Chapter 261 : Chapter 261

Chapter 261

“Cut ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍the Core......”

Levia ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍let out a small laugh at Killian’s answer.

“Yes. ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍I was worrying pointlessly when there was such a simple solution.”

She ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍looked at Armin, whose expression was grave.

“Aquares ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍will have difficulty dispatching superhuman-class personnel immediately.”

Even ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍if they requested a Holy Knight Order from the Holy See, it would take considerable time to receive a reply.

The moment they learned that this was not the legacy of an ordinary mountain-range ruler, but of a Monster Lord, the degree of danger facing the Temple changed.

“In a way, isn’t now the perfect time?”

An Apostle of God with divine power on par with a High Priest, as well as a Sword Master exceptional enough to fight the Telesa Queen one-on-one.

“If Sir Killian lends us his aid, clearing the dungeon will be far easier.”

‘It seems the princess has been itching for a fight.’

Levia was vigorously pressuring the High Priest, using Killian to satisfy her own desire.

Seeing the High Priest’s face gradually turn dark, the method appeared to be quite effective.

“Sir Killian, can you cut the dungeon’s Core?”

“Of course. If you are worried about the dungeon expanding, I can stop it with my Authority, so please do not worry.”

If he raised barriers around the Gate, they could prevent the worst-case scenario even if a Break occurred.

Armin, who had even been considering an evacuation, brightened.

“How many people do you have in mind?”

“I alone will be enough.”

Killian had said that because he judged that a Monster Lord’s dungeon was highly likely to relocate even if its Core was cut.

“That is absurd!”

Princess Levia cried out.

“Aquares is not so discourteous as to send the kingdom’s honored guest alone into a place where battle may break out.”

“We feel the same. We cannot send you alone when you are expending your strength for the Temple.”

Killian did not particularly care either way.

“Then dispatch as many as you wish.”

After resting for a day and preparing to depart for the dungeon, they gathered at the heart of the Temple.

“The princess herself?”

“And the High Priest as well?”

“The Temple’s fate is at stake. We have only one chance. Shouldn’t we field our greatest strength?”

“I see. It would be best if not too many people knew of the Temple’s circumstances.”

Killian nodded indifferently as each of them gave their reasons for joining the expedition party.

“Still, this is unexpected.”

“......?”

“I thought you would bring Prince Julian along.”

“Doesn’t each of us have a role to play?”

“Hmm. The more I watch, the more interesting your relationship becomes.”

Once Levia and Killian had finished speaking, Armin slung on a backpack filled with potions and emergency rations.

“I will activate the Gate, Sir Killian.”

“All right.”

The moment he infused it with divine power, the Warp Gate shook and Dungeonization began.

At the moment intense demonic energy began to leak out.

RUMBLE. RUMBLE.

Four rising barriers surrounded the Gate.

“Let us go.”

Killian lightly stepped through the Gate leading to the dungeon.

***

The deep, dark abyssal sea.

There was a cave there that humanity did not know existed.

It was the domain of Siren, known as the Telesa Queen.

Siren smiled gently as she looked at the Telesa brushing her hair.

[Grrr. It is fortunate that your injuries are not severe.]

Another Telesa, who was massaging Siren’s lower body, said so.

[Gyaaarrrr. It is the perfect hideout.]

A space Siren had discovered by chance more than a hundred years ago.

Someone had inscribed an expansion formula there, making it a place where demonic energy naturally condensed.

‘The demonic energy in the area is helping my body recover. It will not take long to heal.’

[Your Majesty, you look pleased.]

One Telesa whispered with a mischievous expression.

[Do I?]

Their eyes sparkled.

Beings capable of tearing even a 5-Star knight to pieces in an instant once they released their Polymorph.

Yet before their queen, they were as innocent as children.

[Grrr. Is it because of that man?]

‘Killian Eurasia.’

A human who had not lived even a hundred years, yet radiated a presence befitting a thousand years.

The insolent human who had driven her to the brink of death.

Yet, strangely enough.

The emotion that surfaced whenever she thought of him was not hatred.

Awe.

Scrape. Scrape.

As Siren sharpened her black claws, she replayed her battle with him.

[......]

Even if they fought again, she could not envision a way to win.

‘For someone who called herself the ruler of the sea, I have become a pathetic sight.’

A thousand years.

Throughout that long time, she had lived by stabilizing her strength and multiplying her species.

She had been certain that, in a world where the gods had disappeared, if anyone ruled the sea, it would be she herself.

But then.

After meeting Killian Eurasia, she realized something.

‘The gods have not vanished completely.’

She had felt reassured because the Temple’s priests could no longer wield the same power as before, their connection to the gods having been severed.

That was not the case.

They were influencing the world through another method.

‘A Demigod concealing his identity.’

Or.

‘A god wearing a human shell.’

Whichever it was, if she could claim that power, she would become the true ruler of the sea.

‘We formed a covenant, so I will meet him again before long.’

For now, all she had to do was recover and watch their movements.

‘He said he would give me a separate signal, so I will devote about a month to recovering......’

At that moment.

RUMBLEEEEE.

The cave shook violently.

[Y-Your Majesty!]

[An intruder!!]

An intruder?

‘In this place called the abyssal sea?’

Who would dare?

Her question was answered quickly.

An intense aura flashed before her, splitting the space apart.

CRRRRASH.

The split space steadily widened.

And then.

The man who stepped through it had a familiar face.

“......Huh?”

His voice sounded puzzled.

Before he could say anything else, two humans appeared behind him.

“Sir Killian, that technique from a moment ago was......”

“Good heavens, you really can cut through space......”

The armored woman and the man in priestly robes were unable to finish their words.

“Telesa......!!”

The presence of the teal-haired woman surged rapidly.

