_________________________________________________

[Open field dungeon, Estel's side]

[Seo Ah point of view]

"The communication stones that Ash set up along the main road, across all the dungeon floors, just how much does it cost?" [Aries]

"Well, he does use an A rank magic core, so let just said, A LOT. Though even Princess Diana and The Merchant Guild Master, Gizzere themselves didn't know the exact cost, as Ash uses his own pocket money for it" [Princess Nurhaliza]

"Just how rich is he..." [Motra]

"And how does he procure all the magic core? I did know he have the spawning blocks at his disposal but surely even that had it limitation" [Aries]

"Such a mysterious man..." [Beast King, Leogris]

"Agree. Make me wanted to meet him more" [Demon king, Druser]

It really is a mystery. An A rank magic core is expensive, with the highest quality having the same price like that of a house, and yet Brother Ash uses it without a care in the world. If course, he put up a very powerful sealing magic to disguise it as well as to prevent anyone stealing it, but it just doesn't make any sense. All of it is in top notch in quality, like they're being replicated from a single magic core... How? I just can't understand him. The only possible explanation is if he got the legendary and mythical treasure chest that can replicate anything that is put inside of it, but there's no way that thing exist... right?

(No, more importantly!) [Seo Ah]

Right now, we are all forming a small circle among ourselves, taking a small break inside a canopy that was provided by Princess Nurhaliza. The kids and Kanji's friends are inside the camper van golem, and as for Sis Mira, Kana, Kanji and I... just why are we here, together with all the big shot... Kanji there basically has passed out, after repeatedly mumbling to himself "don't do anything stupid" "don't do anything stupid" hundreds of time. Kana, well, he rather adopted to this situation, maybe because of how much he had to meet all the important people while helping out Sis Mira. Still, the pressure, I just can't... there are literally few royalties, an S rank adventure who is also a noble, paladin that are credited to stop the succession war of the demon kingdom, and then there's me. I shouldn't even be here in the first place!

"Calm down a bit black hair girl, none of us here will "devour" you. You should use this opportunity to form a connection, and if possible, learn something" [Motra]

"Ri.. ri... ri..." [Seo Ah]

"Now now, it's understandable" [Mira]

I can't. The S rank adventure, he/she is nice, initiating the conversation with me, and he/she's a noble from to top it all, and yet here I am

"Well, for starter, how about you tells us how the behemoth slayer saves you?" [Motra]

"Well..." [Seo Ah]

That's an easy topic. I just talk about it, and all of them have this look, impressed with Brother Ash action. The butterfly beastman, Motra keep on saying "wonderful" multiple times. He/she really enjoys hearing about it

"Well, let us depart" [Naoto]

"Agree. Plus, if I'm not mistaken, they're having the tournament on the first floor. Who knows, we might be seeing Naoto fighting if we depart now" [Mira]

"Now that something I wanted to see" [Motra]

_________________________________________________

[Rean point of view]

A battle royale, that's the battle format that is suggested by Brother Ash, and basically, almost anything goes. You can team up or go solo, you can prepare any health or mana potion beforehand, or you can steal it from your opponent. You can create a magic circle beforehand and fire it off anytime during the battle. You can even set a trap beforehand (supposedly, but Guild Master Ram prohibited it, in fear of unsuspecting civilians wander around too much and ended up hit it) Truly, a weird format but nonetheless, all participants are psyched up for it. I thing other prohibited thing include a fatal strike

The tournament will be held far away from the main road, on the first floor. Initially, we thought of using the training hall, but obviously with so much participant, the venue will be changed. Plus, doing it inside the dungeon is a great idea from Muse (who sadly can't join us) as the spectators can watch our battle from the watcher. The judge will be Guild Master Ram and surprise surprise, the rude captain... Yeah, that surprises us all... As for those who can participate, it's open for all except those S & SS rank adventure or deem equal to them. So Brother Ash isn't allowed to participate. Well, he will easily become the last man standing, so it's unfair for us should he join

"Alright, attention everyone! I'll explain the rules once more..." [Ram]

As we gather around, I scan those participating. There are various knight, soldier, adventures and mercenaries around. There are Master Jacks, Elemental archer, Sis Naoto and some other potential winner.

(Rean, are you comfortable? How about your mana?) [Ray]

(It's fine. How about you, Elise?) [Rean]

(Same here. Don't worry about me) [Elise]

(Remember our plan, Kadeus?) [Lily]

(Of course! I'm not that stupid!) [Kadeus]

(Yeah...) [Mile]

Right now, Lily is making an illusion of Elise and I, like we are there with them, when the truth is, the two of us are hiding inside their shadow. It's the shadow dive technique, something the vampire race proficient with, and can be accessed via either Dark magic or Mirage magic. Brother Ash thought us how to use it, he says a certain male vampire taught him. Still, the mana consumption is no joke... I'm glad the blessings of the ten heroes as well as the one from Holy Beast, Az come in handy. Plus, we can just chug down a mana potion or two whenever needed

"Alright, all of you, take your position!" [Rude captain]

"Yes!" [All]

And we take a corner, while both the guild master and the rude captain uses pegasus from the Valkyrie to scout us all from the sky, before

""Begin!!"" [Ram, Rude captain]

And with that signal, all of us take a defensive position, with our two illusion right in the center. Well, we aren't that useless just because we stay inside the shadow. We will occasionally resurface and fire our magic from a far, whittling down the number of opponents, but

"Looks like they're taking precautions!" [Kadeus]

"Good! That way we can conserve our energy" [Ray]

"Ray's right! Act only when needed!" [Rean]

Scouting the area a bit, I can see multiple clashes going on, of it, Master Jacks and Elemental archer, Sis Naoto stand out the most

"You there! Out!" [Rude captain]

"Damn you Jacks!" [Swordman adventure]

"Haha, all if fair in love and war" [Jacks]

"You too!" [Ram]

"Your archery skill is good. I don't feel bad, getting outdone by you" [Female elf adventure]

"That's a high praise, coming from an elf" [Naoto]

Those two really are great! We might be opponent right now but their skill is a sight to behold. Master Jacks graceful wind slash from his katana, and Sis Naoto precise control over her bow and arrows. Truly, they're worthy of their A rank title

"Incoming!" [Elise]

Elise shout. There's an axeman adventure trying to defeat us, but

((Dark hand!!)) [Rean, Elise]

From inside his shadow, a hand made out of dark mana protruding out, firmly grasping his lower limb,

"What!" [Axeman adventure]

"Kadeus!" [Lily]

"On it!" [Kadeus]

Having lost his balance, Kadeus quickly grab the axeman left hand and throw him away, and

"Axeman! You're out!" [Rude captain]

"Damn it! But, you guys are good! Keep it up. I'll be cheering while watching the watcher" [Axeman adventure]

"Thanks" [Ray]

And he quickly left

"Let us keep it up! Once the participants number become 1/4, Rean and Elise will keep on using shadow dive!" [Ray]

""Understood!!"" [Rean, Elise]

And thus, our strategy to become the last man (or group) standing keep on going before

"This is bad..." [Lily]

(Rean, Elise... get ready...) [Ray]

((Right...)) [Rean, Elise]

A powerful opponent. With a single swing from her lance, she quickly torn our formation apart. Using shadow dive, I quickly jump inside of her shadow before firing off dark and fire arrows but

"Too naive!" [Ex female paladin adventure]

She uses her strong light mana to drove me out. Well, the light mana illuminates her, and there's no shadow left for us to hide, so I instantly jump out, and cover for Elise. The ex paladin new weapon, inspired by Mrs Aries, she still hasn't master it, but

(So much force) [Rean]

"Rean, dodge now!" [Elise]

Using the pistol, Elise fire off three round of high velocity fire ball, dark arrow and light spear from it but alas

"Like I said, NAIVE! You think I don't know about the new weapon!" [Ex female paladin adventure]

"!" [All]

She blocks it with her paladin skill, before quickly hitting us all with the blunt side of the lance

"Rean and co, you're all out!" [Ram]

"What a shame..." [Ray]

"Still, you guys did well" [Ex female paladin adventure]

"Good luck!" [Mile]

"Thank you" [Ex female paladin adventure]

It's a shame, but I don't have any complaints. The ex female paladin, she's strong. Worthy of her title. I hope her ceremony to become a paladin for Princess Diana and Saintess Rumia will goes well during the debutante party

As we go back into the main road, few carriages from a far catches our attention, and of course, among them, is a camper van golem with the orphanage symbol in it.

"Long time no see, Kanji" [Rean]

"Well, it was only few weeks ago we met, but yeah long time no see" [Kanji]

There sure are many carriages, but

"Oh my, so he is one of the orphans?" [Motra]

A butterfly beastman come to greet us all. He/she... it's only for an instant, and it disappear soon afterwards but

((What... is that feeling...)) [Rean, Elise]

Could it be, just my imagination?