Chapter 24: Devil’s Mountain

Chapter 24: Devil’s Mountain

Devils Mountain is located northwest of the mountain City of Ox.

The Devils Mountain is a name that is too conspicuous, but there is no choice but to call it so.

The vegetation is clearly different from the other mountains and the hard sharp black cedar is covering its surface.

The black mountain itself is a natural fortress and it looks like it is surrounded by black spears.

The Miasma Hole of Doom at the top of the mountain. Miasma is invisible to human eyes but I heard it spurts it out from there and does not stop like lava.

That was until 240 years ago.

There was a man who stopped the Devils Mountains infinitely blowing miasma.

Former Great Hero, Renz Albert.

The legendary Hero Renz who succeeded in identifying and sealing the cause of monsterfication, the Miasma Hole of Doom. He beats the demon king who commanded the monsters.

As he sealed the Miasma Hole of Doom, the mass production of monsters ceased. People could now live in this region and the country called Silesie was eventually born.

The founder of the Kingdom of Silesie, Renz Silesie Albert I. He is that person.

For the seal problem to be solved, the army coming from the Royal Capital should be placed against the Devils Mountain.

Then, perform a pincer attack from both sides of the Royal Capital and the City of Ox which is another base from the foot of the Devils Mountain.

I think Founding King Renz made the City of Silesie and the fortress City of Ox to perform such strategy.

Scene Change

It was the same as before.

Horse-riding Louise who finished the reconnaissance comes back to Ox s old castle and muttered those words.

Even though monsters are activated, there is no demon lord to oversee the monsters in the current Miasma Hole of Doom.

I know both cause and the remedy.

Compared to the era when the former hero sealed it the first time, this quest can be said to be much easier.

However, there is only one problem.

This Devils Mountain is a stronghold of flying dragon wyvern.

It is a subspecies of the dragon. Wyvern is a smaller bipedal walker and less intelligent version of the legendary dragons which is considered as the last boss of some RPG. Dragons use four legs with high intelligence and high magical power.

The difference in power is comparable to adults and children.

However, since they have the ability to fly, dragon knights keep them as mounts.

If a kingdoms chivalry has them, it can be said that the country is difficult to fight with.

However, that is only if there is no influence of the Miasma hole of doom.

Just living near the hole can make those wyvern go stronger.

The scales are jet black and they have evolved to an existence that can even be called black flying dragons.

Their power seems to approach the superior class dragons.

Therefore, well try to split the flock of black wyvern of the Devils Mountain.

The tactics of the subjugation troop Louise led before is this; raid the Devils Mountain to pull them off the mountain, then fight the black wyvern.

Meanwhile, the saint goes on to seal the Miasma Hole of Doom.

No matter how much it grows, wyverns will never be smarter than dragons.

Though a simple feint, it can be said that the success rate of this strategy is high.

However, it failed.

The saint who tried to seal it couldnt fulfill his duty.

What kind of mistake was there in the sealing ceremony?

On the contrary, the seal was further opened. Monster activation has become catastrophic.

Most of the soldiers who tried to rescue the saint by fighting the miasma-enraged black dragons were killed in the battle.

I did not even know why I failed. I took command, so it cant be helped that they are blaming me for it.

Louise who looks back to a last war and murmurs in blank surprise.

Everyone surrounding the desk is silent.

Sister Ria raised her hand and said.

The saint who went with Louise was my master. A merciful saint of Silesie. She was a holy alchemist that can be considered number one or two in this country. I never thought that she will fail to seal it.

But the reality.

The rebuttal of Louise, Ria continues to suppress it by the hand.

There are things that can be considered questionable.

What do you mean

Louise glares at her with her dark red eyes fiercely.

Without fear, Ria continued.

The upper echelon of the A-sama church has speculated that there was someone who sabotages her.

Who would do such a thing? Neighbors hostile to Silesie? Even other countries at the kingdoms border are experiencing monster invation. Monsters that have been massively generated by the Miasma Hole of Doom.

There are no human beings that will gain anything by opening the seal of the hole.

