Chapter 444 – Gravedigger Vampires
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Illusionary wolves jumped out of the crescent-moon-shaped spearhead while howling. Those illusions looked pretty cool and nice as they flew through the air.
The magic characters on the handle and the wolf illusions; all of it makes the spear look extremely groovy and fairytale-like.
A little moment later, various moon symbols floated up from the handle and fleetingly disappeared as if melting into the atmosphere.
“…You say it’s called Spear of the Wolf Moon Ring?” Higlia asked.
“Yep.”
“As I thought. It’s a spear connecting Small Moon-sama with us wolves.”
“You didn’t know what it’s called?”
“I heard that a spear suddenly grew out of the ground. But no one could read the letters on the spear. So I didn’t know anything besides its name being connected to us in some way.”
“I see.”
This spear suddenly appeared in the direction the goddess of the small moon pointed her finger.
“Yep. I think…it’s the spear that was created by Aldel who sacrificed himself and ended up creating a cursed chalice…despite only wanting to protect Small Moon Uryou’s chalice from Ancient God Go Rad and the White Lady.”
Higlia just now spoke as if there were some special circumstances at work here. She probably judged it okay to provide this information after seeing Araha’s resignation. And I guess this is the same “Aldel” whom Elza and Aris mentioned.
It seems to be a relatively popular story in this area as part of its folklore.
“――Your Excellency, you’ve obtained the Spear of the Moon Wolf Ring! It’s a weapon similar to Tofinger’s Weeping Ax, isn’t it?”
“So it seems. Well, the weapon’s details will have to wait for now. Rollo, we’re going ahead.”
“Nyaa.”
Rollodeen ran up to me after having scrutinized my new spear from behind me.
“You’re fine with that as well, right, Araha?”
Hearing my questio,n she nodded after her ears trembled.
“Yes. I will guide you to my comrade who has infiltrated this place. Divine Beast-sama, it’s ahead of the cave in front. Take a right turn at the first fork…” Araha explained with a meek expression.
I could tell from her face that she wasn’t lying about guiding us. It’s probably because she experienced my <Beginning Dusk>. It lasted just a moment, but it was a darkness that seemed to corrode the air itself. I think it’s safe to say that her Spirit value has dropped because of it. Her dog ears were still trembling.
“Garurururu――”
Huh? Rollodeen is growling?
Oh, I see, she’s biting the Spear Writings of the Demonic War Night Parade. Her fangs were stabbing the book’s front cover. Not caring about all the elaborate designs on its cover, Rollodeen was vigorously moving her tongue, trying to lick up the blood, but because it was in vain, only her saliva was being scattered.
Even so, Rollodeen continued to gnaw away at the book. Her fangs pierced through the carefully bound leather while she growled like a feral beast. I don’t think she’s going to eat the Spear Writings, but maybe it has the perfect toughness to clean her fangs or something?
Anyway, after hearing painful voices full of anguish from the book, I told her, “Rollo, this item contains people who might become my spearmanship teachers. Stop biting it.”
“Gauu? Nyaa.”
As soon as Rollodeen followed my words and stopped biting, the holes closed up and the front cover repaired itself. Seeing that, it drew Rollodeen’s interest once more. She played around with the book for a bit longer, but eventually I told her, “…It’s funny and cute to see you act like this, but give it a rest for now. We have to catch the thieves’ gang members.
After cautioning Rollodeen, I looked at Elza and Helme next. Elza’s eyes were fixed on the spear. Once she noticed my look, she gave me a small nod. Then she turned her eyes towards the end of the cave.
Next to Elza, Aris was staring at Helme with eyes full of envy.
“Your Excellency, I’m ready!” she exclaimed as she released water sprays around her.
“Me too,” said Jody while releasing white moths at her feet.
“But, for them to invade through the underground…”
“Is it a skill owned by the Tsuranuki Gan?”
“Yes. Tsubutsubu specializes in digging holes,” Araha answered.
Her friend’s name is Tsubutsubu.
“Let’s hurry, Shuuya!”
I nodded at Higlia’s words.
