Chapter 689 – Prince Chungwang (2)
─Pass!
The insect’s exoskeleton peeled off the civil servant’s face.
It is as if the skin is being shed or the mask is being taken off. It’s honestly a bit disgusting to have to touch it, but even when it’s cured, it’s this shit. Fucking Oriental Fabre chew.
『Th-Did you cure that curse?!』
“Oh My God… It must be difficult not to faint from surprise today.”
He gestured to the imperial soldiers who were sweeping his chest. It’s true that it’s a waste of time to be surprised. After overpowering the delegation, the wives were waiting for us at the place where we descended.
“Here.”
Dana, who was sitting and waiting, waved his hand and said.
“The situation happened quickly. Seeing as he jumped in as soon as he got the chance, he’s a bold opponent.”
“Still, it would have been better if it exploded on the first day! Actually, I thought it would be a bit annoying to gather here every night with a pinch hitter lying on the bed☆!”
It was Lalilura who was joking as if to lighten the mood. Just as a meaningless smile was about to appear on my face, Tyrsi, who was struggling in the corner holding the leash, shouted.
“Nord! I’m sorry, but please release this transformation!”
What Tyrsi was holding back was a pinch hitter that looked just like her. She screamed as the Tyrsi MK.2, which had been sniffing at her as she crawled on all fours, pulled on her leash.
“Kwuik! Grunt!”
“Don’t grunt with my voice and face—!”
With a wry smile, I canceled Clone Tyrsi’s transformation using the same trick as before.
“Honey!”
Todada-!
Returning to her own form, the piglet untied her leash and ran toward the food depot. Tirshi seemed to be sweating—I wonder if it was a matter of mood rather than stamina—and spoke as he wiped away his sweat.
“… Did you really have to transform the pig like that?”
“Adelaide said there was no other way.”
I chuckled and shrugged her shoulders.
We decided to alert the Valkyrie to the direction of the territory so that the Baiznian delegation would not leave the mansion, and also put a pinch hitter in each person’s bed every night.
But I’m the only one who can make my own alter ego.
That’s why Adelaide, who can cast transformation magic on others, created her own custom alter ego for each of her wives.
“It had an effect, right? After spying on my room, the enemies came to attack Fran and Yui Ling.”
However, if there was a problem, only Tyrsi, who had no substitutes such as earth golems, valkyries, or puppets, had to get a piglet and turn it into an alter ego.
Said Nefertiti, who had been sleeping alone in her room, considering his fighting prowess.
“… Bicons went to Atlantis.”
“Good. If you look at our power, there won’t be any problem considering a few variables.”
Wives are safe. The suppression of the mansion was also roughly over.
Now was the time to move to put an end to the situation.
【… Count Wolfheddin.]
You may not have understood our conversation, but Yui-ling, who had been thinking about something until then, called me.
【It’s not a question I asked with help, but… By any chance, did you know it would turn out like this?]
If you have an idea, of course you will notice it.
It was such a quick, accurate, and thought-provoking response.
Still, it was difficult to misunderstand that we used her as her bait. Admitting that I had a hard time trusting you wouldn’t be particularly nice.
I affirmed her to give her her faith.
【My wives will help with explanations and hearings, including the answer. Trust us.】
【Nope. I don’t doubt it. I have no intention of blaming. If there’s any fault, it’s entirely on us…】
Yui Ling lowered her head as if not to misunderstand.
How many shocking sights did you see in this one hour? She looked at me as if holding on to straw.
【Way… Do you have it?]
【Yes. That’s why we gathered here.]
Yui Ling looked at my face as she answered, then she exhaled as if she was truly relieved. I sensed the trust in her sigh and shuddered at her jokes.
【Is it troublesome if you fall in love with that? You can’t touch our Fran’s little sister, right?]
【… Whoops, kidding. Am I still sixteen?]
Oh, Glukuman.
With no desire to lay hands on a minor, I turned the conversation around.
“Did you get Zhang Ziqun’s location?”
“I did not get out of the place where the master made it. There is no trace of them digging a tunnel and escaping, so they must be inside.”
That’s it. I said while putting on my leather armor.
“Let’s go. You should also take a look at his face.”
***
Kiki-Ik-!
After hearing about Yui Ling and her Imperial Army duo, we slammed open the front door of the building where the Baiznian delegation was staying.
The Valkyries followed Dana. Everyone else was also armed and ready to switch to attack and defense at any time. I also put a bruenak on my shoulder.
All the lights were off, so it was very dark inside the building.
The building built with the fairy king’s wand was characterized by a central staircase and a wide hall. From the time of design, it was built that way with the time to fight inside in mind.
But even though it is a building I built, a dreary chill grazes the nape of my neck.
It would never have been just my delusion.
【… I’ll be honest about how things turned out this way.]
The shadows in the central hall wriggled.
Zhang Ziqun, who was sitting in the middle of the stairs, began to speak.
[Without hesitation, I am very surprised. It was a strategy that was rushed, but it was the first time I had ever been shut down without using my hands or feet. I give a small compliment.]
