Chapter Ninety-Five: The Unknown Land (Conclusion)

“Yes, everyone, please remain calm. The structure of this artificial dungeon is extremely complex.”

On the projection floating above the grand auditorium, a handsome man with an easy, composed manner and a refined, genial smile addressed the parents of the victims.

“Although Mr. Zhao Tianhe is an outstanding hero and a powerful otherworld heroic spirit, he has never received systematic training in magical technology. If the internal unlocking procedure is particularly complicated, it may take anywhere from one to ten days to break through, depending on the situation.”

The parents had finally relaxed after seeing the scene of Zhao Tianhe kicking the mastermind behind it all into the ground. But with no further footage coming out afterward, and the artificial dungeon still sealed shut, some of the more impatient parents began raising theories that the broadcast had been faked.

So the Second Institute sent in another specialist mage to explain the situation.

“A dungeon is just something you clear by defeating the boss and opening it, isn’t it? How can it be this troublesome?” a burly man with a rough face shouted.

“That applies to ordinary dungeons. Artificial dungeons come in many different kinds. For example, this one was built using the Third Magical Law of Togrus...” Smiling, the man conjured up a model and launched into a stream of technical terms. The auditorium fell silent at once.

Meanwhile, backstage, the people who knew the truth, including the branch director, were all wearing troubled expressions.

“Looks like the situation has changed. In principle, once the boss is defeated, the full authority of the artificial dungeon should be obtained, right?” asked a senior hero.

“Yes, but from the footage we saw earlier, Zhao Tianhe seemed to be controlling a giant monster. That isn’t his ability. Given such an odd situation, we can’t be sure whether other problems might arise,” the specialist mage from the Second Institute said with a helpless shrug. “But in principle, a Class B instance shouldn’t be too complicated. If the exit hasn’t opened within ten hours, then there may really be a problem.”

The reason the man in the auditorium had said anywhere from one to ten days was simply to buy as much time as possible, just in case.

“No worries. I trust Senior Old Ghost. An S+ level power needs no explanation, right?” Branch Director Carter said with a smile. “And only a little more than two hours have passed. There won’t be any problem!”

In the auditorium, after a lengthy explanation intended to stretch time, the specialist mage from the Second Institute finally came to his conclusion.

“Yes. In this respect, a well-trained research mage can even be more useful than an S+ level hero. So judging by this hero from Earth, who is a bit ignorant of magical law, the worst-case scenario may be three days to a month.”

The words sent the auditorium into an uproar.

“You’re just stalling for time, aren’t you?”
“How could it take that long?”
“What do you mean, Earth person or not? I heard there are S+ level heroes who are also from Earth! How could he be ignorant of magical law?”

“Damn it, I overdid it and backfired,” the handsome man in the Second Institute’s livestream thought, though his expression did not change. He was a little regretful that he had exaggerated too much. “Now how do I explain this...”

“The dungeon’s open!”

A cry of joy and shock cut off his thoughts.

“Well, that’s embarrassing. Still, I suppose this is fine too.” The man gave a wry smile, shrugged, and switched off the crystal camera.

On the enormous sphere of Green Leaf Amusement Park, a translucent opening nearly two meters wide appeared.

“Don’t worry, Elisa! Big brother will come and get you in a little while!” Zhao Tianhe stood on Elisa’s palm and walked toward the dungeon exit.

“You promised, okay? You have to come back for me!”

Elisa looked at Zhao Tianhe and Artoria with obvious reluctance.

Outside, the reporters who had been kept back were already gathering under the tacit approval of the patrol team after hearing the news. Carter and several members of the association were standing in the front row.

Branch Director Carter intended to ride this wave of attention, turn crisis into opportunity, and promote both the hero and himself.

Zhao Tianhe and Artoria walked slowly toward the exit, waved at Carter and the others, then stepped out.

“So this is the hero who saved the souls of more than four thousand children?” a reporter asked excitedly, with two crystal cameras floating behind him. “We still don’t know this hero’s name!”

“Mm...” Carter blinked, thought for a moment, and after a staff member whispered something into his ear, he smiled and said, “Yes. This is the newly risen B-rank hero, Lady Artoria.”

Artoria stood before the giant sphere and glanced at the reporters swarming around her, then sighed.

There was nothing to be done about it. The moment Zhao Tianhe stepped out of the dungeon, he was gone. Apart from Carter and the few people closest to him, no one had seen him at all. Only Artoria had gracefully leapt out of the exit and landed on the ground alone.

“Ah!”

In the Third Institute, Zhao Tianhe suddenly opened his eyes and sat up.

The instant he stepped out of the dungeon, the world spun around him. His soul had returned directly to his body.

