Chapter 16
「What the hell is that, Aniki? Is that......a person? I've never seen such a monster. Is it a different person from the one we were with before?」
Onyx's voice trembled as he saw the person who immediately caught his eye as he ascended the stairs.
'Jet-Black' was lying sideways, reading a book while lazily munching on snacks.
It was a completely relaxed appearance.
But Onyx realized his own powerlessness upon seeing that figure.
'Jet-Black' was like a natural disaster taking on a human form.
As a strong individual, Onyx could accurately understand the threat he posed`.
He bore some resemblance to Zerius Euclare, who previously wore jet-black armor.
However, it was clear at a glance that they were completely different beings. The pressure was different. The caliber was different.
Even with the slightest lapse of concentration, or rather, even if he sharpened all his senses without any negligence, Onyx instinctively understood that his life could be lost in an instant.
A cold sense of unease and fear, as if his heart and brain were being directly and brazenly touched, caused Onyx's massive body to convulse.
「Looks like we've got a big one, huh? Wait, can you handle that too? Could it be a member of your harem? And on top of that, a muscular gorilla! You're way too advanced!」
「That's not it! This guy is my disciple!」
Mars retorted loudly, mocking 'Jet-Black' who was laughing out loud.
「――I can't compete with you, Aniki. How can you casually talk to such a monster? It's the first time I've ever been this scared.」
Onyx's hairy face was drenched in cold sweat.
His instinct was trembling with fear.
He wanted to shout loudly and wipe away the fear, but if he made the wrong move, he would die.
An overwhelming sense of dread, so paralyzing that he couldn't even tremble, dominated Onyx's entire body.
He felt that even a momentary diversion of his gaze would result in his head and body being separated.
However, 'Jet Black' was strong.
His strength as a living being was different.
He was just terrifying.
The person in front of Onyx surely didn't require any emotions to kill.
No reasons or excuses were necessary. He was the type to kill first and think about the reasons afterward.
The worst kind of mentality and talent that reeked of disaster coexisted within him.
Onyx understood it in an instant and gave up on fighting this person.
Normally, people wouldn't think of standing up against natural disasters like the sea or mountains.
The resignation Onyx felt had that scale.
The reason why Mars' companions could remain calm even against 'Jet-Black' was because they had complete trust in Mars and because Mars was a reincarnator just like 'Jet-Black'.
As someone who simply admired Mars, Onyx didn't know the full extent of Mars' power, so he took in the pressure from 'Jet-Black' without Mars' filter.
As a result, his skin crawled uncontrollably, and his stomach convulsed to the point where he felt like he would vomit everything inside.
He managed to hold it in because Onyx himself stood among the strong in this world and because of the remnants of his pride, no matter how small.
However, with just one glance, his fighting spirit was completely stolen away.
He came to realize that he was ultimately prey in this world.
Unaware of Onyx's inner thoughts, Mars continued the conversation as if nothing was wrong.
「So, what kind of monster are you going to summon this time?」
「Yeah. This is the last one. I'll show you the strongest. Even I had a bit of trouble with this one, you see. It brings an absurd amount of magical power for its summoning.」
With a shout, 'Jet Black' stood up and used his shadow to summon.
However... what appeared was the smallest monster they had encountered so far.
A winged, reptilian-like female creature with limbs.
She had long green hair and lifeless eyes, a truly dead gaze.
The woman, with her exquisite features, swayed her body as if devoid of any will.
「This one is the Queen of the Sky City Dragonia. I can't remember the name she introduced herself with... She was furious when I destroyed the dungeon, though. She was screaming and acting all high and mighty, so I killed her. You'd be surprised. This one was way stronger than the dungeon boss. The dragonkin in the city were all incredibly strong too. Well, I killed them all, though.」
「I see, so your power is also a form of necromancy...!」
The resurrection technique that the necromancer Norn once sought, was a resurrection magic that didn't even require a body or soul.
That is the 【Monster Creation】 ability possessed by 'Jet Black'.
However, it doesn't fully revive the memories or will of the deceased.
The proud Queen had become a puppet, having lost the people and territory she should have protected.
「Ahhh, I remembered! It's the 'Empress Dragon,' Dragonia!」
'Jet Black' clapped his hands and nodded a few times, his voice sounding refreshed.
「Why, why did you kill her...!? If you cleared the dungeon, that should have been enough!... And to use a dead person like this...!」
「Why, you ask? Well, if someone annoys me, I'll kill them. There's no great reason. I killed her because I wanted to. Don't you kill unpleasant bugs too? What's the difference?」
Hazuki clenched her teeth so hard it seemed like she would bite her lip off, blood flowing from her mouth.
