Chapter 398 - Chapter 9: Cave of the Demon Realm ④
The next morning, to avenge our pathetic retreat, we arrived at the entrance of the cave. The roles were the same as yesterday, except for Wilson-san.
This time we could use a medium-sized bowl, so it was easy. Moreover, we flew slowly while hiding our presence and casting Mute.
While searching with Sense Living, there was no reaction. We proceeded just like that to the twenty-fifth side road.
Yesterday's offensive and defensive battle was around the twenty-eighth side road.
"Is it about time?"
At Price-sama's signal, the bowl decelerated. If the opponent hasn't cleared them, there should be rocks rolling around.
Everyone knelt on one knee, and the bowl changed its shape into a plate. We were to ascend and go over the rocks.
"Now then, Edward-sama. If you please."
Mute was deactivated, and Edward-sama took a deep breath.
He was standing at the very front. Incidentally, the one at the very back was Wilson-san. He signaled after stuffing clay into his ears.
"Then, I shall sing. Oooooooooooo!"
For some reason, he let out a war cry.
Next, the roar... no, the Chant of Exorcism echoed in the cave. It echoed in the cave, and my ears began to ring. It might have a bad effect on humans too. I should have stuffed clay into my ears too.
(Gwyn-sama, Eowyn-sama, please illuminate the front with the lighting devices.)
The instruction via Thought Communication, released from a scroll by Price-sama, reached my head directly.
It was a countermeasure against the roar, but as a result of the experiment, it was found that by using Thought Communication, one can confirm their own vocalization, so it's possible to release magic even if Edward-sama is singing nearby. However, one must actually produce a voice. It can't be heard by the ears, but it echoes in the head. In short, it seems fine as long as one can perceive that they have vocalized correctly. With this, magic can be released even during the roar... no, Edward-sama's chant.
When Gwyn-sama and Eowyn-sama released the magic circles of the lighting devices they had temporarily made, two beams of light illuminated the cave. Since I was searching ahead with Sense Living, I couldn't use Light. Instead, I had them illuminate with the lighting devices. They were just boxes made of boards with mirrors inside, but they were functioning sufficiently.
The cave, which until now could only be seen by Wilson-san with his night vision, became clearly visible. It continued from the entrance with the same size. It must have been dug by an earthworm. Since it was winding, we couldn't see far ahead, but we wouldn't suddenly bump into anything.
(Sianya, to the front. Please prepare for Overflow.)
Since Wilson-san was wearing Eleanor's armor, he should be fine as long as it was magic released by a high-level mage, but just in case, I had placed a curved Magic Reflection on Sianya's stomach. If she released it toward her own stomach, it would all be repelled forward. The accuracy would drop, but it was already proven in the Cerberus battle I fought with Fiona that the power would increase this way.
Furthermore, Price-sama was intermittently releasing low-level Holy. Of course they didn't hit, but since he's a super-high-level mage, even low-level ones were extremely thick. It was sufficient as a diversion.
While proceeding in that way, there was a reaction from Sense Living.
(I think it's in the depths of the side road. There are countless reactions. From the size, they are Orcs.)
It's a subtle point. We didn't come to exterminate Orcs.
(Are they moving?)
Price-sama asked.
(No, they seem to be staying still.)
(Then, they might be eggs before they are born.)
If they are eggs, we can leave them alone.
(Is there no possibility of an ambush? The enemy might not be anticipating Lady Jeanne's Sense Living.)
It was Eowyn-sama. If that were the case, we'd be sandwiched, but they are Orcs. They could be easily broken through.
(Eowyn-sama, what do you think would be best?)
When Price-sama asked, he said let's attack the Orcs.
(Leaving a concern behind us is a foolish tactic. If they are Orcs, let's kill them all, and if they are eggs, let's exterminate them.)
A clear answer came back. The other princes also nodded. They are military men and combat specialists. Price-sama also agreed, and we decided to divert to the side road.
When we went to the end of the side road, barnacles were lined up. Unlike the ones we saw yesterday, several dozen in the back had thin skin-like lids.
When we illuminated with the lighting devices while still on the bowl, we could see Orc faces that were half-melted beyond the thin skin.
Edward-sama's chant stopped for a moment. No wonder. After taking a deep breath while trying not to look at the eggs, he began to sing again.
(This is... as expected, unfortunately they seem to be eggs.)
Price-sama's words expressed everyone's feelings.
I had hoped the prediction would be wrong.
As the Gigant said, once born, they are living creatures. However, if possible, I wanted them to be born in a natural way.
(This is... too cruel.)
(Good grief. To think such a thing really existed.)
Eowyn-sama's and Gwyn-sama's true feelings leaked out. They probably couldn't suppress their surprise.
(We must send them off.)
When Roberts-sama thrust his spear into one of the eggs, there was a squelching sound, and a sticky liquid came pouring out along with a raw smell. It was just like the white of a chicken egg.