“This is still more reassuring...” Looking down at his own hand, Zhao Tianhe clenched his fist, drew in a deep breath, and said with visible relief, “Come to think of it, where’s Artoria? Did she stay behind at Green Leaf Amusement Park?”

He took out his phone and sent Artoria several messages.

Original Artoria: “Ahe, these people are such a pain. They keep asking me questions, and they even seemed to think I was the one who saved the children.”

“That’s not wrong. You’re the one who saved them; we’re just the ones who saved the person who saved them,” Zhao Tianhe replied. “Just tell them you did it.”

Original Artoria: “Would that be all right?”

“What’s mine is yours. There’s nothing wrong with it.” Zhao Tianhe replied with a smile. “Is there any problem with my Artoria being the greatest in the world?”

Original Artoria: “...You’re awful.”

“Miss Artoria! On the day of the airship parade, you didn’t ride the airship with the other annual female heroes. Was that because you had been entrusted with this special mission?” a reporter asked.

Artoria put away her phone and was just about to deny it when a voice rang out in her mind.

“Please! Miss Artoria! Just say the branch already had this information in hand!” Branch Director Carter stared at Artoria with a composed expression. “This isn’t just for my own sake. We must prevent the public from losing trust in the government. We can’t let fear spread! We have to make it look like everything is under control!”

“...Yes, that’s right.” Artoria nodded and said nothing more. Though it was a kind lie, she still felt deeply uncomfortable. A lie should not require a hundred more lies to cover it up. The government’s credibility could not be maintained by this sort of thing. She really ought to have Zhao Tianhe give them a few words about that.

“Miss Artoria! You won the most individual event titles in this year’s Female Hero Selection Competition. Although your overall ranking was only fifth, I believe you should be the undisputed champion! Do you intend to compete again next year?” asked a reporter who seemed to be a fan.

“No. I don’t have time,” Artoria answered calmly.

Facing the relentless flood of reporters, Artoria merely dealt with them casually, her expression always composed. The veteran kingly aura she carried in her movements made everyone feel a subtle mixture of awe and distance.

“Also,” Artoria said just before boarding the airship, turning back toward the reporters, “this rescue operation was not my achievement alone. It also owed much to a little girl named Elisa, an unnamed boy, and... Mr. Old Barton, the gatekeeper.”

The reporters exchanged glances, and even Carter and the others were a little stunned.

“Although they were all trapped deep within their nightmares, they ultimately overcame their own flaws and fears and regained their hope for tomorrow. That is what true strength is!” Artoria said, resting one hand on her sword in the stance she used whenever she gave speeches. “People of the world! Only by holding hope in your hearts and conquering your own fear can you reach... a beautiful tomorrow.”

She almost said “the ideal homeland.”

Artoria boarded and left, and the scene fell into silence.

“So cool!” One reporter swallowed hard and wiped the tears from the corner of his eye. “I feel like... I feel like I’d do anything for her!”

“I want to work for her!”
“Is this what kingly presence feels like? I almost knelt just now!”
“I want to follow Miss Artoria!”
“Boo-hoo... life is so wonderful...”

It had only been a few brief sentences, but as the legendary King of Fantasy, the unique aura she radiated gave her words an overwhelming power to move hearts.

“I really want to be Miss Artoria’s dog,” said a female reporter, drooling slightly with a blush on her cheeks. This one was clearly a little off.

Inside the airship, Carter looked at the knightly girl before him with a rather subtle expression.

For some reason, although he was supposed to be the branch director and her superior, he now felt as though he were merely her security chief.

‘A kingly-type otherworld heroic spirit? Rare indeed. People who play politics all have dirty hearts. There are hardly any good ones.’ Looking at Artoria, Carter found it all rather unbelievable.

“This incident is not simple. I can sense that the mastermind behind it will not let this end easily,” Artoria said suddenly. “I suggest you form a special investigation team for this. You must root out that vile group of cowards without missing a single one!”

“Of course. But what about the award ceremony afterward? Will you be the one to attend as well, Miss Artoria? There shouldn’t be any issue with Mr. Zhao Tianhe?” Carter asked with a nod.

Artoria took out her phone, sent a few messages, then nodded and asked, “Ahe doesn’t care about that sort of thing. Set the time and I’ll go. Also, is there a bonus?”

“Uh, of course there is.” Carter smiled. “This is no minor matter. We specially prepared a reward of one thousand gold. I trust that is satisfactory?”

Artoria continued sending messages to Zhao Tianhe.

“One thousand gold?! Of course I’m satisfied! More than satisfied! Please thank the association, thank the Holy Council, thank the Party, and thank the heavens for me!”

After reading Zhao Tianhe’s message, Artoria deleted it, then nodded to Carter. She closed her eyes in meditation for a moment, and then vanished.

Summoning time was up.