"I'll Catch Up Later, So Go On Ahead!" I Said, and Stayed Behind in the Dungeon for Five Years. When I Returned to the Royal Capital, for Some Reason, I Had Become a Great Criminal, So I Decided to Retire. But Outstanding People Keep Gathering Around Me Though... - Episode 31: Assault
Episode 31: Assault
“Why is that here──?”
I stared blankly at the sky.
Why did a monster from the Abyss Sanctum appear here…?
Certainly, over the five years, I kept defeating monsters inside the Abyss Sanctum. But I wasn’t able to completely eradicate them.
Even so, the gate was sealed.
I had convinced myself that there was no more threat coming this way──but now I was beginning to question something more fundamental: what principle causes those gates to appear in the first place…?
But I didn’t have the time to think further about that.
I immediately shielded Lisel and guided the nearby people to evacuate.
During that time, the four girls had already entered battle-ready stances.
“That is…”
“Mm. A monster, but it looks strong.”
“Indeed. Well, I’ll deal with it using my magic.”
“I’ll support as well.”
It looked like there was no choice but to fight──but I was thinking.
That this must surely be artificial.
And if that were the case, it wouldn’t be wise for my presence to be exposed…
“Senpai, please take Lisel-san and get away!”
“……Yeah. Thanks, Felina.”
It seemed Felina had reached the same conclusion.
I immediately grabbed Lisel’s hand and broke into a run to get her to safety.
“H-Haru-san…! Will everyone be alright…?”
“Yeah. Those four are strong. But… hmm. There *is* something that concerns me…”
Honestly, I did want to go help.
That Griffin is a monster from the Abyss Sanctum with special abilities.
I believe the four of them can handle it. But I couldn’t help worrying.
“Haru-san. I’ll be okay. I’ll evacuate properly, so please—go.”
“But…”
“It’s okay.”
Lisel gently squeezed my hand and looked straight at me with a serious expression.
“I’m sure your power is needed. So please—go!”
“……Yeah. I got it. Once it’s over, I’ll come get you right away.”
“Yes!”
I brought Lisel to a safe place for now and rushed back at full speed to the scene.
By then, the four were already engaged in battle──but the fight was almost over.
Luster blocked the enemy’s attack with a defensive skill.
And during that time, Felina unleashed a series of strikes with her rapier.
From the rear, Sharo’s magic rained down. And Estelle’s wide-area healing spell was constantly active.
Just like I had grown stronger over the past five years, they too had grown.
At a glance, it seemed the battle was over.
All that remained was the finishing blow.
Or so it seemed, but monsters from the Abyss Sanctum always have one more phase.
“GIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA──!!“
The Griffin spread both its wings. And from them, ominous red-black particles began to disperse.
That’s right.
The monsters from the Abyss Sanctum often possess toxins. And when close to death, they have a tendency to spread those poisons.
It’s actually the reason I created my unique magic, Thousand Blades of the White Night: Arlia.
“Kh…!”
“Felina, fall back! I’ll take this!”
“But Luster! This is probably deadly poison! Even you won’t be able to—”
“Even so, I have no choice but to take it──!!”
The two at the front instantly realized how potent the toxin was—impressive.
But they had no way to deal with it.
However, if I use White Sword Alba, it won’t be a problem.
I locked onto the Griffin’s poison and began activating the spell formula.
“First Anchor: Structural Analysis.
Second Anchor: Magic Formula Recognition.
Third Anchor: Interference Field Synchronization──
Phase Neutralization.”
However, this particular poison was incredibly potent.
Even with the current formula, I couldn’t neutralize it.
So I added further steps to accelerate the spell:
“Begin toxicity structure identification.
Deploy erosion factors—within construction domain.
Connect mana transmission path—into target’s body.
Form neutralizing catalyst—within magic domain.
Generate inverse-phase of toxicity──Apply suppressive mana, stabilize biological sync.
Issue purge command—remove all residual mana.
Cleanse target function──Neutralization complete.”
As I activated the neutralizing spell, the sinister red-black poison transformed into pale blue-white particles.
“Senpai……! Thank you so much──!!”
Felina wouldn’t miss such an opening.
She swiftly charged up to the Griffin’s skull and drove her rapier into its head.
“──Burst“
In that moment, Felina flooded the creature’s insides with mana.
The Griffin shut down completely.
It was successfully defeated.
“Senpai……! As expected of you!”
“Mm. Haru. Thank you. That really helped.”
“Yeah. But… why is this thing here…?”
That was when I realized—I was being watched from somewhere far away.
I quickly turned to look in that direction—but no one was there.
Still, I knew I wasn’t imagining it.
This *was* a man-made event.
Which meant… could the gate’s appearance also be──?
—
Felina and the others said they would handle the aftermath. So I immediately went to regroup with Lisel.
“Haru-san!”
“Lisel. It’s over.”
“I’m glad… that you’re safe…”
“Yeah. Let’s head back right away. I’m sure the boss is probably worried.”
Lisel and I quickly left the area──but I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.
The darkness swirling in this kingdom.
I had thought that as long as I could protect my peace, I had no intention of interfering.
However, there were still threats out there putting people in danger.
Perhaps──my role as Hero Haruto isn’t over yet.
To prepare for the time to come, I steeled myself.
†
“Ooh~ close one, close one. He looked this way, but… was it just my imagination…? Hmm. Can’t say for sure just yet.”
The one observing the earlier battle… was Volk.
It wasn’t by chance—he had been investigating.
(At the end, that poison was neutralized with magic… was that Charlotte’s doing? No, that white hair… it bothers me… I thought it was one of those four behind the Zephyr incident. But maybe there’s another possibility. I’ve already taken care of most of the trash around the other princes and princesses. But is there some insane final dessert waiting for me?)
“Ku, kukuku… this is great. Things are finally getting interesting!”
Volk brushed up his bangs with a sly grin.
For him, fighting was life itself—he always sought out stronger opponents.
He had expected his next opponent to be someone from the former Hero’s party.
But now that the unexpected was unfolding, he was thrilled.
And then, as always, Volk headed off to report to Prince Raiz.
“You’re back.”
“Yeah.”
“So, what did you find out?”
“Yes. It’s likely──”
As Volk reported the earlier battle, Raiz’s eyes widened.
“Is that… true?”
“It’s just my theory. But if that’s the case, then it all starts to make sense.”
“Indeed… if that explains both the Orug and the Ceres Golem… Kukuhaha! I see! The final piece falls into place!”
Raiz laughed triumphantly.
His smile was soaked in wickedness.
“In that case, let’s adjust the plan a bit.”
“Understood.”
“Let’s deliver even greater despair to them. Volk. I’ll prepare the perfect stage for you. Go wild.”
“Thank you. Man, I’m really looking forward to this. Fighting *him*, huh…”
“Kukuku… This time, I’ll erase him with my own hands. And I… will become the next king──”
Raiz believed that no matter what forces opposed him, he would win.
Tactics. Schemes. Conspiracies──no matter how clever the strategy, the world would not move by plans alone.
In the end, what subjugates all… is overwhelming violence.
Raiz knew this well──and that’s how he had removed all obstacles until now with brute force.
“Now then. Time for the final touch──”
A thin smile played on Raiz’s lips as ominous magical energy rose around his hand.
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