Reyes finally reached the bottom of the dungeon and reached their destination, the altar of succession, where Elena described the ritual held at the altar of succession, which was unexpected for Rey to take in the magical stones.

"...to take in the magical stones?"

　Ray hears these words and quickly draws information from Zepail's knowledge.I had never heard of such a ceremony at least.But...

(Don't you think Zepail's knowledge of it? Then, should it be regarded as a ritual invented during the millennia when Zepail disappeared?I think it's similar to the art of witchcraft in the sense that it means to use magic stones to help one'

"Yes, monsters with physical, magical and special powers that are overwhelmingly more resilient than us, and attempts to incorporate the magical stones that are the root of these monsters have been tested for some time.However, the success rate is extremely low in Japan because of the technology still in the process of research, and about 90% of them died because they could not stand rejection or acceptance.Even if it's a rare success, you'll be transformed into a monster-influenced figure."
"What!"

　Rey, who could not help but take it back to herself and grab hold of Elena's delicate shoulders.

"Have you come all the way here to perform such a dangerous ceremony!"

　Elena had a smile on her face that could be interpreted as either a bitter smile or a smile.

"Don't worry. What I've just explained is that it happens when only wizards and researchers perform the ceremony.In addition, as I said, the technology has not yet been developed in Japan, and it has not reached the level that people can do.Only one country has reached that level."
"... you mean?"
"The altar of succession, a place that researchers and wizards call so, is rarely seen in dungeons.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .To be precise, it is correct that the researchers have analyzed and incompletely imitated this succession altar ritual."

　Elena glances to the altar in the center of the magic camp.

"As I said now, the succession ceremony held using the succession altar is almost different from the ceremony held by researchers and wizards.Like stones and meteorites on the side of the road, like sparks and industrial fires, drops and oceans, and breeze and tornadoes."
"... tell me more specifically than the analogy.What will happen specifically if we use this altar of succession to perform the ceremony?"
"Well, it doesn't change its appearance under the influence of magical stones.According to one theory, the change in appearance is a problem of the art that occurs when the magical stone absorbs the power of the magician, but such a problem cannot occur if performed at the altar of this succession, which is the original.and it is possible to make the magician absorb the power of the magic stone purely.Is it easy to understand, in short, that a person who performs a ceremony on the altar of succession is one step higher than a human being?"

　Elena explains as she looks at Custe and Ver, who are examining the altar to prepare for the ceremony.

"If it's such a great ceremony, why isn't it popular?"
"It's spreading.but only in countries that have completed this technology.Unfortunately, in the Kingdom of Milliana, the death rate is too high to test the human body on death row.on the promise of amnesty to join the army if you endure the ceremony.However, if there is an altar for this succession, it will be a different story.Once a ceremony is held, the altar will collapse, so only one person can perform the succession ceremony, but as far as it has been confirmed, the success rate is 100 percent."
"But why does Elena, the iconic figure of the aristocracy, receive it? No, if it's just a symbol, it's OK.But are you the successor to the Duke of Kelebel, who is also the centre of the nobility?"
"...so,"
"What?"
"Although they are grouped with the aristocratic group, their inner circle is that of a large number of aristocrats.Some are likely to switch sides to the royal faction if something happens, or others are believed to be in touch with other countries.It's a blessing to have so few traitors.Nevertheless, as long as there is a possibility of betrayal, it is impossible to give enormous power to the person who is careless about the succession ceremony.That's why I myself, who is said to be a symbol of the aristocracy, led a few people to challenge this dungeon."
"And yet the Duke of Kelebel himself admitted to making the Duchess an outsider?"
"That's right, and I'm not going to object to it.I don't know what you think, but at least I tried this dungeon with everything in mind.Besides, if the ritual succeeds, I will be biologically superior to human beings, as I said before.I am the symbol of the aristocracy, and if I think of the benefits and disadvantages that I will gain, my father will not hesitate... if he does, I will despise him."

　There was a very strong will in the eyes of Elena.But his eyes softened and he smiled at his lips.
　Ray, blushing at the sight, looked away, and suddenly saw Ver handing over a water bottle to Custe.

"Don't worry, there have been several succession ceremonies.though the magic stones they inherited were monsters of rank B."
"...what magical stone will Elena inherit?""Do you want to know... this is it."

　Even with the same smile, the soft smile that had been on his face until now changed his mischievous smile and took out a magical stone from his waist pouch.
　It was a golden magical stone the size of a man's face, and a powerful magical power could be felt just by looking at it from the outside.
　In addition, the capacity of the pouch of the waist of the Elena is enlarged by spatial magic.though it was not as small as a mystery ring, but rather a very small room--about two tatami mats in Ray's sense.Even so, it is such an expensive magic item that it is difficult for ordinary nobles to obtain.

"Is this... a golden magical stone? It's this huge."
"It's a family treasure handed down in our house, and it's a magical stone of the Ensent Dragon."
"What!"

　Rey breaks down at the word "encient dragon."Most intelligent dragons are ranked S, and only dragons that have survived millennial times are called "Encent Dragons."The rank may be as high as or higher than Grimm on Rich Road, which Ray acquired on the fifth basement floor.

