Chapter 224 - Chapter Twenty-Five: The Demon Lord's Cave
It was a place like a fortress. No, should I call it ruins, or perhaps desolate remains? In the forest southwest of the Royal Capital. The stone entrance, opened on the slope of a certain mountain connected to the mountain range crossing the center of Sertoria, was high and wide enough for a dragon standing on two legs to pass through easily, and from there, a passage extending in a straight line was dotted with lights from oil lamps.
We went from the Royal Capital to the front-line fortress by [Skill: Teleport], then took a carriage for two hours to the support unit's base, and from there, we teleported to the entrance of the cave where the Demon Lord lives. We left Nakanohara early in the morning and came all the way here. The charge is at noon, so we should be able to take it easy until then.
At the charge base, the final turn's four groups—two feint groups, the main force, and the rearguard—were all gathered. The King and Queen were also there. The first feint group was a unit from Medioland, and it seemed to be composed mainly of scouts.
"Everyone, gather around for a bit."
Henry-sama was calling, so when we gathered as the Class of 175, there were the King and Queen at the center, all the members of the final turn, and five heroes. For some reason, the Archbishop of the Royal Capital of Sertoria was also there.
"I have already introduced these two. Both participated as rearguards yesterday, but it seems the situation is different compared to last time."
When Henry-sama prompted, the Minister of Military Affairs of Regnentes said, "Listen to me," and began to speak.
"We encountered Revenants that use high-level magic. Fortunately, our unit had a priest who was an ultra-high-level mage using [Skill: Purification], so we managed to deal with them somehow, but otherwise, we would have inevitably struggled."
The one he pointed to was the current hero, the Archbishop, who bowed his head slightly.
"The reason we have been struggling since the second day is probably because of them. Several famous mages have been killed."
"Wait a minute," the Headmistress cut in.
"Wait a minute. Encountering Revenants that use high-level magic... I can only think they used Forbidden Magic."
I don't want to think it's possible, but... When I looked at Angelica-san, she was in demon mode.
"It is as Catherine says. Most likely, we can only think that those who became Revenants through Forbidden Magic have joined the Demon Lord's army. And on this island, there certainly exists a group researching that Forbidden Magic."
Since the Archbishop said it, although he didn't name them, there's no doubt that the Ruined Town is involved.
"If we had noticed a little sooner, we could have dealt with it, but we didn't notice until we actually went inside yesterday. After all, we were the first to realize we were being targeted by human Revenants."
The units until then had apparently been fighting without knowing.
"The opponents are cleverly changing their appearance to other monsters. Most likely, it's [Skill: Transform] magic. They apparently attack while mingled with other monsters—for example, a pack of Orcs that don't use magic—and use high-level magic when you're off guard. Since they are Revenants, even if you defeat them, they will return to soil unless you use [Skill: Holy]. If they use [Skill: Magic Barrier], you only have physical strikes, and since they were defeated with silver weapons, they just returned to soil. At first, they thought they were monsters turned into Revenants by the Demon Lord."
The two of them apparently want to catch and interrogate them if possible. But... Eleanor-sama told the two of them what happened yesterday.
"What! They committed suicide by chanting [Skill: Purification] themselves!"
"Yes. We had restrained them and surrounded them with [Skill: Magic Reflection]."
"In other words, they aimed the magic they released from their mouths at themselves and had it reflected by [Skill: Magic Reflection]."
"Yes."
Umu! Paul-san let out a sound. He shouldn't be able to release magic from his mouth yet. I thought it was the price for using holy magic, but it seems that wasn't all.
"The two groups on the first day and the first group on the second day had holy mages who use [Skill: Purification] included in the main force, didn't they?"
"That's right. In previous records, Revenants had not been confirmed in the Demon Lord's cave. It was only natural to prioritize priests who can use other support magic. They targeted that."
The Archbishop answered Eleanor-sama's question. The Archbishop's voice was trembling slightly.
"What about today's formation?"
"Today's main force includes priests who use [Skill: Purification] in both the ninth and tenth groups. Of course, we have already informed the first group of this, and we have urgently added priests who use [Skill: Magic Reflection] and [Skill: Purification] to the feint and rearguard as well."
In response to Eleanor-sama's question again, the Archbishop of the Royal Capital of Sertoria answered.
"The two heroes called out to each country. We have already received His Majesty the King's approval, so please rest assured."
The King nodded, and Eleanor-sama breathed a sigh of relief.
