Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Hero of Liberation - 2
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I recalled our conversation from last night.
When I suggested wiping the mountain off the map, the party fell silent.
That was when Trail mentioned that Idria had dropped her surveillance.
I spoke casually in a normal voice.
“If you have something to say, spit it out. You can speak up now. Seems like Idria’s lifted her watch.”
Neril was the first to ask.
“Ha. Of all things... you want to erase a mountain to break a shadow curse?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s like declaring martial law to catch a petty thief.”
“It’s surprisingly the most efficient way in our current situation. Beats knocking down every tree and smashing every rock one by one.”
Neril shut her mouth, apparently agreeing on that point.
Jenia spoke up.
“The question is, how exactly do we erase a mountain?”
“Neril will use her Decomposition magic.”
Neril’s eyebrow twitched.
“Even Decomposition can’t wipe out a mountain. The spell would fizzle out midway.”
“Have Adwin summon Biond’s spirit. The one who taught you the seal to infuse Decomposition into objects last time. He could probably teach us how to amplify it too.”
“...Still leaves some issues.”
“Hear my plan through first.”
I continued explaining to the party.
“Once the mountain’s gone, no matter which tree or rock shadow the bastard’s hiding in, the curse breaks. He’ll probably panic and turn into green smoke. If not, we just kill him as is.”
“Hmm.”
“Then Risel gathers his smoke in one spot like we planned. Finally, Offense...”
“Poisons him with powder. Got it.”
Serein asked with an eager expression.
“What about me?”
“Cheerleading?”
“...”
“Kidding. You’re actually the most important.”
I looked at Neril.
“That problem you mentioned earlier? The Withering Jewel doesn’t have enough origin energy to erase the mountain.”
Neril replied with a slightly surprised look.
“You knew?”
“It’s been a while since we got the Jewel in Rior territory. We’ve used it a bunch since then, so I figured it was about time for a recharge.”
“Impressive.”
“Don’t worry. Serein’s holy power will top it up.”
Serein made a stupefied face.
“Wait, is that seriously my role?”
“Oh, right. This one’s got monstrous holy power.”
“Excuse me.”
“Yeah. Think you can manage?”
“Hey!”
“But holy power and origin energy are pretty different. I’m not great with attribute conversions like that.”
I pondered for a moment, then looked at Adwin.
“Guess we’ll need to call someone more familiar with it.”
“You mean Iori Otics? Back home, they said he converted the territory folk’s lifespans into mana.”
“Yeah. No need for the honorifics, though.”
“You must really hold a grudge.”
Adwin chanted a spell as he said that.
Soon, Iori’s voice came from his mouth.
He skipped greetings and said,
“Hmph. Still got those dumb faces on, huh.”
“Yeah. And you’ve still got that arrogant mug?”
“Your tone... Sigh, whatever. Stop summoning Lady Lepia already. She’s very busy.”
“She’s been showing up on her own lately. Anyway, convert Serein’s holy power into mana.”
Serein shouted.
“No way! I’m not some jerky for Jenia to carve up!”
“Hmm. That’s some incredible holy power. Could cover an Ort’s bounty at least.”
“Sigh.”
“But it still won’t be enough.”
That caught me off guard, so I tilted my head.
“Really? I thought it’d suffice.”
“There’s always loss when converting one energy to another. Don’t you get even basic stuff like that?”
“A hero doesn’t need to know everything.”
“Still got that mouth on you. Anyway, even adding whatever origin energy’s left in that Withering Jewel, you’re short about 20 percent to erase a mountain.”
I scratched my head.
Should I borrow Jenia’s holy power too?
Then Iori continued.
“How many territory folk are there?”
“Huh? Around three million, give or take.”
“Then taking some of their lifespans should cover the remaining 20 percent nicely.”
Oh.
What a great idea... no, that’s not it.
“Not lifespans—straight origin energy. I don’t wanna get hated like you.”
“Sorry, but I only know how to extract pure origin energy from holy power or lifespans.”
“The Withering Jewel can handle it, so that’s fine. Tomorrow, I’ll gather as many territory folk as possible in one spot. Absorb their origin energy from there, and tell me when it’s topped off.”
Iori grumbled.
“If Lady Lepia hadn’t ordered full cooperation...”
“Good thing she did. Screw up, and I’ll tell her next time.”
“...”
“Alright. No issues with the plan then? Let’s hit the sack early.”
Serein grumbled about a huge problem, but no one listened.
Lately, Serein’s getting treated more and more like Offense, and it kinda hurts my heart.
