Chapter 90

Suddenly, the cathedral's structure collapsed due to the sudden appearance of a monster, and we were sent flying along with the shattered floor.

We narrowly avoided being smashed to the ground amidst the debris, but thanks to the air wall Astilla created in an instant, we landed gently and looked around.

"This is──"

We all realized that we had fallen to the entrance of the 'Labyrinth of Lament' where I had been with Sigil and the others just a moment ago.

Looking around, a large hole could be seen where the monster had apparently climbed up, but other than that, the floor here seemed to be much sturdier than the upper building, almost undamaged.

Good, we didn't fall too far.

I was just starting to feel a bit relieved when──

The monster with black wings spread in the sky, and it raised the hands that sprouted all over its bloated body──

"【Black Lightning】"

Suddenly, an extremely large black lightning bolt that seemed to cover the sky was released.

This is──bad.

It's coming straight for us.

"Parii"

I swung my sword with all my might to strike the massive black lightning bolt that was heading straight for me.

My sword caught the black lightning firmly, but──it's no good. This isn't just heavy.

I had been prepared from the moment I saw it, but it's incomparable to what I faced just now.

I was putting all my strength into my arms from the start, but there's no way I can hold it.

Before my muscles in my arms and legs could even scream, they were torn apart.

I held the lightning with my sword.

But, it was only for a moment.

Immediately──my arm holding the black sword was forcefully pushed away.

"【Divine Shield】"

But, Ines, who had been standing behind me, created a huge 'Shield of Light' in an instant and changed the trajectory of the lightning.

The massive black lightning bolt ascended into the sky and exploded high above.

Suddenly, the entire sky was covered in pitch-black darkness, and even though the explosion was high up, the shockwave sent debris from the buildings flying high into the air.

"Amazing power──it's incomparable to what we just faced."

"Was that lightning just now... released by that monster?"

"Yeah. Just enduring one hit left us in this state."

I showed my palm to Rine, who was stunned by the monster's lightning.

My hand, which had been holding the sword, was burned and smoking.

Just touching it for a moment left it in this state.

Fortunately, with my 【Low Heel】, I can heal it immediately, but... if I had to endure something like that multiple times in a row, it would be unbearable.

I looked up at the monster floating in the sky, still supporting the black sword with my numb hand and arm.

Just doing that made me shudder, and cold sweat trickled down my entire body.

...That monster, not only in appearance but also in power, has grown significantly.

How are we supposed to defeat something like that...?

"Lord Rineburg──please prepare. A horde of monsters is coming."

I turned around at Ines's warning to Rine and saw a countless number of writhing creatures pouring out from the 'entrance' of the labyrinth and the large hole in the ground.

──All of those are 'monsters'.

The horde of monsters climbed over the pile of debris and quickly surrounded us.

Fortunately, they seemed much smaller than skeletons or goblins, but... there were far too many.

I was already having a hard time with the one floating above, so this is ridiculous.

Rine and Ines were immediately slashing at them, but──the numbers didn't seem to decrease at all.

If anything, they seemed to be increasing.

They kept appearing endlessly.

"This is bad. Do we have to deal with this as well?"

"...Yes, if we don't form a proper formation and deal with them, we might all be wiped out soon."

Rine looked around and said that.

Indeed, the situation is bad.

Rine and Ines were fighting the monsters without any trouble, but Sigil and the others were fighting far away.

They were being overwhelmed by the horde of monsters.

Also, the soldiers who had been lying on the ground, looking unwell, were now caught up in the chaos of the monster horde.

The soldiers who were fighting while being protected by Astilla and the prince seemed to be fine, but the problem was the isolated people.

"...They aren't really suited for battle. We should go help them quickly."

"Yes... but, that thing──is still moving."

The monster in the sky was looking at us with its many eyes, seemingly observing the situation.

When I looked up, I felt like I met the gaze of a cluster of eerie eyes.

Then, I could see power gathering in the monster's hands.

──It's trying to do something again.

"【Inferno】"

The monster floating above us extended its numerous hands and released a fire spell.

This is bad.

This is a stubborn fire spell that will continue to burn the skin once it clings to the body.

Moreover, the scale is incomparable to what we saw just now.

The extremely large fire created by the monster appeared in the sky, burned the debris of the buildings, and quickly formed a vortex that covered the entire sky, descending upon us.

──If something like that hits us, it won't be just a scratch.

