Chapter 258: Contact
In the distance, a gigantic tentacle oneesan, over a hundred meters tall, slowly drags her mass of tentacles across the continent, steadily moving east.
The Abyss Continent is mostly wilderness, so there’s no immediate danger, but if a city lay in her path, disaster would be inevitable.
Her mere existence is a threat.
「If that thing crossed the sea to the Eura continent, it would be terrifying.」
I shudder thinking what would happen if this crossed the sea as Oracle, supporting me mid-flight, responded from behind.
「That’s its plan, right?」
「Yeah, it seems that way. Kaara’s doing a precise measurement now, but based on Lyle-sensei’s rough calculations, it’s likely.」
Even while floating in the sky, the gigantic tentacle oneesan towered over us as she headed in the direction of the Siren Sea. The Silesie fleet is currently docked at Times Square, undergoing repairs after passing through the Lawrence River to reach the Siren Sea.
Though her course might miss Times Square, there’s still a chance she could be drawn toward the city and launch an attack, so evacuation preparations are already underway. The fleet is set to depart before that happens.
Lyle-sensei had suggested bringing the fleet back to prepare for her possible arrival on the Eura continent. Today, Oracle and I are on this reconnaissance mission.
Kaara was with us, along with Are and a group of Dragon Maids, just in case. And of course, Hydra—the one who boldly claimed she would tame the Great Demon God.
Dressed in her signature beast tamer outfit, a revealing black leather bondage armor that seemed more for fashion than function, Hydra raised her staff high in the air.
「Are you sure about this, Hydra?」
「Leave it to me, King General-sama. Despite how I look, I’m the best beast tamer in the demon realm. No matter how big that thing is, if it’s a beast, I, Hydra, will make it submit. Just promise me—if I succeed, make me a general.」
The dragon knight who had scouted the area had said it would not attack at this distance.
But to tame it, she would have to get much closer.
「If you can actually control that thing, I’ll make you a general—or even queen of the demon realm if you want.」
「Yesss! This is my chance for a big promotion! Watch Hydra’s once-in-a-lifetime taming performance!」
The Great Demon God was a creature of chaos resurrected by the Great Demon King Ifriil. If Hydra could control it, she could rule the world, yet she was content with just becoming a general—an odd mix of ambition and modesty.
Although I found it hard to believe Hydra’s claim that the creature was a demon beast, considering the bizarre nature of a creature of chaos, it wasn’t entirely impossible. Hydra had been one of the Demon King’s close aides, so I decided to trust her for now.
Carried on a platform supported by the Dragon Maids, Hydra slowly approached the face of the Great Demon God.
「Alright, good girl… now stop!」
Hydra called out.
Amazingly, the massive being halted its march. Slowly, it turned its gaze toward Hydra, and one of its tentacles, about the size of a human, reached out as if probing her.
「Good girl. Now, come under my control.」
Hydra placed her staff against the tip of the tentacle.
「Your name is Medusa.」
The Great Demon God—the gigantic tentacle oneesan—smiled.
Incredible. Could she have really tamed it?
「Oh, so Hydra was right after all. Is this thing really a demon beast…?」
Just as I muttered those words, Hydra was suddenly engulfed by one of the slimy tentacles.
「Gyaaaah!」
In an instant, Hydra was swallowed whole by the writhing tentacles.
The tentacles lashed out wildly, attacking even the Dragon Maids, but with their sharp claws, they managed to slash through the tentacles and escape.
「Of course, it didn’t work!」
I exclaimed in frustration.
Oracle, still holding me in midair, responded with her usual carefree tone.
「Maybe the Great Demon God didn’t like the name she gave it?」
「This isn’t the time to be making jokes! Hydra just got eaten!」
「But we did learn one thing—at least it responds when you call it. Besides, she was just some random beast tamer we couldn’t even trust as an ally, right? So, getting eaten isn’t that big of a deal, is it?」
Well, she wasn’t completely wrong… but still.
「No, I can’t just leave her like that.」
Hydra had fought for us and proven her worth with her beast-taming abilities. I couldn’t just abandon her now.
「Takeru, you’re as soft as ever. But that’s what makes you you. So, what’s the plan?」
「I’m sorry, Oracle, but I need you to fly just as I say. I’m going to cut through that tentacle with the Neutral Sword!」
Luckily, or maybe not so luckily, the tentacle was coiled tightly around Hydra, making it easy to target. If I could sever it from the middle, I might be able to free her.
I extended the Neutral Sword to its full length and, with all my might, sliced through the tentacle that held Hydra.
「Did I get it… Nuagh!」
The cut was clean. The severed tentacle fell away, and Hydra should have been freed.
But then, from the cut surface, new tentacles sprouted and swiftly entangled us. I didn’t see this coming. At this rate, we’d be next on the menu.
