“Hmm, so you reached the deepest part?”

Reitz and the others nodded at Gilbert’s words. They seemed to think we were superior in strength, and though they didn’t say it, they showed signs of being willing to follow our lead.

Looking back at the battle just now, that’s undoubtedly true. Their levels might have remained the same since parting with Alto. With that level of skill, they might be able to handle the monsters outside, but it’s only natural they’d struggle with a Green Golem encountered inside the Ancient Ruins.

While I was thinking, Gilbert continued.

“So, there’s a powerful-looking Golem in the deepest part, and you tried to turn back once, is that it?”

“From its aura, it felt like we couldn’t handle it,”

Reitz said. Gilbert then shrugged.

“Isn’t a Treasure Hunter someone who presses on, even with risks?”

“If you misjudge when to retreat, you die instantly, so it’s best to be cautious. In fact, those who acted so recklessly aren’t alive.”

“I see, indeed… In that case, Mr. Ruon. What do you want to do?”

“It’s fine either way for us.”

“Hmm, that’s true…”

Gilbert thought for a moment, then answered.

“Against a Golem, we can even escape if we work together… Let’s proceed. What do you say, Mr. Reitz and your group?”

“We’ll follow you. That seems like it would increase our chances of survival.”

And so, though we had become a large group, we resumed our exploration of the building. Along the way, Gilbert discussed treasure distribution with Reitz and the others as we proceeded.

There didn’t seem to be many enemies, as even after walking around for a while, no enemies were in sight. There also didn’t seem to be any traps, so the exploration itself was easy. On the way to the back, we found a fair amount of accessories and such from the small rooms we encountered multiple times. However, since they weren’t items with effects that existed in the game, I had no need for them at all. I’ll pawn them off on them when it’s time to distribute.

After entering the small rooms several times, we encountered a Green Golem. From then on, the frequency of encounters increased the further we went, but since all of them were solitary, we were able to defeat them without taking any damage through teamwork.

So far, things are going smoothly… The remaining problem is the monster guarding the artifact. According to Reitz and the others, it’s a Golem, but is it a monster I’ve seen before?

Eventually, we were about to reach the innermost part. Here, Gilbert asked Reitz for confirmation.

“They say there’s a Golem at the very back, but can you describe its appearance?”

“Yes, I can.”

Reitz replied and began to explain.

“It looked like a Golem, but it was gray. Also, its size was smaller compared to the green ones we’ve fought so far… At first, I thought it was just a low-level Golem, but when we got closer, I instinctively felt that its aura or presence was a bit different, so we turned back.”

…That explanation alone made it clear to me what was waiting. It was undoubtedly a “Soldier Golem.”

In this game, there are many cases where the strength of monsters, including Goblins and Golems, is tiered by color, but there are also variant types. One of them is the Soldier Golem, which Reitz described as a creation of the Angels, and it appears as a common enemy when you visit the Angel Ruins from the mid-game onwards.

However, here it seems to be guarding the artifact… I recall there was a setting where the type of monsters appearing in the Angel Ruins changed depending on the amount of magic power in the surroundings. If the Demon Race invades further than they are now, the amount of magic power increases. As a result, even in the same Angel Ruins, more powerful monsters would appear in the later stages… If this place had been left alone, the Green Golems might have eventually become Soldier Golems.

And a common enemy from the mid-game is the boss… There were cases in the Angel Ruins where monsters that would later appear as common enemies were bosses, so this must be it. However, if the opponent is that Golem, it will be troublesome.

Currently, Sofia and Gilbert have also grown stronger from continuously fighting Golems. Reitz and the others seem to have developed slower compared to the two, but still, perhaps because they are involved with Alto as NPCs, they have gained decent abilities and can coordinate… But what about against a Soldier Golem? Its defense is quite high, so it’s possible that attacks might hardly work at all.

I should probably give them some advice… I opened my mouth.

“That’s a special Golem guarding the artifact… It’s probably different from the green ones we’ve encountered so far. We might need to change our fighting style.”

The first to react to my statement was Sofia.

“A change in fighting style…? But how–“

“Since it’s a Golem guarding an artifact, its toughness will be greater than before. I think coordinating attacks is fine as before, but we might be in trouble if we don’t strengthen our offensive capabilities even more.”

“Then, it would be better for Sofia to be the center of the attack.”

Gilbert followed up on my suggestion.

“Sofia has more variations in her fighting style. She has many moves she can use, right?”

“But against a Golem that might be even tougher than the green ones, I don’t know if it will be a decisive blow.”

“Then, it’s my turn.”

It was Lefin’s voice. Since the Sylphs had already been explained by this point, Gilbert and the others weren’t surprised by her voice, but everyone frowned at what she said.

“Your turn?”

Gilbert asked again. Then Lefin appeared near Sofia.

“If I fully utilize my abilities, I can use a technique with sufficient power.”

“H-Really?”

When Sofia asked again, Lefin nodded.

“However, if you use it in your current state, Sofia, you will be considerably exhausted… It consumes a great deal of magic power. Therefore, you will probably only be able to use it about twice at most.”

“Twice… I don’t know if that will be enough to defeat it, but it seems we have no choice but to try.”

Reitz and the others nodded slightly at Sofia’s words. Gilbert, seemingly intending to support them, also said, “Please do it.”

Hmm, if the Queen of Sylphs says so, it must mean that she can use powerful magic or techniques thanks to the benefits of her contract with me. I recall the wind-based magic and techniques that existed in the game… Considering Sofia’s level, it’s probably an intermediate-class technique.

Whatever the technique, if things get dangerous, I can always step in to help, so let’s let her try.

“Alright. Then let’s follow Lefin’s words… Sofia, is that okay?”

“Of course.”

She agreed. Now, what will happen from here… We started walking towards the innermost part where the Golem was.

Soon, what appeared at the end of the passage was a space that clearly felt a different kind of magic power than the places we had been to before. Just by sensing its presence a little, we could tell that it was the most special space.

Furthermore, a gray Golem was visible from the passage. Yes, it was definitely a Soldier Golem.

“Is everyone ready?”

Gilbert asks. Sofia readies her sword and uses an attack power enhancing magic. Reitz and the others also ready their swords and enter a battle stance.

Meanwhile, I observe the surroundings… there haven’t been any traps so far, and since Reitz and the others turned back, I don’t think there are any mechanisms… but I should still be cautious just in case.

At the same time, I start observing the every move of the others. It would be a bad awakening if they died right in front of me, so I’ll be ready to follow up immediately if things get dangerous… Eventually, when we entered the innermost room with Gilbert in the lead, the Soldier Golem moved.

“Here it comes!”

Simultaneously with his words, the Golem assumes a stance. In terms of abilities, it’s definitely an opponent we’ll struggle with. I don’t know how effective Lefin’s technique will be… but we have no choice but to try.

As I thought that, Sofia dashed forward. Gilbert followed next—and the battle began.