Chapter 20: Dragon Cradle, and then to the Beastmen Village – 26
In the afternoon, people started gathering one after another at Māri-san’s house.
Starting with Karma’s father, Zendar-shi, the chieftains of each beastmen tribe, and several people known as ‘elders’—more than ten people in total must have entered the house.
The wolf beastmen are apparently the most numerous among the beastmen tribes, possess superior abilities as beastmen, and have strong solidarity, making them the most powerful faction.
If that’s the case, then the return of their former chieftain is a major event for the entire beastmen race.
Naturally, discussions should be held, including the matter of restoring Norekka-shi to his former position as chieftain, and that’s likely what’s about to happen.
It feels somewhat hasty, but according to Marianne, who is monitoring with her ‘Stealth’ Skill, Norekka-shi apparently requested it.
“It seems he said he wanted to relieve the burden on his wife, Māri-san, quickly because he caused her trouble.”
“Hearing just that, he sounds like a responsible, family-oriented person.”
“Indeed. However, among those gathered, several don’t seem to acknowledge him as Norekka-shi. Some were even asking questions to test if he was the real Norekka-shi. He seemed to answer them properly, though.”
“Considering the matter with Marquis Falcrum and others, it seems the Netherworld Candlestick has a way to obtain the memories of the people they control. Even that feels sinister.”
“I think so too.”
“Anyway, is the Netherworld Candlestick’s goal to become the chieftain of the wolf beastmen tribe and manipulate the entire beastmen race? Considering their actions so far, that’s the only conclusion I can draw, but…”
Whether in Mekalinnan, the church in the Royal Capital, or the Empire, the Netherworld Candlestick’s goal seemed to be infiltrating places close to power and causing chaos within those groups.
The Priest during the Saint Succession Ceremony, and ‘Isnani’ in the Empire’s arena, both said that directly Summoning Undead themselves to cause a disturbance was “against their doctrine.”
Thinking about it that way, it seems rather natural for that fake Norekka-shi to want to return to being the chieftain.
Marianne and Freynil nodded at my speculation, but only Lani tilted her head.
“But Soushi, if he has Father’s memories, wouldn’t he also know that we judge by scent?”
“That’s… true. Is he considering the possibility that he won’t be recognized as the real person?”
“If that happens, like in the arena—”
Just as Lani started to speak, a loud voice echoed from Māri-san’s house.
It was the voice of Karma’s father, Zendar-shi, but—
“Hey, you bastard! What do you think you’re doing pretending to be Norekka! We all know you’re a fake! Stop making that smug face and show your true colors already!”
“Ah, he really went and did it. I did tell Karma just in case, though.”
Lani sighed, but this might actually be a dangerous situation.
As expected, Freynil spoke, her voice filled with tension.
“Soushi-sama, a sinister power is suddenly swelling inside the house. It seems he intends to summon something.”
“This is bad! Everyone, let’s go!”
We burst out from our hiding spot and rushed into Māri-san’s house.
There were over ten people in the Reception Chamber. At the far end stood the fake Norekka-shi with an eerie smile on his lips, standing in a strangely limp posture. To his right was Māri-san, and to his left was the tiger beastmen chieftain, Zendar-shi, his tail raised, confronting the fake Norekka-shi. Behind the two of them, the chieftains of the various beastmen tribes and the elders were lined up, seemingly watching how things would unfold.
When the three of us rushed in, the fake Norekka-shi let out a “Heeheehee…” laugh that didn’t suit his appearance.
“Well now, it seems it really was true that beastmen judge by scent rather than appearance~. I didn’t expect you to doubt even the former chieftain~.”
“Who in the world are you?”
To Māri-san’s question, the fake Norekka-shi spread his arms and answered.
“Why, I’m your beloved husband, Norekka~. Couldn’t you believe I’m the real thing, just a little~? Can you even call yourself a wife~?”
