Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou - Chapter 540

Chapter 540

Abyss Lord’s Summer Vacation Arc Banwitch’s Truth

「Oh man, that was a really strong enemy!」

A lively voice spoke out. The speaker was Kousuke who was wearing not only pants, but proper clothes.

He was smiling broadly but……it looked very painful. It was clear to anyone looking at him that his smile was forced, and that he was desperately trying to treat what just happened like it “never happened”.

「Mine sympathies, mine beloved.」

Hidzuki placed her sleeve over her lips and spoke with consideration only in her words. Yes, only her words. Her eyes were sparkling very mischievously. As though to say that she had just seen something great. That was why he ignored her.

Usually for this kind of time, Hinata would back him up with everything she had……

「……Kou-sama’s Kou-sama was……awawawah……dangling left then right……」

「Forget that Fujiwara Hinata! There’s no need for you to memorize that kind of filthy thing! I’ll even cast the forgetful technique for you――why’re you forming handsign!? Ah, simple barrier!?」

As expected, Zhu-san, perhaps she actually had taken quite a liking to Hinata? Her attitude already could only be seen like a big sister trying to protect her little sister.

She was also glaring fiercely at Kousuke. ……Though her cheeks were slightly red.

Of course, the gazes from the relatives were extremely severe.

「Curse you Kousuke-kun……I won’t go as far to say that I’m disappointed with you but, as expected this is something that I’ll have to report to Taisei-ojiue(uncle)!」

「There was a part of what happened that couldn’t be helped at all but……however, I wish that you could act with a bit more consideration because you know that Ohii-sama is here with us. You showed it off like that as though in purpose……it wasn’t in purpose right?」

Of course, it wasn’t in purpose. But, to Kousuke that accusation wasn’t something that he could say anything to deny.

Because, there was no need for him to make a pose as though to show it off at the end there. Completely not. He could only say that the abyss lord tension made him completely an abyss lord in his defense. The feeling of guilt filled him to the bursting.

And so, he tried turning a pleading gaze toward Zhu.

Zhu-san. I have a request of a lifetime to make. Can you cast that forgetful spell? To everyone here! Or if not at least just to Hinata-chan!

Eh? What? Hinata-chan is preventing it? Hinata-chan whyyy!? You shouldn’t be that kind of girl! You’re different from Myuu-chan! Isn’t that right!?

No, that’s right, you’re confused. That’s why you’re unconsciously preventing the spell……

That’s pathetic, Zhu! You’re Hinata-chan’s rival, and yet your true strength is only at that level!?

Do~ your best! Do~n’t lose! Pu~ut in all your effort――to erase Hinata-chan’s memoryyy!! You’re the only one who can protect Hinata-chan’s purity!!

Kousuke yelled the voice of his heart with bloodshot eyes. Zhu was plainly creeped out. He looked scary.

As expected she couldn’t read the inside his heart in that much detail, so from outside viewer’s perspective it naturally only looked like he was staring hard at her with bloodshot eyes. It couldn’t be helped. s

「W-what’s with your eyes, it’s like you’re intensely wanting something from me……hah!? D-don’t tell me, you’re harboring desire to me!? This pervert――no, this damn animal-」

「It’s not conveyed at all!! Sorry for staring at you!!」

Kousuke hurriedly averted his gaze. There his eyes found,

「Uu, so cruel. What’s your grudge with my phone……」

Vanessa sadly sitting femininely on the ground while her hands were holding her completely wrecked smartphone. Of course she could be ignored.

「Kousuke-sama, thank you for your hard work. Umm……I’ll keep this a secret from Manami-san and Aziz so, cheer up?」

「Claire……of everyone here……you’re the only one soothing me……」

Claudia patted Kousuke’s head like she was consoling a kid even while her face was blushing heavily. Kousuke reflexively became tearful from that kindness.

「The Abyssgate transformation must be tiring you out mentally. T-that’s why, umm……hug-」

「Offu」

It seemed Kousuke’s fragile state triggered something inside her. Claudia unconsciously pulled Kousuke into her tight embrace.

His head was buried into the valley of her large breasts. That great magnanimity caused the tension in his body to reflexively unclench……

She was truly a saintess, no, based on the affection filled expression Claudia had as she embraced Kousuke, perhaps she ought to be called the holy mother already.

「Cough. Can we move on already from this?」

「Ah, sorry」

Kousuke jumped when a voice awkwardly called out at him. Claudia’s breasts jiggled because he moved too suddenly. Bewitching voice 「Nnh」 also slipped out from Claudia.

It almost made him reacted but, he couldn’t expose the unbecoming state of his son anymore than this in front of Hinata-chan, so he did his best to ignore it. He was even feeling anxious that perhaps she was already disillusioned with him with this.

「First……umm, yeah. That was, a terrific fight. Yes, terrific, right, that was a real supernatural battle……truly.」

Agent J spoke falteringly. Rather than it was because he was picking his words carefully, perhaps it ought to be described him as searching word for word.

It couldn’t be helped. The battle that occurred before his eyes was just that far away removed from common sense.

Just how much shock it gave him?

For Agent J to be able to speak to him immediately like this, as expected from a capable man who had gotten selected to be an agent of a secret military agency.

The proof of that could be seen from the still young K who was still sitting in stupor on the ground despite being an agent too. Inspector Richard too was still on the ground simply repeating 「Impossible……impossible……」 without any sign of stopping.

「That was……I can’t believe it but……it looked like black hole……no, there’s no way that’s……that’s right. What happen with that beast……where it is?」

Agent J desperately tried to accept and digest the reality. Kousuke replied to him slowly to reassure him.

「Well, just think of it as something similar. It’s a magic that swallow the target and then annihilate it together at the end. Of course, there’s no angle inside it. That’s why, that beast also can’t escape. It should be annihilated.」

「……I see. For now, I’ll just consider the threat as removed from the premise.」

He must wished to say That’s impossible. Agent J took deep breath many times.

An individual forming a black hole without even any large scale facility……he couldn’t comprehend it, nor he wanted to. Compared to the beast monster, the nude young man before him felt far scarier.

(What’s more, this is just the “right-hand man”? Haha, it’s those warhawks who should get a look. At them! At that strength! It’s stupid to think that we can somehow manage against them! Something like this is no different than strategical weapon already! No, with his rapid response capability even comparing them is……)

「Aa~, Agent J?」

「! I-I’m sorry. I’m a bit lost in my thought.」

「No, well, I might not be the right person to say this but I can guess what are you feeling.」

Kousuke smiled wryly. Because he knew what was inside Agent J’s mind like the back of his own hand. Rather he even felt impressed with how he didn’t run away or falling into panic and instead facing the problem directly.