Suddenly, Aris squealed in joy. She was fascinated by Helme’s beauty. Helme was currently clad in a nymph-like garment that was covered by water. It resembled the outfit worn by Kisara and the Saraten girls. On top of that, shining threads were extending from the blossoming flowers at her fingertips. All of this should be an overload of prettiness for a girl like Aris.
However, immediately after appreciating Helme, Aris started to touch the fluffy hair of Araha, beginning to fiddle around with the beast girl.
“Nn――”
“Auaah~”
Rollodeen wrapped a tentacle around Aris and carried her up on her back.
“――――Yay, it’s super fluffy over here as well～♪ Mmh, so sooooft～♪”, Aris innocently rejoiced while straddling, or rather, hugging Rollodeen’s back.
“――Divine Beast-sama! That way! Let’s catch the baddies!”
“Nnn――”
“――Hyaa.”
Rollodeen started to run in the direction indicated by Aris. Meanwhile, Araha was being shaken around, cattering pee from her lower body half.
“You’re so fast, Rollo! Don’t forget to add some landmarks for us――”
“Nyaooo――”
“Anyway, are you two ready as well?”
“Yep!”
“I’m alright, but I’ll rely on your kindness, Shuuya,” Elza’s voice sounded very womanly, just like back when we had descended into the hole.
Higlia glared at Elza, probably understanding the meaning behind that voice and look. But then she immediately sighed, revealing resignation on her face while letting her tail droop powerlessly.
I found her behavior slightly heartwarming.
“…You can rely a lot more on me, got it?”
“Humph,” Higlia apparently got jealous of those words, “Shuuya, you idiot!”
“Ahahaha, we’re going to chase Rollo――”
While laughing, I activated <Chain> and <Magic Hand guided by Thought>. Higlia and Elza hugged me in the same way they did when we came down here.
“Helme, Jody, you come as well, okay?”
“Yes.”
“On my way.”
Just like that, I started to move forward while using Grasping Perception. The light from my ring, with triangles on its surface, illuminated the path. I didn’t mind the smell of piss coming from Araha, but at the same time, I perceived magic sources reminiscent of monsters from all over the place.
Well, I think Rollodeen will take care of them after having gone ahead. If there are too many of them, I’ll summon the gang. In case of us encountering strong monsters, I’ll test out the Spear of the Moon Wolf Ring. I’ll also challenge dual-wielding with Ganghis.
We ignored the trash mobs as much as possible, and eventually a fork came into sight ahead. I could sense magic source responses indicating that a group of people was approaching from the left.
For an instant, I felt like challenging the labyrinth in Pelneet.
Either way, we ignored the group of people and advanced down the right path. Soon, centipede monsters appeared from holes on the left and right sides.
Before my friends could react, I put Elza and Higlia on the ground and swiftly dealt with the monsters using my chains. I pierced the centipedes’ bodies, but they were still alive.
“Quite the tough centipedes,” muttered Higlia.
I said, “You’re right. But, no need to deal with them, I’ll get rid of those buggers――”, while activating <Beginning Dusk>. The centipedes were ground to pieces by countless stakes.
Next, spear-carrying soldiers with lizard heads showed up from 2 o’clock, but ignoring them, I hurried after Rollodeen. The next fork was a weird cave that split the path upward and downward.
Skeletons with lamps in their hands floated towards us from above, but Helme made short business out of them with her favorite ice spears. Yet, the skeletons revived instantly despite having fallen apart beforehand. Their lamps were restored, too.
But Higlia and Elza leaped at them, and as soon as they slashed apart the lamps, the skeletons disappeared.
“Oh, so the lamp is the weak point of the monsters just now, huh?”
“Yep. They also appear on the middle floors of the Hundred Labyrinth. Skeleton Lamp. If you ignore their lamps, they’ll become crazy strong.”
“…I think the same monsters appearing around the Sea of Trees also spawn in the Hundred Labyrinth,” Elza explained.
She apparently knew about it as well. But, rather than that, it was amazing to watch how easily she wielded the heavy-looking, big Yahanuga blade with one hand. Moreover, she moved as quickly as Higlia.
Suddenly, I could hear Rollodeen from below, although she wasn’t visible anywhere. I felt a lot more monster magic sources from above, but I guess we continue downwards.
