Chapter 720 - Chapter Sixteen: Exploration of the Testament ⑤

Chapter Sixteen: Exploration of the Testament ⑤

After consulting with everyone, the vanguard was reorganized. Gwyn-sama merged with the knight commander, Harold-sama merged with one of the knight order members who can use high-level magic, Harrison-san similarly, Wilson-san accompanying Erikson-sama, Sianya merged with the Wetlands Priestess, and me merged with Fiona—six in total. By doing this, even walls that can only be erased with Light can be passed through by the three ghosts being sent out for reconnaissance while the wall is half-open. The reason there are many mages and priests in addition to scouts is that we anticipate magic battles and anti-Revenant combat will be the main focus.

Now, it's good that an exit was created, but I feel like the direction is different. Until now, it was on the diagonal from the entrance. This time, it's at a right angle to the right. Moreover, there seems to be a staircase going up at the end of the passage we came out of.

"Was it a mistake after all?"

I ask everyone, feeling worried. We might have failed.

"It'll be fine. In my opinion, if it were truly a failure, the ceiling would have collapsed and we'd be dead."

Gwyn-sama says something terrifying. Then, not a single failure is allowed.

"That's right. So, even if it were a failure, it means it's not fatal."

I see. There is that way of thinking too. In short, everyone is alive, so there's no problem.

"Just as the moon waxes and wanes, there will be times when we climb after descending a staircase."

A famous quote has arrived.

Erikson-sama and the knight commander are also praising it.

As expected of the Crown Prince, I'd like to say...

"Aren't those the words of Okugata-sama?"

I'm sure it's the life philosophy of Gwyn-sama's wife. I've heard it somewhere.

Erikson-sama, who had been praising it profusely, clears his throat, but the perpetrator of the plagiarism is acting as if he knows nothing. Price-sama is chuckling. I wonder if he knew?

"What, I've been found out? But it's a good quote, right?"

"I admit that."

"Right? After all, she's my wife."

Yes, yes, how nice for you.

According to the ghosts going ahead, as Gwyn-sama said, after climbing, they go straight and then descend. And it's a dead end again, apparently. It'll probably be settled with Light or Dark.

Since there seem to be no obstacles, we proceed as we are. Having the ghosts in the lead retreat for a moment, I illuminate in all directions with maximum power, and part of the stone wall disappears.

Beyond the disappeared wall, stone pillars and a small room can be seen.

We go inside and look at the stone pillars.

"Huh? It's the Goddess's room."

It's the same as the rooms that were in front of the trial rooms until now. The difference is that while the structure until now was to pass across the front of the Goddess from the entrance to the exit, here we entered from behind the stone statue.

"There's another stone box."

Gwyn-sama spots it quickly. As expected of a scout. I didn't notice until he said it. It was placed that inconspicuously, like part of the stone statue.

When the box is illuminated with Light, the lid opens easily, and a scroll can be seen inside.

Wilson-san takes it and has Erikson-sama read it. Something is written at great length all over the scroll.

"Let's see, it says this is the 'Room of the Shortcut'."

Room of the Shortcut? What is that?

What was written on the scroll was that the route we took, climbing and descending, is a shortcut and not the regular route.

"It seems that making that tree live was to test whether one could use Mold, but if one could revive it, this route would be shown. And this route bypasses the fifth trial... in other words, it's treated as having been broken through. We've gained something."

Bypassed one trial? But why?

"Yay! Lucky!"

The Priestess merged with Sianya is rejoicing.

It's good to rejoice, but why were we able to bypass it? I don't really understand, but anyway, a new base has been established, so I called Price-sama.

"Were you able to bypass it? That is lucky, isn't it?"

The Priestess... that is, Sianya... is giving a high-five with both hands out. Sianya burst out laughing, and Price-sama started laughing. From there, everyone high-fived each other.

"Good for you, Jeanne. You were right."

Ah, they were worried about me. How kind.

I'm happy for everyone's concern, but the question remains.

"But why?"

"With Mold, you can let it live as it is, but it remains a monster. However, Jeanne's method is a way to revive the tree. The fact that brown acorns and green sprouts came out means you made the tree live in the true sense."

Wilson-san explained.

"Not bad! Jeanne. Light magic is amazing."

The dark mage praises me with a princess's smile and voice. That is happy in its own way, though.

"But I wonder how such a distinction can be made, what kind of mechanism it is."

This is Sianya.

"That's right. That's what I'm curious about. It feels like we're being watched..."

Hmm? I thought and looked at the ceiling. I felt like it had glowed just a little.

This is, however, that.

I look at Price-sama and point up with my eyes. It should get through.

Price-sama, after moving only his eyes to look at the ceiling for a moment, smiled broadly.

"Jeanne. Do you have Highway Cookies, the sweets that are reputed to be sweet and very popular with Sertorian women?"

It's the ancient language. All right, it got through.

"Yes. I have them. Of course, they are Deluxe."

"I have wine. It's a top-grade one that even the Medioland Royal Capital Grand Archbishop drinks."

"What a coincidence."