Agent J too seemed to notice that he had been seen through. Rather, it seemed to calm down his heart a little and he coughed to cover it up.

「Cough. In the end, just what in the world was that beast……」

He voiced his question with a tone that had calmed down to some extent while looking at the empty lot that was previously the church site. Kousuke shook his head.

「I don’t know. Claire, Hidzuki, is there anything like that among the demons or apparitions?」

「I’ve never seen or heard of anything like that.」

「I also doth not know. I wouldst crush that kind of unpleasant existence as soon as I caught sight of it.」

At the very least the fact that it had power similar to regeneration magic and space magic was certain. Among the existences that were powerful even amidst the demons or apparitions, there were also those who could use power with the same type and rank with age of god magic, or perhaps a fragment of it, so he thought that this beast monster could be one of them, but apparently that wasn’t it.

「What do you think Hinata-chan?」

「……」

Hinata possessed intuition that was beyond common sense. Most likely she harbored the strongest feeling of revulsion and discomfort toward that existence in this place. Kousuke tried asking her once more because he wanted to know her thinking but……

Oh……? There was no reply.

Zhu was already removing her hands from Hinata’s eyes and ears but, she seemed to look absentminded somehow.

「Hinata-chan?」

「! Y-Yhess, w-what is it, Ko, K-K-Ko, Kou-sama……uu」

Hinata-chan blushed crimson and backed away. Of course she would. Apparently she hadn’t recovered from the damage (?) to her heart.

Kousuke’s heart also got seriously damaged seeing Hinata taking distance from him. 「Uu」 Kousuke reflexively pressed his hand on his chest and fell on one knee.

「I’m really sorry for a lot of things. And, sorry to ask you now but, I want you to tell me your impression about that――」

「M-my impression about that!? Such question……I, cannot answer it-」

「How about we take off our mind from that for now! I’m begging you!!」

I’m begging you please regain your purity power! No, are you this shaken up exactly because of you purity? Either way please forget what happened I’m begging you-. Kousuke pleaded from the bottom of his heart.

「A ten year old girl just got flashed with naked body. It’s natural that she got shaken up. E-even I……know some shame! Shame!」

「I’m really sorry!!」

Perhaps Zhu also recalled it. She scolded him while blushing red.

「Well, objectively speaking this is a problem. Resign yourself to this state of Ohii-sama until she calm down, Kousuke-kun.」

「You are quite right. I have no ground of objection at all」

「Although, Ohii-sama too, no, Hinata too should calm down already. A lady of Fujiwara family must~, if it’s Chikage-san then she might admonish you like that you know?」

「Au……that is true, Oji-sama. Kou-sama too, umm, that was rude of me, my apologies.」

Takehiko gave admonishment with the face of an uncle. Hinata too seemed to finally be able to come back to her senses for real. Her look that was like someone with blood rushing to her head was also calming down bit by bit.

「Errr, right, about that monster」

「Yep. What do you think about it Hinata-chan?」

Hinata took deep breath several times. Her cheeks were still a bit red, but she put on the face of onmyouji and her gaze wandered to empty air. However, even that look also soon became troubled. She slowly shook her head.

「My deepest apologies, Kou-sama. Even if you ask me, what do I think, as I thought, there is nothing else than what I reflexively yelled……」

「I see……」

「Yes. It was just, I felt a truly intense feeling of discomfort. Though it was also different than the inhuman presence I felt from demon or apparition, it was like a deviating existence……in a place where it should not be……like something is wrong of it……an unforgivable……existence……?」

Hinata’s gaze wandered to empty air again in the middle of her talk. She talked half like she was speaking to herself. She desperately tried to reel in the appropriate description but, she couldn’t find it because it was buried deep inside the mist……she had that kind of impression.

「……Yeah, you’re right. I also had that kind of feeling……I think?」

「Also, in contrast to its appearance, that thing was a gourmet wasn’t it?」

Hidzuki chuckled while joining in. Eh? Everyone other than Kousuke turned their gaze to her with a surprised look.

「The first one it targeted was Takehiko. And then next was mine beloved. Their point in common art having the best “fine quality strength” or perhaps the “greatest strength” within the group”……that art mine conjecture.」

An unthinking beast moved by its hunger. Then certainly, it was natural for it to get fixated with the tastiest prey.

At its first attack, the current head of Tsuchimikado clan Takehiko was the strongest of the group, possessing refined willpower. And when it came to Kousuke it went without saying.

「Or perhaps……it was reacting to “soul” rather than “strength”.」

Claudia also spoke her conjecture with a pondering look. Powerful demon looked for soul. The better quality your soul was the more often you would get targeted. She wondered if perhaps that beast was also like that.

The reason she thought that was simple.

「Aa, that was why it didn’t even glance at the clones.」

「That’s right, Kousuke-sama. It intentionally spat out the clone’s arm might also because of that. For that beast, arm that was constructed from magic power couldn’t become its food.」

Clone was magical body formed from magic power. If it simply wished to obtain energy, it was a bit unnatural for it to ignore the clones that possessed great energy of the same nature like Kousuke to that degree.

But, with the conjecture that it seen through which was the real body and spat out the clone’s arm because it was targeting Kousuke’s soul, then it definitely fit.

Vanessa who before anyone knew it had stood up as though the shock from the destruction of her smartphone was nothing at all approached with a frown.

「In that case……that beast, it was able to meddle with three of the age of god magic that Kousuke-san and others use. Really, just what in the world it is……」

It wasn’t age of god magic itself. The powers it showed was nothing more than a fragment of them.

But, even so. An unthinking beast that didn’t even have its own will, moved only by its hunger, possessing that kind of power……that was just too dangerous.

「It was great that I could exterminate it without it getting away but……I hope that’s the only one of its kind.」

Kousuke unconsciously sighed. In the end did he make the correct choice for not intentionally letting it got away so he could investigate its identity……

「Well, I don’t know the reason but, it looks like it couldn’t materialize except inside the ground of that pseudo-church, so even following after it would be difficult though.」

He wished to think that he made the right choice even though it was based on hindsight. Kousuke said that and shrugged. Claudia and others also all smiled wryly.

「I don’t want to imagine that there are more than one of such thing……」

Agent J also deeply sighed while talking to himself. His stomach started feeling dull pain when he thought of the report he had to make to his boss. It looked like before long he too would become a splendid stomach medicine aficionado. He might be able to have passionate stomach medicine talk with Hattori-san in the future.

Meanwhile, Agent K was still sitting down hard on the ground. His eyes were busily looking around. His hand that was gripping silver magic gun was trembling slightly.

