Behind the door of the hidden room, there is a staircase.

　A spiral staircase leads to the basement.
　There are robes lying in the middle of the stairs as well. It's from the 'Sanctuary Church', the same one we saw in the hall.

　This is the second level, and below this is the third level.
　The third level is where the Church of the Sanctuary used to be holed up in the past.

As I recall, there is a town in ruins on the third level.
There's a fort where the Sanctuary Church holed up.
The third level is a vast space, shrouded in mist and surrounded by ruins.

　If you descend these stairs, you'll reach the third level.
　That's probably the exit to the hidden passage used by the 'Sanctuary Church'.

''Let's call it a day after we find out where the exit is.
Yes.
It's been done.
Dick, I need you and your team to do some reconnaissance. Check to see if there are no people around.
"'It's here...

　We're headed for the stairs.




　On the same day, at the third level of the basement.




The vanguard deploys a defensive formation!　Buy me some time to chant.
"Yes!

　At a signal from the sorcerers, the swordsmen in the vanguard readied their large shields (Large Shield).

　This is the third level of the huge dungeon "Elysian".
The party led by the sorcerers of the "Zamel Faction" had entered into a battle with the demons.
　The enemy was a large horned demon - two ogres.
　Behind them is a large species of giant ogre.

The giant ogre is twice as tall as the normal species. They were also an order of magnitude more powerful.
　This is the boss of the third level.

If we defeat them, we'll be able to enter the fourth level smoothly. Let's show those wizards following us that the Zamelites have found a way through!
"Oh!
...Oh.
Please get fired up, Miss Flora.
Oh, oh!

　At the tail end of the party, Flora-Zamel raised her arms in the air.
　They were one of the 'Zamelites' party.
　In the morning, as soon as the dungeon was opened up, they were the first to enter. They mobilized all the knowledge and records that the Zamelites had accumulated up to this point and hurriedly reached the third level.

The search for Elysian is a major project that will remain in the history of the country and the Magic Guild.
The 'Zamelites' couldn't afford to fall behind.

This is........the third level of 'Elysian'. This is the place where the 'Sanctuary Church' fought in the past.

　Flora-Zamel looked around.
　The ground was littered with the remnants of collapsed buildings.
　This was the remnants of a town that once existed.

　The third underground level is said to have been the site of an ancient magical civilization.
　There are stone roads on the ground and the remains of a dry waterway.
　The fact that the area near the ceiling is covered by fog must have been for a reason.

　In the distance, we can see the fort where the Sanctuary Church was holed up.
　It seems to have been converted from an old building.

　What kind of life the ancient people lived underground is still under investigation.
　The problem is that even after the people have disappeared, there is still a defense mechanism to protect the town.

　The ogres in front of me were one of them.
　Even if you defeat them, they are a powerful enemy that will appear again after a certain period of time.

''We know how to attack them. The vanguard, defend against the attacks of the normal species of ogre.''
"Yes, sir!

　The vanguard shouted as he held up his shield.
　With a clank, there is a sound, and the large shield catches the ogre's axe (ono).
　Meanwhile, the two sorcerers and Flora move to the ogre's side.

　It's a traditional battle formation for sorcerers.

''f*ck you!　"Earth God Striking (Earth Hybrid)!
I'm gonna stop him!
Oh, "Earth Hybrid.


　Boom!


　A rock that shot out of the ground crashed into the legs of the ogres.

''Ggaaaaaaaaah!

　Screaming ogres.
　Rocks break through the flesh of their legs, reaching to the bone.
　The vanguard swings his sword down at the neck of the kneeling ogre. Twice, three times.
　Blood spurted out of the ogre's neck and the strength drained from his body.

''Five men and two ogres? Excellent.''
Rumor has it that a sorcerer has single-handedly slayed an ogre in shining armor.
It's a rumor. You don't have to be confused by every word. Hey, Flora-sama.
'Hi, hi!

　Flora jumps up when he suddenly shakes off the conversation.
　In her head, she searches for the right words for the grandson of an A-class sorcerer.
　By the time I finally found it, my fellow sorcerers had finished talking and had begun chanting their magic.

''Wow.''

　Flora also starts chanting in a hurry.
　I am the one who is disrupting everyone's pace.
　Every time I think of that, my breathing becomes more and more disruptive. The chanting lags behind.

　A large species of 'giant ogre' is approaching. It reminds me of the strategy I was taught.
　When it comes to giant ogres, you should aim at its feet.
As per the basic tactics of the Zamelites, I chant and unleash the 'Ancient Magic'.

''Earth Brids!
I...

　Flora's magic, the timing was off.

'Gyaaaaah!

The giant ogre lifted the debris from the ground.
The rocks from the Earth God's Striking Strike collide with the rubble. The fragments fly off.

