episode_0097

The name ‘Rat Eradication Operation’ was changed to the gentler ‘Black Rat Eradication Operation’ due to the Crown Prince’s intervention.

Truthfully, I wanted a different name, but the Tower Master’s stubbornness was something no one could break.

He was my teacher, focusing on pointless things.

Anyway, as a result of the Magic Tower’s mages analyzing and dismantling the black barrier I brought back overnight, the facts they discovered were as follows:

“This guy’s structure, which receives energy supply from an external medium called a cursed doll, is dense and packed, perhaps due to the help of so many cursed dolls.”

Swish swish.

Magic Tower mages passionately drawing chalk lines on the blackboard.

“But conversely, if it were a normal barrier not supplied with mana from cursed dolls, it would just be an ordinary barrier. That is, if we cut off the supply to a specific part. We could at least create a hole big enough for people to pass through.”

And at this point, a question.

“Even if reinforcements come from outside, won’t they all just die because of that fog?”

“Furthermore, what happens if the black mages, sensing defeat, just release the fog into the labyrinth city?”

“Naturally, I have answers prepared for that too.”

Immediately, Gamell brought the fog remover magic tool he made in the workshop.

“As expected of the Magic Tower, they develop things quickly!!”

As the detailed manufacturing process and inner workings couldn’t be revealed, I just explained it in a way that the Magic Tower had independently developed it with amazing development capabilities.

Given the Magic Tower’s reputation, it passed like that roughly.

Anyway.

Now that a solution was found, it was time to plan the operation.

However, there was a slight disagreement here.

“Wouldn’t it be better to just secretly open a hole and call in reinforcements?”

“That’s impossible. We shouldn’t rely solely on external help, and with the fog resolved, we must go out and fight definitively. Furthermore, isn’t it possible that reinforcements entering through a narrow hole could be subjected to concentrated attacks?”

“But if we start moving on a large scale, they might bring out a new tactic. It would be better to deal with it quickly.”

“If just the Guild Master and a few deep explorers enter, won’t everything be resolved anyway?”

“That’s too optimistic a thought. They are vulnerable to this fog…”

Various opinions came out. But in the end, everything was up to my teacher, who devised the operation name.

“If the Magic Tower just sits back and receives help, its status will fall to the bottom. While the Magic Tower fights, the remaining guilds, clans, and knights will break through a hole and request reinforcements.”

Immediately, people busily prepared for the operation.

Because humans are beings who can walk even a single path shown in despair.

Before long, the dark atmosphere was nowhere to be found.

Even ordinary people were inspired by that atmosphere and gradually started smiling.

My teacher, who had been watching that atmosphere carefully, said one word.

“This is all something you created. Before you returned, there was no hope here. And you even found out the method for creating the fog remover.”

I scratched my head unnecessarily because my teacher suddenly poured out a torrent of praise.

“So it’s alright if you don’t participate in this operation. Your physical condition isn’t good, and you’ve already done a lot.”

“That is true, but…”

“Well, do as you please anyway. That’s not an area I need to meddle in.”

“More than that, I have another operation idea.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“I can cast [Stealth] on others, so with this…”

“Black mages are arrogant, but they are not fools. After realizing stealth is possible, they’ve likely prepared some method. The same tactic won’t work a second time.”

“Then is there really nothing left but a frontal assault?”

“That’s right. Are you perhaps afraid?”

“…Yes.”

I recalled what happened on the 5th floor.

No matter how perfect a plan is set, it is not perfect, and the cost is someone’s life. Furthermore, knowing we are about to engage in a full-scale war with black mages, I cannot even estimate how many casualties there will be.

“I know what you’re worried about. But nothing will happen.”

“……?”

“Because I am here.”

At that time, I thought those words were a joke.

*

Day broke.

Unfortunately, sunlight doesn’t penetrate the black barrier, but time-wise, that’s the case.

All the Magic Tower’s mages gathered, and the Knights, Guilds, and Explorers all assembled in one place.

I wondered if a send-off ceremony was really necessary in this situation.

But apparently, there was a reason.

They told me I didn’t have to join because my wounds weren’t completely healed, but since my clan members were going out, it felt strange for me to be absent.

