After a long period of dormancy…
The main story of the furious Demon Lord subjugation begins here!!
(I thought I saw this in the game, but the impact is different when you see it in this world.)
Once again, I looked at the greatest obstacle before the Demon Lord’s castle: the dark clouds above and the boiling blood pond on the ground.
The dark clouds floating in the sky writhed as if to flaunt the evil power they contained, and the blood-red pond at the bottom of the earth was so vivid that it seemed to waft its bloody scent all the way here, bubbling and waiting for prey.
But Mitsuki, standing beside me, showed no change in expression even at the sight of this hellish scene.
Rather, her cat ears perked up as if her fighting spirit had been ignited, and she sent me a look that seemed to urge me on.
“…Give me your orders. If you wish it, I will be the first to charge.”
Her carefully controlled words helped to calm my excited heart.
…Right.
We had been preparing for this all along to overcome this obstacle.
This is no time to be intimidated.
“Before that, let’s confirm.”
First, I took out an item from my pouch that I had prepared to reduce the lightning damage from the dark clouds: “Mute’s Lightning Rod,” and then I turned to my companions.
“Everyone, are you all wearing the Water Dragon Ring?”
When I asked, my companions all extended their hands.
On every hand was a Water Dragon Ring, which grants “Aquatic Aptitude” and the special ability to “negate negative terrain effects underwater.”
With this, we were prepared to break through the blood pond.
“Alright! Then, let’s go!!”
As I said this, making eye contact with them, I stepped forward.
Then,
“Wait! I’ll go first…”
Before Mitsuki could hastily step forward,
“I’m not entirely keen on this, but I have no choice.
…The great Magician and guide of the pure waters, Sahzan, commands.
Roar of the water demon born from cursed darkness—”
Upon receiving my signal, Sahzan, muttering to herself, stepped forward to stand beside me.
“Chanting?! What in the world…!?”
Leaving Mitsuki dumbfounded, I thrust my arms forward in a movement synchronized with mine,
“—Tidal Wave!!”
“—Tidal Wave!!”
We both cast the spell simultaneously!
What happened next was something that could never occur under the common sense of the real world.
It would be no exaggeration to say that the amount of water that suddenly gushed out was as if our palms had connected to the sea. A massive tsunami, befitting the name “Tidal Wave,” washed down like it was trampling a mountainside, rushing into the crater’s depths.
Ahead lay the ominous Demon Lord’s castle. The torrent of water, plunging to the bottom of the volcano, did not abate its speed at all.
“Gah!”
The impact struck the castle with such force that the vibrations of the collision could be felt even by us.
“…Untouched?”
But even if it was the Demon Lord’s castle, its destruction was now possible due to the physicalization. However, it would not budge with mere impact. But this was within expectations. My aim was not the castle itself.
“No, look closely. There must be a change.”
At my words, Mitsuki squinted and voiced her surprise.
“The water level of the blood pond has increased!?”
I silently affirmed Mitsuki’s gaze. It was the same as when her clothes got wet. In this world, when water magic is used, the water generated by the magic remains even after the effect ends.
And the terrain here is shaped like a bowl. When the large amount of water generated by Tidal Wave finished its magical effect, it naturally pooled at the bottom, the bottom of the volcano, becoming part of the blood pond.
This was my countermeasure against the blood pond. Eliminating it or circumventing it wasn’t the only solution.
—Dilute the blood pond by adding a large amount of water and then cross it.
That was the answer I came up with.
Even with the Water Dragon Ring possessing “Aquatic Aptitude” and the special ability to “negate negative terrain effects underwater,” it was uncertain whether that boiling blood pond would be recognized as water, or whether it could neutralize the heat of the blood pond.
But what if we added a large amount of water to the blood pond and turned it into merely “red, lukewarm water”? The Water Dragon Ring would likely take effect, and even if not, the threat of the blood pond would be minimized.
This was a slight shift in thinking. At first, I considered draining the pond by making a hole somewhere, but I immediately abandoned it. The blood pond was at the very bottom of the crater where the Demon Lord’s castle was located, at the base of the bowl-shaped terrain. Given the circumstances, creating a hole for drainage would be difficult. But then I realized it.
—Even if I couldn’t drain the water, or rather, because I couldn’t, couldn’t I do the opposite and fill it with water instead?
No matter how much the blood pond resembled a terrifying substance unlike water, it was a liquid. The existence of that blood pond there meant that the environment was equipped to collect liquids, to collect water. And that became the starting point for this Demon Lord’s castle strategy.
“Not yet!”
My plan wouldn’t be complete with just diluting the blood pond once with magic. Immediately after the first spell ended, I completed the incantation for the next spell.
“Tidal Wave!”
Again, I summoned a great tsunami from my palm. My magic did not have the effect of striking the Demon Lord’s castle, but that was fine. As I intended, the blood pond at the bottom of the crater clearly increased in volume, and its redness clearly decreased.
“Damn it! The great Magician and the pure waters… Hmph, skip the preamble, Tidal Wave!”
A moment later, Sahzan unleashed her second Tidal Wave. The main reason I brought Sahzan into this battle was for her to perform here. I certainly needed her to give her best effort.
