Bloodied huge figure of a horned man with deep black skin and long scaly tail fell to his knee as if prostrating in front of a power far beyond his own. His forced heavy but quick breathing and rugged body, then the ruined surrounding indicated the occurrence of something violent before the current situation. In fact it was a devastating battle between the kneeling figure and the other man standing in front of him.

Under the strangely darkened sky with sounds of flapping wings and witnessed by many in disbelief, that day… taking it by force, an unknown silver haired demon lord has been crowned.

***

Here I am, the 25th floor. The diameter of the floors started to get smaller since the 20th floor and this time I can see the other end clearly as well as the two huge figures waiting imposingly.

Albert and his friends are surprisingly still alive and well. They have gotten significantly stronger than when I first met them. Their desperate and pitiful look can be seen no longer. They got especially motivated since we finished the 17th floor after all. Individually they’re still no match for the emotionless demon race here but they can easily take down one or two as a team now.

They did cause some delay since at first they got devastated and needed to rest each time we conquered a floor.

By the way, I feel that I am also stronger, a bit.

“Hahaha, look… Azanthys and the human really reached here. They also brought some trash along.”

“You can laugh but it is me who win the bet.”

“Oh shit, I forgot about that.”

It’s the two dragons… artificial Ar draughum… and they said they are currently Ar daenocens… whatever, I’ll just call them dragons.

“Th, they are…”

Albert and friends trembled with surprise plastered on their face.

“You guys know those dragons?”

“Yes, they occasionally attack our village. They would always left after killing some but never to the point that we would be annihilated. We suspected that they might be intelligent but never thought that they could speak.”

The surprised look changed into that of hatred as Albert said that.

“Who allowed second generation trash to look at us with those kind of eyes huh?”

The dragon who mocked Azanthys before opened its jaws wide and raised the tone of its voice to which Albert and friends shuddered.

“Yeah… fear is better suited for you trash. It is just our job to control your population okay. Ah and maybe I should also mention that it counts as entertainment. There is not much to do here and I’m sure you know that too. Khekhekhe.”

“Damn it!”

Albert cursed while he is still trembling in both fear and frustration. He might have realized that they are no match for those dragons.

“Azanthys, you’re good to go?”

“Yes… master…”

“Let’s show those dragon thingies our real strength this time. Albert, you guys stay here. I have to return a greeting I couldn’t answer properly before.”

Stepping forward with Azanthys who just materialized a great sword I also prepared my weapons.

The serrated sword and wyvern fang daggers are still sheathed on my waist. In my hand is a pair of short swords of the dead weaponized enemies. A shield from the centipede carapace is also on my back. Now dead they are just normal weapon without any special abilities or magic and is not as strong as they originally were but I can still use them as expendables.

The long tailed dragon snorted at me before it walked forward.

“I thought you would use the trash as shield or something here but it seems I have overestimated your character, human.”

“Hey, it’s your own fault for making assumption. And, shouldn’t you say you’ve been underestimating me instead?”

“Hahaha! You returned that well, but make sure to live up to your own words, human.”

“Oh, I will.”

“What?”

I was already next to the long tailed dragon’s foreleg when I said that and made a slash.

The dragon immediately moved away but my attack was faster. Blood sprayed into the air as a gashing wound opened on the dragon’s leg. As I thought, without changing into its metallic form this dragon’s scales aren’t that special.

“Buhahaha! What was that? That human took you off guard too easily!”

The other dragon laughed at the long tailed dragon instead of being worried or surprised. So they still think they have the leisure eh.

“You… too…”

Azanthys lunged and stabbed at the dragon’s chest but her sword stopped in its track before it reached the dragon’s body which now is covered in blood colored flame.

“Really now? I kinda expected that you know…”

The tip of Azanthys’ ice sword touching the blood red flame that acts like a barrier started evaporating and thus she pulled back.

“Without mother, even the first prototype is nothing in front of us first generations who have made contract with Lord Slibinas.”

“...”

Azanthys just stared at the dragon while she produced three floating ice great swords and repaired the one she is wielding.

I have refilled her mana for two days by sending most of my own and took one more day to recover myself before coming here so I don’t think there is a need to worry about her for now.

I immediately returned my focus to the long tailed dragon who snorted loudly.

“Damn thanks for waiting again… I’ll be sure to return it with a serious fight this time.”

“Don’t mention it. My pride will not allow me to win too easily against mere human. But to say you were not serious before… I fail to understand your joke human.”

