Chapter 145
And then... the long-awaited X-Day of the plan arrived.
Taking advantage of the academy's holiday, Clael paid a visit.
With the cardinal's permission, he came to... the pilgrimage site known as the White Dragon Offering Hall.
It was an ancient ruin where the holy dragon who once fought alongside the Saint was said to be sleeping.
For this pilgrimage, he had made sure not to tell Reina anything.
The cardinal also seemed to want to avoid Reina being attacked and gave his approval for now.
"Well then, I'll be going now."
Clael, accompanied by several Temple Knights clad in armor, stepped into the White Dragon Offering Hall.
The White Dragon Offering Hall was a ruin located in the northern part of the Kingdom of Saintcl.
Inside the white building, reminiscent of the Parthenon, was a staircase leading underground.
Only five people were allowed to enter at a time, so a large group couldn't go in.
Only Clael and four Temple Knights would descend underground.
"............"
Dressed in ceremonial attire, Clael silently descended the stairs.
Just how long had these ancient stone steps existed?
Their aged appearance conveyed the long history of the ruins.
After descending nearly a hundred steps... what awaited was a vast space.
In the stone-built room resembling a hall, stone tablets taller than a human were installed.
Approaching the tablets and offering words of prayer... that was the end of the pilgrimage to the White Dragon Offering Hall.
It was by no means a difficult ritual.
"Then, please wait here for a moment."
"............"
In response to Clael's words, the Temple Knights nodded.
Clael stepped forward to the stone tablet... knelt, and began to offer a prayer.
"!"
However... in the next moment, something flew toward Clael.
As Clael leapt backward, a short arrow embedded itself at his feet.
"Hooh, you can move better than I thought."
"Heheh... Looks like this might be fun..."
Then... a group of rough-looking men emerged from the shadows.
They had the air of outlaws. In their hands were weapons such as swords, knives, and bows.
About twenty men appeared. Despite the room's size, it was impressive they had remained hidden. Apparently, some had used magic items with stealth capabilities.
The Temple Knights gathered around Clael to protect him.
"Who are you people!?"
While being protected by the Temple Knights... Clael questioned the outlaws surrounding them.
He casually glanced at the staircase at the entrance of the ruins... and saw more outlaws descending.
"Don't think you can escape, Saint."
"Even with divine protection, it won't reach this far underground."
"If you don't wanna die, you'd better surrender quietly! Hyahahaha!"
They were vastly outnumbered.
Including Clael, they were five. The enemy was nearly fifty, all armed.
No matter how you looked at it... it was a hopeless situation.
"We won't kill you... but we'll rough you up a little, alright?"
"We lost a bunch of men trying to kidnap you, after all!"
"A little payback won't hurt, right!? You bastard!"
"...You brought this on yourselves. You're criminals."
Clael muttered.
The ones here were criminals who had tried to abduct Clael and Reina.
They lived outside the law, so whatever happened to them was their own responsibility.
No matter what they suffered, blaming Clael was completely misplaced.
"Don't think you can escape! We've got numbers on our side... and men posted outside too. No matter what happens, there's no way out!"
"Fifty in here, and... more men outside. If they've gathered this many... they must be desperate."
Almost certainly... the gang had mobilized all their available forces.
In other words, if they crushed the enemies here, the problem would be solved. And Clael could finally enjoy a peaceful academy life.
"Mr. Byrne... looks like it's time to begin."
One of the Temple Knights spoke.
Clael nodded... and uttered the words.
"The white dragon drifts into ephemeral slumber. Let us step into the black dream."
"Wha...!?"
"What the hell!?"
Cries of confusion erupted from the gang members.
What Clael had spoken was a password to activate a certain mechanism hidden in the ruins.
"...In the game, saying those words lets you enter the dungeon. Not that you guys would understand."
The stone tablet emitted a light.
A glowing, massive magic circle appeared beneath their feet.
The magic circle spread across the entire room, engulfing the gang members in a pale blue flash.
"There are a few possible destinations... but the transfer is determined by the total level of everyone in the room. The higher the total level, the harder the destination..."
Clael muttered to no one in particular.
There were over fifty people here. Even if each individual's level was low, their combined level would be quite high.
In other words... the destination would be an extremely difficult place.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"UWAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!?"
In other words... it was a monster house.
Surrounded by countless monsters, the gang members screamed in confusion.