It wasn’t actually that different from how weak humans were on Earth, either. A house cat could best its owner if it went all out. Over there, most creatures would avoid combat; pets didn’t need to compete for food. Here, though, things were different. As the weakest race, the only way to survive was to band together, create a nation, and protect ourselves against the labyrinth’s threats. I was finally starting to realize why Landmakers were so revered.
Troach pointed to my flashlight. “That lantern really is bright. You say it’s not a star? Even searchlight stars aren’t usually that strong.”
“I thought the same,” Mizuho said. “It seems like it would make a powerful weapon against the enemy. Why not?”
“Well…” I pointed the flashlight on the floor and flicked the switch on and off a few times. “It could probably give them pause for a short time, at least. Against one, it could be the deciding factor. But it isn’t going to do anything against that group.”
The monsters had been using torches, and they had ventured into illuminated areas, albeit during the evening. They were nothing like those animals who were afraid of flames or light.
On top of that, the flashlight had recently started flickering oddly. It was probably because of everything it had gone through since arriving in Million Dungeon and because its battery was getting low. I couldn’t afford to rely on it and have it go out.
I was painfully aware of our need for military power. In Million Dungeon, fighting had to happen in groups in narrow rooms and passages. Without bolstering our troop power by equipping our people with weapons and armor, they’d run over us with the force of their numbers.
When is Latten returning?
If we sealed off the passages and waited for the merchant to bring in his goods, we could expand our armory. Even then, Troach and I were the only ones who could really fight on the front lines, which would be very difficult. Troach’s fighting style was a hit-and-run outboxing style, and my tactics were similar. I was on the scrawnier side in the Regiment. And the simple prospect of a one-versus-many close-quarters combat situation put us at a tactical disadvantage.
Was there no choice but to abandon the farmland and endure?
While I was lost in contemplation, the citizen currently standing watch outside the palace at the Great Fracture suddenly shouted, “Someone’s on the cliff—they’re coming this way!”
Troach, Mizuho, and I exchanged stupefied glances. Had the attack from the Great Fracture arrived?
When it rains, it pours…, I thought grimly.
I ran over, the other two following. We sprinted past the confusion of the palace and outside.
“Taiga, over there!”
The lookout (it was Lostobi the Death-Cheater) pointed to a light coming this way from the Great Fracture. The silhouette climbing the cliff face was clearly not human…
What is that? An enormous insect? A spider?
It was scaling the sheer face at a shocking speed. As I readied myself, I wondered what the monster was this time. It turns out it was a six-legged lizard. Keeping balance with a long neck and tail, it dexterously moved up the almost-vertical cliff and landed in front of the palace.
The reptile had a saddle on its back, and a person in armor was gripping the reins. They barked a quick order, and their mount stopped immediately. The light had been from the lantern attached to the saddle.
The rider removed their helmet and shook their head, revealing wavy blond hair that caught the light thrown off the bonfire—a woman. A stunningly beautiful one, in fact, with green, glittering eyes and a shapely nose. She gave a comfortable smile and stated, “Hello, good people! Good evening!”
“…Who are you?” I asked.
She put a hand to her breastplate. “I am Astoria the Wing-Blessed, a traveling knight. I couldn’t help but notice your bonfires, so I stopped by. If you wouldn’t mind, my good sir, I seek lodging for the night.”
“A knight…”
I gave her another look-over. Her gear was well-worn, with little cuts and dents all over. The reptile she was riding had armor in some places as well, but that was equally battered. Even the scales covering its body had several blade wounds and claw marks on them, showing that it had been through the same fierce combat its rider had.
“The only ones who would ever travel along this cliff are merchants like me, who simply do not care, and reckless daredevil heroes,” Latten had said.
“Forgive my rudeness in asking, but… Are you, well, strong?”
The knight named Astoria tilted her head back and gave a hearty laugh. “Indeed I am, good sir! I was but a wee three years of age when I lopped off the head of my first ogreling. Ever since then, I have fought in battle after battle, braving danger after danger, never leaving three days in between. Million Dungeon may be large, but not three people in it can resist three strikes of my blade!”
I could see Latten’s smirk in the back of my mind.
“A polite reception is never a bad choice when dealing with either.” The rest of his advice echoed in my mind.
I chose my next words carefully. “Welcome, Astoria the Wing-Blessed. I am a Landmaker of this Great Camp Bravo Kingdom, Taiga the Special.”
“Sir Taiga, is it? A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“If it’s fine with you, would you stay in our nation for a time? We’re currently in a bit of a dangerous situation, and—”
That was all Astoria needed to hear before her eyes went wide. “Why, of course! I, Astoria, am on a journey in search of adventure. It is an honor—nay, a privilege to aid small nations in their times of need. Sir Taiga the Special, I shall gladly accept your kingdom’s invitation!”