Chapter 10: Predicament
Sharing joy over each other's safety with Clarice and the others, I turned my gaze inside the room.
There were six people who appeared to be staff, and four students, totaling ten.
I thought there were many staff, but then I recalled Cyrus saying there should be a staff-only party on the fourth layer, so they must have merged.
"Are Lady Karen, Baron, and Dominic not here?"
Four students were missing. The remaining one must be a member of 【Sickle Weasel】.
"That's right. And a girl named Minerva too. When we woke up, the four of them were gone..."
Minerva? Come to think of it, the person Sasha mentioned as an S-Class candidate.
"I need to hear the details about that situation, Let's go to everyone."
"I'm sorry... It must be because I and Josef said we felt unwell that this happened..."
Apologizing was the dark-grey haired leader of 【Sickle Weasel】, Johann. As Sasha had said, he had quite a good build.
"Why do you think that?"
When I threw the natural question at Johann...
"Lady Karen said she wanted to beat 【Crimson Lotus】's record. She said 【Crimson Lotus】 took twenty-five days to clear the mid-boss room on the sixth layer... so 【Flower Lotus】 would clear it faster than that. Then I reported feeling unwell..."
Clarice answered in place of Johann, who choked on his words.
"I thought it was dangerous to dive with two people feeling unwell, so I suggested returning temporarily. Lady Karen agreed at that time, but when we woke up in the morning, they were gone... At first, since two men and two women disappeared, we said maybe it was that kind of thing, but they didn't come back..."
There is a reason Clarice suggested returning due to the illness of Johann and Josef, who aren't even in 【Flower Lotus】.
When diving in a dungeon, consecutive battles leave no time for recovery.
So there's a method where parties take turns fighting; while one party fights, the other focuses on recovering HP and MP. 【Flower Lotus】 and 【Sickle Weasel】 must have been in a cooperative relationship.
Clarice's suggestion was definitely not wrong.
"It's not something you should worry about. I would have said the same thing if I were there."
Clarice and Johann showed expressions of relief at Sasha's words.
While asking for further details, Cyrus, who I had separated from earlier, arrived at the room.
"Oi! What happened to the four who went missing!?"
Cyrus, ever putting students first.
After explaining the situation, we immediately decided on a search team, a team to escort Johann and Josef to the city, and a team to remain here in case Karen and the others returned.
The team to escort Johann and Josef to the city was decided quickly. Two staff members present, Johann and Josef from 【Sickle Weasel】, and their remaining two members, totaling six.
The six left immediately for the city once the team was decided. This was because Josef's condition was worse than expected.
The problem was deciding the search team.
Remaining here were me, Clarice, Ellie, Misha, Sasha, and Cyrus. Plus the four teachers who were here and the two teachers who came with Cyrus, totaling twelve.
"Then the search team will be me, Cyrus, Mars..."
A staff member interrupted Sasha's words.
"Sasha-san! Taking a student is surely...!? And an E-Class student at that!"
However, Sasha didn't yield.
"This is my judgment as a B-Rank adventurer! The only B-Rank adventurers here are me and Cyrus! If anything happens, you can blame me, so follow orders!"
"Even if you say that, we teachers and the academy are responsible for the children. If something happens, we teachers will take responsibility..."
A teacher objected to Sasha's words, but this man shouted them down.
"Shut up! It's common sense to take strong guys for a search team! I understand your feelings, but we're taking Mars! Got it!?"
The teachers nodded reluctantly.
"Then the remaining three..."
As Sasha tried to choose the remaining three...
"I'll go too!"
"...Me too!"
Clarice and Ellie followed.
"Clarice, Ellie, sorry, but I can't allow participation just because your lover is going..."
When Sasha made a statement disallowing the two's participation, Clarice acted fast.
"《Ice Wall》!"
What appeared before our eyes was a wall of ice.
"I am an archer, but I can protect everyone with Water Magic! Lady Karen and the others might be weakened and need water! Please take us with you!"
Sasha hesitated seeing Clarice's 《Ice Wall》. Other staff could probably use 《Ice Wall》 too. Still hesitating meant she needed one more push?
"Sasha-sensei…If you believe in me, please believe in Clarice and Ellie too! We've been diving in the same dungeon forever! The two of them will absolutely not drag us down!"
Honestly, I don't want to expose them to danger. But for these three years, the three of us have fought together. If Clarice and Ellie are with us, the party's survival rate will definitely increase.
"...If Mars says so, I'll allow it! But Clarice! When forced to make a choice, you must absolutely follow my orders! Ellie, I'm counting on you too! Mars, you too, got it!?"
