Chapter 152: Let’s Catch the Rats, Let’s Catch the Rats Part 2

-Rumble…

A powerful vibration shook the underground temple. It was accompanied by the sound of heavy metal being dragged.

"Damn it…!"

The prison.

The prison where the half-formed Ratmen who had not yet fully become chimeras were trapped.

It seemed Barbason intended to release those Ratmen.

But those Ratmen aren't fully under control yet…!

A monster called a "chimera" which was a fusion of two different beings could only become a useful "soldier" after completely erasing both original identities and re-educating them. A freshly made chimera is just a confused existence with two conflicting identities and instincts; it is a pure embodiment of chaos that doesn't follow orders and only acts on instinct.

Releasing such chimeras…

…Is he trying to get us all killed?

The Ratmen trapped in the prison still had the possibility of returning to being "human"…. So they were still "human" for now. This means they were different from the puppets Barbason had been manipulating at will until just moments ago. If Barbason who was the source of the curse was dealt with, the transformed Ratmen could be restored to their human form…

If this keeps up, we're all screwed.

I quickly took out the Giant arrowroot seeds, planted them on my arrowheads, and shot them toward the prison.

-Swish!

-Thud!

-Swish!

-Thud!

-Creak…

-Screech…

Giant arrowroot vines began to grow from the arrows that landed in front of the prison. The giant vines, which had taken root through the solid floor of the underground temple, spread out vigorously. Using [Plant Binding] with the much stronger Giant arrowroot vines, I could restrain most of the Ratmen.

-Screech!!!

-Squeal!!!

Just as I planned, the Ratmen were entangled in the roots and vines of the giant arrowroot and couldn't break free. Good, that should buy us some time…

-Crunch, crunch, crunch…

-Chew, chew…

Buy us some time… or not?! Damn it! Of course, they were "Rat" men. After struggling for a moment, they began gnawing at the roots and vines with their sharp teeth. Although the giant arrowroot vines weren't growing slowly, they were no match for the Ratmen's teeth.

I urgently looked at El and Lloyd. Both of them were still unable to get up from the shock of the previous attack. In truth, even if they did get up, it wouldn't make much of a difference. The three of us trying to subdue so many Ratmen was practically impossible.

Are you done yet, Beepy?

I stared into the empty air for a moment. The darkness offered no response.

Barbason who had regained his composure slowly approached me with that characteristic chilling smile. It seemed he was truly enraged, as the density and intensity of the magical power emanating from his body were clearly visible.

"This is the end of your cute little tricks, druid."

As Barbason extended his black hand, it felt as if something invisible was gripping my neck and lifting me into the air.

"Gah, ugh…!"

I struggled momentarily and floated in the air.

-Slash!

Then, in an instant, a blade-like shadow shot out from beneath my feet, slicing through the darkness between Barbason and me.

-Thud!

As I hit the ground, I clutched my throbbing neck and glared straight ahead with bloodshot eyes. The smile had vanished from Barbason's face.

"Demarcushel."

-Greetings, Lord Rat.

"…I never expected to meet you here again. You were supposed to be…"

-Is that so? I've always looked forward to 'meeting you again.'

"Hahaha!!!!"

Demarcushel's maniacal laughter echoed through the underground temple and even threatened to shatter it. Just like his laughter, his shadow swelled up greatly and seemed like it would swallow Barbason up at any moment.

-Barbason. How fitting that a rat like you has slunk into a place like this. If you're going to steal, do it properly. You couldn't even banish Donar's light and now you're just a pathetic, groveling rat!

"It's not something I need to hear from a mere shadow hiding behind a human…"

Before Barbason could finish his sentence, Demarcushel's shadow pierced his neck like a spear. Barbason's head dangled as if it would fall off at any moment. Yet, without a hint of surprise, he reattached his head to his body and chuckled.

"You're as impatient as ever, Demarcushel."

-If you're dealing with a fat rat, you need to be quick."

"Now I understand. The current you is…"

–.…..

"Nothing at all."

When Barbason's fingers cracked and moved, ten streams of darkness shot out from his fingertips. Like the tails of a rat, the darkness sliced through the air and cut through Demarcushel's shadow.

-Swiiiiiiiiish!!!

I aimed an arrow at Barbason's hand. Though I couldn't hit his hand, the arrow severed the darkness emanating from his fingertips before embedding itself in the wall.

"I told you not to interfere, human!"

Barbason's enraged voice echoed as a whip-like darkness swept toward me. I barely managed to roll out of the way and aimed my arrow again.

"I've never been good at knowing when to stay out of things."

-Swiiiiiish!!!

