"I've wanted to see you…for so long, Eugy-kun." (Sumire)
Sumire hugged me tightly.
She seemed a little taller than before, her head reached higher than it used to.
"…Me too, Sumire." (Eugene)
I wrapped my arms around her back and pulled her close.
Her body is warm.
It was a familiar trait of Sumire's race, an Ifrit. Her body temperature rises when her emotions run high.
"Eugene-kun! I'm so glad you made it back safely!"
The voice belonged to Isolde-san who had been watching me earlier.
Of course, it has been three years since we last met.
"It's been a while. I managed to make it back somehow." (Eugene)
"You look well, and that's the most important thing. …I hate to bring this up right after your return, but we have no idea what condition the Zenith Tower is in. I'd like you to report to Claire-sama first, if that's alright with you? We'll begin our investigation of the 1st Floor." (Isolde)
"Isolde-san!? Eugy—Eugene-kun just returned from the sealed Zenith Tower! Can't this wait until after he's had a bit of rest…?" (Sumire)
"No, it's something that needs to be done. I'll go see Claire-san now. It's safe if you are only going to the lower levels. So, where is Claire-san now…?" (Eugene)
I quickly looked around.
The scenery had changed a lot.
There were fewer buildings, and fewer people.
This wasn't the Dungeon City I remembered.
(Has the city lost its energy…?) (Eugene)
Maybe it was just my imagination.
"I'll guide you there, Eugy-kun! Is that okay, Commander Isolde?" (Sumire)
"Yes, you're the best person for the job. I entrust the task of escorting Eugene-kun to the First Knight to you, Sumire-kun." (Isolde)
"Yes! Sashiogi Sumire of the Flower Crown Knights, reporting for duty!" (Sumire)
Sumire placed a hand on her chest and struck a pose.
(The Flower Crown Knights… That's the name of the order Isolde-san commands. So Sumire's a member now.) (Eugene)
"This way, Eugy-kun!" (Sumire)
I walked through the familiar streets of the Dungeon City, following Sumire's lead.
What was supposed to be a catch-up session quickly turned into a barrage of questions as we walked.
"Hey, Eugy-kun, how did you survive in the Zenith Tower? You didn't have any camping gear with you, right?" (Sumire)
"I hunted the dungeon monsters for food…and I slept on safe Floors like the 100th or 200th where no monsters spawn. The elevator system wasn't working, so moving around was rough." (Eugene)
By the way, Rita-san -the angel in charge of the 100th Floor- had evacuated to the Divine Realm.
Same with the 200th Floor.
Now that the Zenith Tower is back to normal, they should be returning soon.
I haven't seen Rita-san in three years either.
"The elevator wasn't working!?" (Sumire)
Sumire cried out in surprise.
"The entire dungeon was wrecked by the Red Dragon. The Dungeon Master spent all this time sealing it off and restoring it. I was mainly his bodyguard. That guy couldn't stay still for a second, so it was tough."
"You were with the Dungeon Master the whole time…?" (Sumire)
"Yeah, during the peak of the Red Dragon's rampage, I wouldn't have survived alone. So we stuck together most of the time. Once the seal stabilized, we moved separately more often. The Dungeon Master checked each Floor for cracks in the seal, and she only just finished going through them all a moment ago." (Eugene)
"I-I see… You went through a lot…" (Sumire)
"Yeah… I really did." (Eugene)
Looking back, it's been a long time.
Even Anemoi Babel, the Dungeon Master with a lifespan far beyond humans, said it was "the hardest three years of my life."
So I probably wasn't imagining how hard it had been.
In her case, though, it was partly her own fault for what happened.
Now that the Red Dragon has been fully expelled, the Dungeon Master is likely asleep in her room on the 1000th Floor.
She hasn't slept in three years.
(Well, I couldn't sleep for the first year myself.) (Eugene)
That time was honestly hell.
Just the two of us, the Dungeon Master and I, enduring in silence.
Without angelification, I don't think I'd have lasted mentally.
Physically, I would've been worse off.
When I shared this, Sumire's face tensed.
Since I couldn't talk about becoming an angel, I think she assumed I was half-joking.
We arrived at our destination as we reminisced.
"This is…" (Eugene)
Sumire brought me to the Dungeon Alliance building.
"This used to be the headquarters of the Dungeon Guild. Since it was dissolved, it's now the base of the Union Knights." (Sumire)
"Union Knights?" (Eugene)
"They're a vigilante group formed by the former Twelve Knights to protect the city. Half of them were killed by the Red Dragon, so the remaining ones regrouped into the Union Knights." (Sumire)
"…I see." (Eugene)
Three years ago, I was sealed away in the Zenith Tower without knowing the extent of the Red Dragon's destruction.
