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 25: The Last Conversation

“I’m so tired~”

Elta slumped over the bar counter as if melting.

Three days after visiting the grave.

The surroundings are already starting to get dark.

He’s a slightly late return from work.

“What even is a test? I still can’t tell the difference between bugs and monsters.”

It seems that the reason for the delay was that he was creating a test.

Next to such Elta, the bar owner placed a drink.

“Huh? Did I ask for it?”

“It’s from that customer over there.”

In the direction the shopkeeper pointed, there was a man wearing a black hood sitting.

Although he is hiding his face, the man waves lightly and calls out.

“Hmm, is it okay?”

“Here you go. Also, thank you for the drink.”

“It’s no problem. It’s just a small farewell gift.”

“?”

(Is it a rice cracker?)

Not understanding the meaning of a farewell gift, Elta tilts his head.

However, since it was vanilla juice, which Elta had liked since childhood, he gratefully accepted it.

“I really like this!”

“Was that so? I kind of thought so.”

“Wow, that’s amazing!”

Just as Elta gulped down his drink in one go, the man spoke up again.

“So, the instructor at the academy is having a tough time?”

“I’m sorry, you heard me.”

“No way, not at all. There’s no one else here but us.”

As the man said, the bar is empty.

Excluding the shopkeeper, it’s a space just for the two of them.

“You don’t look very serious, but you’re doing your best as a lecturer?”

“Yeah, I know. I don’t understand why it turned out this way either.”

Elta became a lecturer amidst various involvements.

Still, at heart, he’s a good guy.

He’s doing his best for the sake of the cute academy students.

“But you look like you love the capital.”

“That’s right!”

In response to the man’s words, Elta nodded cheerfully.

“I want to stay here forever, and I hope we can all spend a long time together here!”

“Oh, then, that’s quite something.”

“Don’t you like the capital?”

“…Well, I liked it… I guess.”

Elta raised an eyebrow at the fact that the man’s words were in the past tense.

However, the man continued as he was.

“That’s why I want to change the capital city to my liking.”

“Wow, that’s cool!”

“Haa. Right?”

In the situation where they had already started to hit it off, Elta casually mentioned.

“It feels like we’ve met somehow before.”

“Hah. Me too.”

“I knew it!”

Then, Elta decided to ask boldly.

“Is it better not to ask for names and such?”

“Ah, sorry, that’s a bit…”

“No, no, I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I really messed this up.”

The man pulls the hood even deeper.

As expected from his appearance, it seems he is avoiding showing himself to others.

In response, the man gave a faint smile to Elta, who didn’t think deeply about things.

“Then, shouldn’t you be more suspicious of people?”

“Ahaha, I get told that a lot.”

“For example, what if there were sleeping pills in the drink from earlier?”

“Eh.”

It’s probably about the vanilla juice that the man gave to Elta.

However, Elta laughed and waved his hand dismissively.

“You wouldn’t do something like that, right?”

“Even though it’s our first meeting, you’re being trusted quite a lot. Aren’t you a bit naive?”

“Aha, you’re right! I’ll have to be more careful next time!”

“Next time?”

While the lively conversation continues, Elta chooses a topic in his mind.

(I can’t exactly talk about the cult “Scar”…)

And that was another purpose of the conversation.

“Recently, I’ve been looking for someone.”

“Oh?”

“He’s my childhood friend, but he’s been missing for a long time.”

“…That’s quite alarming.”

The man’s reaction was somewhat slow, but Elta continued without caring.

“Right? But I believe he is still alive.”

“What’s the basis?”

“Because, you know… I’m well aware of that guy’s tenacity…”

“…Oh.”

Then, Elta began to nostalgically talk about his time at the orphanage.

“Even in tag, he never gives up. Even when we say it’s over, he keeps playing until mealtime.”

“He just doesn’t give up?”

“That’s right.”

It’s probably about Callum.

Regarding him, Elta will talk about what he was thinking once again.

“Indeed, our Mother passed away, but I wonder what he was thinking at that time.”

“…!”

“Maybe, I wonder if he hasn’t given up because he can’t accept it.”

“…That would be interesting.”

Hearing such a story, this time the man asks a question.

“So, what will you do if you meet that guy?”

“I’m going to give him a good talking-to. He’s late!”

“Hmm. Then──”

Then, this time, he asked another question.

“If that guy has turned to evil… what will you do?”

“Uh, well…”

It was a thought-provoking question, but Elta answered as usual.

