A few days after leaving Darius's workshop, Aria returned to her duties with the Knights, and Baldus also came to the dungeon to fulfill his responsibilities.

At the deepest part of the dungeon, alone.

The goal is the Grim Reaper in this dungeon.

Once, the elite unit that Baldus led as Grand Master was crushed, leaving him with deep wounds and an unforgettable humiliation.

And above all, Baldus had come here to free his precious companions.

It is said that the souls of those killed by the Grim Reaper are trapped in his scythe, suffering and being enslaved for eternity.

For the past decade or so, Baldus has repeatedly requested the defeat of this monster from prominent figures in the royal capital, and indeed, across the continent, in order to liberate the souls of his former subordinates. However, all of these attempts have ended in failure.

Even when other strong individuals besides Baldus visited the depths of this dungeon, the Grim Reaper never appeared. It began to be thought that the Grim Reaper might only show itself before opponents it was certain it could defeat or toy with.

That's why Baldus had no choice but to settle things himself.

He wanted to free the souls of his companions. Driven by that single-minded desire, he pushed his aging body and once again set foot alone into this cursed place.

―And then, it appeared.

It's wearing a jet-black cloak that looks like it's been patched together from rags. However, the monster's strangeness is more than enough to be understood today as well.

"Kukuku... Kukakakaka!"

The Grim Reaper laughed upon recognizing Baldus's form.

Along with an unpleasant sound that grates on both the eardrums and the mind just by listening, like countless shards of glass rubbing against each other.

As the miasma around him thickened in response to the voice, Baldus took a deep breath and gripped his sword tightly.

"I will... bury you with my own hands. And... I will end everything today."

Baldus quietly draws his sword. The moment he grips the longsword, Darius had readjusted, and the blade glows faintly, as if responding.

Before coming here, Baldus had fully grasped the immense power of that sword. Ever since leaving Darius's workshop, he had continued to wield the sword, training tirelessly to synchronize his soul with it.

That power far surpassed any legendary sword Baldus had wielded in his life, and he still didn't feel like he had mastered all of the sword's power.

"Kukakaka!"

As the Grim Reaper once again swung its scythe into the void with a sneer, black mist erupted from its tip.

And then, from there, semi-transparent figures with expressions of anguish begin to materialize one after another.

The number of them reached dozens. However, he recognized every face.

They're his former comrades.

Linus, a swordsman who was Baldus's aide in his youth and was even called his right-hand man. Borg, who was stronger than anyone else, always served as a shield for his comrades. And Elsa, the only woman in the unit, whose archery was said to be a hundred percent accurate.

"Help... me..."

"Baldus... sa... n..."

"It's... painful..."

From the mouths of the souls, broken but deeply poignant cries for help could be heard leaking out.

However, Baldus's heart was surprisingly calm and settled, like a city after a storm.

(...Ah, I see.)

Baldus understood that his inner peace was coming from the sword he held in his hand. It was as if this sword, forged by Darius and imbued with his soul, was silently telling him, "Calm down."

Thanks to this sword, he feels more at ease.

He didn't come here alone.

He now carries on his arms the souls of his comrades who fell before their time, the memories of his former rivals with whom he once honed his sword, and above all, the trust of Darius that entrusted him with this sword.

(Darius-dono... and everyone... If I lose here... I will have tarnished their pride, won't I? That... I cannot allow it.)

Baldus gripped his sword again, steeling his resolve. Then, he spoke gently but firmly to the souls of his suffering companions.

"Everyone... you won't suffer anymore. I will save you now."

"Kukakakaka!"

As if mocking Baldus's quiet declaration, the Grim Reaper let out a shrill laugh. At its command, the souls all swarmed towards Baldus at once.

Linus unleashed a lightning-fast sword flash, Borg charged forward utilizing his massive frame, and Elsa's magical arrows accurately targeted Baldus's weak points.

A relentless wave attack that faithfully recreates their pre-mortem strength, quirks, and even their teamwork.

But Baldus remained calm.

Chapter 19