Chapter 771 - Chapter Nine: Weakening of the Demon Race
The simultaneous defeat of the demon executives Number Two and Three greatly encouraged the Medioland soldiers at the fortress. After all, until now, hero candidates had challenged them and suffered casualties to the point of being wiped out by just one of them. We were greatly praised as expected of former heroes and containment forces. With this, we should be able to fulfill our mission safely for the time being. Whether they thought so or not, that night became a banquet with even the guards on duty participating in shifts.
On the other hand, Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama did not seem that happy. Well, given their personalities, they were greatly rejoicing in front of the soldiers, but the atmosphere was somehow different from before.
I wonder if something happened?
I asked when we returned to our room after the banquet.
"About that Number Two, I think it was weaker than before."
When I looked at Henry-sama, he nodded slowly. He seemed to have the same thought.
Honestly, I don't know. Wasn't it because its legs were mangled by holy water? Its wings also seemed quite damaged and tattered. However, the fact that it didn't fly even though it should have been able to was something that bothered me a bit. I thought it was because its pride wouldn't allow it to flee without fighting.
"Its spirit, or rather its presence, its intimidation... it lacked the power it had before, and instead, I felt some kind of weakness."
Even though I faced it, there was a distance until the final moment, so I don't really know.
"Wilhelmina, what did you think?"
She asked Will, who had fought the duel.
"As for the response, I can only say there was none. It felt as if I were performing an execution."
In fact, even though it was called a duel, the resistance was merely perfunctory, and its heart was easily pierced.
"It released mana twice, didn't it?"
That's probably why it weakened. A Lindwurm could barely fly. Even though it wasn't fixed with mortar, the anti-magic stone was blown away just by the pressure of the release. It should be beyond a [Tempest]. Moreover, it blew away an amount of water equivalent to a small reservoir with an extreme [Maelstrom]. Both would consume a lot, wouldn't they?
"But even considering the released mana... yes, it might be considerably weaker compared to a Dragonewt."
Honestly, I'd have to ask a Dragonewt which is stronger, a Dragonewt or a demon executive, but it's probably true that the two we defeated were greatly weakened.
The news that two demon executives were defeated reached Price-sama, and he arrived two days later.
We were still doing the fortress construction as usual, and when we returned to the fortress for lunch, he was already there.
After giving a full report, the talk of demon weakening came up.
We decided to discuss various hypotheses and examine them together.
First was the effect of holy water. It certainly dealt damage, but it was basically external wounds. Its legs and wings were damaged, but its upper body and head were fine.
Next was the release of mana, but Germana would have noticed if it were enough to weaken it.
And then, the barrier. It's covered in a barrier on par with the Great Church. That's why even Wyverns didn't come. However, it seems humans cannot create a barrier strong enough to suppress the power of a high-level demon.
Furthermore, Germana's influence, but this was denied by the person herself.
As for the possibility that the mana concentration in this world is thinning, it was thought there wouldn't be such an extreme change.
Finally, the possibility that it hadn't fully recovered its strength yet. The Vice-Demon Lord said that resurrection can be done immediately, but it takes several years to fully recover. Seven years have passed since the last battle. It's a bit ambiguous. However, it was considered the most likely possibility.
The opinion was raised to ask for the Dragonewts' thoughts. This was immediately adopted, and it was decided to fly there in the bowl late that night.
"The demons have become weaker?"
I spoke to the Vice-Chieftain.
In coming to the exchange base, I contacted Magdalena-sama beforehand. That's because Magdalena-sama had provided information that the Vice-Chieftain had been showing his face frequently lately.
"Oh, is it not the Vice-Chieftain? You have done well to come here."
"This is, this is, Vice-Chieftain, what a coincidence. It's good that you could come."
I don't forget to pretend we met by chance after coming out later. And I don't forget to give him souvenirs from Medioland. Their way of handling the situation is different.
"Ah, I have become busy too."
The Vice-Chieftain is wearing a deep green Green Marble.
The Green Marble for Dragonewts is a custom-made item devised by Mary. After all, they have huge wings growing out of their backs. That part has to be neatly managed. Mary concluded by putting two deep vertical slits from the back to the hem. As a result, thin slits are created on the back. Those slits become wider around the waist, and furthermore, string-like things are attached, which are wrapped around to the front and tied. She said it would look unsightly if the hem were short, so it's long enough to hide the knees. As a result, the waist part is cinched tight, and it looks cool on both men and women.
