Chapter 79

After finishing breakfast, I went into the dungeon to see Kō.

There were various things to do, but first, I needed to expand the grounds.

It would be a problem if the Pegasus, which had come to be recognized as a holy beast, were to escape due to poor living conditions.

I spoke to Kō, the spherical entity seated in the inner hall.

"So, I want to build stables, watering places, ponds, and fields around the mansion. Is there any way to do that?"

"It can't be done, but there is a way?"

Kō, the white sphere, gleamed blue with delight.

I already knew what was needed from his attitude.

"Is it that? Can it be done with a dungeon core?"

"Correct, master. More precisely, it can be done by adding a forest or grassland to a field-type dungeon."

"Another core..."

"Now, now, more—"

"More comfort, it depends on your feelings, master. I've got it."

When I started saying it with him, Kō was very pleased.

Blue light ran across the surface of the sphere.

"Yes! The dungeon core's hospitality!"

"Even though it has a back..."

"What are you saying! I, urara, have a back but no ulterior motives. I'm a lemon-scented, curing dungeon core!"

"Okay, okay, I don't get it. ...Then, let's choose a dungeon that looks easy—"

Sophia passed through the front hall, her monk's robe swaying.

Lilicia is currently giving Tety a bath.

I called out in a slightly louder voice.

"Sophia, do you know where the map of the dungeons that Lilicia investigated at the adventurer's guild is?"

"Yes, it's in the library."

Sophia entered the hall, opened the door by the wall, and went into the library.

She quickly came out with a rolled-up map.

I took it and thanked her.

"Thank you, Sophia."

"Not at all. Are you going to clear another dungeon?"

"Yes, I need a core for the Pegasus."

I spread out the map and compared it with the dungeon displayed on Kō's screen.

"Undead types are still the best, but there aren't many."

"Many have been cleared. Undead types aren't very popular to begin with."

"Is that so... Oh, this one is an undead type."

"That one, no, Mr. Alec."

"Why not? Do you know, Sophia?"

Sophia pointed to the map with her slender fingers.

"This is a catacomb. It's a dungeon used by the church for priest promotion exams, so the Holy Knights and priests are defending it."

"Challenging it would make the church an enemy... Oh, wait. What about the dungeons the adventurer's guild doesn't know about?"

When I pointed it out, Kō answered matter-of-factly.

"That one seems to be a closed-type dungeon."

"Closed-type?"

"A dungeon that operates with its own ecosystem, with the entrance closed?"

"Hmm, it feels a bit wrong to attack a dungeon that's quietly doing its thing, but there's no other choice."

I have no choice but to do it.

I told Kō.

"Then, let's go when Lilicia comes."

"Yes."

I looked around.

Sophia tilted her head.

"What's wrong?"

"By the way, where is the holy white dragon's child?"

"Since Mr. Alec came back, it's been sleeping."

"Still sleeping?"

"Perhaps it's a reaction to being awake the whole time while Mr. Alec was away."

"Really! For two days? It must have kept the dungeon safe for me while I was away."

"The dragon seems to be a hard worker."

Sophia smiled.

I thought about praising the dragon and realized I didn't know its name.

"By the way, Sophia, do you know the name of the holy white dragon?"

"No, I haven't heard it. It only says 'kyui.'"

"That's true. Not having a name is inconvenient. How about 'Kyui-chan'?"

"That's a bit..."

Sophia frowned, looking troubled.

It seems like a bad idea, so I suggested a different name.

"Then, how about 'Kyu-chan'?"

"It seems even worse."

Kō, who was nearby, suddenly started singing "kyu, kyu, kyu. Kyui, kyui!" but I ignored it.

I scratched my head, thinking.

"Hmm, it's difficult. Maybe we should think of a name when the dragon is around."

"Yes. I'll go prepare the shop for opening."

"Okay, thanks."

Sophia left the hall, her blue hair swaying.

I waited for Lilicia while thinking about the dragon's name.

—After all, a name related to me would be better.

Kō is called Kō because he's a core.

Hmm.

That dragon is a sacred dragon...

How about 'Dodo-gon' for short?

It sounds cool and strong. It will surely like it.

As I nodded, Lilicia came in, her white nun's habit swaying.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, master."

"Alright, let's go clear the dungeon."

"Yes!"

Lilicia spread her wings and floated, holding a silver flail in her hand.

I turned to the sphere and said.

"Then, Kō, let's go to the closed dungeon we talked about."

"Aye aye, sir."

A passage was created in the wall of the front hall.

I and Lilicia walked toward it slowly. Lilicia was slightly floating.

As we walked down the passage, the enemy dungeon came into view.

Lilicia, floating beside me, frowned beautifully.

"What is it... There's a mist."

The inside of the enemy dungeon was filled with green and purple fog.

I stood at the exit of the passage and held Lilicia back with my hand.

Then I put my hand into the enemy dungeon.

The fog seemed to be dispelled by my holy wave and disappeared.

