Chapter 345 - Preludes to Trouble
It seemed like he didn't need to help any further, so he watched the Dragonfolk-san's battle.
They wielded scimitars or short spears and didn't carry shields, but they skillfully evaded the Skeletons' attacks, looking quite cool.
Before long, the battle ended. The clean-up was left to the Dragonfolk-san, who would handle it later.
Walking down the nave, the central aisle between two rows of long benches, towards the back,
"As I thought, no Goddess Statue."
"Was that unnecessary worry? My apologies, Shou."
"No, you've secured the Transfer Magic Circle for us, so this much is fine."
I only came to open the door, after all.
Well, that was fine, but there was something he wanted to confirm.
"Um, Vermilion-san. Could you please move from that spot?"
"Ah. What is it?"
With buildings this similar, there absolutely has to be a basement. When he moved aside the heavy podium, a familiar handle appeared there.
Ah!
This, I feel like, was supposed to be in the Necropolis first, with talk of "there's a basement!" and then later, "there's one in the island's church too," in that order.
I don't know what the development team thinks, but since I'm already here, I want to make sure the basement is clean too.
"Shou-sama. We shall…"
"Ah, then, please."
Geira-san and his group offered to open it, so he left it to them. There was still a possibility of something being below, so he kept Spirit's Blessing active and prepared his Ken-nata and Round Shield.
"Hmph!"
This floor hatch is quite heavy too.
As the space gaped open, a familiar staircase was illuminated.
However, I don't feel any suspicious presence?
"I'll go ahead."
A Dragonfolk-san cautiously descended, so Shou sent another light to follow. When the two had gone down,
"Vermilion-sama. No enemies in sight!"
"Good, I'll go too. Shou and the others, follow me."
"Yes."
I wonder if there's a Nameless Goddess Statue in this basement too?
If there is, I might consider installing it here, but…
"It's empty."
"Hmm…"
The size was the same as the island church's basement, but there were no sundry items like wooden boxes, nor any traces of anyone having been there. It was extremely desolate, but a large tapestry (?) hung on the far wall.
Approaching it, he saw it was an expensive item woven with patterns of multiple goddesses…
[Tapestry of the Iris-Colored Goddesses]
*A tapestry woven with images of the Iris-Colored Goddesses.
Creates a faint sanctuary in the area where it is hung.*
Oh, I wonder how it works. He peeled back a corner.
"Ah!"
Yep, there's a door, and this is one only I can open.
"What is it?"
"There's a door behind this."
"Hey, tear this thing off!"
"Wai—!"
Vermilion-san's phrasing was rather crude, so Shou carefully explained the tapestry's effect and asked them to remove it gently.
"Yes. Of course."
Geira-san gave a wry smile. Is he similar to Argenta-san? He seems to be having a hard time…
The door that appeared after the tapestry was carefully removed was, as expected, one only he could open.
"I'm opening it."
"Alright. You all, prepare yourselves."
"""Yes, sir!"""
After the usual exchange, he cautiously pushed it open… and felt nothing with Presence Detection.
The passage seemed to continue straight ahead. As far as the light could illuminate, anyway.
If I go straight down this path…
"Hey, hey. Does this lead to the central area?"
"In terms of direction, yes."
"What do you want to do, Shou?"
"I'm curious, and I'd like to go. Even if we secure the area above, it might be troublesome if demons come from ahead."
"That's true."
It feels like we're already on a boat, so we might as well go. He considered stacking stone walls to block it, but that wouldn't work against Ghost-types.
Shou-kun. Before you go, it might be better to have someone keep an eye on the church above.
"Ah! Um, can I request some reinforcements, or rather, additional guards for the church above?"
"Yes, please wait a moment," Geira-san replied, and one of them went up the stairs to call for reinforcements.
It's exactly half past two now.
"Got it."
Well, there's a time limit, so I guess I'll go as far as I can.
...
..
.
Two lights. One in front and one behind.
The path continued straight, and the atmosphere was similar to the passage in the island's Ancient Ruins. The width of the path might even be the same. I wonder if things like this are standardized.
"Hm?"
"A door, it seems."
It looks like the usual door. But I feel like the pattern is slightly different.
So it's a bit different from the usual Magic Doors. If it has an unlock code, I guess there's nothing I can do.
"Vermilion-san, I'll…"
"My apologies."
I only know that one number if an unlock code is needed, I suppose. Thinking that, he gently placed his hand on it.
[Blessed One's access confirmed. Highest administrator authority confirmed. Unlock?]
Ah…
Ah, this might be a door that shouldn't have been opened. That means there's a chance a dangerous enemy might appear.
"I'm opening it, but it seems dangerous, so please be careful."
"Alright!"
He didn't look back, only listened for the reply, and pushed the door open forcefully.
Illuminated by the light, Skeleton Knights in armor, wielding swords and shields, lined up before them.
"[Ice Spear]!"
The ice pillar launched forth knocked back the Skeleton Knight closest to him, but then suddenly struck something and was knocked down.
"Go, all of you!"
Dragonfolk-san, slipping past on both sides, began engaging the Skeleton Knights who had evaded the Ice Spear.
Was the ice pillar bounced back by a magic barrier? I probably feel like it was.
"Coming through!"
A familiar robed figure with a red nameplate reading [Burned Wraith] appeared.
A relative of the Maroon Wraith from the island? If so…
"[Weighte—]"
"Not on my watch!"
He infused Mana into the Jade Goddess Statue he pulled from his inventory!
An overflowing, dazzling light enveloped the Skeleton Knights, and the Burned Wraith…
"Lupi!"
"Woof!"
Lupi, who had slipped past at his feet, launched a Crush Claw at the Burned Wraith.
The merciless strike cleanly tore through the robe, and just as he thought that was it,
"Damn it!"
Vermilion-san dashed forward and shielded Lupi from something black that had appeared behind the Burned Wraith.
Vermilion-san took a blow from something on his back, but seemed completely unharmed, which was a relief, but…
Shou-kun, is that…
Dark black, bat-like wings. Yellowed, blackened curled horns. Most repulsive of all were its gleaming eyes and twisted mouth.
It was a grotesque anomaly that could only be called a demon.