Chapter 13 (1/2)

The hole has a depth of 15 meters.

The moment we land, we immediately put our backs into it and look around.

”Orb of light.”

Kaede created a sphere of light using her magic.

We discovered that we were in a huge chamber made of stone.

There are two huge stone statues of people on either side of the area that seems to be an entrance. The old and dilapidated state of the chamber was made noticeable because of the dust in the place. Besides that, there was a lot of debris around the place.

”Is that silt?”

On the ground there were traces of something slimy.

These must be the tracks of the creature that took Marianne. If we follow the tracks, we should be able to find her.

”I'll go ahead. Kaede, you stay in the middle and keep your light magic going. Urara, you guard the rear.”

”Yes, Master.”

“Understood.”

I draw my sword, and we advance quickly.

As long as we don't know where the attackers are or what they are up to, we should act calmly. Only after finding the enemy can we act more freely.

”Be careful, there's a hole.”

The structure of the ruins is very fragile. Some were crumbling, and I often saw plant roots going through the walls.

Moreover, this place is as intricate as a dungeon, and although it is not very solid, it seems to be inhabited by demons.

I ask Urara as we run through a narrow, dimly lit corridor.

”How big is this place?”

”Well, I've been down here a few times, and there are four levels that I know of. But I don't know what kind of things might be living here; these ruins are extremely massive.”

”Kaede, do you still have Marianne's scent?”

”It's in the same direction as the slime trail.”

It may be a demon, but how far does it plan to go?

Please don't let it be a place where all the demons are.

”Gugyaa!”

”Get out of the way!”

A goblin suddenly jumps out from the rubble, and I cut it down with one blow.

I have no time for small fry. If you don't want to die, embrace your fear and stay out of my sight.

Kaede uses her magic to freeze several slimes that crawled on the floor.

Urara shoots some poisonous needles and kills some bug monsters that came out of the ground.

”You are very good. What is your job?”

”Assassin.”

Being an assassin is an unusual job, isn't it? And from what I've seen, she seems to be at a decent level.

That girl Marianne, she has a very lovely appearance, and a lot of people around her.

She really didn't need us to take down those bandits.

”The smell is getting stronger. It's close by.”

”All right, get ready.”

A long passage led us to a bridge over a large waterway.

At the end of the bridge there was a large, closed gate. The silt seemed to continue beyond that gate.

Surely Marianne and the rest of the kidnapped townsfolk are there.

Zazazazaza

Multiple footsteps are heard, and armed demons appear from both sides, lined up in front of the door.

They all had great physiques, well marked muscles, and horns on their heads. ”You humans were very stupid to come here. You will have the pleasure of dying by our hands!”

The demon that was speaking began to give instructions to the rest of the demons, so he must be their commander. The rest of them shouted and drew their curved swords one after another.

So, all this was the work of the demons.

I have heard that the appearance of the demon king has caused the activities of the demons to rise. But I never imagined that their base would be in a place like this.

”Wall of Ice!”

Kaede began to move her iron fans to create two walls of ice.

A straight path to the door formed in front of me.

”Master, we'll take care of this.”

”Please save Lady Marianne.”

I nodded silently at their words.

I need to save Marianne as soon as possible.

I am counting on you, Kaede and Urara.

I ran down the road while clenching my fist to knock on the door.

”Gufufu, it seems that my pet's food has finally arrived. I have been waiting for you.

In the middle of the vast room, there was a large slime monster that was probably four meters high.

It has countless tentacles coming out of its back, and has more than ten people hanging from it.

”So, you're the brilliant mind behind it all?”

In front of the monster there was a semi-demon, large and strong. The aura emanating from him was incomparable to that of the soldiers I saw before.

There is no need to think about it much, this guy is the strongest one here.

”What was your purpose? Why did you attack the city?”