CH 28

Chapter 28 - The Undead Dungeon: The Deeper Layer

We proceeded to defeat the undead along the way. Ace seemed to have turned the various monsters outside into undead, and there were a great many of them.

“…. ry”

With each step through the cave-like dungeon, the sound of my heartbeat became more intense. An unpleasant sweat trickled down my back, draining my body temperature.

“…. nry!”

Ace was utilizing a large number of skeletons, the weakest of all. Those things were weak. Even if he wanted to have power in the faction, he couldn’t be a threat to his other brothers with rare skills.

There would be a way to summon other strong undead. But as I’ve seen in the royal palace, Ace’s summoned undead will disappear over time. They would want a force that could be used continuously.

A strong individual. He attacked Sirius and the others to obtain it. Skeletons were sacrificed for that purpose. He dammed up the river and then was swept away with the muddy water to die a second time.

“….. Henry!”

Sirius shouted in my ear. He tried to keep his voice low so that the undead wouldn’t notice him, but his voice was loud. It seemed he had forgotten what he said because of his thoughts.

“I’m sorry, Sirius. What’s wrong?”

“I only called out to you because you were acting strangely. You don’t seem to be …… on your guard, is there something on your mind?”

There are countless things to think about.

I had to figure out how to defeat the Gryphon, Sareha who was shackled with chains, and Ace.

And I promised Thor. I would return home alive. Would killing Ace out of selfishness and then returning home be fulfilling that promise?

“Are you thinking about your brother?”

“That’s right. ……”

“We consider blood relations to be a precious thing. But do you consider that the blood that flows through you is a curse?”

“…………”

I get angry when people step into my heart with their feet. I respect Sirius, but I don’t remember forgiving him that much.

“Do you think you’re the most pathetic child in the world?”

“……! What!!”

I’m not going to be that conceited.

Gabriel nearly starved to death on the meadow, unable to join the wolf pack. Thor and Sheila lost their homes and families in the war. Everyone has lost something. Sirius, right in front of me, has been swept away from his village and his ancestral pride has been tarnished.

“I’m not trying to preach, but sometimes talking can make things easier.”

“Talk…..”

I wondered if I had ever talked to anyone about my problems. When my mother was alive, I used to talk to her about all kinds of trivial things. There was a big bug in the garden. I hated that breakfast menu. Every time I talked to her, she would pat me on the head, which made me happy.

“My mother…… has always been in my heart. When I turned five years old, someone killed her in the royal palace……”

I want to talk and feel better. Once you open your mouth, you can’t stop.

“I think it’s some kind of scheme. Someone was afraid that with my mother having more children, a new faction would form……”

“I see. And you think Ace had something to do with it?”

“He was just a kid at that time. I don’t know. But Ace, from the First Queen’s faction, must know something, right?”

That’s right. He and his mother must have killed her. Even if they didn’t, they were just as guilty for being born into the Boesheit family.

“And the boy with the chains? I watched from the watchtower, and the way that boy looked at you was anything but normal. Could he be family?”

“That’s Sareha. He’s from a different mother, but he is certainly a member of the Boesheit family.”

“Then you have the blood of your hateful clan. Let’s say you kill Sareha after killing Ace. Would that make you feel better?”

“What are you talking about? Sareha didn’t…”

“But that’s what you’re saying. We don’t have time for this. You’d better get your answer quickly.”

Sirius walked ahead of me without asking for a response, so I ran behind him to keep up.

The sound of water hitting the rocks sounded uncomfortably loud.

◇◇◇

An open space. The ceiling was high, and there was room for a Gryphon to fly freely.

Behind the Gryphon was Ace. Sareha was nowhere to be seen.

“Henry, let’s go over the plan before they notice.”

Ace would use the remaining mana to summon the undead. If it becomes a melee battle involving Gryphon, it would be dangerous. We have to decide our roles.

“Yes, I’m in charge of the undead summoned by Ace. Henry will take care of the Gryphon and Ace. But…… are you sure this is the right arrangement? It seems that what you’re taking care of is more than me.”

We hid behind a rock and exchanged a few words.

Sirius prepared for battle by applying potions to his fists and claws. I applied a thin layer of healing potion to my scythe as well. It was very useful for everything but Ace.

“I don’t mind. And it’s because I want to.”

“Okay. I’ll be there in three seconds.”

….. 3

I looked at Ace’s face. He looked like he couldn’t wait.

….. 2

I think I understand. I’d like to settle this with my own hands, too.

….. 1

I don’t know why Ace is so obsessed with me. I’ve never even heard of it, come to think of it.

“I’m going, Henry!”

“Yes!”

There was nothing I could do about it. I just charged forward with the scythe.

“You’re here!! Henryyyyy!!”

Ace, who noticed us, summoned an undead. The undead was dressed in knight armor. A red light leaked from the slit in his helmet.

“Go! Skeleton Nighttt!!”

The undead held its shield in front and swung the sword in its other hand down at Sirius.

Sirius fought it off with his claws and put his fist in the gap between the knight’s armor – the joint. The skeleton knight who took the impact held his broken arm.

Ace also summoned three skeleton knights.

“Slay that filthy wolf!”

The undead swarmed around Sirius.

“Are you alright, Sirius!?”

“Leave us alone, Henry!! Just take care of Ace!!”

The Gryphon spread its long wings. As it flapped its wings a few times, dust danced in the air and its huge body gradually began to float. It was glaring powerfully at me.

“Henryy…… you finally came…….”

“….. Ace.”

“Sareha is in the back, no one is going to bother us anymore. Die, die here. Die.”

“I don’t have anything to do with you. Drop your weapons and surrender. Spend the rest of your life making amends to the people you killed. Then I won’t kill you.”

“…… You’re so boring. You really want to kill me, so why don’t you just be honest? Why don’t I tell you how your mother died?”

“Ace. I knew you were the ones…”

“I’m going to take away everything you care about. I’m going to turn that wolf bastard into undead and kill him and you. And all the survivors from that village.”

“…… Aaaace!!”

Something snapped audibly in my head.

I saw Ace smiling high. A Gryphon flew towards me.

“Gaaaaaaaaaah!”

The Gryphon glided down from the ceiling.

I took out the last of the healing potions from my pocket, opened the seal, and threw the entire contents at it.

“Hey Henry, do you think a potion like that will kill a Gryphon!?”

The Gryphon’s face was burned by the potion.

“What the hell, there’s no way a healing potion will work on high-level undead! You’ve got to be kidding me!”

The Gryphon flew toward me in agony. Its momentum has been reduced, and the directionality of its murderous intent has been lost.

“Come back, Gryphon! Stooop!!”

— I raised the scythe from the lower level. The bridge of the Gryphon’s nose split in two. Then the forehead, neck, chest, torso, waist, and groin ripped open, splattering blood, and slid backward, scattering internal organs.

“…… Ace”

“Don’t come here! You monster!”

I stepped closer to Ace, who was on his butt.

“Enough is enough. It’s over.”

I stomped on both of Ace’s arms and broke them. Now he couldn’t hold his wand.

“……!!! Gaaaah!”

I tightened Ace’s neck with both arms.

He couldn’t breathe and seemed to be in pain. I would end this as soon as possible. It’s not a hobby of mine to make people suffer.