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Area 25, now temporarily serving as the headquarter in this rescue & Steinberg's subjugation mission, sits atop the mining site that leads down into Area 81—a vast, open-pit quarry carved into the mountainside.

Though once an active excavation site, the quarry has long been depleted. The gentle slopes had been worn into a bowl-like shape, and with no vegetation in sight, the area was spacious enough to accommodate a large number of personnel.

It was almost impossible that this place only had one entrance when this happened to be the same place that managed to accommodate and bring up that legendary monster. 

The subterranean lake in Area 81 was connected to the volcanic lakes scattered around the region. It's possible that the beast changed its pattern after their battle, and terrorised the human populace.

Consequently, the headquarter was set up at above for its location, along with a strict perimeter covering the area.

"There is... it's the signal! It means Steinberg has been subjugated!"

The news was like a gust of wind amidst a fiery day to the knights  and other members stationed there, having awaited a long time to finally hear from the main search party. What followed was a wave of hurrah,

Just as they had expected, Steinberg's first move was to destroy the entrance once again. They'd been waiting for at least four and a half hours to act on the signal. While they'd wanted nothing more than to just tear apart the collapsed entrance, the unsupervised move could also end in a much worse situation. 

So, with an anxious heart, they prayed. It was then they heard the designated 'tap-tap, tap-tap' signal, picked up by the Blanca’s specially crafted acoustic device, installed near the Area 81 entrance. It was the signal of victory.

"Good lord, but they're done atleast... they truly are the gem of the kingdom.”

Meria let out a relieved sigh, and glanced sideway at her granddaughter.

"Indeed, it's as you said dear grandmother. ...It's nothing sort of a miracle they'd managed to beat the monster down in a narrow, solid rock bed area... perhaps, luck was on their side......"

Fey simply iterated on Meria Dragoon's reply, albeit her gaze lacking her usual sharpness, and an aura of nervousness surrounding her.

They're now only sort of 'final check,' to solidify the main team's achievement in stone. Now, the only thing that blocked them was the destroyed entrance. 

Still, judging from the last known report and the situation when Allen was sealed in alone… it was safe to say that hope for his survival was slim at best. 

Noticing the turbulence in her granddaughter's heart, Meria thought of consoling her, but ultimately fell into silence, finding no suitable line of topic to give her solace. 

"...Now then, begin with the clearance immediately! You wouldn't want to let down the saviour of Dragoon, do you!?"

Meria's loud voice carried off, inspiring the morale in her people. She was met with a wave of cherry yell promptly.

"Hell yea! Leave it to us!"

"Just a bit more, «Mad Hound»! I am definitely getting you to know the wonders of Dragreid's liquor!"

"Pff, hahaha! Stop, or I will die from laughing!"

The explorers broke into hearty laughter and boisterousness, ringing from deep in their guts.  Every word of their assumed that Allen was alive. But be that as it may, the 'what if' concern still lurked beneath their mask of optimism. 

"...Between, Dear Grandmother, you did say I am in-charge of here, is it? Then I... I am leaving to meet Allen."

Affirming Meria had heard her, Fey got up from the flimsy chair. 

"...You really do know to make me worried sick, Allen. ...But, I—I believe in you."

◆

“Hahh… hahh… Goddamn it, give it a rest already, you slimy bastards!”

Panting hard, I tore through the dust-choked tunnels. Even with all the stamina I’ve got, this was starting to push it.

Meanwhile, those annoying frogs kept springing out from every hollow and crevice, seemingly enjoying my reaction. It was apparent they're well-versed with the terrain here. 

I had seen flies and insects swarming everywhere, something that the frogs would prefer, so I presumed this had to be their feeding ground. 

I wanted to shake them somehow, but every time I made a break for the gaps in their formation, it always led to some wide, open space… giving a creeping sense of dread.

I think—scratch it, I had no doubt that giant frog was lying in ambush for me there. 

I was completely at their mercy.... well, I unless that move. Just... the big problem was I might end up blowing myself, too, if I failed. And to be frank, the situation afterward might not be exactly pretty either. Heck, it would be a whole different nightmare. 

I so, so much would like to avoid choosing that route. But I guess, I should at least locate the exact location of that—

"Aaarg?!"

