Schnee, who cut off the Mind Chat with Shin, went into action immediately.
She seemed to be very anxious when Shin’s presence disappeared half a day after going into the castle, but she regained her usual composure right away.
“Kuu?”
“What’s wrong?” Yuzuha asked, and the situation was briefly explained.
“Kuu! Yuzuha hates that!”
Precisely because Yuzuha’s partner got involved, and because it personally had been affected by miasma before, Yuzuha wouldn’t allow the existence of the enemy*. (T/N: This will be explained later.)
With Yuzuha perched on her shoulder, Schnee went into town from the inn. Though passersby stopped walking, being fascinated by Schnee’s pretty face, nobody recognized her because she was disguised by a magic skill.
Avoiding those who didn’t know their places gracefully, Schnee arrived at the place where Tiera was in no time. When she opened the door to the entrance, fragrances that she never smelled in daily life lingered in the air. Apparently, it was a shop that dealt with alchemy-related products. Items, which would become special catalysts, like leaves with poisonous-looking colors or some kind of dried things, were side-by-side.
Tiera was in the corner where various types of paper lined up, and she was eagerly comparing them.
“Tiera. Tiera?”
“………”
Apparently, Tiera was quite focused on it.
Even when Schnee called out to her, Tiera didn’t respond at all. Because it couldn’t be helped, Schnee lightly tapped her shoulder and called out her name close to her ear.
“…Tiera?”
“Hyaaa!!?”
Tiera was probably surprised, suddenly hearing a voice so close to her ear.
She jumped in response.
“M-Master. Please don’t startle me like that.”
“Though it’s good to concentrate, pay attention to your surroundings. You didn’t even notice when I was calling you earlier.”
“Uhh, I’m sorry.”
Tiera apologized while hanging her head.
Somehow, her long ears also seemed to face the ground.
“Never mind. Tiera, although this may be difficult for you, there has been an urgent business that has come up and you need to accompany me from now on.”
“Urgent business?”
“Yes, it’s about the King’s castle.”
The King’s castle, Tiera understood it, was not a place she could go.
If she was still at Tsuki no Hokora, she certainly would have retorted in a loud voice. However, because of Shin and his actions, she was not surprised by a thing of such degree.
“…I’m starting to get used to these situations that happen while accompanying Master.”
‘As expected from Master, you and Shin are certainly the same’, agreed Tiera as she thought to herself.
“It’s not a story to explain in here. Let’s go outside.”
“Understood.”
Tiera obediently followed Schnee who turned back towards the street.
It wasn’t a problem for Tiera, since she had no intention of buying anything in particular.
While walking on the road that lead to the King’s castle, Schnee explained the situation.
“…So in other words, I will have to defeat ‘it’ from now on?”
“That’s how it appears. Because you have reached the point where you can go outside, there’s no guarantee that you wouldn’t get involved with ‘it’. There are no documents or rumours about ‘it’, and it’s better if you understand ‘it’ by yourself.”
‘It’ was different from the monsters that attack people for food or to protect their territory. ‘It’ was different from the thief who steals items and money. ‘It’ was the antagonist who afflicts and entraps people.
“It’s a perfect chance for Tiera to learn about the existence of demons.”
――Demon.
Was a monster said to be born from miasma.
It was greatly different from other monsters, because it was not subjected to ability restriction at the place where miasma accumulated; instead it was strengthened. Again, in the demon’s area, the transmogrification of monsters were also accelerated by miasma and in the areas affected by it; the presence of demons increased the degree of difficulty.
Normally, when a monster was affected by the miasma, it was difficult for them to keep their sanity.
It may be possible for a high-level monster, but low-level monsters are hardly able to resist transmogrification. Monsters that change appearance have the word ‘Invade’ added to their names. Then, it becomes an existence that attacks surrounding living beings indiscriminately.
The change of the appearance was assumed to happen when the body of the monster, which was born from demon essence, was replaced by miasma. Thus, the monster’s appearance didn’t revert back to its original form even if the miasma was cleared away. Was it because the monsters, which couldn’t distinguish between ally and enemy, were affected by miasma? There were a lot of them that followed the demon.
Also the miasma, besides affecting monsters, inflicted effects to the seven races who existed in this world. There was no transmogrification in the game’s setting; however, inside the miasma, one would have received bad statuses such as ability restriction, abnormal states, and so on. Though it depends on the density of the miasma, level and race of the person in question, it was a troublesome hindrance to fight against the enhanced demons.
The miasma appeared in quests against a boss, and it lead to monsters attacking a town; it appeared in various places.
When it comes to a high-ranking demon which had the appearance that was close to human anatomy, high intelligence, high fighting power, and was accompanied by low-ranking demon. It was a monster that always appeared in a difficult dungeon and quest.
Ranks usually depended on strength, and were classified into Grand Duke class, Duke class, Marquis class, Count class, Viscount class, Baron class, and Knight class. By the way, this was the index that existed as a setting in the game; it roughly expressed the fighting power of the demon.
“The enemy is probably a Count class.”
“How does Master know?”
Tiera asked Schnee who conjectured the enemy’s rank.
Even if Tiera knew the existence of demons as knowledge, she couldn’t predict like Schnee did.
“It’s a simple method of elimination. In case of Marquis class and above, it’s plenty enough to destroy the country in a surprise attack, without even the need to transpose the second princess. When it comes to Baron class and below, there is no intelligence to think about that far ahead in time. Its level is high to some extent, but it’s reasonable to think it’s a Count class.”
“I see. By the way, what is the level estimation?”
“Right, I guess it’s about low 300s , to high 400s.”
‘If the Princess dies at the Sacred Place, then it’s beneficial for them. Even if she doesn’t, they achieve their purpose by taking advantage of the confusion.’ Tiera thought, while receiving such an explanation from Schnee.
“The level of that class is somewhere in the middle…I mean, um, Master? I’m still no good to fight against it, even if it’s half of the lowest level.”
Unlike chosen ones with high fighting power, it was impossible for her. Except to get killed by fighting an opponent whose level difference was more than 200. Even if Kagerou was with her, it didn’t mean her fighting power increased.
