The Spearmaster and the Black Cat

s of people.”

“That’s how it is.”

Then we go back to the living room.
Mysty has come back from school, and Viine has returned from the market where she took Nereis’Kary, so we switch to idle gossip such as obtaining ten-ten-dutea… And after talking about the contents of the new book called Tales of the Sorcerers Fighting against Old and New Witches…we continue talking about the northern Great Goldix Desert and the Plain Lightning Fields beyond the oasis.

 

◇◇◇◇

 

Even while we spent our days in such a way, my preparations to travel have been proceeding.
First I have a meeting with the precious Fate Diviner Kazane.

“It’s rare for you to contact me, Shuuya-san.”

Kazane is wearing a red hakama with the pleats beautifully gathered in the middle.

“I’ve come today as there’s something I want to ask you.”

“What might that be? If it’s something I know, I shall tell you with the dedication of adding the Asura Religious Organization’s ‘A’ to the Blood Stars Sea Moon Alliance.”

Kazane Mariko.
Granny Mariko.
Of course I can’t tell from her face whether she’s serious or joking because of the many wrinkles. Support the translation by reading it on the translator’s blog.

“…Since that won’t work, it’s rejected.”

“How regrettable.
So, you’ve mentioned that you want to speak directly to me, and not Mirai, but just what might be your business with me?”

First, about the Score of the Demon King, and the Highcellcone.
Seeing how she’s lived for such a long time, she might know something.
I’ve heard some from Goddess of MAgic Poison Misea, but just in case I should get some more information.

“…About the effect of the Score of the Demon King.”

“The score is simply a score, and seems to be restricted to those capable of playing music.
I’ve heard that you also need dedicated instruments as well.”

“Those capable of playing music?”

“Yes, as you can see from its appearance, the score is a kind of cursed item.
It looks like it demands high training in mana and mental power from its user.”

It certainly looked like it’d curse me upon touch.
Well, it didn’t happen anyway, but I’ll also ask about the instrument.

“What kind of instruments are we talking about here?”

I won’t tell her about the horn of the Highcellcone.

“A violin called Demon of Lectorivis.
Since it mysteriously kills its players, the violin has been handed to a certain faction of the Holy Church, and I hear that it got sealed in some forest.
The Horn of the Highcellcone is precious, but since magic instruments won’t be exhibited at the Underground Auction unlike the scores, it’s a valuable item that never appears on the market.”

So she knew of the name, huh?

“If you use these two together, you will apparently be able to head to the Spirit World after influencing a Spirit World Tear or so I heard…”

“Indeed.
I’ve heard that not only will you be able to summon the lords of the Spirit World or form contracts with those lords when using the score, you will also be able to cross the interstice and interfere with the seasonal Tears, but…Shuuya-san, don’t tell me you plan to head into the Spirit World by meddling with a Tear? Still, the Tear in this area occurs in the woodlands east of Benrack as it’s an area where the interstice is thin…” Kazane mutters with an intense, threatening look while imagining something.

An aura of mana gushes out of her body.
For an instant, I feel a chill run down my spine due to her state.
However, summoning the lords of the Spirit World, and seasonal Tears.
I heard about these two for the first time.

“…I plan to head into the Spirit World through a Tear someday.”

“…T-Through a Tear?”

“I was asked to deliver something by a certain person.”

Yep, though it’s a request that was one-sidedly forced on me by Evil Emperor Ciphon.
Come to think of it, doesn’t Ajul’s ring-shaped head resemble the crescent-moon-shaped head of Ciphon a bit? Ajul’s origin is the Azure Island Jelganlard.
He mentioned it’s an island where hundred demons live…

This is ultimately my own speculation, but Jelganlard possesses a weak connection to the Spirit World, and adding to that the phenomenon of the Galapagos island, namely an island surrounded by the ocean, it might be the main reason why life-forms such as Ajul have evolved into this shape.
He’s a super life-form surpassing the structural framework of the evolution theory as a consequence of magic sources.

“To deliver something to the Spirit World…you strike me with awe.”

Kazane’s eyes widen as fear forms on her face.

“Previously you mentioned seasonal Tears, but does that mean you have to time when to use the score and instruments, or something?”

“I’ve simply heard that Tears widen and shrink depending on the seasons from someone researching the Magic Resonance of Emptiness.”

It’s about the divine sin that became the reason for Amelie’s blindness after polluting her mind.

“…You’ve said there’s one around Benrack?”

“Correct.
It’s said that the light of origin is generated on the Light Cross Hill which spawns and summons all kinds of monsters because of the influences by the netherworld, Spirit World, surface, spirits, gods, and stars.”

“I’ve heard about it because there’s a child who’s become blind due to a divine sin among my acquaintances.”

“You have my condolences.”

“No, it’s not like she minds.
Rather than that, Kazane, as someone who has spread the new food “plum” in South Mahaheim, you don’t know of anyone who has headed into the Spirit World?”

