Inside the Cave of Obscenity (WN): Volume 10 - 7

 

Episode 7: Each Objective

"Maria, wait!"

 Hearing that voice, Mariabelle stopped her desperately moving legs.

 ――The worm that had swallowed her sister whole had already disappeared, and there were only cracks in the ground left behind from the worm's movement through the ground.

 When she finally realizes that there is no sign of the monster...... Mariabelle's shoulders rise and fall violently in time with her disordered breathing.

"Haa, haa... Onee-sama..."

"It's okay! They don't kill women! So... it's okay."

 Kara, who was even more surprised than Mariabelle, caught up with her and told the back of the standing hero who was still looking at the slime castle in the distance.

 Slimes don't kill women.

 But―― the slime violates women and impregnates them with a child.

 Meltia would be safe. She was sure of that.

 But... the question remains whether she will be totally safe.

 Because Mariabelle also understood that fact, when she heard Kara's words, she clenched her fists.

"……Yes."

"Calm down. There are few forces that can resist the slimes."

"Yes."

 Slowly, take a deep breath.

 When she was trying to calm herself down even a little, she heard the sound of wings.

 It's Fenelieka.

"That worm...that slime seems to be heading straight for the castle."

"Fenel-san―― I'm glad you're okay."

"I'm fine. Shall we go help Meltia immediately?"

"Ah... yes. Thank you for your concern."

 Her sister was kidnapped―― this isn't the first time Meltia has been kidnapped and violated by the slime.

 When she was ambushed in the ruins of Grabalt, the abandoned mine north of Fonteau, and while traveling.

 Meltia, the sister of the hero and possessing powerful mana inherited from her mother, was superb bait for the slimes.

 But――it's the first time she was kidnapped while being in front of her and couldn't protect her.

 Kara and Fenelieka console Mariabelle, who was upset about that.

"Don't worry. She is used to being kidnapped.... she's still alive, so all we have to do is help her again."

"You make it sound so easy, as usual."

"Even if you say it's difficult, what we will do is the same, isn't it? Then I think it's better to recognize what we have to do."

"Fufu―― that's right."

 Mariabelle forced herself to laugh.

(What we will do is the same―― help Onee-sama.)

 It's just one more objective.

 Save the goddess and the new hero. Defeat the slime. Save her sister.

 That's all.

 After telling herself that, Mariabelle took another slow, deep breath.

 She looked around again.

 The carcass of the slime that mimicked a giant worm, which she had defeated while she was still surprised about her sister's abduction, was lying at the edge of her vision.

 The "core" inside the body had been destroyed, and the giant body was slowly melting and spreading to the ground as it tried to disappear.

“…I wonder if there were any other slimes as big as this one.”

"I'm sure there are. To be honest, only Meltia-sama, Leticia-sama, or Maria can defeat such a huge body... an individual that is so powerful that it limits the number of people who can defeat it is a threat.”

"Yeah―― well, even if the knights of Fonteau gather, it might just increase the casualties."

"It's troublesome... also, I feel like the slime has gotten a little smarter."

 It's not like they overwhelm them with "numbers" like goblins and orcs in the past.

 They create a small number of powerful individuals and overrun them by force...... which is more troublesome for the current mankind.

 The problem is that there are so few of them that can fight.

 The Black Ooze overran the castle of Fonteau, which triggered an invasion by a large number of slimes.

 The human race, which had underestimated the slime, has seen its numbers greatly reduced by the overrun.

 What is particularly problematic is that many men have died.

 With fewer men left to fight, it became more difficult to counter the threat.

 So much so that the hero Mariabelle has to go out to the front line to defeat the small fries, whose strength is weak.

 ……In such a state, a powerful individual is difficult to defeat unless one is a powerful person like Mariabelle or Leticia appears.

 Will the comrades participating in this battle be able to cope with something so sudden?

 All those participating are elite, yet their numbers are small......

"But we can't retreat―― if we don't rescue Fasalina-sama, the slime will become even stronger."

“I see. Well, it is natural to think so...... because the slime before the occupation of Fonteau seems to have gained strength rapidly."

 Although she doesn't put it into words, Kara is convinced that one of the causes is Leticia.

 The queen was said to possess a mana comparable to that of the Demon King.