“No problem, because we’ll only observe this time.”
“Observe…”
‘Should I be pleased that there’s no need to fight? Or should I be amazed with Master who says such a thing?’
‘Something was strange either way’, Tiera thought, as her eyebrows furrowed.
Aloof from Tiera’s worries, Schnee continued walking towards the castle.
Because Tiera heard that the Princess was forced to transpose, she thought that the castle would be in confusion. However, the guards didn’t have the appearance of a panicked state.
“Master, we don’t have permits, will we be all right?”
“No problem, because we won’t use the gate to begin with.”
“Eh?”
A question mark floated from Tiera at Schnee’s words.
Schnee then advanced towards the direction where it was different from the gate.
Though Tiera didn’t understand Schnee’s intention either, she followed her for the time being. Schnee, who walked along the wall for a while, the moment there were no people in the area, she activated a magic skill.
“【Hiding】”
The figures of the two people disappeared with the effect.
Coupled with the bonus effect of Kunoichi, which was Schnee’s main job, they would only be discovered in extreme circumstances.
“My appearance is concealed…Don’t tell me…?”
“You are correct. Hold on a little, because we are going to jump.”
Saying so, Schnee held Tiera in her arms and kicked-off the ground.
“Eek!――――”
Without crushing the ground, Schnee and Tiera appeared to fly up gently.
However, Tiera’s scream was forcibly halted from the sudden wind pressure. Though no one would hear it even if she screamed due to the effect of 【Hiding】, if possible she wanted some time to be prepared.
“One step is not enough after all, huh?”
Besides Tiera who thought about these kind of things, Schnee calmly calculated the distance to the top of the wall.
Because she jumped while holding Tiera, she wouldn’t have arrived at the top if she kept going as is. Since it couldn’t be helped, she put her feet on the wall and kicked with her strength.
Movement system martial arts skill 【Wall Run】. With a fixed number of steps, it was a skill that let one run vertically on a wall temporarily when invoked and maintain the foothold.
From that one step, Schnee soundlessly ran up the wall.
“Master, didn’t you make a strange jump just now?”
“It’s a skill that can make foothold on a wall. It’s very convenient.”
“I-I see…”
From Tiera’s point of view, who often had combat training, she wondered ‘will there ever be an opportunity to use a wall as a foothold like that?’ She expected that it was related to a job.
When Tiera asked about Schnee’s job before, she received a single phrase: “It’s a secret.” instead.
“Well then, let’s go down. It’s dangerous if you don’t hang on.”
Regardless of what Tiera thought, Schnee jumped into the air without faltering.
“Ah, ye-AAAAH!”
Tiera screamed from the sudden fall, but Schnee didn’t mind for the time being. Schnee often did this type of fall together with Shin.
Though she jumped off from about the height of an average building, Schnee landed soundlessly, just like when she got on the wall. After she lowered Tiera, Schnee began to walk with silent footsteps right away.
To Tiera who was kneeling on the ground, holding her chest, and was out of breath, the next words that came out from Schnee mercilessly pierced her.
“Now, it’s time to sneak into the castle.”
“Ye-Yes…”
While recalling her past days of Spartan training, Tiera obediently followed after Schnee.
(Even if Shin returned, Master is still Master…)
Schnee was completely ignorant of Tiera who thought about such a thing.
Now, Schnee and Tiera stepped inside the castle. However, their appearances were not to move sneakily like someone suspicious. In fact, they acted in a very bold way.
They entered the castle’s front gate after a little walking from the wall, and advanced through the passage where the knights and civil officers were going back and forth. They were moving as if they were in a totally open plain.
“Um, where are we going, Master?”
“To the prison cell. I’m going to remove the abnormal statuses on Cardinal Greyl.”
“Well, um, don’t we need to defeat the said demon before?”
“No problem. I already caught it.”
“Master is too amazing…”
While talking with Schnee who answered indifferently, Tiera thought, ‘Demon, it’s over for you.’
There were certainly soldiers who were on patrol and on guard duty. However, there was no one powerful enough that could see through Schnee’s 【Hiding】, and Schnee assumed that there was no need to patrol inside a castle in broad daylight.
‘It was too easy,’ thought Tiera who knew of Schnee’s capabilities, but she held back her question about whether if it was all right to have advanced so easily like this.
Even the demon wouldn’t expect this kind of development.
And then――.
“We have arrived…”
After a several minutes, they arrived at the front door that lead to the prison cell without any incident.
Guarding the sturdy door were two muscular knights. However, when Schnee approached, they leaned their backs against the wall and sat down, as if they lost their strength.
It was the non-chanting magic skill, Sleep. After taking the key from the guards who have completely fallen asleep, Schnee opened the door that led to the prison cell.
You couldn’t say that the prison cell was clean. Even though it was in the royal castle, it had the appearance close to a cave. Each one of the jails were spacious, it was possible to accommodate about ten humans brought together.
Schnee had detected 2 presences within her perceptive range. One of them was the demon and the other belonged to Cardinal Greyl. She headed straight towards the cell because that was where the demon’s presence was.
In the prison cell, except Schnee and company, there were only two presences. Even though the room was quite spacious, only the Cardinal was accommodated there.
After leaving Yuzuha to Tiera and put her on standby, Schnee approached the Cardinal and showed herself. Then, a loud voice from Cardinal Greyl asked for her identity.
“Who’s there?”
“It’s been a long time, Cardinal Greyl.”
“!? T-That voice, perhaps you are Raizar-dono? Why are you here?”
Perplexity was mixed in with Cardinal Greyl’s voice.
Even the Cardinal heard about the disappearance of Tsuki no Hokora.
“You are affected by Charm and Confusion, aren’t you?”
“…You know?”
“I heard you transposed the person who was regarded as an upper class Chosen One and the Second Princess to the Sacred Place.”
“As expected from Raizar-dono, you have quick ears. When did it begin? I have little memory of it. I was arrested by Gadras when I recovered my consciousness, and came to be this state. Even if I try to remember it, no matter how many times, only fragmented and vague memories appear.”
