The Spearmaster and the Black Cat-Novel

Chapter 185 – Once Again Towards the Fifth Floor

I manipulate my blood and shed blood from my wrist.

“…You likely thirst for blood, but can you suppress it?” (Shuuya)

“Probably…” (Mysty)

She stares at the blood flowing down from my wrist with bloodshot eyes.

The blood veins in the whites of her eyes increased as she wrinkled up her eyebrows. Blood veins popped out at the outer corners of her eyes.

It’s the face of her fighting against the vampire-like blood thirst.

However, her eyes immediately return to their reddish brown color.

Mysty regained her composure.

“…To be honest, I want to suck your blood. But, I can resist that urge.” (Mysty)

“This time you don’t have to endure. It’s a reward for becoming my bloodkin as < Head Servant Leader >. Go ahead and suck.” (Shuuya)

“Yahooo――” (Mysty)

Mysty brings her head close to my wrist while blood veins pop out at the outer corners of her eyes.

She sucked my blood with vigor.

“That’s enough.” (Shuuya)

“Hauu――” (Mysty)

Mysty alternately looks at my face and my wrist with teary eyes.

She dons a miserable expression.

“That’s all for today. I will have you reach the first stage of < Blood Mana > after we return from the labyrinth.” (Shuuya)

“Understood, Master.” (Mysty)

“Eh? You can just call me by name as usual.” (Shuuya)

“No. I…it’s the first time for me to feel something like this. That’s why I’d like you to pardon me. When we talk, I will talk normally, but this will be the last time that I carelessly call you Shuuya. I offer all the knowledge dwelling in this body to my master.” (Mysty)

After saying so, she places one knee on the ground in order to do a retainer’s bow, places her hands on her chest, and lowers her head.

However, master, eh?

Is this cynicism?

Back then Sol’s wife also called me master before her memories returned.

I think it’s coincidence, but it might be a prank of Death Goddess Baycala who was involved at that time.

“…Understood. Shuuya is fine as well, but your loyalty moved my heart. I shall accept it.” (Shuuya)

“Yes, master. I might end up saying Shuuya at times, though. Fufu.” (Mysty)

“Just call me as you like. So, we’re going to head to the labyrinth, but can you create those simple golems, which you mentioned earlier, at any time?” (Shuuya)

I ask her about the golems that can be called her main weapon.

“Yeah, it’s possible. Once I create a sorcery doll(Worganov), it will take time to disassemble it, though. As long as there are superior metals, simple golems are made in accordance with a few methods of imagining by skill(templates). You can say this is “limited to me” who possesses a special skill, but…if you carve simple command lines into the core which has been manufactured at first by using a furnace, it’s later possible to refine a simple golem anywhere from a designated metal in an instant.” (Mysty)

It seems that metal was an excellent one.

Well, I think it’s because Mysty herself is excellent.

“Then make sure you can immediately create simple golems using the furnace in the smithing room located on the courtyard. As soon as your preparations are completed, we will head to the labyrinth.” (Shuuya)

“Yes, master. See you later.” (Mysty)

Mysty closes one eye.

After winking adorably, she left the room.

The sound of her running along the corridor is full of happiness.

Visibly having passed each other, Helme entered the room with a happy expression.

“…Your Excellency, you safely guided Mysty to become a < Head Servant Leader >, didn’t you?” (Helme)

“Yeah. She has become a bloodkin. And, she apparently calls me master.” (Shuuya)

“Magnificent. It’s probably her own proof of loyalty towards the great you, Your Excellency.” (Helme)

Helme genuflects.

I could see her knee pressing against her springy breast.

“…I’m delighted about the loyalty.” (Shuuya)

“Yes. Mysty will become capable of creating an army of sorcery dolls, Your Excellency.” (Helme)

“Army, eh? You’re sure radical, Helme.” (Shuuya)

“Your Excellency…you are a supreme being equal to the ones governing the entirety of this world. I’m plenty aware of Your Excellency’s kindness, but I want to serve as your assistant in your immediate vicinity while you’re overrunning the world of butts.” (Helme)

…Overrunning the world of butts.

