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Okami wa Nemuranai 52.1

 1





Lecan slowly stood up.

Argent Flame Wolf had its gaze fixed at Lecan with its eyes glistening in the forest darkness.

Chubby disappeared into the darkness, as if he was never there.

Argent Flame Wolf kept staring at Lecan without caring about Chubby.

Lecan put away <Sword of Rusk> in <Storage>, took <Shield of Wolkan> and equipped it on his left hand. Then he took <Sword of Toron> out. And a deep breath.

The skewered meat grilled over the campfire wafted a nice smell in the air.

Lecan suddenly turned around and made a mad dash.

The Argent Flame Wolf immediately shot out magic attack from its mouth. A huge blue fireball.

Already anticipating that, Lecan dodged. However, it wasn't a perfect evasion as <Necklace of Intuador> put up a barrier and stopped the magic attack.

Lecan kept running.

Argent Flame Wolf shot another fireball while running after Lecan.

The fireball blew away the trees behind Lecan, and got stopped by <Necklace of Intuador>'s barrier once again.

Running.

Running.

Running in the night forest.

Lecan kept on running.

However, his path wasn't straight ahead for the sake of fleeing.

He's zigzagging around all over the place to limit Argent Flame Wolf's targeting.

Suddenly, Lecan sensed an activation of magic unlike anything before.

(Here comes Warp!)

There's this peculiar sign of mana emitted whenever Argent Flame Wolf warps.

And sure enough, the wolf emerged in front of Lecan.

Lecan neither reversed his course or stopped moving, he picked up speed instead and turned slightly to the right. And kept running as he went right past Argent Flame Wolf.

The wolf opened its mouth to shot out magic. However that magic tore through an empty space where Lecan was a moment before, blowing away trees behind him.

Lecan himself was already behind the wolf.

Argent Flame Wolf swiftly turned around in a maneuver impossible for human and shot magic at Lecan's back.

The magic missed Lecan as he had already changed course to the left, it went past Lecan's right side, blocked by <Necklace of Intuador>.

Lecan sensed the sign of a swelling mana behind him as he zigzagged in the forest.

(Here it comes!)
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
There are two types of blue fireballs the Argent Flame Wolf shoot out.

Fireballs it shot through motions instead of open mouth can be shot while it's running.

While the fireballs where it stops moving to converge mana before casting hold a tremendous amount of mana and create a mana blast at impact point that severely damages its foes.

Every one of the later fireballs holds a power rivaling a <Gailvey> Lecan cast with all his might. Getting hit by one will consume <Necklace of Intuador> mana supply in a flash.

Lecan turned around, held <Sword of Toron> ahead and recited a spell loudly.

"<Zoruas Kurt Vendar>."

A terrifyingly powerful magic attack got shot out of Argent Flame Wolf's mouth.

The magic mowed, blew and burned down trees, but not Lecan.

Lecan had disappeared just before that tremendous magic hit him, and emerged behind Argent Flame Wolf.

Lecan resumed zigzagging between trees.

Argent Flame Wolf turned around and shot a barrage of magic at Lecan.

The attacks rarely hit him. <Necklace of Intuador> would block it anytime it did.

Even when it grazed Lecan, the necklace would protect him.

The necklace's mana didn't get consumed when the attack missed.

(Muu.)

He could feel the wolf converging a massive amount of mana once again. It must be attempting to shoot another powerful one.

Lecan stopped moving, turned around and recited a spell loudly with <Sword of Toron> thrust ahead.

"<Zoruas Tork Vendar>!"

Argent Flame Wolf spun around with its mana still converging. It must think Lecan was going to warp behind it.

However, the wrong spell won't activate <Leg Bands of White Devil>. Argent Flame Wolf had exposed its back to Lecan.

"<Flame Spear>!"

The magic shot out of Lecan's left hand landed on the ground below the wolf's hind legs and exploded.

The wolf got blown into the air along with the blown soil. It skillfully regained its balance mid-air but its converged mana dissipated.

Lecan who bought precious time with this tactic hid behind a giant tree and took Stamina Restoratives and Mana Restoratives.

Argent Flame Wolf's magic flew at him.

Lecan dashed forward. The magic landed and blew the giant tree, but it never reached Lecan.

Lecan ran toward a huge concentration of trees.

Ahead of him, the Argent Flame Wolf warped in, converged its mana and opened its mouth.

Lecan thrust <Sword of Toron> ahead while running, and recited a dummy spell for his Grace Gear.

"<Zoruas Turk Vendar>!"

Argent Flame Wolf didn't turn around.

Yet neither did it shoot the powerful magic.

Once it confirmed that Lecan didn't teleport away an instance later, it unleashed the magic.

An attack that filled his entire field of vision with light assaulted Lecan.

But most of this magic attack got dispersed away by <Sword of Toron> while <Necklace of Intuador>'s barrier manifested, an explosion occurred in the dazzling light.

Lecan ran across this explosion as he shot magic to his left while relying on <3D Perceptions>.

"<Fire Arrow>!"

The point blank shot of five <Fire Arrows> hit the Argent Flame Wolf's face.

Lecan ran past Argent Flame Wolf's side.

The wolf immediately shot magic that hit Lecan directly. <Necklace of Intuador> blocked that dazzling magic attack.

(Tch.)

(Knew it this wolf also got powerful detection capability.)

If Argent Flame Wolf relied only on its vision to chase Lecan, it should lose track of him during that moment. And yet it cast an immensely precise magic even after getting hit by the <Fire Arrows> right in the face. The only possible explanation to this is that it's got an ability to track Lecan.

It's probably similar or even an advanced version of Lecan's <3D Perceptions>.

In their last encounter, the wolf managed to warp back to him after he was 2000 to 3000 steps away from the thing. Which means it's an ability akin to <Life Detection> or even better.

What a troublesome foe.

But the plan is going well for now.

 

 

 

 

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Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyousoukyoku 18-22

18-22. Midget's Hometown (2)

 

Satou here. It's said that a group of three can make a faction, fortunately there's nothing like factions or cliques in my company. Or maybe I just don't notice it, and there's a fierce rivalry going down behind their smiles, who knows.







"How's it looking? Master. Managed to pinpoint the source of issue?"
"Nah, it's no good. I know that it's underground, but I can't trace back to the end."

Embedding Miasma Seer skill on space magic [Clairvoyance] and [Through Eye] turned out unexpectedly difficult, I couldn't get to the end of the line.

"Pluck out?"
"That is logical so I agree."

『You want to what?! Pluck out Lotus of Life?』
『Out of the question! That's a taboo!』

The elders of [Lotus Officials] leaped up and down in anger when they heard Mia and Nana's remarks.
It looks somewhat comical due to their palm-sized stature paired with their stout builds.

"Then we can just dive in the pond and--"
『Polluting the pond without Diviner's permission is a taboo.』
"So you are saying we cannot drain the water either?"
『Draining the holy pond's water is an utterly outrageous notion!』

Arisa's proposal was met with a strong refusal, while Liza's inquiry made them enraged.

『Have you found out the cause, Big Person.』

Warrior Chipitachopeta who guided us to the hidden village spoke out to us.
Behind him the soldiers are dragging dead bodies of moles bound with ropes.

These moles don't seem to be monsters, they're ordinary animals.

『Warrior Chipitachopeta!』
『How dare you bring filth to Holy Pond of Life, preposterous!』
『Get them away at once!』

The elders flared up at Chipitachopeta, but he just kicked them away before proceeding to ignore them.
This guy acted curtly to that lady asking for her son too, guess that's just his nature.

"Young organism! You must not use violence on the elderly, so I say."
『Hmph, don't butt in you outsider.』

Chipitachopeta walked away after saying that.
He's the very picture of arrogance.

The soldiers dragged the moles to the hidden village with them.

『Are you hurt anywhere?』
『Hurt? Forget that, we ought to cleanse the filth right away!』

I was worried about the kicked elders, but these midgets seem to be unexpectedly tough, they leaped up and started giving orders.

『Cleaners! Bring the cleaners here!』
『I'll go.』
『Hurry.』

Thus the cleaners came called by the elders.

The elders thanked Mia when she cast recovery magic just to be safe, so it's not like they're not hurting.
Guess they put the pond and lotus above their own well being?

"So many came here nodesu."
"Young organisms..."

These cleaners of which are all women.
Nana's hands look restless, but these women are doing their job so Mia joins hand with Nana to prevent her going wild.

『There's so much blood.』
『Using brooms here would take too long. Let's use sponge.』
『Mison-dono, where is Cleaner Chief?』
『She has retired after her son Tapitatokata-dono disappeared.』
『It's been one month huh. Speaking of which, Ripotarepoto-dono has gone missing as well. All of them were the candidates of the next generation Warrior Chief, just what is going on...』

Come to think of it, they mentioned how Toputosomething-kun also went missing when we got this village.

I don't believe they're related to the lotus incident, still--I got no hit from searching on the Map. At least they're not in this Map section.
I tried searching for corpses just in case, but there was no hit either.

The bodies could likely have been consumed if it was a month ago, but there's also a possibility of them being outside this Map--the vast basin area where this hidden village resides. Let's be careful not to blurt out stuff.

For now let's concentrate on the investigation.

"Where you head to?"
"I'd like to take a look around the pond."

Since the elders seem to be occupied and all, I went to the opposite end of the pond where the darkening began earlier.

"There is nothing of note, so I tell."
"Lulu, anything out of place to you?"
"Hmm I don't think so. The wind is blowing nicely here--Tama-chan?"

Tama is crouching down with her ear pressed on the ground and her bottom shaking, looks like she's caught on some sounds.
Fished by that, Pochi also took the same pose.

"There's zashu zashu going nodesu!"
"Sound, vanished~?"
"Oh no, nanodesu. Did it overhear Pochi's voice nodesu?"
"Donmai~"

Tama and Pochi stood up.

"What kind of sound was it?"
"Sound of scratching soil~?"

--Fumu.

"Could you listen to the sound again?"
"Aye."
"Pochi won't make a mistake this time nodesuyo."

Tama and Pochi put their ears on the ground and signaled to me, all green.
I then fully opened my Spirit Light, driving away the miasma enveloping the lotuses.

Right after, Tama's ears stood upright, and Pochi's tail started wagging really hard.

