Chapter 272
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 272
Chapter Title: The High Castle Amidst Ruins
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I wrapped the ugly demon statue's face back in cloth and applied a sealing formation.
This time, I did it myself instead of letting the cultists handle it. Naturally, their faces twisted in frustration as a result.
"The high castle in the ruins... I've heard the stories, but this is my first time seeing it up close."
This place, once the capital of a kingdom long ago, now lay as a deserted ruin deep in the forest, uninhabited by anyone.
"It's the backdrop for all those tales about the demon of the high castle. Though, it's just baseless rumors, so who cares about the truth."
Isna flashed an intrigued smile.
Unlike Isna, who was casually stretching without a hint of tension, Luna's expression was grim.
"Definite presence here. Very faint, but it's definitely inside that high castle."
Now that we were this close, even Luna could sense the traces.
"Niala?"
"Definite."
I worked to calm her down, as she seemed ready to charge in at any moment.
Killing Niala here wouldn't change anything anyway.
Of course, even if we slew it in its current state, it wouldn't die for good—like that king Sullivan from the fallen kingdom who crossed over from another dimension.
"Killing it here would just let it revive and pop out again. Got any way around that?"
"Impossible at present. That's how much their power is suppressed here too."
In other words, to kill these things, either their full-powered main body would have to cross over, or I'd have to go to their dimension myself and cut it down.
"Anything else?"
"No other cases identified yet. But they're not truly immortal. Injuries sustained here get amplified several times over and dealt to the main body."
Put differently, if we inflicted heavy damage here to kill them off, it would hit the main body hard enough to keep it from interfering for a while.
"Not sure if there's a limit to how many times, though. It's not an absolute advantage for them. In fact, it's a massive loss."
The attackers were always at a disadvantage compared to the defenders, after all.
No helping it if there were no better options, regrettable as that was.
At least there was a silver lining: the stronger their power grew here, the easier it became to threaten their lives.
I relayed the exact position to the Holy Kingdom and the elves slowly advancing along our path.
The cultists were busy planting their minions around the high castle to prepare activating a curse formation.
From my perspective, it was laughable... what the hell were they even doing? But they seemed to think it was some ace up their sleeve.
I lightly prodded the sticky death spirit mana clinging to my fingertips, and its flow shook dangerously.
A mere gesture was enough to seize control. But this time, I held back. Instead, I blended my own death spirit mana into their spell to reinforce it and block any potential variables.
These cultists' death spirit magic was still a breeze to hack.
Thanks to sharing the route on the way here, the Holy Knights from the Holy Kingdom and the rangers from the Great Forest were advancing far faster than planned.
Since they were sending elites instead of regular soldiers, their speed was astonishing.
"Never thought I'd live to see the day. Not just elves, but the Holy Kingdom—famous rivals to the cultists—teaming up against a common foe."
"Don't those golden boys lack any real allies?"
"Heh. True that."
Isna was spot on.
You see all kinds of things living long enough. Truly...
[Based on your memories, estimating the span of time you've lived...]
'Shut up.'
[Acknowledged.]
'Be quiet.'
Please, I don't want to know.
Our goal was simple: exterminate the otherworldly beings inside the high castle and rescue Archangel Remiel.
I didn't have any special attachment to Remiel. Hell, I wouldn't care if she lived or died as long as she didn't get in my way later—Luna might feel differently, but that's how it was for me.
Harsh as it sounded, that was reality.
Archangel Remiel. Though she was sealed by a suppression formation, I'd gotten word from Diablo on the way here.
The formation's influence was weakening.
It could mean her seal was loosening, but he had a different take.
Someone was corrupting the seal placed on her.
Whatever it was, it sure as hell wasn't good news.
"By the gods... a space distorted into such a grotesque form... It must be under the World Tree's divine protection. Just existing, it pollutes the surroundings."
The elves dispatched from the Great Forest were from the Romila family guards and seemed unusually sensitive to anomalies.
Romila family, huh. Their family head had viewed me unfavorably at first but ended up cooperating, even staking his life for it.
From the elves' standpoint, it was natural to be hyper-vigilant toward the otherworldly power that nearly doomed their World Tree.
"Looks like I need to tell the Holy Knights to prepare their holy magic buffs thoroughly. They're gearing up in earnest over there too."
The Holy Kingdom was no different.
The Holy Knights, having their capital raided, radiated killing intent like they wanted to tear these heretics apart right then.
"Leon Cascadia. Changes detected."
"What?"
"Enemies hiding in the space are gathering in large numbers."
Vice High Priest Diablo, leading the Holy Kingdom's forces.
