Chapter 46

The ones on the other side of the "wall" were undead monsters of a higher rank.

Poison Gas is an upper-class zombie monster with a purplish body. As it evolves further, it gradually turns black.

Since they often gather in groups and secrete poison, I avoided the areas where they loitered without forcing myself to take a detour.

Living Head is a monster with only its head floating, as I had seen in the documents. It seems to be able to detect light, as it flies over when the magic lamp is lit. However, it doesn’t seem to notice Hikaru and Ravia, as it flies away after circling around.

The black puddle—though it’s strange to have a puddle on such a dry road—is a Dark Slime. When I tried poking it with a dead branch, it sank in. It seems to be dissolving it.

There’s no need to force a fight, so I ignored it.

"Things are about to change from here on out."

By ignoring them, I can move faster.

Beyond the first "wall," that is, from the first residential area to the next "wall," the noble district.

The second residential area, which existed in the capital of Ponsonia, does not seem to be here.

Monsters still haven’t noticed Hikaru and the others.

The road is paved with stones. The doors of the buildings are closed, and there are no signs of being ransacked.

In fact, up to this point, there were traces of other adventurers. Campsites, broken doors, and the like.

However, the fact that there were no bodies anywhere might be because they had "transferred" to undead monsters.

Once I enter the noble district, these traces completely disappear.

The undead monsters standing there are Dead Nobles. The clothes they wear, though of a design I’ve never seen before, are quite luxurious, using gold thread and other decorations.

"......——......——"

Thinking that they were muttering something, a burst of magic was released from the tip of the Dead Noble’s hand. The floating mass of magic flew into the shadows of a building.

Watching closely, a Dead Citizen appeared from there.

"Hey, what’s that?"

"It seems that he’s reusing the monsters he’s defeated."

Hikaru approached the Dead Noble. A single stab with a dagger from behind. It seems that the Dead Noble can be defeated with one hit.

(Soul rank has increased)

I felt that the rate of increase was fast. Is it because the Dead Noble is an upper-class Dead Citizen, making it easier to increase the rank?

Walking through the noble district. Each building—now more like mansions. The mansions are large, and the figures of undead monsters walking down the corridors can be seen through the open windows.

When I tried entering a few, I found that paintings and vases, among other works of art, were left untouched. The treasures seem to be sealed in magic-protected safes. Hikaru can’t open them, but he can detect their location with "Magic Detection."

It seems to be the same as the magic prison where Ravia was confined, but the magic here hasn’t been cut off—apparently for at least 600 years.

(There must be a system to supply magic... )

As the poem also mentioned, "inventing magic that surpasses the control of spirits." If it has lasted for 600 years, it’s impressive. Is it semi-permanent?

At least, neither Hikaru nor Roland’s memories contain such technology.

(Is the magic that Gafurast is seeking this one?)

In the noble mansions, there were some gold coins and gems that weren’t in the safes, so I took them. The gold coins have a unique design, so I’m not sure if they can be used.

It was probably around three hours after we started walking in the morning.

"Hikaru, it’s coming into view. That’s the castle—"

"Over here."

The castle faintly emerged from the darkness.

A moat surrounds the castle, and there is a bridge that is the only way to the castle.

Noticing the undead stationed there, Hikaru pulled Ravia into the shadows of a nearby building.

He had a hunch that it would be better to run away.

Observing from the shadows.

There were zombies over two meters tall. Their muscles bulged, and over a hundred of them were lined up.

"Draugr...!"

I had only seen them in documents.

Undead monsters with superior senses and extremely high physical abilities. It’s said that one can easily destroy a house.

Leading them is a Dead Knight in dull silver plate armor.

He just stares at the road leading to the castle.

"What do we do?"

"I’m not sure."

They’re not lined up so tightly that there’s no gap.

But if we try to pass through, we’ll probably be within a one-meter radius.

(Should I throw a rock to draw their attention? If I can reduce their numbers for reconnaissance, that would be ideal... No, it would just raise their alertness unnecessarily.)

"How about clearing them with magic?"

"Magic, huh. ...It’s not a bad idea, but there are two concerns. One is that the monsters inside the castle might notice. The other is that the bridge might collapse from the shock of the magic."

"Hmm... Indeed, the bridge might break."

"I guess we’ll have to go through the front."

"Directly...?"

"It’s fine."

I want to add "probably," but I hold back.

Hikaru summoned the Soul Board, set "Life Block" and "Magic Block" to 4, and raised "Group Block" to 4.

The remaining points are zero.

If we’re still noticed, I should consider defeating a Dead Noble to raise the rank and max out the blocks. In that case, we won’t be able to clear it today.

"Ravia, when I squeeze your hand twice, can you turn off the magic lamp? And when it’s off, if I squeeze your hand twice again, I want you to turn it back on."

