57
Chapter 57
Harry stood with Luna in a space marked with geometric patterns.
"Is that the Warp Gate? I don't feel anything."
Rake frowned slightly at the pungent smell of the sewer.
"That is because it has been deactivated due to a lack of magic stones for a long time."
A Warp Gate. It is an installed magic circle that enables group teleportation.
By installing two Warp Gates in different locations and linking them, one can teleport.
Only those who have reached the level of an Archmage can create them, and maintaining one for a week requires as many magic stones as it takes to run a Magic Tower for a year.
"It hasn't been well-maintained and needs repairs, but I can handle that. The problem is the magic stones."
Harry insisted on gathering magic stones to open the Warp Gate.
"The fact that such a high-level magic circle exists in a place like this means there is something at the other end. I can't be certain, but it must be something very important."
I accepted. At a glance, it looked like an event where a Hidden Piece could be found.
There are many Hidden Pieces in the game 'Survival as a Holy Knight.'
Entering unusual or unmarked areas on the map would grant either an item or a skill.
The drop rates were incredibly low, and many were useless skills like the 'Zombie Control' I obtained, but there is a certain romance tied to the phrase 'Hidden Piece.'
Words like 'only me' or 'all to myself' always tug at a man's heartstrings.
It was my own kind of romance, too.
Though I never expected to become 'the only totem.'
Anyway, since this is a magic circle that only those with the Archmage title can create, it should give something good.
If the Warp Gate leads to a dangerous place, I can just use the Totem of Confusion and return here.
After completing a few investigations, I returned to the altar and called for Rachel.
"There are three Magic Towers in Blutan. I am not sure if there are any magic stones."
As expected, a Civilized Person knows this kind of information very well.
Harry didn't know because he wasn't originally from this region, but Rachel is a noble born and raised in Symphonia.
She even knew the rough state of the nearby territories. Though, of course, that was before the fall.
"Shall I mark them on the map?"
Since the Civilized Persons joined us, the map has expanded significantly.
Thanks to that, we can now take a map whenever we go on subjugation or reconnaissance missions. Kanto and the warriors were the most enthusiastic.
Rake has great mobility, so it doesn't matter if she goes slightly off course, but those guys are foot soldiers; once they stray from the path, it's hard to get back.
They were thrilled that they wouldn't have to wander aimlessly anymore.
- Sounds good.
Rachel sat at the round table and checked the maps laid out on it.
Then, using a quill, she marked the Magic Towers on the map. Her posture was so poised that it looked like she was practicing calligraphy.
Kozaburo, or rather, Melee-type Spy... the woman who loves you is living happily here.
Stop posting clickbait and come visit when you've started living a productive life.
"That is all."
Having finished the markings, Rachel slowly stands up.
- Good work. You may return now.
As always, Rachel is busy. This is because she is practically taking sole responsibility for Symphonia.
I had assigned a barbarian girl rumored to be a clever assistant recently, but it seems she hasn't been of much help.
"Thank you for your consideration, Great One."
"Let's go."
Rachel departed, escorted by three barbarian warriors. They are the ones serving as her bodyguards.
- ...
Things that were proceeding haphazardly are slowly gaining order.
Everything is finally on the right track.
In other words, I have nothing to do again.
...I logged into the community.
This is the reward for myself after working so hard. I really did work hard.
I skimmed through the posts since the last one, and the atmosphere was very different from before.
[I Trusted the Monkey Uncle: The community belongs to the Holy Knight! The community belongs to the Holy Knight!]
[Ppu Ppu Ppung: That just means another monster like that might show up]
[Corrupted Power Knight: I hope the next people to come here aren't all monsters instead of Holy Knights, right?]
[Takashi Kakashi: Is Atomic Rex really dead? That guy insulted the representative tokusatsu of my country]
[Bramanda: I tried sending a private message to Atomic Rex. It says the user doesn't exist]
[Dondurma: I'm trapped in a cave right now, please save me]
Anxiety and anger have seized the community.
This is the effect caused by the alien presence of Atomic Rex.
I expected it would turn out like this. Many things had happened in the community, but a threatening entity had never infiltrated this place before.
Now, building rapport with the Loas is a lost cause.
Those Loa bastards wrote in my final goal that 'you will pay a heavy price if your identity is revealed.'
Even without such a condition, I have no intention of revealing my identity to the community.
The mess that cannibal monster made was so huge that the repulsion toward those who aren't fellow Holy Knights has become too great.
