Versatile: Alternate World

With the new path open, everyone managed to continue to move again deeper into the underground. It's quiet and has been eventless for quite a while but it didn't last that long due to how the monsters would suddenly appear out all of a sudden. Most of them are just crawler insects that seem to dwell deep underground as they don't appear up on the surface. No one knows how they appear all of a sudden but it's the only monsters that keep on welcoming us whenever we have reached the place a bit deeper into the underground.

"Is it just me, or does the place gets colder and colder as we go deeper?" Dolly can't help to shiver despite wearing a thick jacket that they said to be a reward from the first quest on the quest chain that Almira handed to them.

"It's not just you, I felt like this coldness is similar to what happened last time where the whole world almost went back to the ice age," Harmless Sparrow rubs the palms of her hands just to warm herself just a little bit.

I also noticed some of the soldiers are even shivering in cold despite the armors that are created being quite capable of absorbing the cold and converting them to heat. It seems that is not enough to combat the cold temperature.

"Lucia, can you do something about this cold temperature that we are experiencing right now? Perhaps your flames are capable of doing something from this."

"Unfortunately, I can't do anything about that, Master. This cold temperature is the same as back then. Remember that I can't even deal with it myself, it's the same thing here right now."

Hearing the reason, I sighed in disappointment. Going by the experience, the coldness will just get worse from here on out.

We just continued walking in the tight corridor until we arrived at a bigger underground space. Yes, the same underground space where I fought Guts before. It's the first time everyone found it, but for me, this is one of the areas that would give me a big impact ever since I have returned to the past timeline. After all, this is the first time someone is capable of actually killing me.

"I never knew something like this place existed..." Queen Tori wander her eyes around as she explores all the nooks and corners of the place.

There is one thing different from the usual though. At first, I thought it was the same place where we fought before but I think this place is just identical but not the same place. When I look above, there is no ceiling like the place Guts and I fought but a clear sky. Yes, there is an actual sky.

"What the? Aren't we underground? How come we can see the sky here? We are quite sure to survey and there are no areas that would allow us to access the underground that would also reveal the sky!" the soldiers are starting to wonder why something like this was happening.

As we are wondering from these, someone started speaking not too far from us.

"Looks like you guys have finally arrived. I thought you all would be stuck on that dragon before but to think you guys would reach here is still something that I thought would occur much, much later on, but whatever."

The moment the voice was heard, everyone went to combat stance and aimed their weapons in the direction of the voice.

"Who are you?!" Queen Tanya pulled out her scythe and behind her, Queen Tori also readies her talismans.

I instinctively grab the Versatile Weapon's handle too when the voice of someone started speaking to us. And honestly, I didn't know that someone is already watching us while we entered this place. But to do that without alerting even Queen Tanya and Queen Tori without speaking is just something else. The only one who seems to be not surprised by this person speaking is none other than Almira who remained to have her hands crossed.

"Now, now. I know you guys intruded here but I am not here to shoo you guys away. In fact, I am here to welcome you all!"

Then, my instincts immediately kicked in. Something is about to happen so before that happen, I pulled out the Versatile Weapon and block the attack by changing it to the Shield of Vanagloria.

BANG!

A dull impact hit the shield. But that dull impact is enough for me to feel everything in my body. It was like all of the bones in my body had been crushed to pieces. Despite blocking the attack, it seemed like I didn't even block it. The attack was just that overwhelming.

I also saw my HP went down from full health to critical 1 HP. If Chase did not immediately cast a healing spell, my HP would immediately rush down to zero.

"As I expected, you are still capable Bladeheart. Too bad you came back. It seems the situation is unavoidable right now."

I frowned when the guy speaking knows me. Even Queen Tanya and the others frowned when the one speaking called my name. It was something that even I didn't expect.

"Based on your reaction, it seems you have forgotten me already, Bladeheart. Don't you remember the time we fought together? That is quite a blast you know? And you just straight up forgot about it?"

I am confused. What is this guy talking about? I am not even sure what this guy is spouting but he keeps on saying that I was somewhat able to accompany him.

While I am still confused, Almira rushes forward and pulled out a sword from her back. Based on the sword's look, that was the sword that she made from all the materials that Sigma and the others made before.

"ARTHUR!"

The sword in Almira's hands started to ignite in flames. It was a very bright flame as she rushes in the direction of the one speaking. She slashes downwards in the direction where no one is standing. But oddly enough, someone blocked the sword.

PENG!

Not only do I see Almira wield a weapon, but this is also the first time I have seen her get this angry and if I am not wrong, she screamed "Arthur" before she brought the sword down.

"This is enough King Arthur. You have lived long enough that you need to disappear in this world."

"That is harsh, dear friend Almira. Why are you so adamant about eliminating me?"

"I don't need to explain it, you will have to die today!"

As Almira shouted those words, someone started laughing. The moment that laugh echoed in our ears, I immediately recognized the voice. It was distinct but it was clear. Then, the guy that Almira crossed swords with, finally appeared. The moment he appeared, I grit my teeth in anger as I draw my Versatile Weapon. The moment I saw him, I am now certain we are in for a big fight.

"King ARTHUR! In the name of my father! You will be dying in my hands!"

Yes. The person before us is the guy that we are looking for. All of the artifacts that we are looking for also came from him. But for me, I never expected this development. Because the guy that helped me get out of the underground and return to the surface and the person we are fighting right now, is the same person.