"【Windstorm】"

"【Storm Wall】"

Astilla and Rine, who noticed the massive fire descending from above, tried to push it back with wind magic, but──

"【Black Lightning】"

A massive black lightning bolt was released, piercing through the vortex of fire.

That monster really doesn't give up.

But──

"Parii"

"【Divine Shield】"

I ran up the pile of debris and deflected the lightning, and Ines, standing behind me, instantly changed its trajectory.

I can't handle it alone, but now she's here.

The vortex of fire was also pushed back into the sky thanks to Rine and Astilla.

Now, the monster is burning in the fire it created.

This might be manageable.

...But, it's endless.

The monster above seems to be able to release magic endlessly, and the 'monsters' from the labyrinth also seem to keep appearing.

──This is a bit worrying.

If this continues, it will be difficult to help all the people who are about to be overwhelmed by the horde of monsters.

"Parii"

I deflected the claws and fangs of the monsters attacking the soldiers within reach.

I kept deflecting their weapons and breaking them within the range I could reach.

It's just a temporary relief compared to the speed at which the monsters are appearing, but it's better than doing nothing.

But, we will be overwhelmed by numbers if this continues.

Just as I was feeling anxious about this, the surroundings suddenly brightened, and I sensed something approaching.

"──What is it?"

Looking up, I saw the monster in the sky, enveloped in the fire it had been pushed back, falling towards us at an incredible speed.

──This is bad.

If that huge body falls, we will all be crushed.

The monster quickly descended in front of me, raised its massive fist enveloped in flames, and slammed it down towards us.

But──

"【Divine Shield】"

Ines, who had somehow appeared, deployed a 'Shield of Light' and intercepted the monster's massive body and numerous fists.

The impact shook the ground, and Ines's feet sank into it.

"Ines, are you okay?"

"──I'm fine. My shield won't budge from this. But... if this continues, it won't do. ...Lord Noll. Can't you do something?"

Ines, who rarely sounded weak, spoke.

Indeed, this won't do.

Ines, who had been cutting down the monsters with her 'Shield of Light', stopped, and the momentum of the horde increased.

Ines's shield is strong, but the current situation is bad.

But, if you ask me if I can do something, I honestly can't think of anything.

"──Ines"

At that moment, someone quietly called out to her.

It was Roro.

"I have a request. Can you release that 'shield' for just a moment?"

"...Roro? What are you saying...?"

"...Just for a moment, at a safe time. Is it okay...?"

He seemed very calm.

He looked calm in this situation.

He seemed a bit different from the Roro I knew.

I had thought he had changed since coming to Misra, but──

He even seemed like a different person from the one I had just met.

"...Do you have some kind of solution?"

While holding the monster's massive body and sinking into the ground, Ines responded to Roro.

"No, it's not a solution, but... I think I can restrain this monster for a short time. I want you to use that time to get into position. ...It should make things much easier. Right, Rine?"

Rine, who had somehow come closer and was cutting down the surrounding monsters, was called by Roro.

"...Yes, indeed, we need time to form a formation. But, Roro... what do you intend to do...?"

"It's okay. I won't do anything reckless. I think I have a chance to succeed."

Saying that, Roro took a small leather bag from his jacket pocket and smiled.

Seeing that, Rine and Ines seemed to understand something.

"──Understood. Ines, can you do it?"

"...Yes. I will time it──please prepare."

Ines timed the monster's movements and lifted the massive 'Shield of Light'.

"【Divine Shield】"

The monster was thrown back into the sky.

But, it didn't take any damage.

It was just floating a short distance away.

"...Roro, I will release the 'shield'."

"──Yes, thank you, Ines."

Immediately, Ines's 'Shield of Light' disappeared, and Roro faced the monster.

In the midst of the horde of monsters, a small boy stood alone, facing the massive monster.

It was a somewhat strange scene.

Roro, without showing any fear, calmly spoke to the monster floating in front of him.

"──Hey, you. Can you hear my voice?"

The monster's body, which had been writhing, seemed to stop moving for a moment.

"...I'm sorry you couldn't eat as you wanted.

You must be thinking, 'This wasn't supposed to happen.'"

"──Roro?"

The monster remained still, as if listening.

Everyone watched in astonishment as Roro suddenly started talking to the monster.

"...Are you disappointed...? You seemed very scared just now.

You are desperately trying to close your mind so that I can't see it, and you don't want to be controlled again. But... I understand. You are afraid, so you can't get close to us as you want. ...Am I wrong?"

The monster writhed in the air as if responding to Roro's call.

"──Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah,