happen to them…
「Don’t worry, they are using vessels.」
『Eh?』
Vessels?
You mean the vessel golem?
The one I used when I went outside or during rehab?
I remember it couldn’t use much magic and certainly couldn’t move like that.
『Weren’t vessel unsuited for combat?』
「Who do you think I am? I’m not so foolish as to leave such flaws unaddressed. I’ve enhanced it for combat. It’s still experimental and uses a lot of energy, especially since someone kept complaining.」
It seems she’s still holding a grudge about my previous complaints.
My apologies.
『Then where’s the main body?』
「They are safe in the depths. So just relax and watch the battle. Oh, I’ll need some of your magical power. Those vessels have high consumption.」
I feel a portion of my magical power being drained.
It’s quite a lot.
About 20%?
I should eat some magic stones to recover.
Also serving as a palate cleanser for the water I drank earlier.
Munching on them… delicious.
Nothing beats the taste of magic stones.
「Gijie, send the battle data here in real-time. And keep trying different barrier spells, even if they keep breaking.」
『―――Understood. Analyzing while processing.』
「By analyzing the difference in magical power between his humanoid form and when he’s in water form, we might find a way to counter the Celestial Dragon… Fufufu, I’m itching to give it a try.」
Elibel grins, diving back into her work, joining Gijie and Berg in their analysis.
I focus on the footage too.
If Ann and the others are just vessels, I can watch without worry.
The battle between the Celestial Dragon and Ann’s group intensifies on the monitor.
No, from the look of it, the Celestial Dragon is still just testing the waters.
His strength is really something else.
We need to do something or the dungeon will be in chaos.
…If worst comes to worst, maybe use that?
The new mechanism I set up earlier.
It might drive away the Celestial Dragon.
What happens above ground doesn’t concern me.
『Hey, Elibel, I have a suggestion―――』
Just as I open my mouth to speak, a voice interrupts.
「――――Oh my, things seem quite lively here.」
A voice echoes.
It’s a voice that feels as comforting as standing in a sunlit spot.
Yet, at the same time, the tone carries an endless chill.
A shiver of fear races through me.
What… Why?
I recognize this presence… this magical power.
After all, I just met its owner yesterday.
Looking over, I can see both Elibel and Berg frozen in place, sweating coldly.
Slowly, I turn towards the source of the voice.
「――――I’ve arrived.」
At first glance, one could easily miss it: a tiny Earth Dragon small enough to sit in the palm of a hand.
That dragon grins widely, smiling at me.
There stands my mother―――the Divine Catastrophe Dragon King, Jibru.
Why… why is she here? No, why now of all times…?
As if anticipating my question, Jibru begins to speak.
「My dear Earth, you’re probably wondering why I’m here, right? I didn’t explain the conditions from yesterday in detail, so I came back to clarify them. …And it’s absolutely, most definitely not because I wanted to see you again. Really.」
The latter part of her statement is muttered, making it hard to catch.
As we stand there in shock, Jibru shifts her gaze to a monitor.
「Ah, is that… Yamu? How perfect.」
Jibru nods as she observes the image displayed on the monitor.
I wonder what she finds so ideal.
…I have a really bad feeling about this.
「My dear Earth, regarding the condition for you to continue living in this dungeon, let me give you a demonstration using that. I’ll teach you about the true power we Earth Dragons hold as Dragon Kings.」
With an air of casualness, she continues,
「So, Earth, how about you go and have a little life-or-death battle with that Celestial Dragon?」
With the lightness as if suggesting a picnic, Jibru proposes this to me.
…Can she just leave? My stomach’s hurting.
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