"It is, isn't it? Jeanne, why did you bring them?"

"Actually, I brought them thinking of offering them to those who manage this cave. Like in the Cave of the Secret Books, if the ceiling glows, I'll offer them."

"Actually, I am the same. But it doesn't glow here, does it?"

"That's right. It doesn't glow. So, I'm thinking of taking them back."

Suddenly, the ceiling glowed once.

It's the same as that time. I exchange glances with Price-sama. Probably, if it felt like it, it could illuminate brightly like the ceiling of the Secret Books.

Erikson-sama and the Priestess started saying "What, what?", but for now, I have them stay quiet.

"Are you the gatekeeper?"

Price-sama asked. Unlike the Cave of the Secret Books, there is no gatekeeper here. It might be acting as a substitute.

But it doesn't react at all.

"It's just my imagination, isn't it?"

"It seems so. Then, as expected, let's take them back."

It glowed again.

In the meantime, other people waiting in the passage also peered in. Since there's no way to explain, for the time being, under Price-sama's management, the purpose of coming here and the introduction of all human participants were carried out starting from the north. Each person stands before the Goddess and announces their name. And what kind of person they are was explained by Price-sama. It's all in the ancient language. How did such a magnificent group of members gather?

Even after the round of introductions finished, there was no reaction. Erikson-sama, losing his patience, revealed his own identity. Since there's a high possibility the eras are different, calling himself the Grand Archbishop might not get through. So, he explained that he was the religious leader of the entire White Island a thousand years ago. On top of that, he said he wanted to talk.

The ceiling is glowing faintly, as if hesitating.

"I only wish to fulfill my duty of sealing the Demon Lord as the Grand Archbishop. For that purpose, even though I am a priest, I have become a ghost like this. I am not trying to ask for the way to solve these trials. It is because here now are Jeanne, a user of light magic, and the Priestess, a user of dark magic. Our purpose should be the same. We are not enemies to each other. At least, why not give a greeting?"

I think it's a reasonable argument.

The ceiling, after flickering faintly as if hesitating upon hearing these words, illuminated the Goddess's right hand, and then illuminated my right hand.

I place my right hand on the Goddess's right hand, but nothing happens.

"Could it be Thought Communication?"

It glows once. Seeing that, Fiona released the merger.

"I understand. Then, may I convey the thoughts transmitted to me to the others? Of course, limited to the content for which I have obtained prior consent."

There was a bit of time, but it glowed once.

Good, it seems possible.

When I cast Thought Communication while still touching the Goddess's right hand, the ceiling glowed just like the place where the Secret Books are. A soft light envelops me. And a woman's voice was transmitted directly into my head.

The woman was indeed a Priestess. And she was one of the Priestesses of the generation four thousand years ago who was affected by the new swell that occurs once every thousand years, which happened following the magic leakage accident in the Northeastern Forest. At the time, they apparently didn't understand that much and were all worried whether it was a natural disaster, the Goddess's anger, or the Demon Lord's curse. Because of that, she was concerned about the Northeastern Forest, and when I told her it was currently being restored, she was very happy.

The Priestesses of that era, in order to protect the Testament, one of the legacies of the Priestesses of the ancient times five thousand years ago, and pass it on to posterity, apparently made the mechanisms of the cave we are currently exploring and at the same time are watching over the challengers. However, those challengers also apparently ceased after those who were affected by the swell of two thousand years ago.

(Priestess, what kind of existence are you at this point?)

(Do you know of those called the Ancient Priestesses?)

Her way of speaking is elegant. She might have been a princess somewhere. Although, there are people like Mary who are strictly commoners but whose behavior alone is on par with royalty, so I can't say for sure.

(I can't say I was royalty. Though my father was a lord with a certain amount of power.)

She is chuckling. Oh no, because the transmission sensitivity is higher than normal Thought Communication, it's completely exposed.

(I-I see. My apologies.)

(I don't mind. More than that, will you answer my previous question?)

(Y-yes. I have heard that the Ancient Priestesses were powerful mages and warriors who existed about five thousand years ago, and leaders who protected people from external enemies using various secret arts.)

(That's right. And what happened to them after they died, I wonder?)

(I believe their souls are protecting this island.)

(That's what is said, isn't it?)

(Then, are you also such an existence?)

(You could say so, and you could say not.)

Um, I don't really understand.

(You came to release the Testament, didn't you?)

(Yes.)

(I wonder if you don't know what happens to those who release the Testament?)

I believe their will or something exists independently and becomes the Fifth Spirit, comparable to the four great elements.

(That's right. You know well. As expected of one who challenges this trial.)

(T-then, did you also... the Testament...)

(Yes, I released it.)

Finally, I've met someone with experience...

(That's right. I am one who was the Fifth Spirit independent from the Priestess of that time.)

(Was?)

(Yes, the main body passed away, and now I remain only as power as a fragment of a soul. It's a power that can only be used here, though.)

Limited to this place, is it like a land-bound spirit?

(Ufufu. That might be so.)

She is chuckling. She neither gets angry at my rude way of speaking nor feels sad.

