Chapter: 635
The King thought Erginus’s proposal was bizarre.
Even considering the elemental strengths involved, it leaned slightly in favor of the King.
Having obtained the Authority of Evil God and overcome the last drawback of physical absence, he was confident.
Even if five shining talents were to face him, defeat was out of the question.
Although miracles caused by the Apostle of God made it impossible to be completely certain, the fact he had the advantage remained unchanged.
Yet in this situation, Erginus suggested making a dungeon freely.
He actually told him to build a castle and hide. Anyone with half a brain would understand the advantage of offense versus defense.
There’s no way Erginus, with the power of darkness, didn’t grasp the difference in strengths or the benefits of building a castle; why propose such a thing first?
Why is he gifting the King an advantage? What schemes does he harbor?
No matter how much he pondered, the King could not fathom why.
Could he truly believe in the dungeon-related powers Lucy Allen possessed?
Did he genuinely think he could offset the Authority of God with the Authority of Evil God just by relying solely on that authority?
Could the hero Erginus, having gained the power of darkness, not consider such a factor?
Absurd. There must be something, something he holds onto that I don’t expect.
“Scared?♡ Can’t even hide in the corner alone?♡”
“Uh…”
Hah. Whatever Erginus believes in doesn’t matter.
The opponent already suggested making the castle first.
Whatever variables he believes in, it just means I have to smash it to pieces. No matter what thoughts he has, I can create a hellish place that has no meaning.
“Indeed, Erginus.”
Dungeon creation is a pleasure and a refinement for the men of the kingdom.
Naturally, I was immersed in dungeon creation.
No, rather, it was precisely because of my age that I immersed myself in dungeon creation.
Unable to participate in the knights’ pastime of wielding swords, I did my best to elevate my authority in this area.
So I know exactly how to create a hellish dungeon.
“Just promise me one thing. Our duel will end solely as our own.”
“Don’t worry. That’s one of the restrictions.”
The King chuckled at the thought that even the help of others could be something to topple the balance.
*
After the King left to create his dungeon, Rene quietly watched Lucy Allen humming a tune.
She knew in her head.
If it came to dungeons, the abnormal abilities of Lucy Allen would surely let her overcome any trial prepared for her.
Erginus must have known this as well when he chose to give the opponent an advantage and opt for dungeons.
But is this really the right thing to do?
This isn’t a test for us.
If he’s doing this to kill us, it’s akin to willingly handing over a weapon to the one who intends to harm us.
Can Lucy Allen’s abilities be displayed without any modification in a place where reason is thrown out the window?
“What are you pondering so deeply about?”
At Arthur’s question, Rene shrugged her shoulders.
“It’s a situation as if we’re asking the opponent to kill us.”
“Does it really look like that?”
“Isn’t it?”
“Not at all. From my perspective, it looks like the opponent is begging to be killed. Because that opponent is Lucy Allen.”
Rene found Arthur’s strong belief strange.
Standing before someone with the Authority of Evil God was unimaginably dreadful.
His mind quickly crumbled, and he firmly believed self-harm was the best means.
Only after some time did Rene realize how stupid she had been.
Arthur was not someone who didn’t know this fear. He faced the Evil God directly, not someone who simply borrowed the Authority of Evil God.
“Aren’t you afraid?”
“I’ve experienced worse, so it’s fine.”
“How can that be?”
“Ah. You wouldn’t know. You’ve never jumped into hell with Lucy Allen.”
Arthur chuckled, realizing he had been speaking from his own perspective, shrugging as he looked at Lucy Allen, who was listing various risks.
“That little guy is small. He’s treated like a friend by little kids. If the wind blows too hard, he seems like he’d fly away. But you know, strangely, when he stands in front with a shield, it gives you faith. As long as Lucy Allen is at the front, there’s unfounded belief that we cannot lose.”
Seeing Arthur’s smile, Rene closed her open mouth and quietly observed Lucy’s surroundings.
The saintess, listening to Lucy’s explanation with a gentle smile.
Partlan’s Young Lady, frowning and questioning why it was so.
Kent’s Young Lady, swinging a sword in the void without a thought.
“If Lucy Allen is a hero, are you his companions?”
“That little brat is a hero? Does that make any sense?”
“Is being an Apostle of God any more meaningful?”
“…If Lucy Allen starts being worshiped, will that be a big deal?”
