Chapter 1: Going to a Dungeon
Diablo lowered the altar he levitated using his magic in the outskirts of Zircon Tower. It was some distance away from the city itself, so there was no one around. The area was almost entirely a desert, and the only things dotting the terrain were rocks of varying sizes.
The sun was slowly rising on the horizon...
It was just last night when Rem and Lumachina were captured by the Paladin Captain Batutta. Diablo stormed the underground hideout, defeated Batutta, and rescued the two.
But there was one problem...
“Please hang in there, Lumachina!” Rem cried out.
“Y-Yes... I’m... fine...” She answered with a voice that sounded anything but fine.
The girl crouched on top of the altar was the High Priest, Lumachina Weselia. She was clothed in a pure white priest’s garb, but her clothes were disheveled, exposing her thighs where a blackish-purple mark surfaced on her skin.
The Death Knell disease.
Once nine marks appeared on the victim’s body, they passed away. It wasn’t a disease, but a curse.
While defending the church as a Paladin Captain, Batutta had also dabbled in his vices and used ritual magic to create this curse. Only a priest’s miracle could remove it.
But Lumachina was the exception. She was blessed with the power to summon great miracles herself, but as if to compensate for that, all manners of miracles had no effect on her body. Be it the healing of wounds or treatment of diseases, or most importantly right now, the dispelling of curses...
If left unchecked, once the ninth mark would appear on her skin, Lumachina will die.
—I’ll never let that happen.
Diablo swore in his heart. Lumachina just didn’t deserve to die like this.
Because of her tremendous talent, she was worshiped by the Church. But she was also a proactive and sincere person who would pursue justice to the bitter end. Having learned of the church’s corruption, she set out to do just that.
She had done the right thing.
As a result, the corrupt, selfish members of the church went after her life, and she was now afflicted by this terrible curse.
—Isn’t that terrible!? The poor thing!
Diablo knew of one method that might save Lumachina from her plight. In Cross Reverie, there was an item capable of dispelling Death Knell disease, rewarded in a limited-time event. It was only for “an event where the townspeople who were cured from Death Knell disease come thank you” and had no use in battle.
But it should work on Lumachina here. A priest’s prayer may not have any effect on her, but Diablo had previously confirmed items and potions did.
The item in question was called the ?White Ox Statue?, and was tucked away in his Storage. According to the game’s setting, his storage should be at the bottom of the dungeon where he built his personal area, in a chamber called ?The Treasure Vault?. According to the Grasswalker Adventurer Horn, Diablo’s dungeon was near this town.
—I have to go for it.
He wanted to save Lumachina.
Horn raised his hand. He had rabbit ears and a rabbit’s tail in the appearance of a young boy. Grasswalkers are a race that have the appearance of young children regardless of their actual age. A nimble race, they’re adept at magic and espionage, but lacking when it comes to endurance and physical strength.
“Hey, Boss, why’re you so dead set on going to the dungeon all of a sudden? I mean, I’m glad you want to go, but...”
“The item Lumachina needs should be in that dungeon.”
“Y-You mean that dungeon I recently discovered? I think I only mentioned that one...”
“Yes. Considering everything you have told me, I think that is the place.”
“Lord Diablo,” Lumachina opened her mouth to speak, “am I to understand that item can lift the curse of the Death Knell disease?” she asked him with an imploring, trusting look in her eyes.
He didn’t know for sure if it was there, but based on what Horn told him, Diablo readily believed it was the dungeon he made in his personal area. In which case, the event item, White Ox Statue, should be there, and it should be able to dispel the curse.
It was all just a possibility; he couldn’t quite say for certain.
He should probably tell them the circumstances...
—But lowering their confidence with uncertain information isn’t what a Demon Lord would do! It isn’t what a God would do!
“Believe in me. If you wish for it, I shall grant you a treasure capable of a true miracle!”
Lumachina prostrated before him, bowing her head to the ground.
“Yes, I believe in you, Lord Diablo! My faith in you will never waver in the slightest!”
Her faith in God was tremendous. Because of that, she was granted such amazing prowess over miracles.
—If there is a God out there, He shouldn’t abandon a good girl like her. He should save her.
Diablo heaved a sigh internally. Lumachina was under the impression that Diablo was “God in disguise” because he had coincidentally appeared when she called out to God for help. But the truth was he was actually “a shut-in gamer pretending to be a Demon Lord”...
But if they were to leave her as is, Lumachina would die from the curse in a matter of days. Even if it was uncertain, they had no choice but to go to the dungeon.
And if they were heading out, they would need to prepare.
The long journey combined with the Death Knell disease were taking their toll on Lumachina. It would be best if she would wait for them at an inn.
“For the time being, let’s go back to town and make preparations.”
Diablo had little to no experience operating in a group. It wasn’t a suggestion to the others; he really said that to himself.
But Rem the Pantherian tilted her head pensively. “...I am not sure if that would be wise.”
Pantherians typically have red or ginger ears and tails, but Rem’s were a rare black color. Her hair, ears, and tail were a sleek shade of ebony. And while that was probably unrelated, her body was somewhat lacking when it came to curves, and she was rather slender and lithe for a fourteen-year-old.
Diablo nodded at Rem, urging her to explain.
“Speak your mind. I permit it.”
“...The citizens of the town may be in a panic after that huge magical explosion. If we enter Zircon Tower, I doubt the merchants would be inclined to help us right now. We might even end up being questioned by the militia and military.”
