18
Chapter 18
Two days had passed since defeating the snail demon.
[Name: Mallak]
- Available Blessings: Totem of Healing (High), Divine Descent, Binding Totem
- Available Points: 20
- Vassals: Paya, Rake, Muri
- Enter Community
I used my remaining points to upgrade the Totem of Healing to High. Now I am broke.
[Totem of Healing (High): Fully restores Believers within a 100-meter radius. Greatly increases natural regeneration. Neutralizes curses and mind-based skills.]
It was not bad to begin with, but after upgrading it, it became just as useful as the Binding Totem.
I think it is worth investing up to the highest grade if I collect enough points and no new blessings appear. I guess the lesson here is not to judge growth-type blessings by first impressions.
The mention of neutralizing curses and mind-based skills is especially important.
The Necromancer's Tomb is known for inflicting various hallucinations and curses. In other words, it is a dungeon that can be cleared relatively easily if you are prepared for those.
I recall the recommended entry level was high not because of the difficulty, but because players typically only gain mental defense or curse removal skills at higher levels.
And now, I have a way to deal with hallucinations and curses.
A skill obtained by clearing a hidden dungeon rather than a standard blessing. There is no reason to refuse it, right?
The only thing bothering me is how the Zombie Control skill will appear to me.
The techniques I use are classified as blessings, while those used by Holy Knights are skills. I am not entirely sure of the difference, but since the names differ, I assume they operate on different mechanisms.
Since it is a skill and not a blessing, will it be incompatible with me?
Or will the skill be converted into a blessing to fit my needs?
Whether I can learn it or not is the biggest mystery right now.
Regardless, I have to give it a try.
Oh, there is some good news. I finally have a map.
Rake told me she found one in a village we subjugated previously. She also handed over a few books she retrieved from there.
Everything has become so much easier since Rake joined. I feel like I could even give her a kiss.
Of course, I am only saying this because I cannot actually do it.
The mountains where our Tribe Alliance is located are in a region called Symphonia.
Ah, Tribe Alliance is a temporary name I gave my clan—or rather, my group. Since the Brown Rock Tribe joined, I could not keep calling us the Blue Moss Tribe forever.
Symphonia. According to the books, it was a region famous for having a city of musicians.
That information is practically meaningless now that civilization has collapsed because of the demons.
If I remember correctly, the Necromancer's Tomb was located in a region called Duvenheim, and unfortunately, it was very far from here.
Leading the Tribe Alliance there could take months, or perhaps we would never make it.
But I am not the type of person to just back down.
My new blessing, Binding Totem, finally had its moment to shine.
I summoned Paya and Muri. They were the only two intelligent members of our Tribe Alliance capable of using shamanism.
Before long, the grandmother and the girl appeared before me.
- High Priests Paya and Muri. Are there any tribes located in Duvenheim?
Muri was the first to speak.
"The Sky Tree Tribe is in Duvenheim. I am not sure if they are still in the same location, though."
Paya provided the answer.
"I exchanged messages with them last year through Tuntun-i. They should still be there unless something major happened."
- I see. High Priests Paya and Muri. Can you create a small, palm-sized totem? It must be portable and symbolize me.
I gave them a brief explanation of my newly acquired blessing.
"It is a task that requires precise shamanic arts and skill, so it will take some time, but it is possible."
"Ah..."
Muri was confident, but Paya hesitated.
Perhaps it was because she was still a child, but she seemed to lack Muri's experience.
Paya pouted, seemingly unhappy about it.
- High Priest Paya, once High Priest Muri finishes the totem, send a carrier pigeon to the Duvenheim tribe.
A monster pigeon like Tuntun-i, modified by Paya, could easily carry a palm-sized totem.
If I cannot go to Duvenheim myself, I will mobilize the barbarian tribes living there to raid the Necromancer's Tomb.
That was my plan.
If I send a portable totem to the chief of the Sky Tree Tribe in Duvenheim and guide them safely using the Binding Totem blessing, clearing the Necromancer's Tomb should be easy.
"You are so wise."
"As expected of Lord Mallak!"
- It is not that great of a strategy.
Ah, being praised by two women makes me feel smug for some reason. It was just an idea anyone could have thought of.
They are only flattering me because I am a Loa.
Stay calm. If I start thinking I am some kind of genius, I might mess everything up.
And so, the project to raid the Necromancer's Tomb began.
