Freezing Nation – Town Below the Castle
“The movements of those people over there are smooth! Head that way!”
Under Kurinka’s guidance, I leaped across the rooftops, carrying the two of them. I was starting to feel a bit annoyed, half-seriously wishing I could just transform into a dragon. But if I didn’t use my speed, the culprit would surely escape, so I had no choice.
“They must have sensed our movements. He’s definitely trying to make a run for it now.”
“Yeah, the movements of those people over there have become awkward.”
I didn’t quite understand what they were talking about, but it boiled down to this: the culprit controlling them was definitely in this town. His ability allowed him to manipulate a large number of people like this, but it wasn’t perfect. The farther he was from them, the more chaotic their movements became, just like those soldiers earlier. In that case, it also supported the theory that the culprit had no experience wielding a spear. But the most telling evidence was the view from the rooftops.
The movements of the people in the distance were smooth, and they were running directly toward us. In contrast, the people around us moved like zombies, their actions overall clumsy. This meant we just had to get close to the people who were moving well. Of course, their smart movements meant they were good at capturing us, but that was where I came in. There was no way I would get caught. If they wanted to catch me, they would have to do something like that massive serpent I fought near the depths of the Abyss Cave. I later learned from a book at Lord Hast’s house that it was called Jörmungandr.
“This should be the spot.”
People surrounded us silently on the roof of the tavern. Some were even preparing ladders like that landlady from earlier. Since not everyone could climb up, a few would come up and corner us, cutting off our escape route to the ground. Others had already occupied the roofs around us. The difference in their movements compared to those who had chased us earlier was glaringly obvious.
“Alright, here I go… Take this!”
I slammed my fist into the roof, sending wooden shards flying as it collapsed. The three of us landed perfectly inside the tavern. The patrons who had been drinking just moments before looked at us as if nothing had happened. Some were so surprised they nearly toppled over. Why was it that this place was unscathed?
“W-What the?!”
“The ceiling! Hey! What are you doing?!”
The tavern master and several others began to scold us. This was strange. Why was this place the only one untouched?
“Everyone, are you aware of the emergency outside?”
“Emergency? What happened?”
“There’s someone here causing it. Although everyone here seems fine at first glance, they are already being controlled. Except for one person—the culprit. The surprise you all showed was just to hide that, wasn’t it?”
Kurinka shifted her gaze to one individual. I see, that guy must be the culprit. The uncle who started stripping while mumbling something nonsensical about bleeding when he twisted. He trembled slightly at Kurinka’s gaze, but was that just an act? If Kurinka said he was the culprit, then I suppose that’s what it was.
“What are you talking about?! More importantly, I’m bleeding! Can’t you see that?!”
“Are you still playing dumb at this point?”
“Everyone! Help me! I haven’t done anything, but this girl is—!”
“Then I’ll have to investigate.”
With that, Kurinka slipped a Detect Ring onto her arm. As she pointed it at the uncle, a green outline of a humanoid figure appeared on the ring’s display. No, that silhouette was quite different from the uncle’s.
[Nentro, Lv: 233, Class: Marionetter, HP: 4020]
“Two hundred?! Who is this person?!”
“You can’t deny it any longer, Marionetter Nentro.”
As Kurinka pointed her finger decisively at him, his previously playful demeanor vanished. He looked down, his eyes darting toward us as if to say, “How did you figure it out?” Then, the movements of everyone in the tavern froze.
They all stood up straight in unison, walking in perfect synchronization to line up in front of Nentro. The uncle’s skin peeled away like a banana, revealing the old man we had seen earlier. He had a few wisps of white hair and wore a colorful robe adorned with purple, red, and orange, resembling a wizard. His cloudy white eyes seemed to reflect his wickedness.
“You’ve seen through me well. Is that a Metallica item? I see, this is a country that shouldn’t be underestimated.”
“Who are you, old man? Why are you doing this?”
“I am one of the Twelve Demon Generals of the Neo Demon Lord Army, Marionetter Nentro. I’ve heard quite a bit about your exploits, Rua.”
Nentro laughed gleefully as he pointed at me. He seemed to have a lot of confidence against us, showing no signs of panic.
