Is It Wrong to Explore the Dungeon Even Though I’m Overpowered? (Danmachi SI- WC) (Patreon)

Chapter 19: Through the Desert

“Who are you?” Arry asked, her violet eyes wary and guarded.

After leaving the Merchant District, we made our way to the nearest inn and rented a room spacious enough for all of us. I didn’t want us to split up while we were in this city—word travels fast when someone’s got coin and is traveling with beautiful women.

I gave her a respectful bow. “Hello, Princess.”

Her eyes widened slightly at that.

“My name is Reinhard van Astrea. These two are Est and Ram. Believe it or not, we’re here to help you.”

Arry turned to glance at them, and both gave her a small nod, confirming my words.

“…If you know who I am,” she said cautiously, “then what do you want from me?”

I looked at her—really looked at her. She was scared, unsure, and trying hard not to show it. I gave her a reassuring smile, though I knew it likely didn’t help much given everything she’d been through.

“I want you to become the next king of Shalzard,” I said honestly, meeting her gaze with unwavering sincerity.

She blinked. “You… want to make me king?”

“That’s right.”

“…What do you want in return?” she asked, suspicion creeping into her voice.

I opened my mouth to say “nothing”—but stopped. That would only make her more suspicious. And truthfully, I did want something. Not for myself… but for the people I saw suffering in this city.

My thoughts flashed to the faces of the slaves we passed earlier. The broken looks in their eyes. Even if I freed them all, that wouldn’t be enough. They needed more than freedom. They needed food, shelter, a future. And I couldn’t give them that—not with my life in Orario, not with the weight I already carried.

But there was someone who could.

There was a kingdom waiting for its rightful ruler. And that ruler would need citizens—people who would be loyal to her and help her reshape a broken land.

So I smiled, finding the perfect answer.

“I want you to abolish slavery in Shalzard… and give every slave in this city a place to call home. Take them in. Help them build a future worth fighting for. That’s what I want in return.”

Arry stared at me, stunned into silence. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out for several seconds.

“…You’re serious,” she finally said—more to herself than to me. “You’re actually serious.”

“I am,” I confirmed gently. “I won’t ask you to decide now. I know it’s a lot. But I want you to think about it—really think. Because whether or not you believe in yourself right now… I believe in you.”

She looked down, her messy black hair falling forward to hide her expression. For a while, the only sound in the room was the muffled hum of the inn beyond our walls.

“…They’ll never accept me,” she said at last, her voice trembling. “I’ve lived my whole life pretending to be something I’m not. They wanted a prince—not a girl playing dress-up with a crown.”

“You don’t have to be what they expect,” I replied calmly. “You just have to be someone they can believe in. A king isn’t made by blood or tradition—it’s made by choice. The choice to stand up for others. To lead when no one else will. That’s something only you can do.”

“It’s not as easy as you make it sound,” Arry replied, shaking her head in frustration as she looked at us. “My country is at war with Warusa. You’d have to fight an entire army—80,000 strong—and who knows what else, just for me to be king. I can’t ask a group of strangers to bloody their hands for me.”

“What were you planning to do, then?” I asked gently, already knowing the answer. Her wince confirmed it.

“To reclaim your kingdom, you’ll need people willing to fight for you. But more importantly, if you want to stay king, you need the support of the people,” I continued, watching her carefully. “If you allow us to help you, we will fight that army.”

I paused for a moment, still feeling uncomfortable asking Ram and Est to get their hands dirty for something born from my own selfish decision. But almost immediately, I felt the reassuring strength of their presence beside me, their support flowing into my mind like a calming breeze.

‘They must’ve felt my hesitation,’ I thought quietly, then pushed forward.

“We may not look like much to you right now—but I assure you, dealing with that army will be an easy task for us.”

‘Especially now, thanks to the Inexhaustible perk I bought before starting this mission.’

At my words, both Est and Ram puffed up slightly, pride gleaming in their eyes as they subtly straightened their postures—clearly pleased by the faith I placed in them.

“…Are you really that strong?” Arry asked quietly, looking at us with naked hope in her eyes.

