After being shown the full extent of the Six King Dungeon, I returned to the tower where we had started.
"Thank you for everything you showed me today, Roze-san."
(You're very welcome! If Kaito-kun had a good time, then Roze is happy too.)
It really had been an invaluable experience. I’d just been given a personal tour all the way to the bottom floor of a dungeon where, currently, no regular challenger had even managed to clear the first basement level.
According to Roze-san, once the final boss—the Black Emperor Class of the End—was defeated, its massive greatsword would remain on the throne. Touching the blade transformed it into the Six Kings' Sword, the ultimate reward for clearing the dungeon.
I was impressed by how much effort had gone into the theatrical presentation... even if I didn't get the sense that the creators had any intention of actually letting anyone win.
"Still, it was incredible. Seeing those golems, I can certainly understand why no one has cleared it yet."
(Clear it? People have cleared it before~.)
"...Eh?"
(I don't mean regular challengers, more like test runs. Every one of the Six Kings-sama has cleared it at least once, and Megiddo-sama comes to play quite often. He says the Black Emperor Class of the End is nice and sturdy, so it’s the perfect outlet for when he wants to cut loose... But don't worry, he's very considerate; he always makes sure to come when there aren't any other challengers around.)
I see. Now that she mentioned it, this place was the perfect playground for Megiddo-san. Since the Black Emperor was strong enough to trade blows with the actual Six Kings, it must be the ideal sparring partner for a battle-maniac like him. Knowing Megiddo-san, he probably stuck to the entrance rules, so it was likely a treat he looked forward to every now and then.
(Also, Shaltier-sama comes by often to make adjustments. She mutters things like, 'I hope Megiddo-sama fails this time,' while she improves the golems.)
"So that’s why she’s been strengthening them... Wait, if Megiddo-san actually enjoys the challenge, then her attempts to spite him are just making him happier. I guess it all works out in the end."
(Yup, yup! Megiddo-sama is always very impressed by the golems Shaltier-sama upgrades.)
From Alice's perspective, this place was probably a prime location for experimental research. By letting Megiddo-san fight the upgraded versions, she could gather real combat data. It felt like a surprisingly functional win-win relationship.
As I sat back down, Roze-san hopped excitedly across the table toward me.
(Kaito-kun! Let's play! Let's play!)
"Sure. What do you want to play?"
(This!)
"Hmm? What is that?"
Roze-san produced a disc that looked a bit like a large rice cracker. It was a bit small for a frisbee, so I wasn't quite sure how it was supposed to be used.
(You throw it! We can't do it inside the tower, so let's go outside!)
"Alright, lead the way."
I figured it was basically a frisbee. Following her out of the tower, we moved to a wide, open clearing.
(Try throwing it!)
"Okay. Here goes."
I threw the disc as instructed. The moment it left my hand, magic power erupted from the disc, sending it flying at high speed along an erratic, chaotic trajectory.
(Wheee!)
"Wait—it's too fast!?"
Roze-san leaped off my shoulder with a squeal of delight, chasing down the disc at a blurring speed. She caught it and hopped back to me, looking very proud of herself. She looked just like a puppy returning with a frisbee in its mouth—it was incredibly endearing.
"...So, it's a toy meant for playing fetch?"
(That's right! It flies according to how much magic you put into it when you throw. Chrome-sama told me it's an toy called a 'frisbee.' Watch this! Hyah!)
Roze-san extended a tentacle and flung the disc. It flew at a speed incomparable to my own throw, leaving a visible trail of magic power in its wake as it carved through the air.
(You're supposed to stand across from each other and throw it back and forth!)
"That is definitely not the frisbee I know... Actually, Roze-san, there's no way I can catch something moving that fast."
(..........Oh, right!)
It seemed she hadn't meant any harm; the realization had simply slipped her mind. I couldn't help but smile at her reaction as I pulled a ball out of my Magic Box.
"Instead of that frisbee, why don't we play a game of catch? Just like before, I can't catch anything too fast, so I'll need you to throw it gently."
(Okay! I'll throw it nice and soft. Hehe, I'm so glad! I was worried I wouldn't be able to play with Kaito-kun after all, but this makes me so happy!)
She really was a charming little creature. Her constant hopping was just so cute. Roze-san took the ball, moved a short distance away, and used a tentacle to toss the ball back with a soft, gentle arc.
(Is this okay?)
"Yeah, that's perfect. As long as it's about the same strength as my throws, I can handle it. Okay, here it comes!"
(Yay!)
Watching Roze-san happily catch the ball and toss it back, her pure joy was infectious. Just being around her lifted my spirits, and we spent a good while simply enjoying a game of catch.
Bonus: Six King Golems Summary
Volganic Beast A golem based on Megiddo, appearing as a red magic beast. It is specialized for physical brawling and excels in close-quarters combat. While it lacks long-range options, its extreme speed makes it nearly impossible to keep at a distance. Its durability is so high that any fight against it is guaranteed to be a grueling battle of attrition.
"Shouting Earth" Geo Gaialm A massive Triceratops-type ground dragon golem based on Magnawell. It functions as a heavy tank with immense power and defense. Like the Volganic Beast, it is a vanguard-style combatant, but it is also capable of wide-scale environmental attacks by manipulating the earth.
"Singing Forest" Frau Chil A golem based on Lilliwood, appearing as a giant treant. It is specialized in defense and counter-attacks. Because the entire forest area serves as its body, any half-hearted attack is simply absorbed. Its regenerative and healing capabilities are so high that breaking through its defenses is an exhausting task.
Frozen Absolute Boundary Kalis Merenade A ghost-type golem based on Isis. It is a back-line specialist focused on magic. It opens combat by unleashing Cocytus Infinity and Cocytus Zero; those who cannot survive the opening move are deemed unworthy of even facing it. It is accompanied by three guardian beasts, and the main body is immune to all damage as long as the guardians remain.
Sneering Moonlight Luminax A special-type shadow golem based on Alice. It utilizes tricky tactics and shapeshifting. The fight progresses through phases: first, a tricky style focused on surprise attacks; second, mimicking the other Six King Golems; third, splitting into multiple entities that use various Six King powers; and finally, its true form as a Shadow Jester. Alice designed the phases to mirror her basic style, Hecatoncheir, her split bodies, and her Ultimate War-Form.
Silver Servant El Criestel A maid-type golem based on Ein. It is a perfect all-rounder that utilizes time and space manipulation magic to launch ultra-high-speed attacks. It also covertly sets magic power threads throughout the battlefield, often trapping its opponent before they even realize they are in danger.
Black Emperor Class of the End The dungeon boss of the final floor, based on Kuro. It initially fights alongside the Silver Servant El Criestel, and even in this state, its stats are overwhelmingly high. It remains invincible until the Silver Servant is defeated; however, once the servant falls, the emperor enters its Final Form. In this state, it can use the abilities of every other Six King Golem at will, with its base stats rising to a level where even the actual Six Kings would find it a worthy opponent.