by Yuu Tanaka
His wicked eyes and conviction-filled gaze made him look like a fanatic up on his soapbox.
“Why?”
“Fran,” said Zelyse. “Are you familiar with the Fortress King Yuvel or the Wolf Killer Elmera? Even the Dragon Killer Siegmund would do, really.”
“Never heard of them.”
“Really? And our civilization owes them so much. They’re all quite important, you see. The hero king who stopped a million goblins with his noble knights, the great Godsmith who fought the Direwolf Fenrir to a draw. The adventurer who died after killing the dragon king threatening the land of Chrome. Don’t you think they’re all fantastic?”
“Sure, I guess.”
These were the legendary heroes of this world, and Zelyse talked about their ballads. I was interested, especially in Elmera the Godsmith. Fenrir was an S-Threat monster and the namesake of the Demon Wolf’s Garden. Did he face it with a Godsword? I would’ve asked Zelyse, if I didn’t want to smash his face in.
“Yet, you know nothing of them. Not that you’re the only one. All right, what about Trismegistus the Traitor?”
“I know him.”
“Of course you do. Who doesn’t? And that is my point.”
Trismegistus? Who’s that?
Fran, who’s this Trismegistus guy?
Notorious alchemist. Plunged the continent of Goldicia into ruin. Bad guy, she explained succinctly.
Once upon a time, there was an alchemist called Trismegistus. He was also a king of the continent of Goldicia. As an alchemist, he experimented on monsters to achieve his ambition of world conquest. He broke the seal of the Evil One’s heart and used its power. However, his experiment failed when the monster broke loose. The beast rampaged all over the continent, destroying Goldicia and taking many lives. It consumed everything in its path, growing bigger and bigger until it eventually covered the entire continent. It was only a matter of time before it consumed the whole world.
As men everywhere despaired, the gods extended a helping hand and cast a barrier over Goldicia, sealing the abomination away. The Abyss Eater lives on to this day. The gods cursed Trismegistus with immortality, and the alchemist king was still being digested within the Abyss Eater, even now.
Where truth ended and myth began, no one could know. But it did make a good bedtime story to scare children into behaving. Anger the gods, and they’ll curse you like Trismegistus. The story had a lot more impact in a world where gods were provably real.
“Oh, Trismegistus! He’s my favorite. He left his mark on history.”
“Such foolishness! Do you…really intend to break a seal of the Evil One?”
“Of course! But not to worry. I’m not going for something as important as the heart. Only a small lump of flesh.”
“And you think you can control it?!”
“Well, yes. Remember, it’s me we’re talking about. Just sit back and watch as I carve my name in history. I’ll be seeing you!”
“Wait!”
Zelyse’s body faded into thin air. Fran swung at him, but he was only an illusion.
He got away.
“I’m going after him!”
Fran looked pissed. The conversation had made her hate Zelyse even more.
Hold on! We have to deal with this Crystal Golem first.
“Right…”
I was all for chasing down that psycho, but that didn’t mean we could leave. We didn’t know where he was, and even Jet would be hard-pressed to track him.
Come on!
We attacked the golem to see how tough it was. Then, we would be able to start chipping awa—huh?
“What?”
The Crystal Golem disappeared. I felt the familiar sensation of absorbed crystal. These things were made of it. That meant I could absorb them. Well, this suddenly got a whole lot easier. I was the natural predator of these golems.
“What the hell was that, little lady?!”
“She disintegrated it with one hit?”
Oh, this was bad. I had publicly displayed my crystal absorption. What should we say?
“Come now, you know it’s bad manners to ask others about their Skills.”
“W-well, sure, but…”
“I guess you’re right…”
Eugene covered for us. Thank God he was around.
“Wow, you really are good!”
A voice came from behind us without warning. We turned around to once again see the psychotic pretty boy, Zelyse. Another illusion. We cut him just in case, but my blade went straight through. He had faked running away to get closer.
“Really, though. What are you? You keep getting in the way of my plans, and here you are destroying Crystal Golems with one swing. Honestly, I feel quite annoyed.”
“Just a Black Cat, D-Rank Adventurer.”
“Aha ha ha. You’re not good at making jokes, at least. You see, when you destroy a Crystal Golem, it should explode and release the Malice in its core. You expect me to believe that an ordinary D-Rank can destroy both the Golem and the Malice bomb?”
“You saw me do it.”
“I originally planned to use the golems as a distraction, so I could wait to test my latest exploding magivice. So much for that idea. Well, I guess you did show me something interesting, so I’m willing to write it off. Besides, I have this now.”
Zelyse’s mirage took out the stolen Soul Essence. It had returned to its rightful owner.
“What is that Soul Essence?” Eugene asked, breaking his silence.
He couldn’t ignore the mystery.
“You couldn’t figure it out, Master? He he he, you better be sitting down for this. This is the Soul Essence of a Chimera!”
“A what?! No…that’s impossible…”
“That rare?”
“Rare is an understatement! Chimera production is banned. It’s too dangerous. There are only five in the entire world!”
