I Defeated the Guide Angel and I Became a Necromancer ~ I Feel Like I'm Playing a Different Game from Everyone Else, but I'm Doing Fine ~ - Chapter 57

Chapter 57: Blending into the Night

◆ Stellavelce Royal Capital – New Moon Night – Sky ◆

Now then, flying up into the sky with Lia-chan, I noticed how astonishingly dark the entire royal capital was. A cloudy new moon night with neither moonlight nor starlight is this dark. Unlike Tokyo, where we live, which is brightly lit even at night thanks to electricity, here, without even the light of a candle, the darkness engulfs everything, and you can’t see a thing.

“Lia-chan, can you see?”

“I can see. I have good night vision, but I’ve never seen this well before… I can even see Donta-san and the others on the ground.”

“Maybe because the resident undead are low-level, most of them haven’t noticed Donta. They seem to notice when he gets close, though.”

“That’s convenient… But we need to be careful when flying near the palace, since it’s the only bright spot, likely where Kashpa is.”

“Let’s trust Oniichan for that part… Look, the resident undead don’t react to Oniichan, probably because he’s inorganic, even when he’s walking right next to them.”

“Oniichan seems to be walking in confusion…”

“If that’s the case, we might be able to infiltrate. Alright, I’ll go give instructions to Donta and the others, so Lia-chan, gather information on your own. And absolutely no reckless actions, okay?”

“Yes! You too, big sis, be careful!”

From up here, we can see everything clearly, so let’s use this to gather information. The information we have so far is: ‘The entire royal capital is dark’, ‘Only the palace is bright’, ‘Donta and the others are noticed by the undead’, and ‘Only Oniichan is completely unnoticed by the undead’. At this point, I think it’s likely Kashpa is in the palace, but it’s not confirmed. Since this action is entirely based on my own judgment, without any advice, instructions, or requests from Babylon-chan, I need to carefully research what I can destroy, involve, and use.

“Rena-chan, can you hear the party chat?”

“I can hear you. Where should we go?”

“Have Donta turn right at that path. It’s a road with fewer undead.”

“Got it. I can’t see anything on this side.”

“If we could see, the plan would be compromised… If Kashpa notices and takes action or hides, we’ll be in trouble.”

“I can see the outer wall of the royal capital. There are undead NPCs from the Meltis Church.”

“Take them out.”

“Got it.”

It seems that even in this country, there are NPCs from the Holy Meltis Church. However, seeing as they’ve turned into undead, it seems Kashpa doesn’t consider them important or worth protecting. Since there’s no disadvantage to letting them turn undead, they must have been left alone. Could it be that Kashpa has largely abandoned domestic affairs? The main temple of the Holy Meltis Church should be in the Holy Kingdom of Lunaliette, so even if this situation were to be discovered there, it might not be an issue, or maybe Kashpa hasn’t even considered it… No way, right?

“Frioniel activated [Shield Bash], dealing 1,441 damage to Stellavelce Royal Guard, Gardan (Lv 65). Gardan is stunned.”

Wait, Oniichan is fighting!? Is he okay!?

“Frioniel activated [Full Power Smash], dealing 19,945 damage to Stellavelce Royal Guard, Gardan (Lv 65). Gardan recovered from stun. Gardan is unconscious.”

“Frioniel activated [Execution], beheading Stellavelce Royal Guard, Gardan (Lv 65). Earned 1 experience point.”

“(Oniichan, are you okay!?)”

“(｀・ω・)b”

I remembered that at the beginning, when Donta killed a player, he used some kind of telepathy to call them back, so I tried strongly focusing on what I wanted to say and sending it to Oniichan. It worked! But this kind of conversation drastically reduces my MP. Since it decreases proportionally, if I overuse it, I might die! Well, for now, he seems okay… really okay, I hope. When did Oniichan learn Full Power Smash? Maybe he secretly trained for full-force attacks after being crushed by Babylon-chan? He might have…

“Oniichan engaged in combat. He won and seems to have hidden the body in the bushes.”

“Have the others noticed?”

“It doesn’t seem like they’ve noticed. There are no unusual movements.”

“Active stealth. Eliminate witnesses to maintain stealth. Basic common sense.”

“Whaaat…”

“Chiyo-chan has cut down all the ones at the church. She’s so strong～～”

“She really is… Oh, if you go straight ahead from there, you should reach the East Gate.”

