Dungeon Defense (WN)

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A month and a half ago.

It was a bright night when the moon was shining.

Ivar Lodbroke enters the Dantalian bedroom. It's been a very long time since Dantalian summoned Ivar into the bedroom, and she is heartbroken. It's been a long time since Dantalian has slept with another woman. Maybe I didn't know that I was going to break the break today....

‘It was a little strange this afternoon. ’

Ivar Lothbrok recalls a journey that took place around noon today. Suddenly, Dantalian finds a doll that looks just like him. Then he moved his ritual to the doll and wandered around the Imperial Palace for some reason.

‘Laffith Lazuli was also strange. ’

Eventually, the two of them returned together to the Oval Office a long time later. The two were constantly whispering in their ears, their faces darkened. Ivar Lothbrok wanted to eavesdrop on their conversation, but he couldn't. Since the Dantalians have ordered that no one enter the Oval Office except Lapis Lazuli.

“Excuse me, Your Majesty. Ivar."

“Ah. Come on in. ”

“Yes.”

Immediately after Ivar enters the visit, he lowers his head. She straightened her waist and was somewhat surprised. It wasn't just Dantalian in the room. Dantalian sits on a wooden chair, and Lapis is standing quietly next to him.

‘... I don't think you called the dragonflies a comfort. ’

Even if the sky falls, he has no business playing with the three Lazuli. In other words, there must be another reason why Dantalian called her this time. Ivar Lothbrok feels anxious about trying to suppress him.

“Your Grace, you asked for me. ”

“Yes, Ivar. The girl I love. Come closer. ”

“ ……. ”

Despite his obvious words, Ivar's face was scorched. It was very rare for Dantalian to show his affections directly. Dantalian showed affection in action rather than words, and more accurately, in his body.

"There's Lapis Lajuli, and you're a southerner. ’

Ivar Lothbrok replied with a small “yes” and often took a step. If it wasn't for Laffith Lazuli, I would have tried to seduce you. I couldn't have done it with my eyes. Ivar bows his head as a quiet servant.

“Ivar.”

“Yes. …… my love. ”

Ivar replies with a mosquito voice.

It was kind of a showdown. It was to show Laffith Lazuli how deeply he and Dantalian were related. In fact, Ivar held a great grudge against Lapis in his heart. For all we know, Dantalian smiles small.

“Yes, Ivar. I may be able to tell you a rather cruel story today. No, that would be cruel. To you, to me. ”

Then Ivar Lothbrok raises his head.

Dantalian smiles sadly. Ivar's heart has cooled. Ivar has only seen the face of Dantalian once. It remains Ivar's worst memory.

‘When His Majesty punished the Farnese Military Register himself……. ’

At that time Ivar was able to peer into the madness of the man he loved.

An obsession with an astonishing degree of innocence. The fact that Dantalian was out of his mind turned out to be hostile there. However, Ivar realized that his mind had already turned to this man. Faced with that frenzy, my feelings for Dantalian have not changed at all.

‘Why. Why do you look like that...? ’

Ivar carefully examines Laffith Lazuli's face. Unfortunately, Ivar couldn't read any emotions from his opponent's face. Ivar bites his lip.

“Do you know what sin she committed? ”

“You have committed no crime. But... yes. We both made mistakes. ”

“Tell me.”

Ivar kneels on the floor of the room without hesitation.

“If a girl is guilty, she will punish herself. That's the girl's wish. I implore you to allow the girl the opportunity to redeem herself without desecrating her hands. ”

Ivar knew how damaged Dantalian was when he punished him for his military service. It was essentially the punishment Dantalian inflicted on himself. Ivar did not want the man he loved to bear the cost of his sins.

“ ……. ”

Dantalian smiles more deeply.

“You don't have to bear the guilt of what I'm about to say. After you hear everything I have to say, you're welcome to choose. ”

“If it's my fault. ”

Ivar insists.

“Your Majesty, please let the girl bear your burden. The girl is strong. Even in the attire of a maid, I have survived 3,000 years alone. I will certainly endure any wrongdoing. ”

Even if the punishment is death.

Ivar does not speak out loud, but Dantalian understands her intentions well. Dantalian looks at Ivar with his sadder eyes.

“Ivar. You said you cooperated when the Secretary of State kidnapped Daisy. ”

“Yes, Your Majesty. The Secretary of State had a plan, but the one who put it into practice was a girl. The Maid of Honor... ”

Ivar pauses and fixes the word.

