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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 60: Dungeon Raid Begins
Since Calyx announced his intention to personally raid the dungeon, Raere had been wary of him.
She had seen many lords in her time.
But a lord who willingly entered a dungeon, inviting death upon himself? That was a first.
She acknowledged that his knowledge of dungeons was extraordinary.
But if he truly understood dungeons so well, he could’ve simply passed that knowledge on to other adventurers and let them handle the raid.
In her view, there was only one reason why he wouldn’t do that—
’He must want to become the Hero of the West by raiding it himself.’
He had already earned public admiration by assigning soldiers to the usually neglected task of dungeon management.
Even that alone would’ve had bards singing of his name across the western lands.
But now, if he—the lord himself—successfully cleared a dungeon?
That wouldn’t just make him a hero.
It would mark the birth of a new legend.
What’s more, Lord Calyx was already hailed as a champion of the people for his past reforms—from the liberation of Dreihart's slaves, to the condemnation of the Mad Lion, to countless other acts of justice.
If he added a successful dungeon conquest to that résumé, his renown might no longer remain that of a regional lord.
It could grow to the level of an autonomous force—something bordering on a faction of his own.
Raere had no issue with a lord harboring ambition.
Even if it were cloaked in hypocrisy, as long as it benefited the world, she was willing to accept it.
The problem was that Sharon had gotten involved.
From what she saw, Sharon was already completely taken with him.
She wore that same lovestruck expression—just like her mother once had.
Raere knew that look too well to be mistaken.
If Calyx was using Sharon as a pawn for his ambitions, Raere believed she would have no choice but to step in herself and stop him.
“What is your true purpose in raiding the dungeon?”
“My true purpose… As I said before—to help the people of the western lands.”
“Lord Calyx, I’m not asking about the reason you ‘say’ publicly. I want the ‘truth’. The real reason you’re going into that dungeon.”
As she questioned him, Raere began casting a subtle mana detection spell.
Through years of intense training, she had developed the ability to perceive fluctuations in magical energy during conversation.
It wasn’t as certain as a divine blessing, but it was still reliable enough to sense when someone was lying—or telling the truth.
“I don’t understand.”
Raere said calmly.
“From what I can tell, Lord Calyx, the Crimson Mage Tower stands to lose nothing from your dungeon raid.”
“Sharon is my disciple. That alone is reason enough.”
Raere was, officially, Sharon’s mentor.
That fact alone justified her questioning Calyx like this.
At her words, Calyx paused for a moment, then let out a long sigh.
“…Alright. I’ll tell you. But only you, Lady Raere.”
His expression turned unusually serious.
Raere, slightly tense now, waited for his answer.
“The real reason I’m raiding the dungeon is…”
“Yes?”
She urged.
“It’s my hobby.”
“…Hobby?”
Raere briefly wondered if her ears had betrayed her.
Had they grown too long and started mishearing things?
As she blinked in confusion, Calyx continued without hesitation.
“Yes. I enjoy dungeon raiding. That’s why I do it.”
Raere felt her mind go blank.
Completely caught off guard, she asked—rude or not—bluntly.
“Do people… often tell you you’re insane?”
“Not often… but I did hear it just yesterday.”
Calyx replied, thinking of what Lana had said to him.
Raere was genuinely thrown off.
“Hobby… That’s not even in the realm of answers I imagined.”
She’d expected him to say something like ambition, desire, maybe even a calculated political ploy—but “hobby”?
And yet, Calyx answered with absolute sincerity.
“All living beings pursue joy. For me, that joy happens to be dungeon raiding.”
Seeing her stunned expression, Calyx continued with even more conviction.
“Lady Raere, haven’t you ever felt something like that? Risking everything to master a new spell, then the pride of finally casting it successfully?”
“…Well…”
“I’m sure you have. I may not be a mage, but I know that to rise to the rank of Tower Master, one must be consumed by their passion for magic.”
Raere couldn’t help but recall the moment she first learned Flame of Lanyx.
It had been one of the most euphoric moments of her life.
“I’m not so different from you.”
Calyx said.
“The only difference is… for me, that passion lies in dungeons.”
Raere detected no magical disturbance in his words.
It meant he wasn’t lying, and he wasn’t flustered.
He was telling the truth, with total sincerity.
His reasoning was so absurd it was almost convincing.
And that paradox only left Raere more bewildered.
“…Fine. I’ll believe you. But remember this—if anything happens to Sharon, if she’s sacrificed in any way… I will never forgive you.”
“That will never happen.”
Calyx answered firmly.
“To you, she may be a cherished student—but to me, she is a loyal retainer. I would never allow her to be sacrificed.”
