Chapter 421 - A Difficult Fight Against the Undead by Any Standards
The unexpected third party engaged in combat with Gulgandi.
Anastasia Union is focused on striking down organizations related to the Medek-Legisamo Empire. Yes, Moore from the Intelligence Department had mentioned this.
But why are they here? How did they get in?
Well, I suppose there are many questions, but we can set them aside for now. When you have to deal with something, you have to deal with it.
Actually, if you think about it, this situation is quite convenient for us.
The Young Master, capable of activating Combat Body Transformation Magic, is an exceptional warrior with formidable combat prowess. His companions are no less skilled and won’t be defeated easily.
If these formidable warriors engage in a battle against the unpredictable elite forces of Gulgandi, they’ll make excellent cannon fodder.
To be honest, while the Young Master is strong, he’s not as formidable as we are. If such a low-level opponent could pose a significant threat, Gradena would never have raised the alarm just from a glance. Without substantial evidence, I’m guessing they’re probably unable to defeat Gulgandi’s elite.
So, they are good cannon fodder. This situation gives us a perfect opportunity to assess Gulgandi's strength and capabilities.
Everyone understands the situation and shares my thoughts. We stay hidden and observe without a word.
Our goal isn’t a mere skirmish but complete annihilation of the enemy. Any means to achieve this are acceptable, as long as the results are satisfactory. However, we can’t let Gulgandi’s elite forces take credit for their defeat.
We will always snatch the best parts for ourselves.
While I believe the Young Master and his group will likely lose, if they gain the upper hand, we will intervene and claim the head of the enemy’s leader.
This thought is shared by everyone present.
In the vast underground space, the battle intensifies.
Weapons clash, grinding the ground and walls, spells explode, and roars echo. These reverberate in the underground chamber, creating an extremely noisy environment.
We’re so well hidden that even normal conversation wouldn’t give us away.
I’m still amazed at the mysterious large space constructed deep underground. What purpose could it serve? It has become a battlefield teeming with numerous forces, engaged in fierce combat.
Anastasia Union has about twenty members, and the suspected Gulgandi forces are similarly numbered. Additionally, there are many undead. These include dozens of skeletons clad in Black Full Plate and wielding swords, and three Dromarius spewing Cursed Fire. Even a moderate force would find these undead a serious threat.
What stands out, however, is Gulgandi’s elite. They seem to be using some sort of concealment magic or tool, making their presence faint and their magical aura barely detectable.
Gulgandi appears to favor a tactic of advancing undead as expendable bait, using ranged weapons to whittle down the opposition. They move stealthily, using the darkness to their advantage, and attack when the opponent is distracted by the undead. It’s a cowardly way to fight, and the straightforward warriors of Anastasia Union would find it difficult to counter.
“Gulgandi seems to have complete control over the undead. Is there a spell or perhaps a magic item that allows this?”
Violante posed the question while observing the battle.
Indeed, it’s a significant mystery. If it’s possible to control the undead, it would likely be a highly secretive spell known only to the Church. The Church holds exclusive knowledge about the undead, believed to have been eradicated in ancient times, and it would be surprising if anyone else had gained the upper hand. It’s unlikely that foreign agents could pull this off.
“It probably has something to do with the Church, given the circumstances.”
“Perhaps the Church created this magic to cause the current undead disturbances and is working alongside Gulgandi, though the reasons remain unclear.”
“Maybe the most powerful force in the continent, Berliza, was hindering the Church. Weakening Berliza’s power would benefit the Church in many ways. Moreover, Gulgandi’s interests in invasion align perfectly with the Church’s goals.”
That seems plausible. Anyone piecing together the clues would reach the same conclusion. It’s unlikely to be far off.
The real question is how they are controlling the undead. Given the specific nature of magic, it’s unlikely that a generic spell allows them to control undead. Therefore, a magic item must be involved, and I have a hunch about it.
“Still, how are they controlling the undead...”
“It’s the sound of a flute.”
That’s right. Just moments ago, amidst the noise of battle, I faintly heard the sound of a flute, which also played during our earlier encounter with the undead above ground.
“Onee-sama, a flute?”
