Chapter 103
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That night, the air trembles and an evil mana fills the surroundings.
At the same time, the earth shakes violently, and the ground lets out a groan.
I’m sleeping when this happens, but I jump out of bed and rush out of my room, wondering what’s going on.
Outside, there are already many people gathered. They’re keeping watch around the manor, maintaining vigilance until enough people have assembled.
「Son-in-law,」 a voice calls out.
It’s Sensei, who has already prepared for battle. She’s been waiting for me to arrive.
「Sensei… what’s this?」
「If it’s the same as before, the Sealed Dungeon has likely appeared.」
Sensei answers solemnly.
「Everyone, this way!」
Anon, positioned at the front of the group, calls out to me.
He’s giving instructions to the members with detection skills, trying to locate the source of the mana that’s filling the space. We then move as a group towards that location.
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This is way too ominous.
Originally, this place was a cave with a shrine where the Sword of Affirmation was enshrined.
The ground has swelled up, forming a large mound that could be called a small mountain.
Dungeons—especially high-difficulty dungeons—have internal structures completely different from their external appearances. The internal structures of all the Newly Constructed Most Challenging Dungeons we’ve encountered so far have been frustratingly vast and deep, contradicting their outward appearances.
There’s a gaping hole there—this is the entrance to the Sealed Dungeon.
A spine-chilling miasma leaks out from within, and indescribable groans can be heard.
Just from that alone, a significant number of our group members are shaking and dropping to their knees.
「Hello! Is anyone there? Hello!」
Of course, there’s no response. All that’s there is darkness. A deep, endless darkness. I can’t see anything.
Someone gulps audibly.
It might be me, or it might be someone else.
「Oh man, this is—」
Battle Junkie Saga is at a loss for words.
Large beads of sweat are forming on his forehead.
This reaction is way too unsettling…
「To be honest, I’m feeling incredibly relieved right now that I don’t have to go in there.」
Why are you saying that?!
It’s me, you know! I’m the one who’s going in!
Why are you looking at me like that, Saga?
What’s with that 『You can do it! I believe in you, my friend!』 look?!
Our bond isn’t supposed to be at the level where we can communicate with our eyes—it should be as thin as those cheap friendship bracelets they sell at the dollar store!!
「Low.」
Ah───
Saga calls my name as he stands in front of me.
Oh no—
He places his hands on both of my shoulders.
Please stop—!
「The serious guy from Vienetta, the young Holy Knight lady, the grumpy Anon—and even I recognize your abilities!! You can do it, you can conquer this dungeon!!」
Your trust is too heavy!! It’s thick and heavy!!
And it’s not just thick, it’s hot too!!
「Big bro! I believe you can safely conquer this thing…」
Milo follows Saga, speaking with tears in his eyes.
「When you come back, let’s take on some guild quests together…」
Milo’s shoulders shake as he tries to hold back his tears.
「Low, I’ve gotten a grasp of your abilities when we fought the Fog together. So I’m not worried. We’ll all be waiting for your return. And also—」
This time, it’s Diete who addresses me.
You know, this thing where everyone takes turns expressing their feelings—isn’t this what they call a 「flag」?
I kind of wish they’d stop.
「Please include me in what Milo just said. When you return safely, let’s take on quests together, the three of us.」
As she says this, Diete, who always looks stern, has tears in her eyes.
What are they all thinking?
Do they think 「Ah, this guy’s gonna die」 or something?
Of course, I’m going to enter the Sealed Dungeon!
I intend to!
There’s no lie in my determination!
But come on!
Stop raising flags like you’re crying behind someone waiting to bungee jump!!
○○○
Of course, my inner wails don’t get through to anyone.
As planned for when a dungeon appears, I spend the time until morning in my room, making preparations and resting my body.
Recovery potions, check!
Various items, check!
Food, check!
Portal, check!
And then—
「Sena…」
I hold the bag she gave me in my hands.
The bag she made for me contains various medicines she prepared herself, as well as several talismans.