Once more, the arrow tore through the darkness at the tip of Barbason's second finger. Demarcushel's shadow took advantage of the opening and pierced through one of Barbason's legs. Good, if Demarcushel keeps pressuring Barbason like this…

-Scraaaaaaaach!!!

It was then that the Ratmen, who had gnawed through the giant vines, came charging at us. They weren't just targeting Demarcushel and me. The Ratmen actually couldn't distinguish friend from foe and started to swarm Barbason as well.

"Cuscus! You shouldn't kill them!"

-What, what are you saying? What kind of nonsense…!

"They still have a 'chance'!"

A chance to return to being human.

No one has the right to take that away. Just as Demarcushel's shadow was about to pierce a Ratman's heart, it twisted at the last moment. Instead of a fatal blow, the Ratman only stumbled and fell.

But Barbason was different.

He mercilessly slaughtered the Ratmen charging at him. When the whip-like darkness swung mercilessly, the rat men's heads fell to the ground and shattered like a large fruit.

Crazy bastard.

To Barbason, these "Ratmen" were nothing more than mere pawns, neither more nor less. Taking their lives was as effortless as breathing.

On the other hand, our battle grew increasingly difficult. We were not only facing Barbason but also had to contend with the Ratmen. The remaining cats were trying to herd the rats, but we were severely outnumbered.

"I'll kill you, druid! Then I'll throw your flesh to these creatures as their food!"

Barbason who had completely gained momentum was constantly swinging his claws and driving Demarcushel and me back. Perhaps because he knew we couldn't attack the Ratmen, he cunningly guided our attacks toward them, sometimes even hurling the Ratmen at us as part of his attacks.

-Thud!!

-Swiiiiiiiishhh!!!

I barely managed to deflect a charging Ratman with my shield lotus leaf and took a moment to catch my breath. Demarcushel's shadow swirled across the ground and toppled the ratmen one by one.

"Foolish wretch! What do these vermin matter?!"

Barbason laughed maniacally as he stomped on Demarcushel's shadow. While Barbason's darkness clashed with Demarcushel's shadow and fought for dominance, I wondered…

How much longer can we hold out like this?

I was out of breath, and my arrows were running low. Even with El and Lloyd now fighting the Ratmen, the challenge of defeating them without killing was proving nearly impossible.

"Damn it…"

I cursed under my breath and absentmindedly looked up into the air.

-Flash!

"....!"

A familiar glimmer appeared. Small, round, and shining in all five colors…

That shimmering light was slowly and steadily drawing closer. I naturally reached out my hand toward it.

-Flash!

Just before the light could completely fall, it burst forth in a flash of five-colored light like lightning. I was the only one who didn't close my eyes against that dazzling brilliance.

When the light faded, a colorful bow that fit perfectly in my hand was left behind.

"…You're late, Beepy."

I muttered softly, then smiled as I gripped the bow. The familiar warm and gentle energy from Beepy wrapped around my palm and eased my fatigue.

If I shoot an arrow with this, I can take down Barbason.

But, with the Ratmen still not properly subdued, a large number of them would be killed or injured.

Should I ignore their lives and just take down Barbason?

Is sacrifice inevitable to prevent a greater disaster?

"No, you shouldn't, Sir Theodore!"

As if sensing my inner turmoil, Connie shouted urgently.

"….…"

At the moment when my trembling hand gripped the bow,

"Theodore!"

An unexpected voice called out.

"We're here!"

Draven, the three hunting dog brothers, along with the beastmen and barbarians from Altan, were rushing into the underground temple. Each one of them was wielding old weapons or, at the very least, farming tools as they charged in and shouted with vigor. Their roars were so powerful it seemed they could bring the underground temple down.

"..."

I lowered the bow for a moment and exchanged a glance with Connie.

"All right, Connie."

"S-Sir Theodore."

"Let's stick to the original plan."

"....!"

Connie nodded eagerly, then loudly called out to the others.

"Sir Draven! Please subdue them! Don't let them get hurt or killed! These people…"

Connie's voice cracked with emotion as he struggled to speak.

"These people, they're human!"

Draven's eyes widened, and then he burst into hearty laughter as he responded.

"Hey, Connie! Why are you saying something like that?"

"....!"

"Of course, they're human. Maybe others wouldn't know, but we can tell!"

Exactly.

Beastmen and barbarians, who had faced a lifetime of discrimination for their appearance rather than their essence, would be the ones who could best recognize the true nature hidden within.

"…I'll leave it to you, Sir Draven!"

"Just trust us, Druid!"

Good.

Now, there was nothing left to worry about.

I gripped the bow firmly once more.