Cardinal Greyl frowned in a regretful way; Schnee felt he was a size smaller than the time when he was part of the Armed Struggle Faction. It was likely he felt responsible for the events that occurred.
“That’s the harmful effect when you get two of the mind interference, you know? I came here to remove Charm and Confusion from you completely. Please be at ease. The two people who were transposed are safe.”
The Cardinal suddenly lifted his head.
“What! Is that the truth!?”
“It’s trustworthy information.”
“I thank you for your concern. Having driven people indispensable to the country, the royal family and a Chosen One, to death, you could say I was very worried.”
“It probably won’t take long until they return. Now, since your worries have disappeared, shall I remove the abnormal states?”
“Yes. It’s frightening that I don’t know when I will lose my sanity. Please do so.”
The truth was it’s already dispelled, but Schnee told him so to make him feel relieved.
When mind interference group magic skills became a taboo, the knowledge of the recovery method was also lost.
Schnee was going to use an abnormality state recovery magic skill on the weakened Cardinal Greyl.
However, before she could activated the skill, a shadow came flying towards Schnee.
“You finally came out, huh?”
Schnee quickly took out a ninja katana,『Lazuline Flame』, and turned her gaze toward the shadow that flew in.
Before her, there was a monster which had a strange appearance.
The lower half of its body had two different legs: one leg resembled that of a cow and the other was human. An exoskeleton similar to insects covered the being from its chest to its buttocks. The left arm had a pair of crab pincers and a mantis sickle. The right arm on the other hand, had five tentacles, all of which had thorns protruding the tips. Its head was probably an anglerfish. With a fish face that extended horizontally, the demon seemed to had compound eyes.
It was like a chimera created with evil intention. That figure, which could only be called revolting, were characteristic traits of the Count class.
――――『Count class Demon Magunumuku Level 423』
With Schnee’s【Analyze】, the enemy’s information was disclosed. The rank was what she expected. The only difference was it had “Magunumuku” as an individual name.
“It has a name. I see, so that’s why it possesses such intelligence, huh?”
Some demons, apart from the rank, have their own name.
It could be said that there were the demon’s version of unique monsters. It was commonly known to be strong, similar to other unique monsters. In an indirect way, its high intelligence seemed to come from it being unique monster.
“Silver hair. Blue eyes. Elf. You are Schneee…Raizaa…huh?”
Did it have a problem with its vocal chords? It seemed to have a distorted out of pitch voice that echoed in the basement.
“It’s been about 500 years since I’ve met your kind. Though I haven’t seen a figure since the natural disaster, it’s still a weird appearance as always.”
“You all are annoying. You fellows are always a nuisance.”
“Naturally, swish!!”
The voice of Magunumuku was erased by a Ting sound that reverberated underground, and blue sparks lit up the dark prison cell momentarily.
As it weaved through the darkness, the thorn that lengthened from the tip of the tentacles were launched at Schnee, but she knocked it down in time. The iron bars of the prison cell were already in pieces by Schnee’s movement.
Whoosh
Pincers and a sickle attacked Schnee who moved to protect Cardinal Greyl.
Schnee caught the 3 lethal weapons that concentrated an attack on her 『Lazuline Flame』. With the katana blade pushed by the Count class, which featured high muscular strength, blue sparks scattered from the 『Lazuline Flame』.
Tentacles approached from Schnee’s right side, which couldn’t move. There were five of them and Schnee’s 『Lazuline Flame』 was suppressed by the pincers and sickle from Magunumuku.
‘Caught you’, Magunumuku thought, but just then a blue trace ran through the base of its tentacles.
Gaaahh!?
The screaming Magunumuku took distance from Schnee.
The compound eyes of Magunumuku caught the dagger, 『Scarlet Flame』, in its view in Schnee’s left hand, and confirmed that it had stopped the 『Lazuline Flame』 with its pincers and sickle.
Magunumuku couldn’t prevent its tentacles from being freely cut by 『Lazuline Flame』, as it was not possible to react to Schnee’s simple but quick movements. Even if the tentacles were able to withstand blows from a greatsword, it couldn’t endure the blade which carried a mysterious shine.
“Guu! Annoying! Why are you protecting a human!?”
“He is an innocent person, I cannot let him die with such a false accusation. Besides, I cannot let you guys do whatever you please. To do so would tarnish Tsuki no Hokora’s record.”
“Tsuki no Hokora. The place of the High Human, huh?”
Mugunumuku, who heard the name Tsuki no Hokora, withdrew back one step and straightened its posture.
Its cut off tentacles regenerated from the part of its base.
“High Human, these fellows also killed many of my comrades. However, that’s alreadyover.”
“Over?”
“They have abandoned this world, and many of the warriors left. Humans that remained, degraded as they progressed.”
“Well, I never thought to be told such a story by a demon.”
Though Count class demons were not smart to that extent, when it came to those owning a name, it seemed able to understand the society of the human race.
“Human era is facing the end. Schneee Raizaa. Be our comrade.”
“Is this the lead in to said story? When I think about whatever you said―――― It’s impossible.”
Magunumuku’s invitation was declined by Schnee without any hesitation. Such a thing was not worthy to be considered.
Magunumuku, which heard Schnee’s answer, bent its without-a-neck-body skillfully, and had a posture that looked puzzled. It appeared to not understand the reason Schnee refused.
“Schneee Raizaa. You were left by your master, why did you refuse us?”
“…Wait.”
In the middle of a trifling conversation, Schnee had to estimate the timing of attack, and her pretty eyebrows twitched to the words originating from Magunumuku.
“What did you just say?”
The air had frozen. Everyone in that room felt the illusion that the temperature inside the prison cell fell below freezing.
At this time, only Tiera felt the furs of Yuzuha and Kagerou suddenly bristling up.
“Your master has left you behind. These fellows have gone long ago. They will no longer return.”
As for Magunumuku, did it not feel the severe cold given off by Schnee? It wouldn’t stop talking.
“Isn’t it hateful? I won’t abandon you. Isn’t it annoying? Just rely on that power.”