Her anger at the sacrilege towards the deceased was evident.
Even against an arrogant calamity, she wouldn't give up. She would voice her displeasure.
「――I'll kill you.」
「――I'm looking forward to it.」
It sounded like a sincere statement.
――Yeah, I'll kill you. Maybe that's what you want. Just enough to make you look forward to it.
Mars was suddenly aware.
'Jet Black''s desire is the same as Mars's――.
And then, 'Jet Black' disappeared.
The Empress of Dragonia, the 'Empress Dragon,' let out a piercing scream.
Mars thought it was not a roar but a scream because her voice sounded so sorrowful.
Just by releasing her magical power, the space trembled.
Mars realized the magnitude of the threat when his face was immediately struck by intense pain.
His cheek was struck at a speed that his eyes couldn't catch.
With that one blow, Mars was blown away toward the wall.
「Ughh!」
Thanks to Onyx catching him, he barely avoided crashing into the wall.
However, his head was throbbing.
It was a complete surprise attack, and the force was so powerful that it seemed like a miracle that his neck wasn't broken.
Magic power overflowed from the entire body of the Empress of Dragonia, visible even to Hazuki and Sion, who can see magic power.
There was power befitting the Empress's name.
The amount surpassed even Hazuki, who possessed immense magic power.
Moreover, her physical strength was on par with Mars, who had used 'Body Strengthening' numerous times.
Her speed, which didn't even allow the trace of her movement to be sensed, was already in the realm of instantaneous teleportation.
Undoubtedly, she was the strongest among all the monsters they had encountered so far.
But despite that, she was shedding tears.
「I-I want to stop her! This must be my mission!
Hazuki declared with tears in her eyes, blood flowing from her bitten lips.
The empress looked so pitiful.
Hazuki couldn't win against her in a fair fight.
That's why she was asking everyone for their cooperation.
Everyone understood that.
Hazuki's words, calling the dragonkin who had been killed and had her body manipulated by a "human," made them want to help her.
「Hazuki-nyan! Ride on Nemu's back-nyaa!」
What Hazuki lacked the most was mobility.
Nemu made that judgment and decided to carry Hazuki on her back and run around.
「Onyx! Can I ask you to protect Lilia and Sion-san!?」
「Protecting is fine! I'll take care of it!」
Mars also acknowledged Onyx's strength.
If he asked him to defeat the Empress, it would be difficult due to his lack of speed to land an attack. But if he asked him to protect them, he would surely shield them and fulfill the request.
Although their acquaintance was short, Mars had trust in his character.
――Being smaller, she may have no openings and be stronger than a real dragon.
The empress of Dragonia possessed extraordinary power and speed.
Even while running, she was half-flying.
Her speed was probably in the realm of Mach. With each movement, the sound of explosions reverberated as if the air was bursting, shaking everyone to the core.
She was like a super-miniature fighter jet.
She also had the durability to withstand the heat generated by friction with the air, to the point where it didn't bother her.
She possessed a body strong enough to endure the violence of Mach.
In clear terms, she was almost a perfect superior version of Mars.
Moreover, the bottom of her power was still unseen.
「It doesn't seem like a time to hold back!」
Mars activated several "Body Strengthening," created clones, and rushed toward the Empress of Dragonia.
For a moment, Mars's clones showed a slight disturbance, but they immediately adapted.
And then, the Empress of Dragonia opened her large mouth.
The attack befitting the name of the "Empress Dragon" began.
A white light appeared in her mouth, and Mars's whole body tingled.
When his clone self glanced at him, the clone kicked Mars hard sideways.
In the next moment, the clone disappeared into the white light.
「Dragon Breath!?」
Lilia shouted.
The white flash left a hole in the outer wall of the World Tree, maintaining its shape.
Rather than saying it was destroyed, it seemed to have been erased.
There was no sound.
Everything touched by the light vanished without exception.
Though it wasn't very large, about ten meters, the result was more terrifying than any attack they had seen before.
For the first time since they arrived here, they looked up at the sky.
The weather was good today, and the sunlight became the backlight of the Empress of Dragonia.
She hid her expression in the dark shadow created by the sunlight.
She exuded a majestic presence that made one feel she was not a monster but a proud Empress of Dragons.
