And so we left the Hollow Bottom Fortress and headed for the great hole that existed deep in the rocky mountainous region.

　The first level is a relatively safe level in the Ark of the Elements, but it is still the habitat of a powerful demon called a dragon, and it is nerve-wracking to take a nobleman who seems to be stepping into a dungeon for the first time with us.

"Hmmm, so this is the world that spreads out behind the dungeon ...... 'Thousand Year Corridor of the Abyss'. It's eerily similar to the ground.

　The Duke of Kingswell leans out of the carriage window and looks up at the ceiling of the underground space with great interest.

　As expected, the delegation, which includes an old man, can't walk for a long time, so the delegation was to be transported by carriage to the middle of the journey.

　The speed was about the same as on foot.

　The white wolves (me and my friends) and the Golden Fang's men who were aiming for the big hole on foot were used to moving their bodies on a regular basis, so they were able to follow the carriage without much trouble.

''If we believe the information we got from the local demon tribe, it seems that the dungeon was meant to store the environment on the ground. Well, if you look at the entire continent, most of them are merely caves and underground structures.
This dungeon was one of the first created by some wise man, the prototype for all dungeons.

　While the other nobles in the delegation were cowering at the mere sight of the dragon's shadow crossing in the distance, the Duke of Kingswell seemed unconcerned, seemingly unconcerned.

　On the contrary, the atmosphere was one in which it was impossible to know when he was going to say he was going to get off the carriage.

"If this is what my foolish brother, who has escaped the labyrinth, has witnessed, I'm sure he must have been more absorbed in ...... than ever before.
...... You may be interested, but I wouldn't recommend amateur exploration.
No, no, I don't think so. Nominally, this visit to Green Hollow is supposed to be a site visit. At the very least, it should at least have some semblance of that.

　He's still an old man who can't really read his mind.

　I'm not sure if this is the kind of personality that is best suited to play political games though.

　--I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to get the most out of it.

　When you come to the front of the spiral passage, the delegation is speechless with surprise.

　The huge hole where a number of dragons leisurely pass by is a sight for us adventurers to see, but it is even more shocking to those of us who are not used to dungeons.

This large hole leads directly to the fourth level, the destination. An ancient passage has been carved out inside the wall in a spiral pattern, allowing us to safely travel to the bottom of the great hole.

　As the representative of the Knights leading the delegation, I explained again about the spiral passage of the Great Hole.

'The lower end of the Great Hole has an opening in the ceiling of the fourth level, and from there, we use a retrofit passage built along the ceiling and walls. Incidentally, there is a window-like hole in the wall of the spiral passage, but please do not lean in.

　Some of the members of the delegation smiled, perhaps because they perceived my last sentence as a joke to lighten the mood.

　But for me, it's rather serious advice.

　If you fall down from a large hole, there is no recovery.
　If you don't have the skills to move through the air like Theodore or the means to withstand the damage of a crash, you can't escape instant death, and once that happens, even my [repair] can't help you.

''Well then, shall we depart?''

　The White Wolf Knights lead the way down the spiral passage in a formation led by the White Wolf Knights, followed by the delegation and their direct guards, with the troops of the Golden Fang solidifying at the back of the line.

　Every time we see the dragons heading for the first level, there is a scream or a cheer from the delegation, which slows our progress each time we see them.

　I look at Garnett and exchange a wry smile.

　When you usually only work with knights and adventurers in the field, you can't help but feel freshness in such a commonplace reaction.

　--When we eventually finished descending the spiral passage and reached the aerial corridor set up along the ceiling of the fourth level, I could feel the blatant fear from the missionaries.

''It's okay. The pillars in the corridor are [fused] to the ceiling, so they won't come loose even if a considerable load is placed on them.

　The nobles of the delegation were still reluctant to descend into the aerial corridor.

　I'm sure you'll be able to see a slight irritation on Garnett's face when the Duke of Kingswell appears from the back of the delegation's face.

It's not at all ...... a young nobleman who doesn't know anything about war, but what are you going to do when you cower in fear? This is something that would be a delightful plaything compared to a battlefield full of arrows and magic.

　The Duke of Kingswell took the initiative and put on his heat-resistant equipment, and as he stepped unperturbed into the aerial corridor, he suddenly said, "Oh! I raised my voice.

'This is the funniest sight you could ever imagine. Can you say ground ......?　Anyway, you can see the demons crawling around on the ground, too. Is that red glowing pond made of lava?　How could there be creatures swimming in lava? ......

　Seeing the Duke of Kingswell, the highest-ranking member of the delegation, walking down the aerial corridor with joy rather than trepidation, the other nobles followed with a pout as they looked at each other.

　The more people that crossed over, the more aware they were of their safety, and it wasn't long before they all resumed their movement.

　I adjusted my stride and took my place next to the Duke of Kingswell, casually saying just what came into my head.

''I see your lordship has taken a liking to the dungeon as well.
"...... Your Excellency, too, huh? Indeed. I've watched my foolish brother's fascination with investigating the labyrinth with a dumbfounded gaze, as if it were someone else's business, but it seems that blood is not in dispute.

　A self-mocking smile appeared on the Duke of Kingswell's old face.

''Perhaps the only difference between me and my foolish brother was whether or not I turned to the mysterious treasure house of dungeons ...... just to see if that was the case. If so, though, it doesn't change what I have to do.










　When we arrived at the fourth level of the ground, we were greeted by a party of adventurers led by Theodore.

I'd like to thank you for your hard work. You can leave the guidance from here on out to us. Instead, I'll have you guys go to ...... and keep an eye on him.

　When Theodore said that, he turned his gaze to see the Demon General Norsuli, who was under multiple layers of magical restraints, standing in a curt manner.