Chapter 167
Zombification
Translator : PolterGlast
I thought they would catch on immediately, but Veronica
and the others seemed to have no idea what I was talking about. It really seems
the information that the cause is a Dragon Zombie has not spread at all.
Actually... I believed Dwayne completely because he
was a Guild Master, but considering Guanza's past behavior,
investigating whether the Dragon Zombie is truly the cause should
probably be the priority. If asked to choose between believing Guanza or
Greg, I'd choose Greg in a heartbeat.
"Excuse me. What is this cause of the plague you speak
of? Are you suggesting there is a specific reason for the illness currently
spreading in Klingark?"
"I don't know if it's true, but we heard that the
corpse of a Red Dragon has turned into a zombie, and that is what's
causing the plague to spread."
"...I see. So you heard this from Guanza-san?"
"Yeah. I tried asking Greg earlier, but he
turned us away at the door. If I had to choose, I trust Greg more than Guanza
too, but if there really is a past history of subjugating a Red Dragon,
I think we need to verify it."
Even though I trust Greg more, Guanza didn't
particularly seem like he was lying either. If the cause wasn't the Dragon
Zombie, that would be fine in its own right... but since we came all the
way to Klingark, we couldn't just go home without investigating.
"It is true that we defeated a Red Dragon.
...However, we have heard nothing about that Red Dragon turning into a
zombie. I can understand why Greg-san was skeptical."
"If a Dragon Zombie started moving, it wouldn't
be strange for it to become at least a bit of a topic! Guanza was lying
after all, huh?"
"It's too early to assume. By the way, did you dispose
of the Red Dragon's corpse?"
"No, I don't think we did. Immediately after defeating
the Red Dragon, there was a request for assembly from the Royal Capital,
so we started preparing for that. Guanza was away the
whole time, and we were busy preparing too, so we just pulled out the fangs
that would fetch money and left the rest as is."
If that's the case, it wouldn't be strange for it to turn
into a zombie. Natural zombification is rare in itself, so I think the
probability is low... but zombification can be induced intentionally.
Elder Lich Wiseperson,
one of the Demon King's Army executives who attacked Furo Village,
instantly turned the corpses of the Fenrir Lord's beast army that
attacked with him into zombies. Even a regular Lich could turn a dragon
into a zombie given enough time, and since the corpse wasn't disposed of, I
think the probability has increased.
"Then we have to investigate. We just need to check if
the corpse remains at the site where it was defeated; if it's not there, we can
conclude the likelihood of zombification is high."
"I agree with Graham-san's opinion. Where
exactly is this place where you say the Red
Dragon was defeated?"
"It is a place called Mount Cube to the south.
It is visible even from Klingark, so I believe you will recognize it
immediately."
"Mount Cube to the south. Around where on Mount
Cube did you defeat it?"
"Near the summit. When we defeated it, we had
critically injured members so we descended immediately and couldn't dispose of
it. After that, since it was near the summit, we couldn't easily go back
up."
"I see. If it's near the summit, we should be fine
without a guide."
Since you can't sense life signs from a corpse, searching
for one halfway up a mountain could be difficult, but if it's near the summit,
we should be able to find it quickly. It's sudden, but let's head out to search
tomorrow.
"Um... would it be alright if we accompanied you? If it
turned into a zombie because we didn't dispose of the monster we defeated, I
believe we bear some responsibility. Also, simply put, we owe a debt of
gratitude to you, Graham-san, and although I think you don't need it, I
would like to offer our guidance."
"Sounds good! Since we're here, let's all go together!
I wanted to hear stories from the Crimson Rose and stuff!"
"I know your abilities, so I don't mind you coming
along... but is your relationship with Greg going to be okay? If you
come with us, you might be seen as betraying him too."
"Including that, it's better if we go with you. We are
the only S-Rank party in Klingark, so if we make a proper report,
I think the Guild Master will have no choice but to believe us."
True, considering our future relationship, it might be
better to have them come along. I feel bad dragging them into something that
could worsen their relationship with the Guild Master... but since they
offered, I won't refuse here.
"Understood. Then I'd like you to come with us. It's
sudden, but we plan to head out tomorrow morning. Is that okay?"
"Tomorrow morning? In that case... I don't know about the
other members, so it might just be me and Mona."
"I don't mind."
They might become targets I have to protect, so strictly
speaking, fewer people is better. So, if it's just Veronica and Mona,
that's actually convenient.
"If you are fine with that, Graham-san, then we
would like to go."
"Then it's decided. We'll be waiting in front of the
gate tomorrow morning, so please come. If you change your minds, you don't have
to force yourselves to come."
"We're definitely going. It concerns our city, after
all."
"Got it. Well then, I'm counting on you tomorrow."
I told Veronica and Mona that and left Anchelt.
We managed to get all the information at once, and tomorrow
everything should be resolved... hopefully.
The best ending would be that Guanza's information was wrong and there's nothing there, but considering the information that a plague is spreading, the possibility of a Dragon Zombie being present is higher. Just in case a battle breaks out at any moment, let's make full preparations before heading to Mount Cube.
-----
Thank you for my Patrons !!
[Platinum]
-
[Gold]
B random
Nepheos
ShitaiNoKootoRyuu
[Silver]
Corey Hicks
Creris
Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon
Jake Seagraves
Matthew Fraser
Xavier O'Donoghue
Alan Sharman
Anton Lim
Austin Lorenzo
Ctdela
Curious Panda
Didntpassit
nick nasca
openope
SD Fox
Yosua Lumbangaol
Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon
-----
