Chapter 826 - Chapter 1: The Oracle Descends ③
On the mountain peaks that were covered with snow during winter, soft grass is increasing, and they are becoming covered with bright green. Moss and lichens are growing as if clinging to the shadows of the stone walls.
"Is this the fortress for monitoring?"
Looking down from above at the fortresses built on two mountain peaks, Harold crossed his arms and furrowed his brow.
"Isn't it a bit fragile?"
It's not to the extent of being called a fortress. Although it has double outer walls, it doesn't even have a watchtower, let alone a main tower. It's just like ancient ruins.
"This is fine. If it's this much, it can be recaptured immediately even if it's occupied many times."
Henry replied to Harold's dissatisfaction.
"Is it on the premise of being taken?"
"That's right."
"Will those who bear the duty of monitoring be wiped out?"
"No, they can escape by Teleport."
"It's a withdrawal without fighting."
"Teleport? Won't they follow?"
"That is also a trap."
Henry told him about the trap of holy water at the end of the Teleport.
"It'll be interesting if they get caught. Even the Demon Lord's executives won't get away unscathed."
"Mm. Since the password is intentionally written in a place that catches the eye."
"I see. Then they won't follow."
"Mm. It's safe."
Bonnie, perhaps not understanding the interaction between the two, secretly asked Will what it meant, but Will also just tilted her head.
The bowl carrying the Henry Party landed in front of a stone hut for monitoring, and they appeared at the same time.
Since Will was already flying the Black Dragon Flag, a Medioland scout jumped out of the hut.
"Good work."
"Oh, you're quite fast. Good work, good work. I am Harold of Regnentes."
Harold, who hopped down from the bowl, lightheartedly patted the scout's shoulder and praised him. He must be a young man newly assigned. I didn't recognize his face.
"Thank you. Harold-sama."
The opponent is a former hero and a former Military Minister of another country. He has at least that much knowledge. That man came while fluttering the Black Dragon Flag of Sertoria. He's the real thing. The scout, who had put in preliminary knowledge about the Henry Party, thanked him nervously.
"Harold. You're making the person from another country worry with your empty hands again."
While Eleanor was complaining, she signaled to Will and Bonnie. The two quickly handed over a wine barrel and a leather bag containing dried meat.
"T-thank you. Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama."
It's normal mode for the Henry Party, but the scout was extra nervous because he wasn't used to it.
"Aren't you the one making the opponent worry even more!"
By the time Harold complained, Henry and Eleanor were looking at the sky and predicting tomorrow's weather.
"What brings you here today?"
The Henry Party, including the non-regular Harold, came to the Demon Realm of Medioland not just to bring supplies. The role of the monitoring fortress here and the fortress of the same scale built on another peak of this mountain is to monitor and decoy the Demon Lord's army when the Demon Lord is resurrected. Since it's connected to the base fortress at the foot by Teleport, rapid response is possible. The Henry Party took on the task of gathering information around the cave where the Demon Lord would be resurrected. Of course, the King of Medioland has also been informed.
"We came here at the request of the Grand Archbishop. We will use this as a base to gather information around the cave where the Demon Lord will be resurrected."
Eleanor showed the Grand Archbishop's request and the King of Medioland's letter while explaining. The King of Medioland's letter contained instructions to cooperate with the Henry Party.
"T-this is... Indeed, the Grand Archbishop's and our King's signatures. I understand. If there is anything we can do to help, please let us know."
"Then, we will be in your care here for a while. We have also spoken to the captain at the foot, so please rest assured."
The three old people smiled calmly.
"Hmm. There is no Demon Lord's army."
Harold, who had infiltrated the forest, muttered. While still in the bowl. He's hiding his presence.
"As expected, the Demon Lord's army has not been organized."
The surroundings are just a forest. Normally, the cave where the Demon Lord is resurrected is surrounded by a forest called a Demon Realm. Naturally, many monsters entrench themselves even before the Demon Lord is resurrected, and even hunters do not set foot deep inside. In a very few countries, sturdy fortresses for monitoring are established, but the fortresses are connected to other facilities by Teleport, and the soldiers who monitor do not go outside the fortress. That fortress also becomes unmanned as the monsters become rabid and the number of monsters thought to be the Demon Lord's army begins to increase around the time the oracle of the Demon Lord's resurrection descends. Recently, exploration has become possible since they mastered flight magic and techniques to hide their presence. Since it wasn't established at the time of the last Demon Lord's resurrection, this resurrection will be the first deployment.
