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Chapter 15: The Strongest Onmyoji Defeats the Boss (Part one)
A few days later.
With summer just around the corner, the heat wave had once predictably subsided,—- and I was climbing the mountains to the south.
“Adjust your speed, don’t break the formation! 　Scouts don’t go too far　And be aware of the distance that will ensure your return to the main camp!.”
Nearby, Zamlug was shouting.
His loud, booming voice could be heard anywhere in the mountains.
A total of 21 adventurers listen to the instructions and finely adjust their formation.
It was a group aiming to defeat the boss to the south.
I had accepted Zamlug’s proposal at the guild’s bar that day, and I accepted the invitation to join him again at this time, when the heat had lessened.
So here I am, climbing the mountain with this hastily built party.
Of course, I had told Amiyu and the others about today.
They were surprised, but not particularly worried, even though we were going to challenge the boss.
As you can imagine, it was a bit complicated. I wonder what they think of me now.
They seemed rather lonely or bored. …… I can’t take them with me this time, so they’ll just have to put up with me. It’s dangerous.
“Don’t miss any abnormality!　Report to me as soon as you see anything that interferes with the progress!”
Zamlug is shouting.
I couldn’t help but talk to him at the sound of his loud voice.
“If we shout so loudly, won’t we attract the monsters for nothing? It’s not a good idea to exhaust the party before the front of the boss.”
“aa?”
Swinging the battle ax he was carrying, Zamlug looked down at me and said.
“Amateur. With this many people advancing, the voices don’t matter. Even if you keep silent, the monsters will come. It’s much more of a problem if you’re out of step.”
“……I see”
If the experience of a veteran makes you say so, then it might be so.
And Zamlug’s actions were actually in line with that policy.
Ever since we entered the mountain, Zamlug had given similar instructions over and over again.
At first glance, it may seem useless, but considering that it is difficult to cooperate with a hastily constructed party, this level of attention to detail is probably necessary.
What’s more, he always keeps an eye on the big picture and has the prudence to stop progress as soon as something happens.
Yes.
Zamlug was a cautious man, unbefitting his appearance and his crude behavior.
Two parties were recruited into the capture team this time, and the two leaders had had numerous meetings before their departure. He seemed to have already mastered the topography of the southern mountains, and even checked the equipment of his companions himself.
What’s more, out of the twenty-one this time, eight are scouts. They are currently scattered in all directions of the party and are trying to be vigilant of their surroundings. Since they are inferior to swordsmen and mages in terms of fighting strength, they hire capable scouts and thieves just for the sake of safety on the way.
No one had ever seen the southern mountain boss, and even his race was unclear, with only a few rumors.
But even with that in mind, he was unusually cautious.
But —- maybe that’s why this man’s party made it to the top of Lakana.
“….. tsk, looks like we’ve got a troublesome little fish out there. Everybody stop!　Form up!”
Zamlug shouted instantly when he saw one of the scouts return and run up to one of the party leaders in front of him.
Soon an orc, perhaps twice the height of a man, appeared ahead of them through the trees.
It had dark skin and an overly large figure.
It appeared to be a high orc, a higher species of orc.
The high orc looked down at our group and suddenly swung his thick club.
It was a blow that seemed to snap even a huge tree.
However, it was easily repelled by the shield of the slender female knight who was serving as the vanguard.
The attack was blocked, and the high orc stumbled. Then, arrows and magic from the rear guard pounced.
The High Orc, which had died in the blink of an eye from the onslaught, collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.
All right, let’s get back on track. Leave the material alone!　I’ll give you enough for a change!”
Avoiding the orc carcass, the group resumes its progress.
I think it was a pretty powerful monster, but everyone, including the female knight and her rear guard who took part in the battle, seemed to think it was a trivial matter.
Apparently, Zamlug had gathered a group of adventurers who were quite capable.
No one even paid attention to the carcass of a high orc, which would normally sell for a high price.
“You are very thorough. Why don’t you at least collect the magic stones?”
“It would be a fool’s errand if we spent all our energy and time on such a thing and died in the boss fight.,”
“I’m sure. 　I know it sounds counterintuitive.”
“I’m the one who hired them. What’s the problem?”
“……”
“In the first place, their job is to kill the small fry along the way. The bosses are mainly taken down by my party. I promised them a fair reward based on that kind of contract, so they won’t complain.”
“I see….”
This is the man. He must have been very careful in arranging the terms and conditions when he brought us in.
