Chapter 153: Let’s Catch the Rats, Let’s Catch the Rats Part 3

When Draven along with the other beastmen and barbarians entered the battle, the situation began to change slowly. Though their methods were brutal, they managed to subdue the Ratmen while carefully ensuring not to kill them. Ayla who had come with them also showed off her strength by taking down three or four ratmen at once.

While the subdued Ratmen lay defeated, Lloyd, El, Connie, and I focused our efforts on driving Barbason into a corner.

Arrows pierced through the darkness, swords cleaved it apart, and maces tore it to shreds. Barbason was gradually being reduced to pieces.

If things get tough, he'll try to escape.

That's the nature of demons. They know no shame. When their lives are at stake, they'll flee without hesitation to regroup for another day. Then they return stronger and more vicious to exact their revenge; that's what demons are.

– Shwaaak…!

Barbason started gathering the darkness that had spread out around him. Or rather, it was more accurate to say he was carefully pulling it back in. Unlike before, he moved with great caution and refrained from making any attacks.

As expected, he's planning to escape.

I pretended not to notice his intentions at all, but I cleverly shot arrows just enough to keep him from gathering all the darkness. Pit! Pit! Pit! The weakened arrows of light sliced through the edges of the darkness without much effort.

Killing him is difficult.

It was just like when I faced Citra in the mining city of Rabata. Bringing "death" to a demon was nearly impossible. People often say they've "killed a demon" but that's merely the destruction of the vessel the demon had descended into.

When the vessel possessed by a demon is destroyed, the demon appears to be "dead" for a moment. However, in reality, the demon simply returns to its original place. In other words, to "hell".

To completely kill a demon, the power of a "god" specifically the power of a "temple" was necessary. But Barbason had already taken measures against the temple in Dihid…

It was certain that Beepy's power could recover the Fragment of the Origin God. However, the power Beepy possessed wasn't that of a "god". Therefore, it was unclear if it could completely annihilate Barbason.

If I kill Barbason here, it might actually end up helping him.

Of course, he would suffer a significant blow. But then he would just return to hell to "recover". It was hard to say how long it would take, but regaining his original strength wouldn't be difficult.

In that case…

"...."

I quickly scanned the surroundings. Thanks to Connie, the sea stones had regained a faint glow. But it wasn't enough. I needed more…

"Connie!"

I quickly scanned the surroundings and immediately called out Connie's name. Connie who had been swinging his mace fiercely looked at me with bright and sparkling eyes.

"Yes, Sir Theodore!"

"We need to borrow the power of Donar. Will you be alright?"

He tried to appear confident, but Connie had already exhausted a significant amount of his strength. It was only normal since he had already faced Barbason's forces once. If Donar exerted his power through Connie again, his body…

"Of course, I'll be fine!"

"...."

But Connie answered without hesitation and in a firm tone.

"Alright, Connie. To be honest, I'm relieved to hear you say that."

I briefly explained the "plan" to Connie. In fact, it was a simple task that could hardly be called a plan at all. The real problem was whether Connie could endure it. That was it.

Just as the priests of Arzan could create light, the priests of Nemeya could command the veil of darkness, and the priests of Lynshaka could make flowers bloom, the priests of Donar were fundamentally able to control "water". Even an apprentice priest like Connie should be able to summon water, make it flow, and cause it to pour down.

But what I wanted was beyond that.

What I wanted was…

"…I'm counting on you."

Without saying a word, I left Connie behind and let out a long whistle. Immediately, Ayla who had been subduing the Ratmen sprinted toward me with lightning speed. I jumped onto Ayla as she approached and began racing through the vast underground temple. From the center to the edges, we ran like a whirlwind while scattering morning star seeds widely and in great quantity.

Barbason's eyes were on me, but he seemed too preoccupied with fending off Lloyd and El's attacks to interfere. It was a relief. After scattering all the seeds, I used the [Breath of the Forest] and shouted toward Connie at the center of the underground temple at the same time.

"Now!"

The morning star seeds took root and began to sprout. Having already been enhanced, the morning stars firmly rooted themselves even in the barren, rocky ground of the underground temple.

The preparations were complete.

Now, as long as Connie could hold on…!

-Drip…

-Drip…

Somewhere, I heard the sound of water droplets falling. No, it almost sounded like it was gushing. I placed my hand on the ground, where I could faintly sense the earth's energy, and looked toward Connie.

He was kneeling with his mace driven into the ground and was praying fervently despite the nosebleed running down his face.

-Splash…

-Splash, splash…

…It worked.