Agent J sighed one more time seeing that. He scolded him how long was he going to stay scared while pulling him up, then his gaze moved to another direction.

「Inspector……are you alright?」

Inspector Richard still only looked down like his soul had left him this whole time even while Kousuke and others were forming their conjecture. Agent J spoke to him with a considerate tone.

With that, Kousuke and others also temporarily stopped their discussion and turned their gaze to the inspector.

「……」

The inspector twitched. But, he still looked like in a stupor. His eyes were looking at the destroyed church like it was seeing at nothing at all.

(Should we use “Soul Repose” on him?)

(No, Kou-sama. Let us observe him for a little bit more.)

(Right. It feels like he might fall into panic for real if Kousuke-san apply magic to him in this state.)

While they were having talk in small voices, the inspector’s gaze flowed from the hole of the temporarily named ghouls, and then to Kousuke. His entranced gaze swiftly changed. It turned sharp, like he was glaring at a criminal.

「You――」

「Yes?」

「……No, you……you guys……just what in the world are you all?」

Inspector Richard stood up with eyes that were already the eyes of detective.

Even though there was wariness in those eyes toward Kousuke who had just displayed absolute power, there was no fear in there. Far from that, his hand almost moved toward the holster on his waist again. Then he tsked and regained his composure too.

Agent K was still trembling and restlessly looking around despite being someone picked out from numerous outstanding candidates who was further judged to have mental resistance toward supernatural phenomenon. Comparing the two of them, this cop could be said as possessing praiseworthy mental strength.

「Even if you ask what are us……hmm~」

「Inspector. You often hear about people like exorcist of the church right? That kind of power that can’t be measured with common sense actually exist in the hidden side of the world. Just like I explained before this. Mr. Endou is also one of those――」

「You idiot. That’s not what I’m asking.」

Agent J tried to intermediate, however, Inspector Richard spat out to cut him.

「Supernatural existence, strength……yeah, I admit it. They certainly exist. But you know, what the hell is that guy? That power? That ain’t at the level you can just explain away with supernatural phenomenon! I’ll still be more convinced if you tell me that he’s a Term*nator equipped with scifi weapon!」

「「「「「Certainly」」」」」

Takehiko and Kiyotake, and also Claudia and Vanessa, along with Zhu muttered in agreement. Hinata was smiling wryly but she wasn’t saying anything to deny that……such atmosphere filled the area. Only Hidzuki was tilting her head.

Agent J must also be agreeing inside. He slightly averted his eyes.

「Why am I always thought as nonhuman?」

Mr. Kousuke looked dubious……no, he was plainly sad.

「A-anyway! Inspector! We are aware of his background. I’m sorry but, you don’t have the qualification to investigate him, nor we can allow you to. Consider it as a national decision.」

That was natural. There was no way the country could allow a mere police inspector to pry into an existence possessing such power.

Even Inspector Richard must understood that.

「……Tsk」

He got into a glaring match with Agent J for a while, but then he backed away despite his look of dissatisfaction. He dusted off the dirt on his clothes and roughly took out his smoke and lit it up. It seemed he had no leeway to be considerate to Hinata anymore.

「So, what’re you guys gonna do after this with these superman and his happy-go-lucky friends in tow?」

「Of course we’re going to investigate. After all we came here in order to look for clue of the vanished villagers along with Agent H & M.」

Agent J said that and turned his gaze toward the former church site.

Kousuke and others got a thought that was in contrast to the serious atmosphere. That duo got name like a fashion brand huh.

In addition, Eh? Come to think of it, the duo in the newest MIB film also has the same codename……don’t tell me that Nagumo……is he the one behind it? they also got such thought.

(No, Kousuke-san. As expected he wouldn’t go a far as meddling even with small details in HR wouldn’t he?)

(That’s true. But, J and K, and then next is M and H you know?)

(There’s only one answer. The director of MCB is unexpectedly also a fan.)

(That doesn’t sound good)

(That person is absolutely calling himself Z!)

(That doesn’t sound good!)

While Kousuke was having such conversation with Vanessa, Agent J returned his gaze from the church and let out a sigh.

「Although……」

He understood that it was a necessity but, a monster that powerful acted like the guardian beast of the only church lookalike in the village. That was the most suspicious spot. That place was now gone along with the clue. His conflicted expression seemed to be asking what they were going to do now.

Of course, the church lookalike could be restored by using regeneration artifact.

But, Kousuke thought that they most likely wouldn’t need to.

「Aa~, Agent J. For now, how about I try searching a little?」

「? Yeah, of course I don’t mind but……」

What’s there to investigate in an empty lot? Agent J questioned with a tilt of his head. Kousuke ignored him and quickly started walking.

The others also followed him in droves.

「Aa~, as I thought.」

There wasn’t even any need to search. The stone paving had gotten peeled off due to the “Black Sky Destitution” and the whole ground got exposed. They saw a door to underground at the deepest part of the church, at the spot where the altar was located. It was a thick door made from metal. It looked old and big, and it also had tough looking padlock attached to the door’s handle.

Most likely it was hidden under the stone paving that could be lifted up like manhole.

「A hidden door to underground!」

Agent J’s eyes opened wide as he raised his voice.

「That beast monster looked this way for an instant. It was when it decided to retreat.」

It must’ve made that choice instinctually. Taking several steps to outside where it would become unable to materialize its body, or to a bit further underground where it would be able to maintain its body materialization. It considered which would offer it the higher chance for survival.

「But……in that case did the “loaned employees” miss this?」

「Well……one way or another that bunch like to prioritize “enjoyment” after all……」

The loaned employees who were demon in the inside had come once to investigate this village. Was this something that they wouldn’t notice? That was a natural question to ask.

「Kousuke-sama, please look. Some kind of pattern is engraved on the door. This is……it’s similar with evil repelling design for exorcism.」

「It’s faint but……I can also feel something from the padlock. It’s a subtle ornament but, perhaps it also has some kind of meaning spell-wise. It somehow makes you feel that it’s hard to touch.」

Claudia and Zhu spoke their opinion as specialist. So this was why, perhaps the demons got their attention diverted exactly because they were demon.

Even if by some chance the investigators found this door, if they were told that the key for it was lost, they might backed away thinking that it would be better not to carelessly touch such valuable looking thing.

「This is an old village. There must be deeply religious people here too. It’s not unusual to find this kinda charm in this kinda place.」

Inspector Richard pushed aside the nearby Agent J and Takehiko to step forward. And then he kicked the padlock before clicking his tongue.

