Cecil bringing back the brand-new First-Class Armaments in the middle of the night effectively ensured that neither Isagi nor Ryuu could get a wink of sleep.
However.
Without an enemy, there was no way to truly test the power of the weapons.
Thus, early the next morning, the young man and the girls rode the little mare that Yuufi transformed into—although it was a bit squeezed—and took only the better part of a day to run from the City of Swordsmiths back to Orario.
They began preparations for the subjugation of the [Pale King]...
A few days after returning to the city, Isagi leveled up to Level 4, followed closely by Lefiya. Then came Ryuu-senpai.
Arriving along with the winter.
The Astrea Familia had ascended to become one of the rare powerful Familias in the city possessing a First-Class Adventurer and three Level 4s. (Tiona was still merely "lending her name" to the Astrea Familia side, after all.)
Although their numbers were few, every single one was an elite!
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that.
After returning from Solingen, upon Goddess Astrea's suggestion, Cecil also wanted to level up to Level 3.
The blacksmith girl, who originally had no interest in adventuring and felt that Level 2 was sufficient, saw new possibilities for development after completing the First-Class Armaments for herself and Ryuu-senpai.
Fels spoke very seriously to the Goddess of Justice, saying that if this child leveled up, she would very likely obtain the [Mystery] Development Ability.
"Miss [Sage] also said that if Cecil had been born in a magical superpower, she might have become a very impressive Witch."
[For this child to forge standard weapons and equipment in a place like Solingen is simply a waste. She possesses considerable forging talent and aptitude, but most importantly, she has an imagination that no one else has!]
Those were Fels's original words.
"?"
regarding this.
When Isagi heard the Lord Goddess say this, a large question mark simply popped up over his head.
Leaving aside what the hell it meant for Cecil to become a "Witch"—although the witches of this world seemed completely different from his impression.
But wait, Fels is a girl?!
Isagi had seen the other party; that skeleton frame draped in black robes, combined with that hoarse and bizarre voice, really made it difficult for anyone to associate them with a female.
But since the Lord Goddess said so.
Naturally, Cecil also displayed considerable enthusiasm.
After all, she had previously succeeded in utilizing the power of [Mystery], combined with the "special materials" Isagi obtained from the Dungeon, to create unique weapons and equipment.
But that, of course, required Fels's help.
If she could truly obtain the [Mystery] Development Ability herself in the future, she wouldn't have to trouble Fels anymore—after all, Miss Sage was also very busy, with a heap of Guild matters requiring her management.
Moreover.
Fels's [Mystery] did not lean towards the forging of weapons and equipment.
The Sage was merely using "experience" accumulated over hundreds of years to guide the girl. Therefore, if Cecil obtained her own [Mystery], the possibilities displayed in her future would be something that gods—even the Hephaestus Familia gods—would find hard to imagine and understand.
Just like Miss Airmid, who also possessed [Mystery], could create "Elixirs" that brought the dead back to life;
Miss Asfi utilized [Mystery] to create "Magic Items" with distinct functions and incomparable wonder;
Everyone's [Mystery] is different.
That is a power comparable to a "Miracle," unable to be understood.
Thus.
How could Cecil not look forward to it?
With the motivation to level up.
Recently, the girl began sword training with the Goddess again, as well as conducting "combat practice" with Lefiya and others. The Mage who had just leveled up to Level 4 happened to be a "match of equal strength" for Cecil in terms of close-quarters combat.
It was just that.
Watching two girls who completely didn't understand melee techniques wrestling and rolling into a ball in the courtyard, Isagi always felt a strong urge to make a retort but didn't know how.
It was enough to raise stats this way; anyway, Cecil just needed to reach a "D" level.
The only issue was [Excelia]...
For blacksmiths, obtaining [Excelia] is a very difficult matter, which is also the reason why many of the city's blacksmiths remain at Level 2.
Cecil had obtained some by forging the special First-Class Armaments, but it wasn't enough. So, Ryuu-senpai and the others planned that when the 17th Floor's [Monster Rex · Goliath] respawned, they would take Cecil along to participate in the subjugation battle.
With high-level adventurers leading the team, there wouldn't be any safety issues. Then, by participating a few more times, she could slowly gather [Excelia].
Anyway, Goliath respawns once every two weeks; there was plenty of time.
Cecil truly had no adventurer experience. Relying on her own stats, she was fine dealing with ordinary monsters, but Isagi wouldn't dare take this fellow to the special Dungeons he usually wandered in, let alone participate in a BOSS battle.
