"No way..."
"It can't be..."
Meanwhile, the situation for those facing the [Amphisbaena] was equally grim.
Aisha and Cassandra froze as they witnessed the scene unfolding before them.
"Our path of retreat is..."
The exit to the floor, which should have been right there, had collapsed. The sheer aftereffect of the [Amphisbaena's] [Bruna Palm]—the blue flame breath—had brought the ceiling down, sealing them in.
'I was too naive...'
Rumble—!!!
'Just as the dream foretold... there is no escaping this calamity...'
—Ggggrrr...
'This is the prison of catastrophe.'
Cassandra trembled as the unavoidable prophecy finally manifested into reality.
"A Monster Rex that was never supposed to appear."
Shing—!
"This birdcage... it feels as if the Dungeon itself is trying to murder us..." Mikoto muttered.
"I don't know. But if that's the case..."
"".....""
"Dammit!"
From the [Lambton] to the irregular appearance of the [Amphisbaena], and now the Dungeon's structure shifting to cage them in.
As Mikoto said, the situation was the worst possible scenario, tightening around their necks like a cruel noose of fate.
"Get a grip!"
Amidst the despair, Aisha's voice cut through their hesitation.
"There's no way out anyway."
Tighten—!!
"We have to do this!"
Gripping her broadsword, Aisha tried to rouse their spirits and face the situation, just as she had against the [Lambton].
"""""....."""""
However, with one misfortune piling upon another, their morale had bottomed out. Depleted of stamina and lacking a strategy to overcome this, their feet refused to move.
'Is it impossible after all...!'
Shing—!
—Ggggrrr...
'It's only natural... asking them to keep their eyes open in front of such an Irregular...!'
Fwoosh—!!
"!!"
At that moment, the [Amphisbaena] unleashed its [Bruna Palm] toward Aisha, the only one showing hostility. She desperately threw herself aside, narrowly evading the incinerating blast.
"Are you guys okay—"
'Of course they aren't...!!'
Though the attack hadn't hit them, it had successfully stripped away the last shred of hope.
'We lack the strength, and we lack the morale...!'
'No matter how much this party has grown, their hearts were bound to break in a situation like this...'
In this desperate hour, Aisha recalled the incident with the Enhanced Species and felt the weight of Bell's absence once again.
'If only Bell Cranel were here...!'
"!!"
Grit—!
But Aisha quickly caught herself.
'Don't make me laugh... Aisha Belka!'
Tighten—!!!
'Since when did you become a weak woman who leans on a male!'
"If I do this, I'm no different from back then...!!"
She ground her teeth, remembering the Pleasure Quarter incident where she had no choice but to leave the fight against the Ishtar Familia to Bell and Akumo, simply trusting them with Haruhime's fate.
Step, step—
'But to these kids, Bell Cranel is like a her—'
Thump—!!
"!!"
"Is this the first time? Lilliluka. Going on an adventure without Bell."
Welf stepped forward, magic sword in hand.
"You can't fight without the strongest one? You can't fight without a hero?"
'Don't give me that crap...!!'
"That's not it!!!!!"
Welf thought of his close friend. Even when there was no hero to fight beside him, even when he became the center of a party at such a young age, he was always a hero.
"Adventurers aren't that kind of lot!"
'The heroes I know aren't like that...!!'
At the same time, he thought of his senior—the one who carved his own path even without an idol to follow.
"'We can't do anything without Bell.'"
"If you let yourselves be seen that way, what the hell are you going to say to him later!!!?"
Grin—!
"Isn't it about time we gave ourselves something to brag to Bell about?"
The fire in Welf's eyes returned.
That sight sent ripples through the hearts of the others, including Lili.
"Tell him we took down a Monster Rex all by ourselves!!!"
At those words, Lili summoned her courage. She lifted her head and burned with fighting spirit toward the [Amphisbaena].
"Of course!"
Shing—!
"I intend to stand by that person's side and accompany him on his adventures forever!"
'I won't be a weight around his neck...!'
"I will definitely keep up!"
Following Lili's lead, Ouka, Chigusa, and Mikoto spoke up.
"Me too! I won't lose to Bell Cranel!!"
"Yeah!"
"I agree! If I don't struggle here, I'll have no face to show Lord Bell!"
The revival of their voices was proof that the party's morale was returning. Haruhime also stood up, her eyes filled with the resolve not to run away.
"I don't want him to leave me behind either!"
"I don't want to go back to the days when I did nothing but wait!"
Seeing this, Daphne's hesitation faded, and she returned to her usual self.
