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95. Alchemist’s Long-Cherished Wish

A fierce wind blew into the golden room. It was no normal wind.

It was mana; the root of magic and skills.

A murky stream of mana, engulfing the Salamandras, engulfing the gold, flowed into the depths of the dungeon like a rain of bullets.

『W-What!?』

「!! [Asura’s Six Arms], activate!」

Even with the weight of the skill [Vajra Barrier] my body was almost blown away by the wind. I activated my skill and grabbed Koe-san, and grabbed the floor with my remaining arms to withstand it.

「This is no simple wind.」

『Yeah, what is this ridiculous density of mana! The moment I opened the entrance, this happened…!』

「…From the entrance?」

If so, this wind is blowing in from outside. There is something outside which can use some incredible magic or skill.

Angelina, Shizuku, and the dwarves should be waiting outside.

「Angelina might be in danger. Do you see what’s happening outside the entrance?」

「If I could I already would have! The area outside the dungeon is out of jurisdiction!」

Lord Emesmes also couldn’t hide his confusion.

The wind doesn’t just contain the power of the fire that fills this dungeon. Wind, lightning, ice…All these elements were mixed together.

All I know is that the source of this is outside. Anyway, let’s go back to the entrance and–

『F, Fran! Wake up!』

「Fran…?」

Lord Emesmes shouted a woman’s name. She is probably his wife and also Angelina’s mother.

Lord Emesmes said that, like himself, she also became a golden chain and that she could barely maintain her consciousness over time. Even so, the fact that she was able to continue to take on the form of a chain was probably proof that she was an alchemist who excelled in handling mana.

However, what would happen if she was exposed to this much mana storm?

『Aa… Fran!』

The chain broke.

It wasn’t torn apart. Like an iron chain rusting and decaying, the golden chain snapped in two and fell. The high-pitched sound it made when it hit the gold on the floor echoed loudly even in the blowing storm.

『Guh』

The only chain left was Lord Emesmes.

The bound dragon’s body shook slightly, as if it couldn’t be restrained by just one chain. Eventually, it turned into a loud heartbeat, and…

— Giruru.

There was a groaning sound like metal rubbing together. The red dragon’s eyelids, which had been in a long, long sleep, slowly opened.

「An unknown threat outside, and a dragon right on the inside, huh.」

『…….』

「Lord Emesmes?」

I asked the chain, who suddenly fell silent. After a few moments, the chain creaked again.

『Hmm, Resign!』

Resignation.

The word used when you are playing chess and have no other choice.

『There is nothing I can do. I will break soon too. After that it’s up to you, but this it for me.』

「Are you sure you want to give up? It took a thousand years, didn’t it?」

『While binding the dragon in here, I envisioned all possibilities. And this is the case where I die too. I don’t have any strength left, so I am pretty much bankrupt.』

「Bankrupt, huh.」

『Well, you don’t have to worry. After all, it’s been a thousand years, so even if we fail, there are still many other preparations in place. Other families should also start moving. Someone will surely conquer it, so you should just forget everything and run from here.』

「Don’t you regret dying?」

『Not really. There’s a saying, “To work is to die.” As long as Angelina has become a proper adult, there will be no problem.』

Lord Emesmes’ chains creaked as the dragon tried to spread its wings. He doesn’t seem to be wrong that the chain will break soon.

「Lord Emesmes, I would like to ask you one last thing.」

『This is the last exchange of my life, huh. Okay, I’ll tell you about the stars and the world. The secret arts are a secret, though.』

「Why didn’t you wait a few more years?」

『That’s what you want to know?』

「Even if the dwarves had dug out the dungeon, you could have waited a few more years until Angelina became an adult. Why did you two challenge this dungeon knowing that you were underprepared?」

It’s a very simple question. With Angelina in the team, those two would have had a better chance.

If the current Angelina had joined in, the result might have been different. All they had to do was wait a few years, which would have been a simple margin of error for a dungeon.

Amidst the storm, only the sound of chains being pulled on could be heard. Lord Emesmes answered without thinking.

『Well, I just didn’t have to involve my daughter in all this. There would be no better outcome than that.』

「It’s illogical.」

『I agree. We actually failed, after all. But if you have met my daughter, then you should know.』

「Know what?」

The chain clinked.

『My daughter is the most adorable, isn’t she!』

「…Hmm. I feel bad that she won’t be able to see her parents’ last moments.」

『Angelina doesn’t care, so there’s no need to worry about it. That’s what alchemists are like. We are abnormal people.』

The duty of the family is more important than your personal wishes. The spirit of inquiry over family love. Lord Emesmes said, somewhat self-mockingly, that that is what it means to be an alchemist.

There is certainly something similar about Angelina. However, I still think there is a different side to her.

「…Master. Angelina is indeed an alchemist, but she is still their daughter.」

「Koe-san, have you heard something from Angelina?」

「You finally asked the right question. We do not have much time, so I will keep it short.」

You can answer if asked. Please don’t say anything until then.

While explaining that Angelina had asked her to do so, Koe-san gently took Lord Emesmes’ chain in her hand.

「『I want to find and meet them.』 Angelina-san hasn’t forgotten about her parents. She did everything to find you. To that end, she studied, traveled, and relied on my master for power.」

「If that’s the reason, why didn’t she tell me?」

「She is a smart person. She does not appeal to sentiments easily. She intended to improve herself, prove herself useful, and accumulate her accomplishments before making a move. That is what I heard from her.」

『Damnit. I’m starting to regret dying. You are telling me all this when I’m about to die? How annoying!!』

Lord Emesmes started blurting out in grief and anger. But it seems like the clock is running out.

–Gyruuuaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!

The dragon roared. Fire and brimstone danced in the strong wind.

I raised my hand towards the chain, which looked like it was about to be snapped off at any moment.

「Lord Emesmes. As you are on the verge of bankruptcy, would you be interested in a loan?」