Ch.87Adora (1)

Under the burned tree that had been reduced to ashes.

Two demons carefully stepped over the corpses of bees as they cleaned up the area.

An old woman covered in mushrooms clicked her tongue disapprovingly.

[“Birzoneh has been defeated.”]

“Tsk.”

[“I didn’t expect things to end this way.”]

The white-haired, red-eyed girl snorted dismissively.

“She brought it upon herself.”

[“Isn’t that too cold-hearted when a comrade has died?”]

“What’s cold-hearted about it? Who told her not to properly report when intruders entered? Acting like she’s a corps commander when she only leads a single division. So arrogant.”

[“Either way, this is clearly an emergency. We need to come up with a plan.”]

The white-haired demon turned her head. She smiled, revealing sharp fangs.

“Niemi.”

[“Yes, speak.”]

“His resurrection will soon be at hand. We can’t allow outside interference at a time like this. I’d prefer things to remain quiet outside.”

[“Hmm, you’re asking for something difficult.”]

The old woman covered in fungi.

The Witch of Decay, Niemi.

[“Very well. This old one will exert some effort.”]

She nodded and brought her hands together.

[“Gather.”]

Niemi muttered an incantation. Blue flames flickered in her hollow eye sockets.

Pitter-patter.

Spores scattered throughout the area rose like dandelion seeds. The seeds intertwined like sponges, forming human shapes. They were literally mushrooms molded after humans.

[“Find the intruders.”]

At Niemi’s command, the mushrooms began to move sluggishly.

The white-haired, red-eyed girl.

The Vampire Princess, Bepisya.

She twirled her parasol with a satisfied smile.

“Satisfactory. Kill them as soon as you find them. If you can’t kill them, come find me.”

[“I would have done that without being told.”]

“Here’s some good news. I just received a message via scroll. Salvira is coming. Seems she wants to witness His resurrection ceremony together.”

[“You mean that spider friend? She’s not exactly trustworthy.”]

“What choice do we have? Including me and the Sea Dragon, there are only three corps commanders left.”

Bepisya waved her hand dismissively.

Then, abruptly.

She turned back to add one more piece of information.

“Ah, right. I hear someone from the Eight Shadows is coming too?”

***

Southern Command of the Magic Kingdom.

“So they’ve finally done it.”

Air Force General Tedman Giford sighed. He tapped his barely-smoked cigarette into an ashtray and put down the newspaper.

[Hazkhail Declares War on Selline]

“To think they’d actually provoke the Elf Nation too. Is the Chancellor in his right mind?”

“Mind your words.”

The sharp retort to Tedman’s concern came from none other than Adora.

Adora Giford. Tedman’s daughter, an Army Major General, and a talented member of the Chancellor’s personal guard, the “Seven Swords.”

“Adora, why are you here again as a member of the Seven Swords?”

Pop!

Adora popped her bubble gum and said:

“I told you before. That I would return someday for my mission.”

“And today is that day?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Couldn’t you have called ahead?”

“It was classified, so I couldn’t tell you in advance. Please understand.”

Adora lowered her head, adjusting her cap. She handed him a small note.

“This is…”

The note contained orders bearing the Magic Kingdom Chancellor’s seal.

“Mobilize all air force resources to destroy the Elf Nation’s main fleet. Also, temporarily assign Adora Giford to the Southern Command and deploy her in naval battles against the Holy Spirit Kingdom? What does this mean?”

“It means exactly what it says. His Excellency wishes to defeat the Holy Spirit Kingdom quickly and gain control of the western waters. I am here simply to fulfill that wish.”

“What can you possibly do here?”

“I’m afraid I can’t elaborate on that. Sir.”

Adora tapped her chest and frowned slightly.

“I am… the Chancellor’s arms and legs. I will follow whatever orders he gives.”

“Adora.”

As a father, Tedman was getting a headache.

Just like the missing Admiral Dietz, Tedman himself was an enormous daddy’s girl. It’s just that as his daughter grew older, he became less obvious about it.

A parent’s love for their child is genuine.

That’s why he couldn’t help but worry about his daughter, who had changed at some point.

“Do you really intend to go to the front lines?”

“Those are His Excellency’s orders.”

“Even though it’s a naval battle?”

“I’m a general too, sir. I’ll manage.”

Tedman bit his lip.

“…Just don’t die.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“And try not to get hurt if possible.”

Adora bowed her head. As she turned to leave the office:

“Wait.”

“Do you need something else?”

“Come to think of it, I saw the gum you spat out last time… There seemed to be blood mixed in it. I was wondering if you were sick somewhere.”

“I’m not. What you saw in that gum must have been coloring that you mistook.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I usually chew strawberry flavor.”

Adora rolled her tongue to blow air into her gum. The inflated bubble gum popped with a sharp sound that echoed through the office.

