Mushroom Lord in the Underground City-Chapter 238 - 233: Heroes

Tide Sanctuary, although this Underground City is located under the sea, not all of it is filled with water. Instead, it is separated by giant magic bubbles or dry halls, making it barely accessible for land-dwelling races to explore.

It was supposed to be like this...

A closed room, the only exit is the pool in the center.

On the water’s surface, a few fishmen’s ugly corpses floated, their dark red blood spreading in the water, emitting a heavy stench.

On the shore, several guards held their shields, watching the water surface vigilantly.

"Can we retreat back the way we came in?" Heroic Sophia asked with a trace of hope.

Priest Samuel shook his head, "That passage... was completely sealed by the fishmen spellcasters with reinforced silt. Forcibly clearing it is possible, but it would take a lot of time, and during that time, we wouldn’t have the energy to guard against that fishman."

Sophia furrowed her brow.

The passageways of the Tide Sanctuary are not simple straight lines but are as intricate as a maze. If one route is blocked, theoretically there should be other choices.

But the problem is, the opponent obviously knows the terrain better than they do.

That fishman, though not very high level, used the sanctuary’s various mechanisms and traps skillfully, and its fishmen underlings were fearless!

Coupled with the suddenly rising water level, it forced the group to temporarily retreat into this enclosed room, resulting in a stalemate.

But this wasn’t a solution either. With the equipment purchased through Silver Sand Bay, they could make magic bubbles to move underwater, but these weren’t suitable for high-intensity combat.

And once they go out, they would again face the fishmen’s attacks...

"Lady Sophia, the current situation is no longer suitable for training. I suggest that you use the transfer array to return to the ship as soon as possible," Samuel suggested.

"But that array can only teleport one person at a time, and it will drain your magic power!" Sophia immediately retorted, her gaze sweeping over each guard by her side, "And what about you all?"

"We will fight our way through and reunite with you on the ship," the Captain of the Guard replied solemnly.

"Rather than have you risk your lives..." Sophia pulled out a seemingly unimpressive handle from her pocket, which looked as if it had been corroded by seawater, "Why not give this to them? Isn’t this what they attacked us for?!"

[Divine Artifact: Ocean Staff (Fragment)]

If not for the flickering panel information, anyone would have dismissed it as garbage.

It’s said to be a divine artifact, but its use is currently unknown.

And what the fishman said through telepathy was also, "Return the holy object!"

Samuel’s lips moved, seeming to want to dissuade this near-surrender move.

Bella, who had been gazing intently with her silver-white eyes at the damp ceiling, suddenly spoke, uncertain, "Lady Sophia, there might be a secret passage up there... some traces stop there."

Upon hearing this, everyone’s gaze turned towards the ceiling. Samuel waved his hand, and the Captain of the Guard felt a gentle power lift his body, making him cling to the ceiling like a gecko.

He quickly searched, soon making a discovery, "There is indeed a secret passage, but it might be water on the other side too!"

"As long as there are no fishmen, it won’t be a problem," Sophia’s spirits lifted, and she decisively ordered, "Everyone, prepare the magic bubbles!"

Seeing this, Samuel had no choice but to nod.

When everyone was surrounded by the softly glowing transparent bubbles, the Captain of the Guard took a deep breath and delivered a fierce strike upward at the stone slab!

Rubble mixed with surging seawater poured down like a waterfall. Samuel, being prepared, made his magic staff shine brilliantly, supporting everyone as they struggled upward against the violent current!

"It’s the Outer Court!" As soon as they emerged from the breach, Sophia immediately recognized this relatively open area!

However, when water filled the room, fishmen also swam up through the breach.

The Captain of the Guard exchanged glances with a guard beside him, who understood and left the team, swimming back towards the breach to block the fishmen...

...

...

...

Climbing back onto the deck along the wet, cold ropes, Sophia finally felt the embrace of the scorching sunlight overhead. She breathed heavily, "We made it out!"

However, this brief joy quickly dissipated like foam.

As she habitually scanned the returning teams on the deck, her gaze passed over the weary yet familiar faces and suddenly noticed that one was missing!

"Where’s Ron?"

After a brief silence, the Captain of the Guard said in a flat, unwavering voice, "Ron... he executed the rearguard task."

"You made him stay behind?!" Sophia whirled around, her voice rising in disbelief as she looked at the Captain of the Guard.

"Ensuring your safety is the highest priority," the captain’s words were cold and resolute, "Any sacrifice is acceptable." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Acceptable?" Sophia repeated these four words, feeling almost suffocated.

Rationally, she understood the significance of such actions, but it was also the first time someone had died for her since she arrived in this world.

She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

After a long time, Sophia abruptly turned around, no longer looking at anyone, and silently walked towards the cabin.

The heavy cabin door closed behind her, shutting out the sunlight and sea breeze.

Bella’s gaze lingered on the Captain of the Guard for a moment, then she quickly followed Sophia, entering the cabin.