“Sacred water, in the name of God, I pronounce the sea’s judgment. Release.”

With the divine formula he rapidly recited, the staff in the white-haired man’s hand transformed into a spear.

THRUST.

When the spear struck the ground.

WHOOOOSH.

A wave of divine power spread out like a magic circle and engulfed the Telesas.

“I bring down the Sea’s Spear upon the sinners.”

Armin recited divine formulas without pause.

“God of the Sea, grant me holy spears!”

Dozens of spears formed in the air.

SWISH.

They struck directly where the Telesas stood.

Divine power burst from the places the spears touched.

“Rejoin what has been broken, and return the flow.”

When Armin brought his hands together, blue divine power spread from his fingertips.

He raised his hands and slowly chanted.

“Sea of God, deliver punishment!”

FWOOSH.

Blue light like droplets of water fell from above.

[Gyaaarrr!]

[Grrr!]

The Telesas screamed as the holy streams seeped into them.

“God’s blessing to us, judgment to you.”

The divine magic Armin unleashed circled the Telesas and swept through the area.

RUMBLE.

The abyssal sea’s demonic energy was swallowed by light.

Levia Aquares’ eyes widened at the divine power, powerful enough to make her skin tingle.

At this level, it had the might of an Archmage.

That was not what mattered.

“Calm yourself, High Priest.”

Levia urgently stepped in front of Armin.

“Move aside, Princess!”

Just as Armin began to recite another formula as though he was not finished yet.

[GYAAAAAA!!]

At the soundwave that spread throughout the area, Levia clutched her chest.

“Ghk......!!”

Even after strengthening her body with the Eye, it felt as if the mana in her heart were being worn away.

Levia lost her balance and staggered.

“Princess!”

Armin immediately used the next formula.

WHOOOSH!

The instant wave-like divine power filled the space.

SHATTER.

The divine power scattered into droplets before Siren’s swung Trident.

“B-Bestow upon us the Shield of God......!!”

BANG!

Siren’s Trident was stopped by the shield Armin created.

[Pathetic.]

CRACK!

As Siren twisted her spear, cracks spread across the shield.

“......!!”

Armin’s face filled with shock.

He had confirmed that Siren had not suffered even the slightest impact from the attacks he poured upon her.

“God’s sea is deep and dark!”

The Divine Object in Armin’s grasp shone.

[Kgh......]

The instant the Divine Object and Siren’s spear met, her red eyes shook at the memory deeply imprinted into her species.

[A dog of Neptune dares provoke me with such a trick!!]

“Cough......”

At the soundwave, Armin coughed up blood and dropped to one knee.

CLANG!

Anima, belatedly, knocked the Trident away.

[Killian Eurasia!]

The queen bared her teeth.

“That is enough.”

Killian spoke quietly.

Yet, at those words, the space warped.

THUD!

As an immense presence weighed down the air.

Remembering their previous battle, Siren regained her senses.

Only then did Killian turn to look at Armin.

“Calm yourself.”

“Sir Killian...... This one is......”

“An ally.”

Armin’s expression said that it was utter nonsense.

‘There is a long way to go.’

***

“An alliance with the Telesa?!!”

After hearing the full story, Armin raised his voice.

He had just healed the wounds he sustained in the battle with divine formulas.

Killian gave a short sigh.

“We need to speak with the queen.”

“That is impossible......”

“High Priest Armin, it is an alliance my brother formed himself.”

Levia calmed Armin down, saying she would explain the details once they returned.

[You attacked without knowing your place. What a pitiful human.]

“Siren, do not create needless trouble.”

[You are rather brazen for an uninvited guest.]

“It is not yours anyway.”

They had already discussed that this place was a cave in the abyssal sea, and a dungeon made by the Monster Lord.

‘I never imagined there would be a dungeon beneath the sea as well.’

If they cut this place’s Core, it was highly likely to move elsewhere.

The issue was that this place lay in the abyssal sea.

To find the Core, they needed to cut down the dungeon itself, where the expansion formula was inscribed.

‘Unlike in the mountains, a careless cut could leave us drowned.’

They needed Siren’s help to detect the Core properly.

‘Should I remind her of the covenant?’

Submission and extinction.

[You are thinking something sinister.]

The corner of Siren’s mouth split upward as she noticed Killian’s thoughts.

[If you wish, I can help you detect the Core. Of course, I have a condition.]

“I think it would be better simply to remind you of the covenant.”

[It would be best for you to accept my offer, if you do not wish to take on needless danger.]

Before receiving an answer, the queen extended her hand.

The space her hand touched warped.

It was an ability similar to Killian’s sword that had cut through space.

“......?”

[I will take your answer as given. Only you, follow me.]

Beyond the space she pierced to move through was the dungeon’s Core.

A sphere composed of dark-blue demonic energy, like an Arch Lich’s Life Vessel.

The problem was that the Core had been contaminated by something unexpected.

“......A Fragment of the Anomaly.”

[As expected, it was that fellow’s power.]

The queen muttered as she stared at the Core.

Killian looked at her.

[I have no interest in it.]

She continued calmly.

[All I want is to gain a presence like yours and seek the place of a god.]

Words that would have caused another battle if Armin had heard them.

“All right.”

Killian infused mana into the hand holding Anima.

If he cut the Core, they would be able to clear the current dungeon without difficulty.

At that moment.

Sssss—

Radiance arose around the Core.

[It has been a long time.]

The radiance intertwined with demonic energy spoke.

[Adamas.]

The voice soon took form.

Dark-blue hair.

Blue eyes, as though they held the sea within them.

[What is this...... This is impossible......]

At the sight of the naked man, Siren’s body trembled.

“Neptune.”

Killian spoke the man’s name.