「The damn thing is tough. We need the key.」

「No well, about that」

Kousuke took out a kodachi from somewhere and heated it red. Of course, it made *Von* sound that tickled the heart. His face looked a bit smug.

「L-lightsa*er!?」

Agent J’s eyes sparkled. Did he have to make such good reaction for every single thing? He didn’t betray Kousuke’s expectation! Inspector Richard too might have already tired from saying sarcasm and only narrowed his eyes.

Kousuke swung the sword *Von-* a bit proudly while stabbing the padlock with the kodachi that was shining red befitting the lord of the abyss who wasn’t actually purely dark――but before he could,

「What art you doing?」

*Crack-*. Hidzuki-san simply tore the padlock. She plucked the handle as easily as handling a clay doll.

The large and solid padlock that surely had protected the basement for centuries until now was instantly reduced into scrap. It then got tossed away nearby like trash.

Kousuke and others reflexively followed the padlock rolling on the ground with their eyes.

「It ends like my partner.」

Inspector Richard spoke with slightly convulsing lips. He was apparently still holding a grudge.

「Hidzuki, I have just mentioned not long ago――」

*Crack-*. This time it was that. The sound of the metal door’s hinge getting pulverized from the force of the metal door getting opened casually. The “door” became “lid”. It also got tossed away like it was simply a hindrance.

「Hm? Hinata, didst you say something?」

Hinata shook her head and stopped with what she was going to say. A part of it because she recognized this wasn’t the time for it.

「……」

「Hih」

The silence came from Kousuke. No, from the others too. The small scream belonged to Agent K.

What came into view next was a stone stair with steep slope.

It didn’t look particularly strange in a glance. But, everyone felt it. The unknown eeriness. The dread that felt like insect creeping up their spine. The miserable and somewhat sticky stagnating air.

「It’s like stairs to descend to hell……」

Claudia’s description fitted perfectly. Everyone was feeling exactly such thing.

「Agent K, stay behind here.」

「Eh?」

「It’s just in case. I don’t think even the worse can happen as long as Mr. Endou and others are with us but, go back to the headquarters if we don’t return within one hour.」

「B-but……」

「This is an order.」

Agent K replied 「……yes」 with a small voice after being firmly told like that. A bit of frustration formed in his scared and fidgety expression.

J’s instruction was definitely made half in consideration of K’s mental state. It sounded nice to call it consideration but, there was nothing more humiliating than this considering his status as an agent. That must be what K was thinking.

「Securing the path of retreat is important. There’re also the ghouls. I also planned to leave behind a clone.」

「Then I’ll also stay behind just in case. It’s better to also consider a situation where you can’t maintain a clone right?」

Kiyotake offered to join the stay behind group based on a truly precise judgment. Certainly it was just as he said so Kousuke nodded without any objection.

「I’ll walk ahead. Hidzuki, can I leave the back to you?」

「Fufu, if it’s mine beloved’s request than with pleasure♪」

Everyone formed a formation with Agent J and Inspector Richard placed at the center, and they stepped inside. Into the hidden underground of the village with many mystery that was radiating an eerie presence.

*Tap tap* The sound of footsteps on stone paving echoed.

It was a narrow stair. The width was only enough for a single person to pass through. In addition it was very deep.

The feeling of oppression was strong and coupled with the steep slope it made them seized by the feeling like falling into deep darkness. Perhaps the humidity was suddenly increasing. Air that felt sticky to the skin felt unpleasant to the extreme.

Kousuke made lighting with magic. A ball of light was floating slightly ahead. Claudia who was around the center of the formation also chanted something to the cross hanging on her neck to make it shined.

Agent J was well prepared as expected and took out a small flashlight. Vanessa and Takehiko, along with Inspector Richard also used their smartphone’s flashlight function.

「Even so this is a horrible smell……oi, Fujiwara Hinata, be careful.」

「My, are you concerned with me, Zhu-san? I have no problem at all but, allow me to thank you for your concern at least.」

「I’m not concerned or anything! I just said that because it would be troublesome if you stumble!」

A foul smell that was hard to describe stung their noses. The stale air had the tendency to gather on low position. Zhu warned Hinata who was the shortest in the group in concern――no, according to the person herself it was because it would be a bother.

In respond, Hinata replied with an attitude that she seldom showed to other people. It was somewhat like friends making casual talk with each other, or perhaps like childish rivalry……

A big sister who was irritated by her overly capable little sister but still felt concern to her, and a cheeky little sister who harbored resolute feeling of rivalry toward the capable big sister regardless of what she claimed……as expected, it felt like that.

The two had gotten much closer in this half a year. The two in question would deny it though.

「Ohii-sama. Pardon me for my presumption but should I carry you?」

「……Oji-sama. My thanks for your kind offer but there is no need-」

How about I carry you up? In respond to that offer Hinata looked at Kousuke for a moment before she shook her head in embarrassment. In respond Takehiko’s expression broke into a smile.

Such exchange between two who were like big sister and little sister, and the exchange between uncle and nephew seemed to clear away the gloomy atmosphere a little. Agent J whose face was tense from nervousness relaxed down, and even Inspector Richard’s expression around his eyes was slackening.

「But Zhu-san’s worry is valid. Nice! And that’s why Hinata-chan, just in case, take this.」

「A necklace, is it?」

「Yep. It’s air purifier, or something like that.」

It was an artifact that Hajime provided to the related people in preparation when there was a need to go to hell. It was a barrier to neutralize the “hell’s bloody wind” that gnawed on all lives other than the residents of hell.

Kousuke looked back as he offered the necklace. Hinata nodded 「I see」 and moved to take it……when she suddenly noticed.

They were currently on a steep stair. Hinata was standing behind Kousuke on a step two steps higher than him. In other words, their faces were on the same height. It was a very rare occurrence.

Her gaze moved alternately between Kousuke’s eyes and the necklace in high speed.

And then, her cheeks reddened and she said 「……Please do」. She slightly bent her knees as though doing a curtsy and quietly closed her eyes.

Of course, by that she meant to please put the necklace on her. Besides the necklace would need Kousuke’s magic power anyway to activate.

But, seen from the outside it was completely the gesture for asking a kiss……

「……No, please don’t misunderstand this.」

Agent J and the inspector’s eyes were extremely grim. This was the man who got stark naked in front of girl. He had previous offense. If this guy’s going to anything unpardonable then……their cold eyes were saying that.

The two were really praiseworthy. They were able to put on the face of law officer if it was to protect a girl even if their opponent was someone like Kousuke who had displayed that much strength.

Also, Takehiko-ojisan, as expected I’m going to cry you know? What’re you going to do with that charm between your fingers? You’re smiling cheerfully and yet there’s chilling killing intent smoldering inside your eyes you know?

