LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 53
Chapter 53: The Graveyard of Gambles
A week had passed since Qing’s demise, and the city of Mencani, known for its gambling dens, was abuzz with whispers.
Here, funded by the profits of the notorious Cartani, stood a vast communal graveyard, its origin story as ironic as it was amusing.
The city had seen an increase in the number of gamblers unable to pay their debts, meeting their end in despair. The lord, vexed by this growing problem, pinned the blame on the gambling house Cartani.
With no power to oppose the lord, Cartani pledged a portion of its profits to lay the unidentified deceased of Mencani to rest in the public cemetery each year.
Thus, the graveyard, maintained by the gambling house’s earnings, became a hidden scar beneath Mencani’s glittering facade.
Given that the cemetery was owned by Cartani, it was no surprise that the gravediggers were also under its employ.
“Look here.”
“Hm?”
Whiren, the new gravedigger, scrutinized a visitor to the cemetery.
A bamboo hat, a string of prayer beads around the neck, and flowing robes.
‘An Easterner, no doubt.’
It was an annual occurrence.
Those who came to collect debts the dead could not pay.
The buried here had lived lives marred by sin, with swindling money being a common vice. Hence, it wasn’t unusual for debt collectors from the East to make the long journey to Mencani.
“Here for the money?”
“Here to mourn.”
“Well, if you say so. Whom do you seek?”
The man in the bamboo hat hesitated before revealing his unsettling query.
“About a week ago, did an Eastern-looking corpse arrive here?”
“An Eastern corpse… Hmm…”
For Whiren, distinguishing between Eastern and Western corpses was simple enough.
“There was one, but…”
“What about it?”
“It’s hard to say it was Eastern… or even intact, for that matter.”
“…What was wrong with the body?”
“You wish to know?”
Nod…
“The head was missing, and the cut was far from clean. One arm looked as if it had been torn by a wild beast.”
“A ghastly sight indeed.”
“Such is common here… What story does a body not have? But… do you know the deceased’s identity?”
Whiren’s eyes gleamed.
The cemetery was so crowded that there were demands to expand the grounds next year. If a relative were to relocate the body, the cemetery would welcome it with open arms.
Of course, at the relative’s expense.
“…Not really. I just heard a rumor of an Easterner brutally murdered and stopped by to pay respects.”
“Ah… I see.”
There were always those.
Those needlessly fixated on origins.
Well, as long as they harm no one else.
“Go that way.”
“Thank you.”
Step…
Step…
In the season when the greenery fades.
Before an unmarked grave, the man in the bamboo hat murmured an incantation.
“…Qing, awaken.”
[Manan uses the Blood Shadow Revenant spell.]
[Revives a target not more than a fortnight deceased as a Blood Shadow Revenant.]
[The resurrected Blood Shadow Revenant will follow blindly.]
[The resurrected Blood Shadow Revenant’s memories are incomplete.]
Manan, one of the six envoys of the Blood Sect, having just arrived in Mencani from the East.
Suddenly…
An arm burst forth from the grave, propelling the body upright.
Whoosh…
Where the head was missing, a bloodstorm brewed, and Qing’s head was gruesomely reformed from blood.
“Qing, what did you see before death?”
“…”
“Qing.”
“Wolf… Large… wolf…”
Qing muttered disjointedly.
“A wolf, then. You were indeed slain.”
It was unlikely that a being like Qing would be hunted by mere beasts; thus, it was more plausible that he was killed by something resembling a wolf.
Swoosh…
Manan extended his hand, and behind him appeared two humans and a Blood Shadow Revenant.
“Qing has been murdered.”
“Who would dare…”
“It might be the work of Baron Jaziel.”
Standing beside Manan were Baek and Kyung, the remaining two of the unpleasant trio.
“Poor Qing.”
“Can he be revived?”
Manan pondered, resting his chin on his hand.
“It depends on the outcome of our endeavors. If we achieve what we desire, Qing shall rise again.”
Following the Blood Sect’s founder’s pursuit of immortality, necromancy remained the sect’s mainstay, and thus, its warriors did not fear death.
The belief in resurrection as a stronger being spurred them to martyrdom.
Of course, Qing’s death was far from martyrdom.
“Without information… there’s little we can do. It’s a pity to waste the stored serum…”
Whoosh…
A bloodstorm arose from Manan’s hand, enveloping Qing.
“…Do you smell him?”
“Wolf… scent…”
A crimson mist trailed from Qing, leading somewhere.
“Master.”
“What shall we do?”
Manan gazed into the mist and declared.
“Whether this happened by chance or someone’s design… it’s irrelevant. The first event of our sect in the West has been obstructed.”
Shh…
“We follow the trail.”
* * *
“The Blood Sect, huh…”
The original work, Lemegeton, wasn’t in operation for long, so I’m not fully versed in the entire story.
However, there’s enough about the Blood Sect revealed in the narrative to warrant a comment or two.
“What a headache…”
The Blood Sect was meant to emerge in full force only after the defeat of the unpleasant trio.
Later, players embodying Faust would learn, through espionage, the untold stories of the trio’s demise, intertwined with the Eastern world’s lore.
‘The envoy’s arrival…’
Something feels ominously amiss.
‘How formidable is the envoy of the Blood Sect?’
From what I recall, they were depicted as more formidable than the unpleasant trio. Could I, as I am now, prevail against such a foe?
Click…
I found myself absentmindedly fingering the hilt of my cursed sword.
With this blade… I’m confident in a duel, but that’s a different matter. Baek and Kyung, two of the trio, still remain.
And there’s another thing.
The Blood Sect is known for its necromantic sorcery, which is quite troublesome.
‘Jakim or Ariel would struggle against it.’
The more I ponder, the deeper my concerns grow.
Swoosh…
“I’ll take a short walk.”
“I shall accompany you.”
“No need. I’ll return shortly.”
After declining Lucifer’s company, I slowly exited the heart of the dungeon.
The first place I visited was the forest field, Jakim’s domain.
Excluding Ariel’s territory and some orc lands, Jakim ruled the entire forest field and had done something quite amusing. The goblin’s mere encampment had transformed into a fortress.
From a distance, the fortress seemed quite impressive. Though invaders frequently challenged it, causing its collapse, Jakim seemed unfazed, as if it were natural.
If it falls, we’ll just rebuild it… Heh heh…
Such is the goblin way, I suppose.
Building castles or fortresses would be ideal, but sadly, without an earth field, there’s no way to procure the necessary materials. The forest field lacks suitable rocks for construction.
‘Well… there’s a reason why fortresses are the mainstay of the earth field.’
There was a time when squads filled with sentinel-type familiars were all the rage.
Anyway, Jakim is doing his best with what he has.
Next, I headed to the flame field.
Kihihihihi!
Whoosh-!
Whoosh-!
I caught sight of Santo juggling knives.
“…”
As I watched him, he pointed towards Phenex’s location even while juggling.
Swoosh…
Turning my gaze, I saw Phenex eyeing a fragment from the lava cave.
‘Doesn’t he know I’m here?’
Hoo…
“Sigh…”
Phenex, with incredible focus, drew her sword like lightning.
Fiiiiing-!
The strike was so precise that the rock split, and I could tell just by the sound.
Flare…
Flames burst from the cut surface.
“Phenex.”
“Huh? Aaah! My lord!”
She hadn’t noticed me after all.
Startled, Phenex stepped back as I asked her.
“What are you doing?”
“Training! Keeping my senses sharp ensures no hesitation in real combat.”
“Did your master teach you that?”
At my words, Phenex gave a bittersweet smile.
“…Yes. That’s right.”
“Good teachings.”
“All Phenex can do is cut down your enemies, my lord.”
Could there be a more loyal demon?
A sincere demon who guards his master with nothing but his sword.
‘But… if things with the trio escalate as I fear…’
She will likely suffer a crushing defeat.
Victory yet defeat.
It’s the natural order.
It was a painful but necessary part of her growth.
All I can do is choose the right words for her when that moment comes.
“Yes, do your best.”
“Okay! Farewell!”
After a brief encounter with her, I ventured deeper.
Eeeing…
Eeeeeeeng…
An abandoned research facility.
Crackle…
Rustwater flowed, and sparks flew from severed cables.
The research facility exists because, for Amon at least, hell’s scientific civilization has far surpassed Solaria’s.
It was hastily expanded upon receiving news from Ruby and Bill’s party. It’s a thunder field, but the right familiars haven’t been prepared yet.
‘I would have refused them anyway.’
This place was prepared solely for Amon to reign as the director of the abandoned research facility. Naturally, Amon’s secret lab was also relocated here.
As I surveyed the vast space, too large for one person, a voice came from behind.
“What brings you here without notice?”
“Amon.”
“More importantly, good timing. I was just in need of your opinion.”
Turning around, I saw Amon wearing a hat that looked like a bowl with a straw connected to it.
“It’s a battle noodle consumption device.”
“…”
“With this, one can stave off hunger and maintain nutrition even during combat. Isn’t it astonishing?”
“…Impressive.”
It was hard not to marvel at such absurd inventions being churned out one after another.
To think this one is the intellect of hell.
‘Is hell… really okay?’
As far as I know, Amon is the only one who can truly comprehend and wield the science of hell. Without anyone to rein him in, such bizarre creations come to life.
“Right? You do have an eye for it.”
Amon smirks, his guard down.
He’s a pure inventor at heart.
“I’ll make another one by the time you visit next. How about we try it together then?”
“…Together?”
“Yes. We need to test if it’s possible to converse while consuming.”
“Agreed.”
Swoosh…
As Amon gently sets down her hat, she inquires.
“The Blood Sect, was it?”
“Did I mention that?”
“I heard it from Lucifer.”
“Indeed.”
“They’re the minions of Alloces.”
“…What?”
This is unexpected news.
“Why the surprise? It’s not like you don’t know Solaria is not free from demonic influence.”
“…”
“The Iron Duke Alloces was once their master, but they’ve been abandoned for a long time.”
“You seem to know a lot.”
“News travels even if one stays still. There are those who love to gossip, even in hell. So…”
Amon narrows his eyes and asks.
“Are you afraid?”
“…I might not be ready to face them yet.”
“There’s nothing more foolish than a prepared war. If one can prepare, it’s preferable that war doesn’t happen at all.”
Amon speaks with chosen sharpness.
“Isn’t it time you realized you’re a ruler?”
“What do you mean?”
“In my view, even if it’s a ragtag bunch, this ground is yours, and you are the rightful ruler of this territory. Soldiers can’t fight properly if their ruler trembles with fear.”
“…You’re not wrong.”
“No need for arrogance, but too much humility is the worst. It’s neither here nor there.”
The more I converse with her, the clearer my mind becomes.
“If they come, welcome them.”
“…”
“That’s all.”
“I see.”
Swoosh…
Half a day after leaving Amon’s abandoned research facility, Ruby, Bill, and the party of Mori arrived at the dungeon. I commanded them to rest in the dungeon for a while, acknowledging their hard work.
And then, after a fortnight,.
[I sense the presence of intruders.]
[The defense of the dungeon begins now.]
The misfortune I anticipated soon became destiny.
The familiars, sensing the intrusion, halted the mana supply to the dimensional gate relay, waiting for my command.
Yes…
Open the gates.
And,
“Welcome them grandly.”