Chapter 416 - Chapter 3: The Lich
Afterward, ants, scorpions, and even rats and scutigera came out, but Robinson-san and Alex controlled them one after another, and the mages defeated them in order with silver arrows and magic.
“There’s no challenge. I can take control of all of them back.”
He is composed.
“Alex. The next one doesn't look so easy. It’ll probably be impossible even for you.”
“Aahn, Elf. Are you picking a fight with a dwarf... wait, hold on, what is that!”
What came out were ants. The same ones I saw on the third layer of the Demon Lord’s cave came out in a mountain-like swarm, one after another.
“Wait, wait, wait! There are too many!”
“That’s why I told you. It wouldn't be easy. Jeanne, it’s time for light magic. We’re counting on you.”
He dispels the defensive wall of the Wind Barrier and temporarily blows away the swarm of ants. Perhaps because they are light, they fly away with great force.
“Please make a defensive wall of Wind Barrier at a height the ants can't climb over. However, could you leave a gap in the middle so they can pass through?”
“A-ah. Fine.”
A semi-circular air defensive wall is completed further outside the trench. The ants that were once blown away crawl back in swarms. The ants blocked by the wall are trying to climb it, but it’s not something they can climb. Before long, they started crawling out from the gap left in the middle. I illuminate the lead ones with Light to stop them. Since they are coming one after another from behind, they can't retreat. Confusion occurred at the exit.
“Beatrix, burn the ones that come out! Lyudmila, blow the corpses away with wind!”
“Okay! It’s a redo of the rat extermination.”
As expected of Beatrix. She understands. That time, as a result of illuminating without a defensive wall, we allowed the rats to charge. However, this time there is a defensive wall with a gap.
“Flame!”
Beatrix unleashes Flame aiming at the gap. The flames burn the ants with a roar, and a nasty smell stings the nose. After she finishes unleashing it, charred corpses are lined up before and after the gap. When Lyudmila’s Favorable Wind blows them away, a passage is completed in the middle of the swarm of ants. More ants come as if to block it.
“Let me participate as well.”
Eleanor-sama joined the battle, and a second Flame was unleashed.
“I’m putting it back for now.”
This time the Elf Prince dispels the Wind Barrier and grandly blows away the ants clinging to the defensive wall. When he deployed it again, he made a defensive wall at a position further forward than the first time, with a large indentation in the middle. Of course, there is a gap in the indented center. From above, it would look like a triangular cross-section without a vertex.
The swarm of ants that came again, while pushing and shoving each other in the indented center, come toward here as they pile up.
“If we do this, they’ll gather in the middle, so we can defeat them efficiently.”
“Thank you very much.”
As expected, the Great Spirit of the forest is smart. He devised a more effective method in one go.
“Beatrix, Lyudmila. Please burn them all at once with Favorable Wind and Flame.”
This time it’s Eleanor-sama. The ants that gathered at the tip of the funnel have become entangled with each other at the exit that suddenly became narrow. With the flaming gust that appeared there, we were able to burn to death far more ants than before all at once. Moreover, Favorable Wind stays active for a long time. With the Flame chanted by Beatrix and Eleanor-sama in rotation, we burned to death and blew away the ants that accumulated in the funnel part one after another.
As expected, they couldn't prepare tens of thousands of ants like the ones in the third layer, and finally, we were able to burn all the ants to death.
“Now, what will they try next?”
At the series of overwhelming victories, Eleanor-sama looks happy. So far, the humans have only used mid-level magic or lower. My Light, for its part, has practically only been used for illumination, like a hidden trump card. We have more than enough combat power.
The Elf Prince has already dispelled the Wind Barrier and is in a state where he can use magic at any time.
According to Eleanor-sama, if the opponent is a Lich, the thing to fear would be their magic. Since we are fighting alongside spirits who are existences that surpass that, she says defeat is unthinkable.
“Well, yeah. Unless the opponent is the older sisters of water or wind, or a dragon, we won't lose to the others.”
“Umu. Elves and dwarves have teamed up. We won't lose so easily.”
Incidentally, although it’s indiscreet, what would happen if the abilities of elves or dwarves were replaced with subjugation ranks?
Certainly. Alex couldn't stand up to an Arachne.
“I wonder? In a one-on-one, we can win against C, but we’d struggle against B?”
“Fumu. However, the subjugation ranks established by humans are quite haphazard. An Arachne is B-rank, but the specific Demon Race in the Northeastern Forest is A-rank. In other words, it’s been decided that that guy is stronger than an Arachne.”
“That’s no good.”
Well, a rat and a boar are the same rank. No matter how you think about it, a scutigera, which is stronger than a rat, is just unpaid labor no matter how many you defeat.