(It's pitiful, but let's kill them as they are. Let's send them to the Goddess's side, and next time, let them be born in a natural form.)
(Indeed. Let's at least send them off before they are born.)
At Price-sama's and Harrison-san's words, everyone with somber expressions agreed.
Just in case, even when we illuminated the surroundings with the lighting devices, there was nothing. It was decided to exterminate them with a series of Overflows.
Since I was continuing the exploration with Sense Living, when Price-sama, Harrison-san, and Sianya released Overflows simultaneously in three locations, all the reactions vanished.
The three priests offered a funeral service and prayed for the repose of the souls that were probably forced to become Orcs.
After that, we exterminated Orc eggs in three side roads.
The fourth one had several large barnacles that looked like several Orc eggs joined together, and they were thought to be those of Cyclopes or Trolls.
We killed them just like the Orcs and offered a funeral service.
Hearing the prayers of the three priests, I remembered the sight I saw at the square in the Forest of Ruins, and tears came to my eyes.
In that land, Goblin children were climbing on the shoulders of Trolls and Cyclopes who were sitting cross-legged. There was even a child sitting on an Orc's lap. They were all drawing underground water together and sharing it. And yet...
My feelings seemed to be leaking out. Sianya hugged me. She was also crying.
(Jeanne, Sianya. I understand the feelings of both of you. However, as the spirits who are Jeanne's friends say, these monsters are not existences that should originally be in this world. Of course, ghosts and Revenants are the same, but they have emotions, and the will to continue to exist in this world. That would be the same for animals, plants, and even magic beasts and insects. Those emotions and will are exactly the proof of being alive. Although they obtain will and emotions after hatching from eggs, they are still before they are born. If possible, let's send them to the Goddess's side as soon as possible.)
Price-sama was probably right. I nodded in silence.
Since we started the egg extermination, by the time we found the fifth side road, Edward-sama's voice had become hoarse.
As expected, singing for over an hour was the limit.
We decided to retreat to the entrance of the fourth side road and rest.
Wilson-san dug a side hole and made soil blocks to stack, creating a defensive wall with Wind Barrier and Magic Reflection. Furthermore, a Light wall was inside that. The side hole dug to make the blocks became a resting place as it was, and Edward-sama was made to rest while drinking honey water that is gentle on the throat.
"Will they attack?"
"Most likely."
While Harrison-san and Roberts-sama were talking, loud "Thud, thud" sounds were heard. They had flown rocks again without learning.
It was decided that Edward-sama would continue to rest, and just in case, Eowyn-sama and Sianya were attached to him, while the others were to meet the attack.
Approaching the Light wall, a chill ran down my spine. It's an evil spirit.
"Calm!"
When Price-sama chanted Calm, the shivering sensation became lighter.
"How is it?"
"Yes. Thanks to you, the sensation as if my hair were standing on end has vanished."
"Hmm, hmm," Harrison-san approached.
"If we have Light and Calm, we might be able to counter an evil spirit even if it's right before our eyes."
Price-sama and Harrison-san said that for relatively weak evil spirits, Calm is enough. For powerful evil spirits, it's faith.
"Price-sama, what do you think? Perhaps Jeanne's Light might exhibit defensive power comparable to a priest's faith against evil spirits."
"There's no end to it if we just keep defending. Shall we go on the offensive for the sake of experiment?"
"I think we must push ourselves a little."
Harrison-san glanced at Edward-sama who was sitting and drinking honey water. Now, it depends on the condition of Edward-sama's throat.
"It can't be helped."
The opinions of the hero and the former hero matched, and we decided to advance.
Last night, the four of them—Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama, Price-sama, and Harrison-san—apparently discussed it. Everyone was called together. Edward-sama's voice, which had Sianya cast Recovery and Calm and just in case Heal, was also restored. A discussion was held centered on Price-sama and Harrison-san, and the formation for going on the offensive was decided.
The vanguard was three people. Centered on Roberts-sama, Gwyn-sama and Eowyn-sama fortified the left and right. The second was Harrison-san, who is good at offensive holy magic, and me as the lighting person. The third was Edward-sama, in charge of chanting, and Sianya, who is good at support magic. The fourth was Price-sama, Wilson-san in charge of offensive magic including Wind Barrier, and Will as a guard. Price-sama's role was to be in charge of Magic Reflection, deploying it in front of the Wind Barrier to handle magic defense, and at the same time making sure holy magic didn't hit Wilson-san. In short, holy magic and Light could be used freely.
To prepare for retreat, we replaced the magic circles of the lighting devices and set them up so they could emit light at any time, then we advanced.
"Now then, Jeanne, if you please."
"Yes. Light!"
