Raised in Dungeon

Noctem Dolls

a criminal group comprised of ten members. Their most recent crime involved infiltrating a castle with only ten individuals. While the attack ultimately resulted in failure, this did not indicate their lack of success in achieving their objective. After all, Ivaylo, their leader, would never take risks unless he was confident in the outcome. That's why there was no failure in his plan.

Except this time,

The Dolls successfully completed the dungeon within a year, yet despite their tireless efforts, the outcomes did not align with their dedication. Regrettably, they could not find the coveted Adfeqtus Reliqua they had hoped for inside the dungeon.

"Who would have thought that there was nothing there," Ivaylo said.

"Oh my, that's right. When I finally finished everything and headed home, it turned out that all our efforts were for nothing," Norman said.

'This is very strange... A dungeon that has no adfeqtus reliqua? Then how can those dungeons operate properly without the core?' Leofric thought.

The dungeon was an extremely dangerous labyrinth, even for people as powerful as the Noctem Dolls. Once they knew that they came out without getting anything, their bodies were so tired, and they began to feel too lazy to do anything.

"How about it, Leofric? Can we just give up first?" asked Ralph.

"B-bu-bu-but... we haven't... fulfilled Leofric's request. Leofric wants to get it as soon as possible," said Clarissa.

With a cool head and a slight smile on his face, Leofric replied, "No need, I'll give up on the dungeon first. We have to find information about the disappearance of the core dungeon. Entering another dungeon without knowing there is adfeqtus reliqua inside will be useless.

Hearing that, Ivaylo then said, "Alright, let's undo that intention. From now on, we will be divided into groups of two. We'll meet in about five or maybe ten years, but please stay in this country this year because there might be something needed with all of you."

Ivaylo took out a small Mary doll from his pocket.

"Each of you, please keep one of these dolls; with this doll, your mana will be more closely connected to my mana. Just for once, I can call or summon you to mine."

"Irritende. Having this near me feels like you're watching me wherever I go," Illska said.

"It's nothing to worry about; the condition for using this skill is to tell you the truth. If I don't explain how it works, then the skill can't activate. Besides, even if I say I can summon you, you have the right to refuse the summons later. Well, the only members here who don't know about this are maybe only Arthur and you, my Queen."

As usual, they gathered in the dim room. This time, it was in one of the underground ruins in the city.

'These people are really strange,' Arthur thought. 'They can complete floors one to seven with ease. The eighth floor onward required trust-related cooperation. Even though they fought with each other, they strangely trusted each other.

Even Prince Leofric, who I knew was an arrogant person who didn't care about others, could immediately trust these members. Isn't he a member who just returned after five years? Why would he still trust the criminals he left behind for five years?'

But Arthur realized that at that time he shouldn't have tried to dig deeper into the Noctem Dolls.

Because what he wanted to do right now was...

"Leader..." called Arthur to Ivaylo, amidst all the other members staring at him intently.

"Umm, I've used my eyes so many times for you, in the castle, in the kingdom of Saxcolony, and then now, in the dungeon. For the past three years, I have always obeyed everything you wanted.

So..."

With a heavy breath and a shivering body, Arthur said

"Can I go home now?" he asked, his voice filled with desperation and fear. Arthur had become all too familiar with this pattern of speech over the past three years of working with Ivaylo and his associates. He had witnessed how Ivaylo often treated others as expendable pawns, using them until they were no longer useful before discarding them without hesitation. This realization haunted Arthur, leaving him constantly worried that he would meet a similar fate now that he was deemed useless.

"Alright. It's fine; you can go home now. Thank you for all your help," said Ivaylo, who smiled familiarly. But those words did not reassure him at all. He could have been killed on the way.

"Is that really so?! Are you really going to let me go?!"

"Hahaha, sure I will. I swear on the name of my mana and dolls."

Of course, that swear still didn't convince him, and Ivaylo understood. So Ivaylo continued, "Nishizaka, please."

Nishizaka stood up, slashed her palm with the sword, then muttered, "Abare, Hisanna Funjin Saigai no Tsurugi." Nishizaka's sword shattered into pieces, spreading throughout the room.

After that, "Kami no mikago, Jiyuu no Kosoku." The dark room lit up in an instant.

"I've added a rule not to lie in this place."

Ivaylo raised his hand. "I swear, I will let you go home safely."

Then Arthur also raised his hand and said, "I swear, I will not say anything to anyone about the Noctem Dolls; I will use my own mana as a form of my word."

From in front of Arthur's chest, a light appeared.

"Modore, Hisanna," Nishizaka's sword returned to its original state, and then he smeared the blood on his hand onto the sword again.

-Thrust

Nishizaka stabbed Arthur's glowing chest. But no blood came out.

Nishizaka withdrew his sword and said, "With this, my mana is already embedded inside you, along with the oath you have taken. If you break the oath you made, your heart will be instantly crushed."

"I accept."

"Now, you would believe me, right?"

Arthur bowed his head and said, "Thank you very much, leader. I'm going home now."

'Finally, I can meet you again, Susan.'