While we were having a grumbling talk about subjugation ranks, the Camouflage of the hole the monsters came out of was removed.
Finally, I thought the one called a Lich would come out, but a black mist-like thing came out sluggishly. It looks exactly like an evil spirit, but there is no unpleasant sensation.
“Is it an Illusion?”
Eleanor-sama asks the Elf Prince.
“I don't care what it is, try unleashing magic.”
In response, Beatrix unleashes one Fire Ball. it flew into the mist, but it seems it was reflected midway, and it came back. The Elf Prince dispels it.
“They’ve set Magic Reflection inside.”
Then, in that case, Lyudmila flies stone pebbles with Hurl Stone.
As expected, they came back. Moreover, even if dispelled, they have momentum, so they flew here. I panicked for a moment, but as expected, Alex controlled them back and dropped them all to the ground.
“Jeanne, release one Firefly with suppressed output. I’ll control it and have it fly into the mist, so once it’s inside, make it maximum.”
“Yeah. Understood.”
I release one Firefly as the Elf Prince says, and when I throw it into the air, it flies to the mist on a magic wind. When I make it maximum, the mist thins out, and before long, the Firefly glowing on the ground became visible. However, the mist remains in the back of the cave, so as before, the other side of the hole is not visible.
“In other words, it is not Magic Reflection. I do not know the true nature of the black mist, but they were using it as a blindfold and unleashing the same magic as the opponent’s magic, making it look like Magic Reflection.”
Fuumu. A troublesome opponent. However, it turned out they can't counter the Firefly. They can't dispel it because they can't use it.
If that’s the case.
I make one wall of Light with the Fireflies I was hiding. Since it’s sufficiently strengthened, the power should also be great. I move it forward as it is and seal the mist as if to put a lid on the hole the monsters came out of.
Because I made it small, mist is overflowing from the gaps. When I move it further forward, it ended up completely hidden inside the mist.
“Beatrix, unleash magic one more time!”
When she unleashes a Fire Ball, this time it didn't come back. Because there was a feel, the wall reflected it. The wall has the effect of Magic Reflection, and it can't be dispelled unless someone can use Light.
“This is good. Shall we unleash them in a barrage and make it a sea of fire?”
At Eleanor-sama’s proposal, those who can unleash Fire Ball unleash them one after another in order.
Did we unleash twenty shots in total? The mist vanished. The opponent must have dispelled it.
Since the wall is emitting light toward the front, the other side of the wall is clearly visible. There is indeed a room beyond the passage, and one person wearing a black robe is standing in front.
They must be confirming what is happening.
“Could you reinforce the wall with a Wind Barrier?”
“Fumu.”
I have the Elf Prince make an air wall.
Almost simultaneously, the opponent flew a giant rock. They think the same thing.
It struck the wall with a thud, but because there is a Wind Barrier, we were able to bounce it back.
The one wearing the robe raised both hands above their head. A giant fireball was created at the tips of their spread palms, becoming the face of a dragon. It’s Prominence. It’s the first time I’ve seen it from the front. The neck has fangs visible because it’s opening its mouth wide. It’s more elaborate than I thought.
“I can dispel that, right?”
It’s Beatrix. If it’s Prominence, Eleanor-sama can use it.
“I think I can. If I am no good, I ask the elf.”
Because it’s super-high-level magic. It will likely break through the high-level magic Wind Barrier. If dispelling it, it will be after it breaks through. I can only hope for the Elf Prince’s speed.
Just as the dragon’s neck changed from orange to yellow, it was unleashed toward here.
Or so I thought, but it was reflected by the wall and flew toward the one wearing the robe. I am a high-level mage myself, and I’m strengthened by two super-high-level Holy Lances. Apparently, the wall’s defense has exceeded super-high class.
“This is wonderful. It might even block Megiddo Fire. Let’s definitely experiment next time.”
Um, in that case, the target won't be me, will it?
The second shot is Cocytus. A giant icicle flew here. There were quite some impacts with thud, thud, and the wall was pushed back, but it didn't freeze. The icicle didn't melt and is just rolling on the other side of the wall.
The third shot is Maelstrom. The water pressure was incredible and the wall was pushed further and further, but when I changed the shape and kept the center as it was while lowering the left and right, I was able to cut through the water like a ship. Water overflowed from the left and right, and water accumulated in the trench Alex made, turning the dry moat into a water moat.
“What do you think is next?”
“It would be Tempest. The lightning Cumulonimbus is completely disadvantageous to the opponent. Earth is Crevasse and Colossus Collapse, but if they use them, a cave-in accident will occur.”
