Chapter 321 - To the Sealed Room
We were now heading for the Sealed Room.
The Sealed Room is located one level below the floor of the Great Treasury.
We have just descended to that level.
The people heading for the Sealed Room are me, Seras and Munin.
Together with us are four others, comprising of the Mad Emperor and his escorts.
I heard that the scholar who was investigating Forbidden Curses was also among them.
As we proceeded through the corridors, I was talking with the Emperor.
[We were able to confirm the incident with the Golden-eyed monsters near the Knight Wall. Golden-eyed monsters, including the Demon Emperor army’s Ogre Soldiers…… all of them aren’t releasing the Tyrant’s Miasma anymore.]
[Does that prove that the Great Demon Emperor is dead?]
[Umu. It may be a bit of a pain that the deterrence against the G.o.ddess’ forces is gone. However, we could also say that we have no other concerns after defeating Vysis. In other words…… The persuasion of the S-Rank Hero, which was the key to defeating the Great Demon Emperor, is no longer an absolute requirement. This may be a good thing to think about positively.]
[………………….]
The death of the Great Demon Emperor is almost certain huh.
What I’m curious about this matter though……
——-is that who it is that defeated them.
Sogou?
Kirihara?
[Depending on how you look at it, this means we could concentrate on fighting the G.o.ddess huh.]
[Yeah. I, too, can join our forces in the east without any worries.]
[Regarding the battle with Urza, it seems that Neia and Bacchus have emerged huh.]
[Cattleya Stramius and the Holy Knights led by her…… I also heard the Black Dragon Knights will be there. However, with Chester Ord and the Brilliant Squadron, we should be able to bring the situation to a stalemate first if we focus on defense. Meanwhile, you and the others would meet up with them————- and just like that, we will march towards Alion.]
Thereupon, the Mad Emperor lowered his voice and glancing a bit behind him, he murmured.
[I think it would be best if we could get Neia and Bakuos on our side…… but can that situation with Cattleya be managed by Seras Ashrain?]
[I don’t really want to antagonize that Princess either. We will just have to do our best together with Seras.]
Seras also seemed to be concerned about Neia’s army.
However……
“I have already discussed with the Princess about the situation when we met again at the Anti-Demon White Castle, and what it would be like when we become hostile to each other. That’s why, please don’t worry about me.”
That’s what she said.
Well, it may have been Seras’ way of making sure I didn’t have to worry about anything else.
It’s just……
She seemed to have made up her mind.
Or rather, Seras seems to be more prepared about that matter than before.
[So…… As soon as the matter in the Sealed Room is finished, your Majesty and we will go directly to the east?]
[The earlier attack on the Imperial Capital had caused some delays, but preparations are now in place. Wright, who I will be the Imperial Capital in charge of, has also returned.]
I met with Wright just before we came here.
He had already received a report and learned about Hawk’s case before his arrival.
As for his reaction to it……
“Zine———- His Majesty already told me this, you know? That Seras Ashrain was quite disturbed about Hawk’s death and was blaming herself for it, so don’t blame her too much.”
Wright slightly chuckled and continued.
“Moreover, I was also carefully given the same advice by VIPs from the three Elected Imperial Households and Kaiser. Well, if you ask me, it would be cruel to blame her for that. Fufu…… Good grief, Princess Knight-dono is a bit too serious. Even though she’s a victim of that incident too.”
Thereupon, Wright concluded it with the following words.
“Ahh…… It’s not that I’m not saddened by his death, okay? However, I’d already settled my emotions before we entered the Imperial Capital. It’s true that I have great expectations of him and liked him very much. But in this war against the G.o.ddess, everyone must be prepared for when “that happens”. If we aren’t prepared to accept the sacrifices that could occur, we shouldn’t have started a war from the start. Of course, it’s alright for us to grieve for the deaths. However, we shouldn’t let our grief hold us back forever…… That’s all there is to it.]
Interrupting my recollection, I spoke about something I just remembered to the nearby Mad Emperor.
[I heard that your Majesty had told a few words to Wright-dono in advance.]
