Volume 17 Chapter 14 The Road To The Final Winner
At that moment, my consciousness awakened.
It seems I was dreaming.
When I became aware, I was in a different place than before.
From the voice I heard just before, it seems I was probably moved somewhere.
"Cyril's [teleportation] is a similar power... no, this should be called the 'original' power of the stars."
Goldred muttered.
"Interesting... my thirst for knowledge is stirring, but well, I must hold back... hold back, Goldred Brath Rader... hold back, hold back."
It seems some kind of inner conflict was happening within him.
Then, Goldred suddenly became serious and said,
"It seems we have [teleported] to [The Heart of the Stars]."
"Eh?"
This is──!?
I was surprised and looked around.
It was a gigantic labyrinth.
The walls, ceiling, and floor were all a pale red color.
"I can't believe that the sacred place we searched for so desperately is welcoming us from the stars. Does that mean the crisis of the stars is imminent, or perhaps──."
Goldred mumbled.
"Well, I'll save the detailed speculation for later."
"You'll save it for later...?"
"This is probably the [First Layer]."
Said Goldred.
"According to the literature I researched, [The Heart of the Stars] has a multi-layered structure. We must pass through several layers to reach the central part, the [Final Layer]."
Goldred's face was oddly lively as he explained.
This guy really loves to teach...
"And here, we are presumed to be at the outermost [First Layer]. Any questions, Rain Garland?"
"No, not particularly..."
For now, I understood the situation.
"What's wrong? No questions? You know nothing about [The Heart of the Stars], do you? Don't you want to get information from me?"
"For now, I know our location."
"Really, no questions?"
He looked extremely disappointed.
"So, we just need to aim for that [Final Layer], right? We can only think about the rest as we move forward, can't we?"
"That's true, but..."
In reality, there's no point in staying here and thinking.
I originally came this far guided by the 'Voice of the Stars' calling for help.
If I can reach that [Final Layer], can I save the stars, or is there some other necessary action?
It's not something I can figure out just by thinking now.
I have to go, to the [Final Layer].
"Indeed, it seems there's no point in staying here. I don't know much about [The Heart of the Stars] either. Let's go with practical experience. I don't dislike fieldwork. Kukuku."
He doesn't just not dislike it; his eyes are sparkling.
* * *
We proceeded through the dungeon.
The pale red outer walls continued endlessly, and from around us came a sound reminiscent of a heartbeat, thumping... thump, thump...
It truly is a place aptly named 'The Heart of the Stars.'
"Perhaps, other holders are being called here as well."
Goldred suddenly said.
"I was supposed to be the first to escape and reach [The Heart of the Stars], but that plan has collapsed. So── I have a proposal, Rain."
"...What is it?"
Him proposing something gives me a bad feeling.
"How about we team up and aim for the [Final Layer]? If other holders stand in our way, we can cooperate and fight."
"...You want to team up with me?"
He just tried to attack me── to kill me, and now he suddenly wants to team up? I can't just nod in agreement.
Of course, it's probably a hundred percent calculated, but what does he intend?
Is he saying this because our interests align, or──.
Is he planning to betray me at some point and stab me in the back?
...Yeah, that seems possible.
"What's wrong? You don't trust me?"
"Not at all."
"That was a quick response."
Goldred smiled without being fazed by my glare.
"I gathered the holders to eventually reach [The Heart of the Stars]."
Goldred continued.
"Those who reach there will gain great power. A tremendous power granted by the stars that can fulfill any wish."
"You said you want to 'stand above everyone else,' right? Do you want to use that power to become the king of the world?"
"That's right."
Goldred answered immediately.
"To become a king──it's a mundane phrase, but if you dig deep enough, my desire will lead me there. Not as the ruler of a tiny country, but as the ultimate king who commands this entire world... I will reach the supreme place that no human has ever achieved."
Those words were filled with ambition that could make one choke just by listening.
"What do you desire, Rain?"
Goldred asked.
"What do you aim for by striving for the final level?"
"I──."
I stared at Goldred.
"I was called to help. So, I'm going."
"To save the stars, is it?"
"Maybe that's how it will turn out... I won't know until I try."
I answered Goldred's question.
Then,
"──Stop, my lord."
The black demon king Grandilis suddenly said as he moved forward.
By the way, this black demon king and the Phoenix Blaze King are ahead of us.
Since we don't know what dangers lie ahead, it seems Goldred want to use those 2 as shields.
"An enemy."
"What?"
Goldred frowned.
I also looked ahead.
I couldn't see anything beyond the darkness.
"Good grief. Is the perception ability of humans this low?"
Grandilis sighed.
"[Phalanx]."
From his outstretched right hand, hundreds of light projectiles flew out.
As expected of a demon king, he can unleash this many magic power projectiles even without chanting.
