The next day, we gathered in the living room, Naya sitting with us. She had arrived with a serious expression on her face, asking Emori to gather the rest of us before she began speaking. I couldn't help but feel concerned. Something bad is happening.

  “I have reports from the scouting team,” she started.

  “They finally returned? What happened to them?”

  Naya opened up papers filled with detailed reports. “The long and short of it is that there's something else interfering with magic within the tunnels underneath those dungeons.”

  “Something… else?”

  “The mages couldn't determine what.” Naya shook her head. “They cimed that it isn't an anti-magic barrier, though.”

  The feeling of inside an anti-magic barrier is pretty unique, but that was the only way I knew of to prohibit the use of magic. There might be other methods that I never hear about, but if even the mages didn't know what it was, I have little chance of countering. Well, even if I know what it was, that didn't necessarily meant I could counter it.

  I only learnt how to counter the anti-magic barrier recently, how am I supposed to counter an unknown method of magic prohibition?

  To make matters worse, the strength of our fighting force is centered around Emori’s White Void, with me acting as support. Prilus’ sword and Solicea's spear had magic infused in them, but they could still be used without it. How much the power would be inhibited was unclear, though. Maya’s the only one that relied wholly on physical attack, using her strength and the musket.

  “... Maybe we should have someone else carry Maya’s musket,” I murmured, gncing at Maya.

  “I don't mind, but who?”

  Whoever it was, it needed to be someone that had experience with muskets. Ideally, someone that their default weapon is close-range, so the musket could compliment their attacks with its long range capabilities.

  Sudden loud, rough knocks came from the door, banging over and over, surprising all of us. A soldier opened the door, running into the room as fast as possible.

  “Your Highness! Pardon the intrusion, but this is an emergency!”

  “Please excuse me for a moment.”

  Naya stood up and walked away, heading out of the room. Silence hung over the living room. I already have an inkling of what was going on.

  It's time, isn't it?

  “Looks like it's finally happening.” Naya returned with a grim expression.

  “What's the update?” I asked.

  Naya opened a map, marking dungeons all across Nanawak. “Heavy concentration of monsters began pouring out of the dungeons’ lowest floor. Mostly regur monsters, but a lot of demon-tempered enemies among them. Their strength was nothing we have ever seen before. Their origin is the dungeons’ lowest floors.”

  There were many dungeons scattered all around Nanawak. If we let the monsters out, they could easily overwhelm us.

  “Explosives have been pnted beforehand, and our teams are ready. The dungeons are currently being evacuated. We're waiting for His Majesty’s orders,” the soldier that accompanied her said, standing behind Naya.

  “What are the current casualties reports?” Maya asked.

  “Currently zero, but that isn't going to stay for long.” The dread was clear from Naya’s voice.

  “Injured?”

  “Fifty-seven.”

  The number drew gasps from all of us there. The attack had only just begun, and many people had been hurt. It wouldn't be long before casualties began piling up one after the other. We need to act now.

  Another knock came from the door. This time, Prilus was the one that appeared. There were no pleasantries, though. He immediately sat down. Seeing him, Naya let out a breath of relief. She turned to the address the rest of us.

  “I'll make this quick. The scouting team found a long, narrow pathway that seemed to lead directly toward the demon king’s castle. Whether that path is blocked or not remained a mystery, but it's not the only path. There are many different paths leading to the castle, with teleport points connecting them.”

  So unlike in the previous war, we might not need specialized equipment to reach it.

  “They returned from a different dungeon to the one they went in. There were many teleport points in there, simir to the Teleport spell, but with a fixed destination. The teleport points traveled all over the pce, connecting the different paths leading to the castle. Since they aren't map, please avoid them.”

  Naya continued conveying various observations, but I found not many of them to be useful. We just know that we would be facing a lot of monsters, but that's no different than a regur dungeon. They also stated that they have trouble using certain spells, but others’ effects were amplified.

  Elementless spells like Teleport and Connect could not be used, but attack spells like Fireball had increased effects. It was as if the dungeons had unique modifiers pced on it, something none of the other dungeons have.

  “Lastly, I’ll send some Wolves with you. Regus and Amira will come with you, along with a couple others.”

  Emori raised her hand. “May I add one more person to the group?”

  “Who?” Naya asked. Emori took a deep breath.

  “Mister Akaraseki. I want him to be with us.”

  “What?”

  “No!”

  Opposition rang throughout the room, causing Emori to shrink.

  “Ah, okay. No, then.”

