LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 7: Dungeon 2
The Wizard King's castle stood tall and imposing at the heart of the Clover Kingdom's capital. It was a grand structure, built with gleaming white stones, towering spires, and large, arched windows adorned with intricate designs. Magical symbols decorated the walls, pulsing with faint energy, and banners bearing the Clover Kingdom emblem draped down from the highest towers, flapping in the breeze. Inside, the halls were vast and luxurious, filled with polished marble floors and ornate chandeliers casting a warm glow, with various guards and officials moving briskly, adding to the air of importance.
In the grand throne room, a messenger knelt on one knee before the Wizard King, his head bowed respectfully. "A message for the Wizard King," he announced, his voice steady.
The Wizard King looked down with an intrigued expression, gesturing for him to continue.
"The Golden Dawn and Black Bull magic knights have begun exploring the dungeon. We've also confirmed the invasion of mage troops from the Diamond Kingdom," the messenger reported, his tone grave.
A noble standing nearby folded his arms and frowned. "The Diamond Kingdom—our neighbor to the east. They've been seeking to expand their territory aggressively in recent years. If they manage to claim the ancient magic hidden within that dungeon, things could get ugly."
"How strong is the enemy force?" another court official asked, their expression tense.
"Their forces are led by Lotus of the Abyss," the messenger replied, his tone dropping ominously.
A collective gasp rippled through the room. "The Lotus?" came a shocked voice. Fear flickered on several faces, as the court remembered tales of the formidable mage.
The Wizard King, however, chuckled softly, recalling a distant memory. "Ah, Lotus… I encountered him on the battlefield years ago. He was a tough opponent, very skilled. His magic was fascinating!"
"Your Majesty, this is no time for carefree words!" a noble reprimanded, their face etched with worry.
The Wizard King merely smiled, waving away the concern. "Don't worry, don't worry. After all, he is there with them. Nothing will happen as long as he's there."
Curious, another noble asked, "Who are you referring to, Your Majesty?"
"Oh, I'm talking about Zoro-kun," the Wizard King replied cheerfully, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"WHAT?!" The nobles recoiled in horror, their faces pale with dread. One of them stammered, "What were you thinking, Your Majesty? What if he gets angry and decides to… kill everyone there?"
"And what if he gets annoyed and decides to destroy the entire dungeon? All the ancient artifacts and treasure could be obliterated!" another noble added, panic evident in his voice, clearly recalling tales of Zoro's destructive tendencies and fierce temper.
The Wizard King's confident smile faltered slightly as he thought back to some of Zoro's past, less-than-predictable actions. Was sending Zoro truly the right decision? A bead of sweat appeared on his brow, and he muttered to himself, "It'll be fine… it should be fine, right?" He forced a reassuring smile, hoping to convince himself.
He took a deep breath and added softly, as if to himself, "Just bring the kids back safely, Zoro-kun."
.....
As they made their way through the dim, winding tunnel, Zoro—who had been walking ahead with a relaxed yet intense focus—suddenly stopped and turned, fixing his gaze on Yuno with a smile that gleamed with mischief. "Hey, wind magic kid," he called out with a grin that sent a chill down Yuno's spine. Zoro's tone was far too cheerful for comfort, and the unsettling expression on his face made Yuno's nerves spike.
Moments later, Zoro was comfortably seated on a chariot made of wind magic, his eyes closed and arms folded, looking oddly serene. Yuno was focused on steering at the front, with Klaus and Mimosa seated beside him. The rest of the group watched Zoro cautiously, trying not to disturb him.
Curiosity finally got the better of Yuno. He glanced sideways at Klaus, whispering, "Klaus-san, why are you so afraid of him? I get that he's strong, but you treat him with more respect than anyone else." Klaus's eyes widened as he glanced anxiously at Zoro, half-expecting him to overhear. When Zoro didn't react, Klaus let out a breath and nodded, gathering his thoughts as Mimosa leaned in, listening with a curious, wary expression.
"Well, I suppose it doesn't hurt to tell you," Klaus began, though he kept stealing quick glances at Zoro. "It all started when Captain Yami and Zoro-sama first arrived in the Clover Kingdom. They were both personally recruited by the Wizard King himself. Back then, there was a rumor floating around—one that Zoro-sama had fought the Wizard King to a standstill, something no one thought possible."
