Chapter 396 - Chapter 9: Cave of the Demon Realm ②
There are roughly three hundred barnacles. According to the Gigant's information, there are over twenty side roads. Assuming there are more than thirty, and if every one of those side roads had the same number of barnacles, roughly ten thousand monsters would have been born in this cave. We don't know when they started being born, but if we assume one room per generation, it's three hundred at a time. That's quite a number.
Deciding to investigate, we produced eight Fireflies and everyone observed them. While observing, the thought arose that they were strange for eggs.
"Are there even eggs this angular?"
Gwyn-sama was the one who started saying it.
Come to think of it, eggs are laid by a mother. If they were angular, it would be tough.
"Then, are these not eggs?"
Eowyn-sama was asking.
"No, if you think of them not as eggs laid by a female, but as vessels for producing monsters through sorcery or something, they are eggs in a sense."
Gwyn-sama's explanation was a bit complex, but it seemed to be the same in the sense that monsters are born from here.
When we re-examined the barnacles as vessels, the bottoms of all the barnacles were pitch black as if they had been scorched. If fire had been used inside, it would be strange for only the bottom to be scorched. If anything, the edges should also be scorched.
"Price-sama. Do these not look like used magic circles?"
"Indeed, it is as Bishop Harrison says. If that is the case, we might be able to analyze them."
Immediately, we had the four warriors dig out one barnacle and cut it in half.
When the clay tablet clinging to the bottom was removed, Price-sama and Harrison-san immediately began to investigate. Since it's a clay tablet, the part where the magic circle was drawn should be gouged out. If it had been drawn with ink on parchment or a wooden board, it couldn't have been analyzed. It seems they used clay tablets before parchment was invented, and that might be fortunate.
Huh? Could it be...
If this magic circle is Teleport, they can teleport monsters into the barnacles. In other words, it might be a place for teleporting monsters.
"As expected, it is a magic circle. Moreover, does this look like Holy Prison?"
"Hmm. It appears so."
Unfortunately, my idea was easily dismissed. On the contrary, I didn't understand the meaning of the conversation between the two great priests. When I secretly asked Sianya, it's apparently one of the high-level barriers of the type that seals monsters or evil spirits.
In other words, these vessels are for confining evil spirits... I don't want to think so, but if you put some living creature in there, the confined evil spirit possesses it and an Orc is completed...
No way, such a thing...
"That 'no way' might be exactly it."
"But barriers are of the holy magic system, right?"
"Drawing a magic circle and making it activate is possible for an evil spirit or a Demon Race."
Indeed, it's as Price-sama says. Unlike magic, a magic circle doesn't activate unless you say the keyword.
However, the problem is why an evil spirit knew of a holy magic system barrier. Could it be that someone of Bishop class or higher became an evil spirit?
"The period when the oracle of the barrier became for Bishop class or higher is not that old. The church created its current organization after that incident of the subjugation of the ruined town. Moreover, records remain that priests of ancient times also handled sorcery. Furthermore, as for whether a priest capable of drawing magic circles would turn into an evil spirit, since a priest who used Light magic turned into an evil spirit, it is not an impossible thing."
However, even if you say sorcery, can an evil spirit do sorcery like producing living creatures?
Among the range of arts Fiona heard from the Queen of the Demon Realm, there shouldn't have been anything like producing living creatures. What Keira said about the origin of humanoid monsters that shouldn't exist in this world was that ancient evil spirits possessed nearby living creatures and, through various forms, became the most suitable appearance.
"Um, I heard from my friend the Dryad before. When the Black Forest in Sertoria was a healthy green forest, it was once invaded by the Demon Lord's army. At that time, they were apparently saved by the Ancient Priestess."
"Then, the Demon Lord's army has existed for over five thousand years."
"That's right, but what was the human population of the island at that time?"
Even Price-sama fell silent. There's no way he'd know specific numbers. There would be no census, and there were no kingdoms, just village units.
"We know it was considerably less compared to the present."
He barely managed to say that much. No wonder. The Salamander came to the hot spring town four thousand years ago. The population of the hot spring town at that time was at most about a hundred people. In other words, one percent of the present.
"Wasn't the scale of the Demon Lord's army at that time considerably smaller than it is now?"
Otherwise, humans would have perished long ago.
"In other words, what do you mean? Jeanne."
"In other words, isn't this method of generating monsters using barnacles quite recent? In other words, wasn't it made to match the increase in humans?"
Suddenly, everyone began to look at each other. I might have been a bit incoherent.
"Come to think of it, during the Demon Lord subjugation, Henry apparently asked the Demon Lord. Are you making Orcs?"
After a short pause, Price-sama asked.
He certainly asked. I was also there.
"Do you remember the Demon Lord's words at that time?"
"Um, if I recall, the Demon Lord said he wasn't making them. However, he also said that if he were making them, humans would have perished long ago."
"It seems so. Thinking about it now, don't you think it's a strange answer?"
If he were making them, humans would have perished...