Magunumuku kept stacking up words in a crooked voice to Schnee, who was silent.
The distorted sound, which was similar to the noise from the abyss, invaded and surged toward Schnee’s ears.
That was the skillset of Charm and Confusion that had manipulated Cardinal Greyl. The double mind contamination extended its evil hand towards Schnee.
However――
“Indeed, you all are still not aware of it after all.”
Schnee’s voice had somewhat a translucent feeling in it, filling the dark wet prison cell and purifying it.
“What are you talking about?”
“If it was the former me, I would surely be angry. I may have relied on feelings and fought.”
Schnee’s expression changed completely into a calm one from some time ago.
Magunumuku couldn’t understand why it didn’t feel negative emotions.
“The timing was bad for you.”
Schnee, in the next moment after saying so, moved both of her hands that they became blurry, and her weapons『Lazuline Flame』and 『Scarlet Flame』became flashes that penetrated through Magunumuku.
Gaahhh!?
Magunumuku couldn’t even react to the overwhelming speed of Schnee.
The blades pierced through the demon’s right chest and left side belly; its power and sharpness caused Magunumuku to become sewn on the wall of the prison cell.
There, Schnee approached him in a relaxed manner. Her movement was not in the least fast.
“This degree of――”
Its words didn’t continue to the end.
With its view declining diagonally, the figure that projected there, especially the blue shining line, made a strong impression in Magunumuku’s mind.
Magunumuku had its head severed. However, it didn’t cease breathing immediately because of its tough vitality. Therefore, it was able to recognize the ninja katana that gave off a bizarre air that Schnee held in her hand.
(That weapon, don’t tell me, 『Blue Moon』? Absurd, that impossi…)
Its thought also broke off there.
Magunumuku’s view turned blue for an instant, and this time, it ceased breathing after recognizing the ninja katana.
“If now, I don’t feel like losing to an Element Tail.”
Schnee muttered, while feeling the power flow from 『Blue Moon』.
“Raizar-dono. What in the world was that monster just now…?”
Cardinal Greyl confirmed that the demon had vanished, and turned toward Schnee.
Before his eyes, an expression of astonishment appeared on his face.
“The one I defeated just now was the monster called a demon. The one that was manipulating you. Though you should be able to understand what you saw, there is not much known about it because it was a unique monster.”
“That’s a demon…I have read the Church’s documents. It’s humanity’s enemy and is born from miasma.”
The demon, which hadn’t appeared for a very long time, started making its move.
This, may be an advanced warning that something different from the current would happen.
“The abnormal state that affected you has been dispelled. Because I have to tell the King, let’s go together.”
“Ah, what should I say to express my gratitude? I will repay this kindness by all means.”
“Please, don’t get worked up too much. Now, let’s go.”
Schnee winked at Tiera and the rest who were hiding, and began to walk.
Tiera, who was under a 【Hiding】 state, was holding Yuzuha, followed the two people. By the way, Kagerou was hidden inside her shadow the whole time.
Schnee and Cardinal Greyl headed straight to the King’s room. Because Schnee stopped hiding her appearance, people who passed her gave a surprised expression and lowered their heads, which looked impressive to Tiera.
Was the story transmitted to the top brass? A guide came from the King’s bodyguard unit in the midway and led them. It was boisterous inside the castle, probably because the information related to the series of events were not transmitted accurately. As for the guide being dispatched, it was because some of the capable leaders had no choice but to make a move.
“This is the office of the King. Please wait for a little bit.”
Saying so, the guide’s soldier knocked on the door, and conveyed Schnee’s visit.
Schnee already grasped who was inside the room, and when the door opened, she calmly entered. Cardinal Greyl was urged to go inside, too. Tiera and the rest secretly slipped into the room.
There were three people in the office.
King of the Bayreuth Kingdom, Jeon Courtade Bayreuth.
First princess of Bayreuth Kingdom, Efilia Lou Bayreuth.
Knight’s leader of Bayreuth Kingdom, Gadras Jarre.
The color of tension could be perceived on the three people’s expression.
“It’s been a long time. I need to talk with all of you.”
“Ah, Raizar-dono. I’m sorry for meeting you like this. I heard that Tsuki no Hokora had disappeared, and my mind became dismayed, you know?”
“I seemed to have caused you worry. However, Tsuki no Hokora and I are safe. Please rest assured.”
Jeon had heard the report of Schnee being alive and well. However, having met her, moreover obtained the information of Tsuki no Hokora was safe from her directly, he felt relieved.
“Raizar-sama. That is Cardinal Greyl, shouldn’t he have been put into the prison cell?”
“Yes, I would like to talk regarding that.”
To Efilia’s question, Schnee explained to them about the existence of demons and how they were behind the scenes of controlling the cardinal.
“Demons…It’s written in the history book. The enemy of mankind. For such a thing to make a move…”
“They have mind interference skills, which are considered a taboo. What a troublesome bunch.”
Listening to Schnee’s story, Jeon and Gadras groaned with a grave expression.
Because they knew Cardinal Greyl was a person who didn’t neglect self-training, they seemed to fully realize the nuisances of the mind interference system skills that manipulated him.
Efilia anxiously looked at Schnee.
“With my magic skills, can I oppose them?”
“Even without magic system skills, there are skills that weakens the mind interference. I will hand you the Secret Book, please spread it around as much as possible.”
Up until now, such a skill was hardly needed.
However, when the thought of enemies that relied heavily on mind interference skills, like demons, increased, Schnee handed over the『Secret Book』of support system magic skill to Efilia. Though it was a useless item depending on level differences, she thought it was better than doing nothing.
“Also, the two people who were transposed are also safe.”
“Oh, is that the truth?!”
“What a relief…”
“Though princess and Shin-dono are said to be upper class Chosen Ones, I thought they wouldn’t die easily, no, I’m glad, very glad.”
Jeon, Efilia and Gadras looked like they were relieved to hear the safety of Rionne and Shin.
“As for Cardinal Greyl, he has not been affected by mind interference either. Therefore, I came with him to go here.”
“This time I have troubled you all.”