Yuno's eyes widened in disbelief. Klaus continued, "The Wizard King himself later confirmed the rumor, though Zoro-sama doesn't have any mana or a grimoire. Because of this, many nobles and knights doubted him, claiming it was all exaggerated. One day, a noble openly insulted Zoro-sama's homeland and accused him of spreading false stories."
Klaus shuddered, glancing at Zoro once more. "Zoro-sama killed that noble on the spot, in front of a crowd of nobles, with a single strike. The killing intent he unleashed that day was felt across the kingdom—it was so intense that many feared he would massacre everyone if the Wizard King hadn't intervened. Since then, no noble dares to question him openly. They know no one can stop him—not unless the Wizard King or the captain Fuegoleon's elder sister, Mereoleona, steps in."
Yuno stared at Zoro in awe, his respect for the swordsman deepening as he realized the strength and mystery surrounding him. Zoro was a warrior who wielded his strength without magic—something that ignited Yuno's own competitive spirit.
"WHOA! That's so cool!" Asta's eyes sparkled with admiration, looking at Zoro with newfound reverence. "I want to be just like him someday!" he declared, completely captivated by the story.
Meanwhile, Noelle was sweating bullets, biting her lip as she recalled all the times she had acted arrogantly toward Zoro. The thought of his deadly strength made her shiver, and she cursed her past self for being so prideful.
Just then, Zoro's voice interrupted their thoughts. He opened his eyes and stretched, casting a lazy but watchful look at the group. "Enough chit-chat, brats. We've arrived," he said, standing up with a commanding presence.
"Yes, sir!" they replied in unison.
The massive gate before them was grand and imposing, towering high with intricate carvings of mythical creatures and ancient symbols etched into its dark stone. It seemed to pulse with a mysterious energy, casting a faint glow in the dim light of the dungeon.
"That's… amazing," Mimosa whispered, eyes wide in awe at the craftsmanship and scale of the entrance.
"Now that I think about it, this dungeon hasn't been as difficult as I expected," Klaus muttered, crossing his arms thoughtfully.
"How do you think we should get in?" Yuno asked, his eyes shifting to Zoro, hoping for guidance. But Zoro simply moved without a word, stepping forward to grab the collar of Mimosa's cloak, pulling her back abruptly. Mimosa gasped in shock, just as a massive spike of diamond erupted from the ground where she had stood, shimmering and lethal.
"You're finally here, Diamond brat," Zoro said with a calm, almost amused tone, his gaze sharp and unyielding.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed down the corridor, and a figure emerged from the shadows—a tall, muscular man with a cold, merciless look in his eyes. His body was layered with diamond armor, forming a nearly impenetrable shell over his skin, gleaming dangerously in the dungeon's dim light. He sneered at the group, his voice icy and commanding. "Who's there? Who dares stand in my way? Move," he ordered, glaring at them with cold disdain.
Asta and Noelle exchanged a quick, tense look, clearly taken aback by the sudden confrontation.
"Hahaha! This will be good experience for you brats," Zoro chuckled, stepping back with an intrigued look. "Go on, defeat him," he said, as if it were a casual suggestion, his arms crossed as he watched with an amused glint in his eye.
But the diamond-armored man wasn't going to let Zoro off that easily. In an instant, he directed his magic toward Zoro, and a barrage of jagged diamonds sprouted up, shooting toward him with deadly precision. The group froze, stunned by the sudden, unexpected attack.
Zoro, however, remained unfazed. With a single step, he halted, his left arm gleaming with a dark, ominous luster. In one swift motion, he swung his arm, coated in a hard, black substance, obliterating the diamonds in a single blow.
"Don't even think about it… unless you want to die," Zoro said coldly, his voice as sharp as his blade, before he turned and continued walking away.
"You scoundrel! Attacking without warning—do you call that the act of a warrior?" Klaus spat, his anger visible in the clenched fists at his sides. His eyes blazed with defiance as he faced the armored figure before him.
The diamond-clad man merely sneered in response. "You don't understand. You're all the same—just pebbles by the wayside, obstacles in my path." His voice was laced with disdain as he raised his hand, his magic gathering in a deadly, shimmering glow. Without hesitation, he launched another assault, sharp, crystalline shards shooting toward the group.