[I’m sure there wouldn’t have been any problem even if I had not. He is a “talented person”. He is a man of character and a good enough person to take my place after I’m gone.]
Wright and Kaiser aren’t with us at the moment.
They are currently in a room above ground, discussing future plans and giving instructions to various parties.
[However, with a situation like this, it can be said that obtaining the power against the G.o.ddess…… the Forbidden Curse has become even more important. It’s not impossible for the Heroes to end up joining the eastern battlefield. It’s also conceivable that the G.o.ddess would hold the means for their return to their former world hostage and force them to partic.i.p.ate in the war.]
[In other words, there is a way to return to their former world without relying on the G.o.ddess———— and the Sealed Room may provide a solid basis for this. Thus, it can be said that the secret in the Sealed Room holds the key to whether or not the Heroes can be separated from the G.o.ddess.]
[Indeed.]
At that moment, the Mad Emperor stopped.
[……Now then.]
While we were chatting, it seemed like we’d finally arrived in front of the Sealed Room.
A carved door.
The atmosphere of the door is similar to that of the Great Treasury.
However, there’s a difference between them.
Those carvings don’t exist on the door of the Great Treasury.
Another difference is the crystal set slightly above the center of the door.
The crystal kind of reminds me of the illuminating panel in the Great Treasury.
Looking closely, I can see that this crystal also had lines radiating from its center to the door.
At that moment……
[Ah.]
Munin reacted, seemingly realizing something.
On the other hand, the Mad Emperor touched the crystal with his hand and poured magic power into it.
The lines on the door glowed bluish white but……
[As you can see, it glows like that, but the door doesn’t open.]
Even when it gives off light, showing its reaction to magic power, there’s no sign of it opening.
Not having an idea about it myself, I called out to Munin.
[You seemed to have realized something earlier, but can you read it?]
I indicated the carvings on the door with my chin.
The characters on those carvings looked vaguely familiar.
Yes———- They’re kind of like the characters in the Spellbook of Incantations.
The Mad Emperor also looked at Munin……
[That’s right, I’ve also seen these forbidden characters…… Can you read it, Munin?]
[“Those who read these engraved words…… have the right to open this door———– Take revenge against the G.o.d…… You who bear the will.]
The moment Munin uttered these words……
……Rumble, rumble, rumble……
Faint vibrations echoed for some time.
It seems like the door has opened.
Meanwhile, a guy who seemed to be the scholar was looking at what was happening with his mouth half-open.
[Ah…… It opened…… That Sealed Room that never opened……]
The scholar was overcome with emotion.
Well, I can understand the unique charm of a so-called “unopenable door”.
[Your Majesty…… We will go in first. There may be traps placed within the room.]
Saying this, the escort knights, lanterns in hand, suggested.
However……
[Ummm, I think it would be better if I illuminate the whole room.]
Saying this, Seras lit up the room with the Spirit of Light.
[Oohhh…… Thank you, Seras-dono. Now then…… Your Majesty, Fly King-sama and company, please wait a moment.]
With those words, the guards stepped into the room.
After a few moments……
[I suppose I’ll help them out too. I have some experience in detecting traps after all.]
I also entered the room with caution.
The room is……
Based on the measurements back in my original world, this area would be about the size of 15 tatami mats.
There are words carved in the inner wall ahead…… They’re also on the walls on the left and right.
In front of the inner wall is a long table that seems to be made of bronze.
On the table were three flat boxes that also seemed to be made of bronze.
However, the lids of two of the boxes were open.
They seemed to be empty.
As for the other items in the room……
Empty shelves.
In the corner of the room, there was an old wooden box with an open lid.
I searched the room for a while, but there doesn’t seem to be any traps around.
With a signal of my hand, I invited the others in.
The Mad Emperor had his sleeve covering his nose while entering, but when he moved it away……
[……This place doesn’t seem to be dusty. Even though this room is illuminated by a Spirit, I can’t feel dust dancing around the room…… There’s no musty smell, almost odorless. What a strange room.]
Perhaps because I’m wearing a mask, I haven’t really been aware of that.
