Chapter 21: [Nest]
…… Yea, I really shouldn’t have destroyed the door. If the large and rock demons inside all stampede this way, it would be a catastrophe.
I don’t think my decision to go full power is a mistake, but I cannot deny that I did get a bit too staff (?) happy.
But well, holes can simply be filled. In place of the pulverized door, I cast [Wall of Stone] to create a stone wall that seals off this underground pa.s.sage.
Anki can’t get through this solid wall, but we can simply phase through with the effects of [Move Outer Plane], so there’s no problem.
“Oh sh-, the rock demon is being done in!” (Gillion)
Large demons are jumping onto our rock demon zombie from the left and right walls and thrusting with their swords, while countless numbers of small demons are swarming around its feet.
“GyaAU!”
The rock demon zombie grabs the large demon riding on its neck and dashes it against the wall. That one is definitely dead now, but several more jump to take its place, while others still on the floor swing greatswords and clubs against the rock demon’s ankles.
“GuuRUoooo……”
Rock demons originally move quite sluggishly, but that got even worse after becoming a zombie. The small demons aside, the large demons and their coordination make for very incompatible opponents. I had hoped that the rock demon would decrease the number of anki in the underground pa.s.sage even more, but I guess not all things go so well in life.
“What’ll we do? Leave it and continue on?” (Sedam)
So asks Sedam calmly. Of course, that is what I intend. But I can only hope that the knights haven’t been acc.u.mulating stress after coming this far without getting much action.
“......” (Gio)
“Your orders, Wizard-dono?” (Gunnah)
The 3 knights have sword and shield up at the ready, and haven’t once broken the defensive circle formation around me ever since we came in. Gillion’s expression looks a little sour, but his eyes tell me that he is still serious and focused.
“...... Remain vigilant like you are doing. We’re heading deeper in.” (Gio)
It seems that I have been making light of their professionalism a little. I give Gillion a pat on the shoulder, slightly apologetically.
“Wh-, What is it?” (Gillion)
“Nah, not much. I’m relying on you, Gillion-dono.” (Gio)
♥♦♣♠
What with their main force suddenly turning into a zombie and rampaging about, the door to their base disappearing and the entrance being sealed off by a stone wall, even anki would start to panic. We continue on uneventfully, even while small and large demons rush all about us every which way.
“...... So even anki have some degree of civilization.” (Claura)
“If you want to call that ‘civilization,’ then yea I suppose.” (Sedam)
Along the way, we see what looks to be creepy paintings (which I can only register as colorful swirls) and game boards, prompting Claura to make such an observation. In response, Sedam points toward a place where what looks like pieces for the game are made. The materials of the pieces are clearly human bones.
“s.h.i.t.” (Gillion)
“Oh G.o.ds, please grant mercy……” (Lioria)
“Ugu……” (Gunnah)
Other than those, we also see a few ‘works of art’ made by anki. I thought the materials for some of those looked familiar, and then I realized that they are the mountain bandits that used to be with Jyagul.
The intensity of the hatred that anki bear towards humans is expressed so eloquently on those ‘art pieces’ that I feel cold to the pit of my stomach. I am also a.s.saulted by a powerful desire to vomit, but I try my utmost to suppress the backflow of my stomach’s contents.
“All these anki, making light of humans. I’ll crush every last one of them. For sure.” (Gillion)
I can hear Lioria’s and Claura’s sharp intake of air mixed in with Gillion’s mutter. The fire in his voice saves my chilled heart from breaking.
♥♦♣♠
“We need to take the right here.” (Sedam)
“Mu…… I almost walked past it. Thanks.” (Gio)
The widest pa.s.sage shown on the Mapping Scroll actually is interspersed with corners, slopes, and stairs.
It is one thing to know the layout of the pa.s.sages and where we want to go, but the spooky pa.s.sages are lit intermittently by torches and light sources placed only at relatively important positions, and we are literally walking amongst anki dripping with killing intent. I almost make a wrong turn several times, but Sedam is always on point with his precise instructions.
I had originally considered doing this alone in order to decrease the possibility of anyone dying, but now…… At the moment, I’m beginning to appreciate having such reliable allies beside me.
