Ch.320Failing NPC. (1)

[…Naika?]

“Spirit King. I’m sorry, but could you move your hand? I appreciate your help, but if we don’t quickly gather the Ponia soldiers who were blown away by your bombardment and whirlwind, they’ll all freeze to death despite being rescued.”

[Ah. Um. Right.]

The rescue of the injured trapped among the vomit left by the Demon of Greed was complete, and now it was time to rescue those who had been blown away during the battle. Honestly, without the Spirit King’s help, there would have been no way to defeat that greed, but still, that final attack aimed at Luxuria and his attack on her demon subordinate had meaninglessly blown away our allies, making the cleanup quite troublesome.

“Chikuyo. Still, he’s the Spirit King, so being so disrespectful is…”

“You’re friends with Jack, right? So I, as Jack’s future wife, am your friend’s wife, aren’t I? If you say this much isn’t allowed, doesn’t that mean you don’t care about gratitude at all?”

[Of course, I don’t think that way. Elder Elf, you can be comfortable too. You’re also acquainted with Jack, aren’t you?]

“Ah, yes. Well…”

The Elder is flustered by my bold behavior and the Spirit King’s accommodating response. Well, from my perspective, having seen all the Spirit King’s embarrassing moments, I don’t really care about his dignity or whatever anymore. Anyway, it’s almost sunset now, so if we don’t finish the rescue quickly, we’ll end up in the absurd situation of having the entire Ponia army freeze to death naked.

So our group, minus the collapsed Lize and Miho who still hadn’t gotten up, worked hard to rescue people until sunset.

[For now, these are all the humans who survived. If we were to search for corpses as well, it would be faster to turn this whole area upside down.]

“…Roughly 6,000, I guess. They said about 15,000 were in the domain when it was active. Quite a lot have died.”

“Lize might be shocked when she wakes up.”

“Argh, I’m exhausted! I’m going to rest now!!”

“Master can rest. And while you’re resting, please modify our contract a bit. I’m tired too and want to suck some energy from the men collapsed around here.”

“Ah, yes. Don’t kill anyone, and don’t suck from those who look like they’re about to die. Suck moderately.”

“Sweet!”

[……]

“……”

Of the two demons who had been conducting rescue operations in a different direction from us, Luxuria just flopped down on the spot, and the high-ranking demon who had followed her as her master immediately stripped off her clothes made of demonic energy and started rubbing herself against the relatively healthy men nearby. Um, is that allowed?

[Perhaps it would be better to kill demons after all? That Seven Deadly Sin said she would become Jack’s wife, but that subordinate…]

“Mmm~♡ That’s good. You’re still alive. Nngh! Get harder~♥”

[…I can’t stand to watch this.]

“Papia, you’re noisy.”

“Tch.”

“…Is she without virtue?”

“Huh? What’s that, Elf? Don’t tell me at your age you prefer virgins?”

“Don’t eavesdrop on people’s conversations as you please.”

“If you don’t like me taking other men, you could give me your energy instead? How about it? Over there in that secluded spot…”

“Be quiet.”

The conversation between the Elder and that high-ranking demon is strange. For a moment, I shook my head as I felt the man I’ve given my heart to and our Elder overlapping. No way, he wouldn’t be seducing a demon when Lize is here, right? …Right? Let’s pretend I didn’t hear that?

“Ugh…”

“Ahh…”

“Ah! Miho!!”

“Lize!!”

While I was trying to divert my impure thoughts, Lize and Miho, who had been collapsed, began to open their eyes with groans, and the Elder and I hurriedly supported their heads and brought water bottles to their lips. That’s right, that’s right. Drink slowly.

“Gulp, ugh… S-Sister?”

“…Green Doll?”

“Yes, yes. It’s me. Our little sister, you did well.”

“Lize, I’m glad you’re safe.”

Both of them had minor injuries and were severely dehydrated. Miho seemed to have used her full-power beast transformation, as her magical power was depleted, and Lize’s holy power hadn’t recovered either, but otherwise, they were safe. Thank goodness, it’s really over now.

“Ugh, my body aches… Ah, what about Luxuria?!”

“I’m right here~ Mom is sleeping like she’s dead, and might not come out for months.”

“W-What about the enemy?! Greed!! And the people…!!”

