Chapter 28

"Um... The 〈King's Wandering〉 is when the 〈Dream Lord〉 comes out of the depths of a 〈Dungeon〉 and starts wandering around inside it, right? Was that crying just now the 〈Dream Lord〉?"

Ruche asked me anxiously.

It seemed Ruche knew about the 〈King's Wandering〉, too.

That was only natural, since it was the sort of thing every adventurer needed to know about.

The 〈Dream Lord〉 is the heart of a 〈Dungeon〉, and it normally stays holed up in the depths without moving.

However, on rare occasions, it comes out of the depths of a 〈Dungeon〉 and wanders around inside.

That is the 〈King's Wandering〉.

There are several conditions that can cause it, but the most common is when an adventurer challenges the 〈Dream Lord〉, fails to deal any significant damage, and flees.

The 〈Dream Lord〉 rushes out of the depths after the fleeing adventurer, then wanders around the 〈Dungeon〉 for a while.

That was probably what had happened this time, too.

Some adventurers who were out of their depth must have challenged the 〈Dream Lord〉, only to be driven off without doing any real damage.

The 〈Dream Lord〉 of 〈Angel's Toy Box〉 was a little unusual, though. It was difficult to damage without prior information and preparation, so even in 〈Magic World〉, the 〈King's Wandering〉 happened frequently here.

That was all the more true in this world, where information was rarely shared.

I’d heard that the Adventurers Guild also warned adventurers about the 〈King's Wandering〉.

I did think they’d caused me a troublesome situation... but I couldn’t simply blame it on the adventurers’ lack of awareness.

There was far too much difference between the amount of information available in this world and in the game.

Still, it was a nuisance.

"No doubt about it. That was the cry of the 〈Dream Lord〉 of 〈Angel's Toy Box〉."

"I-Isn’t that bad? The 〈Dream Lord〉 here is pretty high-level, right? The recommended level for a full clear was fifty..."

"No, actually, it’s not that bad. If we handle things poorly, it could become a hassle, but..."

"Huh...? Really?"

The 〈Dream Lord〉 here wasn’t all that fast.

With her high Agility, Ruche could easily outrun it at her current Level unless she got herself trapped in a dead end.

I was a little less certain, since I was a Heavy Knight, but I knew how to escape in situations like this, and I understood the 〈Dream Lord〉’s nature.

There was almost no chance of us getting cornered.

"We’ll head for the exit while running away from the direction of the voice. Even during the 〈King's Wandering〉, the 〈Dream Lord〉 won’t leave the 〈Dungeon〉."

That was all there was to it.

It wasn’t some especially troublesome event.

No matter how well we thought we’d prepared for adventuring, unexpected hardships always came our way.

We were lucky it was only the 〈King's Wandering〉.

We didn’t need to hurry that much, but we never knew what might happen.

If monsters surrounded us, they could catch up.

We immediately turned around and started back the way we’d come.

But then, a thunderous roar rang out, followed by a person’s scream.

I stopped in my tracks and looked back toward the sound.

Two adventurers—a man and a woman—appeared around the corner.

Both of them were covered in blood and had clearly suffered serious injuries.

The woman seemed barely conscious. Her companion had her arm over his shoulder and was half dragging her along.

"Help us! A-A monster far stronger than any we’ve seen suddenly appeared...!"

I’d been taking this too lightly.

This wasn’t a game.

Several people had probably already died during this 〈King's Wandering〉.

If I ran away now, those two right in front of me would certainly die.

There was no way they could escape in that condition.

With my knowledge of the game, I knew that all too well.

And I had the knowledge and strength to save them.

'We nobles are far greater than commoners. It is only natural that we live in luxury. Do you know why? Because we possess great power... and the duty to protect our lands and our people.'

Those were my father’s words.

I didn’t blindly believe in him or respect him anymore.

He was a coldhearted, stubborn, overbearing, and selfish man.

But those words had stayed with me.

If I thought of the 〈Blessing Ceremony〉 as the result of him putting his duty as a noble first, I could understand his decision, even if I couldn’t forgive him.

And despite everything, I was still a noble, if only in name.

I was a reincarnated person with memories of my previous life.

But I had also lived for fifteen years as Elymas Edvaughn, the future head of the Edvaughn County. That was just as true.

My father had cast me out of the family, convinced I didn’t have the strength for the role.

But I believed I did have that strength.

It wasn’t as if I wanted to become the heir again now.

And it wasn’t as if I wanted to prove my father wrong.

Even so, I didn’t want to throw away the pride and conviction I’d always believed in.

"...Ruche, I’m sorry. Could you help those two and guide them outside while I draw the monster’s attention?"

"I don’t mind, but... b-but the 〈Dream Lord〉 here is around 【Lv: 50】, close to the recommended level, isn’t it? Even you, Elymas-san..."

"I know what the enemy is like. I can draw its attention for a little while and then get away on my own. Drawing enemies toward them is the basic fighting style of a Heavy Knight, after all."

As I spoke, I ran toward the two injured adventurers.

Ruche followed after me.

A strange-looking monster appeared behind the two adventurers, as if pursuing them.

It wore a black hat and a red military uniform.

It held a dagger in one hand, had a large trumpet strapped to its back, and a drum fastened to its body with leather belts. It was dressed quite flamboyantly.

There were X-shaped marks where its eyes should have been, and it had a long nose and a comical face.

Its entire body had a smooth, glossy sheen.

It looked exactly as it had in 〈Magic World〉.

"Here it comes... Tin Knight!"

Its blade and body were spattered with blood.

That was proof it had already claimed at least one victim.

"I’ll buy you some time! My companion knows the way from here to the exit, so have her show you the way and get out!"

I said that to them as I passed by.

"S-Sorry... Thank you, truly!"

The man bowed his head to me.

I drew my sword and readied it against the approaching monster... the Tin Knight.

――――――――――――――――――――

Monster: Tin Knight

Lv: 40

HP: 21/47

MP: 31/31

――――――――――――――――――――

...I see. Its HP had already been reduced.

That was better than the worst-case scenario, at least.

"Elymas-san! It’s certainly a powerful monster, but it’s wounded! I’m sure even I can help! Let’s take it down together!"

Ruche came up beside me and readied her 〈Iron-Piercer〉 against the Tin Knight.

"...No, we can’t beat it. Ruche, run."

"B-But...!"

"The Tin Knight isn’t the 〈Dream Lord〉 itself. It’s just like one of its limbs... The real body will be here soon."

As soon as I said that, two more Tin Knights appeared behind the first one.

The Tin Knights turned their motionless X-shaped eyes toward us.

For some reason, their faces seemed to wear cold smiles.

Ruche went pale at the sight of the three Tin Knights.

"No way... Three of them at 【Lv: 40】..."

"I’ll follow you as soon as I’ve bought us a little time."

"Y-You can’t! There’s no way I can leave you here alone against something like this...! You said you’d make me your companion, Elymas-san...!"

"Do I have to spell it out? This isn’t an opponent I can afford to fight while worrying about dead weight. You’ll get in my way."

After I said that, Ruche pressed her lips together, then bowed her head to me.

"...You’re right. I’m sorry."

With those words, Ruche ran in the same direction as the two who’d escaped.

"Please... catch up soon, Elymas-san."

At her words, I gave a small nod without turning around.