“O~kay”

I thought Donta and the others would reach the big hole first, but Oniichan’s infiltration is faster… Anyway, I’ll prepare to retrieve Oniichan in a coffin just in case. Let’s see, where is Oniichan now… huh? He’s stopped. Maybe he’s waiting, being considerate? Good job, Oniichan…!

“Hey, didn’t you see the big hole on your way here? If you head west from Tarlash, you should be able to see it, right?”

“When we went straight, the quicksand area was terrible… We avoided the direct east of the royal capital, made a slight detour south, and entered from the South Gate.”

“I see. So, the direction they’re digging is where the quicksand is severe, right?”

“…That’s right!”

“Yeah, I have a bad feeling about this.”

Rena-chan pointed it out, and now I realize the direction they’re digging towards has a quicksand area… Quicksand forms because there’s an underground space where sand continuously flows. So, does the mining area have an underground space where sand falls into…?

“Isn’t that where the giant serpent was?!”

“Indeed. If that’s the case, could the serpent’s origin, its source of power, be there?”

“Possibly…”

“I’ve exited the East Gate. Which way to the big hole?”

“Just keep going straight ahead. You can’t tell the quicksand from here…”

“Don-chan remembers the flowing sand. It should be fine.”

“He’s gotten smarter, hasn’t he?”

“Impressive… Oh, I can see something that looks like it.”

“Okay, please take care of the big hole once you arrive. I’ll head to the royal palace!”

“Be careful～”

It looks like Rena-chan and the others will safely reach the big hole, so I’ll head to the royal palace where Oniichan is.

“O abyss, become my path, Abyss Walker!”

“Entered [Abyss Walker] state. Warping to Frioniel’s shadow.”

◆ Stellavelce Royal Palace – 1st Floor ◆

“Can you hear me?”

“(｀・ω・)b”

Great, it seems fine. As long as I’m in his shadow, he can hear me. I can also see the outside from within the shadow… Oniichan is standing perfectly still by the hallway, blending in like part of the decor. Frioniel pretending to be furniture… Oh no, I’ve caught Laura-chan’s infection…!!! And if she heard this, she’d probably say, ‘Ew, that’s so cold…’ or something!

“Alright, let’s proceed carefully. First, we need to find out where Kashpa is, then the locations of Lia-chan’s two sisters, the palace’s defenses, and its layout if possible.”

“(｀・ω・´)”

This seems to be a corridor right after entering the palace from the main entrance and turning right. The soldier Oniichan defeated earlier was probably guarding the entrance. A frontal assault… Considering there was no retaliation, it must have been a surprise attack. Bold…

“m9(^Д^)”

That pointing emoji is really annoying! He deliberately chose the most irritating one, didn’t he? What a playful, jester-like person he is… So, what’s over there? Hmm, I hear voices…?

“(σ・∀・)σ”

Alright, this is the room. Let’s step out from Oniichan’s shadow and spread the shadow to sneak into the room. Huh… I didn’t realize my stealth skills were this good…

“…What does brother Kashpa intend to do with this country?”

“What do you mean? It’s as you see: destruction, destruction, destruction. Anyone who opposes him is executed. Anyone who voices an opinion is executed. Anyone he dislikes is executed. The old are executed. Everyone will die.”

“I don’t want to die…!”

“Eventually, when our powers are no longer needed, we’ll be killed. Moreover, Kashpa believes that the failure of the ritual is our fault. If he finds another way, it’s over for us.”

“If that brat hadn’t escaped, this wouldn’t have happened!!! If it were still here, maybe it could have killed for us! Stupid Detilich!!! Because of that fool, it escaped…!!”

“If that brat had been chosen instead of us, we would be unnecessary. Used as hostages for that kind-hearted brat, and once the ritual succeeded, we would have all been killed. Nothing could have been done. From the moment no one could stop Kashpa from going to the re-excavation site of that big hole… it was clear he had suspicions but turned a blind eye. I’m sure of it.”

Ah, so these are Lia-chan’s two sisters. Judging by their disheveled state, it seems like they’ve been having these kinds of self-pitying conversations together for a while. They lack the dignity of royalty, their hair is messy, their clothes are shabby, and they just give off a pitiful impression… From their conversation, it’s clear—they’re the type to blame everything on Lia-chan and consider themselves blameless.

I thought about killing them right here, but if Kashpa finds out they’re dead, it might accelerate his excavation of the big hole. It seems there’s still something missing for the ritual, or there’s something significant about the big hole—right now, it’s about fifty-fifty.