The one the Vice-Chieftain is wearing is a custom item for those of Chieftain rank or higher, with gold thread embroidery on the sleeves and the left and right sides of the hem. The ones for the Chieftain and Vice-Chieftain have a wider range of embroidery. He seems to like it, and he wears it every time he comes to the exchange base. Incidentally, the Chieftain's is also custom, but it's basically for indoor wear.
It's likely true that he's become busy. He didn't come to the exchange base out of deference to the Chieftain, but he was originally in charge of trade. This time, he also became in charge of the anti-magic stone. Since then, he's been showing his face occasionally. He seems to be spending his days happily, which is a good thing.
The Vice-Chieftain's expression, which had been cheerful, clouded over when I asked the crucial question.
"The demons have become weaker?"
"Yes. It might just be our imagination, but when we faced two executives just the other day..."
"What? You faced two executives?"
"Yes. The Second and the Third."
"Hmm. I see. And, how was it?"
"We managed to defeat them safely, but we defeated them unexpectedly easily. At that time, their spirit, or rather their presence, their intimidation... we didn't feel the same level of intimidation as when we fought them before."
Eleanor-sama explained this and that. Since we've already talked about the fortress we're building in the Medioland demon realm, she spoke in detail about the course of the battle.
Germana also conveyed that she thought they were clearly weaker compared to the Dragonewts she had met earlier.
The Chieftain didn't show any particular reaction to Eleanor-sama's explanation, but when he heard Germana's words, his hand stroking his loach-like mustache stopped.
"Are they clearly weaker compared to the current me?"
"Yes. That is how it appeared."
Normally it would be something to rejoice about, but he crossed his arms with a 'hmmm'. He's clearly harboring doubts.
"I have never heard of demons being resurrected in a weakened state. Those executives, because they are proud, would not resurrect in an incomplete state to fight humans. However, from what I hear, it does feel like they have indeed weakened. That is a bit concerning."
Even the Vice-Chieftain is likely quite strong, but he doesn't seem to think he is clearly stronger than demon executives like Number Two.
"Strange things do happen. In a sense, it's something to be happy about, but it's somehow concerning."
"Is it so even for Dragonewts?"
"Yes, if the weakening of executive-class demons is true, it means the balance between humans and demons has collapsed. For us Dragonewts, it is not a very desirable thing."
If the power balance collapses, one side will win unilaterally. He says that's not good for the White Island.
Well, he can say that because he has confidence, but it's not a very pleasant story for the humans listening. Moreover, depending on the situation, there's even a possibility that the Dragonewts might side with the demons. That would be truly bad.
"The Elder might know something, so I shall guide you. Depending on the situation, please speak to the Chieftain later as well."
"Thank you for your trouble. We look forward to it."
And so, it was decided that we would go to the Dragonewt Village.
The Dragonewt Elder is the one who has lived the longest in the entire village. Currently, he seems to be in the Wind Village. I've never heard his age. It's probably four digits anyway, so even if I heard it, it wouldn't feel real.
When we actually went to meet him, a Dragonewt who looked elderly, wearing a light green Green Marble, came out.
His wings were light green, but his loach-like mustache and eyebrows were pure white. Since they weren't as long as those of the Chieftain rank, he probably wasn't of that rank.
Back when the Elder was active and in his prime, interaction with dragons and humans was apparently frequent, and he literally flew around everywhere as a mediator. I wonder exactly when that was.
"I see. So the demons were weaker."
Even after hearing Henry-sama's story, he didn't seem particularly surprised.
"Elder, can such a thing actually happen?"
"Well..."
When the Vice-Chieftain asked, he had a distant look in his eyes.
As if trying to remember something, he swayed his head while letting his gaze drift into the air.
"Come to think of it, the same thing happened before."
Really? As expected of the Dragonewt Elder. He's knowledgeable.
Everyone leaned forward. The Dragonewts had somewhat grim expressions. They probably dislike the balance between demons and humans collapsing.
"You said they were weaker than when you fought them last time, didn't you?"
"Yes. Seven years ago."
The Elder asked, and Eleanor-sama answered.
"At that time, what did you do with the corpse?"
"It is the human way, but we offered funeral prayers and sent them off."
"Ho, ho. Who did?"
"Jeanne here offered the prayers to send them to the Goddess. The others chanted along."
