Sylviette plays the cello. It is an instrument similar to a certain type of viola da gamba, in use in her kingdom.

A surprise that leaves me positively amazed.

Her fingers move like spiders, while her hand with her ring drags the bow.

The orchestra hall is lit by [Will-o'-the-wisp] only at her feet and I am sitting in the armchair. Front row and immersed in dust.

The blue music of a slow waltz in a minor key.

I don't know the piece she is playing and I can't accompany her on the piano as it is too difficult, even though I would like to.

She keeps her eyes closed and has a thoughtful expression. She's different than before and I'm so happy to be of help to her.

Unfortunately, the minutes pass and my light goes out. I need a few moments to recover my [ap] with [Immortality]. But it does not matter.

Not keeping her eyes open, Sylviette doesn't even notice it and her music echoes in the darkness of the large orchestra hall.

I can also leave it like this. Lying in the comfortable armchair, waiting for her performance to end. No need for light, her music is bright enough.

“N…?”

…

“N!?”

I reopen my eyes. Darkness.

“N, where are you? Are you still here?”

I use [Will-o'-the-wisp] and from the stage I see Sylviette with the cello, shaking.

“S-sorry…” I scratch the back of my head and giggle. “I felt so comfortable I think I fell asleep…”

Yes, what a fool I made… falling asleep like that, leaving a guest in absolute darkness.

“Uh, don't worry. If necessary, I can cast light spells. It's just that since this is a dungeon, I'm not sure where the exit is. You brought me here with a skill and I was afraid I would have to wait for your return.”

Sylviette's tone is as apathetic as before, but I know she's probably worried. I must have given her quite a scare… I'm so mortified.

“Sylviette, thanks for the beautiful music.” I bow my head as I join her on stage. “You can put down the cello, I'll take you back upstairs.”

Sylviette looks at me with her silvery eyes. She puts down the cello and then stands up, looking at the audience immersed in shadows beyond the first row.

“Look, N.”

“Yes?”

“Would you like to show me around? I mean about the dungeon, not all of it. It would be enough for me to see it a little.”

Oh, strange request.

“Can I ask why you are interested?”

“I have been exploring the desert for several years. Legends aside, no one alive has ever encountered the Underwasteland dungeon. I still can't believe I'm the first.”

“Do you want to tell your king and the other dark elves?”

Sylviette nods and hugs her chest.

“Also. But the thing is, I'm curious. Now that I know how to handle the curse of the ring, I would like to know more about this place. Maybe even come visit you to play. Do you know how to play an instrument?”

I feel slightly embarrassed. Apart from my father and the insects, who has ever heard me play? Nobody. Ergo, can I play? I don't know, I think so but what if I'm wrong? What would I look like?

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Sylviette must notice my embarrassment because she leans her face towards mine.

“If I said something wrong, I apologize, N.”

Ci-cin.

I take a step back.

“No-no, nothing wrong! I'm just surprised. The dungeon is immense, but a few corridors… just to take a walk together.”

Ci-cin, Ci-cin…

Ah! I'm wagging my tail and my cheeks are red.

Sylviette looks at me, pulls back, and cracks a smile.

♦

Since I don't know exactly what to show her, I decide to have her leave the orchestra hall in the meantime. To save [ap] I turn on the lights as we go up the steps on the sides of the rows of armchairs.

It takes a while, there are still sixteen thousand-odd steps and only from time to time does the room change. Cracks and cobwebs, some worn armchairs, nothing else.

I believe that living beings get tired and bored easily, but climbing this staircase with someone next to me is a completely new experience. I have never delved so deeply into the orchestra hall.

When you have a privilege like [Dungeon path] you take certain places for granted.

Sylviette says nothing. I hear her steps, her breathing behind me. It's unusual, a different sound from that of burrowing insects.

Once you reach the hall door, two sentries stand on the sides. They are winged gargoyles and they peer at us. My father told me about them, they are located on the inside of the doors. They prevent those inside the dungeon from climbing back up.