  Emori turned her head down. It was the first time I saw Prilus and Naya shot her down so quickly. Seeing Emori's expression tucked my heart. I didn't really understand why, but I believed Emori have a good reason to why she willingly asked for the person that hurt her.

  I didn't want her to be shot down so easily, so I stood up. “He's coming with us,” I decred with a loud voice.

  “Fortis…”

  “And who let's you decide that?” Prilus gred at me. He may not be with us often, but he had heard about what Akaraseki did to his sister.

  “Fortisbel, you witnessed what he did yourself, didn't you? I know it doesn't sound valid coming from me, but why did you trust him?” Naya asked, a concerned expression on her face.

  “No, I do not trust him,” I stated frankly, making all of them look even more surprised.

  Except Maya. She's eyeing the chips someone pced on the table. I could tell she could care less about whether or not Akaraseki came with us.

  “... Just eat the chips, Maya,” Naya said, realizing just how hungry she looked.

  “Okay.”

  Maya didn't bother with the heavy mood and straight up took the chips. She chewed carefully enough that the sound wasn't audible to the rest of us.

  “But Emori, the one that fought him in battle, decided that she wants him to come with us. She must have a good reason to do so.”

  “Fortis…” Emori’s cheeks reddened, but my sudden speech sparked some bravery in her. She stood up as well.

  “Mister Akaraseki struggled so much for this country, even willingly put his life on the line for his people. He went through great lengths to make sure we're ready for the fight. I believe he has the right to participate, if he wishes.”

  “Emori…”

  “And I won't be opposing her. I'll be supporting Emori no matter what.”

  Well, maybe not no matter what…

  But I trusted her judgment on this matter. Emori, the girl that wielded White Void. A spell that required a pure heart. Even until today, I don't get what that means, but I trust her.

  Besides, even outside the less concrete stuff, I have many reasons to trust her. Akaraseki openly shared what he knew. Back when we fought, he gave us a chance to escape. He entertained Emori's duel request, despite a duel not holding the same weight as in Sy.

  He showed no hostility when he spoke with us in the prison, despite us being the very reason he ended there.

  “Haven't you considered that he might be faking it?” Prilus asked.

  “Umm… but-”

  “No buts, Emori. This concerns the lives of millions. I don't want to risk bringing a criminal with us,” Prilus said, folding his hands. “And you too, Fortisbel. Remember your position.”

  I gritted my teeth. The mere thought of this person annoyed the heck out of me. Our positions mean nothing with the demon king around the corner.

  This risk is something I'm willing to take. Emori defeated her before, and this time, I'm with her.

  If Akaraseki indeed could sense the demon king’s thoughts, then it would put us at great advantage. We could know the demon king’s pns, motivations, techniques, and many other things. Even if we couldn't, getting an extra, skilled fighter among our group increases the chances of us winning.

  “Sorry, Emori. It's not that we don't trust you. We just don't want to take any unnecessary risks,” Naya said, smiling wryly.

  “Alright…” Emori sat back down.

  I still stand, though.

  “Sit back down, Fortisbel.” Prilus ordered. Being a while without him sure is nice, though. Half of me really, really, wanted to fight him, but I realized that it wasn't a good time.

  “Fine. Not my fault if something happens to us.” I raised my hands, sitting back down. Prilus gred at me. If only there were something I could do…

  Once we return to Sy, I'll challenge him to a duel and smack the hell out of him…

  That sounded like a nice idea. I'll learn one of those damage-oriented quad-casting techniques. Yeah, that would be very painful. It would teach him to not mess with me.

  “But… could Akaraseki at least be near an opening when we're inside, so maybe he can help us?”

  “We can't communicate with magic, remember? At least the mages couldn't.” Solicea shrugged. Since it wasn't anti-magic barriers, there might be a chance that we could deal with it, somehow. We had yet to figure out what Emori's glowing eye and Solicea's glowing spear mean.

  Since the demon king made the sacred spells, maybe anything sacred reacts to him? Wait, does that mean Solicea's spear is a sacred weapon?

  I gnced at the spear on her back. The weapon could be considered a kind of family weapon, transferred from generation to generation. Maybe her ancestors received it from Amoriaz many years ago.

  “Anyway, where were we… oh right. We'll send some Wolves with you. Your group will get in from the dungeon in the southwest most of Nanawak. It should be the one closest to the demon king’s castle. Based on what the scouting team found, the paths should be straight with minimal twists and turns. As long as you avoid the teleport points, you should get there within a day.”

  “I can't fly in there, can I?” Maya asked. Naya shook her head.

