Entering the swamp of the ungodly, it feels like the presence of monsters has become dense.

　There are monsters such as the frog, the flying fish, the gelatin wall, and the big tortoise.

　They all seem to be strong.

　We are not monster hunters, so we try our best to avoid battles, but some battles are unavoidable.

　After killing some poisonous frogs and gelatin walls, we headed straight for the old castle.
　Along the way, you'll notice that some demons are down.
　There are clearly marks that look like they were cut by a metal weapon.

...... What's this?

　Shortly after Lunamaría asked so, we also find a human corpse, which was dressed in pitch-black vestments.
　She was wearing an all-black vestment.

"...... that vestment.

　It was a vestment that I've seen many times.
　I turned to Anastasia and she nodded in confirmation.

"Those bodies are probably from the Zodiac cult.

"I'm sure Lunamaria would agree.

Yes, unless there is a local fad for pagan costumes. . unless there is a local fad for pagan cosplay.

It doesn't seem likely. --They thought we were coming here, so they got ahead of us.

"It seems very likely,

　And Lunamaría looks at me worriedly.

"You're going to jump into the tiger's mouth, aren't you?

That's it.

　I admit it, but getting here and back was not an option.
　As I announced my decision, the shield in my left hand whistled 'Whew!

"That's what I'm talking about. You look great.

　. and say.
　Lunamaría respects my decision in the end, too.
　Maybe she's given up on the idea that she's not the type to listen to what I have to say.
　Anyway, we're going inside the old castle.

　The old castle of the impure swamp is more solid than I expected. It should be untouched, but it's still clean.

　I heard that magic prevents it from decaying.
　Magic is indeed a useful thing, but this castle was very gloomy instead.
　The atmosphere is as if it could be haunted at any moment.
　In fact, the castle was said to be a den of ghostly monsters.
　As you can see from the word "used to be", the current owner of the castle is a monster-type troll.

It seems that the previous owner's undead were driven out and two trolls took over the castle.

"The ghosts are supposed to be immune to physical attacks.

Probably possesses a weapon with a magic imparted to it.

　And from a distance, "Geez!
　We hear the screams of.
　We brace ourselves.

...... that voice is a pagan.

...... perhaps . . perhaps, but I suspect that the pagans were trying to steal the mirror of truth with their coloring.

You're a fool. It was originally intended to kill Master Will.

　When Anastasia said this, an object came flying out of the darkness ahead with great force.
　It was the corpse of an infidel.
　A corpse with its head bent in a different direction was flying fast!
　It was as if something threw it at us with tremendous force.
　The object was probably a troll with two names.
　This is when Anastasia finally speaks the name of the two-named monster.


"The Troll of the Undying.


　That was his second name.
　It was a simple name, but it was strong.
　Anastasia explains in a sorcerer's tone, "Trolls basically have the ability to 'regenerate'.

"Trolls basically have the ability to 'regenerate'. They can heal instantly from a longsword cut.

"What about immortal trolls?

There are reports of people who were able to heal from having their arms cut off and tied together.

What?

It might raise some eyebrows because no one has ever come out of a fight with that troll unscathed.

Did you let Master Will face such a dangerous monster?

　Lunamaria was furious, but there was no point in being angry now.
　Instead of apologizing, Anastasia let a tree grow out from under her feet and pierced the troll's gut with it.

"Gut them!

　A word that does not suit the beautiful elf, but under the circumstances, it is dependable.
　But the immortal troll lives up to its two names.
　With a grin, he tears the tree with his right hand and pulls the spilled innards back with his own.
　The wound quickly closes up.
　Watching the wound heal as it bubbles, I prepare for a long battle.


　In fact, the battle between us and the immortal trolls became a long one.
　I'll be the vanguard, parrying the troll's club with shield and dagger.
　Meanwhile, Lunamaria assisted me with supportive magic and regained my strength with recovery magic.
　Then Anastasia, the tree hero and court wizard, attacks.

　Giving up on her physical attacks with the tree, she creates a fireball that hits the troll, but whether it hits the head or the belly, it remains unperturbed.

　She could do some damage, but she would recover quickly.
　Thinking that just one was not enough, Anastasia created several fireballs and threw them in rapid succession, but they were still insufficient to deal with the damage.



　--Such a battle lasted for three hours.

...... monster.

　Breathing with both shoulders, I dodge the troll's attack.
　As if on a spinal reflex, I land a dagger strike, but it has no effect.
　If this stalemate continued, we would be defeated.

　We were always in control, but neutralizing any attack would eventually put us at a disadvantage.

　Trolls have unlimited resilience. Meanwhile, our strength and magic were limited.
　What would happen if the two continued to fight was clearer than the fire.

(......) It's not good if we don't do something about it. We have to do something to fix this.

　Anastasia, on the verge of running out of magic, looks at Lunamaria with a sense of sadness in the air.

(...... I'll have to do something here.)

　I put all my strength into my hand holding the dagger and shield.