kscans

Chapter 102 - The Demon Lord's Weakness

Hayato looked at the monitor displaying the Demon Capital Zardogia.

The reason was simple. Ash and the others were there.

Stampedes were also occurring in the Royal Capital and the Spirit Country, but he decided to put those aside for now. He who chases two rabbits catches neither. It was best to deal with them one at a time. If Ash and his group had headed there, they likely had some factor that would allow them to win the battle.

That was his line of thinking.

While watching the monitor, Hayato asked Diite a question.

"It doesn't look like he's appeared yet, but what kind of dragon is this Underworld Dragon Onyx Rod?"

The monsters causing the Stampede before the Underworld Dragon's arrival were Undead types like zombies, ghosts, and even dragon zombies. Based on that, he could infer that the Underworld Dragon was also a dragon of that nature.

However, Diite, who managed this world, was right here. Hayato decided to rely on her knowledge rather than his own speculation.

"He's a dragon set to exist in the Underworld, the land of the dead. He's fundamentally the same as a normal dragon, but you could say he has the characteristics of an Undead. That said, he isn't a zombie or a ghost or anything of the sort. He simply possesses those traits while being alive."

The characteristics of the Undead were that they were extremely weak to Light attribute attacks but strong against all other attributes. They were completely unaffected by healing-type Holy Magic like High Healing or resurrection spells like Resurrection. They also nullified many bad statuses like poison and paralysis.

Furthermore, the Underworld Dragon often used Necromancy. It could be said that he excelled at magical attacks rather than physical ones.

He also had a special ability called Undead Festival. When he used this skill, any players or NPCs who had been defeated with zero HP would be turned into zombies and forced to fight for him.

A zombified player would move on their own, and could not be controlled. They could be returned to normal by defeating them again or by using the Holy Magic spell Dispel Curse, but even then they would only revert to their defeated state, so they needed to be revived or resurrected immediately.

It was said that if you weren't careful, you could fall into a loop of zombification, dispelling, and re-zombification. So, if you were defeated, it was better to resurrect at your base rather than wait.

"He uses some nasty tricks. Come to think of it, there are no churches in the Demon Country, are there?"

"That is correct. There are no churches, nor are there temples. If a player is defeated in the Demon Country, their resurrection point is likely outside of it. It's possible to build a base if you become friendly with the demons and Undead of the Demon Country, but few players do that. I think you'd be fine to build one, Hayato-kun, since you're on good terms with Lunaria-kun."

"Clans can only have one base, so I won't be making another one. I've grown quite fond of this place, so I have no intention of abandoning it to build one in the Demon Country."

As long as he didn't give up this location, Hayato couldn't establish another base.

It was not possible to register another clan's base as a resurrection point, so asking another clan for help was pointless. However, there was one loophole.

It involved items sold in shops. Items sold at a base have a search function. From any safe area free of monsters, you could search for items and teleport to the location where your desired item was being sold. Using that function, it was possible to return to the Demon Country instantly, no matter where you resurrected.

However, clans with bases in the Demon Country tended to dislike having their shops used freely by players who weren't even buying anything, so most of them didn't sell items at their storefronts. Even if they did, it was probably far from the Demon Capital.

Therefore, it was crucial to get revived as quickly as possible if you were defeated. Cleric role-players were highly valued in this Stampede.

"I gave Ash and the others plenty of Potions and Elixirs, but it's dangerous without a healer."

"I apologize. I would go if I could, but I am also bound to my affiliated country and cannot participate in the Demon Country's Stampede. That aside, something troubles me."

"What troubles you?"

"The Underworld Dragon was originally set to attack the Demon Capital. I thought Veru-kun would have sent him somewhere more devious."

"Are you saying the Underworld Dragon attacking the Demon Capital is low difficulty? But the NPCs in the capital mostly use Dark attribute attacks, right? Wouldn't their attacks be ineffective against him?"

The residents of the Demon Country mostly used Dark attribute attacks. Moreover, almost none of them could use Light attribute attacks. Therefore, the NPCs' attacks would not be effective against the Underworld Dragon or the other Undead monsters causing the Stampede.

