Chapter 542 - Chapter 5: The Wetlands of Northern Gram ③
A half-moon is out in the night sky.
The fort, which shouldn't be visible with only a few bonfires, stands out black against the night sky.
I wonder if the Demon Race will attack.
Two thousand soldiers, equipped with anti-demon gear, are placed in the fort and its surroundings. There are also ballistae equipped with holy water arrowheads. Since the Demon Race uses Camouflage, and since there's a possibility they use Teleport magic, vigilance with ultra-high-level mages' magic detection and ghosts' biological sensing is essential. For that purpose, Northern Gram's ultra-high-level mages and ghosts are placed at key points. If a reaction is sensed, the plan is to intercept under Eowyn-sama's command.
"Will they come?"
I try asking Eleanor-sama.
"I don't know. However, they must understand the meaning of the declaration of war during the day. After that, it's whether they choose defense or offense."
We're intentionally keeping the number of bonfires about the same as usual. We could have lit them grandly, but if we did, it would be obvious that it's a trap. So, the bonfires are intentionally kept at a normal level, and ghosts, who can see in the dark as well as in the daytime, are placed.
In short, we Sertoria group, who are out in the field, are the outward decoys.
"Then, shall we begin?"
"Yes. Light!"
Four lights of Fireflies flash in the wetlands. In less than half an hour, insects came swarming in.
Insects swarm to the light of Fireflies despite being monsters. I don't know why they're okay with it.
The first to swarm were moths. They came flying with a flutter and are swarming where the Fireflies are placed. Mantises and spiders gathered there. It's the same as the third layer of the cave where the Demon Lord was resurrected. They gather on their own and are attacking and eating the moths in their wild state.
Henry-sama, Magdalena-sama, Will, and Bonnie began to attack and defeat the strong ones with holy water arrows, and Harris-sama with Holy. When the strong ones are defeated, the moths don't decrease. In proportion, things that eat moths come one after another. In that way, we just keep defeating insects.
After continuing for about an hour, centipedes and frogs came out. Large cockroaches and house centipedes also came out. The frog became the champion in the decision battle once upon a time. I'm leaving them alone for a while and having them reduce the strong ones that have gathered.
"Jeanne, is it okay to defeat the frog?"
Will asked. I've explained the reason for leaving the frog alone.
"I'm having the frog reduce the insects. Otherwise, they'll just keep gathering, right?"
Now there are insects everywhere. A little—no, too many. At this rate, the light of the Fireflies won't reach far.
"No, I understand the content you explained, but when I look at that expressionless face, I just can't help it."
I understand the feeling of being irritated. I don't want to see frogs if possible. However, frogs and snakes have some kind of ability; even if we hide our forms with a collaboration of Camouflage and Magic Reflection, they'll find us. Especially be careful of the movement of the eyeballs. If they're looking this way, there's a possibility we've been found.
While suppressing the desire to attack and watching the frog's situation, it suddenly stopped moving. Until then, it had been changing its position by walking or jumping and eating insects.
Its face is facing this way. I thought we were found, but it changed its direction slightly. Its face is facing the right side of the place where we are hiding. Its eyeballs are looking diagonally behind... to the rear left from here. Perhaps it was chasing moving insects until just now, but it's stopped.
Something is there. Moreover, the strongest champion is on guard.
If it's a frog's enemy, is it a snake?
Oh no, if it's a snake, it'll find us even if we're hiding our forms.
(Jeanne, is there a snake?)
Since I've already merged and cast Thought Communication, Fiona's thought was transmitted.
(Probably. Fiona, can't you see anything over there?)
I point to the thicket the frog's eyeballs are looking at. I've cast Sight, but I can't see through the darkness.
(Hmm. I don't see anything, though.)
Even a ghost can't see it? Maybe I'm overthinking it.
(Shall I fire a fire arrow?)
Henry-sama asked.
(Please.)
(Understood. Everyone, fire fire arrows all at once in the direction transmitted from Jeanne.)
Four fire arrows were prepared and fired all at once. They must have aimed for the thicket. They stuck in the ground.
"W-What is that?"
Between the thickets, the face of a huge creature lurking in the water was illuminated red.
Harris-sama raises his voice. It's no wonder. It's too big. Its eyes are red and round. Since it's flicking its tongue in and out with its mouth closed, it's a snake. It's coiled and holding its head up. The coil is three times larger than any snake I've seen before. I thought it was long, but that wasn't it. It has two huge heads. I thought it was two snakes, but no. No matter how I think about it, they're connected. There's a second head where the tail should be.
