kscans

Chapter 247 - Sortie

The day of the decisive battle. Unfortunately, the sky that day was overcast.

It looked as if it could start crying at any moment, and the weather forecast said it would start raining soon.

But—it would clear up afterwards.

"We will now begin the briefing."

I turned my gaze from the window back to the front.

In the meeting room on the second floor of the Dungeon Store, about thirty adventurers, five Self-Defense Force members, and three Dungeon Agency officials were gathered.

"First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for gathering here today. Thank you, truly."

The man who said this into the microphone and bowed was Akasaka Yuusuke, the director of the Dungeon Agency.

He was the man in charge of this operation, or more accurately, the 'Guivre Subjugation Operation.'

When he raised his head, his expression was so serious it made me unconsciously straighten my back.

"Now, I will explain the outline of the operation once again."

Although I had received the documents in advance, I looked down at them again. No matter how many times I checked, it never felt like enough.

After all, the dungeon was expanding and becoming more complex with the passage of time.

"Currently, the Guivre is dormant in the fortress city on the lowest level of the dungeon. Even while asleep, it is manipulating the leylines and expanding its domain."

The smartphones distributed to all participating Awakened Persons had a map of the area that had been surveyed so far.

For a makeshift item, it was incredibly detailed. It even came with a support app that worked offline.

"The trend seems to be that the Guivre itself does not move, and the levels above its location are expanding. Also, multiple staircases leading down have been confirmed on all floors."

Director Akasaka pointed to the map displayed on the screen with a pointer.

"Since the escape gate is also right next to it, we want you all to head for the lower floors at all costs. If you do so, you will inevitably reach the Guivre's location."

A notification indicating a download appeared on the provided smartphone.

"We are now sending the latest map to your provided smartphones. Please use them inside the dungeon."

…How in the world did they get this map?

We were about to challenge a world of death that surpassed even a normal 'A-Rank dungeon.' What kind of unit was sent in to cross that threshold and chart a map?

If those people could just defeat it themselves… but they couldn’t, which was why we were gathered here.

Perhaps they had skills that shone in scouting and stealth like Erina-san, or perhaps there was a reason they couldn’t be spared as a combat force. Either way, there was no point in thinking about it now.

"To subjugate the Guivre, you will all need to work together. I understand that coordination between multiple teams will be difficult, but please act with a spirit of cooperation."

Director Akasaka bowed his head again, then raised his face and continued.

"The monsters that will appear are the white, soldier-like creatures called 'Sachs.' And the flying dragons, 'Wyverns.'"

Next, the monsters I had seen that day were displayed on the screen.

The creatures dressed like warriors from an ancient era had been named Sachs. I believe that was the name of a short sword used in Germanic regions.

"Both of their stats have been increasing day by day, and their current values are only slightly inferior to a standard 'A-Rank boss monster.'"

Slightly inferior to Cerberus or Shuten Douji… I see.

It seemed they were significantly weakened when I fought them back then.

"These monsters generally move in groups of three to ten, so please be careful not to be outnumbered. And, these—"

His explanation continued for another ten minutes.

"…The above is all the information we have."

Director Akasaka folded the pointer he had been using on the screen and put it in his pocket.

"After this operation is over, we intend to reward you all as much as possible. This is all I can say from my position, but… I promise you, we will do everything in our power."

Director Akasaka put down the microphone and turned to face us.

Then, his subordinates, and the members of the Self-Defense Force, all saluted us.

"We wish you victory."

＊　　　　＊　　　　　＊

We went down to the first floor of the store, and each of the 'A-Rank Candidates' spent the time until the start of the operation as they pleased.

Somehow, everyone seemed surprisingly relaxed. There was no unnecessary tension in their bodies, and some were even chatting and laughing naturally.

But their eyes, their mana, were as sharp as blades.

…What was strange was that the certain trio was not among them.

The Director Akasaka's proteges who had attended every briefing. It was hard to imagine they had turned tail and run, or that he was holding them back.

In that case, something else must have come up. Unfortunately, we live in an age where there’s no shortage of that kind of news.

In their place, a surprising person was participating in this operation.

"…Are you really going into the dungeon too?"

I looked over to see Aira-san, stiff with tension.

