Legend

Along with his incantation, a 30cm fireball was created at the tip of the Death Scythe.

『Fireball!』

As soon as the magic was completed, the fireball flew through the air as it attempted to burn the queen bee.

「Kikikikiki-!」

The wings of the queen bee began to rub against each other and a high pitched sound that seemed like a cry echoed out.
No, it was clearly some sort of cry.
A large number of Sword Bees threw themselves in front of the fireball as if to protect the queen bee.
Rei clicked his tongued as he saw the Sword Bees’ protect their queen.

(The queen bee is the only one that can make them work together.
In that case……I’m afraid we’ll have to kill the queen bee first.)

Making a quick decision, Rei looked over at Elena.

Understanding what Rei wanted to do with a glance, Elena swung her sword whip out.

The tip of the sword, controlled by Elena’s magic power, headed for the queen bee as it avoided other the Sword Bees, drawing a complex trajectory in the air……but, just as it was about to hit the queen bee, a Sword Bee stopped the tip with its body.

「Gurururururu-!」

Seemingly finding a gap, Set used Wind Arrow to strike the Sword Bees around the queen.

「The path is open! It’s your mistake for misjudging our strength!」

With a shout, Rei threw a spear that he took out from the Misty Ring.

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The spear, which was pierced through the air as it was thrown out, stabbed, crushed, destroyed and smashed through any Sword Bees that threw themselves in its way in an attempt to protect the queen……yet, as it was about to strike the queen bee’s large torso.

「Kikikikiki-!」

The queen bee rubbed it’s wings against each other again, creating a wind barrier between Rei and the Sword Bees, hiding the figure of the queen bee.

Although Rei’s spear pierced the wind barrier, it’s path clearly veered away from the queen bee.

「Wind magic!? ……I didn’t think it had a hidden trick like that.」

「Rei, no.
I can’t see Sword Bees approaching from any other direction.
It seems that they’ve withdrawn.」

「They’ve retreated? I see, in that case.」

Just as Rei said that, the wind barrier lost it’s power and the area behind it became visible again.

Of course, the queen bee was no longer there, just a few Sword Bees that had been pierced by the spear, which was now stuck in the wall.

The worst part was that the corpses of the Sword Bees that had been struck by the spear were then caught in the wind barrier, tearing them to pieces.

Rei gave a sigh as he clicked his tongue.

「I had expected it to run away because it let its subordinates die……but to destroy the bodies of its subordinates.
Don’t you know that we’re trying to collect magic stones, materials and proofs of subjugation?」

「……That might actually be possible.
Insect monsters basically aren’t very smart, but sometimes, I’ve heard that strangely intelligent individuals would appear.
This may be one of them.
As expected of a queen bee……what do we do now?」

Elena asked while only half expecting a response from Rei.

As far as their current situation was concerned, this was the first time they had encountered a Sword Bee queen, and of course……

「I haven’t absorbed a magic stone from one of them before.
Of course I’ll chase after it.」

「That’s what I thought.
This is why I can’t leave you alone.
I’ll have to go with you.」

Elena was a loss for words for a moment before she continued speaking.

She considered herself to have great appeal, but unfortunately it had no effect on Rei, who’s focus was now completely on the queen bee’s magic stone.

Rei looked towards the direction the queen bee had likely left and thought about it for several seconds before coming to a decision.

「I’m sorry Elena, I’d really like to get the queen bee’s magic stone.
We can head straight for the stairs to the fourth floor after that.」

「Haah.
……I understand.
Well, I had expected it to happen because of who you are.
I wish you’d care a little more for me though.」

Elena gave a sigh when she realised her appeal had no use.
However, Elena couldn’t deny that she was in agreement with Rei’s decision.

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「Well then.
Let’s go.
However, it looks like this path leads to another crossroads……Set, can I leave it to you?」

「Gururu~!」

Leave it to me, Set seemed to say with a cry.
Seeing that, Rei gave a smile and stroked his head.

Set squinted his eyes for a moment before immediately breaking out into a run.

The scent still lingered for now, but as time went by, it would become more difficult to follow.

Rei and the others started to run after Set.

Originally, they had planned to advanced while keeping an eye out for traps, but if they continued to do that in their current situation, the queen bee would definitely escape.
Considering that, they judged that it would be better for them to run through the passageways, catch up with the queen bee and kill it, even if it meant putting themselves at greater risk.

Both Rei and Elena understood each other’s thoughts just by looking at each other.

(Fortunately, all the traps on the third floor aren’t too big of an issue.)

Rei thought to himself while chasing after Set.

Elena ran alongside him with Yellow sitting on her left shoulder.
It was a party of two people and two monsters, but Rei felt strangely satisfied at their ability to communicate with each other without wasting time on words.

They ran through the dungeon, past many crossroads, without hesitation.
Sometimes they went straight, sometimes to the right and sometimes to the left.

Ocassionally, they would run into a monster the moment they turned a crossroad.
However, since most of them were low levelled monsters like Goblins, their heads or bodies would either be slashed by Rei’s Death Scythe and Elena’s sword whip, or be crushed by Set’s forefeet.

The unluckiest one was a Goblin that had gotten caught on Set’s shoulder as he passed by.
As a result of pushing the Goblin against the wall and running without slowing down, there was less than half a Goblin left by the it fell from Set after being scraped against the wall.

And……

「Guru~!」

Set gave a short cry.

Hearing that, Rei thought that they had caught up with the queen bee when heard the noise of fighting.

There was the sound of shouting, screaming and objects slashing or slamming into something.
Hearing that, the voice of the adventurer who had talked with them at the stairs passed through Rei’s mind.

When they finally turned the corner, Rei saw what he had been expecting.

He cast the magic that he had prepared earlier just in case and burned up all the Sword Bee that had been a short distance away from the adventurers……

「Do you need help?」

Rei called out.