“That would be fun. The thought of the church’s priest mimicking her way of speaking is amusing.”
Imagining the sight of a solemn elder clearing his throat and saying sloppy~sloppy~ made the two burst into laughter.
“Useless Prince. The only thing you’re better than the fool knight is your head, so why are you slacking off? Do you really want to be that stupid?”
“I heard everything.”
“Prove it. If you can’t, you know?”
Rene struggled to suppress her laughter at the sight of Arthur getting heated between them.
*
Instead of reappearing, the King sent a door to invite us.
Are you telling us to open the dungeon door and come in?
How fun. It has a sense of reality to it.
What has he prepared, I wonder?
Did he set off puny traps the moment we stepped inside?
As usual, the moment I took the first step, the ground collapsed.
Amid the revealed walls, all sorts of traps poured out.
Magic. Curses. Arrows. Poison. Everything to kill intruders.
Watching my friends fall behind me, the emotion I felt was expectation.
Well prepared. They crafted it to make sure anyone trying to evade would inevitably get hurt.
But, hey.
This isn’t the end, right?
This is just the prelude.
The King surely didn’t expect us to fall this easily.
He probably thought we’d just get a scratch or two.
The real challenge begins when we get down below. Right?
“Just as I expected.”
“Frey Kent.”
“Got it.”
As Frey swung her sword around, all the traps along with the walls were sliced through. Even though they had already been activated, they made no difference.
Thus, we landed on the floor without a scratch; what awaited us was a towering castle.
Countless archers and wizards stood on the parapets, aiming at us, while soldiers lining up brandished their spears, trying to crush us.
There was only one staircase to rise, and it was long and winding, meaning we had to endure countless attacks along the way.
And up high in the void beneath the towering ceiling stood the King.
Dressed in flowing robes that contrasted his emaciated body, he looked down at us with a smile.
He must be thinking of intervening with his power at intervals.
“This is nothing like what Lucy Allen mentioned.”
“Is this really a dungeon? It seems more like a war.”
“True. It looks dangerous, causing an electric jolt.”
This is a hunt.
Like when the army appears to hunt dangerous monsters, the soldiers of this castle aim to hunt us at the King’s order.
[Efficient but simultaneously petty. What kind of dungeon is this?]
The moment I heard my grandpa’s irritation, I couldn’t help but grin.
‘Why? This is a wonderful dungeon.’
If you ask what defines a dungeon, everyone will have different answers.
But the common point exists.
Enemies swarming, traps lying around, a perilous boss, and a place where you can obtain rewards upon reaching the end.
This perfectly fits the definition of a great dungeon.
Considering the fact we’re up against the King, the concept is appealing.
When did kings become those who fight on the front lines?
Kings are power wielders. They stand tall, showcasing their arrogance from above.
Look. Where could be a place that fits more as a king’s dungeon?
“Lady. The orders, please.”
Hearing Phoebe’s words, I scanned the surroundings.
The spearmen approaching us slowly.
The knights behind them looking for an opportunity.
Archers who would turn us into pincushions the moment the orders were given.
Wizards who would use magic to kill us even if it means our allies get smashed.
“It’s a pretty nice place for a piggy pen. They must have sweated a lot stacking bricks.”
Since the opponent prepared such a splendid place, it’s only right for us to show something impressive in return.
Now then, dear piggy who is so, so scared and hiding in a brick castle, I’ll show you the sight of your castle collapsing.
I’m not a dumb wolf. I won’t blow on it to knock it down or scratch it with claws.
The most efficient way to destroy a castle is.
“Hey, remember what we took from the useless prince?”
“Using it now seems efficient, huh?”
Explosives.
“Those losers looking down from above are annoying, right? Let’s drop them down to their proper level.”
“Phoebe. Channel the magic power.”
“Gladly.”
As Joy threw the jewels she had, infusing magic into the ring on her finger, jewels that should have fallen to the ground got suspended in the air.
And centered around those jewels, a magic circle formed.
“I’ll start the fireworks.”
Countless magic circles flared up, bursting the parapets.
Some were intercepted, some blocked by wizards, some flew wildly into the wrong places, but who cares.
With the colossal magic power inscribed in the jewels, the number of flames reaching close to hundreds.
Before the overwhelming firepower, several parapets crumbled.
As the order on the ground turned to chaos, my gaze met the King’s.
Seems like the first round goes to me, huh? Silly little piggy.
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