(Zhenya Pov)

“Onward!” The way is clear, oxygen flush, and we have a case of well-intentioned terrorism to stop! Five squads, six people strong, armed with what excavated supplies we could carry, pierced the narrow veil of ember-eaten shadows.

Reaching an open cavern, a portion of us remained behind as the rest continued. Assigned the equal parts, onerous and relaxing job of rearguard. If everything goes accordingly, they won’t have to lift a figure. Otherwise, enduring Ellie’s lecture on proper medical care will be the least of their worries.

Their other duty was tending to those too injured to move. Usually, we’d leave the wounded alone to not aggravate any existing injuries. But with whispering tremors accompanying our every step, a cave-in was all but promised.

Then again, after what the Imprisoned pulled, I’m surprised this whole place isn’t crumbling at the slightest shake... Is it getting more frequent? My question bore no answers, but something tells me it was Antonia related.

And soon after that, another contingent of our group peeled away. Headed topside, their primary goal was to secure a route topside and evacuate the wounded. Emphasis was put on avoiding conflict at any cost.

The last part was more for the rebels than anything since the way so far has been strangely devoid of dungeon activity.

Finally breaching the mine’s deepest reaches, we all simultaneously felt a sudden spike in temperature. True to its moniker, the Kiln, as it has been so affectionately dubbed, was a hotbed, period. Well, a hot plate... of pain and misery!

Before long, neck deep into the floor, we started heaving as heat fatigue began settting in. And by the time we crested the final arch, everyone was wrapped up in as many layers of cloth or insulative material their mitts could get ahold of. It had gotten so bad that exposed skin would blister in mere minutes.

Despite all that, here we were, the core room. Covered head to toe in rags, looking more like bloated scarecrows. Staring gobsmacked at the wild reddened winds that engulfed the room. A phenomenon reserved solely for the incongruous depths of a core dungeon, present on the fourth floor of a wild one.

Diving head first into the reddened haze, sturdy uneven gleaming crystal-encrusted floors flushed underfoot like silken flames. Venturing into the storm’s embrace, blind from the near palpable heat that drafted skywards, eclipsing all as it escaped from a hole in the ceiling.

Shielded behind layers of damp clothes, gritted teeth carried us along each step. The heat was palpable before, but now it was tangible. Each breeze, thick as flowing mud, threatened to whisk away those whose strength was sapped.

More beast than nature, it waited silent, hidden. Just beyond our pitiful sight, a cruel, callous predator.

“Ergh.” Legs wobble slightly as my vision blurs. Feels like I’m stuck in that damn blizzard again. Never was good with extreme heat. Hell, even some fall nights were too torrid for my taste.

But soldiering on, I felt a hand, no three, at my back. Fredrica was bundled to high heaven. It was as if she never took off her armor. At least, I believe she shed that heat sink and didn’t resort to some manner of Freddie-ism.

On the complete opposite paradigm was Su, who wore her usual parent-disproved attire with a few extra bits added for water retention. Supposedly her resilience to extreme temperatures worked both ways. Then there was Junia, who would have blended in with the crowd if it wasn’t for the purple stalks poking out from her head wrap.

Together with Ellie and the rest, we surfaced. Breaking the wall of lashing winds. Discovering Antonia and her group surrounded by a junkyard’s worth of dungeon monster corpses, beaten but unbroken.

“Halt!” The blond, in all her swathed glory, called out before identifying the honking ball of cloth as Freddie. “Flank commander Fredrica report.” Doesn’t miss a beat, does she? That’s the iron maiden for you, a cool head no matter what absurdity abounds!

“At-” While Freddie brings Antonia up to speed, the rest of us prepped for the upcoming battle. Scouring the storm for miscellaneous debris to set the stage.

Despite irregular conditions, we were looking at a flat circular room.

Eventually reaching the limits of what could be done in a storm, we took cover in an alcove to discuss our next course of action. Talking in a heat-induced tempest is already aggravating as is, let alone trying to scream behind a thick mask.

“Listen up.” Antonia began as we happily removed our face coverings. “Our opponent is a criminal whose abhorrent crimes warranted him sealed within one of the Ainsley family’s specially-made prison armors.” As information circulated, a wave of quiet worry took the crowd.

“Yes. I understand. We are, at best, fighting a foe adept at utilizing goddess-bartered ‘skills’. And, at worst, a person single-handedly capable of decimating battalions at minimum. Unfortunately, due to the prison break, the list of potential suspects is far too long to even guess.”

Much to the sinking dismay of the researchers, this was Antonia’s way of leading. Blunt and to the point, she laid out facts without sugarcoating them. Fortunately, she knew to follow it up with a carrot.

