Mid Boss Chapter Chapter 28: Dawn

~3^rd Person Perspective~

　“—Buh-hah! What the hell was that? Are you okay, Elma?” (Jilheart)

　“—I’m fine, Jillheart! The ring is also safe!” (Elma)

　“—Okay! ……?!” (Jilheart)

　“—What’s the matter with you, Jilheart? …… The title! The title to our house is soaked!” (Elma)

　“—No, it’s safe. It’s fine! It’s not torn! But gently! Gently hold it!” (Jilheart)

　“—Let’s get it dry! Let’s dry it off, Jilheart!” (Elma)

　Two soaked heroes, Jilheart and Elma, crawl up to the shore landing in a strange place.

　They didn’t even look at their surroundings anymore.

　The two of them ran away together, water dripping from their whole body.

　Both of them looking quite happy.

　In response to the dawn from the eastern sky, the Mithril ring on Elma’s left ring finger glistened in greeting.

~Narugoa’s Perspective~

“Hooray……” (Voice)

　In the silence, someone murmured.

　This causes everyone to begin to come to their senses little by little, and — an explosion of joy.

“–We did it ahahahahaha!!!” (Monster)

“We defeated them! We have defeated a level 30 hero party!” (Monster)

“No way, such a weak dungeon will repel a mid-sized hero party!” (Monster)

　The cry of joy from the monsters (employees) echoed throughout the Bewildering Forest.

　Some even held hands and shed tears.

　Owlbear was standing there as if his soul had been taken out of him…… Oh, he finally started to cry too.

“Ho-Hoot… No way, is this real…” (Owlbear)

“What the f*ck owl, are you crying?” (Elder Boar)

　Elder Boar pointed out with a grin, and Owlbear hurriedly wiped his face with his bear arm.

“What, I am not crying! I was just a little surprised!” (Owlbear)

“Yes, it was indeed a surprise, that we could defeat a party of heroes without a single casualty.” (Elder Boar)

　Elder Boar looks around.

　Although she has slimmed down a bit from all the string, Arachne is still frolicking around innocently.

　The nymphs stare into the void, their cheeks flushed red, as if they still can’t believe their victory.

　Cantera bat, Dead Trees, Echo Owl and Transporter Ants…

　And finally, Elder Boar looked in my direction.

“Thank you, Narugoa-san.” (Elder Boar)

“I’ve only expressed my opinion as a former colleague, it was Owlbear who gave the instructions, and it was his subordinates who worked, it’s all because of you.”

“You’re being modest even at this time, you’re quite the character.” (Elder Boar)

　Elder Boar smiles softly, and.

“-Sorry, Narugoa-san, sorry about your invitation, but I’ll stay in the forest for a while.” (Elder Boar)

“Hoot!?” (Owlbear)

　Because of the surprise rejection, Owlbear, who was listening to our conversation from the side, had his eyes widen.

“… Hoot? Why?” (Owlbear)

“You know, I can’t leave a clumsy boss like you.” (Elder Boar)

“Stu-stupid…” (Owlbear)

　Owlbear, who was once again his boss, is still being stubborn, but I’m glad that he’s improved.

“Narugoa-san, you told me that even such a weak dungeon has a future, so I’m worried about leaving it to him alone.” (Elder Boar)

“… Is that really okay?”

“Yes.” (Elder Boar)

　Elder Boar nods deeply.

　There is hesitation in his old eyes, and I can feel the strength of his determination.

　…… Apparently, I failed in recruiting him.

　It’s a pity that there aren’t many employees like him…

“Elder Boar… you…!” (Owlbear)

“I’m too good of a subordinate for you, Owlbear, and let me…… have my bonus too, because if you’re not careful, I’ll leave you and resign as soon as I can.” (Elder Boar)

“Waa, I know…! I know…!” (Owlbear)

　The large adult started crying aloud.

　You know, you shouldn’t cry, even your subordinates are laughing at you.

　――Well, whatever the case may be, it’s all over now.

　The Bewildering Forest drove away a mid-level hero party.

　I didn’t even have to use my “Hands” or [Summon]. They were able to do it on their own.

　And I also don’t plan on relying on them.

“It’s okay… no problem, I’m fine on my own…”

　I repeated it in a voice that no one could hear as if I were saying it to myself to convince myself.

　My knees felt like they are shaking.

　…… It’s the effect of [Unsummon].

　It seems that the human body can only go too far. But they didn’t notice.

　All right, it’s not a problem…

“Narugoa-san”

　They called out to me from behind.

　I turned around, trying my best not to show my fatigue.

　There I can see Transporter Ant and his friends holding up the magic sword that they took from the hero Jilheart.

“… oh, I had a hard time a while ago.”

“Transporting.” (Transporter Ant)

“You take?” (Transporter Ant)

“Lovely.” (Transporter Ant)

“We’ve enough.” (Transporter Ant)

“I’m sorry, of course, this the Bewildering Forest’s loot, you can use it as it is, or you can sell it and use it as a source of funds…”

　While saying, I receive the magic sword from the Transporter Ants.

　that moment–

“What!?”