“A windstorm. Well, that’s reasonable.”
Alex and Eleanor-sama predicted, but perhaps having learned a lesson from Maelstrom, they didn't unleash anything.
“Let’s move forward.”
Henry-sama said, and we all head toward the passage riding on Eleanor-sama’s medium-sized bowl. We ended up in a state of confrontation with the wall between us.
The opponent is pointing at us and moving their mouth paku-paku.
“Apparently, they do not know Flight Magic.”
Eleanor-sama stifled a laugh.
“I am Henry, the former King of Sertoria. Who are you!”
Henry-sama identifies himself and demands the other’s identity.
“Hmph. I have no name to give to the likes of humans!”
The scrawny man, whose eyes were unusually prominent, said as if spitting it out, and then he really spat.
Winking at the Elf Prince, when I move the wall forward all at once, he thrust his right hand forward, perhaps having chanted some magic. He collided head-on and is rolling on the ground as if blown away.
“It was a Wind Barrier. I dispelled it.”
Eleanor-sama is acting haughty. It’s the same magic. Even an elf can dispel it.
“Wh-what are you doing!”
I move the wall back once. When I move it back and forth, he’s backing away every time I move it forward, perhaps because he’s terrified.
“Shall I ask one more time? Who are you?”
“Sh-shut up! To the likes of humans... s-stop it!”
When I move the wall forward, he began to run around in an attempt to escape. Perhaps because he only did magic, his legs visible from the hem of the robe are thin. They are just like skin and bone. Before long, he ended up tripping on his own.
The vanguard moves forward.
When Roberts-sama stepped on his back, Lewis-san took his arms and tied them behind his back. Furthermore, he gagged him. He also tied both ankles and rolled him over onto his back. He has a face like skin stretched over bone. His complexion is also bad, and he doesn't look very healthy. Since he’s rolling his eyes, he must have fainted. For an existence that exceeds super-high class, he was quite pathetic.
Since we were able to secure him, we decided to interrogate him later and explore the room.
I convert the wall into Fireflies and illuminate the surroundings.
I don't know where exactly this is, but it’s just like an underground fortress. The hall where we caught the one wearing the robe is soil, but there are many stone passages on the walls. There are many cages in the passages, and many piles of straw in the back. Since there is a smell of beasts, they might have been keeping magical beasts.
“This is the secret of the Demon Realm. Presumably, when monster young were born, they somehow hid them inside the bodies of worms and scattered them in the tunnels of the silver mine along with the dung.”
Why? According to the views of Alex and the Elf Prince, it’s to create strong monsters. By exposing monsters to dense magic power from the time they are small children while protecting them with suspended animation, cocoons, and worm dung, strong monsters are created if they survive safely. Worms emit substances that magical beasts dislike from their bodies. There’s a bit on the dung too, though it’s not dense, and for one thing, it’s dung. They won't be targeted by magical beasts.
“Eleanor-sama, there is a staircase heading underground.”
Lewis-san said. In the place where he’s crouching, there is a lid that flips upward, and Roberts-sama is peering inside. When I bring a Firefly, a staircase is visible. Beyond that, there is indeed a passage. It’s stone masonry.
The exploration team was decided. Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama, Roberts-sama, Lewis-san, Alex, and me.
I release four new Fireflies and hand them to Beatrix and Lyudmila, who remain above. I handed the other two to the Elf Prince. Since he’s the only one with two while the others have one, he looks happy.
“One is for flying far away with Favorable Wind. If such an opportunity arises, please use it.”
“Understood. If such an opportunity arises.”
Saying so, he’s looking at the Fireflies in both hands while grinning.
I wonder if he has no intention of using them at all.
Entering inside while illuminating with the Fireflies that are strengthened, it wasn't such a difficult structure. There is just a room in the back of the passage. The problem is the magic circle on the floor of that room.
“It’s Teleport. I’ll analyze it, so wait a bit.”
Alex began to investigate while holding his right hand over it.
“It’s not that far. It’s a human utterance. Shall we try going?”
He said it easily, and when we all jumped, there was a place where humans lived. Presumably, it’s the Lich’s dwelling. There were perfectly normal food items and alcohol. It’s like they built a house underground.
“It’s a normal cave where the magic power isn't dense. Was it protected by the mountain’s bedrock? But I wonder where they got the food from.”
One of the three rooms is again a Teleport magic circle. Alex analyzes it.
“Hey, this is bad.”
“Did something happen?”
When Eleanor-sama asked, Alex came out from the magic circle. His complexion has changed.
“This one is definitely for the Demon Race. The utterance is in the language of the Demon Race.”