Chapter 667 - Eighth Story: Magic And Spirit Arts
We decided to actually try it out, and after confirming there were no changes in the situation above, we Teleported to the front of the Demon Lord's Temple.
The temple, although traces of digging here and there remain around it, still stands with the wall of the entrance facing the tower missing. No matter how many times it's erased with Light, it restores itself. Just like the Demon Lord.
"I will release lightning from my right hand, and the Priestess from her left."
Eleanor-sama, merged with the Priestess, stood before the temple. The target was the temple. Everyone gathered diagonally in front.
"Now, it's the Energy Bolt magic. Please look closely at the palm of the hand just before it's released."
Eleanor-sama raised her right hand to shoulder height and pointed her palm toward the temple.
She must have put her mind into it; mana concentrated, and her palm glowed yellow.
"Energy Bolt!"
With a doon, a single bolt of lightning came out.
Next was the Priestess. From her left hand, she released it with a doon.
The yellow light when the mana concentrated was only for a split second. It didn't feel like it had concentrated. It was like a precursor to the release.
"Did you understand?"
I understood well. Will and Bonnie, who don't usually use magic, were tilting their heads, but the others seemed to have understood.
"There's no time to concentrate mana."
The words Henry-sama said expressed everything.
The ghost's art is one timing faster.
According to the Priestess, since ghosts' arts use their own spiritual power, there's no need to concentrate the mana existing around them. That's why she could use it on the continent without change.
For now, both the Priestess and Fiona dissolved their mergers and sat in a circle. We decided to talk while having a drink.
"It was the same when I was alive, but magic control capability is, for example, the same as moving the body; it's the power to collect and control mana using the energy for that purpose that humans possess. And ghosts convert their own spiritual power into arts. The method is very similar, but the materials used are different."
Running out of energy and running out of spiritual power are similar things; they recover if you eat or rest. What corresponds to a human's meal is the replenishment of spiritual power, and usually, it seems they just need to withdraw into the darkness and sleep. Even more so in places with dense spiritual power, and at night. However, just like humans getting full, there's a limit. Raising that limit is through training or absorbing extremely dense mana, it seems. It's the same as humans using highly nutritious ingredients versus those that aren't.
Come to think of it, Dune and Mel said the Black Dragon Child's shockwave uses the mana inside its own body. Now, it should have changed to the method of concentrating mana from outside the body as taught by Mel.
It was the same when I had the Ogre fire magic. Monsters release it without any concern for images. If they think of releasing magic, they can do it. And monsters emerge in places where mana is dense. To be precise, ordinary animals absorb mana and become monsters. The leakage accident in the Northeastern Forest is the prime example.
"Monsters, and the Demon Race too, somehow release magic differently from humans. I wonder if those guys, like us ghosts, can release it using the spiritual power they've stored in their bodies. And when they come here, the spiritual power is much thinner than in the world they live in, so they can't replenish it. I wonder if they're using mana instead."
It seems to be the Priestess's new theory. In fact, since it's a story based on having peeked into the other world, it's persuasive. The world the Priestess and Fiona poked their heads into was filled with spiritual power, and they didn't feel the presence of mana.
Everyone was convinced, saying "I see, I see."
"And, the fake Demon Lord who was there the first time fired lightning, right? I think that was using his own spiritual power. I mean, it's strange that only those guys can fire attribute magic. And, the lightning then had lower power than the lightning when we had the aerial battle. So, I thought. Maybe those guys are significantly stronger when they're over there than when they come here. I mean, they're in a place so overflowing with spiritual power."
In other words, the Demon Lord and high-level Demon Race who revive here are in a weak state where they can't exert their original power at all...
I understood the reason why Lyudmila was afraid to go beyond the mist. Whether they are heroes or Vampires, it's because there are many Demon Race members with strength that those living in this world cannot resist.
The Demon Lord we defeated was a weakened one...
The three former heroes, after finishing listening to the Priestess's story, fell silent. I can't say I don't understand their feelings, but it doesn't change the fact that they are amazing people who excel in other ways.
"What, so he was weaker than I thought."
Hah? Harold-sama, is that a bluff?
"At that time, I thought three or four of the seven of us would die."
Henry-sama too.
"Yes. It was unexpected. In the end, we were able to subjugate him without anyone particularly getting a big injury, so it was a bit of a letdown."
Even Eleanor-sama?
Um, what are these people saying?
"I can't let it end while he was holding back."
"Umu. We must have a true settlement."
"That's right. Thanks to being called heroes, I've had many good experiences. I must thank him for that."
Are you planning to go for a revenge visit?
"What's up? You're full of motivation."
The Priestess is smirking. Was there something that resonated between fellow battle maniacs?
"Priestess. We cannot commit suicide. Besides, killing each other would look bad. Therefore, can you wait until our lives run out? Until the time we become ghosts and challenge the Demon Lord."
