Chapter 36 /// To the Ruins ///
When the beastman regained consciousness, the soldiers took him back to the city.
Shion, who had done a great job, was greeted with praise from all directions. Aria and Haku also rushed over to him with joy.
“That’s amazing, Shion! You were really cool!”
‘I didn’t think you’d be able to get him back! I guess Shion’s never-give-up spirit won the day!’
“It was only because of Haku and Aria’s support. But it’s good to know that even if it’s just one person, the [Holy Fresh Water] worked”
Shion’s heart ached when he thought of the eight people who could not return, but it eased when he imagined the scene of his safe return and meeting his family.
Shion and the others, who had been a little buoyant, were urged to pull themselves together.
“I have something to tell you guys”
Crail had a stern look on his face.
Earlier, only one person hadn’t given him any applause or congratulations. He stood in front of Shion and stared intently into his eyes.
“As a field commander, your behavior is unacceptable”
“……I guess so”
Even without being told, Shion understood what Crail was trying to say.
That time, once he realized [Holy Fresh Water] didn’t work, he should have focused on defeating all of them.
Risk of losing soldiers. Consumption of magic power. Preservation for future battles.
“Luckily, the soldiers and us are safe. However, Mr. Shion’s sense of justice has increased the chances of total annihilation”
“Wait a minute. It’s because of Theon that he was saved. He can’t be blamed for that”
‘I also think it’s a noble action. With the help of Aria and Shion, it was a proposal that could be carried out without difficulty’
“Thank you, both of you. But it’s okay”
Shion himself admitted his fault and bowed to Crail. He promised him to be careful in the future and told him that he still had a lot of magic power.
“Please raise your head. I also think that I’m a bit too much earlier. Actually… I also want to praise you. It’s been 7 years since I’ve became a Hero., but I still remember how I felt in the beginning”
Now then, let’s go! said Crail, cheerfully raising one hand, and we all resumed our progress again.
From there, we followed the miasma for about an hour.
We arrive at a point where we can see the ruins from a distance.
It was the Old Rotra.
Because of the epidemic and the distance from the great river, mainly nobles moved to what is now Rotra.
Eventually, the number of people dwindled and the place was abandoned until now.
“I heard that a long time ago, people who could not be cured from the plague were left there. There was no help from the people of New Rotra. They lamented the cruelty of the situation, and after they died, they became spirits of resentment. That’s what I used to hear when I was a kid”
Crail snickers as he shrugs his shoulders. It was meant as a joke, but Aria’s face turns serious.
“Oh no …… I’m not good with that kind of thing. Please don’t be a curse or a grudged spirit……”
Picking up the edge of Shion’s clothes with her fingers, Aria made an appeal like normal girls. But it was as if she was not protected.
“Hahaha… if it’s you Aria, you can just one shot the ghosts. In fact, I think they’re the ones who will run away”
“Okayyy……?”
‘Well, please don’t be angry. It’s true after all”
“It’s not true!”
‘Oops, excuse me’
Haku’s antics made the situation much more relaxed. However, they had to pause our progress here. The soldiers in front of us had stopped in their tracks.
Darga tells Crail that there is something at the entrance to the ruin.
It was dark and distant, so it was still hard to tell if it was a demon. Then Shion made a suggestion.
“You want me to find out? At night, I can detect magic at a certain distance”
“We’re still a long way from the entrance, though?”
“No problem. I mean, I think I can handle the whole ruin”
“……Mr. Shion. You’re not normal after all……”
Crail and Darga stared at Shion with astonishment in their eyes. This place used to be inhabited by tens of thousands of people, so it requires a great deal of sensing ability.
Shion meditated and focused his attention for a few dozen seconds.
“—The one at the entrance is of poor magical quality. I’m pretty sure it’s a monster. Also, there are several huge magical reactions in one place in the ruins. From my experience, I’d say they’re Demons”
“As I thought… There will be higher-ranking demons, and it’s going to be a tough fight”
The Demons can often crush ten or twenty human soldiers with even the weakest of their individuals. Even if you have the advantage of numbers, you can never be too careful.
Once everyone is gathered, they begin to discuss the situation. The first thing they discuss is whether or not to enter through the front door, which is quickly decided.
“They’ll find you before you get to the other entrance. It’s also a bad idea to infiltrate separately. It’s best not to spread out your forces”
Everyone agrees with Crail.
“What about the enemy in the front? You want us to take care of them?”
“Having Shion and the others are indeed reassuring, but I also have my pride here”
He snapped his fingers and Crail gave him a face that’s ready for war. It was agreed that he would wield his sword in preparation as well.
When he moved to the entrance of the ruin, only one of them was waiting for him, just as Shion had informed him.
However, it was a troublesome existence called a “Skeleton Knight” that only existed in this magical continent.
When you hear that, you may imagine a body of only bones, but that is not the case. His face is skeletal, but his body is muscular, and he is a fighter with a helmet, armor, and a big sword.
“Let’s see what I didn’t show you earlier. Let’s go, shall we?”
Giving a signal to his thirty companions, Crail confronted the skeleton knight.
Shion and the others decided to watch the battle, hoping that the Hero of Weapons would show his true powers.