♥♦♣♠
“Beyond here is our goal.” (Sedam)
So declares Sedam a.s.sertively.
After going straight down the last stretch of the wide pa.s.sageway, we emerge in an expansive s.p.a.ce that makes me think of a dome stadium. The perimeter is closed in by rock walls almost 20 meters in height. Our pa.s.sage opens up roughly halfway up the wall, and there are broad stone steps descending all the way to the bottom of the cavern.
“We found it quicker than I’d expected…………!?!?” (Gio)
Despite being safe in the alternate plane, even I stopped mid-sentence and reflexively held my breath.
The reason is because I laid eyes on the [anki nest] in the middle of the cavern.
“How terribly repulsive……”
“What the h.e.l.l……”
Cl.u.s.ter of pitch black spheres…… is the only way I can describe it.
When I take a closer look, I also notice several silhouettes that are most likely small demons.
There are 4 or 5 spheres 4 or 5m high—just enough for a rock demon to pa.s.s through—stacked haphazardly on top of each other. When I heard about it at the debriefing, I’d imagined something that gave off a more ‘alive’ kind of feeling, but I’m getting a shockingly mechanical impression.
Furthermore—and this might sound ironic coming from me—that thing is not of this world.
Be it either instinct or some latent ability, the very moment we laid eyes on it, all of us were convinced so. In comparison to that [nest], even anki seem to belong more in this world.
“Is something…… coming out?”
The surface of one of the spheres on the ground suddenly bulges outwards. At first, it looks like a stick has been thrust out, but the end splits into 5, identifying it as a hand. In succession, a rough shoulder, distorted head, then a thick torso emerges from the surface of the sphere. The creature(?)’s efforts to rip apart the thin, gum-like membrane covering its entire body reminds me of a cheap variety show entertainer…… that’s the most apt a.n.a.logy I can come up with.
Eventually, the membrane is finally ripped and smoothly falls to the ground, revealing a rock demon. The torn membrane is quickly sucked back into the sphere.
“...... So that is an [anki nest]......” (Sedam)
Even Sedam’s voice is quivering.
♥♦♣♠
“What I saw 10 years ago was just a single one of those spheres.” (Gunnah)
Gunnah’s fierce face is currently stiff with anxiety.
“Now we know why this nest has gone undiscovered for so long. It is because it’s been purposefully hidden away. Long enough for it to sp.a.w.n more than enough anki.”
“Are you saying that they can think up tactics and strategies?”
“We already know that anki fight under a commander and employ at least rudimentary military tactics, but……”
While listening to the serious discussion between the knights and adventurers, I think of how to destroy the [nest].
As expected, [Meteor] is the best option.
Though it is a spell that calls down a meteor from the sky, us being inside a dungeon shouldn’t be much of a problem.
The actual problem is that, just like before, I need to leave the alternate plane to cast spells. All would be well if the [nest] just sits there without doing anything, but things could get dicey if it actually does possess some method of attack. One choice is for me to leave the alternate plane by myself, but……
(T/N: Go guess in the comments what method of attack these pitch black spheres would have :p)
“Rejected.” (Claura)
“We can’t come back from the alternate plane if you die, right?” (Sedam)
“That is not even funny!” (Gillion)
“If it ever comes to it, I’ll serve as Wizard-dono’s shield!” (Lioria)
“If I ever become a burden, please abandon me immediately.” (Gunnah)
I am grateful for their feelings. To be honest, I don’t actually have that much confidence nor self-a.s.surance. All I have is fear. Fear that my mistake in judgment would cause them harm.
“Have you not gotten a bit too c.o.c.ky?” (Claura)
“...... Mu.” (Gio)
“Wh-...... Claura!” (Lioria)
Claura’s cold voice and stare dispels the anxiety in my chest. I’m sorry, Lioria, but no matter how much I may act like a Great Wizard, I am merely a former salaryman.
Which is why I need nakama.
I think of all the spells that I have left in my Archive and all the magic items I have on me, then brainstorm all possible developments. For example, what if those spheres rush us? What if we get attacked from behind by anki?
I rack my mind as hard as I can, and finally decide on a plan of action, which I immediately tell them.
“I want to destroy those... things... over there. Will you all lend me your aid?” (Gio)