Reverse Dungeon

Keith hesitated, wondering just how much this elf knew.

The elf twirled his fingers vaguely in the air.

“Whenever I try to sleep, there’s always this loud thumping and banging. Like the bed is shaking or something.”

“That’s coming from the room next to yours.”

“Ah! That explains it.”

Keith concluded that the elf was exactly as useless as Sema.

Meanwhile, Ian was already leading the way, as usual. Though it was broad daylight and not a single star was visible, he kept glancing up at the sky as if using it to navigate. Keith found himself wondering what, exactly, Ian was relying on to find the path.

“This way.”

But Keith did not question him.

Ian was always right.

And even if he was not, Keith had the strength—and the responsibility—to make sure Ian ended up on the right path regardless.

*Yes.*

Strength and responsibility.

That was Keith’s duty: to help Ian, the Agent of God, do what was right.

Perhaps that duty also included looking after burdensome beings like himself, cursed as he was.

Keith’s mind settled, calm as a still lake.

He was Ian’s sword, bestowed by God.

He was also a weight meant to temper Ian’s spirit and resolve.

In that ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ case, Keith’s personal feelings had no value. It would be improper for him to dwell on himself.

He existed for Ian.

That was enough.

At peace, Keith erased the elf from his thoughts and followed Ian. The elf only caught up after some time, once he finally realized where they had gone.

“Hey, wait for me! Aren’t we supposed to be traveling together? This is too much.”

“Hurry up. We don’t have time to waste. I’m already irritated that we lost time because the cruise was delayed at sea. Don’t make it worse,” Ian snapped.

*Ah, his true nature is starting to show.*

Keith nodded to himself. It seemed Ian’s unusually friendly attitude toward the elf merchant had only been a short-lived performance.

“Here.”

But the place Ian stopped at was...

An inn.

“...?”

Keith looked puzzled as Ian walked in without hesitation and asked for a room. This time, Keith did not even need to intervene. Ian booked only one.

Keith had no objection to that, but he did find it strange. The inn was tucked away in a corner of the village, so deserted that they seemed to be its only guests. Ian usually preferred to book two rooms.

Of course, Keith did not mind sharing. If anything, it was proof that Ian trusted him as a worthy guard.

“That’ll be one silver coin,” said the innkeeper, an old dwarf.

His tone was neither polite nor rude as he led them to the room.

“Are all of you sure you’re fine sharing one room?”

“It’s fine. He won’t be sleeping,” Ian said, gesturing toward the elf merchant.

“Oh, I see. No point letting a slave sleep in a room, then.”

The dwarf nodded and cast the elf a look of sympathy.

Only then did the elf realize he was automatically being treated as a slave because he was traveling with such a terrifying-looking group. Shock crossed his face. Surprisingly, however, he was quicker on the uptake than Sema. He lowered his head at once and played along.

Once the dwarf had left, Keith asked, “Were we not heading straight for the underwater city?”

“We are.”

“Do you not know the way? I know the route to the underwater city. I even packed supplies for the journey. Plenty of them. Enough to deal with sea monsters as well.”

The elf patted his heavy pack with pride.

“So we do have to deal with sea monsters. How long will it take to get there?”

“It depends on how well you two fight, but... let’s say a month? That’s why I brought plenty of water elmwood. It’s not only for trade. I chose items that would be useful to you two.”

Keith assumed the water elmwood must be an item that allowed one to breathe underwater.

“Ah. So even as a companion, you intend to sell these things to us.”

“I have to make a living! Labor deserves fair compensation! Don’t be so unfair!”

The elf bristled with indignation.

Ian scoffed.

“Why did you even buy all that? It’s just extra baggage.”

“It’s not mine. It’ll be yours soon enough.”

“We’re not buying it.”

“What?! Why not?!” 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

The elf looked utterly devastated.

“I know a shortcut! I swear! It’s a route I’ve kept secret for a hundred years. It’ll get you there in a month at most!”

The elf thumped his chest, as if that were something to be proud of.

Ian waved him off.

“Just stay put. This way is faster.”

“...?”

Ian glanced around the room, gave a small nod, and stepped back outside to find the innkeeper.

“What do you need? If you wanted something, you could have just called from inside...”

“No, no orders. Actually, I am a demon sent by the Northern Grand Duke to inspect the welfare of the common folk.”

“...?”

“...?”

Keith wondered whether anyone could understand what Ian was saying.

Apparently not.

“Uh... pardon?” the dwarf asked, bewildered.

“The Northern Demon Grand Duke sent me. He said, ‘I must assess the condition of the people in my lands,’ and dispatched me to solve your problems. Do you think I came here for fun? Why are you staring at me like that?”

Ian’s tone grew more arrogant with every word.

*He has a natural gift for threats,* Keith thought in admiration.

It was impressive how Ian could spout absolute nonsense with such conviction that the other party still felt intimidated.

*Should I truly be impressed by that?*

It did not seem like the most appropriate quality for an Agent of God, but Keith continued watching as the absurd scene unfolded.

“W-would it be all right for someone like me to ask a favor of a great demon...?”

*So he really does have something to ask!*

Keith was amazed.

It was rare to see anyone dare request something from a demon without offering up their life or soul in exchange.

“Go on,” Ian said, crossing his arms impatiently.

“Well, my brother lives in a place called Dragon’s Palace Village. We used to exchange messages by turtle, but recently, the turtles stopped coming. I went to check the sea, and it seems a rabbit monster has blocked the route, so the turtles can’t pass through anymore.”

“If you deal with that monster, I... I cannot give you my heart, but I could... offer you my liver...”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll take your heart instead.”

“Ahhh!”

Having played the role of a demon to perfection, Ian motioned for the group to move. They headed toward the sea in the direction the dwarf had given them.

The elf looked awestruck.

“Wow. You really seemed like a demon just now. Are you sure you’re not half-demon?”

“I’m not.”

*Is he trying to pick a fight?*

Ian was irritated. Being surrounded by five-star characters was beginning to wear on him. Even when they were clearly provoking him, he could not grab them by the collar, and that made it all the more maddening.

As they walked, Ian explained.

“The village the dwarf mentioned is obviously the underwater city. His brother once saved a mermaid and was invited to live there. Since then, they’ve been exchanging messages through turtles. That turtle route is the shortest path to the underwater city.”

“How do you know all that?”

The elf asked the question Keith had long since learned not to bother asking.

Ian stared into the air for a moment, then answered solemnly.

“The gods told me.”

“Ah, I see...”

*Why do they all react the same way?* Ian thought, frustrated. *It’s like the game devs scripted them.*

Ding!

[Dorian(?) doesn’t trust you.]

Maybe this was simply his own problem.

“......”

But since it was not his concern, Ian ignored it and continued down the path.