Chapter 33: The True Identity of the Street Killer

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Translator: Soafp

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It all happened in an instant.

Just when I thought Belchika's figure had disappeared, I found myself launched several hundred meters above the royal capital.

In the royal capital's plaza, the ground suddenly caved in, and Belchika, Maidol, Christina, and I fell into the depths of an abyss.

So, in order to return to the surface, we entered the dungeon—and for some reason, there was a Sword Saint inside.

“Kuhahahahaha!! Yo, we meet again!!”

“…Why are you here?”

“I've got no idea!! I chased the slasher into a waterway, got sucked into some weird hole, and when I came to, I was here!!”

…Uh-huh.

“So that means the slasher is somewhere in this dungeon?”

“Yeah!! Actually, that thing lying over there was the slasher's real identity!! Took me a lot of effort to smash it!!”

The Sword Saint pointed at the golem lying in the middle of the passage.

Oh, so you're the one who broke this golem.

Wait, hold on. The slasher's true identity is a golem guarding the dungeon?

“I see, that makes sense.”

While looking at the golem's remains together with Belchika, Maidol nodded as if something had clicked for her.

Looks like she figured something out.

“This golem appears to have a magic formula installed to attack intruders. However, I found an anomaly in its designated movement range.”

“Its movement range?”

“Yes. It seems to recognize armed enemies nearby and attacks them. Most likely, it wandered into the capital through the hole Gamlan came through and attacked people.”

Now that she mentions it, Gal did say the slasher targeted adventurers, soldiers, and knights, so ordinary civilians weren't harmed.

Adventurers, soldiers, knights…

They all carry weapons all the time. That checks out.

But wait. Something doesn't add up.

“Hold on. If that's true, why did slasher incidents start only recently?”

If Maidol's explanation is correct, the incidents should've happened much earlier.

That's when—

“I think… it might be my fault…”

Belchika nervously raised her hand, looking extremely reluctant to speak.

Huh? What do you mean?

“This golem seems to have been activated by reacting to the magic power from my holy sword…”

“…The timing of the slasher incidents matches when exchange students arrived from the Hero Academy—at least that's what my friend said…”

“I—I'm really sorry!!”

“Apologizing isn't necessary.”

It's not like she did it on purpose.

Besides, every victim that got slashed got healed by my Slash Heal anyway, so it's not her fault.

…Still.

“Maidol, Belchika—you two sure know a lot about golems.”

“W-Well, you know… I just like dungeons, that's all!!”

“For me, it is simply part of a maid's education…”

“I see.”

Wow, maids are amazing.

“Anyway, you shorty over there!! You're strong!! Fight me!! Then give me your head!!”

“…?”

“Yeah, you!! The one with the shiny golden sword!!”

“Are you talking about me? I'm not short!! …Well, I guess compared to kids my age I am a little short, but still!”

“Doesn't matter!! Fight me!! If you won't come, I'll go to you myself, shorty!!”

A vein popped on Belchika's forehead.

Looks like Belchika is sensitive about her height. Being called short by the Sword Saint was a big no-no.

Blood sprayed all over the passage, forming countless pools of it.

“Kuhahahahaha!! You're strong for someone who looks so tiny!! Didn't think I'd lose!!”

“…You're pretty weak for someone who looks so muscular.”

“Being weak just means I've got room to grow stronger!! Kuhahaha!!”

Very positive thinker.

If we leave the Sword Saint with all his bones snapped like that, he's going to die, so I'll heal him for now.

Huh? He's not as injured as I expected.

His bones are cracked, but the injury isn't nearly as bad as it looked.

Maybe Belchika held back a bit, considering the situation.

“The genius that I am has realized something!!”

“Wah—don't suddenly shout!! You scared me!!”

“Hey, No-Face!!”

“…Do you need something from me?”

“Team up with me!!”

Team up… with the Sword Saint?

“Don't tell me you're thinking something like ‘if No-Face heals me I can fight endlessly'?”

“Wrong!! My idea is even more genius!!”

“That statement doesn't sound genius at all… So what are you planning to do by teaming up with No-Face?”

“First, I slice up someone strong!! Then you heal them!! Then I slice them up again!! That way I can endlessly slice strong guys!! That's the plan!!”

Yep, he's terrifying.

Belchika seemed to think the same, staring at him with a cold expression.

“I don't have time to deal with someone this insane. Let's hurry and find the teleportation circle in the deepest part of the dungeon so we can return to the surface.”

“Oh? You wanna go to the deepest part?”

“…Yes. You can come along if you want.”

“I've been lost here for days!! I know the way to the deepest layer!!”

“You could've told us earlier?”

“You didn't ask!! Kuhahaha!!”

And so, with the Sword Saint guiding us, we managed to reach the dungeon's deepest area.

Standing in the deepest chamber—

A single golem stood before the door that likely led to the teleportation circle.

It was about three meters tall, pure white, and strangely sci-fi looking.

Whoa, that looks cool.

It looks just like the main robot from that anime I liked back in my previous life.

“That is the Guardian that protects the dungeon's deepest point.”

“That thing is the enemy I challenged dozens of times and could never beat!!”

“But with Christina-sama here, I would prefer to avoid danger if possible.”

“Mmnn… No-Face-samaaa… dun lick me thereee… mmnyaa…”

I wonder what kind of dream Christina is having.

Still, Maidol is right—fighting while protecting Christina is dangerous.

If only there were a way around it. …Ah.

“What about going back out through the hole the Sword Saint fell through?”

“Hah? I smashed that thing shut. Water kept pouring out and was annoying.”

“What is wrong with you!?”

Hmm. Looks like we have no choice but to defeat that robot to move forward.