“What a waste of time...”
“I do believe bringing Batutta’s misdeeds to light is important, but considering Lumachina’s condition, I think we should head straight for the dungeon. This is a major incident, and there’s no saying how long they would detain crucial witnesses like us.”
Rem was wise. Her experience as an Adventurer was vast, and her suggestions were for the most part sound. Her fears were also understandable.
“Agreed!” Shera raised her hand in the air enthusiastically. “Let’s save Lumachina as soon as possible!”
Shera L. Greenwood was an Elf, and an Elven princess, at that. She was currently running away from home, in search of her own freedom. With a mystical air to her and a curvy, gorgeous frame, it was as if one of the gods themselves had descended to support them. And yet, the moment she opened her mouth, it would become incredibly apparent how lacking she was in the “thinking” department.
—Should we really head to the dungeon right away...?
It would probably save them the most trouble. But Diablo felt like he should rest in town, too, if possible.
During his battle with the Paladin Captain Batutta, his HP was reduced to 1. Thanks to the effects of the ?Distorted Crown? he had equipped, his health was gradually recovering even now, but that was taking far too long. If he were to use all the HP Potions he had on him, it wouldn’t even recover half of his total health.
With the materials he acquired from Faltra, the most he could make were “R” rarity potions. He would need a potion made from “SSR” materials to fully heal his HP. Just with the equipment he currently had on him, even a week might not be enough to fully recover.
It was astounding he was even alive after having his heart pierced, but that was magic for you.
His gamer reflexes urged him to prioritize recovering.
Rushing to continue the story without recovering one’s health, and then losing after running into a powerful opponent, was a very common occurrence in games. Being prepared for a situation where the game urged you to hurry and continue to the next part of the story was fundamental.
He was worried about Lumachina, but it would take time until the ninth mark appeared. Surely they had a day or two to spare.
Come to think of it, Lumachina could use healing miracles, and probably of the highest rank in the whole Kingdom of Lyferia.
—No, no, no.
Diablo shook his head in denial. The ?Demon Lord’s Ring? he had equipped would reflect a healing miracle. He could remove the ring and have her heal him, but...Rem and Shera were under the impression his magic reflection was an ability inherent to his Demon Lord nature. If he were to tell them it was all the ring’s effect, he would look so lame.
Besides, asking a priest for healing isn’t something a Demon Lord would do, let alone a God.
As a pro gamer that prioritized efficiency, it would make perfect sense to ask her for help. But his Demon Lord role play meant he could never reveal his true self to them. If he did, he wouldn’t be able to talk to them without stuttering. It would be like walking through a blizzard completely naked.
—Yeah, no way.
Putting that aside, Rem’s concerns were valid. Going back to town would probably be more trouble than it was worth. Fanis Laminitus, Zircon Tower’s governor, seemed particularly hard to reason with, and in this case...
“Diablo, look!” Rem pointed to the horizon.
Looking up, he could see small black dots gradually approaching them from afar. Something was coming their way, kicking up clouds of dust as it drew near them.
“What is that?”
“...It seems they are the military’s sand ships.”
A Pantherian’s eyesight was keen. Even from a distance, Rem could make out the emblem on the sand ships’ sails.
Hearing the word “military,” Shera’s and Horn’s expressions stiffened with fear.
Rem continued her report: “One of the ships is especially large, and has an emblem of two guns crossed over each other... Maybe the governor’s craft? I recall seeing the same emblem on her armor.”
“Hmph, that fool has too much time on her hands,” Diablo said, displaying haughtiness worthy of a Demon Lord.
Under the surface, he was far from composed. Fighting a high-level Magi Gunner with less than a tenth of his HP was a bad idea. And he was low on MP, too...
If he was up against another Sorcerer, his Demon Lord’s Ring’s magic reflection would keep him safe; but it had no effect on Magi Gun bullets.
That said, running away with his tail between his legs would be totally lame. He had to find a way to avoid combat while maintaining his dignity as a Demon Lord!
Lumachina rose to her feet, still breathing heavily. “It seems Lady Laminitus is approaching... Would you mind if I explain our circumstances to her?”
“I just hope she’s willing to accept our explanation...” Rem said nervously.
“I am sure if we explain our situation honestly, we can come to an understanding with her.”
Lumachina wasn’t a fool, but had a tendency to believe in others too much. They could explain themselves as earnestly as possible, but most odds were leaning toward a reply of bullets laced with magic flying their way.
That was just how dangerous the person they were going up against was.
†
As they were considering their options, Zircon Tower’s military had surrounded them with their fleet of sand ships. There were ten ships, with roughly 2,000 troops. And, as they expected, they could spot the governor, Laminitus, aboard the largest ship.
Behind her fluttered the ?Crimson Wings?, a cloak that granted its wearer the magical ability of flight, and she was clad in armor hemmed with gold. But there was one stark difference compared to the last time they saw her:
Her right hand was bound and suspended by bandages.
—Is she injured? What happened to her?
Laminitus looked down on them from aboard the ship’s deck. “Our reports claim that you all came out from the depths of the earth. The people seem to believe you’re a Demon Lord. Answer immediately and honestly: Are you the Demon Lord?”
Her question cut straight to the chase.
Diablo smiled scornfully; the answer to that question was obvious.