The Elder looked at me.
"Did the corpse remain?"
He asked me.
"No, it crumbled like dust and vanished."
"Hmm. You are a user of light magic, aren't you?"
"...Yes."
Is there some connection? I heard that back then, even when the Headmistress offered a funeral, they didn't turn to dust. It was only when I did it. That's why I was told to send Number One, Three, and the Demon Lord. Or rather, I was told to do so.
"Is there some connection?"
If the result of me sending them off is that they are weakened when they resurrect, I might get scolded by the Dragonewts.
According to the Elder's story, it seems to be from a very old era.
"At that time, there were humans who went around subjugating the Demon Lords, or rather the demon leaders, who were fighting for power on the White Island."
They must be the Ancient Priestess or the legendary eight.
"The central figure at that time was a user of light magic."
Apparently, there was only one user of light magic back then as well. I don't know where they lived. It probably wasn't the region that is currently Primordia. They were confirmed in the lands that would become Sertoria and Finis, and they likely eventually passed away in Finis.
"That human was of the same priesthood as that Jeanne there. A Priestess."
The Priestess said that whether it was a human or a monster, they had to be properly mourned when they died, and after battles, she mourned them without distinction between friend and foe.
The Priestess went to various regions where demon leaders were, and each time she recruited and gathered local volunteers to fight. Sometimes they even almost ended up fighting dragons, and Dragonewts apparently acted as mediators. The Elder was one of the Dragonewts who acted as a mediator at that time. Since he's wind-attribute, would he be a Wyvern?
"Jeanne. How does the story of the Goddess and such that remains in your human myths eventually connect to current human society?"
"U-um, if I recall, the Goddess's children, including the eldest son who was instructed to subjugate monsters, cooperated with humans to proceed with monster extermination, then lived with humans, became families, had children, and built the foundation for the prosperity of modern humans. Originally, humans themselves are creatures created by the Goddess, so in a sense, they are the Goddess's children. Even if they became families, there probably wasn't any particular sense of incongruity."
"In other words. Based on that myth, the blood of the Goddess flows through many of the humans living on this island."
Well, yes. My own ancestors were apparently people who moved from the White Island to the continent for some reason, so originally they would be connected to the Goddess.
"Occasionally... 'occasionally' in this case would be a feeling of about two or three times every few hundred years in human terms... as if to show that lineage, a powerful light magic user appears. That Priestess was likely so as well."
That's a very plausible thing. it also matches the story of the mana swells.
"Because she possessed such power, she won battle after battle, hunting demons without knowing defeat, and killing their leaders... the Demon Lords of today. However, there was a time when this island received a curse when she defeated one leader. It might even be called a prophecy."
A curse? On the island? Don't you usually curse living things?
"'You humans will prosper greatly and increase your numbers. However, without fail, a great terror will attack from across the eastern sea. At that time, many humans will die. I wonder how many humans living on this island will be able to survive? Kukuku, just thinking about that makes me tremble with joy.'"
The Priestess apparently talked back to the demon, who was grinning with his dying breath. She said this island is protected by the great Goddess. In response, the demon apparently passed away saying, 'Even the Goddess's protection you speak of has holes.'
Everyone has fallen silent. How many humans will be able to survive—will it become such a story? Or was it a curse based on the population at that time? The digits might be two or three different.
"That is what I heard. However, after that, the Priestess and the others did take some countermeasures."
According to the Elder's story, the Priestess and the others apparently made five bases to serve as yokes, likening the entire island to a dragon to counter the demon's curse, and simultaneously made a great barrier in the center of the island. And, they decided to use that barrier to leave their souls even after death and protect the island. Not knowing what the 'hole' in the Goddess's protection was, they tried to cover it.
The demons that resurrected after that apparently had a period where they were temporarily weakened for some reason. However, it was only the demons who were sent off by the Priestess and turned to dust.
"Light magic is a magic of monster subjugation that even surpasses the power of us Dragonewts. However, just illuminating is meaningless. The Priestess preferred to subjugate only those who harmed humans, and tried to live together with those who did not. Light magic is something that comes with prayers imbued with the desire to live together on the island."
"Elder. Does the Chieftain know about that?"
"If the Vice-Chieftain doesn't know about external matters, the Chieftain likely doesn't either. I was a low-ranking member back then, so I don't know the decisions of those above, but the Chieftain at that time probably judged there was no need to convey it."