  “The tunnels are too small, barely enough to fit a rge group. It won't be able to fit you in your dragon form.”

  “The dungeons above it are rge, though. Are they built separately?” Solicea murmured. While Maya may not be able to fly in those dungeons, it was rge enough to fit her dragon form, at least.

  “Even until now, we have no idea of the connection between the dungeons and the tunnels underneath it.”

  A day in the depths, not sure of where we were, with something prohibiting us from using magic. Admittedly, I didn’t like the idea of taking this on without thorough preparations, but the original party didn’t really have much time when they took him on. The circumstances were simir.

  The monsters went wild, destroying everything in their wake. They could obliterate entire vilges, leaving not a single house standing. That was the scale of destruction the demon king and his army brought.

  We weren’t keen on repeating history, so the quicker we stop this, the lower the damage would be.

  But simply charging through? With the main force no less?

  I know time is ticking, and I did prepare some spells that I could hopefully use in there, but aren't there any other ways to do this?

  If we bring Akareseki…

  Emori must have a good reason to ask for him. I doubt she would do it just because Akareseki is powerful. If we could convince these two to let him come with us…

  Besides, couldn’t she send some prison guards to help us? Oh wait, that would mean sending even more people on this trip.

  Had I not know of the story of the first party, I would be questioning the fact that Prilus and Emori would come with us. The first party had Emori’s grandfather, at the time also a prince. Asyter was also with them. The other three members were also important people in society.

  Maybe noblesse oblige or something?

  Regardless of the reason, I need to make sure that all of us, especially Emori, return alive. That while fighting the demon king with limited information. We gained skills and levels in our training that followed, but this wasn’t a game. We have one chance at this.

  “Are you sure there’s no other intel you can provide us?”

  Naya’s face turned sour. “Unfortunately, no.”

  “Fortis, you can back down now if you want to,” Emori said all of a sudden. “You too, Maya, Solicea. As princess, it’s my responsibility to protect my people.”

  “What the heck are you talking about? Of course I’m coming.” I tapped Emori’s shoulder. Maya approached and patted her head. “This dragon won’t let any harm come to you.”

  “You haven't wash your hands.” I pointed out.

  “Emori can use a few chips in her life.”

  “Haha…” Emori ughed wryly.

  Solicea also came closer. “As your subject, I will happily lend a hand to protect everyone.”

  “Everyone…”

  “Come on. We made some preparations already. Let’s go.” Prilus stood up. We all teleported away.

  ??We arrived in front of a rge encampment in the middle of the desert. Behind that encampment was a rge dungeon, wall after wall lined up in front of it. The makeshift wall functioned both as a way to keep the sandstorm from covering the entrance, and also as a defense line against monsters.

  There were a couple of wounded soldiers resting in a tent when we arrived. In a different tent were our Eastern Wolves friends. Regus, Amira, and even Mister Vorak were there.

  “Looks like things have gotten serious…” Solicea took in the sight. Tension filled the air. Soldiers prepared for their turn to go into the dungeon and fight the monsters.

  “Ah, I just remembered something.” I called out to Naya, then held Emori’s hand.

  “Fortis?”

  “You know, we forgot that.”

  “That?” Emori tilted her head. I tried winking, giving her a code.

  “Ah, right. That. We forgot it, didn’t we?”

  “We’ll be teleporting back to the manor. Can you send someone ter to pick us back up?”

  “I can’t believe you forgot something important at a time like this.” Maya shook her head in disappointment. “You’re unreliable.”

  Now’s not the time for jokes, Maya!

  I refrained from saying anything, putting a wry smile on my face.

  “O- Okay then. Make it quick, okay?”

  “Alright.”

  I held Emori’s hand tight and painted my room, then the symbol for Teleport. We were transported immediately back to our room. I didn’t stop there, however, instead painting a new image.

  This time, an image of Akareseki’s prison cell. I painted the symbol for Teleport, and the second I sensed a change in the mana flow, I quickly used Myriad Dash. It’s one of the quad-casting magic techniques I used in my past life. Its function? Mainly to increase your agility.

  Also to rip a hole in anti-magic barriers, forcing yourself through.

  “Whe- Where are we?”

  “Prisoner 9887. You have visitors.”

  A familiar face came to the gss.

  “Your Highness and Fortisbel. It seems that you have returned… Where are the guards?”

  “Mis- Mister Akareseki?” Emori’s mouth opened wide. She turned to me.

  “We’re here on our own.”

  “Impossible! This pce had intense anti-magic barriers. How are you able to Teleport here without disabling the barriers?”