"Can't it also be interpreted as humans haven't perished because someone else made them?"
This time, everyone gasped.
"Jeanne. What you thought of might exactly be correct."
If that's the case, who on earth is making them?
Roberts-sama said we'd find out if we went further in, and we decided to proceed.
In any case, there's no doubt that something powerful enough to drive away the Gigant is there, and most likely that something is using the barnacles to increase the monsters. And outside, our allies are keeping watch. This is no time for endless discussion.
Assuming there are barnacle rooms at the ends of the side roads, we decided to pass them by if there was no reaction from Sense Living.
We proceeded rapidly, letting two ghosts ascend, and by the time we passed the twenty-third side road, I started to get an unpleasant feeling.
"This might be close. Gwyn-dono, let's proceed cautiously."
When Harrison-san called out to Gwyn-sama who was leading, he came back with a nonchalant face, asking if something was wrong. He was holding a Firefly in his hand.
"Do you not feel anything?"
"No, not particularly. I don't think I've missed anything, though."
Saying that, he was illuminating here and there.
"It might be the effect of the tags. If so, it is not magic. Most likely sorcery."
According to Harrison-san, it's an evil spirit's art, and the unpleasant feeling and headache I felt at the ruins cave were that.
"Finally, it's time. Shall we reinforce Jeanne's Firefly?"
Price-sama cast a log-class Holy on the Firefly held by the warrior. It could be held, but it began to take on heat.
Sianya also seemed to be feeling it, as her face was pale.
"Sianya-dono, is this your first time at evil spirit extermination?"
"Yes. Actually, it's my first time."
She had said that Primordia itself had few ghosts of those killed in battle, and humanoid monsters like Orcs were also few. It's no wonder her experience itself is shallow. In the first place, the first time I encountered a true evil spirit was at the ruins cave.
"Price-sama. We seem to be protected by the tags. Shouldn't the Fireflies be held by the priests instead of us warriors?"
Following Edward-sama's words, who was concerned for Sianya, it was decided that the priests would hold the Fireflies. I made one new one for the scout Gwyn-sama to hold.
Proceeding further, when the first mark of the candle in the lantern, in other words, one hour since we started exploration, had passed, the side roads numbered twenty-five.
The unpleasant feeling grew stronger and stronger, and the headache also increased.
"Jeanne, if anything happens, don't hesitate to deactivate the Firefly and chant a full-power Light."
That was Price-sama. We entered combat readiness.
"I will sing the Chant of Exorcism. Everyone, please join in."
Price-sama sang, and everyone joined in. The formation closed the gaps and became short, and the warriors proceeded while checking their weapons. Gwyn-sama had already drawn his sword.
"Guu!"
By the time we counted the twenty-eighth side road, Gwyn-sama, who was leading, suddenly clutched his head and crouched down.
He was targeted!
"Jeanne! The Light!"
At Price-sama's words, I temporarily deactivated the Firefly, raised both hands above my head, and released a full-power Light in all directions. Price-sama released an Overflow. Harrison-san entered the incantation for Ascension.
The Chant of Exorcism was taken over by Sianya. Roberts-sama, the second in line, went to Gwyn-sama.
Just as we also entered combat readiness, suddenly, I was struck by an unspeakable terror.
I fell into a sensation as if my heart were being seized. It's the same as the evil spirit of the ruins. I was struck by an emotion that made me want to run away. Everyone seemed to be the same, and Roberts-sama retreated while supporting Gwyn-sama. Both were pale. No, all the warriors were the same. The tip of the spear held by Edward-sama, who was standing as if to protect Sianya, was trembling violently.
No, however, at that time, emotions other than terror also entered my heart. This time, it's only terror.
In other words, the evil spirit is not right nearby.
If so.
I stepped forward just like that, in front of Roberts-sama and the others. I converged the Light from both hands to create a wall as if to block the front of the formation.
"Please reinforce the wall!"
When I looked back and shouted, a log-class Holy flew over. It was Price-sama. Despite her face being pale, Sianya was bravely standing firmly on both feet and continuing the incantation of the Chant of Exorcism. It's unavoidable that her voice was trembling. Edward-sama was joining in with a voice loud enough to echo in the cave. At times like this, he's really reliable.
When the reinforced Light wall took on heat, the terror in my head finally faded. it was a gamble, but it worked.
"Ascension!"
Harrison-san's magic was completed. He made a huge ball of light appear on the other side of the wall I made with Light. Since he wasn't supporting it above his head, it should be difficult, but he proceeded close to the wall to lighten the burden on his magic control power.
While watching, small white lights came flying swaying from the depths.
"Magic Reflection!"
Suddenly, Price-sama released magic. He deployed it in front of Harrison-san's Ascension.
I wondered what was wrong, when a powerful lightning bolt flew horizontally from the depths of the cave.
It was repelled by Magic Reflection and flew into the depths. Perhaps it hit a wall on the way, as a sound like when lightning strikes was heard along with a dazzling yellow light.
A powerful lightning magic as the first move.
