Meanwhile, at the dungeon entrance, where the knights had gathered alongside the famous Dragon Slayer, Marquess Garfield.
He sat gallantly on his horse, for over four hours. His renowned sword, which was known for slaying the white dragon, rested at his waist.
"My lord, news from the first and second tunnel has arrived" Rowan reported, lowering his head.
He was the same man who failed the dungeon raid a few months ago. As punishment for his incompetence, the king had ordered him to escort the Dragon Slayer as a dungeon guide.
'You must clear the dungeon and retrieve the treasure'
Those were the orders from the king.
"Bring them here. I'll listen to them myself!" Marquess hopped and dismounted his horse, adjusting his sword. His golden armour shone under the moonlight. He was a tall man, with brown hair, though mixed with white due to his old age. His face also had a permanent grumpy expression.
"This way," Rowan said, leading him forward.
They approached two knights who were holding leather water bags, gulping from them like they'd been starved for days.
Sensing an ominous presence behind them, they immediately sprang up, hiding the bag behind them.
"Greetings, My Lord"
"Enough with the greetings. Tell me what happened"
"Yes sir!" They chorused before the first one began.
"I'm from the first tunnel, My Lord. We encountered the monsters from the dungeon first. It was as if they felt our presence. In less than an hour, they had wiped out all thirty of us. There were over a hundred of them. Elves, goblins, trolls, bats... And they were armed with good weapons, My Lord"
"Weapons?" The Marquess stroked his chin. "There's no way they could have imported them from the empire. This means they have dwarves in their midst. What about you?" He gestured towards the second knight.
"Yes sir! I'm from the second tunnel group. Half of us died and we were forced to flee. Even our ability users were no match for their leader" he admitted, lowering his head in shame.
"Leader?" Garfield furrowed his eyebrows.
"Yes, My Lord. He's a powerful swordmaster"
"Yes, I saw him also, My Lord" the first knight agreed.
"You may go" he waved his hand, dismissing them. They bowed before walking away.
"What are we going to do, My Lord?" Rowan asked hesitantly.
"Nothing. We'll just have to wait for the third group" Garfield smirked. "You heard what they said. They are only a little over a hundred of them, while we have five hundred of us. I'll keep sending men in until they wear themselves out. Once they've exhausted their energy and resources, I'll go in there and clear the dungeon" he clenched his fist, a grin spreading across his face.
Rowan lowered his head, biting his lower lip.
It wasn't a bad strategy. But sending everyone in there is like sending them off to die. He looked at the expression on the Marquess' face. He didn't show any concern for the men who had lost their lives already. He was going to send more.
"My Lord, wouldn't it be better to go in there and finish things once and for all?"
The Marquess heard those words. His gaze darkened as he shot Rowan a death glare. The weight of his stare sent sweat buds trickling down Rowan's forehead. He felt a heavy hand on his shoulder but was still scared to look up.
"Don't you dare order me around. You had your chance and you failed. I'll do things my way. Do you understand?"
"Y...yes, My Lord" he stammered.
"Hahaha! Don't be so tense" Garfield patted his shoulder as he let out a roar of laughter. "Don't worry, I won't let you die. His Majesty ensured that I don't send you to your death. If you're worried about your lover or something, this will be over in three days"
The Marquess walked away, and the heavy thudding of his armour faded. Rowan leaned against a tree behind him, sighing.
"As expected of the Dragon Slayer, I guess there's nothing I can do" he muttered.
.
.
Just as the Marquess had planned, he would keep pouring his men into the dungeon wave after wave.
After the rain of arrows from the third tunnel, Clyde managed to protect Celina with his body. Though she could have protected herself, he had instinctively jumped in.
After it stopped, he slowly lifted himself off Celina's.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"I should be asking you that. You're bleeding"
"It's fine..." He grumbled and coughed. "Ah! The arrows were poisoned" he muttered.
His lips were already turning purple. Yet, as if he didn't care, he looked around to see twenty of his men dead. The arrows had struck them in vital spots.
The healers were protected by an artifact, a gift given by Aetherius. They've always used it ever since their fight began. Since they never engaged in combat, it was the only means for them to be protected by an artifact.
They couldn't afford to lose the healers, either.
Clyde got up and staggered towards his men. Freddie and James got closer to him.
"The arrows have stopped. But, they might rain down again. We shouldn't let our guard down--"
He paused and coughed violently.
"Leader?"
"Are you alright?"
"Tsk! It's all that human fault. If only she hadn't been too weak to protect herself"
"She's such a burden"
Celina clenched her small fist. Their words weren't what she wanted to hear. She already felt guilty that Clyde got hurt because of her, but their accusations were making it worse.
"That's enough! It's not Celina's fault" Clyde snapped.
"But..."
Clyde cut the off, stepping closer to Celina. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Don't listen to them. I only fulfilled my promise to protect you" he spoke gently.
"I'm sorry. It's my fault. Let me heal you" She reached out her hand to touch him, but Clyde caught her hand, shaking his head.
"There's no need"
"Clyde! Don't be stubborn! Let her heal you!"
"Do you think this fight will continue without you? Even if it takes her last breath, she must heal you"
They both shouted at him. Clyde turned to argue with his friends, but Celina stopped him. Her gaze swept over the surroundings, seeing the goblins, elves and trolls that were lying dead on the floor. Some were just grazed by the arrow, but the poison was still strong enough to kill them.
"I guess I have to use an advanced healing magic" she mumbled.
"No! I won't let you use that..." He grabbed her wrist, locking it in his grip.
"Don't stop me, Clyde" She forcefully pulled her hand free, walking away from him.
All eyes were fixed on her.
Of course, it wouldn't cost her much to heal everyone. It's just the same spell she used on Aetherius. She just wanted to be dramatic.
'Even if they hate me, I just have to do it... for Clyde'
She touched the floor and mumbled the spell.
"Extra heal"