Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle

159 – The Realm of Military Might and Duels 2

Dragonkin are an outstanding race.

Even a group of ordinary Adventurers don’t stand a chance against them.

However, as proven by their actions up to this point, each of their ranks themselves tells us that each and every Adventurer here is far from ordinary.

The Alchemist Louie is wielding a war hammer. When he swings it, it grows in size every time he hits or grazes the floor, depending on his swing trajectory. The floor is disassembled and the materials used wrap around the hammer.

Alchemy is a general term for the attempt to refine all things.

It’s not just for things like turning a pebble into gold.

For example, a blade that needs to cut well will have its sharpness sharpened.

A blade that needs to keep on cutting will have its durability improved.

It is a technique that brings whatever it is closer to total perfection.

Putting that to practical use, Louie goes to a place of battle.

He creates weapons and armor from what is in the Dungeon, strengthens them, and fights.

It is rare for an Alchemist to use smelting, disassembling, and fusion, which was originally for refining objects, for battle.

「Hmm…!」

The Dragonkin crosses his arms to intercept the downward swinging war hammer.

He probably thought that he could endure it. And he was right, he wasn’t pushed back.

But that was the first blow.

「…!」

When the Dragonkin pulled away from the hammer, scales coated it.

In the moment of the attack, Louie stripped off his opponent’s scales and fused them with the war hammer.

They can defend against the stone weapon, but what if the scales that protect them were used by that same weapon…?

Doing that, Louie was swollen all over, but in the end, he smashed the Dragonkin.

Like that, the eighth stratum battle continues on.

The Wizard Michelle said「Here I go~」in high spirits and let loose an absolutely massive explosive spell that scattered her enemy to the four winds.

For the Gale Hero Ewan, it was his first time going against a Monster one-on-one. Against such a hardy opponent, he proved why he’s the prodigy who graduated second in his class from the School. Making full use of his Wind Magic, he brilliantly defeated his enemy.

The Hunter Suuri pierces both the eyes of his enemy with Godspeed before they could even get close to him.

By following up a normal slash with a Flying Slash, the Warrior Hamill concludes the battle in a moment with two successive attacks.

The Summoner Margret summoned physical strength improving equipment and a giant ax, and then she fought alongside a contract Demi-Beast.

The Destroyer Fran is irregular, showing on this stratum as well that her actions are nothing if not strong. Rather than being swung around by her grotesque right arm, the way she willfully manipulates it was nothing short of spectacular.

The Heroes got through unscathed.

There were injured members, but none were defeated.

And so, they all reconvened.

What lay beyond the four doors was a spacious arena-like area.

Lying in wait there was a large black knight and several Dragonkin.

「Great Furcus! Do you remember me?」

Aerial calls out joyfully.

「…?」

「Ah hah hah. No, nevermind. Do you recall that time you entered the Tag Tournament alongside Orobas? I was in the commentary room.」

The tournament that Berith and I took part in.

「…Oh.」

It seems that Furcus remembered something.

「What does that have to do with this battle?」

「No, nothing. I am merely honored to be able to fight you, who I witnessed that day.」

「Even so, your words remain unnecessary.」

Furcus readied her spear, Aerial quivered with delight.

「You are absolutely right. I have been tactless.」

If you wish to fight, then simply fight.

Even Aerial was moved by such words from Furcus.

「…Wanna fight them solo?」

Looking at Aerial, Wraith asked that.

「No, do not worry about it, Wraith. This is a Raid Battle, after all. But thank you.」

「Oh, OK. Well then, feel free.」

Aerial probably has a strong desire to do this alone.

However, that is just a personal desire. As a person who will lead the team to victory, he has decided that his desires should not be a priority.

「The Heroes shall handle Great Furcus. The rest of you, take care of the Dragonkin.」

The Storm Hero gives a succinct order. Everyone starts to act immediately.

The Storm Hero Aerial approaches head-on.

The Hero of the Cursed Sword Hervor also runs ahead head-on.

The Thunder Hero Scathach is in the rear, hand on the hilt of his Holy Sword.

The Gale Hero Ewan and the Water Hero Wraith moves with Wind Magic to the left and right, aiming to attack Furcus on both sides.

The existence of living beings known as Heroes is outside the norm.

The Job that can deal with them is the Demon King, but they are essentially only in the deepest parts of a Dungeon and not all Dungeons have a Demon King.

They are extremely rare.

Basically, a Dungeon is where the Adventurers win.

When I was recruited to become the Chief of Staff, the Demi-Humans in the Dungeon asked themselves『Are we here just to get beaten up?』.

That is precisely why I chose to find this new path to walk of becoming the hero of the Monsters.

The reason why this Demon King Castle bears the title of Impregnable is that it is the only Dungeon that has never been completely Cleared among all the Dungeons.

With the Fenix party, the deepest that mankind has ever reached is the tenth stratum.

However, even the 4th ranked party could not grace the presence of the Demon King.

But what will happen this time?

There are a total of five Heroes, lead by Fenix’s rival for the title of mankind’s strongest, the Storm Hero.

They are all first-class Adventurers.

And now, those five are closing in on Furcus.

She brandished her spear overhead. Her large frame stirred the air vigorously.

In the next moment, the spear came down.

It was aimed right at Aerial.

The spear, which can extend itself while being swung downwards, naturally reaches him.

But, he responds. With his wind Holy Sword, he slashes upwards, severing the spear.

「…This is…」

Aerial realized something at the same time as Furcus’s attack.

From the cut cross-section of the spear, several spearheads grew out.

And each spearhead extended out, aiming at the individual Adventurers.

Furcus’s spear is a Magic Tool. It can extend and contract. With the longer part acting as the main body, it extends itself again. Be it the spear tip or handle, it can regenerate either.

And the degree of freedom seems to be quite high.

To think that it can even change its shape…

Only the wielder of the spear can manipulate it so.

This is why now, Furcus is assaulting all eleven moving Adventurers with her spear.

Against this series of direct attacks, what will they do?