Chapter 287: The Abnormal Goal


    Leaving Linares behind, I and Finne headed to the dungeon located in the eastern part of the Sokal empire.


    This dungeon is where Noname is supposed to be.


    This is my first time in a dungeon!


    Well, dungeons are rare these days after all.


    Dungeon is a general term for locations such as ruins of ancient civilization or ones that were made by the Demons.


    Most of the time, even getting inside one is already difficult and even when you manage to enter, you will need to deal with monsters and various defense mechanisms.


    Monsters found in these dungeons are mostly rare monsters such as those that survived in istion or new species that became adapted to the dungeons special environment.


    On the defense mechanisms side, since they were built in the ancient era of the magic civilization, there are many powerful ones and even their wreckages can fetch high prices.


    Everyone knows well what the word dungeon entails. Still, even with the danger they post, people continue to traverse the dungeons.


    The reason?


    Deep inside the ruins of the ancient magic civilization, there lies the precious items that can no longer be reproduced, and for the ones that were made by the Demons, there are many relics that were made during the Demon King Army era that can be obtained.


    Knowing what they are standing to gain, people continued to dive into the dungeons even while knowing their danger.


    Being a magically advanced country that it is, Sokal empire is very active in excavating dungeons. Right now, it is probably the country that has the highest rate of new dungeons discovery.


    While saying so, an artificial door that was built into the mountain came into sight.


    It must be some kind of facility made in the ancient era.


    Precious tools and weapons are probably sleeping inside this ce.


    If Noname is here then theres no need to doubt that.


    That guy loves this kind of ce after all.


    Noname-san loves this kind of dungeons?


    I guess you could say that. It is perfect for his hobby and he can make a profit here too.


    Hobby and profits?


    Noname is full of mysteries. He has been active as SS-rank adventurers for more than half a century already. Still, I dont see his ability declining at all. I dont know if he is a human or demihuman but what he always does is raising the level of his magic sword.


    Raising level? Does he train himself to handle his sword better?


    No. His beloved sword is the [Dis Pater]. When ites to magic swords, it is probably the strongest of its kind. Its special power is to devour magic power. A magic sword that can grow stronger by absorbing magic power.


    There is such a magic sword too.


    Finne muttered in surprise.


    A magic sword that can grow has already surpassed the concept of magic sword.


    His goal is to surpass the Holy Sword with this magic sword. For that purpose, he has been capturing dungeons and defeating powerful monsters. The reason why he chose the Empire is that it is easy for him to find new dungeons.


    The Holy Swords, you mean the Holy Sword Elna-sama is wielding right? He wants to surpass that?


    Well, for those who know how powerful the Holy Sword is, it might sound like something ridiculous but..Noname is seriously trying to surpass it.


    An SS-rank adventurer is seriously trying to surpass the Holy Sword.


    It is something that has never been done before. After all, the Holy Sword is the strongest weapon on the continent.


    It is the strongest trump card of humanity that once was used to destroy the Demon King.


    Then what does it mean to surpass that?


    The Holy Sword is a weapon that can only be used by a handful of the Amsberg family. In other words, to surpass the Holy Sword is to surpass the Amsbergs.


    Surpassing the Hero. That is Nonames goal.


    I exined that to Finne while entering the dungeon.


    As a person from the Empire, hearing Nonames goal made Finne doubt his sanity. She seems to find it iprehensible to the extent that she cant afford to enjoy her first trip inside a dungeon.


    Honestly, when I first heard of this, I was taken aback as well.


    Even the Holy Sword used by Elna is not yetplete. The Holy Sword has yet to reveal its true power. However, I cant imagine something that can even surpass its current state.


    As expected of an SS-rank adventurer


    It is because he has such a goal that he is one of the most abnormal people on the continent. What really set him aside is how he doesnt choose his means to aplish it.


    I let out a troubled sigh.


    Hes an SS-rank adventurer because he doesnt choose his means to aplish his goal.