"I heard that they were constantly monitoring at the fortress from before. However, they only found out that the Demon Lord would be resurrected after the oracle descended."
The Demon Lord will be resurrected in the Demon Realm of Medioland. The Henry Party contacted Medioland as soon as the news of the oracle came in. And they received a reply that there was no change.
"Hmm. If this is the case, I can see why one would want to doubt the oracle."
Henry muttered, and Eleanor nodded.
The request to the Henry Party... though it was the party that offered... was to explore around the cave where the Demon Lord would be resurrected. Normally, it would be the task of the Medioland scouts. However, the last and the one before that were resurrected in Sertoria. Henry, Eleanor, and the scout Harold are the most familiar with the situation at that time. Hughes also qualifies, but he wasn't in the Henry Party.
"Let's go inside the cave all at once."
"Let's do that."
"Mm. Let's go."
Exploring inside the cave is not part of the Medioland scouts' mission. It was too dangerous to be a mission. That's why the Grand Archbishop accepted the party's offer.
"There's a wall all of a sudden."
The party was blocked by a wall immediately after invading the cave.
Harold pulled out a silver knife and scratched the wall with the tip. Perhaps because there was no response, he turned back and shook his head.
"Hmph!"
A dazzling light burst forth along with his spirit.
Clang!
"Hmm. It cannot be cut."
Henry slashed with his silver sword, but not a single scratch was made.
"Then, with my magic."
Eleanor released lightning magic three times in a row. But the wall easily repelled it and not a single scratch was made.
"What, is it not Heaven's Roar?"
"I have not mastered it yet."
Eleanor glared at the smirking Harold.
"Now, now, in any case, we've confirmed it. There's no sign of counterattack, so let's withdraw."
Henry stepped in, and the withdrawal was decided.
The Henry Party, who went straight to Medioland, met James and Price at Price's private residence. And they spoke of what they had seen with their own eyes.
"In other words, unlike the caves in Sertoria or Engrio, only the cave in Medioland where the Demon Lord will be resurrected this time was blocked by that wall."
This request was a suggestion from Price, who is among the non-regulars of the Henry Party. Of course, he confirmed the feasibility with Eleanor. Though he didn't think Eleanor would refuse.
"That's right. We haven't seen the other caves where the Demon Lord is resurrected, but it should be the same."
"And there was no movement or counterattack from the Demon Lord's army, including the surrounding forest?"
"That's right, there was no sign of anything. Let alone movement, they haven't even organized."
"I see."
Harold met Price's gaze. During their active days, Price didn't often object to his companions' claims. And when he said something, there was always a reason. Harold understood that well. The two usually exchange sarcasms, but they trusted each other's abilities.
"Then, what can we do?"
James asked instead of Price, who had closed his mouth and started thinking. Even the current hero shouldn't be able to enter.
"James-sama, could you give us a little more time?"
"Time? What do you mean by that?"
"There are other things I want to confirm. For example, if Jeanne is there, whether others... in other words, we can also enter. Or, whether we can connect the inside and outside with Teleport after Jeanne enters. Something like that."
It was Price who reacted to Harold's words.
"Please wait a moment. Harold."
Harold turned his gaze to Price. Price was not one to put his companions in danger. And he always had a reason.
"Jeanne is the only trump card for Black Rot countermeasures. We cannot expose her to danger. Besides, there is something we must have her do before she goes to the front line."
"Testament? Do you understand what will happen if that is activated?"
"Yes. At worst, Jeanne's life might be lost. But if the Demon Lord can be sealed, and Jeanne is safe, and in addition, a duplicate spirit is born like Germana, it will be all good things. I don't know what will happen, though."
It's vague for Price. Harold thought so. That's how much he can't read ahead.
"That's true. Then what shall we do?"
"Let's wait for a change while making preparations. For now, we'll just have Jeanne do what she can."
"I understand."
With this conversation, the party's policy and Medioland's policy were roughly decided.