But Klaus was ready this time. With a swift motion, he summoned his grimoire, flipping to a familiar page. "Steel Creation Magic: Full Metal Fortress!" he declared, and in an instant, a massive, gleaming steel wall materialized in front of them, absorbing the impact of the attack with a resounding clang. The fortress held firm, shielding everyone from the onslaught of deadly diamonds.
"We'll show you the power of the Clover Kingdom!" Klaus declared, his voice filled with conviction as he stood tall behind the fortress.
Asta, ready for action, brandished his sword, his determined gaze fixed on the enemy. Yuno took his place beside him, his wind magic swirling around him in readiness. At the back, Noelle and Mimosa prepared themselves, poised to lend support to their teammates. Noelle's grimoire glowed with a faint aura, and Mimosa's healing magic was at the ready, her focus unwavering.
....
Meanwhile, Zoro strode calmly through another dark, winding tunnel, his footsteps steady and composed. He'd left Asta, Noelle, and the Golden Dawn members to handle the diamond-armored foe, confident in their ability to handle the situation. But he'd sensed something unsettling with his Observation Haki—a faint, struggling presence he recognized. Luck was in trouble.
At the end of the tunnel, Zoro's gaze sharpened, his tone dropping to an icy coldness as he stepped forward. "That kid you're holding there… he belongs to my squad," he said, his voice carrying an edge that sent a shiver through the air. "But I guess you already know that, don't you, Lotus?"
Luck's figure came into view, suspended in a crucifix-like hold made entirely of thick, dark smoke. Across from him stood Lotus, whose usually calm demeanor was now cracked by visible tension. Sweat trickled down his face as he managed a nervous laugh, his eyes fixated on Zoro. "H-Ha… What is a demon like you doing here?" Lotus stammered, unable to hide his unease.
Zoro's gaze darkened as he replied in a low, menacing tone, "I'm here to take your soul."
In an instant, he vanished, a blur of speed as he reappeared beside Luck. Zoro's hand rested on the hilt of his sword, his movement as swift as it was deadly. In one fluid motion, he drew his blade, slashing cleanly through the smoke that bound Luck. The dark cloud dissipated in an instant, shattered into fragments that faded into nothingness, releasing Luck from its hold.
Luck stumbled forward, eyes shadowed by an intense, almost obsessive look as he muttered, "That guy… he's my prey!" His mind drifted, reliving memories of past fights, battles he'd always won. "I have to win… I have to win," he kept repeating, his expression growing darker, his fists clenched as if to hold onto the past pains and promises he'd made to someone and to himself.
Then, a firm but unexpectedly gentle hand fell on his head. Luck blinked in surprise, looking up to find Zoro gazing at him with a rare warmth in his eyes, a small, knowing smile on his face. "I know what you're thinking, kid. We Black Bulls… we're like family. And in this family, we don't need you to keep winning. We need you to live."
Luck's eyes went wide, shock and a glimmer of newfound understanding lighting his face as he looked up at Zoro. Then, as the words sank in, he broke into a warm smile, softer than his usual excited grin. "Yes, Vice-Captain," he replied, respect and warmth in his voice.
But suddenly, the pressure on his head increased, making him flinch. Zoro's expression had shifted back to his usual intimidating stare. "And who do you think you are, talking to me like that?" he said menacingly, his voice low and dangerous. "Do you want to die?"
"A-Ahh! Vice-Captain, I'm sorry!" Luck said, his playful grin reappearing, even as Zoro tightened his grip. Without warning, Zoro released him with a forceful shove, sending Luck stumbling toward the entrance of a nearby tunnel.
"Go help the others," Zoro commanded. Lightning surged around Luck's feet, taking the shape of swift, crackling boots. With a quick nod, he dashed off at lightning speed, racing down the tunnel to rejoin his friends, his energy renewed by Zoro's words.
All the while, Lotus watched the exchange from the shadows, his face tense. He was acutely aware of Zoro's strength, a strength that had earned him the fear and respect of even the strongest Diamond Kingdom mages. The tales of the "Green-Haired Oni" were legendary, spoken in hushed tones among Diamond mages who knew that if they encountered him, the best option was to flee—and no one would judge them for it. The unsettling aura that surrounded Zoro was enough to make even a seasoned warrior like Lotus think twice.
Remaining still, Lotus weighed his options, beads of sweat trickling down his face as he tried to calculate an escape. Engaging with this monster of a swordsman was not something he intended to risk.