TPVMP 70

Chapter : 70

Chrono – Japan Magic Explorer Academy Arc
Episode 70: Dungeon Mid-Layers Floors 17–20 Boss

Recently, there’s been someone practicing sword swings every day in the park.
At first, I thought he was a weirdo.

Then, on the 16th floor of the dungeon… I couldn’t win solo anymore. I had to run away.

The next day, he was there again, practicing swings.

Everyone at the academy makes fun of him. But his sword form… it’s beautiful.
I specialize in long-range magic, so I don’t really understand swords…
But I found myself captivated.

I normally would never talk to a guy first.
Yet somehow, my body moved on its own.

It’s just a feeling, but… he seemed safe. Trustworthy.
Maybe it’s because he works so earnestly toward a single goal.

I left the Hero’s Party after arguing with the Hero. He even told me to become his mistress. Our goals were different, so I quit.

I was trying my best so I could stay beside the Black Knight—the one I love, the one who saved me—but lately I’ve hit a wall.

I’m starting to painfully realize… I can’t bring out my true power alone.

And so today, together with him—the one who defeated a Mimic on the 16th floor yesterday—we’re exploring starting from Floor 17.

I was the one who invited him to explore the dungeon with me.

He was… incredible.

Far beyond what I imagined. Not even comparable to the strongest Hero I know.

His sword was terrifying too—deep crimson, like it was drenched in blood.

With a single slash, five ogres were cut clean in half at the torso.
There was no sound from the blade—only a delayed echo afterward.

His thrust pierced through the monster in front and into the one behind it, even gouging the dungeon wall.

The power was overwhelming.

I lowered my head.

Maybe I’m just holding him back…

Just then, a spell flew toward me from a monster magician.

Immediately, he stepped in front of me and cut the magic apart with his sword.

“S-so amazing… Sorry. I’m just dragging you down, aren’t I? Th-thank you for partying with me today…”

“I am still in training. I am not that great… Besides, I cannot use magic. Perhaps you are the more amazing one. Even so, I have chosen the path of the sword. I shall simply continue forward.”

Such resolve…

I felt ashamed of myself.

And… I thought he looked kind of cool.

“N-no! I already have someone I like!”

I love the Black Knight! I even declared it clearly during my last livestream!!

(Does she mean the Hero? They were fighting like lovers’ quarrels… I wondered.)

“I-I see. Can you still go on? Next is Floor 19…”

“Is it okay if I go with you?”

“Of course. You’ll prepare a place for me to sleep, won’t you?”

“Yeah!!”

The magical girl smiled brightly.

Floor 19

Trolls.

With her supporting me using fire magic from long range, I practiced my Triple Thrust technique and we defeated them easily.

Floor 20 – Boss Room

“Shall we end here for today…?” I said.

“I’m getting tired…” the magical girl replied.

The boss was a King Slime—a slime wearing a crown.

While she cast fire magic, I used my Triple Thrust.

It exploded.

Easy victory—so I thought.

But the fragments began gathering…

It regenerated.

I see…

If I brute-forced it with raw power, I could erase it without a trace…
But I’d probably collapse this entire floor in the process.
Maybe even the whole dungeon.

And besides—I aim for the pinnacle of the sword.

My bloodstained beloved blade likely wouldn’t wish for such crude force.

The magical girl continued firing flames desperately.

“Cast your largest Fire spell at me!”

“Eh? Are you sure? You won’t just get burned—you’ll—”

“It’s fine. I have a plan!”

“O-Okay! Fire!!”

A massive blaze shot toward me from behind.

I matched the timing and ran forward, wrapping my beloved blade in the fire.

My friend once said…

This technique is not merely Ninefold Thrust—

It is the Nine-Headed Dragon Thrust.

I once used it in a mock battle in the Eastern Lands against the Captain of the Third Division.
It was my imitation of a technique used by the Captain of the First Division.

He said it was a move capable of slaying a dragon with nine heads.

And so—

I unleashed the Nine-Headed Dragon Thrust, cloaked in fire, upon the King Slime.

Each thrust looked as though a fire dragon dwelled within it.

The King Slime exploded—without leaving even a trace.

My bloodstained beloved blade pulsed violently.

It felt like it was rejoicing.

And I… was happy too.

It was a cool technique.

“S-so amazing… Nine… f-fire dragons…”

“That was the Fire you’ve cultivated through all your effort, wasn’t it? It was beautiful. And this… is what they call teamwork.”

“Thank you… No one’s ever praised me like that before…”

The magical girl’s eyes welled with tears.

Because of her youthful appearance, people always called her cute or said they wanted to protect her.
But no one had ever praised her hard work.

Now, someone had truly seen her effort.

And that made her happy.