“Why do you know about that…”
Rui muttered bitterly. Kaira snorted, “Hmph.”
“When the Japanese government requested aid from various countries to defeat the “Black Lord” who appeared in Japan, India was naturally among those asked. Although we didn’t end up sending Seekers to Japan, my sister and I were shown images of a Unique Monster named “Black Armor” by the Indian government.”
“That is…”
Seeing Rui hesitate, Kaira frowned.
“As far as I know, the “Black Armor” was supposed to have been defeated by Seekers gathered from all over the world. I don’t know the details of what happened after that, but if it has reappeared here in human form, I can’t overlook it.”
Kaira kept the tip of her sword pointed at Yuma, glancing sideways.
Anik and the Peacock King (Mahamayuri) members were a short distance away. Fighting Amasawa and Tennoji, who use Second Stratum Magic, and the Black Armor… it would be quite difficult to face all three.
–If I had known this man was the “Black Armor” on the surface, I could have defeated him with my sister.
Kaira glared at the three of them with annoyance.
In this case, she had no choice but to cooperate with Anik and the others. They should be able to hold their own against the Black Armor.
Thinking so, Kaira looked at Anik. Anik seemed to notice, and he started walking towards her with the Peacock King (Mahamayuri) members.
While keeping the three Japanese in check, she slowly circled around and approached Anik.
“Anik-dono! Please lend us your aid!”
In response to Kaira’s loud shout, Anik shook his head with a “good grief” expression. He didn’t seem flustered, and approached with his hands on his hips.
The old man, over seventy years old, stroked his beard and looked at Kaira.
“Now, now, wait, Kaira. We should hear their opinions too. Suddenly pointing swords is too uncouth.”
“But, but!”
Kaira was surprised by the unexpected statement.
“I’ll take care of this. Everyone, sheathe your weapons.”
“I can’t do that! You don’t know how terrifying the “Black Armor” monster that appeared in Japan was said to be!”
Anik, who was about to go to the Japanese, stopped and looked back at Kaira.
“Indeed, I don’t know about such a monster. However, I want to talk to the humans. Could you refrain from interfering?”
Anik’s eyes, which usually gave a gentle impression, gleamed sharply. Kaira was overwhelmed and couldn’t say anything more.
She couldn’t afford to make Anik, a powerful figure, an enemy. Kaira bit her lip and lowered her sword.
Anik turned on his heel and headed towards the three Japanese.
◇◇◇
“Hyah, hyah, hyah, you three never cease to surprise us.”
“I’m sorry, Anik-san. I should have told you sooner…”
Yuma lowered his eyebrows, looking apologetic.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. If you had said it on the surface, you wouldn’t have been able to enter the Dungeon. So, what do you plan to do from here on out?”
Yuma answered Anik, who had a serious expression, head-on.
“We’re going to defeat the Monsters in the lowest Stratum. Our goal is to conquer the Dungeon and receive the “Magic Gem” from the Indian government.”
“Hmm…”
Anik stroked his beard and pondered. After a while, his lowered gaze returned to Yuma.
“I understand. I’ll talk to Kaira.”
Akito rejoiced at Anik’s cheerful laughter, saying, “The old man understands!” and Rui said, “Thank you very much!”
Anik glanced at the Peacock King (Mahamayuri) members who were standing behind him, and then headed towards Kaira.
“Anik-dono! Those guys are dangerous. We don’t even know what they’re planning to do here!?”
Anik stopped Kaira, who was speaking in a harsh tone, with his hand and opened his mouth.
“They say their goal is the same as ours, to conquer the Dungeon. In return, they’ll receive a reward from the Indian government.”
“You believed that story!? We haven’t even confirmed whether they received a formal request from the Indian government. They may have ulterior motives!”
Anik stroked his white beard in front of Kaira, who was rattling on.
“Isn’t it fine?”
“Eh!?”
Kaira was dumbfounded.
“N-no, it’s not fine! Depending on the situation, it could affect the lives of our conquest team!?”
“Either way, there’s almost no chance that we’ll return alive. You know that too.”
“That is…”
Kaira couldn’t say anything. All the Seekers who participated in this operation were prepared to die.
Kaira herself didn’t think that they could conquer the Dungeon and return safely.
“You saw that man… Mitaka Yuma’s fight, didn’t you? I don’t think we could win even if we all worked together.”
Kaira looked at Mitaka and clenched her fist. As Anik said, Mitaka Yuma’s power when he transformed into the Black Monster was extraordinary.
He easily slaughtered Serket and moved faster than Sol Mantis.
He even defeated the Kalpavriksha, which had high Regeneration, with a single blow. Even if her sister Dasha were here, she didn’t know if they could win.
She didn’t want to admit it, but his power was that overwhelming.
Seeing Kaira’s agitation, Anik continued to speak in a persuasive manner.
“Even if they have thoughts of opposing us, it won’t change our fate. In that case, it would be wise to trust them and ask for their help.”
Anik looked at Mitaka, who was a short distance away.
“If they really help us… we might be able to conquer “Dvarapala”.”
Kaira bit her lower lip. No words of rebuttal came out.
◇◇◇
Anik, who had finished talking to Kaira, walked towards them. Yuma waited for Anik to come with a tense expression.
“The discussion is over. We’ll head to the lower Stratum as is.”
“Really!?”
Yuma shouted involuntarily.
“Hyah, hyah, hyah, it’s true. No one wants to kill each other in the Depths of the Dungeon.”
“That’s great…”
Those were Yuma’s heartfelt words. Akito raised the corner of his mouth and laughed, “Heh heh heh.”
“Not bad, old man. I didn’t want to use my precious Magical Power in a place like this either.”
Rui nodded and thanked him.
“Thank you very much, Anik-san. Did Kaira-san also agree?”
“Kaira and the other Seekers probably still have doubts. However, they won’t interfere with you. At least we, the Peacock King (Mahamayuri), have decided to trust you. Right, Rudra?”
Anik shifted his gaze to the Peacock King (Mahamayuri) members who were following behind him.
The large man who was addressed scratched his cheek with a wry smile.
“If Anik-sama says so, we have no objections. As you command.”
The large man, Rudra, bowed respectfully. Rui’s face brightened when he heard that.
“Anik-san, we’ll fight with all our strength, so please lend us your strength!”
“Hyah, hyah, hyah, that’s very reassuring. By the way, you.”
Yuma, who was suddenly pointed at by Anik, replied, “Eh? Me?”
“The fact that you haven’t used that Black Monster’s power until now means…”
Anik’s drooping eyes gleamed eerily.
“That power… it seems to have a time limit.”