"Your Majesty, thank you. And to you two as well."
She bowed her head deeply.
"Do not say such distant things."
"That's right. The Demon Lord is the enemy of the humans living on the island, so we all defeat him together."
"I would actually like to go together, but I am old, you see."
"Yes, yes. Since it's two days in a row, I would only be a hindrance, so I will take a rest. Besides, I have to greet the Engrio camp as well."
"Umu. I don't know about the King, but there are decent ones among them. We have to exchange information with the second round in mind."
The two said, and the Headmistress put her arm around Eleanor-sama's shoulder as she bowed her head again.
"This is our bond. How is it, isn't it amazing?"
The first and last lines seem to be Henry-sama's role.
A small magic circle glowed, and a letter arrived. It seems the first group of the main force has secured a base. This time, because they struggled from the second day onward, they are a bit behind, but they've worked quite hard and seem to have made up for some of the delay.
The Medioland scout unit moved to the base through the [Skill: Teleport] magic circle.
I involuntarily clenched my fists. I'll be acting as the lighting person as usual, but the only thing that can distinguish between Revenants and monsters before battle is [Skill: Light]. I have to illuminate them properly.
"Now, we are going too."
The heroes stood up, and everyone else followed suit. Hearing that the progress of the strategy was delayed, it was decided to send out scouts from both the front and the back. The back, of course, was from the Dryad's Forest, and Marcelo-san and Angelica-san had already connected it with a magic circle.
"We have received a report of no problems from Paul and Wilson, who went ahead. We plan to join the first group inside the cave, so be careful not to mistake them for monsters and attack. Since it seems Revenants using high-level magic appear mingled with monsters, please be very careful."
Distinguishing whether they are Revenants before battle is whether they turn their eyes away when illuminated by [Skill: Light]. I have to illuminate them properly and judge.
"We will be entering from the third floor. The first group is challenging from the front, but since we are, so to speak, the back door, we will first aim to join the first group. What appeared on the third floor last time were insects. They seem to be left to roam free, and they will attack to eat any humans they find. Few use magic, but there are many of them, so please be careful not to run out of magical power."
It seems transformation magic doesn't work on insects or magic beasts. Since it's unlikely that Revenants are mingled in, I can feel relieved about that.
At the destination of the [Skill: Teleport], there were Paul-san and Wilson-san, who had gone ahead. I immediately illuminated with [Skill: Light] to secure lighting.
"I hear there are insect types and such."
"Most are small fry, but be careful if you encounter a swarm of Red Ants or an Arachne."
Paul-san told us. Those are apparently B-rank. However, for the ants, the unit is apparently not individuals but swarms.
But I've never heard of an Arachne.
"In short, it's the highest species of spider. Their magic defense is high, and they use powerful charms to seduce men, so if by any chance you get caught, the women will be the deciding factor. At worst, it'll be infighting, so I'm counting on you."
Arachne is apparently female. If it were male, maybe something could be done if Mary wore the male flower stone of the Alraune.
Jokes aside, everyone was gathered, so we began the infiltration. The vanguard was in Eleanor's armor and helmets with Lindwurm shields. The rearguard was solidified with black-purple linings of Lindwurm feathers sewn in, hoods, and neck guards. The magic circle was erased by Marcelo-san and Angelica-san. We widened the hole we had blocked and entered. The place where the executive was was filled in after setting gunpowder. The withdrawal base will be monitored by the Dryad, so it's safe. We can also use the cowhide magic circle, so withdrawal is easy. We defeated the executive, and two high-level mages were added. Let's fulfill our role in the feint and get one medal and ten gold coins.
"Jeanne. You don't have to strain yourself so much. It's blinding, so please tone down the light a bit."
Oh no, oh no. I was illuminating the entire surroundings at full power. I was poked by Eleanor-sama just as promised.
When we finally entered the so-called third floor, a vast underground space spread out. I had heard rumors, but it's hard to believe it's underground. Trees and grass grow luxuriantly, and while the ceiling itself isn't that high, pointed stone icicles grow densely, so it seems the bowl can't be used. The width... I can't tell just by looking. According to experienced people, it takes more than two hours to walk from end to end. Since trees are growing, they can't be seen, but there are also mountains connected to the ceiling and swamps where humans would sink if they entered.
At this point, I also think it might be better to deploy an army.
"Wouldn't it be better to have more people?"
Beatrix seemed to have the same impression.
