Miku turned around and shouted.

“It's coming!”

“That thing!?”

When Void asked back, Miku, unusually irritated, yelled in response.

“Who else!?”

“Damn it! Hey, you lot, clear the rubble! We’re escaping to the lower floor! Second squad boys, carry Ilga’s stretcher! We’ll buy time!”

A murmur spread.

Of course, after struggling through hardships and dangers to finally get closer to the surface, having to turn back was a massive psychological blow.

But—

Seneca shouted.

“No need to clear the rubble! I’ll give the orders!”

“Huh!? Are you insane!? If we face it head-on—”

No one could predict how many casualties there would be. Most would likely suffer severe injuries in an instant, and only a handful might escape unscathed at the cost of their lives.

That was probably what he was about to say. Though he barely held his tongue, I agreed with him.

“I know! Don’t split the command right now!”

Seneca pointed beyond the staircase leading to the lower floor.

“The fourth squad found another passage buried under rubble. We’ll escape through there. Just to confirm, the third squad didn’t find any stairs leading up in the passage they explored, right?”

“Yeah. That’s for sure. We ran around all over the place.”

At Void’s words, Seneca nodded.

“—Miss Orunkaim, how long until contact?”

“...I don’t know. If it wanted to, it could close the distance immediately. But it’s just walking… like it’s taking a stroll…”

I muttered.

“...It’s toying with us…”

It was looking down on us. Did it think of this as some kind of hunt?

If so, then that was fine. No, it was better that way. Whether fighting or fleeing, we might be able to exploit that opening.

Seneca, her face pale, began giving orders.

“First and fourth squads, lead the way through the passage beyond the stairs! If any other monsters appear, eliminate them together! Next, second squad boys, carry the wounded Ilga! The rest of second squad, protect the healer, Fix! Fifth squad, secure the rear! Everyone, move immediately!”

The gathered students nodded and began preparing to escape. Though really, it was just a matter of strapping on their weapons.

Seneca furrowed her brows, looking troubled as she turned to us.

“—Third squad, I’m sorry. This is really dangerous, but can I ask you to do it? I’ll stay behind too.”

“We were planning on taking the rear from the start.”

At Oujin’s words, Seneca nodded.

If that thing caught up, we would buy time. If it became impossible, we’d be the first to be cut off from the class and sacrificed. When being pursued by a superior foe, it was the least rewarding role.

But—

Void smirked grimly as he equipped his Bundi Dagger, tilting his head side to side.

“Like there’s anyone else who could do it.”

Drawing my gladius, I continued Void’s words.

“You should go too, Seneca. Someone with a pale face and shaking legs will only be a hindrance in battle.”

“I-I can’t do that. This was my order, so I have to stay with third squad—”

Feeling a little surprised, I spoke to Seneca.

Slowly. Putting on an air of confidence, smiling, and speaking deliberately.

“Calm down. From what I see, the only ones capable of leading properly are you and Oujin here. If you’re gone, the whole group could be wiped out.”

There was just one more floor.

If we made it through this fourth layer, we could escape to a safe zone.

“...That may be… but I can’t just let you risk your lives alone…”

“Cowardly, irresponsible, doesn’t matter. That’s fine for a leader. Knights don’t get that. Chivalry is bullshit.”

It wasn’t something to say at a knight school, but the bravest and most responsible people died the fastest on the battlefield.

Seneca’s eyes widened as she looked at me.

“That’s… Sir Blythe the Sword Saint’s words… isn’t it?”

It was close. I could sense it now.

Void and Oujin simultaneously turned their gazes to the darkness.

“Yeah. If you know that, then you should also know this. He wasn’t a knight. He was a commoner, a beast, a swordsman, a warrior—but he never accepted knighthood from King Kilpus.”

The then-young Kilpus had pressed me many times to accept a title, but I had stubbornly refused. That’s why, even though I was in the knight order, Blythe’s official status was just that of a mercenary.

But that was precisely why the title of "Sword Saint" was created.

Unlike the noble titles of the aristocracy, it wasn’t just for show. On the battlefield, it held the power to defy even royal commands.

“The reason for that? Because chivalry is utter bullshit. That’s how I survived long enough to be called a Sword Saint. Well, I guess I was a little more talented with a sword than most.”

When I smiled, Seneca, as if caught up in it, faintly lifted the corners of her mouth.

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“Then get going. We don’t have time.”

The classmates had already started moving into the newly discovered passage. Only we remained at the base.

Miku came running toward us from the entrance of the passage.

“It’s here! I saw it with my own eyes! It really is that thing! What do we dooo~…?”

Seneca nodded.

“Got it. It’s strange. Eremia, even though you’re ten, you seem more grown-up than me. You’re kinda cool, you know?”

“...O-oh.”

It had been so long since someone praised me honestly that, to be frank, it was a little embarrassing. Even though I was actually far older than this little girl.

After showing her back in her uniform for a moment, Seneca spun around forcefully. Before the short ponytail and side locks had even settled, she spoke.

“Alright, my final order. Third squad, none of you are allowed to be left behind. Hold that monster back while running for your lives. Understood?”

“That was the plan. Now hurry up and go. If you delay any longer, it’ll catch up.”

Seneca leaped over the rubble-covered stairs leading downward and dashed into the passage beyond.