Kousuke cried inside his heart from the lack of trust. The price of getting naked was beyond his imagination……

He quickly put on the necklace on Hinata and hurriedly took two steps down.

「……My! The foul smell vanished! What clean air……Kou-sama, thank you very much.」

Hinata’s happiness mostly must be from the fact that Kousuke personally put the necklace on her rather than the liberation from the foul smell. She looked awfully cute the way she smiled broadly with a blush like that.

「You don’t have any for us huh?」

The inspector’s nose sniffed and he said that while scowling.

「I have if you really need it but, even the smell is information. Us adults should endure it as long as this smell isn’t toxic.」

「Hmph」

Inspector Richard scoffed but he must’ve been convinced. He didn’t insist for the artifact.

Like that Kousuke and co went down the stairs without anything particularly happening.

「It’s around five meters I guess?」

「That’s deep……this place is getting even more suspicious.」

Agent J looked around. The stair was narrow, but the passage that they found at the bottom was quite wide.

The place seemed old, but the construction was sturdy with no sign of decay. The wall and floor were also covered with stone blocks that had been cut evenly. The ceiling was arch shaped and also made from stone.

The width was easily enough for three adults standing side by side. The height was around two meters until the peak of the arch. There were metal lamps attached on the wall.

Agent J pointed his light to further inside. It showed a metal door about fifty meters ahead.

They advanced forward while keeping their guard up before they finally arrived before the door.

「This door also looks solid……」

The door had a thick metal latch and a padlock on it too like it was natural. As expected the padlock was big and solid looking with antique style.

Hidzuki was about to step forward like it was her turn, so Kousuke hurriedly unsheathed his kodachi.

The underground path looked sturdy but this place was old. If the steel door was taken off altogether by Hidzuki’s physical strength, who knew what the impact from that could cause.

This time he didn’t even show off the lights*ber mode by heating it up and simply activated the space severing function to quickly slashed the padlock together with the bar quickly.

「Oi, you. Just now……no, it’s nothing.」

Inspector Richard reflexively raised his voice roughly seeing metal got cut like it was paper, but he immediately shook his head. He looked somewhat exhausted.

Kousuke smiled wryly at that while opening the metal door. *Gii-* It made a creaking sound.

Right after that,

「「「「「Uu-」」」」」

Foul smell that was incomparable from before assaulted their nose.

「Well well, it hath been a long time since I feel this――the smell of death so thick.」

Hidzuki sported a gruesome smile.

Everyone realized from those words. Yes, this smell that rosed their instinctual fear and revulsion was the putrid smell of death.

Furthermore it didn’t just mean the smell generated by ordinary corpse rotting.

What Hidzuki meant when she said that was the “presence of death”.

It was difficult to describe it with word. But, they instinctually understood. If they were forced to say, this place was like site of battle that was talked in history book, the site of tragedy where a massacre occurred, or perhaps an execution ground……

An unconventional atmosphere formed from hundreds, thousands of deaths that had been accumulated.

Such thing, could be found here.

Agent J unconsciously backed away. He was pale and trembling nonstop. There was no doubt that he would run away with all his strength to go home if this wasn’t his work.

「At least, there’s no sign of anything lurking here though……hm?」

Kousuke focused slightly and searched the area to see whether there was something like that beast monster. It wouldn’t be easy to sense the presence based on how elusive that monster was. Or rather it would be impossible if it didn’t manifest into material form.

But, although he couldn’t grasp any sign of monster including the temporarily called ghoul, there was something that his senses caught thanks to concentrating.

「This is……it’s super faint but……a human presence?」

「What? Is it this incident’s mastermind!?」

「No, it’ll be strange if that’s the case. This feel really weak……furthermore, there’re two?」

「! Don’t tell me……」

Agent J’s eyes widened. There was another emotion than fear in those eyes. He had half given up on it. Even so he couldn’t give up completely on that light of hope.

His backing away feet took a strong step forward.

「Even so, we don’t know whether there’s any friend of that monster here. Let’s proceed carefully.」

「Yeah, of course.」

「Hinata-chan, hold my hand. I’m counting on your intuition. Tighten your grip on my hand if there’s anything. That’ll be faster than word.」

「Understood, Kou-sama.」

They heightened their wariness even further and stepped through the metal door. The light illuminated the wall until around three meters forward. It showed that there was a corner right ahead.

「This direction……if we’re at the surface then it’ll lead at below the cemetery east from the church’s back.」

Takehiko reported so with a small voice. Right after that they saw that ahead of the corner.

「This is……it’s like a catacomb. But different from a purified catacomb, I can only feel impure sign from it.」

Claudia narrowed her eyes grimly.

Yes, the area ahead of the corner looked completely different. All sides of the underground path were all replaced with human bones. Countless skulls were watching with dark eye sockets.

Most likely bones were used to create shelves to cover the surface of the stone walls. So the passage was becoming slightly narrower than before despite the expansion of the passage.

「This is truly a path to hell……」

「……There’s a proper cemetery up there right? You said that this village is old but, there’s no way that they’re troubled with burial space. In that case, these bones are……」

Even Vanessa and Zhu’s expressions twisted seeing this.

Thinking of the professor who left behind memo before going to this village and the agents who went missing……

They could feel the dark history of the old village Banwitch.

Kousuke and co looked at each other. They somehow seemed to share something like a premonition. Yes, a bad premonition about the truth of the villagers.

They wordlessly nodded to each other and advanced further. But, they saw it ahead of them. It seemed the passage was widening into a very spacious space.

Considering that they couldn’t see the ground and could only see the ceiling, there must be stairs ahead of this human bone corridor.

They hardened their resolve and stepped forward on the human bone floor.

It gave them the disgusting feeling that was hard to describe like soaking their body into a poisonous swamp to cross it. They were filled with a terrifying sensation, like something important inside them would be whittled down if they had to walk on top of this everyday.

They pushed down their nausea and somehow crossed over.

As expected, from the edge of the corridor there was a stair that led to around three meters below.

「This is seriously a cultist base huh.」

Kousuke moved the magic light ball to the center of the ceiling. With that the space that was enveloped in darkness became completely exposed.

The walls here were made from stone again. The size was around the size of a tennis court. The height was around five meters. There were multiple stone pillars supporting the ceiling.

At the deepest part, was it originally a rock buried underground? There was a half-buried huge rock on the wall carved and formed to be the huge version of that strange statue. It was decorated with several candles which showed that spot really ought to be called an altar.

