Category: Hazure Skill “Alarm”, jitsuwa fūin kaijo no nōryoku deshita. Ochikobore no shōnen wa, nemuri kara sameta megami-tachi to yasashī saikyō o mezasu

Taking a break in the dungeon is not unusual. In any dungeon, monsters are less likely to appear near the stairs. Me and the Raven Warriors took a break in the staircase rest area that connects the 4th and 5th floor.

“A combination of skills huh…… That’s out of the norm again.”

Felix-san said this in amazement as he handed me some hot tea

With the entrance sealed off, the dungeon is quiet. The rest area also has chairs left by other adventurers, a simple toolbox and the remains of a bonfire.

“….I’m really amazed by you. Having more than two skills is already amazing, but the fact that they enhance each other’s effects is really incredible.”

The tea is said to restore magical power, but the warmth from it also calms the mind.

“It’s a given that it puts a strain on the body. Even with magic, it is difficult to use spells at the same time.”

“T-that’s right……”

“I’m sorry that I wasn’t much help. Actually, my head’s starting to hurt…..…”

“Ha, haha……”

It made me chuckle wryly, but it was something I really had to be careful of. After all, there was no point in collapsing upon using it.

Even while resting, the roars of the undead echo in the distance. Surrounded by the cold stone wall, the Southern Dungeon was terribly cold.

“…… Why are they all undead?”

Suddenly, such a question came to mind.

It seems that the design of dungeons varies depending on the god or believer that have taken refuge in it.

So what about monsters?

『…… Rion, can you hear me?』

It was Sigris’ voice.

『This dungeon is where I was sealed.』

I give a small nod.

『The reason why there are so many large rooms like in the cathedral is because there were so many warriors in the temple at the time, and Valkyria is responsible for healing human warriors. Therefore, there were many warriors who came here for treatment.』

Sigris continued.

『The reason there are so many undead here is because their weapons… or perhaps their bones have turned into monsters.』

“T-then, they’re people from a long time ago…?”

If that’s the case, the ones we’ve defeated up until now are…

『Rion, there’s nothing for you to worry about.』

Sigris spoke gently. But it feels like she’s forcing herself, and it makes my heart ache.

『They are, after all, undead made from bones and relics. They are different beings from the believers and warriors of that time.』

Then Sigris stopped talking after that.

I had another question in my mind, but I didn’t ask it out.

Monsters —they are something we fight all the time, but there are many different types, from creepy undead, dwarf-like goblins, and beast-like wargs.

If Skoll, who attacked the royal capital, was also a monster, then what were they really?

『I’ll explain it.』

The gold coin trembles, and Solana rushed out. She came out the size of a doll, and no one is paying attention to her, so I guess no one else can see her except for me.

I excused myself to Felix-san and then I left the Raven Warriors for a bit. If it’s an important story, I think it would be best to tell everyone, but the Gods might have their own ideas.

I’d like to think that they’ll believe them too, but I certainly don’t know how the warriors will take it……

“After humans were created by the Chief God, monsters were also born. I’ve told you about that, right?”

Solana’s words reminded me of the dream.

“Yes…… During the Ragnarok, they attacked alongside with the titans.”

“Then, Rion, what do you think of monsters?”

I think about it for a moment.

I’ve defeated them in dungeons, but I’ve never really thought about them. There were many different types and they all differed in size. I counted on my fingers the commonalities between them, like their hostility towards humans and their magic stones.

“They possess strong magical powers and…. they’re enemies of humans….. right?”

“Yes. The important point is that they possess magical powers.”

With her small arms, Solana pointed to a thick pillar.

Thanks to the faint glow of the goddess, only a portion of it was lit up. From where the faint light is, there was a carving from long ago that remained.

“Can you see it……?”

These traces of the mythical era are probably the reason why the Southern Dungeon is called the “Cathedral of Darkness”.

There is a large human figure on the left side of the carvings. Smaller animals and short-limbed human like figures are depicted on the right. All of the creatures on the right appear to be bowing their heads.

“They are….. they are bowing to the titans?”

“Many races have borrowed the power of titans to stand out from the other creatures. Goblins are dwarfs who have fallen into depravity, and the undead are monsters born from the wisdom of titans.”

I traced the mural. It’s cold as ice.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to use the dead in this way, or to distort a living being in exchange for power.”

I couldn’t speak for a while.

“……Even monsters like Skoll? That’s how they were born?”

“It’s a little different. They were made from titans, though.”

Solana cuts off her words and moves up.

Carved into the wall was a titan. The bones were pulled out of its limbs, and those bones transformed into monsters —I think that was the scene that’s being depicted.

“Skoll is a monster created by the primordial titan Ymir.”

It is the name of the world’s first born titan.

“They are said to have been created from Ymir’s own bones. That’s why their titles has the word ‘bone’ in it. A monster leader from the mythological era —I guess that’s how you would describe them.”

The dungeon went back to silence.

Looking up at the mural, the ribs of the giant Ymir turned into several wolves. The bones of both arms turned into large snakes. But since it’s a mural, I can’t really see the size or details.

Then I recalled the sound of a newborn’s cry echoing in the darkness that I heard in my dream that scared me to the core.

“……There’s still a lot of monsters like Skoll, isn’t it?”

“Yes, definitely.”

The enemies are targeting  me and Lu. They are definitely lurking somewhere after escaping.

“This guy…… Ymir in the mural is the main boss, right?”

“That’s…… I think we still need to look into it.”

I see.

The gods have only just awakened, and there’s still a lot we don’t know about the world. The Raven Warriors haven’t told me anything yet either. We also came to this dungeon to investigate the unexplored area.

『Rion, Solana』

Loki’s voice sounded.

I turned to face the others. It looks like it’s time to leave. Solana then turned into light and returns to the gold coin.

『……Rion. There is no need to show kindness or go easy on them in the battle.』

As I prepared to leave, I heard Sigris’ voice.

『Skeletons and Draugrs are monsters made of the magic of titans. Their techniques from when they were alive are merely recreated from their weapons and remains.』

Sigris’ tense voice made me feel her feelings. I kind of get it. They were warriors who fought to protect people from monsters, and they are now the source of the undead.

Yes, it’s kind ironic…..

This must have been an important place for Sigris. And she’s thinking about her comrades from back then.

“……Felix-san”

I stopped Felix-san.

“Is it true that the priests of the Temple of Odis come to this dungeon regularly to pray?”

The southern dungeon is unpopular, but the priests of the Temple of Odis come here often. Apparently the reason is to offer prayers to the undead monsters.

“That’s the kind of training we have.”

I decided to speak it out.

It might be a bit meddling, but……….

“If you could…… after we finish the dungeon exploration, could you say a prayer for the skeletons and draugr we’ve fought so far?”

Felix-san narrowed his eyes and looks at me.

“…… It seems that Rion-san can really talk to the gods. Is it a wish from the gods?”

“No. This is my request, uhm, I  know it’s too late, but……”

I gestured my fingers as I spoke, trying to look nonchalant as possible.

“You’re asking me to wake up the dungeon, right?”

Felix-san looked surprised for a moment. Then he immediately laugh right after. He was shaking his shoulders as he laughed, trying not to make as much noise as possible.

“Fufu, is that the reward for the alarm? You’re a real wake-up caller! And your negotiating skills are top-notch too.”

The other raven warriors looked at me as well and nodded.

Felix-san then opens his mouth,

“The Temple of Odis pays tribute to its warriors. No matter what form they take, if our prayers can lead to their restful sleep…… we make time for them.”

There’s nothing we can do about a battle that’s already over. But I thought it was my duty as the person who inherited it to do something.

“Let’s go, Gods.”

I called out to the gold coin. My right pocket got a little hot and light leaked out from it.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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No matter how many times I check, the result is the same. The ability【Golden Flame】strengthens the detection power of 【Wild Heart】.

I could clearly perceive the sounds and scent around me. The red light, which indicates the presence of a monster, could be seen far beyond the wall.

『Hoh~, Did you finally notice?』

The voice had a hint of laughter in it.

This one really is…. He is the only one I can’t figure out well.

“Loki…… right?”

『Yes. Well, let me teach you about my skills.』

Even though I hadn’t thought about my status, the information just appeared in my head.

Skill 『God of Mischief’s Divine Protection』 【Duplicity】…… It can be used in combination with the two divine protection.

『You’re in a weird situation right now. I’m talking about the matter with the Gods.』

I nodded my head as Loki spoke.

『Even in our time, it was rare for multiple gods to lend their powers to one person. Bonds with the gods aren’t that easy after all.』

Indeed. I blew the horn and they appeared. I accepted their blessings without giving it much thought, but now that I think about it, it feels a little different from when I was with Solana.

The biggest difference is—

“You mean, I actually need to make a vow like when I was with Solana?”

『Normally, yes. Hmm…. she met you before she inherited her magic from the sun goddess, meaning, she’s in a weakened state. So it can’t be compared to when she was awakened by the Gjallarhorn. 』

Loki continues.

『You defeated Skoll. You defeated an enemy of the gods and achieved victory. That’s why you can say you’re a hero and that you have developed a bond with us through the battle. I think Thor, who is also the god of war, especially feels a strong connection with you. 』

Shouting the names of the gods while fighting monsters —such a story is also passed down among adventurers. Now hearing that I am one of those people, I’m a bit perplexed.

『It’s just…… I still feel like you are taking the gods’ blessings a little too smoothly. Rion, maybe you have a constitution that makes it easy for the gods to reside in you.』

“……T-there’s no way that’s true…..”

I subconsciously waved my hand in denial.

Seeing me doing that out of a blue, the group of Raven Warriors looked at me strangely.

『How did you know? Is there no one like that in your family?』

As I tried to deny it, Lu’s face crossed my mind. Lu can see Solana from the very beginning.

No, right? But……

『Fufu, it’s okay.』

Then I heard him clap his hands.

『Alright! The ability I bestowed on you, 【Duplicity】, is a set ability. It can combine the power of the gods like that, making it a great deal. For example….』

Loki continued.

I can envision Loki explaining with his fingers raised and his body flickering.