 She believes that by absorbing that mana, the Black Ooze that occupied the castle of Fonteau evolved to become so powerful.

 ...…It even went so far as to form a strange body that they had never seen before.

"It's a really strange slime, the human-like shape, and the giant slime that was in the royal castle...... how did it keep growing so much? It's crazy."

"It's true. And―― when you first met it, you felt like you didn't want to go against it."

"You said it. It's like the slime in the cave gave me an order."

 That was when Meltia was kidnapped in the abandoned mine of Fonteau, where the slime was born.

 The hero and the slime.

 When she was wondering which one she should belong to, she felt the will of the slime that never speaks.

 It feels like―― an order from the Demon King.

 It wasn't to the point of showing unconditional obedience, but it felt like the will to resist was blocked.

 Fenelieka let out a sigh when she remembered the abnormal sensation.

"...It was like the Demon King."

“Stop it. Saying that's the Demon King... that's the worst kind of joke."

"I don't mean it as a joke."

 Kara glared at Fenelieka to stop her from saying anything more.

 Perhaps because Meltia was kidnapped, Fenelieka didn't have the energy to make the usual jokes and shut her mouth.

 It's just.

"Demon King, huh..."

 Mariabelle felt something in those words.

 Demon King.

 The king of monsters that her father defeated.

 A powerful enemy that has overrun this land and driven mankind to the brink of extinction.

 In order to defeat this enemy, the goddess Fasalina summoned a hero, and her mother, Fornelis, Jenna...... and all the lives of this great land lent their power to her father.

 ――This situation, Mariabelle thought, was very similar to the circumstances of the defeat of the Demon King that she had heard stories about.

 The goddess summons the hero, and the people join forces to help him.

 The difference is that the goddess is already in the hands of the enemy and the hero is no longer with them.

"Even if the slime is the Demon King, it doesn't matter―― with Otou-sama's sword and Okaa-sama, I will help Onee-sama, save Fasalina-sama and the new hero-sama, and defeat the slime..."

 As Mariabelle put her determination into words, she exhaled deeply one last time.

 Then she started walking, following the crack in the ground that the worm passed through that stretched out in front of her.

 Kara and Fenelieka followed.

"This way is the entrance to the castle."

“The place where that big gate was―― I'm sure that's where Letitia-sama and the others were fighting......”

 In that voice, there was a feeling that perhaps they might join Mariabelle's mother and attack the castle.

 It's different from the original plan, but it's better to have more strength.

 Besides―― if it's different from the plan, it's strange that even though they're so close to the castle, there's no resistance from the slimes.

(It's as if they're inviting us to the castle......)

 Kara didn't put that thought into words.

 She thought that both Mariabelle and Fenelieka would feel such a trap.

 Kara walks one step behind them while feeling a tension she never felt before.

 And then they arrived at the front of the castle without incident.

"The slimes didn't show up."

"......I think they are trying to lure us in."

 Mariabelle replies to Fenelieka's words.

 Her gaze turned to the large hole that Graffus and his men had made in the castle wall.

 Unnaturally, only that part had collapsed, creating a path to the castle.

“It looks like they opened the hole with the blessed water… but…”

 Here, too, there is a large hole in the ground.

 This is evidence that a huge worm has appeared.

 Looking around, there was not a soul to be seen, and the worst premonition that perhaps the whole force had been wiped out welled up in her chest.

“Mariabelle-sama!!”

 However, a man's voice reached her ears as if to wipe away her anxiety.

 Graffus.

 Jenna's husband, who had gathered up the unit and defended the remaining "Valhari Blessed Water," ran up to her, his face relaxing in relief at the sight of Mariabelle.

 Behind him were knights and warriors who were in perfect condition with almost no injuries.

“Are you safe, Mariabelle-sama!”

“Yes. We have been chasing a huge worm, and it seems it has appeared here as well."

"I see―― we managed to save ourselves, but ......"

 Graffus stopped.

 The expression on his face clouded as if he was having difficulty saying it, and he looked away.

 The reaction gave Mariabelle a bad feeling. She looked around.

"Where's Okaa-sama...?"

"That's……"

 Graffus hesitated.

 That's the answer.

"...She was attacked by the worm?"

