Chapter 358 - Chapter 317: Beyond the Oblique
"I don't believe there's any need for Hii-sama to go in person..." Argenta-san said, looking troubled.
It would be a real hassle if she reverted to her childlike form while in her awakened state.
"Don't worry. I'll be fine for two or three hours."
Was it because she ate so much Camlus Fruit compote earlier?
"But..."
"If the Princess says so, then we should do as she wishes, Argenta."
Azure-san suddenly speaking in such a serious tone felt… off.
However, leaving immediately was a bit too soon.
"Excuse me. Please wait until after Vermilion-san and the others have left."
"Yes, very well. Azure, tell us in more detail what the demons were planning in that control room."
"Understood."
………
……
…
Azure-san gave Hii-sama a rough explanation of the demons' plans.
From his explanation, I learned more about the room beyond the church's basement.
It seemed to be a control room, but according to the demons, it wasn't the main one, but rather a sub-control room, or perhaps a backup.
Apparently, their aim was to trigger the catastrophe by bringing three such sub-control rooms—located beneath each church—under their control, in addition to the one Vermilion-san and I found.
"So there were two other ways to access them from beneath the churches?"
"Yes, but we couldn't manage more than this one."
"Indeed."
We chatted about this as we moved towards the church.
"Good work, everyone~"
"Y-Yes, sir!"
The Dragonfolk guards stiffened when Azure-san led the way, followed by Lupi and me, then Hii-sama and Argenta-san.
Of course, they'd be nervous with their princess and her retainers appearing in a procession.
Inside the church, two guards stood on either side of the stairs leading to the basement. Two more were positioned at the entrance to the basement passage, where the familiar Magic Lanterns were placed.
"Why are there doors?"
"The inner door, which connects to the central area, is locked. The front door remains open."
Argenta-san explained.
Since only the Blessed Ones could open and close it, I had been the one to do it, but with the Dragonfolk guarding the church side, it wasn't an issue.
"~~~♪"
"Oh, thank you."
I was about to conjure a light since the passage was dark, but Sweee beat me to it.
Shou-kun. The club president and the others have reached the central area. They're fighting three very large skeletons, and there's apparently a Lich behind them.
Whoa, feels like a final battle. As expected, when it comes to undead bosses, it's gotta be a Lich.
As I walked, pondering this, a faint vibration resonated from afar.
Incredible magic is flying everywhere!
"Looks like the battle has begun," Azure-san commented. Doesn't he feel any tension?
Soon after, I saw a light ahead.
"Good work~ I'll be investigating some things in this room, so please continue to keep watch."
"Understood!"
Two more guards were stationed here, keeping watch further down the passage. Seriously, good work to them.
"Woof."
"Hm? Oh, can you keep an eye on the top of the stairs?"
"Woof!"
Lupi was eager, so I asked her to. Oh, since we're here, I might as well activate Shared Presence Detection. It should be safe here.
Lupi sat down at the top of the stairs, keeping a lookout towards the far door.
"Hey, hey, Shou-kun, you were talking about this device, right?"
"Ah, yes. Um, it's from the island's Ancient Ruins, remember?"
I explained the console where I had placed my hand and become the administrator, the empty space where the spare Magic Crystal Stone was supposed to be installed.
Honestly, I hadn't asked Nina what the other parts meant, so I had no idea.
"Hmm, I see. Would it be useless to bring the spare Magic Crystal Stone from Shou-kun's island?"
"Ah, that method. No, I don't think it's big enough…"
Nina's was about the size of a volleyball, so I'd say it was extra-large.
It needed to be even bigger than that... Or maybe if it was an oval shape, like a rugby ball, it could work?
"I see, I see. Could you tell me in more detail what it felt like when you became the administrator?"
"Yes. Well…"
I had reported it to Argenta-san, but I hadn't really explained it properly. It wasn't that I was hiding Nina, but now seemed like a good time to tell them everything.
I started explaining the situation from the beginning, talking about how Nina had been in a Preservation State, which meant the administrator information had been initialized. As I spoke,
"Hm?"
"What's wrong?"
"The door opened. Someone's coming."
Just as I said that, Lupi returned.
The Dragonfolk guards aimed their spears.
"To the passage."
"My apologies."
Argenta-san's thoughtfulness was appreciated.
It would be terrible if we were discovered here… Sweee, over here!
I quickly gathered the frantic Sweee into my hood and hid in the church-side passage. I cast Presence Concealment and Stealth, becoming completely null.
[Presence Concealment skill level increased!]
[Stealth skill level increased!]
"Halt!"
A Dragonfolk shouted at the sound of footsteps descending the stairs. But,
"Yer dragons already passed us. What's the meanin' of this?"
"What do you mean? I only gave my word regarding one location on the east side."
I heard their conversation, and they continued walking.
Beyond the crossed spears of the Dragonfolk, I saw...
"Oh, long time no see, Nemea. Is it really appropriate for the Princess of the Demon Kingdom to be in a place like this?"
"Oh, come on now. Why's Hii-sama here?"
The Princess of the Demon Kingdom? The Demon Lord's daughter? That lady with the weird Kansai dialect?
And beside her was Ice Princess Anshia. Behind them stood a two-horned Oni (?) and a dark-skinned Dark Elf (?).
"Did Your Highness come to claim this place?"
Azure-san's voice, as he questioned her, carried a palpable pressure.
"I did, but if the Dragonkin promise they won't do anything strange, I'll back off."
"Then go home. Or do you think I, who stopped the catastrophe, would do the same thing again?"
"I don't think that, but... will you truly manage this place properly after this?"
"Yes, we give you our word."
Argenta-san replied.
The exchange itself was tense, but it didn't feel like they were enemies.
"Alright then, I'll leave it to ya. Oh, by the way. Are the demons you caught still alive?"
"Yes, for now. Shall I hand them over to you?"
"Nah, don't need 'em. Just make sure to dispose of 'em properly, alright?"
As she waved her hand, and Azure-san nodded, an even larger tremor occurred.
Did they settle things upstairs?
One of the large skeletons has been defeated.
I nodded in response to Mion's report.
With one gone, the rest should be much easier. I guess we'll just go with the flow now? Though there might be a second phase or something.
"Looks like things are progressin' upstairs, so should we move on to the next?"
"Yes."
"Alright, see ya then."
With those words, the Demon Princess (?) and her entourage truly left...