Chapter 159
So, the Marionette Worm, the root of all evil, had been defeated. But the question was how the remaining Thornshell Scorpion High Lord would react. If it intended to remain hostile, then a second round awaited us...
‘Well, I apologize for causing you trouble, brave Boar Orcs.’
Wait, it can talk!? It had been making those creaking noises until just now, but was that because it had been subjected to 【Puppeteering】? Well, even the Troll King, who had been a King, could speak the human tongue. It probably possessed at least a Language Skill normally.
"May I assume you have returned to your senses, Great Scorpion King?"
‘Yes. Thanks to you all. I am truly grateful.’
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Your Race level has increased. You acquired 1 SP.
Your Job level has increased. You acquired 1 SP.
Your familiar's Race level has increased.
Your familiar's Job level has increased.
Your 【Soul Arts】 level has increased.
You have learned the Medium Soul Heal and Paralysis Heal spells.
Your 【Curse Arts】 level has increased.
You have learned the Phantom Scent spell.
Your 【Appraisal】 level has increased.
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The log scrolled, which meant the battle was over! Whew, it was nice to have such a reasonable opponent. In that case, time to dispel 【Vengeful Spirit's Cursed Mire】.
‘Phew~ What a terrible mess that was. Even if I was being controlled, when was the last time I suffered wounds this severe...? You did a fine job! Ho ho ho!’
...His manner was completely different from when we had been fighting. His genial old-man way of speaking reminded me of Genzuro. He was similarly absurdly powerful once a fight began, too.
"Great Scorpion King, this land has been inherited by our people for generations. Will you return it to us?"
‘Of course. However... I have shed rather too much blood. Would you allow me to remain here until I have fully recovered? Naturally, I will not cause any trouble, and I promise to return to my former dwelling as soon as I recover.’
"Hmm..."
His Majesty Salmaan rested a hand on his chin and pondered. The Marionette Worm was the root of all evil, and the Thornshell Scorpion High Lord, having been controlled, could be considered a victim instead.
However, it was the Thornshell Scorpion High Lord's body that had actually injured the people of Bigdaleio, and that was an undeniable fact. Even if one understood something rationally, it was possible to remain unconvinced emotionally.
"Very well. I will explain the situation to the people."
‘I am sorry for being so selfish.’
Oh, he was saying something kingly! Bigdaleio was not a particularly autocratic country, but its ruler would tighten the reins when necessary. Perhaps that sense of balance was essential for a ruler.
"Ah, um!"
‘Hmm?’
Prince Jahal spoke up once he judged that the conversation between the two of them had ended. There could only be one reason Prince Jahal wanted to speak to the Scorpion King.
‘Oh, you are the young man who pulled that horrifying parasite out of me. What is it?’
"My name is Jahal! Would you become my partner!?"
H-He asked straight out! Being direct was definitely a virtue, but this was too sudden, and he had provided far too little explanation. No one was going to understand what he meant like that!
‘What do you mean?’
"Jahal... you..."
Not only the Thornshell Scorpion High Lord but even His Majesty Salmaan was left stunned and speechless! Besides, it was impossible to expect someone to accept such a sudden request immediately. Would this really be all right...?
"Haaah... I will explain later. First, we must treat everyone. Priests, begin with the seriously wounded. Once first aid is complete, we will return to Bigdaleio."
"Yes!"
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The battle to retake the oasis was over, and we were now returning to Bigdaleio. Not all of us, though. A dozen or so members of the army who were in relatively good shape had remained at the oasis. This was to keep another monster from taking over the oasis, as well as because the Thornshell Scorpion High Lord was still there.
Although Bigdaleio and the Thornshell Scorpion High Lord had reached a reconciliation, there was no way we could trust him unconditionally. His severe injuries and need for treatment were part of the reason, but monitoring him was even more important. The fact that we could not simply become best friends overnight was proof that this truly was an electronic otherworld!
Prince Jahal's remaining behind, however, was for his own purposes. While treatment and preparations for our return were underway, His Majesty Salmaan and Prince Jahal had apparently discussed various matters. They seemed to have settled on letting Jahal try to recruit the Thornshell Scorpion High Lord, with everything being fine if he agreed. I knew that had to be the case because Jahal had asked me how I had become friends with Cal.
Still, the fact that Bigdaleio had so readily allowed a prince to remain at the oasis showed that it really was a nation of monsters. Prince Jahal was quite skilled, but they were leaving behind someone who might become the next king in such a dangerous place.
Well, I had nothing to do until we returned to Bigdaleio, so I decided to check out the new spells I had learned. They were Medium Soul Heal and Paralysis Heal from 【Soul Arts】, as well as Phantom Scent from 【Curse Arts】. I would examine them in order.
First was Medium Soul Heal, which was simply an enhanced version of Lesser Soul Heal. Its effect of providing continuous recovery was the same, but the amount restored at once and the recovery duration were increased. Its mana cost increased accordingly, but that was only natural given the effect. It still lacked any immediate effect, but this might become my primary means of healing.
Next was Paralysis Heal, a spell that cured the Paralysis status ailment. It was the paralysis version of Poison Heal. Potions could cure it, but if I had mana to spare, it was convenient to use mana that recovered over time instead of consuming an item.