“No, as Raizar-dono said, it was because you received mind interference; it would be the same if it was us. I would like Cardinal Greyl to serve as a mediator with the church as always.”
“Yes sir, I promise to give more effort.”
The cardinal bowed his head to the King.
Because he was not the cause of the event, there was no significant punishment.
“First of all, we need to manage the information. When people of the castle are confused, they become uneasy.”
“Understood. Raizar-dono, what will you do after this?”
“There is a place I must go. Excuse me.”
Schnee bowed and turned back.
Though it was extremely rude toward a King, no one said anything because it was Schnee.
Jeon, as usual, already turned his head and gave instructions to Gadras.
“What will we do from now on, Master?”
“We are heading toward the fort city Balmel. Because when Shin and Rionne escape from the Sacred Place, they will be going there.”
After buying food in town, Schnee and Tiera appeared outside the ramparts.
Since Shin had the wagon, they were going to head on foot from here. Schnee and Yuzuha moved by themselves, but Tiera rode on Kagerou’s back, which transformed to just the right size.
Like the blowing winds, Schnee and the rest ran through the road.
With【Hiding】still in effect, and due to the running speed that was incomparable with horses, the merchants and adventurers passing by were plagued with the sudden gust―――.
“Master~! It’s fast! Too fast!”
“G-Gruu…”
Occasionally, they heard such voices too.
◆◆◆◆
Vol. 4 Chapter 3 – Part 2
Going back in time, immediately after Shin and Rionne were transferred to Sacred Place Kalkia.
“How was it?”
“I was able to contact and convey the message to my companions. They will meet us at Balmel and will contact me if something comes up. I asked them to inform the king that the princess is safe for now, but please don’t expect too much.”
Shin thought about what to do next, while telling Rionne; although it was quite different from his actual conversation with Schnee.
Though he wanted to explore the Sacred Place, it would certainly be bad if he took Rionne with him, so he decided to make escaping a top priority and exploration as a bonus.
Even though Rionne was said to be an upper class Chosen One, if the rumored monsters’ information were correct, she would be in danger if Shin didn’t guard her.
“Rionne-sama, do you know anything about the Sacred Place?”
“No, this is also my first time inside, but I have heard stories about the monsters that would come out, and that it would take several upper class Chosen Ones’ everything to deal with them.”
“That’s similar to the information I know. In any case, I will need a weapon, right?”
“Indeed, it’s impossible without a weapon. Is it a blessing in disguise that I have this?”
Rionne said and took out 『Muspelm』from the case she held in hand.
Was this because Rionne had a weapon that could bear all of her energy? Though she was transposed to the danger zone, there was no grim facial expression from her.
Since the case became useless baggage under the current situation, she decided to leave it behind. Because 『Muspelm』 was currently sheathed in what was thought to be a custom-designed scabbard, she didn’t need to carry it exposed.
“I am good, but what about you, Shin? There may be no handy weapons lying around…”
Rionne, who was equipped with 『Muspelm』, muttered as she looked at Shin.
However, Shin didn’t panic. If what he needed was a weapon, he had more than he could possibly use and had explanations for having them prepared.
“It’s okay, because I have this.”
Shin said and took out a piece of a card from his chest pocket and materialized it.
“That’s…?!”
“Haven’t I said it before? I have one or two trumps card concealed.”
Shin laughed a bit proudly towards the surprised Rionne.
What Shin was holding was something that could be misinterpreted as a weak, elliptic-shaped, flattened bar. The katana without-brim had a thickened portion part of the blade, which also best describes its shape.
Its length was about one and a half mel and was fully black in color. Designs like Sanskrit characters were drawn in red on its flat part. Though it had the appearance of a sword, because the weapon was of the heavyweight class like a mace or a long staff, it was mainly for smashing, not cutting, during combat.
This weapon, which seemed to have completely opposite attributes compared to 『Muspelm』, was an average 《Mythology》 grade, named 『Kakura』. The reason why it had a black appearance was because most of it was made of adamantine. There was a little amount of orichalcum in its core, and mithril was used for the Sanskrit characters; as a result, it could deal with the opponent’s magical and physical attacks.
“Even though I thought that you were no ordinary person, when you concealed such a thing…”
“I went through many hardships to obtain it, so please keep it a secret if possible.”
Shin confirmed his senses by taking a swing of 『Kakura』, which was enveloped by a red aura.
By contrast with its thin appearance, because the material was adamantine, its weight was as heavy as Rionne’s 『Muspelm』. The gust of wind conveyed the weight of a single swing.
“I just wanted to ask one thing, where do the Sacred Place investigation teams enter? I have a feeling that they exit over there.”
“Among the gates are four cardinal directions, they enter through the southern gate; of course, it won’t be so easy to pass by.”
“Is it difficult to climb the surrounding walls?”
“Ah, there was one person who tried it once. It’s fine to do it from the outside, but when you try from the inside, monsters seem to only target you. Evasion is also difficult once noticed.”
From the place where Shin and Rionne were, walls that surrounded Kalkia were seen.
Even if one climbed the wall which, by the way, was higher than Bayreuth’s, and did so without any hindrances, it would probably still take a considerable amount of time.
It would take even more time while on the lookout for monsters.
(But if I get serious, it’s possible to do it…)
Though Shin could do it, his ability may be known to Rionne, and it was a simple matter to escape for the two people.
The technique of combining martial arts and magic skills to run up the wall quickly was a relatively popular technique in a battle between players. If he forcibly used the technique little by little, he may be able to do it with just either one of the skills alone. However, according to what he heard from Rionne’s story, that technique must have been lost too.
“Well then, Shin, let’s advance cautiously.”
“Yes.”
The two people moved toward the south gate while observing their surroundings for presences.
Because Kalkia was a city from the game era, Shin thought he could restore the map; however, against his expectations, when he tried there were no significant changes. Still, the map seemed to have been drawn from scratch again.
While watching the presences of monsters, they moved along and jumped onto a roof, and Shin felt his view was distorted.
“What?”
Shin found himself standing on the ground before he knew it.
He intended to jump onto the roof above, but the sensation that transmitted to his feet certainly came through the ground.