It is unlikely that he would have turned back due to disagreements.
Zamlug, who had no idea what I was thinking, sniffed and added,
“Besides, they won’t complain about a battle like this, they’re the kind of people who can walk for three days while defeating monsters.
“I see. Was I also brought in for that role”
“Hah, don’t be silly.”
Zamlug looked down at me.
“ I didn’t bring you in for that. You’ll fight.”
“….”
“I don’t know what you can do but when the time comes, we’ll see.”
“…..”
Apparently, he estimates I have quite a bit of power.
Well, I can destroy the guild by releasing a monster, or play an active part in the party of Amiyu and the others so there is no doubt.
But… in my previous life, I was wary of powerful warriors from the first time I met them.
I’m sure this guy has that kind of strange intuition.
I sigh inwardly.
This is no good.
The summit of the mountain was near. I had hoped that some natural factor would cause him to turn back on the way to the summit, but …… I guess I’ll just have to make a move.
I made a small mark with one hand while sending the invisible hitogata flying far ahead of me.
《Vocation――――Nurikabe Nurikabe》
After a while, several scouts who had scattered in the direction of the party’s progress returned with a panicked look on their faces.
At the sight of this strange sight, Zamlug stopped the party’s progress.
“What’s up, what’s going on!”
“That’s, leader, the wall is ……”
“The wall?”
“There’s a wall in the woods!　You can’t go on with that!”
“What?　That’s ridiculous!　Tell all scouts to return ……. We’ll slow down to half speed from here. …… and draw your weapons. We’ll proceed with caution.”
Upon receiving a report of an abnormal situation, all the scouts who had been dispersed were brought back to ensure their safety, and at the same time, the main camp’s strength was reinforced.
Although the speed of progress was reduced, it was a natural precaution when an unidentified enemy was nearby.
Well, it wasn’t like that.
Eventually.
From the main camp, the majesty of the situation becomes visible.
“What the hell, is this …….”
Zamlug, who looked up at it with his friends, muttered in dismay.
It was a huge wall as tall as the trees.
It was an endless wall of dull white plastered on both sides. It was clearly out of place in the forest, but it did not look at all like it had been built by human hands.
The least I could say was that it would be difficult to climb over.
”What do we do, Leader ……?”
“…… tsk. Everyone get away from the wall. Do not do anything on your own until instructed.”
Zamlug suddenly raised his battle-axe and slammed it against the wall.
A dull thud echoed through the air, but not a scratch was left on the wall.
Zamlug swung his battle-axe again and again, but the result was the same.
“…… magic, and arrows. Anyone who can use it, do it.”
Immediately, fireballs and arrows hit the walls.
However, not even a scorch mark remained on the wall, and the arrows were only repelled.
Eventually, the rear guard’s attacks ceased, and silence fell over the group.
“We are in trouble. This doesn’t look like it’s going to go forward.”
I said with a blank expression on my face.
Of course, I was not bothered. It was as I intended.
Nurikabe Nurikabe is a demon in the form of a wall that stands in front of people on the road and blocks their steps.
This wall extends endlessly in the direction of any attempt to overcome or go around it. In its essence, it is a kind of illusionary art that uses divine power and cannot be penetrated by any physical attack.
It does no harm, but it is almost impossible to break through by force, and it is an extremely depressing demon.
There are several ways to eliminate it, but they are not something you can come up with right away.
It would be impossible for Zamlug and his team to break through.
“Um, …… Seika-sama. Wasn’t it a ‘strange idea’ to use Nurikabe Nurikabe ……?”
In my hair, Yuki said, slightly disappointed.
That’s right. I’m sorry for being so simple. It’s all right, though, since it serves the purpose.
Ignoring Yuki, I blithely said.
“Is it the ability of the boss monster?　In any case, it is an unforeseen situation. I think we should turn back here. ……”
And then.
Suddenly, I felt a great flow of power.
It was coming from the top of the mountain, approaching us at great speed in the sky above.
It was an unexpected situation.
I was in a hurry.
“Eh, oh.”
“You say, …… tsk, you’re right. I don’t know what this guy is, but after all the unexpected things that have happened along the way, I think we should give up this time on the strike line. …… Sorry, guys. I didn’t do enough research and couldn’t have foreseen this situation. It is dangerous to persist any longer. We should turn back …… while we still have time to prepare.”
Before Zamlug could finish, —- a huge shadow came out of the sky.