Chapter 400 - Tenth Episode: Monster Eggs
The evil spirit was successfully subjugated, and it seemed we were able to save a certain amount of souls.
Eleanor-sama was called via the magic circle for letters and arrived on a bowl. First, Harrison-san was to return the light of [Ascension] to the heavens, so he turned back and went outside as he was.
The others decided to rest their bodies under the light of the Fireflies. That was because the disposal of the eggs still remained.
By the way, I was terribly tired. I wasn't sleepy, but it felt like the strength had left my body and I couldn't stand up. Price-sama said it was fine to stay seated and cast [Refresh] on me, so I decided to take him up on his offer.
"It might be [Energy Drain]."
Apparently, powerful undead have a technique to suck away the life force of the living.
"At the final moment, I felt as though the evil spirit's hatred was directed at Jeanne. Was there any change at that time?"
"I felt what could be called the evil spirit's death cry."
"As I thought. At that moment, I felt nothing."
According to Price-sama, the evil spirit, which had lost its power due to the final [Distract Formation], might have narrowed its target to me to try and take back its power all at once. Just as water flows from high places to low places, life force apparently tends to flow from where it is overflowing to where it is scarce.
Does that mean... that? That I was more overflowing with life force than Roberts-sama or Edward-sama? How insulting.
"The warriors were protected by charms, were they not? Furthermore, Jeanne, you were controlling the light of [Light] so that it hit everyone, not just the evil spirit, right? To that extent, the light hitting you must have been less. That might have also been related. Surely, the evil spirit intended to wring out Jeanne's life force and kill you, then take in your soul."
Eh? Was I just a step away from being killed by a spirit?
"It's alright. We priests have the protection of the Goddess. That is why we undertake evil spirit subjugation. Besides, you have the [Dryad's Stone], don't you? The [Dryad's Stone] is also said to bring life force to the wearer."
Serena's stone, which I inherited from the First King...
When I pulled it out from my collar, the green stone was glowing and emitting light more than usual.
"Thank you, Serena. You protected me, didn't you?"
When I said my thanks, the light of the stone gradually grew smaller and returned to being the original green stone.
I lit a bonfire with the tree branches Eleanor-sama had left behind. It was Price-sama's consideration so that I wouldn't have to chant [Light].
"Je-Jeanne-sama! Did something happen?"
Since I was slumped over, Eowyn-sama's face had changed color. I'm grateful, but it's a hassle.
"Thank you. I am fine."
When Price-sama explained this and that, he then praised me, saying, "As expected of Jeanne-sama." He's a busy person.
"However, in such a situation, if there are two or more opponents, it would be impossible to continue fighting."
Roberts-sama intended to fight against multiple evil spirits.
"Roberts-sama. According to Gigant's story, this seems to have been a Demon Realm unrelated to the Demon Lord's army. In other words, can we not say that is why we were able to defeat it?"
It was certainly as Price-sama said. Successive heroes were unable to conquer it. Here too, we initially thought there were members of the Demon Race. If there really were members of the Demon Race, and moreover, if there were multiple evil spirits...
"It might be difficult unless there were about five Jeanne-samas."
Everyone burst out laughing at Eowyn-sama's words, but that meant that five users of [Light] were necessary. The face of Cadogan-sama of Primordia came to mind. Cadogan-sama said that for the sealing of the Demon Lord and for plague countermeasures, the lifting of the ban on Forbidden Magic was necessary. If the users of [Light] and [Anti-Sepsis] magic increase through Forbidden Magic... However, if the user is a Revenant, there is a possibility of self-destruction with [Light], so countermeasures would be needed.
"Preventing the resurrection of the Demon Lord and subjugating the Demon Lord's army. This is the grand policy of the church. And this time, co-existence and co-prosperity with Gigant has become possible. This is the core of the Goddess's teachings. These two are missions that we church priests must surely accomplish. And if Jeanne's guess is correct, we are now facing a once-in-two-hundred-years chance."
While everyone was smiling, Sianya was being solemn.
"Just as the royal families of each nation and their representatives gather to hold the Council of Lords, the time may have come for the heads of the great churches representing each nation to exchange various opinions and coordinate."
Sianya looked at me. Cadogan-sama's words might become a reality.
There would likely be many things that need to be adjusted. Moreover, Engrio consists of pagans. However, if we don't start, nothing will change. Price-sama's words made me feel a catalyst for changing something.
As a result of receiving the explanation from Violet and Gigant, it seemed all three Ghouls said they could move to Northern Nakanohara. That said, it's obviously better to have them actually see it beforehand. Gigant, the Arachne, and the three Ghouls were to go for an on-site inspection at ultra-high speed on a medium-sized bowl, but I, who had suffered [Energy Drain], was also removed from the job of disposing of the remaining eggs and decided to accompany them.
