The Hero's party and I set off immediately for the entrance of the Kataroff Dungeon.
"Oh, before we head inside, there's something I should tell you," I said, coming to a halt as a thought occurred to me.
"And what might that be?" Holy Knight Kanaria asked, fixing me with a sharp, piercing stare.
I didn't think I’d done anything to offend her, but her gaze was intense enough to make me wonder why she looked so hostile.
"The truth is, this dungeon has two entrances. There’s the main one right in front of us, and then there’s a teleportation circle that leads directly to the dungeon depths..."
Strictly speaking, the Vampire Eudite had once mentioned a third entrance—a secret teleportation circle that allowed for two-way travel—but it had already been destroyed by the time I met her, so she never told me its location. It was possible the circle still existed in this era, but I saw no reason to bring it up and cause unnecessary confusion.
"I used the teleportation circle to conquer this place, so I know the layout of the dungeon depths quite well. However, I know absolutely nothing about the dungeon shallow floors near the main entrance. I won't be of much use as a guide if we take the long way in."
They had hired me specifically for my knowledge of the Kataroff Dungeon. But since I had been framed and forcibly warped into the depths from the start, I had never seen what lay beyond the front gates.
"What? You can't guide us through the entrance?!" Kanaria barked. "Then what was the point of hiring you in the first place?"
She had a point. As a guide, failing to provide directions was a pretty significant shortcoming. I probably shouldn't have agreed to this so readily.
"Calm yourself, Kanaria," Eligion said softly.
"My apologies, Your Highness. I overstepped," she replied, bowing her head. The Hero had successfully reined her in before she could launch into another tirade.
"Kiska, thank you for the information," Hero Eligion said, turning to me with a smile.
"It’s... it’s nothing," I managed. He didn't seem the least bit annoyed. Between his charisma and his striking looks, it was easy to see why someone like him had been chosen as a Hero.
"First, we need to consider which route the Demon King took to enter the dungeon," the Hero mused, resting his chin in his hand. "Kanaria, were there any reports of the Demon King being seen at the main entrance?"
"No. We gathered information from the villagers, but no one saw anything of the sort."
"Then we should probably assume he used the teleportation circle, shouldn't we?"
"The probability is certainly high, Highness."
"Right. Then we’ll use the teleportation circle as well. Kiska, would you lead us there?"
It seemed the matter was settled.
"Once we use that circle, getting back out won't be easy," I warned. "Are you sure?"
"Don't worry," Eligion replied confidently. "We’re much stronger than we look."
It was a pointless concern on my part. These were the Hero and his chosen companions—the strongest group of adventurers in existence.
"Follow me, then."
I nodded and led the way to the teleportation circle.
"So, this circle will take us straight to the depths?" Eligion asked once we arrived.
"Yes. It will."
"Very well. Everyone, onto the circle."
At Eligion’s command, all six of us stepped onto the platform. In an instant, the circle erupted in a dazzling light that swallowed us whole. A heartbeat later, we were gone.
"Looks like we made it inside," I muttered, scanning the area.
The walls were unmistakably those of a dungeon. As I’d expected, I had been warped somewhere within the depths of the Kataroff Dungeon.
"Wait..."
I blinked, realization sinking in. We had all stepped onto the circle together, yet as I looked around, there was no sign of the others.
I was completely alone.