Chapter 6: Escort Request and Undead Extermination – Part 05
When I woke up in the morning, I found Freinir clinging to my arm for some reason.
“Last night, when I woke up from the commotion, Soushi was gone, and Freinir panicked. You should think about that a little,” Larni said to me. Reflecting on it, I realized I might have caused her some anxiety. She still has a youthful side, so I should consider how to address this in the future.
As the call for assembly was made, I readied my equipment and headed to the meeting point.
We lined up next to the C-Rank party, “Fortuner.” Of course, we were accompanied by the overall commander.
“Hey, looks like you made quite the impact last night,” Zeal, the leader of “Fortuner,” called out to me. Behind him were Leila, the female mage who had cleaned me up yesterday, Dorno, a burly warrior wielding a shield that was almost as tall as he was, and Koenig, a beastkin woman dressed like a ninja.
“I ended up covered in zombie guts, but thanks to Leila, I managed to survive.”
“Zombies, huh? When there are too many, someone has to charge in knowing they’ll get dirty. It’s a good thing Freinir could use ‘Purification.'”
“Yeah, really. If that stench had lingered, it would have been the worst.”
“Heh, with two girls in tow, you have to pay attention to your appearance.”
As we chatted, the call for assembly was made, and Anatoria began her speech.
“Last night, everyone fought valiantly. Some of you may be tired, but if we delay here, the undead will only multiply. We must completely destroy their stronghold today and put an end to the people’s suffering. I expect your efforts!”
With a resounding “Yes!” from the crowd, the extermination squad began their march toward the forest.
As usual, 100 adventurers led the way, followed by 200 troops.
From a distance, the Undead Castle was still out of sight, but a few adventurers seemed to sense something ahead in the forest. They were murmuring among themselves, confirming that there was indeed something there.
About 200 meters from the forest, Anatoria halted the advance.
She stepped forward alone, raising a short staff topped with a crystal. As the crystal shone brightly, the castle became clearly visible deep within the woods. It seemed that the staff was a tool to dispel illusions.
“Wait, something like that was hidden here?!”
“I can’t believe such a large building was concealed… Just as you said, Soushi.”
Larni and Freinir looked astonished. The other adventurers were buzzing with excitement, but the four members of “Fortuner” remained silent, glaring at the castle.
“This is enemy territory from here on. Proceed with caution!”
With Koenig, the beastkin from “Fortuner,” leading the way, we entered the forest. She was exceptionally skilled in detection and adept at spotting traps. It was like having a scout from a game.
We made it to the castle’s front without incident. Not even a single Terror Knight had appeared, suggesting they were waiting inside.
The Undead Castle was indeed a massive structure up close. There were no windows in the walls, only a large double door at the front.
“Mages, forward. Prepare to break the door with projectile magic.”
At Anatoria’s command, about 25 mages from each party stepped forward and began to concentrate.
“Fire!”
A barrage of stone projectiles and rock spears struck the door, shattering it and sending it flying inward.
I expected monsters to emerge from beyond the door, but there was no sign of them. Instead, a strange, entangling presence began to seep out from the gaping entrance.
Freinir approached me with a tense expression.
“Soushi, I sense an incredibly strong presence. I think there are three powerful undead.”
“Can you tell?”
“Yes, I believe they are stronger than the lich we faced last time.”
“Hmm…”
I considered informing Anatoria, but I couldn’t guarantee the accuracy of Freinir’s senses due to her lack of experience. Even if I told her, it would be the same as saying nothing if the information was deemed unreliable.
However, not telling anyone also felt problematic. It would be better for someone capable to be aware of it. In that case, Zeal seemed appropriate.
“Excuse me, Zeal, do you have a moment?”
“What is it?”
Zeal replied without taking his eyes off the entrance.
“Freinir has sensed three undead that are more powerful than a lich. Please keep that in mind.”
“Can you trust that?”
“Freinir seems to have a sharp sense when it comes to undead. It might be some kind of skill. However, due to her inexperience, I can’t say how reliable it is.”
“…Understood, I’ll remember that.”
That should suffice. It was a conversation that could have led to complaints about saying unnecessary things, but Zeal seemed to be the type who could handle it. As expected of him.
When I returned to Freinir and the others, Anatoria began issuing commands.
It seemed she planned to split the adventurer squad in half, with her leading a team into the castle while the remaining group would wait outside for support if needed.
Even if 100 people entered the castle, it would only cause congestion, and adventurers would be needed to protect the troops waiting outside.
“Alright, let’s charge in. Follow me!”
To my surprise, Commander Anatoria took the lead toward the entrance. While having an A-Rank in front could mitigate damage if a powerful monster suddenly appeared, it was still a risky move…
We three followed “Fortuner” into the castle.