I offered her a confident smile and nodded, wrapping my arms around Est and Ram and pulling them into a warm hug. “Of course we are. But I don’t expect you to take our word for it—not yet. So we’ll let our actions speak for us.”

Est and Ram nestled into my sides, their arms slipping around me as they let out soft, contented sighs.

Arry seemed to accept my answer—for now. She looked at me again, her expression slightly more vulnerable this time. “Will you really help me?”

My smile didn’t falter for a second.

“Of course,” I replied, voice gentle but unwavering. “That’s the reason we’re here.”

Lowering her head to hide the small trail of tears that escaped her eyes, Arry gave a soft nod and whispered, “Thank you.”

“And thank you as well, for accepting my selfish request,” I said, bowing my head in return.

Arry let out a soft, throaty giggle as she wiped her face. “You’re the strangest boy I’ve ever met.”

I chuckled at that, my thoughts drifting back to Rose—my Guild Advisor—who had once said the exact same thing. “Yeah… I guess I am.”

With the tension eased, I took the chance to cook dinner for all of us. Arry visibly brightened as she took her first bite, her mood lifting with each spoonful of food. The warmth of the meal settled into us all, marking the end of a long, emotional day.

I told Arry that we’d be setting off first thing in the morning. On the journey to her kingdom, I planned to teach her what it meant to be a ruler—not just in name, but in heart and mind. I’d done it once before. And at least this time, I wouldn’t be dodging kicks to the face like I did with Felt.

Since we only had one room, Arry took one of the beds while I shared the other with Ram and Est—much to Arry’s embarrassment. I’d offered to sleep on the floor, but Ram and Est weren’t having any of it. They simply dragged me to the middle of the bed and claimed a side each, their silent insistence leaving no room for debate.

Already used to not sleeping alone, I didn’t fight it much. Before I knew it, my eyelids were growing heavy, and one last thought drifted through my mind.

‘I bet Rem will be jealous that her sister beat her to sleeping beside me.’

=====

(Following Day)

The desert sun rose high over the dunes, casting golden light across the shifting sands. Our journey to Sorshana had begun early, just as the first blush of dawn kissed the sky. The four of us moved at a steady pace, our feet kicking up light clouds of dust as we followed the winding merchant paths that cut through the wastelands.

Arry walked slightly ahead beside me, silent at first but attentive. Ram and Est flanked us on either side, ever-watchful. With Est’s hand occasionally brushing mine and Ram offering the occasional sharp glance at passing strangers, as if daring them to come any closer.

“This land may seem harsh,” I began, gesturing around at the endless stretch of golden terrain, “but it’s also your greatest teacher. If you want to rule it, you need to understand it first—not just its people, but its heart.”

Arry glanced at me. “And what if I never understand it?”

“Then you ask questions. You listen. You learn. That’s what leadership really is—it’s not about knowing everything. It’s about never stopping the search for better answers.”

She went quiet again, but this time I could see the cogs turning behind her violet eyes.

Later in the day, we stopped beneath a rock outcrop for shade and a brief meal. I handed Arry a canteen, watching as she took a few sips before lowering it.

“What else should I know?” she asked, her voice softer now, more open.

“Know when to listen more than you speak,” I answered. “Know when your people are hurting. And know that sometimes the best choice isn’t the most popular one—but if it’s the right one, you’ll earn respect eventually.”

“And if I make mistakes?”

“You will. That’s guaranteed. But your job isn’t to be perfect. It’s to keep standing back up every time you fall—and show them they can do the same.”

Ram hummed approvingly from where she leaned against the rock. “Reinhard-sama does have a way with speeches, doesn’t he?”

Est nodded, her gaze on Arry as she muttered softly. “Listen to Reinhard.”

Arry looked between the three of us, her expression unreadable… then she gave a slow nod.

“I’ll do my best,” she said.

I smiled. “That’s all I ask.”

Arry nodded thoughtfully, before her expression shifted into one of confusion—bordering on mild irritation.

“Mind if I ask you something?” she said, frowning slightly.

Not expecting the sudden shift, I tilted my head, curious. “Sure, go ahead.”

