With a sudden tremor so intense that we could hardly stand, the floor began to collapse beneath us, and we were thrown into a vast underground space beneath the arena. However, it seemed that the underground was filled with Undead Slime, likely piled up to a considerable height. Ironically, this provided a cushion for our fall, and thanks to the Wide-Area Barrier deployed by Priest Sidney, we landed without injury, merely sitting down with a thud.
The carriage and everyone present were encased within a large sphere formed by a thin membrane-like barrier, along with the remnants of the floorboards.
“Miss Flora, are you hurt?”
“I’m fine… but this is quite a troublesome situation, isn’t it?”
With Mr. Gilbert’s assistance, I stood up and surveyed the dim surroundings. It felt as though we were atop a sea of dark, muddy water. It appeared that no one was injured, but without any solid ground or escape route, we were stuck and unable to move from this spot.
If Priest Sidney’s barrier were to break, we would plunge into a sea of viscous slime whose depth was unknown. Unlike seawater, we wouldn’t be able to swim, and more importantly, the Undead Slime would surely not let us escape.
“Without solid footing, even having weapons is pointless; it’s like trying to step on air…” Mr. Gilbert frowned, deep in thought. Amidst the gloom, Count Agreas’s voice rang out.
From behind Mr. Dolf, Mr. Gilbert and I exchanged glances, cautiously assessing the situation. While Mr. Dolf’s bold words offered a sliver of reassurance, Ms. Barbara suddenly burst into cheerful laughter, confronting Count Agreas.
“Well, you think that only me and Flora-chan are the sorcerers here, don’t you?”
Upon hearing her words, a spark of realization ignited in my mind. However, Count Agreas maintained his mocking expression.
“…Ha. Are you suggesting that the strangely confident blacksmith and the axe-wielder behind you are also sorcerers? Have you lost your wits? We’re all trapped here, after all.”
As he spoke, Count Agreas wore a smirk, but the light that had sparked in my mind transformed into certainty. Understanding Ms. Barbara’s intent, I felt an urge to mimic her laughter, but I suppressed my excitement and tugged at Mr. Gilbert’s sleeve.
“…Mr. Gilbert, let’s prepare.”
“Eh…?”
I whispered, then turned to signal the Holy Cleric and the mercenaries with my eyes. They looked a bit puzzled, but I was sure they would soon understand.
I approached the carriage and retrieved the Goddess Statue crafted by the children of the blacksmith’s village. Those who had gathered, noticing my actions, formed a circle around it. Miss Chelsea, the Black Knight, and the knights of Beresford joined us.
“First, let’s create a foothold.”
“Create…? You mean dismantle the carriage and use the wood for a platform?”
“No, Mr. Gilbert, do you remember what Mr. Dolf said about this carriage?”
I spoke in hushed tones, trying not to alert Count Agreas.
“…Um, the safest place blessed by all the craftsmen and sorcerers in the village… Ah, I see what you mean!”
After reciting it softly, Mr. Gilbert clapped his hands together in realization.
“There are still other sorcerers in the blacksmith’s village, huh?”
“If we pray, we will know. Let’s ask for their strength.”
Mr. Gilbert’s response was a bit lacking, but in reality, we wouldn’t know until we tried. I kept my thoughts vague to avoid drawing Count Agreas’s attention.
Sitting up straight, I clasped my hands and closed my eyes, envisioning the solid ground we needed. A place where those who could fight with weapons could stand, a ground that would never be swallowed by the Immortal Mud.
Even in the dim underground, a bright light filled my mind, and a warm breeze blew through, accompanied by the gentle scent of plants, as if I were in a forest. When I opened my eyes, the carriage was covered in ivy vines, stretching outward toward the barrier’s edge. I could see a green path forming over the sea of dark, muddy slime.
“…This is incredible.”
“I just saw my wife and children in the Territory of Kelvim praying…”
“I saw it too. My daughter… my daughter was praying at the church in Beresford.”
Beside me, the mercenary and the older knight from Beresford spoke in awe. Others also mentioned hearing the voices of their loved ones or picturing their faces. Hearing this filled me with joy. Ms. Barbara had said that blessings were abundant. It felt as if the combined blessings were conveying distant prayers to us.
“Those who possess the Selfless Blessing are all sorcerers.”
I couldn’t help but sound a bit proud.
“Using the blessings of the village’s sorcerers residing within this carriage as a guide, along with the blessings of each person’s cherished ones here, and the many blessings gathered by the Goddess, we combined them with our prayers to bind everything together.”
As I spoke, I realized that I was simply praying as usual, just as Ms. Barbara had instructed. However, I believed that this was what manifestation truly meant.
When I turned back, Ms. Barbara was smiling brightly at me. Count Agreas, on the other hand, had lost his expression. Perhaps we had caught him off guard.
Yet, the Undead Slime was proving to be a formidable opponent. I could see tendril-like appendages sprouting from the surface, obstructing our path.
“Ms. Barbara, is there a way to imbue a guide even to those without markings? Or perhaps amplify it…?”
I suddenly thought to ask, and after placing her hands on her hips and pondering for a moment, Ms. Barbara smiled.
“Let’s give it a try. With this much blessing, it might just work. And after that, I think… Mr. Gilbert’s ability to shake off his doubts might be the key…”
“Eh, me…!?”
Caught off guard by her sudden remark, Mr. Gilbert appeared flustered.