We ascended to the second floor, and carefully proceeded down the dimly lit central corridor. A crimson carpet covered the floor, and oil paintings of people and landscapes adorned the walls. There were several doors along the way, and we moved forward while checking for any hidden ambushes.
Finally, at the end of the corridor, the “Death Doll” figures with bald heads, as reported by the Holy Spirit Serena, stood guarding a sturdy door from both sides. This must be the room for the lord of the detached palace.
“We cannot let you pass!”
The man on the right moved first. With a sharp glare, he flexed his arms, creating bulges and striking a front double bicep pose. His body, a mass of muscle, rippled and showcased a glistening physique. At the same time, his nipples twitched unnervingly. It was understandable why Holy Spirit Serena had been so unnerved.
“Yes, brother.”
Now, the man on the left turned his right side towards us, crossed his arms, and struck a side chest pose, emphasizing the muscles in his arms and legs. This man’s nipples also twitched, and the bulge in his crotch seemed to be swelling. What hot-blooded men!
“Who are you! I need to go through that door, so please let me pass?”
Since the women were keeping their distance, clearly disgusted, I mustered my courage and spoke.
“I am Arhan Massu-Rao of the Gerg. I have been ordered to guard this door, so I cannot let you pass!”
“I am Uhan Massu-Rao. My brother and I have been ordered by Lord Zolgelge to prevent you from passing! If you insist on passing, then step over our corpses!!”
In response to my call, the muscular “Death Dolls” introduced themselves. They were brothers, the elder Arhan Massu-Rao and the younger Uhan Massu-Rao. Were they a pair of “Muscle Brothers”?
They then changed poses, continuing to flaunt their muscular physiques, these bothersome men. However, since they didn’t attack, it seemed they were merely a wall of flesh. Even though they didn’t attack, we couldn’t get past the door without somehow breaching their muscle barrier.
Perhaps they were stalling for time to allow their master, the necromancer Zolgelge, to escape. If that were the case, then Yuliana might also escape. We are not familiar with the layout of the Amethyst Palace, and if they used hidden passages meant for royalty to escape, tracking them would be difficult. We need to eliminate them quickly.
However, the fact that Zolgelge’s name, someone with history with Astarotte, came up so easily was both anticlimactic and valuable information. It meant that the mastermind manipulating them, or rather Yuliana, included a demon. They might be muscle-brained, but they were guarding a crucial door, so they were undoubtedly formidable opponents.
“This is where the副長 (sub-leader) steps in.”
“WINDOW CUTTER!”
*Clang, clang, clang, clang.*
While I was struggling with how to deal with them, Elise stepped forward and casually unleashed four wind blades. Usually, their heads would fly off, and their black blood would spurt out, but as they grunted “Mun!” and posed to show off their muscles, the wind blades were deflected by their reinforced muscles, ricocheting off the walls and ceiling without causing a single scratch.
“W-What?! Such hard muscles! They’re like steel!”
Elise, whose wind attribute magic attacks were repelled, was dumbfounded.
“How about this!”
“WATER CUTTER!”
*Clang, clang.*
“ICE JAVELIN!”
*Clang, clang.*
“Our muscles are invincible!”
“Indeed, brother!”
Panicked, Elise immediately unleashed a water blade and an ice javelin, but the result was the same. Meanwhile, the two men proudly showcased their muscles.
“If that’s the case, then [FIRE—”
“W-Wait! Elise!! If you use [FIRE ARROW], you’ll start a fire!!”
Elise, flushed with anger, was about to use fire magic inside the mansion, so I hastily stopped her. Elise, dejected, stepped back with a regretful expression. After that, Dietlinde and Elder Sister Shera gathered around Elise, seemingly consulting. It didn’t seem like they were just comforting her.
“Now it’s our turn. Hal, please handle the left flank.”
Taking Elise’s place, Kirika stepped forward. She gave me a look, indicating she was planning to summon a familiar simultaneously.
“Understood, Kirika. Come forth! Mimi No. 2!!”
“I’m coming, Mimi No. 1. Let’s devour them!”
Hal and Kirika summoned their Mimic Slimes, Mimi No. 1 and Mimi No. 2, and had them attack the door guardians. Their intention was to restrain them from below and then dissolve them.
Mimi No. 1 and Mimi No. 2, as summoned by us, crept up from below as usual and bravely latched on. Arhan and Uhan’s legs were instantly covered in the Mimic Slime’s viscous substance, and their white pantyhose dissolved. Then, following their hairy legs, even their protruding crotches were exposed.
However, a thought like a whimper from Mimi No. 2 flowed into my mind: they were too hard, like metal, and couldn’t be dissolved. Kirika’s side also seemed to be having similar trouble, and she wore a grim expression.
“Now’s our chance!” “Mm.”
Swanhild, wielding a Zantou (Greatsword) borrowed from Elder Sister Shera with both hands, and Mai, who had drawn her favorite short sword, charged at the Muscle Brothers, who were restrained at the lower body by the Mimic Slimes.
