Ch.240The Return of the Emperor

After completing our search for the Arcane Word, we went around informing other adventurers that we were ready to summon the Tyrant King.

The news spread quickly among the adventurers, and it took less than 20 minutes for all seven parties who had entered the inner castle to gather in the first-floor corridor.

While we were searching for the Arcane Word, the exploration of the inner castle had been almost completed.

The audience chamber on the second floor, adorned with ominous magical patterns visible at a glance, was likely the boss room, so no one had entered it. However, every other location, from the basement to the two towering spires, had been thoroughly “cleaned.”

Some people were beaming with smiles, suggesting they had found something worthwhile, while others wore sullen expressions, having found nothing of value.

“Well, is everyone here?”

Amid the mixed emotions, Jessica’s clear voice echoed through the corridor, creating an appropriate tension among the murmuring adventurers.

Whether they had gained something or not, everyone now needed to cooperate to overcome this final challenge.

“As I mentioned earlier, we’re about to enter the boss room and summon the Tyrant King. Unless we’ve found another suitable location for the summoning, it will likely take place in the audience chamber with the throne… the boss room.”

After this introduction, Jessica nodded to Seti, who revealed the three treasures from his bag—the crown, scepter, and medal—showing them to everyone for the first time.

A momentary gleam of greed flashed across the faces of adventurers who hadn’t found anything, especially the four-person group who had been following us hoping to pick up scraps. Fortunately, no one attempted to act on that greed.

“These treasures are the medium to summon the Tyrant King, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be friendly to us as his summoners. So I’d like only those confident in their abilities and in good condition to enter the boss room with us.”

The abilities of the current dungeon boss, the “Cunning Usurper,” remain unknown.

And the abilities of the “Tyrant King,” presumed to be even stronger, are also unknown.

Even what will happen after the King is successfully summoned is a complete mystery.

It’s an incredibly dangerous gamble, but despite this, not a single person withdraws.

In the end, adventurers are a breed that cannot shake off their curiosity and spirit of challenge.

“Then I’ll open the audience chamber doors. Each party can decide their own positions and tactics, but please refrain from attacking the Tyrant King until we give instructions.”

The worst-case scenario in this battle would be if the Tyrant King and the Cunning Usurper recognize us as a common enemy and attack us together.

Therefore, we’ve designated the Cunning Usurper as our primary target, while holding off on any preemptive strikes until the conflict between the King and the Usurper is resolved.

After reiterating this, Jessica placed her hand on the firmly closed iron doors of the audience chamber and channeled her magical power.

As the magical patterns on the door glowed brightly, the old, dull iron doors transformed into something as pristine as a newly created work of art and opened sideways.

‘Thud-thud-thud…’

Beyond the doors was an audience chamber decorated with luxurious carpets, brilliant chandeliers, and elegant marble statues.

At the far wall stood a large golden throne, upon which sat a tall non-human creature with its legs crossed arrogantly, staring in our direction.

With blue skin and long horns protruding from both sides of its head, it was unmistakably a monster, but its coat adorned with elaborate embroidery and white gloves reminded one of royalty or nobility.

“Oh… so many insects have crept into my castle.”

The calm baritone voice, loud enough to reverberate throughout the audience chamber, carried obvious contempt and hostility.

Given that he referred to this place as “my castle,” he must be the “Cunning Usurper.”

“What are you waiting for? Come in already.”

As the Usurper on the throne spoke, we suddenly found ourselves not outside the audience chamber doors but in the center of the room.

A bizarre ability that instantly transported nearly thirty adventurers without any warning or movement.

The doors we had opened to enter were now firmly shut.

“Give up. You have stepped into the king’s domain. Neither escape nor resistance will be tolerated.”

The Usurper’s expression was one of assured victory, but that arrogant look quickly distorted when he saw the three treasures Seti was holding.

“Th-those! How did you vermin get those treasures—”

The Usurper, startled to his feet from the throne, began interrogating Seti.

But before we could answer, the three treasures Seti was holding floated into the air and began emitting a dazzling light.

“Ugh…!?”

“That is MY throne! Get down from there at once!!”

A deep voice boomed through the blinding white light filling our vision.

Then, with a heavy impact that momentarily shook the entire audience chamber, the light faded to reveal an astonishing sight.

A massive monster with a human upper body and a four-legged beast’s lower body was holding the Cunning Usurper’s head in one hand.

Even more shocking was the fact that this enormous monster had no weapons or tools.

It had torn off the head of the Cunning Usurper, who had been sitting on the throne, before he could even react.

“Vile and cunning worm. The crime of coveting the Emperor’s throne cannot be atoned for even with ten thousand deaths.”

So saying, the red-skinned monster tossed the Usurper’s head to the floor.

If one were to describe its appearance in a single phrase, it would be “a centaur with an elephant’s lower body.”

Red skin with muscles as sturdy as those of giants from mythology, four thick and massive beast legs, a mane and hair made of flames at the tip of its tail and on its head.

Six horns protruded from its forehead and both sides of its head, and its pointed fangs looked capable of crushing even rocks.

And on its head, chest, and left hand gleamed the three treasures that Seti had been holding until moments ago.

“The Tyrant King…”

We had expected him to be stronger than the Cunning Usurper, but to kill him with a single blow without even a proper fight…

If this monster were to attack us with full force, it’s impossible to imagine how we could possibly face it.

“I’ve dealt with the traitor, now it’s your turn.”

“W-wait a minute!”

“We’re the ones who freed you from your seal! We’re not enemies!”

“If it weren’t for us, you would still be trapped in the Usurper’s seal!”

Several adventurers desperately protested against the Tyrant King, who was showing obvious hostility.

Strictly speaking, only the five of us had contributed to bringing back the Tyrant King…

I swallowed those words that had risen to my throat, but the Tyrant King looked around at the adventurers with a disinterested face and spoke.

“It is the duty of a subject to work tirelessly for the rightful king’s return. Moreover, you are not even my subjects.”

“B-but it’s a fact that we helped you!”

“If we’re not subjects, shouldn’t you treat us as honored guests instead?”

“Oh, honored guests…”

The Tyrant King, who had been listening to the adventurers’ protests, slowly raised his hand and pointed to the bag of the adventurer who had suggested treating them as honored guests.

“You mean thieves trying to steal the treasures of my castle?”

Gulp.

Several adventurers turned pale at the Tyrant King’s words.

They were the ones who had found some valuables during their exploration of the inner castle.

Those who had treasures, large and small, in their bags, pouches, or worn on their bodies or held in their hands.

‘Tch… so it comes to this after all.’

It seems there’s no room for dialogue, but there’s no need to feel regret.

After all, since the purpose of this expedition was to demolish the dungeon, there was never going to be a happy ending where we part ways with the dungeon boss on friendly terms.

“Everyone, prepare for battle!”

At Jessica’s command, all the adventurers drew their weapons at once.

If a fight cannot be avoided, we’ll give it our all and defeat him with minimal casualties.

What remains to be seen is what role the “Key of Betrayal” we found through the Arcane Word will play in this battle… but since we have no information about this, we can’t include it in our strategy.

“Kuhahaha! Struggle with all your might! That is, if you want even one of you to return alive!”

“Begin combat operations!”

The Tyrant King charged through the barrage of magic bullets, exuding fighting spirit from his entire body.

The final battle of this expedition had begun.