Black and white. Such was the scenery one could see no matter where they looked. The sky was swallowed in darkness as the night went on, the moon and stars veiled by the clouds. Yet below such darkness, the ground was all white, covered in deep layers of snow and frost.
Engraved in such a scenery, hundreds, if not thousands of footsteps were engraved in the depths of the snow, stretching hundreds of meters beyond the unfathomable horizon. A slithering streak of emptiness.
If one were to follow such footsteps, mysterious figures could be seen. Their bodies cloaked and faces covered in hoods. There were dozens of them, marching in the same direction like a line of ants heading towards their nest.
Their eyes gleamed a sharp and deadly glow, their breaths turning white as they were frozen by the raging snow. It was cold yet none of them shuddered, their hearts burning a fierce passion, a certain resolve engraved deep in their hearts.
Across the dark horizon, a large silhouette could be seen. One might think it would be a hill or just a pile of rocks, but hidden in the darkness was a large entrance, quite a number of guards to be seen, weapons ready to strike.
"Hm? Did you hear somethingー Guwaakk!!"
The night which was only filled with the howling echoes of the raging storm was now mixed with a loud cry. Veiled in the darkness was an iron dagger, heading straight towards the guard's neck, the color red painting the snow.
"I-Intruders!! Defend yourー Ackk!!"
"Ring the bells!"
Chaos descended upon the snowy night, blood spilling everywhere as two groups clashed against one another. Screams and bellows filled the air with each passing second as the snow piled up higher.
A little over a hundred, several dozens, a few dozens. The guards and intruders' numbers dwindled down as the minutes passed. It was a fierce battle, veiled by the fierce howls of the snowy night. It was a nightmare.
"Cough... Cough... You bastards... Do you think... Cough... You'll succeed with... Cough... This farceー Ackk...."
"Man, you talk too much..." ［Ijas］
But just like anything else, the bloody battle soon came to an end. The side of the guards was fully decimated, not a single one spared. The only things left of them are their lifeless bodies laying down the bloodied snow.
"Arklen, how many men did we lose?" ［High Priest］
"We lost 23, High Priest." ［Arklen］
"23... That's unfortunate... Well then, let's keep going. Make sure you drag as many bodies as you can. We'll need them for later." ［High Priest］
"By your will." ［Arklen］
There was no sympathy in the aged man's voice. He simply turned around and headed towards the dungeon entrance with a calm expression about his face, not sparing a second glance to his fallen comrades.
It wasn't only the High Priest, everyone who was with them only wore empty faces as they looked at the dead bodies of their people, their lifeless bodies dragged inside the dungeon without a shred of sympathy for the dead. Their minds were all focused on their goals, not a single thought hindering them.
The eerie night continued and the sound of footsteps reverberated across the silent dungeons. Such eeriness was enough to swallow anyone's heart with despair, but none of the hooded figures were fazed by such. They only continued treading the silent path.
"Oi, who are you guys?"
"Are you also heading to the thirdー Kuakk!"
"M-Monsters!!"
The group also met adventures along the way, but rather than repaying their warm greetings with bright smiles, what faced them instead were blades and blood. All of them suffered the same fates as the guards before them.
Blood splattered on the dungeon floors and atmosphere only became heavier as their bodies were dragged on the grounds. Such an eerie scene continued until they reached the fourth floor, silence returning to the night once again.
But rather than monsters and adventurers, what greeted them were hundreds upon hundreds of runes, blood flooding the dungeon floor as dozens of dead bodies lay motionless on the ground.
The number of the bodies on the ground only increased as the lifeless bodies of the guards, adventurers, and their comrades alike were dropped off like sacks of dirt, a number of thuds echoing both simultaneously and in succession.
"How are the preparations?" ［High Priest］
"Everything is complete. We only await your command, High Priest."