The Twelve Knights, guardians of the Dungeon City, were half wiped out…
"Excuse us! Claire-san, are you here!?" (Sumire)
Sumire cheerfully opened the door.
The hall that used to be bustling with adventurers was now nearly empty.
A few people who looked like adventurers remained.
About half were drunk.
Some were even lying on the floor.
It was a place filled with a sense of decay.
Seeing Sumire act like it was nothing meant this has become normal.
Even the front desk had hardly any staff.
One of the bored-looking receptionists came over.
"Sumire-san, if you're looking for Claire-sama, I believe she's in her office on the second floor, but without an appointment… ......…Eh?"
The receptionist froze when she saw my face.
It was someone I knew.
So I spoke first.
"It's been a while, Amarilis-san." (Eugene)
"E-E-Eugene-san!? No way!! Is it really you!?" (Amarilis)
She used to be my personal handler at the Dungeon Alliance.
"It's really me. Anyway, we'll be heading to Claire-san's office now, okay?" (Sumire)
"O-Of course! If Eugene-san is back, that means the Zenith Tower…" (Amarilis)
"The seal's been lifted. You can enter now. Isolde-san is investigating it as we speak." (Sumire)
"Understood!! I'll inform the other members!" (Amarilis)
"Thanks! Let's go, Eugy-kun." (Sumire)
"Right. So Amarilis-san joined the Knights too, huh?" (Eugene)
I assumed she left the city after the guild was dissolved.
"Amarilis-san handles knight-related work requests now. Escort missions for merchants and such. But she's been saying there hasn't been much work… I bet she's happy the Zenith Tower is open again." (Sumire)
"I see… That's good to hear." (Eugene)
It was nice seeing a familiar face again.
In the Tower, my only company had been monsters and the Dungeon Master.
We climbed the stairs to the second floor.
The room at the far end was supposedly Captain Claire's office.
Knock knock! Sumire knocked on the door.
"Who is it?"
"Sumire from the Flower Crown Knights. I've come with an urgent matter." (Sumire)
"Urgent, huh… Alright, come in." (Claire)
"Excuse us!" (Sumire)
I followed Sumire into the room.
Claire-san was looking over documents at her desk.
She seemed busy and didn't glance up right away.
"If it's something truly important, then I'd expect Captain Isolde-kun herself to come… Sumire-kun, what is this urgent-" (Claire)
She looked up and froze, just like Amarilis-san had earlier.
No, her eyes widened even more than Amarilis' had.
"It's been a while, Claire-" (Eugene)
"EUGENE-KUN!!!!!!" (Claire)
In an instant, Claire-san was at my side, gripping both my shoulders tightly.
It kind of hurts.
"I just got back moments ago." (Eugene)
"…I'm so glad. I can't believe you were trapped in the Zenith Tower for three years… I've lost count of how many times I wished I'd gone in your place…" (Claire)
Her voice and shoulders were trembling.
She must've been extremely worried.
(Claire-san… You've lost some weight…) (Eugene)
She had once been the young and beautiful "Sword of the King" of the Dungeon City.
She barely held the city together after Principal Uther vanished.
I can't imagine the burden she has undertaken.
Even though she looked haggard, seeing her tear up at my return made me hold back any unnecessary words.
After that, Sumire and I explained the situation.
The Zenith Tower was no longer sealed and had returned to its role as the Last Dungeon, rejecting no one.
The Trial of Gods shouldn't be a problem now…once the angels like Rita-san return.
"I understand the situation. Thank you for the report, Sumire-kun. And Eugene-kun, let me say again… I'm truly happy to see you once more." (Claire)
"Likewise. I'm glad to be back." (Eugene)
"You'll rest for today, right? Sumire-kun, could you show him to one of the available rooms? If you say it's for the First Knight—" (Claire)
"Thank you for the offer, but I still have a place I have to go to after this." (Eugene)
When I said that, Claire-san gave a wry smile.
"You're always in such a rush. Well, if you ever need help with anything, feel free to ask." (Claire)
Grateful for her kind words, I thanked her and left the room.
(Alright… Time to go.) (Eugene)
I stretched lightly.
Feeling someone's gaze, I looked to my side and saw Sumire staring at me with a look that said she had something on her mind.
