Chapter 44 – 11. Dungeon, After That. (One)
Viola wasn’t feeling well. It wasn’t enough that Allen Danzoo was lost, and the loyal Alex was also gone. In addition, the damage suffered by the mercenaries from this surprise attack was considerable, and it was a headache trying to fix it all.
… If I just gave that order… !
I’d rather go, and later regretted it, but the situation was already irreversible. She lost both precious people in a momentary mistake, and the direction of her mission is now in a maze.
The corpse was collected as much as possible, but there was no ability to lift and move it. Of course, the mercenaries who wanted to collect the bodies of their colleagues were allowed to do so. … However, in a dungeon where it was difficult to protect one’s own body, there was no one to drag someone else’s body. Then maybe I’ll be in the same situation.
The mercenaries passed on fairy tales one by one to the mouths of those they were close to among their dead comrades. Use it as nojad money on the road to the underworld. That was how mercenaries prayed for peace.
Viola went to sleep first. Because I had to conserve my stamina again. She, too, lay down on her rug and went to sleep.
The group, who woke up after a sigh of sleep, vividly witnessed the bloody scene last night. The floor was still littered with unremoved internal organs and flesh, and puddles of blood were formed here and there.
After rinsing her mouth out with a sip of water, Viola gathered the remaining sobers. To ask your opinion on what you would like to do.
“I am no longer able to carry out my duties. I guess I’ll have to go back.”
“I think the same.”
With the exception of the viola, the only two remaining sophomores all suggested returning immediately. But she didn’t make the decision easily.
It was a mission in which 10 rivers participated. Although he suffered some damage from the surprise attack, how much damage would his reputation be if he could not even keep his plan and resigned? … You will surely hear countless sarcasm from some top 10 sophomores who can’t see how others are doing well.
“… I plan to return from the third day anyway. So try it for one more day, and if you don’t like it, step back right away. You might encounter missing people. How is it?”
However, it was not a situation that made it impossible to perform the mission at all. Then, you have to show that you did as much as you could, so even the marquis family can save face.
The two remaining sophomores nodded that they would follow her opinion, probably noticing their situation.
So it was decided that the group would continue moving according to the original plan. Of course, everyone complained inwardly, but no one dared to express it openly in front of 10 lectures.
The group started walking all the way along the aisle again. … However, they faced a completely different situation from what they had experienced so far.
Right now, all the monsters that had fought fiercely until yesterday were limp and motionless. When I looked, there was nothing like trauma. I don’t know if it happened once or twice, but it happened over and over again. It’s like watching a scene of mass suicide.
… What is this… ?
Even Viola did not immediately realize what this meant. Then, at some point, a thought popped into my mind.
Could it be that the queen is dead?
Apparently, Allen said that he only needed to capture the queen. Then the rest goes away on its own. … And that disappearing by itself probably meant this.
Then, who killed the queen—-, the question remains, but of course, the group that had been torn apart at the entrance to the aisle had the greatest chance of succeeding. …… No way, how likely is it that the missing group did it?
It was a very, very slim chance. If it was like the usual viola, I would have given up at once saying it was ridiculous, but strangely, I didn’t want to deny that weak possibility this time.
It was a strange feeling. For some reason, 522 doesn’t die and seems to be alive until the end, such a strange feeling. She, who should have been faithful to reason, was swayed by emotion.
… However, feelings are just feelings.
They never met the missing group. Viola, too, gave up hope that they might be alive. … Even if they were alive, they wouldn’t be able to meet them.
Anyway, the third day’s mission was over. And starting back tomorrow.
“Today we rest here. I’ll be back when I wake up tomorrow, so you know.”
As if everyone had been waiting for those words, their faces lit up.
Viola had a bit of discomfort, but she forcibly brushed it off and lay down.
– Knight ah, knight ah ah ah!!!
The mercenaries suddenly woke up at the loud noise.
Calling to wake up, the watchman pointed her finger towards her aisle and called out to Viola, who stood up with her sword.
“Boo, it’s a light—! I see a light over there!”