Originally, the Tyrant Dragon Agres Berion, who was supposed to attack the Imperial Capital, was weak to physical attacks. And in the Imperial Capital, there was a powerful physically attacking NPC named Cecil. Diite had said this was done to create balance and lower the Stampede's difficulty.

But that story was quite different from the situation in the Demon Capital. The Underworld Dragon attacking the Demon Capital could be considered a high-difficulty Stampede.

Seeing Hayato's puzzled expression, Diite smiled slightly and answered.

"That is true, but Lunaria-kun is in the Demon Country, is she not? If the Demon Lord joins the Stampede, she is almost guaranteed to win. If anything, I set the Underworld Dragon to be a countermeasure for Lunaria-kun. Thinking about it that way, perhaps it isn't wrong for the Underworld Dragon to attack the Demon Capital."

"I see. But I don't think Lunaria-san has shown up yet?"

Hayato had been watching the monitor for a while, and although he could see Ash and his group, he hadn't seen Lunaria.

"You are right about that. It could be an issue with where the monitor is focused, but come to think of it, I don't believe I've ever seen Lunaria-kun at any of the Stampedes so far."

"If she's not in combat, a voice chat should get through, right? I'll try contacting Lunaria-san."

Receiving a voice chat in the middle of a battle could cause all sorts of problems. It was common practice to turn off voice chat from anyone outside your party to avoid picking up unnecessary audio.

Seeing that Lunaria wasn't on the monitor, Hayato figured she hadn't joined the battle yet and decided to send a voice chat.

"Lunaria-san, it's Hayato. Where are you now? A Stampede is happening in the Demon Country."

"Hayato-san? I am in the Throne Room of the Demon Lord's Castle right now. I know about the Stampede. I have just ordered my more combat-oriented members to participate. You may praise me for being so Demon Lord-like. I am a child who thrives on praise."

"...Putting that aside, aren't you going to participate?"

"I will not."

"Why not?"

"...I believe in everyone. I know they can win even without me."

What she said might have sounded noble, but the slight delay in her response suggested there was another reason. Hayato thought so and decided to press her.

"Lunaria-san, if there's a reason you can't participate, could you tell me? I might be able to do something about it. I can't say for sure, but I'll think of some sort of countermeasure."

"To see through me like that, you are truly amazing, Hayato-san. That Cooking Skill of 100 is not just for show."

"Does that have anything to do with this? Well, whatever. So, what's the reason you're not participating?"

"I have told you before why I cannot fight, Hayato-san."

(She's told me why she can't fight? What? Where did I hear that? I have no memory of it.)

As Hayato tilted his head in confusion, he heard Lunaria's voice again.

"It seems you do not remember, so I will tell you again."

Hayato heard Lunaria take a deep breath. It must be something very difficult to say, so he waited for her words.

"...I am afraid of ghosts."

"...Pardon?"

"As long as there are ghosts in the Demon Capital, I cannot fight. To strike at the Demon Lord's weakness, the hardline dragons must have a formidable strategist among them."

"There's no one like that, so get to the Demon Capital already."

"To give orders to the Demon Lord is laughable."

"And I have a headache..."

He did vaguely remember hearing something like that when he went to a forest in the Demon Country with Diite and Maris. Something about eight-legged creatures being her limit, the Demon Lord being a centipede, and her being afraid of ghosts. Hayato had definitely heard it.

But he hadn't taken it seriously. For the most part, it was often hard to tell if Lunaria was being serious or just joking.

"Hayato-kun, what's wrong? Why are you holding your head? What did Lunaria-kun say? Why isn't she participating in the Stampede? If she joined the fight, it would be a huge advantage."

"Diite-chan, you were there too, so you probably remember, but apparently Lunaria-san can't fight because she's scared of ghosts. The Underworld Dragon is definitely a countermeasure against the Demon Lord. More than necessary, even."

Diite froze for a moment, but then immediately clutched her head, just as Hayato had done.