Black Summoner – Chapter 297

—Heroic Spirit’s Underground Mausoleum, 10th Layer—

The 10th Layer of the Heroic Spirit’s Underground Mausoleum, the deepest floor. This, the most important section where the former goddess Elearis’s beloved spear, the Holy Lance Eclipse, is enshrined, will likely feel surprisingly cramped to those who have navigated the previous layers. Beyond the stairs, only a single space unfolds. The sanctuary, adorned in white and silver and mirroring Delamis Cathedral on the surface, is fitting for worshipping deities and is a place that would make any devout Rinne Church follower swoon with joy.

At the very back wall hangs a divine statue that emulates a god. Its appearance, different from Melfina’s, clearly indicates it is a completely separate woman. Beneath it is an altar of pure white. This white, which seems capable of consuming everything, evokes a peculiar sensation in the viewer, offering solace while simultaneously instilling awe.

However, what truly demands attention is above the altar. It is the figure of Sister Attra, lying on her back. There are no signs of injury or damage to her clothes, and nothing binds her. She is merely laid upon the altar. This is her state.

“Attra… Thank goodness, you seem to be safe.”

Sister Lia, who was rescued by Melfina and Gerard on the 8th Layer, lets out a sigh of relief, patting her chest which is—to put it mildly—abundant. Normally, she wouldn’t bring rescued non-combatants along, but the word “sacrifice” that Attra uttered prevented her from doing so.

Sister Lia explained that she had overheard, without being noticed, the person who kidnapped them letting slip such a detail. If her words are to be believed, time is of the essence. And theirs was the group closest to the deepest floor. There was no time to send the rescued woman back to the surface. Therefore, Lia, perched on Gerard’s shoulder, endured a rather bumpy ride but managed to reach this point, safe and sound. [Note: “Five limbs intact” is a common Japanese idiom for being unharmed.]

There are no other human shadows around except Attra, and no presence of anyone hiding is felt. If they are to help Attra, it must be now. This is a golden opportunity…!

“It’s a trap, isn’t it…”
“It’s a trap, indeed…”
“Eh?”

As if in unison, the two uttered the same words. Lia, bewildered by Melfina and Gerard’s response, which contrasted with her own thoughts, felt confused.

“There are a few individuals here who are out of place. They intend to catch us by surprise the moment we approach Sister Attra, but their killing intent is leaking out unmistakably. Though it feels rather crude for Apostles…”
“However, we cannot simply wait. Shall I go?”
“No, I will go. Gerard, please concentrate on protecting Sister Lia.”

Carrying the Holy Lance Luminary, Melfina slowly advanced. Trusting Mel, Gerard, prioritizing the safety of the person he must protect, shifted his gaze away from the place filled with a man’s dreams and hopes, and elevated its quality to a higher level. Sister Lia could only offer fervent prayers to the gods.

Approaching the altar from the stairs, she had covered about half the distance. From this point, Attra’s face was clearly visible. Her expression was serene, as if she were having a pleasant dream. Her chest rose and fell slightly, indicating that her breathing was also fine.

“…No attack yet. I feel eyes on us, but they don’t seem to be moving in yet.”
“Princess, wouldn’t it be better to just blast them with magic? You know, like the King always does.”
“That is an option, but I wish to avoid it until Attra’s safety is secured. Besides, this is one of Delamis’s important holy sites; I do not want to destroy it recklessly. I shall deal with those who dare to desecrate such a sacred resting place for the departed with my own hands…!”
“Oh, scary. Goodness gracious.”

For some reason today, Melfina was uncharacteristically filled with divine presence. However, we must not forget the fact that this goddess’s future husband candidate completely pulverized one of the important tombstones and burial chambers on the 6th Layer. Well, even if that were to be revealed, this goddess would likely laugh it off and forgive him with a flip of her hand. Perhaps love is blind.

“Well, it’s about time, isn’t it.”

Melfina closed to within two or three steps of reaching Attra. The killing intent that had surrounded and concealed them swelled instantly, and fire and lightning, diverse forms of magic, flew from behind pillars, decorative items, and every direction. The lumps of magical energy, baring their killing intent, came with no regard for surroundings, aiming not only for Mel but also for Attra.

Everything approaching rapidly was A-Rank equivalent offensive magic. Judging by the number of projectiles, there were eight hidden individuals. Their coordinated movements, emitting attacks simultaneously with minimal casting time, suggested their skills were considerable.

“Ice Empress’s Thorns.”

But that is when speaking of general perception. Facing Melfina, the odds are impossibly against them. The beautiful ice thorns Melfina conjured formed a small dome around her, completely shutting out the shock waves from the fierce attacks of differing attributes reaching the interior. The thorns themselves, struck by the attacks, remained completely unscratched.

“…”

The Ice Empress’s Thorns did not stop there. While enduring the attacks, they continued to expand their operational range from the floor, and by the time they had completely blocked the incoming magic, they had already extended their reach to the feet of those who were hiding. Once caught by the thorns, it was over; they would instantly entangle the attacker’s body, becoming shackles that forbade even the slightest movement of their fingertips.

“Alright, battle finished ♪”
“Now then, Princess. You said you wouldn’t destroy things carelessly?”

As Melfina, in a cheerful mood, dispelled the dome of thorns, her surroundings—or rather, the floor, walls, and ceiling—were covered in the Ice Empress’s Thorns. This had turned the solemn cathedral into an ice monument. Though they stopped just before Gerard and Lia, the interior was almost entirely filled.

“Ah, ah, ah…”

Sister Lia, for example, trembled with both voice and body. Whether she was trembling from the cold or from fear was unclear.

“This is the first time I’m showing this Blue Magic to Gerard. Hehe, don’t underestimate my thorns, which became the prototype for the Celsius Family Crest. They distinguish meticulously between friend and foe. Rather, they are protecting this space. They were highly effective even in the battle against the Demon King.”
“Ho, how convenient. And the enemies?”

Answering Gerard’s question, eight ice thorns lifted something from the shadows. They were ice blocks containing people, the remains of those who had attacked Mel.

“They all seem to be high-ranking mages, but their appearances and races differ. They look like they’ve been gathered from different countries.”
“Again? Are they companions of those on the 8th Layer?”
“I wonder. We haven’t seen any Apostles either…”
“Hmm.”

“Um, excuse me…”

While the telepathic discussion continued, Sister Lia, unable to bear it any longer, spoke to Gerard.

“It’s… it’s all right now, isn’t it? To help Sister Attra…?”
“Hmm? That’s right. Very well, let us wake her up immediately—”

Gerard turned to Lia, who was on his shoulder.

—THUMP.

Something streaked across as he turned, and something fell. Blood splattered from where Gerard had looked, and the face that should have been there was gone. Her clerical robe was stained with fresh blood. On the floor, what lay there was Lia’s…

“Ahaha ♪”

A voice from behind. Ange, transformed into an assassin with a bloodthirsty smile, stood there.