Clap clap clap…
He clapped dryly and raised his back. Dark green eyes flickered like a rotten swamp. It was the glow of mana that I saw whenever the bug-eating bugs self-destructed.
【But if you think you’ve cornered me, that’s a big mistake.】
… Kugoong!!
When Zhang Ziqun took a step, the entire staircase creaked. It was not a stone staircase, so the weight was different. Has it weighed more than it appears on the outside?
【Do you know any monsters that can handle magic? That’s a good example too. The amount of mana is not proportional to the body size, and insect-type monsters are no different in that respect.]
Thump, thump… ! The slim figure of the man who had melted into the shadows swelled.
【17 bodies. It is the number of symbiosis solitude (蠱毒) carefully selected and planted in my body.]
Opened Odin’s eyes. I couldn’t read if it was magic or not.
Still, the mana seething in her Zhang Ziqun’s body pierced the master’s spirit like a needle.
【All 17 of them are my blood vessels, airways, brain and heart.】
Zhang Zhiquan, who had become a nimble insect-type monster, leaped while destroying the stairs. Its thin carapace and sharp-looking head, like a stick insect, gave off the charm of an insect like a rhinoceros beetle.
Guessing from my intuition, the bugs that exude mana from Jiang Chijun’s body, like silkworms, seemed to have more mana than platinum class monsters, even at a low level.
What if you deal with 17 times as much mana with human wisdom?
In terms of simple amount, it was enough mana to compete for first or second place even compared to our party.
Let’s think of me when I couldn’t use my aura and killed a mithril class warrior with my mana sucker. In addition, the strength of monsters cannot be easily distinguished like humans.
There are claws that are sharper than Aurors and carapaces that are tougher than Beast Returns.
A large amount of mana and the body organs of monsters that can withstand it!
There was nothing to be envious of even first-class warriors and wizards if they could obtain it. Even if he couldn’t run away, he would have been strong enough to make up his mind to fight with us.
“After…”
However, I was able to look at Zhang Ziqun’s body organs, which were poisoned, with the feeling of solving a high-level problem while peeking at the answer sheet. It wasn’t even a bad analogy.
【You really like to be cunning. Captain Red.]
【… What?】
【A guy who likes to gossip behind the scenes will fight the plague with confidence.】
With a deep sigh, I answered like a part-timer at a convenience store saying, “You can’t sell alcohol/tobacco to people under the age of 19.”
【If you want to deceive us, you should have laid the groundwork better or prepared convincing evidence.】
─Bang!! I stepped on the advance like lightning and climbed onto the window frame of the building.
His gaze was fixed on the void.
Odin’s eyes reflected the thoughts that stretched from the top of Zhang Zhiqun’s head. A transparent gas-like substance was extending out of the building.
The gas, which would be colorless and odorless unless it was an insect, created waves like Morse code with regularity.
[Manara transformed into pheromones. It didn’t deviate much from the perspective.]
I changed the old god’s mana to the rune’s mana.
Depending on the situation, I obtain the most appropriate rune.
Isn’t it the mana that was left on purpose for this? I suddenly raised my proficiency in rune magic, which required a long period of training, and engraved the learned letters on the back of my hand.
“ᛃ(Jēra).”
It was a rune meaning harvest, circulation, fruitfulness and harmony.
With the runes acquired through cheat leveling, you cannot immediately understand the true meaning. Like the ogre I fought in the past, I wanted to absorb mana, but I couldn’t do that.
It didn’t matter though. It’s not mana that I’m trying to harvest now.
I stirred the air with my rune-engraved hand.
─Tuck! The thoughts that had grown in Zhang Ziqun’s body were caught in the palm of his hand.
Got it I consciously put a sneer on my face.
【Should I plant a bug that self-destructs if I say crazy?】
Making a plan is a fairly advanced brain activity.
Therefore, the originator’s intelligence, personality, taste, and humanity had to be revealed.
This battle of numbers overwhelmed by information superiority.
It was fucking easy to imagine the personality of the enemy general.
[I could have swallowed a worm like a fanatic, but are you the type to act as the princess’s subordinate or fight the enemy directly? It’s enough if you substitute a bug.]
A strategist with a deep heart and a preference for deception.
A cunning swashbuckler who pretends to attack, trusting only in poor tactics, to steal the deadliest fangs out of the opponent’s eyes.
That was the character of Prince Chungwang that I felt.
‘You’re a bastard who lays traps by twisting them twice or three times.’
Such an asshole took the position of openly advising the princess and representing her delegation by shining her face? A position that is only risky and has no angle of benefit?
I thought there was little chance of that.
So, ever since I met them, I’ve been glancing at Yui-ling and the delegation, contemplating who was real.
If there was someone who hid while using transformation magic, it was almost 100% because I thought that bastard would be the main body of King Chungwang.
‘But there was no one like that.’
All bare-faced, victims with bugs planted in their bodies.
Those who come and go and even get captured are automatically eliminated as candidates.
Then, the conclusion of reasoning must be left to induction.
Said the Baker Street detective. Except for the impossible, what remains is the truth no matter how unbelievable it may be.
