episode_0027

“Wouldn’t it be difficult to go further from here? I really don’t think it can go any further than this in the first place?”

Peria, who took off the demons’ clothes, calmly assessed the situation and made a decision. Clearly, a forced breakthrough beyond this is impossible.

Although I escaped a fatal wound, I had holes all over my body and my stamina was completely lost.

Master’s arm is blown off and his ankle is cut, so he cannot move properly.

‘Should I get out once again?’

“Master, what are you doing?”

Master limped over to Gilbertan’s corpse and closed his six bloodshot eyes one by one.

“Just… It reminded me of the students who came under me and left saying the same thing as this guy. It would be nice if those children also grew up, but the world isn’t that easy, so somehow we end up seeing them overlapping.”

‘You said earlier that you eventually became a teacher.’

It seems to remind me of the disciples I met at that time.

“Master, seeing you fight, you must have done quite well. What did you do?”

“I won’t teach you.”

“Oh, you really are so kind.”

I said it earlier out of anger, and I don’t think I have any intention of saying anything more. Still, I’ll figure it out someday.

“…I’ll let you know someday when I’ve made up my mind.”

‘Isn’t there any progress?’

Most of our weapons are damaged, so Peria goes to pick up the dagger, and I untie the halberd that I had chained to the pillar earlier.

Gilbertian’s halberd seemed difficult to use because it had cracks in various places, probably because it received more red magic than necessary.

Dheble’s great sword is also cut off near the handle, so I think I’ll have to give it up.

“Is this all?”

In the end, all that’s left in my hand is a halberd and a magic sword that is now reduced by almost half compared to the beginning.

At this length, it can be used as a skewer, but it is now difficult to expect it to function as a dagger.

Master has lost one arm, so he can now only lift an espresso.

“First, let’s go into the hall from before.”

Enter the dance hall where Demon Warrior was resting.

“What is this?”

Peria finds a human-shaped mannequin on the floor and lifts it.

“Ugh! Is it real hair?”

“Oh, that must be my corpse. Last time I came, he died. The body of a soul disease changes like that when it dies completely.”

The corpse that was my body was in such a state that it was difficult to even call it a corpse.

The arms had been cut off, so only the legs and torso remained, and the head was split in half as it had been killed by a halberd.

On the other hand, the face disappears completely, giving it a non-human appearance, like an egg ghost, but when it dies, all human-like parts disappear and it turns into a mannequin-like appearance.

However, things like hair and nails remain, and the body is very hard, so it is not wood, but a lump of protein.

For a body made with only 400g of meat and bone powder, it seems incredibly bulky.

‘That’s why I keep using soul bottles because they are so cost-effective.’

Suddenly, seeing the hair reminds me of a hair-loving elf I met in the forest before.

They say they will come get my hair when it gets longer, but is it possible for my hair to grow long since it keeps dying?

If we continue like this, won’t we forget? And have hope.

‘I hope we never meet again.’

I think it will be difficult to win even if we meet again. I was lucky enough to withstand a few attacks because he was of the highest level among all the opponents I’ve faced so far.

With that in mind, I put my corpse aside and huddled together with everyone for a final meeting.

“Now, let’s decide.”

“Actually, since we’ve come this far, haven’t we achieved our goal? When all the soldiers under his command are dead, I don’t think he can do much more with just one general. You said they didn’t make up for the number you killed, right? I think the regular army inside will end with them.”

“I don’t know how many regular troops came, but most of the mercenaries will have been eliminated, and the remaining regular troops will start to win when other soul soldiers meet two or three times.”

Peria and Master spoke in turn. Both statements make sense.

Not only we but also other soul soldiers learn about their opponent’s habits and weaknesses while fighting.

They will try again indefinitely, just like us, and attack the Demon Warriors, so soon all the regular troops patrolling inside will be eliminated.

In that case, it can be said that there is no need to worry about being attacked after the military completely withdraws.

It doesn’t matter how strong the lone general is. Even if you take control of the castle alone, you can’t do anything without soldiers.

“… Still, I’m still worried about the last remaining general.”

“Isn’t this an overreaction? If that guy was really strong, he would have believed in his own strength and advanced right away. However, if you think of him as a general who does not fight against troops without knights, he may not be that strong of a person.”

“No, well… but.”

It’s just as Peria said. But still, the desire that was still growing in the corner of my thoughts gradually began to rise to the surface.

More than anything else

I would like to see a succubus.

‘I’m a little curious.’

Succubus.

A lineage of demons who are also called dream demons and have a beauty that easily attracts other races.

There’s something romantic about it, so I really want to see it at least once.

‘It is said that, unlike other demons, it is quite aesthetically superior.’

They say she is a beautiful woman who seduces men, so the desire to see her becomes stronger as time passes.

At that time, the teacher eventually decided to go in, albeit for different reasons.

“I’m a bit curious too. I want to experience what strong magical power feels like.”

“Ugh, if you say this too, is it 2:1? It can’t be helped. Well then, since we’re already here, let’s go to the end.”

