第１３８掘：変態に明日は無し (Part1)
**Dungeon 138: No Tomorrow for the Pervert**
**Side: Ria**
Today, we are finally storming the Demon King’s Castle.
For me, this is my first battlefield where my life is on the line.
While my level is high at 153, that is only because I have been carefully protected and allowed to level up safely within Yuki-san’s dungeon. I lack real experience. I should have helped with goblin extermination back in the village; even the most trivial tasks would have been valuable experience. Ugh, if I keep this up, I’ll only be a burden to Yuki-san.
"Morning. Hmm, Ria, couldn't you sleep?"
As I was lost in thought, Yuki-san peered at me with a worried expression.
Since today is the day we conquer the Demon King’s Castle, everyone is off duty. We are all at the inn, each of us preparing our bodies and minds in our own way.
I suppose it’s true that I couldn't sleep well, but it feels like something else is bothering me.
"No, it’s not just that I couldn't sleep. Narjia-san gave me powerful equipment, and you gave me this wedding ring, which boosted my stats fivefold... but I’m still scared. I’m afraid I’ll just be a burden."
I spoke my true feelings.
"Hmm, that’s no good."
"I-I’m sorry."
Ah, I failed to meet Yuki-san’s expectations. He’s disappointed in me. I’m a Hero, yet I said something so pathetic—it’s only natural.
I want to disappear...
"I said, that’s no good. Being a burden is expected for a newcomer. What you should be afraid of is being parted by death."
"Eh?"
"Being a burden is natural for a rookie. What you should fear right now is yourself dying, or me and our other companions dying. Do you understand? If you die, Ria, I’ll cry. I might even follow you into the afterlife."
"P-please, don't say things like that!!"
"You wouldn't like that, would you? And it’s terrifying, isn't it? To never be able to speak to someone again, and never get an answer back."
"...Yes. I have experienced that."
"That’s why, come here."
"Kyaa!?"
Yuki-san suddenly pulled me into a hug and sat me on his lap.
"With this, you don't need to worry about being a burden or being parted by death. It’s okay. We’re all here. We’ll all return together."
"Yes, you’re right."
His warmth and his voice washed away my anxieties.
"Oh, right. Make sure you protect your abdomen at all costs."
"Why is that?"
"Because there might be a child in there."
"!! I will protect it with my life!!"
A child with Yuki-san.
If anyone dares to harm that, I will blow them away!
Demon King, if you bring harm to the people of this world, I will show you no mercy.
The operation is finally about to begin.
We are departing from Weed’s military facility. The goal is to hold the line here in the unlikely event that we are defeated and the enemy tries to swarm through. In the meantime, Labyris and the others are tasked with dismantling the teleportation gates.
"Alright, the current time is 22:33. We begin the operation at 23:00. Is everyone ready?"
Everyone nods.
"I believe I explained this before, but this is the time when the enemy is most sound asleep."
"Naturally. Since they don't have electricity like Weed, there’s no point in staying up this late with candles or magical lights. Not unless something extraordinary is happening," Seraria says.
I agree completely. Weed is just strange, isn't it? Even at night, it’s brightly lit, a brilliance that cannot be compared to candles or magical light. Outside, since work is impossible once the sun sets, people normally eat dinner and go to sleep. If they have business, they use candles to secure light, but candles aren't free. As for magic, someone with my level of mana wouldn't have a problem, but for villagers around level 7, their mana would vanish in less than an hour. That is why normal people—no, even nations—live with the bare minimum.
So, I think this is the perfect time for Yuki-san to launch a surprise attack.
"Now, let me explain the current situation. The Demon King’s army currently attacking Rumel is still being held back by the Heroes. The damage is around 130,000, but since most of them are monsters, they show no signs of retreating. Well, they haven't made any reckless advances since the initial loss of 100,000."
I see, so the main force of the Demon King’s army hasn't moved yet. That means there’s no need to rush.
"Next, regarding the coalition’s progress, they are being slowed down more than expected by the hidden routes to the Demon King’s Castle. They’ll likely be two or three days late reaching the barrier."
Hmm, even with those precise maps, we couldn't tell how rough the roads actually were.
"We won't delay today’s operation because of that. We will conquer the Demon King’s Castle as scheduled. The longer the preparation period for the barrier, the easier it is for us."