"Aren't you guys a bit too simple? But..."
Clang—!
"I guess that's how it is. Because we're adventurers!"
"When you're cornered, you fight."
Trusting them, she drew her sword with a smile. Cassandra watched in shock as everyone pulled themselves out of despair.
Aisha also smiled, placing her faith in those who refused to give up.
"Looking good, [Ignis]."
Grin—!
"I've fought this dragon a few times before!"
Tighten—!!
"I know damn well we're outmatched, but don't you dare give up!!!!"
Their own adventure was beginning.
"[Hiyo]!!!!!!"
Crrraaaack—!!!!!!!!!!!
Welf immediately swung his magic sword, releasing its True Name to freeze the entire lake where the [Amphisbaena] resided.
"I've made the floor! Now go wild and take it down!!!!"
Dash—!!!
"Not bad!"
While the others were stunned by the sight, Aisha immediately charged to attack the [Amphisbaena], but was forced to halt.
Rumble—!!!!
—Kaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!
Fwoosh—!!!!!
"It's moving already...!?"
Craaaaash—!!!!!!!
Despite the massive ice, the [Amphisbaena] simply flexed its body and shattered it. It immediately unleashed its breath, evaporating not just the ice but a portion of the lake water itself.
Fwoosh—!!!!!!!
'Fighting on a solid foothold is the standard strategy for the [Amphisbaena]!'
Dash—!!!!!
"You lot, watch closely!"
Even against the overwhelming sight of the breath destroying their footing again, Aisha remained calm. She had to show the party how to fight before all the ice was gone.
Seeing is believing. In a situation where there was no time to explain the strategy, demonstrating it was the best course of action.
"[Come, Conqueror of Temerity]!"
—Rooooar!!!!!!!!!!!
Boom—!!!!!!!
"[My hungry blade is Hippolyta]!"
Hummmm—!!!!!!!!!!
The [Amphisbaena] lunged with its massive maw to swallow the approaching Aisha, but she skillfully evaded while chanting. Her broadsword began to glow with a crimson aura.
"[Hell Kaios]!!!!!!!!"
Swoosh—!!!!!!!!
A massive crimson shockwave flew toward the [Amphisbaena], but—
—Kaaaaa!!!!!
Sssss—!!!
"""!!"""
Everyone except Aisha was shocked to see the attack neutralized by the red mist exhaled from the dragon's red head.
"The magic...!"
"It was cancelled out...!?"
—Rooooar!!!!!!!!!!!
Without giving them a moment to process, the blue head fired its breath at Aisha. Expecting this, she leaped away and shouted to them.
"That was the [Amphisbaena's] [Mist]!"
Swoosh—!!!
"As you saw, it diffuses any magic it touches!!"
"Which means, to kill this thing...!"
Dash—!!!
"You have to beat it to death directly!"
The enemy was already a heavyweight, and the fact that it could effectively nullify magic left Lili horrified as she scrambled to revise their strategy.
"It's impossible to break through by just pouring magic into it."
'We'd just run out of Mind...!'
"My magic swords are useless too, then..."
As Aisha bought time, Cassandra's eyes wavered as she watched them plan how to handle the beast.
'The calamity is already here... yet they aren't giving up...'
Because she knew the prophecy, she had surrendered. Because she didn't know how to stop it, she despaired. But those before her—whether they knew or not—were simply adventuring to defeat the enemy in front of them.
Tinkle—!
Tinkle—!
"[Uchide no Kozuchi]!!!!!"
Whirrr—!!!
"[Dance]!!"
At that moment, Haruhime's [Kokonoe] activated, creating four magical hammers.
"I'll boost your abilities so you won't be taken down in one hit!"
"[Level Boost] for Lord Welf, Lord Ouka, Lady Mikoto, and Lady Daphne!"
With the [Level Boost] granted to the four of them, they charged toward the [Amphisbaena] alongside Aisha.
"Huff... huff..."
"Are you alright, Lady Haruhime?"
"Yes... I can still do this. If it's only four, I can endure it!"
After buffing the vanguard, Haruhime quickly drank a potion to recover her Mind. Chigusa immediately began firing arrows to support the front line and harass the [Amphisbaena].
"[Following radiance of the heavens]."
Shing—!
"[Everything is to escape from thee]."
Whirrr—!!
"[Bloom, basket of the sacred tree]."
Daphne, realizing there was no room for hesitation, used the magic she usually avoided to strengthen her body.
"[Laurels]."
A green aura enveloped her, radiating a presence that seemed ready to block any attack.