“Ah, the Spirit King came and helped us defeat him. We were able to save many people too. Though the main body seems to have escaped…”

[No, the main body is dead too. My flames were attached to him, and it seems Naika, my old friend and daughter-like child, the headmaster of Neity, found and defeated his main body. She even used my flames through her high-ranking spirit.]

“”What?””

As we were summarizing the current situation for the two, the Spirit King, who had been sitting on debris waiting behind us, said something that made both the Elder and me unable to hide our astonishment. Huh? The headmaster of Neity? Surely, the person who was protecting Jack’s sister and her companions…

[Well, there’s time. For now, I’ll spread a barrier around here so you can focus on recovery. I have things to give you personally, and things to tell you.]

Saying that it would be a disaster if naked humans froze to death, the Spirit King spread a warm barrier and immediately explained why he had come here, then handed Miho and me blue-glowing gauntlets and a sword, saying they were gifts. Huh, what’s this?

[I was concerned that among your group, only one golem and Jack’s sister know how to use magic. Well, I never imagined you’d even seduce a demon, but it won’t hurt to accept these. They’re masterpieces created by mixing the power of the highest-ranking water spirit and my own power.]

“Oh my, such a thing.”

“This sword contains amazing magical power. But I usually draw my sword from my tail… By the way, when you say highest-ranking water spirit, do you mean the chief?”

[Yes, I’m talking about Naiad. And that part is no problem either. That sword is spirit magic. Flow your magical power into it. It will contract with you like a spirit and can be handled like a part of your body.]

Following the Spirit King’s instructions, Miho and I each pushed our magical power into the gauntlets and sword, and both pieces of equipment naturally merged with our bodies. Wait, could it be…

[Try using them. If there are any issues, I can adjust them here.]

“Spirit Sword!!”

-Fit!

“Hah!!”

-Pat!!

The equipment that Miho and I summoned again fit perfectly, as if we had been using it for ages. Moreover…

-KWAAANG!!!

“”……””

[How is it! The more magical power you put in, the stronger the water spirit magic activates. Naiad gave her all to help, so when you reach Jack’s level, you might even be able to create small tsunamis! Hahah!! I’ve added my wind spirit magic for directional control so you won’t accidentally involve your surroundings! It’s literally a masterpiece!]

A remarkably sharp stream of water slices the ground following my sword strike, and at the point where Miho’s fist hits the air, a wave large enough to swallow a building ripples and disappears. Wow, this is really good. Really good!!

“You could have brought these a bit earlier!!”

“…Seriously. Do you know how much we struggled because we couldn’t attack from a distance?”

[Uh, huh? A-Aren’t you happy?]

“They call you Spirit King, but you’re more like the King of Too Late. I almost want to show you how much my predecessor and I suffered.”

[King of Too Late?!]

The sight of the Spirit King being flustered by Luxuria’s blank stare as she lay sprawled out, and by Miho’s and my gazes, wasn’t particularly pleasant.

*

[-Occupation: Given Swordsman- Level: 596 Name: Ray Sol. Age: 21.]

“Huff! Huff! I can’t take anymore!!!”

-Thud!!

[Slime Mime Golem: Level 639]

“…Phew, certainly. It seems we challenged too high a level at once. But thanks to that, your level has definitely broken through. If we meet that previous one again. I’m sure we won’t struggle like before. And Ray has gained a new skill too.”

“Hiiing, this skill is hard to handle!!”

I grab Ray’s armpit as she lies sprawled out and prop her against a corner pillar. She thanks me and tries to lift her water bottle from her waist… but can’t raise her arm.

“Here, drink.”

“Uwu, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. You’ve done well to come this far. Without you, I wouldn’t have been able to level up this much either.”

“Gulp, gulp.”

As I hold the water bottle to her lips, she sticks out her mouth like a baby bird being fed and eagerly drinks the water. Hmm, this is fun. I wonder if this is what it feels like to raise a child?

“Phew. But Gore, is it okay for us to be here? Ira is…”

“It’s no problem. She’s already safely on her way here. And thanks to your hard work, I no longer need to protect Lady Ira in ‘this dungeon’.”

