◈ 428. [Side Story]
The very next day after the defense with the Magic Tower and the victory banquet was held.
The Mermaid King – King Poseidon XIII left immediately.
In the first place, it seemed that he had been in distress due to an unexpected situation, and that he wanted to quickly hold a meeting with his tribe about the issue I proposed.
“I’ll see you again in the near future… … He says.”
A serenade standing next to the mermaid king translated his sign language.
No, why do you pretend not to be able to speak when you can speak normally? … I broke out in a cold sweat.
“There are things that I am not used to talking on land, and the voice of a mermaid has the power of seduction, so I use sign language whenever possible… He says.”
The mermaid king explained (translated by Serenade) as if he had noticed my question.
I blinked in surprise.
aha really Originally, mermaids used to sink ships by manipulating the human mind with their enchanting singing voice. Is it that kind of ability?
‘Coming to think of it, during yesterday’s conversation, he might have tried to trick me into revealing his true feelings.’
Thanks to the passive skill [Indomitable Commander], I didn’t even know that such a dazzling attack was coming. Well, thanks to you, I can say that my sincerity has been conveyed well.
Thinking of this, the mermaid king smiled broadly and blew the twin sticks at me. I didn’t know, so I blew the big stick.
Serenade decided to take responsibility for the repatriation of the mermaid king.
In the first place, I was going to take you to the airship, and originally, it was Serenade that I was in contact with the remnants of the mermaids.
“Then I will go, Your Highness.”
“huh. Please take good care of me.”
“yes. Say that King Poseidon XIII wishes you well… … Oh, this is what you said to me.”
Sweating with translation, the serenade led the way to the airship.
The mermaid king was also transported to the airship in a portable bathtub while showing off the stick until the end… … Have a good trip. I hope you come back with good news.
Waving at him as he walked away, I lowered my arm and looked around at my men.
“Let’s get busy too.”
In my heart, I want to be more soaked in the joy of victory.
The situation outside is suffocatingly fast. This one also needs to move quickly.
‘According to the fallen king’s plan, we have to send messengers to the kings and chieftains of various races.’
Like the mermaid king, other kings also need to send my invitation.
The messengers to be sent to each king have already been decided.
Oddly – or inevitably – among my subordinates, there were those who were related to each of the fallen kings.
All you have to do is dress up well, carry a gift in your hand, and send it. I don’t know of a good answer, but I can get everyone to listen.
‘But before that, attack the ‘Magic Tower’.’
District 8 dungeon ‘Magic Tower’ boasts a far more overwhelming size and threat than the dungeons you have cleared so far.
This side also needs to respond with the most elite heroes. It would be better to quickly clear it all together before sending them off in all directions as messengers.
Fortunately, there is plenty of time left until the next stage.
Maybe it’s because the previous stage was the boss stage. More than a month has passed.
If you quickly complete the Mage Tower raid and turn the lions in all directions, you will be able to operate more leisurely after that.
“So, summon everyone!”
I clapped and shouted.
“I’ll rush into the dungeon tomorrow morning! Today, we are going to do that briefing, so until lunch today, all the heroes of the first team will gather at the manor house!”
***
So around lunchtime.
All the heroes have gathered in the manor house.
“We had a defensive battle just yesterday, and I’m sorry that we summoned them without giving them a chance to rest.”
I started briefing on this expedition while ordering Ader to serve tea and coffee.
“However, as the current world situation is urgent, we must respond quickly accordingly… .”
I stopped talking.
It was because the faces of the heroes who were sitting in their seats looking at me were all blank. They all look distressed as if they are suffering from a hangover.
“… No, how much did you drink yesterday? these children.”
Junior made an excuse as the representative to me who was being ridiculous.
“But His Highness the Prince also returned… … I even defeated a corps commander-level enemy general… … It was all about being happy. Besides, there were a lot of seafood dishes, so the alcohol is good… … Cool memories!”
Stopped talking, Junior coughed up blood profusely.