『The 【Golden Flame】 from Solana and the 【Wild Heart】 from Uru. They both strengthens the body, so there’s a synergistic effect.』

Synergy —I’ve heard of it. But because it’s a magical term, I don’t really get it well.

“You mean those two were compatible?”

『Mm, that’s right. The range of detection of 【Wild Heart 】 is expanding, right?』

When I looked around, I could still see a red light in the distance. The farthest one is super small. I know that it’s not because the monster is weak, it’s just that it’s in a remote place.

『It was said that a good magician can cast multiple spells at the same time. This is the skill version of that. Unfortunately, your magical aptitude seems to be quite low.』

“Really……?”

Ugh…….  I just felt a sharp pain in my chest. Then my vision blurred.

“I-, so I’m not good at magic after all huh.”

『Oops, sorry for that. Well, you have a decent amount of magical power, but maybe you’re a little too naive. You don’t have enough ambition to manipulate reality with magic.』

“……I see”

Well, it seems that a big bell has fallen on my head. I know that I wasn’t as good at it as the nobles, but when a god himself says it, it carries a lot of weight.

『You have enough magic to use Solana’s protection, but you could only use life magic…… That was the case, right?』

“Y-yeah……”

『Anyways —H-hey! Don’t glare at me Solana. We’ll  have to let him realize that anyway.』

Loki cleared his throat.

『I’m a genie, a god of magic. I’ve given you the ability to use a combination of two skills, a technique that uses magical power.』

The 【Golden Flame】 improves physical abilities and the 【Wild Heart】 improves perception. These two abilities can certainly expand the detection range.

『However, even I have never combined the divine protection of another god. So, to be honest, I don’t know what kind of skills would make this combination successful.』

As I listened, I tried to extend the detection range here and there. It seems that covering the floors of the Southern Dungeon is the limit of the current search.

“Then….…”

The safety of this floor has been ensured. Now that things have come to this, I want to try out this ability until Golden Flame goes out.

“What’s the matter, Rion-san? It’s time to leave……”

I smiled at Felix.

“I’ll try to detect the floor below as well.”

“……Huh? From this position?”

“Yes. I think it’s safer to go down the stairs and be far away from the monster swarm.”

Since it can be spread left and right, it could also be spread up and down. Little by little, I poured magical power into the power of the gods.

The light on the same floor gradually faded away, and the vague red shapes of the monsters on the floor below came into view instead. Most were skeletons, but I could also see stronger monsters such as draugr and wraiths..

“As expected, there are a lot of undead types……”

There are so many creepy monsters, which is why it has an ironic name like “Cathedral of Darkness”. It is also unpopular with adventurers, and not many people want to live near the Southern Dungeon.

It’s said that the priests of the Temple of Oudis are the ones who delve into the Southern Dungeon most often. Sometimes they can find medical items and magic books for the hospital, and since there are so many undead here, it’s often used for training.

The gold coin trembled weakly.

『……As a Valkyria, it’s a little hard to look at.』

Sigris, the Medicine God, murmured.

I wanted to ask what she’s talking about, but my head started shaking like when I was anemic.

“E-eh?”

The palms of my hands touched the cold floor.

I just realized that I was slumped on the floor. Felix-san and the others approached me in a hurry.

“W-what’s wrong?”

My head was fuzzy and my body was a little hot.

『Mm, it’s definitely putting a lot of strain on your body. Don’t worry, you were saved, so you’ll be back to normal after a 5 minute rest.』

Uhm, what……!?

“Y-you should have told me that earlier, right?”

『Ahaha, I’m sorry♪ 』

I really can’t let my guard down with this god after all……!

With my state, we decided to take a break just down the stairs.

『Fufu, but you were actually tired, right? Besides, you wouldn’t rest unless something like this happened, right?』

I don’t know if Loki’s words is an excuse or he is being serious. I heard Solana’s angry voice. I’m very grateful for her protests, but now my head is pounding more.

『.….This is fine, right? It’s about time we prepare ourselves to face the monsters. You and us, the gods.』

After saying that, Loki went silent.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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Southern Dungeon of the Royal Capital.

The southern dungeon, to put it briefly, is an underground cathedral. It is a stone structure with many halls. In addition, there are ancient carvings on the walls. My mother told me that it used to be a real cathedral where many people were healed.

But now it’s called the Cathedral of Darkness.

The light from the ceiling is the same as before dawn. Unless you are an adventurer with accustomed eyes, you will not be able to see 2 meters ahead.

『This was the dungeon where I was sealed in.』

The words of the medicine god, Sigris, echoed in my head.

『So this is what it has become like now….』

She muttered.

We are now on the fourth floor. This dungeon has a total of eight floors.

At this moment, my ability, 【Wild Heart】, picks up the sound of many footsteps. They are moving around as if to surround us, but there is no sound of them getting closer. They are just going back and forth in the same place. Like lifeless puppets.

I swallowed. I’ve fought those monsters several times in the Eastern Dungeon, but after I can detect the sound, I can now understand how strange they were. I can hear their footsteps, but I don’t hear their breathing at all.

“There are skeletons in the direction we are heading to. They’re in a large room far ahead, and there are about fifteen of them.”

I pointed ahead as I said so.

In the Southern Dungeon, low-level undead emerge from the shallow layers. That’s why it was called the “Cathedral of Darkness”.

Felix-san smiled.

“Thank you.”

The Raven Warriors exchanged glances. I think they were deciding whether we should take a detour or go straight ahead. Our goal is to “unseal” the wall in the boss floor and investigate the unexplored area, so there is not much point in actively fighting here.

“……We’ll go straight. Avoiding it will mean taking a long detour.”

Felix-san’s decision determined where we go.

“15 skeletons huh.”

It felt like the darkness was thickening, wrapping around us. Before we start walking forward, I pulled Felix-san’s cloak.

“In case of emergency, I can unseal the gods and ask them to help us. Uhm but, their appearance time in the dungeon is limited though.”

In the Eastern Dungeon, I fought a monster called the Werewolf Zombie. At that time, Solana was the one who killed the monster in the end.

Felix-san stops in his tracks.

“What do you mean by limited time?”

“The Gods are also affected by the seal.”

Felix-san thought for a moment and then he shook his head.

“…Rion-san, please take that as your trump card. It is a trump card to protect you. The Raven Warriors can be replaced, but there is no replacement for your Alarm skill.”

Felix-san looked at my pouch.

“How about the horn?”

“Oh that-, it hasn’t changed……”

I took out the horn, but it had lost its former luster. There is no sign of it reacting to my【Unseal】skill as well. I can’t just try to blow it in the dungeon too, but even if I try, I have a feeling that it won’t work.

Felix shook his head regretfully.

“I see… Since the horn has the power to free the gods from their seal, I thought it would be most effective inside the dungeon.”

That may be right too.

The power that defeated Skoll can be wielded at will by the gods after all.

The gold coin in my pocket vibrated, and then I heard Solana’s voice.

『I don’t think it’s possible now. I don’t feel any special power from the horn itself.』

Then…. that means that it’s not something that can be used all the time I guess.

『It may take a few days to store up magical power in it, or perhaps, the horn itself only reacts to a strong seal.』

It’s a pity, but I guess I have no choice but to put it away for now.

After walking for a while, we arrived at a large room where the monsters are waiting. I took a breath at the entrance. Taking deep belly breaths helped me calm down before a battle.

“Let’s go.”

At Felix-san’s signal, we rushed inside the large room.

What was waiting for us were a group of skeletons. About 10 of them quickly run towards us at once. Then loud footsteps came from further back of that group. Having a bad feeling, I poured magical power into 【 Wild Heart】.

Four large red auras appeared in my view.

『Rion, there’s a big being in the mix!』

It was just as Solana had warned. In the darkness, a skull with blue flames burning in its eyes appeared.

The group of warriors exclaimed,

“A draugr!!”

It’s not just a skeleton, it’s a higher form of it.

This is…… It’s a mistake on my part!

Draugr is not just a skeleton. It is a decayed human corpse that is faintly wrapped with a spirit body. You can see the bones inside their bodies, which is even creepier than just a skeleton.

“It’s fast!”

The four Draugrs circled around us in a big way. Their target is the last in line, that is, me.

Two of them were intercepted by Felix-san in an instant. However, the remaining two shifted their bodies and was able to pass him.

“Rion-san! Stay calm and keep your distance. We’ll take care of it!”

I shook my head.

“N-no!”

I decided to fight them with my skills.

Skill 『Sun’s Divine Protection』 was used. Executing【Golden Flame 】. ——————————— 【Golden Flame 】……Improves physical abilities for a limited time.

A warm light enveloped my entire body, eventually regulating my breathing.

The two draugrs crouched down. Their hands were positioned low, with the tips of their greatswords behind their backs. They were using their own bodies to hide the length of their swords. The darkness made it even harder to gauge their distance.

『Rion-san, they’re dangerous.』

I heard Sigris muttering.

『……They have the Swordsman skill.”

But I didn’t want to run away. I’m still a long way from being a strong adventurer.

The two enemies moved at the same time. From a low position, the blade of their greatsword comes slashing upwards.

The two greatswords were like giant scissors.

“Wake up”

There came a wind. Woken up, Sylph, the wind spirit, leapt out from the crystal of the short sword.

“Wan-”

As I fled, I swept the enemies off their feet with a gust of wind. The two greatswords came into contact with each other, causing sparks to fly.

A big opening!

I jumped into the bosom of the first draugr closer to me. With unsteady legs, it forcibly swings its greatsword towards me.

“Fuu.”

I know that if I dodge it, our distance will only widen.

I did not give it time for a second strike. With my short sword, I stabbed its sternum, which was its weak point. As if unable to bear the weight of the weapon, its arm gave way first. Then its whole body collapsed. The draugr turned to mere ash.

One left.

The draugr readjusted its greatsword to a vertical position.

“Wake up”

The spirit made a second attack. The enemy dodged it and stepped forward. It’s not a downward slash, it’s more like a linear—

“Thrust!?”

When I received it with my short sword, the impact was so strong that my shoulder felt like it would break and I fell to my knees.

