My Disciples Became Scoundrels - Chapter 20

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Casian closed his mouth without protest. A moment later, one of the guild members called out to him hesitantly.
“Vice-Master. There’s something I should report….”
“I’ll be there shortly. And have Balanus Domus ready as well. We’ll begin the Order soon.”
Casian fled the spot as if escaping. Cesare seemed to be in better spirits now, ruffling Jenia’s hair enthusiastically.
“You’re more useful than I thought.”
“I was just stating the facts.”
As I was tidying Jenia’s now-tousled hair, it was already nine o’clock.
“Everyone, focus.”
Casian stepped forward and drew their attention. Though still young, he carried himself with considerable seasoned competence—both in his bearing and in how he issued the Order.
“Balanus Domus will enter first and secure the entrance. As stated beforehand, there will be no compensation if you fail to dispose of at least one hundred monsters per floor.”
The entrance of the massive dungeon looked like nothing more than a black swamp. Darkness stretched beyond it, making it difficult to discern what lay within.
“Let’s go, you lot.”
“Yes, Master.”
I stepped toward the entrance with the children. The moment we crossed the threshold, my vision darkened, and soon the smell of decay and dry air washed over me. The landscape of Bitan unfolded before us.
A space dense with withered trees. And before I could even exchange words with my disciples, an eerie sound echoed out.
—Gurrrgh…!
White bones began to emerge one by one from between the black trees. Skeletons—monsters made of bone. At least fifty of them, by my estimate.
Dungeons show no mercy. It’s common for adventurers to have their throats torn out the moment they step inside.
That’s why Casian used us like canaries—the way miners bring canaries down to sense danger, sacrificial birds.
But we were no canaries. We were birds of prey.
These children didn’t need weak opponents. What mattered was experience fighting strong foes—the kind of experience money cannot easily buy.
I turned to face my disciples and spoke.
“Then shall we begin the lesson? Fight as you wish.”
“Yes, Master.”
The moment I finished speaking, the two of them charged straight at the enemy. The withered creatures shrieked in an otherworldly chorus.
—Gryaaaaah!
But that shriek was shattered into fragments by Cesare’s Slash Strike. Bone scattered like shrapnel. His spear, wielded with crushing force, was a threat incarnate.
Those attached to Jenia, not Cesare, were also letting out bizarre death cries.
Tentacles jutting from within her clothing seized the skeletons with blinding speed. The corrosive fluid flowing from the tentacles melted bone away.
Someone witnessing this scene would marvel at it. But my eyes saw many points for improvement.
“Cesare. Your arc is too wide. Don’t swing with your whole arm—use your wrist. Manage the spear with more finesse to conserve energy.”
At those words, Cesare let out a reluctant groan.
“Ugh, without a drink I can’t concentrate! Can I at least have some alcohol?”
“No. You should perform at this level even when sober.”
Cesare is strong, but there’s a significant gap between his sober and intoxicated performance. Even now, his concentration was slipping, leaving openings everywhere.
Forcing him to display his true ability even without drink—that was my goal for Cesare.
Next, I observed Jenia. She showed no difficulty in combat itself, but her efficiency was lacking.
“Jenia. Shape your tentacles like a spear and destroy the core in a single strike. Watch what Cesare is doing.”
“Yes, Master.”
What Jenia lacked was practical combat experience. I had only gratitude for Casian in entrusting us with this battle.
“Phew, bone-headed bastards. We’re done here, Master.”
Cesare stretched languidly as he spoke. By then, the area had fallen silent. Bone fragments lay piled thick at our feet.
Looking at the time, it was about ten minutes. Next time, I’ll have to shorten it to five.
I left the dungeon and reported to Casian.
“It’s finished. You can come in now.”
“In just ten minutes? It seems there weren’t many of them.”
Casian signaled the guild members to advance. Once they were all inside, I entered last. Then I saw people wearing expressions of bewilderment.
“What on earth is this… How many did you take down?”
“The Collaborators were only inside for ten minutes?”
While the guild members regarded us with faces caught between confusion, suspicion, and wonder, Casian composed his emotions and looked at us with an impassive expression.
“Balanus Domus, continue advancing. We’ll handle anything coming from the sides.”
“Understood.”
I led my disciples forward. Cesare took the front, while Jenia, whose coverage was broad enough to defend, took the flanks.
With a map in hand, we didn’t have to wander through the forest. Between the dead trees, skeletons erupted relentlessly.
—Gryaaaaah!
An uncanny skeleton—a fusion of horse, dog, and various animal bones—crashed down upon Jenia. Her eyes gleamed with interest.
“That one’s built differently. I should take the bones home and study how they fit together.”
The moment she spoke, the monsters died instantly.
There was no room for the guild members to step in. Those who had been tensely braced upon entering were now relaxing their postures, wearing expressions of leisure.
“Wow, you picked a good helper, didn’t you?”
“Right? We can just follow along comfortably.”
I glanced at the guild members. Twilight Swallow was currently a Silver Rank organization. At this level, they should have at least two Rank 2 hunters.
But fewer than half of them looked like Rank 2. There was only one person here who seemed close to Rank 3.
—Slash!
The Bastard Sword gleamed sharply. The monster’s core split cleanly in two as it fell, the swordwork precise and beautiful.
It was Casian. A swordsman who wore the phrase “a crane among chickens” perfectly. Someone whose rank simply didn’t match the rest of this guild.