◆◆◆◆
I managed to gather the target number of beads. I also wrote the scrolls. I was able to achieve the assigned quota. According to the stories of ghosts and Revenant big shots who know ancient knowledge, even an epidemic that kills many people somehow heads toward termination after raging for three to five years. So, the quota became five years' worth plus a reserve. In the meantime, I also finished the recovery of the Northeastern Forest. It's already June. The vivid green of the mountains is dazzling to the eyes.
After that, all that's left is to move to the Ruined Town and wait for the Demon Lord's resurrection.
The move was in a special carriage sent by the Grand Archbishop, and the border checks were very loose.
Just in case, I had the Wetlands Priestess and Fiona participate as well. Naturally, Erikson-sama and Germana are also there. Two Priestesses of the Ceiling also participated. It seems even the priestess from three thousand years ago has never seen the moment of Testament's activation. However, according to the oracle, there's still about a week left. We gathered in the guest room, including the current Southern Church head, and had a banquet. Of course, since it's inside the church, alcohol was in moderation. The King of Primordia and the Grand Archbishop sent in top-quality wine, so we all savored and drank it.
"How did Jeanne get to know other races?"
I was asked by the Priestess of the Ceiling. This time, the ones coming out to the outside world in turns are the Priestess of Nakanohara and the Priestess of the Mountain. I believe the rotation is in its second round. These two, Egward-sama and the Priestess of the hot spring town, and the priestess from a thousand years ago and the Priestess of the Silver Mine, are each forming pairs.
Unfortunately, Egward-sama and the priestess from a thousand years ago cannot see the moment of Testament's activation. There was talk that the other priestesses would give up their turns, but both refused, saying they wanted to fulfill their duties.
Encounter with spirits, eh.
The first was a Goblin. The Goblins I heard in the townspeople's rumors were cruel, filthy, wearing miserable-looking clothes, using rusted swords and clubs as weapons, and despite being weak, they would surround one person with numbers, and even if they lost their weapons, they were unpleasant guys who would scratch with claws or bite the throat. I didn't even know they were spirits. If I had known, I would have thought they were evil spirits. But the reality was not so. They were fighting with all their might for the children and mothers who were taken hostage. I saw the battle between Goblins and humans up close. It was a terrible battle. And afterward, we became friends. And I met Dune. Ah, I must not forget Kuroko. It's as if I met Dune because that child took a strange liking to me. I haven't met him for a long time, but I wonder if he's well? Is he still dull and saying "Gue gue"?
"It's different from the start, isn't it?"
"That's right. Completely different. In my case, I thought Goblins were spirits who sold their souls to the Demon Lord and was hunting them down."
"Truly."
That's quite scary. Well, three thousand years ago, although she was a priestess, she could use attribute magic and I heard she was also swinging a sword. Was there no profession called mage?
"Yes, there wasn't."
Ah, as I thought, is that so.
"Then, after all, were you able to use various magics?"
"At that time, you couldn't become a priestess or a priest unless you could use multiple high-class magics."
That's amazing. Now, there are even people who can't use magic itself.
"It's the times. Magic power wasn't as thin as it is now."
"That's right. And we were standing at the front of the battle."
Hmm. I'm only doing support and recovery. Since I was a decoy often, can it be said that I was standing at the very front line for the time being?
"For light magic users, you see."
"That's right. For light magic users, you see."
What is it? That meaningful interaction.
"Germana, how was it? The light magic user who released Testament with you?"
"That's right. It's as you say."
Why do they know? I can't keep up with the conversation.
According to the Priestess of the Ceiling, light magic users were basically lighting staff who just made things glow. I've experienced that plenty. For some reason, their rank was low. Even in the lucky years three thousand years ago, it seems they were at most able to become a priestess or priest, in other words, about two high-class magic users. Germana says that the reason the light magic user wasn't chosen as the guardian of Testament when she released it might be because Germana was of higher rank.
"After all, it's the Black Stone. The one who was lucky enough to be able to draw in the Black Stone suited to the magic they mastered at the timing of the Demon Lord's resurrection must be the true successor of Testament."
In other words, it's not just about having the Black Stone. Indeed, the Black Stone had an effect on other people too, but it only made beginner magic have the power of middle-class.
I'm grateful to King Griffith even now... I guess it's okay to be grateful? Since I, who should have been ordinary, was able to become over-ultra-high class.
I feel the responsibility has become awfully heavy, though...