Chapter 275

Chapter 275

A few hours ago.

As soon as I entered the base camp, Verdandi came to me and filled me in on the events of the previous day.

"Last night, the enemys legion commander sought me out."

It was Salome, the Unholy Legion Commander, who had approached Verdandi.

And she had made an offer.

The offer was to spare all of Verdandis comrades if she handed me over, the human commander on our side.

She said she pretended to accept the offer for the time being, but now she didnt know what to do next and had come to inform me immediately.

"I see."

Listening intently to Verdandis story, I asked her, "Why are you telling me this?"

"Hm?"Upstodatee from n(0)/ve/lbIn/.(co/m

"Why not keep it a secret and just hand me over? Then you could save your comrades and even..."

I hesitated for a moment before continuing.

"You could have eliminated me, the human commander who is also an enemy to the elves, just like the Succubus Queen suggested."

"..."

Verdandi, who had been silent, slowly opened her mouth.

"True, on the surface world, we might be enemies. I came here to save my homeland, which was defeated in a war against humans. It would be a lie to say I dont have some resentment towards humans."

"But then, why?"

"However, Ash."

Verdandi gave me a faint smile as she looked me in the eyes.

"You are a good person."

"..."

"And youre someone who knows the meaning of righteousness. In this hellish dungeon, and on the front lines fending off monsters on the surface, youre someone who still harbors humanity that should have been abandoned long ago."

All I had given this elf was a mere dagger.

A few sunflower seeds. And an empty promise to save her comrades.

"You have the potential to go far. I can sense it."

Verdandi already trusted me.

Whether that was due to the harsh environment of the dungeon below this lake or because she genuinely had a good eye for people, I couldnt tell.

"Blinded by past grudges and throwing away greater possibilities is something only fools do. A true leader should look beyond that."

"..."

"I have to find the Holy Grail in this dungeon. And ultimately, I have to save my kin on the surface and reclaim my homeland."

Verdandi slowly bowed her head toward me.

"I have a gut feeling that youll be essential for all that lies ahead, Ash."

"..."

"I will never deceive or betray you. I want to walk this path beside you."

"Even if in the worst-case scenario, you lose all your comrades?"

"Ive spent over 100 years in this hellish place. The reason my comrades and I were able to survive without going insane is one."

Verdandi spoke softly.

"Never lose our humanity. Dont become monsters. Never forget our sense of duty. Thats what weve vowed."

"..."

"Its better to die a noble death as a warrior than to survive by betraying ones benefactor. My comrades would think the same."

Gazing deeply into Verdandis resolute eyes, I slowly opened my mouth.

"I have a way. A way to easily save your comrades and also take down the enemy commander in one fell swoop."

Verdandis eyes widened in shock.

"What exactly is your plan?"

"We go with what the Succubus Queen suggested. You hand myself over, and get your comrades back."

"What?! But then you would fall under the spell of that Succubus..."

"Dont worry about it."

I grinned, a smirk settling at the corners of my mouth.

"Ive got an ace up my sleeve."

***

Present time.

In the chamber of Succubus Queen Salome.

Thwack!

My right straight landed on Salomes jaw, sending her tumbling backward.

Hmm, clean hit! That one connected well!

Although I had never formally studied martial arts, my brief experience with [Lucky Strike] in the battlefield had honed my instincts.

My punch couldnt have been cleaner! Ah, how refreshing.

"Ah, ahhh?!"

Salome, sprawled disgracefully on the floor, clutched her reddened jaw and her eyes teared up.

"...What are you doing right now?"

"T-this is seduction."

"Seduction?"

"Yes, sedu"

"..."

"...Ooo?"

After a brief silence,

I reached out with my hands filled with anger and grabbed Salome by the collar. I couldnt help but shout at the startled Salome.

"Stop talking nonsense! Are you even a succubus? What kind of seduction is this?!"

"Eeeeeek?!"

"Youre a disgrace to succubi, you brat! If youre going to do it, do it right!"

Succubi are supposed to be a fantasy, a fantasy! You ruined it all!

"B-but! Ive never actually seduced anyone in person!"

"Huh?"

"Everyone just falls into a lewd dream! Who resists mind control?"

"..."

"Ill give you a nice dream! You can have a great time with your ideal partner! Just trust me! Everyones super happy, so just let me mind-control you once, okay?"

My ideal partner?

Suddenly, the face of Serenade flashed through my mind...

Gasp.

No, no. Thats just Ashs first love coming to mind first.

Dont get caught up in this creatures tricks. Ahem.

Noticing my momentary hesitation, an enthusiastic Salome continued to shout.

"Not just lewd dreams, okay? I can make you dream of anything! Your unfulfilled dreams! People you wanted to meet! From endless delicacies to unreachable wishes! Everything! You can achieve it all!"

"..."

Wishes?

Unreachable...wishes...

- Brother!

Suddenly, text appeared before my eyes.

The unforgettable brief chat lingered in my mind.

- RetroAddict, you have a wish you want to fulfill, dont you? Not something like money, but a more precious wish.

- That wish, Ill grant it for you.

- As long as you hold it in your heart, that dream is not a failure.

I also remembered the promise I initially made with that self-proclaimed Director.

Yes, a wish.

I was here to fulfill that.

"I can do anything! Seriously, Im the Succubus Queen! In terms of dream powers, Im the strongest in this world! I dont know how you resisted my mind control, but if you just lower your mental barriers for a moment, Ill"

"Shut up, monster."

My voice was menacing as I cut off Salomes words.

"You think I came here just to find self-satisfaction through some trivial dream?"

"What? What?"

"I came here to conquer."

My grip on Salomes collar tightened.

"Im here to fight with my life on the line and achieve my wish."

Salome looked up at me, her red eyes blinking blankly.

"It doesnt matter whether you offer me a sweet daydream or a horrible nightmare."

Again, I clenched my fist and raised it.

"Ill achieve my wish through my efforts, in my reality."

Protecting people and killing monstersthere was no room for trivial dreams on this path toward clearing the game.

"Indulge in your dreams all you want, monster."

"..."

Salome, who had been staring at me as if mesmerized, finally spoke slowly.

"Ash, you really are"

Ignoring her, I swung my fist down.

The plan was to deplete her stamina to a critical state first, then interrogate this monster for information.

Just then

Thwack!

Someone suddenly intervened, blocking my punch.