Only the stone paving at the center was horribly blackened. It was as though a bucket filled with black ink had been overturned there. They somehow understood that black color wasn’t from ink. The blackened stone paving seemed to have something like magic circle carved on it.

At a corner of such space, there were iron cages shaped like birdcage lining up along the wall.

Agent J yelled the moment he saw them.

「Monika!! Howard!!」

Agent J reflexively almost broke into a run, but Kousuke raised an arm to stop him.

「Please calm down, Agent J. It’s faint but, there’s some kind of smoke in the air.」

「!」

It was just as Kousuke said. Illuminating the darkness was only the light source at the ceiling and their respective lighting. It didn’t change that the area was dim so it couldn’t be helped that he didn’t notice.

「Kou-sama, that smoke……it gives me some kind of bad feeling.」

If Hinata’s intuition was also whispering like that to her, surely it was the right move that he stopped him.

Monika and Howard. They must be Agent M and H. M was a young black woman. H was a white male at his thirty.

The two of them weren’t wearing their coat. Their white shirt was stained with blood. It seemed they had been horribly harmed. They were restrained by the chain and handcuff extending from the ceiling of the birdcage. Even after Agent J called out their name they stayed kneeling and hanging down their head without even a twitch.

「It’s fine. They’re terribly weakened but, they’re still alive.」

「Tsu, I see.」

「Seriously huh……」

Even Inspector Richard’s eyes opened wide hearing that. It was unknown who caught those two in this monster infested village but, to think that they were still alive after nearly a week……

Even Vanessa and others couldn’t hide their surprise, which made them felt guilty toward Agent J for not sharing his hope.

「I’ll check now whether there’s any danger. Please endure it for a bit more.」

「Yeah, sorry. Please-」

He formed a clone and sent it to the center of the room. The clone also tried stepping on the magic circle.

(There isn’t any problem)

There was no beast monster attacking, or there was any trap activating.

But, the feedback from the clone was slightly sending him a horribly disgusting feeling. It was like a terribly cold liquid was seeping in from the skin, and that was gnawing into the body, that kind of sensation.

(The air itself is also stale. An underground this extensive should have ventilation but……there’s no air flow. Is the ventilation blocked in order to accumulate this smoke? ――Tsu, what’s that)

He searched for the ventilation and looked at the ceiling when he noticed.

That spot was engraved full with patterns. Furthermore they were really varied like the painter had gathered all kind of designs from all times and places and scribbled them down. There were even kanji and hieroglyph-like patterns there.

Among them there was a pattern that resembled the evil repellant on the underground door, however, there was also more detailed and complex as well as huge patterns.

It was like, the kind of “charms” to not allow every kind of existence to approach from all over the world were all wholly engraved there. It was that kind of ceiling.

(The evil repellant at the underground door isn’t enough to explain how they can miss that there’re living humans down here. I wondered whether those demons actually slacked off in their job for real but……)

If this ceiling really had deceived demon’s senses then, this place……is the real thing. It wasn’t merely a base of a cult. It was a place with genuine practitioner.

「Whoops, let’s keep the investigation and thinking for later.」

With no sign of ventilator and air flow, it might be a bit dangerous to use “Severance Calamity” to suck and purify the air. Thinking that he tried activating the air purifying necklace. This one worked without any problem.

The clone finished sharing information and approached the two agents. The main body took out the air purifying necklaces from his “Treasure Warehouse” and shared them with everyone.

Kousuke and co jogged toward the two agents.

The clone vanished when they arrived. The two agents were already taken out from behind the cut open cages and laid down on the ground.

Looking from this close, they could see clearly how heavily injured they were. Their wounds didn’t look like they had been attacked by ghoul or beast. They had bruises from getting beaten up, and also countless small wounds. Their nails were also ripped off.

「Torture huh……」

Agent J was grinding his teeth. Hinata and Claudia also couldn’t stop themselves from grimacing.

「It’s unfortunate for them but……more importantly, I’m concerned with their skin color. Parts of their skin are different color. And I’ve seen that color somewhere before.」

Zhu warily looked down on the agents while pointing out. Just as she said, they could see the change in their skin color centered on their chest.

「That color……is like ghoul isn’t it.」

Vanessa spoke with a monotone voice. There was no argument. Their premonition from before was changing into surety.

「……How’s their condition?」

「It’s fine. We made it just in time. It’s possible to heal them. It’s also thanks to that.」

「That’s…..aa, that’s what you mean.」

This smoke that was clearly harmful to human body was obviously the cause of the color change.

To be honest, their dehydration and also outer wounds were sufficiently bad, but there was no doubt that the effect of the smoke worked far faster before they could die from those.

The effect undoubtedly wouldn’t be anything decent, but the two of them were barely able to get away from it. The main cause for that was the object that fell inside the cage――the badge that showed their status as agent of MCB.

「That’s an artifact to protect from magical effect. I heard that its effect is something like bulletproof vest but……I see, so it’s really having an effect huh.」

Agent J muttered absentmindedly. There was relief and gratitude mixed in his voice.

It was exactly as he said. There was one more artifact supplied to USA agents other than the magic gun and NRL(Neural*zer Limited).

It was a tool to protect the defenseless agents against magical attack, especially curse that eyes couldn’t see.

An object that didn’t look unnatural to be constantly worn by agent, as well as an object that in a glance didn’t seem to be worth to be taken away from them. It was an agent badge which wasn’t that different from a police badge. It was protecting these two from the smoke’s effect.

Apparently it couldn’t completely protect them due to them inhaling the smoke as air, it seemed to be enough to lead astray the expectation of the culprit who imprisoned them.

Right now the air purifying necklace was also put on them so the protection must be complete.

「It’s a small mercy that the badge didn’t get taken away from them. I don’t see their gun and NRL anywhere though……as expected, were they taken away?」

「If that’s the case then it’s convenient. They won’t be able to be used by anyone not an agent due to the safety anyway, and if I ask Nagumo to use the compa――cough, he’ll be able to find them anywhere. We might be able to locate the mastermind if they took away those items.」

At least, they were able to secure the agents who were in danger. Even if they were going to ask Nagumo for assistance in the investigation they could do that after going back from their trip. Kousuke considered that while putting on the regeneration glove artifact and started healing the agents.

「More importantly, Endou-kun. If that badge was protecting them from magical effect, then this smoke is just as I thought……」

「Yes, Takehiko-san. There’s also the magic circle at the center there. This isn’t just a mere cult, it’s awakened’s――no, judging from the age of the village, this place might be a hidden village for a magician’s lineage or something.」

「Dammit. So this is a village of deviants-. Fuck!」

Inspector Richard stomped his feet in irritation. And then, he picked up a part of the slashed iron bars to use as weapon and walked toward the altar.

