Though they claimed to be going deeper, they didn't descend further. Keele's Dungeon had only two floors — one above ground and one below.
The underground floor was vast, spanning almost the entire middle and lower portions of the mountain.
What an ambitious project!
This Arch-Wizard Keele must be quite powerful, which made Adam increasingly excited.
Kazuma marked their path with chalk as they walked to prevent getting lost.
"Carter-senpai, look at that." He grabbed him, pointing to a conspicuous golden chest in a corner.
"That's..." Adam wasn't fooled — this chest might as well have had "I'M A TRAP" written on it in giant letters.
As expected, there was a response...
"That's a Mimic Chest, or rather, a Dungeon Mimic monster." Kazuma picked up a small stone and threw it to demonstrate the creature's danger.
Instantly, the wall transformed into a gaping maw, writhing as it chewed on the stone.
"While it can't move, it transforms parts of itself into chests and money to lure prey. Sometimes, it even disguises itself as a human to trap monsters that attack adventurers."
Following Kazuma's explanation, Adam grasped how dangerous this monster truly was.
He found it disgusting — eating other monsters was just too vile!
In a sense, they're your own kind!
He realized he'd underestimated the dungeon's dangers. Thankfully, the 〔Enemy Detection〕 skill worked on it, or he'd need to be far more cautious.
They pressed deeper inside.
Again, hordes of undead surrounded them.
With one purification spell, another large group of undead vanished before their eyes.
He was getting tired. His mana consumption was high. If only he had the Magic Blessing — Mana Recovery would be lightning fast.
"Carter-senpai, let's head back." Seeing his exhaustion, Kazuma was first to suggest returning.
If something went wrong, Aqua and the others would surely tear him to pieces!
"Yes, let's go back." After a brief silence, Adam agreed.
Kazuma meant well — he worried that if Adam collapsed, with just him as an adventurer, they'd be trapped here.
It was disappointing. They had reached what seemed to be the center of the dungeon without finding Keele's secret room or any treasures.
Though Adam wanted to keep searching, they needed to conserve enough mana for their return journey. Pressing forward would only increase the dangers they faced.
Well, they could always return another time.
"Kazuma-kun, let's stop here for now, next time we'll—"
Before Adam could finish, the wall at the end of the passage suddenly slid open!
The two exchanged glances.
Adam's eyes showed both understanding and excitement, while Kazuma's sparkled with pure anticipation.
A secret room meant treasure!
Kazuma dreamed of instant riches — he couldn't believe they'd discovered something new in a dungeon that others had supposedly explored thoroughly.
But then, a low, muffled, hoarse voice from within the secret room made him want to retreat.
"Is there a Priest out there?"
It was Keele! The Lich Archmage!
"W-what should we do?" Kazuma's voice trembled with fear.
Though their leader was reliable, humans instinctively fear the unknown.
Adam responded with just a slight nod, reassuring them there was nothing to fear while he was present.
He walked into the secret room, with Kazuma following close behind.
The secret room was surprisingly small, its size even more striking compared to the vast dungeon maze outside.
It contained only the basics: a bed, a small cabinet, a chair, and a table with an unlit oil lamp.
A figure sat in the chair beside the bed.
"Hello there. Good afternoon — or is it evening? I'm afraid I've lost track of time down here."
Adam cast Fire Magic to light the oil lamp, illuminating the dim room.
"I am Keele, the villain Arch Wizard who built this dungeon and kidnapped the noble's daughter." The hoarse voice filled the room with an eerie atmosphere.
In the lamplight, Adam finally saw him clearly.
Keele wore a black robe with a low hood, but his pale, desiccated skull was still visible beneath it.
"Once upon a time, there was an Arch Wizard who kidnapped a noble's daughter..."
Like telling his autobiography, Keele recounted his past experiences, treating his kidnapping of the noble's daughter as a proud achievement.
Neither Adam nor Kazuma interrupted him as they quietly listened to his tale.
"So, you're not really a bad person or an evil Lich, are you?" Kazuma's tension melted away as Keele shared his story.
Not every Lich was like Wiz — a friendly and beautiful one.
"A bad person? I don't know." Keele shook his head, "In the eyes of the kingdom's nobles, I must be a villain. But being good in her eyes was enough."
He gently held the hand bones of the noble daughter lying on the bed with tender care.
The gesture was somehow overwhelming.
"Well, that's how it is." Keele set down the hand bones and turned to Adam, "I have a favor to ask of you."
"Could you Purify me? With your abilities, you should be Priest enough to do it."
He was right. While an ordinary 「High Priest」 might not manage it, with Aqua's Blessing, Adam could purify him.
"But do you really want this?" Adam felt a pang of regret.
Liches who were friendly to humans and harbored no hatred were quite rare. He hated to see such a being disappear.
But Keele had no intention of living on alone — he was someone who had lost his reason for living after his loved one passed away.
"No, let me go join her." Keele gazed lovingly at the long-dead noble lady, his mind set on death. No one could persuade him otherwise.
"Since you ask this of me, I'll agree, but might I ask a favor in return?"
"Please demonstrate your Lich and Arch Wizard skills for me."
"..." These words shocked Keele. His composure faltered as he asked in surprise, "Could it be that you're not a Priest but an adventurer? But that Holy Power I felt earlier..."
"I'm not a Priest-class adventurer. That Holy Power is a Blessing bestowed by the gods." Adam explained, then added, "But don't worry, I can still purify you."
"Very well, since you want to learn..." Keele had no reason to refuse.
