Chapter: 433
The forest, shrouded in ominous energy, was eerily calm.
No bird songs could be heard, and there were no sounds of beasts roaming. Even the sound of branches rustling in the wind felt weak.
Yet, uncovering the ominousness hidden beneath that tranquility was no easy task.
The energy that was mixed in the air of the forest was hiding behind the calm.
If I, too, wasn’t paying attention to the forest, I’d surely just think, “Oh, it’s just a dark forest,” and move on. But what about everyone else?
“Lady Allen.”
I glanced at Phoebe, who had timidly approached, and placed a finger on my lips.
There was no need to alarm my other friends about this.
After all, the unease happening in this forest would vanish while they were inside the dungeon.
It’s better to let it end without them knowing than to worry them for nothing.
“…Understood.”
Phoebe seemed a bit reluctant, but she didn’t press the issue.
As soon as she stepped back, Adri, who was guarding beside Visi, spoke up.
— That’s why you brought her along, right?
That old hag. Why is she suddenly being so polite? I tilted my head at the strange thought and caught sight of Visi nearby, realizing she was still in character.
She still hasn’t taken off her mask? Is the old hag really impressive, or is Visi just clueless?
For a moment, I had the urge to rip the mask off, but I forced it back. Now was not the time for that.
Hmm. It’d be weird if I voiced my thoughts alone, right?
When I merely nodded silently, Adri crossed her arms in the air.
— They’re truly low-quality people. I didn’t think there were still people willing to go that far.
Lowly, huh? Adri’s tone was so serious that I nearly asked a question, but I forcibly held it in.
Was my reaction amusing? Adri gave a light chuckle, saying she would explain properly later before turning away.
Ugh. This is so annoying. I understand it’s a complicated situation that makes it hard to explain right away, but I really hate that way of speaking that only amplifies my curiosity.
Agh. If the necromancer Adri calls them lowly, what on earth is happening in that forest? Is the situation more serious than I initially thought?
…
For now, it’s better not to approach the forest. Let’s take a detour. I have no idea what might happen if I go in there.
Being with my friends, there’s no need to choose a dangerous path, so I intentionally veered off toward the dungeon.
“…I can’t believe there’s really a dungeon in a place like this.”
Having arrived at the spot, it was the middle of a mountain, a bit further beyond the forest.
In that desolate place that seemed like nobody would ever come to, stood the dungeon door, waiting.
This place was a kind of hidden area. It wouldn’t be easy to find through the normal route, but if you searched long enough, you might manage to uncover it.
Like most dungeons of this type, it was a bit tougher than the regular dungeons in the area and offered special rewards.
If I remember correctly, the reward waiting at the end of this dungeon was a passive related to magic power, so it would surely help everyone.
“Are we going in right now?”
“It seems like you’re getting scared just looking at the dungeon door. A scaredy-cat prince?”
“That’s not what I’m saying!”
“Do as you wish. I’m not going in anyway, so you can be lazy as much as you want, Prince.”
“…Not going in?”
“Aren’t you coming with us?”
“Lucy, you’re not coming?”
As I mentioned I wouldn’t go in, my friends except Phoebe showed expressions of disbelief.
Seriously. They really like me too much. It’s surprising they’re this shocked at not joining me for dungeon exploration.
“Hey. You. Are you Lucy Allen?”
…Huh?
“Lady Allen. Is something wrong? You don’t seem to have a fever or anything.”
Huh?
“This isn’t Lucy. Lucy wouldn’t refuse to explore a dungeon.”
Having finally understood the situation, I chewed my lips.
Ah, so it’s absurd that I, who am obsessed with dungeons, wouldn’t explore one?
Wouldn’t I, who is downright mad about dungeons, definitely go in?
Yeah, I won’t deny that.
I really liked the game called Soul Academy and enjoyed all the dungeons within it a lot.
I’m not just saying I enjoyed it; I was so into it I memorized every route of every dungeon in the game.
Given my age, I would hardly pass up the opportunity to see a real dungeon.
But still, that doesn’t mean I’m crazy enough to weigh the importance of events just because of a dungeon!
Voicing it out would surely sound harsh, so I kept my words in check, but somehow my friends grew more worried.
“My, considering what this guy does, it’s more surprising he’s still okay. He’s the one enduring hardships harder than us.”
“So you’ve been pretending to be strong all this time. We didn’t even know.”
“Do you think you could win if you attack Lucy right now?”
“Frey Kent, no, you surely can’t.”
“Lady Kent, I also don’t think that’s possible.”
“Really?”
What’s even more annoying is the fact that my friends genuinely worry about me.
