Chapter 403 - A Typical Last-Minute Change
The content of my communication with Moore was only audible to me, but everyone in the hotel group could sense that it was unsettling. Attention was drawn to me.
"Yukari, did something happen? You mentioned revival or something?"
"It's from Moore. Could someone go and get the newspaper from the hotel?"
"The newspaper?"
"A big incident has occurred. Reading the newspaper will explain it."
It seemed Moore also lacked more detailed information beyond what was in the newspaper. Seeing the newspaper would be the simplest way to share the news with everyone.
"I'll go get it, then."
A girl standing near the door went out to fetch it.
Gradena, sitting across from me, frowned, sensing that trouble was brewing.
"A morning communication from the Intelligence Department about a major incident? I hope it's not one of our articles."
"It's not. It's Undead-related."
"...Wasn't it supposed to be a secret operation? Where did the leak come from?"
"It wasn't a leak. The Holy City made the announcement through the Newspaper Guild. The Undead have been resurrected and have appeared across the continent. Just read the newspaper; that's what they're saying. They're still investigating, too."
Everyone looked utterly bewildered. It was such an outlandish story that it was hard to believe, even for us who knew the Undead existed beyond mere legend. The idea of the Undead suddenly appearing all over the continent sounded like something a drunk might dream up. Yet, the authoritative Church had made the announcement.
I suspected that the continent was more confused than in chaos. However, if the Undead sightings were real, the affected areas were likely in a state of utter calamity. There were reports of Undead appearing in Berliza, so this wasn't just someone else's problem if it was true.
But where, exactly? The reports suggested several thousand to tens of thousands in various locations. This wasn't just a breakout from a small facility we planned to raid; it was on a much larger scale.
Given the sheer number and the publicity, this was a situation for the knights to handle. Unless it directly threatened us, we had no reason to get involved. The main concern was the number and types of Undead. Without special equipment, even the most elite knights would struggle. If the Holy City had to get involved, the situation would be dire.
"Yeah, if it's all over the continent, we can't just stand by, especially if it impacts areas we have ties to."
True. Exembra and Rigaheim are primarily focused on self-defense, but if our trading partners are in trouble, we might need to lend support. If the knights and mercenaries can't handle it, we might be called in through administrative or Rosmerta channels to fight the Undead.
"Siegrune will handle things in Exembra. The bigger concern is here in Berliza. If the Undead incident is linked to foreign powers or the Empire, it could get very messy."
I doubt the capital, Beltoria, would suddenly be engulfed in war, but if a full-scale conflict erupted, it would be serious. The Magic Doll Club's tournament would be out of the question. The Leader might contact us to return to Exembra early, concerned for our safety.
The Berliza Intelligence Department was likely in chaos, trying to assess and investigate the situation. They had a tough job ahead.
"President, I've brought the newspaper!"
The girl returned to the room and spread the newspaper on the table.
The front page had the large headline Moore had mentioned.
"Let's see... 'Legendary Undead Resurrected?! Holy City Makes Major Announcement!' Sounds like a load of rubbish."
"More like a tabloid. I doubt the Newspaper Guild believes it themselves."
The article suggested that ancient Undead, sealed in ruins, had somehow been revived. The Holy City had immediately detected the signs and made the announcement.
"Emary, how was the hotel? Did anyone read the newspaper?"
"It's early in the morning. No one was lounging in the lobby, and the staff didn't seem particularly concerned."
That made sense. The Undead were known only as legendary beings. Even if the resurrection was real, it would feel like a strange event happening far away. People don't feel a sense of danger until it directly affects them.
"According to the list of affected areas, the Kingdom of Brenark isn't mentioned."
While the sensational headline seemed dubious, the specific locations of Undead sightings lent the story some credibility.
"Exembra and Rigaheim seem safe. Berliza... Kishibul Island? Where is that?"
"Does anyone know?"
We all exchanged glances. We weren't familiar with Berliza's geography beyond the most famous or relevant places.
"Now that you mention it... There's a map in the other room. I'll check it out."
The map was apparently posted on the wall in the adjacent room. We decided to take a look.
It took us a while to find it, but we all examined the map together.
"It's an island, but there must be hundreds. It would help if we knew its approximate location or size."
"The article estimates between fifty and seventy thousand Undead on Kishibul Island. That suggests a relatively large island."
"Ah, there it is. This one, right?"
The island was quite far from Beltoria Harbor. It was a decent-sized island with a town and port, though the scale and accuracy of the map made it hard to judge the exact distance.
"Fifty thousand or more Undead on this island? That's more than the residents, isn't it?"
"It sounds hopeless. There's no significant military presence on such a small island."
"Right. Moore mentioned they were rushing to investigate."
Without knowing the scale, it was hard to gauge the actual threat. Sending reinforcements would require thorough investigation first. The government would likely prioritize containing the Undead on Kishibul Island to prevent them from spreading to the mainland or other islands. Any ships from the island would be denied entry to avoid the possibility of Undead stowing away.
