Volume 5, Chapter 1 - Trying Out Going to the Dungeon – Part 2
This chapter is updated by wuxiaworld.eu
While thinking about this and that, the Zircon Tower City army surrounded them with sand ships. The number was about 10 ships, so were there about 2000 soldiers?
As expected, on the deck of the especially large sand ship, the figure of Feudal Lord Lamnites was there.
Equipped with a mantle endowed with Flight Magic called 《Deep Crimson Wings》, she wore armor hemmed with gold.
However, there was a difference from last time.
Her right arm was hung with a bandage.
──Did she get injured? Did something happen?
Lamnites looked down at them from the deck of the ship.
「There was a report that you appeared from the bottom of the ground. There are many suspecting that you are the Demon King. Answer without any deceit──Are you the Demon King?」
It was a question that went straight to the point.
With a *fuh*, Diablo laughed scornfully.
Once he was asked that question, the answer was already decided.
If he could come up with a clever comeback here, then he wouldn’t say that he had a communication disorder. He wouldn’t live the life of a game addict NEET as someone incompatible with society, nor would he have been a solo Player even in those games.
Above all else, when asked “Are you the Demon King?”, a Demon King that would answer with “I don’t know who that is” would be the lowest and uncoolest.
He boldly replied.
「I am the Demon King of another world, Diablo! I will not hesitate to say that to anyone!」
He was holding his head on the inside.
──Ugyaaah! Not good!? Is that not good!?
*Zawa* The soldiers on the sand ships made a commotion. There were even some that drew their swords.
Rem made an uneasy face.
「W, was that alright, Diablo? To say something like that……!?」
──Was that really no good!?
Shera tilted her head.
「By some chance, even if you are a Demon King from another world, wouldn’t you be subjugated by the army, Diablo?」
──Would I be subjugated!?
In order to hide his fear inside of him, Diablo made a loud laughter.
「Fuuーhahaha! I will neither run away nor hide! Those that wish to die should come forth! I shall teach you true fear! 」
「Awawa……」
Horun was trembling.
Diablo was also trembling on the inside.
Feudal Lord Lamnites raised her left hand up high.
「Hmph……You barked well. Just as you wish, we shall give you ruin. Go and continue your sleep once more, Demon King! All hands, at the ready!」
The soldiers riding on the sand ships pointed Magi Guns at him.
He was surprised. Magi Gunners are a high class of Archers. Unless they had skilled hands that extended their abilities as Magicians on top of being skilled as Archers, one wouldn’t become a Magi Gunner.
There were this many of them!?
──Come to think of it, even Summoners were overwhelmingly more popular than in the game. There might be some kind of reason that made a majority of Archers into Magi Gunners.
If he were to be attacked all at once by this many people, there was a high possibility that it would shave off the rest of his current HP. It would depend on their level but……
──I guess I’ll have to annihilate them before I get struck!?
「Wait a moment!」
The one that stepped forward was, Lumachina.
「I am the most prominent one of the Church──The High Chief Priest, Lumachina Weselia. Although this person declares himself to be a Demon King, he is not an antagonist of the Races, and is not an opponent that you should point your weapons towards!」
Lamnites glared at her.
「Hahn! The boss of the swindlers, is being backed by the Demon King!?」
「Surely there is no way that you would not know that this gentleman had repelled the Demonic Beast that drew near Zircon Tower City. Why would an antagonist save the town.」
「It seems that that 《Sand Whale》 was manipulated by the Demonic Beings. To begin with, isn’t it suspicious that he was able to repulse it with mere Chemical Elemental Magic!」
「Diablo-sama is an excellent Magician. Saving this town, saving me, now and up until now, he has fought in order to help people!」
「In that case, why does he take the name of Demon King!?」
──It’s because if I don’t do a Demon King role play, I can’t talk other than saying “Ahー” or “Uhー”!
There wouldn’t be any trouble if he were to say that, but whenever he tried to talk with his own words, his voice didn’t come out.
If he were to expose his true self, and then be disdained, scorned, or scolded……When he thought of that, he would freeze up.
If it was an act, even if he was given such negative responses, he would be convinced with “it can’t be helped since it’s a Demon King role play”.
Even he thought that it was too clumsy, but he had that sort of disposition.
He couldn’t say something like “actually, I was just acting as a Demon King, tehepuu” at this point.
Not just Lamnites, the reactions of the people who he called companions, he was so afraid that he couldn’t even imagine what it would be like.
──Although my life is important, I would die if I embarass myself! I might not actually die, but I would die mentally!
Just by thinking about it, an unpleasant sweat went down along his spine, his body trembled, and his vision distorted.
Diablo pointed his 《Staff of Tenma》 towards the sand ship.
「You should move out of the way, Lumachina. If they are to obstruct my path, I only have to annihilate them.」
「P, please forgive them! These people are also people of honor that protect the people of the country. Even if they seem to go against you, please do not take away their lives.」
Lumachina spread her hands out between both sides.
This small, young girl, stopped the opening of hostilities alone.
──That’s incredible.
He was honestly impressed. Despite being afflicted with a curse that would take her life after a few days, she was able to move her body with just the feeling of wanting to protect people.
If he himself were in a situation where he would live or die──Most likely, he wouldn’t have the composure to be concerned with the life or death of other people.
Diablo lowered his 《Staff of Tenma》.
「You damned fool. Out of consideration for you, I shall forgive the disrespected shown towards me just this once.」
「Thank you very much!」
Lumachina lowered her head very deeply.
After that, she then turned back towards Lamnites.
「Lord Lamnites, do you believe it is possible for the Demon King to save people’s lives? I have been saved by Diablo-sama several times. And then, he has told me that after this, he would grant a treasured article meant to cure the Marked Death Disease that has spread in the town. Even if this gentleman is a Demon King, there is no mistake that he is a Demon King of virtue!」
A Demon King of virtue huh.