Though it’s karma, since it’s exactly what she used to dish out to him.
Then Neril spoke up.
“No. There’s a hole in that plan.”
“What?”
“Absorbing origin energy from the territory folk. That’s the exact same crap the Martial King pulled in Rior.”
“...”
“Even if everything goes perfectly, won’t it hurt your reputation?”
Classic sharp insight from Neril.
But did I really overlook that?
I smirked and replied.
“You’re right. That’s why I’ll get their consent first.”
“Hmm. Think they’ll agree that easily?”
“It’ll be fine. Totally doable.”
I continued slowly.
“Don’t the territory folk want revenge too?”
And that’s how I was now getting that ‘consent’ from them.
“You were all living peaceful days. Not abundant, but at least you never had those horrific thoughts of hoping tomorrow wouldn’t come.”
“...”
“The smoke that bound and tormented you in invisible chains is right there in that mountain.”
The territory folk’s eyes began to change.
I shouted with all my strength.
“That smoke’s hiding deep in the mountain. To erase it, we have to annihilate the mountain itself!”
“H-How is that possible?”
“We can’t do it alone. Like I said, we need your power.”
“We’ll do anything!”
Good.
The territory folk had tried to grab our ankles out of fear of withdrawal symptoms from that agonizing addiction.
But even they didn’t truly believe that was the real solution.
The true fix is eliminating the smoke.
They just didn’t know ‘how.’
Now I’d shown them the way.
No wonder vitality sparked in their eyes.
“We’re borrowing your power now.”
“...”
“You’ll probably feel exhausted once we do. Totally drained. Still okay?”
A brief silence fell.
But soon after.
“Wooooah!”
“Use as much as you need! Our power!”
“If it means getting rid of that damned smoke, take anything!”
“Sniff. Thank you so much for giving us this chance.”
Everything was ready now.
Offense stuck out his tongue in amazement.
“Think about it—we’re doing the exact same thing as that Martial King guy, but the reaction’s night and day.”
“That’s the difference between consent and not.”
“Your schemes are always so slick. I notice it every time.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Anyway, ready to start?”
Neril swiftly formed seals.
Last night, she’d researched Decomposition magic all through with Biond, whom Adwin had summoned.
And she’d dramatically upgraded the already terrifying spell.
“Ready, Maide.”
“Good. Serein.”
“Ughhh.”
Serein looked like she was on death’s door as she placed her hand over Neril’s—specifically, over the Withering Jewel on it.
Neril said,
“Fair warning: it won’t feel good.”
“After being treated like Jenia’s jerky, I’m already in a bad mood, so it’s fine.”
“Good. Thanks.”
“That was sarcasm?”
“Let’s begin. Iori.”
Iori, already possessing Adwin’s body, spoke.
“I convert this priestess’s holy power to mana, right? How much holy power to leave her?”
“Scrape every last drop. Serein’ll be thrilled.”
“Hey.”
“Do it. Honestly, with the blessings of the heavenly gods crammed into one body, she’ll bounce back after a good sleep.”
“Blessings can go freeze.”
With that, Iori began converting Serein’s holy power to mana.
Serein’s face paled.
Jenia’s eyes welled up as she said,
“I’ll share some food with you later, Serein.”
“Daaaark...”
“She can still talk in that state. Truly impressive.”
Jenia’s the scariest after all.
I told Neril,
“Alright. Origin energy absorption for the shortfall.”
“Yeah.”
Tap tap.
Neril tapped the Withering Jewel with her finger.
Suddenly, a shimmering haze rose from amid the territory folk.
The Withering Jewel’s origin absorption function—same as when I’d glimpsed the Martial King’s secret—activated.
“Ughhh.”
“Dizzy.”
“Stomach’s churning. Huff huff.”
“Hey, everyone! Just a bit more!”
“Yeah! The hero’s using our power. It’s an honor!”
Thankfully, with prior consent, no backlash arose among the folk.
Ten minutes or so later.
Serein’s converted holy power and the origin energy extracted from the folk had all gathered in the Withering Jewel.
Iori dropped the spell and said,
“Hmm. This should be plenty.”
Serein slumped like seaweed soaked in water.
“Huff huff. Feels like dying...”
“Such fine-quality holy power. Not bad for a non-noble.”
“Ugh. Too drained to even curse.”
Serein plopped down on the ground.
I smirked and patted her shoulder as a ‘good job.’
“Appreciate it. Same time next round?”
“Next? Next what?”
“Anyway, Neril, the folk’s origin energy?”
“Done here too. Launch now?”