"Yukari, is Moore planning to send us to that island?"
"I don't think so. There are too many, and the knights will handle it."
"But do they have the right equipment to fight fifty thousand or more Undead?"
"If not, they'll just contain it and rely on the Church. This isn't a situation for a small group like ours to handle."
We might consider a powerful single Undead, but even then, the knights would likely handle it. Regardless, there was no reason for us to be involved.
"Oh, by the way, the job we accepted is on hold."
"The one for seven days from now? It makes sense given the situation."
"If the secret Undead research facility was backed by the Holy City, dismantling it without permission could backfire. They might stop supporting Berliza."
A continent-wide Undead resurgence, if real, would provide a legitimate reason for Undead research. The Church, with its extensive historical records and ongoing studies, was the authority on the Undead. Even we, with our experience in the Forest of the Underworld, only had a vague understanding compared to the Church's knowledge.
"Boring, but there's nothing we can do. Haa... I think I'll sleep now."
We ended up staying up all night.
The thought of returning to the Academy's dorm was unappealing, so I decided to borrow a bed.
---
My comfortable sleep was interrupted by the sound of an incoming message.
I opened one eye slightly. The light filtering through the curtains was very bright, suggesting it was probably early afternoon.
I stretched my arm and picked up the board-like communication device.
"...Who is it?"
"It's Moore. Can you move now?"
"Now? This is sudden. Wasn't the previous job on hold?"
"At the time, yes. Listen carefully."
Fine. We need the reward, so we'll do what we can.
"Look at the fourth item on the list I sent. We want to seize it."
The secret Undead research facility was one of several suspicious locations. The fourth was, if I recall, a Disposal Plant. It was a grim place, hence the memory.
"...It's still daytime. People are probably working there, right?"
A large facility for waste management would have a significant workforce, not just Church members.
"That's true, but it's confirmed to be involved. We've already issued a forced eviction notice with a plausible excuse."
"I see, but not everyone will leave willingly."
"Exactly. We need to apprehend and interrogate them."
Right. Relying solely on the Church for Undead matters is risky. If we can seize their research, we might gain a way to combat the Undead. One compromised facility wouldn't be a significant loss; authorities would find a way to minimize the fallout.
"Understood. Preparing and moving will take at least three hours. And why the sudden urgency?"
"I don't have time to explain. It's necessary. Hurry up."
The communication ended abruptly. What a hassler.
"Damn, he's so demanding. First, he puts the job on hold, then suddenly wants us to move. Using us for convenience."
I woke up Gradena and others, shared the situation, and we quickly prepared to depart.
"It's frustrating to be called into action so abruptly, but we have to do the job to get paid..."
"True. At least we won't have to return the weapons if we do our part."
"That's a silver lining... Still, a job is better than nothing."
Gradena, groggy from being woken up, decided to take a nap during the trip.
"I'll sleep too. Jinna, you're driving. Stay alert, even if you're tired."
"No worries. I'm hyped about the Undead battle!"
She seems to have an unusual fascination.
I glanced at Gradena briefly, decided not to pry, and joined her in the vehicle to sleep.
However, I couldn't really sleep. I was too alert, considering the impending Undead battle and the many uncertainties.
The Undead are truly terrifying. Animated corpses targeting the living—many find them terrifying even in fiction, let alone in reality. Questions about how to kill something already dead and the visceral disgust they evoke make them a daunting foe.
There's also a crucial question I've avoided: the risk of becoming Undead. How do they arise? Are they the result of a magical factor causing natural resurrection? If so, the Church's destruction of Undead wouldn't be sufficient, given the daily deaths and potential for Undead to arise from them.
Perhaps it's more like a zombie infection, where a bite turns you. The outdoor setting of the Forest of the Underworld allowed us to avoid close contact, but an indoor fight at the enemy's base will be different. We'll need to be prepared for confined spaces.
If bitten by a zombie-like Undead, it might be best to immediately remove the affected limb. We lack this knowledge, and it's terrifying not to know the risks. What if skeletons or wraiths are involved? Or if there's no risk of Undead transformation, but other dangers exist?
The unknown is frightening and must be approached with extreme caution. After dealing with the incident, I'll visit the Church to gather more information. Sister, who helped with my eyepatch, would be a good contact. I also want to speak with Anastasia Union, who is investigating the Church's movements. I'm curious about the hidden activities Heidi and others are looking into...
"---Wake up! We're almost there."
I was pulled from a light sleep by the call. I must have dozed off while thinking.
"Alright, let's get ready."
Gradena slapped her cheeks to wake up. Fighting an unknown enemy right after waking up isn't ideal.
I stretched in the cramped vehicle, shifting my focus to the battle ahead.
Yes, we need to approach this with the utmost caution. The world is full of unexpected horrors.
---
Sometimes, plans change unexpectedly.
What was supposed to happen next week, no, it's off, but now we need to act!
That's how things work in some worlds. My schedule be damned!
In the next chapter, we face the enemy, ready or not. (Ready or not!)