The draugr quickly removed one of its hand from the hilt. It seemed to have gripped the middle of the blade.

With a half sword stance and using the strength of both arms, it tried to pry open my defense. The strong pressure made my heart feel so hot that it felt like it might explode.

『Rion will not lose!』

Solana supported me with the blessing of the sun. I felt energized, it’s like I had been given a push from behind.

“Yaa!”

I deflected the greatsword with my short sword. The draugr throws its hands up due to the force. If it had a face, it might have looked stunned.

I quickly crushed its weak spot, the sternum, and it turned back into ashes.

“W-what the….…”

Some of raven warriors had their mouths agape. The normal skeletons have already been wiped out.

“Phew……”

T-that was close……

『Rion, you’re being too reckless.』

Solana was right.

I managed to do it with the power of god, but it was a failed offense and defense. A greatsword isn’t normally something you should block with a short sword after all.

“I got anxious you know.”

Felix-san seemed worried, too.

“…… I’m sorry.”

“We’re party members now, and I say this as your comrade. Adventurers don’t make risky attempts. They should be experts who takes on opponents they can surely defeat.”

It’s like him saying, me facing two monsters by myself is not something I should do.

He leans on his staff and gives a wry smile.

“……To be honest, I was surprised at how you won.”

“It was my mistake in the first place, so I ….…”

It felt like I had made one failure after another, and my shoulders felt heavy.

“I-, I counted the number of enemies, and then I said they were all skeletons…… You see, I had the ability to see the enemy’s appearance and strength even from a distance.”

“……uh!? T-thats…… I see.”

Felix-san rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“Sigh. Reconnaissance isn’t about 100% accuracy in the first place. I’ve already taken some variation into account. So it would have been nice if you could leave it to us.”

Then the voices of Gods came one after another.

『Mm, mm. Just now, it wasn’t like you who is always cautious.』

『Hn? He won by his strength, so it’s fine, right? What’s wrong with that?』

『Ehm. Thor, that’s…….』

『Loki was taken a back too.』

『……Sigris was worried as well.』

Having everyone say that made me reflect on my actions. But it also made me feel a little warm inside.

“I’m sorry, I’ll be more careful.”

Learning from my mistakes, I scanned my surroundings again. I poured magical power into Uru’s skill, and found the monsters on the other side of the wall as red lights.

“……Huh?”

I noticed something unusual.

There is no red light around us anymore. However, at the far end, I could see several red lights. When I searched in the Northern Dungeon, I couldn’t see that far.

“Did the range expand?”

I looked at the Golden Flame that was still wrapped around my arm.

“Could it be that…… the Golden Flame has enhanced my other skills as well?”

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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The further we went, the more I realized how the Northern Dungeon was different from the dungeon for beginners. The terrain is hard to walk on and there are up to seven floors. Above all, the monsters here are larger.

The kobolds in the Eastern Dungeon are classified as “small monsters”, but they are about the same size as me. In other words, just being a medium-sized monster is already bigger than a human. When it comes to large monsters like giants, they can exceed 10 meters in height, and you always have to fight them in a party of five or more.

“Kaaaaaa!”

Right in front of us is the boss of the Northern Dungeon, a Cockatrice.

It’s a medium-sized monster. A giant rooster about 2 meters in size. Its whitish color and appearance are similar to a chicken, but at this size, it is an impressive “monstrous chicken”.

In addition, cockatrice have a troublesome characteristic.

“Whoa……!”

It’s feet trampled on the grass. Its cry and pecks descend from above my head. I hurriedly turned around to its back, but this time, my eyes met with its tail.

“Shaaaaa!!”

The tail of the cockatrice is a snake. In other words, it has the head of a giant rooster and the tail of a giant snake. It’s a monster that’s a hybrid of the two.

The problem is that it can seal off the strategy of making use of speed by “circling around”.

What more—

『Rion, are you scared?』

Solana’s words made me jolt. I tried to laugh it off, but my mouth just twitched.

“It’s a little scary.”

It looks terrifying after all!

『It’s better to keep your distance and use the Golden Flame.』

Goddess was right. It was naive of me to think that even if I conserve magical power, I can win. The recommended level for the Northern Dungeon is 15, but this boss is a tough opponent for me.

The cockatrice takes a few steps back. Then the chest of the giant rooster starts swelling rapidly.

“Uh-, it’s going to breathe poison!”

Someone taps me on the shoulder.

It was Felix-san.

“It’s about time we stepped in.”

At the signal, the Raven Warriors nodded in turn.

“Rion-kun, leave it to us.”

“Excuse me for earlier.”

The warriors stepped forward to protect me. Felix was in the lead. With his right hand, he pointed his staff at the cockatrice, and with his left, he drew something in the air. Then red runes rose into the air.

“Just in case, cover your ears and keep your mouth half open.”

Then he chanted,

“Burst!”

Flames burst through the air. It’s a magic spell that creates flames out of nothing. A flash of fire collides with the breath of a cockatrice. An explosion roared, and black smoke obscured the figure of the monster bird.

『Heh~』

A voice echoes in my head.

『Magic is a part of the skill so no chanting is required huh. So this is how magic works now.』

(Uhm, who are you…?)

『I’m Loki. Just like Thor, you can call me by my first name.』

Even after the smoke cleared, the cockatrice remained still. It was greeted by flames the moment it tried to use breath. The shock must have shaken its head. It’s huge body fell with a thud.

『……Amazing.』

It’s the first time I’ve seen the magic of an adventurer up close. As expected, it’s very cool. Even though I know it’s a fighting technique and not for fun, I can’t help but yearn for it.

“I wonder if I’ll be able to use it someday….”

『Uh-, uhm……』

Loki was vague and remained silent afterwards.

Just as I was about to ask again, Felix came over.

“That breath has the property of reacting to fire, and although it is poisonous now, it may have been a fire breath in the past. So if we hit it with fire magic….…”

“It will burn?”

“That’s what I mean.”

Felix said so nonchalantly. The Raven Warriors then scattered, surrounded the cockatrice, and finished it in no time.

“The disposal is complete.”

“Mm.”

Their short exchange was very businesslike, and I got the impression that for them, victory was a given. As expected, the Raven Warriors are skilled adventurers.

『Fufu, the power of the gods is strong. But your magical power and stamina still fall short of theirs.』

Loki’s words left me feeling down. My experience, physical strength, and magical power are nothing compared to the Raven Warriors. In particular, some of the gods’ blessings use magical powers. Developing my basic abilities…. well, leveling up in short, is necessary for me to become even stronger.

Felix-san then turned to me.

“Alright. Rion-san, now it’s your turn to ‘unseal’.”

I used my Alarm skill. I drew out my ability to appraise my surroundings. And as expected of the bottom level, spirit stones and ancient weapons are scattered here and there.

Then I found an ivy-covered wall that is glowing faintly.

“That’s it. Wake up.”

Skill: 『Alarm』 was used. Executing 【Unseal】

 The whole dungeon shook. The ivy-covered wall cracked and crumbled.

It was surprisingly bright beyond the rubble. Just like in the dungeon, the ceiling on the other side seemed to create a light similar to sunlight. But the wind coming from there is cold. My breath even turned white.

“Ice…… Forest?”

The ceiling was high, probably about 10 meters. The trees were growing all the way up. The leaves were yellow, as if we had been brought straight to an autumn forest. And everything is trapped in crystal-like ice.

『This is where I was sealed.』

It was Uru’s voice.

Looking closely, I can see a small path opening up in the center of the forest. The ice has also broken up, and it looks like we can go further in.

“Let’s go that way.”

I pointed to the straight road and started walking. The group of Raven Warriors followed behind.

『I wanted to protect nature as much as possible before the world was overrun by monsters. So before the whole forest was burned down, I moved the magically imbued spirit trees here.』

(Then it was sealed away and turned into ice?)

『Yes. This area was originally a forest, but I never thought that the entire dungeon would become a forest in 1000 years. I think the seeds fell when we brought them in.』

Perhaps the seeds brought by Uru and his believers sprouted in the dungeon over the years.

『You really can’t predict what living things will become.』

Uru is smiling wryly. It’s like he’s feeling nostalgic, happy, and all sorts of emotions.

『It was tough outside of that. I think you felt it too, but you can’t take a break from detection and reconnaissance, so both I and my believers worked very hard…』

This time, he gave a dry laugh.

I guess they had quite a hard time…….

With a small sigh, Uru cut off the story.

『…… Still, I wanted to protect it.』

Then the path we took came to an end.

In the innermost part, the forest was cut off, and in its place were many monsters frozen in place. The ice continues deep into the great space, and there is no end to it.

『Rion, you see where the ice has melted, right? It’s around that big tree.』

Indeed, there is a large ash tree surrounded by monsters. The ice on that tree had unnaturally melted.

『I was fighting by shooting the monsters from the top of that tree. I was sealed and saved by your horn.』

The group of Raven Warriors begin to investigate the unexplored space as well. The monsters in the ice seemed to be all well-known monsters such as goblins, kobolds, orcs, and wargs.

『……There may not be anyone like Skoll in the northern dungeon.』

I was relieved by Uru’s words.

I looked back. The path we came from was covered in golden leaves enveloped in ice, and looking at it again, it was very beautiful.

“…… It’s a beautiful place.”

『Fufu, thank you, Rion. You’re kind.』

I also investigated the unexplored area for a while. There were no more walls that looked like 『Alarm』 could be used.

Felix eventually called off the investigation.

“Very well, let’s leave this dungeon to the other members. We’ll head to the next dungeon, the one in the south.”

I rubbed my cold hands together and recalled the plan for today.

“Uhm, this is the last one for today, right?”

“For the time being, yes. After we investigate the Southern Dungeon, we will return to the temple. I can also tell you what you want to know. However—”

Felix stared at me.

“You must not let your guard down.”

Yes, I’ll have to be on guard.

The next one is a more dangerous dungeon, also known as the “Cathedral of Darkness”.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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Skill: 『Divine Protection of the God of Hunting』 was used. 【Wild Heart】……Detection. Consumes magical power for even greater effect.