“Well, don’t worry because it was not a joke.”

I once again attacked the dragon whose body started turning metallic.

***

Almost three weeks have passed since the event that devastated a part of Arx Norr. Signs of daily life returning to its previous state can be seen with the hustle bustle of people involved in the busy renovation of ruined buildings and Arx Norr market road being active once again albeit not to how it was at its former glory.

Not many adventurers are in the tower right now, except for the heroes groups and few other.

Decline in adventurer activity also meant decline in magic stone supply which is needed to power most magic tools from the mundane to the most complex of one. The lack of supply then led to rise in price. Some shrewd merchants began to take measures that will surely be of benefit no matter how things will play out.

Unaware of all the things that was happening in the background, a young girl was relieved of her volunteering work since all that was left is renovation and she has no ability nor knowledge related to it. Help from the capital and surrounding villages has also arrived in form of manpower, consumables, and building materials. Not having any more work while her acquaintances are all busy left her alone in an empty office room of the adventurer guild. She is free to loiter around anywhere she wants but the problem is that she doesn’t really want to do anything. Without any distraction such as volunteer work all she could think of was a young man called Erik and the fact that he is away.

Sighing while slumping on the desk for who knows how many times, she raised her head when she heard a commotion.

Deciding to find out what the commotion was about, she opened the door and came out behind the guild receptionist counter. Many guild staff walking in a hurry can be seen here and there accompanied by curious gazes from adventurers that were hanging out in the guild.

“Did something happen?”

“Ah, Liz. Actually it seems the party led by the guild master is returning today. A messenger arrived in advance but it seems they don’t have any good news.”

“Hey, shush! This is still a classified information!”

The one who answered to the little girl, Liz, was a receptionist named Tyrina who put a hand to her mouth after she was reprimanded by the other receptionist.

“Ah, but Liz is okay right? I mean she’s already like one of the guild employee anyway. It’s just a matter of time before she heard it from someone else.”

Due to the fact that she is currently staying with Martlea who spends most of her time at the guild Liz often chose to stay at the guild as well. Liz only made a wry smile when Tyrina mentioned about her being already like a guild employee.

Her tower exploit and volunteering work has made her somewhat famous. Staying in the guild also let her be acquainted with many guild staff. She remembered Yusa saying that many people actually wanted to talk with her but too scared of Erik so they refrained. Now that Erik is not here many people started approaching her due to both curiosity and admiration.

“No good news means… something bad is going to happen?”

“A, ah… we don’t know yet what the content of the news but maybe you’re right. I just hope it actually meant nothing special was going to happen instead… This town had just gone through a terrible thing after all.”

Tyrina scratched her cheek with her face hinting that she herself doubted it.

“Where did the guild master go to anyway?”

“To the de…”

“Tyrina, lower your voice!”

Tyrina paused after the other receptionist said that and then crouched to whisper directly to Liz’s ear.

“...demon race territory. There is also an adventurer guild branch over there and he went to meet the guild master over there. Secretly of course since there’s a war and all. I think it was exchange of information and some secret stuff.”

Right at that time the commotion outside the guild became more intense. Following it soon was the battered figure of adventurers and the guild master.

The adventurers are wounded severely with their armor barely retaining its original form. They are of the well-known S rank party, Gale Hawk, so the sight made most of everyone in there gasp in shock.

“Call Martlea and every high ranking guild officials. B rank adventurer parties and above must also send their representative and come to the guild assembly hall. Those of C rank and below will be briefed separately later.”

Despite his battered appearance the guild master shouted with firm voice which startled everyone present but then they immediately sprang into action.

As like the other receptionist who ran to call the high ranking officials Tyrina was also going to do that but stopped to look at Liz.

“Liz, maybe you should return to that room and wait for now.”

“U, un…”

“Wait, is Erik around?”

The guild master stopped Liz who was going to return to the room.

“E… Erik is not here. Erik will not be back for some time…”

The guild master hit the receptionist table with his already bloody fist.

“Damn it! Why is our strongest fighting force not here when it counts?”

The startled Liz took a few steps back and upon seeing that the guild master seemingly regained his calm.

“Sorry. Young lady, I have a request which is kind of difficult to tell you…”

“U, un it’s okay… What is it?”

“I don’t have time… take part in the assembly later and you’ll understand.”

Saying that the guild master headed first to the guild assembly hall. After pondering for a bit Liz followed suit.