“That’s a relief then. If there’s a classified operation, be careful not to get hurt.”

“You worry too much.”

Adora left the office. After walking several dozen steps, as soon as she turned the corner, she pulled out an electronic scroll from her pocket. She double-checked the orders given to her alone by the Chancellor.

[Capture living Holy Spirit Kingdom soldiers near the Tatangkur Waters and transport them to the designated destination. Handover personnel will be present at the destination.]

She examined the sea chart.

A large dot was marked in the middle of the Tatangkur Waters. This was Adora’s mission location.

Adora headed to sea without even bringing her personal aide. The vessel she boarded wasn’t an aircraft carrier or destroyer, but a small speedboat.

For someone with the rank of Major General and a member of the Chancellor’s guard, it was a small and insignificant vessel. However, there was no better boat for carrying out a secret mission.

“Phew.”

Sighing, Adora reached for her neck and pulled out a necklace at the empty bow.

A pendant with eight inverted cross symbols arranged at equal intervals on a silver ring.

The emblem of the Eight Shadows.

It was an artifact she received from the Chancellor when she became part of the Seven Swords. It helped the wearer control their magical power.

Adora gripped the necklace tightly in one hand and raised her head.

The sea fog was thickening.

Swoosh!

The sea parted through the deep blue mist. A giant serpent emerged from there. It was massive, about the height of a 40-story apartment building, and had whiskers like a catfish.

The serpent looked at Adora’s speedboat and spoke softly.

[“Are you the external member of the Eight Shadows who was scheduled to come?”]

***

Several days had passed since we defeated the queen bee.

During that time, I’ve been constantly checking on the three women’s conditions. While they were basically fine, there was also a strange atmosphere. To recall briefly:

The Valkyrie tries to snuggle up to me even when I’m just lighting a campfire.

The Holy Maiden claimed her divine power was depleted and initiated a back hug.

And the fox sisters keep trying to remove my pants with their tails.

It’s worse than usual. Even stranger than on the previous island. Setting everything else aside, it doesn’t make sense that the Holy Maiden would be struggling due to depleted divine power.

I feel like I’ve become prey.

Are they perhaps acting?

I don’t know. How am I supposed to read women’s minds?

Anyway, we’ve been focusing on securing food supplies again lately.

Our next exploration will be through the forest to an area where there might be mountain ranges and caves. We want to check if there’s a barrier or clues related to a barrier over there.

Based on our experience so far, powerful monsters are probably waiting for us.

We need to conserve our strength to fight them.

“Ta-da! New net complete!”

Riyo made tools for sea fishing. Even though I helped, she completed them really quickly and well. The more I see her work, the more impressive she is.

So today, we decided to go sea fishing after a long time.

On the way, I chatted with Miyo to pass the time.

[“What should I teach you today?”]

To be precise, I was giving her lessons.

[“Since we’re on our way, let’s talk about forbidden spells as a light topic?”]

[“Forbidden spells! I know a few. They’re magic that’s too dangerous to use, right?”]

I nodded. Being interested in magic, Miyo already had basic knowledge.

[“There are various types of forbidden spells. Some control the mind, some destroy, some leave the mind alone but overwork the body…”]

[“What do you think is the most terrible forbidden spell?”]

The answer was predetermined.

[“The Anti-Talisman.”]

[“Huh? What’s that?”]

[“You’ve never heard of it?”]

[“No.”]

[“It’s a dark art that completely steals control of vital organs like the brain or heart. It’s also related to sacrificial rituals, making it extremely horrific.”]

Miyo hummed thoughtfully and tilted her head.

[“Tell me more details.”]

[“For example, let’s say someone has cardiac arrest. Normally, once cardiac arrest occurs, it’s impossible to make the heart beat again without a miracle. But using the Anti-Talisman, you can make that heart beat again through demonic power.”]

The key element that makes this possible is a small soot-like substance called an amulet. The practitioner injects the amulet into the subject and seals it, taking control of the physical body.

[“Even if they come back to life that way, they’re not really alive. Their body has been stolen by the practitioner. If it’s the brain, well, they’d live like a puppet, but what if their heart was taken?”]

[“Whenever they don’t obey… you squeeze it?”]

[“Exactly.”]

It was a dark magic I learned about when reading a history book on forbidden spells. Even though I only saw one page, it was such an intense topic that I still remember it.

[“Is there a cure?”]

[“I’m not sure about that. Ah, since the amulet is created with magic, maybe applying divine power would work.”]

I don’t know the details either. To begin with, it’s not a technique just anyone can use. You need to be skilled in both magic and medicine. I know the amulet implantation process is very complex.

[“Oh, we’re already here.”]

It’s the clear sea I haven’t seen in a while. The salt-laden wind filled my lungs in this open space. The sand grains glistening in the sunlight are beautiful. And the Magic Kingdom officer lying there like seaweed washed up by the waves…

What is that?