“How come you had no trouble walking across the desert?” she began, voice tinged with disbelief. “You didn’t even sink into the sand! It’s like you were walking on stone instead of dunes! And—” she turned her glare toward Est and Ram, “—none of you are sweating! You're all wearing regular clothes, and yet you look completely unaffected by the heat!”

I felt a bead of sweat trail down the back of my neck—not from the sun, but from awkward realization.

‘Ah… right. I completely forgot how weird that must look to a local. Especially someone who’s lived in the desert her whole life.’

The truth, of course, was that Wild and Environmental Defense nullified extreme temperatures entirely. I hadn’t even felt the heat. But explaining that… wasn’t an option. At least not in a way that made sense to her.

‘I’ll just stick with something simpler. Maybe my Divine Protection of Sandplay…’

Before I could even open my mouth, Ram let out an amused little giggle, her voice dancing with smugness.

“Heh~ That’s because Reinhard-sama is sharing his power with us~ Sorry~” she said with exaggerated sweetness, clearly enjoying herself. “Only those who have a very close bond with Reinhard-sama get to enjoy his gifts.”

Arry’s eyebrow twitched. “...I don’t like how you said that.”

Ram gave her an unbothered shrug, still smirking. “Facts are facts, princess~”

“And as for why Reinhard-sama can walk across sand like it’s stone?” Ram continued with a dreamy sigh. “It’s simple. Reinhard-sama is someone loved by the world itself~”

I let out a helpless chuckle, raising a hand in a calming gesture. “She’s… not wrong, technically. But to keep it simple, let’s just say I have an ability that prevents me from sinking into sand.”

Arry narrowed her eyes, arms crossed as she huffed. “That doesn’t explain anything…”

Est joined in with a soft smile and a dreamy tone. “Reinhard is the best~”

Arry shot her a deadpan glare. “That really doesn’t help!”

I smiled at the familiar rhythm of our banter, then stepped a little closer and leaned down, my voice dropping to a softer, more sincere note. “We all have our secrets, Arry.”

She blinked, caught off guard by the shift in tone.

“There are reasons for your questions,” I continued quietly. “But I’m afraid I can’t reveal them. Not because I don’t trust you… but because those secrets might one day be used against the people I care about.”

Arry’s expression softened, her pride slowly giving way to understanding. She looked down, voice quiet. “Sorry for prying…”

I shook my head and stepped forward, gently placing a hand on her shoulder and offering a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about it. Just know this—whatever these abilities are, I’ll use them to help you. That much, I promise.”

She didn’t respond right away, but the small nod she gave spoke volumes.

With that out of the way, we continued our journey for a few more hours, the desert sun finally dipping below the horizon and taking the worst of the heat with it. As night began to fall, we found shelter in an outcrop of jagged rocks—tall enough to shield us from the harsh desert winds.

After clearing a flat space, we set up two tents and began settling in for the night.

Naturally, I took over cooking duties once more. The scent of grilled meat and spices filled the air, lifting everyone’s spirits after a long day of walking. We chatted quietly as we ate, the crackling fire casting warm shadows on the surrounding stones. The girls enjoyed the meal, as always, showering me with praise that I accepted with a sheepish smile.

Once dinner was done and the fire safely banked, we turned in for the night.

Just like before, Est and Ram nestled into either side of me without hesitation. Their presence, warm and familiar, was comforting beneath the cool desert sky. Arry took the second tent on her own, still adjusting to the strange rhythm of our little group—but she didn’t seem as hesitant as before.

One day down. A few more to go.

=====

The next day dawned with a pale orange light spilling over the endless dunes. After a quick breakfast, we resumed our journey across the shifting sands, the wind carrying the faint scent of something… off.

Arry noticed it too, scrunching her nose. “What’s that smell?”

Before I could answer, the ground beneath us began to tremble.

Est’s hand instinctively tightened around my sleeve, and Ram’s sharp gaze scanned the desert around us.

“…Get ready,” I warned calmly, shifting my stance.

A second later, the sand ahead of us exploded upward like a geyser, showering the sky with glittering grains. Emerging from the chaos was a massive creature—a giant worm, its hide plated in thick, cracked scales and its mouth lined with concentric rings of razor-sharp teeth. Its roar was less a sound and more a shudder that passed through the earth itself.

