LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 94 - Episode 94: Arjena's Strengthening Plan Part 2
Episode 94: Arjena’s Strengthening Plan Part 2
Count Zuluy was smirking in his room.
His hobby was collecting hero paintings.
Hero paintings depict adventurers who have become the subject of rumors, based on those rumors.
For the people of this world, rumors are a source of interest, and if the deeds are great, they can’t help but admire and respect those adventurers.
Although he was such a count, he lined up three hero paintings against the wall.
“Hmm… Those three girls… Their names match those of the heroes, don’t they?”
The paintings were titled “Brave Cea and Priestess Mishiri,” “Great Sage Caphrodyte,” and “Arjena, Demon Slayer.”
While they were presumably about the individuals themselves, the depictions were quite idealized.
With bodies of more than eight heads tall, sharp and resolute eyes, and straight noses, the figures in the paintings hardly resembled the real people.
Well, that’s to be expected, after all, the painter is drawing based on rumors, so it’s the artist’s interpretation. Beautification is also conscious if it sells.
Caphrodyte’s portrayal was even malicious. While the person herself looked like a young child, the painting depicted a glamorous sage with an eight head-tall body. It was a hero painting so beautiful that it would make the person doubt their own eyes.
The count squinted as he looked at such paintings.
“I’ve heard that Caphrodyte is a sage who has lived for over a thousand years… Her parents probably named her after the hero. I don’t understand the other two. Is it just a coincidence that they have the same name? There’s no way Arjena, the demon slayer, is that young, and Mishiri the priestess is heading to defeat the Demon Lord with the hero. Either way, those three have nothing to do with heroes. Well, more importantly…”
He recalled the three of them.
“They have outstanding appearances… Especially Arjena, she’s to my liking. Her slightly raised eyes are tempting. Excellent proportions. Large breasts. Haha. I’ll make her my exclusive slave maid. Mishiri is also not bad. Haha. As for Caphrodyte, I’ll sell her to a slave trader who likes children. With such a beautiful appearance, she’ll fetch a high price. Anyway, those three are top-notch. They’ll enrich my life.”
Saying so, he smoked a cigarette.
This was an illegal tobacco filled with plenty of illegal herbs.
“Anyway, I’m a genius. Setting the deadline for dungeon conquest to one week was a brilliant idea. Haha. It’s enough for them to agree to the contract, but it seems possible, yet impossible. The last-minute period… Haha.”
He remembered.
Another group of adventurers challenged the Demon Summoning Dungeon, separate from them.
It was a party of adventurers around level 40 at the time. In the end, they gave up conquering the dungeon after more than a month.
“The dungeon boss, the Scorpion Dragon, is strong. Haha.”
He knew that well, so he allowed Arjena and the others to challenge it with a week’s time limit.
“It’s obviously impossible. Those weak-looking girls won’t be able to conquer the Demon Summoning Dungeon. Hahaha! Foolish girls! The outcome will be returning with wounds. Hahaha! They’ll become my slaves and nourish me!”
By the way, in this world, only those who have received divine revelation can see their stats.
Ordinary people need the power of priests to check their stats. Of course, the count didn’t have such power.
He had no understanding of Arjena and the others’ true abilities.
☆
~~Arjena’s Perspective~~
Now then, we’ve arrived.
The Demon Summoning Dungeon.
It looks like a dilapidated ruin with cobblestone paths.
Plants’ roots grow here and there, giving it a feeling of being around for a long time.
It’s damp and smells a bit musty, like any dungeon.
Inside, it’s a maze, and it seems difficult to encounter the dungeon boss, the Scorpion Dragon, at the back.
According to Mishiri’s information, there are swarms of monsters, about level 20, called Waitedales.
The dungeon boss, the Scorpion Dragon, is about level 60…
Well, that level shouldn’t be a problem.
Let me confirm our levels for now.
I, Arjena, the demon-slayer, am level 300.
The great sage Caphrodyte is level 280.
And then, the priestess Mishiri is level 70.
In this case, I’ll take the vanguard, Mishiri behind me, and Caphrodyte further back. Does that formation sound good?
We’ll protect Mishiri, who has a lower level, with me and Caphrodyte. Mishiri is the healer, so as long as Caphrodyte and I don’t get injured, there shouldn’t be any problems.
“Alright! Then I’ll lead the way! Mishiri, you’ll be next, and Caphrodyte will bring up the rear. Let’s go.”
“Wait. Rushing in blindly will only waste time.”
Caphrodyte spread out both hands.
“Labyrinth Guide!”
It seems to be a magic that displays the dungeon map.
“Hehehe. This magic not only displays the dungeon map but also serves as a guide to the dungeon boss lurking at the deepest level.”
“Oh… So if we follow the illuminated path, we’ll reach the boss in the shortest time?”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Wow… Isn’t that a bit unfair?”
“This is also a part of one’s abilities. Don’t underestimate the great sage.”
“With this, it seems like we could finish in a day.”
“That’s not the case. It’s nice to be able to rest at the inn.”
As Mishiri thought of something,
“Oh, by the way, it seems there’s a hot spring in the earl’s territory.”
“Oh, a hot spring?”
“If we can finish in a day, it would be nice for the three of us to go to the hot spring.”
“Hmm… Mishiri, that’s a good idea. But there’s one thing I must say.”
“What is it?”
“A woman’s worth is not determined by the size of her chest. You must remember that.”
“Hahaha… It’s, it’s okay.”
Hehehe.
Alright, after conquering the dungeon, it’s off to the hot spring.
“Alright! Let’s go!!”
As soon as we entered, monsters attacked.
Common monsters living in the labyrinth.
“Dungeon Bads! Be careful, they have poisonous fangs!!”
(Note:Nope,I didn’t misspell “Dungeon Bats” it’s literally “DungeonBad”)
There are six of them. Quite a few.
“Arjena-san! The Dungeon Bads’ levels are over 100!! Normally they’re around level 10 monsters!”
As I thought.
The emerging monsters, Waitedale, receive the Dark Lord’s blessing.
If the monsters here are strengthened by the awakening of the handsome demon Dal, then they must be stronger too.
But,
“It’s just right for a warm-up!”
I swung my sword.
Zbaaah!!
Alright.
“That was amazing!! You took down three in one go!!”
“I’ll take care of the rest. Fire Blade!”
Boom!!
“Fire magic slash!! The Dungeon Bads turned to ashes…”
Hehehe.
Even if I get injured, Mishiri is here.
I can fight to my heart’s content without worrying.
“Alright then! After clearing the dungeon in a day, it’s off to the hot spring!”
“Wow!”
“Mishiri, just to make sure, a woman’s worth is not determined by the size of her chest.”
“Yes, I understand. It’s okay.”
We’re doing well at this rate.
But, we mustn’t let our guard down.
Let’s proceed cautiously, as if testing the sturdiness of a bridge.
Hehehe. It’s someone else’s saying, though.