‘Nice, Master.’

“Good. Well then, let’s start by looking for the entrance.”

Feria looks around as if she has resigned herself to it.

“I think it’s this.”

When you remove the huge curtain on the other side of the dance hall, you can see a door made of wood.

Considering that there were demon warriors guarding this door, it was clear that this was where the succubus was.

I suddenly feel curious and ask Peria a question.

“Feria. Do succubi use magic or something else?”

“Huh? As far as I know, all illusions using dreams are derived from succubi, right?”

“Then you also use something like charm?”

“There is, but not much? Succubi are a lineage of demons who instinctively move from birth to lure men. The image known to the public is that they are women who use illusions to charm others, but there are not many who do that. In the first place, how much magic power is needed for genjutsu? So, most of them are the type that attack in earnest, but on the other hand, there are also those who act innocently and make the other person approach them.”

“But even if it is a succubus, it’s not like there are only ones with a lot of magical power. Don’t you think there are also succubi with abundant magical power? Don’t they use illusions too?”

“Even those kids don’t openly use charms other than the illusion of entering a dream. Should we call it pride? There is a tendency to think that relying on illusions to seduce men is a sign of lack of skill.”

‘Then you don’t have to worry about mental attacks or anything like that. Still, I had some expectations, but it’s disappointing.’

I think it’s a man’s psychology that when he hears the name succubus, he has some expectations of aphrodisiacs that make him astral. At least for me personally.

I’m a normal guy, so this is natural.

“Of course.”

“Huh?”

“No. Please keep talking.”

“Yes. Um… Ah, so they are a race that lives by getting the energy of men, so they make gestures that attract the other person’s attention, regardless of whether they are low class or high class. Did I say instinct? I’ve seen them walk around normally and their movements seem to be coquettish. Even though they say they are not conscious of it, their body language is very erotic.”

“This is a race that purely relies on skill without any tricks. I like it.”

“… Could it be that the reason you keep trying to go further in here is because you want to see the succubus somehow?”

“It only seems that way to me.”

I began to inquire whether Master and Peria had noticed. If I ask a little more here, I might get caught.

“No, I’m not a person crazy about sexual desires. Is that really possible? I’m just an opponent who has to fight, so I want to fight knowing all the information I can in advance.”

“Kikik, don’t you think it would be fun to talk to Enin?”

‘Should I just leave Feria hanging on the chandelier here and go? no.’

Perfect!

“Ouch!”

I was thinking about doing that, but instead, he gave me a chestnut.

Master stood in front of the huge door.

“Then, let’s go in and ask for the way out.”

“Ah, if you want to leave, you have to ask for the exit.”

Now that I think about it, even if I tried to retreat, there was no guarantee that I would find a way out again.

It might be possible to randomly cut through walls with a magic sword, but it would be difficult to meet and fight other regular troops in this state, so there was no choice but to move forward.

“Or you can return quickly. Will you help me?”

Master smiled and placed the espresso against the back of my neck.

As the cool blade touches my neck, I get goosebumps.

“No, don’t do that.”

“Even though it looks like this, the other soul soldiers get along well, but my student doesn’t really accept it. This teacher is sad.”

“That’s because they’re crazy people and their sense of humor is poor.”

“Hmm…”

Master grumbles and retrieves the knife.

‘If you say things like that, everyone will tell you that you’re crazy.’

Because I am a normal person, I cannot accept such things.

“I will never understand that emotion.”

“It’s okay, I don’t like this either.”

“Oppa said, ‘It’s the Resurrection Run!’ Why, while saying strange words, he kept running to kill just one person.”

“Oh, there is something to be gained from that, and there is a lot to lose from this.”

I spend my life calculating profit and loss, but it makes me sad because they don’t understand this.

Fighting against a strong opponent helps you grow. At least I believe so.

“Since it comes back to life anyway, let’s use it efficiently.”

“That’s strange, but I really don’t know why I don’t understand.”

“Isn’t that correct? Anyway, if given multiple opportunities, I think it’s worth writing about things that others can’t.”

“My sister and my brother both have the same mental illness in my opinion.”

I guess Peria is young and doesn’t understand very well. You need to understand.

“I should at least bring this instead of snacks as a gift for Enin.”

First of all, I thought I should take evidence of my capture of the regular army, so I cut off the horns from their helmets.

“You’re giving that to Enin? That’s really bad taste for a gift, isn’t it?”

“Of course I’m not giving it to you to use it. I do it all because it has meaning. What do you think of me?”

“A soul disease with a poor sense of humor and a crude sense of common sense.”

“…”

Anyway, there is a reason for taking this with you. If it were me when I was not affiliated, there would be no benefit to me, so I would just leave it behind and later, if I had time, I would organize a recovery team and retrieve the equipment, but I am currently affiliated with the soul soldier squad under the supply officer, Sergeant Enin.

Although 3 people are not enough to be called a squad.

So, when we increase our performance, it is automatically registered as Enin’s performance.

It is a gift that can be given to Enin in its own way.

Each person takes out clothes from the dead guys’ armor and puts the torn off horns in them.

The helmets that had had their magic restored were easy to cut, but the helmets of those who had fought with the teacher still had their magic remaining, so they were difficult to cut, so I cut them off with a saw several times.

I went over to see if I could tear off Gilbertan’s clothes and collect the remaining horns, but there were strange tattoos on his body.

It was a pattern similar to the one on the body of the adventurer who had previously transformed into a Dheable or Werebear.

‘what. They look very similar. What kind of trend is this?’

“Hey Peria.”

“Why, I’m busy.”

I call out to Peria, who is groaning and looking through the other guys’ bodies and emptying their pockets.

“Do you know anything about this tattoo?”

“Um…no? This is my first time seeing you.”

“Really? That’s it then.”

Even if you ask Peria, there is no answer.

Considering that even tricksters don’t know, these tattoos aren’t something magical, but are just common tattoos with magical meanings.

Deheble was also changed by the skull, and Gilbert’s original characteristic as a demon was to absorb power by killing others, so it may not mean much.

‘Maybe I just reacted sensitively because it looked the same as the pattern I saw back then.’

You never know.

Everyone finished retrieving their loot and put their bundles on their shoulders one by one.

“Then let’s go.”

Master leans against the wall and Peria carefully pushes open the wooden door from both sides.

There were no arrows flying or anything like that.

I stick my head out slightly and look inside.

Unlike the dance hall, which felt cold, the inside looked very cozy.

It had the same atmosphere as the hallway created by the illusion that existed before I came here, but I could see that it was a different place from the fact that it was slightly dusty, as if it had not been cleaned properly.

Candles of a color close to the pink seen from outside were burning in the large room and in the candle holders hanging around it.

It feels amazing that such a light can be produced even though it is not an LED. Was that also made with genjutsu?

This room has a slightly strange atmosphere rather than a warm feel.

However, in a different way, the barren room without any furniture looks as lonely as the dance hall from before.

And in the middle of the room, there was a small woman sitting on a chair that was large enough to be called a throne.

“Welcome.”

Leto an Astesia.

The leader who led the Demon Demon’s castle and invaded us in a surprise attack.

A succubus with peacock-level magical power, close to pureblood, and a general who led the demon army.

The image I had in my head was of a majestic succubus wielding powerful magical powers.

‘I definitely thought that would be the case.’

The woman in front of me didn’t look like that.

Sitting on the huge throne was a woman with purple and pink hair who had a very small body.

He is sitting on a huge chair painted gold, with an old, mismatched cushion on it.

So the woman’s appearance felt very delicate.

‘Restriction?’

He had an eye patch on and one arm was shackled and tied to the throne.

Crude shackles and chains fastened to the arms to block the view and prevent the person from getting too far from the chair.

I don’t feel like he’s the general who came to kill us, leading Gilbertan and the Demon Warriors we were dealing with just a moment ago.

She is just a woman with a thin waist and wearing neat clothes.

She’s just a slightly unusual-looking woman with what looks like tiny bat wings on her head.

‘Is that possible?’

Gently hold the blade of the magic sword in your hand.

As the pain in my hand distracts me, I feel myself coming back to my senses.

It was an instant.

As soon as I saw the succubus, I instantly thought, as if I was possessed, ‘That woman couldn’t have done that.’ I tried to approach by changing to .

It feels like I’ve been mentally attacked.

Maybe he was already affected by the illusion the moment he came in. You must never lose focus.

‘Let’s relax.’

And that thought flew away as soon as the succubus spoke.

“Did you fall in love with my beauty? Hehehe. I’m happy.”

“Yes, it’s really great. I think she’s the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.”

“Tsuaaap!”

“Pu-up!”

Peria did a roundhouse kick, kicking the hole in the side where the dagger came in earlier.

I come to my senses again with tremendous pain.

‘I can’t believe I’m like this again just with my voice. These succubi guys are amazing.’

“Come to your senses, brother. If not, will it kick me again?”

“Okay…”

I pat my sore side and engrave Peria’s warning in my head. If you get possessed, you die. If you get possessed, you die. If you get possessed, you die…

“They are interesting people. I don’t want to fight, so please sit here.”

The succubus flicked the fingers of her other hand, which was not shackled, and in the blink of an eye, a round table and chairs appeared, with luxurious items that looked like a tea time set on them.

I shouted loudly to regain my composure.

“No guessing! It might be a trap. How can I sit down?”

“It’s okay. You didn’t install anything?”

The succubus gets up from the throne, drags the chain around, shakes the chair, lifts the tablecloth, and confirms it for us.

In an instant, my thoughts went, ‘There’s no way there’s a trap in a place like that when you’re dragging a heavy chain around, lifting it one by one and smiling at it.’

“Then there is nothing we can do.”

“Oh, really.”

Peria loses her temper again, but she doesn’t feel like standing around talking anymore, so everyone sits down.

“Would you like some tea?”

That’s how break time began.