“Shin, you felt the same thing too?”
When Shin turned around, Rionne stood there with a similar perplexed expression.
“Wait a minute. Let me try it again just to make sure.”
Saying so, Shin kicked-off the ground a little stronger.
As usual, he only put enough strength so that he could just jump over the roof of the building. However, nothing happened.
“Is this a transition point?”
It was possible to jump to a certain extent. However, when one reached above the height of a certain level, the body that should be jumping up landed on the ground.
“Rionne-sama, how did I look to you?”
For confirmation, Shin asked Rionne.
“You certainly jumped, there’s no doubt about it. However, there, when you reached the height just above the roof of the 1st floor, your figure, which should have been heading up, disappeared, and you appeared on the ground in the next moment.”
While Rionne pointed at the roof of a certain building in front of Shin, she explained how she saw him.
“I see…If we assume that that will happen every time we try to ascend above a certain height, it means that it is blocked.”
Shin concluded.
“This is the first time I’ve seen such a phenomenon. Shin, do you know anything?”
“I think that I have some idea of what’s going on. Can we move continue along the road as is to confirm my hypothesis?”
“I don’t mind, so I’ll leave it to you.”
Shin moved through the readjusted boundary of the main street.
In the middle of the street, they finally stopped in front of a narrow alley that could barely fit two people.
“Rionne-sama, I will enter the alleyway now, please wait here.”
“Okay.”
After saying a few words to Rionne, Shin walked into the alley.
In the following moment, when Shin’s whole body entered the passage, his vision became distorted, and a different scene of the alley came into view.
In Rionne’s eyes, just like what happened to Shin a while ago, Shin seemed to return from the alley unnaturally.
“What on earth is this…?”
Rionne looked at Shin with a puzzled expression.
Although it happened in front of her eyes, she seemingly couldn’t make any sense of it.
“This one too, huh?”
“Shin, can you please explain what is going on? Something is strange with today’s events.”
Rionne asked Shin, who looked like he understood what was going on.
“Sorry, I just want to confirm one last time, because I think I can be sure after this one, could you please wait a little?”
“Muu! If you have to, then it can’t be helped. Also, what is it that you want to confirm?”
Rionne asked as she pressed Shin ahead.
“When we get on this road, there should be a glowing sphere floating. Because you can’t move forward if you go off the road, please take note of it.”
Shin told Rionne the details and began to walk.
Rionne too followed him, while looking closely at her surroundings.
“Rionne-sama, I saw it. It’s there.”
“…Indeed, it’s as you say, a sphere of light.”
The way ahead, also in the center of the road, was a floating sphere with a diameter of about 30 cemels, which emitted a white light.
The brightness was not very strong; one would not be blinded even if they looked straight at it.
“I guess there’s no mistake about it. Somehow this whole city seems to have become a dungeon.”
“WAIT, WHAT?!”
Rionne heard Shin’s explanation, but raised her voice in surprise.
Though the features for the city were lost because of the roaming monsters, it was once a place known to be full of prosperity. When she heard that it become a dungeon, it couldn’t be helped that she was surprised.
“But, what should we do now? I’ve never heard of a town becoming a dungeon before.”
“Even though I say ‘dungeon’, please don’t worry, because it’s different from a general one.”
Shin talked calmly to Rionne who frowned and pondered.
Shin actually knew this whole dungeon-making thing well.
“Please explain it to me, Shin.”
“Sure. What I’m saying is, In the current situation, we can only reach the exit if we go along a specific route.”
“Specific route? Then, the reason for us not being able to move above the roof and the alley…”
“Yes, it’s because it deviates from the specific route. If you try taking shortcuts that greatly deviate from the route, you return to your original location. In order to escape, we must advance following this shining sphere as a marker.”
Shin had remembered that immediately after a massive update, a time-attack race was held using the entire city.
In the city that newly appeared in the update, there were no players’ shops, guild bases and so on. So, in the case of an event using a whole city which was thought to be impossible, was implemented at this opportunity; a time-attack race.
With the center of the city as the entrance, players competed in a time trial to escape from there. The players and parties with the shortest time got a limited edition rare item distributed from the event; therefore, Shin had seen this sphere before.
“I don’t remember registering in this race though.”
Shin continued talking in a small mutter that was not audible to Rionne.
“Because there are no traps installed on the route, if we find the sphere while killing monsters, we should be able to escape without any trouble.”
Monsters would emerge and would match the stats of the players.
【Limit】 couldn’t be released during an event, and decreased stats were applied. In addition, the course became longer if the stats were high; it was the overview of the time-attack race that Shin knew.
Instead of the race deciding on stats or learned techniques, the race was decided upon the escape routes that were randomly generated and differed in length.
(It’s possible to release 【Limit】 now, but will it be different from the event in the game? No…, to begin with, there is a possibility I cannot interfere with the stats because the game became a reality, right?)
Because this world itself was mysterious, Shin couldn’t be certain, but then, not everything should act according to the game scenarios.
“I see, is there a time limit? When exploring the ancient ruins and the dungeon, I heard that there were such things.”
“No, there should not be.”
It was an event which one could clear even if one took their time.
The goal was to compete for the quickest time to escape. According to Shin’s knowledge, there was no particular penalty in the case of being slow.
“Shin, though it may seem bad when I say it this way, I feel lucky to be teleported with you. Thanks to you, I did not have to make any effort in trying to solve this riddle.”
Rionne said while smiling wryly.
If Rionne was actually alone, it was certain that she would waste time before she understood the situation.
“Then, Shin, let’s go look for the lightsphere. Tell me if there’s a place that differs from your knowledge. This is a Sacred Place, I don’t know what can happen.”
“Understood. As for this sphere, it becomes the transition point to the next route. First, I will be transposed ahead. I will return immediately if there is nothing, so please standby.”
“Okay.”
Hearing Rionne’s answer, Shin touched the sphere.
His surrounding scenery suddenly changed in an instant, and Shin was in a different place than a moment ago. When he checked the map, the distance between him and Rionne was not that far. It was the distance of less than five minutes if walking normally.
