-- Early in the morning of the day we were leaving for the Deeper Realm, we were making our final preparations in front of the Knights' headquarters.

　We loaded each of the eight horses' saddles with supplies so that we could start moving by the time the sunrise sunrise was completely over.

　When we were almost finished with our preparations, the people who would be guarding our stay-at-home group came to see us off.

　Mark, Sophia, and Sylvia, who are the janitorial team, and Sylvia.
　They are the faces you can believe that if you leave it to them, you won't have to worry about the maintenance of the headquarters.

'Luke-san. I've made lunch for you all, though it's only for one meal. Please eat it on your way to the castle.''
Thank you. Good to know.
'There's someone in the castle who sent someone from our house to help you, so you'll have to leave the container with him.

　With a faint morning fog hanging in the air, we exchanged the same exchanges as usual.

　Heading to the newly discovered town of the demon race and negotiating with Flaxinus, a tree man (dryad) who claims to be the administrator of the town - the role we have taken on was unprecedented, but still Sylvia is the same as usual.

　-- the strength is gingerly caged in the hands that are lined up in front of her legs.

　I'm sure she's trying to swallow the anxiety and worry that's bubbling up in her, and is trying her best to send me off with a smile.

　He's trying to send us off with a smile on his face so that we can leave in peace.

'It's okay. And I'm told that someone from A-rank will be joining us there, too.
Are you sure?　I knew it, Travis ...... or Mr. Roy?
I don't know about that yet. I heard they're working on a few things over there.

　At least it wasn't Theodore, that's all I know for sure.

　I can't believe that that hardcore dragon hunting enthusiast is going to visit the deep realm where dragons have yet to be confirmed to exist.

　He's probably absorbed in investigating the pit believed to be the location of the dragon's appearance, which is located deep within the Demon King's Castle Realm.

　I've been promised that I'll be able to help them eventually, but for now I have to focus on the deeper realms, and Theodore has agreed with me on that.

'Hey white wolf. I finished loading the noir, too.
All right. All right, let's get going.

　Noir, who had been struggling with the unfamiliar harness, also finished loading up and everything was finally ready to go.

''Everyone!　Good luck with that!

　It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of your time.










　--It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get a good idea of what to expect.

　Passing through the city streets that were being maintained in the wilderness of the underground space, they arrived at the Demon King's Castle just as the pseudo-recreated sky was approaching dusk.

　After spending the night in the castle, which was open to adventurers under the control of the Golden Fang Knights, they soon passed through the castle's underground labyrinth on the morning of the second day.

　Although this labyrinth has yet to be fully revealed, the path to the deep realm is secured, so it is as easy as solving a maze while looking at the answers.

　Finally, if you descend the spiral staircase inside the hollow tower, you will find the deep realm - an underground space that has no official name, but is made up of forests, hills, rivers and lakes that is always nighttime.

It's as dark and chilly as ever. Are you sure it's going to stay up all night?
'I dunno. No matter how many dungeon plants are in the dungeon, it wouldn't make sense for them to be green when there's no sunlight at all. ......

　The deep realm has never dawned since the adventurers arrived.

　Pseudo-sky-replicated dungeons are by no means special, not to say commonplace, and I've heard that the majority of dungeons inhabited by demons have this feature.

　Most of them are linked to the daily cycle above ground, but there are some underground spaces that turn day and night on a different cycle than normal, either because of a system failure or some other intention.

　It's no wonder, then, that there are dungeons that are always fixed at night, but that doesn't explain the lush green vegetation in those cases.

　Just like the caves on earth, the flora and fauna of the lightless space will change shape to suit it.

...... Well, the adventurers who are investigating that area will find out.
That's right. Maybe the town manager or some demon tribe knows something about it.

　Although this is a matter of great curiosity, it's not something we should be exploring at this time.

　First of all, the adventurers camping in the area confirmed the location and route of the Demon Town (Asropolis) and provided us with a map with the most up-to-date terrain and routes at the moment.

　The horse we rode to the Demon King's Castle was not able to descend the long spiral staircase, so from here on out, we will have to travel on foot.

　Eventually, the hollow tower may be equipped with an elevator for supplies, and horses and other animals may be able to be brought in, but that is still a long way off.

''You're going to have to take quite a detour. If we can go straight, we should be able to reach it by the end of the day.

　When Hild looked at the map and overflowed with questions, Sir Lionel of the Golden Fang replied seriously.

It's dangerous to pass through the forest at night. The Golden Fang (we) are not familiar with the environment of the dungeon because our main domain is on the ground, but the basics of this area will remain the same.
I see. ...... I knew I shouldn't be holed up in a lab. I can't believe I can't think of something so simple right away.

　It was a conversation that showed that Hild, who has the research skin of an indoor school, and Lionel, who is used to marching as a knight in charge of military affairs, have different things in mind when looking at the same map.

　As I watched such an exchange with a sideways glance, I called out to the adventurer in charge of the camp.

'Good job, Luke-san,'
Good night. By the way, I thought we were talking about having someone A-ranked join us, I think it was Roy or something?
Captain Roy is busy exploring the area. We need to upgrade that map. So this time we're going to go to .......
I'll go with you. You can't complain.

　As the adventurer's words were interrupted, a man with a face like a ghost appeared from behind the tent.

　A warrior-like adventurer carrying two magical spears.
　The old familiar A-ranked, two spear user Dustin, along with Travis.

'You're with me?　Unusual, what kind of a windbreaker is that?
"Asropolis and Administrator Fulacinus are neutral in their power...　As you've probably guessed, there's no denying the possibility that I've remained neutral to the Demon King's army and accepted them into the town. That's enough of a reason for me to move.
'...... Maybe there's a Demon King Gandalf. So that's what you're hoping for.

　Dustin's other two names - the hunt for the Demon King.

　After his former partner was killed by a certain demon king's men, he devoted himself to defeating the entity that claimed to be the demon king, and, excluding those with the title of heroes, he has defeated more demons than any other person in history, hence his second name.

　If there is a chance of defeating the Demon King Gandalf, then of course he would certainly move on his own accord.

I don't think the situation is that convenient, but you are more than capable. I look forward to working with you.

　He took one look at the hand he offered to shake, and Dustin walked off behind the tent without shaking it.

'I don't need to be told. I'm only here to avenge the Demon King, you know.