Helme-san, you’re too severe.

Oh well, that’s her amusing and adorable part, though.

…I guess I will go along with it for a bit.

“…Even if we’re going to create an army, that’s a matter after we gather yet unknown, powerful metals in the labyrinth. There’s no point in creating weak sorcery dolls. And, the research will likely continue for a long time. Including the development of the basic technology, it might require more than several hundred years by chance.” (Shuuya)

“Yes. It’s long, but if it’s you and me, that’s just an instant.” (Helme)

“You could say that, but…one day on this planet is long. Astonishingly so…now then, apart from that, labyrinth. Are you going to return into my eye?” (Shuuya)

“Yes――” (Helme)

Helme liquefies by melting her body in an instant.

While drawing a splashing parabola, she leaped into my left eye.

After Helme settled down in my eye, I took the armor off the mannequin, and put it on.

I don’t equip the violet protector(Rearbrace) in the shape of a dragon on my left arm since the golden ring of light(Arbar) is there.

After pouring some mana into the dragon egg, I head to the living room.

Everyone was gathered around the table.

I guess I will explain since the Head Maid is present as well.

“Isabell, I mentioned it a bit before, but make sure to not tamper too much with the things inside my room. Pay special attention to it since a dragon egg is there as well.” (Shuuya)

“Y-Yes.” (Isabell)

Taking everyone along, I exited towards the courtyard.

“Wait here. I’m going to have a little look at the smithing room.” (Shuuya)

“”Yes.””

“Yeees.”

I opened the door and tried peeking into the smithing room.

There’s a big furnace and a small furnace.

There are also bellows which had been coupled.

In addition, catalysts, an anvil and a desk made out of evergreen oak.

Shelves with large quantities of jars for refined gold and a huge bed are carelessly lined up.

You can call it a slightly desolate room for spending time within by yourself with its huge space.

Mysty was using the small furnace. Apparently she finished the processing of the metal already.

“It’s already finished. Look.” (Mysty)

What she showed me was a crystal core.

The magic characters in the central part, which was was mixed with black metal, are shining like small crests.

“You’re fast. Well then, I’m going to confirm the strategy together with everyone. Can you come?” (Shuuya)

“Sure.” (Mysty)

Once I’m speaking about the party’s strategy and the mirror, Kaldo…

“Milord, it’s about the dark guild you mentioned yesterday. Is it fine for me to not stay back here?” (Kaldo)

“Yeah, for now it’s okay. Seeing as I don’t know what will happen in the fight against the evil god, I’m taking the bloodkin along. The liaison from 【Remains of the Moon】 still hasn’t shown up.” (Shuuya)

“Understood.” (Kaldo)

Next I began to explain the fifth floor.

It’s an eerie wasteland with lingering, gloomy clouds.

I tell them that we will advance until the evil god ruins located there with a mixed party.

The vanguards will be Bia, the simple golem, though it’s unclear whether it will be of any use, and the two Burning Knights.

The assault vanguards will be Souther, Mamani, Yui, and Kaldo.

The middle guards will be Viine, me, Helme, and Rollo.

The rearguards will be Eva, Rebecca, Fuu, and Mysty.

“I can use offensive earth magic, but don’t expect it to have any power. Since I will mostly pay attention to the golem’s control, I myself won’t be of any use.” (Mysty)

“Got it.” (Shuuya)

Mysty swiftly notes down memos in a sketchbook.

From her conduct I can judge that her strategic comprehension appears to be high.

“Alright, that’s all of the explanation for now. Let’s head to the guild and the Map Association.” (Shuuya)

The < Head Servant Leaders > Viine, Eva, Rebecca, Yui and Mysty as well as me, Rollo, (the Burning Knights, and Helme) are the main party.

The < Servant Leader > Kaldo, the high-class combat slaves Fuu, Bia, Mamani, and Souther are the second party. Taking everyone along, we leave the mansion, and go to the adventurer guild.

We will handle Yui’s and Kaldo’s adventurer registration.