"Good. Then we shall start the ritual. Prepare yourselves." ［High Priest］
A solemn and husky voice echoed in the corridors, his footsteps accompanying it clearly and resoundingly. All eyes were on him as he marched towards the front, taking off his hood and revealing his face.
"Children of Ruvelus. The time for judgement has come. We have been hiding in the face of the world for too long, humiliated and persecuted by the lesser minds. Today, we shall show ourselves..." ［High Priest］
Clear as glass, the aged man's words resounded deep inside everyone's hearts. Hatred, anger, envy... Such negative emotions swirled violently in everyone's hearts as they continued listening to the man's words.
The speech was long and arduous, but not a single one complained. They stood still, listening attentively, recounting all their experiences. Everything they have done is for this day. They clenched their hands as they looked at the man before them.
"And so today judgement will descend upon us! Let your voices be heard! Let the world hear our cries!" ［High Priest］
"Ruvelus shall prevail!"
"Damnation to this impure world!"
Shouts and screams resounded along with the aged man's words. A smile bloomed on his face as he took out a dagger from its sheath, the other following him soon after, no hesitation in their faces.
"Dear God! The one and only true God! Oh, Ruvelus, hear our prayers! Hear the voices of your humble children and servants!" ［High Priest］
It was madness. The High Priest, though his throat was hurting, shouted even louder than before, his eyes were bloodshot and his whole body trembling in a mix of raging emotions. He spouted such words with clear conviction.
"This impure world has forgotten your name! A grave sin is only fitting to be punished! Let this world feel your wrath! Let the flames of purification burn the lands! Let your name be known once again!"
The madness continued and his emotions only boiled stronger, getting darker and darker with each passing second. Silence only filled the corridors the moment he raised his dagger towards the air, an ominous atmosphere about them.
"Glory to Ruvelus!" ［High Priest］
""""Glory to Ruvelus!!""""
Their shouts echoing loud and clear, the other followers also raised their daggers to the air. The very next moment, they lunged it towards their hearts, piercing it without any hesitation, bloodied smiles blooming on their wretched faces.
As blood spilled on the dungeon floor and the people fell helplessly one after another, the runes which were once white were now glowing a rich red color, just like a precious ruby under the tranquil moonlight.
RUMBBLLLEEEE
The dungeon was dyed red and the ground started to quake. The dungeon walls which are very resilient started showing cracks, pieces of rocks falling towards the ground and the shaking only getting more violent by the second.
Such bizarre scenes occurred, but the aged man remained unfazed in front of all of it. He found beauty in such a vile and chaotic image, his mind at peace as a dangerous smile bloomed afloat his aged face. His whole body was already trembling but he still showed no signs of fear.
"Hahahaha! Foolish mortals! Taste the wrath of the one and only true God! Ruvelus! Suffer in agony as you repent for your sins! Hahahaha!" ［High Priest］
The hysterical laughter of madman echoed as the dungeon continued shaking, more and more debris falling from the walls and ceiling, squashing the bodies like flies as the runes' red color only glowed fiercer like a raging flame.
"Glory to Ruvelus!" ［High Priest］
His hands still trembling, the aged man raised his dagger once more, and with what strength he had left to muster, he pierced his own heart, blood gushing out from the wound and his mouth, falling towards the ground as he drew his last breath.
RUMBBLLLEEEE
Like a turbulent sea on a stormy day, the dungeon shook wildly. The cracks have turned to fissures and the falling debris rocks have turned to falling boulders. It was no place for a person to be in. It was only a graveyard for the unfortunate ones who are still trapped inside.
The snow continued to fall and a loud rumble echoed towards the clouded night sky. The collapse of a dungeon in the middle of a freezing and snowy night. It was a horrid scene unlike any other. A night full of nightmares.
...
The sky was amber, a golden hue painting the lovely city. There was chattering and clattering in the air as the people went about their daily lives. Some were closing their stalls, some were buying dinner, and some simply wandered around. It was yet another peaceful day.