Finally, there was Phantom Scent, which was a little unusual. It made the target smell a variety of scents, ranging from a stench that nearly made one's nose wrinkle to floral fragrances. It would probably be almost useless in a direct battle, but depending on how I used it, I might be able to do something interesting.
"Oh. Bigdaleio is coming into view, Cal."
"Grrr!"
As I spoke to Cal while gently rubbing his neck, Cal gave me a reassuring response. Once we returned to Bigdaleio and received our reward, we had to travel through the skies to the Vetus Floating Island, where Genzuro and the others were waiting. It was going to be a fairly grueling schedule.
It would be difficult for Cal and me to carry everyone by ourselves, but that problem had already been solved. After the battle, His Majesty Salmaan had given us a boat to use on the oasis.
The boat was fairly large, with enough room for everyone to board. It also had a magic item that reduced the weight of its passengers, so Cal had no trouble lifting it even with everyone aboard.
I had expected it to be expensive and thought negotiations would be difficult. However, His Majesty Salmaan readily gave it to us for free. The reason was that the weight-reduction effect for passengers was normally applied to Bigdaleio's boats.
This was because many of Bigdaleio's inhabitants were Orcs and Boar Orcs. The oasis was vast, but not so vast that it could be mistaken for a sea. Therefore, its boats were all small and maneuverable, but they would capsize under the weight of the huge Orcs. That was why the feature came installed by default.
Since our return was already assured, this was the only time I could relax. Thus, while I was riding Cal and doting on him, a notification sound reached my mind.
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You have received an official announcement.
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Huh? It felt like ages since I had seen this notification. The event notification had arrived while I was logged out, after all. In that case, let's see what it says...
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A player has just achieved their first reincarnation. As a result, the Reincarnation System has been unlocked.
There are several methods of reincarnation. Try various things.
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R-Reincarnation System!? What the hell is that!? Could it mean we can change our characters later!? Wait, another notification just arrived!?
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A new recipient of 【Eefa's Blessing】 has appeared.
As a result, while its effects remain unchanged, 【Eefa's Blessing】 has changed from a Unique Skill to a regular Skill.
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...There was just too much happening for me to understand any of it! Even the tanks below, carrying my companions, were abuzz with commotion. F-For now, I would discuss everything with everyone after returning to Bigdaleio.
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‘So, your reincarnation has been completed. How does your new body feel?’
In a cave in a certain forest—or rather, in a hidden temple disguised as one. A sultry woman's voice issued from a suspicious, battered divine statue wreathed in a black aura. Had Izamu been present, that person would surely have remembered Aruru, the 'Goddess of Light and Order' from the Defense Battle Event.
Indeed, a goddess dwelled within that statue. However, it was not Aruru. The voice belonged to Eefa, the 'Goddess of Death and Chaos'—a hedonistic goddess who had granted Izamu her blessing and desired chaotic situations.
"...It's perfect. Thank you so much, Goddess."
The male player kneeling before her statue replied with unmistakable delight spreading across his face. Most people would have felt disgust at the sight of his writhing form, but Eefa correctly understood from his movements that he was happy.
‘That is good to hear. But are you certain? Among all the many monster Races, not a single player has chosen that Race.’
It was no wonder Eefa was unusually concerned. Ever since Izamu and the others had made a name for themselves during the Labyrinth Event, the number of monster players had grown fairly large. It had yet to reach the level she desired as a proportion of the player base, but it was still a vast improvement over the early days, when being nonhuman meant being an ordinary animal.
Even so, many Races had gone unchosen because the initial selection offered such a wide range. At the same time, many Races had only one or two players, just like the Birdian Race, which had only Shio. This was the result of players concentrating on the Races of Izamu and the others, who had distinguished themselves during the event.
However, among the unchosen Races was one that almost no one had even considered as a candidate. There was only one reason: its appearance caused people an overwhelming sense of visceral disgust. The player standing before Eefa had deliberately chosen that Race. She was asking whether he regretted it.
"I don't mind. If anything, being disliked by ordinary players suits me perfectly."
He had originally been a Human player. However, after encountering a certain incident, he had become more drawn to monsters than to humanity. He had then decided to abandon his human identity.
The path had not been an easy one. He had set out with only a hint that barely qualified as a hint from the library in Fars, and after a dangerous adventure, he had found the cave where he now stood. Using the scant records left behind, he gathered the necessary materials and somehow managed to fulfill the conditions for reincarnation.
‘Hee hee hee, wonderful. How interesting. So I will give you a reward.’
"A blessing...? What is this?"
‘It means that you are one of my favorites. Besides you, I have granted it to only one other person.’
That one person was, of course, Izamu. Until now, no player besides Izamu had struck a chord with her. In that sense, the player before her was an interesting one who had finally appeared.
"Oh, I am honored."
‘Many hardships undoubtedly await you on your journey. So I will give you a hint. Aim for the Vetus Floating Island. Surely you will find players there who will accept you.’
"Thank you, Goddess. I will follow your prophecy and make my way there."
‘As you wish. Now, enjoy this world.’
After saying only that, the aura surrounding the statue vanished. The goddess's descent had ended.
"Vetus Floating Island... So that very person is there, Goddess! I must hasten to them!"
To do so, he needed to become stronger and learn to make full use of his current avatar. Resolute, he drew a weapon from his inventory and walked out of the cave.