After descending to the battle layer, I used the power of the gods.

We are now at the second level of the Northern Dungeon. The trees covered the walls and ceilings, making it seem like we are walking through a deep forest. However, unlike the first level, the ground here is flat and the path is wider. Perhaps because monsters and humans often fight here, the vegetation were trampled.

My senses spread widely.

The sound of small animals running, the sound of the wind blowing by, I received them sensitively.

『Looks like you’ve used my skills.』

I heard the voice of Uru, the God of Hunting, in my head.

(Uhm, Uru-sama……)

『Oh? You can just call me Uru. I won’t let the way you call me detract from your respect.』

S-should I?

He is a god whom I feel like a hunter big brother. He is also older, which makes it even more difficult for me to call him by his first name.

However, I felt it would be wrong to ignore his request.

(U-Uru….…)

『Haha, pleasure to work with you, young hunter! The Northern dungeon is the dungeon where I was sealed away. It’s perfect for teaching you skills.』

From the footsteps I hear, I can tell the size and location of the monster. I can also smell a peculiar scent from the direction of the sound that’s worse than that of the beast.

When I closed my eyes, my senses become even more sharp.

(This is a detection skill, right?)

『That’s right. Back when nature was still abundant, humans made a living by hunting. The hunting sense of that time now resides within you.』

It’s literally the heart of the wild huh. A hunting instinct that hunters of ancient times had, and that has now been lost.

“Eight..…? No, maybe ten.”

There are footsteps that are clearly not from animals.

Even if we can’t see them, if we know their location, the risk of running into them will be reduced. This is probably a power that any normal party would want to have. After all, the scariest thing about the dungeon is being caught off guard.

“There are enemies up ahead on this path.”

The Raven Warriors looked surprised when I said so.

The person at the front drew his spear.

“I know there would be at least one, but…… how do you know? Even my search skill does not reveal the enemy’s location.”

“It’s a skill. It’s probably because they are holding their breath.”

I don’t know to what extent I can cooperate with the Raven Warriors yet. There are many things I don’t know. But I want to join forces as adventurers.

『Rion』

Uru’s voice rang in my head.

『Let’s try using some magical power. The effect is still there.』

Uru seemed to be having a bit of fun.

『Let’s blow their minds.』

I feel that magical power is greatly reduced from my body. Then I saw red lights ahead of me. About 50 meters ahead, there is a fork in the road, and the light is hidden around the corner in the right side.

『Monsters have magic stone. In other words, they will exude magical power.』

I averted my eyes from there and look somewhere else. Red lights can be seen here and there. But compared to the light lurking at the end of the road, they are a little small. Looking more closely, I can even make out the faint shapes of monsters, whether they are four-legged or in humanoid shape.

(Can I detect monsters from the distance with light?)

『Yes. The more powerful the monster is, the stronger the light.』

Compared with detecting by smell and sound, this one consumes a lot of magical power. I can probably only do it about ten times a day. But this ability, which can be rephrased as “clairvoyance” is incredible.

But… if I can see through the walls of the dungeon, can it still be called a dungeon?

I turned to the Raven Warriors.

“T-there is no sign of movement. It think it is an ambush, and it is probably a monster stronger than a warg.”

Just as I was about to ask them what we are going to do, the enemy made a move.

The Raven Warriors exclaimed.

“Orc!”

Even from a distance, it is huge. It has green skin and clad in armor made of fur. The club it raised looked like it would blow away all five of us at once. But thanks to the fact that I was aware of the ambush, it is still about 50 meters away.

『Rion, you’re doing good.』

I heard another voice.

(Uhm, Thor-sama……?)

『I’m fine with just Thor. It would be inconvenient to add ‘san’ or ‘sama’ when calling each other on the battlefield.』

I called him that because he is a really big god, but he promptly gave me permission to call him by his first name as well.

『Use my powers as well.』

I gripped my short sword tightly.

『I’ll teach you how to defeat that big guy.』

The orc roared.

It was a threatening voice that shook the area. It’s clearly different from the one in the Eastern Dungeon. Its giant steps shook the ground and it even closed the distance in an instant.

“I’m going!”

I kicked the ground and jumped out.

“Rion-san, you-….!”

“I’ll leave it to you.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Felix say that. 

The orc is running to us and I was accelerating forward to meet it. The distance between us quickly became zero. I just realized that I hadn’t used the physical ability enhancements of the Golden Flame. But I wasn’t in a hurry. I knew that I don’t need it to deal with this orc.

“Haa!”

As we passed each other, I slashed the orc’s leg. The momentum of its running speed caused the orc to fall, crushing the trees and rolling down.

“Gaaaah!”

The orc got up while protecting its leg. Then it haphazardly swung its club. It was like a windstorm —that’s how I might have described it if this happened earlier. But compared to Skoll’s attack, it was a gentle breeze. 

The orc’s leg had already been severed. It was just forcing itself to stand on one knee, so there was no way for it to fight back.

『The method is simple. Put your strength into it…』

I did as he said.

The blue crystal short sword bathed in a pale light. It crackled and became a lightning bolt.

“Lightning Strike!”

Skill, 『God of Thunder’s Divine Protection』has been used. 【The Hammer of the God of Thunder】……releases a powerful lightning attack.

Flash!

A sharp light runs through the orc’s body and travels to the ground. 

Spewing black smoke, the orc falls onto its back. Eventually, it turned to ash and magic stones the size of a fist scatters around.

Felix cleared his throat.

“……Rion-san, what level are you again?”

“Level 18.”

The Raven Warriors looked at each other.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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The bell is ringing.

I have to get up.

I have a job as a wake-up caller, so I have to get up before the bell rings. But my legs and arms, well, my entire body is so exhausted that I still want to sleep.

The sound of the bell continued.

It’s a little strange though. It’s strangely loud. It’s like there’s a bell tower right above the house.

“…… Huh?”

I forced myself to get up and opened my eyes.

I can’t help but blink once more though.

I’m in a large room. There is a magnificent fireplace burning, and in front of it was a long table with food on it.

Am I still dreaming?

I got off the bed, and was surprised by the feeling on my feet. There was a carpet. Thanks to this, I didn’t have to feel the cold floor until I put on my shoes.

“Awake?”

A voice called out from the window.

A young man with a staff approached me. He was wearing adventurer-style leather armor and a gray cloak decorated with a pair of ravens. He looked to be a little over 20 years old. The small silver coronet on his forehead reflected the red flames of the fireplace.

He was the one who gave me the horn during the battle.

“Yesterday……?”

The man’s expression softens suddenly. He had a slightly cold face with narrow eyes, but when he smiled, he seemed very kind.

“That’s right. Looks like the horn was useful.”

He nodded lightly and then he placed his hand on my forehead.

“How are you feeling?”

“I-, I’m, fine.”

The man smiled.

“Boy, that’s not what I— …Anyways, meals are over there and your clothes are right there. If you want to take a bath, leave the room and call someone. Please feel free to do so, Hero-dono.”

Then he snapped his finger.

“However—”

He paused for a bit, and continued, “You can’t slow down, because as an adventurer, you have to take on requests.”

“Wait a minute.”

I know it was rude, but I couldn’t help but interrupt.

At times like this, I took a deep breath. I looked around but there was no sign of my family.

The firewood in the fireplace crackled.

“Mom and Lu…… Where’s my sister?”

“Both of them are here. But your sister is in the process of working with the Patriarch—Mistress Pauline, and it is likely to take the rest of the day.”

The bell sounded again.

I began to understand what was going on.

There is specific building where the bell would ring from.

“This place…… I’m at the temple?”

“Yes. This is the base of the Raven Warriors outside the walls of the Royal Capital.”

I’m starting to remember more and more.

At home, after the Gods jumped out of the gold coin, our family was led to Pauline-san’s carriage. I was trying my best to get up, but I remember feeling a blur of consciousness and swayed. It’s embarrassing, but I guess I fell asleep.

The man held out his right hand to me.

“I’m Felix of Raven Warriors.”

I’m pretty sure the name means “good fortune.”.

“I’m leading several parties belonging to the Raven Warriors. My skill is 『Sage』. I’m level 40.”

I’ve never met an adventurer above level 40 other than my father. Most adventurers are concentrated in the low tier, level 10 to low 20’s, and it is said that talent is required to reach level 30 or higher. Level 40 is top-notch, allowing one to enter most dungeons alone.

“Your father has helped me many times. I think we will be able to talk about it someday.”

We shook hands and then I asked Felix about the thing he talked a while ago.

“By the way, the request is……?”

“The dungeon of course.”

He taps his well-worn staff.

“As you know, there are dungeons in the royal capital besides the Eastern Dungeon. Since it happened on the east side, we have no choice but to investigate the other dungeons as well.”

Certainly, we will have to see if there are any monsters like Skoll in the other dungeons.

Felix smiles and holds up one finger.

“I’ll tell you about the enemy that attacked you and about the horn after the investigation. Although it is not an exchange condition but…… I’ll need you to be bear with us for a while, Wake-up Caller-san.」

◆◆◆

The Raven Warriors’ stronghold is located outside the walls of the royal city. So the way of travel is by a horse-drawn carriage.

The four-wheeled carriage rattled along the road. Our destination is the Royal Capital’s “Northern Dungeon”. This is where many beginners head after the Eastern Dungeon. We are going to check the bottom level to see if there was an unexplored area that would open with 『Alarm』.

I guess I’m going to be a dungeon wake-up caller now.

“—Uhm.”

I tried to speak aloud.

There were five passengers, but Felix was the only one who responded to me. Mia, who was always with me, is now away on another errand.

“What’s the matter, Rion-san?”

“I may not be able to enter the Northern Dungeon yet…… I know it’s late for me to say this, but I don’t have an official guild diploma yet.”

Felix laughed softly.

“Fufu, I see! It’s okay, I already talked to the guild. There’s no dungeon in the royal capital that we can’t enter today.”

Eventually, the carriage stops.

“Alright, let’s go.”

The warriors quickly descended.