We didn’t accept a magic stone collection request, though.

We only took requests for the raw materials of the monsters spawning on the fifth floor.

All magic stones will go towards my item box.

The team name of the slaves is 【Eternal Master】 or something like that.

I won’t delve into it too deeply.

And I ask the receptionist about a certain something.

“I’d like to know about the promotion to B-Rank.” (Shuuya)

“Once every ten days a promotion battle is held in the training hall located in the back. Since it was carried out yesterday, the next one will be in nine days.”

I suppose I will come to the guild in nine days.

“Understood. Thanks.” (Shuuya)

“No, not at all. Please do your best during the promotion battle.”

I was encouraged with a smile by the beautiful, human receptionist lady.

“Okay.” (Shuuya)

I replied with a gentlemanly smile.

At once I’m lightly hit on my butt by Rebecca.

We left the adventurer’s guild and entered the neighboring building of the 【Magic Treasure Map Discovery Association】.

Walking through the quiet place with long benches lining up, we arrive in front of the reception desk.

On the other side of the desk ― was the Map Deciphering Expert, Hannibal Soltarl, in a place with a table that had documents placed on it chaotically, and a sofa.

Once I met eyes with him, he beckoned me over.

“Please wait here. That guy is Hannibal. I will have him appraise the map.” (Shuuya)

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

“Nn.” (Eva)

Leaving everyone behind in front of the reception desk, I approach Hannibal.

“Yo! You still being alive means that you dug out the level 4 magic treasure map from the other day, right?” (Hannibal)

“Yes, we obtained a golden treasure chest.” (Shuuya)

“And unhurt. Not bad. You’re the real deal.” (Hannibal)

Even the employees working in the vicinity raised their voices in surprise.

“So, today that rare, beauty of a dark elf isn’t with you?” (Hannibal)

“She is, but I have her wait for me.” (Shuuya)

“Tsk, give me some service man.” (Hannibal)

You damned old lecher.

But, we’re birds of the same feather, so I get him quite well.

“I know the feeling. But, now I’d like to request a job from you, an excellent Map Deciphering Expert.” (Shuuya)

Once Hannibal hears my subtle flattery, his look becomes stabbing.

While scratching his stubbles with his left hand,

“…Let me have a look.” (Hannibal)

He demanded the map while jerking his chin.

“Sure.” (Shuuya)

I take out the magic treasure map and five silver coins out of my item box in a hurry, and hand them over to Hannibal.

“Here you go.” (Shuuya)

“Sit down there. I will start now.” (Hannibal)

I nod and sit down on the sofa.

Hannibal spread the map on the table.

He prepares the map by holding it down with paperweights.

And then he shifted towards the appraisal like the other day.

Once he raises a hand and a floating bone-like, characteristic hand shows up, a shining quill, similar to before, is created in mid-air, without it being clear whether it’s a skill or magic.

Last time he wore a fingerless glove, but this time he’s bare-handed.

The shining quill leaps, dances and touches the map’s surface with disorderly movements.

It produced lines of geometrical patterns on the map.

Lastly, the quill turns around and the picture of a woman floats up.

And then, in the instant the pen nib got in contact with the map, the quill’s light vanishes.

Hannibal grinned broadly.

The last woman was ad-lib?

A labyrinth structure different from last time was drawn on the map, and the treasure chest’s location had been marked down as well.

“…It’s done. It’s regrettable, but you can call it a dead map. Level 5, 20th floor. Well, as might be expected from a magic treasure map coming out of a golden treasure chest. No helping it.” (Hannibal)

20th floor, eh?

It’s possible that it’s no dead map for me.

If I believe the evil god’s story, that is.

Well, no point in thinking about assumptions.

For now I will consider it to be fake, and seal the map for a while.

“…Yes. Thank you very much for the appraisal.” (Shuuya)

I stand up from the sofa.

“Wait, do you have some time for a chat?” (Hannibal)

He detained me with a sharp look.

“What is it?” (Shuuya)

“…Please sit down there.” (Hannibal)

“…” (Shuuya)

I felt doubtful, but I do as told while staying silent.