“What we are aware of, however, is that they are encased in prison armor. Restricting their combat abilities to a rudimentary blunt.

I would still advise caution, do not get overzealous. The Imprisoned will not be alone. According to Fredrica, he is accompanied by several prisoners of simlar caliber.”

It wasn’t much, but it did bring little comfort. We went into this aware of the danger, and Antonia raised no cowards.

The poor dragged along researchers, on the other hand, not so much.

"Peace, scholars. Rest easy your part in this is done. The detonation spell is primed, and the enemy should have been alerted of its existence.” She gestures to one researcher but it was Junia who spoke. Seeing as the herd of them looked about ready to shanghai the good general.

Anywho, as Junia was running on about. The spell was amplified so that anyone with a hint of magical training could sense and pinpoint what type of spell it was.

Tsukiko only has me on the practical side of magic casting. But from what I understood it was similar to magical items possessing distinct signatures.

“Good. I will leave some of my own to guard you once the enemy arrives. Thank you for your service to the homeland.” This eased some of the egghead’s worry. Until they noticed only the most haggard knights being left behind. Honestly, no word can explain how Antonia made it this far other than a miracle. Between civilian drama and the dungeon’s ire, I don’t know how they managed this far.

Adding in that this dungeon possesses an ego and what Antonia intends to do... We’ll chalk one up to her leadership, I guess.

“Silence!” Toni’s voice cut through the heat, sending a chill down everyone’s spine as belligerent and innocent alike fell into line. “As I was saying. The injured will stay here with the civilians. Also, you and you.” She pointed at the largest two of our combined entourage, likely shield bearers. Whatever they were, the civilians’ silent grumbling faded after that proclamation.

“The rest of you, listen up! Fredrica has offered an alternative plan of action with enough merit for me to consider halting my own.” Oh, thank fuck for Freddie. I was brainstorming how to talk the iron-headed blonde out of blowing us all up.

“Expect confrontation and make no mistake, we will be holding our ground here. Before your group arrived, I scouted the other mine shafts and discovered they all lead to dead ends. There’s only one way in and out.

Now. As for these merits Fredrica has brought forth, there are two driving factors. The first is, as I confirmed earlier, the existence of the bomb itself. As long as the enemy knows of its existence, they know we hold both thier’s and the dungeon’s life hostage.

Which will be a boon come our stand. The rebels will think twice about using their superior numbers, knowing if they press us too hard, we will detonate the core taking them with us.” Still hopeful that it doesn’t come to that, but please, Toni, don’t declare it with that much resolve... Actually, the knights and Freddie are swooning over it. A moral boost, I guess.

But also never thought I’d be taking a dungeon hostage. So who’s to say what’s odd anymore?

“Our second advantage comes in the form of this floor’s unique meteorology.” Okay, good. Even Antonia has zero clue about the mess outside. “It will be the equalizing factor. Large area of coverage, low visibility, and inhospitable climate that favors smaller armies. With these in mind, let it be known here and now. We have a chance!”

Don’t know how loyal these knights were to Antonia. But all of them, including Freddie, took her declaration as though it was divine foretelling. They would win. If Antonia said so, then there was nothing to fear.

One brainstorming and squad organizing later, we built simple barricades and traps set up within the dry heave. Not pretty, but the vicious winds would violate any that were.

As for teams, there were three, technically four.

The first was headed by Antonia, comprising her knights, Ellie, Junia, and Rudi. The latter three formed the technical fourth group. They were guarding the core, comprised of the majority of our forces.

The alchemist trio, while subject to her commands, had full autonomy. They were situated within the defensive perimeter Toni had drawn out.

Su was heading up the second group. Group meant in the loosest sense since it was just her. Undertaking the arduous task of eliminating high-priority targets such as commanders. While a literal fish out of water, the pale ghost assured that she would fulfill her duty regardless.

Lastly was the general ambush task force, consisting of about a fifth of our overall numbers. Surprisingly led by yours truly. With Freddie as my second in command, our job was simple, stalk through the blinding fever and strike the when least suspect. Something I’m intimately knowledgeable of, hunting.

Hunting in the north is nothing like it is here. Bows were an absurdity. If you used one, it either meant you were an idiot or a god of archery. Usually, the former. As the ever-present northern winds, rebuked all attempts.

No. With plains of white, hunting was done under limited visibility as winds raced, kicking up snow. Killing was done up close and personal with steel.

Dirtying our clothes in one of the mine shaft’s red-tinted dirt, we lay waiting. A couple unmoving mounds on the floor, content with it being slightly breezier than standing.

