4 [1-4] 14? ?? (1/2)

The office was already in the middle of chaos when the party ”Dawn Bell” visited the guardhouse.

”Hey mister. I thought you might be missing my face by now, so I'm here.

”Oh, Eladio!　Welcome aboard!

The warrior Eladio called out, and Manfred, the captain of the guard, greeted the four adventurers with a show of gratitude.

”The Bell of Dawn is a party of Adept adventurers based in Teiralare, the royal capital of Ciel-Teira. The party is led by Eladio, a fighter, and consists of a thief, a priest, and a wizard. It would be ideal to have both a priest and a wizard, but it was difficult to achieve since it was very rare to have someone who could use magic at a level that would allow him to be a viable adventurer.

”The Dawn Bell is not only a skilled adventurer, but also has a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness.

He has been asked by the guards to assist in criminal investigations, and has even taken down violent criminals that the guards could not defeat.

I heard there were undead in the area.

Yes, that's right. Apparently, some of the executed men became undead.

There's a wide range of undead. What did they find?　I even heard some stupid rumor about a Dullahan.

Pierre said with a look of disgust on his face.

Pierre, a Thief, is the youngest, just over 20. He is the youngest thief, just over 20. He is a goody-two-shoes who acts like a jerk to his superiors and elders, but he is good at what he does, and he only listens to Eladio.

I don't know. I don't know. I'm still confused. ......

It's so boring.

I'm not sure what to make of this.

”There was a knight on the scene, wasn't there? Can't you at least kill one of the undead?

I'm sure they could, but ...... there's no word on whether they escaped unharmed.

You're a knight, after all. There's no undead strong enough to reap them .......

Eladio crossed his arms and pondered.

”What do you think, old man?

”Well, well, .......

An old man with a white beard, holding a long staff and wearing a high hat, nods his head.

A wizard. Real name unknown. He calls himself by many other names. Not even Eladio knows his name. He seems like a good-natured old man, but he's not who he seems to be. But to Eladio, he has been a friend for ten years and a valued companion.

It's hard to believe that such powerful undead could spontaneously emerge from an executed corpse,......, but it's possible that some kind of curse was planted in the corpse beforehand. It's the fault of the Knights for executing him without noticing.

The old man was unusually harsh and condescending.

I understand. So it's not surprising that there is.

”Hmm, but Dullahan is at most a fifth level adept, so we should be able to get there.

Well, if you're ......, let's just assume that Dullahan is out there and act accordingly. Okay?

Mm-hmm.

Yes.

The last person to respond was Vyssa, a priest. He is a priest in the service of the god of the hearth, with thread-like eyes and a sober appearance.

Although he wears vestments, he is a man with the physique of a fighter, and his mace-like staff can be used as a bludgeoning weapon. It is especially effective against the undead, and with Vyssa's power, he can destroy about two dozen skeletons without magic.

”Wretched one, who even in death cannot rest in the bosom of the gods. It must be destroyed as soon as possible so that it will not suffer any longer.

Vyssa said, as serious as she looked.

The undead are often thought of as objects to be hated and destroyed (even by the clergy), but to a reasonable person like Vissas, they are to be pitied.

Whatever the problem, there's a panic. People running for their lives are folding and collapsing, and even if the demons aren't doing anything, there are casualties.

Manfred looked vulnerable.

No matter how hard the guards tried to stop them, they were no match for the panicked crowd. The demon alone is a threat, and it would be unbearable for people to die because of it.

”Hmm. It's impossible to cast it on everyone in the city, but if I come across one, I'll cast Callum on it at random.

”Good luck, old man.

As Eladio said this, one of the guards came running into the office.

We have a location, sir!　West Avenue!

All right!　All right! I'll lead the elite into battle. Eladio, sorry to postpone your payment as usual, but ......

Don't worry about it. But if it's Dullahan, play the reward!

Sure.

Manfred hurriedly left to call his men.

”...... Execution, yes. What do you think of this today?

I'm not sure what to make of that.

The way he said it, without asking anyone, was meant for everyone.

It's barbaric. I wonder if it was necessary to go this far.

Vissa condemned it outright. His belief in the goodness and justice of humanity should not have been allowed to happen.

Is that so?　I guess it's outrageous or not outrageous.

Everyone had their own feelings about the Union and the Unionist king. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you.

Vissas and Eladio are drifters, the old man is of unknown origin, but Pierre was born in this country.

Pierre smiled sarcastically with his hands folded behind his head.

”You two are not even soldiers.

”Same old, same old. So what about all those people who were picked up by the Federation and suffered so miserably? How many have died?　And all the while, they've been living off the government's dime. ......

You think you know ......

Come on, old man. That's enough, Pierre.

Eladio admonished the old man. Eladio admonished him. The old man was more emotional than ever today.

I'm not so much worried about today's incident as I am about whether we can keep our jobs. For example, I don't want Manfred's head to be cut off because he's an official from the previous king's time.

That's true, but I don't think that's going to happen.

Eladio cautiously avoided expressing his own opinion on the execution.

It was Eladio's opinion that it was not advisable for the leader to take sides when there was a difference of opinion among the members.

Eladio was relieved when Manfred came back just then.

”Thanks for waiting. I'm counting on you, .......

”Yeah.

They exchanged a few words and clapped their fists together.

I'm sorry.

Through the screams of the city, the elite of the guards and the Dawn Bell raced.

There he is!

The guards ahead of them shouted.

Ahead of them, at an intersection, a large number of people were lying dead. Some torn, some charred.

In the center of it all stood a girl.

No, I don't know if I'd call her a girl.

Beautiful silver hair, silver eyes. Skin like the petals of a white rose, a Ciel-Teira specialty.

Her body was wrapped in rags like a cloak, on which was inscribed a rose emblem that seemed to have been drawn in human blood.

In her right hand she held a bright red sword that looked like it had been pressed with blood, and in her left she held her own neck.

”Hey, seriously, Dullahan? ......!

”Oh ......!

Pierre swore, and the old man sounded impressed.

”Consecration!

Vissas uses sacred magic. As light radiated from the tin wand, everyone's equipment began to glow with a faint light.

”All right, boys!　We're good to go!

Your swords, blessed by the gods, will slay any undead, and your shields and armor will keep them at bay!　Don't be afraid!　If you show your backs, you'll be in danger!　Worst case scenario, you'll have to hold out until the Knights are dispatched!

”Yes!

As Eladio encouraged, the guards around him responded.