“It’s about a consultation…” (Hannibal)

After flashing a peculiar smile that carried a joy befitting a middle-aged man, he started to talk.

It’s about a request.

“The escort of a magic treasure map…” (Shuuya)

“Want to have a go at it?” (Hannibal)

“That important customer of yours, is she really a merchant?” (Shuuya)

“That’s right. She’s quite peculiar, but still an individual merchant. Her mansion is small, as well. She’s an oddball said to have only one servant. I hear she’s close with the owner of Suloza’s antique shop, but she doesn’t show herself publicly overly often. She’s someone that gathers things, commonly known as Collector. She’s a beautiful merchant with big boobs and she pays unusually good, as well. She’s also one of my valuable clients.” (Hannibal)

Say that first. If it’s a big-boobed beauty, I’m of course interested.

“Us as escort of the magic treasure map owned by that beautiful Collector-san?” (Shuuya)

“…Shuuya, your group seems excellent after all. There will be other parties and clans, too. The reward is great. I’m expecting her to gather the very best of the six top clans.” (Hannibal)

“What’s the magic treasure map’s level and floor?” (Shuuya)

“Fourth floor, level 5. A magic treasure map in the higher price range. Since the spawning guardian will be weak as it’s the fourth floor, you can consider it as not being all that different from the level 4 map you dug up. Though, I don’t know any more than this. Since you have experienced it once already, you can probably imagine. Since she’s going to hire a big number of excellent adventurers, it should be a quite easy job. I think it will quickly finish with the monsters spawning around the treasure chest being defeated entirely in no time.” (Hannibal)

Fourth floor, eh?

I haven’t experienced a level 5 magic treasure map yet, but I guess it’ll be a simple request because of the presence of excellent adventurers?

“When is that going to take place?” (Shuuya)

I asked while sending a stern look at Hannibal.

“Oh, it piqued your interest? The schedule is to gather on the First Ring Road in front of this place in the morning in five days. Since Collector herself said that she will show up this time, you will immediately know. And, a request should have already been posted on the guild’s A rank board.” (Hannibal)

“I see. I will look for it later and accept it.” (Shuuya)

“Sure.” (Hannibal)

I bid farewell from Hannibal after having some small talk.

I tell everyone, who was waiting in front of the reception desk, about the magic treasure map guard request Hannibal told me about.

And then we return to the adventurer guild.

――I looked for the board.

Request Content: A-Rank – Fourth Floor, escort for a level 5 magic treasure map

Subjugation Target: Guardian class and many others

Application Period: Deadline in five days

Search Area: none

Reward: 15 Platinum Coins (It’s a party or clan reward, not individual)

Subjugation Proof: none

Hints: A random guardian and powerful monsters will spawn. Parties or clans are welcome. Individuals may only apply at A-Rank or S-Rank.

Note: The meeting place is in front of the 【Magic Treasure Map Discovery Association】. You will probably find it since me and my servant will be present, too. The leader will be the Blue-armed Treasure Party’s Kasem Leerald. It’s planned to give a special bonus to those showing good results. -By the Collector.

This, huh?

“We’re going to accept the request, right?”

“That’s how it is. It seems to be in five days.”

“Nn, it would also be good to accept subjugation requests for monsters of the fourth and fifth floor where we’re going to head next.” (Eva)

Eva said while picking up the wooden tags.

“Sure.”

“Makes sense. I’m sure there will be some battles until reaching the map’s location.”

Everyone nods and lines up at the reception while holding their respective wooden tags.

I also hand several request tags and my adventurer card to the receptionist. Everything got accepted.

I put back the returned card in a pocket of my chest strap.

Turning around, I joined up with everyone ― and we left the guild.

We head to the entrance of the labyrinth.

It’s the short tower building close to the ring road.

――I will guide you through the wasteland of the fifth floor. The crystal bound for the the sixth floor. The Two Towers of Death. The Crystalline Cliff. The Forest of Smoke Pollution. The Graveyard of the Wastelands. The adventurer’s inn.