One High Elf representing the Elf Forest. The World Tree's shrine maiden, Triana, had been in contact with me, but for some internal reason, she'd pulled back to the rear.
Better that way, honestly. Triana wasn't much in terms of combat prowess.
I didn't want anyone getting endangered unnecessarily.
Besides them, Dobel—a cult executive and black mage who seemed at least sixth circle.
And finally, Luna and me together here.
"Our plan is straightforward. With the Holy Kingdom and Great Forest here, let's ask for their cooperation."
"You expect us to join hands with you filthy cultists?"
"I'm not thrilled about it either."
With even the High Elf chiming in, Dobel shrugged.
"Then sit it out."
"..."
The leaders of both factions eyed me.
Do we really have to team up with these human scum?
I hadn't said it aloud, but I got what they were thinking.
"Scum or not, they're the ones with the most intel on this mess. At least we share the same goal for now."
I'd already set Muyoung to move the instant they tried anything funny.
"Keep this in mind. We're allied by pact, but if you pull any tricks midway or stab us in the back once it's over to tip the power balance..."
As I spoke, Dobel flinched.
A black shadow like a serpent coiled around his body, rising from the ground.
At its tip loomed Muyoung's maw, dripping with sharp killing intent, poised to rip out his throat.
"Then alliance or not, you're done."
"Tch. You too. We've got our own issues, so we can't afford stunts like that for a while."
They must've taken a big hit from the otherworldly being.
They'd suffered heavily in the fight with the Moon Watchers, and then the otherworlder had wrecked their organization on top of that.
Who'd have thought a group founded on the ideal of isolating worldly threats would end up like this...
"Time for the operation briefing. Leon Cascadia, the high castle has a barrier. We'll need to breach it. It's based on death spirit magic."
Death spirit magic? Were they using it, or had someone using it been possessed?
The thought sparked a hypothesis.
"Don't tell me one of your key figures got possessed."
"..."
Bingo.
"Breaching the barrier will take a bit."
"How long?"
"Shortest five seconds, longest ten."
"That's long, you lunatic?"
He muttered in disbelief.
"One second on the battlefield is enough to take seven or eight heads."
"Lunatic... Anyway, the moment the barrier breaks, monsters will swarm. With that many, everyone here needs to rush in and hold them off."
"That enough for you, cultist?"
"We've got to do our part. Leon Cascadia, you take a small team and infiltrate the castle interior. Bringing mediocrities would just get them slaughtered."
The Holy Kingdom and Great Forest sides bristled, but I had to admit it made sense.
"Two should suffice for entry... Vice High Priest Diablo, care to join?"
"Very well."
"That's three."
"Excuse me, Young Master Leon. What about me?"
"Lady Isna, please stay somewhere safe for my sake. If you get hurt, the Duke will twist my head off."
"Hmph..."
Isna pouted in dissatisfaction but said no more.
Once we infiltrated, the monsters might clash with the forces here or try retreating into the castle.
The Great Forest, cultists, and Holy Knights would block their movements and minimize their numbers as much as possible.
"Decided? Then move out. The barrier destruction signal comes right after we set the curse formation across the high castle grounds. Any objections?"
"None."
"No."
Diablo and the Great Forest's High Elf replied.
"We're not planning infighting with key enemies ahead, but we're watching you. Cultists."
"You pointy-eared bastards... wanna go?!"
"Oh, perfect. You damned cult scum. Hey, you tin cans over there—got no thoughts of your own?"
"Those who blaspheme the Lord must be cut down in an instant."
"Fine by me. Bring it!!"
It looked like a fight was about to erupt any second.
I sighed, about to intervene and mediate.
KABOOM!!!
Luna pulverized a nearby boulder to dust with one hand.
"Keep defying and acting up? All of you want to die?"
Her calm words froze everyone solid.
The aura emanating from Luna was anything but ordinary.
From her perspective, she was pushing to save Remiel in a way even she couldn't fully explain.
Despite their past clash, Remiel wasn't someone Luna could brush off lightly.
"Ahem..."
"Apologies."
The elves and Holy Knights stepped back, while Dobel clicked his tongue and withdrew his power.
"As you all know, the enemy isn't to be taken lightly. Holy Knights and Elf Rangers, you understand that best."
Everyone turned to me.
"Just in case, I'll leave a wraith behind. But try not to die if possible."
At my words, they closed their eyes briefly before nodding.
"This alliance helps you too. We'll handle our ranger unit."
"May the Lord's grace be with you."
It was a bizarre sight, indeed—Holy Knights and cultists shaking hands.