【Your body never got off the delegation’s ship, right?】
That was the reason.
Why did I do this round and round thing?
‘Chungwangdaegun is hiding and controlling the bugs.’
In a place out of my sight, holding my breath all the time.
Like an insect digging a trap and waiting for its prey.
【Honestly, I was dubious as well, but thanks to you trying hard to hide your identity, I got a rough idea. Thank you very much for your cooperation.]
Kwak… !
I tightly gripped it so that Chungwangdaegun’s mind could not escape.
A mind created by magic.
The main body of the enemy should be where it followed this.
【I’ll see you soon. Have refreshments ready.]
【… You trash man!!]
Prince Chungwang, who noticed it only after he was caught like an idiot, tried to cut off his mind in a rage.
But it was a futile struggle. I forcibly held on to the broken heart.
─Peeing!!
The power of the rune hardened the gaseous pheromone into a long string like a rope.
In a magical sense, this pheromone is the pipeline that connects Zhang Chijun and Grand Prince Qiong. Rune magic, which deals with conceptual power, had such an application.
【Where are you going?】
I laughed wildly. I had no intention of missing out.
Even if you lose your mind, there is a way to find it, but isn’t it obvious that a lot of time will be wasted in the process?
“Kueeaaaaaccc──!!!”
─Thump thump thump!!
After losing his pilot and becoming a irrational monster, Zhang Zhiqun went on a rampage.
I wrapped the thoughts of Chungwangdaegun around my arms like a wire. Fran jumped up and sat down next to me. Fran had to go with me and take charge of the search for the enemy.
“Sorry everyone! Subdue that friend instead of us!”
So I apologized and asked the other party.
Entrusting my wives with my enemies and my back!
It would have been something I would never have said in the past, but now that I’ve decided to trust them, it’s not a difficult request.
“To think that a bug like that is roaming around our house is honestly creepy, isn’t it? Grab it, throw it on something like a piece of string, and stun it.”
“Ugh. Should I be captured? I hate bugs… “
Lalilura was genuinely disgusted by the disgusting appearance of Zhang Zhiqun. I’ve fought with insects from the other world that are similar to them before, but I’m not really good at it.
“I understand your feelings, but that guy is also a victim.”
I don’t know if he’s a good guy, but it’s a bit like killing him.
“If you hold on to it, I will fix it later. Fortunately, it’s not a permanent transformation magic, so I can do something.”
“Ah, indeed. Nord has that ability too.”
Tirsi understands as she aims her wand.
Wolfheddin’s power to save those who have fallen into beasts.
As demonstrated earlier, if that is the case, even the victims who have changed can be saved.
Of course, even this authority is useless against the mana of mutants such as ogres, trolls, and goblins—mana that causes cellular changes, such as the lengthening of my Juji.
That’s because it requires a completely different ritual, just like when the troll king Horsha became human.
‘If the mutation magic is canceled by Wolfheddin’s authority, even my Jugidra would have returned to its original size a long time ago.’
And even if they change their appearance, the monsters will retain their original selves.
So, in the end, it was pointless. The number of cannibals who see humans as prey is only increasing. When I transform into a snake, don’t I get mad at female snakes?
It is a veterinarian’s skill to draw the line between animals and humans.
The monster was a beast. It is also a pest.
I am not a mad scientist who converts man-eating monkeys into humans and says that this is a good deed. Then, in the meantime, film Escape from the Planet of the Apes.
‘Anyway, I was able to solve the transformation caused by the bug, right?’
It has been proven once again that I have the power to return creatures to their original appearance.
Curses that had nothing to do with their appearance had to be found and destroyed, but anyway, to restore a person who became an insect was to lie down and eat rice cakes. My stomach hurts.
And this part is the main evidence of the persuasive phrase I prepared about the ownership of Atlantis–
Well, is this a discussion that will be possible later?
– Wow!! Nefertiti hit the floor with her whip.
“… I’ll tie you up and follow you.”
“If you can’t subdue a wizard with this member, wouldn’t it be a disgrace to the gods?”
Veronica, who was aiming at the burning staff, laughed as if it was nothing.
“I will believe. Take care of yourself!”
I let go of my worries and hugged Fran.
It was light, as if her big breasts were a lie. Can a dwarf do this? It is certain that our francs are truly empty in their bones.
Tung-! I kicked the window frame and ran outside.
The wind blew briskly. I shouted while holding Fran in one arm.
“Please take good care of the directions, Fran!!”
“Your role is the opposite of what you normally do! Originally, I was the one following Nor!”
Fran laughed happily, wrapped her hand around my neck, and deployed the detection magic.
─Talk. Landing on the floor, I absorbed all the impact with the elasticity of my knees. Ninja dash while cutting through the bush and stepping on the rich trees of the manor.
3 minutes to Atlantis is enough. Fran hugged me and asked.
“So, Nor! What life response should I look for?!”
“Bicon.”
─Whoops! I ran, pulling the heart of Chungwangdaegun.
“Change your appearance and find the hidden bicorn.”
When I lifted the curse of the Age of Gods, it reminded me of someone who was angry with me.
