kscans

Chapter 68 - Their Respective Nights

The commotion of the night was over.
Afterward, soldiers and knights arrived, and we gave them a brief explanation of the situation. They immediately headed into the alley, and we returned to our respective inns. ...I thought we might have to stay, but the soldiers were to handle the rest. That was the general flow of things.
Back at the inn, Tina and I discussed what to do next.
"...Undead," I said. "...Do they appear around here often?"
Tina replied, "...I don't know. But Undead usually appear in places with a lot of corpses, like battlefields or cemeteries. ...There shouldn't be any places like that nearby."
I mulled over her answer.
"...Hmm. It feels like every time we enter a new country, some incident occurs. ...It's almost as if someone's will is at work."
To that, Tina responded, "...Don't you think you're overthinking it? ...The incident at the Church seemed to have been in motion before we even arrived. ...And the reason for the riot was that they heard the voice of God—a completely insane reason."
Tina was trying to comfort me. I appreciated her words, because the thought that I was causing trouble for those around me was painful. ...However, we had encountered far too many incidents to dismiss them as mere coincidence.
It felt like I was being forced through a mandatory event in a video game. ...That's what it seemed like.
I wrote a report on the day's events and sent it off with a messenger bird.
Then, I made a certain proposal to Tina.

*

On the princess's side.
Glad and the others returned and explained the situation.
After the report, Olivia said, "...I see, you made contact with them... That couldn't be helped. Secrets are bound to come out eventually. ...You are not at fault. ...In fact, I'd like to commend your quick thinking in coming up with a lie on the spot."
She said it with a smile.
Glad couldn't tell if he was being praised or criticized, but he decided to keep quiet.
Prince Alphonse spoke. "...Still, Undead... It's too dangerous to stay here any longer. We will depart from this country at dawn. ...Is that clear, Olivia?"
To which Olivia replied, "Honestly, I want to object. ...But out of respect for you, dear brother, I will quietly return home."
She said it in a resigned tone.
Alphonse felt a mix of relief and suspicion. Relief that his sister had listened to him, and suspicion that their return to the Kingdom might not be so simple. He had a bad feeling. He just couldn't shake it.

*

In the Republic. The royal castle.
In his office, a man in his sixties dressed in royal attire was at work. His name was King Rukarl, the ruler of the Republic. He was a workaholic who worked twice as hard as anyone else, often staying up late. ...Into his room came another man in his sixties, the chancellor.
"King Rukarl, there's been a disturbance in the city. ...It seems Undead have infiltrated the streets," the chancellor reported.
As the chancellor panicked, the king calmly responded, "...What's the damage report?"
"Dozens of soldiers and civilians have been sacrificed. The victims also turned into Undead, spreading the damage. ...Currently, all have been subjugated, and we have strengthened patrols in the city and surveillance outside the castle gates," the chancellor explained plainly.
The king fell into thought for a moment. Just then, another person entered the room—a young man with pink hair, also dressed in royal attire.
"Father, I've heard the news," he said.
"...What is it, Lustolfo? ...This is an important time," the king replied.
To this, the young man, Prince Lustolfo, said, "I am aware. ...It's about the Undead. ...I doubt this commotion will end tonight. ...So, I have a proposal: why don't we hire adventurers?"
"...Why adventurers? Shouldn't we leave this to the soldiers?" the king asked, a natural thought for a ruler.
"...Of course, I have my reasons. Knowing you, Father, you're probably planning to order the soldiers to investigate the surrounding area tomorrow morning, aren't you?"
"...That's right. There may be more Undead. But moving at night is too dangerous. That's why we'll act in the morning," the king replied.
"A reasonable plan," the prince said. "...However, if this was intentionally orchestrated, using our soldiers would be dangerous. It would leave the country's defenses thin. ...Why not hire adventurers and have them investigate the area instead?"
The king considered this for a moment. "...Hmm. ...It is indeed strange that only a single wave of Undead would come to this country. ...If they intended a full-scale assault from the start, they would have prepared a large army. ...Yet they chose to do something that would only put us on alert. ...This suggests they have no intention of attacking, but they may be after something else. ...Is that what you're saying?"
The king voiced his conclusion and fell silent again. Then he spoke. "...Lustolfo. I will accept your proposal. ...Chancellor, please contact the Adventurer's Guild at once."
At this command, the chancellor bowed and left the room.
Now alone, the king asked, "...So, Lustolfo? ...What is your real objective?"
He spoke with a sharp gaze. The prince replied with a cool expression, "...What ever could you mean? ...I simply voiced what I believe to be the best course of action."
Silence flowed between the two. The air was cold enough to make one shiver.
The king sighed. "...We'll leave it at that. You may return to your room and sleep."
Resigned, the king continued with his work. The prince bowed once and exited the room.
Alone again, the king heard a knock on his door a short while later. "...Enter."
The person who entered was the chancellor, back again, holding a single letter.