Looks like they picked up some sounds.

"Here."
"Nanodesu."

They kept changing their positions with their ears on the ground until they stopped somewhere slightly away from the pond.

Think this spot will do?

I dug up quite a deep hole with <Pitfall> magic.

Below us, something stuck out of its lower half body on the soil wall.

"It came out~"
"Tou, nanodesu!"

Tama and Pochi jumped down the hole.

"Got'em~"
"Awawa~, nanodesu."

Getting too enthusiastic, Pochi's hands slipped off the lower half of the thing and she almost fell down the bottom of the hole, so I supported her with [Force Hand].

The identity of the thing Tama pulled out was a mole that looked like the one warrior Chipitachopeta's group brought earlier.

It's a bit--no, quite big.

I pulled up the two and the mole out of the hole with [Force Hand].

"Fuon fuon~"
"Capture nanodesu."

Tama and Pochi seemed to be having fun being lifted up.
They probably saw it like they're being captured by a UFO.

After smiling at them, I observe the mole monster--<<Rouge Nail Mole>>.
It's flailing around trying to escape, but it's a level 6 small fry, no way to escape my <Force Hand>. I continue my observation as this monster's got no particular special skill.

"It's not the mole from earlier is it?"
"It's the boss, no, it's more like an animal that's been turned into a monster from miasma exposure."
"Wait, then this isn't the cause of the lotus darkening incident?"
"I wonder?"

I search the Map for [Rouge Nail Moles].

There's a few more of them below the pond, but this little concentration can't possibly envelop the pond with miasma.
I tried searching for monsters, and got the same result. There's only [Rouge Nail Moles] in the vicinity of this pond.

"We don't know for sure if they're the cause, but they're likely not unrelated either, we should go ask someone in the know."

I bound the monster with Thorn Foot, put it on a force magic Floating Board and carried it with us.
I held it down with [Force Hand] to prevent it going wild around the midgets.

As for the elders--.

『I-it's a monsteeeer.』
『Ruuuuuuuuun.』

--They all scrambled away while screaming.
They're pretty good runners for elderly.

"Oh dear."

I was thinking of asking the elders or the Diviner, but bringing this into the town would cause a panic.

『Where are you mole--GYAAAAAAAAAAA.』
『Ruuuuuuuuun!』

Warrior Chipitachopeta and his soldiers walked in assertively, but they threw away their spears and ran scrambling the instance they saw the monster.
I mean, between an ordinary mole and this monster, it's like comparing a raft to a battleship.

"You girls, please wait here, I'll go to the shrine."
"I gotchu. Take Mia with you as cheating bodyguard on duty."
"Nn, leave it to me."

Don't think that's physically possible with these midgets.

I took Mia with me to the Shrine.

<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >





『--Did you say, monster?!』

Once we told her, Diviner Tsurirufururi yelped with a pale face.
She went and fell down the floor, but she's already faring better than her aides who all had fainted.

『A-are you speaking the truth?』
『Yes, it is the truth. Are monsters unusual around this part?』
『...They don't exist.』
『Come again?』
『Monsters do not exist in this land. Only in folklore left by our ancestors. None has ever laid their eyes on one in reality.』

I see, I guess I can't blame warrior Chipitachopeta's reaction if they're that rare.

『I-I would like to see this  monster. Go fetch it--No, I shall go myself.』
『Allow me to be your escort then.』

She probably has a palanquin or something that carries her around normally, and since it'd be bad if she fell down again from seeing the monster, I put her in my palm.

『U-Uoooooooo.』

I did my best to keep it steady, but Tsurirufururi-san seems to be afraid of height, she's hugging on my finger with her eyes closed tight.
Seeing as Mia never handed down the [Guilty] judgment, I took her to where everyone was, with the monster.

『Is this the so-called monster?』

After a bout of screams and shrieks, the exhausted Tsurirufururi-san looked down on the mole monster from atop of my palm.

『It looks akin to a mole.』
『It's probably a mole that has been transformed into a monster.』

I also told her that the darkening of [Lotus of Life] was due to miasma and that it would have gone back to normal if it were only due to miasma.

『So you're saying? What does that mean?』
『We believe the source of miasma that polluted the [Lotus of Life] lies somewhere else.』

Thus I explained to the confused Tsurirufururi-san.
I had also checked the 3D view of the map below the pond, but there was nothing particularly suspicious down there.
Defeating all the moles would usually clear all the problems in games, but these moles don't have that much miasma on them and there weren't any monsters of note moving around underground.

『Perhaps--』
『Do you have anything in mind?』
『--It is not definite. And yet it does weigh on one's mind.』

The Diviner fell into silence after uttering that meaningful word and told me to take her back to the shrine, which I complied.
There would be panic if we took the live monster with us, thus I exterminated it and put it away in [Magic Bag].

『O Maiden, [Unchanging Maiden]. Hear my prayer.』

Back at the shrine, Tsurirufururi-san prostrated before a fire altar-like object and started praying fervently.

"Nothing's happening though?"
"Arisa, let's wait a bit more."

After 30 minutes of no change, Arisa gave up.
By the way, Pochi and Tama had huddled up into a circle as they took a nap together. Liza kept watching guard, Nana was having the time of her life letting the children of midgetkin who happily gathered here on her lap.

『Did you say monster?』
『It must be the impurity...』

I could hear the midgetkin conversation from behind the mushroom house.

We're not too far apart yet [Attentive Ear] skill couldn't catch their conversation well, perhaps due to their diminutive size.

『We have to pick the next warrior chief quickly...』
『Toputotapeta should be the one...』
『...Coward...』
『Hence why, Chipitachopeta...』
『Maybe other candidates would be gone too?』
『Don't be absurd! If anyone...』

Their conversation steered in some weird direction.
I turned off Attentive Ear skill since I didn't have any will to take part in midgetkin power struggle.

"That's it, I'm done."

Arisa stretched out.

"Hey, so Mia. Can't you do something?"
"Mwu."

Mia looked troubled at Arisa's unreasonable request.

"Dryad."

Mia called out to Dryad.
Arisa stared at the tree full of expectations.

...Nothing's happening.

"Not possible."

Mia gave up.
Oh right, Elves tend to give up easily despite their longevity.

"Master~~"

Arisa clung to me.
Without sexual harassment for once.

"Oh Arisa, you're such a handful~"

I looked up at the tree while feeling like a certain cat robot and tried using [Mana Transfer].
The efficacy's pretty bad without direct contact, but just this far should pose no issue.

『....Fuaaa.』

A green little girl came up on the surface of the pattern.

"Dryad."
"Ara? Little one?"

Called by Mia, Dryad who was talking in local language switched to elven.

"Yes."
"Why are you here--oh, wait a minute, I'm getting a reception."

『She's here! [Unchanging Maiden] has answered my prayer!』

We could hear the excited voice of Tsurirufururi-san from deep inside the shrine.
Knew it, she wouldn't get it without mana supply.

"Done~. Seems like the place where the elves from back then put a barrier up got broken down. Think mana and miasma flowed into the dried up Dragon Vein~. Take care of the rest now 'k~."

Dryad vanished inside the tree trunk after saying that.

『Big Person! [Unchanging Maiden] has lent me her wisdom!』

Tsurirufururi-san rushed out of the shrine with a big smile on her face.
She almost tumbled down the stairs from the momentum so I offered my hand to help her.

『My bad, appreciate it.』
『And what did the Maiden say?』
『The ancient barrier has been destroyed. It must be in one of the 64 ruins in the outer rim of the crater.』

It's the same intel as Dryad's but those 64 ruins things are news to me.

『Understood. We'll get to it.』
『Umu, it is in your hands, Big Person.』

We left the front yard of the shrine and went back to the lotus pond.

"Are we going to look there one by one?"
"That's way too much trouble."

I put my hand on the pond and concentrate on the flow of Dragon Veins.
Since this place is the most affected, tracing back the flow should get me to the source of issue.

I tread on the very thin cobweb-like Dragon Vein.

It's thin yet the flows lack pureness, instead it's like sludge inside drainage, it's repulsive.
Dryad mentioned how mana and miasma flowed in, but there's much more miasma than mana here.

--Found it.

It's like a tear on a wallpaper where a minute amount of mana flows out from.
Looks like the miasma gets deposited there due to a blockage, like an artificial bank.

I undid my connection to the Dragon Vein.

"So? Found anything?"
"Yeah, perfectly."

I replied to Arisa in the same tone.

"Mia, could you call Garuda here?"
"Nn. ■■■■..."

Mia promptly started chanting the spell.

We got on the Garuda Mia called and flew to the ruins I found earlier.







"Foundcha~"
"Found the ruins person nanodesu."
"Is that really a ruins? It kinda looks like a heaping pile of rocks though."

We found a ruins far out atop a cliff.

"Huh? Master, there is someone down there in the ruins."

I tried to look in the direction Lulu pointed at, but my bare eyes can't see this far so I focused once again with the help of Farsight skill.

"There is yeah. Seems to be a midgetkin youth."

They look quite emaciated.

Garuda might scare them off, so we landed somewhere far away and walked to them.

"Master, isn't that kid the missing midget?"

--Toputotapeta.

It's the one they called coward or something.
My Map Search couldn't find him the last time, apparently this ruins are treated as a different area, located slightly outside the boundary.

I asked Mia to heal him with healing magic since there's no telling what's the right dosage with magic potions.
The youth was still unconscious even after he was healed, but once Lulu warmed up some soup, his stomach grumbled as he woke up.

『...Where am I?』
『We're near the ruins.』

I had used illusion to project my figure as a midgetkin otherwise he'd likely black out again, then I used [Force Hand] to support his body and let him drink the soup. With the help of Ventriloquism skill to change my voice.

The youth seemed famished, he drank down the soup in a flash. Apparently he had been surviving thus far by chewing on moss.
He finally settled down after his third soup and started talking.

『What are you doing here?』
『I ran away from the village. Everybody told me to become the Warrior Chef to succeed my father even thought I'm not suited for it. My mother, fiancees, employees, all of them...』
『Then you broke the ruins and made a hole on the barrier in your effort to flee?』
『I didn't!』

He denied with a strong tone when I voiced out my hypothesis.
Hypothesizing sure is hard.

