Chapter 197

Chapter 197

At the same time.

Lake Kingdoms underground dungeon.

Beyond Sector 4, known as the [Grand Park], lay Sector 5, the [Fountains Path].

The most perilous place in the dungeon of Sector 5, it was a necessary route to the next depth of the dungeon, the Inner Castle in Sector 6.

During the times when the Lake Kingdom flourished, this area had been a beautiful marble walkway, stretching between enormous ponds where dazzling fountains sprayed.

Now, all that remained was the horrendous stone path, shattered into fragments, lying above the foul-smelling pond that had dried up into darkness.

...

Nameless stood on the path, gripping her sword.

She remembered that this place was once beautiful, but the scenery itself was forgotten.

Too much time had passed, and just as the city had eroded, so had her memories. They had worn away, like her faded, lost name.

She only acted in accordance with the duty etched into her body.

Killing the monsters that had occupied this place, killing them again and again, making sure they could not escape to the outside world.

And then-

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Before her, three shadows emitting an evil aura approached.

A massive muscular werewolf with a silvery-red mane.

A succubus whose sensual figure was revealed through torn monk robes.

And something wearing a black coat and a stark white crow mask, leading a swarm of flies and rats.

The three monsters strolled down the destroyed fountain path, stopping ten paces away from Nameless.

A smirk crossed Namelesss face as she looked at the monsters.

The Wolf King, the Great Seductress, and the Master of Plague. How generous of the Nightmare Legion to send three of you to die. Today will be a feast.

Swoosh-

The old sword in Namelesss hand pointed forward.

Perfect timing. I just sharpened this blade, and Ive been wanting to test how well it cuts.

But the monsters didnt seem particularly inclined to fight Nameless.

The figure with the white crow mask stepped forward. A heavy, cracked voice leaked from behind the mask.

Step aside, Nameless One. We have no business with you today.

No business? But we have a duty to kill each other.

Today, we are after other prey.

Chill anger crept into the voice of the white crow mask.

The humans of the outside world... Those who will become our cattle, have killed Orlop and Celendion.

...

They even have the audacity to roam the Lake Kingdom now.

They were speaking of Ash and his companions. Namelesss mouth tightened.

We must capture them and present them to the King. That takes precedence over our pointless but enjoyable fight with you. So step aside, Nameless One.

The werewolf listening to the conversation growled menacingly.

Those human insects, insignificant as they are, dared to scratch the mighty Nightmare Kings army! Ill tear them into pieces with my claws!

The succubus beside him then covered her mouth and giggled.

How barbaric. Why not let them fall under my charm instead?

The succubuss long finger gently traced her soft, curving body.

"Im intrigued. Even if its all true, that Celendion was killed! Im curious, curious, curious! What kind of human is he? What taste does he have? What screams will he make? Ahhh, Ill hold him tight in my embrace and make both his body and heart my slaves."

At that, the white crow mask spoke in a bubbling low voice.

"The mere pain of a wound, the mere pain of a bewitching, cannot suffice to pay for the sins that creature has committed."

The white crow mask whipped its black coat, then lifted its gloved white hand, tightly clenching it.

"He shall be made the host of all the plagues of this world while still alive. Thus, he will taste all the pain that exists in this world."

Observing the monsters proclaiming they would kill Ash in their own way, Nameless chuckled.

"What nonsense have you been spouting all this time, monsters? Who said Id let you pass?"

Swish-!

As Nameless lightly swung his sword, the dried ponds black droplets were swept up by the sword wind, rising into a circle.

"Even if you suddenly go mad and depart to perform some good deed, I will stop you. Facing you monsters is my duty."

"..."

"Draw your weapons, monsters. Between us, words mean nothing anymore, dont they?"

The white crow mask, who had been watching Nameless closely, tilted its head.

"So... Have you sharpened that sword again today, Nameless One?"

Eventually, I pulled my two vanguard knights back.

"Lucas! Evangeline! Fall back!"

"Grr...!"

"Ah, okay!"

As the two knights hastily retreated, I reached out to Junior.

"Junior! Show them the value of the new equipment!"

Junior, smiling slyly, began to prepare a lightning spell.

"Youve made an excellent investment, Your Highness!"

Junior swung his new staff, and

Zap-!

Dozens of lightning bolts struck down on the swarm of slimes.

In an instant, scores of slimes were fried by the lightning, dissolving into nothingness. The few that remained were taken care of by Damiens sniping.

Although Damiens sniping was also a piercing attack, thanks to [Far-Sight], he could aim directly at the enemys core.

"Phew..."

I sighed in relief as I watched the slimy creatures swept away.

This place was the Lake Kingdom Dungeons third area [Northern Fortress]. For our partys current level, it was a relatively easy place to clear.

However, our two vanguard knights had become useless. The equipment was too severely affected by the circumstances.

The vanguard character must receive proper attack support to perform well in defense.

At this rate, we were lacking the means to fend off the slimes, and the two in the front line wouldnt be able to withstand them.

After a moments thought, I gathered the party members.

"Fall back!"

To the party members staring at me with surprised eyes, I nodded.

"Our weapons dont have a good affinity against these slime creatures. Lets go back and get the appropriate equipment."

As the slimes would attack again during the next defense, we needed to return to Crossroad and craft suitable weapons for the two knights. Blunt weapons with striking attributes.

Should I borrow a mace from Kellibey at the base camp?

But that old man was already immersed in crafting the equipment we had ordered earlier. We wouldnt see his face until he had finished.

"If you need striking power, I can hit them with the flat side of my sword!"

"I have a shield!"

The two knights held up their weapons, making their case, but I dismissed them.

"How long do you think you can fight like that? Instead, lets create one auxiliary weapon each."

Since these were not their main weapons but temporary equipment for this occasion, they could be made quickly at the forge. We could also grab a ready-made item.

In the end, we returned to Crossroad much earlier than planned.

***

Flash!

Upon returning through the teleport gate to the mansion, the first thing that caught my eye was...

"Huh?!"

The scene of the mansions walls, previously painted in Evangelines bling-bling style, being restored to their original condition. Workers were diligently applying the new color.

Evangeline opened her mouth and uttered a foolish sound.

"What?! Wha-wha-wha?!"

The interior of the mansion visible through the window was the same. The workers were busily restoring the living room and dining room to their previous design.

I slapped my forehead in surprise. We had returned too early, and the interior restoration work wasnt yet finished.

Realizing the situation, Evangeline grabbed her cheeks with her hands and screamed in shock.

"Aaahhhh! Nooo! My precious, tiny interior design!"

She screamed and ran into the mansion.

I nodded my head contentedly. It was the reaction I wanted to see.

I had hoped to see her face in despair after the interior was completely removed, but her current scream wasnt too bad either.

"Well head back to the dungeon tomorrow morning. Rest well today..."

After instructing the rest of the party to rest, I looked towards the city, muttering to myself.

"Where is Kuilan?"

We were ahead of schedule, but that couldnt be helped.

Slimes are the opponents in this stage. Striking attributes are effective.

A fighter whose very nature was a striking attribute dealer.

It was time to call up the Bandit King Kuilan to the first squad.