Akatsuki Translations

Facing both the Gashadokuro and the Skeleton Knight, Ur already wanted to retreat.

『GＡＧＡＧＡＫＡＫＡＫＡＫＡＫＡＫＡＫＡＫＡＫＡＫＡ！！』

『Well, boy, will you be our plaything? 』-Skeleton Knight

Facing the Gashadokuro, which was even larger than the crystal golem, and the battle-hardened, formidable Skeleton Knight, Ur was certain. He couldn’t handle this situation alone.

He knew his own abilities. He was just a novice, barely more skilled than a layman. Although he had obtained a “ring” and was recognized as a full-fledged adventurer, he still lacked the necessary power.

Therefore,

“…I refuse.” -Ur

『Hmm? 』-Skeleton Knight

Ur threw something he took from his pocket. The Skeleton Knight knocked it away with his sword—

『Kah!? 』-Skeleton Knight

Suddenly, the Skeleton Knight was repelled. He then stood still, as if struck by lightning.

“【Exorcism Talisman. 】” -Ur

Of course, they had prepared for this undead-slaying mission.

As the name suggests, its effect dissipates the magic that powers the many undead. It’s less effective against monsters that convert magical power into flesh and blood, but it’s particularly effective against undead that move with magic power alone.

However, because of its effectiveness, almost all of them had been taken by the knights who began preparing for this battle, leaving Ur and his team with only about ten (which was still a lot considering the circumstances).

Still, the effect was tremendous. It completely immobilized the Skeleton Knight.

“If you wanna play, do it in the afterlife, old man.” -Ur

『Yo――――』 -Skeleton Knight

Ur impaled the Skeleton Knight’s torso with his Dragonfang Spear, shattering him. He then smashed the collapsing body of the knight with a downward strike, breaking it further. He repeated this two, three, four times, until there was nothing left. Satisfied, Ur looked up.

『GAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGA!!! 』

“How the hell am I supposed to deal with this thing?!” -Ur

The Gashadokuro, even larger than the crystal golem, seemed to have noticed Ulr. It slowly bent its body and reached out a hand. Ulr readied his Dragonfang Spear.

“Open Jaws, 【Roar】.” -Ur

Without hesitation, Ur fired the Dragonfang Cannon. The bright flash in the dark night was absorbed into the massive undead soldier’s chest.

『ＧＡＧＡＫＡＫＡＫＡＫＡ！！』

Sounds of shattering bones echoed. aimed for the glowing magic stone in the center of the creature, the light reach—

“It…didn’t reach?!” -Ur

The release of energy ceased, and gradually the light grew thinner. The bones that make up the body of the Gashadokuro burned and shattered one by one. However, they did not reach the central magic stone. The multiple layers of bone barriers continued to dissipate the impact.

『ＧＡＧＡＧＡＧＡＧＡＡＡＡＡＡ』

As the roar subsided, the Gashadokuro knelt. More precisely, the bones were eroded to serve as a barrier to protect the magic stone, and they were lost. Various parts of the body were missing, giving the appearance of being severely wounded.

However,

『KA――――――』

The red light shone again. The shattered bones on the ground began to move in response. Just as when the undead soldiers first gathered around the magic stone, the crushed bones began to reform. In an instant, the Gashadokuro was restored.

“What the hell…” -Ur

Ur groaned from the depths of his heart. He wanted to attack before it could recover, but the Dragonfang Spear couldn’t be fired consecutively. It needed to cool down and recharge its magical energy. Moreover, he had already used it three times: during the infiltration of the fortress, to create a trap for the bandits, and now with maximum output. Probably, he could use it one more time at most.

As he thought this, the Gashadokuro raised its arm to strike Ur.

『ＧＡＫＡＡＡーーーーー！！！！！』

“…!!”-Ur

Ur dashed away with all his might, not looking back at the enormous crashing sound behind him.

“Damn it… What should I do? What can I do?!” -Ur

Though these complaint-like questions escaped from his lips, no one was there to answer. If he couldn’t find a solution to the current situation, he would simply die.

                       　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

At that time, Shizuku was moving the hostages outside the castle walls.

However, she couldn’t leave the barrier that protected the entire fortress. If they completely left, they would be threatened by monsters, and even if they could exit from the inside out, it would be one-way. If Shizuku were to assist Ur, she would have to navigate through the underground dungeon alone again, which would be challenging.

Therefore, she led the hostages to a hidden spot between the fortress and the barrier and activated a barrier.

“【Sing, O Wind, and Blind the Eyes of Evil, Invisibility】” -Shizuku

The invisible barrier enveloped the rescued hostages. From her bag, she took out a magic stone to serve as the anchor for maintaining the barrier and placed it in the center.

“Everyone, please stay hidden here.” -Shizuku

“Where are you going, Shizuku?” -Hostage

“To help Ur-sama.” -Shizuku

Currently, inside the fortress, Ur-sama was fighting all alone. She couldn’t leave him by himself. She needed to hurry back and join the fight. For that, the hostages would be in the way.

Hearing her words, the female hostages grimaced.

It wasn’t out of fear of losing Shizuku, who had protected them. It was anger. Their faces swirled with hatred towards those still inside the fortress who had subjected them to misery. But the feeling of powerlessness, knowing they couldn’t do anything on their own, intensified their hatred.

It was Shizuku who had fanned this hatred. Seeing this, she felt it might become problematic. As she contemplated what to do, two of the hostages raised their hands.

“We can help too.” -Female Hostage

“We… can go.” -Female Hostage

The two women spoke. Like the other hostages, their bodies were battered with injuries. However, they looked strong—like those who had killed monsters and gained magical power. Fighters.

They were colleagues. Shizuku understood.

“Are you two part of the escorts for the Island-Eating Turtle?” -Shizuku

“Yeah… we protected our client but got caught embarrassingly. We lost all our weapons and everything else. We want payback.” -Female Hostage

They showed the equipment they had reclaimed from the villains—helmets, armor, and swords that didn’t quite fit their stature. The companion of the speaking woman nodded in agreement. She looked pale, but her eyes were sharp.

“He-her name is Nina, a s-swordsman. I’m Laura, a magician. I lost my magical tools and staff, but I can still use some magic!” -Laura

Shizuku quickly glanced at their fingers. They didn’t have rings like Ur-sama or Shizuku. Not even a copper one, which means they probably haven’t been adventurers for long.

However, she and Ur-sama have only been adventurers for just over a month. They gained significant magical power by defeating the crystal golem, but there shouldn’t be a significant difference in abilities.

More hands would be better. Shizuku nodded.

“Could you please bear the feelings of everyone here?” -Shizuku

“Absolutely.” -Nina

In response to Shizuku’s “way of putting it”, Nina nodded firmly. It was a necessary statement to convince the other hostages. She stared at the other hostages, aligning with Shizuku’s intention.

“We’ll surely get revenge for you all. So, stay put.” -Nina

The other female hostages, filled with hatred, seemed convinced. Many of them entrusted their wishes in trembling voices, saying, “Please!”

“Let’s go.” -Shizuku

With the newly acquired assistance, Shizuku once again charged into Canaan Fortress, teeming with the undead.