On a nearby wall, I could spot messy claw cuts and a pad mark in the rock. Pad art, huh?
The remains of scattered skeletons were littering the ground all over. They had apparently been taken down by Rollodeen.
While looking at the cute art on the wall, I extended my hands to Higlia and Elza, “Let’s go. They went downwards.”
“Oki, Shuuya――”
“Aahh――”
I enjoyed the touch of their bodies. Higlia had deliberately undone her silver claw armor to stick to me. Elza was still reserved about it, but I could still feel her softness as a woman through her overcoat.
The bug in her left arm showed no response. Apparently, Galassus――no idea whether the bug is male or female――trusted me.
“Alright, we’re going to slide the slope downwards――”
Picking up some speed, I charged down the slope. Helme and Jody giggled in my back. It looks like they were sliding down as well. It must look pretty lovely.
I wanted to take a look, but right now chasing after Rollodeen takes priority. While being mindful of not shaking off Elza and Higlia, I focused on <Magic Hand guided by Thought> and <Chain> to form footholds underneath their feet.
While being careful, I imagined a part of <Chain> to transform into a skateboard deck. Since I didn’t forget to include wheels with proper bearings, the movement was smooth.
Just like that, we descended the slope, passing some of the art left behind by Rollodeen. At some point, I shifted my body’s weight forward on the skateboard, adding even more speed to the descent.
The girls at my sides screamed due to the ridiculous speed. I felt a bit sorry about it, but at the same time, I was slightly happy because they strengthened their hold.
Shifting my body backwards, thereby removing pressure on my feet, caused the <Chain> skateboard’s speed to drop.
“Shuuya, what’s this small vehicle under your feet?”
“It’s called a skateboard.”
“I guess it’s similar to a small wood vehicle…still, quite mysterious.”
“Hmm…the chains extending from both wrists extend downwards, huh…?”
Elza and Higlia commented as they looked at my improvised chain skateboard, connected to my wrists.
But, when I looked upwards…I got slightly confused. A huge number of small caves, different from the marks left behind by Rollodeen, existed all over the place. An amateur would probably get lost here right away.
This is totally like an underground labyrinth.
We continued to climb through the cave along the slope leading us upwards. Elza and Higlia were holding onto my sides while observing the surroundings as if on a sightseeing tour.
Suddenly, a terrifying tremor reached us from above. Sand and rock pieces fell due to the impact.
A mark left behind by Rollodeen was nearby. So, is that proof that the noise was produced by Rollodeen? Maybe she’s digging or scraping again?
With those thoughts in mind, I proceeded through the slightly curving cave. It was a long, climbing path…
All of a sudden, I sensed the magic source responses of monsters. Immediately after Higlia and Elza turned their eyes in the direction of those responses――
“――Leave them to me,” Jody said from my right side while flying through the air and leaving a trail of moths in her wake.
She started some mysterious movements that made it look as if she was cloning herself. And then she bisected an attacking mole with her scythe.
Having easily killed a medium-sized mole, which looked strong while being clad in gray soil, she kept rotating her body while slashing through a part of the cave with her big scythe’s blade. After placing a foot against the side wall, she turned around and flew back to us.
Jody worked hard to kill the monsters, but in the end, we dealt with them all together as we climbed the cave. When we fully scaled a cliff-like rock, the ascending path ended. We had reached a flat plateau.
Unlike down in the cave, the visual field opened up here. A drafty hallway, huh?
――The wind feels nice.
It created the atmosphere of a grotto worn down by seawater. Cavities existed on both sides, but we could see quite far beyond those cavities.
Ahead of us was Aris as she sat on Rollodeen. She was excited. Of course, Araha was still held by a tentacle. Currently, she was tipped over. Being toyed with like a doll.
Has Rollodeen taken a liking to her as she did with Souther?
Either way, Rollodeen was doing her best at scraping away the rocky ground even as she played around with Araha. Several tentacles were continuously launched at the ground like a machine gun. It was a terrifying barrage. She was working her way through bedrock there.
A fine screen of dust and earth was spreading into the vicinity. Huge rocks and the soil evaporated like nothing.