Damn it. I had been so occupied with my thoughts on knitting together a turn-out move while also making sure I escape alive that I stumbled closer to a murky spring—the underwater happened to be one of the only location where my wind magic couldn't get through—and taking advantage of that, a small mutant variant, Steinfrosch grabbed my dagger occupied hand with its tongue. 

It took me an effort to stop myself from being dragged into the spring. Once I had found myself a balance, I grabbed the tongue with my left hand, and hit it with a rapid dehydration spell. As it shriveled and loosened, I seized the moment and sliced it clean off.

Though I had freed myself, it was at the expense of my intense mana consumption as I had yet to completely master magic involving atmospheric pressure. 

My steps were already getting giddy, a harsh reminder to my insignificant mana that I had level. 

On the other hand, the pursuing frogs didn't miss the slight moment I was made to stop and jumped at me.

"Tch!"

And now, losing the initiative, I was forced between a rock and hard spot. Oh, how I wish I hadn't lost my quiver. 

Of course, it was a force majeure back then, but the loss still hurts as I now lack some serious firepower to get through this predicament by virtue of melee combat alone. The more I stuck around here, the sooner my body would hit the limit, and I might even be unable to use my trump card.

"*Cough-Cough*...damn, I see no other option...!"

I barreled down a tunnel skirting the central chamber of this floor, the area I’d been deliberately avoiding. I had to keep moving, carefully watching for Steinberg’s massive tongue and its terrifying reach.

I forced my way toward the upper side of the air current, where the narrow, winding tunnels converged and led toward the next level via a sloped corridor.

Then—thud—a sound like heavy sludge hurling across the air echoed behind me. Just as I feared, that giant, serpent-like tongue came lashing out in a straight shot.

It halted just inches from my face, barely outside its maximum reach, wriggling in frustration before snapping back at the same speed it had launched.

As I scrambled to regain my footing, the frogs swarmed me from all sides. Their tongues darted out, trying to bind my limbs, pinning me like a prisoner on a crucifix.

I was checkmated, truly. But I had already taken that into account. I ignored my situation and used wind magic to block the flow of fresh coal dust coming from above, redirecting all of it downwind—right toward the oversized bastard.

Then I forced my relatively free left hand toward a water-filled leather pouch.

“Forest of Mist.”

The water inside instantly vaporized, unleashing a dense, opaque fog that flooded the corridor in a curtain of white mist.

Following Satowa's request and to arm myself with necessary knowledge, I had read books about the situation here, and one of the topics among them was how the mines had fire-safety systems called "water shelves" installed throughout mana coal mines to prevent chain-reaction explosions.

In the event of an explosion, the shelves were designed to be knocked over the blast, spilling water into the air. This reduces the concentration of coal dust, which in turn disrupts the conditions necessary for a full-blown dust explosion, helping to contain the damage.

I had no idea how effective my Forest of Mist would be, but it had to be better than nothing.

Without a moment’s pause, I clenched the fire-starting hemp cord I’d hidden in my right hand and rapidly compressed the surrounding air.

"Guhhh! Ignition."

Riding the silent current of wind I conjured, the lit hemp cord slipped from my hand and floated gently away.

The entire area was shrouded in a veil of obscurity, but I had felt my gaze colliding with Steinberg's, smouldering with a fire of hatred for me.

"........Well, it's a farewell then, shitty frog. May this underground become your coffin for eternity."

With what little manaI had left, I dragged the smaller frogs still clinging to my limbs as I scrambled upward, into a blind spot. 

In the meantime I had escaped to an area clear of choked air, the hemp cord came into contact with—I had presumed they'd to have high combustibility—the coal dust shedded from mana coal mine, and...

A terrific shockwave struck the hiding place I was at, and—*BOOOOM*, the thunderous echo of blast pierced through my eardrums.

◆◆◆

The re-opening of Area 81 met an unexpected delay contrary to what everyone assumed.

Apparently, a sudden, violent tremor had forced all workers to evacuate the site temporarily. 

The prevailing conjecture, after they'd heard the noise picked up by the sound device, was that a mining ruin or something somewhere had faced a large-scale cave-in.

The tremors continued to hit the place, albeit limited to small areas, intermittently, however everyone remained focused on clearing out the debris. And after a strenuous amount of effort, Area 81 opened its entrance for the third time. 