　There was a loud noise, and the magic sword burned in a blink of an eye.

　—No, no, the sword itself changed to a flame and disappeared without a trace!

“What’s wrong!? What happened!?” (Owlbear)

“Narugoa-san, are you okay!?” (Owlbear)

　Owlbear and Elder Boar rush towards me.

“Oh, oh it’s no problem…”

　The fire was not strong.

　Despite all that flame rising in my hands, I didn’t even have a single burn.

　Suddenly, I remember Jilheart’s words.

　(—We have a magic sword that she gave us!)

　… It’s a strange occurrence when I think about it.

　The appearance of a Nightwalker.

　And from there, I couldn’t take a break, and I was even attacked by a Hero party of level 30 in such a remote countryside.

　Such a rare event happening twice in quick successions within the day just when I regained my memory.

“That woman… the Flame of Wisdom… no way.”

　A woman’s face flashed through my mind, and I made a faint connection to the series of events.

　If this hypothesis is correct, then the mastermind behind all of this is…

“But for what reason would she…”

　I had an idea of who it was.

　However, their purpose is still unknown…

　I am getting a headache.

　I am still exhausted from using Unsummon.

　No, I can’t hide it anymore…

“I’m sorry, I’m about to go to sleep too, sorry for the interruption.”

“Well, are you okay?” (Elder Boar)

“It’s okay.”

　I smile at them and leave the Bewildering Forest.

　And only one person walked under the white sky.

“It’s okay… I’m fine being alone…”

　As if I’m going to let my level stop me.

　I have to take care of everything by myself.

　Because I’m no longer a Mid-Boss.

~3^rd Person Perspective~

　――And then there’s the woman who bites into an apple and watches him lovingly.

“Oh, Senpai… that exhausted face is also wonderful…” (Mastermind)

　She mutters in ecstasy.

　Her cheeks are flushed, her breath is hot, and she looks enraptured.

　And she thinks to herself.

　This is why it was worth the wait for him to regain his memory.

　This is why it was worth it to lure the Nightwalker and entice the hero party, Dawn’s Ship.

　Even if he was in human form, there was no way he could hide the magnificence of his soul.

　After all, he shines only when he is alone.

　The rest of the world is just impurities that dull his splendor.

　The word “Solitary” must have been created for him.

“Now, at what timing will I reveal the truths, after all, our reunion for the first time in a hundred years… it should be dramatic, romantic…” (Mastermind)

　She looked restless, like an innocent girl about to confess for the first time in her life.

　However–

“Hey you! That’s not what you said!?” (Voice)

“… Huh?” (Mastermind)

　The boy’s voice coming from behind her made her show a blatantly disgusted face.

　The owner of the voice—Rigat, with angry heaving shoulders and bloodshot eyes.

“… What are you talking about?” (Mastermind)

“That’s stupid! You said that if I dumped that bastard Narugoa in the Bewildering Forest, you would give me a reward that would make Timora turn her attention towards me!?” (Rigat)

“Oh, did I talk about that…” (Mastermind)

“Oh, come on! That’s enough! This is a violation of the covenant! Don’t be stupid, you monster!” (Rigat)

“…” (Mastermind)

　Her shoulders twitched.

　For the first time, she moved her hefty hips and squeezed the core of the apple in her hand.

　Then, what will happen?

　As if by magic, the squeezed apple core turned into a sword.

　Pure white, whiter than the whitest of white, and it was elaborately decorated, it is like a work of art.

　Even Rigat understood.

　That it is something ridiculously powerful.

“Well, is that it!?” (Rigat)

“It’s an unnamed holy sword that was used by a brave man who once defeated the Demon King. I’ll give you this.” (Mastermind)

　The holy sword falls to the ground.

　Rigat quickly rushes to this and crawling like a dog.

　As if he was afraid of it being stolen by someone.

“My, my! My holy sword! Now Timora will…!”

　Rigat picks up the sword and holds it.

　The holy sword celebrates the birth of a new user with a majestic light of divinity—and shortly thereafter, something like the black mud that overflows from the holy sword covering Rigat.

“Eh, uh… huh, woaaaaaah!?” (Rigat)

　Rigat tried to throw away the holy sword, it was in vain.

　The mud quickly covers Rigat’s whole body and slithers inside of his body.

　Rigat can’t stand the pain and just curls on the ground.

　She didn’t even look at Rigat anymore.

“I forgot to say that the holy sword is cursed. The hero’s grudges are so strong that if a mere human touches it, it will eat up their ego.” (Mastermind)

“Ah… but… You tricked me…!” (Rigat)

“Trick you? How dare you to tell that to other people, it’s your fault for not listening until the end of the story.” (Mastermind)

　The woman took out a new apple and took a bite out of it.

　She went back to appreciate him as the person she admires.

“Oh, Narugoa-senpai, please wait, I’m coming soon…” (Mastermind)

　Rigat’s screams echoed through the air.

　But no one heard him.