In an instant, Rollodeen created a hole, or rather, a hollow. The rest of the sand, soil, and rock that hadn’t dispersed was piling up to Rollodeen’s left and right. Those piles looked like new pillars. Many unnatural depressions blanketed the ground, too.
Looks like Rollodeen has completely changed the cave’s terrain. As expected of a divine beast. During the digging, she has apparently blown fire as well. Did she do it because the hole would collapse if its walls were made out of sand? In that case, she’s quite amazing.
Of course, I don’t think she used the full power of her flames with Aris and Araha nearby, though… She probably stuck with a small, directional flame. Well, the number of tentacles isn’t normal either.
Moreover, the illusions of the twin moon goddesses had manifested as if to admire Rollodeen’s work. The big moon’s goddess was covered in wounds all over as usual. The goddess of the small moon, Uryou-sama extended a hand, pointing ahead of where Rollodeen had pierced through the bedrock.
“This place was right below the Wolf Moon City? How strange…,” Higlia muttered while checking the plateau.
Unlike before, I seemed to be the only one able to see the twin moon goddess illusions.
At that point, Rollodeen stopped moving. At the same time as a dazzling light spilled out from beyond the crumbled wall, I could hear a loud “Kyaaaaaaa!”
Rollodeen immediately reeled in the tentacles that had done the excavation work. Next ,she advanced at high speed――
“The treasure vault!?” Higlia yelled.
It sounds like we’re really beneath the fortress right now. I lowered Elza and Higlia to the ground and headed over to the bright treasury. The inside, which I expected to be a pretty vault, was littered with dirt and dust. Rollodeen had entered first and was now holding a small beastman with the same clothes as Araha.
As with Araha, the new beastman had its entire body immobilized by the tentacles.
“Nn, nyaooo,” meowed Rollodeen while looking all proud.
“Well done, Rollo!”
“Nya, nyaaa,” answered Rollodeen cheerfully.
“A new ball of fluff,” Aris extended a hand for the other member of the Tsuranuki Thieves Gang, but Rollodeen moved the beastman out of Aris’s reach.
Araha muttered, “Tsubutsubu…,” with an apologetic expression.
“What is this about? I thought I was finally able to intrude!” Tsubutsubu shouted as if blaming Araha.
A full set of magic drills was lying at her feet. She had apparently used those special tools to get into the treasury.
At that point, Rollodeen tightened her hold on Tsubutsubu, causing her to fall silent.
Seeing the chaotic state of the treasury, Higlia said, “…Pheeew. God Wolf Hurley-sama’s blessed White Wolf’s Jewel is still fine. The cursed chalice is present too. The Silver Bag of the Twin Moon Tree is still there as well. Even the Jewel of the Dead! Kizymand’s Feather, Lebra’s Withered Arm! The Crystal of the Lightning Blood Stone! Uranil’s Blood Cross, and even the Blood Sword of Vampire King Salinas――”
At that moment, magic sources closed in on us from behind. Bats? No, they transformed into humanoid shapes in an instant. Vampires, eh? A group of gentlemen who wore tailcoats?
One of those vampires spread his arms. Claws as red as his hair grew out of his fingers. I guess those are claw swords similar to those of the ancient wolfmen.
The red-haired vampire swung both arms and started to talk, “Hahaha, we got us a load of treasures!”
“For us to run into such a treasure trove after following the weird vibration during our underground hunt…,” muttered a guy with bluish-white skin.
Also, his ears were long. I guess a former dark elf.
He was the only one wearing black clothes and red boots.
“Gahahaha! This is what being a gravedigger is about. And it’s also the reason why I can’t quit!” the man with the red claws rejoiced.
“But, this underground lies in the turf of the ancient wolfmen, doesn’t it? If we don’t grab things quickly and leave, we’ll be chased by the wolves…”
“Yeah, it’ll be a problem if they follow our scent…,” answered a bald guy in response to his friend’s comment.
“But, a treasure is right in front of us…such chances are rare. I don’t want to wander the underground and pick up trash any longer…”
“Having said that, sometimes you do such things when working as a gravedigger…”
A gravedigger’s work, huh? The one saying so was the dark elf. He had also changed from being a bat, so he seems to be a vampire, too.