No matter what I say, they won't listen. Since it's come to this, 'revealing my identity' is sealed away.
It's an option that offers me absolutely no benefit. If I mess up, I might be hunted by Holy Knights, dodge barbarian spears, and die from a 'Rake Punch.'
[Ghoulle: Guys, absolutely do not go to Duvenheim
A while ago, some user said it was full of zombies, so I went out of curiosity,
Holy shit. It was no joke.
There are tons of bizarre magic circles and several buildings that look like they were made of corpses.
It's not demonic energy, but the place is filled with an incredibly ominous aura.
Zombified demons roam around with their red eyes glowing.
I don't know who the hell did it, but they basically recreated hell on earth.
I'll say it twice. Do not go there. Seriously.]
The Karon issue has finally exploded.
By the way, magic circles and buildings?
I guess he wasn't just sitting around while I was conquering Symphonia.
Just as I ran a territory simulation, this guy must have developed his own territory in his own way.
...As expected of a fellow Hidden Boss, he's a truly dangerous bastard.
Atomic Rex seemed to have a low ceiling because his starting point was so high, but Karon seems to have both a high floor and a high ceiling.
If it's like this, where does that leave a scrub like me in the beginning?
[Jonmattaeng: I saw a commander-type entity controlling zombies
Not in Duvenheim, but a Holy Knight living nearby.
A bastard wearing Holy Knight armor led zombies to invade a city, killed a mid-tier demon, and turned it into a zombie.
He seems to be a necromancer or something like that.
Where on earth did a guy like this come from?
I have to run, so I can't take any questions.]
- Comments -
[Ghoulle: Necromancer? That's such a cute title. His scale is clearly that of a Necromancy Lord]
└ [Cow Bikini Dance: Necromancy Lord. Sounds damn cool. Let's go with that]
Karon is now being referred to in the community as the Necromancy Lord.
While various opinions were surfacing, one user dropped a bombshell.
[I Trusted the Monkey Uncle: Who the hell is this Rino Johnson guy?] (58)
As for the content, I can guess without even looking.
Looking at the 58 comments, I can predict the kind of stir it caused.
They probably suspect that Rino Johnson, whom they thought was just a roleplayer, is actually someone who infiltrated the community using some method.
A huge number of comments were left on the Duvenheim recruitment post Karon had uploaded previously.
[Bambam: Are you the Necromancy Lord?]
[3-Lifts 500: Who the fuck are you]
Everyone still seemed unsure, but it probably didn't take long for them to decide.
Because the person in question posted something himself the next day.
[Rino Johnson: Now you finally believe me.
I will say it again. My name is Karon.
I am the necromancer who stood against the gods that toyed with the surface world.
It seems some of you have been spying on Duvenheim.
How was it? Were you afraid?
The demons will feel that same emotion.
My legion grows rapidly. All I need is time.
With your help, I can significantly shorten that time.
Help me. Join my army and face the demons for the sake of the world's survival.
Do not fear eternal rest. The physical body will crumble eventually.
Is sacrificing oneself for victory not the very essence of a Holy Knight?
Keep this in mind.
Only I can fight and defeat the demons.
Come to Duvenheim. I shall grant you victory.]
This son of a bitch. I'm absolutely seething.
Naturally, he was condemned by many users, but Karon remained unfazed.
[Rino Johnson: It seems you all lack a grasp of the situation.] (41)
These were the posts uploaded previously.
And this is the post from today.
[Rino Johnson: I will come find you myself]
This time, not a single comment was left.
Perhaps they had all subconsciously realized something.
That Karon isn't just some loudmouth, but someone who would actually do it.
Karon is the one who forced his way into a community created by a transcendent being and completely overhauled an entire city.
I could understand the fear the users were feeling.
The community.
The only healing space in this world, a safe haven where they could feel a sense of home.
An unidentified entity had infiltrated it.
...It's time for me to step in.
As long as I don't get caught as a Loa, it should be fine.
I left a comment.
[Ultra Sanz Crazy for Massacre Mode on a Moonlit Night: Lord Karon]
└ [Rino Johnson: What is this?]
└ [Ultra Sanz Crazy for Massacre Mode on a Moonlit Night: By any chance, is your mother missing?]
He might be better at Zombie Control, but in terms of community experience, I'm a level above him.
Karon, I'm not afraid of you.
Let's settle this fairly with a keyboard battle.