“Do you want to drink alcohol with your body like that?!”
No, I drank perm yesterday too.
After looking around at the zombie-like party members who woo-woo-woo-hoo with a hangover.
“… I’d like to give it a few more days of rest. I don’t have time. I’ll rush into the dungeon right away tomorrow morning.”
I spoke relentlessly.
I smiled at the heroes who were crying all at once.
“Besides, there will be almost no battles ‘if done well’ in this dungeon. There is no need to go into perfect condition.”
“… ?”
The heroes’ eyes widened at the word that there would be little battle. I tapped my wand on the blackboard that Ader had brought.
“This time, we will target the area 8 dungeon ‘Magic Tower’.”
It seems like yesterday when I first entered District 1 and got lost. We have already reached the Magic Tower, the representative dungeon of District 8.
After a brief moment of remorse, I raised my wand and pointed at the party of elves sitting in the corner of the drawing room.
“The road to this place has already been cleared by Belldandi and the Holy Grail Exploration Team.”
“Yaho~!”
Then, Belldandy and the elves waved their hands in all directions as if saying hello.
These rodent species, who also use nuts for hangover, are drinking a drink similar to Ssanghwatang with plenty of nuts in order to sober up.
“So, the Holy Grail Exploration Team will be in charge of the directions. Holy Grail Exploration Team! We plan to retrieve the ‘Holy Grail’ you so longed for here at the Mage’s Tower, so work hard and lead the way.”
“Leave it to me, Ash-sama!”
Belldandy clenched his fists with twinkling eyes. The other four elves also nodded enthusiastically. good.
“The road is open, so all we have to do is enter the dungeon tomorrow, clear it, and get out.”
widely!
I knocked on the blackboard and started explaining the inside of the dungeon in earnest.
“Tell me in advance. There are no monsters in the dungeon ‘Magic Tower’.”
At those words, all the heroes put on puzzled faces.
It would be strange. A dungeon without monsters?
However, there are no monsters, but there are ‘enemies’.
“In place of the monster, a fully automated defense system guards the tower.”
“ah… !”
The wizards exclaimed in unison.
In particular, the young wizards under the juniors’ faces all turned pale. Are there any illusions in the magic tower?
“As expected, it’s a magic tower… … !”
“A place where the essence of ancient magic is gathered… !”
“Even if you sneak up on some souvenirs on the way, the lord will let you go… … !”
“… Big!”
I tried to pass the glimmering eyes of the wizards.
You know all the booty must be inspected by me, guys? The lord will take a look at the high-grade items.
‘No, they say it will be returned when you all grow up?’
It’s the same principle as your parents taking the money. I’ll call you well and return it. Whatever you pick up, give it to me first.
Anyhow, I went on to explain.
“The Magic Tower is, in a nutshell… It is a dungeon with a puzzle gimmick.”
The composition is the same as other dungeons, but the dungeon rooms are continuous, but instead, puzzles are presented in place of monsters in every room. just solve this
What if you succeed in solving it? Reward is given and go to the next room.
What if you fail to solve it? The defense system will do its best to kill the intruder.
‘Something is said, because the Mage Tower is a space for all wizards in the setting, so the wizards who have passed the ordeal are given a worthy reward.’
So if you pass the ordeal (puzzle), you get a prize.
It was such a dungeon that if you couldn’t pass it, you would be mercilessly beaten.
Of course, it can be solved through battle just like a normal dungeon.
There is also a way to break through by smashing turrets, artifact magic traps, and automated golems that pour out instead of monsters.
In fact, in the game, many of the users simply pressed and pressed to clear the game.
You can get the same rewards, and you can get additional combat experience points. In terms of efficiency, it’s actually better to solve it in battle.
‘But what I’m aiming for can’t be obtained through battle.’
There are also special rewards that can be obtained by clearing all puzzles up to the boss room.
More than anything… If you can go without risking it, it is better to avoid battle.
Rather than causing casualties by trying to get a little more experience.
After delivering this information, I looked around at the heroes and said.