Obviously. If the [Bakenekro] moves with [Dungeon path], it means that the only ones who encounter these guardians are deceased beings trying to escape. Or living beings who want to take secrets and forbidden objects with them outside the Underwasteland.

The only exception is the room that can be reached from the Ocean. But no one goes there, as they rest the dead capable of interfering with material reality even from eternal sleep.

As we get closer, a warning message appears.

[Warning: impossible to continue]

“What does it mean?”

“It means I have to use Dungeon path to get past this door. Give me your hand, Sylviette.”

She obeys, and with my [skill], we appear on the other side.

The corridors.

The corridors represent over ninety percent of the dungeon. The one known at least.

Dark places and without torches. Only ancient buildings and tunnels, potholes, and roads lead the living to death and the deceased to madness.

Only now do I realize how dangerous the corridors are. A pulsating, homogeneous darkness permeates them, making it impossible to see the ground change and understand where the sounds are coming from. Finding a door, any of the countless ones that populate the dungeon might seem like a blessing.

Instead…

…that would be the end. The gargoyles would no longer let the unfortunate people out.

An unlikely event, however.

No one ever walks through the corridors.

Nobody except the [Bakenekro].

Nobody apart…

… Kirlh’iau.

Ci-cin.

A warm touch on my shoulder makes me whirl around.

“Ah!”

“N, is there something wrong?”

Sylviette is illuminating the area with basic light magic.

“No, what makes you think that?”

“Well, you suddenly stopped and we're not moving anymore.”

“Sorry, something just occurred to me. Maybe it's not safe for a living person to wander around the dungeon.”

“Uh, why? However, don't worry, my physical body is only partially here. If I get seriously hurt, I disappear.”

Interestingly, the magic of these dark elves is something that would be worth exploring further. If they come here, maybe I could go there too.

The roots of the tree would have to travel in both directions… Hmm… of course there would be the problem with the different local time substances and the atmosphere to.

“So?”

“I understand. Anyway, Sylviette, the point is that there is a very dangerous intruder. I've been looking for it for some time, but I can't find it. I wouldn't want to meet it while I'm hanging out with you. It is a Half-demon.”

“A what?”

“A Half-demon, a hybrid creature: part aberration, part demon. It is already deceased but last time it escaped me…” better to gloss over my defeat, “and it seems to be trying to reach the heart of the dungeon.”

Sylviette's eyes widen and her face comes closer; visibly more interested than scared.

“Noo! It's very interesting! So, is there a core?”

“Well, yes, well… maybe I shouldn't reveal things to you…”

“I have decided that I will help you!”

“Huh? But it's dangerous and then…”

Sylviette takes my hand in hers, my snake-headed tail hissing out her tongue.

“I owe you and then I'm interested!”

“But-but, the Underwasteland is huge, I don't know when I'll meet it!”

“This is exactly why I will help you! There is a sacred object in my realm, the power of which is to bring the user to face the target. It is made from the same tree as my ring and is capable of allowing the living to challenge the dead. Princes use it to challenge deceased kings, demonstrating that they can inherit the throne.”

Explaining quickly and caught up in an unexpected rush, Sylviette is a completely different person. Thank goodness being surprised is something for ignorant people! But so she just posed?

“You must know, N, that I dreamed of all this. I dreamed about it but the years passed and it didn't happen. Now it's happening, now it's so exciting! Bring me back up quickly!”

Stunned by that eruption of enthusiasm, I carry Sylviette back to the house. I can already see some rain. I stayed underground too long.

“Good, I'm going now! See you soon N!”

With those quick words, Sylviette runs away into the desert. She becomes an increasingly smaller dot, further and further away on the fiery horizon.

Ci-cin.

Ugh, how hard it is to understand something!

In any case, if Sylviette wants to help me, welcome. I hope it comes back soon, although I am well aware that this will mean at least several dozen years (from my point of view).

Oh well, I'm not in a hurry anyway.

And now, better get back to work with that flying sperm whale!