Furthermore, the highest-grade potion seemed to restore vitality, and I was maintaining a peak condition before I knew it.

The operation is simple: remove the fog using the fog remover magic tools, then annihilate all visible black mages.

That part, however, is entirely the job of the Magic Tower’s mages.

Explorers, Knights, and other personnel are to charge towards the barrier where the Guild Master will be.

Roles were divided into an infiltration team and a frontal assault.

Thanks to this, I rejoined my clan after a long time.

Fortunately, there hadn’t been a single casualty so far.

However.

“Only five of us decided to go.”

“Ah, is everyone else alright?”

“Well, there aren’t many priests right now, so we’re short? The Magic Tower and Guild did release some potions, but there’s a limit.”

Since quite a few people in the 2nd and 3rd squads were injured, only our 1st squad ended up joining the infiltration team.

Actually, this makes sense. The minimum requirement was basically mid-floor explorers or higher. Our clan’s 2nd-3rd squads have a high proportion of 3rd-floor explorers.

Poke poke.

Grace suddenly poked my body.

“Are you feeling a bit better?”

“Yeah.”

“…High-grade potions are good after all. When you came back, this was cut off or something.”

According to Grace, there were an immense number of injuries I hadn’t even recognized.

Well, I was in such an urgent situation back then that I don’t remember everything either.

[This time, I’ll protect you properly!]

Noah speaking inside.

No matter what she says like that, she won’t appear this time.

Because I can’t reveal her identity yet.

And I also have to consider public perception when summoning a grown woman and treating her as a summon.

[What are you thinking about?]

‘…Nothing.’

This is a bit uncomfortable. It means she can read my subconscious to some extent.

It feels like privacy has disappeared, you could say.

“…Haa.”

Why is living normally so difficult?

Not long after, the core members of the infiltration unit gathered.

First, the Lionheart Clan.

A total of 200 members, furthermore, most are mid-floor explorers or higher, and all the core members are high-floor explorers. It is a large clan.

Next, the Knights.

Centered around Karin, there are only 10 members, and most are apprentice knights, but they are a force that cannot be underestimated.

And as the leaders of other clans emerged one after another.

Lastly, the representative of small-scale explorers.

Among these, it could definitely be said that our clan was the smallest in scale.

“Kuhum.”

The Lionheart Clan Leader cleared his throat a few times.

“As you know, I am ‘Kyle’, the Lionheart Clan Leader.”

Kyle, a warrior of middle age with an immense physique.

Is it due to his imposing presence? Or perhaps the clan members standing next to him? He certainly looks incredibly strong.

“As the largest clan and the strongest person here, I have received direct command of the operation from the Tower Master, so if you have any complaints, speak up now.”

A moment of silence.

Immediately, Kyle smiled faintly and began explaining the operation.

It was content that everyone roughly knew, but there was meaning in confirming it once again.

After the final check was finished.

Everyone adopts combat stance.

March towards the barrier surrounding the Magic Tower.

Advance amidst the cheers and shouts of countless people.

And so, once again, I stood before the bizarre fog.

But this time is different. Not sneaking out with Noah’s help.

Finding a way through and proudly going out with countless people to defeat the enemy.

“Start!!!”

Finally, the time has come.

First, drive out the darkness.

A powerful light beams from the top of the Magic Tower.

Like a lighthouse in a storm. Like the sun floating in the sky.

The powerful light drives out all surrounding darkness.

Thanks to this, there was no need to carry torches, making bodies lighter and more advantageous for fighting.

Immediately, the Magic Tower mages near the barrier began operating the fog removers simultaneously.

A method where they are attached to spirits and summoned beasts and sent out, as humans cannot carry them.

Thanks to this, they could remain safe from the attacks of black mages coming from behind the fog.

Summoned beasts equipped with fog removers pour out in a rush.

And at the same time, they begin absorbing the bizarre fog.

“It’s really disappearing…!!”

Spectating citizens. Even those who had doubted the Magic Tower mages. Everyone expressed satisfaction at the dangerous fog disappearing.

How much trouble had that thing caused? It was only natural, as they were almost trapped inside and withered away helplessly.

Morale was further boosted, and the atmosphere grew increasingly heated.

And soon, the bizarre fog was completely removed, as if nothing had happened.