That’s true. It gives Liliana-san more time to work on her internal betrayal.
"Also, on a separate note. The Ranks Royal Family has already been driven out of the capital by the Liberation Army led by Taiki-kun and the Gartz coalition, and they are currently pursuing the remnants. According to reports from Kiyu, who is in the support unit for Taiki-kun, the King and Queen welcomed them with their heads in the clouds, thinking they had come to celebrate a victory. Then, at the banquet, they declared rebellion and occupied the capital in a surprise attack. The King and Queen were captured. That idiot princess apparently fled. There are about 500 remnants, but they shouldn't be able to put up much resistance."
"...Are they idiots?"
"They used the Hero’s name to satisfy their own desires. This is what happens. Teague of Gartz apparently thought they had come to bow to him, too."
"Uwaa..."
That is a truly hopeless nation.
"That said, this is the result of all the groundwork Taiki-kun put in. A sudden rebellion wouldn't have worked. Taiki-kun made sure to evacuate the people he was indebted to before the banquet, so it seems he occupied the city smoothly without causing trouble for the citizens."
That’s amazing. As expected of someone from the same other world as Yuki-san.
"Finally, the people staying behind will handle things in Weed. It’s not perfect, but they are doing everything they can. As a result, the situation is tilting in our favor. Let’s take down the Demon King today so we don't waste everyone’s hard work."
"Yes!"
As soon as he finishes speaking, alarms ring out from everyone’s calls.
22:45. Operation start.
"Alright, I’m heading out. Labyris, Aslin, Firia, Shera, Eris, Ratz, Riel, Narjia-san—I’m counting on you."
"Good luck!"
Encouraged by their cheers, we step into the teleportation gate and move.
"We’re moving as planned. We are currently in the dungeon passage built directly beneath the Demon King’s Castle. Check the map on your calls."
As Yuki-san instructed, we all open our maps.
"As I’ve said many times, the red dots are the enemy’s positions. However, this is just marking every living thing in the castle, so it includes maids and the like. Unless they are fleeing, if they stop or come toward us, cut them down. Otherwise, it’s dangerous. If they’re paralyzed with fear, use the stun guns I gave you. Zargis and Leia were stunned, so they should be fine."
We nod immediately, ready to proceed.
"The monsters will mostly decide the outcome, but the Demon King’s position is here. We will teleport directly into the treasury. They’d never expect the treasury to be our entry point. With the monster commotion, the guards at the treasury will be thin. We’ll suppress that, and then we’ll go take the Demon King’s head. Seraria, Deryu, and Kaya, I’m counting on you to defend the treasury. Don't forget to make sure it can't be opened from the inside."
"Leave it to me."
"Understood."
"...It’s okay."
Yuki-san’s plan is brilliant. The enemy wouldn't dream that the treasury would become our gateway.
"Lastly, let’s take a look at the Demon King’s movements, which is our biggest concern. It’s fortunate that we can see him since he’s in the castle’s bedroom."
Yuki-san says this and projects the image of the Demon King’s room.
There...
*"Haa, haa. Yes, soon Liliana will kneel before me, spread her legs, and learn the joys of a woman. Uwahahaha!! Haa, haa."*
There was a pervert.
That is not a Demon King. No, for a woman, he is a presence more detestable than the Demon King. He is on par with, or worse than, a cockroach in the kitchen.
"Ah, well, it seems Demon King Dekira is awake. We’ll go with the Spear Plan. Understood?"
"...Understood."
Since everyone except Yuki-san is female, the pervert on the screen is so disgusting he feels like filth.
I need to focus.
There are three main plans for conquering the Demon King’s Castle:
Plan 1: If the Demon King is asleep, leave everything to the monsters. If we can't take him out with a surprise attack, we step in. Known as the "Sword Plan."
Plan 2: If the Demon King is awake, the monsters might be noticed immediately if they roam the castle, so we take the Demon King’s head simultaneously. Known as the "Spear Plan."
Plan 3: If the Demon King is aware of us and preparing to intercept, we unleash the monsters all at once and strike him while his attention is diverted. Known as the "Bow Plan."
Ah, I think the names of the plans have very little to do with their contents, but apparently, that was intentional.