“No, I haven’t.
I’ve never heard of anyone deliberately trying to head into the Spirit World Sebdola through a Tear.
It’s a hellish place infested by several monstrosities like vampires who live on human blood…ghosts who possess people…and evil monster hordes that greedily devour the souls of demons and people alike, you know?”

“It sounds thrilling.”

Kazane’s eyes become blank as soon as she hears my reply.

“…Fufu, haha…” and she starts laughing oddly.

Is she okay? Is she really alright? It might be better if I start to pray for her!

“…But, I wonder how far the legend of 『The Lancer of Chaos that walks the Path of an Inexplicable Bloodbath』 will keep going…what kind of path are the Spearmaster and Black Cat, who exceed the law of cause and effect matching with my , going to choose? …I’m terribly curious about this.
I’ve been told by Adolianne-sama to cherish our bond, but still, all the way to the Spirit World…” Kazane comments while adding her unfiltered feelings.

“Who knows.
Be it the gods or Asura, I hate stalkers.
With that said, that’s all I wanted to know.
See you, Kazane.”

“…Okay.”

It’s difficult to guess Kazane’s feelings by the number of her wrinkles.
But I can still tell that her face is filled with loneliness and regret.
I feel bad about it, but I still bid farewell from her.

Although she’s a granny, I can understand her feelings of wanting to have bonds.
No matter what you say, she’s still spent a very long time in this city.
I return home while harboring these feelings in my heart.

After calling out to the Blood Beast Corps, which has been doing the laundry on the courtyard together with the servants, and Helme, who’s been drying the laundry, I take out the 24-faceted orb.
I roll the orb around on my palm.

Suddenly I’m driven by the urge to trace the facet of the sky island, but I endure.
I place my finger on the glass surface, at the 16th facet.
It’s the mirror I’ve set up inside the ruin of the ten divine evil gods who have created the labyrinth world.
After I completely trace its symbol with a finger, the gate boots up.

“We’ll head into this one here.
While at it, I’ll also release the cats.” I take out the dolls of Alray and Hueremy, and roll them around on my palm.

“Okay!”

“Please leave it to me!”

“Against an evil god! I’ll do my best!”

I’ve planned to go with a light hunt and a mirror retrieval, but it looks like the boyish Souther wishes to fight against Steertop.

“Nnn, nya.”

“Souther, we won’t fight any evil gods.”

After I answer Souther while Rollo gets all psyched up…I pass through the shining gate while taking Rollo and the Blood Beast Corps along, stepping into the room with a thin layer of bluish-white mist hanging above the ground.
We’ve arrived in the evil god’s room on the fifth floor of the labyrinth.

This place is the domain of Evil God Steertop.
I’m sure he’s watching us right now.
He must be delighted.
While thinking about that, I release Alray and Hueremy.

“…”

“Master, what are you looking at?”

“Star.”

While deceiving her with a little lie, I keep watching how Alray and Hueremy run around.

“Milord, there are no stars here…”

Is the sole lamia among the Lucival, Bia, in charge of retorts now for a change? She’s knocking her magic sword’s middle part against the surface of her Legendary magic shield.

Now then, I’ve got to retrieve this 16th mirror…

“I’m going to pick up the mirror.”

First I tamper with the item box.
A pitch black window pops up on the surface of the item box.
Then I grab the edge of the mirror, which has a Gothic-styled decoration, with one hand, lift it, and make it sink into the black window.
I’ll deposit this mirror in the item box to use it during my journey or for setting up a new base.

“――I mentioned it previously, but there exist 24 of these mirrors.
Using this opportunity, I’ll explain in order.”

“Okay.”

“A magnificent magic tool allowing one to transfer all over the world…” Mamani mutters.

She’s casting an envious look at my item box.
Her hometown is far away.
She might sense the potential of these mirrors.

“It’s a magic tool because master possesses the rare space-time attribute.
I’m pretty sure even Pabramanti of Ernst University and the Eight Sages Pentagon of Magic City Ernst would be astonished by the diversity of magic tools brought about by the item box.” Fuu analyzes calmly.

For some reason, her veins have popped up at the outer corners of her eyes, revealing a vampiric expression as if she’s asking for blood.

I explain the mirrors to the Blood Beast Corps members.

1st: The mirror is set up in my mansion’s room, located in the Labyrinth City Pelneet.

It’s for the sake of returning to Pelneet.

2nd: A mirror located at the bottom of some shallow sea.

An ocean or a lake…

3rd: The mirror located in the basement of 【Beltzam’s】 church in 【Hesliphat】.

It’s the church where Rubia lived in the past.
The crescent-moon-shaped magic gem I’ve been entrusted by Ciphon…to offer it to 【Ciphon’s Shrine】 in the Spirit World… At present, this mirror offers me the quickest route to head to the Great Forest of Demonic Haunts where Tears should exist.

