Chapter 93 – Truth (1)

I used manipulation and fabrication on these simple men for Diana’s honor and to conquer the dungeon, but it’s not like it’s all lies. I’m not a villain, nor am I a psycho who enjoys deceiving people, so would I only spout lies?

As a priest with the ‘Saint’ trait, I spoke truthfully about the most important part that these simpletons wanted.

After all, the most important thing for them is material reward, right? It’s true that they can easily gain wealth and fame, so that’s all that matters. That’s the core of everything, isn’t it? Money.

Money.
Is there a better motivator for people throughout history? With money, almost everything is possible. If not, it just means you don’t have enough money. With more money, everything is possible.

“So, there’s no problem! Right?”

Cha Hyewon’s gaze, which had been on me while I was preaching my materialist theory, seemed to have turned as cold as if she were looking at garbage. I must be mistaken, right?

“That damn money, money. Money isn’t everything in life.”
“Nope! Money. Big money. More big money!”

Money is the best! That’s why those people are responding so enthusiastically, right? Of course, adults are responsible for their choices. They stepped forward for rewards, so it’s their responsibility if they die or get hurt.

It’s heartwarming to see these useful meat shields enthusiastically taking the lead. Of course, I won’t remember your sacrifices. My precious brain capacity is reserved for beautiful women.

“…Are you trash? Don’t you have a conscience?”
“How would that help my life? I’ll give you my conscience, you live virtuously.”
“Wow~ and you call yourself a priest. You should just change your job. Become a thief or a robber.”
“How rude. Where else can you find someone as faithful and virtuous as me? Tsk tsk.”
“Huh?”
“Yeah, huh.”
“Not slander?”
“Go eat a pacifier.”
“You’re so childish, really.”

I stomped on Cha Hyewon’s foot as she grumbled and looked at the place where people had disappeared. On the dark stone wall, there was a door that looked like a dungeon entrance.

Hmm. If my vision had been clear, I could have found it quickly. The entrance was so obvious.

A round, button-shaped stone protruded as if to be pressed. In the game, you could enter by clicking a button, so it seems it’s implemented like this here.

Considering that people disappeared, they probably move to another place when this button is pressed, right?

“I’ll open it. There’s a possibility of moving to another place, so everyone be alert. Even if the scenery changes or there’s a sudden attack, we’ll be fine if we respond calmly.”

Surely, they wouldn’t ambush us as soon as we enter the dungeon, right? Dungeon entrances are usually safe zones, but this is a realistic game world where I’ve been ambushed more than once. Just in case, I warned them.

“Yurian, it’s dangerous, so come next to me.”
“Hey, stay by my side.”
“You little brat, take care of yourself.”

…It’s chaotic.
Strangely, Diana, Irian, and Cha Hyewon are sticking close to me from all sides. And why is Sandra subtly approaching?

The moment I pressed the stone piece that looked like a button, I was blinded by a beam of light. What a clunky effect.

Though it’s gone to the dogs now, it was just like the early days of the Great Demon series from Blizzard, which once dominated the gaming world. When moving to another place, a door would open and light would pour out. The stone door opened, bright light poured out, and then it disappeared in an instant.

When I opened my eyes after the sudden flash, the gloomy underground waterway was gone, and a new space was revealed.

A wide corridor that seemed to stretch endlessly. The numerous stone pillars that soared toward the ceiling were all polished smooth, and even the geometric patterns intricately carved in relief filled the stone pillars.

Cha Hyewon, who was watching the people gaping in awe and looking around, nudged my side and whispered in my ear.

“Is this the tomb of that ruler you were talking about?”
“Shhh. This is a den of sealed demons. Be careful.”
“…Right, a demon’s den.”

For Cha Hyewon and me, who have experienced the concrete jungle of modern cities, it wasn’t that surprising, though it was impressive. But the people here were completely out of it, busy looking at the corridor and stone pillars.

“Wow… what is all this? My god, each of these huge pillars is made of a single piece of stone?”
“They look bigger than the pillars of the largest mansion in the city… How many are there?”

These country bumpkins would have their eyes pop out if they were taken to a city with skyscrapers. It’s certainly… a grandeur I didn’t feel in the shoddy game graphics, but maybe it’s because I’ve experienced modern concrete cities. Instead of being overwhelmed, it feels like looking at ancient Greek or Roman architecture. Well… ancient architecture has its own charm.

By the way, where did the five who disappeared go? I need to ensure the safety of the head of the parish, at least. Did they go somewhere to find an exit in that short time?

“Yurian, there are traces here.”
“Where?”

Irian, with her sharp eyes, found footprints in the fine dust. Looking at the traces, they seem to have walked straight along the path? This isn’t good.

“We’ll follow the traces. Maintain formation.”

It’s been four days since the rescue team entered the underground waterway. They said they fought a large group of monsters in the middle, so even though they’re from different groups, they naturally formed a formation.

The best way for humans, who are weaker, less agile, have softer skin, and are less ferocious and aggressive in battle than monsters, to fight monsters is in formation.

Of course, people with abilities beyond ordinary humans can sweep through monsters alone, but as seen with Somir, even skilled people have their limits.

As they are all veterans of battle, they divided roles and formed a formation. They entered between the huge stone structures, following the footprints on the fine dust.

“If this place is really where a demon is sealed… how powerful of a demon would it be?”
“There’s no need to worry about how great the demon is, Sandra. It’s a guy who has no power because he’s sealed.”
“Is that so? Still, because of what happened this time… I’m worried.”

She sighs and glances at me. Why is she looking at me? Is she subtly annoyed because of that incident? Then I’m a bit wronged too. I’m a victim too. I had no intention of fulfilling my personal desires… well, only a little.

“Ahem. I’m… sorry about that.”
“Sorry? Not at all.”

The moment Sandra and I made eye contact, we both looked away. It seemed like an awkward atmosphere would continue, so I quickly tried to smooth things over with Sandra.

“According to what I saw in the ancient documents, it seems that it lost almost all its power after being sealed. It’s a demon, but it’s been sealed here for so long that it probably doesn’t even seem like a demon.”

The mercenaries and guards are ignorant guys who only know how to fight, so they’d just accept it if I said it was a demon, but not Sandra. This intelligent mage might question the sudden demon talk, so I need to keep saying it’s a demon.

As I was rambling about the imaginary demon to Sandra, Irian’s face tilted.

“Yurian, I’ve been thinking about it, but no matter how I think about it, it doesn’t seem like a demon. Even before we came here, you clearly…”
“Irian! Come next to me and protect me. I’m counting on you!”
“Uh, huh? Ah, okay. Ahem. I guess I’m the only one you can trust?”
“Yeah, you’re the only one, so please protect me well.”
“Hmph. I like that you’re honest. But Yurian, before we came here, didn’t you say? This place is the old region…”
“Irian, your hair has gotten long? I’d believe you were a girl at this point? You’re pretty.”
“Hmph! What nonsense are you talking about? It’s annoying to be called pretty as a man, you know?”

Ugh, this clueless guy. He’s been quiet since a while ago, so he must have been thinking about what I said. It’s unsettling that Sandra’s ears are perked up… Anyway, it’s a demon.

The guy who said he was annoyed while huffing and puffing like a spoiled brat is actually smiling. Cha Hyewon, who was walking ahead, glanced back and pretended to throw up, so I must be doing well.

Then, a scream was heard from afar. It was faint, but the scream was clear, and people’s faces hardened. The people who were looking at each other finally turned their gaze to me.

Whether these people are doing it consciously or unconsciously… Anyway, the fact that they’re looking at me in this situation is probably because I’ve been acting like a leader since we joined up?

The saintess and the magistrate, who should be taking the lead, are following my orders, so I’ve become the tacit leader.

“We’ll move quickly. Be prepared, everyone, as we may encounter the demon.”

Now that they’ve felt the pressure of the existence of a demon, the relaxed atmosphere disappeared and tension rose.

Thud thud thud…!!
The group started running, each gripping their weapons, their hurried footsteps echoing. They passed the stone pillars that quickly blurred in their vision, and they began to draw on their divine power.

They ran for a while, preparing defensive and healing magic. Soon, a wide plaza appeared.
The plaza was circular, and the stone pillars surrounding it were splattered with blood. Was it from the fountain of blood that spurted from the person who was only left with his lower body in the center?

“Joseph!!”

Some mercenaries rushed out, recognizing the identity from the clothes, even though only the lower body remained. What are these reckless people doing, not even knowing what kind of enemy is there?

For a moment, I thought about stopping them, but in the end, I didn’t. I’m getting a bit of trauma from their reckless behavior, and I also thought it would be effective to find out what kind of threat there is through their sacrifice.

“You idiots! Come back!”

I grabbed Irian’s shoulder as he tried to rush out and shook my head, scanning the plaza. Where is the enemy? Is there a trap? Where are the others? Why is only one guy cut in half and placed in the center as if to show off?

This artificial appearance, which seems to want the reaction of those mercenaries who are rushing in without thinking, is… above!

The moment a strange feeling was conveyed to my sharply honed senses, I deployed divine magic with all my might. A translucent, round barrier expanded rapidly, blocking something that was falling from above.

“There’s something above…! Oh my god.”

The mercenary who quickly noticed and shouted had his mouth wide open, and the reactions of the people who looked up were the same. I thought what was falling was an attack, but it’s too weak for an attack. What fell… a person? No, a person’s head?

The round object that was bouncing on the barrier fell to the ground with a sickening thud and shattered. A sticky liquid flowed from the burst eye, and something grayish-white was protruding from the limp, long tongue. It’s hard to tell if it’s because of the burst eye or if the brain is flowing out.

“…Yurian. Look… look above.”

At Irian’s trembling voice, I raised my gaze to the ceiling, which I had been observing the half-burst head. Only then did I understand the people’s reactions.

“…Crazy. Is it suddenly an alien?”