"On this floor, if you do something conspicuous like moving in a large group, swarms of Red Ants will come out from nowhere. They are about the size of a puppy, but there are so many of them... Most likely, tens of thousands will come out, so we had no choice but to move in a small group so as not to be discovered and clear a path, or connect with [Skill: Teleport]."
Tens of thousands! That's impossible. We'd be attacked while transporting them with [Skill: Teleport].
"How many is 'a large group'?"
"Our number would be the limit. In past records, ants came out with fifty people. Right now on this floor, in addition to the eight people in the first group, there are twenty-one of us. After this, if seven from the main force and thirteen from the rearguard are added, it will be forty-seven people. It would be fine if we didn't join up, but we can't do that."
I see, Beatrix also seemed to give up.
"Was it not possible to burn down these trees?"
This time Will pointed her spear at the lush trees.
"Apparently, they tried to burn them down in the past, but the ants came out then too. If you intend to pass through this forest, you have no choice but to do it inconspicuously."
Does that mean... what? Are fire and lightning, which could cause a fire, forbidden moves?
"On the contrary, originally, high-level magic and above were forbidden moves. Because if you do something conspicuous, the ants come out."
I see. So that's what the Headmistress meant when she said they drove them away and ran.
"Now then, let's begin."
At Eleanor-sama's words as a signal, the mages held their hands forward. First, they directed four fireflies toward the forest and illuminated them at full power. The forest emerged in the darkness. Even this would be enough to make the ants come out.
"[Skill: Prominence]!"
Eleanor-sama and Wilson-san suddenly blasted ultra-high-level fire magic. In the darkness, the necks of two orange dragons flew through, burning the trees to a crisp. Two large passages were completed. The trees that were burnt to the roots only left black stains where they were thought to have grown. The trees on both sides of the completed passages began to burn fiercely. Black smoke can be seen drifting to the ceiling, illuminated by the flames.
"[Skill: Wind Cutter]!"
Next, they began felling the trees in front of them. Several people were using it at once. In an instant, the area in front of us opened up.
"[Skill: Fire Storm]!"
Furthermore, Beatrix and Lyudmila unleashed the high-level magic they had just learned. A vortex of fire arose, involving the fallen trees one after another and burning them. When they moved it to the left and right, they were burnt to a crisp, leaving only sooty roots. After that, they were throwing [Skill: Fire Ball]s into the places that weren't burning.
No matter how you think about it, it's arson, but no one seems to care. Since they are sending wind with [Skill: Favourable Wind], it's spreading from one to the next, becoming a forest fire. Since they are green trees, they should originally be hard to burn, but the heat is on a different level. It's spreading.
To top it off, they dug a giant hole with three people using [Skill: Clump Sand] and filled it with water with four people using [Skill: Shower]. A pond of a decent size was completed.
"Last time, we didn't have the numbers and hadn't discovered the air holes, so we couldn't burn them even if we wanted to, and we were just running around the forest while roasting the insects that came out. Serves them right, doesn't it?"
Standing in front of the cave, the former Queen, who was continuously sending a gale—or rather, a storm—with a wicked face, used rough words. Seeing Henry-sama and the Headmistress, who were tucked away in the cave, looking at each other, I can't help but feel it's like Eleanor-sama's personal venting, but if it makes things easier, it's fine.
"The ants have come. Are you ready?"
From the places that weren't burning, reddish-black things came swarming out with kasha kasha and gichigichi sounds. They filled the ground like a squirming carpet. They were surrounding the edge of the pond and raised their large mandibles toward us, and then they all spat out a yellow liquid at once. We were safe because Paul-san had deployed a [Skill: Wind Barrier] in the middle of the pond, but it apparently even melts metal. It would be terrible if it hit.
When they realized the spit-spitting attack had ended in failure, they entered the pond without flinching. They can't swim, so they are struggling while floating, but there are so many of them. They are entering with such momentum that they seem to be filling the pond with corpses, using their struggling companions as stepping stones. When Beatrix threw a single [Skill: Fire Ball] in, timing it for when the ants had filled half the pond, the pond flared up all at once. They had poured the barrels of oil they had carried on their backs into the pond at Eleanor-sama's instruction.
We have [Skill: Resist] cast on us and are continuing to send wind toward the pond, so it's not hot. Furthermore, we threw [Skill: Fire Ball]s and [Skill: Flame]s into the carpet of ants to set them on fire. While we were watching the flames in front of us, eventually all the ants were burnt to death.