So it's a Demon Race.
"Sianya. When I give the signal, please release support magic."
"Understood."
If the opponent is a Demon Race, the way of fighting changes.
Lightning and fire magic aside, other magic—ice and earth magic—cannot be blocked by Magic Reflection. This is because magic power is converted into the striking force that flies icicles or rocks. Since there's no mage, Wind Barrier cannot be used. There's a limit to the Light wall.
"Warriors. Now is the time to show the results of your training. The light wall Jeanne made will protect us from striking attacks, but it cannot repel them like Wind Barrier. Please support it."
"Yeah!" the four shouted and ran to the wall.
He says reckless things.
Even if there is support magic, if giant icicles or rocks fly at them, that pressure is not something that can be easily supported. Moreover, even if the body is safe, pain cannot be prevented. If they take many hits, they might faint from the sheer pain.
"It's only until the wandering souls are absorbed into Bishop Harrison's Ascension. Until then, endure and we shall withdraw."
Price-sama raised his voice, saying it's only until then.
The four warriors, with Roberts-sama and Edward-sama in the middle and Gwyn-sama and Eowyn-sama on either side, each took a position, put their right foot forward, and spread both hands in front of their bodies to act as supports for the wall.
It can't be helped. I took three deep breaths and steeled myself while imagining the Light wall holding back a giant iceberg.
"Here it comes!"
At the same time Price-sama shouted, something hit the wall with a "Gwan!"
Roberts-sama and Edward-sama, who were supporting the center of the wall, were pushed back two or three steps as if suddenly shoved. They immediately stepped forward and this time began to support it by pressing their right shoulders against the wall.
Rocks about twice the size of a human head were illuminated by the glowing Light wall. They probably flew here by magic. They broke through the Magic Reflection. The power to fly them was probably lost on the way, but the momentum they had while flying through the air until then couldn't be deactivated.
"Jeanne, can you change the shape of the wall? Make the center part curve roundly toward the other side."
Price-sama drew an arc in the air with his right hand, like a tilted bow. In other words, he's saying not to bend the parts the four warriors are supporting much, and to curve the part above them significantly.
Changing the shape is easy.
When I actually tried it, when the second rock flew, the rock that hit with a "Gwan" was bounced upward and hit the ceiling. At the same time, the wall dug into the cave.
Perhaps the impact became lighter, as Roberts-sama and Edward-sama were pushed back, but only their upper bodies left the wall, and they were able to endure by bracing with their back legs.
The opponent flying the rocks either panicked or got angry, as they flew rocks one after another, but we managed to hold our ground somehow.
"Just a little more. Please endure."
The lights approaching Harrison-san's Ascension already numbered about ten. If we work hard and maintain the current state, we'll somehow be able to withdraw.
There was a signal from Harrison-san. He had finished collecting the souls.
From here is the problem. If the wall made of Light is there, the collected souls cannot come here. If we don't do something, we'll be exposed to the enemy's attack.
On the other side of the wall, many rocks are rolling around. In a sense, they become a defense.
"I will temporarily deactivate the Light wall, so Harrison-san, please pull the ball of light from Ascension over to this side in the meantime. Everyone else, hide behind the rocks. Edward-sama, please sing the Chant of Exorcism with an incredibly loud voice. With the momentum to drive away evil spirits and Demon Race."
At the end of the line, Price-sama, Harrison-san, and Edward-sama made strange faces. On the other hand, the three warriors and Sianya, who fought together at the volcano where the Fire Dragon lived, burst out laughing.
"Alright! Edward. Give it your all. You can do it. No, only you can do it."
"That's right. With that beautiful voice, make the evil spirits tremble."
"Don't forget to let out a war cry at the beginning. Jeanne. Deactivate the wall to match Edward's shout."
The three princes who knew the circumstances were saying whatever they liked.
"Edward, do your best. Everyone is relying on you."
At first he seemed to think he was being teased, as he made a disgusted face, but since even Sianya was relying on him, he probably couldn't refuse. He stepped away from the wall and took a deep breath.
"I'm deactivating it!"
"Oooooooooooooo!"
Edward-sama's war cry echoed at the same time I deactivated the wall.
Rather than a noise, it was a roar. It's echoing in the cave, and it's become a terrible thing.
My hair is standing on end. Everyone's backs were thrown back all at once.
Harrison-san, who was about to be knocked over, began to beckon the light of Ascension with a desperate look.
After a breath, this time it was the Chant of Exorcism. This was also incredible. It was a singing voice as if he were punching, kicking, and crushing evil, rather than repelling it.
I tried to chant Light to make a wall, but perhaps the roar was canceling out my vocalization, as it didn't activate.
Price-sama was saying something toward the depths with his right hand pointed that way, but nothing happened.
Harrison-san succeeded in collecting the clump of light and was leading it toward the entrance with a look unbecoming of a priest. With that look while hearing the Chant of Exorcism, he was just like a monster. Fortunately, the enemy's attack had also subsided. Why don't we all just run away like this?