I tilted my head.

"What, it wasn't a trap. Maybe the air was just stagnant."

"It seems so."

"Lilicia, follow me a bit behind with your monocle."

"Yes! —Ah! There are already enemies! D-Rank Poison Rats and C-Rank Venomous Snakes!"

"Stronger than expected—be careful of the poison!"

"Yes!"

Lilicia and I jumped into the enemy dungeon.

Purple rats came running down the passage in a wave.

I stepped forward with my right foot, twisted, and thrust my sword with a shout.

"Saint Light Intense Break—Ha!"

Thud!

A huge light was released from the thrust sword, filling the width of the passage.

"Chuuuuu!" "Kyaaa!" "Gyaa!"

The holy sword technique blew the rats to pieces.

Even the green snakes I didn't aim for were shattered.

I cleared the enemies with one hit.

Lilicia opened her violet eyes in surprise.

"What power! As expected, master!"

"I haven't practiced recently, but after using holy sword techniques for 30 years, the body remembers."

"Holy sword techniques?"

"Yes, it's a technique that combines holy wave with a sword and activates it by moving the body according to the rules."

I can't use magic, but I can use holy sword techniques.

It might be a bit like a small magic that is activated by specific movements.

Not everyone can do it; you need to have a holy wave.

Lilicia nodded in admiration.

"Then, the previous Holy Guidance Slash and Holy Slash are also holy sword techniques?"

"Yes, there are many others—let's focus on the dungeon for now."

"Ah, yes! I'm sorry, master! —The second wave is coming! This time, there's a Poison Demon Tree too!"

"No problem, let's go!"

I raised my sword and ran.

Lilicia followed, flying behind me with her monocle.

We defeated the enemies one by one.

I noticed there were a lot of poison-related monsters.

The remaining corpses were absorbed by the sub-unit.

After clearing the 19th or 29th floor, we descended the stairs to the next floor.

We easily defeated the stronger rats and snakes and reached the hall where the dungeon core was located.

Lilicia, flying to protect my back, shouted.

"Master! There are strong enemies in the hall!"

"Hmm, the dungeon master?"

"No, there are three! B-Rank Poison Rat King, A-Rank Black Death Serpent, and S-Rank Doom Plague Tree! S-Rank!?"

"That's dangerous. That tree... Hmm?"

The large tree with dark leaves was gradually turning to dust from the tips of its leaves.

It was trembling and couldn't move properly.

—Perfect!

I ran toward the rat, which was as big as a tiger, and said to Lilicia.

"I'll take the rat! Lilicia, hold the snake back!"

"Yes, master—Heaven Feather Chain!"

Lilicia called out in a clear voice, and white feathers continuously attacked the snake.

The white feathers pierced the black, long body one after another.

I ran to the rat, which was surprisingly agile despite its size.

It moved quickly, leaving afterimages as it jumped around.

I focused on the movements of my elbows and knees and activated the holy sword technique.

"Multiple Light Stabs!"

I thrust my black sword. The tip of the sword glimmered with numerous stabs.

Several stabs pierced the rat's body, which couldn't dodge.

"Gyaa—!"

The rat fell, spewing dark blood. After convulsing, it stopped moving.

Without waiting to see it, I ran to the snake.

The snake, despite writhing, didn't move from its spot.

Upon closer inspection, Lilicia's white feathers were pinning the snake's body to the ground, like a specimen.

I approached and aimed a Holy Guidance Slash, cutting off the snake's head.

The eerie black tree had lost all its leaves.

It slowly leaned forward and fell to the ground.

The impact of hitting the ground shattered it into pieces, and it disappeared.

I ran to the core in the inner hall, despite being puzzled.

The purple sphere was glowing as if in a panic.

"Stop, listen—"

"Sorry, but this is for my benefit."

I quickly thrust my sword.

As the purple surface flickered less, the enemy core muttered.

"Can't even say what I want... poison"

It stopped moving, leaving a voice that sounded like it had accomplished something.

I didn't quite understand.

All that was left was to attach a sub-unit to the core and infuse it with holy wave.

The dungeon was cleared.

I detached the sub-unit after the core turned completely white.

"It's done."

"Amazing, master. To clear it so quickly..."

"I thought it would be tough with animal types, but it was surprisingly easy."

"Even S-Rank couldn't put up a fight."

"The parts didn't even remain. Why is that?"

"Probably, the closer to darkness and evil, the more they disappear when exposed to your holy wave."

"Is that so. It's a waste not to have any materials—oh!"

There was a loud thud, and a side of the core opened. I could see large green, purple, and black gems.

I took them and put them in my magic bag.

"Let's go back."

"Yes, master."

Lilicia and I returned the way we came.

—We obtained three cores.

With these, we can expand the grounds around the mansion for the holy beasts.

Having achieved our goal, our steps were light.

Thank you for your support with bookmarks and ★ ratings!

The next chapter will be updated tomorrow.