The Heart of the Evil God
While we watched from the surface, the White Battleship steadily gained altitude. Even so, its grandeur, emanating from its colossal form, remained undiminished. From our vantage point, quite distant, we could clearly discern its shape. Seeing it anew, the battleship’s strangeness became even more pronounced. It was no longer comparable to a mere Golem. From where did it draw the power to float such a massive body, generating that overwhelming wind force? Was that also Kuromel’s magic?
As I thought such things, holding Efil’s hand, I saw something like fireballs and light projectiles, what one might call attacks, appear from nowhere and fly towards the battleship in large numbers. They weren’t coming from any specific direction either, but from all directions, every which way. While calling them colorful, multicolored magic might sound pleasing, each one possessed powerful destructive force.
“What, where are those attacks coming from? They’re clearly trying to bring the battleship down, aren’t they?”
“Perhaps they’re powerful subordinates of the demons who govern the areas around the Heart of the Evil God? With such a conspicuous white ship flying around, they can’t help but notice it. If an object of suspicion flies into the sky near their territory, aggressive demons would naturally try to shoot it down. The Underworld seems to be in the midst of a warring states period, and now that Father has revived, they’re likely agitated about various things.”
“Older Kel, should we join in the attack?”
“…No, let’s not. We’re too far from here. Besides, look at that.”
He pointed to the battleship under attack, urging us to observe. Despite hundreds, even thousands, of magical bombardments, the battleship showed no particular reaction. However, as the launched attacks approached the battleship, their momentum sharply declined, and they ultimately vanished without ever reaching their target. No matter how they tried to saturate it with sheer numbers, or attack it en masse from all directions, the outcome was always the same.
It was that wind emanating from the battleship, the very same that had troubled me and Ange. The battleship was currently deploying powerful winds in its entirety, acting like a shield that effectively shut out all external attacks. Even if we launched attacks with magic from this location, it was unlikely we could inflict any damage on the battleship.
Some Monsters even took flight themselves, attempting to launch a direct assault on the battleship. It was a giant centipede, the same one we encountered in the Great Cavern before its transformation. Perhaps it had fled the Great Cavern to escape Dahak’s domain? Regardless, that centipede was flying, aiming to attack the battleship.
“Ah, seen from a distance, it’s rather pathetic…”
“I don’t really notice it when we’re fighting, but to put it plainly, it’s just a big centipede, isn’t it…”
The centipede monster was swept away by the wind, blown backward, and became prey to the magic that approached from behind. The centipede’s body burned, was chopped apart, and froze. It seemed to have suffered various types of damage to its parts and died on the spot. I thought it was quite strong, perhaps around the lower S-Rank, but it couldn’t overcome the onslaught of numbers. Also, it wasn’t a pleasant sight.
“Whether we attack or approach, it seems we have to do something about that wind.”
“Hmm, but the ship isn’t doing anything even when it’s being attacked.”
“Does it lack attack capabilities?”
Sylvia and Emma exchanged seemingly reasonable opinions, but I couldn’t imagine Zildra creating a ship that was completely unarmed. The reason the battleship isn’t doing anything now is likely because those things are too insignificant and trivial to warrant a response. Without needing to intercept or erect a barrier, the battleship’s winds, solely for the purpose of flight, repelled external attacks and prevented intrusion. Therefore, there was no need to engage. Perhaps that was Kuromel’s state of mind. Even if she needed to intercept, she would likely do so with a hum and a flick of her wrist. The power she showed us, even a fraction of it, was that threatening and overwhelming.
…Also, she said something else, didn’t she? About breaking through the ceiling of hell and manifesting some island? She said it as she was leaving, but with the roaring wind and my desperation to save Ange, I didn’t hear it clearly… All I know is that Kuromel is currently moving to achieve that goal. Let me organize my thoughts. Hell, in other words, is the Underworld. If so, then the ceiling…?
“…Sera. The sky in the Underworld has strange colors, and they say there’s a sea of blood if you walk to the edge, but it’s still underground, right? Even if you fly, don’t you eventually hit a ceiling somewhere?”
“Huh? Oh, yes. The sky changes weather and color depending on the ruler of that territory, but do you know of one thing that never changes?”
“Is it height?”
“Correct! Regardless of the location, at a certain height, the sky becomes blocked by a wall. Even though the sky seems to stretch further, it suddenly becomes a solid wall, like being blocked by glass! I read a book written by some great demon who was skilled at flying a long time ago and investigated this! By the way, it seems that no matter how far you travel in the sea of blood, you end up returning to the same place, and historically, no demon has ever crossed it. I haven’t even seen it myself.”
Sera puffed out her chest with pride. It’s unclear whether that great demon recorded the truth. But if it were true, was Kuromel trying to break through that wall? The battleship was still continuing its ascent.
“Regarding that, I shall speak.”
Suddenly, a voice came from the sky. Everyone except Kuro, who remained in a combat-ready stance and continued to care for Efil, turned simultaneously in the direction of the voice, readying their weapons.
“Yoo-hoo, long time no see! Come on, Iris too!”
“Uh, um… It really is, long time no see!”
In the sky, suspended by Heavenly Walk, creating platforms of air, were the former Hero, Serge Floa, and Elearis, whom she was holding. To be more precise, Serge was there, smiling broadly, with a friendly demeanor as if speaking to a friend, and Elearis was also there, making an awkward smile as if to imitate her. Both were waving frequently, as if for some kind of appeal.
“…”
And we were left at a loss for how to respond.
“It’s no good, after all… Ah, how embarrassing. I ruined my opening line…”
“It’s not like that. Everyone is just surprised because it was a sudden appearance, I’m sure.”
No, you two, if you’re going to reappear, aren’t you being a bit too casual and a bit too soon?
“Uh, um… Ah, it’s Fu-chan! Long time no see!”
“See, see! Kind-hearted Rion is responding!”
“Ugh, that kindness is painful…”
Hmm, hmm? Is Elearis’s character a bit strange? She’s blushing and covering her face with both hands…
“Well, well, isn’t it Serge! You still can’t forget about me, can you! I feel like you have a younger sister, but I’ll prioritize you according to priority order!”
“F-I knew you would come, my lady. However, to think you would come so quickly is somewhat beyond my expectations. To come see me before your body has fully matured!”
“…As expected, you’re wonderful.”
“Ah, yes… Well, Serge, there’s something I want to tell you—”
“—Mother!? You’re Mother, aren’t you! Silvia, Mother is here!”
“Mm, Moth-, er…”
“Geh, wha—”
Before I could utter a word, the ancient heroes, along with Silvia and Emma, had already rushed out. Seeing this, Serge fled while still holding Elearis. A full-powered game of tag, to be conducted until exhaustion sets in, commences here.
