Chapter 13-14

Chapter 13 - The Warrior Fights the Demons

The hole has a depth of 15 meters.

The moment we land, we immediately put our backs into it and look around.

"Orb of light."

Kaede created a sphere of light using her magic.

We discovered that we were in a huge chamber made of stone.

There are two huge stone statues of people on either side of the area that seems to be an entrance. The old and dilapidated state of the chamber was made noticeable because of the dust in the place. Besides that, there was a lot of debris around the place.

"Is that silt?"

On the ground there were traces of something slimy.

These must be the tracks of the creature that took Marianne. If we follow the tracks, we should be able to find her.

"I'll go ahead. Kaede, you stay in the middle and keep your light magic going. Urara, you guard the rear."

"Yes, Master."

"Understood."

I draw my sword, and we advance quickly.

As long as we don't know where the attackers are or what they are up to, we should act calmly. Only after finding the enemy can we act more freely.

"Be careful, there's a hole."

The structure of the ruins is very fragile. Some were crumbling, and I often saw plant roots going through the walls.

Moreover, this place is as intricate as a dungeon, and although it is not very solid, it seems to be inhabited by demons.

I ask Urara as we run through a narrow, dimly lit corridor.

"How big is this place?"

"Well, I've been down here a few times, and there are four levels that I know of. But I don't know what kind of things might be living here; these ruins are extremely massive."

"Kaede, do you still have Marianne's scent?"

"It's in the same direction as the slime trail."

It may be a demon, but how far does it plan to go?

Please don't let it be a place where all the demons are.

"Gugyaa!"

"Get out of the way!"

A goblin suddenly jumps out from the rubble, and I cut it down with one blow.

I have no time for small fry. If you don't want to die, embrace your fear and stay out of my sight.

Kaede uses her magic to freeze several slimes that crawled on the floor.

Urara shoots some poisonous needles and kills some bug monsters that came out of the ground.

"You are very good. What is your job?"

"Assassin."

Being an assassin is an unusual job, isn't it? And from what I've seen, she seems to be at a decent level.

That girl Marianne, she has a very lovely appearance, and a lot of people around her.

She really didn't need us to take down those bandits.

"The smell is getting stronger. It's close by."

"All right, get ready."

A long passage led us to a bridge over a large waterway.

At the end of the bridge there was a large, closed gate. The silt seemed to continue beyond that gate.

Surely Marianne and the rest of the kidnapped townsfolk are there.

Zazazazaza

Multiple footsteps are heard, and armed demons appear from both sides, lined up in front of the door.

They all had great physiques, well marked muscles, and horns on their heads.

"You humans were very stupid to come here. You will have the pleasure of dying by our hands!"

The demon that was speaking began to give instructions to the rest of the demons, so he must be their commander. The rest of them shouted and drew their curved swords one after another.

So, all this was the work of the demons.

I have heard that the appearance of the demon king has caused the activities of the demons to rise. But I never imagined that their base would be in a place like this.

"Wall of Ice!"

Kaede began to move her iron fans to create two walls of ice.

A straight path to the door formed in front of me.

"Master, we'll take care of this."

"Please save Lady Marianne."

I nodded silently at their words.

I need to save Marianne as soon as possible.

I am counting on you, Kaede and Urara.

I ran down the road while clenching my fist to knock on the door.

"Gufufu, it seems that my pet's food has finally arrived. I have been waiting for you.

In the middle of the vast room, there was a large slime monster that was probably four meters high.

It has countless tentacles coming out of its back, and has more than ten people hanging from it.

"So, you're the brilliant mind behind it all?"

In front of the monster there was a semi-demon, large and strong. The aura emanating from him was incomparable to that of the soldiers I saw before.

There is no need to think about it much, this guy is the strongest one here.

"What was your purpose? Why did you attack the city?"

"I don't have to tell you… but since I'm someone very nice. I'll tell you a secret."

"What?"

The tentacles of the monster reached out quickly and wrapped around me, then it lifted me up into the air.

"This city is connected to the border city through a subway channel. If I manage to take over the border city, and at the same time Einark, it will be much easier to take over this country. However, I have to get rid of the Lords who live there."

"So, the reason you kidnapped Marianne, was to make the Count of Einark succumb to your power."

"Exactly! If such a beautiful girl is taken hostage, no one would try to do something as stupid as to claim her by force. Fufufu"

Did he kidnap her and hurt the city's inhabitants because of something like that?

There is no room for forgiveness.

"Ha ha ha! What's with that face? Can't you forgive me? Do you want to kill me? You're going to die, you and every other human in this city!"

"Hmm."

I ripped the tentacle off with all my might, and fell to the ground.

How pathetic is that? You think you're going to stop me with that?

