Volume 3 Chapter 8 (1/2)
”Master, if this dungeon continues to be as tedious and long, it's probably better to take a break.”
”Yeah, okay, it was getting a bit tiring.”
Ancient Elf and I were conquering [Evil]'s dungeon. We had defeated the many monsters posted in the first room of the first floor and continued on to the second and third rooms. Upon exiting the third room, we made it into the second floor.
It had been complex in its own right thus far; traps were set all over the place and enemies were charging at us in single bursts. Despite that however, we were able travel comfortably thus far.
But from this floor on, however, it had gotten weird. It was nothing but an excessively long and complicated maze. Enemies or traps didn't appear anymore. The ceiling was lowered and that prevented us from using the sky as a shortcut.
”As I thought, even if we follow the shortest route, we'd still be taking a detour to get to next room.”
Ancient Elf who had mapped the entire room using her wind sonar made an unhappy face. The room had been nothing but a long maze for a while now and I was convinced the [Evil] Demon Lord was buying for some time instead of trying to actively killing us.
That said, there was no way I would let my guard down. It was not hard to imagine that a dungeon designed to stall for time would have a nasty trap waiting for when the invaders got careless. Keeping that in mind, I have to break through this dungeon.
Peacefully coasting through the dungeon, I thought that if this dungeon operated normally, [Evil] dungeon should not have an awful lot of DP earned. Even if he only added stone labyrinths with no traps, the most he could buy should be three floors worth of such rooms.
When I spotted the end of the room, I was a little bit relieved.
”Finally, it looks like we can get out of this room” said Ancient Elf in a weary voice.
She was a strong monster and while the stress on her body was more than manageable, the stress on her mind was not due to her continually keeping watch with her wind. As it were, she was bound to have a lapse in her concentration.
”Just a little bit more; you can do it.”
”Yeah, I'm still alright. What worries me though is that even from some rooms ago, I get the feeling that I'm constantly being watched. It's an unpleasant feeling like someone's groping me all over. And yet, there's no enemy nearby.”
”Maybe it's the enemy Demon Lord taking a look at us through his crystal.”
”Uuugh. I don't like the sound of that.”
Perhaps that unpleasant feeling of being watched was the cause for her getting tired.
From that information and the information gathered beforehand about [Evil], we had formulated a plan. If it went well, we would be able to conquer the dungeon in one fell swoop but the chances of it actually being put into motion was slim so we focused on normally going through the dungeon conquest.
Regardless, I wanted to make her more at ease even if only for a little so…
”Ancient Elf, let's talk for a bit”
I decided to give her some kind of motivation.
”I have no doubt in my mind that Rorono had contributed the most when we founded Avalon,”
She oversaw the construction of the infrastructures like the waterways, the houses, and the walls surrounding the city. She had also manufactured the weapons that could not be found in any other city. All these brought many humans into the city. If we didn't have her, it probably would have been impossible to have such a well-formed city.
”Yes, I think so too. But not only that, she's also contributing to enhance our fighting force by developing our weapons. Rorono-chan's amazing.” she said with a somehow envying face.
”Even I'm aware that I'm a jack of all trades. In terms of fighting ability, I can't win against Kuina-chan; that girl's on a level all on her own. Also, in terms of production, there's Rorono-chan. My abilities are convenient but they can't hope to compete against Rorono-chan's. In terms of tactics and popularity, Wight-san's the clear winner. No matter what field of expertise, I couldn't become the best.”
In a way, her self-analysis was right but frankly…
”You are stronger than Rorono and Wight; better at producing things than Kuina and Wight; more popular than Kuina and Rorono, and more suited to be a commander too. In terms of an overall score, no one is better than you.”
She wasn't the best but she could do anything and for that, she was helpful for me.
”I am able to invade this dungeon despite the absence of Kuina and Rorono because I'm relying on you. Also, despite your humility, the apples you've made have become materials that invited a lot of humans into our city. The farmlands that promised an abundant harvest have also attracted farmers that eventually became settlers. So be proud for you are amazing.”
Despite being slightly embarrassed upon hearing me, Ancient Elf smiled.
I then took out a ring from my pocket.
”My original plan was to give this to you after you've become my Monster of the Covenant. I have decided that Kuina, Rorono, and you, Ancient Elf, would be my [Monsters of the Covenant] and thus give you these matching accessories.”
It was a platinum ring engraved with the image of an apple—the symbol of our city of Avalon—and was decorated by a jade green gemstone. The warm and gentle light it reflected suited her perfectly.
Going along with her gemstone were the fire-red ruby for Kuina and the cold and sharp purple of the sapphire for Rorono.
Each of their rings suited the wearer's personality.
”This makes me so happy, master, but I can't possibly accept this; I'm still not one of your [Monsters of the Covenant], after all.”
After crying tears of joy, Ancient Elf said an apologetic but clear refusal.
”This is just an advance gift. For all your achievements thus far and for when you manage to break the enemy's crystal this war, I intend to make you a [Monster of the Covenant]. To be able to lead the conquest of a dungeon by yourself is more than enough to be regarded in the same way as Kuina and Rorono—my trump cards—right? I'm giving this to you now rather than later to ensure that you'll bring me victory.”
She was wide-eyed at first but then smiled. That smile wasn't the same lonely smile she held earlier either but one of true happiness.
”Yes! I will do my best to live up to your expectations, master. I'll definitely conquer this dungeon especially now that I'm reenergized.”
Looking at her smiling face, I was convinced I made the right call.
”Ancient Elf, give me your left hand.”
”Yes.”
Despite her shyness, she extended her left hand over. I then reached for her hand and tried to put on the emerald ring. But then…
”Kya!”