Chapter 117 - Chapter 20: The One Who Worships the Demon Lord
The room had stone floors and walls, with the width and height of a small church, and a corridor circled the second floor. The ceiling was likely about three stories high.
In the center was something like an altar, and on the wall behind it stood a massive statue-like object that nearly reached the second-floor corridor with its head.
Instead of torch brackets on the walls, deep bowls were attached, holding flames that were likely created by magic. Since there were several of them, it was dim, but one could generally see to the back of the room.
I deactivated the bowl and stepped down onto the stone floor.
With every step, a hard clack-clack sound echoed.
"It looks like something is being enshrined here."
"Jeanne. Try illuminating the statue in front of us. If we know what that is, we might discover the identity of the person who built this room."
At Roberts-sama's request, I aimed the light toward the face of the statue.
Though it lacked wings, it had two horns like a Gargoyle, fangs peeked from its mouth, and two large, bulging eyes looked down at us.
It was pitch black all over. It shimmered with a slimy luster.
"Th-this is... the... Demon Lord!"
Eh? In a place like this?
No, Eleanor-sama has seen the real thing. There's no way she'd be mistaken.
"I-is that true?"
James-sama recoiled for a moment.
Roberts-sama immediately leveled the tip of his spear.
Eleanor-sama, who had been staring at the face of the illuminated statue with a serious expression, turned back to us.
"Just kidding."
Are you serious?
I heard the clatter of a spear being dropped. Both Roberts-sama and James-sama collapsed onto the floor, propping themselves up with their hands.
"Both of you, pull yourselves together. There's no reason for the Demon Lord to be lying around in a place like this. Roberts, what is the meaning of dropping your weapon?"
Well, certainly. Even if the Demon Lord were here, he wouldn't be 'lying around.'
"M-my apologies."
The two of them stood up unsteadily.
I don't think you need to apologize. Eleanor-sama is making a small fist pump with her left hand where the two of them can't see...
"Then, Mother. What on earth is this..."
"It's a stone statue of a monster. It's an oversized Gargoyle with tar painted on the surface. It lacks wings, so it doesn't seem able to fly, though."
"But, Eleanor-sama. Why such a stone statue of a monster?"
"Jeanne. What do you think?"
Why is the question coming to me...
However, I somehow knew the answer.
"Assuming this stone statue is a monster, I would guess it's Demon Lord worship."
They exist. People like that.
Just as Dragons, which are nothing but a nuisance to humans, boast strange popularity, the Demon Lord has fans too. Among them are enthusiasts who call themselves secret societies and hold gatherings in places like this, which troubles the Church. I've been told to make them repent if I find them, or report it if it's difficult, but this is the first time I've actually been involved with it.
"Demon Lord worship? Does such a way of thinking exist?"
Roberts-sama was surprised, but in short, it's a hobby for people with too much time on their hands.
Even though they've never actually seen the Demon Lord, they go and make a stone statue, which is why Eleanor-sama is treating it like a Gargoyle.
"The problem is why there is a base for Demon Lord worshippers here," she said.
Exactly. It's surprising that Demon Lord worshippers have infiltrated a mountain where spirits dwell. Moreover, if Paul-san's story is true, there's also one at Nakanohara Lake where Dune lives, meaning the Church is involved.
"Eleanor-sama. Does this have something to do with the wind spirit?"
"Let's investigate that now."
While investigating, we discovered a single door behind the stone statue. When we opened it, the path ahead was pitch black.
It seemed there was something further ahead.
We closed it for a moment and decided to search for anything else, but there was nothing besides the door.
I checked while riding in the bowl. The second-floor corridor didn't seem to lead anywhere; it was just for show.
"Mother, shall we go ahead?"
Roberts-sama pointed to the door, but Eleanor-sama shook her head.
"Let's wait a little longer. Henry should be coming up soon, having lost his patience."
Eleanor-sama peered at the candle she had placed in the lantern.
The candle indicated not one, but two hours had passed.
It was time for the rear guard to set out for the search.
I had completely forgotten until now, but the one-hour mark for the rotation had long since passed.
I wonder if Henry-sama will be angry?
"Mother. You went over the time on purpose, didn't you?"
"It's fine. They'll likely come up early anyway."
As she said that, the noisy sound of people's voices could be heard.
"Oh, Eleanor! Were you safe!"
"Yes. Thanks to these three reliable people, there were no problems."
Since we had placed markers at key points along the way, they must have arrived in no time. They surely came riding in Paul-san's bowl.
Even so, coming while making so much noise—isn't that too careless?
Stephens-san and Beatrix, who was carrying tools, were also there. It seemed everyone had joined up.
However, coming at this time meant they must have set out quite early...
"Sorry. I couldn't wait and came up early. Paul came to check on things after about an hour had passed. So, we just came up as we were."
When I looked at Paul-san, he was feigning ignorance.
I went over to Beatrix to ask.
"I don't really get it, but they cut the work short after an hour. I think that was the plan from the beginning."
What does that mean?