But if he had the stomach and wit to think of a better retort, he wouldn’t be known for his communication apprehension. He wouldn’t be a reclusive reject addicted to video games, leading a NEET lifestyle, and introverted to the point that even in the game he would insist on playing solo.
And most important of all, a Demon Lord would never respond to that question with “Demon Lord? Never heard of him!” It would be the lamest thing ever!
“I am Diablo, a Demon Lord from another world! And let it be known I take orders from no one!”
He answered confidently, but on the inside he was panicking.
—Ohhh, crap! I did not just say that!
The sand ships’ soldiers stirred restlessly. Diablo could hear the sound of swords being unsheathed.
“W-Was that wise, Diablo?” Rem looked up to him anxiously. “If you say that, they might—”
—So it was a bad idea!
Shera tilted her head quizzically. “Does the military slay Demon Lords from other worlds, too?”
—“Slay”!?
“Fuahahahaha!” Diablo laughed loudly, trying to mask his own anxiety. “I shall not run or hide! Anyone wishing to die may step before me! I shall etch the true meaning of horror into their bones!”
“Oh no...” Horn was shivering in terror.
Diablo was shivering in terror, too, in his mind.
Laminitus raised her left hand high into the air. “Heh... Quite the bravado you have there. As you desire, We shall bring you to ruin! Return to your eternal slumber, Demon Lord! All hands, at the ready!”
The troops aboard the sand ships took aim with their Magi Guns.
Diablo was surprised. Magi Gunners were an advanced class of high level Archers. Only those who polished their skills in archery to the level of mastery and developed their capacity for magic could achieve this class. And there were this many of them here?
—Come to think of it, Summoners are far more popular here than in the game. Maybe all the Archers have a reason to specialize in becoming Magi Gunners?
If that many were to attack him at once at his current HP, there was a good chance they’d actually kill him. It all depended on their level, but...would he have to take them all out before they shot!?
“Please wait!”
Lumachina stepped forward. “I am the head of the church: the High Priest, Lumachina Weselia. Even though this man claims to be the Demon Lord, he is no enemy of the races, nor is he someone you should direct your animosity against!”
Laminitus glared at her. “Ha! So those swindlers’ boss is siding with a Demon Lord!?”
“Surely you recall how this esteemed gentleman pushed back the magical beast that threatened Zircon Tower. If he was truly a threat to the races, why would he save you?”
“The Sand Whale was controlled by the Fallen. Who would believe a measly Elemental Sorcerer could push it back in the first place!”
“Lord Diablo is a talented Sorcerer! He defended this town, saved me, and has fought every step of the way to protect others!”
“They why does he call himself a Demon Lord!?”
—Because if I don’t, I can only speak in “Uhhh”s and “Hmm”s!
If he could say that, he’d be able to worm his way out of this problem, but whenever he tried to speak with his own words, his voice got stuck in his throat. Every time he considered saying the truth, the thought of the others scorning, mocking, and getting mad at him reared its ugly head...and he froze.
But if it was an act, no matter what negative reaction came his way, he could explain it away with, “I was role playing a Demon Lord, so it’s not my fault.”
He knew how awkward that was, but that’s just who he was. Besides, he couldn’t just say, “I was just pretending to be a Demon Lord, teehee~” after all this time.
It wasn’t just Laminitus; imagining how the people who called themselves his companions would react made him stiffen in horror.
—Staying alive may be important, but the shame alone would kill me! Maybe not physically, but emotionally speaking I’d be totally dead!
Just the thought of it caused him to sweat profusely and shiver in terror. Everything went blurry.
Diablo pointed ?Tenma’s Staff? at the sand ship.
“Step aside, Lumachina. If these fools choose to stand in my way, I have no choice but to obliterate them.”
“P-Please forgive them, my Lord! They, too, are righteous men and women working to defend the lands of man. Even if you can only see them as an obstacle to your lofty goals, please, spare their lives!”
Lumachina spread her arms, standing between them. This small girl was trying to stop this conflict from breaking out, all on her own.
—She’s amazing...
He was genuinely impressed with her. Even now, with a curse that may take her life in a manner of days eating away at her, the desire to defend others still drove her to action.
If he was in a situation where his life was in the balance, he doubted he would even consider someone else’s survival.
Diablo lowered Tenma’s Staff.
“You little fool. Out of respect for you, I will pardon their insolence. But just this once.”
“Thank you for your kindness!” Lumachina lowered her head deeply, then turned her gaze to Laminitus. “Lady Laminitus, would a Demon Lord save or even spare a life? Lord Diablo has saved mine on more than one occasion. And he has also proclaimed he would grant upon us an item that could cure this city of the Death Knell disease. While this esteemed gentleman may be a Demon Lord, I have no doubt in my heart he is a benevolent one!”
A benevolent Demon Lord...
Laminitus would likely never believe those words. Diablo could only think of the moment when the order to attack would be issued.
Rem stepped forward, standing beside Lumachina.
“...Governor of Zircon Tower, please listen to what I have to say, as well. We were about to set out to a certain dungeon, and Diablo said he could lead us to where a treasure that can cure the Death Knell disease lies.”
Laminitus eyed Rem suspiciously before spitting out, “Nonsense—”
“So please! If we come back from the dungeon empty-handed, you may cast your judgment on Diablo then. Decide again, based on his actions, if he is a Demon Lord or not. Is that not fair!?”
