CH 139

Chapter 139 – Nike Rescue Operation Commences!

“…The power of Ior’s skill sure is incredible.” (Torakado)

As I stood there on the outer wall of the palace in the imperial capital of Elrond, I let out a sigh of admiration as I gazed at the long, thick grasses and vines entangling the palace.

At the moment, Ior was on the [Jet Book] with Sol and Izu, who were protecting him as they hovered above the palace.

Izu was also demonstrating her magnificent prowess. Her beautiful voice echoed throughout the palace, causing the people on the palace grounds to sink into a deep slumber.

Of course, some of them had already been asleep due to the time, but it was incredible how easily they were neutralized, given that many of them were soldiers on patrol and maids who were still doing their jobs.

“…! Her song turned into a supporting one.” (Torakado)

Izu changed her song from the to , which had the effect of increasing her allies’ abilities.

Incidentally, Izu’s microphone was something called the [Thousand Miles Microphone], which could project her voice up to a thousand miles away if she wanted it to. Because of this item, her voice could echo throughout the entire palace.

“Alright, it’s about time for us to head out too. Ready, Shiki and Yofel?” (Torakado)

““Yes!””

I followed the wall to the building in the northeast with Shiki and Yofel. The results of Sol’s investigation told me that Nike was being kept there in captivity.

“Nike should be in the room on the top floor. Shiki, cut down the door.” (Torakado)

“As you command!” (Shiki)

Shiki shot out from my shadow and sliced the heavy door into ribbons with the scythes on his arm.

We went inside and ascended the spiral staircase, passing by several sleeping soldiers along the way.

Fortunately, we were able to proceed without having to fight. It was thanks to Izu’s efforts that people weren’t rushing out of the palace and heading to our location.

But that didn’t mean we could relax. Even Izu’s songs weren’t all-encompassing. I’d heard that there were some people whom it didn’t work against, and they were powerful enough to have defeated the Empire. Surely, some of them would notice the unusual situation and break through the wall of plants.

It would be better to secure Nike before then.

“Master, there are signs of people heading your way!” (Sol)

As I expected, they started moving.

“Quickly, you two!” (Torakado)

We dashed up the stairs as fast as we could and finally arrived at the top floor, but…

“Hm? Who are you people?” (???)

At the end of the long passageway, there was a door, and a large garbel was standing there, blocking the way. They had probably been placed here to watch over Nike and ensure he couldn’t leave. There were other soldiers, but he was the only one standing. The others seemed to have fallen asleep, having succumbed to the effects of Izu’s song.

“Intruders…? You look like hurons, but…” (Garbel)

Yofel and I had changed our appearances beforehand. I presented myself in the form of Torakado Shiina, and Yofel was no longer an elf, but a beautiful human woman.

“These guys aren’t waking up. This is your doing, isn’t it? Then… I will destroy you here.”

We faced a large male garbel in silver armor. He had a weighty-looking pike in one hand, which he seemed to swing around with ease like a stick.

…This guy is strong.

I would probably have a tough time on my own.

“Master. Please leave this one to me.” (Yofel)

“Yofel?” (Torakado)

“…Okay. Then take him down quickly and follow after us as soon as you can.” (Torakado)

“Naturally!” (Yofel)

Placing my trust in her, I turned and made a dash for the door.

“Hmph! I can’t have you looking down on this Galuin-sama!”

The male garbel who called himself Galuin tried to thrust his pike out at me with tremendous force, but an arrow shot out from behind me and pierced into his shoulder like a bolt of thunder.

“Ngggh!?” (Galuin)

I slipped through the reach of Galuin like the embodiment of the wind, taking advantage of the moment when he froze up from the shock of pain.

“Damn it, I won’t let you go!” (Galuin)

However, more of Yofel’s arrows had already left her bow, ripping towards Galuin. As expected, his next reaction was to use his pike to knock them out of the way.

“Sorry, but we’re the ones who won’t let you go.” (Yofel)

“Milady, it seems that there is a barrier around the door. Most likely, this door itself is an artifact.” (Shiki)

I see. So this much thought and consideration went into keeping a 9-year old kid captive. Are they this afraid of the bloodline of the Empire?

“What should we do? Shall this one cut it down for you, milady?” (Shiki)

“No, there might be some hidden traps. But if we use this, there shouldn’t be any problems.” (Torakado)

I took off the rosary of prayer beads around my wrist and grasped it in my right hand. Then, I lobbed it at the door.

Immediately after the beads came into contact with the door, an electrical discharge blasted out like before, but the beads began to shatter one by one. When the electrical discharges stopped, the beads that had been floating in the air fell to the floor.

“Hoh, seven beads. That was a pretty strong barrier,” I marveled as I picked the rosary back up and gave them a look over.

This rosary was called the [Rosary of Exorcism], and it was made up of 10 beads strung together. The beads could absorb the energy of seals and barriers. However, if the amount of energy exceeded one bead in capacity, the bead would disappear along with the energy stored in it, and the process would continue with the next bead and so on. In other words, the more powerful the seal or barrier, the more beads would disappear in order to absorb the energy.

The fact that seven beads had disappeared meant that it was indeed quite a powerful barrier.

I put the rosary with the three remaining beads back on my wrist and placed my hand on the door, which had turned into a regular door.

This time, nothing happened, and… the door opened creakily along with a dry click.

The room inside was bleak, furnished only by a bed, table, chair, a small bookshelf, and a window. The walls and floor were made of cold, hard stone.

There, I laid eyes on a boy standing by the bed, frightened out of his wits. His head was topped by a white bob-cut, and he was dressed in a coarse set of clothes that prisoners would normally wear. He was thin and frail, looking like he might collapse at any moment.

…So this is Nike?

“W-Who are you?!” (Nike)

His voice was trembling with barely concealed fear, but I could tell he was still trying to maintain his dignity as a child of the emperor.

“Don’t be scared. We’re here to free you from this place.” (Torakado)

“Eh? …To free me…?” (Nike)

“Yes, at the request of your older sister—Noalia-san.” (Torakado)

“Noalia?” (Nike)

“Huh? You don’t know her? Come to think of it, she mentioned that she’s never met you in person. Do you know who Rajie is?” (Torakado)

“Jii? Are you talking about Jii?!” (Nike)

“Right. Rajie, this ‘Jii’ as you call him, asked us to break you out of here.” (Torakado)

“Jii did… I see.” (Nike)

Nike’s body suddenly slackened as he seemed to let go of his wariness.

“I’m going to bring you to Rajie-san now. Is that okay?” (Torakado)

“…….I refuse.” (Nike)

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