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Chapter 54 Part 2

「Come to think of it, the way we fight hasn’t changed fundamentally, but… is it okay to keep doing things as is?」

「Ah, that way of thinking is dangerous, you know. Let me tell you this, it’s better to stick with the same strategy as much as possible.」

Is it really?

I thought it would be best to make some changes to match stronger enemies, though.

「Doing the same thing over and over again can get you bored. And when you get bored, it’s natural that you want to change things up. However, you can only do that when you’re dealing with an enemy that you’re already familiar with or an overwhelmingly weaker opponent.」

「So you’re saying that we shouldn’t try to change things up if we’re dealing with a strong enemy, is that it?」

「As long as there’s nothing wrong with how we do things so far, we can’t have even one person make a change on their own, because that will ruin the entire formation. Let’s say one person moves to help another person, that will put someone else in danger as a result. For example…」

Sybilla then looks at Emmy the same way she looked at me earlier.

「Now, let’s say that Russell rushed forward at the enemy. You will definitely move to protect him, right, Emmy-chan?」

「O-Of course!」

「And the moment you do that, I will be left defenseless without Wind Barrier and Holy Knight’s shield.」

「Ah.」

「But I guess our party will be in more danger if Emmy-chan can’t completely block the enemy’s attack due to the sudden change in formation. That’s how important it is for her to be able to block the enemy’s attack consistently.」

「But I guess our party will be in more danger if Emmy-chan can’t completely block the enemy’s attack due to the sudden change in formation. That’s how important it is for us to stay consistent with how we fight so that she will have no problem blocking the enemy’s attack.」

…What Sybilla said really hit home.

The fact that Emmy got in a dangerous situation because she felt obligated to protect me.

Because that’s what had once happened that resulted in me being kicked out of our previous party.

「So, from here on, it’s a battle against ourselves rather than the monsters. Let’s do our best, whilst keeping in mind that fighting consistently is more important than anything else.」

「Roger that.」

「I understand!」

As I listened to Sybilla’s refreshing way of thinking which I haven’t heard in a long time, I found myself convinced by a lot of the points she made.

The most terrifying thing that could happen right now is the moment our formation collapsed.

A Black Gigante that somehow got past Emmy, who receives its attack with her Dragon Shield on one hand, on top of being protected by layers of magic.

If I let my guard down, she might get overwhelmed by the enemy and defeated.

……It’s okay, no matter how little you got hurt, I’ll definitely heal you, Emmy.

(《Extra Heal Link》《Cure Link》)

Both of them turned toward me.

「I’ll use my magic as much as I can from now on. I’ll make sure we all can proceed safely.」

「Oh, I see you’re starting to be able to say lines like that too huh, Russell. That’s good, it’s the mindset of someone who will end up successful should have. Anyhow, I’ll leave the healing to you.」

With Sybilla’s word of encouragement, I made my way through the lower levels, while keeping check of my magic power.

Speaking of which, there was something that I’m curious about in the conversation we had with the Demon Lord in the Floor Boss room earlier.

「Sybilla, how far did the previous 【Twilight Sorcerer】, who seems to be my senpai, get in the end?」

Since the Demon Lord of Seiris said that he had seen Sybilla before, I was curious where did their journey ended.

At my sudden question, Sybilla looked down as her expression turned a little gloomy.

「It was the Floor Boss of the lowest layer.」

I kind of expected that to be the case, but… I see. So the place we’re heading to is the place where the Floor Boss that Sybilla and the previous Twilight Sorcerer couldn’t defeat, is located huh.

「The Floor Boss of the lowest layer is still the same, a Gigant. The only difference is that it wears armor. But that much is still isn’t a problem at all for a Twilight Sorcerer.」

「Then, why did he lose?」

Sybilla closed her eyes and let out a small sigh as if she was remembering those days.

Then, she looked at the ceiling as she opened her mouth.

「A Gigant. It was another monster, which was also a Gigant.」

「……What do you mean?」

「That place was too big for a Floor Boss. That’s where we realized there was also a Blue Gigant who used long-range offensive magic. You know, the ones that the people from 『Swift Thunder』 told us about. The Floor Boss of the upper layer.」

I see, so the Floor Boss of the upper layer is also placed like extras in the lowest layer, huh.

「A 【Twilight Sorcerer】 is usually the type to fight by dealing significant damage at the risk of their lives. Having to fight against multiple Gigants, one of them being a long-range attacker is a bad match for them. And that’s… resulted in our loss.」

I see… with what she told me, I guess they must’ve felt dispaired the moment they saw Floor Boss.

So Sybilla had been fighting such a hopeless battle for a long time, huh…

Sybilla, the Twilight Goddess.

She easily gets carried away sometimes and always talks in a carefree manner, but even so, this girl is still the Goddess, who can empathize with human emotions very well, and I know that fact about her the best…… I think, maybe. Anyway, I know her very well.

She creates a new Twilight Sorcerer and repeats the hopeless fight against the Demon Lord with just the two of them.

There may have been some victories, but the memories where they were defeated must’ve been not few as well.

If that’s the case, then one thing I can say to her is this.

「It’ll be okay.」

「…Russell?」

「If it’s a long-range attack, I can just block it. And you have Emmy this time, so we should be able to easily take down a Blue Gigant, and even that annoying Demon Lord.」

When I said that with confidence, her eyes widened for a moment… then she giggled and poked me lightly.

「Well said~ I’m counting on you, alright?」

When Sybilla said this, her face was not the gloomy face it had been just a few moments before. She was smiling her usual fearless smile.

Seeing that change, I realized once again that she, too, has her fair share of failures, which is one of the reasons why she’s teaming up with me now.

I’m sure after all those losses, she’s trying to be more careful too, probably because she feels responsible for the loss of the other Twilight Sorcerers.

…I need to make sure to understand how Sybilla feels as well from now on.

But still… the lowest layer Floor Boss that even Sybilla and my predecessor Twilight Sorcerer couldn’t beat, huh?

With my… no, with our power, we will definitely defeat it.

If doing so would even slightly help Sybilla get over her past losses, I’m sure that will become my strength as well.

…..Plus, the thought that this girl losing just bothered me on a personal level for some reason.

First of all, we have to do our best to defeat that Floor Boss.

Once we accomplish that, it’s time to conquer the Demon Realm, the lowest floor of the third Seiris dungeon.

The Dungeon Maker… Demon Lord.

This time I’ll make sure the fangs of my Dark Magic will reach you.