“We cannot approve of that. We pass judgment on you first! If you have done nothing wrong, you will be free to go wherever you please. Assuming you’ve done nothing wrong!”
“...Please... Please wait. One of our companions is infected with Death Knell disease. We truly haven’t the time to spare.”
Laminitus’ eyes narrowed. “You are not lying, are you? Show Us proof.”
“Our proof is—”
Rem faltered. At that moment, Lumachina raised her voice.
“Your proof is right here.”
She raised the hem of her priest’s garb, revealing her thighs. A girl her age would probably be terribly distraught by revealing herself like this before such a large group of people... And yet she did. That was how earnest her desire to stop the fighting was.
Seeing the mark on Lumachina’s flesh, Laminitus heaved a sigh. “I see... We never thought even the High Priest would be infected.”
“I believe this is a trial the Lord has placed upon me. Perhaps this is all his way of spurring me to bring back the treasure, and save all those afflicted by the plague.”
Things were gradually becoming more serious.
—But what will we do if that dungeon is the wrong one, or doesn’t have the White Ox Statue?
The thought of that occurrence sent an ominous shiver down Diablo’s spine.
“We are no close-minded fool.” Laminitus nodded. “We understand your side in the matter. Indeed, time is not in your favor. As for the so-called Demon Lord... It is true; if We are to judge him, it would be merely to prosecute him based on his actions. There is truth to your words.”
Lumachina and Rem beamed up. On the other hand, Laminitus’s words were apparently too complicated for Shera to follow, who tilted her head in confusion. Horn also still appeared to be panicking.
But Diablo remained on his guard. He didn’t see Laminitus as the type who would accept their request unconditionally.
Sure enough, she would go on to say one thing they couldn’t accept—
“Very well. You may go and retrieve your treasure from the dungeon! We will accept it as proof of your innocence.”
“Thank you very much!” Rem said in gratitude, but Laminitus shook her head.
“Wait. We have no guarantee you will return.”
“What? But we would need to go through the dungeon to...”
Lumachina’s confusion came from her lack of experience as an Adventurer. This was something they should have naturally considered.
Laminitus was a shrewd woman.
“We must take into consideration the possibility of there being another exit from the dungeon. You will leave one of your companions behind. We should... Yes, should you fail to return in seven days, they shall be beheaded. They will likewise be beheaded if you return empty-handed. If you are willing to leave them, We will believe in your words.”
Coming from that stubborn governor, this was actually quite the compromise.
—But in the worst case scenario, the treasure might not be there...
“Horn. Which way from here to the dungeon?” Diablo asked in a whisper.
“Huh...? I-It’s north of town.”
“Good. When I give the signal, run.”
“S-Sure thing, Boss!”
Rem and Lumachina looked astonished.
Diablo prodded the ground with Tenma’s Staff.
“?Earth Bounce?!”
It was the first time he used it in a desert, but... Just like in the game, the screen—the ground began quaking. The earth rumbled, making his field of vision shake and waver. Earth Bounce was an Earth elemental spell, after all.
The sand ships the troops were aboard began rocking, jolting up and down.
“W-Whoa, what is this!?” “I-It’s shaking... The ship’s shaking!” “Who told you guys to move the ships!?” “The ground is moving!” “He did that with magic!? How is that...!?”
The sand ships began lurching forward, and the soldiers raised their voices in horror.
Living in Japan, Diablo was somewhat used to earthquakes, but this wasn’t the case for residents of this world.
Within a moment, Diablo felt his consciousness waver, as a desire to curl up in the sand and do nothing overwhelmed him.
He was out of MP. His body became sluggish, taking after his now lethargic mind.
But right now he had to save Lumachina. He couldn’t afford to be caught by the governor now.
Diablo broke into a run. “Stay close to me! This tremor is the work of my magic!”
Earth Bounce’s effective radius was thirty meters around the caster. Beyond that, it had no effect. But the ground’s shaking made it hard to walk and leave said area.
Following his instructions, Rem, Shera, Lumachina, and Horn all tagged behind him. With the ground trembling beneath them, it should be hard to aim a gun at them properly. The sole exception was Laminitus, who could use Crimson Wings to levitate in the air and attack them regardless of the spell.
However, her right hand was injured, so she wouldn’t be able to fully exhibit her skills.
Besides, for a sole opponent, levitating up in the air would make them easy pickings for a Sorcerer. All you would have to do was use a spell with a wide range of attack that the opponent wouldn’t be able to avoid.
With that in mind, Diablo glared at Laminitus. Not exhibiting even a hint of panic, she stood on the sand ship’s deck, her own gaze fixed back at Diablo.
She was calm, as if she had predicted Diablo would use magic to create the chaos needed to escape.
—What is she thinking? Did she feel like we’re stuck in a stalemate because of her injured arm? Or maybe...
She had her position to consider. Perhaps her methods were more complicated than just capturing the Demon Lord and killing those that defied her.
Slipping through the confused soldiers, Diablo and his group escaped the siege of the sand ships.
†
Rem, Shera, and Horn were all moderately experienced adventurers.
Lumachina, however, was struggling to keep up. Even so, they were somehow able to escape Zircon Tower’s army without Diablo having to carry her in his arms.
They paused to hide behind a large rock. As Lumachina caught her breath, Shera handed her a canteen. Shera was surprisingly well-prepared.