"Sumire?" (Eugene)
"You're not forgetting to visit Eri-san, huh~? I was ready to remind you just in case." (Sumire)
"Forgetting would be…terrifying." (Eugene)
"Hmmm…" (Sumire)
She fell silent after that.
…This is awkward.
Still, she followed behind me, so it seems she is coming along.
From what I heard earlier, she has been learning magic from Eri while I was gone, so I don't think their relationship is bad.
It's been a while since I last came to the 7th Sealed Prison.
And it's also been a while since the first stage of the seal needed to be lifted.
What was the chant again? As I tried to recall…
Knock knock
Sumire knocked on the door of the Sealed Prison.
…Creeeaaak
The door opened slightly.
"Eugy-kun, let's go." (Sumire)
"Ah, yeah…" (Eugene)
Wait, what did Sumire just do?
Did she unlock the first stage of the seal…just by knocking?
Even I can't do that…
Sumire's barrier magic has reached a completely different level from three years ago.
We descended the dark staircase and walked through the underground prison filled with miasma and spirits.
We reached the very back, to the Demon Lord's room.
"Eri-san, I brought him." (Sumire)
"Hurry up and come in."
The door opened by itself.
(…What?)
Just now, Sumire did absolutely nothing.
The one who opened the door…was probably Eri.
(Is the seal on Eri…already broken?) (Eugene)
If I remember correctly, the seal on the 7th Prison was maintained periodically by Principal Uther.
But now that Principal Uther is gone…
"What's wrong, Eugy-kun? Let's go." (Sumire)
"Y-Yeah, let's go." (Eugene)
I nervously followed behind Sumire.
To the underground cell where the Demon Lord Erinyes -who was supposed to be sealed- was held.
"You're late."
Erinyes, the Fallen Angel Demon Lord who once ruled the entire South Continent a thousand years ago.
A beautiful fallen angel with silver hair like a shooting star and jet-black wings.
She sat on the bed with her legs crossed, crimson eyes like rubies piercing straight into me.
Stunned by her beauty and overwhelming presence, I paused for a moment…
"Eugy-kun, go~!☆" (Sumire)
Sumire pushed me from behind.
"Wha-!? Sumire!?" (Eugene)
As I stumbled forward…
"Come now." (Eri)
Eri grabbed my arm and pushed me down onto the bed.
…Aren't these two a little too coordinated?
I stared up at the ceiling of Eri's room. First time seeing it in three years.
Eri and Sumire leaned over me, both wearing sadistic smiles.
"Hey, Sumire. Doesn't it annoy you how calm he is after three years?" (Eri)
"Right~? I've been feeling all hot for a while now, and Eugy-kun's just as cool as ever." (Sumire)
"Let's strip him." (Eri)
"Roger that~☆" (Sumire)
"W-Wait a-" (Eugene)
""Wait? We won't.""
They said it in perfect sync.
Their coordination is way too good!?
"Eugene♡"
"Eugy-kun♡"
Their eyes…were like predators staring at their prey.
After three years, I reunited with Eri and Sumire.
And the two of them ravaged me.
◇
"By the way, Eugene, did you get a bit taller? You've also put on some muscle." (Eri)
"Really? I don't think his height changed… But yeah, I guess he is more muscular than before." (Sumire)
Eri and Sumire were making small talk.
…You two just did whatever you wanted with my body, and now you're casually chatting?
(Well… I guess it can't be helped.) (Eugene)
I left them alone for three years.
That's on me.
Our reunion was a bit intense, but I'm glad they're both doing well.
Then, I asked something that had been on my mind.
"By the way, where are Sara and Airi? They're not in the Dungeon City?" (Eugene)
If they were, Sumire would've shown me to them.
So I figured the two of them must have returned to their home countries.
"..........."
"..........."
Sumire's expression darkened.
Even Eri looked uncomfortable.
Huh?
Did I ask something wrong?
…I don't think so, but…
"Sumire? Eri?" (Eugene)
I asked again.
It was Sumire who spoke up.
"Eugy-kun… I want you to stay calm while I tell you this." (Sumire)
"…Did something happen?" (Eugene)
Could it be that Sara and Airi had a falling out?
I need to know what happened during the three years we were apart.
But…
What Sumire said next was something I never expected.
Because I assumed it was the one thing that wouldn't happen.
It took me a moment to even grasp the meaning of her words.
"Right now, the Grandflare Empire and the joint forces of the Holy Union and the Blue Waters Federation…are at war." (Sumire)
Sumire said it in a low, pained voice.