Water began to rise on the floor of the underground temple. It was only enough to barely wet the soles of our feet, but considering how vast the temple was, even that much indicated a tremendous volume of water.

But it's still not enough.

The water was rising very slowly. It was like trying to squeeze more juice from an already-pressed orange. It wasn't because Connie lacked faith. He had already used almost all the power Donar had granted him. So, the water that was now rising…

It could be said that Connie was wringing out every last bit of his power to create it. He was surely feeling the searing pain of trying to draw out Donar's power again with a body already at its limit. And yet, there he was, praying steadfastly without a hint of wavering. In some ways, that seemed foolish… But perhaps that was what it meant to be one who serves the gods.

-Splash! Splash!

-Shaaah!!!

The water level was gradually increasing, albeit at a very slow pace. The splashing sounds of El and Lloyd running around, and the noise of Barbason avoiding them, echoed through the temple. Fortunately, Barbason seemed unconcerned with the water pooling on the floor.

"Alright then…"

I grabbed the ground with all my might. The floor which would be difficult to dent with human strength buckled as my fingers dug into the earth. I focused my mind and began chanting a spell. I could feel the energy of the forest and the "power" of Lynshaka reaching out to each morning star as they sprouted.

-Splash, splash…

The morning stars grew quickly and began to sprout above the water. Just a little more, just a little more! I waited for the water to rise. To be precise, I waited for it to rise enough to submerge the morning stars!

Please…!

But then.

-Thud!

-Splash!

There was the sound of Connie collapsing. He lost consciousness and fell face down on the floor without moving.

"Damn it… Ayla!"

– Kuun!

Ayla ran towards Connie, and without hesitation, she hoisted him onto her back and began sprinting toward Draven.

Given the situation, there was no other choice. Even if I had to do it alone…

– Rumble…

…Huh?

– Gush!!!

It happened just as I was about to make the morning stars bloom. From the tip of the old mace Connie had driven into the ground…

– Gush! Gush! Gush! Gush!!!

Water suddenly shot up like a fountain!

"My God."

The sight of the old mace spewing water up to the ceiling was nothing short of spectacular.

No, this isn't the time to be distracted.

This was an opportunity. I quickly refocused and finished chanting the spell. As the cool, vibrant energy of the forest spread from my core across the temple floor…

– Whoosh!

– Flash!

– Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

All around, flower buds began to burst open. Soon, the surface beneath the clear water was filled with blooming morning stars.

The morning stars gently swayed beneath the water's surface.

Now, everything was ready.

– Flaaash…

[Moon Light].

The fully bloomed morning stars started to emit the borrowed moonlight from Nemeya. However, unlike usual, they didn't release silver flames but instead spread the light across the entire surface of the water. As the soft moonlight expanded and spread, the entire surface began to glow brilliantly.

"Kr, Kraaagh!!!!"

Barbason who belatedly recognized the light leaped high and started climbing the wall, digging in his long black claws.

But it was already too late.

-Pheeew!

-Ping!

-Pheeew!

It was as if the moon had risen from the ground and lit up the surroundings. The light that started from below began to spread upwards.

"Damn it, cursed wretches, I'll tear you apart…!"

"Crawl up faster, Barbason!"

I had no intention of catching Barbason with [Moon Light] in the first place. Although it was true that [Moon Light] was highly effective against undead and demons, it wasn't enough to burn a demon of Barbason's caliber with just [Moon Light] alone.

-Crack!

-Zzt!

-Chiiing!

The moonlight reflected off the sea stones embedded in the pillars supporting the underground temple, beginning to trace lines. The pale and blurred sea stones began to take on a deep blue hue as they absorbed the moonlight. The blue light connecting pillar to pillar and stone to stone grew in intensity.

"No, no, no!!!!"

Barbason who was scrambling desperately up the wall began to scream as the blue light brushed against him. His claws that had touched the blue light of the sea stone fell away, and the darkness that had enveloped him like a cloak began to thin. The light from the sea stone that was triggered by [Moon Light] hit the water surface again, spread out, and began to strangle Barbasson as it grew brighter. Just avoiding the light would be a struggle, let alone counterattacking.

"Urgh, Kraaagh, Aaaagh!!!"

– Hahaha!! Look at him thrash around like a rat.

Demarcushel chuckled as he watched Barbason frantically climb the wall. Shh. I hushed him, raised the shining five-colored bow, and aimed at the struggling Barbason. Thanks to the moonlight, the arrow of light that began to form as I drew the string glowed more brilliantly than usual.

"…Farewell, Barbason."

-Swiiiish!!!!