Matching Price-sama's signal, I deactivated the Light wall and produced one Firefly in my palm. Since it was reinforced with two of Harrison-san's log-class Holies, it was taking on considerable heat, and at the same time the defensive wall of Wind Barrier and Magic Reflection was also deactivated.
Since a new Magic Reflection was deployed at the back of my head, when I let it float above my head, all the light went forward. Looking back, I could see Will holding a lantern.
"Please do not look back. If you look, look down."
The dazzling light repelled by Magic Reflection illuminated the walls of the cave. Since the cave was winding, we couldn't see far ahead. In other words, the light of the Firefly didn't reach. Perhaps watching the situation, there was no reaction from the enemy.
"Edward-sama, if you please."
"Uoooooooryaaaaa!"
My ears rang, and my hair stood on end. Everyone in front stumbled all at once.
So, let's stop the war cry before the chant. You'll hurt your throat.
The three in the vanguard were at a bit of a distance from the others. To that extent, those from the second onward were huddled together. It was a countermeasure against flying rocks.
Roberts-sama was knocking down rocks flying from the front with his silver spear, and Eowyn-sama with his silver greatsword with the blue gemstone Gram Blue embedded in the hilt. Gwyn-sama was skillfully deflecting the direction with his sword. In addition to casting double layers of all hand-held defensive support magic on the vanguard, Sianya's Increase Offense was cast in double layers. In short, three monsters were blocking the enemy's attacks. Rock fragments that were crushed or deflected by the vanguard were blocked by Wilson-san, who produced two small Wind Barriers.
We proceeded rapidly while avoiding the rocks that were falling with a "Goron." Lightning magic that occasionally flew was blocked by the Magic Reflection deployed in front of Price-sama. Perhaps fearing Edward-sama's roar... no, the Chant of Exorcism, not a trace of the evil spirit's presence could be felt.
Thinking that the direction from which magic and rocks were flying would be the enemy's location, we ignored the side roads and proceeded rapidly.
(I see it. The target.)
At Roberts-sama's words, Edward-sama raised his voice even more. His face was a bit red. Perhaps what he thought was honey water was actually honey wine.
(Is it an evil spirit?)
Price-sama asked.
(No, it's a man wearing a robe.)
(How far is the distance?)
(Roughly fifty steps.)
It's closer than I thought. The standard would be to attack with magic, but.
(Vanguard, crouch! I'll give him a shot.)
It was Wilson-san. When the three in the vanguard crouched all at once, there was a "Hyun!" sound of something flying. One of the rocks that had been rolling in front was gone, so he must have flown it. Until now we had been on the defensive. The opponent must be off guard.
There were "Gakon, gakon" sounds, but suddenly it became quiet.
(We did it! He fell.)
(One more shot. When you hear the sound of it flying, vanguard, please charge.)
(Understood.)
Furthermore, when there was a "Hyun!" sound, the three in the vanguard stood up and began to run while raising a cheer.
"O Glorious Mother who watches over us from the heavens!
I here offer my devoted prayer! ..."
Even Edward-sama began to run while roaring. He overtook Harrison-san and me. Sianya hurriedly followed after him.
(Jeanne, let us go too.)
I was told by Harrison-san and began to run. Since Edward-sama, who was running while singing, was pitiful, I overtook him with the effect of the Cat Stone.
When we arrived, a man wearing a robe whose original color was unknown because it was smeared with mud was lying on his back. He seemed to be breathing. Fragments of pot-like things he had used for something were scattered.
In any case, I made a Light wall to take measures against evil spirits. By doing this, Edward-sama could take a breath.
I looked again at the man in the mud robe who was considered the enemy. His neck was bent at a right angle. Not just his neck. The bones of both his hands and feet were protruding from his skin, and his chest was sunken, perhaps because his ribs were broken. It was clear even from over the black clothes under the disheveled robe that he had suffered considerable damage. When Roberts-sama pulled back the hood covering his face with the tip of his spear, the face of a wrinkled man appeared. His eyes were rolled back, and from his sloppily open mouth, a long tongue was hanging loosely. There was a raw smell, like rotting meat or something, and I instinctively took out a handkerchief and covered my face.
"Since there's no blood, is he a Revenant?"
"He is undead, but to be precise, he is not necessarily a Revenant."
When I asked, Harrison-san replied.
I didn't know there were such detailed stories, but those who became undead through the magic of the forbidden magic Undead are Revenants, and there are also others like Vampires, and Liches who live on through sorcery, and so on.
While I was listening to Harrison-san's explanation, Price-sama and Will arrived on Wilson-san's plate.
"Did you finish him?"
"As you can see."
When Price-sama asked, Roberts-sama pointed to the bent hands and feet.
Price-sama crouched and held his palm over the face.
"Bishop Harrison, do you know the identity of this person?"
"Most likely, he is a monster called a Ghoul. A monster that has obtained the power of immortality, and normally they seem to be subordinate to someone with power, such as the Demon Race."