「You're saying she's a humanoid dragon!?」
Mars is convinced that despite being smaller and more agile, she is still stronger than a real dragon.
While running around, Lilia shot arrows, and Hazuki continued to cast spells from Nemu's back.
Sion was running around behind Onyx.
Although Hazuki's attacks had a significant impact, she couldn't use them indiscriminately, so she was waiting for an opportunity.
The Empress of Dragonia, having missed her breath attack, switches back to close combat once again.
Once someone experiences strong success, they tend to carry it with them indefinitely.
This holds true even for the great Empress.
The single blow she landed on Mars boosted her confidence.
「Watch out, Nemu-chan and Hazuki-chan!」
As if teleporting, the Empress of Dragonia heads toward Hazuki and Nemu.
Hazuki, who moves around and casts magic, was quite bothersome.
Mars also heads there with all his might, but the Empress of Dragonia is much faster than Mars.
Their inherent capabilities are different.
Humans cannot match dragons.
――Why am I so weak!? Even if I sacrifice my body, I can't catch up!
Despite stepping in as if his legs were about to shatter, the distance between them only grows.
Even in a fraction of a second, there is a significant difference in distance.
Their level of speed is different.
Mars tries to draw his sword, which extends its blade, as his last resort, but it seems he won't make it in time.
In the time it takes to take out the sword and swing it, Hazuki and Nemu will die.
The worst feeling is when life slips through your hands.
Mars could endure her blows, but for Hazuki and Nemu, it would be fatal.
And the Empress is even faster now.
Mars barely managed to avoid the impact reflexively. He survived only by luck. Her hand didn't strike with full force.
There is no living creature that can withstand a blow at Mach speed.
Because of his weakness and inability to do anything, he is about to lose the people who are important to him.
Mars felt like crying as he ran.
And at the moment when the Empress of Dragonia reaches Hazuki and Nemu, the situation changes.
A beam of black and red intertwined spirals directly hits the Empress of Dragonia.
She loses her balance, and the attack stops, sparing Hazuki and Nemu from harm.
Whether it caused some damage or not, the Empress holds her face and comes to a stop.
「Hahaha! Pathetic, you stealing man!」
The one laughing loudly is a man clad in pure white armor.
The man who deceived Hazuki, using Mars's other name, "Lightning," and was mistaken for "Jet Black," cuckolded by Hazuki, who was his lover――It was Zerius Eclair
He is now without his helmet, revealing his face.
In his hand, he holds the broken red and black spear, which should have been destroyed.
「So, you came too!?」
「Of course! ――You told me, didn't you? That I can conquer the Seven Great Dungeons!」
――Did he really take my words seriously?
Mars chuckles at his response.
The words of a strong person have the power to change someone's life.
Only Mars himself underestimated that influence.
「At any rate, I'm glad you're safe! Help me out!」
「I refuse! This is my prey! And I, as the 'Pure White,' will claim the World Tree! Not you! And I'll take back Hazuki!」
「You're a person with many titles, aren't you!?」
The more destinations the Empress of Dragonia heads to in this battle, the easier it becomes.
Of course, it is assumed that one can dodge, but it should be no problem for the current Zerius.
Neither Zerius nor Onyx is inferior to Mars in any way.
The Empress' attacks are terrifyingly linear.
It's like light running around. But if you can grasp the initial movement, you can somehow avoid it.
「Ze-Zerius!? Did you really chase us all the way here!? Th-thank you for helping, but it's creepy!」
「Guh...!」
「Why do you look slightly happy!?」
Zerius pressed his chest and seemed to show a hint of delight in response to Hazuki's outburst.
He had become a perverted individual with a strong desire to be cuckolded.
It seemed he was pleased to be treated coldly by Hazuki, who had become another man's woman.
「Save the theatrics for later! Hazuki-chan cast a large-scale spell at the Empress!」
「O-Okay!」
「The rest of you, attack from multiple directions towards the direction the Empress is escaping!」
While her incredible speed posed a threat, as long as they knew the direction the Empress went, they could deal with it.
If they couldn't see her, they would lure her out to a visible location.
It wasn't a technique they could use repeatedly, but it was effective for the first time.
At Mars's signal, a flame spell spread over a considerable area. They should have been able to handle the Empress no matter which direction she headed.
However――
「The sky!?」
Because the Empress had never flown high before, Mars didn't consider the possibility of airborne movement.
Mars's brain, strained from continuous running and lack of oxygen, narrowed his thinking. He couldn't think in three dimensions.