"It is a magical stone from the Ensent Dragon, which the Duke of Quelevel had conquered with his knights several decades ago, and it has been handed down as our family treasure.I will inherit the magical stone of the Entient Dragon in the ceremony of succession."
"...are you really all right?"
"Well, Ray is quite worried, too.I told you that there has been no failure at this time in the ceremony using the altar of succession."
"But it's a monster of rank B?"
"...there may be some danger, indeed.However, considering the war against the Vestian Empire, which will probably take place soon, it is absolutely necessary to have overwhelming power.I am also, as you know, a symbol of the aristocracy.If I were to be defeated by the enemy... you know what would happen?"

　Her military name is well known throughout the neighboring countries, and Elena is the most famous figure in the kingdom of Milliana, rather than the aristocracy.It was easy for Ray to predict that if the man were to be overthrown by the enemy in the battlefield, the morale of the Millennium army would be irreparably depressed.

"And above all... this simplified succession ceremony I mentioned earlier.It is the Westian Empire that has the technology.It seems that they did not have that much power for simplified ceremonies, but they still seemed to have enough people to use them as troops.Originally, the Kingdom of Milliana was defeated by the Empire of Bestia.Even if it is a military force, there is no chance of winning.According to the information obtained by his father, the troops of those who completed the succession ceremony in the next war will participate in the actual battle for the first time.It is difficult to increase the number of them unless they are able to perform simple succession ceremonies because their magic techniques are inferior to those of others.The only hope I can counter that is me, a high-quality warrior or knight who has used this altar of succession to inherit the magical stones of the Ensent Dragon."

　Staring at his eyes, Ray stops trying to say something.
　for he knew instinctively that whatever he said would not reverse Elena's determination.

"Elena, it's time for the ceremony,"

　said Elena, nodding to Custe.Holding the magical stone of the Entient Dragon in his hand, he gently places it on the altar in the center of the magic camp.

"Ray, and Set.Basically, I can't move while I'm doing this ceremony.Therefore, if there are any problems with monsters getting lost, I'll leave them to you.Arla, Ver and Custe are all as tied up as I am to attend the succession ceremony."
"Okay, I'll make sure to protect you no matter what happens to you.So don't worry and start the ceremony."
"Grull".

　Ray nods and Seto also sings in a determined voice.

"...I'm sorry.I'll put our lives in your hands."

　Elena said so, and stood in the middle of the magic camp surrounding the altar and closed her eyes.Seeing it, Arla, Ver, and Custe sit down on the three wizards, each nodding and surrounding the altarpiece

"Ray, I'm sorry, but please stay away from the wizards so that the ceremony doesn't fail.As you may have heard, this is the only chance.Whether the ceremony fails or succeeds, the altar of this succession will almost certainly collapse."
"Okay, then I'm on the lookout for monsters coming in near the entrance."
"Grull".

　Rey nods to Ver's words and moves to the entrance of the room with Seto.While holding a death-size hand, I was watching the outside with my weight on the door of the room, and the ceremony seemed to have begun, and a strong light was emitted from behind.

(The ceremony has begun, then all I can do is keep the monster out of this room, as I said before.)

　As soon as he thinks so, Ray senses that other powerful forces are being emitted from behind besides light.It bothered me, and I turned to my back, where three of the altarpiece-centered wizards shed green light, and magic was sent from the wizards to the central wizards where Elena stood with her eyes closed.Then the magic light becomes stronger every few seconds, and eventually stronger than the golden light emitted by the Gent Dragon's magic stone on the altar... the next moment, the green light is absorbed into the magic stone.
　It is no exaggeration to say that the ceremony taking place in front of Ray is truly a fantastic sight.Ray is supposed to be wary of monsters, but his eyes are glued to the altar of succession.

"Grull".

　Seto was similarly attracted to the ceremony, watching the golden magic stone absorb green light.
　The absorption of green light emitted by the magic team was completed a few minutes after it was sent to the magical stone, and only the light emitted from the magical stone of the Ensent Dragon was emitted with overwhelming presence around it.
　and Elena, who was bathed in the light, closed her eyes again and seemed unconscious.
　Eventually, the light emitted from the magical stone of the Ensent Dragon gets stronger and stronger... and the magical stone that emits the light gradually crushes as if it had been weathered.
　And...

"...what?"

　The move may have been noticed because Ray was fascinated by the ceremony.Yes, the three wizards are arranged to surround the altar of succession.One of them took a casual step, though it was supposed to be impossible to move from above until the ceremony was over.towards Elena, and with a dagger in his pocket."

"What are you doing, Ver?"

　At first, Ray thought it was part of the ceremony, but when he saw Arra standing on top of the magic team with a look of astonishment, he couldn't help but yell at her loudly.
　Even Aara was aware of Ver's movements, but here she could not maintain the ceremony of succession if she had moved from the top of the wizards, and that was what might happen to Elena.All he could do was brandish his only weapon, the Power Ax, and throw it at Ver.But...

"Did you think I couldn't avoid it?"

　He avoided the axe that had flown in unexpectedly, and approached the altar of succession.

"I should like to kill Elena, but as long as she has inherited some of the magical powers, it would be best to destroy her."

　muttered he, waving up his dagger, and glancing at the tip of the dagger...

"Do you think I'll make you do it?"

　The moment Ray swings down, he uses his physical abilities to shorten his distance from Ver...

"Oh, come on.

　Ver's brief command sounded, and a demon spear was thrust into Ray's side, which was about to shake him down.