I was halfway down the stairs to the 17th level when I noticed it.

(...the smell of water.)

　Maybe it's submerged somewhere else?

What's going on, Merle?

　Noticing my minor changes, Illtimina-san calls out to me, and I answer honestly.

　The information is passed on to the others, and Rapt and Frederica-san snicker.

''I don't understand how, Wai,''
The same thing.

　Apparently, the others can't tell.

(With such a damp smell...?)

　I'm in trouble.

'It's okay, Merle is a dog. He doesn't understand, like we do.
..........

　Yeah, Mr. Solstice, don't you think there's a better way to put it?

　Mr. Kilts chuckled at my swollen state.

In any case, there is no other way for the Warriors to go on. We will continue on.

　We nodded and started walking again.

　Soon, the stairs ended and there was a straight white passage.

　After about twenty minutes of walking.

　Dudu.....

　From the end of the aisle, a heavy, gut-wrenching bass sound began to reach our ears.

(What sound?)

　We looked at each other and we went on.

　The smell of water was getting stronger and the air was humid against our skin.

　Eventually, at the end of the passageway, we found ourselves in the same huge tower we had witnessed yesterday.

　That tower had been topped by this 17th level and had blasted through to the 21st level, but to my surprise, the bottom three levels from the 19th to 21st levels were submerged.

　The wall near the ceiling of the 17th level had collapsed.

　From there, the bedrock of the strata could be seen, and a large amount of water, which seemed to be groundwater, was flowing in from the cracks like a waterfall.

　Dudu.........

　The water hitting the surface of the water made a sound, sending up white splashes.

(What's this?)

　Everyone was stunned by the unexpected sight.

　The collapsed debris must have been a direct hit, because if you looked closely, you could see that the huge tower was badly damaged and bent from the middle. Most of the cords connected to the ceiling were also shredded.

　Hin, pash.

　A red glowing 'divine letter' flowed through the interior of the tower, and as it flew out from the end of the cord, it dissipated into particles of red light.

　Apparently, this control tower has broken down.

''Hmm, a tectonic shift?''

　Kilt muttered.

(...............tectonic shift?　

　Noticing my condition, Illtimina tells me.

It is not uncommon for old underground ruins to collapse due to earthquakes. It is not unusual for old ruins to collapse underneath the ground due to earthquakes and other reasons.

　I see.

(I see that happens.)

　The reason all of the ruins aren't submerged is probably because water is flowing out of them, from other places, I'm sure.

　In front of me, who was convinced, Solstice looked at the water below me in disgust.

'There's something in the water.
What?

　We, too, looked down.

　In the murky blue water, we saw a huge black shadow.
　And three of them.

　...What's that?

Dragonfish.

　Mr. Illtimina spoke up and said what it was.

(Dragon fish?)

　That name sounds familiar.

　It should have been the name of the demon that ate off her right leg that caused the red-haired beastman Qualina Fasse-san, an employee of our adventurer's guild 'Moonlight Wind', to retire from adventuring.

　............

''Perhaps it flowed in with the underground water. Occasionally we encounter demons in the ruins that shouldn't be there, but the cause is usually for this reason.

　Illtimina-san says while staring at the underwater demon.

(.........)

　I felt like I had been taught another threat from the ruins.

''.........''
..........
..........

　Everyone stared at the dragon fish's shadow for a while, too.

　Eventually, Rapt looked up.

Hey, so what do we do now?　If it's submerged, we can't go any further, can we?

(Oh...)

　If you ask me, you're right.

　There's a spiral staircase here too, but from the 19th level onwards, it was completely submerged.

　Kirt-san also makes a difficult face.

''Hmm, I suppose we can channel the lightning of the 'Thunderbolt Slayer' into the water to exterminate the dragon fish...''　

　General Dardios shook his head.

''No, even if the dragon fish were to disappear, at this scale, I don't think we'd be able to get to a compartment that wasn't submerged in three hundred seconds, as expected.
But I have one.

　Mr. Kilt admitted.

　We all ponder.

　And.

(Oh...?　(There's more than just water to smell, okay?)

　whimpering

　I sniffle and concentrate.

'What is it, Lord Merle?'

　Frederica-san's voice as she noticed, and everyone else noticed my condition too.

　Hmm~?

