Episode 287
“Then shall we check one last time?”
“also? Please take a look, senior. “It’s already the third time I’ve said that.”
“Isn’t it just perfect? There is a saying that you can do anything three or three times.”
“… “You don’t have the right to refuse me anyway, right?”
“Haha, well… … . First of all, did you get your weapons and clothes properly?”
“I took care of it.”
“Then let’s check mainly the items. Compass, hourglass, salt bag, disinfectant, bandages, oil, rope, match… … .”
“I got everything. “But I can make a fire.”
“Just keep it with you, just in case. “A match isn’t that heavy of a load, is it?”
“Of course.”
“What about towels, cloth, and scissors?”
“I took it. But what are the scissors for? “If there’s something to cut, you can cut it with a sword.”
“I see. So what about the most important energy bar?”
“I put in five.”
“Put in five more. In an emergency situation, you can just chip away at it. It has a lot of calories, so you can probably get by by eating just one a day. Normally, you would have to bring plenty of drinking water, but in the north, there is no need for that. “If an extreme situation arises, you can just sprinkle salt on the ice and lick it.”
“okay… … . “I have to be careful not to get infected.”
“yes. Well then, the preparations are roughly finished… … .”
Ramon said, looking out the door.
“… “Let’s leave quickly.”
* * *
Lunch on the sixth day.
With Lanfero still not returning, everyone got ready and then gathered at the village chief’s mansion.
The living room was unusually cold because of the broken window, but it seemed especially cold today. This is because the weather was unusually harsh.
It wasn’t that far from the northern mansion to here, but Ramon and I were covered in snow.
“… “I can’t even remember that it’s really spring now.”
“Iknow, right.”
While Ramon and I were warming up in front of the fireplace, Verita came down from the second floor and delivered unexpected news.
“The members secured by the village chief and Brother Ruan. “They both committed suicide.”
“what?”
When I asked about the unexpected news, Sandra, who had come down with me, sighed and apologized.
“sorry. “It was my turn to watch, but he died while I was away for a moment.”
“What is the cause of death?”
“Asphyxiation.”
“… … ?”
I stopped at those words.
“Did you hang yourself?”
“no. “He was suffocated in a sitting position without using any tools.”
“Is that possible?”
“Generally speaking, it’s impossible. “Holding your breath until you suffocate is impossible through human will alone.”
It’s as they say.
A trained warrior might intentionally strangle someone’s throat or forcibly stop their heart, but that’s not the case with the village chief.
Aside from the fact that he was corrupted as a church member, Snero is just an ordinary person. It means that there is no way such a technique is possible.
but.
“It is possible for church members.”
Berita spoke in a calm tone.
“The moment you become a member of the church, your life is no different from being pledged to the devil. “It would not be surprising if someone suffocated or suddenly died by burning in such a cold place.”
“Does this mean it was the devil who killed the village chief?”
“Isn’t he his agent rather than the Demon King? “He is at least a priest-level person.”
“… … .”
Of course I thought that would be the case, but it was the moment when it became clear that there was a priest beyond the stone gate.
Araxad, who was listening to the story, asked.
“Did you get anything from the corpse?”
“Unfortunately.”
“hmm. “There is one more piece of unfortunate news to share with the residents.”
From the residents’ point of view, this is because the village chief is still a victim of the trick of the church members.
“Anyway, if you’re ready, let’s go.”
The members who will rush beyond the stone gate have been decided.
Me, Araksad, Ramon, Verita, Mir… And there is one more person, but since it is an ambiguous number to count with all one’s strength, it is excluded.
Sandra was left out, because we needed someone to protect the village, monitor the situation, and most importantly, tell the story when Lanferro came.
To be honest, I was a little nervous about Ramon’s company.
This goblin is also a hero in his own right, so it’s not like he doesn’t have any combat power, but I think it’ll be difficult to follow the flow that unfolds beyond here.
Ramon refused.
This was because it was judged that even one more person might be needed.
I couldn’t ignore those words.
Ramon is a senior.
It’s not just a title; I sincerely consider this little person my senior.
Regardless of your combat power, your experience as a hero will be far superior to mine.