"Yeah... we have no way to deal with that giant opponent... even Fornelis-sama."

 Graffus wanted to continue, but Mariabelle stopped him with her hand.

(I finally understood......)

 The worm disappeared after just swallowing her sister whole.

 She was sure it didn't just run away.

 It was an example to tell her that her sister and mother were alive and that it had taken them away.

 By telling Mariabelle about the situation, they blocked her way out―― effectively, thought Kara and Fenelieka, who heard the story.

 For Mariabelle, it was one of her few weaknesses.

 Her physical prowess as a hero, her holy sword that can annihilate even the evolved slime, and her absolute intuition, which is close to predicting the future.

 Equipped with all of these, Mariabelle is probably one of the few natural enemies of the slime.

 Restricting Mariabelle's actions―― it used her mother and sister as bait to lure her into the castle where there was no escape.

"Fuu... it seems that the other side also wants to settle things."

"Eh?"

"......I understand what the slime is trying to do."

(Surely―― it's inviting me.)

 At this time, Mariabelle was finally convinced of the slime's purpose.

 It's going to settle this.

 With the goddess Fasalina and the new hero in its possession, there were only two things left to defeat the slime.

 The female hero who inherited the holy sword and "Valhari Blessed Water".

 It intended to overcome both of them in this battle. Just like before.

 The slime that could not use magic. Slime, which was synonymous with the weakest.

 That slime is trying to overcome the hero and the poison.

(The "intuition" is dull... why?)

 How could she not notice such a simple thing?

 Convinced that her senses have dulled, Mariabelle lets out a sigh that even Kara won't notice.

 A couple of reasons came to mind.

 One might be that the goddess Fasalina was in the hands of the slime, which had dulled her power.

 Or perhaps impatience has dulled Mariabelle's senses, or perhaps―― with the increased power of the slime, her intuition is no longer working.

 However, they all seem to be wrong.

"I have a bad feeling about this……"

 In the past, she had always had a bad feeling before fighting powerful individuals.

 But this time it's something different.

 An extremely... bad feeling.

 If they don't win here, she's worried that something fatal will happen.

――[Demon King].

 The words Fenelieka said crossed her mind.

 She felt a will, unable to disobey the order.

(Such a thing shouldn't happen...)

 The Demon King was defeated by her father.

 By defeating it, the world became peaceful.

 ……If the slime is to become a Demon King, she will take it down as a hero.

 However, she still feels uneasy.

 No matter how strong her resolve is, her anxiety grew stronger.

"Maria?"

 Kara tapped Mariabelle on the shoulder, worried about her, who had been frozen since she heard that her mother and Fornelis had been attacked by the worm.

 Not that she was stunned, so Mariabelle reacted immediately.

"It's okay, Kara... I was just thinking about the slime's purpose."

"What?"

"I understand. It wanted to settle this, too."

(I've had enough of this kind of battle―― I need to end it quickly.)

 Mariabelle stroked the hilt of her holy sword and turned her gaze to the castle formed by slime mucus.

 It is a castle so big that one can look up at it.

 Somewhere, it looks familiar―― ah, yes.

"It resembles Fonteau's castle..."

"Eh?"

 Fenelieka looked up at the castle again at Mariabelle's words.

 Indeed.

 It is hard to tell because what should be called the outer wall is a dirty mucus that reflects the sunlight, but it seems to resemble the Royal Castle of Fonteau in some key places.

 Feeling this way, Mariabelle headed toward the castle through a hole in the already empty outer wall.

“Graffus-san, perhaps this perimeter is safe. Please divide the remaining 'Valhari Blessed Water' and follow me!"

"Eh, ah... yes."

 As soon as Mariabelle said that, Graffus instructed the remaining troops to take down the barrels filled with "Valhari Blessed Water" from the wagon and began to divide them among the troops.

 They divided the blessed water into bottles and leather water bags.

 Although the amount each one can carry is small, it's enough to equip half of the people.

"What are we going to do, Maria?"

“Perhaps the target is me and the blessed water―― then let’s proceed. Those who have the blessed water will be with me!  The rest of you, separate!!"

"...Are you going to use yourself as a decoy?"

