Chapter 86. Cut My Head Off?
After the interview with Senior Reheim concluded, we immediately gathered the chiefs at the 4th Base Camp and held a meeting.
The main points were as follows:
Operation Name: Turn Undead
The personnel were divided into a defense team and an assault team, with the focus on how to form the assault team.
In fact, it was a meeting that didn't really require much discussion.
'Firepower is sufficient.'
Ultimately, the Undead, densely packed inside the barrier, are bound to converge on the 4th Base Camp.
'How quickly can we reach the ancient ruins and break the seal of Destrue?'
Even though a necromancer who has mastered necromancy is guarding the site, breaking the seal is not something to be considered.
'It will be a nuisance... but...'
If we can't do that, we'll die.
Of course, the curses unique to the necromancers are a problem, but for some reason, the Fire Seal seems to suppress the curses.
The only things to consider are the Undead and the Death Knights he controls.
'The Death Knights... there are two left, right?'
According to the necromancer, who had become more cooperative, he had created a total of three Death Knights.
One of them was Shain, so there are two left.
What the assault team really needs is not firepower, but a pathfinder.
Naturally, the capable pathfinder, Raeli, was assigned to the role.
There was a lack of talent.
- I need at least four days.
- If we go at full speed, it should take two days, but I can't guarantee it.
I thought the 4th Base Camp would be different, but apparently, only a few people have actually entered the ancient ruins.
Among them, Raeli was the only pathfinder who knew the way thoroughly. The monsters in the ancient ruins have been nearly wiped out.
Of course, it wasn't without its complications.
- Demon! Step back! How can you speak with a forked tongue!
When I asked him to go to the ancient ruins with us, he threw a fit.
- A beast that doesn't keep his word!
I didn't recall breaking any promise, but upon reflection, I remembered a casual promise I had made.
'After this is over... I said I would give him a significant position.'
That meant I would support him.
At the time, I said it without much thought, but Raeli seemed to take it quite seriously.
The problem was that our standards for 'this' were different.
At that moment, I reflected.
'I didn't hit him hard enough.'
I thought I had hit him quite firmly on the first day, but seeing him throw a tantrum like this, it was clear I hadn't disciplined him enough.
However, what could I do?
'I can't force someone who doesn't want to go.'
Of course, I could make him want to go.
As always, a good punch can bring out the desire.
But even if I did, I didn't want to use such means for a matter that could cost his life. That's why I calmly tried to persuade him.
- If you survive, I'll give you the highest position I can promise.
- You can think of it as an empty promise. But if you believe me... you will be second only to me.
- You mean... I will be your right-hand man?
- That's one way to see it.
Raeli's face lit up instantly.
I could see what he was thinking clearly.
The way of thinking of those from the Black and White Zone is generally like this. We have a shared thought process.
'...Since he's hiding his face, he must be up to something shady.'
In general, people would avoid joining someone who is up to something shady because it's dangerous and offers no benefits.
'When a strong person does something shady, it looks good. Or, a lot of benefits come from it.'
With the same skills, someone who does shady things lives a much more interesting life than someone who is honest.
Not just interesting, but also full of luxury and indulgence.
'The problem is that the end is usually not good...'
Originally, the street urchins of the Black and White Zone don't think about the end.
What's more important is the next piece of bread, and they value living a short but intense life over living a long one.
- I, Raeli, your right-hand man, will serve you faithfully for life.
Raeli's reaction was not far from what I expected.
However, there was one thing he didn't know.
Actually, I'm ambidextrous.
'Of course, there's no one above me.'
Why? Because there's no one above or below me.
Raeli seems to think I'm the leader of a large cartel operating in the underworld.
'My name is Aster, a first-year student in the basic class of Jenion Academy.'
If I were to give him the highest position... well.
If I ask the principal, maybe he could find Raeli a security position at the academy?
'They've been expanding the security force significantly since the Trial of the Gate.'
Assault Team: Mage, Pathfinder
Two people filled the roles.
A simple but practical composition.
Of course, I had to add '(+1 Death Knight)' next to 'Mage,' but we don't count non-humans.
The team formation should have ended there.
I requested one more person in the meeting room.
- I want to take Obern the Mage with me.
It wasn't because of Overclock.
To be honest, Obern was a redundant force, whether he was there or not.
In fact, he would probably perform better if he stayed with the defense team.
'Overclock... hasn't cooled down yet.'
Did I have any affection for him? No. Obern was the kind of person who couldn't form any affection.
It was because of the request the senior made before the meeting.
- Even if this goes wrong... I hope Obern will be safe.
Even a senior mage is human.
When I asked what he was willing to risk his beliefs for, it was the safety of his only disciple.
That's why I included Obern in the assault team.
'If things go wrong... it's easier for the assault team to escape than the defense team.'
Even if the defense team can't hold, or if Destrue arrives, it's easier for the assault team to get away.
Obern joined the assault team for this reason.
In any case, the next day, today.
