Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: The Holy Sword Dungeon Party
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The next day, I finished my preparations to depart for the long dungeon raid. Eve had been holed up in her office since morning handling the handover, so only Sieri and Selu were there to see me off on my journey.
"Um... Lord..."
Sieri grabbed my collar, her face flushed bright red. She stammered,
"So, about yesterday... that..."
"Even so, Sieri's still my favorite. You know that, right?"
I cupped her cheeks firmly as I said it. Sieri stared at me blankly with her face squished against my palms, then nodded with a beaming smile. I whispered to her,
"Look forward to when I get back."
"Y-Yes... hehe..."
Sieri giggled, her face turning beet red. I was dying to know what kind of conversation she'd have with Eve once she went back inside, but it was time for me to leave. I just hoped the territory wouldn't be a total wreck when I returned.
Upon arriving in the capital, royal attendants were waiting and escorted me straight to a lounge in the palace. Thanks to the game's ridiculously convenient setup, the dungeon sealing the holy sword was right next to the capital. I sipped the provided drinks and nibbled on the snacks while sizing up my party members.
First up, Elf Princess Erina. She was currently pregnant, and her level was the same as when I'd first seen her. She was over level 30 anyway, so clearing the level 30 dungeon known as the Holy Sword Dungeon would be no issue. After all, the party had two members over level 40. Plus, the only threats inside the Holy Sword Dungeon were a handful of guardians.
Next, Hero Aei. She looked relieved, like she'd handed off all the women to someone else. Erina was glued to her side, chattering about random things like whether she was hurt anywhere. Aei seemed to both like it and find it a hassle. Her level had risen a lot in the meantime, nearly hitting 50.
The opponent I already couldn't beat had become as unreachable as the stars in the sky. I quietly swallowed my regret. If I ever wanted to pin Aei down and crush her someday, I'd need to get a lot stronger.
And the last one: Bellix Karin. With her blonde waves, blue eyes, ample chest, and alluring armor hugging her curves, she was the palace's representative in this party. I checked her status window.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ ⚡ Strength: 100 💨 Agility: 30 ✨ Intelligence: 60 🍀 Luck: 70 Traits Arbiter
>Deals 2x damage to thieves and pirates.
>Takes half damage from those classes. Tracker
>Tracks the location of anyone whose appearance is known faster than anyone else. Torture Expert
>Attacks excluding main weapons (sword and shield) will not kill the opponent. Brutal stats that weren't very knightly. Especially the Torture Expert and Arbiter traits—they were textbook examples of what kind of fate awaited Eve if this woman made it to the port. I decided to be a little more cautious around Bellix Karin.
"Looks like everyone's here."
A high-ranking palace official appeared in the lounge where we'd been gathered. He said he'd guide us to the king. Karin shot up like lightning and followed behind him, with me right after. Aei and Erina brought up the rear. Erina was plastered to Aei, endlessly whispering sweet nothings like how much she loved her.
To me, who knew she was the type to spread her legs easily for a baby, it was just hilarious. It was obvious she hadn't joined this party for justice or the holy sword. She was surely here just to see Aei's face, since Aei was definitely participating. I wondered if Erina would be satisfied with the handiwork now that Aei was a woman.
"You're all here."
The king greeted us with an utterly exhausted and grave expression. The moment we entered the grand hall, that was my first impression of him on his throne. He looked incredibly worn out and aged. Probably because recent events hadn't given him a moment's rest for body or mind. In the original story, the king was just a quest giver, so I had no idea what he was like, but from how the country was run and his current demeanor, he seemed like a genuinely good man.
He spoke with a faint smile, as if our group was a reassuring and welcome sight.
"We've confirmed that Evangeline was plotting the Demon King's revival during the last Demon King subjugation. We've also verified that she planned to deploy mermaids to attack the trade city of Esta. Thus, I believe we must prepare countermeasures before Evangeline begins her full activities."
The king gestured to an attendant, who unfurled a map with a flourish. It was drawn clearly for us to understand: a large cave next to the palace. Inside the map, the cave was blocked by a solid stone wall. Unique characters were inscribed before the wall, and inputting the code using those characters was the only way in.
"To that end, I intend to lay the foundation for our defense against Evangeline by awakening the holy sword sealed near the capital. The dungeon sealing this holy sword is said to be rife with deadly traps, sealed tightly with a code to prevent those dangers from leaking out."
Of course, I knew the code. In the game, after the king gave the quest, asking him again would reveal it. The code was "Luminus," the name of the game company that made Heroine Legend.
