After the events that transpired in the Dungeon with Monica's party, we walked back to the surface after healing their wounded friend. In the way up, the professors and security finally arrived, terrible late as usual. This was obviously intentional.
It was quite clear that there were someone, or some people mixed in between the academy's security system, which were managing all of this and stopping security from reaching the students in time.
And of course, whoever set up that Rat King from being able to become a vessel of a high-ranking demon that could even summon Demonic Gates was also involved with the academy if they were allowed to enter the dungeon…
However, as much as we discussed this with Hasan, he said that nobody kept records of supervisors that entered the dungeon, and that it happened all the time.
Investigating them one by one was going to be a bit of a pain, but I didn't gave up. I quickly learned their names and sent small Spider Golems to go check on them. In a few days, I might get some results.
Monica had helped us out after she ended becoming Rank 3, thanks to her new Spirit, which was named "Accursed Dress of Malice" she was able to conjure even stronger Curses, capable of even affecting high ranking demons.
Although nobody died, she was quite devastated by what happened, and needed some time alone. I talked to her about what was happening in her territory for a bit though, and learned more about what had happened in the dungeon.
It seems that the Demons in the Silvertide Kingdom are plotting to kill the important lords resisting the invasion, this includes Monica, her father, and a few others. Probably to weaken the morale of the humans and at the same time, to take down potential threats to their invasion.
Once our talk with Hasan was over, he once more apologized for what happened, but I couldn't blame him for it. For now, I told him to tighten the security around dungeons, and he quickly decided to deploy more guards into them, even if it could cost more money.
When we were back home, Monica and her party accompanied us to have dinner together. The girls such as Erika, Elizabeth, and Alberta did a good job at cheering her up a bit more, and once Erika's mother brought us delicious meals, the mood became much more relaxed.
"Thanks for everything, everyone… If it wasn't for you guys, we wouldn't had made it…" Monica thanked us again.
"Yeah, thanks a lot Blake!"
"Erika and Elizabeth too…"
"And all your Spirits!"
All of her party was also rather thankful.
"It's nothing, hahaha!" Chris laughed, blushing a bit over being surrounded by so many cute girls.
"Hey, you weren't even there." Eric sighed.
"I-I would had gone by Blake told me!" Chris sighed. "Anyways girls, is any of you still not engaged?"
"H-Huh? Who are you?"
"What was his name again?"
"He's that guy with the fire magic."
"T-That guy with the fire magic?!" Chris felt heartbroken. "Name's Chris! And one day I'll become the strongest Blazing Fire Magician of the entire World of Spiritias!" He started showing off his spirits.
"Kyuh!" The Fire Fox quickly melted the heart of the girls, it was indeed an adorable creature.
"I didn't knew you had such a cute spirit!"
"T-That's right…" Chris nodded. "Though I feel like you're stealing the attention now…" He got angry at his own spirit.
"Anyways, Monica, how is your territory handling things?" I asked, feeling rather worried.
"It's… not fine." Monica sighed. "I don't know exactly what's going on, I've been in the academy through all of this year. And my father hasn't sent me a letter in over a month…"
"Hmmm…" I rubbed my chin. "I hate to say this, but this is dangerous. There's a high possibility they must have targeted him already."
"E-Eh?!" Monica felt surprised, but quickly sighed. "I-I was already imagining such a thing, but I didn't wanted to believe it…"
"Monica, that's your territory, right? And that's your father, isn't it?" I asked.
"Y-Yes…?" Monica felt confused.
"Then isn't it your duty to go to their rescue?" I asked. "You're the future owner of those lands. Your father might be in danger, what is stopping you now that you've grown stronger?"
"…" Monica remained in silence. "I'm… I am afraid…"
"Blake you're being a bit too pushy." Elizabeth sighed.
"Hmm, but he's right though! Monica, we have to do something! You can't just stay there sitting all day and wait until the year ends, we need to act right now before it is too late!" Erika.
"B-But the odds… aren't in my favor, it would be suicide! What do you even suggest, Blake?! That battle has been going on for so many years… The demons keep growing stronger. The nearby countries don't help us… The only hope we had was the Stronghold Forces, but they have yet to deploy more reinforcements since last year.
Hasan told me that they don't have enough manpower to protect this city and the nearby states, even less to help the Darkage Territory and the destroyed Silvertide Kingdom…" Monica lamented. "Most people have already given up on us…"
"Well, I won't." I smiled. "Monica, let me accompany you- no, let us accompany you. Let's free Silvertide."
"E-Eh?! But that's… Are you crazy?!" Monica was shocked. "They said there's the possibility of a Demon Overlord in the Demon Army! It might be as strong as an A+ Rank monster! No, even worse, because Demons have special Abilities and are smart and cunning…"
"Hm? Did I stutter?" I asked with a confident smile. "He could even be a Demon King for all I care. I'm going to go there, Monica. Just say the word and we'll get there, isn't it?" I asked my friends.
Mostly everyone agreed, although Eric and Alberta were a bit scared.
"T-This is insanity…" Monica facepalmed. "But… I somehow want to believe in you, after what you did for me…"