It was a pointless question, but Obern and Raeli nodded with determined expressions.
Obern, who seemed to have had a sleepless night, had prominent dark circles.
It didn't seem to be due to physical fatigue. How should I put it? The psychological burden was more severe.
"Your loyal right-hand man is ready."
Raeli stood behind me, like a loyal knight.
He was clearly tense, but his resolve was firm.
And that firm resolve was quite...
It was better than being dispirited, but seeing his overflowing resolve made my stomach turn.
'Preparations are complete.'
All that was left was to set out.
I glanced at the two and then looked at the people gathered at the gate.
The number of people who came to see off the assault team was minimal, embarrassing even.
It was only Ficsher, who had been with us since the 1st Base Camp, and Flen, whom we met along the way.
"Can you go without resting for another day?"
Ficsher's concern made me shrug.
"We can't rest for a thousand or ten thousand years. The faster, the better, right?"
It felt a bit abrupt, but considering the travel time, it wasn't that fast.
Turn Undead can be cast by the senior at any time, but the assault team needs to be near the barrier in advance.
"Now it's really goodbye. I hope you come back safely."
His unusually deep eyes made me chuckle.
The wish for safety seemed somehow amusing.
'Nowhere is really safe...'
Suddenly, I had a thought.
"By the way, do you have a fiancée back home?"
"That's true. Then, do you have a pendant with a family photo? Or someone you think about? Any touching story?"
Ficsher tilted his head, not understanding. I nodded in satisfaction.
"At least you won't die here."
"…I don't understand what you mean, but I'll take it as a good wish."
Originally, the ones who die in such situations are those with touching stories.
This is a kind of jinx I learned from rolling around like a dog as a troubleshooter.
Those who tell touching stories before a mission usually end up as corpses.
"Yeah, do you have any touching story? A fiancée? Yeah?"
Flen tilted his head at my question.
But it was only for a moment. Soon, he realized what I meant and smiled pleasantly.
"Really... you have a bad taste."
Apparently, this jinx wasn't limited to troubleshooters.
Flen smiled awkwardly in response to my question.
"What command? I just do my best to prepare, that's all."
For reference, Flen was appointed as the overall commander of the 4th Base Camp.
I heard he was an elite commander who graduated from a high-level military academy before becoming a mercenary.
'Why he ended up here is a mystery, but...'
I wasn't particularly curious.
What mercenary doesn't have a story?
Each one has a hidden story for why they can't settle down and wander like a weed.
Incidentally, Ficsher wanted to take Flen because he knew his past.
"By the way, why are you here?"
"It's not a touching story... but I have a favor to ask."
Flen suddenly drew his sword from his waist. He held the hilt towards me and extended it.
Flen bowed deeply at that moment.
"I heard there's a black mage in the ancient ruins. I humbly request that, if you have the time, you use this sword to..."
He was speechless, perhaps because my sudden interruption was unexpected. Then, after a moment, he nodded, seemingly understanding my meaning.
"Yes, not my head... but if you could cut the black mage's head, I would be grateful."
His expression was quite serious.
If I only looked at his eyes, it seemed he wanted to join the assault team to cut the black mage's head himself.
I examined the sword's hilt and spoke.
A black lightning bolt emerged from the parasitic bracelet, forming a black armor as Shain appeared.
[Parasite, parasite! ...Can you remove the entrance line a bit?]
"How much mana have you consumed?"
I used all the best medicinal herbs I had, faster than expected.
Thanks to the Fire Seal, the medicinal properties were completely converted into mana, but my overall mana didn't increase.
That damn undead consumed it all.
And it still sucks the mana from my core when it exceeds half, what else could it be but a parasite?
"Did you hear everything?"
[Yes, but... so, you want me to cut that damn black mage's head with this sword?]
"...Yes. It's Chief Halley's sword."
Shain drew the sword halfway to check the blade.
It was a blunt assessment, but no matter how good the sword, it wasn't a high-quality material.
[...It's not bad. It's deeply imbued with resentment. It's a perfect weapon for me.]
When Shain fully grasped the sword, the entire blade turned black and transformed.
The transformed sword was a masterpiece, worthy of being called a legendary sword.
This was one of the abilities Shain, as a Death Knight, had discovered. Neither I nor Shain knew the principle.
[Then I'll go back to store more power. Use this sword well.]
Shain left with those words.
[Parasite, parasite! ...F*ck.]
He didn't forget his exit line.
- Damn brat, if you were human...
I ignored the curses transmitted through the spirit. That wasn't important right now.
"Then... I'll leave it to you."
"Sure, if I survive, I'll let you know."
With that, the farewell to Flen was complete.
"I don't know when I'll be back."
I just led the two baggage1 and baggage2 waiting beside me out of the gate.
I waved my hand behind me, trying to make a dramatic farewell, but it didn't really work.
"Ah, I need to turn around. That's not the right direction!"
It was because I had chosen the wrong direction.