NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 22.2
“Lance Charging!!”
My lance pierced through a cultist of the White Moon, the force of the charge trampling his lifeless body under the hooves of our horses.
“Shadows!!”
Wilkes’ magic summoned shadows that carved out a path.
-Kiiiiek! Ting-ting-ting! Tiririring!!
Lark’s ear-splitting, horrifying melody caused the White beasts to hesitate.
“Let the light burn here!!”
A Flame of Light Descends Upon the White beasts
Veronica unleashed a torrent of radiant flames, engulfing the White Beasts.
And then:
“Lance Charging!!”
I followed up with another Lance Charge.
Though it was our first time coordinating, the four of us managed to advance toward the Moon’s Temple without any issues.
“Wow~! As expected of The Sage! Your timing is impeccable! Just like in that last dungeon! Oh! By the way, how’s my friend doing?”
“…Your friend?”
As Wilkes cheerfully shouted, Veronica, seated behind me, asked with curiosity. Lark, meanwhile, blew his flute instead of his lute, producing a cacophonous melody that disrupted the enemies’ movements.
“You know, The Sage’s disciple! That talented, cute young lady! She even had a great sense of musicality that matched mine perfectly!”
If Lucille overheard this, she’d have a fit. She once told me she had nightmares after hearing Wilkes’ music and singing.
“Oh, really? Impressive. I’ve heard that princesses rarely leave her room and don’t get along with people. You managed to befriend her and get her outside?”
“I’m the friendly type, after all.”
“…By the way, won’t you introduce her to me?”
“Huh? Why?”
“Well, she’s your disciple, isn’t she?”
As I swung my lance to slash through the chest of a White Moon cultist lunging at me, I flung a dagger at another. The blade lodged in the forehead of a robed figure, clearing the path as Wilkes’ shadows widened the way. Another Lance Charge drove a White Beast back.
“Wait, why would you need to mee—ow?!”
Veronica pinched my side. Annoyed by her pouty expression, I shot her a brief glare before scanning our surroundings.
-BOOM!!
-WHOOSH!!
The Special Unit was holding its ground admirably. Thanks to the tactics I taught them, they seemed to be handling the White Beasts without sustaining significant damage.
The reinforcements from the church and adventurers were also managing the White Moon cultists well.
-ROOOOAR!!
Occasionally, a beast too powerful for them to handle appeared. But even that wasn’t a major issue.
-THUD!!
We had powerhouses of our own.
Wilkes marveled as the torso of a beast the size of a three-story building exploded.
“Wow. Is that Levantia’s Tiger Blow? Incredible…”
“Evangeline’s Guided Shot is even more impressive.”
Levantia’s Tiger Blow, a knight’s ultimate skill that destroys massive foes with a single blow, and Evangeline’s Guided Shot, an archer’s ultimate skill that precisely targets vital points with unmatched precision.
Supporting them was the hero Claire, cutting down enemies with her sword and bolstering her allies.
The exploits of these three women were undeniably outstanding here as well.
“…They’re really strong.”
“You don’t defeat a Demon Lord by playing patty-cake.”
“Hey! Sage! Over here!!”
At that moment, a massive White Beast charged toward us, scattering the Special Unit and blocking our path to the Moon’s Temple.
“That thing looks pretty tough…”
“Sage! How do we—”
“Just hit its weak points; don’t worry.”
Hearing Wilkes’ trembling voice, I raised my lance.
And then: -BOOM!!
Levantia, who had been fighting a beast nearby, leaped into the air. Like a meteor, she descended rapidly, striking the White Beast with tremendous force. Rising slowly, she turned to look at me.
What? Was she expecting praise?
But she seemed satisfied that I simply acknowledged her and began battling the beast head-on.
“…Let’s go.”
Watching Levantia’s fierce combat, Veronica gave a short command. She was right—we didn’t have time to watch.
We pressed onward, arriving at a white structure. In front of the temple, where a staircase led underground, Wilkes hesitated.
“Sage, only three people can enter here, right?”
“I know. That’s why I brought this.”
I raised a bracelet, which emitted a crimson glow as it merged with Veronica.
“Alright, now—”
“…What are you doing?”
“Don’t make a big deal about holding hands.”
Just as in the game strategy, I grabbed her hand and motioned for Wilkes and Lark to enter. Nodding, they went inside. I then spoke to Veronica, whose expression soured.
“Let’s enter together. On three. One, two—”
“Mmm… One, two.”
As the two of us stepped into the space created by the first two, my vision blurred. When it cleared, the scenery had changed entirely.
“What… is this?”
It was a vast hallway.
Wilkes, who had entered earlier, was examining the walls with a serious expression.
“I’ve never seen material like this. Sage, do you know what this is?”
“I don’t.”
It wasn’t in the game, either.
“Oh wow. The Sage doesn’t know something?”
“I only know what I know.”
“Hah. Then, are there traps?”
There aren’t any traps.
In this dungeon, there’s only one opponent to face.
The Pale Moon waiting at the end of this hallway.
Without worrying about traps, I began walking down the hallway. The others quickly followed, and as we walked, I explained how to deal with the Pale Moon.
“Alright, we’re here.”
When we reached the door at the end of the hallway, everyone was tense. They could feel the ominous presence beyond the door.
“Ready?”
Nods. The three of them steeled themselves. I pushed the door open.
“My god…”
“What… is that?”
“That… actually exists?”
The space beyond the door was as vast as the battlefield we’d left behind.
At its center was a faintly glowing pale sphere.
And
“…It’s coming.”
From the shadows of the sphere emerged hundreds of tentacles.
As they writhed, the pale sphere cleared open, revealing a piercing yellow eye.
Now.
This is the final event.
Time to stay sharp.
If we fail, it’s game over.