Felix has his staff, and the other warriors have a variety of weapons, including swords and spears. But their cloaks with a pair of ravens imprinted on it are matching so you can tell from a distance that they are a special group.

“How’s your equipment?”

Hearing the question, I also looked at my equipment.

I’m now wearing armor and boots made from the black leather of the magical beast. Up until now, I’m just wearing everyday clothes, so this is a big level up.

Well, I checked myself in the mirror before leaving and felt a bit happy.

『Rion, you look pretty good.』

『You look strong.』

『It’s cool.』

『Nice』

『I saw you looking at it in the mirror.』

The Gods spoke to me, and I can’t help but chuckle.

(Are you all going to come out in front of the warriors?)

I asked them about it, but god Thor was the one who responded.

『We’ll wait and see. We will go out if necessary. But Rion, you haven’t heard how we’ll show up yet, have you?』

I nodded my head and went down the stairs.

The Northern Dungeon was a forest dungeon. There are trees growing here and there, and a light similar to sunlight pours down from above. It seems that there are squirrels, foxes, and even natural creatures in the exploration layer.

“Wow……!”

This is my first dungeon other than the Eastern Dungeon. It feels like I’ve come close to becoming the great adventurer I’ve always admired, and even at a time like this I feel excited.

I walk carefully, watching my step and making sure not to get tripped up by the plants and root of the trees.

Normally, I would pass by adventurers who were out to gather materials, but today I didn’t meet anyone. I guess the dungeons of the royal capital is now off-limits due to the investigation of the Raven Warriors.

“It’s so quiet when there is no one around….…”

It’s like walking through a real forest.

I wonder if the differences in the dungeons were due to the people or gods who were there.

Only the footsteps of five people echo through the dungeon. Perhaps because of the new blessing, I could even hear the breathing of small animals.

Then, Felix, who walks in the lead, raised his right hand. Ahead is the staircase leading down.

We are now going to enter the second layer, the start of the battle layer of the Northern Dungeon.

“…… Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

I awakened my skills.

It’s time to test the new powers I have obtained from the four gods.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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I think Solana has finished what she needs to say.

The ice-encased world was gradually shrouded in darkness. Even when everything turned dark, the sight was so overwhelming that I was unable to speak for a while. When I closed my eyes, the image of the land ravaged by war came to mind again and again.

Remembering the destroyed Royal Capital, I hurriedly drove away my ominous imagination.

“……So that’s why there were gods and monsters underground.”

That’s all I could say.

Solana nods, her white dress glowed faintly even in the pitch black surroundings. It was a little dazzling.

“Many gods were in the shelters, now known as dungeons, with their believers to protect them. Then the ice seal came, sealing them away along with the monsters.”

I can’t help but think about what happened to the monsters and giants outside the dungeon. Some may have been defeated in that time. But there are certainly titans and giant-type monsters still left behind.

Adventurers today are, after all, still defeating the surviving enemies from back then.

“The Chief God can be said to be a shrewd god. He prolonged the defeat for thousands of years, so that the people could once again increase in number and defeat the monsters —that was probably his plan.”

Solana had a complicated look on her face.

“I can’t believe he was thinking about something like that while his companions were fighting.”

Adventurers who dive into dungeons are only there for a living. But that also means they unintentionally defeat monsters that the gods couldn’t defeat.

“Rion, you….…”

Solana looked at me and hesitated.

“You have the power to awaken the sealed gods.”

“Is that why I am being targeted?”

I think Gideon and the people who attacked the Royal Capital were after me.

“Yes. The enemy’s goal is to awaken the sealed monsters like Skoll. Given that, Rion, since you can wake up the gods, you are an obstacle to them.”

My chest tightened.

“Then…. Lu is also being targeted…… is she…?”

“It’s probably for the same reason. She might be able to activate a skill similar to yours.”

Skoll’s laughter echoed in my head. Gideon’s too. The flames could have closed in on the royal capital and even hit my family —including Lu and mother.

“I……I’m scared.”

I am sorry. My true feelings spilled out.

But I can’t help it, my body is even shaking.

Solana lowered her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Rion. But you’re more dangerous than you think……”

I want to live with my family. That’s all I really want.

The debt was gone, Lu’s illness was cured, and I was slowly able to return to my normal life.

“……There’s a new enemy huh….”

Tears welled up in my eyes.

Skoll was defeated. But if an enemy like that keeps appearing again and again, I’m not that confident that I can always win.

『 Alarm 』– if it’s going to be that scary, then it’s really a “useless skill”.

“I’m not a great adventurer like my father……”

I’m really not.

I’m not great. I’m just a loser adventurer who can only borrow the power of God.

“I’m……!”

I tried to say it out loud. I want to throw away everything, including Solana’s trust in me and everything I had done.

“…………!”

But I can’t get my voice out.

I felt like I was betraying my father, who taught me the technique, and Lu, and my mother, who supported me. I don’t want to crouch in the back alley and wait for the violence to pass.

I’d already felt a lifetime’s worth of regret for being weak. Besides, if I denied my feelings for the “adventurer” inside me, I’d end up destroying what I treasure.

Because—I’ve always admired the cool and strong adventurers.

“S-still!”

I have to get strong in order to protect them. It’s something I’ve learned in the last two years without my father. I need all kinds of strengths: physical strength, skill, courage, and determination.

I can’t back down just yet.

“Rion……”

Solana was staring straight at me with eyes as warm as the sun.

“…… I won’t leave you alone. No matter who you are, I’ll always be by your side.”

The sun is born in my chest. When I realized that I wasn’t going to face it alone, it gave me courage.

“……I told you, I’m a believer of the Daughter of the Sun.”

I stepped forward and brought my face closer to Solana’s.

“Let’s do it, together with everyone who woke up.”

I looked at the goddess as if to convey my thoughts.

“The kindest and strongest is not a lie.”

Now I move forward. With the longing for an adventurer that I have always brought with me.

The horn has already been blown.

“…… Rion, you….…”

Solana’s eyes well up with tears.

“There’s still a lot we don’t know, but together…… Are you willing to go forward with me?”

I nodded vigorously.

The goddess’s body flashed, driving away the darkness. When our eyes get used to it, a starry sky surrounds us.

“Thank you, Rion!”

Solana said, wiping away tears.

“Now, I would like to introduce you to the gods who have been resurrected by Alarm.”

The outline of a person floated in the starry sky. Soon, four figures appeared. Above each of them shone a constellation of stars.

“Thor, the god of thunder.”

Under the constellation of the hammer, a god appeared so big that I had to look up. He has fiery red hair and a hammer on his right arm that looks like a lump of iron. A pale lightning streak runs across the surface of the hammer.

Looking down at us, he had a handsome face, but his gaze was powerful and a little scary.

“He is also the god of war who unites warriors, and has defeated many giants and monsters with his hammer, Mjolnir. He also fought against a giant snake monster known as the World Serpent.”

At Solana’s words, the god, Thor, grinned.

The right hand he holds out, holding the hammer –Mjolnir, seems to be twice the size of mine.

“Nice to meet you. Thank you for Alarm.”

I felt a tremendous heat in my clenched hand.

“My blessing is ‘lightning.’”

Thor hurled a hammer like a lump of iron from his right hand.

Boom! There was a thunderous roar and lightning scattered in all directions. After catching Mjolnir, he bends his knees and then he fixed his gaze at me.

“You may be small…… but you have a big heart.”

He patted me on the head.

“You defeated Skoll, and you encouraged Solana. Both were impressive!”

His entire face broke into a smile. However, when he tightened his expression, he took on the face of a fearless god. His red eyes are calm.

“I’m also a god of war, and from what I can see, all the monsters haven’t awakened yet. Some have been defeated so far. In other words, the enemy’s total military strength has decreased, and the number of troops available between ours and theirs should not be much different now. Otherwise, there is no reason for them to hold back from an all-out attack.”

A finger as thick as firewood pointed to my chest.

“This is a battle we can win. I have high hopes for you.”

Thor turned into a white light and flew towards the constellation.

Solana next introduced a woman in blue armor. Above her head is a constellation of spoon.

She came before me and fell to her knees.

“Eh!?”

“I’m Sigris. A Valkyrie who heals human warriors. I’m also known as the God of Medicine.”

The goddess, Sigris, looks up at me. Her blue hair was long enough to cover her right eye, and it swayed slightly as she raised her head.

“Rion, Sigris continued to heal humans and support them in battle. She is the god who has the deepest relationship with humans. She’s also known as the War Maiden.”

As Solana said, Sigris holds a spoon the size of a spear in her right hand. She was holding it straight up above her knees, like a great knight would.

“I offer my thanks to you.”

“L-likewise……!”

Oh, I remembered.

“You’re the god who healed those injured, right? Thank you.”

It should be me who should be thanking her.

Sigris looked surprised when I thanked her, but then she stood up and smiled softly at me.

“Nice to meet you and thank you. I’m glad you’re a kind person.”

The Medicine God also turned to light and disappears into the constellation of spoon.

“I’m next.”

With a shout, a brown-haired god leapt forward from where the bow’s constellation was shining. He stood right in front of me.

Solana hurriedly introduces him as she jumps back.

“Uru, the great hunter. Also the God of Hunting.”

The god Uru puts his hand on his chest. He is wearing fur and leather armor, but they all glowed faintly. His smile is as fresh as a spring breeze.

“Greetings, the person who wake me up. I am also the guardian of those who deal with nature. In battle, I would rush through the fields and be the first to know the presence of monsters.”

Uru winks at me.

“You now have the sense of a hunter. It will come in handy in battle and in the dungeon.”

Then the smile on his face faded. With a serious face, the god, Uru said,

“Let me protect you… and nature once more.”

Then he disappeared into the constellation of the bow.

Eh?

I was a bit confused. I thought there was still one left, but there was no one around. Solana was looking around as well.

“Hey, Rion.”

Someone grabbed both my shoulders. I was so surprised that I nearly fell on my butt.

“Loki!”

Solana’s exasperated voice was the introduction.

Loki’s eyes drooped even further as he laughed.

Black hair and black robe. Underneath that dark robe is a slender outfit like that of a thief.

“Did I surprise you?”