"In the meantime, please help Kara and the others save Fasalina-sama, Hero-sama, and Jenna-sama."

 Mariabelle did not mention Leticia and Meltia's names.

 They were probably somewhere in the slime castle.

 And she was sure.

 Only her mother and sister were in a different place―― in the throne room.

"Those of you with 'Valhari Blessed Water'... please protect me until I reach the slime."

 Hearing those words, the knights holding the blessed water gasped.

 It's like saying, implicitly, to be a sacrifice. It's like telling them to die, to be imprisoned.

 However, Mariabelle tells the fact without hiding it.

"If we don't win here, the goddess Fasalina will be sacrificed―― and then we won't win anymore. We will never win."

 "――――"

 When she says that, no one can argue against it.

 It's an extreme argument―― die here or die tomorrow. That is the only difference.

 That's how far mankind has cornered.

 Only a few years ago, they underestimated the slime as the "weakest".

 They engrave it into their heart.

"Therefore, we will settle the matter here―― I will definitely defeat the slime."

 She also tells them that there is still a chance to win.

“If we save the goddess Fasalina-sama and save the hero-sama that the goddess-sama has newly summoned… we will win.”

 She said this with a smile.

 They were not sure, but Mariabelle and the others have no other choice than that.

"It's okay. I will definitely save the goddess―― that's why, please lend me your strength. To save my strength until I get to the slime."

 At these words, the beastmen handed their "Valhari Blessed Water" to the elven knights.

 They understand that if the slimes are going after someone with mana, the elves will be their target.

 So, with a strong gaze, they pass it to their comrade-in-arms, hoping for their safety.

 The elven knights also receive not only the blessed water but also their feelings, and each of them lines up in front of Mariabelle with determination in their hearts.

"Let's go. To survive."

 Mariabelle said, and they all proceeded together into the slime castle without any opposition.

 ――Kara and Fenelieka lined up next to Mariabelle.

"Kara and Fenel-san... this is where we say goodbye."

"Jeez. As always, you decide everything by yourself."

 Fenelieka pouted while dissatisfied with Mariabelle's decision.

 Kara taps her right shoulder.

"We will definitely help the goddess―― and go to support you."

"Yes. I'll be waiting, Kara."

 And with that, Mariabelle parted from Kara and Fenelieka as well, and with about two hundred knights in tow, she stepped inside the front gate into the mucus-built castle.

 Strangely enough...... no, she was sure the purpose is exactly as Mariabelle imagined.

 The front door opened on its own to open the way for the black-haired hero and the knights with "Valhari Blessed Water" to come in.

 ――She bit her lip.

"Let's go."

 The interior of the castle was the same as the royal castle of Fonteau that Mariabelle remembered.

 The grand staircase leading to the second floor in front, the fine furnishings, the many doors leading to other rooms.

 The chandeliers on the ceiling, the number of windows, the flowers in vases, and even the curtains and carpets were made to resemble their shapes.

 It's made in the same way as Fonteau's royal castle.

――She felt anger swells in her heart.

 She felt as if her memories had been defiled.

 At the same time, alarm bells are ringing in her head.

 For some reason, the same words are stuck in her head.

 [Demon King]

 Unable to forget the words, Mariabelle heads upstairs, up the grand staircase in front of her.

“Mariabelle-sama!!”

 But about halfway up, the knights walking behind her shouted out.

 From the hall on the first floor and from the second floor at the end of the stairs, slime in the form of goblins, orcs, and other monsters appeared.

 There were no large individuals like worms or chimeras.

 Everyone understands that the purpose is to let them use the "Valhari Blessed Water" by using a large number of small monsters.

 At the same time, the door leading out of the castle closed.

 The escape route was blocked.

"We're going to break through!! Everyone, please lend me your strength!!"

"Ooohhh!!"

 With that call, the knights began to fight mainly with magic in order to conserve "Valhari Blessed Water".

 Mariabelle did not take the lead and fought while conserving her strength.

 From the corner of her eye, she could see Kara and the others looking for a way into the castle from different locations through a thin mucus window.

 She could see that the slime that imitated the shape of monsters was not heading that way.

 The diversion was a success―― Mariabelle was convinced of that and smiled.

(I'm going to save you now, Okaa-sama, Onee-sama――)