Perhaps the dungeon sensed blood in the water, but everything went disconcertingly quiet. Leaving only the crisp, rapid march of footsteps. Growing closer until the first enemy set foot through the forceful heat.

There was no banter nor grand declaration. They charged, we sprung, simple as that. Like with any dungeon’s core room, there was only one way in. Two, if you counted the hole above.

Though, only a madman would consider that. Not accounting for the ninety-foot drop, they’d be steamed alive before hitting the ground.

The first batch crossed by us without notice, blissfully unaware of the entrance being barred behind them by an ethereal white wall. Little to say, the group was efficiently dispatched before their fellows managed to bring down Junia’s wall.

War is upon us. Yet instead of a soldier, I remain a hunter. “No, not now.” I quietly motion for the knights to hold. We needed to be focused and assured in combat. Once the enemy engages Toni’s group in earnest, only then do we strike for maximum damage. While not entirely content, the knights trusted Antonia’s decision to let me lead, especially with Freddie’s backing.

Still funneling in, no sign of the Imprisoned. The initial wave of rebels officially started their assault on Antonia’s defenses.

Crashing against an unrelenting tide of magic and steel. Our unprepared foes swiftly grew tired as the heat sapped their strength. While others sported claw wounds and burns courtesy of the dungeon creatures that had spawned.

They’re rushing? Perhaps testing the waters? Well, it works in our favor let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth.

As the last rebels fell into the fight, I noted the lack of powerful presences.

No plan survives contact with the enemy. Their leaders were playing coy. “Now.” Under hushed whispers, fast as dire wolves, we flanked the enemy forces from behind. Taking advantage of the momentum and confusion we accrued, we effortlessly laid waste to their numbers.

But just as we gained the upper hand, I felt a wave of magic akin to falling into a pool of ice.

In a single breath, the fever-pitched heat dissipated, leaving all bare. Occupying the entrance were three colorful oddballs.

Dangerous! Was my immediate impression. Seeing as the other two stood shoulder to shoulder with the Imprisoned, it stood to reason they were also inmates of comparable notoriety. If Antonia’s intel is anything to go by, these people are some of the worst criminals the Dutchy has caught.

Fewer than I imagined but just as outlandish... Character and dress-wise.

Alongside the Imprisoned stood a cold-blooded snake of a woman dressed more in curtains than actual clothes. An inscrutable closed smile as she leaned forward on her oversized weapons.

The other was a man who hailed from the east, judging how his features and clothing aesthetic matched Tsukiko’s though worn rugged and loosely like a vagabond.

Wielding two circular ringed blades with handles and a longbow and spear combo, respectively.

Whatever grand villainous statement was about to be made was interrupted before it began.

Almost as if time froze, this white blur of a woman dove at the eastern man with cold eyes I haven’t seen since Felschonheit. Mesmerizing ally and foe alike with her grace and ferocity... akin to a rodo on drugs.

Meanwhile, the woman. A twinkle in her eye took this as a sign of formal introduction and returned the gesture. Lunging forward in the blink of an eye, covering the distance between herself and Antonia in a single breath.

Leaving Freddie and me with the head honcho himself.

“I. see.” His voice rasped from the infinite void of his helm. No doubt restrained by the narrow neckpiece connecting the helmet and breastplate. “North. Child. And. Tyrant.”

Before more could be said, the dungeon, also taking a cue from the previous two, quaked in anger. Its core exposed in the presence of some many of us. Unleashed a whole host of creatures to indiscriminately assault anyone in sight. Great, just what this party needed, a potential dungeon outbreak.

Dropping bodies announced the beginning of our duel. With the Imprisoned lashing out chains faster than I imagined a man bound in clunky armor could. And this was him weakened?

Freddie took the blow head-on with her shield and charged forwards while I shadowed behind. Happy that after all this time, we could still coordinate in battle.

As Fredrica bashed away his chains, the man could barely move before I slashed him across the chest. Leaving nary a scratch. “Right, Ainsley armor... Prison or not, in the end, it’s still Ainsely made.” Freddie, don’t give me that look! I-I’m just testing.

Not missing a beat, our incarcerated foe took his turn. Flinging his linked iron forward at a snail's pace, almost swimming through the air.

Freddie took this event with a grain of salt, keeping her shield ready. The offending object abruptly flickered faster than she could react. Smashing into her shield with far more intensity than the pig-tailed knight expected.

Then without mercy or pause, the man flicked his wrist and redirected the air-born links back towards Freddie. Tearing into her while she recoiled from the initial blow.