314 - - words and extortionate rewards that drive

"Our next target is the coma hole!

Dadaan's words from the podium caused the audience packed into the plaza to fall silent, wondering what was going on.

After a moment of silence, the first to cheer were the Central Chinese.

"Hey, did you hear that? ......"

"Ah, yes. Yes, I heard that.

"Are you serious? That d*mned big hole in the ground. ......"

"Finally ......, finally!"

"Oh ....... Oh oh oh!"

Excited cries of excitement leak out of each of their mouths one after another.

The "coma pit," the evil symbol of this country and the source of all its ills.

Although the story is told only as a fairy tale, it is still an existence to be feared and hated by the people of the Central Land.

This is a story about sealing it. It is a wonder that they are not enthusiastic about it.

The reaction of joy spread to the surrounding area, and soon the other inhabitants were also surprised.

It spread quickly throughout the plaza and turned into a tremendous excitement.

Dadaan, clad in golden armor, smiles as the crowd applauds loudly and cheers in various ways.

The only people who were truly happy were the general public, who did not know what was really going on.

The adventurers gathered at the ceremony watched the exchange with cold eyes.

"What's going on all of a sudden?　Mr. Director. Are you insane?"

"Oh, come on, now it's just a silly popularity contest. This is ridiculous.

"Maybe they don't want us to leave this town. And they want to keep us here with their new policy, don't they?

"But that doesn't mean you can't talk nonsense. I can't believe they sealed the big hole."

It has taken more than 30 years to seal the big noxious hole in the abandoned underground prison far from there.

It is an impossible dream.

It is not clear if they heard his words of ridicule or not, but Dadaan's sharp eyes are fixed on the frozen adventurers.

The old man nodded meaningfully and held out his beloved two-handed axe.

Seeing that the crowd had fallen silent at his action, Dhadam spoke up again.

"Well, anyone can talk about goals. It's a story that's common enough at a bar.

A few small laughs broke out here and there, and a few adventurers looked at each other in an uncomfortable way.

"To tell you the truth, I'm getting old. Now I can only swing this thing around against the hobgoblins at best.

It is still fresh in our minds that six months ago, Dadan himself took the lead in kicking out the horde of kobolds that had swept through the city in a massive outbreak.

The chief of the town, again displaying his magnificent armor, is applauded generously.

The old man, his mouth lifted at the reaction, looked around at the faces of the gathered people and continued his story.

But under the current circumstances, I can't whine so much. You all know that. The six countries that are our homelands are in trouble.

At Dadaan's words, those who knew the reality of the situation in the homeland raised their eyebrows and fell on their faces.

Just as a mood of disquiet was about to break out, a strong and forceful voice interrupted it.

"That's why. That is why we must seal that great hole now. We do not have much time left. If we sit back and do nothing, it will be irreversible. Before that happens..."

Dadaan broke off his speech and quietly looked back into the eyes that were focused on him.

"Of course, I am well aware that this is not an opponent that will be easily dealt with. But I believe that to challenge a strong opponent is the true adventure. If you give up the idea that you will never be able to defeat them, then the adventure itself is already over. ............Well, what are we?"

The adventurers, who had been listening in silence, were at a loss for words at the unexpected question.

Many of the eyes staring at Dadan on the stage, unable to say anything, widened in surprise at what happened next.

"Of course you are an adventurer, old man.

The voice that answered was that of an old man of the Tea Horn tribe, carrying a huge silver and white shield.

Also on the platform was Mugargo, the chief of the southern border town.

The shield-bearer steps forward and stands majestically next to Dadan.

"Yes, at least I still want to be an adventurer," he said.

Next to her, the tall and slender Cie, an old woman of the Midoriwa tribe, stepped forward.

The graceful stance of the former hero, holding a staff adorned with a large storm crystal in his hand, elicited a few sighs of admiration here and there.

Yes, we were adventurers once. And we are still adventurers, and as long as we take on adventures in the future, we will always be adventurers.

The eight former heroes who had come forward lined up next to Dadaan, who spoke without hesitation.

The audience gasped and lost their voices before the overwhelming presence that emanated from them.