"It's likely a hero's intuition. They must have felt that this exploration was reaching a turning point. That's why we were instructed by Henry-sama to move early halfway through."
Stephens-san told me secretly.
Indeed, joining up here seemed to be just the right timing.
Was Eleanor-sama's persistent investigation of this room also for time adjustment?
Despite being apart, they were thinking the same thing.
The reason Henry-sama came while making a racket was so that even if we had fallen into a predicament, they could divert the enemy's attention. It's not something one can do without a great deal of confidence.
"So this is the Demon Lord? It looks like nothing but a Gargoyle with its wings ripped off."
"It's quite different, isn't it? I'm sure the Demon Lord would be angry if he saw this."
"Next time I meet a Demon Lord worshipper, I'll be sure to teach them what the real thing looks like."
"Indeed. This is far too terrible."
The two heroes with sharp intuition were saying suspicious things while looking up at the stone statue.
I don't know if a Demon Lord worshipper would listen obediently to the stories of the two who defeated the Demon Lord, but there was no doubt they were saying it out of kindness.
"It seems we are still far from reaching those two."
"Umu. Let us devote ourselves with focus."
James-sama and Roberts-sama sighed while watching the two of them. Since Gladys-sama was beside them, she must have heard the conversation.
"Knowing where the critical moment lies isn't something that's easily understood. It's not because they can defeat the Demon Lord, but because they've accumulated the experience of defeating the Demon Lord, I believe."
Paul-san muttered quietly.
The exploration of the passage leading further in was to be done with a newly reorganized group.
The order was Roberts-sama, James-sama, myself, Paul-san, Gladys-sama, the third-in-command tool-bearer Beatrix, and two attendants.
"If there's anything strange, don't hesitate to take it down."
Encouraged by Henry-sama, we opened the thick wooden door and entered the passage.
I decided to send out two Fireflies first.
The stone passage wasn't that long, and we easily reached the darkness. It seemed there was an even larger room ahead.
Roberts-sama and Paul-san nodded to each other. There seemed to be no traps.
As we were, I dropped the Fireflies to the floor and increased the light intensity all at once.
"Run!"
At Roberts-sama's signal, we all ran through the passage where we had secured light.
When we emerged into the room, a vast, empty space spread out. The ceiling also seemed high; it was pitch black unless illuminated by Light.
No, there was one spot where the floor was glowing.
It looked like the light of a magic circle. It emitted a faint yellowish-green glow. Above it, something was moving up, down, left, and right like a bird or a winged insect, but I couldn't see it well because of the distance.
It was just as we were about to approach.
"Welcome."
Suddenly, a man's voice was heard.
When we directed the light, a single person wearing a brown robe was standing there.
Even though I increased the light intensity and aimed it at his face, he didn't look away.
He appeared to be a Revenant. Judging by the fact that he was speaking, he wasn't being controlled. His face wasn't rotten either; it looked normal.
Did he become one himself while he was alive?
The man sent several Fire Balls to the bowls installed on the walls, securing light with the flames of burning oil.
I was grateful that I could give the Light magic, which had been on almost the whole time, a rest.
He approached just like that and stopped about twenty paces away from us.
"Who are you?"
When James-sama demanded his identity, the robed man opened only his mouth as if he were laughing. It was the same as the Red-Eyed Man.
"I am the master of this altar."
He stood quietly alone in the dimness.
"A Demon Lord worshipper?"
"Indeed. I am one who holds the Demon Lord as the supreme lord and seeks to rule this island. Please, remember me."
Spreading his left hand and swirling his right hand in front of his body, he brought it to his chest and bowed respectfully.
He lowered his right leg and bowed his head, but since he kept his face up, his gaze remained fixed on James-sama. He seemed to intend it as an insult.
He was putting on quite a theatrical attitude.
I don't know how many years he's been here, but since he hasn't received a summons from the Demon Lord, hasn't he realized he's being ignored?
"You, why have you established such an altar in my territory without permission?"
"Those who serve the darkness have no need for permission from those on the surface. However, since you have gone to the trouble of coming, I shall tell you the reason why I chose this land."
James-sama pointed his right hand toward the magic circle.
"What is that?"
"Oh, despite having made it this far, you do not know?"
"Will you not answer!"
"Do not be so angry. I shall explain it to you now."
The man was apparently an ordinary man from a certain country. Out of his excessive worship of the Demon Lord, he went to the Ruined Town to join the Demon Lord's army and apparently mastered the technique to become a Revenant himself.
Then, he explored the mountain shrine where there were rumors of a wind spirit from before and found this underground passage.
After that, he led Orcs he had defeated with magic, used this cave as a base, and had apparently been waiting for the Demon Lord's resurrection.
"Like that," he said, pointing to the glowing magic circle.
"Like that, I have also captured the wind spirit that tried to interfere with my hundred-year plan. My servant is also powerful. Surely, the Demon Lord will be pleased and will undoubtedly add me to his camp."
Distorting his mouth, he laughed eerily without making a sound.
The reason the spirit's power weakened and the ring lost its luster was apparently this guy's fault.
