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Chapter 165 – Central Dungeon Strategy・Makyo and the Others Part 3
At the end of the passageway was a vast area surrounded by buildings of various shapes and sizes.
Was there a town inside the dungeon? The buildings’ pillars were leaning, and their white walls were bulging. There were only window frames, but they were impossible to see through, so they didn’t seem to serve much purpose.
“How big is this dungeon?”
“This is normal. Something else is strange.”
Chel looked at the buildings with interest.
“This white stuff is Arachne’s thread.”
Chel touched it to confirm.
It resembled the nest where the Arachnes had bred in the forest of the demonic land. However, the pillars and window frames looked as if they had been crafted by humans.
The satyr we were chasing had disappeared somewhere in the town.
“What should we do?”
Ka-Ryu, who had been in the bag, emerged and gathered soil from the surrounding ground, forming herself into a human shape.
“There don’t seem to be any traps or hostility, so let’s wait and see. Let’s look for something we can use to communicate.”
“What’s that?”
Chel pointed to the street in the town.
Thoom, thoom.
A large Maeshitsukawazu came rumbling toward us.
Guooaaahh!
It opened its mouth wide, as if to swallow us whole. However, it didn’t seem very threatening. It wasn’t drooling, and it didn’t have the distinctive beastly smell of a monster. Instead, it smelled like citrus fruit. Its skin was unblemished, and it kept a steady distance from us.
“I understand. Calm down.”
Even when I stroke its snout, it doesn’t bite. When I stroked its jaw, it rolled over and showed its belly.
“Newcomers are coming.”
I couldn’t see them because of the Maeshitsukawazu’s huge body, but I noticed that Wyverns, Arachnes, and Lamia had gathered in the town square and formed a large defensive wall.
“I see. We’re the intruders, aren’t we?”
The Wyverns dropped rocks, the Arachnes spat threads, and the Lamias petrified them, forming a sturdy wall. Impressed by their magnificent teamwork, Chel and I both exclaimed, “That’s amazing!”
“My name is Ka-Ryu! I am a knight of Yggdrasil and a Keeper of Time. For reasons I cannot reveal, I have descended from the giant magical beast, and I am now working with the lord of this demonic land. Is there anyone here who can understand me?”
Ka-Ryu shouted at the monsters on the other side of the wall.
“””…”””
There was no response, but the wall-building stopped.
“Excuse me for appearing as a golem! My flesh has perished, and I have become earth from the giant magical beast. We mean you no harm! You appear to be victims of the demonic beast disease, or perhaps their descendants. Is there anyone who understands our language?”
The demonic beast disease turns people into monsters.
Those infected would likely be gathered somewhere. Perhaps this dungeon was a genetic research facility that took them in.
I could hear the monsters talking on the other side of the wall. If we could communicate with them, it would be helpful.
As I stared at the wall, a satyr suddenly jumped onto it. It seemed that the discussion was over.
“If you are the real Ka-Ryu-sama, we have heard that you are the war maiden of the Colosseum! We will never forget when many of our people were massacred by the false nobles known as the Holy Knights! If you are the real one, show us your power!”
Clang.
The rusty iron spear thrown by the satyr rolled to Ka-Ryu’s feet.
“War maiden of the Colosseum?”
I concentrated my magic in my right hand and approached Ka-Ryu.
“That was before I became the Keeper of Time. I used to be human, and I have a past I’d rather not talk about. A little magic will do.”
I placed my hand on Ka-Ryu’s back and sent a little magic into her.
“I don’t know how far I can go with this clay-like body, but…”
Ka-Ryu kicked the spear rolling at her feet and grabbed it.
Clang.
She struck the distorted cobblestones with the butt of the spear as if knocking off rust.
“The god of blacksmiths will be angry if you handle your weapon so carelessly. Makyo, I’ll leave the replenishment of magic to you.”
“Got it.”
I said to Ka-Ryu’s back. She stood with the spear in her hands, looking very dignified.
“I’ll dance if you tell me to, but if it gets dangerous, you’ll have to get out of the way!”
Ka-Ryu said to the monsters looking down at her from the wall.
“Got it.”
“Makyo, Chel, please don’t look too much because it’s embarrassing.”
Ka-Ryu swayed slightly before spinning her spear.
“My body is as soft as a butterfly’s wings, and my spear is as sharp as an eagle’s beak…”
In a deep, resonant voice, Ka-Ryu’s body floated gracefully through the air.
“My posture is low, my spirit is high, and I devour like a beast with iron fangs…”
Ka-Ryu landed, lowered herself, and began swinging her spear.