——————
faqwiki.us
Join our Discord for new chapter updates!
https://discord.com/invite/xr7SxG5T6V
——————
The five of us went down to the basement and stood facing each other in front of the stone gate.
For some reason, the four of them seemed to be standing there blankly, so I spoke.
“… “Do I open it?”
“I heard you opened it last time too?”
“Yes, but.”
“Something unexpected may happen, so it would be best to create the same situation as before as much as possible.”
“… okay.”
In response to the irrefutable logic, I grumbled and placed my palm on the stone door.
Just like last time, along with the rough texture, I could also feel the movement of wind leaking through the stone gate.
Apply strength to your palms and push them apart.
Kugugu… … .
With a heavy sound, the stone door finally opened.
* * *
The moment I stepped beyond the stone gate, I sensed that the atmosphere here was noticeably different from the last time.
It wasn’t easy to breathe, my head felt heavy, and my body felt heavy.
We know what causes these symptoms.
“It’s an instrument.”
“hmm.”
Only after muttering did I realize that it was natural for the instrument to be unfolded.
If this is truly the process of the descent of the devil, or an equivalent devil, it is an unavoidable omen.
“It’s terrible… … . “With farming techniques of this magnitude, organisms that are not resistant to the instrument would have already mutated.”
“Is it stage 1? Are the seniors okay?”
Coming from a great family, Mir and I have a knack for musical instruments… … .
Musical instruments are no problem for Berita, a monk of the 72 religions and, above all, a colorless believer.
On the other hand, do Araksad and Ramon, who are of different races, have this kind of resistance?
“You don’t have to worry. “Because I have a Jujutsu tattoo on my body.”
When I looked again, I saw black tattoos all over Araksad’s body.
A spell with anti-demon aptitude? I thought that the Lizardmen’s primitive magic was also quite high level.
“I have a holy relic.”
Ramon said that and hung the pocket watch he took out of his pocket around his neck.
I’ve seen it taken out occasionally to check the time, but I never expected it to be a relic with the power of anti-demon.
In any case, it meant that all minimum countermeasures were in place.
We didn’t form a particular line and moved forward at a reasonable distance.
This ice cave was not dark because the walls and ceiling were shiny, and it was also very spacious.
If a situation arises, it is better for each person to respond in their own way from their own position.
How far has it progressed like that?
I suddenly stopped.
“Why are you doing that? “Luan.”
At Mir’s words, I looked around and responded.
“Here. “It might be a different place than the last time I was there.”
“A different place than last time? Are you sure?”
“maybe.”
Araxad asked.
“Is there a basis? “The topography of these ice caves has no special features, so no matter where you look, everything will look the same.”
I checked my surroundings once again.
Of course, I was very anxious at the time, and a week had already passed, so my memory must have been distorted.
but… … .
“Last time, kid… So, I definitely remember the place where I picked up the guy with the church member on it. “Considering the distance, we should have arrived by now, but the surroundings are completely different now than they were back then.”
“hmm… … .”
Ramon thought for a moment and said.
“Since you said that the area beyond the stone gate is a separate space, the coordinates may have changed altogether. For now, it seems better to hurry. “It seems clear that something is changing here.”
There is a high probability that the enemy has already noticed our intrusion. This means that this peace will not last forever.
I moved on without even mentioning that fact.
Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa… … .
Then, I suddenly stopped at the sound of a loud noise.
It seemed like it came from quite close by, but I wasn’t sure about this either. This was because it was difficult to specify the location due to the topographical characteristics of the cave.
And then.
“Hee hee hee hee… … .”
A wailing sound was heard from somewhere.
no.
It’s not a surprise.
“Hehehe… help me… … .”
… It’s a human voice.
We quietly walked towards the voice with our weapons drawn, and felt the surroundings getting darker.
As if responding to the deepening darkness, the intensity of the instruments was also deepening.
It feels like the cool darkness is freezing from the tips of my fingers. Even though I was just walking quietly, the tension gradually increased.
‘… … .’
The road is getting narrower.
At first it was wide enough for five people to walk side by side, but at some point it became three rows, then two rows, and finally one row.