Sasha confirmed with scary thoroughness. But our reply was decided.
"""Yes!"""
"Then I'll announce the party again! Me, Cyrus, Mars, Clarice, Ellie, and Misha, six people will search! The teachers will wait here in case Karen and the others return!"
Everyone was surprised by Misha's unexpected inclusion in the party, but no one objected anymore. Perhaps the psychology of not wanting to let Misha out of her sight worked in this situation.
"Minimize clothing, don't bring blankets, carry extra food instead! Now, let's go!"
Led by Sasha, we headed to search for Karen and the others.
"Ellie! Handle the monsters Clarice whittles down with 《Magic Arrow》! If you can't finish them, just run past! We'll finish them off!"
While running, Clarice aimed 《Magic Arrow》 at monsters' vital points or legs from the rear of the formation, and Ellie defeated the monsters that focused on Clarice or became immobilized.
"Oi oi... Can you aim a bow while running?"
"That's impossible, obviously!"
The two [teachers] widened their eyes while running at Clarice and Ellie's coordination.
"Besides, Ellie hasn't looked back once... Either she trusts Clarice immensely, or she's just reckless..."
Needless to say, Ellie is the former. It's also their perfect synchronization.
"Did you guys always dive into dungeons doing this?"
Sasha asked with an exasperated face.
"Not always, but we trained. When shooting a bow, you can't move and become defenseless, right? So we kept in mind being able to shoot while dodging enemy attacks..."
It was just a means to protect Clarice. I never thought it would be useful like this.
The stairs to the fifth layer were in a room several hundred meters run from the room where Clarice and the others were resting.
"Ahead is only Threat Level D or higher. Normally we would proceed cautiously, but we're hurrying."
Descending the stairs with Sasha at the lead, a strange sight awaited us. The end of the stairs was a stone wall, blocking the way.
"What's this? We can't advance like this!"
When the angry Cyrus kicked the wall, it suddenly started moving.
"W-What the————"
Sensing danger, Cyrus instantly stepped back, and a stone fist smashed down where he had been.
"No way————A Golem!?"
"A Golem!? Golems are monsters that appear in deeper layers, right!? Why is the worst possible match here!?"
A monster!? And a considerably strong one!? But knowing it's a monster, there's only one thing to do.
"Everyone! Please step back! I'll blow it away!"
"Blow it away, what do you————"
Cyrus started to say something, but before that, my chantless Wind Magic hit the Golem directly.
(《Wind Impulse》!)
The Golem blocking our path was slammed against the dungeon wall, clearing the view.
"Now's the chance! Please get inside! The Golem isn't dead yet, so be careful!"
Inside, the room was large, with huge passages branching east and west. While guiding everyone and ensuring safety, I Appraised the Golem.
[Name] -
[Title] -
[Race] Golem
[Threat] D
[Condition] Good
[Age] 1
[Level] 1
[HP] 204/284
[MP] 5/5
[Strength] 152 [Agility] 50
[Magic] 1 [Dexterity] 1
[Endurance] 130 [Luck] 1
Its HP, Strength, and Vitality are higher than the Queen Ant I fought in the Almeria Dungeon, but it has the same Threat Level perhaps because of its low Agility and lack of acid attacks.
Besides the Golem, there was a pack of Rock Lizards in the room. I've defeated these guys many times in Almeria, so they're a piece of cake.
"Clarice! Ellie! Handle the Rock Lizards! I'll take the Golem!"
(《Wind Cutter》!)
(《Wind Cutter》!)
I finished off the Golem with 《Wind Cutter》 before it could stand up.
"You! So you were a Wind Mage!"
So? Does that mean he vaguely suspected it?
"I'm sorry, I didn't have a chance to bring it up... But I want you to keep this secret from everyone..."
"Tch! Then say so from the start!"
Cyrus cares about students after all. If I ask him to keep it a secret, he probably will.
After finishing the Golem, I looked toward Clarice and Ellie. They were steadily reducing the number of Rock Lizards, but Misha was noteworthy. She circled behind the Rock Lizards the two missed without being noticed and finished them off.
From the monsters' perspective, she must be extremely troublesome. While distracted by the powerful attacks of Clarice and Ellie, someone sneaks up behind them unnoticed.
However, perhaps not recognizing Ellie's high physical ability, she sometimes overlapped targets or stood in Clarice's line of fire, looking a bit precarious. We probably need to train coordination properly, but since we take separate martial arts classes, it might be unavoidable for now.
Once the Rock Lizards were defeated, Ellie ran toward the east passage without hesitation.
"Wait!? Which way they are is..."