Mostly due to the decline in number of active adventurers and some still in the tower, the assembly hall is only half full. The guild master is clearly disappointed with a hand on his forehead. He just heard about the disaster that befell Arx Norr from Martlea before everyone else gathered and that news just aggravated his already chaotic psyche.

“What a timing. If I had known about this then I would have included C rank adventurers…”

Next to him is Martlea who wanted to say “Blame Erik for that” but refrained because it is not the time and that Liz is next to her.

“We are currently sending a team to call the ones still in the tower including the heroes.”

“Heroes? The ones just summoned by Zagrant empire?”

The guild master reacted to Martlea’s words.

“Yes, one of them reached 10th floor in the first try so performance wise they might be able to reach B rank by now.”

“Hmm, their affiliation to Zagrant is not a favorable one but right now I’ll even ask for help from a demon beast if I could.”

“Exactly what is going to happen?”

To Martlea’s question the guild master just sighed and proceeded to start the assembly.

“I trust everyone gathered here is aware of our guild neutral policy so I will get straight to the point.”

The chatter in the room stopped when the guild master spoke with a loud voice.

“Right at this moment, that policy shall temporarily be abolished.”

Everyone in the room especially Martlea and Liz was surprised and the noisy chatter resumed. Some showed disbelief and worry, while some other nodded as if in understanding, perhaps they are in the group that never agreed with the neutral policy. However, even they were not expecting the reason why the guild master declared so.

“A legion of demon race army will be attacking Arx Norr ”

Silence reigned for several seconds exclamation of surprise and denial even louder than before erupted.

“How is that possible? Wasn’t it unanimous agreement to not involve the neutral guild in the war?”

“It should be difficult for an army to get through the dense Suvaard forest filled with demon beast!”

The representatives of S rank parties seated in front-most row immediately voiced their rebuttal but the guild master just assumed a grim look.

“A new demon lord has been crowned and he ordered the complete destruction of the guild over there. There is no longer an adventurer guild in the demon race territory.”

Liz reacted to the words ‘new demon lord’ but she shook her head and returned her focus.

“S, still… for an army to reach here through Suvaard forest will need a very long time. There is still time for us to run!”

“You! You seriously going to abandon Arx Norr? I brought my wife and children here, weren’t you also going to marry the tavern’s waitress?”

“No! I mean everyone in the town should flee! Just leave this town!”

“No! We should fight those demon back! I was born and raised here. There is no way I’m going to let them do as they please in my hometown!”

Some adventurers started to propose fleeing while some others wanted to fight and the guild master expected that. However fleeing isn’t an option, it never was.

“The demon army will reach this town in less than three days.”

Silence once again returned until one person objected.

“How is that even possible, you’re not going to say that they will fly here? I know there are demon race who have wings but their number is not that many.”

“What if… the new demon lord is capable to command creatures like wyverns and dragons? The new legion formed by this demon lord consists of wyvern and dragon riders.”

“T, that is impossible… there is no known technique or magic that allows one to tame and control wyvern and dragons… even for a demon lord it should be impossible. I can understand other type of demon beasts but…”

This time it was Martlea who voiced a rebuttal to the guild master. She once lived in the demon race territory and she never heard about any tribe or anyone who could control those of high tier even among the beasts such as wyvern and dragon.

“But the fact states otherwise. I don’t know the method but that was how the adventurer guild on that side was wiped out and how the S rank party Gale Hawk lost 3 of their members while we were on the run.”

Martlea could only grit her teeth to the guild master’s answer.

“Then our only choice is to flee! If what the guild master said is true then there is no chance for Arx Norr!”

“You’re still saying that? Have you no pride as an adventurer? We should fight back!”

The adventurers started bickering again and the guild master truly felt that it was a waste of time. He knew that they should use what little time and force they have to prepare for a battle, for the worst.

“Listen to me, adventurer of Arx Norr! I won’t object to anyone who wishes to flee. However I would like to remind you that Arx Norr is an important place to the whole kingdom of Rifst! The tower is the biggest source of magic stone. Without a steady supply of magic stone most people will have to face difficulty living their life, the kingdom’s army also utilizes many magic tools fueled by the magic stones!”

“But they are bringing wyverns and dragons here! Are you telling us to die? Do you think people have less value than magic stones?”

“And that is why I’m telling you all to fight! Have you forgotten that the area around Arx Norr has long been considered an overlooked border and has no considerably strong fortress? If Arx Norr were to fall to the enemy how do you suppose the villages located beyond Arx Norr will fare against the demon army? The fall of Arx Norr means disaster to the whole kingdom, different with the previous demon lord… the new one will not spare the civilians! He even killed some of demon race civilians that were trying to help the adventurer guild over that side!”

