Episode 204: Large village of monsters
A man discovered in the depths of research equipment.
It looked like it was sleeping or dead.
"It looks like a person."
"Don't let your guard down, Iris. I'll look into it."
Shu slowly approaches and touches the transparent container. It is made of chemically synthesized resin and is quite thick. It's not something that can be broken by hitting or kicking. Even magic can't destroy it easily.
Next, take a close look at the inside.
(This man is being physically restrained from behind. And also by magic)
I looked up a little again.
There were three pale hexagonal pillars the size of fists set up there.
(Some kind of magic is being activated. And it's sucking unlimited magical power from this man. So he's not a doll, but a person. What's even more amazing is that he's alive... …)
The man looks quite young. Its distinctive feature is that it has a coat of arms painted on its forehead.
If I were to highlight another characteristic, it would be that she has beautiful skin. In this day and age where skin care is not so common, it is rare to find skin this beautiful. Even the most considerate women would not be able to handle something like this. She can even compete well with Iris, who maintains her prime through time manipulation.
Or maybe this is also an ancient technique.
“Shu-dono, what do you think?”
"He's sealed with magic or something, but he's alive. Also, this man has the same possibility as an S-rank holy knight."
"Does that mean... someone with infinite magical power who is loved by God?"
"Ah. This machine is constantly absorbing magical power. If it has been sealed here since ancient times, a normal human would not only be depleted of magical power but also of life force."
"I see……"
Although the term "awakened magician" is not common, it has spread to some extent. Nowadays it's not as hidden as it used to be, so anyone in the know or someone in the church knows about it.
Of course, it also includes the nature and abilities of the Awakened Magician.
Although the theory has not yet been elucidated, an awakened magician can recover an unlimited amount of magical power. Since it is a rapid recovery power, the amount of magical power that can be used at once is fixed. However, its continuous combat ability is amazing, and after awakening, it continues to grow in strength due to its never-ending lifespan and growth potential. The true power of an awakened magician comes after he has lived several hundred years.
And if the man sealed in front of me is an ancient awakened magician, my expectations are high. This is because it is highly likely that they were fighting a battle for the survival of humanity. If he was in such a fierce battle, he might be as powerful as an S-rank holy knight.
"Do you want to break the seal?"
The holy knight is troubled by Shu's question.
We can certainly have hope.
However, breaking the seal is another matter. This person who seems to be an ancient person could bring great benefits to the Sacred Grineer and the Demon Religion. By learning modern language, we may be able to decipher ancient wisdom, and this ancient person himself may possess some useful knowledge. Also, if it is an awakened magician, we can expect great strength from him.
“I think the profit is greater?”
"...That's right. Please solve it. But be very careful."
“I know it.”
A trap may be activated the moment you try to release this type of seal.
However, it has nothing to do with Shu.
I killed the working formula with death magic and immediately disassembled part of the transparent container. From the outside, it would have been impossible to understand what Shu was doing. Even Iris wouldn't have understood the meaning unless she knew about the existence of death magic. The seal is lifted in an instant, and Shu places his body inside the container.
And then I touched the sleeping man's neck.
"It's cold. Isn't it cold sleep?"
It's too warm for a cryo-sleep state.
However, it is not warm enough to reach the temperature of human skin. There's no pulse. But I can only feel the magic. It was unclear whether he was alive or dead.
"You don't seem to be waking up."
"I suggest that you return for now. Let's bring him to the base's medical facility."
“Shu-san, I agree too.”
"That's right."
A research team led by Hades discovers a man who appears to be an ancient man.
The creation of maps and the discovery of ruins are undoubtedly great achievements, but this discovery is on a different level. Also, in order to not waste this discovery, it is important to wake up the man safely first.
Shu and his friends decided to return to their base.
◆◆◆
Even while returning to the base, I did not encounter any monsters. I was very grateful that I had the important task of escorting an ancient person this time.
Immediately after returning to the base, the man was taken to the infirmary, where the Church and Hades magicians were constantly observing his progress. Other than that, it's a break until the other survey teams return.
However, that time of rest ends up being shorter than expected.
The Orha people who had been investigating the east have returned. However, many of them were injured.
“Magicians who can use healing magic, please come quickly!”
Hearing this, Iris jumped out, and of course Shu and the other Hades magicians rushed in as well. Iris can use healing magic, but her Sorcerer's Ring also has healing magic set in it. The magic of healing, which was originally said to be selective to the user, can be used by anyone with the Sorcerer's Ring.
Shu can also use it if he wants to, but this time he will treat it through the Sorcerer's Ring.
"What happened?"
I asked while treating a church magician whose arm was swollen red and black.
Fortunately, his injuries were not life-threatening, nor was he unable to speak. It wasn't difficult to get him to talk. The magician distorts his face as he explains.
"It's a herd of Pig Demon Orcs. There are also many high-ranking Pig Demon High Orcs and Pig Demon King Orc Kings..."
"So you're retreating? If that's the case..."
"different!"
The magician interrupted Shu's words and shouted.
I groaned again, probably feeling the pain in my arm. Shu didn't stop the treatment and waited for the man to calm down.
"……sorry"
"So what happened?"
"There was a terrifying person. Even Mr. Richtley couldn't control him... That was a monster."
“Were you able to identify the species?”
The man shakes his head.
Pig demon type monsters are not uncommon. However, they easily form swarms, which is why they are said to be highly dangerous, and they are almost extinct on the Surada continent. In that sense, it is a rare species in modern times.
However, most species of the pig demon type are known.
There was no way that I didn't know at all.