『It was Ripotarepoto who broke it.』

The name sounds familiar--right, that's one of the missing people.

『Did he run from the village too?』
『No. He and Tapitatokata were going after me.』
『To bring you back?』

Then why'd they break the ruins?

『No. They were trying to kill me and made it look like an accident.』
"Kill you? What for?"

The youth started looking around restlessly to look for the owner of the voice when Arisa blurted that out.
I projected the images of midgetkin-sized Arisa and the girls behind the ruins.

『They're my friends.』
『I see... Did you come to bring me back per mother's request?』
『Not at all. We're here to investigate the ruins under Tsurirufururi-sama's request.』
『Really...』

The youth fell silent while downcast.

『Please tell us. Why did Ripotarepoto-dono and Tapitatokata-dono try to kill you?』
『It was because of my lineage. My Warrior Chef lineage.』

I see, that's classic.

『And why did they break the ruins?』
『It was an accident. The spear they threw to kill me broke the ruins' keystone.』

The youth showed this broken keystone thing as he said that.
It seems to be a magic circuit on a big magic stone base.

『I fell down to the other side of mountain as the ruins crumbled down on me. The two of them were chased by monsters that flowed out of the barrier, I last saw them crossing over the barrier as they fled.』

Map Searching the other side of the barrier, I found the remains of the two.
It wasn't too far, so I went there with Flash Drive and retrieved them.

Would be best if they were alive, but at least this is better than being missing forever.

And now to repair the barrier.

I connected to Borunean Forest elders using [Telephone] and had them teach me how to fix the keystone.
It was doable with the items I had on hands thus the repair went without a hitch.

"Aand done checking with Space Magic. Yep, no problem here."
"Nn, spirits too."

Arisa and Mia gave their seal of approval.

"Prey~?"
"Big haul nanodesu!"
"Master, we have finished hunting down the moles."

The beastkin girls came back with piles of dead Rouge Nail Moles.

"Master, I do not detect the scent of monsters any longer so I report."
"Yep, that was the last of them."

And now there's no more monsters inside the barrier.
The midgetkin would likely go extinct if these monsters were left alone, so we took care of it.

I cleaned up the miasma in Dragon's Vein in our way back to the village.







『Big Person! [Lotus of Life] have regained their vigor!』

Tsurirufururi-san reported to me with a big smile.

『We have repaired the barrier. The Dragon Veins have also been purified, so everything should be in order now.』
『So you did! Gratitude! These are our token of appreciations. Please take them!』

There's a heap of ornaments, cloths, fruits and other stuff.
Guess we can use the cloth for ribbons?

Would be rude if we declined them here, so we gladly accepted.

『And this is a sign of our lasting friendship.』

I gifted foodstuff from Shiga Kingdom to the midgetkin.

『So many food.』
『We can get past winter with this.』
『No one's dying of hunger.』

The lower strata midgets leaped in joy while speaking in Dechaputa language.

『We're holding a feast! To show our gratitude to Big Persons!』

Apparently they had already made the preparation when the lotus came back to life, they all gathered for a huge feast in the open space before the shrine by sunset.

We feasted on the dish with the small cup and plates.
The taste is a bit bland but quite good. The quantity is on the lower side, but from their perspective it must be barrels worth of food.

『Are you enjoying yourself, Big Person.』
『Oh yes, I am. Allow us to treat you back too.』

I took stuff eatable to them like pancake, fruit punch from my Storage through Magic Bag.
The midgetkin climbed up the pancake mountain and swam in the fruit punch bowls.

"Rescuing young organisms so I report."
『I don't taste gooooooood.』

There was a bit of misunderstanding when Nana saved a drowning midgetkin with chopsticks.

"Would you want some too, girls?"

I took out meat dish to give the beastkin girls who looked like they hadn't had enough.

『That's a lot of meat.』
"Let's all eat together nanodesuyo."
"Shareshare~"

Pochi cut her hamburg steak in half while Tama tore off her lobster as they invited the midgets to enjoy them too.
Due to the difference in scale, it's fun how the things we gave each other look.

『Thank you on my son's behalf.』
『Well done delivering my son's bones. With this, his grave can be erected.』

Relatives of the two midgets who broke the barrier thanked me.

As for the father of the surviving Toputotapeta-kun--.

『My gratitude for taking care of my son until his passing.』

He bowed as he said that.
The father beckoned me, so I put him on my palm and carried him to my ear.

『I have read my foolish son's letter. He is now dead to my wife and the others just as he wished... My son is in your care.』

The bearded midget bowed as he said that.
Toputotapeta-kun didn't want to return to the village, thus I had him write a letter for his father as a condition to fake his death.
He's currently hiding inside Nana's pocket.

After this, the plan was to let him stay in our mansion in Shiga Capital then he is to transfer to Borunean Forest later.

The midgetkin's fun feast eventually saw its end.

"You done~?"
『Maiden! The Maiden moved!』
『Unchanging Maiden, changed?』
『Look! I told you so! The Maiden did move back then!』
『Hell yeah for feast! Maiden, how about a pint!』

The midgetkin fell down in surprise when Dryad who resides in the big tree suddenly moved.
The told you so one must be those who saw her move earlier. The drunkards are being drunkards though.

"It's done, Dryad."
"'K then, I'm sending you back~"

We hadn't finished saying goodbye but the hasty Dryad had already opened the Alf Road, so we jumped into the portal back to Shiga Kingdom.

We found ourselves back in the park we departed from at the end of the light.

"Thank you, human!"

The local Dryad said her thanks and disappeared into a sakura tree.

It's almost evening now, so there's a hustle bustle of people going home and people coming for flower watching.
I'd like to flower watch at night too, but the park is full of drunkards at night, not ideal.

"Welp, time to go home."
"Aye aye sir~"
"Yes, nanodesu!"

We left the park as the girls shouted back energetically.

『This place is big person's capital!』

Toputotapeta who peeked out of Nana's pocket was astonished at the capital's night view.

Once he started living in our capital mansion, he got along well with the Sage Mice before I knew it, but he was unable to conquer his fear of riding the Raven Riders no matter what thus he opted to move to Borunean Forest in the end.
Apparently, owls were the biggest threat in his village, so it must be a form primal fear to him.

Later on when I dropped by Boruenan forest to see how he was doing, he was making off nicely with a midgetkin woman from a another clan that lives in Boruenan forest, I'm sure he's got a bright future ahead of him now.
I've also got his letter sent to the village through Dryad, hope he can enjoy his second chance at life now.

And if possible, would be nice if he could go back to his village and reassure his mother later, maybe once he's got some children of his own.

 

 

 

 

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Okami wa Nemuranai 51.15

 15





"Chief, you sure about this, leaving the mistress behind."

Chubby asked as he warmed his hands over the campfire, Lecan replied after chewing his share of grilled meat.

"I did not leave her behind. She's staying there to take special training on <Purification>."

"But don't you have the option to remain there until that special training is over?"

"Yeah right, I know you know. There's nothing good to be had with me being there in that atmosphere, not to Rubianafale nor Eda."

When Rubianafale found out about how Lecan declined an offer of <Purification> from Guide Skalabel, and even gave away a <God Cure> to someone else because he's waiting for Eda to take her <Purification> further, Rubianafale was deeply moved and recommended Eda to train her <Purification> under the temple head's guidance.

The temple head himself cannot use <Purification> but the old Raikores Temple in Yufu houses accumulated knowledge of <Purification> over a long period of time. In fact, it was the temple head who guided Rubianafale's <Purification> toward the zenith. The process of which involved taking five God Cures, something unattainable at anywhere but Yufu.

As part of reward for Lecan's deed, he was given five pieces of God Cures, which he refused and gave to Eda instead.

Eda was full of motivation and applied to study under the temple head. She will be staying at Yufu for the time being.

On the other hand, there's nothing more for Lecan to do at Yufu.

With the defeat of Three Giants, Dungeon Yufu has gone dormant for a period of 120 days.

Dungeon Knights including the Might Unit are fully occupied with supervising public order, monitoring suspects and such it even affected their sleep schedule.

The only thing Lecan could do was getting the Great Flame Dragon's leather he got at Dungeon Yufu's Rocky Mountain turned into armor.

His Petitfire Dragon's armor was in tatter, it was unfit to be worn. Seeing that Marquis of Yufu gave Lecan an armor similar to the one Duo Bahn had. An adjustable free-size armor made from Great Flame Dragon's mat and Dylan Silver Steel.

It's an extremely well made armor for sure, but weight-wise it's more a heavy armor. It's awfully sturdy yes, but putting it on and off is a pain, it's on the heavier side, and it restricts movements to a degree. It's just not suitable for traveling. A leather armor made entirely of Great Flame Dragon's leather tailor made for him is all what Lecan wants.

The best craftsman in Yufu was tasked to make that.

That was fine and all, but Duo Bahn got really angry when he found out that Lecan got his own Great Flame Dragon's leather. 'What the heck were you doing during that time of emergency', he asked.

'We came across a Great Flame Dragon by pure chance when we took a shortcut, so we went and beat it', even Lecan himself found the excuse his mouth uttered lame.

Afterward, Duo asked him what about the rest of the leather, fangs, bones, blood and entrails. Lecan replied they left it behind since they had no time, Duo got angry again, 'what a waste'.

As for the leather, even after accounting for the amount needed for Lecan's and Eda's armor as well as spares for maintenance, there was still more than twice the amount left, so Lecan asked to leave the rest.

When Lecan complained how bad the Great Flame Dragon's meat tasted, Duo got mad again, 'That's the best magic catalyst ya know.'

The Three Giants' dropped three treasure chests containing <Timeless Bag>, <Thunder God Spear>, and <Charm of Hippodora>, all of which Black handed to Lecan.

<Timeless Bag> is a <Box>-like bag that preserve the freshness of objects stored within. It's got a big capacity as well.

By reciting a spell, an orb on the <Spear of Thunder God> will be enveloped in lightning, generating thunderbolts whenever it's used to attack.

<Charm of Hippodora> is a ring. Equipping this allows the user to breathe underwater.