Light-?
It really was. It was still dim, but the light shimmered. And it’s coming right towards them.
At least it was certain that he wasn’t a monster. Then it’s either one. Is it the missing group of Allens or the group that broke up? If the aisles are connected like a ring, the possibility of reuniting with the group that separated from the aisles cannot be ruled out. … Of course, it would be normal for them to go to bed now.
Viola ordered the other mercenaries to wait here and prepared only her own members to mobilize.
“Let’s go.”
The Viola-Mercenary Corps hurriedly moved towards where the light could be seen. The two lights quickly approached each other.
A group of opponents that will soon begin to appear slowly. … And, Viola couldn’t keep her mouth shut from the impact of the blunt punch on the back of her head.
It was really, really, a group of Allens who thought they were dead. Those who had disappeared completely came back alive. Really.
“Captain… !”
There was even Captain Alex, who went off to rescue Allen.
The viola-mercenaries hurriedly ran at them. The state of Allen Danju, who sent a light greeting to the viola, did not look very good. … No, the entire group is on the verge of collapsing….
As I was thinking that, several people collapsed to the floor at the same time. The wizard holding the magic wand collapsed as if fainting, and the light went out.
“Everyone is bummed out. Take them with you Come on!”
Miraculous rebirth.
Viola,
I felt the miracle of 522.
· · ·
Viola, who finally returned to the city after a long hardship and had a comfortable night, woke up early the next morning to ablution and greet the rising sun.
When she saw the sun burning red, she could feel deep in her bones that she had indeed returned.
She had been a mercenary for over ten years and had visited quite a few dungeons, but the difficulty of this dungeon was worth counting on her three fingers. Of course, if the mercenary corps were composed of really talented first-team members, the evaluation might have changed a bit, but it was clear that it was not an easy dungeon.
… Anyways, I finished it safely, so that’s okay. That’s it.
While she was soothing her stomach, which had been resting all night with tea before meals, someone came to her room. I thought it was the maid’s call that the meal was ready, but an unexpected person appeared.
“Sweet Lord.”
It was Captain Alex. After he fell off and rejoined until he returned to the city, he seemed to be fine again after a good night’s recuperation.
“How do you feel?”
“I am fine now. I’m sorry for worrying you.”
“I’m sorry. I gave unreasonable instructions.”
“No. This is an unreasonable order.”
The captain seemed to have a lot to say. Even so, Viola was also in a state where her curiosity, which she could not bear to ask her subordinates, was piled up like a mountain.
“Sit there.”
Danju pointed to the seat opposite him with his chin. The captain quickly sat down, put his hands together and rested his chin on the table.
“What the hell happened? Why did you disappear What is that hole again?”
“I heard that it was a feeding hole. The caterpillar monster pushes food through the hole, and it flows into the queen’s room.”
“That’s where you killed the queen.”
“Yes.”
Alex nodded his head, answering vigorously without hesitation. He even came up with pride that couldn’t be hidden in his expression.
Viola also heard in the dungeon that they killed the queen. She just didn’t know all the details. … And that, too, was slowly coming to light.
“It was where the mucus had built up to her knees. … To use a realistic analogy, it would be like falling into a poop. Sorry. Because that’s the only thing that comes to mind. … Yes, anyway, there was a giant monster queen. And we killed it. … In fact, I almost did all the magic.”
“…… It’s hard to imagine in words.”
“It makes me wonder if it was a dream for me, too, who fell in and came out.”
At that moment, the faint smile on the captain’s face slowly disappeared. It seemed that something important was about to be said.
“Sweet Lord.”
“Well.”
“Be sure to catch Allen Danju.”
“… What?”
His eyes were beyond certainty, close to blind faith.
“Going to rescue him was the best choice I would ever make. Even if I died in the process, I would have no regrets.”
Viola was momentarily speechless and stared at her captain.
“You must embrace that man. Definitely.”
“…… Is that enough?”
The captain nodded his head vigorously without hesitation.
“It will definitely be the best sober.”