  “I have my secrets.” I shrugged.

  Myriad Dash is a special quad-casting technique. It primarily increases your movement speed, response time, and various other things that increase your agility. It did have a side effect that it countered many kinds of magic spells when used. Since the anti-magic barrier is still regur magic, using Myriad Dash allowed me to get through the anti-magic barrier without disabling it.

  I had begun studying it only recently, when we had too much time on our hands. I didn’t want to be stuck inside the demon king’s castle with no way to escape, hence the spell. I only began looking into it after the incident with Naya, though, and it wasn’t a focus until the scouting team lost contact.

  “Anyway, we’re not here for that. We want you to come with us for the upcoming battle.”

  True to his former status as Bearer of Nanawak, he recovered from the shock quickly. “If that is what is required for me to pay my sins, then I would happily oblige. But, this isn’t an order from Her Highness Naya, is it?”

  “No, it isn’t. It’s Emori’s wish.”

  “Your Highness?” Akareseki looked quite surprised. “Why are you willing to trust me?”

  “When we fight, I can sense that you’re fighting not for some selfish reason, but for your country. If you help us, then we have a better chance at defeating the demon king and saving Nanawak.”

  “While I indeed wish to assist my country one more time, I cannot leave this prison without express permission from Her Highness Naya. I assume she is against the idea?”

  “She is indeed.” Emori nodded.

  “But don’t worry. Emori, your magic wand, please.”

  Emori handed over her wand. I used the spell I learnt a long time ago back in Sy. Soul Locker, a spell that allowed the transfer of souls momentarily.

  “If you agree, I can transfer your soul, or maybe your consciousness, to this wand. You will share your senses with Emori. That way, you can feel what we feel and help guide us in the upcoming battle.”

  “You can do that, Fortis?” Even Emori was shocked.

  “Yeah? I mean, the spell is in a book in the school’s library.”

  I doubt it was some kind of illegal spell or anything like.

  “...” Akareseki stared at the wand. I understood his hesitation.

  “Don’t worry, it’s only momentarily.”

  “I will take responsibility for anything that happened afterward,” Emori decred. “This is for Miss Naya, for the people of Nanawak, and my own people as well.”

  “Very well. I shall do my best to assist.”

  I closed my eyes, beginning the process.

  Utilizing the spell wasn’t easy. Other than the very complicated symbol, I also need to memorize the wand’s exact shape and size, as well as the face of Akareseki. It took a lot of concentration, and quite a bit of time.

  “Please accept.”

  “Very well.”

  Akareseki’s body, now unconscious, fell limply to the floor. I handed the wand back over to Emori.

  “Can you hear him now?”

  Emori paused, then nodded. “Loud and clear.”

  “The spell should st about three days. That’s the maximum time we have. Hopefully it won’t take that long.”

  I extended my hand. “It’s time to head back to the camps.”

  Emori took my hand. “Okay.”

  Since we're coming out of an anti-magic barrier, the process was reversed. I first utilized Myriad Dash to create an opening inside the anti-magic barrier, then used Teleport to escape.

  ??“Are you ready?”

  We were standing in front of an open floor, light pouring out from the hole. Emori’s right eye, Prilus’ sword, and Solicea's spear were glowing white.

  “You're alright, right?” I asked to make sure. Emori returned a nod.

  “I'm ready.”

  We weren't the first group to enter the underground tunnels. Before we entered, a group of volunteers had gone in before us, clearing the way. The second group, the main attack force, consisted of me as party leader, with Emori as main dps. Solicea, Regus and Amira would come in as support, while Maya… Maya will be Maya.

  Of course, other than me being appointed as leader, the rest didn't have specific roles. I would be the one that must coordinate them in the field.

  I understand Emori, Solicea, and Maya somewhat, but the rest?

  I had seen the way Prilus, Regus, and Amira fought, but not enough to wholly understand their moves.

  I'll observe them, maybe I can find a way to utilize them…

  I took one st check of my equipment. We would be bringing rations with us, so I checked those as well.

  After making sure everything is in order, I replied, “We're ready.”

  “Alright.” Naya stepped to the side, revealing the tunnel. I would be the first to jump. “See you on the other side.”

  I leaped into the tunnel, going down a rather short hole.

  But I found myself not in the narrow tunnels that the scout team had seen.

  Instead, to my surprise, I arrive inside a massive throne room, in front of the demon king himself. I regained my composure, preparing my wand.

  “You look quite different from the pictures, don't you, Amoriaz?”