〖〘Curse Lightning〙 Acquired!〗
〖〘Frost Nova〙 Acquired!〗
〖〘Dark Ritual〙 Acquired!〗
〖〘Death Wither〙 Acquired!〗
"Keele, when you go up there, you'll meet a goddess. If you sincerely pray to her and mention Aqua's name, I guarantee you'll see that noble lady again!"
"Is that so... thank you." Keele closed his eyes with a gentle smile.
After that, Adam purified him with a blessed purification spell.
Though he respected Keele's wishes, he felt deep regret over his passing. A brilliantly talented Lich Arch Wizard had forever left this world.
Taking the treasures he left behind, the two returned.
When they emerged from the dungeon with vast amounts of treasure, they found the three women anxiously watching the entrance, worried they might never come out.
They were surprised to see the treasure.
Then, Adam told the three women Keele's story.
"I see... may he be reunited with his loved one in heaven." Darkness, both a Crusader of the church and a devout follower of the Goddess Eris, said a prayer for the kind-hearted lich.
"What a beautiful love story." Megumin said, showing an unusually non-chuunibyou reaction.
"Lost lamb, may your next life be free from suffering, may fortune and happiness always accompany you..." Even Aqua offered her blessings.
The atmosphere grew somber.
"Hey, why is everyone's mood so down?" Noticing their gloomy faces, Adam quickly interrupted, "Alright, no more dwelling on it! To celebrate our first successful dungeon exploration and its bountiful rewards, let's have a feast tonight!"
Everyone cheered, their spirits lifting.
That night, Aqua got drunk again.
Really, that foolish drunk.
Since Adam had returned, Kazuma asked to spend the night at the Holy Ground (Succubus' Cafe) with Taylor, Keith, and Dust.
Seeing his pleading expression, Adam softened and simply warned him to be careful.
Back at the mansion, after tucking the intoxicated Aqua into her bed, Adam returned to the living room.
There he found Darkness and Megumin playing this world's version of a board game — something that seemed like a combination of chess and shōgi.
"Hee-hee! Behold the power of my army. I teleport an orc soldier to this space."
"Megumin, the way you used your Wizard was indecent... I move my Crusader here, and—checkmate!"
"Teleport!" Megumin took her king off the board.
Though Adam didn't know the rules, he could tell she was cheating.
Yet oddly enough, Darkness was blushing and seemed pleased to be on the receiving end of such tactics.
Better to let them play on their own, he thought.
He returned to his room to rest.
Early the next morning.
When Aqua woke from her hangover, everyone except Kazuma — who hadn't returned — was already gathered.
The group headed to Wiz's Magic Item Shop.
Having used up those five high-grade Manatites from before, Adam decided to stock up more just in case.
Arriving at the magic shop, they found Wiz organizing items at the counter. As she bent over, her perfect curves were on full display before the party members.
Megumin stared at her intently, muttering something inaudible — likely jealous of Wiz's figure.
Aqua was more direct, shouting, "Damn lich, are you trying to seduce Adam?" before charging forward.
Her sudden attack caught Adam off guard — he didn't react in time to stop her.
Like a hungry tiger pouncing on a sheep, Aqua tackled Wiz, pinning her to the ground while glaring at her with gleaming eyes.
"You damn lich, I should purify you right now! A Demon King's General worth 300 million Eris — I've been eyeing you for a while!"
"Eh? Eek! Lady Aqua, Lady Aqua, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Confused by the sudden attack, Wiz quickly apologized despite having no idea what she'd done wrong.
"Come on Aqua, stop bullying Wiz, get off her." Adam pulled the two apart, then helped Wiz up, "I'm sorry, my Aqua is being very rude."
"No, it's fine." The good-natured Wiz waved it off with a gentle smile.
But seeing Aqua's fierce expression when she smiled kindly while greeting Adam, Wiz's face instantly turned pale.
"Wiz, I came today because there's something I want to ask you about a lich archmage..." He then told her Keele's story.
After listening, Wiz sighed emotionally, "Is that so... what a moving love story."
"So what's your wish then, lich? Hurry up and tell us so we can help you fulfill it and then I can purify you!"
Aqua, who was very unfriendly toward liches and other undead, pressured the pure and honest lich girl to reveal why she lingered in the mortal realm.
Wiz had no intention of hiding it and said softly, "I stay here hoping my former companions might come by during their free time, so we can meet and chat."
She seemed rather lonely.
"Wiz, would you like to adventure with us?" Adam invited, wanting her to join the party.
The three women were surprised.
"No, I'm sorry, I can't join." Though Wiz seemed tempted, she shook her head, "I have a contract with the Demon King, I can't join adventurer parties."
"Is that so... what a shame." Adam felt disappointed that such a powerful Lich Magic master couldn't join the party.
He had inadvertently learned something valuable.
"Wiz, even if your former companions don't visit often, I promise our party will come by frequently. I hope you won't tire of us."
"How could I? I'm delighted that you'll visit often. You're always welcome here." Hearing this, Wiz smiled warmly.
Her smile triggered Aqua's displeasure once again, and she lunged forward.
This time, Adam was vigilant and caught her in his arms, preventing any mischief.
"Wiz, could you get me 5 more high-grade Manatites please?"
At Adam's request, Wiz quickly retreated from the hall, escaping Aqua's glare.
"Aqua, control yourself — aren't you two friends?"
"Friends with her?" Aqua snapped, "That lich dares to seduce you — she's clearly not a good lich. I must purify her!"
Somehow, her reaction gave him a warm feeling.
To prevent any further incidents, Adam paid for the Manatites as soon as Wiz returned and promptly led everyone out of the magic shop.
T/N: If you want more chapters , check out my Read the latest chapters on NovelHub - completely free!Read the latest chapters on NovelHub - completely free!com/mrblackwing