“Yes. Someone is playing the flute or using a sound-emitting magic item to control the undead. I can hear it occasionally, though not right now.”
None of us had noticed it until now.
“Yukari-san, can you determine where the person is?”
“I can’t pinpoint the location.”
“The noise makes it hard for me to hear, but this provides a useful clue. Someone must be using a magic item from a hidden location.”
“Considering the risks, controlling the undead is quite dangerous, isn’t it?”
“Definitely. It’s dangerous in many ways.”
If this secret were to be exposed, it would be catastrophic for the Church. If they boasted about creating such a powerful spell, it would be one thing, but if it were discovered that they possessed it secretly, public opinion toward the Church could drastically change. People might even suspect the Church as the mastermind behind the undead disturbances.
Even if the Church and Gulgandi are entirely unrelated, the fact that the Church’s monopoly on undead knowledge has been breached would significantly damage the Church’s reputation. However, it’s more plausible that the Church has lent its tools to Gulgandi.
In any case, the Church will do everything in its power to prevent this information from reaching the wrong hands, using all available means to ensure its secrecy.
This is a highly dangerous magic and piece of information, and being privy to it can put your life at risk.
“So, it’s valuable information, right?”
Despite the dangers, Roberta said this nonchalantly. However, no one here looks surprised or bewildered.
It’s interesting how greed overcomes fear of danger. That’s what makes criminals, after all.
“Heheh, you’re right. But we need to steal the item for the information to be valuable; no one will believe us otherwise.”
“We must secure it at all costs. It’s more important than simply defeating Gulgandi.”
“In that case, it makes sense to watch Anastasia Union fight until they’re defeated.”
“And then we strike when they’re off guard.”
While we engage in casual conversation, hidden from view, the battle continues.
However, progress is minimal. The number of skeletons hasn’t decreased much, and many Anastasia Union fighters are injured, though not incapacitated. The defense provided by the black armor of the skeletons is troublesome, making it difficult to dispose of them easily. In fact, the situation seems to be turning against Anastasia Union, with no clear indication of a victor.
“Onee-sama, what’s the Young Master doing?”
“He seems unable to focus.”
The Young Master appears to be the only one capable of using Combat Body Transformation Magic. If he were to perform well, he should be able to quickly dispatch the skeletons, but he’s not making much of an impact. I hope he’s not a disappointment...
“He keeps looking behind him. Perhaps the source of the mysterious presence is concentrating some magic or item there?”
Yes, that strange horror-inducing magic. Concentrating on it would certainly undermine his focus, but he should still be able to do more.
With enemies right in front of him, he should entrust the rear to his allies and focus on the immediate threat.
“The strange magic is one possibility, but isn’t Anastasia Union’s approach somewhat hesitant?”
“You’re right; they don’t seem as aggressive as usual.”
“Could they be afraid of the undead?”
At that suggestion, I fall silent.
It’s a plausible idea. Objectively speaking, if one encountered the undead, legendary creatures of this world, for the first time, would they be able to fight as usual?
Especially if they were caught off guard rather than prepared to face the undead?
I’ve never been particularly interested in the legends of this world. I only consider them interesting as stories. I’m not afraid of the facts. I’ve fought countless battles in the Forest of the Underworld, and this is common knowledge among our members.
Our experiences have proven that the undead, though part of folklore, are real and can be defeated. Everyone here has practical experience and the necessary tools to handle them, so there’s no reason to fear them excessively.
But what about the Young Master and his group? If this is their first encounter with the undead, it’s understandable that they might struggle to keep their cool.
Moreover, these aren’t just ordinary undead. Gulgandi controls them, making the skeletons heavily armored and resistant to both physical and magical attacks. The Dromarius exude a strong presence and can unleash unquenchable cursed fire. For first-timers, it’s understandable to be hesitant.
Add to that the unsettlingly thin presence of the Gulgandi forces and their use of horror-inducing magic.
Even the bravest and most combat-experienced individuals might falter under these conditions.
Yes, objectively speaking, their hesitation makes sense. There’s no helping it. In fact, it’s probably the case.
So... heheh, let’s sit back and watch.
For us, this is an opportunity for them to gain valuable experience. We should let them be.