At first Lecan planned to take it easy until his armor is done. Even if he couldn't get in the dungeon, there should be some powerful magic beasts lurking deep inside Mt. Yufu. There's an abundance of good quality herbs growing in the vicinity as well. And he's got to process the herbs he had on him already. Yufu should house first class facility for it. There were plenty of ways to kill time.

However, as it turned out, neither Yufu's palace nor the downtown was welcoming to Lecan.

It was bad in Palace due to his action of killing Viscount Dantesta Waido. Yufu had spent hundreds of years without domestic conflicts nor had it been invaded by outside forces. There was no precedence of nobles getting killed by violence. Lecan, who blew the viscount's head off, got to be called <Overlord> by the palace's personnel, abhorred by them.

And it wasn't welcoming in the downtown because of his killing and wounding of the Peacekeeping Knights. To Yufu's townspeople, the Peacekeeping Knights are a reliable ally who kept them safe from magic beasts and maintained public order. Lecan who drove those knights to near collapse became an object of hatred to those people. There was not an insignificant number of people who were indignant when they found out about Lecan killing knights they knew or severing their right arms.

The investigation is still taking place even now, but the more they dug deeper the more it made clear the scope was bigger than they realized. Were all the supporters punished, the entirety of Yufu would become dysfunctional. Moreover, those who are under control of Geitglein through <Amulet of Soul Shatterin Bug> will eventually come back to their sense overtime.

The ritual magic assault on the Northern Tower marked a year since the amulet was used. It appears Geitglein didn't really care about what happened afterward as long as he could get the townlord and his heir, Rubianafale, viscount Ruka and his heir and the temple head under the amulet control.

They could not erase the fact that a revolt took place.

Geitglein and his son Wolglein will be granted a honorable death after the investigation is over. By letting them take poison themselves.

Wolglein's little sister, Lady Anafol will be wed to a husband and continue the line of Southern House. However they will not have a seat at the Elder Assembly. Their wealth will be severely diminished, and they will have no more special privileges besides being a relative to the townlord.

Lady Anafol was a fiancee of Ashidgrein, but their engagement had now been officially called off. Also, there was that time when a father of one of Ashidgrein's fiancees sent assassins to Lady Rubianafale which the townlord, Parkugrein stopped after issueing a stern warning to that noble, turned out Geitglein had been pulling the strings in the matter behind the screen so that warning extended to him as well.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
Lecan felt like this news cleared up some doubt he had deep in his mind.

The daughter of that warned noble was formally taken off the engagement as well this time. As such, Ashidgrein is now left with two fiancees. He's expected to take in a princess in the near future.

It was announced that Peacekeeping Knights had been fed false info, and thus became an unwilling accomplice in the revolt. It was also announced that adventurer Lecan went to fetch Dungeon Knights in Dungeon Yufu, and fought against the Peacekeeping Knights to protect <Maiden of Solace> until Dungeon Knights' arrival.

However, people gradually started to believe that it wasn't the truth and the rumor was true instead. There are several reasons for that.

First of all, a surprising amount of people witnessed an ominous black object falling down from Mt. Yufu. After which the Northern Tower collapsed. The order of things should be reversed in reality, but the more people talked about it, the less that became the truth to them.

Secondly, his abnormal strength at routing the Peacekeeping Knights in a very short order. The <Overlord> rumor from the palace gradually leaked out as well.

Thirdly, the damage Peacekeeping Knights suffered was too extensive. At first, every one of those knights was arrested, but later the lower ranked personnel was released and given duty. Among them, those who were aware of the Peacekeeping Knights' damage by Lecan's hands spoke of how he resorted to violence without even attempting to negotiate.

Lastly, Viscount Dantesta Waido's faction insisted on Lecan's cruelty and terror. As if they were the victims here. But to those unaware of Dantesta being under mind control naturally saw him as a noble individual while Lecan a villain.

Once Marquis of Yufu found about the infamy Lecan garnered among Yufu's populace, he suggested to make Lecan's dedication to Rubianafale and the debts Yufu owed him known. But Lecan declined the suggestion. There is no way he'd allow that when it could harm Rubianafale's reputation.

Marquis Parkugrein decided to keep the existence of <Amulet of Soul Shattering Bug> strictly confidential. Everybody present in the <Celestial Chamber> was imposed with a gag order. Thus so long as the amulet's existence is not disclosed, the people will never accept that what Lecan did was just.

Though to Lecan himself, these bad rumors mean nothing. At worst, it only made it difficult for him to enjoy shopping. The marquis, his heir, the important people, and most of all, Rubianafale know what Lecan did, and they're all grateful for it. That's good enough.

Lecan decided to leave Yufu on his own. He asked to get the armor delivered to Wazrof once it's done.

Lecan asked Nodlein if the checkpoint would still be closed, to which Nodlein replied yes. Thus he asked Nodlein to let a knight named Ezak sent by Zaidmahl townlord pass by the checkpoint when he came by. After knowing the circumstance, Nodlein offered to send someone to find and fetch Ezak at Sopdemoa. This was a welcome offer since Ezak is likely waiting at Sopdemoa until the checkpoint is open again.

Nodlein promised that he would give the utmost hospitality to this Ezak, being someone Lecan owed a debt to. Apparently, he was very grateful as well as guilty to Lecan for the matter this time. So it was a good thing he never complained about the stuff with overlord.

Marquis of Yufu rewarded Lecan handsomely. He even promised that Yufu would lend its power to Lecan should he need it in the future. Eda and Chubby were also rewarded generously.

By the way, Chubby didn't just loiter around during the time Lecan delved in the dungeon. He investigated people who had deep connections with Geitglein, those who were under his influence and those whose behaviors turned radical in the past several years. That despite him not knowing about the <Amulet of Soul Shattering Bug> until Lecan told him, his insight was astounding as ever. The result of his investigation was delivered to Nodlein per Lecan's order. Nodlein was astonished by Chubby's investigative prowess and even offered him a position under Marquis of Yufu House.

"You could have stayed at Yufu. Human resource capable of your investigative expertise must be in short supply there."

"Oh no no. That place is a bit too peaceful, not anywhere I want to stay for too long."

"Weird guy. Peaceful is good if you want to settle down."

"A place too beautiful. A place where justice goes unmentioned. A place where men get along with one another. I just can't live somewhere like that, see. On that note, I can rest easy staying close to Chief Lecan."

"What do you mean."

"Everywhere Chief Lecan goes, there will be without fail, an incident. A swirling vortex of hatred and grudge, where people hurt and prey on one another. No matter how peaceful that place was, wherever Chief goes, there be a strife."

"Don't treat me like a God of Misfortune, you."

"Yufu had been enjoying peaceful times for so so~ long."

"Hm?"

"Then suddenly it was chaos, people died, all hell broke loose. There were betrayals, a revolt. What do you think those accustomed to peace would come to believe then?"

"Beats me."

"'This bad thing wasn't due to us, it was brought from outside', that's what, see. Thus Chief was appointed the villain role. They wanted to make it all your fault, Chief."

"Hmph."

(Is this guy.)

(Consoling me?)

"Some of those people even seriously considered asking the Palace when will the summoned overlord go back to the underworld, y'know."

(Scratch that.)

(He's just poking fun of me.)

"Speaking of which, where do you plan to go now?"

"Rotor for now. To where meat is."

"Hee?"

This was the moment Lecan's expression shifted. He stared at the thing that suddenly emerged in the depth of darkness, full of overwhelming bloodlust.

Chubby registered that it was some sort of emergency when he saw that expression.

"Chubby, get away from here. I'll run off on my own as well. Do not go after me no matter what. Else, you're dead meat."

(I'll finish you off this time.)

(I've got Sword of Toron and Magic Mirror of Ryin on me now.)

(Go ahead and rage your flame on.)

Enveloped in bluish white flames, Argent Flame Wolf stood in the darkness of forest.





[Episode 51 Overlord Advent] End/Next [Episode 52 Dungeon of the Carrion King]

 

 

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Okami wa Nemuranai 51.14

 14





"Now then, Lecan. Time to reveal your trick."

Dungeon Knights' commander, Duo Bahn spoke.

This room currently has the townlord, Parkugrein Shadrest, his heir Ashidgrein, Rubianafale, Temple Head, House Aide of Shadrest Kinisun Zoga, the loyal knight Estfarin, Viscount Saljirein Ruka and his son Nodlein as well as Duo and Lecan.

Previously in the chamber, Duo asked Lecan why didn't the <Amulet of Soul Shattering Bug> work. Lecan replied, he couldn't answer there. Duo asked back, then where could he get the answer, Lecan said back, somewhere with the least possible amount of people. Thus the ten of them gathered in this back room.

They all quenched their thirst with the prepared tea.

Duo had called an appraiser to appraise the <Amulet of Soul Shattering Bug>. The summoned elderly appraiser had a similar aura with Elder Termin. He must be the best appraiser in Yufu. He wrote the result on the paper which the townlord's group read. As such, no one doubts the veracity of <Amulet of Soul Shattering Bug>'s Grace. But that begged an even bigger question as to why it didn't work then.

Thus why Duo asked Lecan his trick.

"Duo. Compare that amulet you got on you with this ring on my left index finger."

"Hmm? ...Oho. Their patterns look alike. Wait, what. This is..."

"I've seen similar Grace Gear before. They are objects called <Ancient Grace Gear> or should I say <Genesiac Grace gear>, they can only be obtained in the very first conquest of every Grand Dungeons that exist in this country."

No one said a word, waiting for Lecan to resume.

"Each of Genesiac Grace Gear possesses a tremendously powerful Grace, but they have one peculiar trait. Activating two Genesiac Grace Gear at the same time cancels out each other's effects."

"Is... that true. I see. You did recite some kinda spell back then. That was the activation spell for that ring huh."

"It was."

"Well I'll be damned. Then back then if you weren't there by chance, and you didn't have and activate your Genesiac Grace Gear by chance, we all would have been enslaved by that Southern SOB?"

"Well, yeah sounds about right. Still, the Sage who taught me all about <Genesiac Grace Gear> mentioned that <Amulet of Soul Shattering Bug> might be in the Royal Family's possession, turned out it was in Yufu all along huh."

The place fell into silence. Townlord Parkugrein broke that silence.

"Lecan-dono of Wazrof Household. We are all truly in your debt. Words cannot express how grateful we are. How would Yufu have fared had you not come here by chance. I cannot even begin to imagine."