“Y-yes……”

“That’s good ♪.”

Huh……? He’s glad that I was surprised?

Loki giggles and distances himself. Overhead, the constellation of a Staff shone brightly.

“Sigh…… Rion, Loki is the god of magic. He is also the god of trickery ―in short, he’s full of deception.”

Loki bows. He holds his right arm horizontally and then lowers it in front of his body in an extremely ostentatious manner, the sort of thing you’d only see in a theater troupe.

“Well, I want to thank you as well. You have the power of the horn, the power to awaken something.”

Loki held up a finger.

“What I sent you was ‘duplicity,’ the power to combine one blessing with another —I never thought that the gods would join forces among humans though.”

Loki laughs amusedly.

I don’t know what type of  person he is, but I feel that his aura is different from the other gods.

“Thank you waking me up. You’re already my friend now, and I cherish friendship so please believe in me….…”

Loki too, disappeared into the constellations.

“Uhm……”

Counting on my fingers, I remember the four new gods.

There’s the trustworthy god, Thor, the knight-like god, Sigris, the brother-like god, Uru, and finally—the slightly suspicious god, Loki.

The surroundings became brighter and the starry sky faded. I can also hear the sound of bells.

Solana flew in front of me.

“It’s almost the end of the dream, the god who finally killed the titan Ymir, created the world, and sealed it. I will tell you the true name of the Lord God whom you call Odis.”

Solana pulls my hand as if to lead me to wake up.

“Odin. The real name of the Lord God is Odin.”

The thing that passed through my mind….. I don’t know why, but for some reason, it was that antique shop owner.

I heard the sound of the bell.

The long, long dream came to an end.

I hope that the morning I wake up will be a day of new adventures with Gods.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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Deep sleep.

I know that I’m in that state. So much that I quickly realized that even in my dream, I am also sleeping deeply.

“Rion, can you hear me?”

I heard Solana’s voice.

Knowing I am dreaming yet still opening my eyes, felt strange.

I was startled to see a pair of large golden eyes so close to my face.

“S-Solana?”

“Mm. Sorry about earlier….…”

The goddess scratched her cheek, looking embarrassed.

“We all managed to get back to the gold coin……but we did something wrong to your mother.”

“Uhm, this place is……?”

Solana’s eyes wandered for a moment, but then she cleared her throat.

“Good job, Rion. You are now in a deep sleep. I mean, this is your dream.”

After that incident, we left the house, then……

No, my mind is fuzzy. Maybe my body was exhausted, and I fell asleep as it is.

“Don’t worry, you’re sleeping in a safe place right now.”

As Solana moved, a golden trail passed like a shooting star.

“Well, now let’s start —there are scenes that can only be shown in a dream you see.”

After she said that, there came a loud wind sound. I braced myself. But the strong wind that I thought would sweep me away never came.

“Don’t worry, I’m just going to let you look at the old days.”

“……Old days?”

“Mm, the world thousands of years ago. A story from when the world and the gods were born. And…… It’s probably a story about why you’re being targeted.”

The wind is still howling. But Solana’s voice was clearly audible. With Solana’s help, I’m just being shown somewhere in the past, I’m not standing in a real place.

I squint into the darkness. What appeared before me is an ice field. But the ice seems to move little by little, and they eventually collapse like a waterfall near an edge.

“G-glacier ……?”

It’s a giant glacier I’ve never seen or imagined.

Even if my eyes gradually get used to it, I can’t really believe its size. Solana and I are hovering in the air, looking out over the vast land—I mean only if there was something that could be called land far below.

“Even I can’t describe the size of this glacier correctly.”

“Solana?”

“Well, to call something ‘big,’ you need something ‘small.’ But this was before our world was created. So there’s nothing that can be called ‘small.’”

My head is spinning. That was probably best explanation Solana can give.

“The glacier will drop at the edge, right?”

“Yes.”

Time and time again, chunks of ice fall into a depth of darkness. The sound of ice being separated from the glacier sounded like a cracking bell. The bottom was not visible. It fell endlessly to the very end. On the other side of the glacier, separated by nothingness, I could faintly see the abyss.

Was the faint red color due to a burning fire?

Sandwiched between ice and fire, is a vertical gap. We’re now floating above it.

“Ginnunga Gap —this void, called the Ginnunga Rift, occupied most of the world.”

The glacier began to grow ice blocks at the edge of the rift. The ice blocks continued to grow, drawing in the mist and sleet from the surrounding area.

“….It’s incredible.”

It was an obvious thing to say, but that was all I could say.

The scale is different. The glacier was so wide that it was impossible to see its end. The mist that traced the ice masses could cover the entire country we live in, no, the entire world.

It was a view that could not be measured. If Solana hadn’t been here, I might have gone crazy.

“When I woke up, my memory wasn’t strong enough to show you all this. Now I can show you what you need to know.”

As she speaks, a change occurs in the ice block. Mist and sleet were blown away by a warm wind. Occasionally, summer-like hot air would blow over the mountain range-like ice blocks.

“The other side of the gap is hot, with flame burning. I think hot air was coming from there.”

I wonder if it should be called the encounter between fire and ice. The ice begins to melt, and eventually a drop falls into the rift. Then the droplet took on the shape of a human. His eyes opened, hair grew, and then he floated in the gap.

“It was a collision between cold magic and hot magic. This being was the first living thing to be born into the crack. A titan called Ymir.”

The first cry of a Titan echoed through the rift. I have goosebumps. Even though I told myself that this was a dream, it stirred up some primal feeling.

“Ymir, who was born first, had the ‘power of creation’ to create something.”

As if to show me that power, light gathers in Ymir’s hands.

“Drifting in the gap, he gives birth to titans, like himself. And then, he made smaller beings, he gave birth to the ancestors of the gods. However—”

Solana’s voice trembled.

“Because Ymir was a primordial being, he was also an arrogant titan.”

With his enormous arms, Ymir grasped the gods he had created. Then he brought them into to his mouth.

“H-he ate them…?”

I can’t help but gasp.

“That’s right. He made them and ate them. His lack of kindness sealed his fate.”

Eventually, a particularly eye-catching god was born. With beard and sharp eyes, a fearless looking god stared at Ymir.

“A certain god fought him, and eventually killed Ymir. Then he stole the ‘power of creation’. Only then did he finally begin to create the world.”

That fearless god wield the “power of creation” that he took from Ymir. Light then filled the void of Ginnunga.

“The later chief god saw the successes and failures of Ymir. His success was when he gave birth to the gods. His failure was when he was killed by a god.”

Solana paused.

“I mean…… the new god thought, ‘I can do better.’”

The sea, land, and stars are created in a place that was empty. It seems that other gods and humans were also created at this time. The sun rose from the farthest reaches and illuminated the world of birth as if to bless it.

“If the special power that resides in God is called a skill, then the ‘power of creation’ of the titan Ymir would be called the first skill.”

Then time rushed before my eyes. Hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of years unfolded in my dream.

In the beginning of the newly created land, there were only rocks. But once god created a tree, humans starts growing them too. When god released fish into the sea, humans made a boat out of wood and sail. The blessings of the wise god are multiplied by human beings through effort, ingenuity, and cultivation.

“…… It’s amazing.”

“Maybe the Chief God knew that the more creatures there are, the more interesting this world will be.”

The world is now enveloped in lush greenery. The place where the huge rift used to open its mouth and swallow things into darkness is now inhabited by many creatures.

“……Solana”

“Yes?”

I rubbed my eyes. Most people on earth are human, but from time-to-time small figures appear. Something as tall as a child. They are doll-sized and has wings on their back.

“Ah, that’s a dwarf, Aalv, Dwerg—they are also called fairies.”

It seems that there were races other than humans a long time ago. The land of the gods, the land of men, the land of fairies. All of them seemed to shine brightly, but I noticed that there was a black country in a corner of the world.

“It’s the land of titans.”

The black part of the world is simply ominous. It’s as if something that has been driven out of the light is solidified.

“Ymir wasn’t completely out of power, the titans he created in the rift secretly hid him and finally revived him after many years.”

Red-black flames erupt from the land of titans. A black wave swept over me like a ripple. Then the horn sounded.

It was Gjallarhorn’s sound.

“M-monsters…..?”

“It’s not just good creatures that have multiplied with humans.”

Goblins, skeletons, kobolds, orcs and many more monsters. Accompanied by monsters, titans approached the gods and humans. The land was quickly engulfed in the flames of war.

“The humans and the gods tried their best to defend themselves, but eventually they were cornered. Then the gods, humans, and fairies could barely defend their respective countries.”

I looked at the scene with courage.

Like beings swallowed up by a big tidal wave, human resistance disappears. The towering city walls crumbled. The lush fields were trampled.

“It’s awful……”

The attack is carried out thoroughly and it was as if the titans were doing the right thing. For the people, the last stronghold was underground. A lot of people are fleeing.

“It’s more than just fighting….…”

“Yes, a place to hide and survive.”

My throat moved slightly.

These shelters unfolding before me must be the dungeons we know now. Most shelters were built underground to survive the war.

“In the end, the underground was also invaded by monsters, as you know.”

The world is already dyed black. The greenery grown by the gods and humans is nowhere to be seen. A reddish-black flame flickers in the center. In the midst of the hot air, there are countless vague humanoid figures.

“Ymir’s spearhead, the Flame Titan, was going to burn the world to the ground with anger and hatred—but he couldn’t.”

A spear was thrown from the sky. The spear pierces the center of the giant, spreading a sealing ice over the entire earth.

“It was God’s decision at the last minute.”

The world is now being enveloped in ice. Not on fire, but on ice.

“Postponement of defeat by sealing, the Kingdom of Asgard was born after this.”

For a long time, I stared at a world engulfed by ice. It happened thousands of years before I was born. The gods who defeated the monsters gave the land to humans –this is far from the myth we are proud about.

Originally, “Asgard” was the land of the gods. I have also heard from my mother that the kingdom of Asgard inherited its name from the gods.

But with what I saw, the kingdom of the gods and the kingdom of men perished in the same way. The land, which was once enveloped in greenery, is now covered with ice. I guess the real myth ends here.

