“Congratulations. It seems Agares is more concerned about you than expected.”
“Thanks—no, not at all!”
“Johann, are you injured anywhere?”
“I’m not weak enough to get hurt from an explosion like that.”
Thud I checked my condition. Unfortunately, I had forgotten my shovel, so I had no weapon, but they say if you don’t have teeth, you gotta use your gums. I picked up a chair leg lying nearby and infused it with the power of the World Tree.
After a moment, the ordinary chair leg transformed into a rod brimming with the power of the World Tree. It was the greatest power granted by its blessing.
A power limited to making branches from the World Tree ‘wood’. Of course, compared to a real branch from the World Tree, it was pathetic, but this imitation branch was strong enough against the so-called lowly beings.
The World Tree was a divine entity that protected this world, after all.
Not at all inferior even when compared to Kalon.
“You’re done for now! When Agares comes to save me—”
“Have you considered that he might not come specifically to save you?”
“What?”
Cidri looked at me as if she didn’t understand. Did she really not know, or did she just not want to believe it? Either way, I didn’t care much, but… should I answer?
“There’s a good chance he came to kill you to stop you from giving me information.”
That’s what demons are like by nature.
“No, there’s no way, we’re comrades after all—”
“Is that just your perspective?”
I didn’t know what kind of demon Agares was, but judging from Cidri’s reaction, he seemed quite demonic, focusing more on destruction of evidence than rescue.
As the explosion faded, I created a passage with my skill and moved.
“We’re going outside the imperial palace.”
“Won’t they keep chasing us?”
“That’s likely.”
“Then…”
“It’s clear that they’re chasing us, so we need to lure them away. This place isn’t good for fighting.”
Honestly, I didn’t care if the imperial palace fell apart. But letting the people inside die… that didn’t sit well with me. I wouldn’t exactly call myself righteous, but was there a need to increase casualties?
Even if they were useless, they were at least innocent civilians.
Besides, with the banquet hall full of knights, attacking there wouldn’t be much fun, so a place with fewer people… fewer?
“…Could it be the attendants are in on this?”
I thought we were getting a bit far, but if the attendants were in on it, then it made sense they pinpointed this place. They seemed to know it wouldn’t mean anything to try and take it from me.
Neither I nor Karina could be handled with simple ambushes. Sure, if I got cursed like before, it was possible, but there’s no way I hadn’t prepared for that.
“Karina. How long do you think the sanctuary can hold?”
“If they try to break with strong physical force, about ten minutes…”
“That’s sufficient.”
Looks like we were nearing the open space below.
“Crafting.”
Whoosh I widened the passage and created the space. After repeatedly using my skill, I made a space about the size of a banquet hall and plunged the branch into the ground.
It felt a bit awkward since it was my first time, but this should be enough.
“Karina. Can you set up a sanctuary here too?”
“Yes. But I’m a little scared doing it alone…”
Is she asking me to go with her? I casually tossed Cidri like a sack and used the tree to bind her body, letting the World Tree root into the ground.
This should prevent her from escaping.
If she could escape, she would have done so long ago. After confirming Cidri’s bonds, we quickly began to set up the sanctuary.
Since I didn’t know when Agares’ followers would arrive, I moved as efficiently as possible while carrying Karina to shorten the time involved in setting up the sanctuary.
The sanctuary we created was weaker than before due to a lack of materials and wide space, but it was still sufficient.
Just as we finished setting up the sanctuary, footsteps began echoing from far away.
“They’re starting to come.”
From the sound of footsteps, there were about five or so. Hearing the clanking of armor, I suspected there might be followers of the Agares cult among the royal knights.
How deep has the Agares cult infiltrated?
I had heard from Duke Ryan that they were expanding their influence, but I didn’t expect them to have co-opted internal personnel to that extent.
Well, if they were going to start a civil war, it’d be easiest to co-opt internal members.
Unlike before, the current empire was in a precarious state, its pillar roots gnawed down to nothing. With those less than scoundrels behaving like princes trying to become emperors, how could things remain intact?
“Karina. Are you going to sit and rest?”
“Isn’t it a bit much with the enemy approaching…?”
“Crafting.”
Clang I made a chair with a backrest and lifted Karina to sit on it. Naturally, she ended up perched on my lap, wriggling a bit until finding a comfortable position, pressing her body against mine.
“Wow…”
“Your dress is dirty now.”
“Can’t I just wash it?”
“Are your ankles alright? You ran with those high heels on—”
“I think it’s okay. Though the heel seems a bit loose…”
“Can I take a quick look?”
“Yes.”
I carefully removed Karina’s shoe to check its condition. Just as she said, the heel that should have been fixed was wobbling.
“Hmm. It’s better to change its form than to repair it.”