And on the other side.
For Isagi, after spending quite a few days adapting to the "brand new power" following his level up as usual, the next thing to do was naturally to subjugate the [Pale King]—
Early winter, late at night.
At the Central Park located beneath Babel, Isagi and the girls gathered at the "old place" among the benches on one side as usual, conducting preparations before departure.
The goal this time was to subjugate the [Pale King], so they traveled light and didn't bring too many things.
The squad members were himself, Lefiya, Tiona, as well as Ryuu-senpai and Miss Heith. Originally, he had planned to call Ais along as well; the golden-haired girl was also very interested in subjugating the King of Goblins.
Regrettably, she really didn't have time.
The city these days seemed quietly silent, and not just because the weather was getting colder.
Recently, the Loki Familia had made an important discovery in the city's sewers. Not only did those man-eating flower monsters exist there, but there was also an entrance to the Dungeon's [Artificial Labyrinth Knossos].
That was a gigantic structure connected to the Dungeon, built by the legendary architect "Daedalus," who had also built Babel and Orario and similarly possessed the [Mystery] Development Ability.
The Guild knew very little intelligence regarding it, only knowing that the remnants of the Dark Familias were currently entrenched inside.
The Loki Familia's Captain, Finn, prepared to unite with the Ganesha Familia to first dispatch an elite adventurer squad to enter and investigate, understanding the basic internal situation while obtaining more intelligence.
And Ais was naturally included in that, so naturally, she had no time to come over and join him.
Speaking of which.
The Astrea Familia also received notification from the Guild to be ready at any time to coordinate with the Loki and Ganesha Familias to launch a general offensive on the [Artificial Labyrinth].
With the level increase of himself and the girls.
The Goddess of Justice's Familia, having returned to Orario, was also gradually becoming a backbone force in the city that could not be ignored.
"Huu—"
Under the cold night.
Heith rubbed her hands together, looking at the Astrea Familia adventure squad led by the young man before her, feeling extremely nervous in her heart.
The pink-haired twin-tailed big sister, who had shrouded her entire body in a thick, dark robe, exhaled white mist-like heat in this biting early winter night while somewhat anxiously trying to signal Isagi and the others to hurry up and go to the Dungeon.
She was terrified that Goddess Freya, who was at the top of Babel at this moment, or others from the Familia would discover her!
The feeling of sneaking around was so heavy.
But there was no helping it!
The woman had just sneaked out. Fortunately, the Familia was about to depart for a deep-level expedition recently. To maintain peak condition, the Goddess had already forbidden those brainless guys from continuing to fight each other, so she finally had a lot of free time.
Otherwise, she wouldn't even be able to find a chance to run out!
"This is the last time!"
Puffing out her small round face.
The big sister, who belonged to the relatively cute type, attempted to issue an ultimatum to the young man using very serious words that carried a hint of "coolness."
Regarding this, Isagi just nodded, looking as if he didn't care at all.
It was just that, for some reason.
The young man's gentle, slight smile always made Heith feel a somewhat inexplicable "dread"...
"Let's go, depart."
Along the dim starting path, they went continuously downward. The "Sky" to the side, emitting azure light, had been completely repaired by this moment.
After entering the Dungeon.
Isagi called out the little Spirit Yuufi, and subsequently let this fellow turn into a little mare, and climbed up.
Immediately following.
It was Lefiya who mounted with him; the Elf girl sat behind, lying on his back just as she did in the past.
Then it was Ryuu-senpai, followed by Tiona. However, the Amazon girl could only sit in front of him, with him holding onto her incomparably tight little tummy with one hand.
Finally, it was Miss Heith.
The big sister could only sit even more reluctantly in front of Tiona, completely lying on the little mare's neck.
There was no helping it; the space was only that big, so they just had to squeeze.
Not riding wasn't an option either.
Yuufi's speed was ridiculously fast. From the Dungeon entrance where they were now, heading to the [Throne Room] on the 12th Floor where the Pale King was located, running to the front of the Boss Room.
It would only take a dozen or so minutes. Whereas if they were to walk there on their own two legs, it would take at least over an hour.
It was definitely more enjoyable to ride a horse.
Moreover, Heith was used to it; this actually wasn't the first time the woman had followed Isagi and the others to the Dungeon.
A few days ago.
Like testing the brand-new power obtained after leveling up.
Isagi took the girls to first subjugate the Floor Boss located between the 12th and 13th Floors.
Heith was there at that time too.