I was the one walking at the front.
In fact, Araksad holding a shield was the best fit, but the man’s physique was so large that there was a risk that it would block the view of those following him.
Kaang… … !
The sound of metal clashing is heard.
An unpleasant heat that did not mix with the cool cold was felt beyond here.
The moment I finally saw the revealed space, I was at a loss for words.
What on earth is this place doing?
The battlefield was spread out in a black, eroded ice cave.
‘no. ‘Is this a battlefield?’
At first glance, I thought it was heroes who had rushed in in advance, or the natives of the north were fighting against the church, but it was a little different.
Looking closely, most of them were fighting one-on-one, and dozens of such duels were taking place simultaneously.
A number of watchtowers were erected as if to watch the duel, but they were simple enough to seat just one person.
Judging by their attire, the people sitting are church members.
“Duel No. 17. “Red color wins.”
“Duel number 25. Blue wins.”
“Duel No. 41. Blue wins.”
“Duel No. 56. tie.”
The voice was low and covered in metallic sounds.
Although the winner was simply declared, the wounds on the losing side were serious. Most of the people were in such serious condition that their bones were visible, and some people were seen gasping for breath and dying.
“… “What on earth is that doing?”
Mir muttered in an absurd voice. While everyone was feeling the same way without saying anything, Verita opened her mouth.
“It is a ritual.”
“Ritual? “That?”
“yes. The golden-horned demon king, Kingarodtooth, likes war and slaughter. “There is no greater awareness than that in satisfying that existence.”
therefore… … .
Does this mean that the battle itself is a part of the ritual, like dancing during some rituals?
I thought they were crazy people, but it was beyond my imagination.
Araksad said.
“It looks like there are no combatants. “It’s all the people sitting in the watchtower.”
“then… … .”
“Everyone disperses and attacks at the same time. The total number of watchtowers is eight. “Me, Luan, and Sister Verita will take charge of two each, and the rest will take them down one by one.”
The decision maker in this position is Araksad.
Because of that, I also planned to obey this man’s words as much as possible, but… … .
“… wait for a sec. “Sir, something is strange.”
“what?”
“Look at those fighting now.”
I continued as I looked at dozens of battlefields.
“Most of them are warriors.”
The races are also diverse.
There were not only humans, but also giants, beastmen, dwarves, fairies, and even the Heavenly Winged Tribe.
Most of them are people who fight, people who are not afraid to fight.
“And as the senior said, none of the church members present are combatants. Then why are they fighting so obediently, risking their lives? “If we all join forces, we will definitely have the upper hand in terms of power.”
Araksad’s frown narrowed.
The reptile’s unique cool eyes once again turned to the battlefield.
“… “You are afraid.”
“that’s right.”
“What are you afraid of? Church member? Or is it a religious order?”
“well. They may have been taken hostage… … .”
I stopped talking.
A sudden premonition made me turn my head upward.
Pure white light was pouring down like shards of glass from the ceiling of a vast space, but for an instant, the rays of light faded as if dark clouds were forming.
Just after I thought I heard a faint sound of bells somewhere.
I truly felt death.
Along with the sudden tinnitus, my head hurt as if a piece of metal was roughly scratching the surface of my brain.
A piece of the great evil was struggling to even breathe, and his whole body was convulsed.
“… … !”
It was a huge eye.
It was just looking down, and I could see that its non-murderous gaze was only intent on surveillance… … .
The malice that was felt even in that attitude was terrible. Like a prey that feels numb even from the dragon’s breath.
“Huh… … .”
As Ramon, who had the least aptitude for anti-horse fighting, sat down foaming at the mouth, I remembered the advice of the great master.
The fact that the ambassador recommended not to go beyond the stone gate must have meant that this place was dangerous.
The next thing that came to mind was a comment Verita once gave me.
– Recently… I heard that the Golden Horn is preparing to summon the [Legion Commander].
– Maybe the summoning has already been successful.
The final purpose of the golden horn is still unknown.
However, they may have already achieved their first goal.
The demon corps leader has already been summoned.
fantasy,