It’s the usual hustle and bustle.

Several vendors, small, female peddlers with dark brown skin, adventurers looking for party members, official announcers are shouting with all their might on the First Ring Road.

――I’m selling glass tools, valuable desert perfumes, and special underground water originating from the 【Desert City Gozart】~. There’s also high-class tea procured at the Rad Pass and wool bought at the Deep Lake City Lulusack~. And, I’m also selling the same valuable desert cacti as can be found on the Festival of Plants Market~.

――A large scaled battle has broken out in the war of the Western Pelneet Prairie. A part of the Magic Dragon Rider Unit and the Blue Iron Knight Order has taken flight. I’m told the Kingdom lost half of the Cuosso and Frederic territories, and all of the Ruleque’Sand, Shybige, and Zund territories. 【Oseberia Kingdom】 lost all territories it gained during the Western Lushiz Campaign, and even some territory that had been originally part of the Kingdom. The way it seems, the 【Radford Empire】 threw its prized Special Land Battle Brigade into the battle. Once the last bastion located in the Southerion territory falls, Deep Lake City Lulusack will possibly be in danger too. If Lulusack is taken a second time, it’s possible that Pelneet will become the next battlefield. Everyone, you have been warned.

The war situation is apparently getting worse.

I would really hate it if Pelneet turned into a battlefield while I’m carefreely adventuring in the labyrinth.

I don’t want my house to go up in flames either.

――There’s apparently another murder case, where three gems were left behind, in the southern residential area of the Third Ring Road. It looks like the guards and great knights haven’t been able to find the criminal. Everyone, be careful.

Ugh, I already heard about those murder cases a while ago…

There might be a monster that likes blood?

Mmh, right, there is one, me.

――The masked Demonoid Zarlp has shown up again. This time he has barged into the arena. He apparently killed several named tournament contestants and left by flying with his feet that grew wings. If you saw his blood-smeared appearance, report it to the office of the guards or White Nine.

Masked Demonoid Zarlp. He seems to be Mel’s father, but…

I let my eyes wander while thinking as I walk.

――The 24-faced mystery man made his appearance! He disappeared at the southern gate!

First Zarlp, now a 24-faced mystery man?

――Pay attention to the old Lumen people! Those handling magic lamps are very important.

The white-eyed, medicine plant-selling girl, who was always here, isn’t present.

Well, I guess such days exist as well.

“Repent. The kingdom of heaven is drawing near and the voices of those screaming in the western wastelands are…”

A priest preached to his believers while using the war between Radford and Oseberia as metaphor.

『…Even though His Greatness has been here all along, there are people who cannot be saved.』 (Helme)

The petite Helme presses her hands against her waist while talking proudly.

『Well, everyone has their own beliefs and philosophies. Even if you were to deny it, the hearts and minds are already satisfied from the bottom of their heart to be saved. It’s nothing we should criticize as outsiders. It ain’t our place to be paternalistic…but, if they are heretic filth that sacrifices beautiful women, I will get rid of them without any questions asked.』 (Shuuya)

『Yes! I don’t understand the difficult parts, but Your Excellency’s kind heart is truly so big that it covers the world.』 (Helme)

While talking telepathically with Helme, who’s loyalty goes through the roof, I arrive at the building with the short tower.

Guards are standing on both sides of the entrance like gate posts.

I showed them my adventurer card and went inside.

Many adventurers appear and disappear in the vicinity of the crystal.

After lining up and waiting, the combat slave team(Eternal Master) led by Kaldo warps to the fifth floor first.

Next us Innocent Arms touch the surface of the crystal.

We warped to the crystal on the fifth floor.

We repeatedly warped several times, and then finally met up with the other team.

The sky of the fifth floor is, as usual, covered by thin clouds, and gloomy.

A unique world characteristic to the labyrinth. And, a singular world overlapping with the dimension where the evil gods live, huh?

Floor lamp-like droplights were suspended from poles around the crystal and adventurers were camping in the vicinity.

Magic lights were floating around here and there, too.