During the era of the Priestesses who existed four thousand years ago, the Demon Lord did not appear. Partly because of that, they were apparently researching how to help the trees that had turned into monsters in the magic forest that occurred in the Northeastern Forest. However, they didn't know. So, with a feeling of clutching at straws, they released the Testament. But unfortunately, they didn't know. That's why they made the trial of Mold with the thought of entrusting it to those of later generations. They apparently hoped for the appearance of someone who would help in the true sense.

(In the end, because the Demon Lord didn't resurrect, the Testament itself wasn't useful, though.)

(T-that was unfortunate, wasn't it?)

It's truly unfortunate. If I were to be greedy, I wanted to hear about the Demon Lord's seal as well.

(It's the same now, isn't it? The Demon Lord shouldn't have resurrected. Even if you release it now, it won't be useful.)

(That's right. But this time it's reconnaissance.)

(Reconnaissance?)

No one has seen the Testament, and no one knows the way to the Testament. So we just came to see how it is. There's politics in the background, too.

(I see. But you may release it.)

(Um, about that...)

I convey that while elemental magic and light magic are fine, I don't have several of the dark magic spells on hand.

(So, I'm just going as far as I can go.)

I hope I won't be scolded or anything.

The Priestess, who I thought would get angry, began to chuckle.

(Um, did I say something strange?)

Just so you know, it was the other people who said let's go in this state.

(You understood well, didn't you? That elemental magic and both light and dark magic are necessary.)

(Without light magic, you can't even enter here in the first place, right? After that, it's five plus five plus four, fourteen trials, right?)

(Correct.)

All right! I was right.

(So, I shouldn't be able to break through several of the dark magic ones.)

(It'll surely be fine.)

(Heh?)

According to the Priestess, it was the same when she and her companions released it. They managed somehow, apparently.

(So, you also please do your best.)

(Hah, I understand.)

I've received some significant advice. Is it okay?

I'm a bit surprised, and my reply becomes distracted.

(Then, that's all for now. I'll return to my original state.)

(Um, can we talk again?)

(Oh, are you inviting me to talk?)

"Yes! By all means, let's have a girls' party! If you like alcohol, even a banquet is fine. If it's a banquet, let's have the men participate too."

I answered aloud so everyone could hear.

Everyone understood as well, and they agreed with applause and modest voices.

(Ufufu. Thank you. You are kind. Then, please stop by here again on your way back today.)

(Yes! By all means!)

(Also, since I've found that you can use Thought Communication, I'll count that trial as passed too.)

(Thank you very much.)

(Then, farewell.)

The light on the ceiling disappeared. I wonder if she's gone?

"It seems she went somewhere."

"Are we having a banquet?"

The first to ask was the Wetlands Priestess. Of course, the voice was Sianya's.

"She told me to stop by on the way back today."

"You did well."

"Ooooh!" everyone stirred, and Eleanor-sama made a big fist pump. Is she that happy?

I explain the content of the conversation with the Priestess to everyone.

Setting aside the banquet, I found out that we can break through even if we can't use all the dark magic. This is a significant thing. It was supposed to be reconnaissance, but it might become a complete conquest.

"Did the Priestess say we could conquer it in this exploration?"

I was pressed by Eleanor-sama.

"No, she didn't go that far."

"In other words, we should just learn them as we go. Perhaps someone with the talent is here right now."

If so, it would be the Wetlands Priestess or Fiona. They are still young, and as long as they don't ascend, they'll stay like this forever.

Fiona, merged again, whispers "No, no" in my ear, but I don't know.

"Sorry. I can't."

Even the Priestess is denying it.

"Is that so?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

It seems she tried a full round. As a result, she learned only two. But she has learned Necromancy. Isn't there a possibility?

"We don't know yet. Especially, the Priestess and Fiona depend on their future training."

It's just as Eleanor-sama says. Currently, it's forbidden magic. There's no choice but for the ghosts to learn it.

"But if there's no template, we can't learn it."

If it's Mold, Wilson-san is here. However, we've already broken through.

"It's not me, maybe it's Jeanne."

"Eh? Me?"

"Yep."

No, wait a minute. I have my hands full with light magic. Because my original talent is only about mid-level.

"But, somehow it's different."

"Different?"

"Jeanne is a priest, right?"

"Yeah."

"And, Erikson-sama, Sianya, and Price-sama and Harrison-sama are also priests, right?"

"Yeah."

"Jeanne is, you know, a bit different from those serious, wise people who seem like they'll become great."

Does she want to say that I'm unserious and stupid? I'm a Bishop, you know.

"It's not that. How should I say it? For example, my lineage? You're a bit outside the pure priests."

According to the Priestess, the feeling is different. Perhaps it's because I was a stray from the beginning. Is the reason she says I'm the same lineage as the Priestess who uses dark magic because I use light magic?

"Well, it doesn't matter who learns it. Anyone who thinks 'it's me' should please try. Of course, the Wetlands Priestess and Fiona are top priority."

It's just as Eleanor-sama says. Let's have them do their best.