The magic we are currently using, “Tidal Wave,” is an attack magic with the largest range among water-attribute magics. Its power is not significant, but when used on flat ground, it boasts an area of effect that can cover the entire field, activating all monsters present, and was thus dreaded by “Nekoneko” players as a “monster attraction magic.” Sahzan, in particular, was strangely skilled in water-attribute magic, second only to her fire-attribute magic, and her frequent misfires of this spell attracting extra enemies made her one of the ringleaders of the “Hate Sahzan!” sentiment.
However, I could only immediately think of Sahzan as someone who could use this magic without the “Demon King’s Blessing.” I reluctantly decided that Sahzan and I would use this spell together, but although we had already purchased the magic at the Capital City’s Magic Shop, my water-attribute proficiency was not sufficient. Therefore, on the first day of special training, I learned it by impaling Torch Sisyo with a water-attribute spear obtained in the “Flowing Cave.”
Naturally, Sahzan’s “Tidal Wave” had been adjusted for this moment, after assessing everyone’s levels before the special training. As I confirmed when we discussed Stardust Flare, I knew that “magic power and spell potency do not affect the spell’s effects.” No matter how much the power is reduced, the amount of water produced is the same, so I customized it to the lowest power and to minimize casting time and MP consumption.
Even so, my MP, as a non-magic class character, was quickly running out, but,
“…Recovery, is it?”
“Please!”
We have MP Potions that Sahzan had bought in advance. Ringo was on my side, and Maki was on Sahzan’s side, and as soon as our MP began to deplete, they would throw MP Potions to restore it.
Soon, the blood pond, no, the red water gradually increased in volume, eventually reaching the height of the castle entrance, the open gate,
“Stop it right away!”
Mitsuki, her cat ears twitching, tried to stop me.
“You’re overdoing it! If this continues, instead of diluting the blood pond, water will flow into the Demon Lord’s castle… Don’t tell me!?”
Mitsuki, whose expression and cat ears froze as if she had realized something, was met with my mischievous grin.
“That’s right.”
Diluting the blood pond was, so to speak, just a preliminary battle. The strategy derived from it was the key to this subjugation.
“There’s no need to fight on the opponent’s turf, is there?
So, I thought we’d change that place into a field that’s convenient for us.”
“No way, you’re not…”
“Ah, probably what Mitsuki is thinking—”
Mitsuki, shaking her cat ears as if in disbelief, looked at me, and I responded forcefully.
“—We’ll sink the Demon Lord’s castle in water and turn it into an ‘Underwater Dungeon’!”
This was the second phase of the Demon Lord’s castle subjugation strategy. The content is as I explained just now. The Demon Lord’s castle is at the bottom of the crater-shaped terrain, with the blood pond at its lowest point. If blood can collect there, there’s no reason water can’t. So, we’ll fill the entire crater with water and submerge the Demon Lord’s castle.
And, through a backdoor command, all the doors to the Demon Lord’s castle were open. If we submerge the castle in water now, the water will easily flow inside, and the Demon Lord’s castle will become an underwater dungeon. Aquatic monsters, meaning those without suitability for underwater, will drown in the water. Specifically, their movements will be slowed by a certain percentage compared to land, and they will take percentage-based damage to their HP. It might not work on the Demon Lord, who has complete resistance, but it’s unlikely that the other monsters in the Demon Lord’s castle possess aquatic attributes. If all goes well, we can significantly weaken the monsters in the castle without even entering it.
After explaining this much,
“…I see. So that’s what the Water Dragon Rings were for.”
Mitsuki said, her voice sounding inexplicably exasperated. I don’t quite understand why she sounds exasperated, but her words are entirely correct. The good thing about this strategy is that we have almost no disadvantages. As long as we wear the Water Dragon Rings, we won’t incur penalties for fighting underwater. If the castle monsters weaken, great. If not, we’ll just be fighting on equal footing. Either way, there’s no loss.
“However, what if they perceive this as an attack and the monsters inside come out?”
To this question, I also replied with a smile.
“In that case, of course, we’ll intercept them here. Although the lightning from the clouds above is troublesome, fighting in a submerged area will give us an advantage, and it’s easier to fight here than inside the castle, with more space and no traps. …And, here, you’ll be able to fight at full strength too, right, Mitsuki?”
At my words,
“You… really, truly…”
Mitsuki’s cat ears twitched, as if at a loss for words. She then fumbled with her cat ears for a moment as if searching for words, and finally opened her mouth with a gentle smile.
“It’s strange, isn’t it? With you, if I’m with you, I feel like even a preposterous goal like defeating the Demon Lord might somehow be achievable.”
While I continuously fired magic into the crater,
“Of course! We will definitely defeat the Demon Lord! And then, we will all return here with smiles!”
I replied with a smile to Mitsuki.
“…Is that enough?”
A few minutes later, the Demon Lord’s castle was completely submerged in the red water, and its form could only be vaguely seen. Mitsuki had expressed concern that monsters might come out, but contrary to her fears, the Demon Lord’s castle remained quiet. Despite being hit by dozens, hundreds of spells, there was no movement from within.