Sasha tried to stop Ellie, but that's because she doesn't know Ellie's enemy detection ability.
"Sasha-sensei! Please believe in Ellie here!"
Clarice was already chasing Ellie, and Misha followed.
I followed too, immediately going next to Ellie.
"Three ahead! Dangerous! Go first!"
I've never heard Ellie speak this fast. That means the situation is critical.
"Got it! Everyone be careful too!"
Deploying 《Sylphid》, I ran through, riding the gale.
☆☆☆
I just intended to take a look. For the next dungeon exploration.
Moving smoothly through the fourth layer, just before the fifth layer, Johann and Josef complained of feeling unwell. This couldn't be helped. I knew even before the teachers taught us that many people fall ill, unable to get used to this enclosed feeling.
Actually, I hate dungeons too. Can't take a bath, sleep leaning against a wall, can't change clothes properly. So when Clarice suggested withdrawing, I naturally intended to do so.
That night. While the four of us—me, Baron, Dominic, and Minerva—were keeping watch and chatting. Saying we wanted to clear the mid-boss room on the sixth layer faster than 【Crimson Lotus】.
Baron and I have had a goal since entering this academy. To beat 【Crimson Lotus】's record and individually win against Glenn.
However, this goal is greatly influenced by luck. Especially for party records, I hear there are many cases where they can't be achieved due to incidents like this one.
We know we aren't the only ones feeling frustrated like this. I heard from someone who knows the time well that my brother also had various troubles due to party members.
I have many thoughts, but it can't be helped.
Just as I sorted out my feelings, Johann and Josef woke up.
"I apologize. Because of me and Josef... our condition hasn't returned yet, but we can at least wake everyone if anything happens. So why don't you go check things out for the next dive? Since we're awake."
This proposal shook our hearts. The possibility of clearing the mid-boss room faster than 【Crimson Lotus】 might increase even a little.
Also, until coming here, none of us in 【Flower Lotus】 had taken damage, and we had barely consumed MP. This is all thanks to the strongest vanguards, Baron and Dominic.
There are rumors that Dominic lost to Clarice in swordsmanship, but that's impossible. I feel he has a natural talent similar to mine.
"Karen, why don't we accept Johann's offer? Honestly, I feel unsatisfied too."
Dominic nodded at Baron's words.
"I will follow Lady Karen."
Minerva, the only one among the four not in 【Flower Lotus】, also seemed to have plenty of leeway. Minerva is an old acquaintance. Her combat style is a bit unique, and while inferior to Baron and Dominic, her ability is sufficient.
If we 【Flower Lotus】 perform well here, the accompanying 【Sickle Weasel】 will naturally rise in evaluation. By extension, Minerva's entry into S-Class will become closer.
"Right. Then I suppose we'll ask Johann."
I intend to blame no one. Because I made the final decision.
The four of us walked down the long passage. Monsters appeared in the passage, but the battle ended in less than ten minutes without me even lifting a finger. After reconfirming the ability of these three, we peeked into the next room, and there were the stairs to the fifth layer.
"Karen, what do we do?"
Having defeated the monsters in the room, Baron asked for my opinion.
"No one seems exhausted, so let's just look at the first room and return."
Maybe the cause was that we defeated the last room of the fourth layer easily without struggle.
Descending to the fifth layer, there were about ten Rock Lizards. These are formidable enemies! Their Threat Level is D, after all. Since there are ten of them, they are monsters a C-Rank equivalent party should handle if things go poorly.
"Opponents are Threat Level D! Anyway, solidify defense with Baron's 《Earth Wall》! Dominic and Minerva, focus on parrying until I reduce their numbers!"
The three followed my instructions and held out patiently.
I chanted 《Fireball》, releasing it to detour around Baron's 《Earth Wall》 and attack the Rock Lizards from behind. There's no way Rock Lizards can withstand a 《Fireball》 released from me with over 100 Magic, and I could tell they were dying beyond the 《Earth Wall》.
Successfully reducing the number of Rock Lizards and maintaining numerical superiority, I left the rest to the three, succeeding in wiping them out in just about ten minutes from the start of combat.
"Everyone! You did well!"
"As expected of Karen!"
"I take my hat off to Lady Karen!"
"My sword was good too, right!?"
It happened just as we shared our joy and tried to return to the fourth layer.
Suddenly, a large black vortex of mana formed in front of the stairs leading to the fourth layer. Before we could be surprised, a Golem appeared in front of the stairs.
"""———!?"""
A new monster shouldn't pop unless an hour has passed since annihilation!? And why a monster that wasn't in this room!?
Did we step on some trap!?
Without answering our questions, the Golem attacked.
But we aren't without means.
"Everyone! Calm down! The Golem is strong but has weaknesses! If we calm down, even just us should be able to defeat it!"
Yes, this Golem. It is incredibly strong against physical attacks but has absolutely no magic resistance. As long as the vanguard holds firm, it's a bonus existence for us mages.
And we have Baron!
"Baron! Endure with 《Earth Wall》 again! I think the Golem's attacks will penetrate 《Earth Wall》, but I'll do something during that time!"
Retreating to the edge of the room, I chanted the strongest magic I can currently manifest, 《Flare》. It takes time to manifest, but if it hits directly, even a Golem shouldn't stand a chance!
In front of me, Baron's 《Earth Wall》 was being destroyed by the Golem's large fist, but he chanted 《Earth Wall》 every time it broke, and the three were still unscathed.
We can beat this! Just as I believed that and tried to chant 《Flare》.
Large black mana vortices formed in front of my eyes again. And this time, two of them.
"Everyone! Retreat to the passage! Two more vortices!"
It's still okay. I have enough MP left to shoot ten Flares. If we retreat to the passage and act calmly, there's no problem.
Everyone aimed for the passage while fleeing from the Golem.
Thinking back now, that seems to have been the final turning point. We should have defeated the current Golem before new Golems appeared from the large black mana vortices.
Because the newly appeared monsters... they were Golems, but Fire Golems and Ice Golems.
We fled from the Fire Golem and Ice Golem chasing us while defeating monsters on the fifth layer. I heard dungeon monsters stay in their rooms and don't move to other rooms, but Fire Golems and Ice Golems were exceptions.
Baron, taking the rear guard, defended against the Fire Golem's attacks with 《Earth Wall》, while Dominic and Minerva ahead protected me from monsters, and I defeated the monsters in front.
I managed to defeat only the Ice Golem chasing from behind with 《Flare》, but that was the limit. The two who could no longer parry the Rock Lizards' attacks collapsed, and just now, having run out of MP, Baron lost consciousness.
I hear there have never been deaths in Lister National academy's Dungeon Exams. But that ends today.
Father, Mother, Brother. I'm sorry for tarnishing the Fressbald family name.
I will bear the disgrace of the first death, not Baron, Dominic, or Minerva.
Thinking so, I stood before the three who were still breathing.
In front of me was the Fire Golem that had chased us relentlessly. That Fire Golem formed a large fist and wound up. I could read emotions of pleasure from its inorganic face.
Frustrating... in a place like this... by a monster...
But it's all my fault.
Just as the Fire Golem's fist swung down and I closed my eyes accepting everything.
"KARREEEN!"
Screaming my name, Mars appeared with a gust of wind————
Why is he here!?
But before I could think, my eyes locked onto the Fire Golem. My survival instinct did it on its own.
(Binding Eye!)
Pouring in my scant remaining MP, the Fire Golem's fist stopped for an instant. Just a few dozen centimeters away.
In that instant, a gale roaring with friction sounds like tearing the air assaulted the giant body before me. The Fire Golem tried to brace itself, but it was powerless before the gale. The next moment I blinked, it was slammed against the wall with a loud noise and vibration.
"Glad I made it in time... Are you okay?"
He showed a smile as if to reassure me.
But the Fire Golem isn't dead yet. There should be more than ten Rock Lizards too. Don't let your guard down. Just as I was about to tell him that and point to the Fire Golem, there was a large cross-shaped scar on the chest of the blown-away Fire Golem, and its eyes that had glowed red were silent.
When did he!?
But there are still Rock Lizards————
Shifting my gaze, there were headless bodies of over ten Rock Lizards.
What on earth is happening!?
But before I could think about that, large black mana vortices swirled again. And this time, four of them.
"Run away!"
Before I screamed, his eyes had captured those vortices.
"It's okay."
A voice so calm it was out of place replied. Does he not understand the situation!?
"Just hur————"
Before I could say hurry, two Fire Golems and two Ice Golems appeared from the vortices.
Ah... It's over... As I was crushed by despair, he suddenly raised his left hand toward the Fire Golems.
Even if he does something now... As I looked down, the next moment, a massive tornado assaulted the Fire Golems.
"———!?"
The tornado robbed the Fire Golems of their freedom, trapping them in a prison of wind.
However, the Ice Golems didn't just watch silently. While he sealed the Fire Golems' movements, a giant ice foot tried to stomp him.
"Dodge!"
But the word 'escape' didn't seem to exist in his mind, and a blade of wind was gripped in his right hand.
《Air Blade》!?
No way... Because he's manifesting 《Tornado》 with his left hand right now!?
Unaware of my shock, he sliced through the foot trying to stomp him like butter. Against the Ice Golem that lost its balance, he cut a cross with a hand chop, carving the same scar on its chest as the Fire Golem that tried to kill me.
Simultaneously lowering his raised left hand, the 《Tornado》 robbing the Fire Golems of freedom vanished.
I braced myself thinking the Fire Golems would come out from the tornado, but inside were figures so changed their original forms were unrecognizable.
《Tornado》 shouldn't have the effect of tearing monsters to pieces————
What? What is happening?
I looked at him, asking with my eyes, but what returned was a smile and a voice so gentle it was out of place.
"Lady Karen, Please watch. I'm improving little by little."
What he chanted while raising his right hand was the Fire Magic I advised him on some time ago.
"《Fireball》!"
The passionate flame burned gently yet fiercely, illuminating the room. When that flame landed on the completely frightened Ice Golem, part of it melted, rendering it incapacitated.
In about one minute, he defeated four Golems alone.
Is this a dream? Am I having a poorly made dream?
What pulled me back to reality was a loud voice heard from behind.
"Good grief! It's good you got off with injuries this light, but be careful next time, you too!"
"Hey you! Dominic's stomach wound is one thing, but Minerva is a girl! A big injury on her face is... eh————"
Dominic's stomach wound had become just a shallow cut. Minerva should have had a scar like a slit mouth from failing to parry a Rock Lizard's thrust, but she was unconscious with a face no different from usual.
Their injuries were definitely not hallucinations. As proof, the uniform on Dominic's stomach was torn, and painful bloodstains remained on Minerva's left shoulder.
"W-Why? They had serious injuries..."
Clarice, who was nursing Minerva, answered my confused self.
"When I came here, Minerva didn't have any noticeable external wounds... Did you see Ellie?"
"...Didn't see..."
"That's not true! The two tried to protect me and————"
I tried to argue, but Sasha stopped me.
"Karen. I don't know what you saw, but this is reality. There was no one with serious injuries here. Understand?"
U-Understand...? Only a Holy Mage can do something like this. And a high-ranking one. But the only person here who might be able to use Holy Magic is...
Clarice, whose body development is unusually good, is the top candidate, but she's ruled out because she can use Water and Wind Magic. For the same reason, Misha is ruled out. Sasha can only use Wind Magic and is a specialist, so she's ruled out too. I can't accept muscle-brain Cyrus using Holy Magic, so only Ellie remains. But I've never heard of a Beastman using Holy Magic... In the end, I have no choice but to follow Sasha's words.
"...Understood."
Perhaps satisfied with my words, Sasha, who looked about the same age as me, showed a smile.
"Then let's go back to everyone! Cyrus, carry Baron and Dominic. Clarice, I'll carry Minerva, so you, Ellie, and Misha take care of the monsters."
Following everyone, I tried to walk too, but suddenly pain shot through my leg.
"Ouch!"
Perhaps because I was frantic, I hadn't noticed I twisted my leg, and now the area around my ankle was swollen.
"Lady Karen? Are you okay?"
Peering into my face and speaking worriedly was Clarice. When Clarice's face suddenly filled my vision, even as a woman, my heart skipped a beat.
"Y-Yes... Thank you. I'm okay, bu———!?"
I tried to act tough because I didn't want to cause any more trouble, but severe pain ran through me when I tried to move it.
"Mars! Come here a sec! Lady Karen is injured and can't walk!"
Called by Clarice, he ran over with a changed expression.
"I apologize, For not noticing your injury."
Saying so, he turned his back to me and crouched.
No way... piggyback? At this age?
As I hesitated on what to do...
"Aww~That was my exclusive back."
Misha puffed out her cheeks, but that soon changed to a smile.
"Lady Karen, Mars's back is warm and feels good, so just trust me and get on. I get piggybacked every day too."
It's unclear why she gets piggybacked every day, but thinking that if I'm not the only one, I decided to accept his kindness.
"I think it's a bit sweaty, so please bear with it."
That's not true. From his large back, a pleasant warmth and the scent of the sun wafted up, calming my heart.
In the end, we didn't encounter monsters on the fifth layer. Which tells us that the members who came to save us took less than an hour to reach that room... and shows we are returning smoothly along the path we came.
Returning without incident is good, but I was surprised at myself for feeling a little disappointed. Once we reach the fourth layer, I have to leave this back.
If possible, just a little longer... While wishing so, before I knew it, I had let go of my consciousness————
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