“This is the part of the race where it gets unpleasant.”
Shin sighed, as he recalled the race that he had experienced before. He returned to Rionne right away.
“It’s safe for transposing. Now then, let’s go.”
“I’m sorry to leave you in a dangerous position.”
“I cannot afford to let you, the princess, to be in my position. Besides, there are groups of monsters ahead at the transposing point. If it were just me, I could only run away.”
Shin, on the contrary, could easily crush the enemies ahead.
If he was in a place where he wouldn’t be seen, Shin would instantly kill any monster that was there without hesitating.
“There’s no need for etiquette here. Let’s both survive and leave together.”
“Of course.”
In response to Rionne’s words, which were full of determination, Shin returned a big nod.
With Shin as the lead, the two people walked down the street.
During the time-attack race, it was basically impossible to move forward except through the main street. There were exceptions, such as hidden passage-like alleys and shortcuts, but it depended completely on luck whether or not they were found.
Unless they were in a very desperate situation and aimed for reversal, it only cost time to look for such a thing. Rionne was also looking for such alleys at first, but with Shin’s advice, she went ahead through the main street obediently.
In a place where they approached a crossroad, Shin looked back at Rionne.
“Rionne-sama, let’s go straight from here.”
“Did you find something?”
“There are three monsters on the left, one on the right. Because there is nothing up front, we should go there first. If it’s no good, we go to the right. Even if the left is the correct path, there will be a series of battles. I think we should avoid battle as much as possible.”
In Shin’s perception range, there were already several presences of monsters.
Because he could narrow down the range to value accuracy, he was able to see their names and levels.
On the left side, there was a level 602 wolf type monster “Blue-Mist Hound”, a scorpion type monster level 544, “Spoerk”, and three level 588 slime type monsters, “Gilslay”.
He could see that it was a three-way battle from the movement of the markers. It would probably be hard for Rionne to jump in there.
In the opposite direction, there was a ghost type monster level 531, Ghillie Wize.
It was a troublesome monster that uses some advanced level magic skills, but with Shin’s 『Kakura』 and Rionne’s 『Muspelm』, they had more than enough to deal effective damage to it. Even with Rionne’s fighting ability alone, going right was the easiest fight. There was no problem even if she were to be directly hit by magic skills if Shin became her shield.
“That’s right, there are only two of us. We should avoid the fights that are likely to be disadvantageous.”
Rionne seemed to believe Shin’s story, and stepped straight forward.
However, the view for the two people became distorted after they walked for about five minutes. It was incomprehensible because it was in the middle of the main street, and the left and right shops changed similarly to a moment ago.
“It seems to be no good here.”
“It looks like it. No choice but to return.”
Since they could not proceed forward, as they agreed beforehand, they returned and instead turned left.
Shin caught the monster’s appearance in his view after moving for a while.
“It’s here. It’s still the only monster, and there’s no other presences of monsters nearby.”
Before the two people was a figure of a mummy, which wore a mist-like black robe and had a twisted, warped-shaped staff.
Only the head and arms resembled the figure of a mummy, neither the legs nor upper body were there. It was a monster that fell into heresy; its own body had turned into mist. Its name was Ghillie Wize.
In fact, by looking at it alone, the mummy that appeared had no physical substances for its head and arms either. It could be said that normal weapons couldn’t deal proper damage; it was a mage type monster which could resist physical attacks.
“What… is that?!”
“A ghost type monster, Ghillie Wize. It can use earth and wind magic. Though it seems to hold a staff, because the staff is floating, it’s movements are irregular. Please be careful.”
“Thanks for the advice!”
Shin gave important info to Rionne while running.
If a person saw this creature for the first time, they may have thought that it was holding a staff, and they would have received severe damage from the flying stick, as they would not be able to perceive any movement from the monster.
“Suuuooooooooooooonyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!”
Its voice reverberated, not knowing where it came from.
It was the magic chants of Ghillie Wize.
“It’s coming!”
Almost at the same time as the Ghillie Wize finished chanting, Shin shouted.
What it released was a wind system magic skill, 【Air Barret】 and 【Air Cutter】. Bullets of compressed wind and blades of sharp wind swooped down on Rionne and Shin. Though both magics were elementary level, the number of attacks were no match for an ordinary mage.
“This degree!!!”
Rionne closed the distance while lightly evading the barrage of winds from Ghillie Wize.
Sparing no effort to display her strengthened physical ability by the support system martial arts skill 【Spirit Manipulation • Katsusen】, she continued dodging the wind magic which should be difficult to see.
Shin too, closed the gap in the same manner as Rionne, approaching the Ghillie Wize. However, if one looked closely, the magic shots actually vanished when they neared Shin. With the magic resistance from the said High Human’s abnormality, the magic couldn’t maintain its form. Judging from mage types such as Ghillie Wize, the existence of Shin had a thoroughly bad compatibility.
“Ziiii!!?”
That surprised voice originated from the Ghillie Wize.
Apparently it had noticed that the magic around Shin had disappeared.
While moving with a speed matching Rionne’s, Shin had a grin and laugh that could only be seen by the Ghillie Wize.
“Uhh!!?”
The word that came out, did it mean, “Crap!!?” if it was said by a human?
It may have realized that its magic didn’t work. The mummy’s face, which should have had no expression, appeared to twitch.
The approaching figure of Shin, who was a little behind than Rionne, must have appeared as the devil in the Ghillie Wize’s eyes. It’s being more cautious toward Shin rather than Rionne who was holding a holy sword that should be its weakness, was the best evidence of it.
“BeeeeJaaaaaaaaaa!!”
With a cry, a large mass of magic power developed around the Ghillie Wize.
It was charging the wind system magic skill 【Storm Blast】 and earth system magic skill【Dragoon Bite】. With a tornado that exceeded the height of the Ghillie Wize, and a huge clay jaw modeled from a dragon, the skill 【Air Barret】 flew wildly, pushing the two attackers.
“Damn it! Is this the power of a monster in the Sacred Place?”
Even Rionne seemed to be alarmed by this.
