Chapter 410: Excessive Warnings?
After explaining the situation to Ivan and the others, we quickly decided to take action. Using Dimensional Magic, we connected to the Reception Hall, allowing us to observe what was happening on the other side. I shifted our view to a position where Rio and Rizelade were visible.
“Alright, we’re entering the Dungeon now.”
“Okay!”
With a signal to Rio, we all began to enter the Dungeon in turn.
The magical connection flickered for just a moment as we stepped into the Dungeon, but our vision quickly stabilized. It seemed that crossing dimensions caused a brief disconnection, but reconnecting was simple. Rizelade, who was ahead in our line of sight, twitched slightly but remained frozen in place, beads of sweat beginning to trickle down her forehead.
“What’s wrong?”
“Uh, ah…”
Even as Rio asked Rizelade, it seemed she was too overwhelmed to respond. I hadn’t experienced anything like this myself, but perhaps the intensity of the threat affected her differently.
“Could it be that someone has intruded into the Dungeon?”
“—!?”
At Rio’s casual question, Rizelade spun around to face her, her eyes wide with alarm. Her complexion turned pale, and she seemed at a loss for words, her mouth opening and closing in shock.
“You look like you’re about to faint. Are you alright?”
Ivan murmured, observing Rizelade’s condition, and I was equally taken aback by her unexpected reaction. Phonia shot a worried glance in her direction, and I felt a pang of guilt.
“Ah, let’s just step out of the Dungeon for now. It seems like my presence is affecting her.”
As we exited the Dungeon, it appeared that Rizelade had been holding her breath, but she soon regained her composure and began to breathe heavily again.
“Looks like you’re feeling a bit better… But from what I’ve heard, it seems like Rizelade reacts like this every time Shu enters the Dungeon, right?”
Ivan asked, pointing at her, and he was indeed correct. If we were to take over the Dungeon, perhaps this wouldn’t happen anymore, but that wasn’t something I wanted. I was already struggling to manage the Dungeon we had, and adding more to my plate would be troublesome.
“Hmm…”
It was impossible to avoid entering this Dungeon forever. I had no intention of taking the Dungeon from Rizelade, but would that mean we wouldn’t receive any warnings in the future? However, it was better than living in constant fear of when we might be attacked.
“For now, let’s head over there to explain the situation…”
“That might be the quickest solution.”
“Yeah!”
“Woof!”
For some reason, Phonia seemed delighted. Perhaps she thought I was going to help Rizelade, who was worried about her. While I did intend to alleviate her concerns, it might not have been entirely wrong.
Opening a Dimensional Rift, we all headed toward the Reception Hall. We were close to where Rio and Rizelade were, but it seemed we had emerged into a room just beyond the Dungeon Door on the Reception Hall side. This room was located underground, past the entrance hall.
“?!”
Suddenly, a target of caution appeared right before us, causing Rizelade to flinch and fall back onto her rear.
“Oh, so they ended up coming here after all.”
“Well, they looked a bit pitiful…”
While talking with Rio, I glanced at Rizelade, who had turned pale. Phonia rushed over to her, offering a reassuring smile.
“You’re okay now! Big brother is here!”
“Woof woof!”
“EEEK!?”
However, that seemed to have the opposite effect. With a scream, Rizelade rolled her eyes back and collapsed.
The room with the Dungeon Door was within the Dungeon’s domain. Therefore, in my mind, the warning about an intruder continued to echo. This might have caused Rizelade to focus on me, as if she were perceiving me as a threat. It wasn’t like there was a visual overlay like in AR, but I could tell I was an intruder in the Dungeon.
That said, it wasn’t to the extent that it would make someone faint from fear. It was just mildly concerning.
I had exited the Dungeon, but I wondered how Rizelade perceived me now. Standing before her was another Dungeon Master who had invaded her territory, and she might be receiving warnings as well. Considering that, it was understandable that she might mistake Phonia, who was approaching with a smile, for some kind of harbinger of doom.
“Are you okay?”
Phonia, startled, called out while glancing back at me with a tearful expression.
“Seriously…?”
Ivan seemed a bit taken aback, and I couldn’t help but think that maybe it would have been better if I hadn’t come. However, what was done was done.
As I approached Rizelade, Phonia knelt beside her, asking, “Are you alright?”
“…Ugh.”
It seemed she was regaining consciousness. As her eyes fluttered open, Phonia sighed in relief, gently stroking Rizelade’s head.
Slowly, Rizelade propped herself up, her gaze wandering as if lost in thought. After a moment, she let out a deep sigh, and then glared at me.
“Ugh… just kill me.”