Chapter 268: Countermeasures Against the Summoning Array and Interrogation
I activated my skills for parallel thinking and rapid cognition to devise a countermeasure. How could I possibly fix the Summoning Array that was sticking to me? Despite being called a summoning, it was a dimensional-type magic; perhaps if I could drive a wedge of dimensional magic into it, I could find a solution.
I stared intently at the Summoning Array spread out before me, attempting to read the flow of magic power while rapidly assessing and analyzing it.
“Is this how to fix the magic circle…?”
Having found what seemed to be the right formula, I looked around to execute my plan. Although Rio and Phonia were safely away from the magic circle, it wouldn’t hurt to be extra cautious. Suddenly sensing a massive presence behind me, I dashed straight into the Monster Room.
The stench of monsters hit me like a wave, but I ignored it and took to the air, flying low toward the center of the room. Caught off guard by my sudden appearance and the glowing magic circle, the monsters were unable to react in time, allowing me to land safely in the center of the room. I accidentally crushed one monster underfoot, but I paid it no mind.
Before I could be attacked, I launched a knife constructed from dimensional magic toward a specific formula within the magic circle. It pierced through the monsters in between and lodged itself firmly in the intended spot. Confirming its success, I teleported outside the Monster Room.
“Alright, that’s a success.”
Once I verified that the Summoning Array was no longer following me, I erected a barrier to prevent the monsters from escaping the room. To heighten their agitation, I cast a weak fire magic over the area, attempting to apply Subjugation Resistance to all of them. I wasn’t sure if it would work on the monsters, but it was worth a shot.
As I turned around, I noticed a party of five had already appeared, slowly approaching us.
Just as I neared Rio to avoid getting caught up in the summoning, I suddenly felt the presence of the monsters in the room vanish all at once. They were weak monsters, but there had been quite a few of them; I hoped they would put up a fight.
“Looks like it worked out well.”
“Yeah, I sent a horde of monsters their way as a bonus.”
“Hehe.”
For now, I decided to put the Majin Tribe Summoning Array on the back burner. I needed to focus on the immediate situation. Still, I recalled my previous experience of being summoned again shortly after. I remained alert, ready to dispel any new summoning that might occur.
“Ah, what the hell? I thought this was an unfamiliar path, but we’ve got guests already…”
The voice sounded disappointed, but the smirk on his face told a different story. It appeared to be a party of men, and their faces were rather unsavory.
“What are you talking about? We were here first!”
“Ha ha ha ha! That’s right! If no one knows, it doesn’t matter!”
They seemed to be having a good time among themselves, but it was clear they intended to pretend we hadn’t arrived. While the chances were slim, I decided to test whether they would let us leave peacefully.
“Well then, we’ll be on our way. We won’t tell anyone we found this place.”
As if to emphasize that we had no further business, the three of us approached the party slowly, only to be blocked by the five of them spreading out to seal off the passage.
“Hold on a second.”
The man in the center, grinning widely, stepped forward.
“Oh, there’s no rush, is there?”
“Besides, it seems like we’ve found something interesting here, haven’t we?”
“We can’t let you leave without that.”
“You can leave the kid behind. He looks like he could fetch a good price.”
“Gahaha!”
Their laughter only elicited a deep sigh from me. They seemed a bit too dim-witted for thieves trying to pin the blame on the Thieves’ Guild.
“Are you guys perhaps the infamous Newcomer Hunters?”
At Rio’s words, the five men exchanged glances and erupted into even more vulgar laughter.
“What if we are?”
Of course, I didn’t expect a sensible answer. Their grinning faces were becoming increasingly irritating.
“Just shut up already.”
I was getting annoyed just by talking to them, so I decided to silence them. I cast a soundproof barrier and then applied a Spatial Isolation Barrier to restrain all five of them at once.
“““““…………！！！””””””
The five men suddenly found themselves unable to move, their mouths flapping open in surprise. They were likely trying to say something, but their silence was a relief.
“It’s quiet now.”
“It was so noisy…”
Phonia’s ears drooped, and she made a strange face. Nil seemed to have finally regained her composure.
“Now, let’s interrogate them one by one.”
“…Will they talk willingly, I wonder?”
Rio tilted her head skeptically, but I had no worries on that front.
“Let’s just make it easier and have them wear the Collar of Subjugation while they talk.”
“Yeah.”
With a look of understanding, Rio and I immediately began the first interrogation.
I dragged one of them into a separate room and quickly fitted him with the collar. Since I couldn’t give commands without hearing their words, I released the soundproof barrier and immediately ordered, “Don’t speak.”
His eyes widened in resistance, but he was completely restrained by the Spatial Isolation Barrier, leaving him unable to do anything.
“Only answer my questions. Are you one of the culprits behind the recent Newcomer Hunts?”
“…N-No!”
It seemed he wasn’t one of them. I let out a dejected sigh, my shoulders slumping.
“So you were just trying to pin the blame on the Newcomer Hunters?”
“That’s right.”
The man instinctively covered his mouth, but it was pointless. The Collar of Subjugation was incredibly effective.
“Have you killed any new adventurers using similar tactics before?”
“…Yes.”
“Interesting…”
His answer slipped out without any resistance, causing Rio, who had been taking notes, to sharpen her gaze. It seemed he wasn’t part of the infamous Newcomer Hunters, but he had indeed participated in Newcomer Hunts before.
After sealing off the newly opened passage with Earth Magic to prevent anyone from entering, we continued the interrogations one by one.