Chapter: 233
Is this the time now?
Cecil, who had been alternating between the vanguard and the midline while supporting others, firmly grasped his greatsword with both hands.
As he inhaled and exhaled, black magic power flowed from him, soon enveloping his greatsword in darkness.
Aura. A skill reserved for martial artists who surpass a certain level, akin to a knight’s qualification.
While talented individuals typically awaken their aura by their second year at the academy, Cecil was merely mimicking that state.
The deep and thick aura he wielded was on an entirely different level from those weaker imitations.
Even seasoned knights found it difficult to endure, and his aura could be said to be perfected.
“Your Highness!”
Having completed his preparation for a single strike, Cecil raised his sword high in response to a shout from one of his subordinates.
– Kuuooo!
The Yeti, who had been obstructing their ascent in the dungeon and now stood weakened as a boss, felt threatened by Cecil’s sword, yet there was nothing it could do.
Cecil’s party members flanking the Yeti ensured it couldn’t escape.
“I’ll attack.”
Cecil’s sword was not so weak that he couldn’t aim for the head of a stationary opponent.
The single strike he unleashed struck squarely in the Yeti’s center, cleaving it in half.
“Indeed, Your Highness the Second Prince!”
“A single strike, truly.”
The opponent, toughened by thick hide, had been felled in an instant, leaving the others astounded by the Second Prince’s prowess.
However, the one who achieved this feat, Cecil, clicked his tongue in disappointment at the lack of satisfaction from the fight.
It would have been better if it had been more challenging. That way, Lucy Allen’s arrival would be significantly delayed.
“Barson. How long did it take to complete the 10th-floor strategy?”
“35 minutes.”
35 minutes, huh? On average, that’s an incredibly fast pace, but Cecil didn’t feel particularly thrilled about it.
Their current opponent was Lucy Allen. In terms of dungeon knowledge, this opponent surpassed even his older brother.
“Everyone. There’s no need to rest yet, right?”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
“Compared to the dungeons outside, this is just a stroll.”
“How many dungeons have we cleared? We wouldn’t tire easily from this.”
It was as if they were declaring they would push on, and the Second Prince’s party welcomed this determination.
Everyone present had been members who had tackled all kinds of dungeons alongside Cecil.
Having surpassed the required number of dungeon strategies for second-year students, their movements of less than an hour didn’t even constitute a warm-up.
“Alright. Today, we’ll clear at least more than half of the academy dungeon.”
Lucy Allen. I don’t know how much you and your companions have grown until now.
However, now that I possess the rumored blessing you have—an ability to comprehend the entire structure of the dungeon—everything else will place me at an advantage.
This match will conclude with your utter defeat.
*
Arthur couldn’t hide his unease regarding Lucy Allen’s reckless ambition.
It would be insufficient to choose the three most skilled individuals around him to tackle a dungeon; now she wanted to go in alone!
Especially not against an opponent who was her little brother!
Her little brother was not someone to be underestimated!
He was merely compared to the presence of the older brother beside him.
With overwhelming talent that even the current captain of the knights acknowledged as genius, and the experience of having strategized numerous dungeons in his second year at the academy, her little brother was undoubtedly an intimidating opponent.
Even with Lucy Allen, she wouldn’t be one to hold back, so why!
“…Haa.”
Of course, Arthur knew why Lucy Allen made such a choice.
It seemed impossible considering her usual abrasive and indiscreet remarks, but Lucy was someone who cared for those around her.
She readily accommodated requests, willingly followed along during social gatherings, offered the most appropriate assistance when asked for help, and most importantly, when those close to her were in danger, she appeared risking her own life to help.
If she thought it might inconvenience others, she wouldn’t ask for help and would instead bear the burden alone.
Look at the time she insulted her older brother last time.
Even when she found herself in a predicament, she did not reach out to anyone. She attempted to shoulder everything on her own.
It would surely be the same this time.
Lucy claimed it was simply faster and easier for her to tackle it alone, but Arthur didn’t trust her words.
That word “common sense” felt too far-flung from her reasoning. It was undoubtedly an excuse.
An excuse made to avoid burdening those around her.
While it was admirable to take responsibility for one’s actions, he wished she’d also consider the worries of those close to her.
No, from the start, wouldn’t it be better if there were no problems to cause?
If that were the case, he wouldn’t have to deal with concerns or create any inconvenience for others.
Why then does she keep causing issues?
Someone of her stature should know what wise judgment is. She must know which way things can progress favorably.
So why does she act as if she’s desperate to create incidents?