Dadaan glanced at the town leaders standing next to him, and with one eye closed in amusement, he said

They are all old men and women, but they are all very old men and women. Are you really going to be of any use to us?

What the... ......!

"You are too kind, Mr. Dardan."

"I'm a year younger than you, sir, and I don't want to be lumped in with you."

The tension in the air suddenly relaxed as the old men began to argue with each other.

Then, without a pause, Dadaan poured out his words.　

"Well, you look as if you can't expect much from all these old bones. But we are not reckless fools either. Well, we can't deny that some of them are.

"That's enough introductions, Dadan."

"Don't mix it up. You'll forget where you left off. Yes, yes, some of you may think we've gone mad, but we've done the math. You all remember that Thor and his team sealed the miasma hole just the other day, don't you?"

Someone responds with a laugh, "Of course.

Dadan nodded his head in satisfaction at the answer and turned his gaze toward Thor and the others standing to his left.

"Actually, we found a wonderful sacred artifact there. Mumeme, will you bring it to me?

"Yes!"

The child responds cheerfully, lifting the mirror above his head with both hands and stepping out between the mirrors.

The adorable sight of the child brings laughter from everywhere in the plaza.

However, the moment Moe turned the mirror to face the square, the laughter receded like a wave and was replaced by a series of surprised voices.

Curiously, as soon as he gazed into the mirror, he saw his own back staring into the mirror, and then his own back staring into the mirror.

The residents gathered in the plaza were easily rendered speechless by the endless reflections of themselves.

Many of them were stunned, their gazes fixed on the mirror held up by Mu, when Dadaan let loose his voice in a loud and clear voice.

"I have named this the mirror of the infinite God!　In this sacred artifact resides the infinite power of the Time God. And only this hero, Thor, can draw its power. Now, witness the miracle!

The people, their faces awakened from their dreams, look at the mayor as he holds up a mirror.

As they watched with bated breath, Thor, accompanied by Moe, quietly placed his hand on Dadan's shoulder.

The next moment, the old man was transformed into a young man.

The audience forgets to even flinch as Dadan strikes the same pose as the bronze statue in the plaza.

But Thor did not stop.

He continues to rewind the time of the former heroes standing next to Dadaan.

It was only a matter of seconds.

But this is a day that will be etched in history for a long time.

The rejuvenated heroes took on an even more out-of-this-world air.

The atmosphere was so indescribable that the people around them forgot how to breathe.

This was as we had discussed at the mayor's meeting yesterday.

But then, something unexpected happened again.

Someone leaped lightly from the edge of the stage.

The person with a mane of golden hair shook his head and walked out to the center of the stage.

Then, in front of the stunned mayors, he removes the black sandcloth that covers his mouth.

"............No way, no way."

"Aniella, ...... or ............?"

At this question, the dancer bowed gracefully.

"Yes, it's been a long time, ladies and gentlemen.

The exchange between the former heroes immediately reveals the identity of the dancer who appears on stage.

The sudden appearance of the legendary Sword Princess left the performers on the stage stunned.

"What are you doing here?

"That's the same as all of you. I would like to be a part of this expedition."

"........................ what?"

"But you all noticed me a little too late, didn't you? I had hoped that you would have noticed me when I performed the dance.

At these words, Mgalgo and the others finally realize that the young woman in front of them is the dancer who performed at the opening of the ordination ceremony.

To the former heroes, who were all in a cold sweat, Aniella said quietly, "I am not a dancer, but I am a dancer.

"I guess we'll have to train them all again before we leave.

"Well, wait a minute..."

Surprisingly, it was the high priestess with the crown of water, the head of the temple, who raised her voice.

"Are you really Aniella?

"Oh, it's been a long time since you've seen me.

"So, you look ............, wow, young again?"

"Yes, I am."

The high priestess opened her mouth so wide that it looked as if her jaw would come off.

Then she looked at Thor with bloodshot eyes.

"Wow, me too!

"Unfortunately, this miracle only works on those who are ready to challenge the Coma Hole.

"Yes, I'm coming!　I'll do anything!　Anything!

With these words, countless screams echoed throughout the plaza, as if there were no more to be heard.

Thor scratched the bottom of his jaw in frustration as people crowded the podium.