After the sealing ice covered the world, a small light is born from the sun. Then it disappeared as if it had burrowed into the ground.

“……That was me.”

Solana laughed sadly.

“My mother, who was in charge of the sun, was eaten by a monster in this battle, and I was left in the gold coin and went to sleep.”

The gods could not defeat the monsters. That’s the real myth.

Then the rest of the story continues to this day.

“Until you wake me up.”

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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The Raven Warriors belongs to the Temple of Odis. They are dungeon specialists, made up of only skilled adventurers.

The dungeons bring us magic stones and relics. There are people in the Royal family who have skills related to “seal”, and it was also the role of the temple of Odis to properly manage the seals of the dungeons made by the gods. Hence, the Royal family and the temple are closely related.

But dungeons are dangerous places. There are monsters, and even adventurers may turn against you. That’s why the Temple of Odis had an elite fighting force that could take control of the dungeons if necessary.

That force is the “Raven Warriors”.

But……

“P-Patriach……!?”

Mia-san and I exclaimed in unison.

The person in front of us looked like an ordinary girl. A girl about 15 or 16 years old —I think we are three years apart at most.

“You?”

Mia-san crossed her arms and looked incredulously at her. Well, it was a given. In front of us is Parine, the rookie adventurer who we had saved in the Eastern Dungeon. But right now, she is dressed in a white robe with a high hat, and she is smiling calmly at us.

“It’s hard to believe, but I’m indeed the Patriarch.”

“But you’re so young…..”

“There are circumstances, but my position is genuine.”

We looked back and forth between the Raven Warriors standing behind us and Pauline. The Warriors didn’t deny it at all, so I think what she said was true.

“Parine is also a temporary name, and my real name is Pauline.”

I suddenly felt hot and cold all over. If I’m not mistaken, she also said she’s princess earlier. Her status made me dizzy and I don’t know how to talk to her.

“Hmm…. Then why are you in the dungeon?”

“M-Mia-san? Uhm, well, P-Patriach we….”

Pari-……Pauline-san made a wry smile when I hesitated to speak.

“Pauline is fine. You and the Warriors are both adventurers after all. Rather than that, let’s get down to business.”

She taps her staff into the ground. Pauline turns her jade green eyes to the carriage.

“We want you to come with us as soon as possible.”

“That….…”

I may be rude, but I looked straight up at Pauline-san.

“Pardon me but I can’t do that. I have to go home first.”

I’m worried about Lu and my mom. I’m not going anywhere unless I made sure that the battle hadn’t reached our house.

Then I continued,

“I’ll definitely show up at the Temple of Odis. If it’s because of breaking the seal in the dungeon…. and I have unsealed the dungeon, I’ll talk about it properly then.”

“Besides….” I added as I turned my gaze to the side. I can see the battered city and the adventurers on the move.

“…… I’m still worried about this area.”

The streets that became the battlefield are still in a mess. A power like the one I did earlier might help.

Pauline-san’s eyes widened. With her pale white cheeks, she smiled appreciatively at me.

“That’s how adventurers should be. It’s a wonderful attitude. But you should rest a little. For example…… If the caster collapses in the middle of doing the healing magic, the healing will stop in the middle and it will be a big problem then.”

“That’s….…”

“The Temple of Odis also dispatched magicians who are in perfect health. Also, the first place we’ll head to is your residence.”

I was surprised.

“M-my house….?”

“Yes. Let me give you protection. Far from being a criminal, you are actually our most important guest.”

Pauline-san’s eyes were serious. The word “protection” raised many questions in my head. But I intuitively felt that there was no time to argue. Speaking of which, before going to battle with Skoll, I saw a group of Raven Warriors near my house.

There may have been a danger in the neighborhood. Slightly nervous, I quickly agreed.

“I-, I understand.”

We then got into the carriage. It’s a large four-wheeled carriage pulled by two horses. The inside is spacious, and the ceiling is lit with magic stones for lighting. Even when it started moving, it didn’t shake as much as I thought it would. It’s weird to compare this to the wagons in the neighborhood.

The night was still deep. Even in the areas far from the city walls and spared from the battle, the houses had their wooden gates tightly shut. As we approached the poorer area, I felt people staring at us. They probably were worried about what was going on as they never saw a fancy carriage come by before.

Eventually, when the carriage came near the house, I noticed something unusual. On the roof. From time to time, a figure with a fluttering cloak appears.

“……Raven Warriors?”

Pauline-san, seated across from me, nodded.

“While you were fighting the monsters at the city gates, the enemy came to this area as well.”

Her words sent chills down my spine.

“…..T-There’s a fight here?”

“Yes. But rest assured, the Warriors have repelled him.”

Pauline-san spoke nonchalantly, but the atmosphere became heavier.

“The other party is the slave trader we were chasing. It seems that he has recruited slaves with ‘rare skills’ through the nobles. I think he has set his sights on you brothers and sisters.”

It reminded me of the battle with Skoll.

―Sigh, at this rate the sister is lost too….

There was indeed a woman who said that right before she ran away.

“L-Lu…… She is being targeted too?”

“Yes. In fact, it was the same slave trader who unsealed the Eastern Dungeon and tried to destroy the royal capital.”

The carriage then came to a stop.

“We have arrived, Master.” , said the voice of the coachman.

If we haven’t arrived yet, I might have stood up and questioned Pauline-san. She said it’s the same people who made the city like that, and the people who wanted to enslave us.

“What do—?”

Pauline-san shook her head and gestured with her hand.

“Who knows.”

We get out of the carriage. We are at the front door of a familiar house. I had just left a few hours ago, but I felt like I hadn’t been back in years. The pillar still bears the scratches from when Lu and I used to swing sticks around when we were little.

It’s just like the time with my father. Something that destroys happiness comes suddenly.

“I’m home.”

When I entered, I saw my mother standing there, she’s wearing a pot on her head. There’s also a visible nervous look on her face.

“R-Rion….…”

Tears welled up in Mom’s eyes.

“I’m back now.”

After letting out a sigh of relief, my mother hugged me tightly. She must have been relieved.

My father walked out the same front door as me but he didn’t come back. Then mother eventually noticed Mia-san and Pauline-san behind me.

“The people behind you are……? Oh, look at me, you are with your comrades.”

“May God bless you.”

Pauline-san bows.

Mother’s eyes widened, she took off the pot and she brushed the dust off her usual hood and robes.

“T-that hat…… B-Bishop?”

Come to think of it, I’ve heard that a high hat represents a rank. Pauline-san pursed her lips as she looked at the bare living room.

“I’m sorry, Rutger.”

—I can hear her saying it softly. Rutger is my father’s name.

“I’m sorry for the late night, but I would like to take your family into a protective custody as soon as possible.”

Pauline-san declared so.

With a confused look, my mother looked at me. I nodded at her.

“Don’t worry Mom. Is Lu upstairs?”

“Yes. She’s coughing again, so she’s staying on the bed.”

I went up the stairs.

(Gods…… can you hear me?)

I talked to the gods in my head. I want something definite as an answer.

No reply.

I can hear something in the back of my ear, but there are so many voices mixed together that I can’t make it out clearly.

I then opened the door of our bedroom.

“Oniichan!”

My little sister is trying to get out of bed.

“Lu? I heard you’re coughing again. Are you okay?”

I’ve heard that she’s sick again, but I can tell that Lu’s breathing isn’t disturbed. She’s sitting on the bed while holding her chest though. Her brown gown that had been with her for a long time had been draped over her shoulders.

“Mm. I’m a lot better.”

“Really? Since when? It gets cold, so if it comes back it’ll be awful.”

“Really. I’m really better. I think…. around when I heard the horn sound.”

I wonder if defeating Skoll made Lu feel better.

Come to think of it, she got sick before I fought a strong monster called the zombie werewolf too.

“I felt like Oniichan is fighting somewhere far. Then I got better.”

That’s good then. Lu also looks really fine.

I can’t help but think that the horn I rang that time might have cheered up not only God, but Lu as well. I am really grateful for that.

“Horn huh….”

『Gjallarhorn』 is still in my pouch. I took it out. It’s a very beautiful horn with intricate craftsmanship. However, it feels like it has lost its power. I remember that right after I used 『Alarm』, it seemed to shine from within.

“Maybe I woke up God, but now He’s asleep……?”

At that moment, I heard voices in my ear.

『……！　……！！』

『—se! —to!』

『It’s cramped!』

The coin in my right pocket vibrated. It’s the voice of the gods.

『Stop! Everyone, stop making a fuss!』

『But it’s getting smaller and smaller!』

『T-there’s no other way! Originally, it’s only my space, then four people came into my place suddenly!』

Anxiety begins to swell up inside me like summer rain clouds.

(S-Solana!?)

『Rion! It seems that the sudden addition of four people to this gold coin made it too cramped……!』

Then golden light overflowed from my pocket. I hurriedly took out the gold coin, but it is already shining brightly.

“O-oniichan!?”

The gold coin is still vibrating. Then it floated into the air on its own and along with the light, the “contents” are released outside.

“Uoh!”

A red-haired giant god falls on my mother’s bed. It’s the god, Thor. His two-meter giant body crushed the bed. Then next to the loud crush,

“Uwa!”

“Kyaa!”

The brown-haired god, Uru came out next. He took a defensive stance and landed on his feet. But then the armored goddess —Sigris— fell on top of him, and the two of them flipped the shelf over making another loud crash and clattering sounds.

The noise was probably heard not only on the first floor, but throughout the neighborhood.

“Oh dear….”

Finally, Loki, the black-haired god, landed on my bed. He sit cross-legged and leaned against the wall. Loki’s eyes widened. Then he said,

“Oh, this is better than the inside of the gold coin, but…… isn’t it quite small here?”

Solana was the last to jump out of the gold coin. She floats softly in the air, looks around, and then she clutched her blonde hair.

“Ah! Forget it!”

She shook her blonde hair as if she couldn’t take it anymore. Then she shouted,

“Y-you guys! You already know that it’s cramped, but you guys still went wild! Of course it becomes even cramped! How can you not understand that concept!?”

