“Ow, that hurts!”
The entire Cannon Fodder Squad—twenty-five people—were flung onto the spiral staircase in the main hall of the castle, each one landing on the steps like little burial dolls.
Only the Two Level 5 Adventurers and the Sensitive River Knight managed to twist their bodies in mid-air and landed steadily at the Burial Grounds.
“Lady Knight!” Niubao dashed forward and caught Samimi, the two of them spinning down the stairs like an invincible whirlwind.
But for most of the team, only Niubao managed to shield them from harm.
Everyone was moaning and groaning, but as thick-skinned Outworlders, it was impossible for them to be truly hurt. After all, even the Pureblood Bloodghosts couldn’t easily kill them.
“We’ve finally made it to the castle, Chief, Lady Knight, are you alright?” The Pope, Left Hand at his side, surveyed the group and asked in concern.
“Yunluosi?” Elf Nanxi noticed that Ke Zhi Si had rolled her eyes back and fainted.
Samimi had just gotten up with Niubao’s help, but before she could answer, the great doors of the castle were pushed open from outside.
“Sister Knight! And everyone!” The Purple-robed Bald Bishop led a large group of Sensitive River Knights and Kingdom Knights charging in. In an instant, over a hundred knights filled the main hall.
“What’s going on? How did you get into the Underground City?” Azure Moon Rampaging Dragon asked in astonishment.
“Huh? Is this the present, Rampaging Dragon brother? You all made it back?” The Bald Bishop replied with a laugh.
The members of Cannon Fodder Squad were shocked, glancing at each other in disbelief.
“This is…?” Everyone pondered for half a second, then turned to look at Samimi.
“It’s settled. I’ve already resealed the Female Vampire Queen. For at least another sixteen hundred years, she won’t be able to stir up any more trouble.” Samimi dusted off her hands, forcing out a small smile.
“Well done!” The Roadside Female Gunner cheered joyfully.
The rest of Cannon Fodder Squad hesitated for a moment, but soon joined in the celebration.
The hundreds of knights and bald bishops who had come to greet them also looked puzzled for a moment, but seeing everyone cheering, they joined in as well.
It was clear now—the Blood Demon Dungeon had been completely conquered by the squad.
“No more cheering. There are injured—carry them out first!” Samimi pointed at the three beautiful young women on the ground who were unable to get up.
“That’s right! Medical team, quick, help out!” The Bald Bishop ordered with delight.
Soon, several medics arrived, carrying the unconscious trio away on stretchers.
“Sister Knight, will Ke Zhi Si be alright?” Elf Tangzhang asked worriedly.
“Lady Knight, how is the Chief?” Left Hand of the Sensitive River Knights also asked anxiously.
“Lady Samimi, what exactly happened?” Captain Frolro hurried over to inquire.
“If I’m not mistaken, they were all hit by the Queen’s Illusion. There shouldn’t be any danger to their lives, but I don’t know how much psychological trauma they’ve suffered. When they wake up, make sure to comfort them properly.” Samimi explained seriously.
But then, seeing the lively and energetic Niubao, she exclaimed, “Niubao, why are you fine? You should have been hit by the Illusion too!”
“I don’t know either,” Niubao scratched their head, looking sheepish.
Hearing there was no life-threatening danger, everyone breathed a small sigh of relief, but still couldn’t help but worry.
“It’s my fault. I fell for the trick and failed to protect them properly,” Samimi said regretfully.
“How can that be your fault? If it weren’t for you, we’d all be dead by now,” Left Hand of the Sensitive River Knights fully acknowledged Sister Samimi’s merit.
“Everyone, go and rest for now,” the Bald Bishop arranged for the returning heroes to leave the castle and head to the temporary camp to recuperate.
Along the way, the Cannon Fodder Squad received the treatment befitting heroes. Knights and adventurers from every faction greeted them with respect.
It was truly a miracle—the twenty-five members of the Cannon Fodder Squad all survived, with only three falling into a coma.
No other squad in history had ever returned from conquering the Dungeon with every member alive. Even elite teams had never achieved such a feat.
The members of Cannon Fodder Squad took the opportunity to celebrate everywhere, drinking and laughing.
Every Chasing Demon Knight held five celebrations a day.
Every Elite Kingdom Knight Commander held ten banquets a day, or else they weren’t allowed to rest.
Now, every member of Cannon Fodder Squad had become a star. Their resumes began to shine—they’d get promoted and rewarded, embarking on the peak of their lives.
But it was well-deserved. Every one of them had faced the Pureblood Bloodghost Queen and survived. Not a single one was a deadweight.
Yet Samimi was not interested in these ceremonies or promotions. She returned to her little wooden command hut, closed the door, and rested in silence.
This disaster had truly exhausted her, but it was also satisfying. Hugging the big sun-shaped pillow, she quickly fell asleep.
After all, she’d already received the greatest reward—the Dungeon’s treasure was hers.
She hadn’t been hurt, and as for the other three who were trapped by the Illusion, that was their own problem—their abilities simply weren’t enough.
Still, the chubby knight Qiqi Tiao was her teammate, so if not for her, Samimi might have let things go, but she’d check on the situation first.
However, what Samimi couldn’t understand was that, in the original timeline, chubby knight Qiqi Tiao had seen through the Illusion and managed to defeat the Pureblood Bloodghost Queen by willpower alone. Why had she fallen this time?
It must have been her own actions that altered the storyline. But hadn’t every other heroine grown stronger thanks to her involvement?
So why had Qiqi Tiao ended up like this?
A week later, Samimi stood by the infirmary window, watching inside.
The Chief and Mei Ci Yao Lin, as well as Ke Zhi Si, had already woken up. But both sat there like blocks of wood, their expressions empty, clearly traumatized.
But it didn’t matter. As long as they were alive, their mental wounds were not her concern.
Especially Ke Zhi Si. Good luck with that.
You insisted on always wearing a hood in town, and now the Illusion had startled you. Serves you right.
As for Ke Zhi Si’s Illusion, Samimi could only guess—maybe in the original, she was killed by the Hero, or perhaps by the Elves? Was there something else in her heart?
“Hmph, it’s none of my business anyway.”
Samimi snorted, turned, and walked away, not caring about the two girls—let things take their course.
At this moment, Samimi had no idea that she would become tangled with these two for a long, long, drawn-out, strange story.
This Dungeon was only the beginning of their fate together.
Meanwhile, the chubby knight Qiqi Tiao recovered the fastest, and soon she was able to get out of bed—her condition much better than the other two. Captain Frolro and Scout Karl came to take her home.
“Lady Knight, Niubao, we’ll be taking our leave now. See you if fate allows,” Captain Frolro came to say goodbye.
The Chasing Demon Knights were about to leave on their next mission, reporting the situation back to the Chasing Demon Bureau.
But Samimi knew there was no such bureau. The Chasing Demon Knights were simply a group of wandering rescue knights, with no home of their own.
“Captain Frolro, after you finish reporting, remember to come visit me in Sweet Melon Town.”
Samimi told Captain Frolro that when they had time, they should visit her in Sweet Melon Town—she’d give them a home.
The fate of the Cannon Fodder Squad, she would change with her own hands!
She believed she’d meet Qiqi Tiao again.
But at that moment, Samimi had no idea that her next encounter with Qiqi Tiao would come far sooner than she expected.
This Dungeon, too, was only the beginning of their entangled destinies.
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