Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

With my mouth dry, I murmured a question, while Professor Leon simply gave me a calm answer.

Nina seemed to be witnessing this scene for the first time as well, standing there stunned, unable to utter a word. Amidst the howling wind, we stood side by side, desperately trying to understand the knight's words.

"That 'wind' is the 'pillar' that slows down the doomsday clock. Thanks to it binding the 'black dragon' firmly here, the lower realm has been able to survive."

"...!!"

"Those who know this information are few and far between, even among the world's major powers. It is the 'giant wind seal' built at the border between the 'Ancient Times' and the 'Age of Gods'."

After hearing this explanation, I was speechless.

At the same time, it suddenly dawned on me.

Despite the world's long-cherished wish, known as the Three Great Adventurers' Request, the doomsday clock has yet to strike. The reason there is still a sliver of 'leave' is entirely thanks to the existence of this 'tornado' before us.

That 'giant wind seal' was none other than the 'life-extending device of the lower realm'.

"But who on earth put that thing...!?"

"The ancient sage. You should still remember who drove the 'Black Dragon' from Orario in the distant past, right?"

"Mercenary King Valentinestein... no, 'Great Hero Albert'... right?"

I first blurted out the name from the anecdote, but then changed it to the well-known and famous name.

"Exactly. After the strongest hero took one of its eyes, the 'One-Eyed Dragon,' which spread its wings from the western horizon, was finally sealed here by a Great Immortal at the cost of its life."

It seems there's something connecting them.

Although I am far from a true understanding, and there is no logical connection between them, it is just a bunch of scattered intuitions, but I am sure that something is connected.

However, with my mind stagnating and my spirits wandering, I ultimately failed to grasp that clue.

"Legend has it that when the 'black dragon' whose eye was taken by the great hero descended into this deep valley, it immediately issued a 'command'. To its fellow dragons scattered throughout the lower realm at that time, it commanded: 'Gather all under my command.'"

"...!"

"According to the gods, it needed 'bait' to heal its lost eye. So, the moment almost all the dragons gathered in this remote land... the Great Fairy summoned that enormous storm. It brought countless destructions to the lower realm, and the most ferocious race—the dragons, along with the 'Dragon King,' were imprisoned here ever since."

"So, does that mean... that is...?"

"That's right. That's the realm we call 'Dragon Valley'."

The entire area covered by the enormous and vast tornado is 'Dragon Valley'.

The area inside the tornado was completely isolated from the outside world and could not be observed in any way.

So I can only imagine it.

Within that 'Wind Seal,' the original appearance of antiquity may still be preserved, a 'Dragon Paradise' inhabited by countless ferocious creatures.

Or perhaps, it is a true "hell".

(If... it really is just if... those 'Ancient Dragons' are still alive today, just like the 'Black Dragon'...)

Possessing potential abilities no less than those of the original Labyrinth Dragon, and even having accumulated greater power over countless years, if there really are several lurking in that storm—

Destruction is imminent.

Once these dragons, comparable to floor masters, unleash their power, almost the entire human habitat, except for the labyrinth city, will be reduced to ashes.

"...I remember learning about this in the theory of end-times combat. Dragons descending from the 'Valley' bring severe disasters. That is..."

"The 'Black Dragon,' which has fallen into slumber due to its seal, occasionally emits 'dragon snores' in its sleep... The snores shake the storms and cause distortions, allowing dragons to escape from the gaps. We call this phenomenon 'Dragon Descends from the Valley.' It remains the root cause of the 'Dragon Visit Problem' encountered in the lower realms."

I gasped, and then it dawned on me.

Indeed, the reason why the lower realm has remained safe and sound until now lies in this storm of immortal essence.

That enormous wind seal was the last fortress that gave birth to the lower realm as it is today and has protected it to this day.

This is... the end.

The impending doom that the lower realm has never escaped.

"At the root of that storm, there is a special barrier device for the 'school district' that maintains and strengthens the seal, arranged in a ring. However, since it is forbidden to approach the 'valley' any further, it is probably not visible to the naked eye."

Although I had indeed heard this information in Professor Adela's "Final Response Theory" class, I was still shocked once again. The ones who personally set up the barrier device must have been Professor Leon and other teachers in the "school district," and as the name suggests, they must have risked their lives.

It's not just this tornado.

Including the "Great Barrier" we saw on our way here, the peace in the lower realm today is maintained only through the efforts of countless people and immortals. Even this glimmer of light is as faint as a candle flickering in the wind.

"Nina, could you please take out the 'crystal' I gave you?"

"Ah, okay, okay!"

Upon hearing Leon's instructions, Nina, who was still in a daze, was startled and quickly put down her luggage.

She used her unruly hands and feet to take out an orange-yellow crystal that looked like a magical artifact from her backpack and installed it on the ground along with a device that resembled a base.

We are on a rocky, high platform far from Dragon Valley.

It's about five kilometers away from the valley.