Once the impact of acceleration that makes one teary-eyed as usual ended, we shifted to level flight.
At the first experience of ultra-high speed, the Ghouls rejoiced at the scenery on the ground passing by as if literally flying, and Gigant, who was sitting cross-legged in the middle, clapped his hands in excitement. I am the only one who has a sense of dislike for high speed or ultra-high speed.
"Only Jeanne closes her eyes at the time of departure. It's a waste."
Gigant, who was watching with sparkling eyes, nodded at Violet's words.
Those who like acceleration will not understand my feelings.
Hey, Violet. You don't have to translate for the Ghouls. All three of them are tilting their heads while looking at me.
On the way, we stopped by the Northeastern Forest for a break and decided to ask for the opinions of Renata and Serena. I was saved by the spirit stone I received from Serena. Since I had to say my thanks, it was perfect timing.
When I gathered them immediately and said my thanks, I got scolded.
"If something happens to Jeanne, what do you intend to do about the recovery of Sister's forest? Why did you all not put your lives on the line to protect her!"
It was a great fury.
In addition to Henry-sama's group, even Violet and Gigant were being scolded. Actually, it seems the thing called [Energy Drain] was quite dangerous.
"N-No, we were told that if we went out, we would become a burden..."
This time, even Eleanor-sama was looking down with a solemn face.
"I was told to look after these guys."
"U, auau."
Violet and Gigant were pointing back and forth between the Ghouls and Henry-sama's group.
"It's alright. Priests have the protection of the Goddess, so even if our power is taken, we won't be killed by a spirit."
It was known from the beginning that someone would be targeted. The warriors were protected by charms. There were four priests in that place. And I was targeted. The evil spirit likely targeted me, who was suppressing its power. It seems I have a strong decoy attribute.
"Now, now, Serena. She was safe, so isn't it fine? But Jeanne. Truly, be careful. My forest aside, if you die, I don't know what the Black Dragon Child or Dune will do in their rage."
"Surely, humans will perish."
Alex nodded at Serena's words without even laughing.
That's too much of a threat, no matter how you look at it.
"Jeanne, let me see the stone for a bit."
Since Serena said so, I showed it to her along with the amulet. When she placed her finger on the stone and muttered something, the stone began to glow.
"This is?"
"I'm putting power into it. Humans might not understand, but this stone had lost its power. Didn't it glow just like now when you fought the evil spirit?"
When I asked, Renata answered in place of Serena, who continued muttering.
"Come to think of it, it was glowing even after the battle ended, so when I said my thanks for protecting me, the glow subsided."
"Amazing. Jeanne is liked even by stones. The stone must have felt it was worth its while."
I see, at that time, the stone lost its power...
"It's alright. It's not like the stone died. I'm returning it to normal now. I'm making it a bit stronger, so you can recover faster from your current tiredness than when there's nothing wrong."
Recovery... I see, thanks to the [Dryad's Stone], I have high recovery power instead of lacking endurance. I just need to think about the pace distribution.
It seemed the power of the stone had safely returned. After the glow subsided, it looked no different from the original, but I felt as though my strength had returned somehow.
"That's right. Rest for two days. You must not use magic. If you do that, you'll return to normal. You'll make it in time for the next full moon, so you can recover Sister's forest as before."
"Thank you."
When I said my thanks, she stroked my head while saying, "Now, rest slowly."
Resurrection... well, not quite, but a prospect for recovery in two days was established.
Serena's anger also subsided, and we toasted with cider.
"Hey, hey, Gigant says. If the north of Nakanohara Lake is a good place, he'd be fine with about a hundred monsters from the Forest of the Evil Spirit moving together."
According to Violet, since there is plenty of water and food, even if the monsters increase by a hundred or two hundred, it probably won't have an impact.
I try asking the spirits.
"It's good for the Ghouls to increase. Because the carcasses of insects and magic beasts will be purified faster."
Renata turned to agree. In the Black Forest of the Northeast, there are many monsters, so the disposal of carcasses is apparently difficult. Aside from the places where black trees are growing, in the places where recovery work is progressing, Elves are apparently digging holes and burying them.
"By 'increase,' does that mean there are already some there?"
"There are. Though they belong to the Demon Lord's army."
That's a bit impossible. It would be a problem if they were invited to the Demon Lord's army side. Eleanor-sama, who heard this, also shook her head.
"Then, the Elves will just have to do their best."
It's pitiful, but it can't be helped.
"What about you, Serena?"
"It's fine as long as they don't enter my forest or Little Serena's forest."
The Ghouls themselves aren't a problem, but the animals living in the forest would apparently be frightened. They have no interest in the living, but they eat the carcasses of their kin. Humans are the same in that regard. I can't complain. Orcs don't ravage the forest, but they're disliked because they soil it. Besides, if they were coming and going normally, members of the Demon Race might invade if the Demon Lord is resurrected. That would also be a problem.