“I made the traitor careless, then imprisoned him. ”

“Daisy tried to destroy my forces by destroying the Armed Forces. That's the truth. Ivar, is that what you think? ”

“Yes, Your Majesty. ”

Ivar Lodbroke was convinced.

Daisy von Coustos was a lunatic from start to finish. I felt endless joy in torturing humans. When I opened my mouth, a lie naturally flowed out. When Daisy went public, Ivar said, "I knew that would happen."

‘No matter how gracious a madman may be, it does not matter. I have to cut it out cold. Even though I knew that, I couldn't say it out loud because I was worried about Dantalian. ’

Ivar regrets it.

When the kidnapping scandal broke out, Ivar said nothing because the Dantalians were so determined to enforce their punishment. If he had gone a little harsher at the time ― Daisy von Coustos -- had told me that he was a filthy seed and that he would betray someday, so much would have changed if he had to punish now.

The balance of the plains and the mountains would have lasted longer.

Perhaps Barbatos, Pymon, and the two of you will have a secret to embrace at once.

‘It's all ruined by just one damn human species. ’

But everything fell apart.

Ivar felt responsible there. The kidnapping was insufficient. He was prepared to be executed by Dantalian and had to kill Daisy von Coustos himself. A little carelessness and a little hesitation brought the situation to this point…….

Dantalian shakes his head quietly.

“That's not true, Ivar. ”

“Yes……? ”

“Daisy never betrayed me. ”

Ivar Lothbrok's face puzzles with doubts. I couldn't understand what the king was saying.

And Ivar has heard all the news.

The darkened bedroom. The room was illuminated only by the moonlight leaking out of the window, and even occasionally covered by clouds and revealed again. Every time the faint moonlight leaves the cloud, as the number of times increases, Ivar's face becomes pale.

“ ……. ”

Ivar shakes his shoulder.

“That can't be... There must have been some mistake. Your Majesty... ”

Only silence has taken place in the bedroom.

Dantalian was not the one to lie about this. Above all, he wasn't the one who confirmed the story, even though he wasn't completely sure. Ivar knew what a man he loved was. But I couldn't admit it.

“The girl...... then, she told you... ”

It wasn't Daisy von Coustos who drove the Dantalians out.

It's not just the Secretary of War and Ivar Lothbrok.

How can you admit that?

“Sure, Lee……. ”

“Ivar.”

Dantalian opens his mouth.

He gives a gentle glance, like a stroke on Ivar's forehead.

“It's come to that. ”

“ ……. ”

Chip, chip.

Something breaks in Ivar's mind.

Time passed quietly. Ivar realizes that tears are coming from his eyes after a long time. I didn't feel anything. My lips were trembling so much that I couldn't stand it.

“I, I…… what should I do……. ”

I sent the Dantalian to hell.

It echoes endlessly in Ivar's mind. Dying was simple. If he could pay for his sins through death, he could cut off this life a hundred times and a thousand years later. But what can death change?

Pymon is dead.

The mountain tribes have fallen.

Even the plain waves were purged.

Too much has been broken to atone for one's own life.

Fear and sadness engulf Ivar's entire body. She couldn't figure out what to do. I didn't think of anything. Then she heard Dantalian's voice.

“It's my fault Laura's broken. I didn't know that was gonna happen. Laura waits for the troupe because I'm uncomfortable. I was so proud to know everything in this world that I didn't even know what was happening right in front of me. It's funny... ”

“ ……. ”

“It's too late, but I want to take responsibility. Ivar. If you'll excuse me, I want you both to take responsibility together. ”

Together they are responsible.

Ivar replies with a trembling voice, not even knowing what it means. Now only Dantalian could give her the answer.

“I take responsibility…… is there a way for me to take responsibility…? ”

“Yes, Ivar. ”

Dantalian gets up from his chair and kneels on one knee. Ivar and Dantalian's eyes are the same height. Dantalian sweeps Ivar's hair with his right hand.

“I will die with Daisy. ”

“ ……. ”

“I've done nothing but wrong to Daisy. I didn't do anything to him. On the other hand, he sacrificed everything for me. It's my turn to give Daisy everything... ”

Oh, I see.

Ivar opens his mouth, but no words come out. She already knows what Dantalian intends to command, and in what sense she will be held accountable. Nevertheless, Ivar had no choice but to speak.

“If you disappear... the Demon King's army will collapse..." ”

“Yes, it will. ”

Dantalian wipes her tears.

“So there must be a doll named Dantalian. ”

“Your Majesty... Please... Please, just like that... ”

“Ivar.”

Dantalian said.

“Forever and ever, play Dantalian for me. ”