This is probably the safest zone to ensure that the dragons are not provoked.

Although sealed by the tornado, the thought of something going wrong and causing the 'most ferocious ancient dragons' or even the 'black dragons' to awaken from their slumber is enough to make one's blood run cold. The oppressive feeling emanating from the depths of the tornado is so chilling and suffocating that it inspires such ominous thoughts.

"...?"

Just then, something suddenly came into view in the distance.

At the boundary where the tornado tore through the clouds.

It flashed by like a crackling bolt of lightning.

(...Is it just my imagination?)

I stared intently, but the light spots vanished like phantoms, and nothing happened.

Perhaps it was the overwhelming feeling I had when I first encountered "Dragon Nest" that made me a bit neurotic.

My tense body gradually relaxed, and I gently exhaled.

"You brought me here...this is the purpose of the 'field survey,' right?"

Amidst the roaring air currents, I stared intently at the tornado, muttering a question to myself.

"That's what Professor Leon, who was standing behind me, answered."

"That's right. And—from this moment on, the real 'adventure' begins."

At the same time, a sound rang out.

That was the sound of a sword being released from its sheath.

It was the sound of a heroic sword being drawn that rang out countless times during this journey.

"────────!?"

The moment I realized it, I instinctively pushed off the ground and jumped up.

She didn't have time to question his intentions; all she could think about was escaping the range of that attack.

But the silver sword light seemed to have anticipated my reaction and movement, and it almost grazed the top of my head.

There was no impact whatsoever, nor was there a single wound left. It was as if a gentle breeze had passed by.

It struck the 'Lapi's Wig' precisely, cutting off the brown hair strand to the ground.

"...!? Professor Leon...!?"

"That was a truly excellent reaction. Also, I must apologize to you first. From this moment on, I will follow the earth people's blood that flows through my veins."

As soon as the wig was cut off and I landed the instant I finished my evasive maneuver, I immediately looked back and saw that Professor Leon was still the same as before.

Before me stood the 'knight' wielding a greatsword, fair, just, and never arrogant.

I was speechless with astonishment, and Nina also stopped what she was doing, falling silent.

Immediately afterwards—the crystal placed on the ground also shone, and a beam of light shot straight into the sky.

It's as if it's conveying our location to some distant place.

(This feels... like 'Kamui'!?)

Could it be—!

We are clearly the only ones here.

But I felt it clearly.

It's that feeling I've had during war games and faction wars, a 'surging tide of gazes'!

Could it be that the activated "Divine Mirror" is broadcasting us live?!

"Bell. Draw your sword. The appointed time has come."

Amidst the hallucination of cheers, Professor Leon announced to me.

He held the longsword in one hand, as if waiting for "that moment" between us.

"Orario and the 'School District' will face off. In this name—please allow me to embark on this 'adventure (battle)' with you."

The 'lion's spirit' that had been suppressed for so long finally roared out.

The strongest knight raised the corners of his mouth in a smile.

Volume 20, Chapter 4: The Knight's Last Glimmer

The hero has fallen.

The three adventurers' final task, the task of defeating the "Black Dragon," has failed.

Those heroes, who infuriated, terrified, yet also inspired awe, suffered such a tragic defeat, swallowed up by the dark end.

I can't believe it, and I don't want to admit it.

Along with the world plunged into despair, my mind went blank, utterly overwhelmed by the shock.

If even that light cannot be defeated, if even those overlords cannot reach it, then who can contend with the end? There is no light more dazzling than theirs, nor is there such unparalleled dominance. It is precisely because I have been defeated by them countless times, honed by them, and guided by them that I understand this better than anyone else.

The lower realm is on the verge of destruction.

Even the gods' silent, pensive expressions foreshadowed the ending.

But even so.

"The next era will belong to us."

The unruly little people said this.

"Don't talk to me about the end. I haven't seen the whole world yet."

The wild princess (high elf) thus declared.

"This is exhilarating! The next intense battle is about to begin!"

The Tu people, who showed more camaraderie than anyone else, laughed heartily.

"Your lights will be devoured by us."

The wild boar warrior roared after being baptized in countless muddy conditions.

"Bring it on, fledglings."

The strongest hero of the past, now reduced to a crippled body, still proudly proclaims.

Having been defeated by the black dragon, he now burns away his remaining life force to declare war on the "next generation of fledglings," entrusting everything to them.

"Give up your lives, hero (Maxim). For us, for the next era."

And I myself, amidst blood and roars, swung my sword at the heroes of yesteryear, offering my final farewell.

The 'hero' no longer exists.

Nevertheless, a new 'hero' will still be born.

This is the myth of heroes.

When one hero falls, a new hero rises from the ruins.

The will has never been broken. The light has been passed down from generation to generation. It flows on forever, endlessly.

Thunder rumbled and rolled from the distant horizon, announcing that this was the course laid out by heroes from ancient times to the present.

If so, then we will write the following chapters.