「Oracle, leave me and get out of here!」
「No way! I’ll blast through with my magic!」
Oracle unleashed shockwaves, but it wasn’t enough. The tentacles closed in from every direction…
※※※
「Huh…? Where are we? Oracle, wake up!」
「Mmm… Areh?」
We were lying sprawled out in a vast, empty space.
The walls were made of earth, like we were inside a cave.
「I remember getting swallowed by the tentacles, but… is this inside tentacle oneesan?」
「Are we… inside the Great Demon God-sama herself?」
A voice echoed through the space, followed by a soft laugh.
「Fufufu. Yes, that’s right. I should say welcome.」
Out of the earth, a head emerged—it was none other than the Great Demon King Ifriil.
「Ifriil… You’re alive?」
「No, I am not.」
Without hesitation, I struck his head with the Neutral Sword. It split cleanly in two, but Ifriil’s mouth continued speaking.
「Monster…」
「I told you, our deaths are only temporary. All returns to the source, the Mother of Chaos.」
So, Lyle-sensei was right after all.
This Great Demon God… is being controlled by Ifriil.
「You plan to use the power of this resurrected Great Demon God to defeat Asama, don’t you?」
「Great Demon God? A fitting name. But know this—all of us, including myself, are merely parts of the great Chaos. Can you not hear it, hero of Asama? The voices of despair.」
Suddenly, the walls around us were filled with countless faces of demons, their expressions twisted in agony.
A chilling sight. The suffering etched into their faces was palpable.
「Are you… controlling the Great Demon God?」
「Indeed. The grief and hatred of the seven million who perished in this war now fuel the Great Demon God. With all of this power, we will crush your goddess Asama.」
「Like hell you will. Oracle, let’s go!」
「Aye, let’s go!」
I ran through the earthen corridor, my mind racing.
The Great Demon King Ifriil had said he was merely a part of something greater.
If that was true, then the will that sought to destroy the world wasn’t the only force here. The will that had granted me the Neutral Sword to save the world must also be present.
「Don’t think you can meddle in matters beyond your reach.」
The ground surged up, forming once again into the shape of Ifriil. His hands ignited with dark flames, brandishing the Black Sword as he slashed at me.
「Stay out of my way, Ifriil!」
Our swords clashed, and for a moment, we were evenly matched. The power of the Imagination Sword was rooted in willpower.
And I would not lose to him.
A strange surge of strength flowed through me as if something deep inside had awakened.
「I could say the same to you. Meddling in things beyond your grasp.」
Our powers collided, crackling in the air between us. Ifriil’s strength was immense as ever, but I could sense his desperation now, clear as day.
Perhaps this meant I had found a way to turn the tide. Yes, that had to be it.
If Ifriil could control the Mother of Chaos, then surely my prayers, blessed as I was, could reach her as well.
「You seem to be running out of options, Ifriil. Are you afraid I might start acting on my own?」
「Hmph… I tried to pull you into the will of Chaos, thinking you’d be a useful tool, but it seems your power is more trouble than it’s worth. I no longer need to assimilate you.」
「Ifriil, I’ve told you before: the will of the Mother of Chaos is not what you think it is! Tentacle oneesan never wanted to destroy the world!」
「Your naive thinking is what has twisted this world so far. I will allow no more interference from an outsider. You will be eliminated before you can spread any more of your foolish ideals to the Mother of Chaos!」
As Ifriil spoke, a gaping hole opened beneath our feet.
「Oracle!」
「I can’t fly here!」
We were sucked into the dark abyss, falling helplessly. The last thing I heard was Ifriil’s mocking voice.
「The world’s end is near. Watch helplessly from afar as it crumbles!」
The darkness swallowed us, and our consciousness faded.
So close, but just out of reach. Still… next time, I wouldn’t fail.
※※※
When I came to, I was sprawled out on the ground, surrounded by the Dragon Maids.
「Are you alright, hero?」
「Ugh… What about Hydra? Is she safe?」
Beside me, Oracle lay on the ground, stirring. Hydra was nearby, unconscious and covered in slimy residue, but she appeared to be unharmed.
「Hydra was saved thanks to you cutting through the tentacles. You and Oracle were also spat out by the tentacles.」
It seemed they had caught Hydra as she fell and rescued her.
「Thanks… So, you picked us up too?」
「Yes, but there’s nothing we could do about the Great Demon God. What should we do now?」
「Let’s be thankful that everyone made it out alive. The measurements are complete, so let’s head back to the ship for now.」
As if ignoring our very existence, the gigantic tentacle oneesan continued to move eastward at a slow but steady pace.
I now understood our enemy’s plan.
When the Great Demon God reaches Asama’s main body on the Eura Continent, the world will end.
But I won’t let that happen.
No matter what, I’ll stop her before she gets there.