Chapter 82
Chapter 82
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Chapter 2-1. Calypso's Nightmare
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"Save Cheriu Village."
[According to the man, Cheriu Village—where you're headed—is in danger from an attack by wraiths.]
[However, heading to a village infested with an unknown number of wraiths with just the two of you would be reckless.]
[The wisest choice would be to return to the castle, request reinforcements, and go together. But that could delay you long enough that no survivors remain.]
[The choice is yours.]
Judah nodded first to reassure the man, who looked up at him with anxious eyes.
"Of course, we'll help. But it might be tough with just us."
"Th-then?"
"You head straight to Kaora Castle and request aid. Ah, but I'm not sure if they'll brave this downpour to come help."
"'Might help'? Wait, then you're going to the village?"
"Yes. No choice. If we all head back to the castle, the village might not hold out. And with you tagging along, the three of us going would be a burden."
As he spoke, something occurred to Judah, and he pulled several bronze plaques from his pocket and handed them over.
"Wh-what's this?"
"Badges found on the bodies of adventurers who died in this house."
The man flinched as he took them, glancing around the house. A rope dangled from the ceiling as if something had been hung there, and a corner held something deliberately hidden. Of course, he lacked the courage to check.
"What am I supposed to do with these...?"
"Take them to the Adventurers' Guild in Kaora Castle. Show them, and they might step up to help. If they ask who gave them, say 'Judah Arsher.' They should know the name."
"That's fortunate, but... what if more wraiths are on the road to the castle? It could be dangerous..."
Judah shrugged.
"If you think that, you can come with us to the village. But if we all go back to Kaora Castle now, our trip here would be for nothing, and that's a problem."
The man thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright, then I'll go to the castle and request help. Please, I beg you. And... grr! Sh-shit. I bit my tongue... Anyway, be careful."
He stuffed the badges into his pocket, said he'd head out first, and dashed into the rain.
"So, we're leaving now too?"
"No."
Judah shook his head, watching the man sprint away in panic, lest a wraith pursue.
"But didn't you just say we'd help that man's village?"
"We will. But let's eat breakfast first and set out once the sun's up a bit. No rush. Hurrying won't help."
She seemed dissatisfied with his lack of haste, but it made sense. They didn't know how many hours the trek would take, and upon arrival, they'd dive straight into fighting wraiths. Plus, there'd be no leisurely meal after rescuing the villagers. After a brief think, she nodded.
"You're right. Understood. We'll wait, then."
Despite her words, they quickly filled their stomachs with sandwiches for a fast meal. With her demon eye open, even faint light provided ample visibility, so they departed the dilapidated house right away.
The village was indeed under wraith attack—no lie there. Less than two hours after leaving the house, Judah and Jeanne faced a wraith ambush. Judah reacted to their silent approach, and Jeanne promptly summoned her shield to block. Judah followed with swift strikes, annihilating the wraiths. As time passed, the ambushes grew more frequent.
After dispatching the last one, Jeanne sighed. Blocking unpredictable wraith attacks was exhausting. But these chaotic skirmishes were syncing their teamwork. Fighting with mutual trust brought a novel thrill. Once the battle ended, she steadied her ragged breath and unsummoned her shield and spear.
"We're getting close to the village. They're swarming more now."
"Yeah... What if there are more in the village than this?"
Jeanne smiled faintly.
"Going to run?"
"I wouldn't, would I?"
"Then we're good. I trust you and myself. It'll be tough, but if the wraiths are only this strong, we can handle it."
This wasn't empty bravado. During the fight, she'd accidentally taken a hit, but her anti-magic resistance shrugged it off. Even without armor, it was manageable.
"Thanks for the trust. Alright, breath caught? Let's move."
She nodded, and they pressed on through the rain. Cheriu Village wasn't as far from the house as expected. The wraith fights had cost some time, but soon a village came into view below the hill. Dark clouds obscured everything, but it wasn't pitch-black midnight visibility.
"Luckily, the priest is holding strong."
At the village center, hundreds of wraiths clustered around one building. A green barrier enveloped the house, firmly blocking them. Even with their ability to phase through obstacles, they couldn't enter. Frustrated, the wraiths gnawed at the green veil.
"Save Cheriu Village 2."
[You've arrived at Cheriu Village with your companion—just the two of you—under siege by countless wraiths.]
[Fortunately, you're not too late.]
[The priest holed up in the village hall is exceptionally skilled, defending the village for nearly ten days.]
[But she's at her limit. The protective barrier over the hall will shatter soon.]
[Furious wraiths will flood in the moment it breaks, devouring the terrified people inside.]
[Hurry. Time is short.]
While Judah read the message, Jeanne finished her preparations. She shed her robe and coat, summoning silver plate armor to clad her body. She hung her coat on the cloak fastener of her armor—just as Judah had commissioned it when gifting the coat.
"Ready. Judah. I'll take the lead."
She lowered her helmet's visor. She looked ready to charge the village any second, imposing and resolute. Compared to her heavy battle mood, Judah felt comparatively lighthearted.
"It'll end quicker than you think, so don't worry, Jeanne."
"Quicker...? I hope so."
"Let's go."
Judah placed a hand on her shoulder—a light gesture to ease her tension. It worked; her rigid stance relaxed. A soft chuckle echoed from her helmet. Her clanking armor cut through the pouring rain. As they neared the village following her bold strides, one wraith noticed and shrieked.
The eerie scream drew the others' attention. All but those assaulting the barrier turned their gazes as one. Hundreds of black silhouettes staring in the gloom induced nausea. They launched toward Judah and Jeanne.
"Here they come."
"Don't worry. It'll really end quick."
Quick? Under her helmet, she chuckled again. Ten wraiths had taken ten minutes before. Now, dozens of times that number loomed through her visor slits. Quick? Probably a joke, but she hoped it was true.
"Alright, time to send these bastards packing."
Altemia materialized in Judah's palm. En route, it had absorbed ample life force. Wraiths lacked flesh, but they possessed life force nonetheless.
──────!
The wraiths' horrific cries had chilled Judah before. Sweat slicked his palm as he hurled Altemia.
Thud!
But it didn't embed in a wraith—instead, it sank fully into the muddy, rain-puddled ground. He'd thrown lightly, but the softened earth took the entire blade.
"?"
Jeanne, shield forward and spear poised to thrust or swing, frowned in confusion. Her helmet narrowed her view, but she hadn't misseen. Judah's dagger—never a miss before—stuck in the dirt.
'Tense and slipped?'
The thought hit just as her eyes widened. Rain pooled around the blade turned red. In an instant—no time to marvel—dozens of thorn-like spikes erupted from the viscous blood, impaling passing wraiths.
Pinned fast, they panicked as blood sucked their souls amid grotesque screams.
"J-Judah...? What..."