Danmachi: A Mage's Journey

Chapter 290: Battlefield: 18th Floor

Lyra called over, "Riveria, if we're supposed to slay this so-called Greatest Evil, where exactly are we meant to fight it? The thing is as massive as a monster rex."

Alise frowned too, feeling the violent tremors underfoot. "She's right. Against something that big, the location's everything. If more monsters keep swarming, it'll be a nightmare."

Riveria's eyes softened as she glanced toward Ais who had opened the way. Then she answered calmly, "You're both correct. A normal floor would cage us. A battle of that scale requires an open space, wide enough, and free of distractions."

"Then the choice is obvious."

Akira, lowering his bow as they reached the staircase to the next level, answered without hesitation, "The 18th floor."

"Exactly." Riveria nodded firmly.

"What!? We're actually going to fight there? Against a monster larger than anything before? This is insane." Alise cried out in disbelief.

That floor, their beloved haven, was a safe zone, where monsters never spawned. Even if creatures occasionally wandered in, no one had ever imagined a battle of this magnitude could happen there.

"This time, it's two fronts, right?" Ryuu muttered gravely. "Us in the dungeon below, and the surface under siege above. But can the surface forces really hold out? Even with Finn, without Riveria-sama's support..."

Her words trailed off as both she and Alise looked toward Akira. Their unspoken thought was clear, the true trump card was right here beside them.

"No problem."

The words came, firm and unshakable, from Ais.

"Eh!?"

"Everyone, we won't lose."

The quiet yet confident declaration stunned the girls, but drew knowing smiles from Riveria and Gareth.

Akira chuckled, ruffling Ais' hair. "She's right. There's no point drowning in worry. Focus on what's in front of you."

"Indeed." Gareth added, hefting his battle axe. "And don't forget. The Freya Familia holds the surface. In the past, they were our rivals. But now? Fighting together, there's no one stronger."

He gazed upward at the dungeon's stone ceiling, voice rumbling with faith. "Just as Finn and the others trust in us, we must trust in them."

As they ran, Akira shifted forward, stepping into the role of vanguard. He grinned wickedly at his companions, eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Faster, faster, faster! Even if you drool, even if your face is smeared with dirt, even if you spit while running, don't stop! Don't slow down! The Greatest Evil isn't going to sit politely and wait for us!"

The others nearly stumbled at his words, tripping over their own feet.

Can you not ruin the atmosphere at a time like this!?

The casino, the amphitheater, the guild headquarters, the base camp of the Ganesha Familia, every stronghold across Orario was locked in a desperate struggle to protect the people.

From rooftops and barricades, arrows and spells rained down. Monsters surged like waves through the streets, while evilus soldiers scaled walls and rooftops, their blades clashing against defenders in vicious close combat.

"AAAHH!"

Inside the headquarters of the Loki Familia, Twilight Manor.

A veteran warrior roared as his blade flashed, carving five monsters in half with a single strike.

"In addition to the soldiers, they've even unleashed monsters. They don't care if their magic burns friend or foe, arrogant bastards."

"Hah! These things? They're only surface-dwellers. Nothing we can't handle."

One after another, the senior adventurers barked out, voices steady, their confidence unshaken.

The sight of veterans driving back enemies with axes, even bare fists, ignited the fighting spirit of the younger Loki Familia members. In response to their seniors' fearless charge to the frontlines, the newer adventurers fought with all their strength, refusing to let their comrades down.

"Alicia! You're late with your support spell! Don't tell me you're so scared you can't even chant properly!?"

"Then maybe you should just run back and join Raul and Aki in scouting duty!"

"Y-Yes! No, wait! That's wrong! I belong in the rearguard! If I can't even fulfill my role as an archer... how can I face my kin? How can I face Riveria-sama, who's pressing forward into the depths of the dungeon!?"

Among the defenders was a young elf girl, barely Level 3. Despite trembling under the blood-soaked air and crushing killing intent, she steadied her breath. Azure ice bloomed at her fingertips, arrow after arrow loosed in quick succession.

Her voice wavered, but her magic never ceased.

Even then, the veterans never forgot to shout encouragement, half-jesting, half-commanding, lifting the spirits of those who threatened to drown in fear.

Elsewhere, the eastern stronghold of the Colosseum.

"Ohhhhhh—!"

The chorus of roars and screams, of monsters dying and men fighting, shook the very stone. Among them, striding through corpses and blood, was a single beast-man, a cat-man who bore the title of "the fastest."

Allen.

"Go to hell."

His spear swept out in a blur, reaping evilus soldiers before they could scream. Blood sprayed like mist as his golden eyes scanned the battlefield.

Lines, formations, strategies, none of it mattered before Allen's onslaught. His rampage ignored both front and rear lines, cutting straight through as if the battlefield were his playground.

Those who tried to counterattack were crushed. Those who tried to flee were run down. Those who tried to cast spells died before they finished the chant. Even the desperate suicide soldiers, those who sought to explode amidst defenders, were slain before they could draw near.

"OOOOHHHH!!!"

Witnessing Allen's overwhelming rampage, the adventurers around him could not help but raise their voices, their fear drowned by awe.

This was the eastern front, the battlefield predicted to gather the densest wave of enemies, alongside the north. Now it had become a stage of carnage, the enemies falling faster than reinforcements could arrive.

And this slaughterhouse was guarded by the warriors of the Freya Familia themselves.

Magic flared like endless thunder, swords and axes smashed into flesh with the force of walls collapsing, each blow protecting the fortress sheltering thousands of refugees.

With Allen as their spearpoint, the city's mightiest familia displayed its power in full. The crowd's cheers rose higher and higher, cascading across Orario.

Even the Guild Headquarters in the northwest, where Finn stood overseeing the battle, could hear the roar of celebration.

"That's beautiful."

For Orario, for the defenders, the eastern district, guarded by the Freya Familia, had become a beacon of hope.

And at the heart of it—

"Are you alone?"

A massive shadow emerged through the dissipating mist.

Ottar felt his chest tighten at the sight of the lone figure who had been waiting for him.

Zald.

His voice rumbled like thunder, filled with the weight of absolute confidence.

"I won't let anyone get in the way."

Ottar and Zald's gazes locked, declaring war.

"I'll defeat you myself."

Meanwhile, on the 17th floor of the Dungeon.

As the surface battle raged, the expeditionary force below felt the stone tremble beneath their feet. It was as though they were rushing straight into the maw of a colossal beast.

The girls of the Astraea Familia gripped their weapons tightly, sweat running down their brows.

"Close. It's close!"

The tremors grew heavier the deeper they pushed forward. With every step, the oppressive aura pressed down harder, the enemy's presence undeniable.

Still, they did not falter. Their blades rose and fell, cutting down Minotaurs who dared to bar their way.

"The 18th floor... it's within sight." Ais muttered, her eyes unwavering as her sword cleaved another beast.