Arry stumbled back with a gasp. “W-What is that?!”

“Desert Sandworms, I believe.” Ram answered coolly, raising her hand. I had informed her and Est of any monsters we might face so she wasn’t surprised.

“And they’re hungry,” I added, smiling slightly as two more erupted from the sand to flank the first. “Perfect chance for a live demonstration.”

Without hesitation, I drew Est in sword form after she quickly transformed, the familiar weight settling perfectly into my grip.

“[El Fura]!” Ram intoned, her wind magic gathering at her fingertips. Blades of compressed air formed around her, shimmering and ready.

The lead Sandworm lunged with terrifying speed, but I moved faster. In a blur, I flashed forward, Est’s blade gleaming under the rising sun. One clean slash—and the entire front half of the creature was cleaved clean off, crashing into the sand with a thud that shook the ground.

The other two worms screeched, burrowing and weaving through the sand toward us.

Ram didn’t miss a beat. With a sharp flick of her wrist, she unleashed [El Fura], the slicing gales carving into the second worm mid-burrow, forcing it to thrash violently before collapsing in a bloody heap.

The third managed to surface, mouth gaping wide—but I calmly raised Est above my head.

“Let’s finish this, Est.”

Shing!

In a brilliant flash of light, I poured energy into Est and unleashed a shockwave that split the desert in a straight line, cleaving the final worm cleanly from jaw to tail.

As the dust and sand began to settle, Est transformed back into her human form beside me, smoothing out her dress with a small smile. “Easy~”

Ram approached, brushing sand off her skirt. “Not even a warm-up.”

Arry stood frozen, mouth agape, staring at the scene of devastation around us. The once-pristine dunes were marred by deep gashes and the colossal remains of the worms.

She blinked, opened her mouth to say something—then closed it again.

I stretched and popped my bones before turning and grinning at her. “I told you, didn’t I? We can handle a little army.”

Arry’s expression wavered between awe, disbelief, and a glimmer of hope.

“…You weren’t joking at all,” she whispered.

“Nope.” I stepped forward and ruffled her hair gently, causing her to swat my hand away with a huff. “And we’ll use that strength to help you take back your kingdom.”

For the first time, I saw a genuine smile bloom across her face—small, uncertain, but real.

Hope was taking root.

And we were just getting started.

=====

Top of Babel

“Fufufufufu~ Marvelous~ Simply marvelous, my beloved.”

A delighted giggle echoed through the otherwise silent chamber at the pinnacle of Babel. Alone within her sanctuary, Freya stood before her divine mirror, her silver hair cascading down her back like moonlight, her amethyst eyes wide with enraptured wonder.

The image displayed on the mirror’s surface was burned into her mind—him. Reinhard wielding a sword that cleaved through desert monsters as though they were made of paper. A single swing… and devastation followed in its wake.

“So that’s where you went~” she purred, voice trembling with something between desire and awe. Her fingers trailed the glass with reverence, as though touching his image might bring her closer.

A shudder passed through her. “A sword spirit… how long has it been since such a being walked the lower world?” she murmured, her tone low and reverent. “Since the descent of us Gods, I’ve not once laid eyes on something so… divine.”

The smile on her lips curled with obsession. “I knew there was something strange about her,” Freya whispered, eyes narrowing slightly as she thought back. “From the moment I laid eyes on her, I sensed something… veiled. Her soul—no, not quite a soul. Something else. Elusive. Unreadable. I thought little of it then, too entranced by the radiance of his.”

Her gaze returned to Reinhard’s figure on the mirror. “Fufufu~ Of course it makes sense. Only someone with such a transcendent soul could form a bond with a spirit… only you could.”

Her fingers clutched the fabric of her dress tightly, knuckles turning white as her lips parted in breathless admiration. “Show me more, my love. Show me your strength, your kindness, your wrath, your sorrow… Show me the heart and will of the Last Hero.”

She took a step back, arms spreading wide as though proclaiming to the heavens.

“For I know now with every part of my being… every beat of my heart… that you are him.”

Her eyes shimmered, consumed with longing.

“My Odr.”