A snake version of an Orthrus? It's my first time seeing one.
(A two-headed snake. That is, could it be, Amphisbaena...)
As expected, Eleanor-sama knew.
(It was only on the mainland. No, I thought it wasn't there. However, that is undoubtedly an Amphisbaena.)
It's apparently a legendary snake that no one witnesses now. There are various kinds, aren't there?
I wonder if that legendary two-heads is aiming for the frog? Snakes and frogs can tell our location even if we hide our forms with Camouflage and Magic Reflection. Be careful.
(Everyone. Can you tell what the snake and frog are looking at?)
I think it's an unreasonable request myself. However, if they're aiming for us, we can't just keep hiding. When I told them the circumstances, everyone replied that they'd try to check.
(Isn't the frog looking in the direction where the snake is? It's continuing to look at one place.)
(Umu. However, isn't the snake looking around with both heads?)
(It seems so. Is it looking for something?)
The old couple, who have better eyes than others, seemed to understand the movement of the eyes. I've cast Sight on everyone, but other people, including me, don't know.
(Maybe it's distracted by the fire arrows.)
(Can't we increase one more? Bonnie, fire one fire arrow. No need for distance. It just needs to pass between the frog and the snake.)
(Understood!)
Bonnie fires a fire arrow. The arrow, which wasn't fully drawn, flew weakly and fell into the thicket with a plop. Perhaps because it fell in a watery place, the fire went out just like that.
This time I understood. Both the frog and the snake moved their faces toward the fire arrow.
Instantly, the frog was bitten by the snake. Half of its body is already in its mouth.
There was another one on the opposite side. Where did it come from?
(Jeanne, Fireflies! All around! Everyone, huddle in one place!)
Eleanor-sama's instruction came. It's not a counterattack. It's just defense.
I make the Fireflies I control with my right hand shine with all my might. Light flashes in four places from the Fireflies.
"Wind Barrier!"
At the same time, Beatrix deployed a Wind Barrier around us. It became like being inside a short, thick tube. Originally, Eleanor-sama has deployed a Wind Barrier overhead. We had deployed Camouflage, Wind Barrier, Magic Reflection, and Mute in that order, but since we wouldn't be able to hear outside sounds, the Wind Barrier was only overhead like an overturned plate.
Just what? (T/N: '一体、何が？' is a common expression of confusion).
Before I could think, a roar echoed and the surroundings shone yellow. It's lightning magic. It fell in the middle of the four Fireflies. It's huge for a Thunder Bolt. It's like the real thing. It's probably ultra-high-level or higher. The Demon Race?
Flames rose where it fell.
Perhaps judging that there was no response, lightning falls around us incessantly. (T/N: 'ガンガン' is an onomatopoeia for something being done intensely).
I hurriedly made the output of the Fireflies minimal.
About ten huge lightning bolts fell, and the surroundings became charred black. Because we had solidified our defense, we managed somehow. Since we were at a distance from the Fireflies, we didn't get hit by the lightning. If we had been hit, Magic Reflection would have repelled the magic cleanly, so our location would have been exposed.
It seems we managed to get through it well, as there's no pursuit.
The insects that had been swarming fled and scattered. There are no frogs or snakes either. There's nothing in the range illuminated by the thickets burning in places. If they were hit by that much lightning, they'd flee. (T/N: 'あれだけの雷を食らったら' implies 'taking' or 'eating' the damage).
When I watched the situation with bated breath, a magic circle floated on the ground where the first lightning fell, and a black shadow appeared.
(It's come. The Demon Race.)
It's Fiona. After all, she can see even at night. After that, the Demon Race's actions were transmitted from Fiona.
The Demon Race member is on one knee, keeping their posture low. Their horns aren't that long. Among those we've met so far, they're about the same as the earthworm user. In other words, there should be another stronger one. We've completely solidified our defense, so we can't attack unless we cancel everything once. Eleanor-sama has her right hand on Beatrix's shoulder and her left hand on Harris-sama's shoulder. The moment Eleanor-sama and Beatrix cancel the Wind Barrier and Harris-sama cancels the Magic Reflection will be the signal to start the attack.
The four in the bow group have already aimed. Wilson-san is intending to fire Cocytus. If it goes well, we might be able to freeze and capture the Demon Race member.
The Demon Race member is searching for presence. They don't move with one knee on the ground and one hand on the ground. They seem to be slowly moving only their neck and watching the surroundings. They might be looking for the Fireflies. If something happens, they'll probably activate Teleport and jump away. Is the moment they let go of the ground the start of the attack?