The quality of the mana cladding his body is high. He’s doing some weird mana manipulation. Is it a special breathing technique of vampires? I suppose it’s a magic combat-style technique, similar to the one Kisara taught me, yet different…
The weapon he possessed was a katana. His protective clothing felt like a male version of Viine’s, but for him to carry a Japanese katana like Yui…
“…You’re right, I guess…Valentin. This is what you call a gravedigger’s luck, right?”
“Yeah, I’ll destroy everything and take all treasures…”
The dark elf vampire is apparently called Valentin.
“…Nha? Sarjin, Valentin, look!” The bald guy on the left felt shaken when he spotted Higlia.
“What? Suhn, don’t panic…” Sarjin had a bandit’s hairstyle. And to be blunt, he also got a mug as if he’s taking drugs. “…That ancient wolfgirl isn’t any ordinary girly! Silver fur, silver armor…and a silver claw-styled beast armor! And look at the weapons held by the spear wielder!!” Suhn shouted while looking at Higlia.
And then the Spear of the Moon Wolf Ring drew his attention.
“…Hey, hey, are you telling me the divine princess works as a guardian for the treasure?”
“I haven’t heard anything about the divine princess being here! I wanna run away, but she’s not an opponent who will let us get away, is she?”
“Still, there’s a treasure up for the taking. The spear owned by the black-haired human is…eh!? My appraisal failed?”
“…Sarjin, shut the fuck up.”
“…A black-haired spear wielder, huh…?” Valentin muttered.
Of course, we’ve immediately adopted our battle stances. My partner had withdrawn to the entrance of the treasury while taking Aris, Araha, and Tsubutsubu with her. She has properly understood that she shouldn’t fight right now. Guess I’ll give her a nice reward later.
But, it’s a treasure vault, right…? I thought it’d have guards or something like that… well, it’ll be fine with Rollodeen.
Helme and Jody were on my left, while Higlia and Elza were somewhat behind me on the right. Elza had exposed her left arm. The eyeball she had shown me earlier hadn’t come out. A part of her gauntlet had transformed. She was holding a small shield that was connected to the back part of her gauntlet. Three claw blades extended from that shield. Probably an ability of Galassus.
She had also drawn her greatsword with her right hand.
Valentin was a strong fighter. But, even if he’s strong, it might be easy to get rid of the whole lot if they’re vampires. No, it’s wrong to be so optimistic.
And them not attacking us right away is the best proof for that. There’s a guy who seems slow with his speech and action, but that’s probably an act.
He backed off a bit, checking their path of retreat. I feel that’s a role as you’d find it in a party. They’re definitely an experienced bunch of people….
While changing where he was pointing the tip of his katana, Valentin let his eyes wander to find an advantageous spot while keeping an eye on me. Because he’s such a wary guy, it seemed like he’d be open to a little chat.
“Shuuya, the Tsuranuki Thieves Gang…”
I honestly don’t know how likely it is that these vampires are part of that gang.
“I think they don’t belong to them…,” I answered Higlia.
“Your Excellency, if we are going to eradicate them, leave it to us. Jody-chan.”
“Yes, Spirit-sama. But…”
I nodded at Jody’s sidelong glance. She was probably agreeing with my view. Her sharp perception and abilities “see” room to negotiate with them.
Focusing on the vampires again, I guessed that they weren’t overly high in the vampire hierarchy, even though I didn’t know to what family they might belong.
Well, there were many unanswered questions regarding these guys and their identities, so I guess I’ll try asking them. In everything, my “I’m friendly” approach stays the same.
While stepping forward, I said, “From which place do you vampires come?”
“Our place, huh? We’re…what you call gravediggers.”
“Doesn’t that spear wielder want our name as members of the twelve families?” Sarjin asked the others.
“I ran away from the Halzelma. I used to be a human. My name in the past was Hirekan.”
“…I also used to be a human. In the distant past, I got contacted by the folks of the Valmask family, but…I guess I belong to what you’d see as branch family.”
“I have beastman blood in me. I escaped the Opperheimann Vampire Hunters.”
And finally, the dark elf, “My name is Rush. In the past, I belonged to the 3rd-Ranked Sorcery Noble Enpearl House.”
Enpearl House…
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