Just before the blade hit the top of my head, an arrow struck it, causing the blade to shift. He stabbed into my shoulder instead. I let out a cry as I tried to dive away. However, Bernard had no chance to continue with the strike as more arrows were flying where he was standing. He leaped back, jumping away as more arrows fell. I grabbed my shoulder, already switching to White Mage and casting powerful healing spells. A normal man would have been out of the fight after wounds like that, but my White Mage ability was no joke and I was back to standing within thirty seconds.

By this point, Bernard had jumped away and was now about fifty feet away from me. A group of men had approached and stopped just a few feet away. I instantly recognized them, or at least the man at the lead.

“Roxford.”

The Bandit Hero and his group of Bandits were storming the town. Calypso was by his side, not looking even remotely winded despite having assuredly run miles with the rest of the group to get there. At this point, I could see a few men from Bernard’s group, various demon knights and soldiers who were engaging with some of the Bandit Hero’s troops.

“It’s too late now.” Bernard snorted as he seemed to recognize the Bandit Hero. “You won’t be able to make your sword now. That Magic Blacksmith hiding in this town is dead.”

“You killing your own citizens now?” The Bandit Hero said words very similar to what I had said when I first met him.

Bernard shrugged. “If he was going to help create a weapon that could be used against father, then it was only fitting that he die a traitor’s death.”

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His answer was much different this time, but I finally knew why he had actually come here. He was trying to stop the creation of that sword. I knew it, the sword’s creation was a fundamental part of this dungeon’s lore! Except… Aberis wanted the sword to be made, while Bernard was trying to stop it! It could be said that Bernard represented the Dungeon Master Aberon at this moment, whose job was to preserve the curse and keep the dungeon going.

However, the curse itself desired to be completed. The relationships between dungeon masters and their dungeons was a strange and complex one. Dungeon Master’s wanted to protect the dungeons at all costs, while dungeons wanted to complete the lore at all cost. Dungeon Masters exuded control over the dungeons, but dungeons themselves had their own autonomy as well. Considering there were two potential ways to solve a dungeon, either by breaking or finishing the lore, you ended up with this strange dichotomy of a fiercely defensive master and a risk-taking dungeon.

The Bandit Hero gave me a look, somewhat worried about Bernard mentioning the sword. I gave only the slightest of nods. I probably shouldn’t have told him it was done, but he had just saved my life. I owed him that much, at least.

“You’re the one who killed him! Die!” There was a scream behind Bernard, and a small form swung a big hammer at his back.

He was far too quick though, and not only dodged the hammer, but knocked it out of Garnet’s hands and grabbed her throat.

“Hmm? A dwarf? Wait… you’re the prize, aren’t you?”

“You killed Master!” She screamed in a choked breath.

“You’re not needed. Plus… women with small chests should just die.” Bernard snorted.

“Wait!” I was going to shout something to that effect, but it was actually Calypso who spoke first. “The sword you speak of has already been made. That man has it, if you trade him her life, he’ll gladly give it to you.”

Her finger was pointed directly at me. I could only put on a wry smile. It looked like she was picking betrayal ahead of time.