“I don’t have much, but have some water. Looks like walking this much is hard on you... Is it because of the Death Knell disease?”
“N-No... It’s just that, running on the sand...made me a bit tired. Your stamina is amazing. As one would expect of seasoned adventurers.”
“Oh, I’ve been wanting to go on a journey forever, so I made sure to keep my legs in shape,” Shera said, a bit awkwardly.
Rem nodded in agreement. “I’ve been training to build up my leg strength as well. Pantherians are also naturally good at running.”
“Same here! Not being able to walk means death in a dungeon, after all,” Horn said, a hint of pride in his voice.
Diablo didn’t really work to stay in shape, but his level 150 body wouldn’t be fatigued from a little running. This body was different from his real-life body, which would have him gasping for air just from climbing up a flight of stairs.
“You’re all amazing.” Lumachina narrowed her eyes, smiling. “I should make it a point to exercise, as well.”
“Let’s take a break here, OK?” Shera sat down next to her. “They won’t be able to find us so easily here, and if they do show up, Diablo will work something out!”
“Very well.”
“Lumachina, you don’t go outside much, do you?”
“That is true. My position doesn’t allow me to leave the sanctuary in the capital’s Cathedral very often.”
“Ohhh... So you were kinda like me.”
“Like you...?”
“While she may seem be a bit dense,” Rem interjected, “Shera is the Elven Princess. She’s currently running away from home, though.”
“Oh my!” Lumachina’s eyes were wide with surprise.
After an embarrassed “Teehee,” Shera shouted out angrily, “Wait a sec, Rem! What d’you mean, dense!?”
“...Pardon me. ‘Dense’ was a bit too vague, so I should have been more clear. Quite a blunder I’ve made there.”
“I’m not dumb!”
The two began quarreling loudly like always. Their little catfights were an everyday occurrence by now.
Diablo turned, looking at the canteen Lumachina was holding.
Noticing his gaze, she asked, “Oh, do you want some water, my Lord?”
“No, that’s not it.”
But she was right, actually. After all the fighting last night, he was indeed thirsty. But he couldn’t. If he were to take the canteen Lumachina had been drinking from, and put his mouth to it...
—Wouldn’t that be an indirect kiss!?
It would definitely show on his face. That just wouldn’t be fitting for a Demon Lord.
As Diablo was tormented by the thought of how embarrassing an indirect kiss would be, Rem nodded in understanding.
“...You are being mindful of our rations and water, aren’t you, Diablo?”
Diablo nodded sagely, with far more shallow thoughts on his mind.
“Indeed I was.”
“...Having run from the army, we can’t return to town anymore. But heading for the dungeon without food and water would be reckless.”
“You can just leave that to me!” Horn rose to his feet.
“...What are you planning? I hope you’re not intending on pilfering from the town.”
“Of course not! I’m a Seeker, not a Thief!”
Diablo remembered how Horn had snuck in to steal some curry last night, but chose to keep quiet about that.
“The soldiers know what I look like,” Horn carried on, “so there’s no way I’m going back to town alone. We can’t return to Zircon Tower without the treasure, at least.”
“...So you’re suggesting we stock up from the peddlers on the city outskirts?”
“That’s not a bad idea, but I have something else in mind. So leave it to me. I’m gonna show off how useful I can be!”
“We won’t just be needing food and water until nightfall, but a place to rest, too, you know?”
“I’ll take care of everything!”
“...I will admit I am a bit dubious as to what you are planning, but since you are willing to say that much, I will trust you for now. You are the most experienced out of us all when it comes to clearing dungeons, after all.”
“Leave it all to me!”
Diablo had to admit it was hard to take him seriously when he was that easygoing about it.
“How far is the dungeon from here?”
“A small sand ship could get you there in half a day, so on foot it should take you...two or three days or so?”
“I see.”
Diablo’s dungeon didn’t appear on the field map in the game, it only existed as part of the setting. The place they were headed to was a place he knew better than anyone, but at the same time, was still shrouded in mystery...
†
That evening—
They found themselves near one of the many rocks that dotted the desert. Taking refuge under the shade of the rock, they brushed the sand away to reveal a wooden plank.
A door...
Opening it, they discovered a hollow and a wooden staircase leading down into it.
“Wow, is this the dungeon!?” Shera asked with a shrill voice.
Rem heaved a sigh. “He said earlier the dungeon is still two or three days away. Isn’t this a sand ship?”
“Yup!” Horn nodded to her question. “A shipwreck. Couldn’t find any traces of people on it, so I think a monster sunk it.”
That meant the crew either jumped ship, or were eaten by the monster.
They walked down into the ship’s cabins, the wooden staircase creaking under the weight of their footsteps. Rem brushed her fingers across the wall, the surface crumbling briskly against her touch.
The place seemed quite old.
“...There’s food and water here...?”
“A-yup! This is my secret base. It’s super handy, so we can restock here for the dungeon without going back to town.”
“...Wouldn’t digging this up fetch you a small fortune?”
“I wish, but the cabins are the only thing left whole. The stern and bow of the ship are both gone.”
“...I see.”
Lumachina looked around the cabin. She brought her hands together in prayer, maybe to give thanks to God for providing them with this place, or perhaps to pray for the deceased souls of the sailors.
Shera sat on a chair. “It feels like a ghost could come out at any second now, doesn’t it?”