For Isagi, it was actually a "probationary test" for the newly arrived big sister. After all, he couldn't take her to fight the Pale King right off the bat. And as for the result, Isagi was considerably satisfied.
Heith's two healing magics.
One was the group-range healing [Spirit · Gullveig], which made up for the squad's shortcoming of lacking group healing; that was fine.
The important one was the other healing magic, [Aesir · Gullveig].
It belonged to single-target continuous healing, capable of repairing bodily damage and recovering stamina over a long period.
It perfectly matched Tiona's current combat style that required "burning blood."
It could help the Amazon girl continuously maintain her "Health Points" at a low level, maximizing the use of her skills [Berserk Fury] and [Great Brawl] to enhance attack power and ability stats—it was simply perfect.
Very good!
The team was really becoming more and more "all-rounded" now.
Therefore, Isagi had already decided that he wouldn't let Miss Heith leave his squad!
What "last time"? For a married woman who has already gone out with a blonde-haired guy, there is never a "last time"...
Before long.
Riding the little mare, they arrived before that gigantic fog gate of the [Throne Room].
Isagi confirmed the combat plan with the girls one last time, while simultaneously checking if the equipment, weapons, consumables, and so on carried on their bodies were fully prepared.
The most important among them.
Was the potion capable of eliminating the [Pale] abnormal status, which Isagi had found Miss Airmid of the Dian Cecht Familia to configure.
This was thanks to the previous [Golden Miracle]. The "Remnant Sword of the White King" dropped by it had a battle technique that could also cause the [Pale] abnormal status.
This allowed Isagi to reproduce this anomaly—which one wouldn't know whether to call a curse or something else—in front of the [Battlefield Saint].
Subsequently.
After many attempts by Miss Airmid, the girl who similarly possessed the [Mystery] Development Ability researched a specialized potion capable of eliminating it. Isagi named it "Pigment."
Pale causes death by erasing color; therefore, using "Pigment" to re-imbue color could naturally eliminate it.
Completely no problem!
However, even with this item, they still couldn't be careless in dealing with the Pale King. It could only be said that they added an insurance policy.
"...The above is the specific combat plan."
Cannot be careless.
Serious, calm, focused, concentrated—
"And Miss Heith, must remember, retreat immediately if the situation isn't right."
The other girls all knew.
Although Heith had participated in a BOSS subjugation battle once before, that BOSS guarding the entrance to the 13th Floor only had a level of LV4 and didn't have any special mechanisms.
The battle at that time was relatively relaxed, completely different from the [Pale King] they were about to subjugate.
"I... I know..."
Seeing Isagi reveal such a serious expression for the first time.
Heith blinked.
She was also a bit nervous in her heart. Regarding this special Dungeon and such that appeared because of the young man, she had felt it was inconceivable before. But thinking about it later, wasn't it just that the monsters became stronger?
A good thing!
Even as a Healer, as a member of the Freya Familia, Heith's first reaction was excitement.
So, behind this gigantic fog gate, what exactly existed that required these guys—who were all Level 4, and there was even a Level 5 adventurer—to be so nervous?
Following the young man and the girls walking inside together.
Thus.
Heith saw it. Standing in the center of the hall that was pale as far as the eye could see, with a robust and upright physique, holding a short sword—the [Pale King]—
[This is a Goblin?!]
Just as the unbelievable thought popped up in the woman's mind, the battle had already begun in this instant.
"Transform!"
Isagi took the lead.
The black suitcase taken out from his cloak covered the young man's entire body in the blink of an eye, transforming into the appearance of a steel giant wolf. Subsequently, the young man took out a two-handed great hammer, pre-assembled with a flesh-and-blood large club as the "hilt" and a Thunder Hammer as the "blade," from inside the cloak again.
Abruptly, he smashed it towards the side in front of him.
Chi!
Deep purple lightning exploded.
Causing the Pale King, who had already arrived in front of Isagi, to be inexplicably pulled towards the purple lightning exploding on the side, creating an instantaneous imbalance effect.
Simultaneously, even more violent golden lightning exploded a second time, encompassing everything before everyone's eyes within blinding electric snakes.
The lightning could obscure vision.
Taking advantage of this instant, Isagi quickly put away the Thunder Hammer, switching his weapon to the long blade [Blade of Ten Thousand Skeletons], and slashed head-on towards the Pale King.
Clang!
The short sword in the Goblin King's hand actively blocked this strike.
Almost visible to the naked eye.
