The Death Mage that doesn't want a fourth time

86 The Eclipse King's Orchard

Dealing with Immigration had gone better than expected, so Vandalieu decided to clear the Dungeon in the Immortal Ent Forest and inspect his skills earlier than he had planned.

"I'm going to follow you this time!" Darcia exclaimed. "I was so lonely, but Vandalieu... I think it's too early for you to become independent of me."

"I mean, you were still asleep when I got back, weren't you, Mom?"

Darcia, who was a weak spirit, spent most of her time sleeping in the small bone fragment that she inhabited. It just so happened that she had been sleeping when Vandalieu returned.

However, he did think that it might have been for the best for Darcia to not be present at the time.

"So, I was thinking, what if you turned me into a Fire Ghost like Levia-san?" asked Darcia. "I was burned to death as well; I'm sure I'm suited for it."

"Wait, I've acquired a way to create Homunculi, so wait just a little more," Vandalieu told her.

"But if I become a Ghost, I can help you and always be with you, Vandalieu," she said.

"I'm begging you, please wait a little longer," said Vandalieu. "Also, something might happen to you if evil gods are around."

I have to hurry with this, he thought.

______________________________

"Aren't there any evil gods, any wicked gods?*"

"... Boy, why are you holding a hatchet in one hand?" asked Zadiris. "Also, I do not think that there would be any evil gods in a Dungeon that has only just appeared."

"No, I thought there was a sliver of hope that there would be," said Vandalieu. He stopped his namahage* impression and looked up at the Dungeon that had appeared in the Immortal Ent forest.

TLN*: In a Japanese folklore tradition, men dress up like demons called Namahage and yell phrases like "Aren't there any naughty kids?" to scare children into behaving.

The members who were exploring this Dungeon were Pauvina and the other youths, the women minus Eleanora, Bone Man, Vigaro, ten Cemetery Bees and Luciliano, the baggage-carrier.

"But I am someone who works with my mind, Master," Luciliano protested.

"You don't actually have to carry the baggage," said Vandalieu. "Watch our spells from behind and if you have any advice, go ahead and give it to us."

Although Luciliano was a unique C-class adventurer, his ability in battle was quite unimpressive. However, although he had apparently been partially excommunicated, he was a mage who had studied under a master at the Mages' Guild. He might have knowledge or ways of thinking that Vandalieu and the others didn't have, as they were mostly self-taught.

"And you're supposed to be my apprentice, aren't you? Please watch my magic and if you think that there's somewhere else I could apply it, let me know," said Vandalieu.

"I shall do that, Master," said Luciliano.

Thinking that this was impossible, Vandalieu faintly hoped that Luciliano would give up.

"But if the inside is too narrow or the monsters are strong, we'll come back and start again," said Vandalieu.

"I know," said Kachia. "But it's alright, I've become much stronger than I was last time!"

"You won't cry?" Vandalieu asked her.

"I won't cry! I definitely won't cry!"

They entered the Dungeon while teasing Kachia to find that there was a forest inside. It was different to the Devil's Nest forest, the forests full of broad-leaved trees near Talosheim and the forests filled with giant ferns in Borkus's Sub-Dragon Savannah; it was a coniferous forest with pine and cedar trees.