Chapter 14: What Skills Are, What Professions Are, You All
With practiced ease, we delved into the Labyrinth. We had already cleared six dungeons. At this point, we were no longer falling for low-level traps. Even if we did, we could easily evade them with sheer physical prowess.
We faced some challenges with the Multi-Arm Type and the Checkmates, but for the most part, we advanced through the dungeon by having Eris take the lead while I cleaned up any stragglers.
As I was busy hunting down the weaker monsters, Eris let out a short gasp, “Ha!” and with a powerful swing of her heavy shield, she cleaved through the Mad Chariot, smashing it to pieces along with its shield.
As if defeating a strong foe was the most natural thing in the world, Eris approached me without even breaking a sweat.
While scanning our surroundings, she asked, “Are they the Hero Party?”
“Yeah.”
“I can’t possibly believe he is the Hero.”
She slightly lowered her beautifully refined face.
“We’re on the same page. I feel the same way.”
I responded with a wry smile, having my own thoughts on the matter. No, I had nothing but thoughts on it.
“But even if they call him a ‘Hero,’ that’s just a title someone imposed on him.”
“That’s… certainly true.”
She glanced back at the Heroes positioned far behind us and reluctantly agreed.
“For example, I might be a Holy Knight, but if you asked me if I possess a holy heart, I would answer with a resounding no.”
That’s right. I learned what truly matters from the moment I was summoned until now.
“What’s important is the unyielding core within our hearts, a flame that no one can extinguish—our steadfast selves.”
Eris smiled.
Speaking of which, Eris shifted the topic, “I’ve heard that there were renowned swordsmen in history who possessed no skills.”
“That could be the case. Just because someone lacks skills doesn’t mean they can’t swing a sword.”
The dungeon we were exploring was called the Blade Labyrinth. As the name suggested, it was filled with humanoid monsters wielding swords and blades.
“Hmm,” Eris murmured.
I spotted a massive figure looming ahead, likely over two and a half meters tall—the Six-Handed Demon.
True to its name, the monster had six arms, each wielding a sword of exceptional quality. Yet, she effortlessly dodged and danced around it as if it were nothing.
With a resounding crash, the giant collapsed. Its massive body was sliced into thirty-two pieces.
I thought it was the right moment.
“Eris!”
When I called her name, she happily rushed over.
“I have a reward for you.”
“Hohoho, a reward?!”
Her face flushed with excitement.
“Is it that thing that often appears in my favorite book, ‘My Court Magician’?!”
“What book is that?!”
“‘Well done, here’s your reward.’
‘Ah, that’s embarrassing.’
‘Then should I stop?’
‘No, please don’t stop…’
‘Then you know what to do. Ask for it.'”
“You talk a lot! What kind of book are you reading?! And what do you mean by ‘ask for it’?!”
“Eh, ask for it? Do I really have to…?”
“That’s not what I meant!!!”
That’s not it…
“Please… give me my reward.”
With a flushed face, Eris pleaded.
That’s not what I meant. I was happy that she was opening her heart to me. I couldn’t deny that a part of me wished for such an opportunity in the future.
But this wasn’t the right moment for that. I hid my feelings and handed her the item.
“This is it.”
“This is the Holy Sword…”
What I handed to her was the Holy Sword that had supported me throughout my journey.
“That’s right. This sword is truly worthy of you.”
“No! The Holy Sword belongs to my master! It is meant for you!”
“No, it is you—Eris Gladius—who has yearned to dedicate everything to the sword that deserves it!”
I placed my hand on her shoulder as she tried to protest further.
“Whether you have this sword or not, we are still master and disciple. A bond that is incredibly deep, right?”
With tears in her eyes, holding the Holy Sword close to her chest, she said, “Master…” and hugged me tightly. The combination of her clumsiness and serenity made Eris all the more charming.
At the deepest part of the Blade Labyrinth, sitting there as if guarding the dungeon boss, was the final form of Checkmates—the Queen of Divine Stone.
I thought it might be too much for Eris, but that worry was unfounded. As Eris deftly dodged the whips of Orichalcum from the Queen of Divine Stone, they fell to the ground as if shredded.
Then, the moment the enemy faltered and took a step back, Eris sliced the Queen of Divine Stone in half as if she were chopping vegetables.
“It’s not over until the enemy disappears!” was a previous statement from Eris. As if to prove that, she swiftly swung her sword several times, reducing the Queen of Divine Stone to mere fragments.
Waiting for the monster to vanish, Eris and I (+α+β+γ) made our way to the room where the dungeon boss awaited us.
I was taken aback by the scene before me.
The starry sky and moonlight illuminated us vividly for some reason. Before us stretched a desolate land, dotted with countless swords piercing the ground.
While remaining vigilant, Eris and I finally reached the innermost chamber. There, we encountered a mad monster thirsting for battle against strong foes.