Thor scratched his head. His body was as distinct as the statues in the plaza, with unnecessary muscle trimmed away. But the way he scratched his nose in embarrassment made him look very carefree.

“Especially you Thor! The bed you crushed with your back is mo—”

“R-Rion? What’s going on?”

My mother called out from the first floor. Then I heard a number of people coming up the stairs.

“N-No, it’s nothing!”

I hurriedly blocked the door. I’m going to have to explain it all at some point —I know that’s part of it, but I didn’t want to show our bedroom in this state.

“H-hey, everybody, shrink your size! Or go back to the coin!”

Solana gave an order in panic, but none of the Gods obeyed her. Perhaps the world 1000 years in the future is so strange to them. They are either curiously looking out the window or opening the shelves, touching here and there.

“Especially you Thor. You need to shrink yourself as soon as possible.”

“Shrink?”

“Limit your magical powers.”

“Limit the magical power……?”

“Tsk! You’re really useless at everything except fighting, aren’t you!?”

Wow, that’s a lot.

There was a lot of commotion. Thor tried to get up but fell flat on his face.

……Odis-sama. Thank you for the unseal skill. But for now, just for now… I want not the “unseal” but a seal skill!

“Rion, open the door!”

“Y-yes.”

But it’s too late. The door was torn down. The Raven Warriors and Mia-san came pouring inside the bedroom. Mom was stunned by the strange gods in the room and Solana floating in the air.

“……Y-Your house. It’s true. It was said that your house will become the Valhalla, and it become a reality.”

Solana’s eyes wandered and she she whispered something that I did not quite catch.

“R-Rion……?”

Mom collapsed to the floor. With her eyes wide in shock, she looks around the bedroom. In this situation, I didn’t have the courage to introduce Solana and the others as “gods”. I think it would be more convincing if I said that they are drunk adventurers from the tavern that just barged in.

“Y-you have more friends……?”

“Well, this…… uhm, they are not my friends….”

In that moment, Pauline-san cleared her throat.

Thud! Thud!

She hit the floor so much that the decorations on her staff nearly came off.

“Everyone, hop in the carriage! We’ll take you to the Raven Warriors’ base tonight.”

Mia-san was the only one who seemed relieved by all this and she is even laughing heartily.

“The horn has been blown”, she hummed.

It is a phrase known to adventurers that means “there’s no choice but to move forward.”

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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Moving in slow motion.

That was the perfect description of the figure that appeared in the distance.

He’s like a ghost. Illuminated by the moonlight and the adventurer’s torch, the swaying body occasionally stretches out large shadows.

I had a very ominous premonition.

“G-Gideon……?”

Even from a distance, I realized who it was. Thanks to my skills, I can see more at night than usual.

Solana whispered.

『Something’s off about him. 』

I nodded in agreement.

It is clear that he was seriously injured. He is walking while protecting his leg, and his left arm is hanging down limply. I could even smell blood in the night air.

Then Gideon stopped about 10 meters before us.

Stained with blood and mud, his blonde hair and noble attire were unrecognizable. But his eyes were arched like crescent moons.

“Haha, hahaha! The city looks a lot neater now!”

With a hollow laugh, Gideon pulled out something from his bossom.

 ……A small pouch?

“As expected, it’s marvelous. This ash is really amazing! I even awakened the dungeon……!”

Gideon looked up at the pouch he was holding and his body shook, as if squirming in excitement.

His behavior is really bizarre.

The atmosphere was so gripping that neither Mia-san nor I could move.

『Rion…… Be careful. I can sense a nasty magical power from Gideon.』

Solana told me so.

When I looked closely, I saw black smoke rising from the pouch.

『That pouch must be the same one that fell in the Eastern Dungeon. I can feel the same presence from it. 』

“……T-then, is that Gideon?”

A chuckle echoed in the back of my ears.

『Those ashes—it looks like it was imbued with magical power.』

A god informed me.

When I touch the right pocket of my jacket, I feel the hard feel of the gold coin. The voice came from there.

“A-ashes….?”

『They’re the ashes of a titan. Let me, Lord Loki tell you.』

The words are spoken as if he was singing. Loki is one of the gods who woke up from the seal and saved me. As expected, he too resides in the same gold coin as Solana.

『In ancient times, titans, like monsters, were enemies of the gods. Some were extremely powerful giants who could control fire. But just as they were about to unleash their hatred to the gods and burn the world to the ground, the sealing age happened. 』

Loki continued.

『It was an incomplete combustion, so to speak. The titans have turned to ashes and are still smoldering away —or at least that’s how it seems to me.』

I suddenly felt light headed. I wonder if I’m feeling dizzy because I’m tired, or because the story is so big.

Mia-san supported my shoulders.

“…… Is it Rion who is there? Kukuku, you can’t lay your hands on a noble you know.”

Gideon stopped talking and looked at us.

Me, Mia-san and the other adventurers who defended the city. Even when everyone glared at him, Gideon didn’t lose his attitude of scoffing at the cityscape. The Raven Warriors, who were supposed to manage the dungeons, moved to surround Gideon.

『Flame against the sealed ice. Since the monsters has been resurrected —no need to guess, that pouch has everything to do with it.』

Gideon came in the direction of the castle gate —in the direction of the dungeon. And he indeed said, “I awakened the dungeon.”

“Gideon…… y-you released the monsters?”

My heart froze from that realization.

Gideon laughed manically.

“What if I did it?”

My body grew hot. Really, really, unbearably hot.

My hand that was reaching out for my short sword clenched tightly.

“Gideon!!”

I took a step forward and thunder rumbled.

Gideon’s face turned pale and he slumped down the ground.

“Y-you…… Are you really Rion?”

If he could look so frightened, why doesn’t he understand that other people are scared of monsters too?  

Gideon’s mouth trembled.

“W-who’s that behind you……?”

A big hand taps me on the shoulder. When I turned around, I saw a fiery red hair.

『Don’t slash at low lives.』

From his massive body that seemed to be two meters tall, the god spoke to me.

『No matter how renowned a sword is, it is useless if it is stained with the blood of a lowly person.』

……Thor, the God of Thunder?

The God of Thunder appeared only for a moment and he immediately disappeared into the void.

Did he go back to gold coin?

Gideon was so shocked and a warrior has taken a step forward to him.

――There are really kind guys, but there are also really bad guys.

What Mia said to me after the duel was ingrained in me.

If I had been much stronger than Gideon in that place, I wonder if something would have changed.

“Idiot……! What an idiot……!”

Suddenly, there was the sound of wheels and the neighing of horses.

A magnificent four-wheeled carriage appeared and stopped to our left. A group of raven warriors quickly approached the carriage and opened the door. It was a little strange that they seemed to bow to the person inside.

“Gideon of House Warburg.”

As she says that, the woman comes down the carriage.

She was dressed in white. She is wearing a high hat with a staff that is as tall as her height. Because she is going down the steps, her eyes were looking down. But somehow I could tell that she has a very beautiful face.

When she looked up, her green eyes met ours.

“This is the end of your misdeeds.”

Dominance.

Her voice is high, and she may be about 15 or 16 years old. There is a solemnity like the dignity of a temple all over her. With just a few words, she had all the adventurers on their feet.

The woman’s silver hair flutters in the wind.

“Y-you…… No way.”

Unable to get up, Gideon moves his legs and butt and slides back.

The woman walks with her staff hitting on the ground. For a moment, I think she glanced sideways at me and Mia-san.

“……Eh?”

I had a strange feeling.

This person…. it looks like I’ve seen her somewhere.

“There is no nobleman to protect you. With your mismanagement of the Eastern Dungeon, you have lost your source of power.”

The woman said something to the Raven Warriors who were nearby. One of them approached Gideon and snatched the pouch from his hand.

It’s clear that the woman is a comrade of the group of warriors.

“She’s a big shot.”

“……yeah.”

Shaking the chain on her right arm, Mia-san whispered to me.

“Should we should run away?”

“Eh? …… What?”

“I’m just kidding. But it’s kind of suspicious, isn’t it?”

Mia-san, please stop……

Just as she said “Should we run away?”, a group of Raven Warriors approached us.

Then the woman who got the pouch frowns.

“……Ashes. So that’s how they came about.”

“It’s mine!”

Unable to stand up, Gideon puts his hand on his sword.

The woman stretched out her arms towards Gideon. Cold light gathers at the end of her white gloves.

“Skill Seal”

An icy, white, freezing wind swept through the area.

Gideon shudders.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!”

He forcibly pulled out his sword but it slipped out of his hands and fell to the ground.

Clang.

A dry sound echoed out. From the way I saw it, it’s like the sword has escaped from its own accord.

“M-my swordsman skill……?”

“I sealed it.”

The woman hit her staff on the ground.

“If you don’t miss training, your body will remember even if you run out of skills. But it looks like you relied on your skills for everything.”

Gideon turned pale and his head hung low.

“Telling everything you know will at least be a way to make amends.”

The Raven Warriors helped Gideon stand and took him away. As Mia-san and I watched them leave, the woman turned towards us.

“Now then.”

Her face was softened.

“I’m sure I surprised you.”

She placed her hand covered in pure white gloves on her chest and bowed slowly. Her tall hat shook and she quickly adjusted it.

“I haven’t even formally thanked you yet, my name is Pauline.”

The feeling from earlier came again. I really feel like I had met her somewhere before.

“It thanks to you that I was saved in the Eastern Dungeon.”

I looked at Mia-san.

White clothes, pure white gloves, and this voice.

“I-it’s you!”

Mia-san’s mouth opened wide.

“Pa-Parine-san……?”

The rookie adventurer who was running for her life in the Eastern Dungeon. Mia-san was her guide, but it became dangerous, so I helped…….

“Correct.”

Parine—no, Pauline-san nodded.

“I apologize for the delay in thanking you, but please let me introduce myself once again.”

Pauline smiled at us with her jade green eyes twinkling.

“My name is Pauline, the ninth princess of the Kingdom of Asgard and the 63rd Patriarch of the Raven Warriors of the Temple of Odis.”

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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