"Hey, Grey, about the marshmallow recipeー" ［Julius］
"How many times do I have to tell you? I'm not selling." ［Grey］
"Then how about the marshmallows themselves?" ［Julius］
"What I used yesterday are the last ones." ［Grey］
"Eh?! Really?!" ［Julius］
Of course, with the setting of the sun, it also meant that everyone was heading back to their homes. Grey and company had just finished their quest for the day, and now, they are heading back to the Emerald Lily for a hearty dinner.
It was just like the usual. As Grey and Julius argued with one another, their feet continued walking, taking a leisurely pace. But rather than a warm greeting, what welcomed them as they opened the doors were a couple of curious stares.
On the reception desk, there was a certain man dressed in light clothing, looking like a gentleman. But no matter how much the man tried to dress and look normal, he couldn't deceive Grey's "Divine Eyes". He could tell at a glance that he was a night, and a C-ranker at that.
"Is that them?" ［Knight］
"Yes!" ［Receptionist］
A sweet and short answer coming from the receptionist, the knight replied in kind with a gentle smile. He then approached the others with a friendly expression on his face, only stopping when he was a couple feet away from them.
"Are you Mister 'Shin' and company?" ［Knight］
The knight asked, a heavy emphasis placed on Grey's alternate name. There was no doubt about it, the knight knew exactly who they were. The group of four could only smell incoming trouble from him.
"Yes. Is there something wrong?" ［Grey］
"No, no, not at all. It's just that my Master had heard a lot of things about you. He would love it if you could join him for a chat over some tea." ［Knight］
It was such a friendly greeting, but buried in the lines was a hidden message. It was not just a simple invitation, but rather, a request for an audience with them. A matter which would most likely concern an important subject.
After all, the knight's master could only be the Lord. For a Lord such as the Archduke, the only time he would need to ask to meet someone of Grey and Yuna's caliber is to ask for help. They could only feel a bad premonition coming from such a request.
"I see... Then we'd love to join him." ［Grey］
"Great! We've already prepared a carriage outside. I'm sure my Master would be delighted." ［Knight］
Everyone understanding the situation, they walked out of the inn one after another. And just like the knight had said, there really was a carriage already waiting for them a couple blocks away. It only looked simple at first glance, but in reality, it was actually of high-quality. One only nobles could afford.
It wasn't long before they departed, clips and clops echoing in the air as horses trotted in the streets, dragging the carriage towards the castle. Other than the coachman who was holding the reins, everyone was riding inside the carriage.
"It's a great honor to finally meet you, Your Highnesses, My Lady. My name is Raven Cartel, please refer to me as you please." ［Raven］
The first one to break the silence was the knight. He was not just any normal knight either. He holds the rank of "Commander" and ranks amongst the highest in the Archduchy of Farmalte. It only shows how serious the Lord is with the meeting.
"I would like to apologize for the sudden invitation. Although His Highness would not like to bother you, we can't afford to spare efforts in the current situation. I ask for your understanding." ［Raven］
"No, it's alright... But first, could you exactly tell us what's going on?" ［Grey］
"Of course. If it's what Your Highness wishes." ［Raven］
While the Lord would normally be the one to brief the guests about the topic of the meeting, they don't have the luxury to do so in their current situation. It didn't take long before Raven started talking about the problem they have.
Apparently, an organization called the "Church of Ruvelus" have been forcefully causing dungeon breaks all over the continent in the recent years, aiming to "purify" the world by destroying it in the name of their God, Ruvelus.
For those years, the several countries in the continent have been trying to catch the Church of Ruvelus, but to no avail. They always managed to slip through their fingers every time. Even when they destroy a number of their bases, they always manage to regrow their numbers.
It was only just recently that they found out how they were able to forcefully cause the dungeon breaks. It was a process which involved the sacrifice of many lives. A crime so heinous they couldn't dare imagine just how heavy the weight of their actions are.