"Someone who uses magic, someone who can't accept any kind of attack, someone with a hideous appearance that doesn't seem like a pig-demon orc...that's all I saw."
"I see, so it's magic. What kind of thing is it?"
"Same as us...same magic."
“As expected?”
In modern times, Apoplis-style magic is considered military magic. This has been passed down since ancient times.
And even the monsters of the Dibro continent used this magic.
In other words, the origin of Apoplis style magic must have been on the Dibro continent. As it was called perfected magic, it was the most cutting-edge magic created by the technological capabilities of the ancients. It was strange that all other techniques had disappeared and only magic had been passed down, but there was no doubt that there was some sort of connection.
“H-Hurry up for reinforcements… Lord Richtley is acting as a decoy.”
"No, I don't think that's necessary."
Shu points towards the entrance of the base.
When the magician turned his attention, an old man came in from the entrance wall coated with orichalcum. It was Richtley Huth himself.
However, he has injured his shoulder and looks quite worn out. It must have been quite a fierce battle. The magicians hurriedly approached him, made him sit on the spot, and began treatment.
"Looks like the retreat was completed successfully."
Since Richtley acted as a decoy and retreated, no one will return. However, the number is decreasing considerably.
There are definitely deaths.
I couldn't help but sigh that things had become troublesome since the first investigation.
◆◆◆
The research team heading east was engaged in a battle with monsters and was forced to retreat.
This fact was instantly known, and an emergency meeting was held. The research team led by Kahlan Company that headed south hasn't returned yet, but we don't have time to wait. Representatives from the Holy Knights, Hades, Orja, and Lumen each gathered to take countermeasures.
"First, let me explain what happened to us."
Richtrei began, and the others, including Shu, nodded.
I only heard that he was attacked by a pig demon type monster, but I don't know the details. There was no disagreement that the first thing to do was to find out.
"As we went east, we came to what looked like an orchard. It was an orchard of bright red, round nuts. There were no other trees in sight, so it couldn't be wild."
"What if it's run by pig demon orcs?"
"Alcides-dono's idea is what we thought too. And in fact, when we were collecting and examining the fruit from that tree, they attacked us..."
Given the situation, there is no doubt that monsters are managing the fruit trees.
And since there is an orchard, the village must be nearby as well.
"There was a threat closer than I expected...we need to strengthen our forces even more. But what I don't understand is that the enemy was strong enough to injure even an S-rank holy knight?"
"The monsters I dealt with were probably Ruin-class monsters. There were dozens of them. Also, we were on the receiving end of a surprise attack, so we did our best to escape. It's embarrassing, though."
Hearing that, everyone except Shu was upset.
This is because the Ruin class is an opponent that even S-rank holy knights should face with multiple people. If there were dozens of them, there was nothing I could do.
In modern times, it would be possible to defend the base by making full use of gunfire and bombing. However, it must be said that it is impossible to attack from this side.
"The investigation has been canceled."
"But Shu-dono! Then what is the meaning of the investigation..."
"Alcides, you may not know this, but Ruin-class Ruin is not an opponent you can handle with your current strength."
If someone knew that Shu was the Hades, I wonder what would say... Hades Arclight is a being of the end who can dispose of Ruin class Ruins like garbage.
However, from a human's point of view, Ruin-class Ruin is truly an existence of destruction.
If even one of them appears, the survival of the nation will be in danger. In other words, it is an enemy that must be fully prepared and fought with all the strength of the nation. This is not an opponent that should be fought relying solely on such a small base. Especially now that we have confirmed that there are dozens of them, it would be foolish to choose to fight them.
"but……"
Even so, accusing eyes fell on Alcides, who still did not back down.
However, he was not making a claim without any odds.
“I propose to activate the forbidden spell.Since the people of Orha have been investigated, we should know their coordinates.Wouldn’t it be a good idea to activate the forbidden spell from here and annihilate the pig demon orcs? ?”
“Ah, are you saying that you know what kind of magic a forbidden spell is!? It is something that is prohibited from being activated as a deterrent.It is not something that can be used so easily.Even if a monster Even if it was your opponent!”
"I'm sure. I don't think it's a very good suggestion."
Olha representative Kriella strongly opposes this. The same goes for Shu.
The reason for this is not the simple logic that forbidden spells should not be used even against monsters. In the first place, just by activating a forbidden spell, it creates strong tension in surrounding countries. Even if there is a good reason.
For example, let's say that a certain nation unleashes a forbidden spell on the capital of a hypothetical enemy powerhouse. Naturally, there will be strong voices of criticism from international public opinion. However, he is able to argue that he was hit by a stray bullet while trying to subdue a monster with great power. Demons don't need any evidence because they dissipate as magical power without leaving behind any corpses. Also, if you spread false information about the presence of powerful monsters within the country and surrounding countries in advance, credibility will increase.
In order to prevent unauthorized use of forbidden spells, forbidden spells are generally prohibited.
In other words, showing everyone around you that you can use forbidden spells at any time is not good internationally. In that sense, it should be kept as a magic that can be used but never used. That is what deterrence is all about. I have no intention of starting a fight against a country that possesses magic that can end a war with a single shot.
"But this is the continent of Dibro, right? This is a world of monsters. Shouldn't we use what we can?"
Despite being opposed, Alcides repeated his assertion, and this time he stared at Richtley. Even if Shu and Kuriela object, if the S-rank Holy Knight nods his head, this plan will pass. That's what I expected.
Richtley was also worried.
It's true that Alcides' opinion is partly correct, and the only way to break out of this situation is to use a forbidden spell.
"Let's consider it. But we need to solidify our defense first."
I'll put it off for now.
This was the conclusion reached by the strongest holy knight.
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