WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Mordor
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Mistaken as the Dungeon Boss Monster ◈
Chapter 22: Rose Sha Noona, Help Me
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Ahem.
Charlotte cleared her throat after gathering the dungeon’s senior staff.
Though calling us senior staff was a stretch when there were only four of us: me, Charlotte, Isabella, and Balutak.
“Everyone, look at this.”
Charlotte held up a newspaper with Balm Monk’s death as its headline.
I had already seen it, so I was not particularly affected, but Isabella was visibly shaken.
Balutak, on the other hand, merely tilted their head.
“Kirik? What’s this?”
“A newspaper.”
“What’s a newspaper?”
“As you can see, the Empire now sees us as a threat. Since the Hero of Faith died, the shock will likely be greater than we expected.”
“W-What do we do...?”
Isabella asked anxiously.
I understood how she felt. There was a strong chance they would retaliate.
Still, I did not regret it. If we had not killed Balm Monk, we would have died. What else could we have done?
“We need to prepare for that. The good news is that there are no signs of movement from the Extermination Command yet. The merchant’s information is not one hundred percent reliable, but it is credible enough.”
While the Extermination Party made every preparation, the dungeon would prepare its defenses as well.
The key, and the first step, was scouting for signs that they intended to attack.
Since we had no scouts or reconnaissance troops, we had to buy information from the Merchant Association. Charlotte had already done so.
There was no movement at all from the Extermination Command.
I felt a little relieved, but Charlotte’s next words made my heart sink.
“That does not mean we can relax. Everyone, look at this.”
Flip. Flip.
The next page of the newspaper carried a special report on the Holy Sword’s Awakening.
Isabella gasped and covered her mouth, while Balutak tilted their head again as if they had seen this before.
“Kirik. What’s that?”
“Wilhelm has awakened the Holy Sword. This could be the signal to begin. The circumstances were similar when they raided Shadow of Pangu. At the time, all Four Heroes were in peak condition.”
In other words, the Empire’s Extermination Command depended on the Four Heroes.
There was no need for further explanation when a Hero’s condition could determine whether they raided the Seven Palaces of the Abyss.
“If I were one of the Empire’s higher-ups, I believe I would raid our dungeon.”
...Huh?
“The timing of Balm Monk’s death and the Holy Sword’s Awakening overlaps perfectly. Most people may connect the two and believe the Holy Sword awakened because of it. They may see the dungeon where Balm Monk died as that much of a threat.”
Fuck, that’s how it turns out?
This was a really bad sign.
Instead of leaking information about Kalandas, I was about to lose my head.
“Our defenses are urgent, but I am ashamed to say that our abilities are far from sufficient. I can already picture a future where the Boss solves everything again, just as with Balm Monk.”
Back then, it had only been Balm Monk, and I had gotten lucky.
This time, they would definitely come as an Extermination Party. Even if I got lucky and destroyed all their weapons...
Heroes were not called Heroes for nothing. They were fucking strong even bare-handed.
“Everyone but the Boss must devote their lives to defending the dungeon. But... we would be no match for a Hero who has awakened the Holy Sword.”
Her face was expressionless, but she somehow looked discouraged.
Before I could blame my subordinates, I understood how they felt.
He was not just any Hero. He was a Hero who had awakened the Holy Sword.
To Wilhelm, this dungeon probably would not even count as a playground.
‘Why did I have to become one of the Seven Palaces of the Abyss?’
Even now, I wanted to throw away the fake Seven Palaces of the Abyss title.
The world had put a sword to my throat and told me to become the boss of the Seven Palaces of the Abyss, then handed down another trial like this.
“A boss stepping in is the last resort for any dungeon. I believe it would be best to form an alliance so we can receive constant support from the other Abyssal Palaces.”
Only one person came to mind when it came to support from an Abyssal Palace.
A boss who had already sent help and viewed me favorably.
I felt shameless asking for help a second time, but if I did not, I would die.
To live, I could get on my knees and hide beneath Rose Sha’s skirts if I had to.
“We do not need troop support immediately. If there are signs that the Extermination Party is moving, we can request it then.”
Even without saying it, I felt the same way.
Keeping another dungeon’s forces as a standing army just because we were nervous would be extremely rude.
We could keep a close eye on the Extermination Command and receive support the moment they moved.
Support through a portal could arrive immediately, so it should not be a major problem.
“Of course, they may only send a minimal elite force as an Extermination Party. For the time being, we will focus on strengthening our forces. Since the Extermination Party would be small, one week should be enough to prepare our defenses.”
One week.
As if she had noticed what I was thinking, Charlotte added, “The worst-case scenario is that they come even sooner than a week from now, but... I do not believe that will happen.”
“Why?”
“They have no information about this dungeon. Even if they do, it will only be useless information. If they intend to plan a meticulous raid, they will have to send an advance party at least once.”
“Hmm.”
“They have too much to lose by committing a Hero, an exceptional asset, to an unknown dungeon. This is also one of the new Seven Palaces of the Abyss. If they possess even a speck of caution, they must act that way.”
Then if they stormed in right away, willing to sacrifice a Hero, would we not have any countermeasures?
Of course, it was only a possibility. This was just the worst-case scenario.
Should I prepare a support force and standing army in advance, just in case?
If I swallowed my pride and asked, Rose Sha would probably agree. She seemed to be quite interested in me.
It was time to stop worrying and take action.
After that, things moved quickly.
Charlotte summoned the Demon Merchant, who returned after going to the Old Castle.
[Lv. 83]
Beside the merchant stood a Werewolf whose level rivaled that of a Hero.
Dressed in a tailcoat, the Werewolf placed the edge of his hand against his chest and bowed sharply.