I took off the other shoe, holding a pair of high heels. The shape… hmm. How about I turn it into something easier to run in, like sandals?
“Crafting.”
Zing My age and the high heels compressed and expanded repeatedly, transforming into sandals in about ten seconds.
“Put them on.”
“Thank you!”
“Wow…”
With her thanks came the sensation of her cheek brushing against mine. If I had my way, I would return the favor with a kiss, but soon…
“Agares’ minions?”
Three knights, one magician, and one wearing something akin to a priest’s garb. They halted at the barrier set against their advance into the underground chamber.
“The aura of the Agares cult is impressive. To be able to raid the imperial palace without issue.”
As I spoke, they looked at each other, seemingly discussing, before pushing the man in priestly attire forward.
[Human, you’ve done something very interesting.]
“Oh, are you using a human as a medium?”
[You seem quite relaxed for one who doesn’t know their place.]
“Well, isn’t it you who doesn’t know your place?”
What business do they have coming here?
[Have you grown arrogant just because you caught one Harpas? Quite foolish.]
“Someone hiding behind their divine to bark is quite bold.”
[You…]
Had he lost his temper from being insulted by a mere human? Even demons seem to lose their composure when unexpected insults keep rolling in.
Looking at it like this, it seemed Harpas really was a smart character. At least, he maintained his poise until the end. He even acknowledged his defeat cleanly and shared some information…
But this one seemed… what’s the word? He seemed like someone who could easily be caught off guard just by hearing his voice. That was the overall feeling.
“If you’re that confident, why not come here yourself? I’d be willing to hand Cidri over.”
[Is there a need to recover a failure?]
“What? You bastard!”
[Shut up! Because you were captured, my plans have all gone awry! If she’s captured, she should just self-destruct instead of shamelessly staying alive! I’ve put in years of effort for this…!]
“Damn it!”
As expected of a demon, they know how to cut ties. I gently set Karina down and loosened my body. Agares’ goal was probably to kill Cidri, regardless of what sacrifice that involved, so he could pinpoint his location.
I had to protect her since I didn’t know what he’d do.
I can’t let my precious informant die.
“You should’ve been better from the beginning.”
[How dare a mere human interfere, not knowing their limits. Did you think, having merely dealt with Harpas, no one in this world could defeat you? His strength is trivial. Don’t think that just because you defeated him, you can defeat me.]
Whoosh I gathered the power of the World Tree in my hand.
“Crafting.”
Rustle The branch I stabbed into the ground began to grow rapidly, transforming into a form familiar to me. A spade made from solid World Tree wood looked shabby on the surface, but it possessed more power than one made of mithril.
“Karina, step back. Cidri is…”
“Yikes?!”
I pulled back the roots and threw Cidri toward Karina. Though she fell in front of Karina, making a ruckus, I ignored her and looked ahead.
And the sanctuary shattered into pieces.
“Hey, Agares.”
[Do you think begging for your life will be entertained now? If you’d offer the saint behind you, I might consider it…]
“If you’re that confident, come here yourself. Harpas showed himself directly in front of me, after all.”
[How arrogant. My minions! Tear that insolent fool apart!]
“Agares, for your sake!”
“May his blessing be with us!”
“Glory to him!”
“Unbeliever! The divine wrath shall be upon you!”
As Agares’ shout reverberated through the chamber, his minions transformed into grotesque beings, bulging in shape like creatures from a horror game.
“Are you finally going to hide, like a coward?”
[You can’t tell the difference between fear and caution, can you? How foolish you are. Ah, foolish beings tend to be noisy with their mouths.]
“Foolish, you say? Hey, you simpleton who can’t even match up to Harpas. Do you know why I’ve been waiting for your minions here?”
[You’re not just relying on that one sanctuary, are you? That sanctuary will shatter in no time. How foolish of you to hide in a place with no escape.]
“Have you not done your homework on me?”
[I already know all about you. The power of the Phoenix you received. That you’ve recently been working in the East, and… that your abilities can alter the terrain.]
Did you think I hadn’t prepared? I already know your weaknesses inside and out.]
Seeing him beaming with confidence, it seemed he’d taken some measures. What actions would those be? I scanned the minions that were growling like leashed hunting dogs. Already having lost their human forms, they now had grotesque appearances, half-human and half-monster.
[Then, just stay there and be buried with the saint.]
As his words finished, the one acting as Agares’ spokesperson stretched out his hand. A sound like nails scratching a chalkboard echoed through.
“Craft…ing…”
That familiar and ominous word made me instantly roll to the side.
Glancing back at the spot I had just occupied, an ominously sharp stone pillar was rising up.
“…Interesting.”
I don’t know what method they used, but they were playing a rather fun game.
I tightened my grip on the spade.
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