Declared Dead, Exiled, and Betrayed— Now I Walk Away, but I'll Save One Who Cared - Chapter 24

“Since this is my first dungeon expedition, I keep getting surprised. Is it always like this?”

We were moving forward in formation: I was in the lead, followed by Michelle, then Meria, Shifa, and finally Claire.

Even though we were handling the monsters without much trouble, there were traps everywhere, and the monsters here were clearly on a different level compared to the mid-levels. As we pushed forward, Meria murmured her thoughts aloud.

“Technically, the Stampede was my first time entering a dungeon…”

“The lower floors are as brutal as ever.”

“It’s the same as always. No need to worry.”

Shifa’s nervousness was kind of cute, considering this was practically her first real dungeon experience. As for the other two, they were just acting as usual. And Claire? Well, she was doing absolutely nothing, as usual.

Back then, Jekyll had been in charge of scouting ahead while we advanced.

Since he had the ability to detect traps, I had always relied on him for that.

But now, he wasn’t here.

Which meant I was the one handling trap detection.

Huh? You’re asking if I could do it?

Of course I can.

Before Jekyll joined the party, I was the one doing it.

Michelle can use detection magic too, but I have more magical energy, so I take care of it.

“Still, even with trap detection, how did Jekyll manage to get himself caught in such an obvious trap?”

“He said he did it on purpose.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“That bastard…!”

I wasn’t expecting such a clear answer, but Claire responded with a blank expression.

I thought he had just screwed up out of arrogance… but he really did it on purpose?

“What was he planning to do if I hadn’t saved him?”

“Apparently, he was just going to use a substitute stone.”

“That bastard!”

What a piece of sh1t.

A substitute stone is a magic tool that forcibly swaps the position of the user with another target.

So that means… he had always planned to sacrifice someone else.

What the hell was wrong with that guy?

I saved him when he was captured by bandits and forced into labor, and this is how he repaid me?

“How was he planning to get back from the lower floors?”

“No idea.”

“Sorry to interrupt your rage, but I think that idiot didn’t have a plan at all.”

Michelle said it bluntly, and I could only look up at the ceiling in disbelief.

Was he planning to commit group suicide or something?

“Jekyll didn’t seem to understand Lord Lax’s full power. Maybe he just assumed that as long as Claire and I were with him, we could make it back. He seemed pretty shocked when we were attacked by a horde of monsters on the way out, though. He kept muttering, ‘Why are there so many…?’”

“Wait, is he an idiot?”

“He probably thought that since we rarely encountered enemies on the way back, it would be the same this time. Even though it was actually because of you, Lord Lax.”

I see.

That actually made sense.

On the way in, I couldn’t just spread my magic around carelessly.

I had to conserve energy in case of an unexpected boss fight, and I had to let Jekyll handle trap detection, which meant limiting my magical interference.

But on the way out, none of that mattered.

I spread my magic across the area, intimidating monsters and forcing them to avoid us.

He must have completely misunderstood the situation.

What an idiot.

I explained it to him… but I guess he just tuned it out and interpreted things however it suited him.

Well, whatever.

I honestly don’t care what happened to him anymore.

Apparently, he got caught up in an attack from a dragon, but since there was no direct proof, he was officially considered missing.

Same with Alessandro.

According to Claire, those two took her and ran, but when they reached the fortress, they abandoned her and fled.

If they don’t show up in six months, they’ll be officially declared dead.

Not that it matters—they didn’t leave behind any assets anyway.

I’m done thinking about them.

Eranda, who fled separately, also went missing.

But in his case… he’s really…

“Even so, the difference in monster strength between the mid-levels and the lower floors is quite significant.”

“Yeah.”

“But still, there’s nothing for us to do, is there?”

“Wouldn’t you rather not have the girls fighting?”

“Um, you do realize… this is a dungeon, right?”

“Easy is best. As expected of Lord Lax~♡”

They were so noisy.

It was lighthearted, fun, and nothing felt awkward between anyone. If anything, all I was getting was affection from every direction.

After spending six months in the deepest floors, fighting for my life every single day, the monsters here weren’t even a challenge.

Even half a year ago, I barely had any trouble in the lower floors.

The only real dangers were moments when we were surrounded from both the front and back, with Jekyll or Claire ending up in danger.

Wait…

Why did I bring those two along for dungeon exploration back then?

“Shining Slash!”

—GUGYAAAHHHHHH!!!

A wyvern showed up out of nowhere, but I sliced it clean in half with a single blow.

“A-Amazing…♡”

“Seriously… Lord Lax, you’re so strong it’s actually kind of scary…♡”

“Lax is strong. I feel safe teaming up with him.”

“I’m ready to be taken anytime~♡”

…You guys.

Not that I mind, but still.

And just like that, we made it to the boss room, looking like some rich guy dragging around a whole entourage at a high-end escort club.

Shifa clinging to me was adorable and all, but—

Wait, no.

“You guys! At least keep the formation!”

“Hey! Stop pulling me!”

“Come on, take this seriously!”

This was getting ridiculous.

I was about to finally get mad, but—

“Alright, alright. Keep the formation in check.”

“Ah, sorry!”

“Yes, Michelle.”

“It’s fine with Lord Lax, but Michelle is so strict~”

“Oh?”

“S-Sorry…”

Claire seriously needed Michelle to discipline her at least once.

Well, in the end, I guess I was having fun, so it was fine.

W-What!?

It’s not like I lost to their flirting or anything, okay!?