“I’ll listen to him. But only after I punch him once!”

“Hahaha, that’s funny. That’s so like you.”

And then, Elta checks the time and gasps.

Perhaps they really hit it off, as time seemed to fly by.

“It’s already this late. I’m heading out first since I have to go to the academy tomorrow.”

“Ah, it was fun. In the end… we got to talk.”

“In the end? Let’s talk again! Next time, take off the hood, okay?”

“Aha, if I feel like it.”

Without further ado, Elta settled the bill and left the store.

After a little while, the man glared at the shopkeeper.

“As expected, the owner of a place like this is good at keeping a poker face.”

“Please! Just save my daughter’s life!”

It seems the shopkeeper was being threatened by a man in a hood.

It seems to be to create an opportunity to have a conversation with Elta and set a trap.

And thus, the goal was achieved…

“I’m not doing anything. Here, take the money.”

“Huh…?”

Therefore, the man leaves the store without making a move.

Leaving behind ambiguous words.

“Since everything is going to end today anyway.”

And then, the man smirks and mutters.

While watching the direction Elta went.

“Tomorrow won’t come, Elta.”

What emerged from the hood was the figure of his childhood friend, Callum.

★

A little time has passed, and it’s now the change of date.

This is right above the “Royal Capital Knights Order” base.

“──Ugh!”

Illuminated by the stars floating in the night sky, a shadow appears.

“””──Ugh!”””

In the next moment, the shadows multiplied all at once, five, ten, twenty.

Everyone is wrapped in similar hoods, and a common mark is engraved on their shoulders.

It’s the mark of the cult “Scar”.

“Is that the Royal Capital Knights Order?”

“Is it okay to break it!?”

“Hehehe, I can’t wait to do it!”

The Scar members raise their voices as they please.

Seeing that situation, the leader at the front of the squad was at a loss.

“Do these guys not know how to move stealthily…?”

But that quickly turned into an evil grin.

“If we’re going to destroy everything anyway, then why not?”

They are the advance party of “Scar.”

It’s a destruction unit that ravages the town, making it easier for the main camp to cause chaos later.

“Alright, you guys.”

The man in charge suddenly raises his hand.

At the same time, the noisy bunch behind took their stances all at once.

“Go for it!”

“””Whoaaa!”””

──At that moment, from below… a massive gust of wind rises up.

“””Gwaaaaaahhhhhh!”””

“W-What is it!?”

The advance team, which was about to carry out the destruction, suddenly came under simultaneous attack for some reason.

The direction is from the knight’s base.

When the instructor quickly turned his gaze, there stood a sturdy man.

“Still can’t match Elta-sama’s wind pressure? I need to increase my strength training.”

“””…!”””

Even “Scar” opens their eyes wide at that man.

As someone living in the royal capital, there is no one who does not know him.

“Are you the infamous cult?”

“””…!”””

With a swift motion, the man positioned his large sword in front of him and stepped onto the ground.

Just that makes the ground lightly tremble, and a sense of intimidation comes through.

That atmosphere is truly that of an absolute guardian protecting the royal capital.

“Then, I shall become the shield of the royal capital.”

What appeared was──the “Captain” of the Royal Capital Knights Order, Schwa.

★

Furthermore, at the same time.

In front of the Royal Capital Etoile Academy.

“Artillery unit, take your positions!”

A squad similar to the “Scar” that appeared in the knight order was about to launch an attack.

──However, it was interrupted at the last moment.

“””Gwaaaaaaahhhhhh!”””

“What!?”

Something that made a whistling sound attacked Scar’s unit.

It’s hard to see due to the darkness, but as they get closer to the squad, their figure becomes clearer.

“Don’t underestimate the Vice Principal’s dark side. At this hour, she’s usually working without a care.”

“””…Ugh!”””

With a crack, the sound of a whip striking the ground can be heard.

At the same time, Scar’s group finally spotted her.

The person who was there is famous in various ways.

“I’ll punish the naughty kids. No, wait──”

Wearing a black bodysuit, she stuck out her tongue playfully.

“I’ll train you.”

The one who appeared was the demon Vice Principal──Virgo.

───────────────────────

Afterword

To seize the royal capital, the cult “Scar” suddenly launched an attack.

Captain Schwa and Vice Principal Virgo happened to be there and fought back!

The Royal Capital Defense Battle begins here!

(It seems like Elta-kun has been set up somehow, but what will happen…?)