Knowing that the agents were fine, he must be thinking that just watching would be a waste of time and decided to do his own investigation.

Despite feeling uneasy he restlessly looked around with a sharp gaze.

Kousuke and others looked at each other, then they shrugged. They were going to let him do as he pleased.

A little while passed after that.

「……Uuh……」

「Monika! I mean M!!」

You already said her name clearly so it’s fine isn’t it? Kousuke and others thought. Meanwhile Agent M opened her eyes. H too immediately groaned after that.

「……J?」

「Yeah! It’s me! I came to save you guys!!」

M looked around with a dazed expression, then her eyes snapped wide open as soon as she realized that Agent J was nearby.

「Tsu, run! This place is dangerous!! Aah, that thing-, that thing-!! Nooooo!!」

「Calm down, M! You’re safe now! There’s no danger anymore!」

「You don’t know that-. Something like safety doesn’t exist anywhere!! It’s over already――」

「――”Soul Repose”」

The calming down magic Kousuke casted turned Agent M who was on the verge of going mad quieted down. Agent J was also getting up, however, his eyes didn’t seem like they were seeing anything around him despite his wandering gaze and he started single-mindedly muttering something, so he also got the same treatment.

「「J……?」」

「Yeah, that’s right. It’s me. Listen, I’m telling you one more time. I know that there’s monster here. I also know about the harmful smoke. But, we have taken care all of them as we came here.」

「「……」」

「Look at your own body. There’s no wound right? That too is thanks to him healing you two with magic. It’s fine, you two――are saved.」

Slowly, his words and the truth permeated inside them and they understood.

They looked at their hands as though they found it hard to believe. They patted around their own face, and lifted up their shirt in hurry.

And then, they saw that they were really unharmed and looked at J once more. He nodded back at them with a strong gaze. The two tightly pressed their lips into a straight line. They must be pushing down the emotion that threatened to spill out from inside them.

Agent M repeatedly took a deep breath. H covered his eyes with his hand and looked up. A beat passed before he asked a question with a quiet tone.

「……Those things?」

「If you mean the monster than the majority of them are neutralized and captured. The beast monster was also repelled.」

「Neutralized!? Those monsters!? Are you for real!?」

「Or rather……beast monster? What do you mean by that J?」

H opened his eyes in surprise. M was surprised but also making a dubious look. Was their memory gone, or perhaps they didn’t see the beast monster?

「I’ll explain later. More importantly……what happened?」

「「……」」

The two looked at each other. And then they immediately grimaced. They turned pale and started shaking as though remembering a nightmare.

Even so, perhaps it was just to be expected from carefully selected agents of MCB. If it was after getting hit by pacification magic, they were able to send sharp gaze to Kousuke and co.

They were suspecting their identity. They were judging whether it was fine to talk to them as agent of a secret organization.

「It’s fine. They’re the cooperators from other countries that were scheduled to come. They responded to our request for reinforcement and came rushing a bit earlier for us.」

「Aa, those……」

H and M looked at each other once more. And then they nodded to each other. It looked like H would be the one to give the explanation. He used both hands to sweep back his ruffled faint blond hair, then he sighed.

「I’ll keep it short. Those monsters……」

「We’re temporarily calling them as ghoul.」

「Ghoul……I see. That perfectly fit. Those ghouls……」

He hesitated to say for a moment. However, Agent H wrinkled his slightly droopy eyes in revulsion and spoke up.

「Are the residents here.」

The surprise, wasn’t much. As expected……the thought crossed their mind.

The disappeared villagers, humanoid monsters who came from completely unknown source, outsiders going missing, local cop going mental, cultish underground area and magic circle and smoke with magical effect, and then two agents with their skin color changing.

All of those factors were pointing to that truth.

「We saw them changing. That……such thing……was just too repulsive, it was a blasphemous sight. Even the children became like that like it’s natural……」

「H……」

He was stoutly explaining but, it must be an extremely horrible sight. He pressed his hand on his mouth and turned speechless from holding back vomit. In exchange M continued the explanation.

「Apparently those guys are believing in this so called “god of gate”.」

「”God of gate”? What’s that?」

「I don’t know. But, it mustn’t be any decent god. After all it looks like that.」

M’s gaze looked toward the bizarre statue on the altar at the back just for an instant. Though after that she immediately averted her gaze with her face twisting in disgust.

「They were saying things like, the end is near, or there’s no more time. Then they said they have to resolve themselves because of that.」

「Resolve……means becoming ghoul?」

「……Yes. Apparently it won’t do them any good to simply be human. They said that in order to accompany the “god of gate” when he depart at the coming day, they have to discard their humanity so they can be accepted as his retainer.」

They’re nuts……M whispered and hugged herself.

「It was when we came to this village and took a quick look around. Right after we stepped into the graveyard, multiple ghouls appeared from underground and attacked……the villagers screamed and asked for help so we……we got tricked.」

They tried to help and covered those villagers behind their back. Right after that they were apparently assaulted from behind. Facing a monster that they never saw before, it was their first real battle in a sense. As expected they mustn’t have the leeway to also pay attention behind them. It couldn’t be helped.

「Shit-. Those bastards, they were curious by the investigating organization and tortured us.」

「At first they tried something unknown……yes, something definitely magical to try make us talk but, perhaps it was thanks to our badge. It had no effect on us and they switched to torture.」

「Thanks to that we avoided telling them about the organization and comrades.」

Apparently the two didn’t talk even under torture.

But, perhaps that was exactly why the villagers than resolved themselves.

The agents called themselves as staff of the Department of Homeland Security and endured torture. They weren’t ordinary people. They were clearly special agents who had accumulated special training.

If such agents came to investigate, then surely they wouldn’t be able to fully hide the village’s secret anymore. If the two got away they would immediately contact their superior to suppress the village. That was why, the villagers imprisoned the two and then tried to probe the movement of the investigating organization.

They did that in order to buy time as much as possible by delaying the investigation, and at the same time in order to learn how much time the village had left.

「It seemed that they had planned to turn into ghoul from the start. But I think they didn’t know whether they would be able to maintain their mind or not by transforming. I don’t have any definite proof for that, but it’s based on their words and conduct. I also heard a conversation about how if they’re chosen then it’ll be fine~, and so on.」

「They also never considered abandoning the village and running away yeah? They were like cornered rat……」

Even knowing that there was risk they wouldn’t be able to maintain their sense of self, they abandoned their humanity……just what in the world the villagers were thinking?

Even though it should also be possible for them to run away and then planned for their comeback, they didn’t do that was because “there’s no time”. Just what was the time they were referring to?

