Here is the translated text:
Shrine of the Beast Grotto
These are the Semi-Gods created by Elearis, the predecessor Reincarnated Goddess, in various places around the world. Their role is to eliminate the Demon Kings and Evil Gods that threaten the world. Fortunately, history has never recorded a Hero summoned from another world being defeated by a Demon King, so they have never had to fulfill their purpose. However, even if the time came, they wouldn’t possess the means to defeat the Demon King “Tenma Hajun” like a Hero does, so they would merely serve as a time-buyer until the next Hero is summoned in a critical situation. Still, there are ten of them, and these Divine Pillars, possessing power equal to or greater than a Demon King, are scattered across the world.
From my perspective, this is a fortunate development. Even on this Eastern Continent where we live, there are four of them remaining, excluding the Divine Wolf Garonzolbu that Sera and the others defeated in Pars. Even with Melfina as the new Reincarnated Goddess, most of their functions have been lost, yet they may still be waiting somewhere to fulfill their role. But enough of this serious talk; if Elearis were to revive, there’s a chance she could misuse these Divine Pillars. With Melfina’s permission, I intend to make them our sustenance.
“…Now that I think about it, will Delamis complain if we destroy this?”
Perhaps they treat it as something sacred?
“Indeed, the Divine Pillars are still under Delamis’s jurisdiction. Some are designated as sacred sites or sanctuaries, but they don’t have a complete grasp of all of them, such as the Divine Pillar of Pars discovered in the new dungeon.”
“Lady Mel, will this Divine Pillar also be fine?”
“Yes. As it is located at the deepest part of a high-difficulty dungeon, it likely didn’t receive much attention. However, if we were to destroy other Divine Pillars, we would need to visit Delamis once.”
Hmm, that’s something I definitely need to do. If Melfina asks, Colette would surely be happy to cooperate.
“Hey, hey. Sister Sera isn’t here today, but how do we activate the Divine Pillar?”
In the previous battle where I was absent, Sera activated it by touching it. If being of a certain race was the trigger key, then…
“Gerard would be fine, wouldn’t he? You know, he looks like a Demon King’s armor and seems evil.”
“What are you saying? There is no purer knight than I.”
“Alright, alright. Just try touching it. If it doesn’t activate, I’ll blast it with magic.”
“What a nuisance…”
After each taking their positions, Gerard, with a sigh, bangs on the altar.
“See, nothing happens even when I touch it—”
“Gerard, behind you!”
“It’s glowing!”
“…Huh.”
The altar, which began to emit a faint glow with a time lag, emitted an intense light that engulfed the entire room the next moment. I think Gerard seemed dejected, but he was quickly swallowed by the light, so I couldn’t see clearly.
～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～
“Shutra, are you alright?”
“Y-yes. Thank you, Mel (Sister).”
Mel (Sister) protected me from the white light. Although she’s generally an insatiable glutton, she’s a kind elder sister who comes through when needed. Even though she’s a glutton…
“Well, this is my first time seeing it in person either. I wonder if a demon or a snake will appear…”
With that, she began chanting a spell and erected a barrier just around the borderline between me and Kelvin (Older Brother). It looked deceptively cool, made of ice, but its transparency allowed us to see outside without issue. I could see that the light emanating from that large pillar-like altar was also weakening.
“…A mask?”
“It’s a mask.”
Emerging from the weakened light was a creature resembling a Chinese guardian lion, wearing a pure white mask. It was about the same size as Alex (Male). Its face was hidden, but its characteristic dull bronze body was something I remembered. I had seen a drawing of it on a screen in a souvenir shop in Traage.
“Gurorolua!”
A ferocious mouth hidden beneath the mask opened, and it roared with a cry I had never heard before. However, even as it did, Rion-chan, Ange (Female), and everyone on the front lines had already started moving.
‘Slashing Prison Closure’
As soon as Rion-chan initiated something, the area around the guardian lion distorted, and invisible objects flew towards it in layers. They struck its bronze body, making metallic sounds but also damaging and injuring it.
‘The attacks seem to be getting through its body, but that mask is really hard!’
‘I’ll take the front! Rion, you flank it!’
A voice echoed in my head. This was the power of my older brother that I had heard about. Thanks to Kuro-chan sending a doppelganger before we entered the dungeon, I could now participate in telepathy, which was originally only shared between summoners and their subordinates. I remembered envying Colette when she moved her subordinates without a word. I can even talk to Alex now. My dream has come true in an unexpected way.
“Shutra, are there any issues with the telepathy? Can you see everyone’s movements?”
“Ah, Older Brother. Yes, I can hear and see. I’m really feeling the results of my level up!”
I can see everyone fighting the guardian lion more clearly than ever before. Before, I couldn’t even follow their movements with my eyes, but I can clearly see Grandpa Gerard and Alex now, and even Rion-chan’s afterimages— Ah.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t even track Sister Ange’s movements…”
“Ange’s speed is beyond the beyond. Don’t worry about it. When she gets serious, I can’t see her either…”
By the time I noticed, kunai were stuck in all of the guardian lion’s wounds. Those were supposed to be Sister Ange’s belongings, so she must have thrown them while I was looking away for a moment.
‘Gouging wounds is the fundamental principle! Ahaha!’
It’s like she’s flipped a switch…
“To explain, while Diamante was captured by Rion, Ange launched a surprise attack from behind. Combined with the effect of ‘Deadly Blow,’ she took off a quarter of its HP. With two people and one creature possessing ‘Heavenly Walk’ to disrupt, Ange can fight more comfortably. Her ‘Throwing’ technique of accurately throwing poisoned kunai into wounds is also excellent.”
“…And that was the valuable explanation from Melfina, the teacher.”
“Y-yes.”
Returning my gaze to the battlefield, I saw the enraged guardian lion in a charging posture. Judging by the direction, it was heading straight for me and my older brother. If it continues like this—
“No problem! I’ll take it!”
With a shout, Grandpa stood directly in its path. In contrast to his usual playful and kind demeanor, his figure was that of a knight protecting the weak. For some reason, his appearance overlapped with Grandpa Dan’s.
“Guorooo!”
Despite its heavy physique, which looked like its outer hide was reinforced with metal, the charging guardian lion reached maximum speed in an instant. The giant projectile charged directly at Grandpa and collided.
“Guh! Strong, but… it’s not as urgent as it was with Lady Gordiana!”
Grandpa blocked the guardian lion’s charge with his pitch-black greatshield, then used the shield to flick the guardian lion’s face upwards, briefly lifting it into the air. Alex, holding a longsword with a purple blade, crept in and unleashed a barrage of slashes in the instant it fell from the air to the ground. Rion-chan and Ange (Sister) followed suit, and the guardian lion could no longer stand.
“Amazing, amazing! It’s overwhelming!”
“Yeah… However, there’s a problem if we continue like this.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Huh?”
A problem? Uhm, was there anything that seemed problematic? The battle looks to be going smoothly… As expected, my older brother and sister are amazing; they know many things I don’t. I have to try harder too!
“If it goes on like this, I won’t get a chance to act, will I?”
“If it goes on like this, the poison will spread through the meat and spoil the taste.”
…I have to do something.
