Chapter 417 - Chapter 3: The Lich ②
The opponent is the Demon Race. Just what shall we do?
“Sorry, but I can't lend a hand for any further exploration.”
“Me too. It’s one thing to face magical beasts or a Lich, but once I know the opponent is the Demon Race, it’s impossible. Don't think badly of us.”
The Elf Prince and Alex said early on that they would withdraw their hands. This is as it is, and it can't be helped. Apparently, the elves fighting alongside Roberts-sama are also carefully avoiding direct combat with the Demon Race. It’s because their neutrality would collapse.
“I understand. I am truly grateful for the help you have given us until now. We will stop the exploration here.”
“Thank you very much. Since I will stop the activation of the Teleport magic circle, could you at least transport Jeanne and the others’ profits?”
Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama give words of appreciation to the two.
Regarding the magic circle, Eleanor-sama tampered with it so it wouldn't activate, and it was decided to do the worm extermination.
Regarding the worms, since it had been decided from the start to defeat the giant ones, the Class of 175 worked hard and defeated them. Since we were withdrawing, we didn't have to worry much about what happened afterward. According to Flora, worms also hibernate. After cornering them with Light, we worked hard to cool the big ones with Lyudmila’s Shower and Beatrix’s Glaciate. Will and Matilda safely defeated the ones that stopped moving by aiming for their heads with silver spears and maces. The opponents are C-rank equivalent. Moreover, there are five of them. All four were completely out of breath.
After they were defeated, Henry-sama and Roberts-sama sliced them into rings, so we decided to take them back as profit along with the Fenrirs and Gray Wolves we had already defeated. I promised to treat Alex to barrel sake and had him transport them.
“See ya, Jeanne. Sorry, but we’re going home first.”
“Thank you, Alex. Let’s have a banquet at Renata’s place later.”
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”
The Elf Prince’s ears are twitching. He still hasn't been allowed inside Renata’s tree. However, banquets are sometimes held outside. In that case, the Elf Prince can also participate.
“I’ll tell Renata to have it outside this time.”
When I said that, he nodded with a satisfied look.
Eleanor-sama analyzed the magic circle.
Regarding the Teleport magic circle, after Roberts-sama made several giant scratches with the tip of his silver spear to make it unusable, Eleanor-sama unleashed magic to completely destroy it and buried it.
Since the opponent is the Demon Race, there are not enough priests to launch an invasion. It was decided to pass on it this time.
When we returned to where the elf memories were sheltering, the recovery work was already finished. The Elder and the Prince, who had returned to a calm feeling, were waiting for us along with Alex and one of his brothers.
When I explained that we did this and that, all four had difficult expressions with their arms crossed.
“Eleanor-dono. Is there a connection to the Demon Race living in the northern part of the forest?”
“I do not know. However, the place connected by Teleport was the northwestern part of the Western Plains. Since they are the same Demon Lord’s army, I cannot say there is absolutely no relation, but it does not seem to have much to do with that specific Demon Race.”
To the Elder’s question, the two dwarves changed their expressions at Eleanor-sama’s answer.
“The northeastern part of the Western Plains, you mean, by any chance, the mining district?”
There are also silver mines in the Western Plains. Alex’s brothers are based in the Northeastern Forest, their new workplace, but fellow dwarves are working there.
“It is further north than the mining district. Presumably, I speculate it is around the border between the Coastal Plains and the Western Plains.”
“Then, is it far from the mines?”
“I believe so. However, this is also a mine. Perhaps there are similar facilities.”
“But there’s no Demon Realm in the Western Plains.”
“Yes. That is true. But there is a possibility they were running a monster ranch to be used here.”
In short, it means there might be a place where they are gathering monsters they want to make strong.
“In any case, I do not think it will immediately affect the dwarves’ work.”
“Well, I guess so.”
After returning to the Eastern Plains Corps’ fortress, the interrogation of the captured man began. Since there is Thought Communication, it should be easy. I left the seat after casting it, so I don't know the details, but it seems he has no intention of resisting. Afterward, I was called by Henry-sama and the others who were in charge of the interrogation and got an opportunity to meet him.
The man was indeed someone called a Lich. He has lived for a very long time through sorcery. He has extremely powerful magic control ability and seems to be seeking something or doing research. In short, he’s a weirdo whose hobby went too far and he strayed from the path of humanity. One could call him a fellow of the Red-Eyed Man.
The black robe he was wearing was stripped off, and he’s wearing gray clothes like the work clothes priests wear. He is so scrawny he could be called skin and bone, and it’s hard to believe he’s a living human. He’s tied with his hands behind his back as if wrapping his arms around the back of the chair, and both feet are also fixed to the legs of the chair. Since he’s wearing a Magic-Sealing Ring on his right hand, even if he can produce magic from his mouth, it won't activate.
“Oh, so you are the user of that magic that makes glowing balls and walls. Moreover, you laid my heart bare. I was beaten by that. I thought I would not lose to the likes of humans, but I was arrogant.”
Surprisingly, he spoke to me energetically. Apparently, the interrogation proceeded amicably.
“Um, by any chance, are you a fan of the Demon Lord?”
If he were a Demon Lord worshiper, I would have to make him convert as a Bishop. Honestly, it’s a pain.
“Fan? Hmph, it is nothing like that.”
“I see. My apologies.”
“Exactly. It is extremely rude. I am, as you see, a co-researcher of the Demon Lord.”
“Huh?”
“My long years of research results formed the core of the Demon Lord’s army and were active every time the Demon Lord was resurrected. Unfortunately, it has yet to be fulfilled to overturn the world of humans, but eventually, my research results will surely produce results and realize my long-cherished desire.”
