Chapter 402: Nicole’s Determination

"Sh*t!" the Leader of the Elite Party, whom the mayor had asked to investigate the Weeping Dungeon, cursed out loud.

The moment he entered the dungeon, he immediately felt the overwhelming aura of the monsters who were gathering on the lower floors.

"Everyone run!" the Leader shouted.

"What's wrong?" One of his team members asked. However, he still ran just as his Leader had instructed him.

Their party had been together for many years, so he knew better than not to obey their Leader's orders.

"A Dungeon Outbreak is about to happen!" the Leader replied. "We should leave the town after informing the Mayor. The forces here are not enough to handle this threat!"

They were the Adventurer Party called the Red Wolves.

They had the opportunity to go up to the 28th Floor in the past but were forced to turn back when they encountered the wandering Mini Boss, the One Horned Cyclops.

One of their members had died that day, and they were only barely able to escape with their lives thanks to his sacrifice.

Since then, their Party never dared to dive deeper than the 25th Floor ever again. S~eaʀᴄh the Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

The moment that the Party Leader of the Red Wolves informed the Mayor about the possible Dungeon Outbreak, he and his group left the city in haste.

It was not because they didn't want to save the lives of others, but it was because they knew they couldn't.

There was simply not enough manpower to defend the city from its inevitable destruction.

Orcs and Minotaurs were already a threat, but if the Giant Trolls, Ogres, and Cyclops were to join the battle, the walls of the city would crumble beneath their might.

Since the Red Wolves was a popular Adventurer Party in Otto City, their departure alarmed their friends and acquaintances, making them realize that their worst fears had come to life.

"Sir, more adventurers are leaving the city," the Vice Mayor reported. "I have a feeling that even the Town's Guards might leave their posts as well and flee."

The Mayor of Otto City, Otto Richmond, sighed deeply.

When the Red Wolves had made their intent to escape the city known to him, he agreed, but on the condition that they also took his family with them.

Mayor Otto had already made preparations for his family to evacuate the city as soon as a Dungeon Outbreak had been confirmed.

Unfortunately, he was duty-bound to protect the city that was entrusted to him by the King. Even if the city were to fall, he must fall alongside it, as it was what was expected of him by his liege.

"Inform the people that a Dungeon Outbreak is upon us," Mayor Otto declared. "If they wish to leave, then don't stop them from leaving. To those who plan to stay and defend the city, tell them that I will greatly reward them if we manage to successfully defend this place.

"You can also leave if you want. If you don't want to escape, at least, ensure that your family can go to the capital safely."

The Vice Mayor smiled bitterly after hearing the Mayor's words.

"I have already asked my people to escort my family to the Capital," the Vice Mayor replied. "I will be staying here with you."

Mayor Otto sighed before patting the shoulder of his trusted companion.

"Spread the word far and wide," Mayor Otto declared. "A Dungeon Outbreak is upon us, and those who wish to live should escape while they still can."

———————

News of the Dungeon Outbreak spread like wildfire.

Even the Inn where Ethan, Nicole, Samantha, and Lady Johanna were staying decided to close down and leave the city.

"What are the three of you going to do?" Lady Johanna asked. "I know that the Patriarch's orders are absolute, but there is simply no way for you to defend this city when even the Adventurers and City Guards supposed to defend it are leaving."

Samantha looked at Nicole with an anxious look on her face. As a Witch, she could leave anytime she wanted, and nothing would be able to stop her.

However, she still stayed and waited for Nicole to make her decision.

"Samantha, you head over to the last town we visited, and rent a room in the inn where we stayed for a week," Nicole ordered. "If we're not back by that time, return to the academy and inform the Headmaster of what happened here."

"Are the two of you going to stay?" Samantha asked with a frown. "It's too dangerous! I heard there are Ogres and Cyclops. Those monsters are trouble!"

"It's fine," Nicole replied. "Ethan and I can fly away if our lives are truly in danger. Rest assured, I don't plan on dying any time soon. There are still many things that I want to accomplish in my life."

Samantha then glanced at Ethan, and the young man nodded his head.

"Just like Nicole mentioned earlier, we can easily escape if we want to," Ethan replied. "Our lives will not be in danger."

Lady Johanna wanted to say something but decided not to. It was not her place to tell Ethan and Nicole what to do with their lives.

"I will go with Samantha to the town you are talking about," Lady Johanna stated. "If I don't see you within a week, I'll return to the Asta Family and tell them of what happened here."

Nicole nodded. "I'll see the two of you in a week."

She didn't even bother to ask Ethan to go with them. In order to have a chance of survival, she would need him by her side.

Many people might not be aware of Ethan's true strength, but Nicole knew just how powerful he was.

Granted, it was impossible for the two of them to hold back countless monsters from a Dungeon Outbreak. But with enough preparations, Ethan would be able to play a major role in the upcoming defense of the city.

She had asked Samantha to leave because she didn't want their friend to see Ethan's secrets.

Although Samantha and Ethan had become good friends during the time that they were together, she also understood that the young man would not show his secrets openly to people he didn't trust.

After Samantha and Lady Johanna flew away together, Nicole glanced at Ethan and motioned for him to follow her.

"We're going to visit Mayor Otto," Nicole stated as she headed towards the Otto Residence. "Maybe we can buy enough time for the reinforcements of the neighboring lands to arrive and help defend this city from destruction."

Ethan didn't say a word and simply followed behind the young lady, who even in this situation didn't plan to back down from the chance to pass the trial that was given to her by the Patriarch of the Asta Family.