"Wasn't by chance."

"Pardon?"

"Apparently Lady Rubianafale prayed for my coming here. I was summoned by Lady Rubianafale."

"Hahaha. So you were. Come to think of it, Lady Rubianafale did mention how Lecan-dono is like an avatar of Argent Flame Wolf."

"What's that about?"

"Are you not familiar with <Tales of Argent Flame Wolf>?"

"I'm not. Not a native of this world."

"So you were. A picture book of <Tales of Argent Flame Wolf> Lady Rubianafale read in her childhood had a traveler character who saved the main princess character, and that traveler had the exact the same attire as Lecan-dono's. That traveler was the avatar of the Divine Beast that is Argent Flame Wolf."

"Which Argent Flame Wolf's that. That guy ain't nothing laudable."

"What?"

"Nah, nevermind. That aside, I'm told by that Sage that <Orb of Dark Emperor> was found in Dungeon Yufu. The Grace should be <Resurrection>. Would love to take a look at the real thing if you have it."

"So you even knew about that. Even though its existence is confidential, we cannot possibly refuse Lecan-dono's plea."

Parkugrein signaled to Duo with his eyes.

Duo stood up and bowed before he left the room.

(Figured it'd be here.)
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
(Spot on.)

Lecan started having the inkling after seeing Duo Bahn jesting about the dead in dungeon expedition. When he considered the possibility of them having ways to deal with death, Lecan recalled about <Orb of Dark Emperor> and how it has <Resurrection> Grace. Shira said she has no idea about the orb's whereabouts. Which means it was never used in public. Then where is it used. Dungeons. No rumor ever spread because it's an object usable only in dungeons. Lecan's acumen on these kinds of things is unusually acute.

The temple head muttered to himself.

"I see now. So that's how it was. Ah, I understand."

Parkugrein looked at the temple head dubiously.

"Temple head. What did you understand?"

"The young man who later became Zaka Founder King paid Yufu at the time a visit, he reached an agreement with Yufu King after which the king dispatched his troops during the Founding War. I had always wondered why would the king made that agreement."

"I do find that matter odd as well. So you are saying you have solved the mystery then."

"It's <Amulet of Soul Shattering Bug>. I believe the young man presented that to the king in exchange for one dispatch of troops."

"That's. But, would that mean the king of Yufu at the time wanted to have this extremely dangerous Grace Gear for his own?"

"Yes. I believe so myself. It was likely for the sake of keeping it from being used by anyone."

"Keeping it, from being used, by anyone... I see."

"Yes. The king kept it close to himself for that reason, and stored it away."

"I see. Even I never heard a thing about such a powerful Grace Gear. The king attempted to bury away its very existence."

"Yes, yes. Many things fall into place if we go by that reasoning."

"And thus Geitglein came across this forgotten object when he was rummaging through the treasury."

"Well about that, we cannot say for sure yet. Not until we ask the person in question."

Meanwhile, Duo came back along with the vice commander Black.

Black took a wand out. It's a short wand with an orb embedded on the grip.

The engraved pattern looks familiar.

"Hou, that's it huh. Mind if I cast <Appraisal> on it?"

"You may do as you wish."

Lecan took his thin wand, calmed his mind, kneaded his mana, carefully recited the preliminary casting and cast <Appraisal> magic.





<Name: Orb of Dark Emperor>

<Type: Wand>

<Spawn Spot: Dungeon Yufu Floor 1>

<Depth: 130>

<Grace: Resurrection>

※Resurrection: Letting this wand touch a corpse and activating the Grace will resurrect that corpse. Resurrection is certain within 100 inner heartbeats after the time of death, the probability decreases thereafter. Bodily damage will be healed with the resurrection. Activation spell is <Viren Jia Zafus>. This Grace can only be activated once a year. This Grace is only effective on humans. This Grace is only usable inside dungeons.

 

 

 

 

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Okami wa Nemuranai 51.13

 13





"<Tiri Warda Roa>."

Lecan started reciting the spell before Geitglein could finish his. Lecan's voice was low yet audible, resounding clearly inside the quiet <Celestial Chamber>.

Dungeon Knights commander, Duo Bahn next to Lecan turned his face with a look of askance, 'What are you doing'. Though not as obvious as Duo's, there were many other glances censuring Lecan as well.

Geitglein also sent a sharp raptor-like glance at Lecan after he was done reciting his spell, but he quickly turned back to face the front and opened his deeply wrinkled mouths.

"Hark my words! Heed my orders! By the name of great Goddess Raikores, I hereby declare the revival of Holy Kingdom of Yufu! I, Geitglein Shadrest, shall become the founder king! My son, Wolglein shall be the crown prince! Release those who have been detained and return them to their posts! They are loyal subjects in this noble undertaking! Parkugrein and Ashidgrein are to retire and confined at the Eastern Tower! <Maiden of Solace>'s engagement with Ashidgrein is annulled as she shall be wed to my son! Eternal glory and prosperity to Holy Kingdom of Yufu!"

After howling that order without pause, Geitglein's face was full of rapture then he turned his line of sight at the throne.

"Parkugrein. Step down there. That throne is rightfully mine."

He put his foot on the first step as he said that.

But then he frowned when he noticed that Parkugrein wouldn't stand up, he opened the Book of Prophecy on his hand once again.

"<Bagrad Boa>! Parkugrein, get off my throne!"

Lecan was startled for a second there when Geitglein recited the spell again. However, nothing happened.

Lecan spoke to Duo Bahn in whisper.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Duo. That Book of Prophecy thing is bad news. Take it off him."

"What? Alright, on it."

Geitglein shouted out even louder.

"Parkugrein, get down from that throne! Surrender it to me!"

With that as the impetus, Wolglein who was standing behind Geitglein rushed out. Some of the senior statesmen who were overlooking the event also started running toward the throne.

"Submit to me! Prostrate before me!"

Geitglein kept wailing even now.

Lecan stayed still.

The Dungeon Knights are standing by in <Celestial Chamber>. Along with the Townlord Knights. There's no need for an outsider like him to butt in. Though he won't hesitate to blow away any ruffians dare to approach Rubianafale.

Duo remained perfectly composed. You can rely on men who have gone through hell and back at times like this.

All the rioters got detained.

Duo only watched.

However, he surely has ways to stop anyone who dares to climb up the steps. He must have some tricks up his sleeve. No doubt about it.

As the detainee struggled and flailed around, Duo calmly walked up to Geitglein and grabbed his Book of Prophecy.

Geitglein twisted his body in an attempt to stop him, but he didn't resist further.

Duo opened and looked at the Book of Prophecy before he cocked his head in puzzlement.

"The heck is this? Is there a significance to this thing, Lecan."

"Mind if I appraise it?"

Duo turned to look at Parkugrein atop the steps. Parkugrein nodded.

Duo submitted the Book of Prophecy toward Lecan.

"Nah. Keep that on you."

"Got it."

Meanwhile, Vice Commander of Dungeon Knights, Black Ormoa cast <Bind> magic on the rioters with a dagger in his right hand. It seems Black is a mage who uses dagger as his casting medium.

Lecan took the thin wand he got from Shira out of <Storage>, breathed in deeply and kneaded his mana before reciting a spell.

"O Gafra Dafra, mirror that reflects all truth, o wisdom of terminus. Clear away the arcane light of bewildering mist pointed by my wand, passed through by my mana, cast light upon its true actuality. <Appraisal>!"

The result of <Appraisal> magic came up on his mind. Lecan narrated it out loud while still holding the wand up. His voice clearly resounded throughout the <Celestial Chamber>.

"This object is called <Amulet of Soul Shattering Bug>. Type is Prayer Book. Spawn Spot is Dungeon Finkel Floor 180. Grace is <Reign>. All those who heard the recited activation spell will submit to the user. The effect gradually weakens until it vanishes in several years. Activation spell is <Bagrad Boa>. The prayer book must be open for the Grace to take effect. This Grace can only be cast once a year. This Grace can only be activated by men. This Grace is only effective on humans. That's everything."
<TLN: The gear was initially translated as Amulet of Annihilation Spirit Bug.>

No one uttered a word for a while.

This was the secret. Something about the revolt didn't feel right. And it was all due to this <Amulet of Soul Shattering Bug>. Either Geitglein set his sight on Yufu's throne after getting his hands on it or he sought out the amulet to fulfill his ambition, regardless one thing is for sure now, Geitglein is the one behind everything. The actions he took in this place were all the proof needed.

"Lock up Geitglein and Wolglein in the Tower of Sinners. Those who showed disgraceful behaviors earlier are to be deprived of their court ranks and posts, then lock them away individually."

Thus Marquis of Yufu, Parkugrein Shadrest ordained.

 

 

 

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Okami wa Nemuranai 51.12

 12





"Geitglein. All the leading parties who spearheaded the revolt, every single one of them, have testified that they are following your orders. You may make your case against their allegations."

Townlord of Yufu, Parkuglein Shadrest's voice resounded in the spacious <Celestial Chamber>.

Parkuglein's face was stern as he watched the kneeling Geitglein from his three-step tall throne.

Lecan himself is standing by next to Duo Bahn, watching the proceeding nonchalantly.

It's spacious.

And luxurious.

It has a dignified appearance to it, with a sense of rich historical value.

As the audience chamber Lecan got in the Royal Palace was an informal one, he had no frame of reference, but he's got a feeling that even the real one in the Royal Palace can't be compared to this <Celestial Chamber> in term of extravagance.

It's a place where all officials and military personnel congregate. Though among the three viscounts, Viscount Waido has died and his heir locked up. The young heir to House of Viscount Bono is also locked up. So only members of House of Viscount Ruka, Saljirein and his heir Nodlein are present here. Additionally, all members of Peacekeeping Knights have been locked up too. Many personnel of Dungeon Knights and civil officials are in charge of keeping watch on them out there. Hence, there should be much fewer people than the full capacity now. And yet, the sheer number of individuals present is overwhelming still.

After exiting the dungeon back then, Lecan lost himself in a fit of rage when he saw the white smoke rising from Northern Tower where Rubianafale was.