　The scent came from a wall near the water.

　I pointed to it.

"That's where the wind is blowing. There's got to be another way.
What?

　Mr. Kilt is surprised.

　Solstice says something like, "Wow, Dog Marl.

　Ms. Illtimina laughs and

'I see. Well, let's go check it out together, shall we?

　He trusted me and took my hand in his and started down the spiral staircase that led straight down.

'Oh, hey wait, Irna, Marle,'

　Mr. Kilt and the others hurriedly followed.

　In about ten minutes, we reached the water near the border of the 18th and 19th levels, near the water's surface.

　And then I found out.　
　There was a huge crack in the white wall facing the spiral staircase.

　The smell and the wind were blowing from it.

　Everyone looked at me admiringly, and Lectoris opened his third eye to check.

'Well, I think we can get to another level from here.
Hmm, okay.

　Mr. Kilt nodded with satisfaction.

'That's my marl, indeed.

　Illtimina-san said proudly and gently stroked my head as if she was praising me.
　Ehehe.

　And that's when.

　Zapaa.

　Suddenly, the sound of waves echoed from behind me.

(Huh?)

　When I turned around, a dragon fish was floating close to the surface of the water, probably in response to the sound of our talking and footsteps.

　It was a huge body of about five meters in length.

　The dragon fish, a demon, looked frighteningly similar to a mosasaur, a sea dinosaur that I had seen in a movie in a previous life.

　Its emotionless eyes were staring at us from underwater.

''..........''

　gulping sound

　I spit.

'Not good, let's hurry up.'

　Prompted by Kilt-san's alarmed voice, we hurriedly stepped into the crack, feeling the dragon fish's gaze on us.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　After advancing through a crack in the wall for a few meds, we came to a passage on the 18th level.

　The white corridor continues on both sides.

　However, due to tectonic activity, many of the giant pillars had fallen down, the walls were crumbling, and there was a large hole in the floor at some distance.

''Hmm. There's a hole in the floor a little ways away.

　Mr. Kilt said.

　We approached the large hole in the floor.

　The section of the floor on the 18th floor and the ceiling on the 19th floor was nearly 10 meters thick. Further down, to the floor on the nineteenth level, there was a distance of about thirty yards from it.

'Merle, light the way.'
Yes.

　I was ordered to run The Sword of the Fairies.

"O birds of light, lend me your strength. --Lightum Vadou.

　piiiiin

　Three birds of light flew out of the magic stone.

　They circled above our heads, and then followed my will and went straight into the hole.

　The light dispels the darkness at the back.　

　The nineteenth level that emerges in the glow of the light birds seems to be the same passage as here. Moreover, just like here, there are still traces of collapse.

''Hmm.''

　Nodding, Mr. Kilt took out a rope.

　Wrapping one end around a nearby post, he secured the other end to his own waist belt.

I'll go in first and see what's going on. Wait a moment.

　With that said, he walked into the hole.

　Spilling his silver hair upside down, he visually surveyed the front, back, and sides of the 19 levels from the edge of the hole, and then descended thirty medians as he adjusted his speed by twisting the rope around his arms.

　When he landed safely on the floor, he looked out for signs of his surroundings, killing his breath.

　As it was, for about three minutes.

'Okay, come down one at a time.

　After making sure it was safe, Kirt instructed us to descend with the rope.

'Take it slow, Merle,'
Yes.

　I carefully descended, wrapping the rope that Mr. Kilt had passed along around my wrists, grabbing it with both hands and holding it between my legs.　

　Just in case, another rope was secured to my waist belt, which was held by Illtimina-san and the others above me.

(Slowly, slowly...)

　Repeating Iltimina's advice in my mind, I manage to make the descent.

'Alright, good.'

　Finally, Mr. Kilt set me down on the floor, holding me in his arms.

　Then Rapt, Rectalis and Solstice.

'Hiya!'

　The last Solstice slipped out of my hand.

　I was in a bit of a hurry, but thanks to my lifeline, I was safe. As it was, she was rocked down to the floor, rocking back and forth. The girl's face was pale.

　Arun's father and daughter were good at it.

　

　They both slide down the rope and stop just before the floor with a snap.

'It's the result of daily training,'

　Frederica laughed.

　The first and last was Miss Illtimina.