“Oh... Please don’t say that, I’m trying not think about it!”
“Ahahaha...” Shera laughed to avoid the issue.
Meanwhile, Rem wiped the sand off a circular table.
“...I suggest we rest here for today. Last night was exhausting, and we have a long way to go starting tomorrow.”
“Agreed!”
Shera raised her hand, and Horn nodded. Lumachina, however, clenched her fists.
“I... I will do my best.”
She wasn’t used to adventuring on foot, so she must have been troubled. Half their journey from Faltra to Zircon Tower was either by carriage or sand ship, after all.
Rem turned her gaze to Diablo. “Are you all right with that, Diablo?”
“Huh? O-Oh, of course.”
She asked for his opinion, as well. That made sense. It had been a while since he began working with Rem and Shera, but he still couldn’t get used to working in a group. Without noticing, he assumed everyone deciding on their plans going forward had nothing to do with him. His old habits wouldn’t be put down easily.
Horn carried food and water from the back of the cabin. “Let’s roast them outside!”
“Yay, raisins!” Shera jumped for joy.
“We’ve got beef jerky and lots of other stuff, too. There’s still some time until nightfall, so let’s take the chance to cook outside.”
“...Not a bad idea,” Rem agreed, and so it was decided.
It was dry, preserved food, but they had been fighting since last night and spent all of today walking. That warm meal felt tastier than usual.
†
Laminitus returned to Zircon Tower. Some of the sand ships were damaged in the earthquake, and several soldiers were injured as well, though only to the extent of falling from the ship in the chaos, or tripping on the deck. It was through no fault of the troops’ proficiency or skill.
That said, it was unusual to have gotten away after facing an opponent of Diablo’s strength with no casualties.
Lowering herself to her large seat, Laminitus sighed. With their current forces, they were no match for Diablo.
In the next full moon, Varakness would also appear before her again. Would she be able to beat him, even if she was to take all this time to prepare?
—It would be difficult.
She would need to bolster her forces, somehow.
Someone was approaching her with a swift gait. They stopped before Laminitus and gave a perfectly motioned, well-disciplined salute.
Henric.
“Lady Laminitus, we believe we have discovered where the escaped adventurers are headed.”
“Oh?”
“One of Zircon Tower’s adventurers, Horn, was among them. He registered with the guild a year or so ago, and worked as a guide, escorting others through dungeons. It appears he has been adamant lately about going to a dungeon he recently discovered.”
The Old Demon Lord’s Domain had many magical beast nests and abandoned Fallen strongholds that served as dungeons. New dungeons were frequently being discovered, so that in and of itself wasn’t unusual. The adventurer’s fixation on exploring it, however, was another story.
“Was there anything of interest in that new dungeon?”
“According to the adventurers we’ve questioned, rather powerful monsters are stationed within, as well as weapons and tools endowed with powerful magic.”
“Oh...?”
“They had equipment the likes of which I’ve never seen before, like a sword that spouts fire and a shield that blocks cold and ice.”
—Perhaps that would give Our army the edge it needs?
“Heheh, what interesting information... Henric, pursue Diablo’s party. As you do so, investigate that dungeon and bring back any special equipment you can find.”
“Yes, Ma’am!” The young knight saluted again.
It was then that a soldier informed her of the arrival of another guest. Laminitus signaled to allow the guest to enter, and before long, a single man entered the room with a composed stride.
He had a tall and muscular body, with a longsword sheathed on his waist. Clad in blue armor emblazoned with the emblem of the church, he was clearly a Paladin.
He bowed respectfully.
“Greetings. I go by Gewalt, and I am a Paladin. Lady Laminitus, your noble name echoes valiantly even across the capital. To finally meet you is—”
“Spare Us the bootlicking, We are quite sick of it. We do not have an ear to lend to the Church’s demands. Begone—these are the only words We will spare for a dog of the capital.”
“Ah, n-no, make no mistake. I have not come here to relay the Church’s demands... I have heard our High Priest is in this city, and have come to guard and secure her person.”
Gewalt’s objective was, of course, entirely different. He had been contracted to assassinate Lumachina, but was defeated by Diablo before he could complete his mission. If he was to return to the capital now, he would be forced to face the price of failure, and would be silenced with death.
Not only was he useless at his task, he was also privy to secret information. There was no way his client would allow him to live. He would have to complete his assignment, and prove his worth.
Gewalt pursued Lumachina’s whereabouts to this place, but the Paladin Captain Batutta’s estate, where she should have been lodged, was half-destroyed. He had lost track of her.
—The way things are going, they’ll kill me! I’m not letting that little slut get away!
Gewalt forced a smile, trying to stifle the dark flames that flared up in his heart.
“She is capable of receiving God’s oracle, so keeping the High Priest safe is the highest priority of the Church. I ask of you as the governor of Zircon Tower: Could you lend me your aid in finding her whereabouts?”
Laminitus glared at him. Any governor would normally be pleased to cooperate and have the Church in their debt. The Church’s influence was just that vast.
But she was different. Laminitus held an aversion for anyone else that would hold influence over her territory. This was the former Demon Lord’s Domain, a place where mankind’s strength was concentrated to overcome countless challenges. Anyone that could potentially oppose the governor’s views wouldn’t be tolerated.
“Hmph. A Paladin, huh...”
Laminitus had to consider that.