He's started saying something outrageous.
"Sure. I don't feel like ascending anytime soon either. When you guys die, let's go over there from that place earlier and have a fight with the Demon Lord."
"Umu. At that time, it'll be the launch of the New Henry Party. Two have died, but there are still five. With the Priestess added, that's six."
Are you planning to take the Headmistress and Price-sama too?
"Of course. Our bonds are eternal."
Eleanor-sama, what are you saying too? When you die, please just quietly ascend.
"Jeanne, I don't want to be told that by you. Who was it that recommended a certain priest to become a ghost before?"
Oops. I forgot about the priest on the Wyvern island. It's as Eleanor-sama says. I've completely dug my own grave.
While I was watching the battle maniacs, who were rejoicing that they had found a purpose in life after death, with a look of amazement, an urgent report came from the Paratroop Jaegers. Five Demon Race members appeared in the sky and are currently engaged with the aerial surveillance team led by Wilson-san. The opponents seem to be similar to the ones who chased us when we escaped from the opposite side. They must be like guards. High-level Demon Race. That said, it's a battle between those whose forms can be seen and those who can't. The Paratroop Jaeger side, which stands at an overwhelming advantage, is reportedly chasing them around.
"They are fighting in the sky, but currently no damage has been confirmed."
"How about the ground?"
"I don't think there's any sign of enemies invading."
"Understood. I'll go up after finishing a small errand. Until then, please. Don't neglect the ground surveillance. And don't push yourselves."
"Understood."
The Paratroop Jaeger messenger jumped up via the Teleportation Circle.
"Is there something?"
The Priestess is listening sharply. She must be curious about the "small errand" Eleanor-sama mentioned.
"Don't you think the movement of the attacking Demon Race is strange?"
Hmm. Five came out and are being chased by the bowl unit. There are also anti-air ballistas. Won't they run away eventually?
"A diversion, perhaps."
It was Harold-sama.
"Likely. Moreover, it doesn't even seem to be a supporting attack."
We already defeated five. And there was no damage on this side. Despite that, sending the same number only increases the sacrifices. The battle maniacs concluded that they were simply drawing our eyes to the sky.
"Surely, something is happening over there."
In the direction Eleanor-sama was pointing, there was the Demon Lord's Temple. Could it be that the Demon Lord is reviving?
"If it were a revival, an oracle would be given many days in advance. As of this morning, there was no contact from Finis. It might be a Demon Race executive. If it's the Demon Lord, rather than a revival, it should be called a temporary appearance."
A temporary appearance? There's such a pattern.
Looking at Lyudmila, she's staring intently at the back of the temple. Did she sense something?
"Hey, assuming it's the Demon Lord, what do you think he's here for?"
"Probably, the destruction of the route to the place we went, I suspect."
"Right—? I'd do the same."
A conclusion has already been reached between the Priestess and Eleanor-sama.
Even so, did he come all the way to crush it before being invaded? For us, it's convenient, isn't it? If he's going to crush it himself, let him. If that happens, the Demon Lord won't revive in Sertoria. It'll be the other four locations. It'll be easier to narrow down the target.
Harold-sama, who had been sitting cross-legged, stood up. The look in his eyes is not calm. Could it be he's planning to fight? It's better to leave him alone.
"That won't do. Our purpose in life after death will be gone. We must interfere."
Hey, old man. What crazy thing are you saying? I mean, what are you doing finding a purpose in life after you've died?
"Eh? F-Fight the Demon Lord? Y-Y-Y-Yes! L-Let's do it. I-If it comes to this, I-I'll brace myself too. Y-Yes. I'll do it!"
Priestess, you don't have to brace yourself either. Let's loosen up. Your voice is trembling quite a bit.
"Now, now, anyway, let's go hear what he has to say. We can decide whether to interfere after that."
Ehh. Eleanor-sama, are you serious?
Anyway, it was decided to go see how things were.
I thought we would hide our forms, but it seems we're going as we are.
"We're going to talk. Let's go fair and square. Ah, Priestess and Fiona, please merge with me and Jeanne. Try not to be found out as much as possible. Harold, what will you do?"
"I'm a scout, after all. I'll hide my form."
Grinning, he took out a Camouflage scroll. He has a bow and a quiver of silver arrows on his back. Rather than a talk, it looks like he's going for an assassination.
"Understood. Then, Harold and Bonnie will hide their forms. Jeanne, Thought Communication to everyone. Then apply double layers of support magic. Finally, Magic Reflection."
Hey, where is the "fair and square" part?
Henry-sama and Will walked through the temple, making their footsteps echo especially loudly with a doka-doka. It's like they're intentionally letting him know. For some reason, the others are walking a bit apart as per Eleanor-sama's instructions. Henry-sama and Bonnie... where are they?