“Aha ha! What do you think? Aren’t I great? The nice people at the Raydoss Alchemical Labs gave it to me for a billion gold. All I had to do was claim the Bulbolan Alchemists’ Guild needed it. I didn’t even have to use my own money. I mean, Fran did steal it en route to Bulbola, but all’s well that ends well.”
“What are you going to do with it?”
“Create the strongest of monsters, of course! One so strong it can destroy the world! With the Evil One’s Lump of Flesh, it should become even stronger than the Abyss Eater.”
That sounded beyond dangerous. To think we’d been walking around with that bottle of mass destruction.
“You’ve destroyed my Crystal Golem, so I guess this is farewell. Goodbye!”
“Zelyse…” Eugene shouted after his crazed pupil, but he was already gone.
“What’s a Chimera?”
“The Chimera is the most dangerous kind of artificial monster.”
The Chimera Soul Essence was created in an effort to synthesize a hybrid of different monsters. What they created instead was a beast far more powerful than any mage, wizard, or researcher could’ve anticipated. A monster beyond any A-Threat. To make matters worse, no one could control it. It went on a rampage through the countryside, destroying several cities in the process.
Research continued, but the Chimera refused to be subjugated. When it eventually destroyed an entire kingdom, the nations of the world agreed to ban the manufacture of its Soul Essence. Research was destroyed, and the researchers were disposed of.
Creating the Soul Essence of a Chimera required extremely rare materials, some of which came from extinct species. Not that they were impossible to get a hold of…
“Raydoss is in a state of chaos,” said Eugene. “Zelyse might have received the Soul Essence from someone who didn’t know how dangerous it was.”
“Raydoss is a mess right now?”
We couldn’t ignore the latest news about our least favorite kingdom.
“The ruling monarch died ten years ago, and there’s been a power vacuum ever since. The four great houses are still fighting for contr
ol. The situation has only gotten worse, and half the Country is a pitiful mess. Oddly enough, there has been news of a great war between the houses.”
That shed some light on things. Was Salut working for one of the houses when he spied on Fult and Satya? The Lich might have been involved, too. Maybe it was all a ploy to lower our defenses. I wanted to dig further, but that was all Eugene knew.
“I shall inform the Count and the Adventurers’ Guild about Zelyse. They must know that he is in possession of a Chimera’s Soul Essence.”
Then it was time to go after him!
Jet, track down the scum closest to us!
If Zelyse was still nearby, we’d beat him up and retrieve the Soul Essence. If Linford was closer, we’d go and kick his ass. He was the Fiendmancer in charge, so Zelyse would need him to summon the Evil One. If we couldn’t find Zelyse, then we might as well ruin his plans!
“Let’s go, Jet!”
“Woof!”
Ten minutes later.
This the place?
“Woof!”
Zelyse or Linford?
“Arf.”
Jet had tracked down Linford.
Are you sure this is the place?
“Woof.”
We were standing in the temple square. The same place where Charlotte had danced for the Moons Festival ceremony. Jet pointed his muzzle towards the majestic stone temple.
Faint magical energy seeped out of the building. I couldn’t sense anyone in the vicinity, but I trusted Jet’s nose. Still dumbstruck, I asked him again, just to make sure.
I mean, this is a temple.
This world’s religion was not divided into different sects. All ten of the major gods were worshipped at temples all over the land. Some held patronage over certain Classes and Races, but even adherents revered all the gods.
There were no cultists or preachers, either. Even the temples held no political power. Using the names of the gods to further your own gain was forbidden, punishable by death. The citizens of this world believed that they would be struck down by the gods for such an act, even though it was only rumor and legend. Back on Earth, this law would have wiped out a good ninety percent of the clergy.
The temple employed priests and priestesses, but only because they had the Oracle Skill. In truth, they were more like administrators. They worked at the temple and arranged the pomp and ceremonies of the city festivals.
Classes were considered the domain where the gods bestowed their graces, and praying to them allowed you to change your Class. This was the most important feature of the temples. One had to donate three thousand gold, but the gods only required it for temple maintenance and to cover the cost of living for their priests and priestesses.
You could change your Class at the Adventurers’ Guild only because they had a magivice which served the same purpose. I thought this would offend the gods, but when we brought it up with a guild administrator, we were met with the irresponsible yet reasonable answer. Since the guild was still in business, the gods obviously didn’t mind.
Still, the facts of the temple remained. A place where impurities were washed away and people received the full blessing of the gods.
So what was Linford doing in such a holy place?
What is going on?
“We’ll find out soon enough.”
“Woof!”
You’re right.
We concealed our presence and approached the temple.
The windows were, in fact, small skylights. Fran was the only one who could fit through. We peeked inside but saw no one. The magical energy, while faint, was undeniable.
I definitely feel malice… But at a temple?
We had never visited the temple, but we’d passed by it countless times. The energy I felt then was clean and pure. It was never this dark and heavy.
We would have to venture inside…
Let’s go…
Making up our minds, we used Silence to maintain our stealth and opened the door.
There’s someone here, Fran observed.
We peered through the crack and saw a figure deep inside. It was too dark to make out, but it was small and human.
That’s Linford.
“Woof, woof!”