"Then, we'll look after them near our place."
It's the north of Nakanohara Lake as planned. If Gigant, who refused the invitation of the Demon Lord's army, is there, it should be safe. Next is the species; Cyclopes and Trolls are already there, but Fenrirs are not.
"Ogres and Fenrirs... I mean, it seems they have no intention of bringing magic beasts."
"Do magic beasts bully Goblins too?"
"It's not that, it's because magic beasts basically have many children and increase quickly."
Fenrirs are Fenrirs from the start, and when their numbers increase, they apparently move from forest to forest and set up their respective lairs. They are the same as other magic beasts in that regard.
I see. But don't Orcs increase?
"They don't. Since Orcs have no male or female, they can't have children. Neither can Ogres, Cyclopes, or Trolls."
"Then, the monsters of Nakanohara..."
"Yeah, if none come across, they'll only decrease."
"Is that so!"
"But since they live for hundreds of years, they won't decrease easily."
"I-I see."
Eleanor-sama is busy alternating between joy and sorrow too.
"What other kinds of monsters are there?"
When Eleanor-sama asked Gigant, he said Orcs, Ogres, Cyclopes, and Trolls are the basics, and on top of that, migratory monsters... for example, Gigant and Fenrirs are added. In other words, currently, there are six types of monsters. Since it's a forest, insects and magic beasts spawn there, and with the migratory ones added, a Demon Realm is created. Apparently, Finis is the only place where C-ranks spawn in mountains, so in other words, this composition might be the same for most of the island. If there's a Fenrir, you can't counter it unless you have at least a high-level magic user or exorcism equipment. Since it's inside a forest, it's not an opponent that can be easily defeated. In addition to that, if B-ranks or A-ranks start taking charge, they won't be easily annihilated even if hero-class people participate. Furthermore, at the end of the journey is an evil spirit. This time, there was one evil spirit, and the ones assisting it were C-rank Ghouls. With Edward-sama's singing voice, my [Light], two ultra-high-level holy magic users, multiple hero-class warriors, and the presence of Wilson-san and Violet, whom evil spirits cannot possess, as the finishing touch, things likely went quite well.
Next are Ogres. A consensus is forming to just wipe them out entirely.
"But why are only Ogres like that?"
They like human flesh and are cruel. Orcs are rough, but they rarely do things like torturing to death. Though they apparently don't hold back much when they punch.
"I don't know. Shall we try asking the Ghoul?"
Violet said that a Ghoul involved in egg-making might know, and the reply came back that the way of making them is different.
"Way of making?"
"Yeah. The way of making eggs."
It's like a factory somehow.
The way monsters were born that the Ghoul was involved in didn't seem like the way living things are born at all.
First, they make a barnacle with the earth magic Ghouls are good at. They fit the magic circle made by the evil spirit into the bottom of the barnacle and put in the blood of a living creature. The fresher the blood, the better.
"Do they hunt?"
When Eleanor-sama asked, it seemed the evil spirit calls animals with [Charm].
The Ghoul captures and kills the animal, obtaining fresh blood and a carcass. At the same time, animal ghosts also increase. Part of the carcass is used for food, but the fresh blood becomes the source for the egg.
After putting the soul that the evil spirit took into part of itself into the jar containing fresh blood and activating the magic circle, a spell is cast. Then, the blood begins to move like a living thing. When the carcass after the fresh blood was taken is put in there, the moving blood clings to it, the flesh melts and integrates, and the amount of blood increases. In that way, they periodically give carcasses as food to increase the amount of moving blood, and once a certain amount has accumulated, they then put in a live animal. The moving blood continues to take in the animal and eventually forms a membrane on the surface. Inside the membrane, the blood turns into flesh and takes shape. Orcs are born that way. The ones whose size was controlled are Cyclopes and Trolls. Since they are large, they also require materials and take time. That's why their numbers are few.
"It's a type of sorcery. It might be said to have a higher degree of completion compared to magic Undead."
The difference between Orcs and Ogres, and Cyclopes and Trolls, is apparently the type of soul. The souls of animals, including humans, are the source that gives life to the carcass, but each soul apparently has its own nature.
"If the proportion of humans is high, it's easier to become a Cyclops rather than a Troll, and an Ogre rather than an Orc."
Cyclopes look cooler than Trolls but are cowards. Ogres also look strong with horns and such, but have bad personalities. No matter how I think about it, it feels like the bad parts of humans are coming out. Animals aren't as smart as humans, but to that extent, they are simple and their personalities might be good.
"And, it's hard to say, but that method was probably devised by humans..."
When I reflexively looked at the Ghoul, he was looking down. When I looked at Eleanor-sama, she was sighing.
"It's a possibility. They were using magic circles carved into clay tablets, weren't they? It might be a technique devised by ancient humans or that evil spirit."
If so, humans have done something monstrous.