Declared Dead, Exiled, and Betrayed— Now I Walk Away, but I'll Save One Who Cared - Chapter 9

If the stampede breaks through, the guild will be in danger.

The guild master left, saying he would go to the lord’s manor with my father, the lord.

My sister is likely there as well.

But I can’t leave yet.

After all, Michelle is still unconscious in the infirmary attached to the guild.

If someone had already taken her to safety, there would be no problem.

But when I peeked inside, I found her still lying there.

Suppressing a groan, I pulled back the blanket covering Michelle.

I wrapped my arms around her and tried to lift her.

I’m small, and Michelle is a tall woman.

As a knight and an adventurer who has explored dungeons, she has a well-built body.

In other words—though it pains me to say—it makes her quite heavy…

What should I do?

I came here determined to save her, but lifting her is already a struggle.

Can I even walk while carrying her?

But I can’t give up.

When I was feeling lost, Michelle was always kind to me.

She has traveled with Lax for a long time, and though she is quiet, she’s gentle.

She used to pat my head often.

When I was attacked by monsters, it was Lax who saved me.

But it was Michelle who healed my injuries.

She comforted me when I grieved over my shortened hair after that attack, assuring me that it would grow back—and that even if it stayed short, I would still look cute.

She’s older than me, even older than Lax—a kind, dependable older sister figure.

Much more than my actual sister ever was.

That’s why I won’t give up.

With renewed determination, I braced myself and lifted Michelle onto my shoulder for support.

“I’m sorry, Michelle… You’re heavy…”

I managed a few steps.

But that was all.

I was frustrated.

Michelle ended up collapsing onto me as I sank to the floor.

And that’s when I noticed it.

A faint white light shimmering around my chest.

Slowly, it drifted away from me.

Toward Michelle.

As soon as the light touched her, the entire room was engulfed in a bright, radiant glow.

The intensity of it forced me to shut my eyes.

And then…

A warm, gentle hand rested on my head.

“Shifa… What’s wrong? Were you trying to carry me?”

I opened my eyes—

And saw Michelle, awake for the first time in six months.

“Michelle… You’re awake?”

I threw my arms around her.

Lately, it feels like I keep hugging people.

But I was just so happy that she had woken up.

“This is the guild’s infirmary, right? I’m starving… Wait, wasn’t I in a dungeon?”

Michelle looked confused.

So, I told her everything I knew.

“You triggered a dungeon trap. Lax fell into a pit, and you were caught in a barrage of spears and magic attacks.”

“That’s right… Jekyll, that bastard… Calling himself a thief, yet falling into a trap like that…”

“Stop! Please, Michelle—tell this story to everyone later, okay? Please!”

Michelle’s response was exactly what I had hoped for.

She wasn’t like those awful people.

She was someone who could save the person I cared about.

Right now, the stampede is still happening.

But we still have time.

“What’s Going On? Where’s Lax?”

“Right now, a stampede is happening. The upper-layer monsters have been taken down, and everyone has entered the dungeon to fight off the middle-layer monsters. Lax left town a little while ago…”

“What? Got it. I’ll go support them first. We’ll talk after that.”

“Wait, Michelle. You haven’t eaten anything, have you?”

“I’m fine. Look, I’ve got Lax’s emergency rations in my item box. These were meant for getting lost inside the dungeon, but… munch munch …Perfect. Easy to digest, too. Alright, I’m heading out. The middle-layer monsters aren’t a problem for me. The lower-layer ones will be tough, but we still have time. Shifa, go to the lord’s manor.”

“Alright… Michelle, be careful.”

“Yeah, no problem.”

Saying that, Michelle patted my head—just like she always did.

Then, she quickly changed into the gear from her item box and rushed out.

But… I’m sorry, Michelle.

I’m not going to the lord’s manor.

There are things I can do, too.

Dungeon – Upper Layer

The adventurers had charged into the upper layer with determination, but the overwhelming number of monsters was gradually forcing them back.

The incoming creatures included a pack of Dark Wolves, Bone Knights and Skeletons, a flock of Firebirds, and a horde of High Orcs and regular Orcs. Each monster species had a leader or an evolved variant directing their movements, leading them in an organized attack against the adventurers.

“Damn it, there are too many!”

“This is bad… These are just the middle-layer monsters?!”

“Most of them are pack monsters. We still have healing potions left—keep fighting!”

“All Heal! We can still push through!”

Jekyll was leading the adventurers, while Claire continuously cast large-scale healing spells.

The adventurers had divided into different units: the frontline warriors, holding back the monster onslaught with close combat; the support team, assisting with defense and reinforcement; and the spellcasters, launching long-range magical attacks.

But despite their efforts, the relentless assault was beginning to break the frontline formation.

If the frontline collapses, the entire adventurer force will be annihilated.

After all, these monsters had no fear of injury or death—they charged forward with reckless abandon.

Support-type adventurers and spellcasters alone wouldn’t be able to stop them. Right now, Claire and the other healers were barely keeping everyone in the fight, but…

“Hey! It’s the Orc King!”

“And an Elder Wolf… No way! Those are the types that usually lead a stampede!”

“Why the hell are they appearing together?!”