But how did they find the method for the ritual? Hmm, the paper next to those two—it looks like part of the book that Lia-chan shredded and they managed to partially restore. Hey, you two, go somewhere else! I need to divert their attention outside… Maybe I’ll shoot a Curse Spear outside.

“1 NP consumed”

—Crash!!!

“What was that noise…?”

Alright, they’re distracted. Now to move quickly and check that paper…

“Zombies, all the way here…?”

Alright, something broke outside! They stood up and looked out the window! Now’s my chance! Out of the shadow, and grab the book—got it!!!

“Acquired [Restored Resurrection Ritual Book (Incomplete)] ”

“Warped back to Frioniel’s shadow”

“Okay, let’s move on”

“Σ(´∀｀；)”

Perfect. My sneaking skills are incredible…! I might have a real talent for this. Now, let’s head to the other side—oh, someone’s coming…!

“(-_-)”

Good, good, Oniichan, nice job waiting. From inside the shadow, it looks like Oniichan is completely blending in as part of the decor. Unless someone looks really closely, they’d just think, ‘Was this here before…?’ and pass by. It helps that there are similar armor decorations around!

“Silica, Melia! I’ve got the gemstone necklace that was circulating in Tarlash. This time it’s real, make it work!!!”

“Brother Kashpa, we still don’t have enough mana…”

“It’s enough for two people, and if it’s not, then use your own lives! Or should I end your lives right here and now?”

“Eek…! We’ll do it…!”

“We’re heading there now…”

So this is Kashpa!!! Pale purple hair, purple eyes, a gloomy robe, a staff shaped like a snake in his right hand, and a snake-like mark on his left hand!!! This is the guy who’s responsible for all this mess! Should I kill him right here!? No, as much as he’s turned this place into chaos, he’s got the power to back it up. Our current forces are just Oniichan and me, or I could summon either Nee-san or Laura-chan. Lia-chan might come if I call, but it’d take time. Stay calm, wait for the right moment…

—No, I can’t wait!!! He’s right in front of me, time to strike!!!

“Used NP1.”

“Hmm…? Cough cough! What’s this, it’s dusty…! Damn, has the dust even reached the palace? Damn it…!”

“The Zombie Powder had no effect on the life-consuming serpent, Kashpa (Level 130). It is already of the undead attribute or undead species.”

Huh? Undead attribute? Is this guy undead? Or is it an undead species? And it’s level 130 too? Hmm… Well, this is the most crucial information we’ve got, huh~… But to be attacked and still walk away without noticing, doesn’t it feel like he’s not keeping up with his level? So, the ritual is happening on the second floor, huh. Alright, if Kashpa is in the palace… and there’s no significant movement in the big hole, it seems like a good opportunity to attack from here.

“Alright, let’s go back. Since there’s nobody around now, can you put me in the coffin for a bit? It’ll be quicker that way.”

“(｀・ω・)ｂ”

“Thanks. Just hold on for a bit, okay?”

“Placed Frioniel in [Corpse Storage – 3].”

“I’ll warp into Aurelia’s shadow.”

Smooth retreat, nice! I checked the map to see if Lia-chan was nearby and then teleported here. It would’ve been impossible for Donta and the others who were outside the map. It’s good that we could get out easily.

“Oh… This feeling, it’s here, isn’t it? Big sis!”

“Y-y-y-you noticed!? How did you find out…!?”

“Ah, it really was here! I’ve been saying for a while now that it might come soon! It really was here~!”

Ugh!!? Lia-chan caught me!! I was about to sneak up from behind with the broom and surprise her by hugging her!? Maybe even get some physical affection… Lia-chan’s skin is so soft, it’s hard not to want to touch her.

“Are we okay to go into the palace now?”

“Just wait a moment, let me check with Donta’s team.”

“Got it!”

“Rena-chan, what’s the situation over there?”

“Terrible. Everyone digging the big hole are zombies. Seems like they’re all a bit higher level, I’m heading back.”

“Can you teleport to the guild house? We’re heading back too.”

“Okay”

“Cancelled [Abyss Walker] status.”

“Alrighty, Lia-chan, let’s head back using the guild portal.”

“Oh, everyone’s retreating? Understood!”

It’s a shame we didn’t get to touch, but at least we could ride together! Alright, let’s head back to the guild house and share the information. We’ve got plenty of valuable intel here!