<Medio>'s
dungeon is located some distance from the town. The dungeon is called <Demon's-Den>, and as the name implies, it is home to
individuals collectively known as (Demon). After resting well after their last adventure,
Alvin and the other <Running Wolves> set out to challenge this dungeon
first in order to climb the Hateyama.
Demons
have a variety of appearances, but they are generally skilled in magic. Demons
with muscular bodies like Oni sometimes attack with magic, and Demons
with small bodies like goblins use magic that can easily slaughter several
people, making the danger in this place worthy of being called an upper-upper
rank.
The
battles with the Demons they have encountered have been a series of
unpredictable situations.
「※※※※※※」
The Demon's words are
unclear, but it doesn't matter as long as the Demons's words can be understood to mean the activation of
magic. One of the Demons pointed a fingertip at Alvin, who was cutting through
a Demon
with sharp claws. Even though it would be dangerous to take immediate evasive
action, Alvin did not let up his attack.
Because
he felt a surge of magic from his beloved Milis behind him. Without saying a
word, Alvin swung his greatsword to protect her.
「※※※」
「<Magic
Barrier>!」
The
lightning from the Demon's fingers that was supposed to strike Alvin's side
was blocked by the colorless barrier created by the magic Milis had cast.
Nevertheless, the magic that had blocked the lightning was also blocked by the Demon's claws, as
was Alvin's greatsword, which was swung almost simultaneously. But it did not
matter to him.
The
strongest of this group of Demons was the giant demon that was facing Alvin. Alvin's
role is to halt this Demon. Of course he's determined to defeat it, but he can't
push through it alone.
「Alvin!
Don't push yourself!」
「I
know!!」
The
small Demon
that had cast the spell on Alvin had already been knocked down by Renka's
arrow. The other Demons around him are also being defeated in turn by Flair.
Then, Shinji's call is answered loudly by Alvin, who catches the Demon's claws with
his greatsword.
The only
way for the Demons to win is to break through Alvin and kill the
rearguard (Shinji's group), but Alvin, supported by Milis, is strong. In rare
cases, if multiple units tried to attack, they would be blocked by Flair, and
long-distance attacks would be blocked by Milis and Shinji. Whenever there was
an opening, Renka would reduce the number one by one.
The
situation was in Alvin and the others' favor.
「※※※※※※...」
「Total
defenses!!」
Perhaps
the enemy sensed the situation, or perhaps they had given up on their useless
cronies. Magic surged from the Demon confronting Alvin. Then, sensing a sign that magic is
about to be cast, Shinji shouts, and the Demons unleashes their magic regardless.
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「※※※!!!!」
「<Magic
Barrier>!」
Just
before the Demon's magic was released, Shinji's <Mana Link> was activated, and a
large amount of magic power flowed into Milis. The term 「total defense」 is a
term used to describe a predetermined strategy, meaning to protect everyone by
using magic to the fullest without regard to magic power. The magic power that
Milis would have lost was made up for by Shinji, and her barriers were created
to protect each of the party members.
A
moment later, with a thunderous sound, lightning bolts were unleashed from the Demon in all
directions. That lightning struck friend and foe and the Demons around them
fell prey to it.
Originally,
Flair, Renka, and Shinji would have been unable to prevent the lightning
strikes, but Milis's barriers prevented all of the lightning, and as a result,
the Demon
that had cast the spell dug its own grave.
「Mil,
thank you. You saved my life」
「Umu.
That was good backup~noja」
The
remaining Demons are surrounded by everyone. After that, the battle was over in less
than a minute.
◇ ◇ ◇
「Ahh,
couldn't push through...」
「Haha...
Al-kun, that's too bad」
Alvin
looked disappointed that he couldn't defeat the giant Demon in one-on-one, and Milis was comforting him. It can
be said that he played his role well in preventing the enemy, but if Alvin had
been able to cut down the giant Demon, he could have killed them all at once. Alvin reminds
himself that he still has a lot of training to do.
「The
most important thing is not to collapse, Al」
「Yes.
It can't be helped that Lord going up against the strongest enemy of all~noja.
If you want, I'm...」
「Flair」
Shinji
interrupts Flair, who has slaughtered many Demons as a ranger, as if to make up for the fact that she
had no part in the last adventure. Alvin's intention to fight the strongest
enemy is because Alvin is the ace of the <Running Wolves>, and he is the
one who needs to develop his skills the most.
Everyone
is aware that the growth of the intuitive-type Alvin takes place in actual
combat, especially against strong opponents. So, Shinji would not allow Flair's
words to deprive him of that opportunity.
「...I'm
sorry, noja」
『Shinji
gets mad』
『Gunununu...!』
Flairs
trembled at the thought of Freri's teasing. And getting carried away, Flair
can't argue.
「I
appreciate the thought, but it's my job! Even if it doesn't work now, there's
always next time!」
「Umu,
that's a man!」
Taking
advantage of Alvin's words, Flair tries to make up for her blunder, but
Shinji's eyes are fixed on her as he picks up the magic stone. The magic stones
of the Demon were obviously larger than the ones he had picked up so far, as the Demon used many
kinds of magic. After collecting all the magic stones, Shinji joined the
conversation.
「From
the looks of it, as long as we're careful about magic, we should be fine. Now,
let's keep our eyes open」
「Yes!」
Alvin
and the others walked further in.
Thus,
the <Running Wolves>' conquest of the upper-upper ranking dungeon
proceeded without any major problems. Because the adventuring is going so well,
Alvin has to worry about something else... his engagement to Christina.
- The adventure’s part.
- At last, reaching an upper-upper rank, which is a requirement for Hateyama.
- Work is going well, but the personal life is not.... Will there be any progress with Christina?
- Let's continue the story.