It felt like insanity and mystery were slimily caressing their brain. Just from listening to H and M talking felt like the terror of the unknown was coiling around.

M lifted her face and turned a sharp gaze toward J.

「J, there was a man in black robe.」

「A man in black robe?」

「Yes. We couldn’t see his face, and even his voice sounded strange like he was using voice changer. His identity is unclear. But I think he’s undoubtedly a man from his body build. It was also that guy who could use something like magic.」

「I’ll add, that he might be……the founder of the cult. Every last one of them respected the black robe. It was also that guy who incited them to change into ghoul.」

Those chosen could go together with the god. Even if you weren’t chosen you could become nourishment for the great god. In other words, you would also be of help for your chosen brethren.

Apparently the man in black held such speech loudly. The villagers didn’t feel any fear hearing that. Rather they seemed to get fanatically enthusiastic.

「Apparently that black robed bastard usually is operating outside the village. Maybe he also got allies outside. It looked like he was scheming something.」

「I see……as expected, that man is――」

「The mastermind yeah?」

Inspector Richard had apparently returned before anyone knew it. He was sporting a smile like a predator before the prey.

「The one who killed my partner, must be that guy too. And? Mister agent, where did that black robe go? There’s no way that he also turned into monster with the rest right?」

「You’re……」

H looked at J with a puzzled look. J looked like he didn’t know what to say even while nodding.

「Aa, right. Here, they’re yours right? Catch.」

「Ah, it’s our……」

The inspector carelessly tossed two silver guns and similarly colored cylinders that looked like test tube. Those were the two’s equipment.

「I found them beside the altar. They were inside this metal box, bronze maybe? Anyway other than those there’re also suggestive things like short sword, or human skin, well, there’re parade of eerie things in there.」

「So, they put those inside box that can isolate radio wave in case they have transmitter? Even so for them to let you two keep your badge was really sloppy of them……」

「Aa, no, about the badge……err」

「M, he’s Mr. Endou.」

「Thank you, J. Mr. Endou. For the badge it was because we begged them for it. If we’re going to die anyway we want to die as agent. Please at least let us keep the badge, we said.」

「Heh, that was quite the sob story we sold them even if I do say so myself.」

It was unclear why the black robe and his people didn’t kill agent H and M right away and tried to make them into ghoul.

If turning into ghoul was for the sake of becoming a god’s retainer, than the process must be a divine act for them. It was hard to believe that they would try turning outsider with no faith like themselves to become their brethren.

But, if the black robe considered it alright to imprison the agents here and also turning them into ghoul, and he also considered it alright to let them kept their badge that was like identification tag that would allow their identity to be discovered after their death……

「A mastermind operating at the outside, huh……Agent J, perhaps this place is」

「Yeah, it must be abandoned. And, he might plan to keep the focus of the investigating organization’s attention rooted to here when they come here.」

Takehiko nodded in agreement to J’s hypothesis.

「Yeah. If that happens, we would undoubtedly have our hands full just with the swarm of ghoul. In addition, there was that beast monster. If J didn’t run ahead without permission which ended up in Endou-kun come rushing here, we would surely be at a loss for quite some time.」

It went without saying that even if they managed to break through all those things, next they would discover the agents who had been transformed into ghoul.

There was no doubt they would need to spend even more time and effort to deal with them.

But, in that case then perhaps the villagers who believed in the god, and also in the black robed man could also be said as sacrificial pawns who got tricked. Though it was unknown how much the villagers knew about all these.

「In that case, this is some kind of diversion. Something awful might occur at another location.」

「Or perhaps, it’s already occurring.」

Vanessa and Zhu’s expression became grave. They must be thinking that they had to warn their country.

「Forget that! Oi, you two. It was a pain looking for them you know, those strange magic tools. How about showing your gratitude. By answering my question! Speak, where did the black robe go?」

「Sorry but we don’t know. There’s no way he would go out of his way to tell us right?」

「Me too. When the villagers turned into ghoul, we also lost consciousness right after that……」

「There must be at least something that comes to mind!」

「「……」」

「Tsk, you guys are useless for an elite.」

「Inspector! As expected that’s going too far!」

Agent J glared sharply at him. M and H too were gritting their teeth because they couldn’t deny that it was pathetic. Seeing that, Inspector Richard roughly scratch his head as though to tear off his hair.

「……Fuck-. ……My bad. Too much happened already, it feels like my head’s gonna turn insane at this rate. Especially that statue. Just looking at it……」

The inspector sent a glance toward the large statue on the altar at the back. But, he immediately averted his gaze.

Certainly, even just the small statue inside the house was already making them felt strangely uncomfortable. Even from afar it was clear that the statue here was detailed to an abnormal degree. Face that could also be seen like twisted expression of suffering, countless foaming bubbles, surface that looked like inflamed skin, weird intensity that made it felt like the statue could come alive anytime to attack them……

The inspector had meticulously investigated such statue. What he said was understandable.

「I took a quick look around but, there wasn’t really anything special other than that box I mentioned just now. I found a passage behind the statue but, it must also double as the ventilation hole. I saw a human powered large fan inside it. It also has tough looking door but it’s left open.」

「I see……that’s how. This place must be around below the graveyard. The ghouls passed through there to get out above from the graveyard. Most likely one of the graves is used as another entrance as well as the ventilation. The graveyard is also a camouflage for that.」

「Must be. We’ll need to check the passage but there’s nothing really particular other than that. That’s why, let’s get out for now. It’ll be better for these two to take a rest right?」

Agent J turned his gaze to Kousuke and others asking 「What do you think?」.

Kousuke and co looked at each other. After a beat passed they nodded.

「Yeah, I think that’s fine. We’ve cleared the priority objective. Even if we’re going to investigate this place thoroughly, it’ll be better to do that after purifying the air just to be safe. Of course, that’ll also be after we take some sample of the smoke for analysis.」

There was no objection to that. Agent H and M were clearly looking relieved to hear that.

Like that, Kousuke and co who unexpectedly succeeded in taking back two agents left behind this disgusting underground with quick steps along with the secret of the terrifying village as souvenir.

While for some reason feeling goosebumps in their spine as though they were being watched by the statue despite the statue not having anything that could be considered as eye.

.

AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.

Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.

※Material introduction

– Mine sympathies, mine beloved

From Yoriichi-san of [Kimetsu no Yaiba].

– Do~ your best! Don’t lo~se!

From Director Kosuda of [Silly Go Lucky]. I really like the line 「Do~ your best! Don’t lo~se! Live as strong as you can~!」. Recently I haven’t been watching sketch comedy show huh…

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by readnovel.co