“We’ll Definitely Come Back to Save You!” — It’s Been Three Years Since I Was Left in the Most Difficult Dungeon, Isn’t It About Time for Help to Arrive...? - 50-51

Chapter 50: Black Dragon Is a Mouthful… Ah, That’s Right!

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Just when I thought I’d run into some mysterious girl trying to sell herself to me, I realized it was all my own fault. With great reluctance, I accepted the free-spirited problem child of Niflheim—the Black Dragon, Blightwyrm—as my new subordinate, and began our retreat to Niflheim under her guidance.

“…Strangers after strangers popping one after another… And they’re all girls too… Athos, what kind of life have you even been living these past three years…?”

Midi stared daggers at me, equal parts suspicion and exasperation.

“No, seriously, I was just coexisting and surviving in the dungeon. That’s it. And honestly, I only met one of them for the first time today myself…”

“But you were getting along, right…? You even talked about making some kind of contract…”

“Stop! Don’t bring up the contract! I only just realized—if the rest of Niflheim finds out I’ve been giving special treatment to these two, they’re definitely gonna start yelling about how it’s ‘unfair’…!”

If that shattered the friendships I’d built over three years and they turned on me… A tragic death at the hands of my own comrades would not be out of the question. And if I went around contracting with everyone in Niflheim to keep things fair, that’d just make me exactly the “Demon Lord” everyone in the guild’s been whispering about.

I couldn’t let this spiral into a self-fulfilling prophecy. If I wanted to make it back to town alive, I had to keep the whole contract thing under wraps at all costs…!

“Athos~? Could you stop shaking so much? If you fall, I’m not catching you, okay~?”

“Ah… Sorry, I didn’t realize I was freaking out. I’ll stay still like you said.”

Right now, we were en route to Niflheim, carried by none other than Blightwyrm. Since she no longer had her dragon form, she was carrying me in her arms, while Hel and Midi dangled below.

“If you’ve got time to complain, maybe try flying faster? It was a much smoother ride on the way there. You’ve definitely gotten worse in your human form.”

“Shut it, you damn NEET! I will slam you into the nearest cliff, you know!?”

“…Wouldn’t that take us down with her too? Are we gonna be okay…?”

“Don’t worry, Midi. If we die, we die together.”

“Oi, Hel! Don’t just decide to drag others down with you! And Blightwyrm, don’t go rising to her bait so easily either!”

“Yeees, Master~”

Hel gave her usual sassy reply, while Blightwyrm silently stared at me as she flapped her wings, clearly deep in thought.

“…What? Something wrong?”

“You keep calling me ‘Black Dragon Blightwyrm’ over and over… It sounds super awkward. I want a human-like name too, like that girl over there.”

“Then maybe stop calling me ‘that girl,’ thank you very much?”

“…Well, yeah, I guess it does feel a bit formal. And it is a mouthful.”

“Then why don’t we all come up with a name for her?” 

Midi suggested, her eyes lighting up.

“Ooh! I love it! That sounds like a fun way to kill time till we get to the dungeon. Come on, think something up for me!”

“W-Wait, hold on, I’m really bad at this kind of thing…”

“Whoever doesn’t submit an idea gets dropped from this height, okay?”

“I-I will do my absolute best!”

And so, the ‘Name Brainstorming Contest’ began—with three contestants and one very judgmental special judge.

“First up—Midi’s turn…!”

“Wow, you’re quick! So, what’s my name?”

“Umm… how about… ‘Kuro’…? Your wings are black, so it fits the image, right?”

“That’s so lazy! That’s the kind of name people give to their dogs! Put more thought into it!”

“Then what about ‘Kuro-tan’? It’s got a cute ring to it.”

“It sounds even more like a dog name!!”

“At this rate, why not just call her ‘Doggo’? Honestly, it suits her.”

“Shut up! And stop with the dog names already!!”

Blightwyrm flailed her wings in outrage, face beet red. It was too funny, and the three of us couldn’t help egging her on.

“Alright, then how about ‘Mop’?”

“Where are you even looking!? Look at this silky hair! How is this a mop!?”

“You’re being all pouty and fussy, soooo… ‘Pouty-pout’? Or maybe ‘Punpunmaru’?”

“Do you even know whose fault it is that I’m fussy!? And what’s with adding ‘maru’ at the end like a kid’s anime character!?”

Why does this dragon always give the perfect reactions…? T

he naming contest quickly devolved into a comedy roast session, and the final name suggestions included:

“Burnt Squid!”

