Loud sounds of falling objects could be heard, followed by cheers of victory that reverberated throughout the battlefield.
After Izuku went to attack the last giant, the remaining Hunters could only watch him in action since they had no chance to interfere. Unlike Izuku's immortal army, they would probably hurt or die if they were hit by a stray attack from the mages. Moreover, with the terrifying power that the giants possessed, they would probably be immediately annihilated with just one hit, just like what happened to Izuku's soldiers.
Ignoring the commotion, Izuku stared at the giant's body and the notification screen floating in front of him before turning his gaze to the unclosed gate behind the giant. He didn't even notice the Hunters who came after him. He only realized it when he felt a surge of mana from Liu Zhigang directed at him.
It didn't take long for the Hunters to arrive. Ichirou and Touya also immediately approached Izuku. But before they could go any further, they could feel the immense mana coming from the giant's body which made them alert again.
However, the enemy they expected did not move and was replaced by the appearance of Beru, who was covered in blood from the giant's mouth.
" My Liege, it's me "
Once they realized that it was just one of Izuku's shadow soldiers, the hunters immediately lowered their guard a little.
" it's you, Beru "
Seeing Beru's appearance like that made the other hunters feel horrified when they felt the amount of magic energy from the giant even though he was dead. However, they were again shocked by a stormy wave of magic energy coming from the gate which also absorbed the giant's mana.
Sensing the mana storm, the Hunters immediately created a mana shield around them. However, the shield still couldn't protect them, so some of them were almost blown away, and some were injured as a result. Luckily Izuku's shadow soldiers were still around and thanks to them they created a line of protection so that the casualties did not increase.
Even so, they could still feel the effects of the mana wave which made most of the A-rank Hunters below them unable to move. The waves even left scratches on Izuku's face.
Seeing this, those who were still standing concluded that this raid was still not finished, and there was still something waiting for them in the dungeon.
Realizing the situation they were in, Izuku then turned to Ichirou who was also behind him. He also realized what Izuku meant and immediately nodded before turning his gaze to the Hunters.
" We will form a small team consisting of S-rank hunters to go in and check inside, the rest will guard outside. "
After giving his instructions, Ichirou looked at Touya and Liu Zhigang before turning back to Izuku who also responded with a nod. After receiving confirmation from those people, Ichirou then took the lead and led them into the gate.
" Let's go "
As soon as they entered, they were greeted with a very large hallway which was also filled with carvings similar to a castle hallway. Seeing its size, it doesn't seem strange since those who pass through this place are giants.
But what greeted them was not only the room but also the sinister laughter that echoed throughout the hall. The echo of laughter also carried waves of mana that could make a Hunter rank B and below tremble, or even faint.
Just from this alone, they could tell that the opponents waiting for them were stronger than the giants outside. Swallowing his nervousness, Ichirou returned to the lead.
The deeper they entered, the louder the laughter they heard became and the mana waves they felt also became denser. And it didn't take long for them to find out who the owner of that laugh was.
" HA HA HA HA! "
In a large hall, loud laughter echoed throughout the room accompanied by the sound of chains colliding with each other. From the source of the sound, there was a giant figure that looked smaller than the giants outside the gate. On his body was a black chain, which was embedded in his body forcing him to kneel as well as a red magic circle which was right under the figure.
" Hilarious! Hilarious! "
The figure continued to laugh despite his prison-like state. He also spoke sentences in a language that none of them, except Izuku.
" You disgusting Ruler! Watch who finds me first!
Welcome, Monarch "
The figure continued talking without even paying attention to the person he was talking to. He simply drew a fact based on the strongest mana he felt coming from the dungeon entrance. However, when he noticed the person he was talking to, his expression immediately changed.
He had a sharp gaze directed at Ichirou and Liu Zhigang who were standing behind him. His gaze was filled with clear hostility and anger, from his body also came out a huge wave of mana that was directed straight at the two of them
" So you are also here Fragment of Brilliant Light "
They could only immediately become alert feeling the real hostility of the boss monster. But just as they were about to attack, a hand suddenly stopped them.
Seeing Izuku, who they thought was behind him, suddenly appear in front of them, of course, made them confused and surprised, especially because he seemed to be preventing them from attacking the dungeon boss.
" Why are you blocking us Izuku? "
" Just a moment, can you leave this to me? "
" What do you mean by that? "
" please "
Ichirou looked into Izuku's eyes for a moment and could only see the seriousness in his eyes. There is no intention to belittle or anything like that. Izuku is confident that even without him they can kill the boss monster. But he felt that if he didn't talk to the monster, he would miss a clue. Seeing this, Ichirou could only sigh before sheathing his sword again.
" hah... fine, but make sure you explain when you come out. "
" Sure, thank you Ichirou-san "
He then turned around and led Touya and Liu Zhigang out. Even though they initially refused, in the end, they still followed Ichirou out. They also took one last glance before they left the room and Touya also stared at him for a long time. He was also initially confused by Izuku's sudden action, but knowing how he was he was sure Izuku had a clear reason since he also knew that Izuku could talk to monsters.
After making sure Ichirou and the others were far away, Izuku returned his attention to the dungeon boss who was still chained. Their eyes met again and he still had the same hostility, although it had lessened a bit.
" What's the meaning of all this? Why are you with the vessels? "
" What do you mean by that? "
" It was the Rulers who made me like this and you should stand on the side of the Monarchs. "
Izuku momentarily narrowed his eyes confused by the monster's words. He was sure he did not side with any party, especially the Monarchs or the Rulers as he had just heard.
" I'm not taking anyone's side "
Feeling doubtful about Izuku's words the monster once again watched him trying to gauge his reaction. However, after a while, he realized a fact that he had ignored.
" Wait, you...
