Entropy's Servant

Chapter 37 - Yrius

My name is Yrius.

Occasionally, I get the feeling I once had a different name, but I can never remember what it was.

I don't quite remember, but I've been told that I died. Something about a truck? Afterwards, I was apparently brought back to life by the glorious Goddess of Light, Lady Luciel. I think I might've been a salaryman of some kind, but all I can really remember is that I enjoyed videogames.

Of course, I'm grateful to her from the bottom of my heart.

Not only did she bring me back to life, she also gave me the ability to use magic--by making me an Archmage--and a special skill called [Clear Mind]. With its help, I've become able to devote myself to Lady Luciel and remain a rational person at the same time.

I feel like some of my co-believers are less than rational, though.

Today is the first time I was sent on a mission together with Lady Saniel, the Saint of Exorcisms.

Of course, I'm not alone with her: there are three other Heroes with us as well.

Apparently, if it goes well, we'll be permitted to work with Lady Saniel in the future, too.

The mission is as follows:

Go to a certain dungeon, and kill its master.

"Dungeons", according to Lady Luciel, are places where magic builds up, giving birth to many more monsters than any other place.

The one at the top--usually a demon--is the dungeon's 'master', the most powerful monster there and often entirely deluded. Kill it, and the entire internal structure of the dungeon falls apart.

Although, the few times I asked demons about dungeons, they didn't seem to know anything...?

Well, whether 'dungeons' are real or not, the mission is simply to kill the demon in charge at our destination.

Though it almost seemed like we crossed some kind of border to get there, we eventually reached the dungeon.

If I had to describe it in one word, I'd be one of the few people to use the word 'awesome' as it's written in the dictionary.

A huge, black castle with walls that tower over you, at least ten metres tall. The main gate, almost just as lofty, is decorated with lavish amounts of gold, silver and gemstones. The castle itself is even larger than the exterior walls, and the dignified impression it leaves, probably in part due to the very tall, dark stained glass windows, is almost like that of a cathedral.

Stronger than the feeling of awe the castle leaves in my heart, however, is a strange sense of dread, almost as if I shouldn't be here.

I also can't shake the feeling I'm being watched...

I can't say I was expecting the gates to open just like that, but they did.

Surprisingly, there's been very little--scratch that, no resistance. I haven't seen a single monster...

Ah, there's one. Hiding in ambush behind the door...?

She looks almost like a maid, but she's a bit... blue, isn't she?

Also, she's floating, and that's not an expression a maid should be making.

Could it be--?!, I think, my mind shooting into a full-blown panic as a number of scenarios run through my head.

"Stop!"

Ah. I've just stopped him from attacking the monster. I've gone and done it now... But I can't let him! That sense of dread turned into a feeling of immediate crisis when he was making movements to attack her, after all...