Putting strength into the hand holding 『Muspelm』, she was going to activate some kind of skill. However, Shin interrupted there.
“Leave it to me here! Rionne-sama, you deal blows on that fellow!”
“Okay, you can count on me!”
Rionne canceled the skill she was going to invoke, and accumulated more power into her arm.
Though it was quite dangerous if Shin failed, Rionne didn’t think that Shin would make a mistake. Even if she only knew a little about his ability, she didn’t doubt Shin’s so called trump card, 『Kakura』.
Shin stepped forth strongly by one step while a pair of advanced level magics drew nearer. These magic skills were unleashed with the Ghillie Wize’s whole power. However, the magic already lost its power due to Shin’s magic resistance; in fact, the magic was on the verge of dispersing.
“Here I go~!!”
Shin used a side sweep towards the magic, which would disappear if blown apart.
Contradictory with its appearance, in front of 『Kakura』’s brandish, which carried a considerable amount of mass, was able to erase the magic that approached the two people so easily that it was basically disappointing. The Ghillie Wize too, never thought that it would be easily broken there.
Seeing Shin and Rionne charging through unscathed, the Ghillie Wize’s movement already stopped completely. Rionne, who never overlooked such opportunities quickly took advantage.
“Got you!!”
Rionne mightily jumped up from behind Shin and rotated once in the air.
Releasing the accumulated power, she invoked the fencing technique system martial arts【Full Moon Edge】. With centrifugal force added to the mass of 『Muspelm』, she struck the increasingly white radiant blade against the Ghillie Wize.
“Dyyyyyyyyyyyyyyーー!!”
The slashing attack pierced the robe diagonally and blew off one-third of what the Ghillie Wize was composed of, and cut off the arm that held the staff.
The cut off arm then vanished into thin air. Even though it was said to be disembodied, it couldn’t avoid damage if so much of its body got blown off. All the more was true since the attack had a light attribute to it, which was its weak point.
The staff that should have been floating around was also lying on the ground now. The Ghillie Wize screamed at the substantial damage it received, but its suffering hadn’t ended yet. This is because, charging towards the Ghillie Wize that had received so much damage and had started to retreat; was Shin.
Shin was grinning and laughing again.
It’s needless to say that the Ghillie Wize saw Shin, who had a brutal smile, as the devil.
“Hiiiii!?”
Did it have intelligence? The Ghillie Wize started to desperately take distance, as it no longer raised the “Hiiii!?” voice.
However, it was not possible to escape from Shin’s pursuit.
“Time to put an end to this fellow!!”
Shin jumped and swung downwards, on the Ghillie Wize which fell due to damage.
It was the mallet technique system martial arts skill 【Fission】 that enveloped 『Kakura』. Because of the very few martial arts skills that could cause damage to disembodied monsters, the already strong 『Kakura』 was powered up even more.
“orz…”
Ghillie Wize uttered at its final moment as a single blow came from sky; although, what it muttered was a meaning even itself didn’t understand.
“It’s unexpectedly an easy win.”
Rionne seemed to feel satisfied, for the battle that ended after only a few minutes.
“It may be because its weak point is the light attribute bestowed on 『Muspelm』. Added with its high quality, somehow even with only us, two upper class Chosen Ones, we were able to defeat it. It’s usually not so easy.”
Because Shin was troubled that it was strange to be thinking optimistically, he gave a firm reminder.
Perhaps, if his weapon was an iron bar or sword borrowed from the ruins, it hardly would have gone in this direction. Though Ghillie Wize was brought down very easily, if its opponents were ordinary soldiers, it had the ability to destroy approximately a small country on its own. It just had a bad matchup this time.
“I get it. Anyway, my level didn’t go up even when I defeated a unique Skull Face, but this time it did. While it may be true that the battle was easy, I never thought it was weak.”
Apparently, Rionne’s level had gone up.
The opponent was close to her rank in this case. For such, she earned enough experience points to level up.
“Moreover, I also acquired some kind of title.”
“Title?”
‘Titles are obtained through battles and leveling up’, Shin thought as he recalled the things that corresponded to the current battle.
“Yes, it’s displayed as ‘Natural Enemy of Magic Users’.”
‘Natural Enemy of Magic Users’ was a title that was obtained by defeating a monster without using magic, and without receiving any magic damage when fighting against an opponent who uses advanced level magic skills. There was an effect of decreasing the damage of magic skills by 2 percent.
“Oh, I see…but is it okay to tell me that? This kind of thing should be kept a secret, right?”
“It’s thanks to you that I obtained this, Shin. Besides, you will not spread such a thing around, will you?”
“That’s true, but…”
Before he knew it, Rionne’s reliability on Shin seemed to have risen.
Was it because they both fought together?
“Still, from your appearance, you seem to know the effect of the title, Shin.”
“Well, what are you talking about?”
“A while ago, you said “I see”, didn’t you?’
He seemed to have been exposed from his answer.
Because he had a hunch that it would be bad if he knew in detail, he didn’t answer affirmatively. On that subject, Shin recalled that ‘titles are rarer than skills’.
“…I don’t remember it.”
“Are you a noble?…”
Rionne gave out a little disgusted feeling; the nobles in this world seemed to have said similar things, too.
When related to politics, these types of lines seemed to be common anywhere.
“Fufu, but I’m more interested in you suddenly. However, it’s an emergency now. I will question you later on. Then, I will go ahead.”
Did something tug on Rionne’s heartstrings? She began to run away with a small laugh.
Her eyes felt like a hunter who found their prey.
“…Roger that.”
‘I would be rather thankful if you forgot that,’ Shin thought while following Rionne.
When he escaped from the Sacred Place, Shin had a premonition that a troublesome thing like this would come back when he returned.
◆◆◆◆
Vol. 4 Chapter 3 – Part 3
“Shin, how many monsters are within your perception range?”
“Besides the other three that I mentioned earlier, there are more than 20 in total. From what I know, most of them supposedly don’t make big movements, but we can’t be careless because some of them tend to disregard this trend too.”
Shin answered to Rionne, while searching for the white sphere to make sure that this wa