—I could turn him away, but...Paladins are said to boast a level of at least 100, and are bearers of great power.
Right now, she needed every bit of fighting power on her side.
That said, if she was to simply tell him, “The Fallen are coming, cooperate with Us,” it was unlikely he would help. His objective was apparently only about defending High Priest Lumachina.
“We already have a grasp on where she is.”
“Is that true!?”
“The High Priest is headed to a certain dungeon, alongside a peculiar Sorcerer.”
“A Sorcerer... A Demon who goes by the name Diablo, I take it?”
Gewalt’s tone had become much more masculine than before. Laminitus, who didn’t care much for small details, simply ignored that.
“We see you know him already.”
“That foul cretin deceived our naïve High Priest and abducted her!” Gewalt declared.
However, Laminitus cared little for the circumstances of the Church.
“There is unique, unheard of equipment in the dungeon they were headed to. That is what We are interested in. If you help us recover that equipment, Our men will escort you to the High Priest.”
“Oh! Of course, I will be glad to help!”
Gewalt brought his hands together in a gesture of deep gratitude. In his mind, however, he thought, So long as I get my hands on Lumachina, who cares about the rest!
Laminitus didn’t assume the Paladin would cooperate with her fully. But she had only dispatched Henric and a few people under his command. She was unsure as to how reliable they would be. If the Paladin could help them even half the way through, that would be enough.
“We do not care if you prioritize the High Priest’s safety, but until you find her, cooperate with Our men. If you can promise Us that, We will help you achieve your goal.”
“Thank you oh so very much! I swear it on the Lord’s name!” Gewalt made the holy sign before his chest.
Laminitus nodded.
With the matter decided, Henric extended his right hand. “It is most reassuring to receive the help of the renowned Paladin Gewalt. I look forward to working with you.”
“My goodness, you’re cuter than I thought...”
“Beg pardon...?”
“Oh, nothing. Likewise, it is a pleasure to be working with you.”
Gewalt grasped Henric’s extended right hand tightly with both of his own.
†
“?Explosion?!”
Three days later—
They found a building that looked as if it had only later been added to the desert. Stone doors served as the entrance to this triangular, pyramid-like structure, with large stone lion statues standing guard, forbidding one and all from trespassing.
Diablo’s magic ran rampant, forming a curtain of black smoke. The moving statues that were garrisoned before the structure’s entrance were sent flying, tumbling over the sand. They were adorned with eagle’s wings and snake tails—in other words, Chimeras—and capable of using a breath attack and lightning magic...which they would have, had they been given the chance to attack.
The moving statues fell silent.
“Wow! You’re amazing, Boss!” Horn clapped his hands enthusiastically.
“Of course I am. This doesn’t even constitute as a warm up.”
“I came with the strongest Warrior in town last time, and he had a hard time handling these monsters.”
“What level was Zircon Tower’s strongest Warrior?”
“I think about 80?”
“Hmm...”
That wasn’t that low of a level... Maybe their equipment was bad. The quality of the weapons on sale in this world was low compared to Cross Reverie.
Diablo’s dungeon was set to regulate the monsters’ strength in response to the player’s. Even if he didn’t understand the reasoning behind it, this should be the dungeon from Diablo’s private area. Other players were supposed to collect special items called ?Treasure Map Fragments? to earn the right to challenge the dungeon. Diablo’s own party didn’t carry any Treasure Map Fragments, though, so that setting was apparently unique to the game.
Personal dungeons were built so that once cleared, the player could challenge their designers—in this case, Diablo—to a battle. Incidentally, players who had already cleared the dungeon once could ask for a rematch whenever they wanted, though it required a special item.
In Cross Reverie, events where players had to team up to beat large monsters were standard. There were solo battle events as well, but those weren’t the main focus of the game.
Normally there weren’t that many challengers, but Diablo’s Demon Lord role playing earned him a reputation, and many players requested a chance to duel him.
—Never thought I’d live to see the day where I’d be the one challenging my own dungeon...
In-game, he was able to freely enter and exit the dungeon and transport himself to the dungeon’s deepest level in an instant. But nothing was happening now that he was visiting it in this world.
Of course, if a status screen was to pop up, or a message asking, “What floor would you like to go to?” Diablo would probably be even more shocked.
Anxiety filled Diablo’s heart again.
—Is this really my dungeon? I guess the only way to find out is by going in...
The charred lion statues wobbled their way back to their original positions, cracks running through their magnificent manes. In the game, they would proceed to await the next challenger without any visible damage, but in this world, naturally enough, they were being gradually worn down. Maybe one day they would be completely destroyed, or maybe there was some means of repairing them.
The stone statues stood silent as Shera walked over to the doors.
“So this is the dungeon we were looking for? We finally made it!”
“Forgive me... Me being so slow turned this into a four day journey.”
“Heehee, it’s not your fault, Lumachina. Don’t worry about it, we don’t mind a bit of lost time.”
Shera tried to encourage Lumachina, unfounded as that claim may be. It was important to stay realistic, but Diablo thought those sorts of groundless words of kindness could be meaningful at times. If nothing else, it served to keep the girls’ morale up.
The only issue was that the fifth mark had surfaced on Lumachina’s skin... Only four remained.
As they were heading for the gate, Rem spoke to Horn. “...I’m a bit surprised.”
“Hmm? What about?”
