12 – Fight Together
After borrowing the device from Fi, he was able to find the entrance to the dungeon beyond the forest.
A cave on the side of the mountain, and a stone wall raised as if to protect it. Several goblins and orcs stood guard as well.
There was only short grass around them, and nowhere to hide.
“I didn’t…think it could be used like a telescope.”
“It has surprisingly high specs. I think all the blessings I got are in this thing.”
The young dragon chuckled. In the meantime, Sheto inspected the enemy camp. They were still quite far away, and even a seasoned hunter would not be able to see the enemy from this distance.
“Keita. The dungeon. How deep is it?”
“When I went…it was about three floors… But some time has passed, so they might have dug a lot deeper.”
“Dungeon expansion, huh? Does it become more powerful the more you dig? In that case…taking it one day might be difficult?”
According to Keita and Fi, monster dungeons became deeper every day, and they gained the power to take over the world. During this process, various demon beasts were summoned, and magic tools were produced.
“There is a room on the deepest floor, where the magic energy is created. Supposedly. Tough, I’ve never been there.”
“In the room, there is a magic circle that gathers energy, as well as a magic stone that acts as a core. If you destroy them, then the dungeon will not be able to function. Dungeons are important quests for Heroes, because you weaken the Demon King’s power and gain lots of experience.”
“I see…I, don’t know, anything about Heroes, Demon King.”
For kobolds, both forces were targets to be hated. Had things been different, it would be a far away world for Sheto.
‘This time, your goal is to destroy the room on the deepest level. Other Heroes would search for loot and treasures… But we do not need them. Best to ignore that.’
“But I heard there are some great items? Besides, even if you won’t use them, you could sell them to collectors and magic research institutions in the city.”
“Are you being sarcastic? What city is going to let a kobold and small dragon go through its gates?”
“Well, I could do it for you?”
The Hero offered. Sheto looked away from the screen and turned to him.
“Keita. You. Trying to use me?”
“Huh?”
“You, called me to the village. Perhaps you felt, that way. No?”
“No, I… I wouldn’t…”
‘Still, I think it is true that you require a human to cooperate with you.’
Canila said. She sounded a little tense, as if nervous or apologetic.
‘The other gods have told me about all that you have achieved. And there will definitely come a day…when you struggle.’
‘Indeed… That being said, I was told that it would be nearly impossible to make a human obey a kobold.’
‘Well, if one wanted to defeat all Heroes and the Demon King, then having ties with humans would be important. When the time comes, perhaps we can be a bridge between Sheto and the humans. Or at least, you can be our allies.’
“What do you mean by that…”
Fi frowned at that and looked up at the sky.
“You just mean to use us from the beginning! Could it be…that kobold too!?”
‘That is… Well, you would not believe me anyway. But it is true that I saw this as a good opportunity to move you.’
“Is this a joke! Acting like you’re sorry about it! In the end, you’re no different from those selfish gods!”
‘Stop it, Fi. We already knew it from the start.’
Salia said, and then everything was quiet.
The scent in the air contained only sadness.
“From the start… What does that mean!?”
‘Canila did not contact me up until now. The reason is clear. If it was right after my victory over my brother, Morania was still in a dangerous place, and if she helped against the hundred Heroes, it would put her Keita in danger. So…now was the perfect time.’
‘Salia…I…’
‘It’s fine. If anything, I am grateful that it happened this way.’
Sheto sensed a strong will in her voice.
‘You are right. Sheto needs a human cooperator. If we want to defeat the Demon King, we cannot be an isolated monster and goddess forever. So, Canila. Your help is worth using for me as well.’
“…Ugh. How vulgar… Our goddess really is dark hearted…”
‘I will accept your words as a compliment.’
Salia said to Fi with a laugh. On the other hand, Keita and his goddess seemed a little crest-falen.
“We are, weak. And so we, do anything. The same as you. And so, I don’t blame you. Salia too.”
‘Sheto…’
‘At the very least, we intend to share both burden and profits with you. And so there is no reason to refuse.’
Salia said, and Canila let out a sigh.
‘I’m no match for you… Of course, I always knew that I wasn’t.’
‘Sorry, but you can feel remorse later. Right now, time is quite limited.’
Sheto recalled the kobold who was held captive in the village, and so he started to write what he knew about the dungeon on the ground.
The wall, the cave, and the number of monsters who stood guard. Thanks to Keita, he also knew there was a large open chamber when you entered the cave.
“What to do… Many monsters in the front. And more will come out, while taking them down.”
“Are there no other entrances, Keita?”
“Well…if there are any, they must be hidden. I don’t think we have time to look for them.”
‘If it was against humans, a night ambush would be effective. But they are monsters, so this should be finished during the day.’
Sheto looked up at the sky and then turned his attention back to the entrance. While they went through the mountain towards it, the sun would start to set.
“I, want to know more about it. How many monsters, if there are traps. What kind…”
“Sorry… I didn’t make a detailed map like that. Though, I do have magic that can see far away. I should at least be able to see the first room.”
“If you want a map, my ‘Tadataka-kun’ app can do it. If Keita can use his magic to make me invisible, I might be able to sneak inside and use it.”
“…Canila. Can he acquire invisibility magic?”
There was a short silence, and then Canila answered.
‘Yes. However, not one that lasts long.’
‘I heard that special magic eats up blessings. If it’s invisibility, I can cast it on Sheto’s equipment and…’
‘Please allow me to do this one thing. As a way of apologizing for being a goddess who can only survive by using others.’
After they agreed, they planned.
“…Alright.”
Once everyone had their roles, Sheto got up to his feet.
With a nervous expression, Keita began to chant.
Fi sat on top of Guto and looked at his phone.
“Let’s go.”
Once they were in agreement, the kobold ran off towards the dungeon.