"After long research, our archaeologists have discovered the code to enter the dungeon: 'Luminus.' However, no expedition sent by our kingdom has ever returned from it. I cannot hide my sorrow at sending you into such peril. I wish you good fortune."
With that, we heard the king's opening remarks and headed to the dungeon. If he was going to do a speech, why not just do it at the dungeon entrance? What was the point of preparing an opening ceremony? As I grumbled inwardly, Erina approached me. She'd been deep in sweet whispers with Aei moments before.
"If it isn't Princess Erina."
"You get aroused by scaly things, don't you?"
"I didn't expect the princess to have opinions on my married life."
"Shut your mouth, you filthy cur. Even as an elf, how could you do such things with a mermaid? Your mother was shocked beyond words by your debauchery. Aren't you ashamed of Peta Sirius's name?"
"Has our Princess Erina only ever done things that wouldn't shame her own royal name?"
Erina shut her mouth at my question. If I dragged her to Elrijen, she'd be the one at a disadvantage. My private life was already out in the open, but Erina's scandals were still hidden. If she kept being a nuisance, we'd both go down together. I asked,
"You're not here just to pick a fight with me, are you?"
Erina lowered her voice.
"I haven't told Aei about the pregnancy yet."
"Hiding a premarital pregnancy, huh."
"Shut it. I plan to get together with Aei somehow during this dungeon raid."
"So why tell me?"
"Just keep your mouth shut until then. I told Aei I learned a secret art for women to make a baby together. I'll hook up with Aei today, then show her my swelling belly later. Just like you wanted, this child will be Aei's and mine."
"I see. But how'd you convince the queen?"
"...None of your business."
If I'd been Erina's mom, I would've clutched my neck and foamed at the mouth before passing out. From the way she said it, she'd somehow gotten the queen's permission. Whatever excuse she used to make the baby didn't matter to me. It was just funny that she was insisting women could make a kid together. Even funnier if Aei bought it.
What a thick-headed princess. This was why holing up in a palace ruined people.
"Sure. I just want the Hero and you to be happy."
Erina scowled at my words.
"You're such a weirdo."
Coming from a princess trying to trap her lover by getting knocked up by someone else, it wasn't her place to say. I just laughed it off. We left the capital and arrived at the dungeon entrance. It was a textbook RPG dungeon straight out of a game.
Two gargoyle statues flanked the cave mouth, torches burning brightly. The guards at the entrance saw us and input the code on our behalf, opening the door. One guard said,
"No one's ever crossed this threshold and returned."
The game had the same line. The problem was, despite all the intimidation, the dungeon was way too easy. The Holy Sword Dungeon was one of the simplest events in the game. Designed for the protagonist's solo play, it had fewer enemies than other level-appropriate dungeons, and their patterns were straightforward.
Still, having experienced countless times how games and reality differed slightly, I entered the dungeon with some tension. In the game, there was only one guardian, but in reality, machine guns could start firing the moment the door opened.
The door swung open, and we descended a long staircase to Underground Level 1. A massive golem loomed there, surrounded by heaps of bones. Most probably hadn't made it past even the first floor.
The golem itself was battered and broken in places, signs of battles over long ages. We stopped before it, assessing the situation. Karin spoke up.
"All broken by heavy, blunt weapons. Looks like this golem got them... But I can't figure out how it works."
"Maybe it has some activation condition?"
"How about we get a little closer?"
We were still at a safe distance from the golem. Erina made a face at the suggestion of approaching, and honestly, so did I. Standing before something twice my size wasn't something I wanted to do in reality either.
But fearless Karin and Aei stepped forward first. At that exact moment, light flared in the golem's eyes. I quickly opened its status window.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ ⚡ Strength: 89 💨 Agility: 20 ✨ Intelligence: 0 🍀 Luck: 0 Traits Magic Resistance
>Resists magic. Reduces magic damage by 60%. Physical Resistance
>Resists physical damage. Reduces physical damage by 60%. Race: Stone Golem (Mutated) "Mutated?"
"Huh?"
Aei turned at my mutter. I hurriedly shook my head.
"Nothing, never mind."
The "mutated" note on its race was a bit odd. But there were more pressing things in the status. The Stone Golem's base specs were annoying enough.
Solid stats overall, but wrapped in passives that would make smashing it a headache. I drew my mace; Karin readied her shield and sword; Erina nocked an arrow. Aei half-drew her sword, glanced at the golem, and said,
"Looks like it has something to say."
The moment we all froze, the golem's mouth opened.
"Among you, only the pure of virginity may open this door."
I scowled, Karin tilted her head. Aei thought for a moment, then turned and said,
"Erina! Our Erina can do it."
Ah, fuck. We're screwed.