“Norekka wasn’t the kind of person who reeked of such a rotten smell. Besides, appearances can be faked easily. Aren’t shady people like you particularly fond of putting up a front?”
“I see~. So beastmen possess some wisdom after all~. Though, if they didn’t, their souls wouldn’t be sufficient offerings~.”
“So who the hell are you? Are you perhaps one of those damned Netherworld Candlestick folks?”
As Zendar-shi pressed closer, the fake Norekka-shi’s eyes widened slightly.
“Hoh~? To think you know of that, perhaps I underestimated the beastmen race~. Hmm? That man’s face over there looks familiar~?”
Only then did the fake Norekka-shi seem to notice me and turn his eyes this way. His pupils lacked the vitality of a living human; I understood then that he was, indeed, the usual puppet.
“Ooh, you’re the man who interfered with me in the Royal Capital~. Earl Okuno, I believe? No, a Marquis now, was it? The one Isnani is obsessed with, yes?”
Since the fake Norekka-shi focused on me, the chieftains also parted to the sides, starting to look back and forth between me and the fake Norekka-shi.
“You’re different from Isnani and that Sarasa person.”
“I am Wahid, a High Priest of the Netherworld Candlestick, one of the ‘Three Candles’~.”
“Last time it was the church, are you aiming to incite the beastmen race this time?”
“That’s about right~. Though I never expected it to fall apart this quickly~. Truly, the keen noses of the beastmen race exceeded my imagination~.”
“Could it be that the disappearance of the beastmen who returned from Mekalinnan was also your doing?”
This was something I had naturally been considering for a while, but in response to this question, the fake Norekka-shi, now Wahid, tilted his head.
“Hmm, how was that now~? That’s not something I’m privy to~.”
“So you have no intention of talking.”
“You can take it that way; it doesn’t bother me in the slightest~.”
Wahid wore a vacant smile. No, it only looked vacant because he was using Norekka-shi’s body; Wahid himself was surely wearing an eerie smile from beyond his corpse manipulation technique.
Regardless, it seemed he had no intention of saying anything more. In that case, we had no choice but to make him exit quickly, but that would require Māri-san’s permission.
“Māri-san, is it alright if we cut him down?”
“Hm? You mean there’s nothing more to ask this guy?”
“Yes, it seems he has no intention of talking anymore.”
“Then I don’t mind. Ah, I never thought he was Norekka from the start, so don’t worry about me.”
“Understood. Marianne.”
As I called out, a figure in black and purple ninja attire suddenly appeared behind Wahid.
Before Wahid could turn around, the ‘Dragon Tail Severer’ took off his head.
The head fell to the floor, and the body collapsed as it was. A bluish, highly viscous, sludgy liquid flowed from the severed neck. Then, the body itself dissolved entirely into the same liquid.
“Well now, this goes against the doctrine again~. Good grief~.”
Wahid, now just a head, said this and let out a dry, rattling laugh.
“Soushi-sama, I sense numerous Undead presences outside. There seem to be three powerful ones among them.”
“They never learn. Marianne, go to Karma’s house and call everyone. Māri-san, Zendar-san, it seems this guy Summoned a large number of Undead. We need to respond quickly.”
As I spoke, Zendar-shi answered while crushing Wahid’s head underfoot.
“Karma said things smelled fishy, so we’ve already alerted the Adventurers here. You can leave the weak ones to us.”
“That’s helpful. We’ll head outside too. Freynil, Lani, let’s go.”
“Yes, Soushi-sama.” “Okay. Let’s take them down quickly.”
When we went outside the house, several ominous Magic Circles had appeared on the street ground. People were looking at the Magic Circles, bewildered, stopping in their tracks, or watching from a distance.
“Everyone, monsters will appear all around this area! Please get back!”
As I shouted while taking out ‘The Great Equalizer’ and the ‘Immovable Bulwark’ from my ‘Item Box’, the surrounding people looked surprised and hastily moved away from the area.