# Chapter 68
The group from the Duchy of Eudia, including Kiriel, Ludbreed Eudia, and Klein Eudia, arrived at the ominous dungeon entrance after an entire day of travel.
"Oh!
Who do we have here?
It’s been ages, hasn’t it?
Ahahaha!"
As soon as they stepped into the dungeon, a voice suddenly echoed from the air.
A man appeared, laughing cheerfully as though he had been waiting.
Hovering mid-air, the man had a mischievous look, his sharp fangs particularly noticeable.
"Wow, how long has it been?
A few years?
I thought I’d never see Eudia again after the inauguration!
Do you know how shocked I was when you contacted me?"
The man spun lazily in the air, his green hair fluttering wildly.
Strands of bright white highlights interspersed among the green locks stood out vividly.
His mischievous eyes curved playfully, and his casual tone was complemented by dazzling orange eyes that gleamed like the sun.
Everyone recognized him—the master of the tower from the magical nation of Alpatria, Jedrian.
"Wow, wow!
Who do we have here?
The young master of the Eudia family!
Have you finally given up on boring prayers locked away in the shrine?
Have you shaken off the dead hero’s shadow yet?"
Ahahaha!
His laughter echoed through the dungeon’s cavernous entrance, reverberating loudly as if the space itself were sharing in his mirth.
Spinning—
Jedrian flipped mid-air, now hanging upside down like a bat, and brought his face close to Kiriel’s, his grin as wide as ever.
"It’s been so long, though, I can’t lie—it’s good to see you again!
Do you know how much I’ve hated being trapped in that boring office?
Ahahaha!
Do you get me?
A hamster wheel of paperwork every day!
I despise it!"
"Shut up and get lost," Kiriel said, his tone unflinching and calm.
Jedrian zipped closer, clinging to Kiriel’s back like an overgrown child as he whined.
"Hey, don’t be like that!
Little prince, I’m lonely~~ Can’t you at least listen to me?
Don’t you feel sorry for me?
Hmm?"
"I told you to leave."
"But I heard you adopted a daughter!
Why haven’t I met her yet?
Honestly, isn’t it unfair?
Isn’t she fun?
You should be grateful I kept the demonic energy in check while you grew up.
Do you know how great I am?
How noble?"
Before Jedrian could continue his rambling, Kiriel furrowed his brow, grabbed the collar of his coat, and slammed him toward the ground.
Whoosh—
Instead of hitting the floor with a heavy thud, a gust of wind scattered in every direction.
Hovering effortlessly, Jedrian sighed heavily, clearly irritated.
"Anyway, I came because you said you found something fun."
His sulking demeanor seemed insincere, almost theatrical, as if he wanted to exaggerate his discontent.
"How long are you going to keep babbling nonsense, Master of Alpatria?" Ludbreed finally snapped, his face twisted in annoyance.
Jedrian pouted like a child and shrugged lazily.
With a soft thud, he finally landed on the ground.
"Ugh, grumpy old man.
Fine, fine!"
He strode toward the dark staircase leading to the deepest parts of the dungeon, his hand reaching forward.
Just as he tilted his head slightly—
Crack, thud!
A sharp spear shot past his cheek, barely grazing him before colliding with a sturdy magical barrier and shattering into fragments.
"……"
The eerie growl of approaching monsters filled the air as the shards scattered.
Jedrian’s cheerful expression hardened instantly.
His once lively eyes turned cold and desolate as his gaze locked onto the emerging creatures.
"Who dares…"
Crackle, sizzle.
Sparks danced wildly around him.
Snap!
With a snap of his fingers—
Boom, boom!
Dark storm clouds began to swirl ominously within the dungeon, crackling with lightning ready to unleash devastation.
Jedrian chuckled mischievously, clenching his fist tightly before mimicking the motion of slamming it down.
Rumble—
BOOM!
CRASH!
BAM!
The dim interior of the dungeon lit up in blinding white flashes as lightning rained down relentlessly.
Simultaneously, the monsters caught in the storm were scorched black and crumpled to the ground without mercy.
"Pfft!"
"Ahahaha!
Why even bother attacking?
Such insignificant creatures, not even worthy of a toenail!
Ah, I should’ve left one alive to use as a test subject," Jedrian mused, tilting his head innocently as he lightly licked his lower lip.
"Hm?
Don’t we have enough test subjects?"
"There are still a few useful demons and monsters left, my lord," replied a mage in a black robe, who had been silently waiting at the back.
Bowing respectfully, they answered with deference.
"Oh, is that so?
Good, good.
Wasn’t there an ancient elf in here?
I’ve been dying to experiment on one of them.
If they’ve been in a monster-infested dungeon, wouldn’t they be corrupted by now?
Come on, give me just one!"
"Tch, you’re so noisy, it’s unbearable.
Just shut up and take down the barrier already," someone snapped impatiently.
"Huh?
What’s this?
Are you complaining to me?
Should I stop helping, then?
Huh?
Captain of the Holy Knights?
Should I?
After all the effort I made to come all the way here?
Unbelievable!
Such poor treatment of me!"
Jedrian shouted dramatically, only to spin midair with a smirk, his exaggerated sulking lasting barely a moment.
"Thrilling!"
"Master Jedrian…"
"Ahahaha!
Just kidding, just kidding.
Alright, I’ll get to work."
Jedrian casually slipped his left hand into his pocket and extended his right hand forward.
"Oho, ancient magic?"
As Jedrian began casting his dispel magic, sparks crackled and popped incessantly, while incomprehensible runes floated up, glowing in intricate patterns.
His pupils dilated with excitement, and he giggled under his breath, mumbling in an unintelligible language—a sure sign he was chanting a spell.
"Oh my, oh my, oh my!!
They said ancient elves stood at the pinnacle of magic… and it’s true!!"
Jedrian burst into laughter, sounding like a child thrilled by his newest toy.
Rumble—!
Crackle, crackle!
Sparks flew wildly as Jedrian’s arm began to darken, scorched by the intense magic of the barrier.
Flash—!
Clink!
It took a long, arduous effort, but Jedrian finally dispelled the barrier guarding the entrance to the stairs.
A faint sound, like shattering glass, echoed as the translucent barrier disintegrated and fell apart.
"Ahahaha, this is fun!
So much fun!
Ugh, what a terrible smell.
I’m going in first!"
Jedrian stepped forward toward the staircase with an eager stride.
Two of his mages, who had accompanied him to assist, followed closely behind.
Ludbreed, Klein Eudia, and Kiriel were the last to enter, bringing up the rear.
Huff.
As soon as Kiriel set foot on the stairs, a heavy, suffocating wave of demonic energy rose to meet them.
His brow furrowed deeply in response to the oppressive air.