“Onee-sama, what should we do?”
“It’s impolite to interrupt someone else’s battle. Let’s observe for a while. Besides, this is a great chance to study both the Gulgandi and Anastasia Union’s fighting styles. We can gather comprehensive information with one effort.”
“Observing will help us identify weaknesses. Our top priority should be the head of Gulgandi’s leader, followed by the Undead Control Magic Item.”
“Agreed. We just need to figure out who the leader is.”
Gradena, who identified them as a threat from a glance, remains unknown at this point. The thinning of their magical and physical presence, thanks to Gulgandi’s concealment magic, makes it difficult to discern.
Furthermore, the Gulgandi forces don’t seem to be at their best. Their movements lack the precision expected of elite forces, and signs of fatigue are evident in their heavy steps and sluggish actions. It seems they are exhausted.
Their exhaustion isn’t due to the battle with Anastasia Union.
Did they waste energy fleeing from us? That would be ideal, but it seems unlikely. They must have used a significant amount of magic and physical strength elsewhere, perhaps to control the undead.
That’s fine. If they’re already worn out, it works to our advantage. We’ll eventually learn who Gulgandi’s leader is and where the Undead Control Magic Item is located. The Young Master and his group won’t remain ineffective forever. We’ll continue to observe.
“Oh, the Young Master has snapped.”
Perhaps unable to handle the stress or to inspire his comrades, the physically imposing Young Master charged into the fray of skeletons.
He advanced with a powerful kick, swinging his halberd with brute force, relentlessly pushing forward. Using the enhanced strength from Combat Body Transformation Magic, he shattered the tough black armor of the skeletons, sending them flying. Despite taking direct hits from the ranged attacks and spells of the Gulgandi, he ignored the damage with sheer determination and reckless bravery.
That’s acceptable. With healing magic, minor injuries are survivable.
In a prolonged battle against the seemingly endless undead, stalemates must be avoided. If such a situation arises, it’s crucial to break it quickly. Though driven by emotion, his action is precisely what was needed.
No warrior can ignore a comrade’s call to action. Renewed with determination, his comrades raised a war cry and shifted to an aggressive stance.
Good, very good.
In small-scale battles, a change in mindset can alter the course of events. Encouraged by the frontliner’s advance, the spellcasters among them began preparing major spells. While it’s a bit too overt for my taste, it fits the momentum of the battle.
The Young Master, who had advanced to the forefront, drew the attention of multiple black-armored skeletons.
Just as I thought it was the moment to act, a spell was cast.
Demonstrating impeccable coordination, the Young Master retreated at the perfect moment, and the spell struck the intended target. While he managed to avoid the direct hit, he couldn’t escape the aftershocks.
His desperate strategy was likely made possible by protective gear designed to resist such spells. The spell was a high-powered fire-based attack, equal in strength to a high-level magic spell. The heat wave reached us even from a distance.
However, the undead side also responded to this decisive move.
The spell, intended to scatter the black-armored skeletons, was intercepted by another entity. While the aftershock toppled some skeletons, it didn’t destroy them.
Surprisingly, the entity that took the brunt of the hit was a Dromarius. The undead don’t protect each other, so it must have been controlled.
The Dromarius, hit by the powerful spell, instantly turned into a charred state but immediately began regenerating with a thick plume of smoke. The Dromarius, known for its durability, seemed unaffected by such a powerful spell.
“...Huh?”
Something peculiar happened. A spear impaled the regenerating Dromarius from behind, piercing its heart in a perfect strike.
The angle and regeneration smoke prevented the Anastasia Union forces from seeing this.
Given that it came from behind the Dromarius, it must have been Gulgandi.
The spear, likely a holy relic or artifact, struck with perfect precision, ending the Dromarius.
However, the Dromarius wouldn’t go down without a fight.
It exploded in a self-destruct sequence, its body swelling from within. Under the charred black skin, something writhed.
Suddenly, it burst. Diseased flesh scattered, splattering everywhere.
Touching this substance would result in a curse, burning with unquenchable Cursed Fire.
The Young Master, closest to the Dromarius, was drenched in blood, his entire body, including his face, burning with the cursed fire.