[The shelves there are empty…… the contents of the crates on the floor all seem to be empty as well.]
When I said this, the Mad Emperor put his hand on his mouth and groaned.
His gaze fell on the two empty boxes on the table.
[I should have known someone in the past would have taken out some of the things in the room———— So, Munin.]
However, Munin didn’t respond.
This time, I called out to her.
[Munin?]
[———-Eh? Ah, I’m sorry…… My attention was diverted to the writings on the wall.]
[I suppose you could read those too? I’d like it if you could tell us what it says.]
[Y- Yes…… I understand.]
Munin, looking nervous, followed the writing on the wall with her eyes.
Then……
[If I just read it as is, the wording will be exaggerated, so I will rephrase it to make it easier to understand. I will also omit any information that seems superfluous. I have already checked out in advance what you would want to know after all. Also…… some of the text is probably missing or damaged, so there are areas I couldn’t read. Please understand that.
Saying these as a preface……
[First of all, the desk-like pedestal placed at the back of the room…… seems to contain the Spellbooks of Incantations.]
[Two of them are empty but……]
The Mad Emperor made the scholar open the last remaining unopened box.
Acting as if he’s handling a precious antique, the scholar lifts the lid.
What came out of it————- was a piece of paper, rolled up to a cylinder.
[A Spellbook huh. Can you read it?]
[……Please wait.]
If something is too old, there’s a possibility that it will be damaged as soon as you touch it.
Cold sweat dripping down his back, the scholar inspects the Spellbook.
Then———– He sighed in relief.
[It seems to be well-preserved. The material is probably special and quite resilient to the pa.s.sage of time. I think these strings can be untied without any problem.]
Saying this, the scholar handed the rolled-up Spellbook to the Mad Emperor.
After receiving it, the Mad Emperor turned his gaze toward the wall……
[Munin…… Please continue with the writings on the wall first.]
[Ah, yes. The left and the right walls are painted with highly improved Ancient Spells…… that is, the Forbidden Curses.]
The characters on the left and right walls do look familiar.
Perhaps, they’re the same characters as what was used on the three Spellbooks I have.
[The characters on the Spellbooks were written with a special engraving liquid, so even if you read the carved letters on the wall, you will not be able to learn a Forbidden Curse…… but it seems the characters on the wall seem to be for, I suppose “verifying answers”. The upper one is the sentence for the establishment and invocation of the Forbidden Curse…… while this line here———–]
Minding the hem of her skirt, Munin crouches down.
[The small characters here at the bottom tell “the effect of the Curse”…… while this part here seems to be explanations and annotations.]
The Mad Emperor hummed in understanding.
[It’s the room itself…… that hides the secret of the Forbidden Curses huh. My grat.i.tude for the clear summary, Munin.]
Thereupon, the Mad Emperor gave his instructions to the scholar.
The scholar then pulled out a Spellbook of Incantations from his baggage, not the one he had just found, but something they had been holding for some time.
As commanded by the Emperor, the scholar hands it to Munin.
After which, the Mad Emperor asked.
[Now then…… Can you please verify this for me?]
[Understood.]
Munin glanced back and forth between the words on the wall and the Spellbook several times.
And then……
[This Spellbook contains the “Repatriation Spell”…… The spell to return the Heroes to their homeworld.]
At her words, glee could be seen on the scholar’s face as he turned toward the Mad Emperor.
However, the Mad Emperor still didn’t look pleased.
[Are there any conditions for its use?]
[To put it simply…… In other words, if there’s a magic circle that summons and repatriates engraved by the G.o.ds———- It is possible to perform the Repatriation Ceremony even if you’re not a G.o.d…… However, as expected, it would still require us, the Forbidden Race.]
The scholar’s face lit up at those words.
The Mad Emperor looked somewhat relieved.
[Well then, I would also like to ask you to do the same for this Spellbook we just got.]
[Understood. It would be nice if this was in a spot where the characters haven’t been damaged…… Errr……]
Muttering to herself, Munin moved, this time to the opposite wall.
[Ah…… ———–There it is.]