“One sec. Since we’ve got everyone gathered...”
Point.
I jabbed my index finger at the mountain.
Then bellowed in a resounding, heroic shout.
“Demon King of Lies and Deceit, Idria!”
“Gasp.”
“Your minions’ vile deeds end today. Grind your teeth and watch as another of your fingers gets severed!”
The territory folk buzzed and ducked low.
“W-What? What’s that mean?”
“Did he say Demon King?”
“So the smoke is the Demon King...”
“Is the Demon King nearby right now?”
I figured it was a great reaction and turned to the party.
“Neril. Start now.”
“...”
“Why’s everyone looking at me like that?”
“You’re so consistent, it’s uncanny.”
Neril replied as she formed seals for Decomposition magic.
Soon, she unleashed it.
“Transcendent Decomposition!”
She’d named it something new to differentiate from the old one.
Transcendent Decomposition, though.
Her naming sense worries me.
[You consented, but that’s rich coming from you.]
I ignored it and enjoyed the spectacle before me.
Neril’s past Decompositions—in the regression era, Adwin’s territory, the capital, etc.—were spears.
But this was way different.
Well, spear-shaped, sure, but...
‘That’s a crap-ton of them.’
Thousands of Decomposition spears floated in the sky!
If they could block light, it’d blot out the sun and plunge everything into darkness.
Neril swung her arm vigorously.
“Fly!”
The thousands of spears streaked across the sky in unison.
They shot toward the back mountain like arrows and embedded themselves.
And then.
-Kugugugugang!
They began devouring the mountains.
Dozens of meters around each spear’s impact vanished completely.
Thousands of such spears.
It felt like a giant cheese riddled with holes.
“A-Am I dreaming?”
“To witness such a sight.”
“The mountain’s really being deleted!”
“This is thanks to our power?”
“Ahhh. We’re actually helping the hero.”
That’s when it happened.
After about two-thirds of the mountain was deleted, something shifted.
-Kraaaaaak!
A agonized writhing echoed from thin air.
And from the vanishing mountain, something rose.
Green smoke.
It fled the raining spears, soaring high into the distant sky.
Offense yelled,
“The curse is broken! The object whose shadow it hid in got decomposed too.”
I clenched my fist and said,
“Good. Jenia.”
“Yes. Agril, here!”
Agril plummeted from the sky like a falling meteor.
We all boarded.
Neril pressed a hand to its back, panting.
“Huff huff. Just leave me. I won’t be much help.”
“What’re you talking about.”
“Poured too much focus into that Transcendent Decomposition.”
“We fueled the spell with the Jewel’s origin energy.”
“You think magic only needs mana?”
Iori chimed in.
“Hmm. She’s right. That scale of grand magic drains mental energy. She should rest for a bit. Honestly, amazing she can even stand.”
“Oh. Old man, you’re dismissed. Good work.”
“W-What? No!”
Swipe.
Adwin forcibly separated Iori’s spirit.
I felt bad when Biond got this treatment, but with Iori, it’s refreshing.
Adwin sent Iori back to the netherworld and clung to Neril.
“I’ll restore your mental energy.”
“Necromancers come in handy sometimes. Healing spells can’t touch this part.”
“Kehehe. Finally realizing this body’s value? Too late for regrets.”
“You pop out of nowhere so randomly.”
Serein rolled across Agril’s back toward Adwin.
“Me too...”
“Fool. Even as a friend of the dead, I can’t replenish holy power.”
“Ughhh. Your speech ticks me off more.”
So in summary, Neril, Serein, and Adwin tending her were out of commission.
No biggie—we’d planned around that.
Then Jenia spoke.
“We’re here. The green smoke.”
Sure enough, green smoke writhed right in front of us.
It looked like it was desperately trying to recall its original form.
Risel said,
“Looks like it hurts.”
“Might’ve been pierced by a Decomposition spear. Definitely smaller than the other day.”
Decomposition magic disintegrates even gases down to their bonds.
But this smoke had a will, like a living thing.
It probably severed its ‘body’ first as it decomposed.
“Perfect then. Here I go.”
“Yeah, do it.”
Risel brought his lips to the spirit-summoning horn.
-Pwoooo.
The next instant.
A massive wind blew.
It brushed past us and slammed into the green smoke.
-Kraaaa.
Hyren let out a scream full of agony.
The wind spirits herded and compacted it, shrinking it bit by bit.
“Offense.”
By the time I called his name, Offense had already untied his pouch.
He flung the powder into the air.
And bellowed fiercely.
“Not sorry at all for killing you twice!”