　She's the only one who can't hold a lifeline for me, but she didn't look like she was in any danger, but rather sashayed down and landed on her feet.
　That's a girl who can do anything.

　After retrieving the rope, we were ready to go.

Okay, let's go.

　The eight of us formed up again and started walking through the passage of the 19th level.

　Thanks to Recto Alice's third eye, we didn't get lost and found the stairs to the 20th level, and then we reached the 21st level in about half a day more.

　The only thing that got in the way that far was the crumbling debris.
　I didn't see any demons, nor did I see any knight statues.

　A few hours later, we also found the stairs to the 22nd level without incident, and we made camp there.

(Too good to be true, it's a bit scary...)

　I fall asleep in Illtimina's arms, thinking about it.

　--The next day, we headed to the 22nd level.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　chopper

　The soles of my shoes hit the water as I descended the stairs.

　Unlike the other levels, there were puddles of water here and there on the 22nd level, perhaps from the submerged compartment.

　The air that touched his skin was also moist and damp.

"........Is it better that it's not submerged?
Yeah.

　Solstice next to me and such a conversation.

　And so the eight of us walk down the aisle, the sound of water echoing under our feet.

　Chomping around.....

　From somewhere, I could hear the sound of water running all the way down.

　I looked closer and saw that water was seeping out of the white stones on the wall, little by little. The water that ran down the wall surface flowed into a puddle.

(............)

Watching the water reflecting the brilliance of the Light Bird, we proceeded.

　After a half hour, the corridor we were walking through connected to a large hall.

　The passage we had been walking down led to a large hall.

(It's huge.)

　It's like a hall where the statues of knights used to be.

　And at the back of the room, I can see the entrance to another passage.

(Is that the route over there?)

　But the floor of the hall was covered with water all over. However, the depth is about two to three inches deep, so it doesn't seem to be a problem.

　So, Rapt and Recto Alice, who were leading the way, tried to walk on.
　But.

Wait.

　Kirt's sharp voice stopped them.

　The two 'Divine Fangirls' look back at each other suspiciously.

　Me, Solstice, and the father and daughter of the Dardios family have the same expression on their faces.

　However, Kirto-san's golden eyes are gazing at the waterlogged floor of the hall.
　And.

Irna, what do you think?

　I asked my companions at the back of the line.

　Illtimina-san stepped forward and stared at the water in the hall as well.

''........I can see the potential.
Okay.

　Kilt-san nodded to the 'Silver Seal Demon Hunter' who replied with a difficult expression.　

　She then picks up a small piece of debris in the passage.

　Huh.

　I threw him to the back of the hall.

　Chapo Juo........

(Huh?)

　The moment it entered the water, the stone seemed to melt.

　An illusion?
　No, but.........

　Kirt-san's murmur of conviction reached my bewildered ears.

''I knew it was a bunch of slime.

　Slime?

Are you talking about the slime, or some kind of jelly-like creature?
Yes.

　Nodding.

It looks like you're mimicking something in this water.

　He continued.

(.........mimicry)

　I stare at it, but it looks like a mere puddle.

　As I was puzzled, Professor Illtimina began her lecture.

Slime is a colorless, transparent mollusk. "Slime is a colorless, transparent, mollusk creature and therefore, unless you are under water, it is hard to distinguish between them unless you have a very special reason.
..........
But that body is a powerful acid. It can even melt iron. If it steps in unknowingly, it will melt its legs with its equipment, and the prey that cannot escape will suffer the same fate with its entire body.

　And after one pause.

''Perhaps there is a group of those slimes in this hall. Hundreds, or maybe even thousands... if they attacked us all at once, they would melt in an instant.
..........

　gulping sound

　In the world of the previous life, he was a famous small fry monster.

　But when I actually encountered them, they seemed to be ridiculously terrifying demons.

(.........other worlds are so scary.)

　When I looked over, I saw that Rapt and Recto Alice, who were about to walk at the front, were also pale.

　No, except for the two 'demon hunters' that I noticed, they all had the same complexion.

　I asked.

''How can we defeat that slime?''
Fire.

　Iltimina replied.

'It is useless to put a sword or something else into it, as it will only melt the blade. Burning it with fire is an effective way to deal with it. ........However, the amount of water here is too much. The water is going to put out the fire before it burns.