Most likely, Lamnites wouldn’t accept that.
Diablo thought about when the attack command would be given.
Rem also stepped forward next to Lumachina.
「……O Feudal Lord of Zircon Tower, please listen to my story as well. From here on, with Diablo’s guidance, in order to obtain the treasure that will cure the Marked Death Disease, we intend to head towards a certain dungeon.」
Lamnites spat out with eyes like she were looking at someone suspicious looking.
「What nonsense are you──」
「Therefore! If we do not retrieve the treasured article from the dungeon, wouldn’t it be valid to place your suspicions of him being a Demon King on him once again at that time!?」
「That is not permitted. First comes inspecting your suspicion! If you are innocent, then you can go wherever once you are freed. Though, that is only if you are innocent.」
「……Please wait. In fact, one of our group has contracted the Marked Death Disease. We do not have much time.」
Lamnites narrowed her eyes.
「This isn’t a fib or lie, is it? Where is your proof?」
「……The proof is──」
Rem hesitated to say it. At that moment, Lumachina raised her voice.
「It is right here.」
She raised up the hem of her priest outfit.
She exposed as far at the base of her thigh.
Exposing her skin before many people watching, a still young girl would probably oppose doing that……She was probably that serious in thinking about trying to stop the fighting.
Seeing the nevus that surfaced on her skin, Lamnites breathed a sigh.
「I see……To think the High Chief Priest would have it.」
「I believe that this is also trial given to me by Kami-sama. Or, it might be a oracle in order to bring back the treasured article in order to save the people.」
The story steadily became heavier.
──What should I do if it turns out that this dungeon is something different, and the 《White Cow Statue》 isn’t there either?
Just thinking about it sent a chill down his spine.
Lamnites nodded.
「I am not an imbecile. I understand what you all have to say. Certainly, it would seem there is a limit to your time. And then, as to whether it is indeed appropriate to punish that fellow who purports himself as the Demon King……There is truth in your words in that he should be judged in view of his actions.」
Lumachina and Rem brightened their expressions.
Because her way of speaking was difficult, it seemed that Shera didn’t understand, and tilted her head.
Horun still had a frightened look.
Diablo didn’t remove his vigilance. He thought that she didn’t have the personality that would completely accept their proposal.
And then, sure enough──Lamnites said something unexpected.
「Very well, go and bring back that treasured article from the dungeon! With that, I shall acknowledge it as proof of your innocence.」
「Thank you very much!」
When Rem said her thanks, Lamnites shook her head sideways.
「Wait. There is however a need of proof that you all shall definitely return.」
「Eh? But since we’re going to dive into a dungeon……」
Lumachina’s question was due to her lack of Adventurer’s experience. Naturally, that was something that needed to be taken into consideration.
Lamnites was astute.
「The possibility of there being a different exit must be taken into consideration, should it not? Leave one of your companions behind. Let us see, if you do not return within seven days, they shall be decapitated. They shall be decapitated if you do not bring back the treasured article either. If you have the resolution to do so, I shall believe in your words.」
For an inflexible Feudal Lord, that was an adequate compromise.
──But, in the worst case, there is also the possibility that the treasured article isn’t there.
Diablo asked a question in a low voice.
「……Horun……In which direction is the dungeon?」
「……Eh? The north of town -ssu.」
「Yosh, once I make the signal, start running.」
「U, ussu!」
Rem and Lumachina made surprised looking faces.
Diablo struck the ground with the 《Staff of Tenma》.
「《Earth Bounce》!!」
This was his first time using it on sand but……
Just like in the game, the screen──no, the ground shook. An earth tremor occurred, and the view went up and down. It was Earth Attribute Magic.
The sand ships that the soldiers rode also shook up and down.
「U, uwah!? What’s going on!?」「It’s shaking……shaking……Is the ship moving!?」「Who said to move them!?」「The ground is moving!」「Could it be magic!? Wh, what incredible……!!」
The sand ships slanted.
The soldiers raised screams.
When living in Japan, one would get used to small earthquakes, but it seemed that the inhabitants here were inexperienced.
For an instant, Diablo lost consciousness. He wanted to lie down in the sand just like this──that desire welled up inside of him.
So he was out of MP.
His body became heavy with lethargy.
However, he felt that he wanted to save Lumachina. He couldn’t allow himself to be caught by the Feudal Lord in a place like this.
Diablo broke into a run.
「Do not separate from me! The ground will shake due to magic.」
There was no effect of 《Earth Bounce》 within about a three meter radius of the caster. When separated more than that, the ground would shake, and it should become difficult to even walk properly.
Obeying his instructions, Rem, Shera, Lumachina, and Horun firmly chased after him.
──With this shaking, it’ll probably be impossible to aim at us with their guns.
Only Lamnites who possessed the sole 《Deep Crimson Wings》 had the potential to attack them without any concern for the magic by floating in the air but……
It seemed that she had injured her right arm. She probably isn’t able to display her usual power.
Above all, if she were to float solo, then she was a suitable mark for a Magician. He would throw at her a magic with an inescapable vast range.
Thinking that, Lamnites glared.
Without flustering, she stared and watched Diablo from on top of the shaking sand ship.
She was calm.
It were as if she anticipated that Diablo would invite disorder with magic and escape from this place.
──What are you thinking? Was it just a stalemate because of your injury? Or could it be……
She had a position to think about. Arrest him because he’s a Demon King, and kill him after he opposes──It might not be that sort of simple way of thinking.
Passing through the gaps of the disordered army, Diablo’s group escaped from the siege ring.
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