“...I’m sorry if this sounds rude, but...over the last few days I’ve been watching you, and believed your strength to be around level 20.”
“Huh!? Oh... Well, maybe that’s true in terms of combat... I am a Seeker, after all!”
“...To be honest, I kept asking myself, ‘Will he be useless to us as a guide?’ Please forgive me.”
“Wha...!? Ha, haha... No, no way... I’m super useful...you know?”
“...Yes, if a level 80 Warrior was willing to form a party with you, it must mean they had acknowledged your skills. I will be looking forward to seeing you in action. If you are ever in need of help, do not hesitate to ask.”
“Oh, umm... Thanks...”
Horn forced a stiff smile. The expression on Horn’s face was one Diablo knew all too well.
—That’s the face a person without confidence makes when others expect something from them, and they know they can’t deliver but can’t say anything.
In all likelihood, Horn’s full power really was level 20.
Diablo recalled how Horn was arguing in town about his share of the spoils from the dungeon; how the Pantherian Warrior had cursed at him, calling him “good-for-nothing.” That Pantherian may have been that level 80, strongest Warrior in town Horn mentioned.
Diablo was walking behind everyone, deep in thought.
Shera pressed her weight against the gates.
“Heave-ho!”
The gates began pushing open with a creaking sound.
Rem shrugged. “Have you considered the possibility that a trap may go off?”
“Eek!”
“...I was joking. Horn was here once before, so if there were any traps around he would have warned us.”
“G-Geez, don’t startle me!”
“...But do be careful going forward. If nothing else, try not to get us involved in your slip-ups.”
“Booo,” Shera moaned, disgruntled.
“You may say that, but you’re actually worried for Miss Shera, aren’t you, Miss Rem?” Lumachina smiled wryly.
“What? She is!?”
“Hehe, yes, I’m sure of it.”
“I see, I see! Teehee!” Shera smiled with satisfaction.
Rem passed her by with a displeased expression on her face. “Lumachina, please do not put any silly ideas in her head. I really don’t want to get myself involved in that dumb Elf’s mishaps. Horn, can we count on you to lead the way?”
“You got it!”
Leaving the four to their little exchange, Diablo advanced inside the dungeon, descending down a stone stairway. Some parts of the ceiling were lit, so it was never so dark that he couldn’t see where he was going.
Rem and the others caught up to him in a hurry.
“W-Wait up, Diablo... Why are you going forward?”
“Hmm? There aren’t any enemies in our way, are there?”
“...That’s...true. I know how strong you are, but shouldn’t we approach this dungeon with a bit more caution?”
In the end, Diablo never told them he was the one who made this dungeon, because he had no idea how to explain it. He also couldn’t tell them he remembered how all the monsters and traps were spread out. And if they were to ask why he needed Horn to guide him here, or why he wasn’t sure the dungeon had existed until now? He really didn’t have any good answers to those questions.
What was he supposed to say? “In the game all I had to do was click a button on the menu”?
Left with no other choice, he fell back to his Demon Lord persona.
“Make no mistake, you fools. I am no ally of yours. I am merely allowing you to accompany me. Shut those blabbering mouths of yours and follow me!”
—I know everything about this dungeon, so you should all be safe if you just stay behind me.
That’s what he was trying to convey, but had that gotten through to them? He hoped it did.
Rem covered her feline ears. “Y-Yes. I’m sorry.”
Uneasiness filled Shera and Lumachina’s expressions as well, and Horn was frozen in terror.
It totally backfired. All his words served to do was sour the mood.
—This is why playing in a party is such an impossible choke point! Challenging the last boss all on your own is way easier than this!
After pondering for a few moments, he pressed on silently, with Rem and the others following suit.
Shera had spent the last few days encouraging Lumachina, who was trying to remain firm in the face of her plight, and managed to genuinely cheer her up. And now Diablo completely ruined that because of his careless words.
But putting that aside, as a party their lineup wasn’t bad. Diablo, who was familiar with the dungeon and the strongest of them, served as vanguard. Then they had Rem, a Summoner. Next were Shera, a high level Archer (insisting she’s a summoner), and Lumachina, who served as a Healer. Lastly, Horn was a Seeker that excelled at scouting.
Maybe because of how heavy the atmosphere had become, everyone was silent since entering the dungeon. There weren’t even the sounds of the wind or any foliage.
—Come to think of it, there’s no background music in this world...
Cross Reverie’s music was of fairly high quality, and was well-received by the players. The developers even held real-life musical events, with orchestral performances and live concerts with the game’s voice actors.
Not that he ever went to any of them, of course. A shut-in gamer would never go to a normie event like that, though he did watch videos of it later...
Players who played together as couples frequented these concerts. Some would write “I took my girlfriend to the live concert!” on their profiles, and Diablo would shower them with massive magic if he so much as spotted them in town.
—If you’re that happy in real life, I guess I’ll have to make you suffer in-game, then!
Those were the kind of pessimistic, detestable, dark feelings that spurred Diablo forward.
Rem and Shera were whispering, as if speaking in secret.
“Hey, hey, why do you think Diablo’s acting so scary?”
“...Who knows. He’s been acting odd ever since we entered the dungeon.”
“Did we do something to make him angry?”
Everything had become awkward. Diablo wanted to patch things up somehow, but couldn’t think of anything witty to say to lighten the mood.
—Aaah, to hell with guys that just hang around girls like it’s nothing!
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