Relieved, Munin’s eyes became busy again.
[This Spellbook contains…… the “Summoning Spell”————–]
At those words, the Mad Emperor flinched.
[The spell to summon those unaffected by the Tyrant’s Miasma from another world……]
Thereupon, the Mad Emperor interrupted her explanation and asked.
[———-As for its other details?]
[Y- Yes…… This one, just like the one earlier, it seems that the Summoning Ritual is possible as long as the magic circle and a member of the Forbidden Race are present.]
[And its requirements?]
[Acquisition requires Azure Dragon Stone…… As for what’s needed to perform the ritual, a Prime Origin…… or perhaps, power comparable to it……]
Getting delighted for the third time, the scholar’s joy finally spilled out of his mouth.
[Your Majesty.]
[……How many Azure Dragon Stones do we have?]
[We have less than 10…… but if we sc.r.a.pe up those available around the world, we should be able to gather some amount from other areas as well……]
Come to think of it, Azure Dragons originally lived mainly in the mountains west of Mira, right?
In that case, it makes sense that it would be easy for them to possess Azure Dragon Stones due to their location.
The Mad Emperor and his people had already obtained information related to Forbidden Curses.
So, they must have collected the Azure Dragon Stones beforehand and held on to it.
……My “Nullification Curse” consumes Azure Dragon Stones when activated.
However, it seems that you don’t need Azure Dragon Stones to activate the Summoning and Repatriation Rituals.
Just two Azure Dragon Stones are enough for its acquisition.
Moreover, it seems that they had also properly prepared those Azure Dragon Stones.
It was at that moment.
[I see———,……]
The Mad Emperor reacted, looking exhausted.
I mean, as he was about to fall down, I supported both of his shoulders from behind.
[Are you alright, your Majesty?]
[……Sorry. I just felt a little spent.]
Patting the back of my hand, the Mad Emperor immediately straightened his posture.
[We’ve confirmed its existence, and obtained the Spellbook of the Forbidden Curse with the expected power…… It can be said that we won the bet. It’s great to have both of them in my hands here. This will be great persuasion material for the S-Rank Hero.]
Indeed.
This is a big deal.
It’s a persuasive card that can be used for Sogou.
[Without relying on the G.o.ddess, we can continue to fight against the Root of All Evil with our own hands…… This has been my biggest concern. I don’t want to rely too much on wishful thinking that a Deity who was in contact with Vysis will be dispatched next to Vysis as a second-best plan…… That’s what I had been thinking. However, I see…… With Spells like these around, that G.o.ddess certainly would get frantic and label them forbidden……]
[However, only Kurosaga’s crestbearers……]
I’m afraid I might be putting a damper on your joy.
After all, if the crestbearers ceased to exist, they wouldn’t be able to keep on with this, right?
It seems like Munin also understood my concern.
[At least one crestbearer has been born in each generation. Of course, there’s no guarantee that that will continue. There’s also a possibility that they will die from illness…… But if you follow the precedents, crestbearers continued to exist until now.]
[That’s why there are no poor prospects on this matter huh.]
[The crestbearers are often educated by their generation’s Head to become the next Head…… Fufu, well…… I don’t think it’s necessary to be the Head just because you’re a crestbearer though?]
Munin wryly smiled.
Behind that smile, I could feel her compa.s.sion for that child———– Fugi.
[…………………..]
I mean……
We’ve got all three things we need to overthrow that sh*tty G.o.ddess.
It’s not when the end of the journey can be seen.
It was back at the beginning of the journey, when I was just plunged into a hopeless situation.
Summoning.
Repatriation.
Nullification.
I’m not sure if that man knew what kind of Forbidden Curse was written in this Spellbook.
However, that man who died in the Disposal Ruins———— Great Sage Angrin.
The Spellbook of Incantations that he refused to give to the G.o.ddess until he brought it to the place of his death.
Now, the Summoning and Repatriation Spells are in the hands of the Mad Emperor.
However……
The “Nullification Curse” isn’t on his hands.
If I hadn’t fallen into that Disposal Ruins, I wouldn’t have acquired it.
