第９８掘：ダンジョンの記憶 (Part2)
"That cannot be. It is only because you are here, young master, that we can all exert our strength. As our king, you need only continue to give us your orders until the very end."
"But..."
"We have discussed this many times. Both I and Riri are prepared to cast aside our lives if it means keeping Reye-sama alive. Reye-sama, you promised us as well—that you would survive, no matter what."
"...Ah."
*I beg of you.*
*Everyone, please be safe.*
*Was I in the wrong?*
*Is this the punishment for resting on the laurels of my power as a Dungeon Master?*
*To lose control of the dungeon... what could the owner of that voice have been thinking when they bestowed this power upon me?*
Even now, too late, I found myself pondering the meaning of this strength.
***
**Side: Riri Le Cossel**
Today was supposed to be just like any other day.
I was just going to head to the Adventurer’s Guild, sell off some materials, and do some shopping. That was all.
"Yo."
"Oh, still alive, are you?"
"That’s harsh. I’m a Rank 7 adventurer, you know."
"Hard to believe. A solo Rank 7? I figured you’d be dead from spending all your time stuck in the dungeon."
"Well, maybe. Here, please process these."
"Yeah, yeah."
The usual conversation at the exchange counter.
I have lived for a long time, so I have watched this town change over the years.
But as far as this town is concerned, I am just an adventurer who has been settled here for five or six years.
I have repeated this routine countless times.
The body I had when I was small is gone, replaced by the well-toned, mature physique of a woman.
Reye-sama seems pleased with it, so I have no complaints about my current situation.
As I was thinking this, several people—looking like nobles—emerged from the Guild Master’s room.
"Hey, who are those people?"
"Hm? Oh, some big shots who came to tour the dungeon. Personally, I’m just worried they’ll mess up, die, and then try to blame the town for it."
"Heh~"
I watched them as they passed.
Even to my eyes, they were beauties enough to make one sigh.
There was only one man among them.
He looked rather unremarkable, but I assumed the others were his slaves or companions.
If they dared to treat those women poorly inside the dungeon, I would have their heads off in an instant.
"Here, four gold coins."
"Thanks."
"Going to do some shopping and then head back into the dungeon for a while?"
"That’s the plan."
"...For someone with your looks, you could have your pick of men. Don't push yourself too hard."
"Too bad. I’ve already set my heart on someone. But thanks for the advice."
As I left the guild and went about my shopping, a Doppelganger used for communication came running up to me.
"What’s wrong?"
"An emergency in the dungeon. Return immediately."
"Understood."
I immediately turned on my heel and headed back to the dungeon.
What I heard upon returning was that the dungeon’s control had been seized.
Judging by the situation, we determined it was the work of the adventurers who had intruded.
Therefore, we began the process of eliminating—killing—the adventurers whose presence had been confirmed.
We slaughtered every adventurer we could find.
There were acquaintances among them.
There were rookie adventurers among them.
We killed them all.
It was only natural. I would not allow our precious home to be defiled.
However, control of the dungeon continued to slip away.
"...I see. Everyone, gather on the 48th floor. The floors below that are all that remain under our control. We won't make it in time for the 45th or 46th floors. Are you ready, Mr. Dullahan?"
My long-time friend, who was like a father to me, swung his sword in agreement.
"Alright, everyone! Wait at the entrance to the stairs and make sure to finish off any adventurer who comes through!"
" " "Oooooh!!!" " "
And just as I predicted, the adventurers who seemed to be the cause descended.
The moment they arrived, the dungeon map vanished from my sight... so it was them.
"Oh my, what a large group."
"Indeed. Finally, it looks like we’ll get some decent exercise."
"...Yuki, stay back."
"Agreed. Master, please step back."
"Eh? Eh? Shouldn't the man be the one in front in this situation?"
"Shall I put a collar on you to make you stay back?"
"...Wait a moment. Seraria, how about a play where you put a collar on me?"
"...Pervert."
"...But that might not be bad. Master wearing a collar... hah."
"Cut it out!? I don't have hobbies like that!?"
Our monsters were no match for them as they chatted idly.
While they spoke pleasantly, monsters nearing level 100 were struck down without a chance to retaliate.
"N-no way!?"
While I stood there stunned, the Dullahan leaped forward.
"Hey, that Dullahan is on another level!! He’s over level 300!!"
"Heh."
"Oh."
"...Hmph."
"My, my."
They didn't even react.
They felt like those nobles from earlier, but if I didn't take them down here, it would be dangerous.
I followed the Dullahan to launch a follow-up attack...
*Clang.*
"I haven't been training with Deryu for nothing. You can't stop me with a level difference like this."
The sound of a mysterious sword returning to its scabbard echoed as she tossed her beautiful silver hair.
"A-ahhh!!"
The Dullahan... vanished...!?
I have to kill them!!
These people, at the very least, must die!!
*I’m sorry, Reye-sama, Anna-san.*
*I can’t back down now. I’m sorry.*
*Reye-sama, the family name you gave me.*
*I am grateful that you bestowed upon me the same name as my sister.*
*It seems the time has come to return that name.*
*But, if I could have wished for anything, I wanted to stay by your side and keep smiling forever.*
"I will not allow you to defile my master’s dungeon any further!! If you intend to proceed, you will have to go through me, Riri Le Cossel, first!!"
My final roar.
There was no way I could defeat the woman who had so easily struck down the Dullahan.
Even so... I would resist until the very end.
I gripped my sword, watching for an opening.
" " "Le Cossel!?" " "
For some reason, they tilted their heads in surprise.
Why?
*Le Cossel*... I wonder whose family name that was, anyway? lol