Chapter 15: Encounter – 17
“Does this mean they’ve entered the boss room?”
“Seems like it. If I had known, I wouldn’t have let them go.”
As I replied to Larni, a wave of regret washed over me. I had thought that even if they fought a single weak monster, they would flee, but I never expected a direct path to the boss without any encounters.
Moreover, their figures were absent before the door, and even with my strength, I couldn’t push it open. It was clear they had ventured deeper inside.
Still, if ‘Lyra Nora’ was as strong as when we last met, they might just stand a chance. However, considering the dungeon’s rank had increased, Lyra Nora herself must have grown even stronger.
To think I had sent those young adventurers into a deadly situation just to avoid a minor inconvenience made it difficult to maintain my composure.
Noticing my demeanor, Mariane quietly moved closer to me.
“Regardless, since they have entered the boss room, there’s nothing we can do. The ‘Wandering Dungeon’ is unlike ordinary dungeons. There’s a possibility that exceptional circumstances might occur.”
“…You’re right. If we can enter, let’s do so.”
It felt like we had waited an eternity, but in reality, it had only been two or three minutes.
The door to the boss room trembled slightly. It was a signal that it was about to open.
“Alright, let’s go. Are you all ready?”
I glanced at everyone and pushed the stone door open.
Inside the room was the same as before.
A grand hall with an atmosphere reminiscent of a royal castle’s audience chamber.
At the far end, there was a dais with a throne, upon which sat the silver-haired vampire, Lyra Nora, with skin as pale as porcelain, her legs crossed elegantly.
In the center of the crimson carpet leading to her throne lay a woman with gray hair, collapsed.
Without a doubt, she was one of the ‘Supreme Radiance,’ a warrior wielding a naginata.
As I approached the fallen warrior while keeping an eye on Lyra Nora, Freinir gasped.
“This is… already…”
The warrior’s body was riddled with multiple wounds, from which an alarming amount of blood flowed.
It was likely the aftermath of Lyra Nora’s technique, ‘Thousand Dancing Blood Lances.’
As I crouched down to check her breathing, Lyra Nora’s cool voice echoed from the back.
“That woman seems to have sacrificed herself to allow the other three to escape. I have seen many humans, but it is quite a feat to accomplish.”
“Escape? But no one came out from the door.”
“There is a magical tool that allows for transfer from the dungeon to the surface. It seems they used that.”
“Such a thing exists…?”
Now that I thought about it, Garsonia had mentioned something about having a ‘trump card.’
As I recalled this, I noticed the warrior’s body twitch slightly.
Thanks to the resilience of adventurers, it seemed she was still clinging to life.
I retrieved a small vial from my Item Box, uncorked it, and offered it to the warrior.
“…Mm… Mmm… Ugh… Hah, hah…”
What I had given her was, of course, an Elixir. Almost instantly, the wounds on her body began to close, and her complexion improved. It was indeed remarkably effective.
“Oh, an Elixir? How rare. And to use it without hesitation shows great courage. I find that quite admirable.”
“Thank you for your patience, Lyra Nora.”
“To express gratitude in such a situation is truly amusing. It was my fault that the woman was on the brink of death.”
“You merely fulfilled your role. We were the ones who challenged you to battle, so it would be unreasonable to complain just because we were nearly killed.”
At my response, the beautiful vampire narrowed her eyes, her lips curling into a smile that revealed her long fangs.
“Hehehe, you are indeed an intriguing man, Soushi. Now that the woman has recovered, what shall we do? It would be a shame not to have her fight alongside us.”
“Is that acceptable? Aren’t there rules in the dungeon regarding this?”
“This place is different from ordinary dungeons, so a few exceptions are not an issue. Besides, we will adjust our numbers accordingly, so do not worry.”
“Understood. Please wait a moment.”
I said this and turned to the warrior, who had somehow managed to stand.
Up close, her neatly trimmed bangs, her ponytail, her traditional armor, and the naginata she wielded gave her a distinctly Japanese beauty. She appeared to be in her early twenties.
Though she must have tasted the fear of death, her expression had regained a dignified composure, perhaps thanks to her skills or her mental fortitude. Regardless, she looked at me and bowed deeply.
“I sincerely thank you for saving me from the brink of death. I am called Sakurahime. I will surely repay this debt, but for now, I am but a traveler and can do nothing. Please allow me some time.”
“I am Soushi, the leader of ‘Soul’s Guidance.’ While I would like to express my relief at your survival, we must first exit this dungeon, or it will all be for naught. We are about to fight Lyra Nora over there, and I would like you to join us.”
At my suggestion, Sakurahime looked momentarily surprised, but after glancing at the members of ‘Soul’s Guidance’ and then at Lyra Nora, she nodded.
“I do not fully understand the situation, but if we are to fight the dungeon boss, then I have no objections. I would be honored to fight alongside you.”
“Then thank you. Is everyone alright with this?”
Looking around, all the members nodded in agreement.
Sakurahime’s temporary addition was irregular, but now was not the time to question it.
“Sakurahime, please focus on supporting the rear.”
“Understood. I will be careful not to interfere with your coordination. Also, be wary of the magic known as ‘Blood Lance.'”
“Thank you. We have fought her once before, so we should be fine.”
As I replied, Sakurahime looked surprised but moved back to join the rear guard.
At that moment, I noticed Lyra Nora rising from her throne.
“I apologize for the wait. Let us begin the battle.”
“Yes, I look forward to it. You have eight on your side, correct? Then I shall summon a few more.”
As Lyra Nora spread her arms, a black mist enveloped the area, and twelve armored swordsmen, the ‘Headless Adepts,’ materialized.
We had grown accustomed to such numbers, but Sakurahime was not so fortunate.
“To summon this many ‘Adepts’… So you were not fighting seriously before. What a fearsome being you are.”
“This is nothing to worry about. Please deal with the ones I failed to eliminate.”
“Very well… I accept.”
Perhaps because we all remained calm, Sakurahime also took her stance quietly.
We formed a formation with me at the center, Larni and Karma on either side, Mariane and Sakurahime behind them, and Flainir, Sfenia, and Shizuna, along with two Spirit Rock Golems, in the back.
“Then I shall proceed. Show me if you can defeat me, now that I have regained my strength.”
At Lyra Nora’s command, the twelve ‘Adepts’ moved as if gliding, surrounding us in a half-circle.
“Divine Light, go!”
Flainir’s ‘Divine Halo’ activated, momentarily slowing the movements of the ‘Adepts.’
Next, Sfenia unleashed her area wind magic, ‘Cyclone Edge,’ dealing significant damage to three of them on the right. Shizuna’s ‘Ice Javelin’ pierced one, taking it down in a single strike.
“Hah!”
I unleashed a series of three ‘Shockwaves,’ crushing five of the ‘Adepts’ in one go. I heard Sakurahime exclaim, “Incredible!” from behind.
The three ‘Adepts’ approaching from the sides were met by Larni, Karma, and Mariane. It seemed Sakurahime had moved to support Mariane, which was a good decision since Mariane was not a pure front-line fighter.
“To think even ‘Adepts’ can be defeated in an instant… How terrifying you all are.”
A confident smile appeared on Lyra Nora’s beautiful face.
I felt the heat of her power rising like a mirage from her entire being, and I tightened my grip on my shield.