novelraw Chapter 134 : Chapter 134
Chapter 134 : Chapter 134
Chapter 134: Answer Me, Human (3)
‘Where is he going?’
Monica thought while staring straight ahead.
Abel was walking ahead, and Monica and Lizer were following. It felt like they were heading toward a high ground. It was difficult to grasp the exact location because there was no path. While bizarrely twisted trees were abundant, the glint of beasts' eyes flashed between the blades of grass.
It was already night.
“Did you see?”
Suddenly, Lizer asked.
Lizer's red hair was wet with humidity.
“Did you see the Spirit's Nest?”
“……Yes.”
Monica nodded.
Three or four Spirits were hovering around Lizer. Thanks to that, Lizer's face stood out. Amidst the radiance emitted by the Spirits, Lizer had his index finger on the bridge of his nose. It seemed as if he was sniffing at a glance.
“I thought so. Because the smell of Spirits is wafting from you.”
“What kind of smell is that?”
“The smell of the earth.”
The smell of the earth, she thought.
Monica chewed over Lizer's words.
It must certainly be so. Since the Spirit's Nest is deep underground, the smell of Spirits would eventually be the same as the smell of the earth.
“Since you saw the nest, you must have noticed, right? This land is polluted.”
And also……,
It is receiving punishment from the Main Gods.
Lizer whispered like that.
“Monica might not be able to read the emotions of Spirits, but I can. From the moment I stepped into this village, it has been painful all along. My ears hurt, my nose tingled, and my eyes even stung. It was because the Spirits were cursing.”
“……I see.”
Are they cursing the residents?
The Spirits, I mean.
Monica asked like that, and,
“Of course.”
Lizer nodded.
“The Spirits were angry and sad. Because they knew what happened in this land.”
Monica pursed her lips.
The Spirits must have wandered around Portsmouth for a long time. That must be why they are cursing. Even if people forget their errors as generations pass, the Spirit's Nest was beating while repeatedly polluted. With difficulty, and painfully.
“Are they still angry now?”
Looking at Lizer, Monica asked.
One Spirit, a small lump of light, approached Monica's side. After quickly brushing past her cheek, it flew toward a distant place.
“Anyway, the residents decided to admit their errors……, and it seems they offered their own condolences.”
“It is far from enough.”
Lizer answered flatly.
Shrugging his shoulders, he continued.
“Spirits are a kind of audience. And Portsmouth would be the stage where the play proceeds.”
Think about it.
Spirits, you see.
They have been watching the stories of the people here for hundreds of years.
“It means they watched endless tragedies. Very painfully at that. Even if the residents repent for a moment amidst that, the Spirits won't be satisfied in the slightest. Because the dead won't return, and the people who should shoulder responsibility have long enjoyed their remaining years.”
“Then what should we do?”
How can that……, she thought.
Monica asked while mumbling with her lips.
“……Is it possible to make the Main Gods withdraw the Divine Punishment, soothe the Spirits while we're at it, and purify the polluted nest?”
Damn, it's complicated.
At the same time as asking the question, Monica thought.
It wasn't a problem that would end by exterminating monsters. The Spirits, and furthermore the Main Gods, were refusing the existence of Portsmouth. Since it came to this, wouldn't it be better for everyone to leave? It would be better for the residents to migrate to another land. The land would remain dirty forever, and thus monsters would easily run rampant, but…….
“It will need a lot of time.”
Lizer wiped the smile off his face.
After disrupting the smile that had been consistently hanging on his lips, he stared at Monica with narrowed eyes.
“A land once dirty cannot easily return. Either resolve it with time, or…….”
“We have arrived.”
Lizer's words were cut off.
It was because Abel opened his mouth.
Dim moonlight was illuminating Abel. Beyond the thicket that spread densely, the black-dyed sea was vaguely revealed. They had reached a high hill.
“You two will be in charge of this place.”
Making a shade with his hand, Abel said.
Far away, the hill where Pnakotic's dwelling belonged was visible. The two hills facing each other were the highest areas in Portsmouth. The village was built between the hills, and while the hill where Pnakotic's dwelling belonged was rampant with scrap metal, the hill Abel reached had been cut off from people's footsteps, and,
“It is a point for contacting the Spirit's Nest.”
TAP, it went.
Tapping the ground with the toe of his shoe, Abel felt it.
That the underground here and the Spirit's Nest were touching.
“Are you intending to use that method after all?”
As Lizer asked, Abel nodded.
“If a battle breaks out, some people will die. Casualties will be unavoidable. However, I intend to try.”
To reduce casualties to the minimum…….
While Abel muttered like that,
“But Professor, the condition is too serious.”
Taking a step forward, Lizer said.
In the middle of the hill, Lizer rummaged through the densely piled grass leaves. Thus, he closed his eyes while resting his hand on the ground. Translucent radiance wrapped around Lizer's hand.
It means he made contact with the Ley Line. Watching Lizer, Monica thought. Since she had tried it herself, she could realize. Lizer was searching the Ley Line through mana.
“We can try.”
Lizer said quietly.