「What are these talismans for? I still don’t know how to use them—」
I search through the bag, hoping for some instructions, but of course, there’s nothing like that.
Oh well. I can ask Sensei later.
More importantly,
More than anything—
I wanted to see Sena.
The next time I’ll be able to see her will probably be when this is all over.
○○○
A few hours later, the four of us once again visit the entrance of the Sealed Dungeon.
We’ve already said our goodbyes. I’ve received all the encouragement.
In this dire situation, everyone else has already left to fight the Fog.
All that’s left is for me to enter.
「I’ve never felt so frustrated about not being able to go with someone as I do today.」
Anon says.
I notice him clenching his fist.
「Don’t worry, Anon. I’ve got Sensei and Ash with me here. I’m counting on you out there.」
「Yes, you can rest assured and leave it to me. I won’t let the Fog do as it pleases, even if it costs me my life.」
Anon declares firmly.
「Leave Low to me, Anon.」
Ash sends a strong gaze towards Anon.
Clad in full plate armor, Ash looks like a completely different person from her usual easy-going self.
「Anon, Low’s presence was indispensable in bringing about this current situation where we haven’t lost a single life.
For me, the breaking of the seal was equivalent to the end of this world, and the end of everything for me.」
Ash’s words come out as if she’s squeezing them out, filled with a searing heat.
「So when the seal was broken, I died once.
At that time, both my body and my mind—died.
But Low saved me.
It’s no exaggeration to say that my current life was given to me by him.
I, who was saved by Low, will now make a vow here, following your example, Anon—」
Ash plunges her drawn Purifying Sword into the ground.
「—Even at the cost of my pride and my life, I will definitely protect Low.」
Hey, hey, aren’t you getting a bit too intense?
It’s so intense it’s almost dangerous.
Protecting me, being protected, staking your life, staking your pride—
「Hold on a moment, you two.」
A voice like the tinkling of a bell cuts through the tense atmosphere. It’s Sensei.
「Both of you have unnecessary tension in your shoulders.
It’s alright, I’m here,」 she smiles.
I feel a strong sense of maternal love from her.
There’s a strange attraction that makes me want to entrust everything to her. In fact, I can sense that the excess tension has drained from both Anon and Ash.
A person with the capacity to reassure even these two heroes standing before me—that’s who Sensei is.
「Sensei, I trust you.」
I tell her.
「Oh, was that the Titanic? Feel as steady as if you’re on a large ship.」
She laughs, 「Kufufu,」 placing her left hand on her hip and pointing her right index finger towards the sky.
It might be out of place, but Sensei is cool and really photogenic. Though, the Titanic did sink…
「Well then, Sensei, Ash,」 I call out to them.
Sensei gives a small nod saying 「Mm,」 and Ash responds with a 「Yeah.」
「Anon, I’m off now.」
I tell him.
He responds,
「I believe you’ll definitely come back safely—」
His voice sounding somewhat choked up,
「—my Hero.」
That’s how he answered.
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The Sealed Dungeon is different from what Sensei had told me about.
There are no ghouls or skeleton warriors that were supposed to be overflowing from the dungeon last time.
The interior is clearly different from its size when viewed from the outside, with a vastness that seems to go on forever.
Without encountering any enemies, I eventually walk through the entire vast first floor and discover stairs leading down.
As I descend to the lower floor, it seems to be devoid of monsters like the first floor—or so I thought, until I hear the sound of battle coming from up ahead.
Judging from the sound, it’s not a particularly intense battle, and after a while, the noise stops.
「Son-in-law, Ash, did you notice?」
Sensei asks us.
It’s impossible not to notice. It seems Ash feels the same way. I can see her expression stiffen.
I only know one person in this world who possesses such an overwhelming amount of pure mana—holy power—that can’t be suppressed even if they try.
We can’t stop here!!
I shout 「Here goes nothing!!」 in my mind and push forward.
And there, just as we expected, we find—
「You are—」
One of the three people there exclaims upon seeing us.
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