"Daphne... that magic..."
"I hated it because it reminded me of Lord Apollo, but this isn't the time to be picky!"
Dash—!!!
"I'm counting on you for healing, Cassandra!"
With that, Daphne ran toward the [Amphisbaena], but Cassandra remained pessimistic about the fight.
'There's no escaping... the despair...'
"Ryu is a suspect in a murder case?"
At that time, Hestia and Arpia were at the Hostess of Fertility to ask the waitresses for help.
"This is a letter from our Supporter-kun that arrived from the 18th floor."
Slide—!
"It says they've joined the task force to hunt down the Elf-kun who fled into the Dungeon, in order to find out the truth."
At Hestia's words, Anya and Chloe immediately denied the possibility of Lyu committing murder.
"That's a false rumor-nya! The current Ryu would never commit murder-nya!"
"That's right-nya! Ryu is the type who'd skip work, but she wouldn't kill anyone-nya!"
Hestia agreed with their defense, adding weight to the idea that it was a misunderstanding.
"Yes, I think so too, but..."
Tighten—!
"I have a bad feeling about this."
Seeing Hestia speak with such a clenched fist, the waitresses felt an ominous premonition, which was confirmed when Arpia spoke.
"Akumo is likely with Lyu."
"""!!"""
"And yet, for Ardee to send a letter like this..."
Tighten—!!
"Things must have become incredibly complicated."
Hestia continued, getting to the main point.
"The letter also asks us to prepare reinforcements."
"""....."""
"I'll compensate you if this turns out to be a needless worry."
Seeing the look in their eyes, Anya and Chloe finally made their decision. Their ominous feeling was already proving correct.
Boom—!!!!!!
"Ghuuk...!!"
Akumo, who had been following Bell from the rear, was slammed directly into the wall by the [Juggernaut's] charge.
"Brother!!!!!!"
For Bell, for whom the very choice to proceed into the Deep Floors was an agonizing ordeal, seeing that sight was enough to make his mind go blank.
"Uooooo!!!!!!"
Clang—!!!!!
""Haah!!!!!""
Thwack—!!!!
The situation was no better for their comrades elsewhere.
Even with the [Level Boost], Ouka, Welf, and Mikoto tried to land an attack on the beast, but they couldn't deal any significant damage. They were sent flying by its sheer physical power, their frozen footing shattering beneath them.
Dash—!!
"Haa!!!!"
—Rooooar!!!!!
"Dammit...!"
Boom—!!!!!
Aisha tried to strike in the opening, but the dragon's breath made it nearly impossible to even get close.
"Shit! The floor again..."
"A Dragon Monster Rex... I knew it would be tough, but..."
"There are no openings!"
Unlike the others who were flustered by the lack of progress, Aisha leaped again with enough force to crack the ice, determined to create an opening. She finally succeeded in leaving a shallow wound.
Slash—!!!
"If there's no opening, then make one!!"
"She did it!"
"Let's go too!"
Welf and Mikoto tried to rush the [Amphisbaena], but—
Splash—!!!!!
"Into the water...!!"
Just as when it first appeared, the beast dove into the lake. The mere act of its massive body resurfacing created a shockwave that couldn't be ignored.
Craaaaash—!!!!!
"[Bruna Palm] and [Mist]... it fires from both necks, and there are no blind spots..."
"And it can dive too...!"
A massive frame, elemental breath, and the special ability to nullify magic.
Lili felt at a loss on how to conquer the [Amphisbaena].
'Everyone is fighting so hard, and yet I can't do anything...'
Tighten—!!!
'What kind of commander am I if I'm like this!'
"Lili is...!"
Just as her despair began to turn inward—
"Lilliluka! Don't hesitate!"
"!!"
"The best command isn't blaming yourself! Look at the situation calmly and move the pieces!"
Dash—!!
"We're leaving the strategy to you!!"
At Daphne's shout, Lili forced herself to look at the environment of the floor, and she finally realized it.
"That's it!!"
Dash—!!!
"Lady Mikoto! Fall back to the middle and start your chant!"
"Lady Daphne, please move further forward!"
At her command, Mikoto and Daphne immediately shifted positions organically. Mikoto began her chant.
"[Too awe-inspiring to even speak of――my God of War who crushes all.]"
—!!!!!
"[Dignified guidance of the heavens.]"
Splash—!!!
"It went back into the water!!"
Sensing a threat, the [Amphisbaena] dove again, but it didn't know the cards Mikoto held.
"[Yatagarasu]!"