"Are you an idiot?! I'm a level 70 demon, you think you have a chance?!"

"You just made the worst mistake of your life."

"Oh yeah? And what would that be?"

"You made me angry."

Little by little I moved forward. The monster was taking steps backwards, his gaze denoting that he was not afraid.

"Explosives, activate!"

More than 20 miniature explosives began to activate around me and exploded.

The explosion echoed through the room and the impact violently shook the place.

I thought this would be over quickly since I was good at hand-to-hand combat, but I guess I was wrong. I can't even get close enough to give him his due.

At any moment he can activate his cloud ability and escape.

"Impossible. For you to be unharmed. You are a monster…"

"Hey, coming from you, those words are hurtful. I'm a person…"

"Dammit! Explosion, Explosion, Explosion!"

The magic released successively shook all the underground ruins.

A roar reverberated and the debris fell from the ceiling.

In the room, a great deal of black smoke moved like a mist.

"Gufu, Fufufu, I doubt you'll be alive after this."

Toc, toc, toc

"Eeeeeh!?"

The sound of my footsteps frightened the demon away.

When he saw me walking slowly behind the smoke, his expression was as if he had seen a ghost. He kept going back, but this time faster.

"Are you satisfied?"

"Hey, hey, who are you? Don't tell me you're the hero we've heard about!"

"No, I'm just an ordinary warrior."

"You're lying!"

Now, let's get this over with.

I ran across the room very quickly and draw my sword.

Slash

The bodies of the demon and the slime monster fell to the ground as if they were tree trunks cut off from the stump.

The captive townsfolk are freed from the tentacles and fall to the ground.

I quickly extend my arms to catch Marianne before she falls to the ground.

She is unconscious, although it appears that she's otherwise uninjured.

"Master, we have taken care of the demon soldiers."

"Good work."

Kaede entered the room. I had faith that she would make it.

"My lady!"

Urara arrives a bit later and approaches Marianne, who is lying on the floor.

It seems that she is also unharmed.

Although her clothes are a little torn.

"Don't worry, she's just unconscious."

"Thank you very much. It would have been difficult for me to rescue her by myself. But thanks to Toru-Sama and Kaede-San, the young lady is safe."

Urara bows to us.

Still, it is good that this whole situation was resolved without anyone dying.

"By the way, how do we get the rest of them out of here?"

"Well, we could drag them out."

I take a rope from my luggage and tie their hands and feet one by one, and then join them together on the same rope. This way, I can get them all out with one simple pull.

"Come on, let's head back up."

"Yes."

"Those people don't look so good…"

I dragged them carefully to the surface.

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Chapter 14 - The warrior who sets out to explore the ruins

When we returned to the surface, we were very well received by the inhabitants.

No one was killed, and the damage was minimal.

At best, one of the people we rescued fell hard on their ass.

It seems that no one liked that the statue of the Lord was smashed, but all things will break one day. Also, many abandoned the idea that we were responsible after we returned with the citizens and the Lord's daughter.

When we returned to the mansion, we were welcomed by the Lord, Count Roane.

He has a slim but toned body and a sincere look. However, he also emanates a lot of dignity.

"Marianne!"

"Father!"

At the entrance to the mansion, father and daughter hugged each other tightly and were happy to be reunited.

"Toru-sama is amazing! He defeated one of the Demon King's servants with ease."

"A servant of the Demon King? Are you sure?"

"He was one of the six generals. It seems that he was the weakest, but he was still one of the most important."

"I see… So they are starting to move…"

To be honest, he was too weak. How strong do you have to be to be one of the 6 generals?

Growl.

Suddenly, my stomach began to growl.

Come to think of it, I haven't had lunch today. After all that exercise, I feel even hungrier than usual.

The count set his sights on us.

"You are the adventurer who saved my daughter's life. I would like to express my deepest gratitude once again, not once, but twice. Thank you."

"Thank you… I'm glad that Marianne is well."

"It's true. I can't imagine what would have happened if Toru-sama hadn't arrived on time."

I guess this time we got lucky.

All this happened because I met her on the road, and that way I was able to stay with her.

It makes you wonder… if all this happened because of a series of unfortunate events. Otherwise, she wouldn't be alive right now.

"Father, please, we have to give Toru-Sama a grand reward. Allowing him to simply stay in the mansion does not make me feel comfortable, and the citizens will not accept it either."

"Of course. I will make sure that my daughter's saviors are well rewarded, and so will my people, but… I am not sure what would please Toru-Dono."

"I think a mansion and a knighthood would be more appropriate."

"My Lord, forgive my intrusion."

Urara interrupts the Count, and then looks at me.