He hadn’t noticed us. This was our chance, but I didn’t want to risk damaging the temple. I wondered if the gods would let me off since I was defending their sanctuary from evil. Still, we couldn’t afford to sit here and do nothing. Who knew what Linford might pull?
Those crystals are definitely up to something, I told Fran.
Yeah. Must be a vital part of his plan.
Three giant crystals surrounded Linford. Malice emanated from the black Fiendstones, and they glowed a bluish-purple. They must be the cause of the twisted energy.
I’ll take Linford, I said. You two focus on destroying those Fiendstones.
Got it.
“Woof!”
Fran let go of me and readied her Death Gaze.
Teacher.
Yeah?
No holding back. We kill him now.
Are you sure? We might lose our only chance to learn about your evolution.
Fran was certain. I am. You promised you’d help me evolve. I don’t need that old wizard’s help.
I said that on the day we first met. I was amazed Fran remembered.
She trusted me with all her heart… I-I wasn’t crying, all right! I was just really fired up!
Don’t you worry, Fran…I’ll help you evolve!
Hm.
“Woof, woof!”
Jet barked excitedly to gain our attention.
Jet says he’ll help, too, I told her.
Thanks.
“Arf!”
Let’s do this! Short Jump!
I transported myself right above Linford’s head and then plunged down with Telekinetic Catapult.
“What is this?!”
Damn it, it’s so hard!
His barrier activated as soon as it sensed danger, deflecting my perfect ambush. Linford wouldn’t have panicked if his Aura Sense warned him of my presence. I’d attacked from his blind spot, and he only noticed because I was trying to break through his barrier.
“Beastgirl! What are you doing here?!” Linford shouted angrily.
She ignored him and rushed the Fiendstone.
“What is this sword?! I can’t move!”
Oh, I see, now. He couldn’t move as long as he was under the barrier’s protection. I increased my telekinetic output. He couldn’t go after Fran with me drilling through his barrier. His mana was depleting, too.
“Corruption Smash!” Linford shot a spell at Fran.
He can use spells from inside the barrier?!
That was incredibly useful. Linford’s barrier automatically activated to stop my Telekinetic Catapult, and yet he was able to fire spells from inside. Its only weakness was that he couldn’t move while it was on.
Around thirty Malice bullets sped towards Fran and Jet. However, they were too agile. They dodged and continued their assault.
“Stop that!” Linford screamed as an explosion engulfed the Fiendstone.
Although it withstood an onslaught of flame magic, cracks began to form on its surface. It would break eventually.
“I said, stop it! Gah! I have to do something about this blasted sword!”
Of course you do. I had no intention of letting him go. Burst Flame.
Linford tried to reposition himself, and I blocked his way with a fire spell. The spell was weak, but it enveloped its target in fire for a good minute or so.
Burst Flame.
Burst Flame.
I flew about, surrounding Linford in fire as his barrier continued to protect him. The curtains of flame blocked his sight, and he didn’t know where I would attack from. Linford was firing blind now, letting Fran and Jet focus on the Fiendstone.
“Haa!”
“Grrr!”
Spell and sword, fang and claws. Their relentless attack on the Fiendstone continued unti
l it finally broke. The Malice which infected the temple disappeared in an instant! The crystals were its source all along.
“How…dare you!”
“Nailed it.”
“Awoo!”
Linford realized what had happened, even behind the wall of flames. I grinned at the frustration in his voice. Our plan had worked.
“The conduit will close if the Fiendstones are destroyed! I must take this into my own hands…!”
Linford’s barrier disappeared. He was desperate now. He turned off his protection and chose to risk the flames around him. He might take damage, but at least he would be able to protect the remaining Fiendstones.
Linford rushed towards Fran, his robes smoldering.
“I won’t let you meddle with my plans, Beastgirl!”
I anticipated this outburst. He was bound to get desperate enough to sacrifice his own life.
Eat this!
I Short Jumped on top of Linford’s head and drove down with all the telekinetic energy I could muster.
“Gaaaaah!”
I pierced his torso. The old wizard gargled a blood-curdling scream.
I cut Linford in half, clean through his waist. The cut was so clean that he looked like a bust in a museum.
I activated Telekinetic Catapult as soon as I’d done enough. I threw an extra wind spell in there, just in case. My telekinetic brakes stopped me just short of the temple floor and left it almost pristine. The only scratch came from the tip of my blade.
It was a silly move, considering I had engulfed the inner sanctum with fire. I was careful to control its spread, though. The stone floors were only slightly burned. I prayed that the gods would forgive me. I was trying to stop this Servant of the Evil One!
I turned fearfully towards one of the stone images. No reaction. I was probably all right. Linford went out of his way to desecrate this sacred ground and wasn’t struck by lightning on his way here, so surely I was in the clear. I really was sorry though, and I made a note to clean up the mess the first chance I got.
“You bastards! You won’t get away with this!”
As I apologized to the gods of this world, Linford’s screams echoed about the temple. He sure was loud for a torso. How was he still moving?!
“I will break that sword upon the altar and serve it to the Evil One!”
He was already regenerating. There really was no humanity left in him. We fired spells to kill him off for good, but his barrier activated again.