In a split second, the pale color spread rapidly along his hands, but this was intentional on Isagi's part!
On the other side.
A greatsword wrapped in scorching blood-red, and an estoc flickering with the light of stars,
Attacked the Pale King in a pincer movement from different directions, left and right.
"!!!"
Blood splattered.
The combined strike of a Lv4 and a Lv5 adventurer could only leave a small wound on the tall and upright body of the Goblin King.
But this was enough. If it bleeds, it can be killed!
"Isagi!"
With one strike succeeding, Ryuu and Tiona immediately distanced themselves from the Pale King.
Using the [Puppet String] of the Legion Prosthetic on their arms, they fired hooks, rapidly pulling themselves away as well.
Simultaneously.
When the young man was pulled to the front by the hook, Ryuu quickly embraced him, then fed the potion capable of eliminating "Pale" into Isagi's mouth.
Instantly recovering his status completely!
The first round of confrontation was completed within just a few seconds. At this moment, the Pale King stood in place, seeming somewhat incredulous as it looked at the wound on its body.
It seemed to be thinking?
Thus, exchanging glances with the girls again, they subsequently continued forward, preparing to launch a new round of offensive!
This was the "combat plan" Isagi had made in advance.
There were actually just two important points.
The weapon in the Pale King's hand would definitely increase the "Pale" abnormal status upon contact. So, to cause damage to it, aside from letting Lefiya conduct long-range magic bombardment.
In a close combat situation.
The best option was definitely to let one person pin down its weapon, while the other two took the opportunity to launch attacks on it.
The Pale King only had one short sword; it was impossible for it to defend against everyone simultaneously.
Then.
Based on that, Isagi decided that he would actively attract the Pale King's attention, and "restrict" and "obstruct" the weapon in its hand.
Because he had the "Life Dew Talisman" and the "Soul Sin Ring" items on him, both of which could resist and slow down the "Pale" abnormal status. And even if a mistake occurred, he could still resurrect.
This would create opportunities for Ryuu-senpai and Tiona.
Thus.
Having solved the problem of "weapon collision," there was another problem to solve, which was the Pale King's "Curse of Death Sight."
Isagi had once come alone to test it.
As long as one appeared face-to-face in its field of vision for about five seconds, the body would completely enter a state of "death," unable to move even a finger.
Of course, there was a prerequisite: the closer the distance to it, the stronger the effect.
If one distanced themselves from the BOSS, this time would be extended to ten seconds or even more than half a minute.
So for insurance.
At most, in a close combat situation, one could only appear in the Pale King's line of sight for about three seconds. Subsequently, one had to leave immediately, not entering the BOSS's line of sight for a certain period to slowly eliminate the abnormal status, or directly consume the "Pigment Potion."
So, how to ensure appearing in the opponent's line of sight for no more than three seconds?
Aside from what he thought of—using lightning to "flashbang" the Pale King.
There was also the "Grappling Hook."
Everyone in the squad had to be in different positions at all times, equipping the Legion Prosthetic with [Puppet String], using the hook to pull the person appearing in front of the Pale King towards their own direction.
Accompanied by lightning obscuring the BOSS's vision.
It could be considered barely solving the disgusting mechanism of "cursed death upon sighting."
"It works!"
At least, there were no problems at this stage!
Amidst the lightning exploding again.
Isagi had already pulled out the greatsword that was of the same lineage as the armor from the mouth of the giant wolf-shaped helmet—
[Moonlight].
Its length exceeded three meters, incredibly thick and solid. While resembling a tombstone, accompanied by speckles of light, the originally pitch-black blade body presented a strange beauty of some silver liquid flowing.
Although Cecil retorted something like, she was a dependent of the [Goddess of Stars], so if the weapon glowed, it should be like the stars!
But ultimately, the girl racked her brains for this greatsword, creating this appearance resembling bright moonlight spilling down.
Although it had no special effects, it was truly beautiful.
"Ah..."
Wielding the greatsword with both hands, he blocked the Pale King's attempt to go towards Lefiya and Miss Heith in the distance.
Facing the Goblin King who had suddenly arrived in front of him again.
Isagi could still retreat rapidly, always maintaining a distance of about two meters from it, not letting it stick closely to him, while also being able to constantly change positions to leave its frontal line of sight.
This wasn't just because of the stat increase brought by leveling up, making him no longer like before—barely able to dodge only under supernormal performance, yet unable to raise even a shred of thought for a counterattack.
There was also the First-Class Armament forged by the blacksmith girl.