He’s a hardliner! He’s not just a worshiper.
He’s just like Wilson-san when we met. Surely, he didn't have a terrible experience in Gram.
“Wh-what is this long-cherished desire?”
“Umu. You want to hear it too, then. Then I shall say it as many times as you like. It is to overturn the world of humans along with the Demon Lord and show those village priests, who do not recognize my talent and prioritize only the traditions passed down from ancient times, what for.”
Vi... village... Somehow the sense of scale is too archaic. I wish he had at least made it a country.
“How about it? You are also a user of rare magic. Presumably, you are hiding the resentment toward the fools who do not recognize that power within your heart. Do not force yourself to hide that regret by acting as a priest; why not make strong monsters with me and create a new world?”
He has quite some nerve, trying to make a priest convert to a Demon Lord worshiper. Here, I, the Bishop, shall make him convert.
Perhaps fed up with the exchange between me, who recommended conversion, and the Lich, who recommended I abandon my faith, Eleanor-sama pulled my hand and the meeting ended.
According to Eleanor-sama’s story, the Lich we caught this time was originally a priest of the village he plotted revenge against.
A long time ago, in a certain village on this island, he began research on monsters. The theme was why beasts become monsters, and he presumably reached the conclusion that it was because they were influenced by magic power. However, in the oral traditions of that time, it was established that the Demon Lord made monsters, and he was glared at by the High Priest, whose greatest duty was to transmit the oral traditions accurately. As a result, he was exiled from the village. The man had no choice but to seclude himself in the depths of the forest and continue his research. Since the man could use holy magic, he was able to survive even in the forest.
The man’s research was difficult, but he continued with abnormal enthusiasm and finally reached old age. There, the Demon Race came and offered cooperation. They apparently proposed to greatly extend his lifespan with a technique so he could continue his research. That said, he’s a priest. It’s not a story he can easily jump on. Apparently, the reason he changed his mind was the words of the monster who came to persuade him, saying that the Demon Lord-sama recognized that the man’s research was correct. Hearing those words, it seems he didn't need much time until he decided to receive the technique to become a Lich. And, the technique is presumably a curse.
For the Demon Race, they want strong monsters to organize the Demon Lord’s army. The Lich wants to test how strong the completed strong monsters are in actual combat. As a result of both parties’ interests aligning, they joined hands. The Demon Race recommended the silver mine in the Northeastern Forest, where magic power is dense, as a land suitable for research, and they built an underground facility together.
“Are you going to make him convert?”
He just ignored my persuasion. It might be no good unless it’s someone more pushy.
“Strictly speaking, he is not a Demon Lord worshiper. His feeling of believing in the Goddess has not changed. He was purely researching the strengthening of monsters. He’s been doing it for about two thousand years, but he seems to have succeeded in creating several high-rank monsters.”
“Fenrirs?”
“Fenrirs were apparently already there at that time. However, he seems to have created many strengthened Orcs. Also, he seems to have succeeded in the strengthening of wolves into Gray Wolves and the selection of the Fenrir lineage that produces many cubs.”
I see. He created the reason Fenrirs can be seen all over the place.
“That is not all. As a result of repeating strengthening upon strengthening on snakes, he seems to have succeeded in the development of the Lindwurm.”
“Was the Lindwurm part of the Demon Lord’s army?”
“No, as a result of it not listening to what he said, it apparently escaped and became wild. Afterward, he tried to win it over by giving it Magic Stones and such, but in the end, he was unable to tame it.”
“Um, by any chance, that Lindwurm...”
“Yes. The one we subjugated would be its descendant.”
When the talk of the Lindwurm came up, he was apparently angry, saying it had forgotten the debt of being born and raised. Even so, when Eleanor-sama said she had subjugated one, he was apparently depressed.
Umu. The boss of Wyarms, or the strongest snake, it was all correct. It was also said to be a relative of dragons, but since the Lindwurm is a monster, that would be a mistake. However, with this, the boss-subordinate relationship of snakes has become clear.
In any case, he achieved certain results and contributed to the strengthening of the Demon Lord’s army.
“By the way, that person, after this...”
I mostly know, but I tried asking.
“If he completely cuts ties with the Demon Race, we may grant him clemency internally. Publicly, it will be conversion. And, this is something for which we must obtain Alex’s permission, but we will have him cooperate in the strengthening of monsters.”
As I thought, that’s it. Surely, they’ll make it a national secret and keep quiet to other countries.
The strengthening of monsters refers to the breeding of slugs and worms. The giant worm is C-rank. In other words, its magic defense is also high. While not as good as Eleanor’s armor and helmet or the Lindwurm’s shield, light infantry can wear worm leather armor.
After she said it, her gaze suddenly became sharp.
“However, we cannot easily grant clemency. It is because he is being monitored by the Demon Race.”
Eventually, they might come to see how things are.
“Then, what will you do?”
“We have no choice but to kill that Demon Race. The Teleport magic circle has already been analyzed. As I have already told you, it was connected to our country’s Western Plains.”
Eleanor-sama intends to subjugate them. When I look at Henry-sama, he has a similarly stern expression.
“Jeanne, to grant him clemency, your Light is necessary. Please lend us your strength.”
She brought her face close with a gui. Both hands grab my shoulders. Being a former hero, even though she’s a woman, she has presence.
“Y-yes...”
Overwhelmed, I unintentionally replied.
“Umu, well said.”
“Jeanne, the opponent is the Demon Race. Let’s go to the north and train. You’ll probably faint several times, but please do your best.”
In the blink of an eye, both are smiling. I had forgotten they are these kinds of people. I was completely hooked.