As the two of them proceeded without reservation, they stopped right before the throne. They looked right, then left.
The temple has three rooms behind the throne, and you can go from either the right or the left.
"Eleanor, which way shall we go?"
Turning back, he asked in a loud voice on purpose. Could it be that the reason they deliberately left a distance was so that the loud voice wouldn't seem unnatural? Such fine acting.
"It is said that the first King's hair whorl was counter-clockwise. So, let's go around from right to left."
"Hmm. Then, let's do that."
What is that? What kind of spell is that?
Henry-sama and Will headed toward the right door with a doka-doka again.
When they passed through the right room and opened the door to the middle room, Henry-sama stopped.
"As I thought, you've come, Demon Lord."
He really came!
Everyone came running in a swarm. The reason Eleanor-sama's knees are weak is probably because the Priestess is surprised.
"You are, surely, the one from Sertoria."
"Umu. It's Henry. This is the third time we've met, isn't it?"
As expected, the real one remembered.
"And Eleanor and Jeanne, too."
I was remembered!
"Demon Lord, it's been a long time. Is there any change?"
It's quite something that Eleanor-sama gives the same greeting to anyone.
"You. Have you revived?"
It was the same last time, but when the opponent is the Demon Lord, Henry-sama basically takes the lead.
"Has the oracle been given?"
The Demon Lord is as expressionless as ever.
"No. I haven't heard it."
"Then, even without hearing it, you should know it's not a revival."
"It's as if you're speaking as if you come here even outside of revivals."
"Am I not allowed to come? This is the temple I made."
"For now, after we subjugated you, our country has been managing it."
"Human circumstances are none of my concern."
Well, that's probably true. In the first place, even if we call it management, it's actually a raid.
"When you appear like this, everyone makes a fuss. Could you tell us the reason?"
"Hmph. Whatever humans fuss about is none of my concern."
There's no room for negotiation. It can't be helped.
"Did you come here to destroy the path so we can't go to your world?"
Since it's a bother, I just ask the main point. Probably, the other side also hates probing each other.
"Jeanne. Why do you think so?"
"Um, it's so we don't go to your world."
"You'll only die if you come."
"Those who are living. But those who have already died... for example, ghosts, would be fine, right?"
"Ho ho. You know well. As expected, it was you lot who reached that far."
A hit. Moreover, he answered properly without deceiving us.
"You lot are a bit of a bother. You're probably thinking of becoming ghosts and invading once you die anyway."
Bullseye. As expected, we're the same kind. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to understand each other like this.
When I glanced at Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama, they were both looking away. Probably, the Priestess and Harold-sama are the same.
"However, it's already too late. I've made some adjustments."
"What did you do?"
"Who knows. If you want to know, find out for yourself."
When Eleanor-sama asked, the usual answer came back.
"Today, I don't feel like fighting. I'm going back."
He's trying to go back so easily!
"If possible, I'd like to talk a little more."
"Hmph. While making it seem like four humans, ghosts are merged. And, I don't know by what method, but two are hiding their forms. How can I talk with such a group?"
I glanced behind. It seems Harold-sama and Bonnie had moved to the back.
Everything was exposed. Even the Vice-Demon Lord didn't notice. He's like a snake.
When the Demon Lord held his right hand up in the air, a magic circle floated in the sky. Could it be Teleport?
"Um!"
"What?"
"The Arachne I talked about before is living with me. Ah, and the low-level Demon Race girl I met in the cave too."
"...Is that so."
For a moment, I felt like his mouth moved, but he wasn't smiling.
"And, the Ice Vice-Demon Lord... your former right hand who retired. He's the one living on the island with many volcanoes across the northern sea from the White Island, but I've had banquets with him twice. Also, I'm on good terms with a female Demon Race member living in a country to the south of here. If possible, with you too..."
I appealed desperately. I've received an answer that it's okay to invite him. He shouldn't get angry.
"Fufufu!"
He laughed!
"Hahahaha. Wahahaha!"
Um, rather than a smile, he's laughing out loud. I'm a bit surprised. I must tell the Vice-Demon Lord this.
The Demon Lord laughed for a while, then steadied his breath and turned back to me.
"Jeanne. You young human girl who says she's on good terms with the Demon Race. If you go that far, then you should stay on good terms with those Demon Race members you seem to be close with until you die."
"Yes. That is my intention."
This time, he showed me a proper smile. It's the same as that time. He has a gentler atmosphere than I thought.
"Is that all?"
He returns to his original expressionless state. Did he receive a frog's curse or something?
"Yes. If there was a chance to meet you, I wanted to tell you at least that."
"I see. Understood."
With a single word of reply, the magic circle became spherical and enveloped the Demon Lord.
In the next moment, there was nothing left.