Wait, hold on a second...
"Um, excuse me for a moment?"
"What is it, little girl? You, who seem to possess only enough magic control to use basic magic, did well to reach this far."
How annoying he is at every turn.
"You mentioned a hundred-year plan earlier, but how many years have you been waiting for the Demon Lord's resurrection here?"
"Fufufu. Don't be surprised when you hear this. This is the ninety-eighth year. Look closely. At the age of one hundred and twenty-three, look at this youthful body!"
He raised his right arm high as if to show it off and tucked up the hem of his robe. I felt it was a bit thin for a man, but it could certainly be called his twenties. He looked healthy for a Revenant.
However, that's not the problem.
This guy doesn't know that the Demon Lord was resurrected over thirty years ago and has already been defeated. A new Demon Lord has already been resurrected and appeared, entering the second round, but he probably doesn't know that either.
"Do you know that the Demon Lord was resurrected over thirty years ago and has already been defeated?"
"D-don't lie!"
Just as I expected.
"It's not a lie. It's the truth. I am a priest, so I do not tell lies."
There are times when I know something and keep quiet. There are times when I laugh and overlook other people's lies. However, I must not tell a lie myself. This is one of the precepts.
"That's impossible... Are you saying the Demon Lord has already been destroyed..."
That's what happens when you shut yourself away in a place like this alone. If you have subordinates, you should at least send out scouts to gather information about the world.
"Come to think of it, my father and mother, who defeated the Demon Lord thirty years ago, said it. That the stone statue enshrined on the altar looks like nothing but a Gargoyle. You've probably never even seen the real thing anyway."
"Th-that was made by the Orcs on their own. I-I don't know!"
He looked down.
He seemed depressed.
Roberts-sama. You're laughing, but you're quite mean.
"Um. Why don't you take this opportunity to repent? The Goddess will not abandon you."
Since I had the chance, I decided to try and persuade him as I'm usually told to do, but...
"Fuhahaha. What are you saying? This body of mine is eternal. Thinking about it now, thirty years ago, I would have still been lacking in power."
He raised his face and started laughing.
For some reason, he regained his spirits.
He recovers quite quickly.
"Now that I have acquired such immense power, I only need to wait decades or centuries for the next resurrection."
It seems better to keep quiet about the fact that a new Demon Lord has been resurrected.
"You mentioned that your father and mother defeated the Demon Lord once, but that was nothing more than a temporary victory. The Demon Lord and I are eternal. This is perfect; I shall make your head a souvenir for the Demon Lord as well. Before that, I shall explain thoroughly to you who are about to die how I chose this land."
He starts some kind of speech.
Apparently, this mountain is at the center of the island, and the one who controls this mountain controls the island. When the Demon Lord is resurrected... he already has been... he plans to set up his main camp on this mountain, become the strategist for the Demon Lord's army himself, and conquer the island.
It seems he has confidence in his national strategy, but he was likely ignored by everyone.
I nudged Paul-san and Beatrix. Since they stood in front of me casually while pretending to listen seriously to the speech, I decided to whisper in a small voice.
"Paul-san. Isn't this just a 'story to take to the grave'? In fairy tales, a battle suddenly starts after this."
He's never met the Demon Lord or joined the Demon Lord's army anyway. He must be imitating something he read in a fairy tale or something.
Whether Paul-san understood or not, he began chanting in a low voice. Beatrix also kept her face forward while thrusting her hand into her item bag to search the contents.
When Roberts-sama noticed this and gave a look, Gladys-sama and the attendants also changed their standing positions to surround James-sama while keeping their arms crossed and their faces toward the man.
The robed man, perhaps thinking everyone was listening intently, continued his speech in a good mood.
Looking around and seeing the timing was right, James-sama interrupted the speech.
"Wait a moment. You said earlier that you captured the wind spirit. So you were the cause!"
As soon as James-sama stepped forward, he began aggressively picking a fight.
"The cause? Now, what are you talking about?"
The robed man, whose speech was interrupted, looked displeased.
"It is obvious. I am of the Medioland royal family. Our royal family has a connection with the wind spirit. Hearing that the spirit had lost its power, I came to investigate. You must be the cause!"
"Now, I know nothing of such worldly matters. At any rate, a royal family that cannot accomplish anything without borrowing the power of a spirit—I shall crush you as a souvenir for the Demon Lord."
He raised his right hand high.
It's here! Just as predicted.
It'll probably be a swarm of rotten Orcs like before.
"My servant, come forth! [Necromancy]!"
Just as I thought I heard a terrible cry from the depths of the darkness that made me want to cover my ears, something came out, breaking the back wall along with a powerful stench of rot.
It was a massive, rotten lump of flesh.
A long neck, sharp fangs, four legs like great trees, and even wings growing on its back...
"A Dragon!"
Roberts-sama leveled his spear, and James-sama began his chant.
"Go, my servant! First, make a blood sacrifice of these people!"
You've got to be kidding. To think, in a place like this...
This was completely unexpected...