　Indeed......

(Then what should we do?)

　Watering down the lightning of Kilt's "Thunderbolt Slash"?　No, no, the whole aisle is wet. If you're not careful, we will get electrocuted too.

　The two demon hunters look troubled.

　And.

　knocking

"Merle.

　Solstice tapped me on the shoulder.

'Just as well. Ale(...), let's try it, shall we?

　...what?

　Her beauty puffs out her cheeks angrily as she notices me scowling.

'I taught you at the mansion before we left!　You forget!
Oh.

　I see, that's right.

Before I left for the Quest for the Great Labyrinth, at General Dardios' mansion, I was teaching Solstice some new magic.

(Yes, that magic could work!)

　I understood, and the girl finally nodded her head in satisfaction.

''What, you have a good move?''
Yeah!
Well, we'll take care of it!

　We laughed and nodded broadly as we looked at Kirt and the others.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　Solstice and I stand side by side in the corridor before entering the hall.

　A short distance away, everyone else is behind.

　In my right hand, I have the Sword of the Fairies and the bracelet with a magic stone.

　I'm not going to be able to get it right.　

''Then,''
Let's go.

　We looked at each other and nodded at each other.

　Then we focused.

　I remember those beautiful red glowers that destroyed the tremendous number of skeletons in the Dior ruins.

　Huon, Huon.

　I let the divine energy and Solstice let the magic flow into their weapons and run them through the air.

''--Flame Butterfly!''
"-- Red Wings of Destruction.

　We will spin.

We'll make our way.
Destroy the demons that stand in our way!

　And they chant.

"Fraim ba toffin!

　Huon

　The two red Thanatos magic letters drawn in the air were completed, and in the next moment, hundreds and thousands of 'flaming butterflies' flew up from them.

　They swooped down into the water that spread out across the hall.

　Dopapapaaaan.

　It caused countless explosions.

　The flying water.

　Even the droplets that danced in the air, the flaming butterflies rushed in and evaporated with the explosion.

　Joooooooooooo.

　A white vapor rises in the air.

　Dopad Papaaan.

　The flaming butterflies continue to be spat out without stopping, and the explosion in the hall continues.

(Oh?)

　I watched.

　Some of the water in the hall moved unnaturally away from the flaming butterflies.

(Burning there too!)

　Reacting to my will, the flaming butterflies pounced on those unnatural waters as well, detonating them and letting them evaporate as they went.

　Dopapaaaaan.

　The sound of continuous explosions made my eardrums numb.

　The writhing of the colorless slimes became so pronounced that everyone could no longer see them. This is no time for mimicry anymore.

　''Buuuuuuuuut!

　The slime spat out a watery substance at the 'flame butterfly'.

　Batcheon.

　A 'flame butterfly' pops in the air.

　It's acid.

　With the powerful acid, the slime started to intercept it.

(Slimes can also spit out acid, right?)

　What a terrifying ability.

　But if you can call it violence in numbers, the 'flame butterflies' here are still being created from Thanatos magic letters. Even if hundreds of them were dropped, thousands of new 'flame butterflies' would still attack the slimes.

　Dopapaaaan.

　Only the flames of successive explosions continued to be visible in the white vapor.

　And so.

... haha.
"Phew.

　The mad feast of the 'flaming butterflies' for a minute or so was over.

　The Thanatos magic letters in the air disappear and we each draw our weapons.

　Slowly, the water vapor disappears.

　And all that was left was a hall where the water on the floor was completely gone.

　No, there was some of it left in the corner, but it escaped through a gap in the white stone of the wall to somewhere else.

(Good!)

　It's safe now.

　I look at Solstice.

　Solstice looks at me.

　Panto.

　Without thinking, they were beating each other's right hands against each other.

'You did it, Solstice,'
Uh-huh. Merle's pretty good, isn't he?

　They laughed at each other, congratulating each other on a good fight.

　General Dardios, behind me, stroked his beard and snorted in admiration.

'Hmmm, not much of a kid.

　Frederica-san nodded.

　Kilt-san and Illtimina-san smiled somewhat proudly, and the two exchanged glances.
　And.

'Okay, thanks to Merle and Sol, we're on our way. Let's move on.

　At the command of the Golden Seal Demon Hunter, the eight of us entered the hall.