She worriedly looks for Lady Ira, but I no longer see her as someone who only needs protection. That was the original goal, but, well, she has exceeded expectations so much that I would have nothing to say even if she offered to protect us now. Ah, they’re her-

-Thud.

[KUOOOO….]

[Dark Knight (Heavy Infantry): Level 610]

[HP: 350,000]

“…It’s already respawned. We should probably kill this dungeon boss soon too.”

“G-Gore. I can’t get up.”

I sense Lady Ira approaching, but the mid-boss guarding the entrance to the next level has respawned. Hmm, with Ray, our attacker, completely exhausted, can we handle this before Lady Ira arrives?

Just as I thought that, the monster, without having taken any attack, began showing the same pattern as when it first met Ray’s strike. No, this is a bit…

[Dark Knight (Infantry): Level 500]

[Dark Knight (Infantry): Level 500]

[Dark Knight (Infantry): Level 500]

[Dark Knight (Lancer): Level 500)]

[Dark Knight (Lancer): Level 500)]

[Dark Knight (Lancer): Level 500)]

[Dark Knight (Archer): Level 500)]

[Dark Knight (Archer): Level 500)]

[Dark Knight (Archer): Level 500)]

“…Ray. Get up. It seems the dungeon remembers how you defeated it before. The pattern has activated first.”

“…L-Let’s run when Ira comes? I really can’t get up…”

Despite saying she can’t get up, Ray tries to rise like a newborn deer, using her sword as a cane with trembling arms and legs. I check my remaining MP too. Hmm, can I use one more enlargement? First, I’ll stomp on the summoned subordinates, and in that gap, I’ll throw Ray to strike the core inside its helmet…

“Piyak! Fire!!!”

“Piiiit~!”

“Windria! Enhance Piyak’s flames!!!”

[⎯⎯⎯⎯ ~!]

-FWHAAAAAK!!!

[KUOOOOO?!!!]

[⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯?!!!!!]

The mid-boss with 350,000 HP literally melts away in the flames. A fusion attack of fire and wind spirit magic I’d seen before. But the firepower is incomparably greater than the resonance attack I saw that day, and even my HP, as I act as Ray’s shield nearby, is being chipped away bit by bit. Aah! Lady Ira. It’s hot♡!!

“Aqueria! Put out the fire!! It’s too hot!!!”

[⎯⎯⎯⎯~♬]

-Splash!!

The hellish inferno of flames quickly diminishes under a massive stream of water, and from somewhere comes a dissatisfied “Pipi!” sound. Hmm, this definitely makes me confident that I’ll receive praise from the master.

“Gore, Ray sis~! You looked tired so we handled it~!!”

“Are you okay?! Gore, you look a bit melted?!!”

“There’s no problem at all. For me, it was a reward.”

“I feel goo… I mean, it was warm, I’m fine.”

A still young girl with red hair and a girl with brown hair come running over, smiling brightly and looking concerned as they speak to us. But Ray and I thank them instead. Hmm, it seems the leveling in the lower floors was very successful too.

“So, we’re thinking of challenging the boss tomorrow since we need to return to Muller territory soon. Do you both think you can do it?”

“Yes! We actually fought a bit today, and I think we can win!!”

“I-Ira!! We agreed not to talk about that!! I, I just meant to sprinkle a little water, just a little!! But then Ira went and used her skill too…!!”

“Pipit~”

[-Occupation Village Girl-: Level 613 Name: Ira. Age: 13.]

[-Occupation Count’s Second Daughter- Level: 493 Name: Grace Muller. Age 13.]

[Highest-grade Fire Spirit Phoenix (Growing): Name: Piyak Level: 1,839]

Seeing the status windows of the two who had been leveling up in the lower dungeon while we were holding back the entrance boss and other monsters, I gently placed my hands on the heads of the apologetic Miss Grace and awkwardly smiling Lady Ira. Hmm!

“Very good. You’ve both become strong enough. Let’s challenge the boss tomorrow.”

“Ah, yes!”

“Yes! We’ll show you how strong we’ve become thanks to you all!!”

In a hidden dungeon in the mountains near a village far from Muller territory, our party has achieved incredible growth in just two weeks. Let’s achieve our final growth before the master arrives. And then receive enthusiastic praise from the master!!

I smiled lightly, not letting anyone detect the great ambition within me.