“Phoebe. Aren’t you worried?”
With his brows tightly knit and sighing, Arthur lifted his head at Joy’s voice.
“Are you talking about Lady Allen?”
“Yes. Since Phoebe cares for Lady Allen, I thought you’d be incredibly worried, but you seem calmer than expected.”
As Joy pointed out, Phoebe had been clearly devoted to Lucy Allen recently.
During meals, she’d always sit beside her, greet her with bright smiles when passing by, and continuously engage her in conversation. It was no exaggeration to say rumors of Lucy receiving the saintess’s favoritism were circulating.
Given Phoebe’s attachment to Lucy, it was natural for her to worry, yet her expression seemed too peaceful.
“Believe it or not, she’s quite anxious on the inside!”
“Yes? But…”
“It’s precisely because I deeply believe in Lady Allen that I can remain calm. I trust she wouldn’t make such a decision for no reason.”
Upon hearing Phoebe’s words, a thought crossed Arthur’s mind.
What if? Just what if there was a reason that forced her to cause problems?
A reason that would garner animosity from everyone?
Yes, this theory seemed more sensible. It would explain why someone with sufficient wisdom continues to create incidents.
“The rankings are out.”
Arthur’s racing thoughts were interrupted by Frey’s voice.
The ranks of those strategizing in the academy dungeon.
The names of those currently leading.
As they scanned through the names from the bottom, searching for what they were looking for took quite some time.
Lucy Allen and Cecil Soladin.
Of the two names, Cecil’s appeared first.
His name at the top reflected the current state of competition.
“Of course, His Highness the Second Prince!”
“If he intends to strategize the academy dungeon, is this what we should expect?”
“So confident to enter alone, and yet we don’t see Lucy Allen’s name anywhere.”
“My. My money! My reverse bet!”
Current floor number: 28th.
Not even two hours since entering the dungeon, and they had already surpassed a quarter of it.
Arthur understood why everyone around was buzzing with excitement.
It was an overwhelmingly superior record. Perhaps it was fast enough to be etched in the history of the academy.
No matter how proficient Lucy Allen might be, it was undoubtedly impossible for her to catch up to such a record alone.
“…Huh?”
Soon after, the buzz near the dungeon entrance shifted to silence.
As Cecil Soladin’s name dropped one rank, a new name appeared above it.
Lucy Allen.
Current floor number: 57th.
“Isn’t something wrong here?”
“Is it an error…?”
“Should we ask the professor managing this?”
The staggering number made them doubt the authenticity of the records.
“Bwahahahah!”
While everyone blinked in shock, Arthur couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Amid the silence, people turned their attention, but Arthur paid it no mind.
Was it a misunderstanding?
Had he been mistaken?
Was it true that she was indeed faster when alone, that she needed to drop the burden of us to regain her speed, hence why she entered alone?!
He could hardly fathom how perplexed she must have felt when they didn’t believe her!
…Still, he’d ask.
He would inquire why someone so wise was causing problems. Whether it was capriciousness or whether there were actual circumstances necessitating such behavior.
*
[I don’t think this is dungeon strategizing.]
“What the heck are you talking about, Grandpa?”
[How is this strategizing at all! This is a violation of the dungeon and an insult to its creator!]
Was my performance in the dungeon displeasing him? Around the time I passed the 50th floor, Grandpa suddenly raised his voice.
I could understand his sentiment.
Super jumping using monster attacks.
Breaking through paths blocked by lava for the shortest route.
Crossing through forests exploiting the rampaging patterns of giant wolves.
Utilizing boss patterns to ascend to the next floor without defeating them.
Even defeating bosses before entering the boss room using the monsters’ tendencies.
I had demonstrated several techniques usually used in-game right in reality, so from Grandpa’s perspective, it must have been astonishing.
I had scarcely wielded the mace up to this point, yet here I was, rushing toward the 60th floor, naturally prompting his exclamation of whether this was even dungeon strategizing.
But there’s one thing Grandpa didn’t know.
When it was a game, I could perform extraterrestrial plays even more outlandish than this.
In this world, I couldn’t replicate the bug-like plays I had in the game.
Bursting through walls, teleporting several floors up in an instant, or defeating bosses with a single step.
If such things had been possible, I would have already cleared the dungeon, which is a shame.
While I was busy thinking, I stepped into the boss room on the 60th floor and faced a chimera made up of various creatures, raising my shield.
“Grandpa.”
[What is it.]
“This time, I’ll show you that guy killing itself with its own pattern.”
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