Well, since Rollodeen is with me, it’s somewhat questionable whether I’ll use this mirror.
Tears, the timing to use the Score of the Demon King and the Horn of the Highcellcone, the lords of the Spirit World…it looks like there’s plenty of matters to consider here…

I recall the words of Kazane and Misea.
There’s also the request from Holy Spear Arost – the illusion of the holy, angelic elf who descended when I learned 《Water Control》.

He said, 『How saddening…you don’t know of Ygir’s song…? It’s the name inherited by a holy crusader blessed by Light God Lulodis and Light Spirit Fortona』.
After that exchange, I grabbed Holy Spear Arost which had floated up to me.

『So you accepted… When you’ve fulfilled mine wish, the blessing shall stay with you』-

It’s a request by Ygir Fortonal.
Since I only need to stab the spear into the sacred altar located on the Golden Hill of Arost, it’s an easy quest, but the place…is probably a temple.
Nowadays it might be smack down in the middle of the religious state’s capital.

The Demon Extermination AgencyDisorte is firmly grounded in the Religious State Hesliphat.

The party of Claude, a heavy knight leader in a position similar to a diplomat in the Holy Kingdom, has clashed with me once in the past.
I should have beaten up Claude and left him in the mud over there..

If I consider that Hesliphat is a place crawling with people like Claude, I get slightly worried.
That means, I think I’ll use Holy Spear Arost before returning it.
Since it’s a divine artifact, it should work very well against ghosts and opponents of the darkness.
That means Magic Spear Gudorl will become a spare…

But, is it going to be alright to clad a holy spear in the darkness of ?

I sum up all these thoughts and explain them to everyone.

“It sounds like the darkness will be purified.”

“It should have an effect to raise the power of Your Excellency’s Darkness Drill.
I think it’ll be alright even without the spear belonging to darkness.
Also, if you gain experience using Holy Spear Arost, you might become able to acquire Holy Drill one day.”

“That certainly sounds possible.”

“So you’re planning to head towards Hesliphat, Master?”

“Nn, nyaa.” Rollo answers in my stead.

“It’s a state with a human supremacy doctrine…” Fuu looks frightened.

“You guys will probably stay back home.”

“Naturally.
I’d like to accompany you, milord, but I want to train in this city while at the same time gathering magic stones.”

“Yep, it’s a country where you can become target of discrimination even as beastman.
Us being next to Master will only invite unnecessary troubles.”

I nod at Mamani.
Since we’ve started to digress from the mirror explanation…

“…Next I’m shifting back to the mirrors.”

4th: The witch dwelling 【Saldia Wasteland】, where the wilderness spreads into the far northwest.

It’s the mirror for when I want to meet with Sazihali or Balmint.
The area where we fought against Demonoid Güntogan, and the labyrinth with its master Akemi-san are in the vicinity as well.
Güntogan Altenbolloh, Corps Commander of the 15th Border Regiment of the Demonoid Empire Hazarn.
Hazarn might be related to the Demonoid Empire fighting against Amu’s people in the underground world.

“Master, is that labyrinth master a being who can create monsters?”

“It seems so.
Akemi-san possesses a body as a dungeon core.
Using a skill called in a control room, she’s capable of crossbreeding monsters or something like that.
It seems to be a battle revolving around that labyrinth core.”

“…So it’s yet different from a magic labyrinth.” Mamani mutters.

“Yep, I think so.
Next mirror.”

5th: A mirror in a room of the Hafmalida Religious Organization of Underground City Devil’s Mountain.

This is a mirror for when I want to meet up with Amu.
The underground world is very extensive, too.
Each city is independent, and the Demonoid Empire dabbles with the battles on the surface, too.
Amu mentioned that they’re in the middle of a war against the Demonoid empire.

Next, a group of buried mirrors.

6th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
7th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
8th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
9th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
10th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
11th: The mirror in a warehouse in the Underground City Da’Umezalan, Viine’s hometown.

I’m curious what kind of changes the dark elf society has experienced.

12th: A mirror located on a sky island.

This is the one I’ve been planning to visit for a long time now, but right now I’ll prioritize the surface.

13th: A mirror set up in the house of either some merchant, a major dealer, or a high-ranking noble.

It might be fun to casually try entering this place.

14th: A mirror located in an area with heavy snowfall.

Probably north.
Very far in the north.
Is this the area inhabited by the giants mentioned in the literary fragment?

15th: A mirror located at a rocky mountain or a cliff with a good view.

It will consume a big amount of mana to enter this place, but by using and , I should be able to construct a Lucival stronghold with a holiday house flair.

16th: A mirror currently stored in my item box.
I plan to use it someday during my journey.
17th: A mirror set up in a room, where time seems to have stopped.
It’s overflowing with armors, swords, and black frames filled with organs and eerie hearts.

This place interests me as well…

18th: A mirror located in a dark, treasure vault-like place.
19th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
20th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
21th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
22th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
23th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
24th: Seemingly has no mirror or some special conditions.
The gate doesn’t activate.

After roughly explaining the mirrors, we leave the evil god room.
Passing through the hall with the towering statues, we climb the flight of stairs.