Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy

Chapter 277

When Ruel entered the dungeon with Lucy, what he saw was a still landscape of a mansion.

It resembled a painting crafted by a skilled artist.

What could be prepared in this dungeon? As Ruel pondered this, he first felt unease when he noticed that Lucy was absent from the painting.

What is this? There’s a girl here, but why can’t I see her?

The one to answer Ruel, who was engulfed in confusion, was Lucy.

She was retreating from the attacks of an enemy that was neither visible nor audible, revealing what lurked throughout the entire dungeon.

Sensory disruption.

One of Tariki’s powers that robs the opponent of all senses.

The power that had once put the hero and his companions in life-threatening danger.

Even now, after a long time had passed, Ruel remembered the crisis of that day.

If the deity hadn’t performed a miracle, Ruel—no, all the heroes would have lost their lives right there.

As far as I know, the ability that robs all five senses is one of the highest-level powers that Tariki possesses.

Did that guy spread such a power throughout the entire dungeon while he still hadn’t even resurrected?

Even more so when he was in a considerably weakened state due to the miracle performed by the girl?

For him to pull off such a stunt, Tariki himself would have to pay a significant price.

It didn’t take long for Lucy’s words to be proven true.

Not long after Lucy emerged victorious in battle, a portion of the landscape began to melt away, restoring Ruel’s senses.

The mansion’s scenery was in disarray from the battle.

Lucy was forcing her body to move, which could collapse at any moment.

And,

Two corpses sprawled on the floor.

The moment Ruel saw them, he became certain.

The Dark Evil God considered Lucy a threat.

He was willing to pour everything he had accumulated over hundreds of years into this place to bring Lucy down.

The method he chose was the worst.

Driving the physical body to its limits, gnawing at the mind to push the opponent further into a corner, making them kneel.

No, this is too much for the girl right now.

The girl has not yet completed her role as an apostle.

How could a child who lacks the courage to bear the death of a person endure this, risking her own life?

How could a fragile child, who cannot even withstand a false death, endure this?

After kneeling on the ground and vomiting, Lucy managed to rise again, putting on a brave face.

“Don’t worry.”

“This is nothing at all.”

She smiled as she spoke, but Ruel saw the truth hidden behind her fabricated bravado.

The eyes that couldn’t even look down.

Her condition worsened the further they progressed into the dungeon.

The hand gripping the mace trembled.

She kept murmuring to herself.

She was afraid to move forward.

Seeing Lucy, who had never lost her confidence, crumble, Ruel felt as though his heart was being torn apart.

What hurt him the most was that Lucy did not stop moving forward.

Though she should want to collapse, though it should scare her to keep going.

Though she should want to burst into tears.

She kept pushing ahead.

As if it were only natural.

In the face of the overwhelming power weighing down on her shoulders, all Ruel could do was pray.

May the girl be able to escape this dungeon unscathed.

May the deity bless the child who seeks to fulfill your will.

Please.

Please.

Please.

...

<Are you okay, girl?>

What’s wrong? What’s happening? Why can’t I hear your voice?

<Don’t joke around.>

Your defensive skills are renowned across the continent.

There’s no way you could fail to block an opponent's attack.

A warrior as excellent as you wouldn’t drop their weapon.

<Please, girl.>

You must be alright.

Even if you failed to defend, even if you’re in danger, it’s surely alright.

You are the apostle of the great deity.

That being must always be watching over you and will perform a miracle.

Just as we have been cared for, you too will receive care!

<Lucy. Please, respond.>

Surely.

Surely, it will be so.

No, it must be so.

It must!

<Lucyyy!>

Ruel called out Lucy's name with all his might, but there was no reply.

Yet, he continued to call out.

Having lost glory.

Having lost his body.

With only a wretched soul remaining in the weapon, that was all he could do.

...How powerless.

So utterly powerless.

How long had it been?

From afar, he felt a warm divine presence.

A light that could be found even in the thickest darkness.

That must be—

“Grandfather.”

The moment Ruel heard Lucy’s voice, he nearly burst into tears.

Thank goodness. I’m truly thankful.

I’m so grateful that you’re alive.

As Ruel struggled to suppress the overwhelming emotion, he asked about the situation.

What Lucy responded with was the worst possible news.

Even the one thing he had counted on—her hearing—had become meaningless.

Upon hearing that sound, Ruel’s mind raced in desperation.

He needed to find a way out of this situation.

Yet nothing came to mind.

Even Ruel, who had escaped the threat of death countless times in the past, could not think of a way to overcome this crisis.

“It’s okay. Grandfather.”

But curiously, Lucy’s voice, which had to face the crisis head-on, was filled with confidence.

It was different from the time when she had masqueraded her dignity while conquering the dungeon.

A voice bursting with self-assurance, one that only she could muster.

Ruel didn’t understand where her confidence was coming from.

He simply remained silent to avoid disturbing her focus, as she had always shown something out of the ordinary when she spoke with such confidence.

When Lucy began to fight again, all Ruel could see was the painting.

In the stillness surrounding them, he couldn’t grasp what was happening.

However, he felt the warm divine presence beyond the grip of his hands, so he waited, trusting in Lucy.

He endured, believing that the deity was protecting her.

Then, at some point, a portion of the painting that filled Ruel’s vision began to flow away.

What emerged beyond it was Lucy’s footsteps.

Given that she wasn’t stopping for even a moment, it seemed Lucy had succeeded at something.

Oh? The landscape has vanished again.

Was this near Lucy’s legs?

Seeing a wider view than before, Ruel soon felt astonished.

Lucy was dodging her opponent’s attacks.

Nothing was visible, and nothing could be heard. Yet her feet moved nimbly, nullifying all of her opponent’s attacks.

How... is this possible?

It doesn’t make sense.

How could she evade attacks that are both invisible and inaudible?

This is something that even the legendary hero, who was like a monster in his prime, couldn’t accomplish!

This isn’t merely good intuition.

It’s prophecy.

Yes.

It’s prophecy.

Unless one knows what will unfold in the future, such a feat is utterly impossible.

As Ruel continued to ponder in amazement, the surrounding scenery began to flow away once more.

“What the hell are you?! What are you?!”

What appeared this time was the face of the enemy, now a mess.

His nose was twisted.

His jaw shattered.

He could barely open one eye.

On that hideous face stained with blood, fear was evident.

Fear of the existence before him.

“Puhaha?”

Not long after Ruel faced him, the scenery flowed away again.

“What do you mean??”

Despite being stained with blood, those vividly red eyes stood out.

“You know what I mean??”

A fierce smile resembling that of a beast spread across his lips.

“This cute and kind girl is—?”

Ha ha. Yes, this is how it should be.

“I’m the angel who will smash your dumb head and take you to heaven where your lover is!?”

You, Lucy, wear that expression best.

Puh!

As the mace came crashing down into Nakrad's face, the surrounding scenery completely crumbled.

“Oh? By the way? you’ll be cast into hell, so you’ll never meet your lover again? It’s better this way for your lover, the ugly girl? It’d be disgusting if a piece of trash who abandoned her followed her around like a perverted stalker?”