I understand that shes trying to say that it is impossible.

Even Louise and the others, attacked it with great care by using a strategy because of the danger it has.

What if it is a knight that supposed to do that disturbing work? Master was the person who doesnt know how to doubt a person. For instance, to the person who believed the ally, Saint Wand Holy Paul that is used for the seal can be replaced by an imitation.

Thats impossible!

For Louise, the Knights Order and the soldier are both her subordinates and colleagues.

I really understand the feeling of wanting to believe.

Because there is no mean? I would like to say, how about General Gale who was a deputy head of the Kings Knight Order? At that time, he was contesting Louise for the leaders seat.

It took some time to know the character of Ria so it cant be helped if they look at her with suspicious eyes.

In fact, her behavior is really suspicious.

I heard Strategist Lyle. It seems that the date for attacking the Miasma Hole of Doom has been decided.

Ah, at last.

Senseis suggestion.

There is probably something. Probably the reason why we did not go immediately to seal it.

Im looking forward to what will happen.

By all means when sealing it, there should be a hero with the saint.

You want me to climb the Devils Mountain with you? I dont mind if sensei approves it.

While listening to the story, it seems unlikely that a light sword would be useful for sealing.

Because the one that sealed it up first is a hero, it is probably not needed in the ceremony.

Oh, I dont like that. Rias tone is infected.

The permission of the strategist, I certainly do not have it.

Dont laugh Ria.

Seriously, my master who went to seal it disappeared. Even if you say that the black wyvern will be lured, wouldnt there still be danger?

Yeah, but I believe in the strategy so its okay.

Rias god is A-sama.

The god of my strategy is Lyle-sensei. As long as the sensei says it, it is okay.

Im not afraid of enemies.

Takeru is religious, isnt he?

Right.

Ria made her well-shaped mouth come unsewn suddenly.

Though it is hidden under the hood, I barely see her dazzling mouth.

After coming here, Ria did not take off her hood.

She never takes it off.

Wanting to take it off might be a joke of her.

Well, she keeps wearing a hood so there might be a reason for it.

However, I wont ask her to show her face to me.

I wont poke a bush because Im curious about the snake.

My preparation is also complete. With that, Ill prepare the Sacrament that will give the goddess protection to the hero. Please take the time before we make our move.

Sacrament?

It is a word that I havent heard.

To the A-sama church; it is a ceremony of strict secret. By the blessing of the saint, the heros magic power and physical defense power are greatly improved.

I like quite a bit of that, but whats the catch?

There is a disadvantage to a good story.

It is good you understand.

Im always skeptical when doing business.

Its a pattern.

There is a safe procedure in the sacrament too. However, as a hero, Takeru lacks magical power and fighting power as well. I am also not a saint. Therefore, even if taking risks, I will try to raise each others power to the utmost limit by using a forbidden spell.

You clearly said that I am lacking in combat power.

Well, saying the point without holding back is Rias good point.

It is not a joke.

Forbidden spell is too dangerous that it made the church forbid it. If Takerus spirit cant endure the ceremony, you will lose something important.

Im afraid. Im certainly afraid. But given our circumstances, how can I decline?

Even if Im obstinate, I am confident of perseverance alone.

As long as I wont die, I may try even a painful trial.

If the ceremony failed, I will definitely lose the qualification as a sister. I wavered many times, but I am now prepared for that.

Ria is serious.

Well, shes also risking something heavy, isnt that natural?

Even if you fail in that ceremony, can you seal the Miasma Hole of Doom?

We have already completed the creation of the Saint Wand Holy Paul for the seal.

Well, Ill do it if Ria is fine with it.

Didnt I already said that Ive already prepared?

Ria plays with the ankh that shines in white silver.

Shes resolute.

Then, Ill rest a while after this battle. Lets meet this evening.

Well, as you wish.

When I became a hero there was no trial or emotion, and I find it awful.

I feel like my time has finally arrived.

In order to obtain a strong power, there is a wall that must be overcome and it is natural.

Im a man. I am ready.