You're the vanguard. Take cover!


　The flying debris hits the vanguard's large shield, making a loud noise.
　Flora's own chanting becomes inaudible.
　Still aiming, Flora unleashes her 'Ancient Magic'.

''──'Earth God Beating''!


　Goga!


"Geeeeeaaaaahhhhh!

　Flora's Ancient Magic gouged out the Giant Ogre's heel.
　Blood gushed out and the body of the Giant Ogre collapsed.


　Consuming a large amount of magic power, towards Flora who was breathing on her shoulder.


''──E.''
Lady Flora! Run!

　A voice was heard.
　Flora looked up and saw the giant hand of the Giant Ogre.
The Giant Ogre reached out its hands to crush Flora and fell on her.

　The left and right sides of the body were split up and unfolded, which became an ada.
　There is a distance between the vanguard and the rest of the group. Rescue is not possible in time.

''──No way.''

　Flora stared at the giant palm falling towards her.

　I don't want to die here.
　I haven't done anything I wanted to do yet.
　That kind sorcerer──that kind sorcerer made me harass him──and I haven't even apologized for it.

".........!

　It would have taken a few seconds.
　The body of the "Giant Ogre" fell toward the screaming Flora and...



　Gageez.



　A jet-black hand that flew from the mist grabbed the head of the 'Giant Ogre'.

''──E.''

　It was a hand.
　There was no body.
　There was a thick fog overhead.
　There might be someone beyond it, but Flora could not see it.

　It was as if a giant gauntlet had flown in.
　A claw grasped and twisted the head of the 'Giant Ogre'.

　The body that had been coming towards Flora turned directly to the side.
　In an empty place, with a thud, it collapses with a sound.

''......What was that?''
Lady Flora, are you all right?
Where's the spare parts?　Are you hurt?!
No, sir. What happened to your black hand?

　Flora looked above her head.
　A black hand flew towards the ceiling.
　I could also see a winged shadow floating in the sky of the endless third layer.......I think.

''Is this a fellow demon........?
I've never heard of such a thing.
I don't know what it was but it was.
'Did he help me...?'

　The corpse of the "Giant Ogre" was lying in front of him.
　Its head was grasped and its neck was twisted in a strange direction.

'What was that thing?'
This is the City of Ancient Magical Civilization (Elysian). It's not surprising that there are all kinds of wonders here.
'But ... I've never heard of anything like that ...'

　The sorcerers are beginning to make a scene.
　Is that black shadow a friend or an enemy?
　Is it a demon - or a sorcerer?

Did you see what I just saw? It's a flying gauntlet!
What, you don't know about this? In fact, I don't know...

　The adventurers in the vanguard are beginning to buzz.
　They are talking about the rumors.
　About the black-winged "Lord" that appeared in Torrius territory.
　And that he may have helped them.

　The sorcerers refute it.
　How could they bring that thing into the royal capital? It's impossible.

　Besides, we are in charge of the original "King's Horse".
　Soon a replica will be made.
　We'll use it to conquer the dungeon. We're going to use it to capture the dungeon.

　In the midst of the commotion around her, Flora closed her eyes and prayed.

''Thank you for your help,''

　I want to see that black shadow again. I want to talk to him.
　How can I become as strong as you?



　From Yuki's point of view.



''The Black King (Lord of) Cavalry (Noir). Operation test completed in the dungeon. The third level doesn't have any bumps, and you can move freely.

　I dropped the 'Black King's Horseman' off near the fort.

　When I descended the stairs of the second level's hidden passage, I found myself on the third level as expected.
　The third level is a large space with a high ceiling and is surrounded by fog.
　That's why I decided to test the operation of the 'Black King Rider' before I left.

''Thanks for your help. My Lord.''
Are you okay?　I heard the space in the dungeon is warped.

　On the ground, Iris and Odette are waving at me.

No problem. "The King's Horseman can move around just fine.
You've got blood on your fingernails...?
I was in the middle of testing the operation when I came across a demon, so I took it down.
Are you sure no one saw you?
I just sent my arm through the fog. He'll be fine.

The arms of the "Black King's Horseman" can fly and control it like a messenger.
　It was thanks to that that I was able to defeat the demons while in hiding.
　Flora-Zamel and the others were nearby, but they were at a distance and the fog was coming out.
The 'Black King's Horseman' itself would not have been seen.

''Let's call it a day.
'Good night. My Lord.
It's not over yet. It's a quest to get back to the guild.

　We returned to the hidden passage and went to the second level.
　In the hidden room, we stored the "Black King (Lord of=) Noir".
　With the information on the hidden door and the ancient magic tablet in hand, we went to report to the Magic Guild.