“…Alright then. I’ll trust you, Lord Calyx.”
Though Raere still couldn’t fully wrap her head around the idea of someone doing this as a hobby, she could at least recognize the truth in his eyes when he said Sharon was important to him.
And for now, that was enough for her to believe in.
＊ ＊ ＊
The next day arrived.
I gathered my gear—bow included—everything I’d need for the dungeon raid.
Once I had it all on and glanced in the mirror…
I looked like a legit ranger.
Damn, kinda cool, not gonna lie.
I struck a few poses in front of the mirror, indulging in a quick solo fashion show.
“Lord Calyx, it’s time.”
“Uh! Y-Yeah, right.”
“…?”
My little runway moment was cut short by Lana barging in.
I quickly stepped out of the tent with her.
On the way to the dungeon gate, I looked around.
There were more people out than yesterday. Definitely more.
“Looks like the crowd’s grown.”
“Soldiers from other territories, apparently. They’ve started sending small units after hearing about our mobilization.”
“Hmph. Trying to look good after the fact…”
“Exactly. Pathetic, isn’t it?”
We bore the brunt of this, and now they’re sending troops just to save face.
Those bastards—could’ve helped from the start. I was just starting to get irritated when I noticed a new group of unfamiliar faces.
They were carrying lutes—you know, the bard’s instrument.
“Wait, are those bards?”
“Yes, they’re bards.”
“…Why are they here?”
“They heard rumors that you were raiding the dungeon and came running.”
“Ah.”
I later found out that my music was apparently super popular among the bards.
So when word got out that I was stirring things up again, they raced over to be the first to turn the news into song.
They were basically like fantasy YouTube drama channels.
Anyway, once we reached the dungeon gate, everyone was already gathered there.
Among them was Sharon, fully geared up.
She wasn’t just holding her signature red staff—she was dressed in lightweight leather armor for mobility, and scrolls for emergencies were strapped to her gear.
“You really went all-out, huh, Sharon?”
“It’s only natural. I have to protect you, my lord.”
After our preparations were complete, Raere—the Crimson Tower Master—approached and activated 『Third Eye』.
Once she confirmed that our vision was now linked, she spoke.
“Then, as planned, we’ll respond to any ‘Dungeon Screams’ triggered during your raid.”
“Yes, I’m counting on you, Lady Raere.”
“Take care of yourself, Master!”
As you delve deeper into a dungeon, it tends to spew out lesser monsters around its perimeter.
People call that phenomenon the Dungeon’s Screams.
“Sharon—if anything happens, use the return scroll. Got it?”
“That won’t be necessary, Master.”
“When this kind of thing happens, you’re supposed to just say yes, damn it.”
I remembered from the lore book that Raere and Sharon were actually related by blood.
Maybe that’s why—despite the formal titles—they looked more like mother and daughter than teacher and student.
“Well then, let’s head out.”
“Yes, my lord.”
I walked up to the dungeon gate.
As I approached, a shimmering blue portal opened—the dungeon had activated.
Everyone around wore anxious expressions.
To ease their worries, I said—
“No need to fret, everyone. I’ll be back before you know it—just a light warm-up.”
With that, I dove straight into the dungeon.
The cool energy of dungeon mana wrapped around my body.
That familiar chill…
Time to become a Dungeon Master again.
＊ ＊ ＊
As Sharon dove into the dungeon, she felt a rush—a weightless sensation, like a teleportation spell had triggered.
But the feeling was much rougher than she expected, and she lost her balance for a moment. The result? A very flashy landing.
“KyAAAAAH!!”
Splash—!
Realizing she’d fallen straight into a puddle, Sharon quickly lifted her head.
She had been trained never to let her guard down for even a second once inside a dungeon.
As she snapped her gaze up, she saw five goblins slowly advancing toward her.
Remembering her duty to protect the Lord, she quickly began casting a spell.
But then…
“Stay calm, Sharon. It’s not time for magic yet.”
“…Huh?”
At some point, Calyx had appeared right beside her, stopping her from casting.
In the same breath, he drew an arrow and took aim. His target wasn’t the goblins closing in, but rather the goblin chieftain lurking behind them.
Skreee—THWIP!
Thwuck—!!
“GyaaaaAAAH!!!”
Calyx’s arrow shot clean through the chieftain’s skull.
The moment their leader fell, the remaining goblins dissolved into blue mana, and a sealed door in the back slowly creaked open.
“First room: cleared.”
Calyx looked just like a seasoned hunter in that moment.
’Was… was our lord always like this?’
Sharon blinked, half-wondering if she’d been caught in an illusion spell.
Calyx’s entire demeanor was that unfamiliar.
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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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