Chapter 186
Chapter 186
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Meeting
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With Ignis raising hell, all their eyes were fixed on her.
Taking advantage of the opening, I pulled out the carriage.
Just in case, I needed to protect the two weakest in terms of combat ability.
"Eileen, Marie. Get in the carriage."
"Understood, Master."
"Master... I can help too."
"Eileen, it's fine. I don't want my disciple seeing something gruesome."
"M-Master..."
The line worked, as Eileen gave me a touched look.
"Are we doing melodrama right now? Shouldn't we do something about Lady Ignis?"
Ayla poured cold water on the tender master-disciple moment.
"Do what? Ignis can handle them all by herself."
Having witnessed Ignis's prowess on the way here, the group nodded reluctantly.
She had been toying with that massive mid-grade Corrupted Being all by herself while tanking it. If she'd wanted, she could've wiped it out in seconds, but in a way, she'd sacrificed for the party's sake.
There were no threats that could challenge Ignis.
No way something like that would be guarding a place like this.
Their goal toward us was clear.
Was there any reason to show mercy?
Thus, there was no need to hold Ignis back.
"Block them!!"
"H-He's like an Aura Master?"
"M-Masters are human too. He'll tire out. Push!!"
He might tire, but not in their future.
Ignis was rampaging like a lion among rats.
I spotted some slinking away with their tails between their legs.
To those, I hurled mana spears, impaling them.
From atop the stockade, I saw guys firing arrows at Ignis.
That wouldn't threaten her.
This was my chance to show off my magic.
Explosion had area damage, making it useless in party fights.
But it was perfect for something like this.
Time to unleash the full power of my upgraded Explosion at max output?
I poured mana into my staff until it trembled.
A mana orb the size of a bowling ball.
The extra-large Explosion formed.
Luna and Ayla looked a bit queasy at the sight.
"D-Don't drop it here?"
Ayla's eyes were like a drill sergeant's staring down a rookie clutching a grenade.
I aimed at the left stockade.
"Go. Max output Explosion."
The massive mana orb shot from my staff tip, flying swiftly before slamming into the stockade.
A brilliant explosion utterly demolished the stockade.
The ground shook from the impact, and a pleasant hot gust tousled my hair.
One Explosion collapsed the entire left stockade. Naturally, the archers up there vanished too.
It was a chest-clearing, refreshing sight.
I targeted the other side with another Explosion.
The foes, still dazed from my grand magic, paled as they saw me preparing and leaped from the stockade.
The Explosion struck the right stockade without mercy.
Now, the stockades encircling the cave were gone, save a tiny remnant at the end.
By then, Ignis had finished up, dragging one by the hair.
"My lord. I left one."
His teeth were missing several, blood streaming from nose and mouth.
It was the cocky one from earlier.
"Urk..."
The reason Ignis spared him...
For interrogation?
I wasn't particularly curious right now...
Ignis's gaze burned hot.
In that look, I sensed a puppy's expectant eyes.
Wanting praise?
"Well done, Ignis."
"Hehe. My lord. It was nothing."
"Urk! You're no ordinary adventurers. Who sent you? The Slaver Lord?"
Even after Ignis's beating, his eyes still burned with defiance.
"The questions are mine."
"Hmph, think I'll answer?"
Impressive spirit.
"Oh?"
I wasn't interested anyway.
I nodded to Ignis, who raised her spear.
Soon, his head would be smashed.
His pupils quivered.
"W-Wait."
Maybe realizing my disinterest.
Or fearing Ignis's spear.
He didn't want to die, it seemed.
"Affiliation."
"...D-Dark Blood Clan..."
"D-Dark Blood!!"
"Kekeke. Now do you grasp what you've touched?"
"Gurk!"
The kick to his face snapped more teeth loose.
"Tch. Played scared, and now you're cocky again..."
Dark Blood... the ones from a week ago who tried to rob us, right?
"Is this your turf?"
"...N-No. This place is jointly owned by our clan and three adventurer guilds. We just manage it."
Four groups in cahoots?
Simply put, four mega-corps monopolizing from the 11th floor onward.
"The Lord?"
"Know how much power the four groups wield united? Even the Lord can't touch us."
"That's all you know?"
Sensing my killing intent, he blurted desperately.
"I-I know the secret of the 11th floor!"
"Secret? What is it?"
"T-That... Spare my life, and I'll tell."
"..."
"It's a huge secret!! I won't spill if you don't spare me!"
"Hm... A secret worth your life, eh."
"Yes!"
A mana spear pierced his face.
"If it's more precious than your life, what choice do I have?"
I'd planned to head back anyway.
Wasn't curious.
I'll find out when I go down later.
I sharpened my senses, scanning the chaotic interior for survivors.
One pinged inside a wooden building. But a civilian.
Debated, then left it.
A weak civilian. No need to hunt it down.
Having annihilated the blockers at the Maze 11th floor passage entrance, we looted what we could and decided to return.
From their perspective, they'd wonder why bother if we're retreating anyway.
I hadn't planned to raze it just because I didn't like it.
Initially, just a quick check and go.
They brought it on themselves.
My fault? None.
Mission accomplished, we swiftly retreated under Ayla's guidance.
Low-grade Corrupted Beings popped up occasionally, but no mids.
3 points left... damn...
Never get what you want when you want it.
As we neared the Maze Fortress, their numbers thinned. Turning back to hunt was iffy.
Can't find 'em? Oh well.
Points don't expire...
During a brisk march back, we pulled out the carriage for rest and a leisurely meal.
"Someone triggered the alarm spell."
Luna said.
Bandits again?
Annoying... tireless bastards.
Grumbling, I stepped out.
Suspicious group appeared soon after.
Black robes and hoods. Oddly, all seven wore identical outfits.
Suspicious as hell.
"Sorry. In a rush, we tripped the spell. Didn't expect anyone resting here."
The lead man spoke politely. Hood hid all but nose and mouth; voice suggested young man.
Unlike expected, normal reaction.
Meeting nothing but psychos lately made them seem off.
"We'll be on our way, so no worries."
Manners overflowing.
Didn't drop guard, but no hostility from them.
Seemed genuinely normal.
Heading our way? Toward the razed cave entrance, probably.
Would they suspect us?
But I'm a good adventurer. No massacre over that.
I'm normal.
Didn't do wrong, no guilt.
Then.
Eliminate the Demon King followers!!
🎁 Reward: 1 Skill Point per person.
What the hell?
First emergency quest since awakening.
Two exclamation marks!!
First time the system felt urgent.
Those guys?
Obvious who the quest meant.
"Hold up?"
I halted the suspicious bunch passing us. They flinched.
"Something to say?"
Polite to the end.
Luna and Ayla's eyes sharpened reading my party message.
"I know who you are. Don't know what you want. Had to stop you. No apologies. If I'm wrong, I'll apologize later."
"What... are you talking about?"
The man asked, baffled by my rambling nonsense.
I didn't even know what I was saying.
I babbled verbosely to stall them.
But one point.
"Say 'Demon King bastard.'"
"...What?"
He replied incredulously...
But I saw his lips twitch.