Chapter 247
Instruction
Translator : PolterGlast
Wrapped in wings like a black cloak, the face peeking
through the gaps resembled a deep-sea fish. While the main body of the 「Curse
Mystery」 possessed
an appearance similar to its clones, what set it apart was its overwhelming
wickedness. It delegated the kidnapping to its clones and forced the captured
humans to do its bidding. Perhaps because it had gorged itself on human flesh,
its flabby, bloated body evoked an indescribable sense of revulsion.
「Rest easy, for I shall kill you
immediately.」
「Gu-gyaaaaaa!」
Incapable of speech, it let out a shrill, piercing scream
like a death throe before lunging at me. It seemed to be employing magic, as
its form blurred into multiple layers... but its execution was far too sloppy.
Employing 「magic
power」
simultaneously with the start of a movement is a novice mistake. The magic
itself lacked proficiency, and its basic physical coordination was mediocre at
best. Considering its clones moved with more grace, it was evident that the
main body hadn't participated in actual combat for a very long time.
I decided to toy with it using magic, treating the encounter
as a final lecture before its death. As its massive, swaying body entered my
range, I activated my spell. Illusory magic and other such tricks are only
effective against formidable opponents if used at the very last possible
second. However, the 「Curse Mystery」 was no such opponent; it didn't
even realize it was attacking a mere afterimage I had crafted.
I slipped behind it, watching with cold eyes as the 「Curse
Mystery」 essentially
declared its own victory, then I severed its head from the rear. Even as its
head was taken off, it didn't seem to register its defeat. As its head spun
through the air, its eyes met mine, and it wore a look of pure confusion. That
expression quickly morphed into rage, then back to confusion as it realized its
body would no longer move. As the head rotated again and its face eventually
pointed back toward me――it had finally changed to an expression of utter
despair. With that look of despair etched into its features, the head hit the
ground, and the body slowly, limply collapsed.
I had taken its high vitality into account, but the sheer
difference in our power made for an anticlimactic ending. After confirming that
I had snuffed out the life of the 「Curse
Mystery」, I
immediately shattered the ice wall. The people who had been trapped were
shivering violently from the cold, but realizing they had been saved by my
hand, they began to weep with joy. They repeatedly cried out 「Thank you,」 but before responding to their gratitude, I used fire magic
to provide them with warmth.
「It's safe now. I'm sure you don't
want to stay here, but please wait until your bodies have warmed up.」
「Thank you very much! ...Thank you
truly!」
「There is no need for thanks. Are
there only three of you left?」
「...I'm not certain, but until three
days ago, four of us were working here. One of them was... eaten the other
day...」
「So only three remain. It must have
been incredibly painful for you.」
The middle-aged man broke down, likely overwhelmed by the
memories. Following his lead, the young woman and the youth, who appeared to be
in his teens, also dissolved into tears. I silently watched over them, keeping
the fire at a careful distance to avoid burns while they let out their emotions
and regained their warmth. Even though they are safe, the mental scars will
likely haunt them for a lifetime, and the impact on their futures will be
immense.
「Do you three have families?」
I asked once their sobbing had quieted down. If they have
families to return to, it will undoubtedly serve as their greatest support
moving forward.
「I have a wife and children waiting.
...Ugh, I never thought I'd see them again.」
「I have parents and a younger sister.
I also... thought I'd never see them again. Thank you so much.」
「As I said, there is no need for
thanks. And... what about you? Do you have family?」
When I addressed the young man, his face darkened as he
looked down. From his reaction, I suspected he might be alone.
「...I lost my parents about five
years ago. I became an adventurer after that, and I had companions who were
like family to me... but when we were attacked by the 「Curse
Mystery」...」
He couldn't continue, his voice lost to a fresh wave of
tears. He had already lost his blood relatives, and now his found family had
been slaughtered by the monster. If the 「Curse
Mystery」 were
still alive, his hatred might have given him the drive to keep going, but now
even that was gone. He is still so young; it might be best to take him under my
protection for now.
「That must have been hard. Truly
difficult. For now, I will ensure the two of you reach your families. As for
you, I'd like you to stay with me for a while.」
「...Ugh. ...N-No. I can't be any more
of a burden.」
「I insist. If you feel indebted to
me, then please do as I say. What is your name?」
「My name is Lucas.」
「Lucas, then. I am Graham.」
「Graham-san. Thank you truly for everything.」
Once I was certain they had regained enough warmth, we left the dwelling of the 「Curse Mystery」. Since they lacked the strength to walk, I carried all three of them. I avoided running at full speed to keep them comfortable, making our way carefully back toward the 『Dungeon City』.
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