If it were just a joke, I could’ve brushed it off with a laugh, but the concern in Joy and Arthur’s faces was far too sincere.
Why does that annoy me? Because these sloppy people really think I’m a mad woman ready to risk her life for a dungeon!
I feel like I might have done something similar before, but still, the fact that they believe I’m a lunatic is really bothering!
“Hey! You sloppy people!”
My anger boiling over, I made my mace small and stuffed it in my pocket, then I clenched my fists tightly.
“…Lady? Why did you put away your mace?”
“I wanted to show you whether I’m in good shape or not, you sloppy ones like things like this better than words, right? Don’t you?”
“Wait. Lucy Allen. Calm down. Calm down. We didn’t mean that.”
“Oh?♡ The voice of our pitiful prince is too whiny, I can’t hear it well~♡ But it seems you really like it, so I’ll go now♡”
“Speak with words! With words!”
Informing the three of them of the subject wasn’t hard at all.
Since Arthur and Joy were the type who couldn’t beat me in close combat anyway, naturally, Frey just shrunk back, not wanting to engage with me.
Having quieted everyone, I stood in front of the three who had fallen silent and raised my voice.
“You sloppy ones, when I’m around, you all depend on me, right? No matter how great I am, it’s burdensome if you just cling to me like that. You should learn to be independent now.”
Since they tend to rely on me when I’m around, I said they should manage on their own, and they all showed some signs of understanding.
They know better than anyone what it means to go on a dungeon exploration with me. They can’t deny it even if they don’t want to.
“Um, Lady Allen. We understand we need to enter the dungeon by ourselves. Then what will you be doing? Is there something you need to do with that person you brought along?”
“Are you that curious about what I’ll be doing? Silly?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm. I appreciate the love but you know, being that obsessed is a bit creepy, so could you hold back?”
“When did I ever show obsession?”
Thinking they had somewhat understood, I dangled the carrot of lessening the punishment if they finished the dungeon exploration within a day, encouraging them to give their best effort, before whispering to Phoebe.
“Even if I’m a sloppy saintess, I’m still a saintess, so I can watch over you like an idol, right?”
“…Of course, Lady.”
Having convinced Phoebe as if I was entrusting her, I turned my gaze to Visi, who was sticking close to Karl after confirming my friends were entering the dungeon. Then Adri shrugged beside me.
— Next time, I need to find a way to come alone. If I always accompany Visi, it won’t be long before she becomes my companion.
“Are you worried about losing your sidekick?”
— Do I seem like some heartless person?
“Why are you even asking something so obvious? I doubt anyone’s as petty as a lonely old hag.”
— …Just wait and see.
“Um, miss.”
Seeing Adri’s veins bulge from anger, I snickered while Karl carefully raised his voice.
“Who are you talking to?”
Hearing the fear dripping from Karl’s voice, I grinned widely.
“Is it strange? I’ve heard dogs usually spot the strange well, but it seems our sloppy dog doesn’t.”
“You’re joking, right?”
“Hey, sloppy dog. Are you saying I’m rambling alone because I’m crazy?”
“Wha?! No! It’s not that. It’s just…”
— I’m right here.
Karl, who was flailing in panic, momentarily froze at the voice that came from beside him, then turned his head like a marionette.
As soon as he saw Adri waving, he foamed at the mouth and fainted.
Wow. Everything else is alright, but ghosts are a no-go.
What a coward.
“Adri?! What just happened?”
— I didn’t do anything. Visi, you can tell.
“Then why did Professor Karl…”
“He’s just a cowardly sloppy dog. That old hag ghost scares him.”
“…Really?”
“Otherwise, why would he end up like that?”
Hearing that a ghost scared him into fainting, Visi’s eyes momentarily went cold.
It’s going to be a problem if it’s like this already. There’s still much ugliness Karl can show.
While I was expecting what was to come, I sent a glance toward Adri, who was desperately holding back laughter.
Receiving my gaze, Adri cleared her throat and began to speak.
— You want me to continue from what I said when we first saw the forest?
“Definitely. You must be wise given your age. Not like a lonely person.”
— O-Okay. You’re aware there are traces of black magic in the forest, right?
“Old hag, you…”
— I’ll explain, assuming you know. The dark wizards lurking in the forest are trying to engulf the forest itself. It would be appropriate to say they want to make the forest into a dungeon.
“…Hey, old hag. Say that again.”
— They’re trying to engulf the forest.
“Not that. The part after that.”
— They’re trying to make the forest a dungeon?
“Exactly.”
So a new dungeon is trying to be formed here?
Is that for real!?
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.