Compelled by the wrath, he did something as unreasonable as flying down Mt. Yufu hillside all the way to Yufonia. Thanks to that his <Overking Bear Overcoat> got torn to pieces. It's presently stored away in his <Storage>, probably unusable for the time being. Or maybe even forever.

He managed to survive the impact from crashing down the ground somehow by casting anti-physical barrier, but his whole body suffered some serious damage and he only hung by after taking two Large Red Potions and Stamina Restorative.

Afterward, he went and cut down all the knights who stood in his path as he made his way to the Northern Tower and confirmed Rubianafale's group survival with <3D Perceptions>.

He drove away the knights and climbed down the second floor.

The room had collapsed. Many were injured but thanks to Rubianafale being a <Purification> user, there was no casualty. Lecan gave some self-made Mana Restoratives to Rubianafale.

The group perked up once they found out the Dungeon Knights were heading their way.

Lecan had a meal with them and went up the fifth floor to stay on the lookout.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
He drove away some folk trying to creep up at midnight with <Flame Spears>.

Early in the morning after breakfast, Dungeon Knights had already arrived at Yufonia. They left behind the Might Unit and had only the knights march the entire night.

Dungeon Knights swiftly moved on to free the townlord and arrested the ringleaders responsible for the revolt.

The result of interrogating the prominent members made it clear that Geitglein Shadrest was the mastermind behind this rebellion.

As such, Geitglein and his son, Wolglein would make their excuse in the sacred <Celestial Chamber> before the presences of all officials.

Geitglein and Wolglein have precarious standings at this point.

Peacekeeping Knights commander, Erantesta Waido stated that he followed Geitglein's orders. The nobles and influential individuals who participated or supported the revolt also testified that the whole thing was led by the Southern House. However, the one leading them on-site, Viscount Dantesta Waido is dead, and there's no one who can testify just in what forms did Geitglein directly take part in the revolt.

Are Geitglein and Wolglein really the mastermind behind everything. Or are they just decoys.

The truth could be found if they just properly interrogate the rebels. However in Yufu, interrogating criminals are the Peacekeeping Knights' job. And those knights are now on the receiving end, whereas Dungeon Knights have zero experience in interrogating people. Leaving with no other choice, they deployed officials with sharp wits to roughly interrogate the rebels with Dungeon Knights on standby.

This method would have taken them several years. Thus, they decided to give Geitglein and Wolglein a chance to explain the matter from their side before everybody's presences.

In other word, at this stage, Geitglein and Wolgrein are under suspicion of being the masterminds behind the revolt, and subjects to further investigation, but their role in it is still unclear and thus their standings as nobles with special privilege in Yufu is still in effect.

Due to such circumstance, Geitglein and Wolgrein are still acting like they own the place although they're not allowed to bring weapons or <Boxes> into the chamber.

Later on, Lecan found out that Marquis of Yufu, Parkuglein initially offered Geitglein to give his excuse in front of only a select few top people of Yufu. He's a softhearted lord. But Geitglein himself wished to do it before as many people as possible, and thus they gathered all personnel in the <Celestial Chamber>.

Now then, the person of interest, Geitglein stepped forward into the platform to make his case.

At this time, the townlord Parkuglein Shadrest is sitting on the throne, with Ashidgrein and Rubianafale to his left and the Temple Head to his right. And diagonally behind the townlord is knight Estfarin standing by.

On the second step from the throne, to the right is the House Aide of Shadrest, Kinisun Zoga standing. He would be a prime minister if this were a country.

On the left side is Dungeon Knights commander and Lecan standing. For the sake of protecting the marquis if it comes down to it. After all, it's still unclear how many of the leaders here took part in the revolt as well. Duo Bahn, the strongest knight of Yufu being here is only natural. Lecan is only present because Duo asked for it. And Lecan himself wanted to watch the matter through to the end.

Geitglein turned around as he surveyed the surroundings, acting so calmly to the point of being shameless.

(Hm?)

(What's with that expression.)

There was not even a hint of gloominess on his face despite the looming judgment upon him. On the contrary even, the look in his eyes glimmered with delight as he watched all the top people of Yufu present here.

A smile clearly floated on Geitglein's face when his line of sight caught Duo Bahn. As if he would leap out in joy at the fact that Duo is here.

Geitglein turned back to look at the stage and opened his mouth.

"I am eternally grateful for this chance you have granted me my lord, as I shall now disclose a critical secret before everybody present here."

Townlord Parkuglein asked back to Geitglein in person.

"A critical secret, you say."

"Indeed. Everything is proceeding as the Book of Prophecy has ordained."

"Book of Prophecy?"

Geitglein took something out of his chest pocket. Knight Estfarin took a half step forward as a precaution despite the thorough inspection of weapons in the entrance.

What Geitglein produced out was not a weapon indeed. It's some sort of document or a book. But Lecan's eye glimmered oddly when he caught sight of it.

Because the pattern engraved on that book looks similar to the patterns on Genesiac Grace Gear.

Geitglein opened that alleged Book of Prophecy. It's a very thin book. There's some sort of paper or cloth wedged between the opened covers.

Geitglein spoke in a grave yet sonorous voice.

"<Bagrad Boa>."

 

 

 

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Okami wa Nemuranai 51.11

 11





The knights who were about to charge at the creature fell down.

The knights who were blocking the creature's path were also acting weirdly.

The creature kept walking on unhindered.

All the knights who attempted to get close to the creature dropped to the ground one after another.

Peacekeeping Knights' commander, Zakwald could not process the event unfolding before his very eyes.

(Is it using some sort of curse?)

(But those with Curse Resistant equipment have fallen down as well.)

(Just what has this creature done to them?)

The sword the creature held in its right hand shot out light, then the blade expanded to twice, or maybe thrice its length.

(A magic sword!)

(Still, a magic sword with expandable blade?)

(I've never heard of such things.)

(No... it can't be.)

The creature swung the magic sword at the knights standing in its path.

After which, the swords those knights held flew off in the air along with their cut arms.

Its sword moved at speed human eyes couldn't hope to catch, and it was so sharp even magic defense was meaningless before it.

(R-ridiculous!)

(That skill is inhuman.)

(I thought it looked human.)

(But it really is a demon in reality.)

The knights would without fail fell to each and every swing while failing to even get a hit on the creature themselves.

The creature kept walking on toward the Northern Tower. Firm and steady steps.

Another knight unit eventually stood in the creature's way.

The creature recited another spell, but Zakwald couldn't catch it from his location.

A vortex of lightning enveloped those knights at once and raged on.

(That's <Ligthning>!)

(How could a <Lightning> be that expansive.)

More knights fell down.

Several knights with excellent equipment managed to endure the creature's magic and swung their swords at it.

The magic sword in the creature's right hand danced.

Sliced and diced, those knights' right arms dropped down the ground without any resistance.

The creature never stopped. It shook off all the knights that came attacking while walking on casually.

It's the very meaning of a beatdown. The elites of Peacekeeping Knights were swatted off like annoying buzzing insects to it.

The creature recited another spell.

Then it jumped up high, leaped over the knights and landed on the ground.

But ahead of its landing spot was a dense formation of shielded knights, blockading the path to Northern Tower. Not even this creature could possibly break through such a heavy shield formation head-on. They'd cut off its path of retreat and then they'd cut it down while it stopped moving. The knights are expert in arrest tactics. The creature will surely get caught.

The creature kept on advancing ahead as if those shield knights were never in its vision. And just when it was about to come in contact with the shield knights, Zakwald could hear another faint sound of spell being recited from the creature.

The creature vanished.

And emerged behind the shielded knights formation.

(W-what?)
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(Just what in the world just happened?)

(Teleportation?)

(Was that a teleportation magic!)

Such a magic is impossibility. At least humans cannot command it. Or so as far as Zakwald's knowledge goes.

(Overlord.)

(Is that thing... Overlord?)

The creature arrived just before the Northern Tower and halted.

It might have recited some sort of spell, but Zakwald couldn't hear it.

The creature floated up and slowly moved in the air toward the Northern Tower.

Then it climbed up on the cracks and fissures on the tower using its leg and landed on the crumbled veranda on the fifth floor.

Zakwald could only stare dumbfounded at this implausible scene.

The creature stared silently at the base of the tower. As if it was capable of seeing through the tower's first and second floor from there.

Eventually the creature walked to the edge of the veranda and surveyed the surroundings.

"N-not good! All units, fall back! Get out of its magic range! Get away from the Northern Tower!"

Zakwald's strained voice almost sounded like a shriek.

The knights promptly mobilized. Leaving their positions while dragging the fallen knights with them.

The Peacekeeping Knights regrouped and surrounded the Northern Tower at a 60 step distance away. Magic can't reach them there. Only ritual magic or mass casting magic are capable of such.

Viscount Waido personally visited Zakwald. Viscount Waido wasn't wearing an armor. He simply needed to bark orders from a safe spot behind the line, no need for armor.

"Zakwald. What in tarnation is that thing?"

Zakwald was about to reply, 'I am unsure myself.'

That was when Viscount Waido's head burst open, scattering gray matter and blood everywhere.

A moment later, something zoomed flying in and the <Amulet of Isha> Zakwald had on him got activated, stopping this something.

He just got hit by a magic attack seeing as the anti-magic barrier was activated.

Zakwald turned to look at the Northern Tower and saw the creature holding its palm open in their direction as it kept shooting magic.

(Ludicrous!)

(This range should be far outside any magic besides ritual ones!)

However, the magic attack kept landing in their encamped position, hitting the knights there. Even shields got destroyed or blown away. It's a savage onslaught.

The shot magic resembles <Flame Spear>. But it's colored blue instead of red, with firepower and thickness beyond ordinary flame spears.

(How.)

(How come it can shoot such a powerful magic in rapid succession like that!)

(Overlord.)

(An overlord has made its advent.)

The prideful and powerful Peacekeeping Knights scattered about everywhere without caring about their appearances.

The chaos continued on for a while before the knights managed to get out of the real range of the magic attack.

The creature's true range was within a 100 step radius.

The damage they suffered was enormous.

They couldn't maintain the siege any longer and all units were ordered to retreat to treat the wounded.