“Charcoal…”

“Test Subject No. 7.”

“Hey!? Where did any of my traits go!? I’m not even an animal anymore! That’s it, I’m dropping you! 3… 2…!”

“W-Wait—! I’m sorry! I’ll come up with something for real! Just don’t drop me!!”

And so, I racked my brain in true desperation. Just before she let go, I had a flash of inspiration—and my suggestion, “Lazuli,” was finally accepted.

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Chapter 51: Toward the Fated Stage

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Having just finished naming the former Black ]Dragon, Blightwyrm—now called Lazuli—our bodies, swaying in the wind, gradually descended toward the ground… Toward the fated stage.

“…Niflheim…”

What awaited us where we gently landed was a majestic gate standing with imposing dignity. Three years ago—we had challenged the unexplored dungeon that lay beyond it. The result had been a retreat, despite reaching the deepest floor. Back then, we had left behind an important companion.

Why hadn’t we gone back to save them? Why had we assumed they were dead? Now, anger welled up within me at the foolish decision I’d once made.

But this time, I won’t make that same mistake… I’ve even developed a technique for times like this… This time, for sure…!

Taking the lead, I pushed open the heavy, solid gate with effort, raised my staff, and slowly began to walk forward.

“…!”

The interior hadn’t changed at all from when we last visited three years ago. No—if anything, the monsters’ presence felt even more intense than it had back then.

“But it’s okay… Athos, don’t worry… I’ll never leave you alone—”

Just as I turned around to reassure him, the three of them casually passed by me, hands swinging, without the slightest sign of caution or restraint.

“Haah… In the end, we’ve ended up back here again.”

“Seriously… Who was it that said ‘We’ll never set foot in this place again!’ before we left?”

“That was you. Y-O-U. Honestly…”

“…Huh? Huh…? Huh…?”

Confusion overtook my tension. Even though we were already inside Niflheim, Athos and the others didn’t so much as draw their weapons—or even clench a fist. That wasn’t all. Even though monsters should’ve noticed our intrusion, not a single one attacked. Just a moment ago, a monster had come right up next to Athos but passed by him like it was the most natural thing in the world.

W-What’s going on…? This is… really inside Niflheim, right…?

While I was lost in confusion, the three of them continued to chat casually, not bothering to ready themselves for combat.

“…Now that I think about it, I was used as a flying ride and got nothing out of it in the end. Athos, you better thank me later.”

“Sorry, but I don’t have the luxury for that right now. Once we get back to town, I’ll do whatever you want—so please be patient until then.”

“You said it, okay? Then I’ll be expecting a nice treat—maybe some grilled skewers?”

“Ugh, you saw that? Creepy…”

“It’s not like I wanted to see it! I just happened to catch a glimpse while flying! …Actually, I think the ones fooling around where people could see are more at fault.”

“I agree.”

“Ehh!? Master, aren’t you supposed to be on my side!? You were enjoying it so much!”

“I don’t even remember the taste. Actually, I’m trying to erase that memory as we speak.”

“What!? Why!?”

“Because it was embarrassing!!! …Next time, think about the time and place. If you do, I’ll take you out as many times as you want.”

“…Mmm. Fine. I’ll prioritize quantity over quality this time.”

“Yeah, please do that.”

“Hellooo? I thought we agreed you’d be thanking me, remember?”

“I know, I know. I’ll take everyone, so don’t worry.”

“Then I’ll relax.”

“That’s good.”

Faced with the three of them carrying on their banter in this situation, I was completely at a loss for words. This was the Den of Calamity—just making it out alive the first time had been close to a miracle…

“H-Hey… Athos… Are you okay…? You’re not, like, losing it from fear, right…?”

“Hm? What are you talking about?”

Athos responded in his usual tone, as if nothing was wrong. Just as I was struggling to find a way to respond—a bone-chilling roar echoed from behind us.

“Athos! Something’s coming…!”

I immediately tightened my slackened guard and focused my magic forward, preparing for the hand of evil lurking in the dark. Even so, I was still an adventurer. My instincts hadn’t failed me.

“WOOOOOOOON!”

“That howl…!?”

I remembered it. Three years ago—it had blocked our path to the mid-levels again and again, cloaked in a cold aura even my top-ranked magic at the time couldn’t melt. A monster that had been undefeated even by the Guild’s standard.

“…The Frost Wolf, Glacial Wolf…!”

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