Chapter 167 - Episode Thirty-Nine - Four Great Priest of the Water God (2)
Chapter 167 - Episode Thirty-Nine - Four Great Priest of the Water God (2)
Under Lark’s direction, the private army and the alchemy division moved in, checking to see if there were still any spirit beasts in the territory and treating the injured.
In the process, they decided to ask around to see if there were any spirit beasts that had gone out of the territory, or if there were any people who were missing.
As a result, we were able to obtain several sightings of spirit beasts that ran towards the mountains with humans in their mouths.
We were able to confirm that more than a dozen people had been taken away from the territory, and among them was the name of that suspicious missionary, Ringus.
It was completely what I expected.
No doubt, he’s planning to lure me out.
“-These are the information we’ve gathered.”
I listened to the story from Euris with a sense of answering each other.
But even though it seemed that they were moving carefully until now, the other side is now resorting to an exaggerated strategy.
I guess that’s how little time they had left.
So far, they’ve been trying to stay out of the public eye, but today’s attack comes on the heels of the frontal assault from Ringus the other day.
He’s coming to settle the matter.
“But I don’t think it’s just a matter of magic beasts. I’d say it feels like there’s an agenda or malice behind it…… We are currently making arrangements to recall the private army that was dispersed and send them towards the mountain. The advance party is already ready to go……”
“Oh …… no, I’ll be heading up the mountain alone.”
I interrupt Euris word.
“Huh? Bu-, but Abel-dono alone is…… It’s true that the odds may be better there…… no, but…… but……”
“Perhaps they plan to send a second stage after they’ve followed and emptied the territory’s forces.”
The enemy had the power to just destroy the territory at any time.
So I don’t think that worth there, but I’ll say this with my mouth.
If someone else was there, it could be harder to move.
…… And, if possible, after the war, if the depths or whatever the other side has are excellent, I’d like to secretly collect them.
They don’t hesitate to use Nalgarn, which has been strengthened by using forbidden magic, to use demons that are forbidden to be used in battle, or to attack with magic that should normally be restricted to certain types of magic.
It’s a pity in some things of Nalgarn’s magic circle, but maybe next time they’ll give me something that will blow my mind.
I’m grateful if it’s a magic circle or a magic tool of a type I don’t know.
“At any rate, I don’t know what they’re trying to do, so I think it would be best for me to go out there by myself to find out what their intentions are. As soon as I find out what’s going on, I’ll turn around and to tell you.”
“…… I understand. If so, I will accompany you with a small elite squad that includes me and provide support……”
“No, the large amount of Ortem we have prepared is within the range of what I can summon with the teleportation magic, so I don’t think I’ll have any problems in terms of strength.”
I have a lot of time to spare in the past few days, so I have a large amount of carving to do.
If I deploy that thing with teleportation magic all at once, it’ll be ripe for anything, whether it’s rearguard or meat shield.
It should be enough support.
“Euris-san, please stay here to deal with the survivors and be on alert for attacks.”
“…… Surely Abel-dono would be okay with that, though.”
We can’t afford to take it too slow.
I might get a little dizzy, but we’ll go inside the Asura 5000 and follow the spirit beasts.
This way, in case there are soldiers who have moved on their own judgment, we should be able to head to where the enemy is waiting first.
“Then, I’ll go here now……”
“Oops, I’m sorry. Finally…… please take care of Marias, okay. It’s that girl who has been supporting the lord ever since his domain tilted…… If anything happens to Marias, please……”
Euris said and turned herself around anxiously.
I was caught and looked beyond that, and saw Lark’s shoulders slumping disappointedly and his face turning blue as he listened to the private soldier’s report.
He was clearly concerned that Marias had been kidnapped.
“…… Leave it to me. I’ll make sure to bring her back alive.”
After the talk was over, I summoned Asura 5000 with the teleportation magic.
Just like last time, I entered Asura 5000’s mouth and followed the spirit beast towards the mountains.
…… The ride of the Asura 5000 was worse than I had imagined.
You could feel the shock of it bobbing up and down every time it moved.
Since it is an emergency situation, I can’t slow down.
It was not made with people on board in mind, so we had no choice, but this was still too much.
While I was shaken up, I decided to make sure I had my seatbelt and wheels ready next time.
After making some progress, I slowed down the speed of the Asura 5000 and called up three new Ortems in three teleportations and used them as a medium to use three different methods of approaching the sensing system’s magic to track down the spirit beasts.
The first one had the remaining scent of the spirit beast’s magic power, the second one had the distortion of the magic field, and the third one had the presence of an animal detected.
Eventually, the third body, Ortem, detected a group of people.
When I got close enough, I crawled out of the Asura 5000.
While enduring the nausea caused by Ortem, I take out an Abel Potion from my pocket and put the contents in my mouth.
The empty bottle was tossed into the mouth of the Asura 5000.
“Ah …… maybe it’s getting a little better ……”
Holding my throat, I look forward.
In front of a large rock in close proximity to the mountain, there are about two dozen of the residents who are tied up in ropes and lying asleep.
They match the ones that were missing, but there is no sign of Ringus there.
As we walked a little closer, the presence-sensing Ortem reacted on the opposite side.
“You don’t mean to tell me that you…… just want to take me by surprise, right?”
I turned around and saw Ringus emerging from deep in the forest with a large staff at the ready.
“Abel Belek ……… I’m glad to see that you’ve taken our intentions into account.”
Ringus’ usually gently narrowed threadbare eyes were wide open, revealing his hostility.
The hand that clutched the staff was trembling somewhat in anger, and his temples were twitching nervously.
“And you can come on top of that, good, good. I guess I got a little too worked up about it because you were able to crush our intentions a bit. Don’t you think you’re…… looking down on others too much for coming out and coming here alone?”
I silently point my wand at Ringus and alert the three Ortems in the surroundings.
“I’m telling you not to be arrogant just because you managed to butt in!”
Ringus waved his large staff.
Two magic circles unfolded to sandwich Ringus between them.