Unfortunately for them, it was already too when they managed to link the kidnapping of people and the dungeon breaks. According to a recent report from the Imperial Capital and the nearby towns in the Farmalte territory, a number of dungeon breaks have occurred simultaneously throughout the continent.
Although the countries managed to stop several dozen of their attempts, there were six cases which managed to succeed, two of those six occurring in the Empire of Valliarta. Worst of all, one of those two cases occurred in the Farmalte Territory.
"And the rank of the dungeon...?" ［Yuna］
"It's... S-rank..." ［Raven］
Silence befell the carriage the moment the answer was given. Traces of shock and concern were plastered on everyone's faces. Who wouldn't be shocked? After all, S-rank is the highest difficulty amongst the dungeons. A threat which isn't something to scoff at.
The dungeon being at S-rank means the boss of the monster flood would be Calamity-Class. They are monsters which are also called National-Level threats, able to wipe out large cities and mountains without much effort.
While it is true that Grey and Yuna had fought against Calamity-Class in the Labyrinth of Gale, they were only those S-rank monsters who were strengthened by the buff from the Labyrinth towards Darkness-Attribute monsters. At most, they were only at the bottom of Calamity-Class.
If the boss ends up in the middle or upper ranges of Calamity-Class, it would be a very difficult battle. Even with the cheat items and Polaris, it would still be difficult for them to deal with such a monster. One wrong move could cost them their lives.
"And what of the plan?" ［Grey］
"That's... His Highness is currently discussing it with the others." ［Raven］
"I see..." ［Grey］
There was only a bitter end to the conversation. Throughout the whole journey, there was only tension and silence looming over the carriage as everyone thought of the upcoming storm, anxiety brewing inside their hearts.
Of course, there was also the option of simply running away if worse comes to worst, but as people, they couldn't just simply stand by and watch as others suffer, especially when they have the ability to help them. Abandoning them would only weigh on their conscience.
It wasn't long before they arrived at the castle. As soon as they arrived, they were then guided by Raven towards the meeting room where the Lord, Commanders, and High-Rankers had already gathered, conducting a strategy meeting.
"We have arrivedー"
"Are you telling me that we'll abandon the other towns and villages?!" ［???］
It was quite an interesting greeting. They have still yet to enter, yet a loud scream already boomed inside their ears. The discussion was quite lively. In fact, it was too lively that they couldn't even hear the sound of the doors creaking.
"Lord Fizzel, please understand... We're doing the best we can..." ［Reisner］
"And is your best enough?! Don't give me that bullsh*t! As we talk, hundreds, if not thousands of people could already be losing their lives!" ［Fizzel］
"Lord Fizzel, they're my people, too. This decision is not easy on me." ［Reisner］
"Then think of a goddamn solution that would save their lives!" ［Fizzel］
A fierce exchange took place between the Lord and one of the High-Rankers. They were arguing about the plan of action to take, their opinions heavily opposing one another's. It was like they entered a den of tigers fighting each other.
Inside the room, there wasn't just the Lord and the Commanders, there were also the HighRanker adventurers which only arrived to participate in the Labyrinth of Flames' opening. Now, they would be participating in a monster flood defense, one exciting event to another.
Excluding Grey and Yuna, there were a total of 10 High-rankers present. There were three A-rankers, including the lord, 6 B-rankers, including one B-rank Commander, and finally, there was the man who was arguing with the Lord.
-----------------------------------
[Salferine]
[Name] Fizzel
[Race] Saureid (Scarlet Tribe)
[Sex] Male
[Age] 43
[Status] Healthy
[Mana Capacity] 3,506 [Mana Quality] A
[Combat Power] 7,479 [Threat Level] S
[Attribute] Light [Magic Proficiency] Advanced (80%)
[Class] Archer [Weapon Proficiency] Advanced (79%)
[Physical Enhancement] 80%
[Ability]『Holy Guard (4☆)』
-----------------------------------
He was an S-ranker.
