Chapter 357 - The Genuine Article is a Different League
"I'll go talk to Vermilion."
Azure-san rushed towards the building Argenta-san had mentioned.
I'll leave that to him, but what should I do next?
The door opened at 2 o'clock, and after various things happened, they retreated, so it must be just past 2:30.
It seems the undead stopped overflowing, so I have a feeling a counter-offensive is about to begin.
Shou-kun, are you ready?
Oops, Mion's back, so I'll hear her out first. Since talking here wouldn't be good…
"I'm just going to go talk to Sweee."
"Yes."
He left Argenta-san's side and entered the tower where Sweee and the White Dragon Princess were.
"Okay. How does it look?"
Yes. The installation of the Goddess Statue was a World Announcement.
Well, yeah. That's just how it is.
But that announcement was the first of its kind.
Ah—I messed up…
But it can't be helped.
"So, are Bell-buchou and Seth and the others okay?"
Yes. It's all thanks to you, Shou-kun.
"Huh?"
The sanctuary of Shou-kun's True Jade Goddess Statue covers the entire central building, extending beyond the south and northeast exits.
Everyone is happy, saying that Shou-kun must have sent the Goddess Statue to the Dragonfolk-san.
"Eeeh…"
Perhaps because the Jade Goddess Statue is associated with my image, everyone seems to think I made the Jade Goddess Statue and gave it to Argenta-san.
It's kind of right and kind of not. Anyway, it's a relief that they don't seem to know I'm actually here. Or rather,
"What's the range of the sanctuary of the other church's Goddess Statues?"
It seems to be only up to the nearest entrance.
"Only my Jade Goddess Statue's sanctuary is in a different league…"
Is it because it's the genuine article that triggers a World Announcement after all?
If I had used it for the island church, would it have covered beyond the main gate?
Anyway, that wide sanctuary covered the entire central building, and suddenly the undead stalled. When their movements slowed, everyone simultaneously beat them back, and the repulsion was complete, she said.
"So, are they going to attack now?"
That's right. On the south side, where Buchou and the others are, they're waiting for the injured to recover and plan to re-enter at 3 o'clock.
She said that plan was being conveyed to the northeast side and this northwest side as well, and they were starting to move.
However, re-entry at 3 o'clock wasn't mandatory, so some impatient people had apparently gone in on their own.
"Do you know what Nat and the others are doing?"
It seems they got separated along the way. Polly-san isn't on the south side either…
"Seriously?"
Neither of them had died and respawned, so I feel like they're together. Or rather…
Looking outside the tower, Azure-san, who seemed to have just returned, was beckoning him over.
I'll let you know if anything else happens.
"Yeah, thanks. That helps a lot."
Well… Sweee is still having tea with the White Dragon Princess, so I guess I can leave her be. Oh, that's right!
"Lupi. Could you stay with Sweee?"
"Woofn."
"Thanks. It seems we'll have some time, so you can have a snack."
He petted her thoroughly and served her smoked Oranjack, her snack, with a lunch plate.
Oops, Argenta-san is looking over here too, I should hurry.
"Excuse me. Sorry to keep you waiting."
"There are about 20 people in the building, but they're not seriously injured and seem fine. They were talking about wanting to return to the south side, but what should we do?"
Azure-san asked.
Well, that makes sense. The Dragonfolk-san are kind, but if you ask if they're okay being surrounded… Yeah.
And then Argenta-san said,
"Separately, we received word that they plan to head towards the central area again in 20 minutes. We also plan to coordinate and send Vermilion and the others."
That's what Mion told me earlier, right?
I want to avoid clashing with that, but I'm curious what will happen.
"Azure-san, please tell that to the people over there. If they still want to return to the south side, please release them."
"Okay."
He readily agreed and headed back towards Vermilion-san.
"Shou-sama, what will you do?"
"I think I'll go check the church's basement."
"Vermilion told me. The place that is thought to be the Control Room?"
"Yes, I'm a bit curious about it."
It's scary to think that if the True Jade Goddess Statue was installed, the Control Room might have reactivated.
The doors in the passage connected to that Control Room, both the one closer to the church and the one leading to the central building, both required authority.
Yet demons got in, which is a mystery, but the Azure Star Ring I picked up there was for a high-ranking administrator, so maybe they opened it with that?
But demons are NPCs, not players, so…
"Can demons open doors that require a blessing?"
Argenta-san shook her head apologetically at his question.
I asked without thinking, but of course she wouldn't know that.
"It would be possible to falsify a blessing by borrowing the power of the God of Twilight and Darkness."
"Princess."
Argenta-san bowed her head to the White Dragon Princess, who had emerged from the tower.
Sweee was sitting on her left shoulder, and Lupi was also diligently fulfilling her role.
"Let's return to the tower for now."
"Ah, um, okay."
The White Dragon Princess looked towards the distance. Azure-san waving his hand in that direction meant, he wants us to hide, right? Since being discovered would be bad, they quickly returned inside the tower.
"Alright, line up properly~"
"Hey, hurry up and line up~"
Azure-san and Vermilion-san's voices, sounding like they were leading a group, could be heard, and that was fine, but…
"Is there a True Jade Goddess Statue in that church!?"
And,
"I want to go see it!"
Could be heard, and the final straw was,
"Hey, hey, you're getting helped and being taken care of, so don't be unreasonable!"
"Those who wish to return to the south side, please gather here."
Whoa, that's a familiar voice…
That's Nat-san and Polly-san.
I thought so.
Apparently, several non-combatants for logistical support were mixed in, and Polly was leading them back to the south side. The rest, Nat and his group, were apparently re-entering, but they would be acting with the Dragonfolk-san.
"Shou-sama, this way."
"Ah, sorry."
Even if he were to go to the basement, it would be after Nat and the others left, so for a while, he would be on standby, observing.
He sat in a chair Argenta-san had added and took a sip of the tea offered. Yep, delicious.
"I'm back~ I left the rest to Vermilion."
"Azure, after this, could you escort Shou-sama to the basement?"
"Argenta. Let's all go to that Control Room together."
"…Eh?"