"Was the demon you defeated truly one of the six generals? If so, then that changes things completely. Toru-Sama, do you plan to go to the capital?"

"Yes… Why do you ask?"

"I see… Let's write a letter right now."

Hmm? A letter? What, what's going on?

Urara also approaches Marianne and speaks to her privately. After listening to her, she looked at me and smiled.

As for me, I don't want a knighthood or a mansion.

I want to travel around the world without rushing and I don't like the idea of staying in one place.

I'll be happy even if I don't get a reward.

"Toru-Dono, you can stay as long as you want. I'm going to let Marianne continue to guide you through the city. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to."

The Count re-entered the mansion very quickly.

Dinner that night was a great feast.

And the table was full of a variety of dishes. The highlight was a steak, and a mountain of fruit.

I had never had such a thick, rich soup before.

It's amazing how well a chef can make something so delicious with pumpkins.

"Mmm-hmm."

"Look, you've got a little bit near your mouth."

"Oh."

I wiped the sauce off Kaede's cheek with my finger and then licked it off.

Her face turned deep red.

"Um, thank you."

"Mm-hmm."

She's grown a lot, and now she's strong. But she's still a child.

Sometimes I wonder if she has recovered from her illness, and I even have doubts if she is uncomfortable with this trip with me.

"Toru-Sama, what are you going to do tomorrow? If you plan to continue with tourism, I can help you."

Marianne's words make me stop and think about my options.

After all, I'm a little curious.

"I was wondering if I might have permission to explore the subway ruins."

"Why are you interested in such a place?"

"As an adventurer, I am curious. It's like an unexplored dungeon. The ruins in this city are big and interesting. But, I would like to explore the subterranean ones that are still intact."

A subterranean ruin left behind by a great race of mysterious people.

No matter how you look at it, it's full of mystery, which tickles a man's curiosity.

And like any adventurer, I am also interested in treasure.

"I see. In that case, it would be useless to stop you. Then I will accompany you, it is the only way I can accept your request."

"My Lady!"

"You are also coming with me."

"My Lady?!"

Urara, who had been waiting nearby, reacted in a rather confused manner.

That is something I can understand. Your beloved lady is about to go to a dangerous place from which she was just rescued. As her bodyguard, it is natural to want to stop her.

As for me, I would prefer not to go with Marianne, but the subterranean ruins are under the control of the count, and normally no one is allowed to enter without permission.

I have no choice but to accept her conditions if I want to explore the ruins.

Kaede, however, seems to be against it. It wouldn't be the first time.

In other words, it's a sign that you're trying to do something dangerous.

But I have no other choice.

"I accept, Marianne. But there's something we have to clear up, you'll be protected by Kaede and Urara at all times. I will take care of any problems that come up during the exploration. And if a situation arises in which your life is in danger, we will withdraw immediately, do you agree with that?"

"Yes, I agree."

"My lady… I hope you know what you're doing."

In the end, Urara seems to disagree.

Marianne seems to be the kind of person who does not listen to wise advice.

That is what Urara's words imply.

When the sun came up, we were in front of the mansion. Everyone was preparing and ready to leave.

Urara was wearing a black suit instead of her maid uniform.

And Marianne was wearing a full piece of armor.

"Why are you dressed like that?"

"When I told my father about today, he said, 'I know you will be safe with Toru-Dono, but just in case, take this with you."

"The Count is overprotective in a strange way."

I thought that the Count would be demanding and would not allow her to accompany us. In that case I was planning to talk to the Count directly.

When someone offers you his daughter so easily, you begin to wonder if there is more to it than meets the eye.

No, no, no. To doubt someone is not a good thing.

"I know Count Roane won't like hearing this from me, but that armor is no good. In an emergency, you'd have to run on your own, and that's when it will be a hindrance rather than a help."

"I see, then I'll take it off."

Nodding in disappointment, Marianne entered the mansion.

She appeared later, dressed in light armor.

At her waist was a thin sword, and she wore a hooded cape.

It looks like a pretty good outfit.

If she had something like that, I would have liked her to come with it from the beginning.

I'm sure it was hard to say no to her father.

We arrived at a closed staircase near the center of town.

It seems that it was true that you can't go down without permission. If I had come down on my own, I would have been caught.

Marianne took out the key and opened the door.

By the way, the large hole that remains in place of the stone statue is being restored at a rapid pace, and it is not possible to get near it.

Above all, I hesitated to go down that height with Marianne in my arms.

So this time, we will use the stairs, which is the safest way.

"Come on! Let the adventure begin!"

"My Lady…"

She makes it seem like she wanted to explore that place.

It is what expresses the look of happiness on her face.

Paki.

We were walking down a long flight of stairs when I thought I heard a familiar sound.