With her skill, she could pinpoint the [Amphisbaena's] location underwater, allowing her to predict its next point of attack.
"[Grant thy divine power to this small body. Seek the light of purification, the blade of exorcism.]"
Whirrr—!!!
"[Wield the sword of tranquility, the spiritual blade of conquest. Bring it forth now in my name. Descend from the heavens and pierce the earth―――]"
Magic power gathered in her hands, ready to be unleashed. Lili immediately shouted instructions to everyone.
"[Shinmu Touzei]!"
"Vanguard, everyone get off the ice!!"
Dash—!!!
"Lady Mikoto, maximize the range!!!"
At Lili's command, the vanguard, including Aisha, cleared the lake. Mikoto unleashed her magic at the maximum range and output she was currently capable of.
"[Futsu-no-Mitama]!!!!!!"
Boom—!!!!!!!!!!!
—!!!!!!!!
Startled by the sudden gravity, the beast tried to spray its mist, but it couldn't nullify a spell spread over such a vast area.
"Lady Mikoto! Stronger!!"
"Haah!!!!!!!!!!"
Rumble—!!!!!!!
—Rooooar!!!!!!
Craaaaash—!!!!!!!!!!
And then, Lili's true intention bore fruit.
The gravity destroyed the massive trees supporting the floor's ceiling, causing enormous debris to rain down on the [Amphisbaena], pinning it in place.
"We did it!"
"Well done, Lilliluka! Mikoto!!"
Shing—!
"[Hiyo]!!!!!!"
Crrraaaack—!!!!!
Welf immediately refroze the lake to recreate their footing. Using it as a springboard, the entire vanguard charged in to finish the beast.
"Now, kill it!!!!"
""""Oooooo!!!!!!!""""
Craaaaash—!!!!!
Slash—!!!!!!!
"Drop dead!!!"
Aisha with her massive broadsword and Welf with his greatsword delivered deep slashes as they ran across the beast's body.
""Haah!!!!!""
Stab—!!!!
Daphne and Mikoto pierced through the dragon's thick hide.
—Rooooar!!!!!!!!!!!
Fwoosh—!!!
"As if I'd let you!!!!"
Wham—!!!!
—!!!!
Boom—!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The breath it tried to fire was cut short as Ouka slammed his massive axe into its head. The tide of battle was clearly turning.
—Kiaaaa!!!!!!
"!! It's calling for help!"
Craaaaash—!!!
"Don't stop even if it's free! Keep attacking!"
Serpents appeared in response to the beast's death cry and began breaking the debris pinning it, but the party didn't let up.
Whirrr—!!!
"[Dance]!!!"
From Lili constantly adjusting the strategy to support the vanguard, to Haruhime maintaining the [Level Boost] by chugging potions, everyone was adventuring for the sake of victory.
'Why... why can everyone fight like that?'
"In the middle of this despair... when the prison has already become a coffin..."
'How can they...'
Only Cassandra remained hesitant, even in this situation.
'Even if I step forward... nothing will change in the end...'
"Nothing..."
Tighten—!!!!
'Nothing at all...!'
Cassandra squeezed her eyes shut.
But perhaps she had already heard the answer to her question.
—'What did you guys come here for!!!!'
"But the prophecy..."
—'Does that even matter!!!!!???'
"!!"
—'Just because we want to!!!!'
"Ah..."
Only then did she realize.
"I see..."
'The reason I'm here in the first place...'
To save everyone, for the sake of the person who believed in her, and to resist the prophecy—she had come here prepared to risk her very life.
—'Then fight!!'
That was why she had convinced Aisha to stay on the 25th floor.
That was why she had handed the Goliath Scarf to Bell.
And that was why they were now able to fight with hope.
Tighten—!!
"[Light of the heavens once rejected.]"
She decided she would no longer deny it. She didn't want to be buried by prophecy anymore, nor did she want to be called a pessimist because of it. She wanted to change.
"[Merciful hand that saves this small body.]"
Whirrr—!!
"!! Cassandra...!"
"[In place of my unreachable words, save these poor souls.]"
Flash—!!!
"[O sunlight, I pray thee, repel the destruction.]!"
She would not stop now.
She would not just look after them with words.
"[Sol Light]!!!!!!"
In the face of a great calamity, she too would throw herself into a new adventure.
""""!!""""
Whirrr—!!!
"The wounds are healing!"
"Honestly, you guys are such a handful."
Her healing magic became a warm, bright light, nurturing the tiny flame of hope until it roared into a blaze.
========================
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