Chapter 1196 - +6h
And, a few minutes later.
"I'm back."
From the first wave that she threw a greeting to, to even the second wave (seconds) that linked up after catching wind of the commotion. When Iris, who had annihilated them all without letting a single one escape, returned to the castle unhurt as if it were only natural, the reaction of surprise—
"Thanks for your hard work!"
"You do not even get wet from the water. You have obtained a rather convenient ability (power)."
Was, of course, absolutely nonexistent.
Aside from Rinne, who greeted her energetically, and Irori, who let out admiration upon seeing her looking exactly as described despite having returned from underwater. Within the gazes directed at Iris, colors like amazing or unbelievable did not exist at this late stage; what was there was uniformly trust alone.
"...So, how was it?"
That was not an exception even for that extreme contrarian, [Screen].
On the occasions when there were few opportunities for interaction, Iris was still acting as the solitary queen, so her playfulness had not leaked out... which was one of the reasons.
Even without that, she was originally a princess of a respectable family of hobbyists who was skilled in the ability to read people in a different direction from a certain someone. Toward the [Sword Queen], whom she had never once pestered or annoyed, Yurayura's favorability maintained a flat level in a good way.
"Mm... Yes. I can understand why you would struggle."
"Right? ...Tch, damn annoying fish bastards."
For that reason, Iris was also one of the few people whom the silver-haired, communication-avoidant tsundere contrarian would strike up a conversation with without finding it troublesome. —That was a well-known fact to everyone except for a tiny fraction of the newly ranked. Therefore, there was no one here who found it unusual to see the two of them exchanging words without any sense of discomfort.
And so, while also entirely ignoring the foul mouth of Normal Operation... as well as the impact of the third wave which, after a brief pause, had shamelessly begun to thrust up against the castle.
"Just as the information said, for now, the 'humanoids' and 'fishmen'... [Alto Mac Nerf] and [Deep One Fallen] are not obstacles. Each of us can deal with them alone."
They listened to the report of Iris, who had fulfilled the role of observing, or rather, scouting.
"However, they certainly had the specs of about override-class noise-makers. It would be troublesome if we were swarmed in the water where it is hard to move... and if 'others' get mixed in, it will be difficult."
"...Wow. For the Princess to say it's 'difficult' is..."
"For us, well, we should probably think of it as 'hell'."
While such muttered, bitter smiles were mixed in.
"Queen. Regarding the capturing behavior of the 'humanoids' that we were told to watch out for, how was it? ...No, if you blew them away before you could even check, then never mind—"
"Mm. I tried letting myself get grabbed, but escape is possible if you try hard. If it is you... probably, you will be fine."
"—...I-I see. Okay. I am relieved."
"Rinne will be fine too. Since it seems to be strictly a capturing behavior, they do not have the instantaneous firepower to immediately shatter your [Sound Armor]. ...Rather, might it be easier to lure them in and hunt them?"
"Ah, yes, I understand. Though being squeezed tight is indeed absolutely a no-go, yes."
While exchanging such extremely serious misunderstandings.
The ranked ones, the absolute elite, for whom flexible environmental adaptation was a minimum requirement from the start, and who possessed more or less the talent to "break through limits in response to the situation."
They were well-accustomed to digesting and nodding to the words (orders) of the [Sword Queen], whom they unanimously looked up to as the pinnacle for that alone, in a form suited to each of them. That was not an exception even for that [Screen].
"To start with the conclusion, the plan remains as it is. The vanguard (I) will reduce their numbers as much as possible, and the fire support (Yura) will bring down any that escape. Any threats that still break through will be dealt with reliably by the final line of defense... 'sound' and 'ice'. Sayaka and May will think only of the life support of the entire group and conserve resources as much as possible."
Voices of agreement, nods, or gazes. There was zero dissent against the commander (leader)'s smooth orders.
"Once the 'castle' sinks completely like this—"
Thus, in the midst of the Fairy Tale, Castle of Chalk and Blackwood, which was shaking from the futile attacks.
"Let us set foot on the ground, and begin the conquest."
Though rich in individuality, there was a magnificent lack of gaps regarding their abilities.
