The Boy Who Fell to the Lowest Level of the Dungeon, Becoming the Strongest and Returns to the Surface After 10 Years~He Just Wants to Live a Quiet Life, but His Childhood Friends Who Have Risen to Prominence Won’t Leave Him Alone~ - Chapter 24: The Darkness Begins to Stir

“Mother, I’m here again.”

For Elta, this is the second visit to the grave since returning to the surface.

“Recently, I went out with everyone.”

It’s been about a week since they all went out together.

Each of them is investigating the Cult “Scar” and increasing their vigilance.

Even amidst all that, today alone, Elta and the others had gathered here.

“Everyone is doing well, too.”

At Elta’s voice, the girls around him closed their eyes and nodded.

“I will continue to fulfill my duty as a knight.”

“I will stabilize the academy as the student council president.”

“I will evolve the magical armor to a higher realm.”

“I will support everyone together with my big brother.”

Everyone feels a bit sad, but their spirits are positive.

They probably thought that a bright demeanor would be more appreciated.

Also, while they were alive, Elta and the others often received words like these.

“May everyone live healthily and happily.”

With that in mind, Elta and the others wanted to show their cheerful selves.

After everyone finished praying, Jura spoke up.

“Since we’re here, let’s also catch up on what’s been happening.”

Elta agreed to it as he immediately voiced his concerns.

It seems like there was something he was thinking about.

“Jura-neesan isn’t making any magic armor at all.”

“Eh, El!?”

“I want a cool weapon too.”

“U-um, that’s because…”

Of course, Jura had her reasons too.

(There are no monsters strong enough to match Elta…)

Magic armor is something that uses the power of magical creatures to grant the user “greater power.”

However, because Elta is too strong himself, no matter what monster he uses as a motif, the weapon ends up being weaker.

Even if he weaponizes what the user can do, it’s just a burden.

“Anything would be fine, like a slime water gun or something.”

“I wish you’d consider my pride too…”

It seems he couldn’t stand going out of his way to create a burden.

In the end, Elta’s dedicated weapon remains a source of concern.

“But, I also got a new dedicated weapon.”

“Yeah, sounds good. Show it to me next time.”

“I’ll do that!”

However, besides the three existing ones, there is someone who has been given a new specialized weapon.

Since it’s someone Elta knows, it seems he decided to show it to them next time.

Then, Elta continues with the updates.

“Also, Vice Principal Virgo might be a bit persistent.”

“It’s true!”

“Yeah, yeah, it’s always about big brother!”

In response, the student council president, Leone, and council member Tina spoke up.

“She was strict with me, but she is all over Elta!”

“No, it’s not like they’re all over each other, but…”

“Hahaha,” Elta chuckled wryly.

Then, the Vice Captain of the knight order, Celia, followed.

“By the way, the captain really likes El-kun a lot.”

“Ah, the captain might often ask about the workout routine.”

However, Celia’s expression is a bit sulky.

“When it’s the Knights’ time, I can have you all to myself…”

“Huh?”

“N-nothing at all!”

Celia brushed off the words she muttered under her breath.

Fortunately, it seems that Elta didn’t hear it.

Upon hearing such a report, Jura let out a sigh.

“Geez, El really never changes, does he?”

“What do you mean?”

“””Ahahaha!”””

Although he gets caught up in things around him, Elta has surprised people everywhere he goes.

In the meantime, it seems they are gaining status in various places.

Moreover, the girls who work together there also seem to have a close and harmonious relationship.

“Shall we get going now?”

And so, after a brief update, Elta and the others were about to leave.

But in the end, he glanced at the grave.

With a slightly awkward smile.

“Just as I thought, it’s not there…”

In this country, there is a culture of offering flowers when visiting graves.

However, there are only five flowers placed on the grave here now.

What Elta means is that there is no portion for Callum.

To that, Leone added.

“There has never been a time when flowers were placed there.”

“I see.”

However, there’s no need for Elta to be pessimistic.

“Then, searching for him will be tough.”

“Hehe, that’s right.”

It seems that they have no doubt at all that Callum is alive.

Such glimpses of Elta’s true self made those around him naturally smile.

“Mother, we will come again.”