(Something like a black mist is approaching.)
If it's magic, it's the Dark magic Dark. Did the Wetlands Priestess fire it? However, Dark against monsters is like a distance-limited Light for humans. It should be completely harmless.
The Demon Race member, for their part, seems to have noticed, but they're watching the mist without changing their posture, only raising their face. They don't seem to be trying to respond in any particular way. They must be suspicious, but humans shouldn't use Dark magic. They might have thought it was the work of a comrade.
When there's a dark mist, the stars that should be twinkling beyond it become invisible. It's truly darkness. As that darkness approaches more and more, finally, it became to the point where half of the stars in the night sky were invisible. The bonfires of the fort also became completely invisible.
Since it drifted from the north, the moon in the southern sky is visible. However, with this momentum, it might cover everything overhead.
As expected, the Demon Race member also became concerned, and just as they raised their face and stood up.
(It's here!)
Fiona's voice echoed in my head.
A large number of arrows flew from the darkness. They are white silver arrows. It must be the archers and ballistae of the fort. They are clearly aiming for the whole area, not the Demon Race member themselves. It was decided that when the fort was not attacked and the Fireflies were canceled, arrows would be fired.
The Demon Race member was completely caught off guard. Almost all of the two thousand soldiers Eowyn-sama brought are archers. If one person fired two at once, it would be nearly four thousand. The ballistae equipped in several places in the fort can fire many arrows at once. It might have actually exceeded four thousand. If so, the width of the surface that can be suppressed is considerable. Moreover, they flew suddenly from the dark mist. If the Demon Race member had stayed with their hand on the ground while crouching, they might have been able to escape. However, the Demon Race member stood up.
Gagagagagak! The impact of many arrows hitting the Wind Barrier at once is transmitted. I knew it wouldn't be penetrated, but it's still scary. I almost let out a scream instinctively.
The Demon Race member, who crouched down, rounded their back, and protected their head with both hands, seems to have been hit by several arrows. They let out a cry and collapsed with their mouth wide open. After all, we're using white silver arrows without being stingy. Since they're also stuck in the surrounding ground, activating a magic circle would be impossible. I wonder if they can escape.
(The second shot is coming!)
Fast! They must have been aiming for two consecutive shots from the start. They fell like rain with a zaaa sound, and the Demon Race member, who took several more additions, stopped moving while lying on the ground. Just like during the day, black blood is spreading around the corpse.
The dark mist moves. The stars in the night sky became visible. The fort is not yet visible.
The Demon Race member doesn't move even a twitch.
According to Eleanor's theory, if the Demon Race is hit, they hit back. It's within the scope of assumption that they'll come out, but we don't know where or how they'll attack. The opponent knows we fly in the sky. They also know we can hide our forms.
Suddenly, several streaks of white light ran from a place where there was nothing. It's Holy Lance. They all hit the fallen Demon Race member. They must have been fired from a bowl that hid its form. Judging from the thickness, it's an ultra-high-level mage. Harrison-san must have come to deliver the finishing blow.
Go!
The sound of a sudden gust of wind was heard. It's Tempest.
Did they fire it from the ground level toward the sky? The grass at the ground level has moved only a little.
The width of the effect is wide and it's also effective against enemies in the air. Just like Tidal Wave, there's pressure, so Magic Reflection alone will be pushed. They must have aimed for the allies on the bowl.
(Please cancel only Beatrix's Wind Barrier.)
Clever! When Tempest is fired, a little wind blows in directions other than the one it was fired. They intend to cancel it in that confusion.
Wilson-san began chanting. Our preparations are complete.
Again, a log-like Holy was fired from the air. As usual, it's aiming for the corpse. If you look closely, the darkness is a little wider. Apparently, while hiding in the darkness, they're coming out and attacking. It's quite ingenious.
Wilson-san's chanting ended. Our preparations are complete.
Thirdly, just as the log-like Holy was fired, lightning was shot up. It's to the left.
(Cancel!)
The signal came out!
Eleanor-sama cancels the Wind Barrier overhead.
(Magic Reflection has been canceled!)
Harris-sama's Magic Reflection was also canceled.
I make the output of the Fireflies maximum. The aim is the direction where the lightning was shot up. Since I don't know the exact location, I diffused it to some extent.
Eleanor-sama stood up. She's going to cancel the opponent's Camouflage.
The four in the bow group jumped out as if rolling and fired arrows.