The backup team promptly advanced inside to check on the situation. But unlike their initial expectation, they didn't see their heroes, the legendary beast killer, but the wound riddled team of five knights, each harboring solemn expression.

There were also the elite team of explorers with them, including Ignis, Satowa and Dio. However, a glance at everyone's grim visage, and it made them—Fey and miners—painfully realize the reality.

—Again, historians were going to jot down the bravery of a hero that never made it back.

◆

The sunlight was blinding. A fresh spring breeze blew gently over my sticky skin, washing away the sweat and soot.

I... made it out alive. I had managed to crawl out of the depth of the underworld, and for a moment, I unwittingly remained in the spot, letting my body re-experience the warmth of sunshine. The serenity remained only for a moment before I was suddenly caught in the interrogation of military personnel.

"Hey, someone has just walked out from the Rootzenia mining ruins! What's going on? Hey, you. What are you doing here! Haven't you heard this place has been sealed a while back!?"

Perhaps the damage to eardrums had been quite intense, the loud voice only fell like the drops of water during cats and dogs. I couldn't make anything out what he was saying.

"Ah, yes, I apologise. I was lost in the ruins, and then suddenly an explosion happened, bursting my eardrums."

It was a mere guesswork reply. The military personnel gave a compassionate nod with a smile, and handed me the recovery magic potion. 

I’d had a few of my own, but they’d long since been used up.

“Thank you. I’m feeling much better now. My hearing isn't perfect yet, but it’s coming back bit by bit.”

I expressed my gratitude politely, and the soldier—who seemed the helpful sort—offered to give me a ride to the nearest village, since he was heading that way anyway.

“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll pass. I’ve got people who are probably worried about me. I should let them know I’m alright first… I’ve been lost for quite a while.”

“Fair enough. Like I said before, there’ve been reports of dangerous monsters in the area. Apparently, the situation is so grave even the Knight Order had been dispatched to subjugate the beast. I am sure we would be fine with them though... but prudency never hurts, ya know. Just steer clear of ruins and lakes, yeah? Oh, and don’t count on that cheap potion of mine to do all the work. Go get proper treatment, you hear me?”

Heh? I had expected myself to crash into my funeral, and that would've been hella awkward. But it seemed like foremost attention was given to subjugate that beast. Well, certainly an obvious turn.

My body was aching to just book an inn and crash down for a proper rest, however I figured it wouldn't be inform other first. 

◆

Witnessing Fey trying to put on a bravado, Parry couldn't bear it anymore and decided to visit headquarters to share information. 

He also guessed Fey might want some private time for herself, and his presence would just have her bottle her tears inwardly. 

Back at the headquarters, he disclosed the tragic news to Meria. 

She listened quietly, then let out a small breath. Then she gave him a firm pat on his shoulder. 

"You... wear such a boring expression, Parry. Lament however we, the dead would never rise again. ...This is ironclad. We, the remnants, can only hope to carry over their will. ...Has Allen Rovenne ever put any expectation on you?"

Hearing Meria's question, his memory with Allen flooded his mind in succession. 

Making his appearance as the unbelievable dark horse a year ago, he had hated him to guys, moreso for his abysmal common sense. But, as they went through the same lessons every week, and lived under the one roof of the dorm, he had begun to see the core of Allen's principle.

Where others compromised, Allen never bent. Where most would cave to the absurdity of the world, he stood tall and overturned it, one at a time.

At the same time, Parry had also begun to notice his stubbornness, often pushing him away. Nevertheless, as he went down his memory lane, he could see Allen had always been frank with him, always keeping a door open to him. Then, he recalled Allen's view of himself, what he had spoken in the mine that would become his last words, something that had certainly shook his heart.

––I believe the door to his slumbering talent would surely awaken once he found out why he picked the spear. I bet he can reach a height that even Dio can't if he can achieve that. 

––Someday, your 'iron will' is going to be strong enough to 'pierce mountains.'

Tears trickle down Parry's cheeks.

"I..I  have. He has told me a lot... a great deal of things."

"...Don't cry just because someone scolded you, Parry-kun..."

Parry felt Allen whispering to him. In response, he faced the sky, and yelled.

"I know... I know very well. I will become stronger to carry even your part tooo...oo...huh, no, how, eh, eh what?"