Chapter Index





    Ch.7777. 10th Layer

    While the concept of trials is widely known, few understand how to enter the ‘Temple’ where these trials take place.

    The only clue is that the Temple’s doors open only to Sacred Awakeners who have reached the 10th level. The Adventurer’s Guild, having accumulated data over many years, likely possesses more detailed information, but they don’t share it with just anyone.

    Regardless of the era, information has always been monopolized by the upper class. To obtain information, one must either complete guild requests without compensation or pay an appropriate monetary price.

    The Harald Party had the latter method in mind. Following the orthodox path of devotion to the Adventurer’s Guild would consume considerable time. Money can be earned again, but time once passed never returns.

    However, this time it wasn’t necessary.

    Rex used his “connections.”

    “You’re really benefiting from that knight’s favor.”

    The yellowish light of torches illuminated the dark passage. Harald extended the torch in his hand while muttering in a cheerful voice. Rex, walking beside him with eyes fixed ahead, nodded.

    “The knowledge the Guild possesses ultimately came from someone who explored the dungeon. It’s better to ask the person directly if possible.”

    Yesterday, before leaving the Knights’ Hall, Rex had received information about the trials from Berger. Since trials vary drastically each time, it wasn’t particularly helpful, but at least he learned how to enter.

    “I’m fortunate my master was willing to share the information.”

    “That’s true, but I was talking about you.”

    “…Pardon?”

    Harald shrugged with a playful smile. Only then did Rex realize the previous remark had been a mischievous joke, and he spoke with a disgruntled expression.

    “I’m not a knight yet.”

    “That’s just semantics. Your knighthood is practically a foregone conclusion. Soon you’ll be a nobleman, and then I won’t be able to speak to you so casually anymore. I’ll have to address you respectfully as ‘Sir Rex.'”

    Rex responded with a resolute tone.

    “I don’t intend to put on airs just because I become a nobleman.”

    “You might think that way, but one can’t ignore public perception. Well, we can worry about that when the time comes. For now, let’s focus on the trial.”

    Harald had made the joke without any particular intention, but Rex couldn’t easily dismiss those words.

    ‘A nobleman, huh.’

    The time remaining until the investiture ceremony was barely a month. He hadn’t yet reached the Radiance stage. But that was Rex’s personal circumstance; the ceremony would proceed regardless.

    He would receive his own family name, have his name engraved in the kingdom’s genealogy, and no longer be looked down upon as a commoner.

    Though only his social status would change, the world around him would transform completely, beyond comparison to his previous life.

    No. Perhaps there’s something wrong with the phrase “only his social status.” In this world, status was the absolute and clear indicator that distinguished between people’s positions.

    ‘Still…’

    He didn’t feel as happy as he expected. As Harald said, becoming a nobleman would undoubtedly change his relationships with everyone he knew.

    First, Wolfram, the innkeeper where he currently stayed, would no longer show his gruff attitude. The knights at the lord’s castle would treat him as an equal rather than a mere boy, and most importantly, there would inevitably be distance between him and the Harald Party, with whom he had spent the last half year.

    “I’m fine with it.”

    When Rex turned with a puzzled expression, Chloe, hands behind her back, spoke hesitantly.

    “I don’t mind if Rex becomes a nobleman. Formal speech? I’ll use it if I have to. What’s the big deal? The Rex I know will still be the same person.”

    “…Since I’m a mage, you can still stay with me if others make you uncomfortable.”

    Elin, who had been staring at them from a distance, stepped forward.

    Chloe glanced at Elin with a sulky expression, then smiled as if something had occurred to her.

    “Is your backpack heavy? Your shoulders look tense. Hmm.”

    Muttering to herself in an obviously theatrical tone, Chloe stretched, pushing out her chest. The brooch attached to her leather armor glinted in the torchlight. Elin’s robe trembled slightly. Chloe raised the corners of her mouth in a triumphant expression.

    “Lady Elin. I’ve been wondering, isn’t that robe uncomfortable?”

    “…Robe?”

    “You’re always wearing it. It must be quite hot in summer.”

