338-332 Reunion and rematch

It seems that we were able to transition properly to the foot of the Valley of the Dragon, and we were in the center of that square where we fought the old dragon, and the sealing gate was right under our noses.

I immediately checked to see if the spirit queen was properly transitioning with me, and I was relieved that we were able to make the group transition safely.

''Were you okay?''

'Yes. So are those kids inside these gates?

''Yes. The fact that this sealing gate is closed means I'll have to open it again.

....

Even though he tilted his head, all I could do was sigh.

I had no choice but to gulp down a sigh and I put my hand on the sealing gate.

Then, the magic power was still sucked out, but the gate was opened without consuming too much magic power.

''Then let's go,''

Yeah.

And as me and the spirit queen were about to pass through the gate, I saw two women who ran towards us at great speed... and flew in.

It was a humanized Forenoir and a dark spirit that I hadn't seen in a long time.

''Mother,''

They jumped on the Spirit Queen and embraced her as it was.

The Spirit Queen also took them in and started stroking their hair while hugging them.　

I suppose it was an emotional meeting, but I was a little unsure if I should stay here, when the dragon gods and the other reincarnated dragons and Master Brod arrived late.

'Sage Luciel, you have done well to break the seal of Rafiluna. We thank you.

The Dragon God didn't seem to take offense at sending me out of the blue to a labyrinth that no one had ever stepped in, and only thanked me for rescuing the Spirit Queen in a matter-of-fact manner.

It may have been small, but that wasn't the word I wanted to use, nor was it my attitude.　

I was about to get annoyed, so I cut my eyes off from the Dragon God once and decided to call out to Master for the first time in a long time.

''Master, it looks like your equipment is somewhat new, and your training is looking good, how did you feel?''

''Ah. We were able to get the dragons to fight a lot of battles, and the Holy Dragon took care of all the damage we took in the battle, so it was very efficient. I think I was already able to get my movement back to about seventy or eighty percent of its heyday. Well, that's probably the same for Lionel, too.

As my master's gaze drifted over to Lionel, I nodded my thanks to the holy dragon once and then shifted my gaze to Lionel.

Then Lionel opened his mouth with a smile and lightly bowed his head.

''Luciel-sama, first of all, congratulations on your safe return.

Thank you. So Lionel was still able to get his strength back to about 70 or 80 percent?

'Technically, it's probably close to my prime. But the level is low, so I can't help but lose power and react late.

Is it true that the power-type Lionel will struggle more than the speed-oriented master?

So I guess it's still necessary to raise the level of physical ability, which is the bottom of physical ability.

But to return to that level of power in about sixty days, these two people are still exceptional.

I next shifted my gaze to Lumina-san.

This is because I wanted to know how much power the War Maiden Holy Knight Squad had gained.

However, as I turned my gaze to them, the faces of the War Maiden Holy Knight Squadron all seemed to have a hard expression on their faces in one way or another.

''Lumina-san, how is the War Maiden Holy Knight Squadron doing?''

'Well you know we're not strong. I have no complaints in the environment.

Wow~ Even Lumina-san is in shock, her voice is dark.

''Then it would have been better not to follow you?

Then he denies it with a serious shake of his head.

'No, it doesn't. It just made us realize that we were conceited, that we were strong.

........Well, if you look at the training of the Master and Lionel, that's what you'll see.

They're people you shouldn't be referring to because they're a bunch of hardworking, battle-crazed people, and they're stepping outside of humanity.

''Then it looks like you've gained some combat training, so let's raise your level and raise the level of your physical abilities together.

Does it bother you?

No, when I think of the fight ahead, I need a force I can trust.

''Right. Then please take care of the War Maiden Holy Knights.

""Please."

How did we get to be respectful?　And something about the implications are a bit different........

''Master, what's missing right now on the whole is not technology, but the level of physical ability that is at the bottom of the physical ability, is that correct?''

'Well, once the technology is competitive, it's the physical ability that makes the difference. Because it's probably better to be high than low, you know.

I don't think there's any need to be too hasty, but it's easier to deal with irregularities if and when they occur if you do what you have to do.

''Then it's settled. Let's level up in the labyrinth that was sealed by the Thunder Dragon. This time, we were suddenly sent to the labyrinth, but we only raised our level considerably.

All right. So, what do you want to do about Master Dolan and his men?　Should I go get him, just in case?

Ah~ I'll have to call him up, since I have to tell him properly that I've mastered the spatio-temporal attribute, too.

''That's right. Master, I'm sorry, but may I ask you to call me over?

Don't worry about it. It's Luciel who's leading this group now.

The Master said this and went to call Doran and the others.

'Hey sage Luciel, why do you ignore me?

There was an irritated-looking Dragon God, but apparently he's putting up with a lot of things because he saved the Spirit Queen.

''Yes, I'm surprised at this behavior myself. I didn't expect to be sent to a high-difficulty labyrinth all of a sudden without even checking for food.''

Forgive me. I forgot that people can't live without food.

You're in a bad mood and now you suddenly look away.

''I see. Then why don't you have a mock battle with me, the strongest I've been in a long time?

A mock-up?

He's humanized, so he can read your emotions right away.

''Yes. I want you to see how much stronger I've become since then. And I'm sure Ryuujin-sama would be able to see how strong he's become.''

"...what are you up to?　Well, I'm going to be serious this time, so if you lose, let me hear what happened in the labyrinth where you were sent.

Good. Your quarry is well and truly trapped.

Apparently they're going to win, but this time the punishment is in the form of a mock battle.

Let's end this without any damage.

I understand. So we'll fight at the same place as before?

This time it won't be the same as last time.

It looks like they'll be punished for sending me to the labyrinth of high difficulty all of a sudden.

With that in mind, I headed to the front of the arena with the Dragon God, and everyone else followed behind me to see if they were interested.

The place to fight the Dragon God is as large as ever, and it feels like it's a place where dragons are peeking at us from all over the cliff tops.　

But this time, I didn't get to meet with Lord Lacey Star.

I wanted to tell him about the Spirit Queen, but well, I guess it can't be helped.　

Alright, probably because the level has risen quite a bit, I think my physical abilities alone, which I think have risen quite a bit since the last mock battle, will surprise you a bit.

But even the Dragon God hadn't spat out the tame breath that he released in the World Tree Labyrinth.

When you think of it that way, you can't let your guard down at all.

Hmm?　What's the big deal?

''No, I was wondering if it's time to be turned into a dragon.

''Hmph, if the target is small, Sage Luciel's attack power will be cut in half, right?　Last time I was in a hurry to take on the form of a dragon, but if I fight like this, I'm stronger than you.

''I see. Then I'll make you want to turn into a dragon.

Say it. Then let him come to me.

The Dragon God's words were the signal to start the battle.