Inside was a vast, empty lobby. There were stairs at the back, and two corridors on either side.
As all 50 adventurers entered the castle, I sensed numerous presences approaching from the left and right corridors.
As the adventurers spread out, sensing the presence, a horde of Terror Knights began to march out from the corridors.
“D-Rank in front, E-Rank for support!”
Though it was an impromptu formation, the adventurers coordinated reasonably well to face the monsters. The sturdy armor of the Terror Knights seemed to struggle against the D-Rank attackers. One by one, they were slashed, crushed, and pierced, collapsing to the ground.
We were in the center, so we had yet to take action. However, judging by Anatoria’s gaze fixed on the stairs, it seemed we wouldn’t be able to relax for long.
“Soushi, they’re coming…!”
Freinir said, also looking at the top of the stairs.
Just then, a powerful presence descended from above, one that even I could feel.
“Freinir, Holy Light!”
“Yes!”
Descending the stairs was a warrior clad in particularly impressive armor. No, it appeared that the black armor was empty inside. In other words, it was likely a higher-tier version of a Terror Knight.
What stood out was that the warrior was cradling a helmet under the arm opposite the sword, resulting in the warrior being headless. It resembled the famous “Dullahan” from games, but since this one wasn’t mounted on a horse, it might be a variant.
“Headless Adept, B-Rank. Don’t engage!”
Anatoria shouted sharply and charged at the headless armored warrior. In an instant, the sound of clashing swords echoed as Anatoria and the armored warrior switched positions. Unfortunately, as an E-Class, I couldn’t even catch a glimpse of their movements.
“Uh-oh, another one is coming. Two of them!”
Zeal’s gaze shifted to reveal two more headless armored warriors that had somehow descended the stairs. Given their slightly lesser armor, they were likely lower-tier monsters than the Headless Adept.
“Headless Swordier. We’ll take care of them.”
Zeal and the “Fortuner” team took up their battle formation.
“Soushi, I can cast Holy Light!”
“Wait, Freinir. Hold off on Holy Light. Prepare Divine Light instead. Use Charge to make it powerful.”
“Ah, yes!”
Freinir entered a state of mental concentration again.
It would be unwise to cast magic from the side while “Fortuner” was engaged in battle. However, support magic should be fine.
From what I could see, Anatoria was engaged with the Adept, while “Fortuner” faced the two Swordiers. Neither battle seemed suitable for us to intervene.
Anatoria’s fight was at such a high level that I couldn’t tell who had the upper hand, but it appeared that “Fortuner” was at a disadvantage. The Swordiers’ swords seemed to have the effect of the Honshin skill, making their attacks completely seamless.
Moreover, with the boss’s appearance, the number of Terror Knights had also increased. If this continued, we might find ourselves in a dire situation.
“Hey, Soushi, can I use Divine Light?”
Larni asked, likely concerned about whether it was appropriate to use what was probably a rare skill in front of so many adventurers. I shared her concern about the potential for a scramble over Freinir. However…
“We have no choice. If we hold back and people die, Freinir would be devastated.”
“Well, that’s true…”
“Soushi, I can cast Divine Light!”
Hearing Freinir’s signal, I raised my voice.
“I will cast a debuff spell! Light incoming! Go!”
At my command, Freinir activated Divine Halo. The spacious lobby was momentarily enveloped in light.
“What was that just now… Wait, their movements are slowing down!?”
Seizing the moment, Zeal swiftly slashed at the torso of a Swordier, and the two halves of the Swordier fell to the ground with a clatter.
As for the last one… I was thinking when it suddenly turned toward us, sensing Freinir as a threat.
I instinctively raised my shield and charged at the Swordier. It came gliding toward me, feigning a downward strike before attempting to slip past me.
A feint using the Honshin skill. Unfortunately, I possessed that skill as well.
Defying the laws of physics, I brought my mace down upon the Swordier.
With Herculean Strength, Heavy Impact, and the power of my trained muscles, the weakened Swordier’s armor crumpled like paper and was sent flying, never to move again.
“Ha!”
From a distance, a sharp exhale. Anatoria’s longsword flashed, cleaving the Adept in half vertically.
It looked like her sword hadn’t even made contact, but was that a skill or just her prowess?
Perhaps due to the defeat of the three bosses, the appearance of Terror Knights seemed to have subsided. Thanks to the debuff, the remaining monsters were quickly eradicated.
Just then, a series of tremors echoed from deep within the ground. Was this it? Was the castle about to collapse as well?
“Retreat! Quickly get out of the castle!”
Following Anatoria’s command, we swiftly made our way outside the castle.