With Viscount Dantesta Waido dead, his heir, Erantesta Waido was tracked down, given the lowdown and asked for instructions. Erantesta is a mediocre individual with no ambition nor resourcefulness. He kept asking Zakwald what to do. Zakwald along with Erantesta went to report to the head of Southern House, Geitglein Shadrest. Geitglein persisted on the order to secure the <Maiden of Solace> by all possible means. But how would that be done even.

They sent out a scout unit that night, but the creature came out and started shooting magic at them.

They had to give up trying to get near the tower.

The encirclement has already crumbled down. They could only watch the Northern Tower from afar and nothing else.

Zakwald couldn't sleep that night out of frustration and chagrin.

The Overlord's intention is obvious by now. It's trying to keep the Peacekeeping Knights away from the Northern Tower.

No one must get close to the tower, no matter who.

(Just what.)

(What kind of being have we made an enemy of?)

The situation took a drastic turn the following morning.

Dungeon Knights have made their return.

They arrested everybody occupying the Palace starting from the head of Southern House. The seriously injured Peacekeeping Knights couldn't put up any resistance as they swiftly got disarmed. Many retired Dungeon Knights live all over Yufu. They had gathered in Yufonia after finding out about the revolt but as there was no one who could give them information or lead them, they were at a standstill. These retired knights joined up with the Dungeon Knights. Their  total combined force was utterly overwhelming.

The noble undertaking that is revival of Yufu Holy Kingdom has now come to an end.

 

 

 

 

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Okami wa Nemuranai 51.10

 10





The always calm and collected Commander of Peacekeeping Knights, Zakwald Kirin had his eyes wide open, mouth trembling. His face was deadly pale.

The Northern Tower lay before his eyes.

Its once beautiful spire had collapsed, the <Northern Ladyship Room> in the southern side of the fifth floor had been destroyed too. The elegant white wall from the first to third floor were still intact, but everything above that was unseemly cracked with unending smoke rising.

It was Zakwald himself who ordered the shooting of Ritual Magic <Purgatory Gate>. However, it wasn't supposed to end like this. They just needed to weaken the barrier covering the Northern Tower through the magic, and then save the <Maiden of Solace> inside. And yet just one shot of the ritual magic broke apart the upper half of the tower. They have launched an offensive on <Maiden of Solace> for all intents and purposes.

'This wasn't how you said would happen', Zakwald was about to protest to Viscount Waido. But Viscount Datensta Waido put out another decree before he could.

"Commander Zakwald. Order the mage unit to attack the base of the tower. The magic barrier has yet broken down entirely. This is a direct order from Geitglein Shadrest-sama."

Zakwald swallowed back the words he was about to utter. A direct order from the head of Southern House, Geitglein-sama. That is absolute. He must see it done.

Just when he was about to gave the order to the mage unit, someone spoke out.

"Something's flying in this direction! From Mt. Yufu's direction!"

Zakwald looked up into the sky reflexively.

Something black zoomed right above his head at high speed, creating a loud booming sound as it crash landed.

Broken splinters of stone pavements scattered about, raising a cloud of dust in the air.

"Was that a meteorite?"

Someone muttered.

(No.)

(That's no meteorite.)

(That black figure I glimpsed.)

(Had the shape of a human.)

The cloud of dust receded.

There's a huge crater on the ground.

It may have fallen somewhere unmanned, but 80% of all Peacekeeping Knights are currently present here. A small deviation could have resulted in a disastrous scene. Zakwald would like to know what's going on.

Something moved inside the crater.

(A humanoid, monster?)

But there's no way any monster could withstand that impact. Doesn't matter if the thing flying in is a human or a monster, it couldn't have survived.

Zakwald involuntarily retreated when he sensed an ominous aura.

Something is coming out of the crater.

The thing standing in the cloud of dust was black.

It's shaped like a human.

It's wearing something resembling an overcoat, but the torn edges give it eerie looks. There are burn marks too. As if it has spent a long time getting smoldered in infernal flames.

(A Vengeful Spirit?)

(No, could it be a Carrion King?)

But this pressure is simply overbearing.

It's completely filling the air like a downpour, even moving his limbs is difficult.

That something's eye flung open.

One eye.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
It's only got one eye.

An eye burning with rage.

It took a wand and started reciting a spell.

It's attempting to cast magic.

"No! Mage Unit, open fire!"

The full row of mage units shot out all kinds of magic, <Fire Arrows>, <Lightning Arrows>, <Flame Spears>, <Ice Bullets> and such. But most of those attacks got repelled by an invisible barrier that manifested before the creature. Some managed to hit the creature, but that did nothing to stop its spell casting.

"Archer Unit! Attack that creature!"

Zakwald had provided a hundred squires with bows and arrows. They're on standby nearby the Mage Unit. Zakwald didn't think they would ever come in handy until now.

However, the creature finished its casting before the Archer Unit could launch their arrows.

"Gailvey!"

Was that even a human speech.

Right after the creature recited that unknown spell, threads-like streaks of lights shot out from its wand into the sky and transformed into hundreds, thousands of Fire Arrows. Once they filled the entire sky full, they spread out, changed direction and poured incessantly down the ground.

(That's absurd!)

(That's undoubtedly a ritual magic-class spell!)

(And that thing cast it on its own, without even the help of a magic circle?)

(Inconceivable!)

This inconceivable attack poured down the mage unit, archer unit and a part of the knights.

This one attack annihilated the Mage Unit and the Archer Unit. Even mages who had strong magic resistant equipment on them suffered grievous injuries from it. The majority of the mages lay on the ground, groaning. Only the commander and vice commander of the unit somehow managed to stand on their feet.

The archer squire unit has basic equipment with low magic resistance. They were all on the ground without a sound.

Dozens of knights who were near them were also down on the ground.

Its firepower and scope were simply spine chilling.

Fortunately Zakwald was standing relatively close to the creature so he wasn't hit by the attack.

"What are you loafing about, Zakwald. Kill that creature!"

Viscount Dantesta Waido shouted in anger.

"My Knights, go and vanquish that creature!"

The knights mobilized under Zakwald's command.

Presently, this place houses 400 of the 500 Peacekeeping Knights, and 800 of the 1000 squires. They are elites who have been battle hardened from their bouts against magic beasts dwelling deep within Yufu Mountain Range. No creature can top them, no matter how powerful. It will be offed right away surely.

Under each units' captains, the army encircled the creature.

The creature walked straight toward Northern Tower without paying any heed to Zakwald nor Viscount Waido. Suddenly two swords manifested out of thin air in its hands.

(Not only magic.)

(It can even wield swords?)

(But two swords, is this some kind of joke.)

Two captains of the units near the creature gave the command to block the creature's path, 200 knights responded. All of them had their swords drawn. Just as a dozen of the foremost knights stepped forward to slash at the creature, it swung the sword in its left hand twice.





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Okami wa Nemuranai 51.9

 9





The group reached a huge hall.

Ahead of them is a wall with a giant mirror embedded on it.

"That mirror is the entrance. The Three Giants are inside. You can go in and out without restriction, but you can't see or hear what's going on inside. The Giants can't get out of the room."

"I see."

Lecan was but an onlooker by this point.

Dungeon Knights have full knowledge on the ins and outs of Dungeon Yufu. No point in Lecan butting in. He just gotta wait for them to defeat the Three Giants now. So he believed.

That was when Lecan heard the voice of a woman in his ears.

A nerve wrecked voice close to yelling.

A desperate voice trying to call out something.

"Hm?"

Yet, neither Duo standing next to him or other Dungeon Knights seemed to hear that.

(That voice sounded real.)

(A voice begging help.)

(I know it.)

(I know that voice.)

(The same voice I first heard in this world.)

(Ruby is calling for my help!)

"Duo."

"Hm?"

"The Three Giants lie beyond that mirror, yeah?"

"Yea, that's right."

"You can get out of the Temple if you beat them."

"Yea. The door behind Three Giants opens up."

"Do these Giants have a trait that makes them invulnerable to physical attacks?"

"Invulnerable to physical attacks? Nah, nothing like that. They're stupidly sturdy though."

"Do they have preset conditions that make them immortal."

"Conditions, immortal? What the heck's that."

"A trait that makes them unkillable until you satisfy certain conditions. Like say, the order you defeat them."

"Nah, there's nothing of such. You can kill them in any order."

"Sorry, but humor me some time. Right. A slow count to 30 will do."

"Don't tell me, Lecan. You're gonna head inside by yourself."

"Yea."

"You're just gonna rush to your death. What's the deal anyway."

"Felt I could hear Rubianafale's voice, asking for help."

Duo turned his head and stared hard at Lecan's face.

"So I'm going to use my aces up sleeve here."

"Aces up sleeve?"

"Passing through."

Lecan cut his talk with Duo short and walked toward the mirror.

Vice Commander, Black Ormoa and the other five knights were awaiting for Duo Bahn's order. Lecan passed by them and went in the mirror.

Duo's voice could be heard right afterward.

"No one interferes! Afford Lecan time."

Noise disappeared once Lecan was inside the room. This place is in another space.

Three Giants were lying in wait. Each of them is twice as tall as Lecan.

One Giant has a giant sword.
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Another Giant has a giant shield.

And the last one has a giant wand.

The Three Giants quietly stared at Lecan. They're waiting for him to start the battle.

"<Tiri Warda Roa>."

After activating <Ring of Undying King>, Lecan took a Bombshell out of <Storage>, took off its safety plug and pushed the discharge button. He left the firepower setting alone. In other word, at maximum power. Ordinarily he can't set maximum power unless he's at a considerable distance away, but <Ring of Undying King> has made it possible.

Afterward, he regulated his breathing, counted the timing and threw the bombshell at the Three Giants.

A flash of white light ruptured.

Lecan got blown away, and hit the wall hard before rolling on the ground. He stood up after a bit, and saw Sword Giant and Wand Giant having been torn down. Only Shield Giant alone could still move despite losing its right leg and left arm. Its shield has been blown into pieces, and its right arm was bent unnaturally, but it was still alive with fighting spirit intact.

It threw the shield's wreckage at Lecan which he dodged. Then <Ring of Undying King>'s effect ended.

"<Gaspario Raaf>."

Shield Giant stopped moving once Lecan activated <Talisman of Darkness Demon>.

Lecan drew <Comet Cutter> while walking, generated the magic blade and slashed at Shield Giant's neck. The first and second slash couldn't cut it, but the third one did the trick.