“With my Marionette Chain, the people of this country are already at my mercy. Do you understand what that means?”
“Hostages, a tactic often used by those lacking strength.”
“While you may say that, young lady, if you look through history, you’ll find that there is no simpler and more effective strategy than this. In fact, it works wonders on you, Lua-chan. Even though I’m right in front of you, look—you’re unable to move a single step.”
That was one thing, but more than anything, I felt a chill when he called me Lua-chan. Only Kurinka and a few others could call me that. Ugh, it felt disgusting. That crooked grin of his was even worse. I shouldn’t judge someone by their appearance, but someone who does such things is different. I wasn’t kind enough to pity someone like that.
“It seems you’ve grasped your position. You might think you’ve cornered me, but that was a grave miscalculation. And… you already understand, don’t you?”
My arms felt sluggish. It was as if they were entangled in something, making it hard to move freely. When I tried to raise my arms, they felt like they were being pulled in the opposite direction. Could it be that we were also being controlled?
“Ah, ahh—don’t just pull out Disballade on your own…”
“I know your strength well. You’re a monster that even Pansard wouldn’t take lightly. If we fought fairly, there would be no chance of victory. But… I never thought your power would be used against you.”
His eyes, mouth, and every part of him seemed to be laughing. He shook his shoulders and moved his slender fingers as if drawing something in the air. At the same time, my arm holding Disballade was directed toward Kurinka.
“Lua… please, stop…”
“Kurinka… run…”
“No, I can’t move…”
My arms were wide open, as if inviting me to strike. Gradually, my arm rose, and Disballade was held high above my head. The class name Marionetter—this was what it meant. A class specialized in controlling living beings. Just like Laurel’s Harp, there was definitely a strength that came from specialization. Nentro was just doing that—focusing solely on one thing, allowing him to control such a large number of people. Making them fight each other without doing anything, indeed, that would require no strength to win. I suppose this is what they call rationality. But you know, Nentro…
“Why am I the only one not completely controlled?”
“Don’t be so arrogant; you’re already caught in my trap.”
“But when will I actually swing this sword?”
“Right now! Take this!”
“…Take this!”
Nentro kept gesturing downward, but my arm remained raised. He must have known it was impossible to control me.
“You’re probably concentrating a lot of power to control us, right? The fact that you didn’t immediately control us when we appeared here is proof of that. I don’t know the details, but it must have taken considerable preparation time, something like that?”
“Hmph! Nonsense! Then I’ll just control that girl over there!”
“That girl over there? You mean Kurinka?”
There was no need to confirm. Nentro didn’t even notice when I moved behind him, grabbing his neck and pulling him away from the tavern patrons. I lifted him like a pendulum and slammed him onto the wooden floor, striking his back perfectly.
“Ugh!”
“Rainis, please.”
“I was going to finish this without being told.”
Freed from Nentro’s binding, Rainis took a breath and ignited the threads that were spread throughout the air. This was the true nature of the Marionette Chain. Threads created from magical power, intertwined and reinforced, were spread out, connecting to the arms, legs, and heads of the townspeople, controlling them.
The threads were so thin that they were nearly invisible, but thanks to Nentro taking damage, they became immediately visible. With Nentro in such a state, all that was left was to burn them away with Rainis’s flames. The threads melted away, disappearing as if they were never there. It was a feat that only Rainis, who maintained the fire throughout the town, could accomplish in an instant.
“I don’t really need to defeat Nentro for that, though…”
“You sure have a lot to say for someone who looks so unassuming.”
“Lua-chan, you can move! You can move!”
Seeing Kurinka bouncing around with excitement brought me a sense of relief. Truth be told, if Kurinka transformed into a Dragon, she could have easily torn those threads apart, but we couldn’t afford to demolish the tavern completely. The floor and roof were already wrecked, though.
“W-What?! You even broke my Marionette Chain…! Then how about this?!”
【Nentro’s Hungry Net!】
Countless threads, resembling spider silk, were unleashed from Nentro’s hands. It was clear at a glance that they were sturdier than the Marionette Chain, but it was the same story as before. Compared to the massive spider’s threads we fought in the lower levels of the Abyss Cave, these were nothing. I almost wondered if he was satisfied with such a low level of power.
