โIt should still be a shallow layer here, so I think we can escape quickly if we hurry.โ
Milphobia, while holding my hand, advances while knocking down the zombies that occasionally appear in front of us.
โBy โlayer,โ does that mean this so-called dungeon extends deep underground in multiple levels?โ
A dungeonโฆ
Itโs a term unfamiliar in the kingdom.
However, it seems to be part of common knowledge in the demon country, as Milphobia quickly answers.
โDungeons can take various forms, some exposed on the surface, while others continue like tunnels. But in this case, since weโre going downhill, it seems to be an underground type.โ
โOh? How deep does that get?โ
โIt varies. Some say it goes down to a hundred levels underground.โ
โThatโs an incredible scale.โ
โYes. And to think it was hidden in a place like thisโฆโ
โIs that a strange thing?โ
โOf course!โ
Milphobia frowns.
It looks less like she is blaming my ignorance and more like she is doubting her own common sense.
โThis has been the Demon Kingโs castle since the establishment of the demon country. If such a dangerous thing as a dungeon had naturally occurred, it wouldnโt have been left alone until now.โ
โโฆHmm.โ
When asked like that, it does seem strange.
Itโs been nearly three hundred years since the establishment of the demon country.
Then, the only conceivable possibility is one.
โThereโs nothing strange about it. I simply have existed here longer.โ
A hoarse voice, not mine, echoed from ahead of us.
I involuntarily widened my eyes.
From the depths of the pitch-black darkness, small blue flames gradually lit up one by one on the torches mounted on the walls, illuminating the area in front of us.
โThis is the โLand of Deathโ that I govern. Long before that โpiece of garbageโ who calls himself the Demon King ruled this land.โ
The owner of that low, dried voice slowly glided toward us, as if floating in the air.
Then, he landed quietly a few meters in front of us, as if blocking our escape from the dungeon.
The face that appeared from beneath the crimson hooded robe was that of a desiccated mummy.
โOh, you also look like a zombie, donโt you?โ
โHow rude, call me โKing.'โ
โKing?โ
โIndeed.โ
The zombie claiming to be the king snorted in dissatisfaction.
โEver since I lost to the first Demon King over this land, I have hidden myself along with this underground dungeon, building the โLand of Deathโ filled only with my undead servants. And even now, I am in the midst of gathering military strength in preparation for the coming timesโฆ and you, human, will also become one of my soldiers.โ
The zombie claiming to be the king harbored a black light in his hand.
Then, as if vanishing, he moved and got behind me.
โNow, reverse your โHoly Powerโ and become a corpse while writhing in agonyโฆ!โ
The king reached out to touch my face, butโ
โDonโt touch Alaya-sama; Iโll kill you!โ
Milphobiaโs rapid roundhouse kick cleanly severed the kingโs head.
โWhat do you think you are, touching someone under the protection of His Majesty the Demon King? Do you think a mere undead like you can casually touch someone of that caliberโโ
โI like violent women; they make me want to subdue them.โ
As soon as the king interrupted Milphobiaโs words, zombies began to pour out from the ground and walls, swiftly grabbing hold of her arms and legs.
โWhaโฆ?!โ
โIt wonโt work, you fool. I can nullify all physical attacks of your level. Itโs a necessary preparation for a magician.โ
The king scanned Milphobiaโs figure, and then with a โtch,โ he clicked his tongue, deepening the wrinkles on his already weathered face.
โYouโre a succubus, arenโt you? Then itโs decided; Iโll have my servants violate you for ten years before turning you into a specimen.โ
โUghโฆ let me go! Iโll kill you!โ
โBe quiet, you lustful witch. Right now, itโs this โhumanโ that matters.โ
The king slowly approached me.
โฆThis is bad. I want to run, but thereโs no way I can escape from someone who could easily capture even Milphobia. Besides, I donโt want to leave her behind.
Then the only option left for me is one.
โYou mentioned turning me into military strength, but how exactly do you plan to do that?โ
A conversation.
My weapon isnโt brute strength.
I have no choice but to look for an opening in the flow of the conversation!
โYou just mentioned โreversing Holy Power,โ but could it be that youโre applying a theory to โreplace life force with physical strengthโ? Although its realization should be nearly impossible, have you perhaps invented an innovative technique that makes it possible?โ
โO-ohโฆ?โ
The king opened his eyes wide and seemed somewhat pleased as he stroked his chin.
โInteresting. You seem like someone who can talk.โ
โI have a fair amount of knowledge.โ
By offering living humans as sacrifices, one can perform a myth-level dark heal, something I had summarized in my paper previously. Itโs likely that the king is using something close to that technology.
โWell, well. Then perhaps you might understand this discussion? It seems you know the basic theory, so Iโll skip the explanation and get to the point: fundamentally revising the idea that โHoly Power and Life Force are equalโ and instead asserting that Holy Power and Magic Power are the sameโโ
And he began to speak.
This is just a guess, but perhaps he had been starving for a conversation partner?
Those who accumulate knowledge often want to share it with others.
I understand that feeling well.
โPerhaps the three special zombies from earlier were also made using a similar method?โ
โOh, you understand? You are quite a clever man.โ
The king responded happily.
โAlright, let me introduce you to those three. They are the greatest forces of the Land of Death.โ
He raised one hand toward the end of the passage.
Then, he spoke with an air of solemnity.
โCome forth, my servantsโโZombie Soldier,โ โZombie Thief,โ and โZombie Queen!'โ
His words echoed through the corridorโฆ
However, nothing happened.
โโฆHuh? Whatโs the matter? Come forth!โ
The king repeated his command, but still, there was no response.
โฆWell, thatโs to be expected.
While I shoved my hand into my lab coat pocket, I sighed internally.
What on earth am I going to do now?
Those greatest forcesโ brains are what I just used my dark heal on.
I probably canโt give them orders anymore.
โThey usually come right away when I call themโฆ Come forth, โZombie Soldier,โ โZombie Thief,โ and โZombie Queen!'โ
The king shouted repeatedly as if trying to show off how well his pets obeyed, but they still didnโt come.
โฆIf I reveal that itโs my fault, will he get angry? He probably will. I should keep quiet.
Just as I resolved to stay silent,
[Uโฆ Uahโฆ]
Stumbling,
From the depths of the corridor, a female knight zombie, presumably the one called the Zombie Queen, appeared.
โYouโre late! What were you doing?!โ
The king pointed his finger at the Zombie Queen, as if accusing her of a crime, and shouted angrily.
โYou shameless creature, bringing shame upon your master is unforgivable! Shall I make you remember the pain and humiliation of that day when I dragged your body into decay and the path of evil?โ
The Zombie Queen stopped dead in her tracks as if reacting to his voice, slowly turning her murky white eyes toward the king.
[Vah]
โVah?โ
[Vahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!]
With a mouth wide enough to split open, she let out a furious roar and kicked the ground. In an instant, she sliced into the kingโs body.
โHuh?โ
The king, eyes wide with shock, had his raised arm severed and fall to the ground, and soon after, rotten bodily fluids sprayed from the deep diagonal wound that appeared on his torso.