“So, take a good rest today! Sober up until tomorrow morning! to gather here again. got it?”
yep-! and everyone responded loudly.
Then Lucas, who was sitting in the front, raised his hand. I pointed at him with my cane.
“Any questions, schoolboy?”
“Yes sir.”
Lucas asked cautiously.
“If you just listen to the words, there are few battles, or even if there are, it is assumed that there will be few… Is there any reason to put in so many people?”
As Lucas said, all the heroes of the first team are gathered in the drawing room right now.
The scale is dozens of heroes. In a dungeon that presupposes non-combat, there is certainly no need to appoint such a large number.
It would be better to move lightly with fewer people.
I laughed bitterly.
“… Because there is only one thing.”
You have to be prepared in case you fail to clear the puzzle.
And above all… … .
Because I have to be careful of ‘someone’ who is hiding in the innermost part of the magic tower.
“… .”
I decided not to tell the heroes about this ‘someone’. I think it will only increase my anxiety.
Instead, he clapped loudly and said.
“Okay, the meeting is over… … Shall we all have a hangover while having lunch together?”
Then everyone cheered.
In particular, the drunkards began to take out the bottles of alcohol they had hidden in their arms one by one, saying, ‘We must drink alcohol!’ … These madmen! Eat rice quietly!
***
After lunch and dismissing the heroes.
I rode the teleport gate and headed under the Lake Kingdom.
When we arrived at the base camp, we distributed fish dishes to the people there.
“Oh, it’s been a while since I’ve eaten sea fish dishes! Don’t eat well!”
I bribed Kelly Bay with a drink to go with the food and… … .
chuck.
He held out two magic cores.
[Goblin God King’s Magic Core] and [Ghost Slayer Captain’s Magic Core].
It was the magic core of the two nightmare corps commanders. When I finally gave it a go, Kelly Bay’s glazed eyes lit up with fire.
“Finally you’re putting this out! I’ve been waiting for this!”
“… I’ve decided where to use it.”
I ordered equipment to make with these two magic cores from Kelly Bay.
Kelly Bay made a quick note of my request with an oh-ho-ho-like sound. A mischievous smile crossed the corners of his bearded mouth.
“A Nightmare Slayer guarantees its power equal to its level of danger. Huhu, I’m looking forward to these two too… … .”
“Thank you, father-in-law.”
Kelly Bay thumped my chest, telling me to leave it to her.
This dwarf grandfather’s skills were completely guaranteed, so I only grinned.
After finishing the equipment request, I was going to meet Moo-myeong.
“… .”
It was not visible.
Coco’s grandmother, who had been cut off, was back, so she handed over the fish dish and asked about the whereabouts of the unknown. Then Coco showed a strange smile.
“… Ignorance has realized that its fate is ripe.”
“yes?”
“The time is coming. The time is coming hehe… … .”
After saying such an incomprehensible sound, she took the fish dish and disappeared into her studio.
I frowned in displeasure. what. What is coming?
The work at Eolchu Base Camp is over. I pulled myself out of base camp.
There was a separate place to hear. He raised
his
blue flame whip and walked alone in the darkness.
how long did it take The space I was looking for appeared.
The space where the water supply connects between Districts 5 and 6. A place where water leaks from a broken pipe and seeps into a cut-out stone wall.
Nameless grasses and moss grew thickly around this narrow passage where rare clear water flowed.
And beside this waterway… … There was a field of finely ground soil.
There were clear traces of something planted in this soil field. But nothing was sprouting.
“… .”
In my ear as I quietly looked down at the dirt field,
“Ash-sama?”
A voice was heard.
When I turned around, there was Belldandi standing there with a bewildered expression. With the members of the Holy Grail Exploration Team under his command.
“How is this… .”
“… .”
This was the base of the Holy Grail Exploration Team. These elves were living separately here, not at the base camp.
I smiled bitterly and opened my mouth.
“I’m here because I have something to tell you, Belldandi.”
