Chapter 640: The Appearance of a Formidable Enemy

Inside the pseudo-dungeon, unlike a typical dungeon, there was no artificial structure at all. It was a naturally formed cavern with bare rock walls, uneven footing, and rough terrain.

However, much like a dungeon, the walls emitted a faint glow, providing enough light to maintain visibility.

There were several branching paths, but thanks to [True Eye] working together with [Presence Detection], Tauro could roughly tell where the trolls were and even which paths were dead ends.

“The left path is a dead end. There are no signs of trolls. The right opens into a large space, and there’s a group of trolls gathered there.”

Tauro relayed this information to Garo through their shared awareness, and Garo in turn directed Adam and Eve.

Under Garo’s control, Adam and Eve chose the right-hand route and proceeded, taking the lead in defeating the trolls.

Thanks to Adam and Eve clearing the way, Tauro’s party was able to avoid traps set by the trolls and proceed safely.

How far underground are we now? Tauro wondered.

After nearly two hours of making their way through the winding cave system, Garo, following behind, let out a single bark to get Tauro’s attention:

“Gau!”

Tauro picked up on it immediately and used shared vision with Adam and Eve to look ahead.

At that moment, they were in the middle of yet another clash with trolls, but beyond that, there appeared to be a much larger chamber. At the edge of Adam’s vision, Tauro caught a glimpse of an unusually massive troll.

“…Looks like there’s something on the level of the Troll Grand General we fought earlier.”

Tauro warned the others.

“So there’s still something like that left… No wonder the trolls are still putting up such a fierce resistance,” Aeris said, nodding.

“…If that’s the case, what’s ahead might be a Troll King or worse,” Ragune added, tension in her voice.

“A Troll King!? If that’s true, we’d need a large-scale army or the entire Council of Elders to deal with it!” the gatekeeper exclaimed, panicking.

The gatekeeper was right. A Troll King wasn’t something a small party could normally handle. At minimum, it would take at least three B-plus teams, and ideally an A-rank team.

And a Troll King would realistically command countless monsters, so the Adventurers’ Guild would likely assemble dozens of C-rank-or-higher adventurers to deal with its subordinates separately from the force assigned to defeat the Troll King itself.

“…Don’t let Adam and Eve go any further. Have them lure the lesser trolls towards the front so that we can reduce their numbers first.”

Tauro issued instructions to Garo, who responded immediately.

The group hurried on to reach the scene.

As instructed, Adam and Eve held their ground just before the large chamber, drawing the trolls toward them and fighting fiercely without advancing further.

Soon, Tauro and the others arrived and cautiously observed the chamber.

“It’s too dark to see clearly… but doesn’t that look different from what we’ve heard about a Troll King?” Aeris said as she studied the enormous troll looming over the others in the dim chamber.

During their adventuring days in Dansas, the medicinal-herb village, a Troll King had once caused a major incident in Count Dareder’s territory. Tauro and Aeris had heard detailed accounts from adventurers who took part in that subjugation, and what they were seeing now didn’t match those descriptions.

“…Yeah. Even the crown it’s wearing looks different… and it’s hard to tell in this light, but at first glance, doesn’t it look like a Dark Troll?” Tauro added.

“Tauro is right; it does resemble a Dark Troll,” Zion confirmed, narrowing her eyes to see better in the darkness.

“Th-that can’t be…” the gatekeeper muttered, visibly paling.

“What’s wrong?” Ragune asked, noticing the reaction.

“…Do you know why we elves formed an ancient alliance with the dragonfolk?” the gatekeeper asked in return.

“Now that you mention it… I think the dragonfolk defeated some kind of monster here, and that was when the ancient pact was made,” Ragune replied.

“Yes… centuries ago, the dragonfolk saved the elves of this land from a monster that nearly wiped them out. In gratitude to the dragonfolk who defeated it, the elves formed an ancient alliance. That legendary monster was the Troll Emperor.”

“The Troll Emperor?” three voices exclaimed in unison.

“According to legend, the Troll Emperor is depicted with a sharp crown, a red cloak lined in black, dark skin like a Dark Troll’s, and robes that nullify magic. It carries a jeweled magic scepter in its left hand and a magic sword in its right. In elven history, the Troll Emperor is considered a catastrophe second only to the Demon King defeated more than a thousand years ago—a legendary S-rank threat…”

The gatekeeper’s voice trembled.

“…And that thing… looks exactly like it.”

“Now that you mention it… it really does,” Zion confirmed.

Zion’s catfolk heritage gave her excellent night vision, so there was little reason to doubt what she saw.

“…Looks like we’ve drawn a really bad hand…” Tauro muttered grimly, fully realizing the seriousness of the situation.

For adventurers, S rank was beyond the ordinary—practically the realm of legendary heroes, figures no longer seen in the current age. Even A-plus was considered the human limit.

This was the kind of enemy meant for beings on the level of the dragonfolk.

For Tauro’s party, it was unquestionably far beyond the sort of opponent they should normally fight.

“…We should run…! Surviving to report this is the most important thing we can do!” the gatekeeper urged.

“That would be ideal… but we need Garo as part of our fighting strength, so could you please wait in the rear? We don’t know how much resistance it can put up against us, but we need to reduce the enemy’s strength as much as possible and keep them from reaching the surface anytime soon.”

Tauro said this with a determined expression.

“…Why go to such lengths…?” the gatekeeper asked.

“Because we’re adventurers. We have to do what we can. Of course, if things get too dangerous, we’ll hop on Garo and run away, so be prepared for that, okay?”

Tauro looked to his companions.

“Without Ankh, I’m a bit worried about our offense, but we have no choice,” Aeris said calmly, entrusting her life to Tauro, who had made up his mind.

“I’m dragonfolk. If my ancestors defeated it, then I’ll do the same,” Ragune declared confidently.

“I’ll do my best too!” Zion added.

Even Pella, the slime, bounced energetically on Tauro’s shoulder.

“Alright, everyone. Adam and Eve take the front. Ragune and Zion follow. Aeris, Pella, and I’ll support from the rear. Garo, monitor everything and act as needed.”

“Got it!” “Understood!” “Got it!” Pella bounced once, and Garo growled in acknowledgment.

With that, Tauro and his party advanced to support Adam and Eve, stepping forward to confront the overwhelming threat ahead.