Whoosh!
The sound of wind cutting through the air rang out, and the surrounding buildings’ pillars were blown away. She spun around, jumped up, and destroyed the buildings on both sides of the street with the tip of her spear.
“I have come from the battlefield, and I will die on the battlefield. I am a maiden who turns the path she walks into battle. A fierce warrior. Live freely! Scatter like flowers! Carve this moment, this place, this instant into history! Follow me!”
Thud!
Ka-Ryu’s body, dancing like a spear, pierced the wall in the square.
Boom!
A shockwave ran through the wall, causing the rock and Arachne’s reinforced threads to crumble with a loud noise.
With the wall gone, the monsters cowered in fear.
“Do you believe me now? Ah, as expected, it’s difficult to control my body in this clay-like form…”
I hurriedly poured magic into Ka-Ryu’s body, which was melting away.
“I’m saved.”
Ka-Ryu returned to her normal human form, but her muscles and face seemed more defined than usual. She must have been a strong woman after all.
“There doesn’t seem to be anyone here who can repair your weapons. What’s going on in this dungeon?”
Ka-Ryu stepped forward and approached the monsters.
“Director!”
“Demon King!”
“The keeper of time is here!”
The monsters shouted in unison and scattered and fled.
“Who are we chasing?”
“Satyr, I guess.”
We jumped and ran after the fleeing satyr.
At the edge of town, we saw a wall with a hole that led to a dungeon passageway. The satyr went through the hole and led us to another space.
“Demon King, wake up! The knights of Yggdrasil are here!”
The shrill voice of a satyr echoed throughout the dimly lit but spacious room.
“Huh… eh? Oh, yes.”
A huge, mountain-like monster slowly rose and sat down on a massive chair.
The creature, whom the satyr called the Demon King, was a huge deer-headed monster about the size of a stretched-out sandworm of the demonic land. his human body was covered in tattered black cloth, and he supported himself with a staff as large as a troll’s. Perhaps he was very old.
“Demon King?”
Chel, representing the Kingdom of Meiju, spoke up.
“Indeed, I am the Demon King of this dungeon. State your wishes. I could destroy one or two kingdoms for you. However, please make it a place I can reach within half a day. I fear my body may not last much longer…”
It seemed difficult for him to even breathe.
“No, I don’t have any such desires. I just want you to teach me different things. You can lie down if you want.”
“What? Really? Well, if you’re okay with that, then I guess I’ll lie down.”
The demon king carefully climbed down from his chair, mindful of the horns growing from his head, and lay down on the floor. Despite being a demon king, he had no dignity whatsoever. He looked like nothing more than a monster who had lost all his strength.
“So, what is it? What do you want me to teach you?”
The deer-headed demon king asked while lying down. Perhaps he had given up on acting superior; he sounded quite casual.
“Before that, are you okay? Are you sick or something?”
“No, I can’t do it anymore. Maintaining this huge body is too much. I’m getting old, you know. I can’t eat much, my mind isn’t as sharp as it used to be, and I’ve completely depleted my magic power. The little magic I have left is used for research. Honestly, I want to retire as the Demon King, but there’s no one else who can go out and come back. What should I do?”
He started complaining freely.
“I don’t really understand, but will you be fine if you have magical power?”
“Maybe a little…”
I had no choice but to gather my magic power and pour it into the deer demon king.
“Oh! Ooohh! What is this? Who are you?”
“I told you, they’re the Knights of Yggdrasil!”
The satyr standing behind him shouted.
“No, I’m the lord of the demonic land. This golem is the Knight of Yggdrasil, Ka-Ryu. And…”
“I’m Chel, the former candidate for Demon King of the Meiju Kingdom. What a disgrace for someone who claims to be the Demon King! How did you let the dungeon fall into ruin like this?”
Chel spoke fluently, disparaging him.
“I am ashamed… Ever since Midgard was transferred, we have been preoccupied with battles between dungeons. We’ve focused our efforts on accepting patients with demonic beast disease and raising dragons. But since I took over, the outside world has changed completely. We have been living in fear and preparing for attacks without knowing what is going on.”
The deer-headed Demon King, who had regained some energy, began to speak.
“Did you hide the entrance to the dungeon to protect it from attacks by other dungeons?”
Ka-Ryu asked the Demon King.
“I don’t know if it’s an attack by other dungeons. If we go outside, monsters and plants will attack us. We have no choice but to hide and survive.”