“But I cannot guarantee. Whether we can borrow power…….”
“If you and Monica make an effort, it will be possible.”
“It is easy to say. Monica is human, and the Spirits of Portsmouth loathe humans. It might be dangerous if she contacts the nest directly.”
“That is why I am having her carry out the task with you.”
“Of course, it would be a little better if I am together, but…….”
While Lizer and Abel were exchanging words,
“Excuse me.”
Monica held up her prosthetic hand.
“I do not know what you are talking about. Could you please explain?”
“Didn't I tell you earlier.”
Monica asked, and Lizer opened his eyes.
Looking at Monica, he opened his mouth.
“That a lot of time would be needed to return this land. If we cannot resolve it with time…….”
“We will have to move directly.”
Abel explained on behalf of Lizer.
Lizer could handle Spirits. At the same time, direct communication was possible. While such Lizer supports Monica, Monica purifies the Spirit's Nest with divine power. It was like soothing the Divine Punishment brought down on Portsmouth with divine power.
“If you succeed, you will be able to receive support.”
Abel spoke like that.
If the Spirit's Nest is purified,
If the Ley Lines forming the underground regain vitality,
After making Monica's Aura contact the Ley Line, she would be able to amplify her Aura Blade by borrowing power from the land.
“If you can unleash that…….”
It would be possible to sweep away the flock of monsters.
“I think I roughly understood.”
Toward Abel, Monica said.
If they cling to hand-to-hand combat, casualties are bound to occur.
Abel was seeking another method. If she uses Monica's Aura Blade and annihilates them by the flock, she could minimize the damage inflicted on Portsmouth.
“For now…….”
TRUDGE, it went.
Monica taking a step.
“I know what I have to do.”
Monica stood by Abel's side.
She raised her head and looked up at Abel's face.
“If I can reduce casualties, I will try. By the way…….”
What will you do, Teacher?
Monica asked like that.
“Judging from the instructions you gave until now…….”
Monica's gaze narrowed.
There was something she realized through the instructions Abel gave.
Roberta will manufacture weapons. Ernst will command the war situation. Hand-to-hand combat will be handled by Demian, and Monica and Lizer will purify the Spirit's Nest. Then Abel's role becomes unclear.
“……Are you going to the enemy camp?”
Alone.
Monica whispered in a small voice.
“That is correct.”
Abel nodded.
“An Intelligent Species will be guarding the monsters' nest. I also cannot overlook the entity called Cthanid. Unless I eliminate the enemy camp, the battle will not end.”
So I will strike the enemy camp.
I intend to make a preemptive strike before the Intelligent Species moves.
I probably won't be able to deal with all the monsters alone. The remaining forces will reach Portsmouth. You will face those guys.
Abel explained like that, and,
“Is there any problem.”
Subsequently asked.
While looking down at Monica.
“Your expression is dark.”
“No, there isn't really a problem…….”
Monica shook her head.
Sweeping back her hair, she turned her gaze away.
“You look a little lonely.”
She just muttered.
Quietly, so that Abel wouldn't hear.
* * *
Three days later, early dawn.
A rowboat was sprawled on the sandy beach.
Barnacles were stuck to the outside of the hull. After removing them by hand, Abel stood upright. Holding up the oars, he examined here and there. Although old and unsightly, there would probably be no difficulty. To cross the sea.
‘All preparations are finished.’
Looking at the Black Sea, Abel thought.
He took as many resources as available, and finished preparations as much as time allowed. Although it wasn't perfect, rather at a crude level, Abel had just completed preparations to fight the battle.
‘You must be the same.’
The black-dyed seawater was waving.
The number of Banshees hiding in the water would be countless.
The Intelligent Species, Nodens, must have watched through the Banshees' eyes. Every movement of Portsmouth. Thus, he must have finished preparations early. Nodens must have realized the fact that Abel is planning a preemptive attack, and must be in a state of ensuring perfection.
‘Does it mean you will be waiting.’
Abel placed the oars on his shoulder.
Then he grabbed the rope connected to the rowboat.
‘You will find out soon.’
SQUEEZE, it went.
Abel put strength into his grip.
Abel's footprints were imprinted on the sandy beach.
A straight line drawn behind the footprints. The rowboat swept the sand and left a deeply gouged mark. Before long, facing the waves, Abel stopped. Subsequently, after inhaling a breath,
“Gentlemen.”
He opened his mouth.
“From now on, I will head to the monsters' nest.”
Behind Abel,
The students stood.
Monica, Demian, Ernst, Roberta, and Lizer. Five students looked at Abel while treading on the sandy beach.
“It will not take a long time. The current is fierce to cross with a rowboat, but half a day is enough.”
Looking back at the students, Abel said.
“I will deal with most of the monsters. But you must not be relieved. You also cannot ignore the number of monsters that will reach Portsmouth. You gentlemen will have to fight an all-out war.”
So report.
Abel muttered like that.
“Report what you gentlemen have prepared.”
What have you prepared,
And what have you resolved.
Holding a faint smile, Abel spoke.
“Tell me what you have prepared.”