[Wolf's Feast].
Even Cecil wasn't clear on what ability it possessed exactly; instead, it required him to "develop" it himself.
Because theoretically speaking, although it used materials dropped by the [Lightless King], [Infant Dragon], [Iron Queen], [Saint Vanguard], and the [Goblin General] in its peak state, and so on.
However.
After fusing them all in one go, according to Fels, it had gradually returned to a primitive and pure form—[Darkness].
And precisely because of this, it seemed that amidst Cecil's intense "desire," it could finally transform into the appearance of armor.
Although they agreed beforehand that the First-Class Armament would be a two-handed greatsword, in the girl's heart, forging armor with incomparably powerful defensive capabilities, ensuring the young man's safety so he could return safely from every adventure, was her true inner wish.
The Dungeon's [Darkness] power is the foundation for generating everything, the origin of all monster "traits."
In what way did it respond to the girl's wish?
At this moment, what Isagi felt was that his body was being squeezed to the limit by the armor.
"!!!"
Pain, pain, pain, pain, pain—
The young man's body was gradually transforming into the appearance of a giant wolf.
Every swing of the sword, every movement, was an all-out burst, even giving Isagi himself the illusion of "I can actually do this much?"
The armor could extract his body's potential to the limit, thereby bringing unexpectedly powerful strength.
And the price.
Was that Isagi could feel he was gradually approaching death in a literal sense.
It didn't matter; he could resurrect anyway.
Taking a sip of Monkey Wine, Isagi didn't even need Miss Heith or Lefiya and Ryuu-senpai to cast healing magic on him.
The giant Moonlight Greatsword slashed straight down towards the Pale King just like that.
Either it blocks.
Then Ryuu-senpai and Tiona, roaming nearby, would launch an attack.
Or it doesn't block.
Then his greatsword would really chop into it!
Accompanied by the Elf girl's completed magic chant in the distance, next, Isagi wanted to see just what other means this fellow, the Pale King, actually had!!
...
Also late at night.
Dionysus, the God of Wine, suddenly visited the Astrea Familia's base, the [Star Court], as an uninvited guest.
Looking at the red-haired Goddess sitting under the tree opposite the Goddess of Justice in the courtyard.
Dionysus pretended to be very surprised as he greeted Loki—he actually knew long ago that the other party was there, which was why he came.
Then, he explained the reason for his arrival to the two Goddesses.
"Can you let my Familia's children also participate in the general offensive on the [Artificial Labyrinth] soon, Loki, Astrea?"
I must avenge the children who died on the 27th Floor before!
The blond male god revealed a painful expression on his face.
Filled with grief and indignation.
Using an incomparably resolute yet tear-jerkingly pitiful voice, he pleaded softly.
"I heard that the [White Hair Ghost] who caused that incident is also there, right, Loki?"
"Dionysus, your news is really well-informed."
Two years ago, the culprit who caused the [27th Floor Nightmare], Olivas Act, had indeed appeared again.
Although it was unknown how he survived, he was indeed connected to the Dark Familia currently hiding in the [Artificial Labyrinth]; this was intelligence the Loki Familia had only recently obtained.
Therefore.
Dionysus's request was reasonable and fair, but...
"It is an arduous battle."
Astrea spoke as if to persuade him.
The Wine God's Familia only had one Level 3 Captain and several Level 2s. To be honest, they actually didn't have the qualifications to participate in such a subjugation operation.
This was also out of consideration for the safety of his children.
"We can provide support from the rear! Moreover, this is also what they wish for. No matter what, the children also want to avenge their seniors!!"
"Besides, the remnants of the Dark Familia aren't all high-level guys, right?
"Even if they don't serve as the main force, it's fine. At least let my children participate. Please!"
Since words had reached this point.
Loki and Astrea naturally couldn't refuse anymore.
Thus.
Just as Dionysus predicted, his Familia children logically obtained the qualification to participate in the future [Artificial Labyrinth] subjugation operation together.
And as for what followed—
Leaving the Astrea Familia's base, he went all the way back to his own guild hall located not far from Daedalus Street.
The golden-haired deity slowly opened his bright eyes as if sobering up from wine.
In this winter.
The two strongest Familias in the city.
Loki was about to launch a general offensive on the [Artificial Labyrinth], and Freya was about to conduct an expedition against "that existence" in the deep levels.
It was precisely by borrowing this opportunity.
Dionysus would thoroughly obliterate the city's two strongest Familias!
____
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