You're not the Monarch I know "
Izuku didn't respond in any way to the monster's words, since the monster was probably referring to the black knight he saw in the memory he got from the Architect. He decided to continue their conversation by prying information out of him.
" Why did the Rulers do that to you? "
" It's all for their plan, they are trying to use me as a stepping stone to strengthen the foundation of the real war. "
" Who are these "Rulers" you are talking about? "
" old enemy of the Monarchs "
" And you... "
" Yes, I'm also a Monarch "
Izuku was silent for a moment as he stared at the Monarch in front of him. Until now Izuku has tried to communicate with the monsters with intelligence, but none of them can explain their origin. Thanks to the restrictions placed on them he didn't get any information.
But the monster in front of him was different. This monster who claims to be a Monarch can answer himself without being hindered by restrictions. Also what he said was enough to bother Izuku. With his class as Shadow Monarch, Izuku wondered whether these Rulers were also enemies he had to fight or not since he was also on the human side.
Izuku felt that he couldn't fully believe what he was saying considering that the person he was talking to was one of the dungeon monsters who was the enemy of humanity. While Izuku was busy with his thoughts, the Monarch spoke again.
" All the Monarchs and Rulers must have noticed you. As you know, you don't have the strength to face them all. You need help. "
" help? "
" release me, I will help you "
" Do you think I will believe that? Will you, who is a monster, help me, who is a human? "
" Then, I will make you believe "
Following the Monarch's words, he began to chant a spell that Izuku couldn't understand. Even so, he could feel mana rotating around him which was also followed by the appearance of a notification screen in front of him.
Ring~
[King of Giants, Monarch of the Beginning, 'Legia', has activated Skill: 'Pledge of Honesty (Deal)']
[Once Skill: 'Pledge of Honesty (Deal)'' is approved, the initiator and recipient must not lie to each other]
[Did you accept the 'Pledge of Honesty (Deal)''?]
Y/N
Izuku was silent for a moment again staring at the notification screen in front of him. He hesitated whether he should accept it or not, but it didn't take long for him to make up his mind.
" Yes "
['Pledge of Honesty (Deal)' has been formed.]
[By mutual agreement between the initiator and acceptor, both parties will not be able to lie to each other until the contract is terminated]
Hearing Izuku's answer, Monarch of the Beginning, Legia then decided to immediately prove it to her interlocutor.
" Release me from my seal, I will help you "
" No, since you seem- "
Without Izuku realizing it, he almost spoke his mind. This of course surprised him while Legia calmly explained.
" Yes, that is the power of the Pledge of Honesty. A curse that prevents you from lying. "
" I see, but why can I talk to you freely unlike other monsters? "
" monsters? "
" the creature that came out of the gate "
" Ah... you mean the residents of Chaos World. How can you equate the mere residents of Chaos World with the Monarch who rules them all? The residents of Chaos World who came out of the gate are none other than the remains of the defeated army and were captured after losing to the army of the Ruler. They had been restrained for a very long time, so it was natural for their egos to be eroded.
However I, a Monarch, unlike them, have maintained my sanity. I have been patiently waiting for the fateful day when I can escape from their grasp. And now here we are, you and I "
Hearing Legia's explanation, Izuku felt like he had seen them from the memories he received from the Architect. The winged soldiers who descended from the sky wore white armor on their bodies. He also remembered the scene where the white army slaughtered the monsters before they were slaughtered by the Shadow Monarch's shadow army.
" Are they the white armored troops who massacred the residents of Chaos World? "
" That's right, they are soldiers of the Rulers. "
" Then, why do the Rulers keep sending Chaos Word prisoners of war to us humans? "
At Izuku's question, a smile appeared on Legia's lips.
" As I said, they are preparing for war. They intend to turn your world into a battlefield to fight the Monarchs once again. "
" I don't understand, then what does that have to do with sending those monsters here? "
" It's simple, it's all to inject magic energy into your world "
Hearing Legia's answer, Izuku seemed to get the answer he was looking for. All points have now found their common ground. The reason why monsters suddenly appeared on earth was also accompanied by awakeners and dungeon resources such as mana stones.
All that existed was just a foothold for the war between the Rulers and Monarchs.
" There is no better way to spread power that does not exist than using the blood of those who have power. So the rulers decided to use prisoners.
The mana density increases day by day. It was the result of cultivation from the blood of monsters. Mana strengthens the world, they plan to make the world strong enough to withstand the effects of war. Soon your world will become hell.
There's no time left, once it becomes known that you and I made contact, both Monarch and Ruler will intervene. The Rulers may have already started their movement, especially with the two vessels out there. "
" I also called them vessels earlier, what does that mean? "
" You don't know anything, don't you? Do you realize that the power you have is not yours, it's the same with them. The power they got was just a loan from the Rulers, to be precise Fragments of Brilliant Light.
But your case is quite different, the fact that you have that power means that the original owner has betrayed the Monarchs which makes you an enemy of both Monarchs and Rulers.
However, I swear I will fight by your side. so will you help me? "
" If you want to be by my side, wouldn't it be better to turn you into one of my soldiers? "
" Both Monarchs and Rulers have spiritual bodies, which means they will die if they are killed, so I cannot be your soldier. Is this information enough for you to help? "
Izuku was silent again for a moment, for some reason he felt something was wrong here. Even though they spoke with the 'Pledge of Honesty' binding them, he couldn't guarantee 100 percent the truth of Legia's words. He could feel that there was still a loophole in the contract they made and that loophole would most likely have fatal consequences not only for him but the people around him.
" I understand, I have a final question. You said you would be on my side. "
" Of course, if you help me I will help you. This is a fair and absolute agreement between two Monarchs. "
" Then, are you on the human side? "
.