The flying projectiles hit the front and caused a chain reaction of explosions.
I wondered what would happen if the dungeon collapsed, but the surrounding walls, ceiling, and floor remained unscathed.
"Don't worry. 'The Heart of the Stars' won't break from something like this. As the name suggests, it's the Heart of the Stars."
Goldred said, as if sensing my concern.
"If this place were to collapse, it would be when the star itself collapses."
"The star itself...?"
──Crack.
But at that moment, I heard a small sound right next to me.
"Huh...?"
A crack ran through part of the wall.
It was very small, but──indeed, there was a fissure.
"It's breaking, isn't it?"
"...!? This is different from the information I obtained from the literature. No way, could this be──."
Goldred groaned.
"Is the collapse of the star about to begin...?"
"──A mere demon king's attack cannot slay us."
Swish, swish, swish...
Orderly footsteps echoed, and a group dressed in green appeared from the front.
"We are the [Arch Legion]──those who have not been given individual names, holding the titles of [Green] and [Cavalry]."
I guess they are soldiers.
If so, what they are wearing is probably military uniforms.
There are about 30 of them in total.
Still──what is the [Arch Legion]?
"They are the guards protecting [The Heart of the Stars]. Their existence has been confirmed in certain literature. Most likely... this is the manifestation of the star's will to 'protect itself'."
Goldred explained.
"However, they are ultimately not our enemies as holders. Go, Phoenix Blaze King (Bel Fa Zelil), Grandilis."
With the command, the giant magical bird and the demon king stepped forward in front of Goldred.
Whoosh!
The flames and lightning of the Phoenix Blaze King, along with the magic power waves of the demon king, swept away the front line of soldiers.
"Strong... they show no mercy."
I couldn't help but smile wryly.
Goldred suggested that I join forces with him, but isn't this enough with just him and his servants...?
"What's wrong? Can you really stop our entry to the final level with such a level of combat ability?"
Goldred smirked, the corners of his mouth lifting in a grin.
His intelligent and refined features suddenly took on an evil impression.
...This guy looks like a villain when he smiles.
I had an inappropriate thought.
"Don't underestimate us too much."
Then, soldiers emerged from beyond the flames.
It seems they weren't completely unscathed; their body is charred in various places, but they don't look weakened at all.
Even after taking those 2 attacks, they're still full of energy.
"Hoh? The [War Cavalry] was supposed to be the lowest rank among the 13 ranks of the [Arch Legion], yet... to be this strong."
Goldred mutters.
"I suppose I should revise my understanding. Indeed, field research is invaluable. Things that can't be understood from books are becoming clear one after another──."
"Goldred, shouldn't we fight too?"
I said to Goldred, who seemed to be in some sort of ecstasy, as I readied my Refaid Sword.
"I'm not a direct combat type. I'll leave the fighting to the Phoenix Blaze King and the Black Demon King. And you."
"Even if you can't attack directly, you can support us in various ways with your [Change]."
I shot a light glare at Goldred.
"Hmm... that's true. I don't want to take unnecessary risks, though."
"Is it fine to throw me into danger?"
"No, losing you before we reach the final level would be painful. That said, it would also mean fewer rivals, so it might not be entirely a negative."
"Seriously, you're calculating to the end, aren't you?"
"I'm planning to cooperate with you because our interests align, but that doesn't mean we've become friends or allies. You feel the same way, right?"
Goldred said with a serious face.
"I'll use you, and you'll use me──it's a relationship that's neither more nor less than that."
Well, at least it's straightforward.
"Alright, I'll attack, so if the aftermath causes damage around us or if it looks like things might collapse, support me, okay?"
"This is 'The Heart of the Stars.' It's not just any dungeon. It won't break."
Goldred said.
"If this place were to break, it would mean the collapse of the stars themselves."
"I see... then, when the aftermath of the attack or shockwaves come our way, can I count on you for defense?"
"Of course, I'll take that on. I also plan to protect myself when I feel like I might get caught up in the attack."
Good, then I can attack the enemy without hesitation.
"Alright, I'm off for a bit."
"Good luck."
Goldred said as if it were someone else's business.
No, he completely feels like it's someone else's business...
I smiled wryly and stepped forward.
"Then, let's cooperate together."
"Don't hold us back, human."
I was called by the Phoenix Blaze King and the Black Demon King.
These guys are more like copies than originals.
Still, it felt strange to be recognized as a 'comrade' by such supernatural beings.
"Well, if I say they're reliable, they are indeed reliable."
It's like having the Light Dragon King on my side again.
And there are two of them.
"Let's all scatter those guys."
I said to the two of them.
The opponent is an unknown enemy──the [Arch Legion].
To move forward, we have no choice but to defeat them.
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