    Chloe asked with a meaningful smile. The shadowy interior of the robe rippled briefly, followed by a soft chuckle from Elin.

    “It’s fine. It has magic that automatically adjusts the temperature to a comfortable level.”

    “Why do you cover your face, though?”

    “For various reasons. Though I have shown it to some people.”

    Elin slowly turned her head to look at Rex. Chloe’s eyes narrowed. After a moment, Chloe continued with a strange smile.

    “I see~ I just thought, since we’re teammates, if there’s any problem, you shouldn’t hesitate to tell us.”

    “Yes. Thank you. But I’m fine.”

    Though they were clearly smiling, the atmosphere was strangely chilly. Feeling a chill run across his skin, Rex cleared his throat and changed the subject.

    “Let’s save the chitchat for later. Monsters aren’t the only thing we need to be careful of in dungeons.”

    Just then.

    “Found it.”

    Corner, who had been scouting ahead separately from the group, signaled back. It didn’t mean he had found the entrance to the trial. He had discovered a door leading to a monster room, which was a necessary step to reach the trial anyway.

    “I wonder if we’ll find a sanctuary this time. We’ve gone through at least ten rooms already; I hope it appears soon.”

    Chloe grumbled in a bored tone as she moved forward. Rex drew his zweihander with a bitter smile.

    Sanctuary.

    A place where Sacred Awakeners could redeem the merit accumulated from slaying monsters. Only by reaching the sanctuary with its divine monument could one move to the Temple, the stage for trials. Despite exploring many rooms since reaching the 10th level, they had yet to encounter a sanctuary.

    “Twenty orc berserkers and two shamans. That’s all I can see for now.”

    Corner whispered quietly after peeking through the slightly open door. Harald stroked his chin, organized his thoughts, and spoke.

    “Rex takes the center, Aira and I will take the left and right. Corner and Chloe, join wherever needed. Lady Elin, please handle the shamans.”

    “Understood.”

    Elin nodded while taking out a wooden rod—a wand.

    Orcs are classified as demi-humans, like goblins and trolls. They typically appear on the lower levels and above, but the ones in this room were a higher subspecies with particularly high danger levels.

    Even so, they were no more threatening than goblins to Rex at his current level. Half a year had passed since he first entered the dungeon. He had dealt with orcs countless times.

    The same was true for the rest of the party, so everyone opened the door with composed expressions.

    “Krug’thaar mogh?”

    “Zu’gor nakh, humarr.”

    The cold air of the labyrinth was filled with the stench of beasts. Murmuring noises could be heard, but the orcs weren’t visible. The torchlight was feeble compared to the deep shadows. If that was the case, they needed brighter flames. —Whoosh! Golden sacred flames rose from Rex’s zweihander.

    “I’ll go first.”

    Before anyone could respond, Rex stomped the ground. The blessing had manifested from the moment he entered the room. Warrior’s Gaze. His eyes, infused with divine light, pierced through the darkness.

    The orcs hadn’t yet noticed the intruders. The creatures, wearing crude battle axes and armor riddled with holes, were sitting in a circle, hissing as they conversed. This wasn’t a duel but real combat. Waiting for opponents to prepare would be foolish.

    “Gruum da’kaz—”

    Blazing flames engulfed the nearest orc. Since his confrontation with Caspar, Rex’s sacred flame had grown stronger. Ordinary Sacred Awakeners could at most cover their swords with sacred flames.

    Rex was no ordinary Sacred Awakener.

    Kwang!

    The orcs belatedly realized what was happening and rose in confusion, but it was too late. Like the trunk of a massive tree, the sacred flame that pierced through the greatsword continued to spread, engulfing the orcs. Their tough monster skin couldn’t withstand the flame-wrapped blade and was torn apart.

    Six of them had their waists severed. Rex lightly shook the blood from his zweihander.

    The orcs trembled and backed away under his indifferent gaze that showed no emotion. Even though they were called berserkers for their exceptional fighting spirit compared to other specimens.

    The one-sided slaughter, too lopsided to even be called a battle, was over in an instant.


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