“Charge!!!”

The fog is gone, now it’s time for a clash of strength against strength.

With asymmetric warfare gone, explorers had nothing to fear.

Our party positions in the middle of the infiltration team and advances forward.

Breaking through the barrier and advancing, before long, monsters began to appear.

“There are only monsters, no black mages visible!!”

This information spreads.

Kyle’s expression becomes subtle upon hearing that story.

“Looks like they’re preparing something.”

It was a rational judgment.

Most black mages had been attached to the fog to maintain the bizarre fog. If so, shouldn’t they have been visible before the monsters as soon as the fog disappeared?

Which is to say.

“There’s a spy inside.”

“Well, or maybe they’ve roughly figured out the situation and have brought out a new tactic.”

Which is true will have to be seen from the situation that unfolds later.

At least it was confirmed that things wouldn’t flow according to our predictions.

Tension rose slightly, and the atmosphere dipped a little, but.

I actually think it’s better.

Because we can look at the situation more calmly.

“Monster approaching!!!”

“Ignore them!!”

Even with monsters approaching from both sides, we continue to advance in a single line formation.

This was the content we had pre-arranged.

Because how quickly we reach and call for reinforcements is the way to increase the success rate of this operation.

Therefore.

Hwa-reureu-reuk!!!

A huge fireball engulfs the group of ice golems approaching us.

And the lizardmen approaching from the right vanish from lightning magic just like that.

All of this is fire support from the Magic Tower.

To ensure our marching speed doesn’t slow down.

However, we can’t receive help from the Magic Tower for what comes from the front.

But high-floor explorers are positioned at the very front of the formation.

Cha-ah-ah-at!!

A powerful wind blows, and sometimes explosions occur.

But despite that, the formation does not stop, proof that the high-floor explorers are thoroughly clearing the visible monsters.

We advance straight without being blocked.

But now, that’s the end of that.

“W-what is that?!”

“What…”

Grace and I could only close our mouths upon seeing a monster visible in the distance.

Fine yellow sand flowing down.

But its size, isn’t it too big?

Several large sand giants, tall enough to reach the 20th floor of the Magic Tower, were approaching us.

And numerous monsters were clinging to their backs.

“It’s a Sand Giant. A monster from the 8th floor.”

Kyle, who was beside me, said dismissively as if it were nothing.

“The 8th floor, you mean [Desert of Death]?”

“That’s right. This much is commonplace.”

“This is something high-floor explorers have to face every day?”

That wasn’t all.

Monsters looking too strong to be seen on floors 1-6 were pouring out in a rush.

And the final touch.

Several huge sandworms, like something you’d see in an SF movie, were approaching us, showing off their numerous, repulsive teeth.

“How could we…”

Monsters so powerful we couldn’t even estimate.

“You said there were only monsters up to the 6th floor, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Then, after you were discovered, Ivan, it seems they anticipated the fog would be removed and brought out stronger monsters.”

I nodded.

Because that was the only way to explain the current situation.

“You didn’t come out without even thinking this much, did you?”

“Certainly not.”

In fact, we came out prepared for an even more despairing worst-case scenario.

“…First, we need to eliminate that Sandworm to find a way forward.”

Thud thud.

Kyle leaped greatly and moved forward.

Fast movement utterly unlike a middle-aged person.

Before I knew it, he had arrived right in front of the Sandworm.

And then he swung his sword.

It was a sword with no aura or anything imbued.

But as he swung the sword, the world momentarily went dark, and a giant blue trajectory followed.

Pa-ah-ah-ah-at!!!

A powerful shockwave surged centered around Kyle, shaking everything around as if an earthquake had occurred.

And then numerous wounds appeared on the Sandworm’s body.

Immediately, it spewed red blood everywhere and was cut into countless fragments, scattered in all directions.

Thud.

Near Kyle, who had finished landing lightly, not a single monster remained.

“The ground is slippery, so be careful!!”

With that remark, Kyle took the lead first.

And the Lionheart Clan followed behind him.

“…What kind of person is he?”

“I heard he was a 10th-floor explorer back in the day.”

If the 10th floor is like that, I can’t even imagine how strong the deep floors are.

Truly, the world was overflowing with strong individuals.

Fortunately, they were allies this time.