The Empress accurately seized the updraft created by the flames and flew. Her eyes, as she looked at Mars, were filled with laughter, mocking him as a fool.
There was no time to regret his misjudgment.
"This is bad!"――Mars thought. At that moment, an arrow deeply pierced the Empress's forehead.
「It's within the expected range――Now it's my turn!」
Mars turned around and saw Lilia, who had a fearless smile on her face.
The Empress tilted her head back in mid-air.
And she fell onto the blazing floor.
「Sion-san! Pour water over my entire body!」
「Understood!」
With a splash, a mass of water fell from above Mars. Even Sion could use the magic of this level.
Mars pushed forward through the flames without hesitation.
Hazuki's flames were extremely hot, and even Mars would die if he stayed there for too long. It was an environment where even breathing was impossible.
That's why he had to settle the battle quickly.
He couldn't believe that the Empress, who possessed dragon-like qualities, would die in the flames.
As expected, the Empress attempted to stand up.
Mars forcefully pulled the arrow from her forehead, with his unsteady legs.
Her eyes stared at Mars with hatred.
No, anyone would have the same expression.
Her dignity and body had been stolen. It was only natural.
Mars used his remaining magical power to create a clone behind the Empress.
Then, he beheaded her from behind.
The Empress's body, which dropped to her knees, still seemed like it could move.
But it didn't move. Because that's what she didn't want.
Perhaps that was her intention from the beginning.
She didn't desire a second, worst life.
Even without will or memories, the pride ingrained in her body wouldn't disappear.
Mars lifted her remains from the flames and carried them to Hazuki's side.
「Hazuki-chan, it's over. Will you give her a proper burial?」
「Yes...」
Hazuki performed a simple burial.
Zerius and Onyx didn't interfere or say anything. They must have thought it would be too rude to do so.
「'Jet Black' is seriously dangerous. I didn't feel confident in defeating the Empress earlier on my own,」
The group sat down on the staircase leading to the next floor to take a rest.
「If she had her original personality and was in her preferred environment, we wouldn't have stood a chance. She would have used her breath to sweep us away or sniped us relentlessly from the air. If she were in a proper state, I believe she would have employed such safe tactics.」
Lilia said, pale-faced.
Indeed, the 'Empress Dragon' couldn't fully unleash her potential.
Being an intelligent race rather than a mere monster, it was only natural for her to think and act accordingly.
Even though they were able to defeat her in her resurrected state, Mars and his group could only do so because of that.
If she had employed the tactics Lilia mentioned, there would have been no way for them to win.
Vigilant and cautious individuals were truly formidable opponents.
They had finally succeeded in defeating her with the help of various cooperation, but "Jet Black" must have killed her head-on, and in the presence of other dragonkin, after conquering the dungeon alone.
On the other hand, Mars and his group were only able to defeat her by working together.
If Zerius hadn't intervened, Hazuki and Nemu would have been dead.
Thinking that, the difference in power felt significant.
「'Jet Black'? Ah, my imposter.」
Hmph, Zerius said, crossing his arms and spitting out the words dismissively.
「No, you're the imposter. Where do you get that confidence?」
Mars is dumbfounded.
It was an assertion that wouldn't have been made if he didn't believe he was superior.
That said, it could also be said that Zerius hadn't directly seen "Jet Black," so it couldn't be helped.
「Nemu got a bit scared earlier-nyaa......She was way too fast-nyaa.」
「R-Right.....」
Hazuki glanced at Zerius.
Zerius had a smug expression on his face.
「Did you intend to come back to my side?」
「No, not at all.」
「You're so cold!?」
「I'm grateful for your help... but if that's how you want to evaluate it, Mars-san has helped me more times than I can count.......you're not strong enough?」
With a troubled expression, Hazuki gave Zerius a sharp kick.
Even though he hadn't even flinched during the battle against formidable enemies, he easily yielded to Hazuki's statement.
Seeing him looking so happy, Mars decided not to say anything.
「By the way, there's something strange about this dungeon. There hasn't been a single obstacle until now, and I managed to reach this point in just one day.」
Zerius said, switching to a serious expression and asking Mars, unaware of the situation.
「――That's the situation.」
Mars explained about "Jet Black" and the events surrounding it.
The fact that this World Tree dungeon has been completely remodeled.
The fact that the seat of god is bestowed upon those who have conquered the majority of the Seven Great Dungeons.
Mars didn't mention that he and "Jet Black" are reincarnators, nor did he reveal his true identity.