Though their motivation and fighting spirit varied, the six-person platoon, whose power to carve a path through the demonic territory and advance was unparalleled, still without any tension, solemnly—steadily, sank deeper and deeper to the bottom of the dark water.
◇◆◇◆◇
"—........................................................ I see. So that is why..."
"In the end, even after spending six hours, you never set foot on the ground..."
"...No problem. This is also one of the patterns we had anticipated."
Crackling, modestly yet lively. While warming her weary heart and her body chilled from being wet with water by the bonfire, even the esteemed [Sword Queen]-sama had a slightly displeased look on her face.
Rather than irritation at having her nose put out of joint... it was probably due to the mental exhaustion brought about by the endlessly unending diving drama. Sho and Ren, who were returned a completely obvious show of bravado that was truly rare for Iris of all people to show to others, also had deep colors of sympathy in the bitter smiles they wore.
Ultimately, because the manifestation time of the [Castle Lord (May)]'s [Fairy Tale, Castle of Chalk and Blackwood (Fairy Tale)]—which served as their life support—ran out, or Sayaka's buffs and healing magic life-prolonging measures were cut off due to MP depletion, they ended up being wiped out by a regrettable "drowning"—
"...So the specification where if you drown to death, you are thrown outside the dungeon soaking wet is the same as before."
"Ah... the bonfire is so warm... the ground is wonderful..."
"The vibration... I feel like my head is still shaking..."
"......................"
"......................Zzz..."
A mountain of corpses.
Starting with Irori, who had unequipped her kamishimo and was looking up at the sky in a light attire that was also rare for her.
Rinne, who was staring at the bonfire with the eyes of a dead fish—or rather, the eyes of a human whose heart had been broken after being toyed with by fish; Sayaka, who, perhaps not realizing it, was letting out small groans while unconsciously shaking her head instead of just feeling like it; the sulking silver-haired one; and the lump of towel fast asleep.
Once again, a mountain of corpses—and yet,
"...No problem."
The platoon commander, who had spectacularly failed the first attack, let out a single sigh. This time, not as a pathetic show of bravado, but as a pure fact, she spoke the same words as before.
Not as a mutter, but as a sound to be heard.
"About six hours. We naturally descended straight down with the ultra-huge mass of May's [Fairy Tale, Castle of Chalk and Blackwood (Fairy Tale)], and did not reach the bottom—which means, the way we should go is not 'down'."
What followed was reasoning and speculation.
"Either 'sideways', or 'up'... if it is not that, then I really do not know."
...She said, though indeed a slight tone of displeasure still remained.
"Well, I agree. Let us hope it is clearable content."
"...I think it might be 'up'. 'Sideways' is a bit..."
"It is so endless that I do not really want to think about the possibility..."
The three who had not let go of their ability to speak also followed, and a semblance of a consultation was barely formed.
Naturally, then. Although the amount of experience points varied depending on their respective tastes, thoughts, suitability, and other playstyles, those who were here were people who immersed themselves in the virtual world more than anyone else.
"...Well then, for now, the diving plan is frozen."
"Yeah. Shall we try the surfacing plan next?"
"Alriiight, let's do our best! ...After resting a little bit more!!"
"Fufu... Yes. It is still only the first day, we are just getting started."
They had a long association with the widely standing difficulties, tremendous absurdities, and other such things.
Therefore—
"...They seem to be fine."
"Of course. Let us carry out our duty of guarding the base with peace of mind."
Just like the brothers who exchanged glances and words slightly away from the platoon's circle.
As if the world they watched over did not care whether they existed or not. To accomplish what they must... no, what they wanted to accomplish, the steps of their will knew no stopping.
The strategy meeting around the bonfire continued in a moderately lively manner.
Well, even if it's the world's strongest, invincible party, if they could clear it without knowing or figuring out even the minimum strategy, it would indeed bring shame to the name of a "Raid."
Though, actually, this is a six-person (one party) entry-type (formally) general dungeon.
A certain Epel-kun is barely innocent because it wasn't a disgrace, but rather because an acrobat was being an acrobat.
Also, the bath towel sheep May-chan who is fast asleep is so cute, I want to roll her around and get crushed by a castle.