Now is the time to handle a project I had set aside for a while.
[Not a Netkama: I didn't want to sound like I was whining, but things are working out, right? I've just been getting a bit bored...]
Yes, it is time to finish the project to liberate Not a Netkama.
I used Divine Descent on Rake.
- Chief Rake, are you busy?
"No. I am free. What is it?"
Rake wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Seeing the shattered rocks around her, it looked like she had been training hard.
Well, anyway, it probably wasn't anything too urgent.
- Good. I intend to release the Holy Knight you offered to me. He is also someone dispatched to face the demons. In the grand scheme of things, he is a necessary talent. Of course, I will not simply let him go. There will be a price.
Rake smiled softly.
"O thoughtful one, you do not need my permission. That civilized person belongs to Lord Mallak."
- To collect the price and release him, I need your help.
"Is this something that requires Divine Descent?"
- Yes. Of course, High Priests Paya or Muri could do it as well, but...
Rake shook her head.
"Since I was the one who captured him, it is only natural that I release him. I will do it."
I like how quickly things are moving.
I made a few requests of the woman who crushes rocks with her bare hands.
"...I see, very well."
***
Grind—!
Rake opened the stone door of the stone building. This was where Not a Netkama was imprisoned.
In the corner of a dark warehouse, I saw a person with a sack over their head, bound in restraints.
Perhaps because her gear had been stripped, her curves were fully exposed; she was a woman with a quite lovely figure...
Wait, curves? Not a Netkama, you're a woman?
- I don't recall them ever mentioning she was female.
Rake whispered softly.
"I didn't think it was important. She's just a civilized wench. ...By any chance, does the price you will receive change if the gender is female?"
Not really. Whatever.
- No. I was just curious since it's my first time seeing a Holy Knight.
"Ah, I see."
Rake approached Not a Netkama, who was indeed not a netkama, and pulled the sack off her face.
A woman with short red hair, blue eyes, and a sharp gaze glared at me—no, at Rake.
It was a fairly menacing look, but Rake didn't flinch. Instead, she just snorted as if it were ridiculous.
"Mmph...!"
It seemed she was trying to say something, but she couldn't speak because of the gag.
Rake, who had been watching quietly, removed the gag.
- Just say what I instructed you.
Rake nodded.
"Civilized person. You understand me, don't you?"
Not a Netkama assented with silence.
Now those words were coming. I recalled Rake's reaction when she first heard 'that'.
'What could possibly be the meaning behind such a bizarre phrase?'
Rake... you must never know the meaning of those words. Seriously.
"Ultra Sanz, crazy for Massacre Mode on a moonlit night."
Ah, 'that nickname' finally came out of Rake's mouth. I seriously want to hide in a hole.
If Rake ever finds out what it means, she might look at me with eyes full of contempt.
"...!"
Not a Netkama's pupils dilated as she stared at Rake.
Rake, who felt no shame because she didn't understand the meaning, continued.
"Sanz, the benefactor of our tribe, asked me to release you."
"Ah...!"
Not a Netkama's expression brightened instantly.
"However, there is a condition."
It wasn't over yet.
"In exchange for your release, you must spar with the tribe's warriors for three days. Nod if you accept."
Yes. This was the price I had in mind.
By keeping Not a Netkama in the tribe for a few days, she could serve as a training partner for the warriors.
Rake's level was too high to be a suitable training partner. But Not a Netkama?
Sparring safely with a Holy Knight who has learned various skills would be a huge help to the warriors' experience.
It would also be good practice for suppressing 'Holy Knights hostile to barbarians' whom they might encounter someday.
Of course, I plan to take appropriate measures to ensure Not a Netkama doesn't wander near the Altar. I can just limit her range of movement.
Rake agreed to keep an eye on her.
Not a Netkama's eyes flickered. Is she still thinking about it?
If she refuses, well, sorry, but she'll have to stay locked up until I come up with a better plan.
No matter how I look at it, I couldn't let such a great opportunity go to waste.
I cannot resist the chance to hire a free instructor.
"Tch..."
After some deliberation, Not a Netkama nodded.
"Then we shall begin tomorrow."
Rake swung her curved sword down and shattered Not a Netkama's restraints.
Wait, Rake. Aren't those the property of the Blue Moss Tribe? I heard you dragged her back tied with ropes.
She really is a no-nonsense, bold woman.
Oh well, whatever. Kanto will handle it.