“So, the monsters outside the dungeon didn’t become stronger because the monsters in this dungeon left?”
“Do you mean the demonic land is the outside world?”
“The ruins of Yggdrasil are called the demonic land. It is now part of the Kingdom of Estinia, and I am the lord of that land.”
“What? So, the entire Yggdrasil has become a forest, like the outside world?”
“The southern part is a desert, but the other half is mostly forest. It’s a land full of strange monsters and plants that can’t be found anywhere else.”
“I see. That’s quite different from what I’ve heard. I knew the forest had expanded, but I didn’t realize the changes had spread over such a wide area.”
Touching his deer head, the Demon King let out a deep sigh. He sat down cross-legged and fell silent.
“Um…”
“Ah, that explains why the monsters outside have become stronger. If there are monsters that are half-human, then they are likely descendants of the monsters that escaped from this laboratory. However, I don’t think the other monsters are influenced by this laboratory.”
“Then could it be the influence of the plants taken from the botanical garden?”
“No, it’s better not to decide on a single cause. It could be the influence of magical power flowing deep underground, or the giant magical beast traveling through time, or the effects of earth fissures and climate change. You said you were the lord of the demonic land, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I became the margrave just a few months ago.”
“The influence of those who rule the land may also be a factor. The power of words is greater than you might think.”
Could the monsters in the demonic land have become stronger because of me? No, that can’t be true.
“You mentioned that the country has changed?”
“Yes, it became the Kingdom of Estinia, founded by a clan descended from dragons. It was 1,000 years ago when Midgard disappeared.”
“The dragonfolk race, I see. I was born about 300 years ago, so I only know what has been passed down through legends. I may not be able to answer many of your questions, Lord of the demonic land.”
“Just tell us what you know. We know almost nothing. Without Ka-Ryu’s testimony, this dungeon would have remained undiscovered. We have no hostile intentions, but please be aware that this place is currently known as the demonic land and is under my rule.”
“I understand. Then I will hand over this dungeon immediately. Will you protect the people of this research facility?”
The giant demon king bowed his head toward me.
“No, it’s probably safer for you to stay in the dungeon. We’ll bring you whatever supplies you need. Could you tell me how many people are inside?”
“There aren’t many left. Including those who have turned into monsters, there should be about 300. We’re severely lacking food. We’ve been surviving on synthetic food, but we’ve reached our limit. Is there any way you can get us some food?”
“Then I’ll go hunt for a bit…”
“Wait a minute!”
Chel stopped me abruptly.
“This is a dungeon, so you should be able to cultivate a field. Your hands are shaped like human hands, so you should be able to cultivate the soil. Why don’t you make a wheat field? Or a cornfield? You said you’ve been here for 300 years, right? How many of those years have you been in charge of this dungeon? What have you been doing all this time?”
Chel was indignant and confronted the giant demon king.
“I’m sorry. I’ve tried many times, but it’s no use. The soil in this dungeon is barren. Even if we ask for help, the botanical garden is buried deep underground. Whenever we try to improve the soil, monsters come out! The soil in the forest has gone mad!”
The demon king explained to Chel as if pleading with her, on the verge of tears.
“The soil has gone mad? Is that possible? Oh, we did excavate the botanical garden dungeon. We couldn’t find anything that could communicate with us, but we can enter and exit.”
“Excavate? How did you attack the plants? There were Guardian Spiders there…”
The deer-headed demon king looked at me, his eyes wide. His eyes were round and innocent.
“First, don’t judge this man by your common sense.”
Chel said with amusement.
“It was Makyo who summoned me from the giant magical beast to this era. He will destroy the curse that binds this land, the laws of Yggdrasil, and all the ancient customs. Don’t worry. He only does reckless things.”
“Hiding things will only get you nowhere. Before you know it, everything will be destroyed. You’d better tell us now.”
The giant demon king is threatened by Chel and Ka-Ryu.
“Don’t use me to threaten him.”
“There is a dragon ranch ahead where the dungeon master lives. She is younger than me, but she is smart and has studied the books in the laboratory. You should talk to her. O lord of the demonic land.”
The deer-headed demon king said this, trembling with fear.
“Sati, show them the way.”
“Eh, I don’t want to be eaten yet.”
The satyr replied, on the verge of tears.
“It’ll be okay. The lord of the demonic land will protect you.”
“Really?”
“If there are dragons, I’d like to see them. As long as they don’t attack, I won’t hit them.”
“Then you can rest assured. This way.”
Sati is quite obedient. He wouldn’t be cut out for business.
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