Thus, Elta and the others left their Mother’s grave.

★

That same evening, at a certain underground base.

This is the base of the dark organization──the Cult “Scar.”

“I just got back.”

There, a boy returns home.

With his spiky white hair and an intimidating gaze, he exudes an aura that intimidates those around him.

The face is still youthful, probably around the same age as Elta.

To such a boy, a large man within the base speaks.

“Weren’t you quite late, Callum…”

The name of the boy who returned was──’Callum’.

He is the childhood friend of Elta and the others, and the biological child of the woman who was called “Mother” at the orphanage.

He is currently being treated as missing.

The big man who spoke to Callum continued with a smirk.

“Where the hell have you been?”

“Shut up.”

“Come on, it’s fine, just tell me.”

“…It doesn’t really matter where.”

Callum stubbornly refuses to say where he went.

However, a single “petal” suddenly fluttered down from his hand.

During the day, he might have been dealing with flowers.

The petals seem to be withered and crushed.

Then, Callum returns the cold gaze to the big man.

“More importantly, did the fusion go well?”

“Ah, perfect!”

Then, the big man tightened his arms with fierce strength.

“With this, I can crush that brat! That brat named Elta!”

“…Hmph, then it’s fine.”

The true identity of the big man is──Gorea.

He is the man who tried to have Tina and the receptionist at his beck and call, only to be sent flying by Elta, who had just returned to the surface.

He was originally an A-rank explorer, but after that incident, his qualifications were revoked.

It seems that causing harm to the receptionist was significant.

However, he was supposed to be put in prison after that, yet here he is for some reason.

The dark organization known as “Scar” must have helped him escape.

“I won’t feel satisfied until I punch that guy in the face…!”

“Geez, you’re such a hothead.”

To Callum and Gorea, “the one who sits on the throne” speaks.

“Be quiet. We’re starting the meeting.”

“”…!””

The cold tone of voice naturally makes one feel looked down upon.

Even the once lively Gorea reacted with a start at that voice.

This man seems to be the ‘boss’ of the cult “Scar.”

The boss continued in a cold tone.

“Now, just to confirm, what is our purpose? ──Callum.”

“The Capital Overthrow.”

“That’s right, as expected from the strategist of our cult.”

The purpose of the cult “Scar” is to overthrow the royal capital.

They are trying to control the capital city, where the resources of the entire country are gathered, and obtain everything.

Furthermore, it is said that Callum is the “strategist” of such a cult.

Because he had been gathering strength for a long time, he might not be familiar with the situation in the royal capital.

Callum mentioned the main forces of the royal capital, but a slight smile appeared on his lips.

“Even so, our strength is probably superior.”

“If only we could conduct that many experiments…”

The boss glanced briefly towards the back of the base.

There is a cage where monsters and cult members are mixed together.

However, it seems that the cult members have lost their sanity.

“They are failures, but there are also success stories here. Callum, including you.”

“…Hmm.”

A person in a cage and a person who maintains their sanity.

The difference between the two lies in whether they adapted well to the demon.

Those who maintain their sanity are allowed to live a normal life.

Then, the boss continued to question Callum.

“Then, is the capital conquered now?”

“Not yet. Those are comparable… no, rather, this one requires more attention.”

“Then, what is that true identity?”

“He’s a man named ‘Elta.'”

Callum was peeking at the place where Jura and the other three were having a match.

The magic armor was also attractive, but in the end, it seems the final Elta couldn’t be ignored.

Additionally, rumors about Elta keep coming in one after another.

“Then, what about that Elta?”

“…Huh.”

However, Callum smirks.

“I know him well. Leave him to me.”

“Alright.”

Thus, it seems that the cult “Scar” plan has been decided.

With a sidelong glance at Callum’s nod, the boss boldly declares.

“The execution will be──’three days later,’ at the stroke of midnight.”

“””Whoaaaaa!”””

To that, the members who had been quiet until now all raised their voices at once.

It seems that this underground base is overflowing with personnel.

And then, the boss pointed their hand towards the ground.

“At last, the royal capital will be ours.”

While the preparations on the ground were not yet complete, the cult “Scar” finally made their move──.