「So, the impostor is me...!」
「Now you bring that up again?!」
Startled by the stark difference in power, Zerius once again kneeled.
「In that case, we'll have to rely on Aniki and the others to defeat him, right? That monster becoming a god gives me the chills!」
「Well, me and Onyx here don't have any chance of becoming gods anymore.」
Since Mars and "Jet-Black" have conquered three locations each, Onyx and Zerius cannot become gods even if they conquered this World Tree.
「However... I can prevent one of you from becoming a god.」
Zerius showed enmity as he did when they first met.
Back then, Mars easily dismissed it, but this time he took it seriously.
It was also a valid choice for the people of this world to make.
Mars becoming a god does not necessarily bring about a world that Zerius and the others would accept.
Mars respects the will not leave one's fate in the hands of others.
「...On second thought, I'll stop here. If I kill Hazuki's husband, I'll only be resented.」
Zerius smiled at Hazuki.
「Zerius... I, I...」
「It's fine. Even if you take a detour with another man, I'll still accept you in the end. Just come back to me.」
Zerius demonstrated his magnanimity, but Hazuki's response was still cruel.
「I... I haven't forgotten at all that I was beaten every day! My nose was broken every time... Getting hit by a person in armor is the same as being struck with iron, you know!?」
Her resentment was stronger than her fondness.
Hazuki's healing magic had improved precisely because she used it on herself every time.
Women overwrite, and men save with names.
It's often said about past relationships.
And men tend to think that their past lovers still have feelings for them.
Zerius is a typical example of such a man.
He had become overconfident and self-centered.
And he had completely forgotten about his past actions.
Zerius wasn't a good person; he was a DV (domestic violence) man driven by honor and greed.
Although he seems to have had some change of heart now, there wouldn't be much difference at the core.
One can see that from his words and attitude.
「You, are you popular?」
「Wha, d-don't compare me to a hairy creature like you!」
「Among the dwarves, I'm quite popular, I'll have you know! I'm big, and I can handle my liquor!」
Of course, values differ among races.
Within the dwarves, Onyx is classified as a handsome and strong individual.
Being handsome, tall, and having conquered dungeons, he is considered wealthy among the dwarves. That's the kind of evaluation he receives within the dwarven community.
Furthermore, he is also honored as one of the clan's heroes.
Naturally, he is popular.
Although he used to be ridiculed in the past, his achievements are now seen as strengths. People even say he's cute.
While Zerius has a handsome face, his personality is not conducive to being popular.
Fundamentally, he lacks confidence, which leads him to become overly aggressive.
If Zerius were in the most favorable environment, he might be popular. However, in an environment where Mars is present, he can't escape being considered a third wheel.
「Don't cause unnecessary conflicts in strange places...」
Mars was troubled.
Among the strong adventurers, including himself, there are too many individuals with quirks.
「When the popular Mars-san says it, it sounds so relaxed, doesn't it? We all love Mars-san.」
「Kuh...!」
Once again, Zerius kneels.
All the women present are Mars's women.
There was an overwhelming difference in power.
「Will you all cooperate with us?」
The atmosphere is relaxed, but Lilia remains cautious.
She knows Onyx is reliable, but Zerius is still in an antagonistic position.
「I'll help you, Aniki! I've wanted to go on an adventure together from the beginning!」
Onyx thumps his chest and laughs loudly.
He even asked to accompany them.
In Onyx's heart, there is genuine respect and gratitude toward Mars.
If Mars hadn't been there, the dwarf kingdom would have been destroyed, and Onyx himself wouldn't be alive.
「I won't help. I'll defeat that 'Jet Black' and take the treasures here for myself.」
「You... just a while ago, you didn't seem hostile!」
「That was because I thought Hazuki would come back to me! If not, who would cooperate with someone like you!?」
「Uwah, you're so petty!」
—It's more reassuring than having him strangely approach us, though.
In Mars's case, he thought there must be some ulterior motive if Zerius were to cooperate openly.
「That's why Hazuki-nyan dislikes you-nyaa.」
「Shut up, Cat Girl!」
Nemu teases him, and Zerius becomes furious.
「That person is quite annoying, isn't he?」
「He has a small mentality. It's like a small dog barking incessantly.」
Sion and Lilia whispered quietly while looking at Zerius.
「Why are all of you giving me the cold shoulder when I helped you!?」
「I-It's... because of your past actions!」
「After this, I might as well become a monk...」
When Hazuki says that, Zerius is visibly depressed.
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