………………….
Once again, I felt like thanking the Great Sage from the bottom of my heart.
Thanks to the existence of this Nullification Curse……
With this Abnormal State Skills of mine that she had declared failure……
I can hit that sh*tty G.o.ddess with my own hands.
I can take revenge with my own hands.
Yes————- By my own hands.
The Mad Emperor tied the strings around the Spellbooks again.
[However…… There was no Forbidden Curse here that could directly help us defeat the G.o.ddess. However, the Summoning Forbidden Curse…… Spell can be said to be an achievement that surpa.s.ses that…… For the direct confrontation with the G.o.ddess, let’s hope for Asagi and the S-Rank Hero we plan to recruit to our side.]
I feel that the Nullification Forbidden Spell is slightly different from Asagi’s weakening ability……
Should I inform the Mad Emperor of the existence of the Nullification Forbidden Curse as well?
……No.
It’s better to have as few people as possible who know about my possession of the Nullification Forbidden Curse.
At least, at this point in time, that is.
I wouldn’t know where in Mira Vysis has hidden her spies in.
On the contrary……
“The only Forbidden Curses existing were Repatriation and Summoning.”
If Vysis’ spies recognize that, we might have the advantage.
[And so, Fly King.]
His mouth relaxing slightly, the Mad Emperor looks at me.
[I’m looking forward to seeing your Sorcery.]
“Yes.”, I replied.
[For his Majesty’s sake, and for the sake of the people of the Faraway Country…… and by extension, for the future of this world————- I too will do my best in this decisive battle.]
▽
Returning from the bas.e.m.e.nt, we parted once with the Mad Emperor.
We must go to the guest house and start preparing for the future.
First, we must find out where Vysis is now.
Where is she going to go———— How we’re going to settle this matter.
We must decide on a course of action.
The most effective way to find out where the G.o.ddess is is probably Erika’s familiars.
As we returned to our mansion, Pigimaru, looking fl.u.s.tered, called out to me.
[Erika’s familiar huh?]
I put a bell in the cage that the small bird could ring.
I had decided on a signal with a regular ringing pattern.
“There’s something urgent that was needed to convey to me”.
This time, it was a signal for an emergency.
Incidentally, the current signal isn’t one for the most pressing matter, but just one level below it.
In fact, this signal has been given once before for an urgent matter.
So, it seems like Pigimaru recognized it immediately.
Going upstairs, we entered the room with the familiar.
I hurriedly took the familiar out of the cage and prepared the character board.
Thereupon, the familiar immediately ran around.
From what I can see from the familiar, Erika must be hesitating about something at the moment.
She seemed to be wondering whether she should just quickly convey the information by making the familiar speak her voice, knowing the great burden she would be under.
We patiently waited.
Probably because she was in a hurry, the words that she formed were broken, looking awkward.
“Demon Zone From north to Mira Golden-eyed monsters Human-Faced Large quant.i.ty movement Northern Demon Zone”
Northern Demon Zone.
This is the area where the most powerful Golden-eyed monsters are said to dwell in the Golden Demon Zone.
This is where we once pa.s.sed through with the help of Erika’s handmade magic tool.
We had walked through half of it———- In other words, we’ve pa.s.sed through the deepest part of the Northern Demon Zone.
The fact that we were able to pa.s.s through there undetected was a big deal.
And the monsters from that place……. They’re moving toward Mira?
“Northern Demon Zone Monster Human-Faced corpses lots of signs of battle”
[Did that Kuchiyose monster got triggered?]
“No Strangely Organized and Found Amongst the Horde Human”
[A human?]
“That Human Seems to have Subdued Those monsters Some kind of power Manipulate possible Highly likely”
[……A human huh.]
“The characteristics I’ve heard Match Confirm with Takao This side too Match”
As soon as the familiar pointed at the first letter, I was already able to guess who the guy was.
And then, all the letters aligned……
” Ki ri ha ra “
Soon after, there was a call from the Mad Emperor.
He said that a magical war pigeon from Magnar had brought a message.
The sender————– Kirihara Takuto.