Due to an attempted attack by the remnants of the Haten faction, we decided to temporarily leave the dungeon.
The two Haten members who had been downgraded in rank tried to escape after they could no longer hide their presence. However, they were immediately devoured by monsters and died shortly after.
“We’ve taken care of quite a number of Haten. Thanks to that, those we’ve placed inside the Catriais Holy Kingdom can move more freely.”
What? My grandfather already knew about this? Well, that makes sense. After all, it’s my grandfather who has infiltrated the Catriais Holy Kingdom with his dark faction. There’s no way he wouldn’t have this information.
“Not only did they attempt to abduct Toma, but they also kidnapped Arusha and stole her memories. Normally, I’d want to invade the Catriais Holy Kingdom and personally take the head of the three Archbishops, but doing so would only cause the people to suffer. There’s a right time for everything, even if we are to attack. I’m sorry, but please wait just a bit longer.”
“No, I don’t wish for war. Please, try to minimize any damage to everyone as much as possible.”
“Understood.”
It’s likely that a war will happen. However, we can still minimize the damage. I’ll probably have to move for a while to ensure that.
Now, with this, the Haten faction in this country has been literally destroyed. Moving forward, we’ll prevent not only Haten but also any Catriais faction infiltrators and continue weakening their network within the Catriais Holy Kingdom.
Also, I will increase the influence of the Deuro faction within the temple. To do that, I will regularly increase the ranks of the Deuro followers. That alone will make them devoutly worship Deuro.
Once again entering the Alirac Dungeon, we began systematically checking the terrain, starting from the first floor.
Three days later, we discovered a room on the 20th floor surrounded by walls on all four sides.
The thickness of the walls was about one meter. The dungeon walls were solid and not easily broken.
“Ugh!”
Ben slammed his morning star into the wall.
“Ouch, my hand is numb!”
The wall was slightly damaged, but it would take an incredibly long time to break through it. While I was thinking about that, the damage on the wall quickly disappeared. It seems the wall has self-repairing capabilities…
“This is troublesome.”
Captain Susanna smiled wryly.
But I have a solution!
The simple ideas that came to mind are: level one Material Conversion, level three Spatial Conversion (Teleportation), and level six Dimensional Warehouse. I could likely use any of these.
First, let’s try storing the dungeon wall in the Dimensional Warehouse.
—Dimensional Warehouse.
With a soft pop, a one-meter-square chunk of the wall vanished.
“Whooooaaa!”
The knights of the temple were thrilled. I couldn’t help but feel a little proud.
Gogogogogo…
“What!?”
To our surprise, the wall had already returned.
This dungeon’s self-repair function is ridiculously strong. At this rate, the wall will fix itself while we’re trying to pass through, and we’ll get buried inside it.
“Then how about this!”
—Material Conversion!
I turned the dungeon wall into a door. How about this?
Gogogogogo…
“………”
Well, I had a feeling it wouldn’t work.
“With that, I’ll just go ahead and use teleportation.”
When I reached level 300, the mana cost of teleportation was halved, but it’s still quite expensive.
“For now, I’ll teleport in alone and check it out.”
“Please wait! Would you take us with you? We might be able to act as shields and buy you some time if anything happens. If it’s you, Toma-sama, you should be able to escape during that time.”
“I appreciate Captain Susanna’s feelings, but I don’t plan to use you all as shields to escape.”
“But if you don’t take us, what purpose will we serve? Please, we beg you!”
Seeing their determined expressions, I relented. Captain Susanna is so serious and stubborn, and it’s all for my sake, which is a bit troublesome.
“Alright, let’s go together.”
“Thank you so much!”
“Of course, we’re coming with you, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Naturally, we’ll be with you.”
Ben flashed a big, toothy smile. It’s moments like this that make me feel Ben’s true courage.
“Alright, everyone, please touch me.”
—Teleportation!
We teleported into the enclosed space.
I was initially worried about whether there would be air, but there was no issue—it was there.
Inside the space, there was a gigantic crystal. It stood three meters tall, about fifty centimeters thick, and was nearly transparent with a pink hue. Its shape was octagonal, with both ends pointed.
Moreover, it floated in midair.
―――Information Conversion.
- Sacred Light Stone (Shinkouseki): A stone imbued with the divine power of Deuro. By enshrining this Sacred Light Stone in the Temple of Deuro within the territory of Apostle Toma, Toma’s strength will increase. Additionally, Deuro followers who offer prayers to the Sacred Light Stone will likely experience divine miracles.
“Ooohhhhhhhhhhh!”
This is incredible!
“Toma-sama!?“
“Toma?“
I instinctively knelt and began to pray.
I offer my gratitude to Deuro-sama for providing such an amazing item!
I will continue to dedicate myself, so please watch over me.
【Toma, you’ve done well to discover this.】
D-Deuro-sama!?
【Why are you surprised? Haha!】
Of course, I’m surprised—it was so sudden.
【It’s what you humans call a surprise.】
It truly is a surprise. And, somehow, your voice sounds brighter than before.
【Faith in me has grown thanks to you, Toma. Keep up the good work.】
Of course! Please keep watching over me!
【Very well. Now, Toma.】
Yes!
【Enshrine this Sacred Light Stone in the temple currently under construction.】
Understood! I will dedicate this Sacred Light Stone to the temple as Deuro-sama’s holy sanctuary!
【Once this Sacred Light Stone is enshrined in the temple, the dungeon will unlock deeper layers. This will also expedite Toma’s level progression.】
That’s fantastic. How much deeper will it go?
【Heh. That is for Toma to explore and find out. But let me tell you this:】
Gulp.
【At your current level, you still cannot surpass the God Envoys. Dedicate yourself to growth.】
Yes, I will!
【In the future, I may be able to communicate with you through this Sacred Light Stone, though only to a limited extent.】
Really?
【But I won’t always be able to answer, so don’t rely on it too much.】
Understood. By the way, isn’t Deuro-sama unable to interfere with the surface world?
【Haha. A dungeon isn’t part of the surface world. That said, I still can’t interfere much even within a dungeon.】
Then how were you able to place the Sacred Light Stone here?
【The Sacred Light Stone was already here. Those wretched God Envoys encased it within a dungeon and sealed it off with walls so no one could reach it.】
Those jerks, always causing trouble! One day, I’ll crush them. For now, I need to raise my level!
Wait—why does removing the Sacred Light Stone increase the dungeon’s layers?
【The Sacred Light Stone contains my divine power. A large portion of the dungeon’s energy was used to seal it. With the stone gone, the dungeon can utilize its full power again.】
It’s like the dungeon is alive.
【It is alive.】
…What?
【Haha. Not like a human, but a dungeon has its own will and grows accordingly.】
I-I see… Does that mean the dungeon in the Ashud Territory will also grow deeper?
【Indeed. That dungeon is still new and paused at fifteen layers to gather energy. In a few years or decades, it will begin expanding again.】
I didn’t expect dungeons to grow.
I’ll need to inform Father about this.
【Well then, I shall take my leave for now.】
Thank you very much! I will continue to spread faith in Deuro-sama, so please watch over me!
When my conversation with Deuro-sama ended and I stood up, the temple knights were all praying earnestly.
It seemed they followed my lead when I started praying.
Even Ben and Charmy were praying, though they remained standing.
Whether kneeling or standing, as long as there is respect for Deuro-sama, it doesn’t matter.
I didn’t want to disturb their prayers, so I decided to wait for a while.