He carved through the enemies with fluid grace. The one who had just cleaved the Skeleton that Cesare was reaching for split it apart effortlessly, then spoke with cold composure.
“Slow.”
“What? You bastard, stealing my kill? What are you doing?”
Cesare bristled, then drove straight through a monster that appeared before him. The movement was far quicker than before.
Casian had ignited his competitive spirit. His attacks grew fiercer, sharper.
Casian really was a fine young man.
Yielding all the monsters to us, and now spurring Cesare on like this.
I hoped my disciples and he wouldn’t get along too well. For the sake of my disciples’ growth.
“You—last time I beat you, and you didn’t even apologize. Shameless bastard.”
“I was careless then. This is my true strength now.”
From there, Casian and Cesare hunted relentlessly. With three of us fighting, combat became swift.
We soon reached the staircase descending to Basement Level 2. During a brief rest, Casian approached me and asked abruptly.
“Why don’t you fight?”
Was he picking a fight? No—it felt different. This seemed like genuine curiosity.
“Cesare and Jenia are sufficient for combat.”
“I understand you’re the strongest of the three. It doesn’t look right for the strongest to be idle.”
I found myself recalling how Casian had fought earlier.
I studied him for a moment, then spoke.
“Then why don’t you try being idle, Casian?”
“Pardon?”
He looked at me as if I’d said something absurd.
“Don’t fight. Leave it all to the guild members.”
“The strongest in the guild should withdraw? If I step back, they’ll be hurt.”
“Taking wounds in battle is inevitable.”
While raising my disciples, there are moments when my heart wavers. Mostly when they get hurt. My instinct is to hide them behind me, to defeat every enemy myself.
But I know that’s impossible, and that it shouldn’t be done.
Casian seemed about to say something more, but a guild member called him away. Cesare muttered in complaint.
“What’s his problem now? Why pick on the master?”
“Is he trying to get you to fight?”
“Wow, this kid doesn’t even know respect for elders and juniors.”
Though by appearance, I’m the younger one.
Shortly after, Casian called everyone together and issued the next order.
“Now we’ll descend to Level 2, then split into three teams to search for the bodies of fallen warriors.”
I’d already heard about this beforehand. Warriors who had died entering Bitan but whose bodies couldn’t be recovered. We were to find their remains.
“I’ll now call out the team rosters. Please gather accordingly. Team 1: Cesare Balanus, John Smith…….”
As it happened, Cesare was placed in Team 1, Jenia in Team 2, and I in Team 3.
Cesare whispered with a worried face.
“Will you be alright alone, Master? Let me ask to switch to Jenia’s team instead.”
Concern colored his voice. Jenia felt the same.
“Don’t worry. Others are going with us. They’ll handle things.”
“But their skills aren’t good enough.”
Jenia was right—their abilities weren’t strong. Still, it was fine. Casian was in Team 3 anyway.
“Besides, I’m skilled enough. See you later.”
And so we split into three teams and descended to Basement Level 2.
With each step on the old stairs, a hollow, bone-like sound echoed. Basement Level 2 resembled an abandoned monastery.
Despite being underground, lanterns hung from the walls in places, keeping it bright. They appeared to be Mana Lanterns.
I observed the Team 3 members. Their eyes held the look of those trusting me to fight for them. Casian too gestured with his chin, pointing down the dark corridor.
“Lead the way, Dain Balanus. You must defeat all the monsters.”
“If I lead, what will the others do?”
“While you defeat the monsters and provide escort, the guild members will search for the bodies.”
Of course, that’s technically what a helper should do. I simply had no intention of doing it. I met Casian’s gaze and spoke with deliberate gravity.
“You’re robbing them of their chance to grow.”
“……What do you mean by that?”
I spoke in a clear voice so the other guild members could hear me too.
“You asked me earlier. Why the strongest person in Balanus Domus isn’t fighting.”
At those words, Casian’s brow furrowed. He understood well enough what I meant, having heard that earlier conversation.
“If I step forward, the dungeon conquest will end in an instant. That’s precisely why I haven’t. To give Cesare and Jenia the chance to fight and grow.”
…….
“I know you care for your guild members. That’s why you were taking down all the enemies alone even on Basement Level 1.”
The guild members who had been listening to our exchange began to shift their expressions. I caught a flicker of hesitation in Casian’s eyes.
“My father once told me this: trials are necessary for growth. Give them the chance to fight.”
The moment those words left my lips, Casian’s face changed. As if he’d resolved something, he glanced around at his guild members.
“……I’ll change the order. My collaborator and I will search for corpses, and the rest of you will handle the combat.”
“Casian! The two strongest people on corpse duty? That’s inefficient and dangerous.”
“There’s no danger.”
Casian looked squarely at the protesting guild member and spoke with certainty.
“If any guild member faces danger, I will save them without fail. If you trust my abilities, then follow my order.”
In the end, the objector backed down.
I, who had been standing at the vanguard, retreated to the very rear.
Watching Casian reorganize the formation, I let out a breath of relief. It was fortunate that he was such an upright young man.
Shortly after, Casian approached me and handed over a cube that gleamed black.
“It’s a Dimensional Storage Cube. Put the corpses inside. And…….”
He hesitated and cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Thank you for worrying about our guild. You truly live up to your name as Dain Balanus’s son.”
Well, I wasn’t really worried, per se.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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