Next to her stood the Professor, looking dignified.

"D-Don’t be so persistent, Kyou-chan-kun! You of all people should know how useful my [Telepathy] is."

"That may be true, but…"

Even with a map, it was difficult to proceed without getting lost while fighting. And with this dungeon being a maze-like labyrinth, it was even more so.

The dungeon was also expanding. Since we needed to move quickly, her ability was extremely useful.

But…

"Can’t you do it from the outside?"

"Nine times out of ten, no. The mana in the atmosphere in that dungeon is so turbulent that even those ‘Denko’ golems from the club can’t communicate properly. Do you remember how our telepathic link was cut off last time? It’s a similar situation to that."

"However—"

"…Kyouta-kun."

As I persisted, Professor Arisugawa gave me a gentle smile.

"I understand you’re worried. This child, despite her usual confidence, becomes so overwhelmed with anxiety and fear in a pinch that she can barely breathe. On top of that, she can lose her nerve at crucial moments and make unexpected mistakes."

"Baba-sama? Isn’t your assessment of your granddaughter a little harsh at a time like this, Baba-sama?"

"But… she pulls through when it counts. I intend to focus on protecting her within the dungeon, so please… for now, instead of words of worry, give her your support."

"Professor…"

She spoke calmly, but with conviction, and I couldn't find any words to reply.

To be honest, I hadn't expected her to participate either. I knew the Professor had been power-leveling, but I never thought she’d make it in time. That wasn’t something that could be achieved with talent alone.

She had come to stand on the same battlefield as her granddaughter with that much resolve.

In that case, as the Professor said, the words I should offer Aira-san were…

"…I won’t tell you to ‘do your best.’ Let’s win. All of us will come back alive."

"…Of course."

Aira-san replied, but her fingertips were still trembling.

"But you know, what I’m most anxious about right now is… having to connect my [Telepathy] with all the ‘A-Rank Candidates’ in this room."

It seemed her tension wasn't just about the dungeon itself.

She seemed to be deliberately focusing her gaze only on me, desperately trying to avoid eye contact with the other participants.

Somehow, that was very much like her.

"Kyou-chan-kun."

"Yes."

"You can lie. As a friend, or just as a person, it doesn’t matter."

She looked at me anxiously.

"Will you tell me that you like me? —Will you let me believe that there’s someone who loves me? Not just Baba-sama and the others, but someone outside my family…"

Arisugawa Aira. Her communication skills were severely lacking because of the memory of not being loved by her parents.

Therefore… no.

There was no need to overthink it.

"Of course I’m fond of you, you disappointing college girl. Can’t you even tell that much?"

I just had to say what I always thought.

I couldn’t help but let my exasperation show on my face, but I couldn’t be bothered to hide it. I stared at the disappointing creature before me and let out a sigh for good measure.

She looked stunned for a moment, then her face turned bright red and she started shouting.

"Wh-Who are you calling a disappointment, you virgin! What mouth do you have to say that to a beauty as intelligent and cool as I am!"

"This mouth, of course."

"Mmphhh!"

"Oh, senpai’s back to her usual self."

"That’s our sister for you."

"Hey! Don’t say things that will give people the wrong impression of me!"

Zubish! Aira-san pointed at Erina-san and the others, who were watching with amused smiles.

It’s not a misunderstanding, though. That’s just who you are.

"Hmph. Very well. I shall gracefully navigate for all the participants. I don’t care about a heartless person like you anymore, Kyou-chan-kun. I have Sana-kun, after all. Right, Sana-kuun?"

She held up the birdcage containing the spirit girl.

With her usual blank expression, she stared at me, floating gently.

I gently inserted my fingertip through the gap in the cage. With a speed unimaginable from her relaxed demeanor, she grabbed my index finger with both hands and put her mouth to it.

"…Looks like my affection rating is higher."

"Isn’t taming with food cheating?! I’m the one who gives her cookies all the time!"

"You’re taming her with food too, aren't you?"

And it's me and the Professor who are infusing those cookies with mana.

Also, my mana is being drained from my fingertip at an incredible rate. She’s not going to explode or anything, right, Sana-san?

"Honestly… I asked for support, but I didn't expect it to be in this form."

