Chapter 33: The Dungeon of the Mingjin Kingdom
At that time, Lonis pondered repeatedly, unsure of how to act.
From a social moral standpoint, he should have sent the old man back to town. If he could receive treatment, he might have lived longer on his sickbed.
But was that the ending the old man expected?
No, it wasn’t like that…
Gazing at the old man’s face, Lonis noticed that although his eyes were small, they held a hint of radiance—that was his definition of his own life.
People cannot decide their origins, their gender, or their race, but…
They can decide their death.
This is the dignity that makes a person human, and Lonis knew that the old man had come all this way for that dignity.
However, at the same time.
If he helped the old man, would that be considered killing the old man?
Although he could respect the old man’s wishes, doing so would be assisting suicide.
Therefore, Lonis hesitated at that time.
Because he realized that the best way to save the old man was to kill him… and in the end, Lonis did not help the old man fulfill his request.
He did not return the old man, nor did he take the old man to find a monster, but simply left.
…
…
Thinking back now, the fact that he didn’t make a decision back then must have been a sign of his immaturity?
…
“Lonis…”
“Ah, ah… It’s nothing.”
He was so engrossed in his thoughts that it was only when Su Ling repeatedly called his name that Lonis snapped back to reality.
“Um, Lonis, were you just thinking about something that happened in the past?”
“Eh? …Su Ling, you noticed?”
“Yeah, I don’t know what Little Lon was thinking about, but that contemplative expression is really cool, just like a boy’s.”
“Ahem!”
It was bad enough that Su Ling said it; Lonis coughed so hard he almost couldn’t breathe… What did she mean, “like a boy”? He was a boy to begin with?
However, it was a compliment nonetheless, so Lonis wagged his tail and said with a feigned suave air, “Let’s not talk about that. The past is a shackle; the more you carry, the less you can see the path ahead.”
“Eh?”
“I think what that blonde girl wanted to tell us… was probably that we shouldn’t underestimate the Mingjin Temple~”
“Underestimate…”
“Yeah, although we’ve visited three temples fairly smoothly, it would be a big mistake to think that the rest of our journey will be as naturally smooth. Nothing in this world is a given, and we must be extremely cautious and vigilant with everything.”
“Oh, I see. Lonis, you’re amazing!!!!!”
…
…
In reality, although Lonis could sometimes get carried away, he wasn’t stupid at all.
As the hero destined to save the world, Lonis’s achievements throughout his journey were not solely due to “good luck” or being “chosen by fate”… In fact, he had many brilliant moments back then.
For instance, his intuition was very accurate:
Although he didn’t overthink many things, he could distinguish right from wrong with his intuition.
He had encountered many bad people along the way, but he had never truly suffered a loss.
“Hmph, as expected of the hero mentioned by His Highness Ruo Hui Gong. You certainly have some skills.”
Watching Su Ling and Lonis converse, the little blonde loli smiled faintly, “But if you knew the truth hidden beneath the Mingjin Kingdom, how would you react? Would you still remain as confident as you are now…”
…
“Then, I shall witness it all here.”
After making their preparations, everyone set off directly.
Although Lonis tried to persuade her repeatedly, Zhou Su Ling insisted on going… Lonis even wanted help from Elusia, hoping the black-hearted girl would help persuade her.
But the final answer was also…
“Mm, I actually agree with Su Ling’s sentiment very much.”
“Wow, that’s great… Little Lon, see? Even Elusia supports me.”
“Y-Young Lady Elusia, why do you support Su Ling? The Mingjin Temple seems very dangerous.”
“Because how can you grow without experiencing danger? Life always has its firsts.”
“Uh…”
“And this time, our journey is relatively safe. Although it’s an underground continent, it’s also near the Mingjin Temple, and those truly terrifying monsters will not approach.”
“Wuwu…”
Since Elusia said so, Lonis could do nothing about it.
…
…
The entrance to the Teleportation Array was located underground in the Royal Capital, but coincidentally… its location was precisely the dungeon of the Mingjin Kingdom.
“Esteemed guests, it might be a bit smelly here, let’s hurry.”
“Mm…”
However, unlike ordinary dungeons, the dungeons of the Mingjin Kingdom primarily held not humans, but various kinds of monsters.
This was a real eye-opener for Lonis.
Not only were there goblins and slimes he was familiar with, but even some orcs and jackals.
These were all low-level demons, more like animals than humans.
They looked fierce and savage, and even when imprisoned, they hadn’t lost their wildness… According to Cécile, these demons were tools used for training their warriors.
“Although it may sound a bit cruel, many combat techniques can only be learned at the brink of life and death.”
“Eh?”
“Our Mingjin Kingdom’s Sword and Shield Guards all have to undergo trials with monsters before graduation. Every year, some people get injured fighting monsters during these trials.”
The Mingjin Kingdom was at the edge of Human Civilization.
In other words, beyond them lay the territory of the demon race. This country had been in a state of war for years, and naturally, it had many martial customs.
However, Elusia, perhaps remembering something, suddenly asked Cécile, “Then, Princess Cécile, did you also fight these monsters?”
“Eh? Me…”
“I can sense that you’re not a delicate flower in a greenhouse. Were you trained in this kind of dungeon as well?”
Elusia blinked her eyes.
When they had passed the prison cells earlier, many monsters had rushed to the front of their cages, roaring with all their might. However, this Princess Cécile walked as if strolling in a garden, without even batting an eyelash.
…
“Actually… I’m quite embarrassed. I was once captured by demons, and even trained by them.”
“Eh? Captured and trained?! Was it orcs?”
Lonis was shocked. Although he respected Princess Cécile, he couldn’t help but imagine a strange scene of “defeated princess and orcs.avi” in his mind—the silver-haired princess surrounded by a group of orcs, her clothes torn off, and covered in strange liquids.
But as soon as he thought this, his tail was tugged by Elusia.
“Wuah?!”
“Lonis, no strange expressions… We’re talking about important matters now?”
“Wuwu…”
Lonis was so scared he tucked his tail, but Cécile seemed unfazed, simply saying:
“Hehe, it’s okay. Actually, being trained is also part of the trials in our Mingjin Kingdom. Without this trial, I would never have grasped the true meaning of Mingjin power.”
“Eh?”
“Only by trying to fall will you know… what purity is. This is the duality of Mingjin.”
Princess Cécile nodded and said very seriously.