*

As the prince walked down the castle corridor, someone approached him—a female knight with blonde twin-tails, carrying a trident on her back.
"Your Highness. Is your conversation with His Majesty over?" she asked.
"...Of course it is! Even a work demon like him will listen if you say something sensible, Bura-chan♪" the prince said cheerfully.
This was a complete change from the person he was just moments ago. Bura-chan, or Bradamante, said, "...You really only speak like that around me. Why is that?"
Bradamante asked with a sigh. "Because~! You're the only one who accepts the real me, Bura-chan. ...Everyone else gets all flustered and can't deal with me. You're the only one who can respond and talk to me right away♪"
The prince spoke happily.
With a look of resignation, Bradamante said, "Never mind. ...Ah, that's right, Your Highness. The ones who defeated the Undead were those two and the Kingdom's shield knight."
Hearing this report, the prince said, "...I see~. So it was them. ...Bura-chan, there's something I want to ask of you for tomorrow."
As the prince put his hands together, Bradamante asked apprehensively, "...It's not an unreasonable request, is it?"
"It's not difficult. Really," the prince said, his face turning serious as he began to explain.

An incident in the Republic.
What in the world happened? Who caused it?

*

In a forest at the midpoint between the Republic and the Church.
The woods were dense and completely untouched by human hands. It was a forest teeming with monsters.
...In a small clearing stood a large iron cage, big enough to hold at least twenty people. Inside, a group of bewildered people stood. ...They were dressed in traditional Japanese clothing and had no armor or weapons.
One of the men spoke. "...Damn it, what the hell is going on?! Why are we in a place like this?!"
He grumbled, cursing under his breath. Everyone else felt the same. These people were residents of Owari Village. They had been relaxing in their homes when they were suddenly overcome with drowsiness and fell asleep. When they awoke, they were inside this cage. It wasn't all the residents, but a mix of men and women, young and old.
They had no idea why they had been kidnapped. ...All they could do was wait. Just then, they sensed a presence from within the forest. Several skilled individuals took up unarmed stances.
What emerged was a grotesque monster with the face of an insect.
"...A pleasure to meet you. I am Lates the Thousand Poisons," the monster said. "...I have invited you all here today so that you may serve as my human thralls, administered with a new poison I have developed."
At these words, one of the men shouted, "Don't be ridiculous! You kidnapped us for a reason like that?! Who would ever work for you?!"
The other people voiced their agreement with his furious cry.
Lates replied, "Your will is irrelevant. When that one bites you, you will become my thralls by force. ...Let's have a demonstration."
He snapped his fingers.
From the back of the woods, a giant with a body three hundred meters tall appeared. It was bare-chested, wearing only shorts. Its face was expressionless. From the giant's back, four snakes emerged. The snakes glared at the people and lunged all at once.
Four people at the front of the cage were bitten by the snakes. ...The bitten people screamed and then stopped moving. Those nearby called out to them in worry, but there was no response. But in the next moment... the bitten people began to contort and cry out, and they started attacking the people near them.
The inside of the cage was a scene of carnage.
With no weapons and no escape, all the people could do was scream.
Lates watched this scene and said, "Shisshisshisshisshi. Cower in fear. Fall into despair. ...That is what we find to be such enjoyable entertainment."
He watched with a smile.
With his insect face, it was impossible to tell what kind of smile it was. ...After some time, the cage fell silent. The bitten people stood there, dazed.
Lates opened the cage. "Well then, just two of you, come out."
At his command, only two came out. The rest remained standing still.
Lates stood before the two. "Excellent. I will give you your orders. You will attack the Republic, and you will attack the Church. ...We have prepared a means of transport for you. Grab on and let them carry you."
Lates pointed.
There stood two giant flies. The flies each grabbed one of the Undead and carried them high into the sky. After watching this, a black mist appeared.
What emerged was Redorza the Sage.
Lates said, "Well, well, Sage-dono. What can I do for you?"
To which Redorza replied, "Nothing, I just came because I was curious. ...By the way, it seems you sent one to the Church as well. Why that country? ...Aren't those two in the Republic?"
At this question, Lates said, "It is nothing of consequence. ...In the Church, there is one who carries the blood of an Otherworlder, just like that human. I thought I would take the opportunity to see their strength. ...That is all."
Redorza replied, "...Hmm. Do you think the two countries will make a move so easily?"
At this question, Lates said, "That, I do not know. ...It would be nice if they did. ...That is the extent of my expectations."
With that thought, he looked up at the night sky.