An adventurer with a fat, toy-balloon-like face blows out the smoke of magic tobacco that he held in his mouth.

He looks in our direction with a steel-like, piercing gaze.

The smell of magic tobacco, food and feces are blending with each other to a whole.

“…Shuuya, it’s the ruins from the other day, right?” (Rebecca)

While whirling around her wand behind her back, Rebecca tilted her body and asked as if guessing.

Her casual gestures have a startling cuteness to them, no matter how often I see them.

“…Correct.” (Shuuya)

“Master, let’s go.” (Viine)

“Sure.” (Shuuya)

“You guys, move on and follow milord.” (Kaldo)

Kaldo yells in high spirits.

After giving instructions to the combat slaves, he went ahead next to me.

We left the vicinity of the crystal.

“Dad is really pumped. His eyes have become bloodshot…” (Yui)

Yui seems to be worried.

She mutters so while watching her father as he walks with his chest pushed out.

At that moment Rollo, who was at my feet, transforms into her Horse Lion mode.

“Rollo-chan, the fur at your chest is bulging.”

Yui says while observing Rollodeen.

Eva responds to that.

While making her magic wheelchair transform into its Segway mode,

“Nn―― nice, black fur.” (Eva)

She hugs Rollodeen and snuggles her cheek against her, making sure of the black fur’s texture.

『Your Excellency, I’d like to come outside.』 (Helme)

『Sure, do it.』 (Shuuya)

『Yes!』 (Helme)

Helme is ejected in a spiral from my left eye.

Helme transforms from her liquid state into a woman’s body, and walks while creating water sprays at her feet.

“So this is the fifth floor…” (Mysty)

Mysty mutters while gazing at the dim sky.

Then she took out the processed black metal from her pocket, and placed it on her palm.

At that moment the metal starts to squirm as if being alive.

It rose up in a spiral while undulating like a liquid ― and then scattered.

Its small drops float, and then seemingly returning to being a liquid again, they gather in one place.

The gathered mass turned into a viscous liquid, and took a flexible humanoid shape.

…In the end it completely turned into a medium-sized golem.

“That’s a simple golem?”

“Yeah! Because it’s made out of Black Magic Soft Steel, it has stamina.” (Mysty)

“As expected of you, Mysty. Understood. These are the wastelands. Since they are vast, we will leave a part of the vanguarding to that golem.” (Shuuya)

“Fufu, thanks. It will be helpful to master, no, everyone.” (Mysty)

Mysty smiles.

The golem walked heavily, advancing in front with heavy movements.

“Master? Master, is it better for me to call you master as well?” (Viine) 1

“No, just keep it as it is, Viine.” (Shuuya)

“Okay.” (Viine)

A faint fog looms over the wastelands.

Poison Flame Wolves showed up once again.

Bia throws her javelins, Mamani shoots arrows, and Souther cuts them down with her blue sword.

The golem, which shouldered a part of the vanguard, advances towards a wolf from the right while basking its whole body in flames.

The black golem is fine even while being on fire.

It moves its thick metallic arms on the left and right with a presence as if being a fortress.

Its metallic fists clash into the wolf, crushing the wolf’s black ring.

Yui and Kaldo cut down the wolves with single strokes while showing graceful movements.

The Poison Flame Wolves were cleaned up with just the vanguards.

While annihilating the bone-type monsters spawning in the graveyard area in the same manner, we head towards the ruins.

As I walk through the wastelands with a feeling of taking a stroll, I touch the windbreak of the item box.

I activate the rough map of the dimension scan.

Rainbow-colored lasers are emitted to just above the item box, displaying a three-dimensional mini map.

“Your Excellency, what’s this mysterious object?” (Helme)

“This floating, three-dimensional drawing is a map of the area around here. Think of it as magic tool that displays a map.” (Shuuya)

“Magnificent…” (Helme)

Helme was surprised, making her release water sprays in the surrounding.

“The shape of the bracelet has changed from a little bit ago, but it had such an effect, eh?”

“Yes.” (Shuuya)

“This is us?”

