Not sure about some of the names, I also can't remember when they were introduced.
Because I don't know if I can win or not.
[I see... was that the last boss? ...]
I mutter as I sit on the bed
I front of me is the Shaman who lost his head, also ready to protect me is Leiha and her glorious posterior.
Claura is still firmly clinging to my left arm
Lade continues to impale the thing that came from the Shamanās head - I probably should, provisionally, call it dark beast bug - it was releasing vapor and shrinking and then it disappeared.
I whispered to Claura as she laid face down and gently caressed (in a non lewd way) her back
She flipped over separating from my hand.
[Itās okay now, that thing already disappeared]
She was checking her surroundings with a red face, but as soon as she looked at the gruesome body of the Shaman her face turned pale
[Why donāt you rest for a bit?]
Her face turned red once again, she let go of my robe which until a moment ago was firmly holding.
[F-for me to lost my composure... I-I beg your pardon]
What is she on about?, she said that as she straighten the wrinkles on her robe with both hands.
Seeing her like that is kind of lovely, even the terror I felt just a moment ago is starting to fade. I never expected for Claura to have such a healing effect on me.
Certainly the brief moment I hear the āvoiceā of the ādark beast kingā was frighteningly, but after the connection was severed, surprisingly, the impression he left was rather weak. Itās as if suddenly waking from a nightmare.
Leiha started cleaning the blood and chunks of brain off Clauraās hair and body, how gallant of her.
Lately it seems that Leiha has given priority to helping Claura on her daily life, more so than me... Well, as someone who was brainwashed into loyalty, waking her own free will is certainly welcome.
And then with nod, the annoyed Lade kicked me with the tip of his military boots on my back. Hey... isnāt he putting a little too much force there?
[Whatās with that carefree attitude of yours? Did that guy tell you anything before dying?]
[Dark beast king? Thereās rumors he exists somewhere...]
I asked the jailer of Fortitude Castle to handle the corpse of the Shaman, meanwhile we gathered in another room.
The words I listened to with the ESP medal, the images that surfaced right at the end, and also the āvoiceā I heard at the deepest part of his mind.
As I explained all that, Lade was grumbling without saying anything.
[Ah ... the elder council might know more about this]
In a surprisingly dignified manner he made a wry face while crossing his arms.
I got that feeling before, that thereās such differences in status between the upper brass of the War Tribe and the ones doing the actual work.
[About this dark beast king, is possible heās the one manipulating from behind the scenes all of the cultists (demonists).]
[We... is he the one manipulating the tribe (High Cross)? making us live under a scheme?]
[Iām afraid that might be the case, And what does he intend by targeting me by name?]
As things were, until recently we only had some vague guesses as to what was going on, but with the information we got now we have a firmly grasp of the situation.
The situation with baron Cobal and the priest and the dark beast king ordering the Schutlzās Shaman to deal with me, it all makes sense.
[Seems like Canberists was right... The priestess prophecy is... ]
Said Lade with a bitter expression.
Yes, if the dark beast king is influencing important people all around the world, then itās also possible for the War Tribeās priestess to declare Iām a focal point.
Before I said anything, Lade pointed it out. Iām sorry, but Iām glad he pointed it out.
[In the first place, everything related to the priestess prophecy is unknow. Itās possible the dark beast king is meddling her]
By the time he realized it, he was someone below the priestess or the elder only fighting the dark beasts. It wasn't suppose to be something emotionally difficult but, he was grinding his teeth trying to conceal his emotions. It really is a big deal.
[... I donāt want to say it but, we are dealing with a formidable enemy]
The dark beast bug is probably a tool used to manipulate the cultists (demonists). Those are the only things I know more or less, his identity, whereabouts and real objectives remains a mystery.
Even worst, he might be implanting those bugs inside peopleās brains all over the world, making legions of dark beasts appear whenever and wherever he wants.
For Claura it was a difficult enemy. Yes, a frightening enemy, but not an absurd one.
Clauraās expressions stiffens, sheās gritting her teeth.
Her fingers were pressing hard on her upper arm.
Normally sheās like cool beauty, but now sheās mentally strained and fearful, but also full of fighting spirit.
Sheās determined to win the coming battles.
[Really, thatās one tough enemy but, thereās surely a way to win]
Girls that are like daughters are āgood womenā, or so I delude myself. I wonder if I exposed a shameful side or me.
[Come to think of it, You were talking with Las, right?... Does he have a clue as to the identity of dark beasts king?]
[Right, we were talking about how we must defeat this powerful enemy, or something along those lines.]
Of course, whether we can defeat it or not is still unknown.
After my first chaotic struggles, Iām currently unusually calm.
Thereās isnāt a Last Boss you canāt defeat, and Iām quite aware is a childish way of thinking.
After all I played āD&Bā for more than 10 years.
This world, Cedia, is not something from a game setting, many time Iāve realized that already. And yet, the dark beast and their king exists, to say the king cannot be defeated itās the opposite of being realistic.
To be honest, itās the first time Iām āfighting without knowing if I can winā.
And the first time I have companions in the same position as I am.
And thatās why I cannot give the impression of being scared.
That fighting spirit I felt over a soon to fail project that I was made responsible for on one of the power struggles at my company so many years ago.
Or the time I was still a student and spent two new yearās eve challenging the last boss on a campaign.
Those feelings are now boiling up inside me.
[Anyway... that aside. Thereās still something we must do, we need to destroy the ānestā at Godās garden.]
From the images I saw from the Shaman, Dianeās mother probably became a nest.
I wonder if we could help her?
Thereās still many things to take care of before returning to Jiiteas castle.
Somehow I made it to the 100th release.
Thank you so much for keeping up with me.
The road ahead is still long, but Iām focusing on the goal.
Once again Iām in your care.