*Clang, clang.*
However, the blade of the Zantou, carrying considerable weight, struck Arhan’s right shoulder but was deflected. The short sword aimed at Uhan’s carotid artery failed to even draw blood.
“Th-This is absurd.” “…”
Swanhild and Mai, who had returned after a hit-and-run attack, drooped with disappointment.
“Our muscles are invincible!”
“Revere our muscles!”
Then, the Muscle Brothers, together, shouted “Mun!” and struck an abdominal and thigh pose, accentuating the muscles in their legs. At that moment, Mimi No. 1 and Mimi No. 2, stuck to their lower bodies, were blasted away.
“Retreat, everyone!”
With Kirika’s declaration of retreat, Mimi No. 1 and Mimi No. 2 were de-summoned. To struggle against mere unarmed muscle-heads… And as a result of my and Kirika’s attack, their white pantyhose had been dissolved, and their muscle-swollen penises stood erect. Well, their leg and pubic hair seemed to have melted away, but the dynamism of their muscles was emphasized.
The Muscle Brothers remained composed even with their genitals exposed, but most of the “Princess Harem” Party Members, all young maidens, averted their gazes. Still, without breaking through this door, we wouldn’t be able to meet Yuliana. What should we do…
“Hal, I will get revenge. To be defeated by such muscle-heads would be a disgrace.”
“I will join this time as well. My role is to control the fire spirits.”
“I will cooperate as well. It is time to test the true power of a Nine-tailed White Fox!”
As I was pondering, Elise declared she would get revenge, with Dietlinde and Elder Sister Shera flanking her. They were all users of high-level offensive magic and spirit magic. If they failed, it would be impossible to break through unless Swanhild unleashed her true power as a Valkyrie.
“Master, the fire spirits on that side have gathered, so we will retreat into Ly’s bosom.”
As soon as Elise and the others stepped forward, the surrounding aura changed, and Holy Spirit Serena fled. Fire spirits gathering, you say!?
“Hey, you guys, no fire-based offensive magic! It’ll start a fire!”
“Hal, do not worry. I will control the fire spirits, so there will be no fire!”
To my shout, Dietlinde assured me it would be fine.
“…R-Right! Then give it your best shot!!”
“” “Understood, Hal.” “”
Upon closer inspection, Elise and Elder Sister Shera were both holding sacred staffs (Himorogi Magic Staffs), indicating their seriousness.
“Great gods. Please accept this offering. Flames of sacrifice from the abyss, now ascend to the heavens and offer this sacrifice. SACRIFICE HOLOCAUST.”
Elise began chanting the offensive magic with a solemn expression. In front of Elise, a three-dimensional layered magic circle, composed of complex runes and symbols, floated. The area around me felt searing. This was no mere advanced offensive magic! Elise was chanting a forbidden spell!!
“To Shera, descendant of the Nine-tailed White Fox, grant the flames of Gehenna! To the enemies who defy Shera, the great fire of destruction! GEHENNA INFERNO.”
Elder Sister Shera, positioned beside Elise, also raised her sacred staff and began chanting offensive magic. Shera was also chanting a forbidden spell. The magic circle composed of foxfire was a fantastical sight. But when did she learn forbidden spells!? Moreover, the synergistic effect of forbidden spells… I couldn’t even predict it. What a reckless thing she’s done! Normally, a combination of forbidden spells like this would be enough to burn down the Amethyst Palace.
“Th-This is incredible! I’ve never seen such dense fire spirits!”
Dietlinde, sweating profusely, began to control the fire spirits summoned by the forbidden spell’s manifestation. Her long, lustrous hair, forming a beautiful gradient, billowed up, emitting a dazzling light. Then, turning her gaze to the Muscle Brothers, she was enveloped in a sphere of white, shining light. Although I couldn’t feel the radiant heat, it seemed that immense heat, as if the sun had fallen, was swirling within the light sphere.
“…Brotherrr…”
“Younger brotherrrr…”
Faint death rattles echoed, and the light sphere gradually shrunk. And… after the light sphere disappeared, only a handful of pure white ashes remained. Even the steel-like muscles could not withstand the immense heat, leaving no bone fragments behind.
Still, Dietlinde’s heat control was also remarkable. After all, she didn’t even leave a scorched mark on the door or the carpet on the floor…
“…But wouldn’t even gods be bothered by such offerings? If it were us, we’d return it immediately!”
Swanhild, who had witnessed the entire scene, gave a wry smile. Incidentally, a Holocaust is a ritual where offerings to the gods are burned completely to ashes. Thus, the door guardians, the Muscle Brothers Arhan Massu-Rao and Uhan Massu-Rao, were offered to an unknown ancient god (?) and incinerated from this world.
“Hal, the first floor has been secured.”
Turning around, I saw Ly standing there with Safiya and the others. Jose and Arche s clothing were torn, and there was blood on them, but Holy Spirit Serena seemed to have healed the cuts themselves. That perverted old man (Sex Spirit) was clinging proudly to Isabel’s chest.
Thank you for reading.
Episode 38-12: Greet Yuliana, though a young girl obstructs (scheduled to be posted on December 24th at 0:00).
