Let’s Create a Dungeon is out (6/10 chapters for today)
Annihilation of the Knights
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(POV switch – a Knight)
“I will definitely, definitely make it back alive.” (Knight)
While fleeing with injuries all over, one of the comrades murmured as if to solidify their resolve. Thanks to that, the other comrades who had been disheartened by this defeat raised their heads.
That’s right, we must return. We need to go back and inform everyone of the Demon King’s danger and to mourn Captain Bach.
Strength returned to the hand gripping the sword. There was no large pursuit coming. Occasionally, some Kobolds and Orcs approached, but a light swing of the sword would send them fleeing. We could win if we fought head-on. As long as we held this sword, we wouldn’t lose. As long as we didn’t encounter the demon lord, we could win.
“Hey, there’s something!” (Knight)
One comrade pointed, and where he was indicating, white threads were tangled in the trees, forming a wall full of gaps. There were several holes big enough for an arm to pass through, but it was impossible to fit a body through. They tried to shift the threads to create a larger hole, but the threads were too tight to budge.
“This is quite sturdy. What could be beyond here?” (Knight)
“Common sense suggests it’s the Demon King’s room or a path that leads back without going through that depression.” (Knight)
Half of that was wishful thinking, but the other half was my deduction. The fact that it was secured so heavily suggested that something lay beyond. With words that were almost nonsensical, my comrades became motivated and began to challenge the white threads. Some slashed at the threads with their swords, some tried to shift them, while others attempted to cut down the trees themselves.
“This thread is tough, but can it be cut?” (Knight)
“It’s hard to cut, but it doesn’t seem impossible.” (Knight)
I went to check on a comrade who seemed to be successful. There, my comrade was moving his sword like a saw, challenging the white threads. I also tried to slash at the threads but was easily rebuffed. I moved my sword as my comrade did, but even then, it barely left a scratch. The thread’s toughness made me want to throw away my sword, but I held on and patiently continued to move my sword in an attempt to cut the white threads. At that moment…
“I did it! There’s a cut!” (Knight)
One comrade, who had been silently moving his sword, raised his voice. Looking closer, indeed a cut had formed in the white thread. Moreover, that cut was naturally widening. It seemed it would cut without any further action.
“If it breaks, we’ll run through the opening. If we find the entrance door, we can get back alive.” (Knight)
There would likely be enemies waiting at the entrance, but as long as it wasn’t the Demon King, we could manage.
If someone could hold the Demon King off while we get outside…
I didn’t designate who would act as bait for the Demon King. Whoever was closest would do. It was purely a matter of luck. Everyone waited for the threads to sever. Their anticipation seemed to provide strength, and the speed at which the threads broke increased until finally, they snapped.
We did it, and everyone reached out to untangle the threads, but even faster, the threads began to untangle on their own. Before I could even question why, I felt a sensation of floating. The ground beneath my feet had disappeared. As I fell, I instinctively reached out to grab a tree root with my hand. I managed to avoid falling, but there was no time to feel relieved.
“Wh-what! Gyaaaaahhh…” (Knight)
A scream echoed from a fallen comrade. Looking over, I saw my comrade being engulfed by Slimes. There were not just 10 or 20. My comrade was quickly consumed by the Slimes. There was no way to save them. Physical attacks were ineffective against the Slimes.
If only we had magic or a torch, we could instantly annihilate them, but unfortunately, we have none. If I fall like this, I will meet the same fate as my comrade. The only thing I could rely on is my arm, gripping the tree root, but that arm had been overused from training and slaying monsters. I should be able to pull myself up. But—
“Kurupuf!” (Orc)
Before I knew it, an Orc was behind me. He raised a club in hand and brought it down with all his might—.
—
(POV switch – Alice)
“Uwaah, they were really wiped out…” (Lyle)
“I told you. Don’t underestimate the Demon King here. I don’t really understand, but that guy knows how to kill efficiently. He disregards both quantity and quality in how he kills.” (Alice)
I had been near that Demon King all this time, but I had no idea what he was doing. He created depressions, dug trenches, then hid them with threads, making walls with those threads, and only a few from each race received combat training. All I understood was the training he had given to the Kobolds. That was good training. Training under a load on the entire body becomes several times harsher than regular training.
“So, is he waiting for us to fortify and attack?” (Lyle)
“No, that won’t do.” (Alice)
I immediately denied it. That guy could easily take down a fortress or castle. More importantly—
“After all this, he has taught the humans how to fortify. He must have something planned.” (Lyle)
“Something planned? Didn’t Alice-san hear anything while being near the demon lord?” (Knight)
“Only one thing, I’ve heard.” (Alice)
I tried to listen to what the Demon King said and understand his thoughts, but in that short span of a month, I learned nothing. No, perhaps even if it were longer, I still wouldn’t have understood. Then, a little while ago, I had made up my mind and asked.
“I heard it a few days before the battle started. I asked him how far he intended to go.” (Alice)
“How far means this battle, right?” (Lyle)
“I meant it that way, but he had a different answer. He said, ‘Until I can live safely’.” (Alice)
“Safe? Is he planning to build a wall in the Great Forest of Owa and hoard himself in?” (Lyle)
If that were all, how happy I would be. But at that time, the Demon king had indeed been smiling. Even though his face is one that is hard to read emotions, it was clear to me.
“He intends to annihilate the surrounding countries that pose a threat. That’s what ‘safety’ means to him. The extermination of these Knights is likely a stepping stone towards that goal. He even asked about the quality of the soldiers.” (Alice)
“Th-that far… What are we going to do? Is Alice-san going to stab him in the back or something?” (Lyle)
“That’s impossible. I once tried to enter his bedroom without permission, but it didn’t open. It seems only the Demon King can open it. Even so, attacking while he’s awake would be pointless. I can’t inflict a single scratch with my sword.” (Alice)
Lyle turned pale, as if the blood had drained from his face. He probably understood how abnormal it was that he couldn’t inflict a single scratch. However, it was fortunate that Lyle had gone for reconnaissance. If Lyle had been with the Knights, he would have truly been annihilated. If that had happened, there would have been no one to whom I could deliver this.
I handed Lyle a letter that I had carefully written without the Demon King noticing.
“I want you to deliver this to the Sword Saint (my master) in the royal capital. Even if I can’t do it, the Sword Saint should be able to cut down the Demon King.” (Lyle)
“A letter to move the authority-hating Sword Saint? As expected of the top disciple. Got it! I’ll definitely deliver it!” (Lyle)
It would take a month and a half to reach the royal capital. If it were a round trip, it would be three months. However, the Sword Saint could probably make it in two months.
After sending Lyle outside, I headed towards the Demon King. What I needed to do from here on was to keep watch to ensure the Demon King wouldn’t start invading outside for the next two months.
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