Liz who has been listening silently to the guild master clutched her chest. What she felt was sadness and anger, especially when she heard that civilians were killed. How could a demon lord kill his own citizens? There are many who didn’t follow it but her father even strictly forbid killing of non-combatants from the human side.

“I’ll say this again… I won’t object to anyone who wishes to flee. To those who have the will to protect Arx Norr and its people… including the ones living in the villages behind the wall that is Arx Norr, I can only offer you my gratitude and some amount of money that might be meaningless to some of you… I am not telling for us to go to war… we just need to defend Arx Norr and the lives of its inhabitant! I am also not telling you to die! I have sent a messenger to the royal capital to ask for help. We need only hold out until help comes! You who have the will to stay and protect Arx Norr, I beg your help me to prepare a plan, a path for survival.”

There are still some adventurers who are not convinced but most of them started raising their face to look at the guild master who is bowing at them desperately. With a seemingly timed nod the adventurers who have resolved to fight were about to express their will to fight when a loud youthful voice was heard from the door at the back.

“I’ve heard everything! Don’t worry everyone, we heroes are here as well! Our path of survival is guaranteed!”

Kazuya Arimura was standing while brandishing his sword, pointing it up.

Behind him is the big figure of Stanley Goldberg with both hands folded on his chest nodding to Kazuya’s words.

“A soldier’s purpose is to protect the civilians. And that is what I will do.”

Many ‘ooooh’ could be heard from the adventurers present.

“What about you, Katja?”

Kazuya turned his head to look at Katja who was standing with expression showing hesitation. In her mind was fear to the words ‘war’ and ‘killing’. How could these two nonchalantly said that they will participate in such a frightening event? Stanley might be understandable but how can a mere student like Kazuya said that easily?

“Hahaha! Don’t worry, we heroes are strong. I have reached the 13th floor already, Stanley also reached the 10th floor today. I don’t know how far Rafael went but I have to admit that he is even better than me at dungeon exploration. Heck, he hasn’t even returned by now. Even you have reached the 7th floor right? The knights in our team are also strong so there is nothing to worry about.”

Katja wanted to shout ‘That is not the problem!’ right to Kazuya’s face but she can read the mood in the room and she felt compelled to quickly give an answer, one that is not going to let those expecting adventurers down.

“Y, yes… I will fight too…”

But that was all she could force herself to say.

“Katja… that won’t do… be more confident!”

Katja who smiled wryly to Kazuya’s remark actually wanted to punch him in the face but she held it in.

Kazuya returned to look at the adventurers.

“I know we have just started our training in the tower and that some adventurers are actually still stronger than us but I promise that I will train even harder and return stronger in three days! I have to return to the tower so please excuse me for now. Stanley, are you going too?”

“Of course.”

Seeing the back of Kazuya and Stanley who walked out of the room to go to the tower, without noticing the reluctant face Katja was showing, almost all the adventurers in the room now have resolved to fight as can be seen in their expression. Then a spirited shout of determination filled the room.

“So those are the heroes? The boy is kind of too overconfident but I appreciate that he helped to incite the adventurers will to fight.”

“Yes. As for a reliable fighting force we still have guild master and me. Also…”

The guild master and Martlea conversed in low voice even though their voice would drown in the noise. The two then looked at Liz.

“Young lady… I know that the enemies are of the demon race that your father once ruled. However, will you lend us a hand?”

Liz immediately nodded without hesitation.

“Un. I won’t let them kill people indiscriminately. I want to protect Arx Norr.”

“Thank you. I, no the adventurer guild shall be in your debt.”

“I will also protect you Liz… That man better be back before the battle starts or I will take Liz from him.”

“A… ahaha…”

Liz wanted to say that she will still choose to be with Erik no matter what but she realized that Martlea was not serious… or at least was only half serious.

“That reminds me… where is Erik right now? If he was here then our odds to be successful in defending Arx Norr would definitely be exponentially higher.”

Martlea and Liz looked at each other before pointing upwards.

The answer they gave then made the guild master felt that even he might have underestimated this man called Erik. Now he truly felt that if Erik manages to do just that and returns in time then the survival of Arx Norr is guaranteed. To the guild master the question as to who or what exactly is this man called Erik is simply trivial at this point of time.