    The Dis Pater can absorb magic power from both monsters and other magic swords. The requirement for its absorption is to destroy the absorption target. The moment the Dis Pater defeats a monster or destroys a magic sword, it will absorb their magic power and strengthen itself.


    By bing an SS-rank adventurer. You can fight extraordinary monsters and criminals. Its perfect for growing his magic sword.


    I first met him two years ago when he told me that he couldnt find any more dungeons within the Sokal empire.


    As a magically advanced nation, they would never neglect to investigate new dungeons. If the discovery rate of new dungeons has dropped all across the continent then he shouldnt be surprised if fewer dungeons can be discovered inside Sokal isnt it.


    Even though the number is few, the Sokal empire has put much of its effort to discover new dungeons.


    However, if another country puts in the same effort then there is no doubt that they will find more dungeons within their territory.


    Thats why that guy told me that hed like to expand his search into the Empire as well.


    Thats..as expected.


    Two SS-rank adventurers would give too much power to a single country. Back then, that was the reason I used to make him give up


    When he possesses such an abnormal goal, there is no way that Noname would just give up with that.


    This is just a guess but the SS-ranker who appealed to the Guilds upper management in the Spirit Turtle case is probably Noname. From the reaction of the other guys so far, I didnt get the feeling that they have something against me at all.


    There is a good chance that he did something to get me to leave the Empire.


    In that case, it would be very difficult to persuade him.


    He might tell me to leave the Empire in return after all.


    I dont mind leaving the Empire. Linares also came up with the same proposal. The main idea here is to have no SS-rank adventurer in the Empire after all.


    However, the problem would be if Noname moved into the Empire in my ce.


    I dont think that Noname would have a good rtionship with the Amsbergs.


    I would be troubled if hees to the Imperial Capital to pick a fight with Elna too..


    The Imperial Capital will end up destroyed..


    I can assure you that he will do that someday. When he is convinced that his magic sword has surpassed the Holy Sword that is.


    Saying so, I looked around.


    There are wreckages of Armored Dolls around us. They are probably a type of defense mechanism designed to defend this ce.


    They were all destroyed. Thoroughly at that.


    Thanks to that, I and Finne can traverse deeper inside without any obstacles.


    Judging from this, Noname is probably crushing all of his obstacles as he makes his way into the dungeon.


    Thats like him.


    Maybe he already left?


    No, hes below us. I can sense his unique magic power.


    urately speaking, it is not his magic power that I sensed.


    Noname is an SS-rank adventurer that possesses tremendous strength. However, there is a different kind of magic power swirling around him.


    It is the magic power of Dis Pater.


    I brought you along because if Ie here alone, it might end in a fightare you scared?


    No, I am fine as long as I am with Silver-sama.


    Usually I would say that you can leave it to me but I am not so confident this time. At worst, if ites to battle then we will run away with transfer magic. Fighting him while protecting you might end up making me into food for his magic sword after all.


    Noname doesnty his hand on other SS-rank adventurers because of the possibility of retaliation. He might even get stripped of his title as SS-rank adventurer as well.


    However, now I have a handicap named Finne, and the Guild currently setting their eyes on me.


    Under these conditions, there is a possibility that this is a setup. Well, I dont think that he would start something right in front of Finne though.


    Even like that, he is still an adventurer after all.


    Still, I cant say for sure that he wont.


    I and Finne went down the long flight of stairs.


    Then we found ourselves in a ridiculously wide open space. It seems to be an underground facility.


    It may have been an ancient experimental site. The open space here is wide enough to conduct a military exercise.


    At the center, stand the wreckage of a giant armored doll.


    And a person.


    Noname.


    When I called his name, he looked back.


    Although it was right after a battle his white clothes and ck mask arepletely clean.


    In his hand is a terrifying ck magic sword.


    Good day, Silver. What kind of business do you have with me today?


    TLN: Dis Pater is the name of Roman God of the Underworld