“Yeah. We are this dot.” (Shuuya)

“Nn, mysterious.” (Eva)

“It’s a map that’s very easy to understand, but it seems to only show a small range.” (Yui)

Yui tries to look at the map’s contents by thrusting her head into it.

At that point I sense a magic source presence from one o’clock.

With a slight delay, a dot different from us is displayed on the map.

I guess my Grasping Perception is somewhat faster than the localization on the map.

“There’s an enemy to the front on the left side. Hunt it down.” (Shuuya)

“Roger.”

“Lord, leave the vanguard to me!” (Bia)

The vanguards rush forward with Bia in the lead.

“I will follow as well.”

“We cannot leave this to the slaves――!”

◇◇◇◇

And then the middle guards, including Rollo and me, and the rearguards arrived at the temple-like ruin, which was surrounded a small stone wall, without fighting much at all.

“Below those stairs, right?”

Rebecca mutters while peeking at the stairs continuing underground.

“Probably. I think it’s the evil god Steertop’s sanctuary.” (Shuuya)

“Nn, Evil Beast Segilogun is below this place.” (Eva)

Eva said as she looked up to me uneasily while sitting in her wheelchair.

“That monster seems to defile Steertop’s evil statue.” (Shuuya)

“Your Excellency, let’s attack it from a distance at full power from the beginning.” (Helme)

“I agree with spirit-sama. It doesn’t compare with Master’s magic, but I will prepare my bow, illusion magic, and lightning magic.” (Viine)

Viine and Helme, who are on the left and right of me, match their opinions.

“Okay, I guess we will go with plan A this time.” (Shuuya)

“Lord, if it’s ranged attacks, there won’t be any turn for me.” (Bia)

The snake woman(Lamia) Bia, who listened from a distance, said while extending her long and thin tongue.

“Same applies for me.” (Yui)

“Milord…” (Kaldo)

Yui and Kaldo seem to have the same opinion.

The magician Fuu stays silent, but Souther and Mamani apparently agree with Bia, and look as if they are eager to show their worth as vanguards.

But you know, I don’t know what will happen.

“You guys were quite active until we came here, weren’t you? This time I don’t know what’s awaiting us. That’s why we will only advance with me, the Burning Knights, Helme, Rollo, the < Head Servant Leaders >, and the < Servant Leader > at first. You guys defend this entrance. I leave the bone types and wolves spawning in the vicinity to you.” (Shuuya)

“Yes.”

“If it’s my lord’s order, I shall obey.” (Bia)

Mamani and Bia acknowledge.

“Understood!” (Souther)

“Okay.” (Fuu)

Souther and Fuu also replied while nodding.

After nodding to them, I touch the ring magic tool, Prison of Darkness Bone Knights(Dark Hell Bone Knights), and activate it.

Black and red threads extend from the ring, and cling to the ground in front of the stairs.

The Burning Knights appeared while being accompanied by smoke.

“Black Burning Knight Zemetas, at your service.”

“Red Burning Knight Adomos, is now here.”

“We’re going to hunt an evil beast. Follow me. Everyone else, you too.” (Shuuya)

“”Yes.””

We descend the stairs with me in front.

Since it’s dark, I active < Night Vision >.

“Eva, let’s go. No matter what might pop out, I will burn it with blue fireballs.” (Rebecca)

“Nn, do my best.” (Eva)

The stairway is narrow.

It appears as if driving black hogs in the dark. I hurry up.

And then Holker’s wood splinter started to vibrate faintly in my chest strap.

Its slight trembling might come from it being a sanctuary close to evil gods.

There was no magic source to be found in the visible range ahead of the stairs.

But, for the time being I went down while being cautious.

Once I surveyed the place I reached after descending the stairs…I found a huge space extending deeply and vertically.

Huge evil god statues are standing in a row on the left and right side of the room.

The statue of a beautiful evil goddess with violet, long hair holds a big hammer in one hand.

The statue of a male evil god, who wears an armor with several embedded faces and has four horns growing on his head, has four strangely-shaped arms.