“I greet your supreme dignity. I am Gerold, Keeper of the fifth floor of the Castle Full of Lust. Her Majesty has granted the Lord an audience.”
Facing someone so strong made me nervous, but it also put me at ease.
The Old Castle had ten floors, and Keepers managed the first through ninth floors.
If the Keeper of the fifth floor was this strong, that meant there were eight more fighters in the level eighty range at their main base.
I had already known it all from the game, but seeing it in person made it feel real.
The Minions of the Night, like the undead, were at a severe disadvantage against the Holy Sword.
The Holy Sword’s aura was based on sunlight to begin with. Just looking at the name Minions of the Night made it clear they were natural enemies.
But what if they did not have the Holy Sword?
If I destroyed the Holy Sword with my Enhancement, the tide of battle would certainly turn in our favor.
With just two more reinforcements as strong as Gerold, I would not need to worry.
‘Though support is not guaranteed.’
Would Rose Sha not help if I explained my situation?
If not, I would have to get on my knees and beg to join her faction.
“Let’s go right away.”
“Yes.”
Gerold led me to the pink portal he had arrived through.
As I crossed the portal, I shut my eyes tight and prayed.
‘Rose Sha Noona, help me.’
* * *
After the Boss left, Charlotte was in the Adjutant's Room.
She let out a deep sigh and stared at the crystal ball.
“I should have given it to the Boss.”
By the time she realized her mistake, it was already too late.
It was a security crystal ball linked by Mana Thread.
If the Hero’s Extermination Party attacked while the Boss was gone, even by the slightest chance, it would be a disaster.
Since the Boss had not taken the crystal ball either, the dungeon could be conquered without the Boss even knowing.
“...There is no way that will happen.”
The Boss would return within a day.
It was absurd for them to attack today, on top of everything else.
Even one week was fast, so what could possibly be so urgent that they would come today?
The journey from the imperial capital to this place took four days, or at least two days by even the most conservative estimate.
Charlotte shook her head and cast off her unease.
Right. This was nothing more than needless worry.
* * *
An abandoned monastery stood alone halfway up the mountain.
Sunlight shone through cracked stained glass and fell upon an elderly man.
An old man who seemed advanced in years rather than decrepit.
He was a holy knight, fully armed in golden Holy Armor.
The pommel of his sword was shaped like a sun cross, and even the rosary around his neck bore a sun cross.
“Solari draws near to those whose hearts are broken and saves those who repent with sincere hearts...”
The old man’s name was Wilhelm, the Empire’s Hero known as the holiest of Heroes and Solari’s great warrior.
Wilhelm knelt on one knee before a small wooden statue of the goddess, his eyes closed.
He held a rosary between his clasped hands and pressed it against his wrinkled forehead.
As if he desperately wished for something, he endlessly recited prayers.
“All of you, be of one mind, be compassionate, love one another as brothers and sisters, be merciful, and be humble...”
To pray for his departed friend’s peace. To vow revenge alongside him.
After reciting the final verse, Wilhelm rose.
Shing!
The holy knights lined up on either side drew their swords at once.
The solar clock’s hands pointed to noon.
The noon ritual would be more brilliant and sacred than any other.
Clang!
The first holy knight’s sword collided with Wilhelm’s Holy Sword.
At that moment, the Holy Sword’s radiance shone even brighter.
The light forged by one human passed into the Holy Sword, adding to its brilliance.
“Solari is a fire that burns away all evil.”
The holy knight recited a verse and stepped back.
As Wilhelm approached the next holy knight, their swords met in the same way.
“Solari is our sun and our shield.”
The light forged by two humans gathered within the Holy Sword.
“Solari came into this world as light so that those who believe in Solari would not remain in darkness.”
The light forged by three humans made the Holy Sword shine even more brilliantly.
“All who wait for the sun within the dawn, your waiting shall be Solari’s joy.”
“The sun that rises at noon does not merely heal humanity. It becomes its savior.”
“The sun is the light of the world. When its radiance fills the sea, it is said to be as though oil has been poured upon it.”
“The vast sea turned to oil shall be eternal. When sunlight touches it, how could Solari’s destiny ever end?”
Voices quietly reciting verses. The sound of logs burning, like flames spreading from ember to ember.
The sounds echoing through the holy ritual were sacred in themselves.
Every holy knight finished reciting their verse.
By then, Wilhelm’s Holy Sword shone with such incomparable brilliance that it seemed to have become the sun itself.
Though the light was dazzling, no one could close their eyes.
As children of Solari, they could not miss that sight for even an instant.
“Twenty-four brave knights. Today, we shall erase a new great evil.”
The holy knights wore cloaks over their bodies as though concealing their Holy Armor.
A raid on the Seven Palaces of the Abyss using only the Solari Knights. It would be carried out in complete secrecy, and none of the Empire’s people would know of their noble sacrifice.
But if the raid succeeded, all humanity would surely rejoice as one.
The holy knights looked only at the Holy Sword.
The Holy Sword had awakened upon receiving Solari’s revelation. With Solari’s Hero, they feared no evil.
Not even one of the Seven Palaces of the Abyss.
Kiiing!
Wilhelm raised the Holy Sword high.
It looked as though the Holy Sword was supporting the sun visible beyond the stained glass.
“For Solari!”
A thunderous cry filled the monastery.
The holy knights then raised their swords high enough to touch the sky.
“For Solari!”
“For the Empire!”
“For Balm Monk!”
“For humanity!”
On the mountain housing the new Seven Palaces of the Abyss dungeon, the Holy Knight Order’s cries echoed from an abandoned monastery halfway up its slope.
Soon, they would destroy the new great evil and complete their revenge.
Footnotes:
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