"Turn it off?"

"Because they’re Draugr."

"...They have sharp senses, don’t they?"

Hikaru had realized that the light leaking from around them when the Living Head flew over would be detected. To pass through the Draugr squad led by the Dead Knight, they needed to turn off the light.

"Ravia, don’t let go of my hand. Try to walk right behind me."

Hikaru and Ravia stepped out onto the wide road leading to the castle.

Do you really want to go straight? Ravia wanted to ask but held back.

Since Hikaru said he was going, she had to believe him.

She adjusted the magic lamp to illuminate only their feet but turned it off when Hikaru squeezed her hand twice.

Darkness enveloped Ravia.

The faint outline of the castle, which had been visible, was swallowed by the darkness.

Then—Ravia saw a faint green light in the eyes of the Draugr.

Though the light was as small as a needle’s eye, it was clearly visible in the darkness.

Hikaru’s pace slowed, but his steps were sure. Ravia didn’t know that it was thanks to "Magic Detection."

"!"

She almost let out a sound. It was just her ankle twisting from stepping on a stone.

She took a deep breath and started walking again.

Clank. A metallic sound was heard. Hikaru stopped. The distance to the Dead Knight from earlier—should be less than ten meters now.

What do we do? Should we retreat?

Ravia wanted to ask but, of course, couldn’t open her mouth. The wind stopped, and she broke out in a cold sweat.

Clank. The sound rang out again. The grip on Ravia’s hand, connecting her to Hikaru, felt slightly looser.

Hikaru started walking again. Ravia followed. How much farther to the Dead Knight? Five meters? Three meters?

Clank.

"!?"

The metallic sound rang out right next to her ear, making Ravia jump. She wanted to praise herself for not making a sound.

Hikaru quickened his pace, and she followed.

Suddenly, the air was filled with a putrid smell. It must be from the Draugr. Hikaru stopped and moved slightly to the left. Then he walked straight and turned right.

Ravia understood that he was avoiding the Draugr. She didn’t know how he was detecting their positions.

Hikaru stopped.

"?"

He turned to her...

"!?"

She was pulled into his arms.

In Hikaru’s arms, she felt him move. Inch by inch, half a step at a time.

The smell was overwhelming. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she felt nauseous.

The Draugr must be so densely packed. Maybe they should have used fire magic to clear them?

She found herself thinking.

The tension in Hikaru’s arms eased. He started walking, pulling Ravia’s hand. The speed was much faster than before.

They had made it through. The smell was clearly gone.

Hikaru squeezed her hand twice. She understood that it meant "We made it" and squeezed back twice.

Then he squeezed again. It’s okay. Just a bit tired, she squeezed back twice.

...And again. What? Was it hard for Hikaru too? Was he worried about her? Or... was he being clingy?

Smiling, she squeezed back twice. Hmm, Hikaru has such a side too? Yes, yes. Hehehe.

Hikaru stopped.

"Hey, can you turn on the light?"

He whispered in her ear.

The structure of the castle seems different from the current capital.

If I walk around the perimeter, it might take an hour.

"Let’s go inside and check."

"......"

"Ravia?"

"It’s nothing. Let’s go."

Earlier, when he asked her to turn on the light, she refused multiple times—so Hikaru thought—but then she turned it on when he asked directly.

Ravia was holding the magic lamp with one hand while holding Hikaru’s hand with the other. She was looking away from him.

For some reason, her ears were bright red.

Inside the castle, there were only Dead Nobles wandering around; no Dead Knights were visible. Hikaru took the opportunity to defeat as many Dead Nobles as possible, raising his soul rank by three.

Now Hikaru’s rank is 27, and Ravia’s is 24.

"Where should we check from here? The throne room, maybe?"

While having lunch with bread, dried meat, and dried fruits, Ravia asked Hikaru.

In the castle’s inner courtyard, Dead Nobles were scattered everywhere, defeated by Hikaru with a single strike.

"Speaking of dungeon exploration, it’s all about the treasure, right...?"

"That’s true!"

Ravia got excited and joined in.

"If so, let’s start with the treasure room. Next... I’m curious about the reason this capital collapsed, so let’s find something that can confirm it..."

"Confirm? Are you going to interview the undead monsters?"

"I’d rather not. They’ll notice us. —I don’t think the capital sank underground and everyone suddenly became undead. Maybe someone left a record?"

"...It’s possible. There are secretaries near the king, so there might be some records."

"Where would the secretary’s records be?"

"Since they often contain confidential matters, maybe in the king’s office or a royal archive?"

"Right—let’s start with the throne room."

After putting the last piece of dried fruit in his mouth, Hikaru stood up.

"Alright, let’s start by looking for treasure. Since this is different from the noble mansions, I want to get something good, even if it means pushing a bit."