episode_0212

Episode 212

The advance force led by Masker had advanced deep into Seville. They were setting up camp in a place where the castle of Seville could be seen in the distance.

Of course, even if you can see it with your eyes, it is a considerable distance when you actually try to move it. In addition, most of the movement routes were surrounded by forests, so it seemed difficult to move the troops.

Masker came right to the front and greeted the princess and her party.

“You are here, princess.”

“I read the report. I heard you were attacked by a beastman, or a werewolf?”

“Yes. Would you like to see it for yourself?”

A large pit was dug at the back of the camp. As I got closer, a terrible smell assaulted my nose. Inside, the corpses of werewolves with shaggy fur were piled up.

“It was difficult to capture them alive because resistance was strong. I don’t know if it’s because he doesn’t understand human language, but he’s ready to bite even if only the head remains…”

“The number appears to be a little over twenty. What about the damage here?”

“There are six deaths. They are all regular combat soldiers.”

“What did you do with the bodies of the deceased? What about the injured?”

“The deceased were buried after the funeral by military priests. The injured are also being treated in strict isolation.”

It’s according to the manual. At least it seems that the damage will not spread due to the curse infection.

Among the werewolves in the pit, there were some whose human clothes remained untorn. It was a commonly seen clothing worn by commoners.

“As expected, this is not a monster that suddenly appeared, but it seems to be a mutated one of the residents living in San Seine. How could you do this…”

It is relatively common for people to be dragged into battle due to a ruler’s mistake, but it is a completely different story for them to become monsters with no intelligence or humanity left. I felt my fist naturally gaining strength.

“This is definitely the power of a curse. He’s been dead for a long time, so the curse has already dissipated… but I can still tell.”

Leelia was looking straight at them from next to me. Reelia, who kept her mouth shut, seemed to be thinking the same thing as me.

“Would you like to see more details? There are some objects that have been removed for investigation.”

I nodded at what Masker said. He took us to a heavily quarantined treehouse behind the camp.

There, a relatively small werewolf was lying on a long desk. The werewolf seen up close was definitely terrifying. It felt like he would open his eyes and run at any moment.

“Basically, it is very difficult for a curse to affect the body. It requires much stronger magic and malice than engaging with the mind. But to change my entire body into a completely different being like this… I can’t help but think of it as an enormous curse. This is something that can never be forgiven.”

Leelia’s voice was deep. I think Leelia probably noticed it too. The identity of this small werewolf is probably a child.

“…I don’t think there is any risk of infection in the dead state. Because I can’t feel any remaining mana at all. You, who have the eyes of a witch, would know better.”

As Carmel said, there was no movement of mana from the werewolf. Aela’s curse seemed to be able to change other people’s bodies not only while it lasted, but permanently.

“If it is alive, can it be brought back? With Reelia’s divine power or my magic.”

“Well… I guess I’ll have to try it to find out? First of all, it’s impossible with the magic I know.”

Carmel said calmly. I don’t know, but it was a little surprising that Leelia’s skills were even acknowledged.

“I understand. If so, I think that’s the first thing to test.”

Reelia nodded firmly at my words.

* * *

According to Masker, the werewolves have stopped attacking since they stopped their advance here. Unless you go into the forest or get close to the castle.

This is where you can clearly see that the purpose of releasing them was delay. The more this happened, the more quickly it was necessary to capture the castle. Even if it’s just to avoid creating more victims.

If we can turn the werewolves back into humans with the power of Nana Reelia, breaking through the forest will be a simple matter. I was ready to try it out right away.

Reelia and I entered the forest, surrounded by guards led by Pilgret.

“Then… let’s go.”

Even though it was midday, the forest was dark with the shadows of the trees. This was the case even though it was the season when there were not many leaves.

Maybe it’s because I’m nervous, but even the sound of stepping on fallen leaves gets on my nerves. Even though I was protected by a large number of troops, the thought of a monster coming out of nowhere gave me a chilling feeling.

A few minutes into the forest, Reelia shouted in an urgent voice.

“It came…! It’s coming, this way!”

As soon as those words were out, werewolves appeared from behind a large tree and on a rock.

“Krrr…”

I don’t know the canine’s expression very well, but it looks like it harbors extreme hatred towards this group. I could clearly see that their bodies were filled with black mana.

“Hold up your shield!”

“Kooo!”

The werewolves collide with the soldiers who formed a square and raised the tower shield. The soldiers were desperately trying to prevent their teeth and claws from digging into the gaps in the steel.

“Lielia!”

“Yes!”

From the moment they appeared, Reelia was preparing to use her divine power. The dazzling divine power grows bigger and bigger. Enough to embrace all the fighting soldiers and werewolves.

Inside, I could see the black mana that had been stirring within the werewolves’ bodies gradually disappearing. At the same time, their bodies gradually reverted to human ones.

“Uh, uh…?”

“What the hell is this… Ugh! Please save me!”

When they returned to human form, most of them were wearing nothing, just like the werewolves in the pit.

I was startled when I saw the soldiers holding swords and shields, breathing heavily, and fell flat on the floor. The belligerence he had when he was a wolf seemed to have completely disappeared.

“Whoa, thank goodness…”

Leelia’s heart sank as she looked at the people who had returned. I felt a little relieved and gave orders to my soldiers.

“Take them to the camp and give them clothes and food. However, you cannot be completely reassured yet, so be sure to monitor thoroughly.”

I led them back to the camp with the soldiers.

* * *

“Singing sound?”

“Yes, yes…”

The man who was a werewolf had a very intimidated face. Even if they didn’t know that I was a princess, they seemed to sense that I was of a very high status.

“Please tell me in more detail. About my last memory. When and how did you hear the singing voice?”

“Well, it must have been the middle of the night. In my sleep, I heard a faint singing sound. It was definitely a very quiet sound, but strangely, I never thought it was a dream or that I heard something wrong.”

“So?”

“When I heard that, I somehow felt like I had to go to a place where I could hear the song. I’m sure it wasn’t just me. When I came out the door, I made eye contact with Thompson, who lived next door. Before I knew it, everyone had gathered in the center of the village. There… He was there.”

“Him…?”

The man looked closely and then pointed to the person next to me. It was none other than Carmel.

“A woman who looked very similar to this young lady, so she had a striking appearance, was singing. Since there was a full moon, I thought the moon goddess had come down to earth. That’s all I remember…”

Carmel was listening to the man’s story without any significant change in expression. Besides this man, most of the villagers were saying almost the same thing.

“Do you remember what song it was?”

The man shook his head and answered.

“The only thing I knew was that it was a very sweet song… It felt like it was seeping directly into my heart. I didn’t even know what he was talking about. At least it wasn’t the language of this country.”

What the man witnessed, and what he cursed, can definitely be seen as Aila. Using ‘songs praising life’. It seems that in order to use that grimoire, you have to make a sound with your mouth.

Aila suddenly comes to the village in the middle of the night and turns all the villagers into wolves with her sweet song. There are literally no witches in old stories.

Should we at least provide earplugs to soldiers? It might be better than nothing.

“Thank you for your hard work. You can go back and rest.”

“Well, what will happen to us…?”

The man was very scared. Even though they were unconscious, they seemed to have a vague sense that they had done something against the kingdom’s soldiers.

I said to him with a kind smile.

“Don’t worry. You can go back to your job. Of course, after annihilating all the traitors living in the castle.”

“Ah, uh… Ah, yes, thank you…”

The man walked away with an expression that didn’t know whether to be afraid or happy. After he left, I asked Carmel.

“What do you think, Mother?”

“It may have been a scary ghost story from the village’s ordinary people, but… one thing is clear. Aila is trying to avoid direct confrontation.”

I think the same thing. As with her actions in Lurie, Aila seemed to be the type of person who acted extremely cautiously.

Basically, songs don’t spread that far. Moreover, it does not take effect the moment you hear it. To be used on soldiers, it is a method that requires exposing oneself for a certain period of time.

That’s why Aila chose the strategy of turning the villagers into monsters and tying them up. This shows that Aila does not have the means to fight against an overwhelming force on her own.

“Furthermore, it was revealed that the saint’s power alone could offset Aila’s curse. Of course, that may not be the only spell contained in a song praising life, but there is plenty of room for response.”

I nodded at Carmel’s words. Same opinion. It could be said that we were far superior in terms of troops and magical capabilities.

But, nevertheless.

For some reason, I was feeling uneasy in a corner of my heart.