An evil bug statue with its entire body covered by horns and tentacles.

An evil statue that has something like a cloth coiled around its whole body, possessing a rhinoceros beetle-like head.

An evil statue similar to Yamanata no Orochi. [20 There’s also an evil statue with a mysterious shape with several eyes, apparently using a spider as prototype.

There are others as well, but I guess in total there are ten.

Among them there was also an evil statue modeled after the evil god Steertop, a huge tiger-shaped statue.

However, a big, black humanoid monster is rampaging in front of that evil statue.

That’s the evil beast, huh?

Monsters with pink octopus tentacles and round shells as heads are floating below the tall monster believed to be the evil beast.

The medium-sized octopus monsters are modeled after the bugs which Hyuriox likes so much.

The huge monster is maintaining a human shape…

I don’t know why, but it’s not molded after a bug.

It’s a single, big human-shaped creature that gathered its tentacles in one place.

Its head has several, up-lifted, quadrangle eyes going side-by-side.

There are two, large, mouth-like things at its shoulders. The torso is split open in the middle to the left and right as if it had been forcibly torn open.

Nothing that could be called an internal organ can be found within that torn chest.

However, countless black, arm-like tentacles are protruding from the edges of the torn chest while wriggling. It uses the black fists of those tentacles to attack the tiger evil statue.

The five, black claws growing at the end of those black fist tentacles look sharp.

However, probably because some kind of defense barrier has been deployed around the evil statue, it doesn’t even tremble while being hit.

“…It doesn’t look as though the intelligence and perception of those monsters is that high. Although we’re quite a bit away from them, they don’t have noticed that we’re here.”

Rebecca furrows her golden eyebrows while pointing this out.

“Yeah, that’s convenient. Just as planned(Plan A)v, we will finish them off from a distance. Everyone, let’s avoid damaging those statues, okay? And, the Burning Knights and the golem will standby here. Something might appear nearby. I guess we will cope ad-hoc with whatever happens.” (Shuuya)

“Your Excellency, leave it to me.”

“I shall handle it, Your Excellency.”

The Burning Knights ready their shields and survey the surroundings warily.

“I have to make sure to not break those knights in bone armor…” (Mysty)

Mysty deployed the golem behind the Burning Knights.

“――Nyao, nyannya.”

Rollodeen transformed from her black panther form to a form similar to a horse.

Rollodeen, who has black fur growing at her chest like a lion, approaches the Burning Knights and gives them some kind of instructions with her tentacles.

“I do not understand what you mean, Lord Rollo.”

“Lord Rollo, please do not pierce the shield…”

Even as the eyes of the Burning Knights shine in crimson, they talked with Rollodeen while tilting their heads to the side in confusion.

I ignore that exchange.

“…Okay, I will get the ball rolling.” (Shuuya)

“I shall follow your lead, Your Excellency.” (Helme)

“Yes, Master!” (Viine)

“Nyanyao――”

I took one step forward from Helme, Viine, Rollodeen(Horse Lion) who came running from behind, and the others.

“Have them eat one with a bam!” (Rebecca)

“Nn.” (Eva)

Rebecca and Eva are behind me on the right.

“I will stay with Eva and Rebecca.” (Yui)

“Mylord, me as well.” (Kaldo)

Yui and Kaldo, who don’t have any projectile weapons, stood behind Eva and Rebecca.

< Ancient Magic > is quite capable of destroying that statue.

Directional ice magic is the first choice here.

< Chain > is the second choice, I suppose.

The skill < Chain Spear of the Ray System > is the third.

The fourth choice is < Blood Path – Third Gate >.

Finally there might be a Plan B(Spear Strike) based on < Demonic Brain Speed(Trumpcard) >.

Note:

1. Mysty uses マスター (masuta), the katakana version of master, whereas Viine uses ご主人様 (goshujinsama) which is a more formal way of addressing your owner/lord/etc. I could switch for Viine to “Your Lordship” but I think that would just be confusing. Just keep the difference in mind when Mysty and Viine mention “master.”

2. he eight-headed serpent from Japanese mythology