“Hyah hyah hyah! They’re wrapping around my arm! The Hungry Net may have a narrow range, but if I can control even a part of it—”
“Take this!”
As I pulled on the threads wrapped around my arm, Nentro was sent soaring through the air. He crashed through chairs and tables, embedding himself into the opposite floor. He dove headfirst, and I was sure this would deal significant damage.
“Ugh, ugh…”
“Nentro, I’m still angry with you. You tried to control me to attack Kurinka, and you immobilized her.”
“Y-Yes! I-I understand! Let’s talk it out!”
【Kurinka’s attack! Dealt 8302 damage to Nentro! Nentro has been defeated! HP 0/4020】
Kurinka’s staff struck perfectly into Nentro’s head. With his head caved in, he sank back into the floor. As I surveyed the tavern, now riddled with holes, I stared intently at Kurinka, who had just defeated Nentro.
“I’m sorry; I’m just as angry as you are.”
Kurinka turned around, her smile so refreshing it felt almost angelic, despite having just brutally defeated an old man. It was a bit frightening.
“…Looks like it’s over.”
Rainis approached Nentro’s lifeless body and sighed softly.
“I would have been done for if it weren’t for you all. It’s truly… infuriating.”
Rainis’s voice trembled as she spoke, not showing her face to us. It was true that, in the end, she might not have been able to protect the country alone. But she should have realized now the terror and cunning of the Demon Lord Army. This was a good lesson for Rainis, who had underestimated them.
“Hey, who are you all, anyway?”
“Hyah hyah hyah! Magnificent, magnificent!”
From somewhere, Nentro’s voice echoed, despite having just been defeated. This was not in my head; I could hear it clearly from outside.
“W-What?! He’s alive?!”
“Unfortunately, I am not there. This was merely a reconnaissance mission. Lua, I have firmly etched your abilities into my memory. And that girl named Roel as well.”
“What do you plan to do next? You’re not going to turn into a monster like the others, are you?”
“Regrettably, I lack that power. I shall withdraw for now; I have other matters to attend to.”
“Other matters…?”
“Farewell, we shall meet again someday! Hyah hyah hyah…”
As Nentro’s voice faded away, I finally grasped that he had truly retreated. Glancing over, I noticed something strange about what had once been Nentro’s body. A piece of wood was visible in the caved-in head.
“T-This… it’s a puppet.”
Kurinka poked it with her staff. What I thought was Nentro fell apart, its arms and legs detaching from the torso with that small impact.
“Indeed, it’s a Marionetter…”
“Fufufu, that’s right!”
“Wah! Shin!”
Shin’s head popped out from the tool pouch, wearing a proud smile.
“W-What… is this?”
“Shin-chan! You shouldn’t come out!”
“Nentro is someone even the Demon Lord Army has never seen in his true form. Kukuku, it seems even you all were fooled!”
While it might be true that we were tricked, it sounded more like a bitter aftertaste. If no one had ever seen his true form, where was the real Nentro? More importantly, Rainis seemed off. Her eyes were glistening, and her cheeks were flushed. She trembled, wrapping her hands around Shin.
“So cute! So cute! Hey, what is this? A pet?! Oh my gosh!”
“N-no! Don’t hug me! Shin is not a pet! He’s the best of the Demon Lord Army!”
“He’s talking! Squeeze squeeze squeeze!”
“Hop!”
Rainis transformed into a whirlwind of excitement, hugging Shin like a stuffed toy, while Kurinka and I could only watch in disbelief. Poor Shin was utterly speechless, smothered by her ample bosom, rendered completely silent.
“What’s this little guy’s name?”
It seemed like she was about to take him home. In fact, she did take him home. Despite the chaos left behind, she left the unconscious patrons of the tavern behind and walked out. Yes, Shin had been abducted.
“…Should we go get him back?”
“Yeah.”
With a sense of resignation, we chased after Rainis. If she took him home, it would lead to all sorts of complications, considering he was still technically part of the Demon Lord Army.
◆ Shin Report ◆
This is no mere report.
Help me.