It was about five years after Beck’s party defeated the “Beast of the Abyss.”
The members of the party, who had gained renown as the guardians of the kingdom, each received the rewards they desired from the kingdom.
Ryuud, the party leader known as the “Dragon Slayer,” was granted a noble title as an exception for someone of common birth. However, the territory he was given bordered a neighboring country with strained relations.
Ryuud, effectively sent to defend the border, left the war to his subordinate officers and indulged in alcohol and pleasures.
The brilliance of the youth once called a hero was fading, yet his swordsmanship, unmatched even by seasoned knights, remained intact, and no one dared to counsel him.
—Except for those who had once formed a party with Ryuud.
“…What do you intend to do about the king’s request? Ryuud.”
Angelica, who had visited Ryuud’s mansion, stood at the entrance of his private chamber, questioning him as he sat in a chair resembling a throne.
Ryuud’s cheeks were gaunt, and his once lively eyes now glinted like a wolf’s, fixating on Angelica as if she were prey.
“They don’t understand anything. Hunting the gluttonous dragon that emerges from the labyrinth every few years is not worth it.”
“They’re keeping us for that purpose. We, who defeated the ‘Beast of the Abyss,’ are considered the kingdom’s greatest fighting force…”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying—they don’t understand anything. If we wanted to, we could overturn the country. There’s no need to heed the king’s orders.”
“…We can’t govern the kingdom. To maintain our status, we need to show some results…”
“Angelica, you’ve become rather soft. You’ve changed since that guy disappeared. The old you was noble, wielding your power not for someone else, but for yourself. And now… what’s happened?”
Ryuud picked up a cup placed on the table and was about to take a sip when Angelica snatched it away.
“…Are you planning to honor the dead?”
“Ugh… You…!”
Angelica attempted to strike Ryuud’s cheek, but he effortlessly caught her hand.
“L-Let go! Let go of me!”
“…I should have done this a long time ago. I thought you hated Beck. You didn’t hurt him; you were just clinging…”
“If you insult me any further… I won’t forgive you!”
“…Insult? Who exactly are you not forgiving?”
Ryuud released her wrist, and Angelica took a step back, embracing her body and averting her gaze.
“You entrusted the transfer crystal to Beck at that time. You must have been able to predict how he would use it.”
“…Oh?”
“If Beck hadn’t transferred us, he would…”
Ryuud’s eyes sank into a deep darkness. Only Angelica’s figure was reflected in his gaze.
“The ‘Beast of the Abyss’ has been defeated. Beck went missing, and no one dares to venture into the depths of that labyrinth. I brought back the beast’s fangs.”
“…But the fangs… those alone…”
“The kingdom recognized them as evidence of the defeat. The ‘Beast of the Abyss’ hasn’t shown its face since… because we defeated it.”
Angelica’s lips moved to say “That’s not true,” but no sound came out.
The last image of Beck flashed through Angelica’s mind. He hadn’t given up—he didn’t despair even before the certainty of death.
“Even if the ‘beast’ is alive, the current situation remains unchanged. Do you understand? We won’t throw away the honor we’ve gained, not for anything. Beck died, a noble sacrifice.”
“…Are you saying Beck defeated it, even if it meant dragging the beast down with him?”
“What could a ‘baggage carrier’ who can’t even reach a higher class do? His level was half of ours! It was his job to handle the transfer crystals and magical tools, but what could he accomplish with that?”
Angelica was left speechless. Ryuud, watching her, slightly darkened his expression.
“…We still lack personnel for the gluttonous dragon case. Sophia says she can lend us a skilled disciple, but now that she’s become a bishop, she can’t move. The other two have returned to their hometown, so I’m waiting for their replies.”
“…Even if we gather the party, what we lack is…”
Ryuud drank from his cup without answering. Angelica noticed something placed on the table—a letter requesting the guild to introduce adventurers.
“A level 50 baggage carrier… No one in the kingdom would…”
“…It’s just a level 50. We can pull someone from anywhere… Why can’t those incompetent guild members find anyone yet?!”
Even with a full party of level 100 advanced classes, they couldn’t find a level 50 lower-class member.
Angelica recalled Beck’s figure. Five years ago, during her last dive into the labyrinth with him—how she had troubled him with unreasonable insults.
—This is a request that will decide whether we can become heroes.
—Yeah, I understand. But I have a bad feeling about this.
—Are you already getting cold feet? Even without you, we’ll move forward.
—That can’t happen. I’m the “baggage carrier” for your party.
“…I feel sick. Get out while I can still remain calm.”
Tears streamed down Angelica’s cheeks. To avoid being seen shedding any more, she exited the room.
After the door closed, Ryuud stared vacantly into space and spoke.
“…Old man, you said Angelica is still a child. In the end, nothing has changed… She’s still…”
Ryuud turned around to where Beck had always stood during their adventures.
“…Did I kill you? Or are you still…”
Beck’s body had yet to be found—no one besides the hero’s party dared to delve into the labyrinth of the Beast of the Abyss.
As time flowed without Ryuud gathering the final class he sought from the guild, the deadline for the king’s request approached, and Ryuud and the others found themselves challenging the labyrinth once more—this time, to the highest difficulty level, rumored to be the stronghold of the gluttonous dragon.
