212 Returning Home
After getting changed in a makeshift dressing room, one for boys and one for the girls, I walked over to the dungeon core and looked at it. “Appraisal!”
[Dungeon Core]
[Goblin Dungeon Number: XRTDS72651]
[First Boss: Orc Bruiser]: Defeated
[Second Boss: Goblin Shaman]: Defeated
[Third Boss: Goblin Chief] Defeated
[Final Boss: Goblin Ancient] Defeated
[Break core to clear dungeon….]
Seeing the instructions, I raised my hand that had transformed into a dragon’s claw and thrust it down onto the core.
<strong>*Bang!*</strong>
<strong>*Crack!*</strong>
I watched as the core began to break into large and small shards. I was not going to just leave them around either. I quickly gathered them up. “Boss a magic circle!”
I turned to see Hailey pointing to the center of the room. I quickly stored away all the shards and walked over to the magic circle, and sighed in relief when I saw it was a normal teleport circle. “It will teleport us to the first floor. We can finally go home!”
“We are going home, everyone!!” Steven yelled out. This was followed by more cheers. I lost track of time a long time ago. I have forgotten how many days we have been down here, a month, maybe more. But I can say this. It was definitely worth it.
We all gathered into the magic circle, and after applying a bit of magic to it, our surroundings changed, and we found ourselves back at the main entrance and surrounded by knights. “Who goes there!?”
“Hold it!” A familiar voice rang out. “Adel! Faith! You are all safe!”
I watched as Lance pushed his way through the knights with tears in his eyes. “You are safe….”
“We have returned, Brother,” Adel replied with a smile as she stepped forward and hugged Lance. They may bicker and fight every now and then, but they were still brother and sister and cared about each other.
“Spluurgie!” A small blue object suddenly slammed into my chest. I looked at the familiar blue blob and smiled while hugging it. “Good work Mr. Blobs. Go and have a rest with your companions.” I recalled all my slimes, including Mr. Blobs, to allow him to have a rest.
“It is good you are all safe….” Instructor Telive made his way over. He was slightly skinnier than before. But he was alive and well.
“It’s good that you are still safe. I hope I gave you all enough food.” I said with a smile.
“Yes. The girls and boys you saved are also doing well. You have my thanks. It is only because of you sending food to us through Honorable Mr. Blobs did we have a chance of survival. The instructor you stopped time for has already been arrested along with the female instructor who hid.” Telive reported. I nodded my head. I could understand. Neglecting your duties and hiding instead of trying to protect the examinees and making the right call during a crisis deserved some form of punishment. These things should have been done without an examinee stepping in to fill in their roles.
“As long as things are okay now.” I replied with a smile. But then Lance cut in with a serious expression.
“The students you trapped in the barrier all died. They were all from higher nobles, and now their families are looking for an explanation. Father has held them off, but we do not know how long we can hold them off for.” Lance explained.
“Huh? What does it matter if they died or not!? Those bastards were here to harass my friends and me, those I find important to me. They beat up Grace for no reason! Plus, it’s not like I meant for them to die in there. I have no idea how long I have been down in that dungeon, but I originally only wanted them to fail the test. But since we got locked in, I couldn’t release the barrier spell. Circumstances did not allow it. If they wish to cause trouble, let them try. I will destroy everything they hold dear!” I did feel bad for them dying. But at the same time, they were following in their parents’ footsteps and becoming nobles who thought they could do whatever they wanted because of their status. I may be only a lowly Barron, but that did not matter to me. What mattered was the fact that I only cared about the people close to me and the kingdom itself. Not the people who sit upon their throne looking down on the lower class because of a so called title.
“I suddenly want to go get lost in a dungeon again,” I said with a long sigh. I had forgotten about the stupid politics and the crap I was dealing with before I dove into the dungeon.
“Boss, we will go with you!” Steven held up his sword and shouted with confidence. I chuckled and shook my head. “More than anything right now, I wish to have a nice hot bath and sink into a soft bed.” I turned my gaze back to Lance and said: “So for now, tell His Majesty that I will report to him tomorrow with Adel. Let us have a day’s rest first….” I then yawned as my eyes became heavy. My body began to teeter left and right. I could feel myself about to fall over, but I soon found myself in a warm embrace. I looked up to see Diablo standing behind me, holding my shoulders.
“Master. Rest well. I will follow Lady Adel to your home while carrying you.” Diablo’s voice was soft and soothing. I nodded weakly and let the voice of slumber consume me.
When I opened my eyes next, I found myself in a hot, warm bath. And to be honest, I was a bit confused as to how I ended up here. I only remember falling asleep in Diablo’s arms, and now I woke up in a hot bath. “Master, are you awake?” I turned to see Grace standing there in a maid outfit with a towel in her hand.
“Did you bring me here?” I asked in confusion.
“Yes. I washed and scrubbed you from head to toe before placing you in the bath. You are now squeaky clean, Master!”