Afterward, only three treasure chests remained in the room.

There was no joy on Lecan's face even though he just beat three powerful foes.

Lecan has imposed a certain rule on himself. A rule that states he will only use <Genesiac Grace Gear> against adversaries he cannot beat through his own strength during dungeon expeditions.

<Genesiac Grace Gear> are powerful. Too powerful. They shouldn't be used often.

He had to fully rely on <Ring of Undying King> during his fight on the last floor of Dungeon Tsubolt. There was no joy in that battle. He aimed for the deepest part out of a sense of duty, beating enemies like it was his job to.

Lecan doesn't want to experience such a fight ever again. Hence using <Genesiac Grace Gear> is akin to him saying 'I cannot win against you without resorting to this.' a belief he strongly upholds now.

And he used two of those <Genesiac Grace Gear>. This was no fight. It was a removal of obstacles for the sake of getting out of the dungeon asap.

Lecan walked out of the mirror door, going back to the hall.

Everyone present including Duo Bahn and all the knights looked at Lecan with astonished looks.

Which surely would turn into admiration.

Ill humored of such, Lecan had a sour look on his face.

However, Eda had a blooming smile as she saw Lecan. Lecan's expression softened after he saw that.

"I beat the Three Giants. Eda. We're leaving this dungeon right away."

"Un."

He took Eda back into Three Giants' room, and hurried back to the exit in the back.

Red Sand Dune spread before their eyes beyond the door.

Lecan joined hands with Eda and recited spells.

"<Floor><Warp>."

The dungeon's Ground Floor was dim.

He ran toward the exit. The sense of restlessness wouldn't cease.

The wind is blowing outside. Mixed with powdery snow.

You can see the whole of Yufonia as well as a parting sea of clouds below.

The Northern Tower situated in the northern edge of Yufonia at the boundary with Mt Ron was tiny but caught clearly in Lecan's vision. His extraordinary vision clearly saw it. How the upper half of Northern Tower was crumbling, with smoke rising from it.

(Smoke?)

(The Northern Tower, crumbling?)

Duo Bahn who was behind Lecan before anyone realized whispered in suppressed rage.

"Those bastards! They went... and shot Ritual Magic at Northern Tower!"

Lecan inhaled greatly. He made his decision to do what he has to do in that moment.

He took two of his self-made mana restorative pills, and chewed one. And then the other one.

Rage filled his entire body. His abdomen is fiery hot. Like it's blazing up.

The world is painted red. Everything in his vision is red. That is because Lecan's right eye has been dyed crimson in blood.

He spread his arms up high and recited a spell.

"<Float>."

Lecan's body floated up high into the sky.

His overcoat flapped uncontrollably from the winds.

A strong gust blowing from behind pushed Lecan forward. Lecan's body fluttered in the air, way high above the mountain slope.

Lecan converged his mana while allowing the mountain wind carried him. Converged, converged, converged, and converged even further.

Then he recited a spell unto the heightened convergence of mana.

"<Wind>!"

A blast blew off, hurling Lecan's body ahead as he flew in the blue sky.

"<Wind>! <Wind>! <Wind>! <Wind>! <Wind>!"

He cast <Gust> magic in rapid succession, propelling his body forward.

He's never flown this high.

He's never flown this far.

He's never flown this fast.

Lecan continued to cast <Gust> while desperately controlling his direction.

"<Wind>! <Wind>! <Wind>! <Wind>! <Wind>!"

(I see now.)

(The reason I trained flying in Dungeon Tsubolt stairways.)

(All while suffering griveous wounds many times.)

(Even I wondered why did I go to such length.)

(It was all for this moment.)

Lecan glided down at high speed toward the Northern Tower.

<Overking Bear Overcoat> flapped violently in the winds, getting torn off. It hadn't been restored enough from the damage it suffered in the dungeon, and this would be the final nail in the coffin.

Once the ground was in sight, Lecan cast <Gust> in the opposite direction to decelerate.

"<Wind>! <Wind>! <Wind>! <Wind>! <Wind>!"

And yet his falling speed wouldn't slow down. Lecan took out <Wand of Cordysie> as he endured the wind pressure. The one loaded with anti-physical barrier.

"<Barrier (Ogdim)>!"

Lecan's body crashed into the ground, producing a loud booming sound.

 

 

 

 

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Okami wa Nemuranai 51.8

 8





Once he was done reading the letter, Duo shouted out loud with his line of sight still locked at Lecan.

"Black!"

A knight who was standing nearby came to him. This man is another formidable individual.

Duo handed over the still open letter to that knight. Read, he implicitly said.

Duo wouldn't let Lecan out of his sight even while this knight named Black was reading the letter.

"Lecan-dono. I have a question."

"What is it."

"This letter from his highness and Nodlein-sama was written on the seventh of month two. Today is the 23rd. What is the meaning of this."

"I got that letter on the seventh of month two. Eda and I left Yufonia on the eighth of month two, and ran to Dungeon Yufu, arriving noon the same day. Then we ran all the way here."

"You ran? And never came across a magic beast once?"

"We did engage some along the way, but we mostly ran while avoiding magic beasts. I've got an ability that allows me to detect magic beasts from afar. Isn't it written on that letter?"

Duo kept staring hard at Lecan without giving a reply to that.

Lecan wasn't perturbed even when he was on the receiving end of Duo's inquisitive gaze. Lecan looked back into Duo's eyes with a calm yet unshakable will.

"Black!"

"Commander, sir."

"The hunt is over."

"Understood. Oy! Men! Kill the magic beasts! Pick up the treasure chests! Collect the mats!"

"Black!"

This was finally when Duo turned his line of sight away from Lecan.

"Sir."

"Skip the mats. Get our men here."

"Sir. Oy! Forget collecting the mats! Retrieve what's inside the treasure chests. Gather round afterward! Make it quick!"

The knights skillfully finished off the magic beasts, grabbed potions in the treasure chests and assembled before Black. Knight Black reported to Duo once the knights were all present.

"Commander. All men are accounted for."

"Alright. Listen, men! This here is Lecan-dono of Wazrof Household! A man who has conquered Dungeon Tsubolt and Dungeon Palcimo."

A rustle broke out before quickly died down.

"Lecan-dono has! Come to deliver! A letter from Ashidgrein-sama and Nodlein-sama! During our absence! Peacekeeping Knights have attacked the Palace! And captured townlord-sama, Estfarin-dono and Saljirein-sama!"

Duo paused here for an interval, to let the knights chew on the meaning of his words.

"Ashidgrein-sama, and Rubianafale-sama! Have barricaded themselves in the Northern Tower together with Nodlein-sama and a few aides!"

Duo glared at all the knights with terrifying gazes.

"Right this instance! We're heading for Yufonia! To save our lord! And protect his highness and her ladyship!"

UWOOOOOOO, the knights bellowed.

The fighting spirit overflowing in this place would flinch any and all magic beast.

(These guys don't feel like knights.)

(I guess their life revolves around hunting dungeon magic beasts.)

(No place for etiquette or elegance.)

Dungeon Knights began their march toward the Temple.

Lecan and Eda are walking together with the commander, Duo Bahn.

Once they got near the enormous Temple's gate, Lecan asked.

"Duo. Can't we just go around the Temple and head straight to Red Sands."

"Lecan. You ain't gonna find Rend Sands even if did that."

"What?"

"One can only reach Red Sands you see on the map by passing through Temple's gate, defeating the Three Giants and then exiting through their room."

"Hou."

"Before this was discovered, us knights would turn around and go back all the way to the entrance once we got enough God Cures."

"Sounds rough."
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"Sure is."

They put large magic stones on several depressions on the Temple's stone gate.

Then the stone gate opened to the sides while making a heavy sound.

The inside was like a maze.

The passage is quite wide, ten knights could easily walk side by side there. In fact, Dungeon Knights march forward in a five-row formation. They have enough elbowroom between each of them to prepare for any unforeseen situation.

There are many big doors in random spots. Lecan could sense exceptionally powerful magic beasts beyond those doors.

The vice commander of Dungeon Knights, Black Ormoa gave directions with a Map in his hand from the second row.

Lecan was enveloped with reliable feelings as he walk on surrounded by the elites of Dungeon Knights. It hasn't been long since they met, but he could discern the strength and disposition of these Dungeon Knights.

Their strength is the real thing. Alone they're strong as is, but a hundred of them move together like a single creature. And their disposition is more akin to forthright adventurers than overbearing knights.

(Everything's fine now.)

(Nodlein predicted it would have taken me 34 days to get to this point.)

(We got here in 16.)

(Duo Bahn and the Dungeon Knights can take care of the rest.)

(We've got lots of days to spare.)

(Nothing more to worry about.)

(I've managed to protect Ruby.)

Lecan had a rush of relief and accomplishment.

"Duo."

"What's up."

"I'm told we need three days to exit the Temple. That how long it takes to get to the Three Giants?"

"Hahahaha. Lecan. This Temple is enormous yeah, with complex passages and all but we've got a map on us. Wouldn't even be a Period by the time we got to Three Giants' room."

"Hm? Then why'd Nodlein say it'd take three days?"

"That's how long it takes to fight off Three Giants."

Lecan looked at Duo with a look of surprise.

Duo grinned.

"These Three Giants are made up of one Sword Giant, one Shield Giant and one Wand Giant. Six of us knights would first enter the room and defeat the Wand Giant. Magic are bad news, y'see. This takes two days."

"Are those six gonna fight for two full days?"

"No way. One of 'em will regularly go outside and change with another knight standing by outside."

"Ah, I see."

"Once the Wand Giant's been taken care of, the rest is simple. Eight knights will go and defeat the Sword Giant. Then finally ten will beat down the Shield Giant."

"A fight that involve all 100 knights by turn huh."

"Nah. Only about 40 among us 100 are capable of squaring up against the Three Giants."

"Are six the limit for the start?"

"Putting more people than that makes it harder to move around inside. We could brute force the Three Giants with sheer number but there gonna be casualties."

"So there's no casualties if it's just six."

"Sure are when there are."

Duo shut one of his eyes in jest.

(Hm?)

(Don't think the death of elite knights is any joking matter.)

(What's with that expression?)

 

 

 

 

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