"I’m sorry, Professor. Aira-san was stating the obvious, so I couldn’t help myself. …Ah, when I said I was fond of her, I didn’t mean, well…"

"I’ll interpret ‘what kind of fondness’ on my own, but that was not how one should speak to a lady."

"That’s right, Baba-sama. I have you!"

"Well, it was just the right kind of response for Aira, though."

"I am alone…"

"Sister, it’s okay. I think about you every night…!"

"Help me, Erina-kun."

"Hey, hey, Kyou-chan, can I raise the flag today?!"

"As long as it's before we enter the dungeon."

"Alright!"

"Hee hee. That’s funny. It feels like it’s raining, even though we’re inside a building."

We spent the time chattering away, just like always.

—I wish it could always be like this.

I pushed that thought to the back of my mind and looked at the clock.

It was time.

"Everyone. It is time for the operation to begin."

Director Akasaka’s voice echoed.

"The future of Japan rests on this operation. Nothing in this world lasts forever. Eventually, our homeland will also disappear. Just as the once glorious Atlantis Empire was destroyed in a single night. We may face a sudden end."

I could see his face through the gaps between the participants.

"But that day is not today. Today will be the day that you all joined forces to save this country."

There was no shadow in his eyes. His expression remained dignified.

"Let’s send the ghost from another world back to the afterlife."

"Yeah!"

At his words, the adventurers, clad in their [Arcane Gear], responded. They formed a line and began to walk towards the gate.

Their destination was the entrance to an otherworldly labyrinth where monsters dwell.

One by one, they stepped forward—a parade of a hundred demons in warrior's garb.

"Let’s go, brother! Today, we are the US-Japan Joint Fleet!"

"Good grief. To go to a battlefield with a man waving the Stars and Stripes… my father might lament if he saw this, but it’s surprisingly not unpleasant."

"Let's go, you guys! The Head Union, move out!"

"Hell yeah! My pompadour is on fire!"

"Then my afro is exploding!"

"Let us go. Gracefully, yet fiercely. Above all, to embrace the seven misfortunes and eight hardships."

"Yes, my lady. I will accompany you anywhere."

"Words are unnecessary. Let us speak with our honed martial arts."

"No doubt. That’s our way."

One after another, the superhumans walked down the single path without hesitation. Whether they would become heroes or monsters, only those who followed would know.

It would be someone in the future, whose name and face I did not know, who stood even further behind us at the rear of the line. If I could one day tell them this story, I would do so with a wry smile.

They were not the kind of people who cared about the opinions of others.

We didn't know if there would be a future, and even if there was, we didn't care. We were just living in the 'now.'

I assembled the golems and prepared Aira-san’s ‘trump card’ as well. At this point, concealing the Magi Batteries felt like a mere suggestion.

At the very front of the rear guard, the first squad of the Invisible Ninjas stood before the gate, with the third squad, the Professor and her group, behind them.

"Well then, shall we go?"

"Yeah!"

At my words, Erina-san, who had placed her left hand on my shoulder, raised her flag and answered forcefully.

"Yes."

Mia-san, who had placed her right hand on my shoulder, gave a cheerful smile.

"Go on. We’ll be right behind you."

A little ways back, Aira-san folded her arms under her chest and gave a cynical smile. Next to her, the Professor watched us with a serious expression.

Blanc and the others each gave a nod, signaling they were ready.

And so, I took one deep breath. Then, I filled my lungs with air and shouted.

"‘Invisible Ninjas’! Sortie!"

"Ooooooooh!"

Just for today, I would shout this ridiculous name.

Laugh. Laugh and step forward.

After all, today is Halloween. If you’re going to join the parade of a hundred demons, it’s only natural to be a little eccentric.

Let’s give the lizard that missed its spot in the line to the afterlife a firm push from behind.

The moment I passed through the door, I felt the familiar sensation of the ground disappearing, yet without any sense of floating.

Immediately after, a chalk-white labyrinth welcomed us. Swirling mana burst like a thundering ovation, dancing wildly around us.

Stepping onto the pure white floor, illuminated by the again-white flames of the candelabras decorating the majestic walls, I slowly drew my sword from its sheath.

—Now, let the adventure begin.