A strong, burly body, fierce, golden eyes like that of a dragon's, and patches of blood red scales covering his whole body. He was the very definition of fierceness. If one were to say he was a dragon, one would believe them easily.
Unlike the lizardfolk in fictional works Grey had seen, the "Saureid" race in Merusia practically looks like humans. The only differences are the patches of scales in their bodies and their sharper ears and eyes. Still, they are a wonderful race.
It wasn't just a saureid. There were also therianthropes, elves, and even a dwarf present. Of course, there are still humans, but that's besides the point. The only thing to take note of is that there are different kinds of people in the room.
"Lord Fizzel, please understand. Lady Sylvia is also in those towns. It wasn't easy for His Highness to make this decision."
Fizzel's anger was only quelled the moment he heard those words from one of the Lord's commanders. While he hated the fact that the Lord chose such an option, he couldn't really put all the blame on him. He, too, understood where the Lord was coming from.
Not to mention that very Lord's beloved daughter is risking her life in those nearby towns. He could only imagine the heaviness inside the Lord's heart as he made the decision to focus on fortifying Kosalvier rather than defending the other towns.
After all, even if they were to send reinforcements to those towns, it would already be too late the moment they arrive there. It was better to fortify the city's defenses which still have a hope of surviving rather than wasting resources on the other towns. It is the most logical decision.
Even then, just because it's logical, it doesn't mean it's right. As a Lord who treasures his people, he is being crushed by guilt and conscience that he chose such a selfish decision. He could only clench his fist in anger and disappointment towards his own powerlessness.
"Haah... Sorry for the outburst. I was just carried away by my emotions..." ［Fizzel］
"No, it's fine. I understand where you're coming from." ［Reisner］
"Haah... Then we should think up a good planー Hm? Looks like you have some guest, Lord Reisner." ［Fizzel］
At Fizzel's words, all eyes shifted towards the doors where Grey and the others were standing in silence. All were curious as to why such young guests would be present in such an important meeting. The only one who knew of their identities was Raven and the Lord.
The moment the Lord saw them, his heart felt a little lighter. While there was still worry and anxiety lingering close, knowing they have such powerful allies, he could breathe more comfortably.
"I'm grateful that you accepted my invitation. It's an honor to meet you, Archduke Grey, Archduchess Yuna, Prince Julius, and Lady Amelia." ［Reisner］
"The pleasure is ours, Archduke Farmalte." ［Grey］
As they shook one another's hands, gossip quickly spread throughout the whole room like wildfire. After all, there would only be two reasons why an Archduke such as the Lord would address such youths, respectfully as well.
The first was that they were of high-noble blood, inheriting the title at such a young age. As for the others, it was because they were S-rankers just like Fizzel. Though considering the current situation, the answer is already obvious.
"Two young S-rankers... You're the heroes of Alfrione, aren't you?" ［Fizzel］
Everything was cleared with Fizzel's words. The moment they heard of such titles, everything finally made sense. After all, there are only a few people who still haven't heard of their tales. They were the prodigies who suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"The name's Fizzel. It's reassuring to have powerful allies like you." ［Fizzel］
"No, it's only natural to help out in such situations." ［Grey］
"We'll be in your care, Lord Fizzel." ［Yuna］
After Fizzel, the other members present also introduced themselves one after another. It was only a quick introduction, after all, they still have something much more important to talk about.
After which, everyone then took their seats and the discussion for the monster flood defense was quickly initiatedー or so it should have been.
BANGGG
But so much as to have a proper discussion, they haven't even taken their own seats, when suddenly, a loud, booming bang reverberated throughout the room as a knight opened the doors in haste.
His breathing was ragged, his face was pale, his face was profusely sweating, and he could barely muster any strength left. It was obvious that he came in a hurry from wherever he came from, his face filled with urgency.
"Y-Your Highness...! A new report has come in!"
CHAPTER 183 END