Chapter 117: Unexpected Incident Before Departure (Patreon)

Together with his companions, he brought down the giant Behemoth.

Afterward, the giant Behemoth's flesh was slowly eaten away or left to rot.

And there was more… The reason this place had so many labyrinths was that quite a few monsters had eaten the Behemoth's flesh. After that, they'd grown far more powerful!!!

Among them was one exceptionally unusual kind of ant-type monster. After devouring the Behemoth's flesh, it had undergone a sort of metamorphosis and mutated into something terrifyingly strong. These ants dug out vast numbers of nests, and over a long span of time, those nests became the labyrinths of today.

Because of that, the Labyrinth City of Rapan grew more and more famous throughout the world. Plenty of adventurers came to this continent of drought and desert, all hoping to win valuable Magic Stones. And in the process, the Labyrinth City of Rapan grew larger and larger.

Listening to the man's account, half true and half embellished, Rudeus smiled and nodded. He kept up a friendly back-and-forth with him, and before they knew it, they'd arrived at the front of the inn.

After sending the man on his way with a decent magic crystal as payment, Rudeus led everyone inside.

With such harsh conditions, the inn's facilities naturally couldn't compare to the inns of the Millis Continent or the Central Continent. But for a place with a reasonably good location in an environment like this, Rudeus and the others had no complaints.

Once the rooms were booked and everyone had put their luggage away, Nanahoshi Shizuka's curiosity got the better of her.

"Rudeus…" Nanahoshi Shizuka asked. "Logically, shouldn't the Dragon God, who's been through so much, know a lot more than anyone? Why did you hire a random passerby to be our guide and tell us all this??"

Hearing the question, Eris, Ghislaine and Roxy turned to look at Rudeus as well.

Rudeus didn't hesitate for a second. He answered with a smile, "The Dragon God does know a lot. But what he knows leans toward the bigger picture. As for daily life and the surrounding environment… his own power is so great that his viewpoint naturally sits very high.

"On top of that, some of his information isn't necessarily up to date. So in this situation, I just found a random passerby. Ordinary adventurers like these… they have some strength, but they're not exceptionally strong. They work tirelessly just to make a living.

"They might not realize it themselves, but the information they provide is exactly what we need most."

Hearing Rudeus put it that way, everyone nodded in understanding.

Eris asked curiously, "Rudeus, you said earlier we had to hurry. So are we going straight into that teleportation labyrinth??"

Rudeus nodded with a smile. "Right. No time to waste. Rescuing Mother as fast as possible is what matters most.

"But you don't need to come. I'll go by myself. The situation underground is complicated, and it's safer if I go alone. No one knows whether Hitogami (Human God) has laid some terrifying trap down there.

"Until I'm back… I'll ask Dragon God Orsted to look after you."

Rudeus's words were tactful in one sense and blunt in another. Clearly… Rudeus still didn't trust everyone's strength.

Deep down, everyone was thoroughly displeased about it. But their enemy now was Hitogami (Human God)!!! The one true god of this world!!! No amount of caution would be too much…

With that in mind, they all nodded and agreed, one after another. Seeing this, Rudeus was quite satisfied.

Looking at the worry in their eyes, he smiled. "Don't worry. My ability to save my own skin is pretty strong. And I'll send the spirits ahead to scout for me. If anything unexpected happens, I'll leave right away."

Eris said earnestly, "Be careful, no matter what."

Ghislaine said earnestly, "If things go badly, come straight back."

Roxy said earnestly, "Don't show off. Put your own life first, always."

Nanahoshi Shizuka's face was just as serious as she urged him, "If it really isn't working, just regress. Every one of us will be waiting in the past for you to come back!!!"

Rudeus waved his hand with a smile. "No need, no need… Why's it feel like a farewell scene? It really won't come to that.

"I'm someone who can flawlessly defeat even the Dragon God!! Please, don't have so little faith in me, okay?"

Hearing Rudeus say that, everyone burst out laughing.

Meanwhile, elsewhere…

Geese, the scout of the Fangs of the Black Wolf, Paul's former party, ran into Paul just as he stepped out of his room after setting down his luggage. Pure coincidence.

Geese came up with a smile and gave Paul a hug. But someone coming up behind them crashed into both men and sent them stumbling.

In the collision, the stranger brushed right against Norn's side and knocked the Dragon God's Protection off her wrist. Ducking down, he picked it up and, with lightning speed, swapped the genuine item for a fake. Then, looking very apologetic, he slipped it back onto Norn's wrist.

After that, he apologized to Paul and Geese, turned, and walked away.

Paul and Geese were annoyed at being bumped, but the man hadn't done it on purpose, and he'd apologized. So they let it go.

They simply headed downstairs, side by side. Behind them, naturally, came Lilia with Aisha and Norn, along with the Vierra sisters, all following Paul at an unhurried pace.