Up to this point, it was going smoothly. It was progressing so smoothly and without any problems that the planner herself was surprised. But…
(…What is this feeling of unease?)
Something felt off. A sense of unease that I had felt since the strategy was executed, or perhaps even since I had planned it. A feeling that I had overlooked something lingered at the back of my neck.
(No, I’m overthinking it.)
I immediately shook my head. It was going so well. I couldn’t let baseless anxiety ruin the plan.
“Alright, we’ll storm the Demon Lord’s castle in one minute! Formation and deployment will be as planned!”
I shouted, and my companions responded with spirited replies. Considering respawns, the timing to enter should be when the monsters are on the brink of death from underwater damage. If the plan works, we might reach the King’s Chamber without much effort. I had also relayed the plan to the King’s Chamber to Mitsuki while submerging the Demon Lord’s castle with Tidal Wave. There should be no reasons for concern… or so I thought.
“…Soma, time.”
At Ringo’s words, I looked up. Then, mustering my resolve, I was just about to give the command to enter to everyone,
“—Gh, ha…!”
Suddenly, an intense chill ran through my body. My intended step faltered, and I collapsed on the spot.
“Soma!!”
“What’s wrong?!”
Ringo’s and Mitsuki’s cries struck my ears. But my body wouldn’t move. The chill I felt earlier. If I were to classify it, it would be a “bad feeling,” but the intensity of the shock was beyond that level. It was an omen of misfortune, heightened to a physical degree.
(Something, something is happening right now!!)
I was certain of only this, without understanding anything else. Such a premonition could not end in something ordinary.
(If this continues, it will be irreversible!)
A strange conviction welled up. A sense of urgency burned in my chest. The “bad feeling” I had earlier. Besides that, and the “feeling of overlooking something” that I had been experiencing, there was no other basis. Was it okay to stop the important plan for such a reason? I hesitated for only a moment.
“Soma, what’s wrong!?”
“You, what are you doing all of a sudden…?”
“—Don’t come any closer!”
I shouted with all my might at my companions who were successively rushing towards me. No, I tried to shout.
“Everyone, right now, get out of here right now—”
However, it was a little too late. A swelling presence from behind.
“What!?”
As I turned around, a pillar of light sprang into my view. A blinding pillar of light, unlike anything I had ever seen, rose from the area of the Demon Lord’s castle, at the bottom of the water, towards the sky.
“What is that? What is this…?”
The pillar of light shot up into the sky and collided with the pitch-black clouds. But the surprise came after that.
“No way!?”
The pillar of light instantly blew away those dark clouds, the very clouds that only the Demon Lord could move.
“Impossible…”
Such words reached my ears. I thought I had said them, but I hadn’t. Looking to my side, Sahzan, who had seen the pillar of light, shivered, embracing herself in terror.
“Sahzan!?”
I hurried to help her up. But Sahzan’s eyes weren’t looking at me. She was merely looking at the pillar of light piercing the heavens, her body trembling.
“Such magic power is unthinkable. This, this is like…”
Beyond that, the words wouldn’t come. While supporting Sahzan, I glared at the pillar of light again. The light was now gradually subsiding, and after a long time, it faded and disappeared.
“It’s… over…?”
Maki’s small voice announced the end of the phenomenon. However, even though the light subsided, our shock did not. I, no, perhaps I was the most shaken. I didn’t understand what had happened. Because…
“—I’ve never seen an event like that in the game…”
I had never seen that pillar of light in the game even once. Perhaps this was the first time I had encountered a completely unknown phenomenon since coming to this world. If it was such an impressive sight, someone should have uploaded a video of it. No, even if not, there should be reports from witnesses. The fact that I didn’t know about it…
(This is truly a phenomenon that doesn’t happen in the game, isn’t it?)
And if something that didn’t happen in the game had happened, the causes were limited.
(No way…)
My heart pounded painfully. I told myself to calm down. But I couldn’t suppress my frantic pulse no matter what.
(No way, no way…)
I wanted to believe it wasn’t true. But the ominous imagination that had surfaced wouldn’t let me go.
(It’s a lie, isn’t it…)
It was a being that didn’t exist in the game, but only in this world… and a power that could blow away the dark clouds that only the Demon Lord could manipulate. There was only one being that came to mind.
(No, really…)
This, the light just now, was it the Evil God’s—?
“Ah!!”
But then, as if to interrupt my thoughts, Maki suddenly gave a loud cry. Seeing Maki with a stunned expression, as if she had realized something, I asked her with a biting intensity.
“Maki, do you know something?!”
Maki, put on the spot, waved her hands in front of her face as if flustered.
“Eh, no, I don’t “know” anything. …It’s just, Soma, you talked about “real mode” and “death effects” the other day, right? And so, I just thought of something a little…”
Pointing to the Demon Lord’s castle, which was still dimly visible beyond the red water, she said, as if she had done something wrong.
“—Maybe the Demon Lord drowned and died just now?”
……………
……………
……………
……………
…………… Huh?
—And so, the Demon Lord was defeated, and the world was saved.
A victory of love and courage!!
