Meanwhile, at the entrance of the cave...



　After Yuki and the others entered the cave, General Barnes and Demeter, the sorcerer Demeter, were waiting outside.
　This was the upper level of the underground ruins of Elysium.
　There is a rock wall in front of them, and the cave of the holy sword has a large opening in front of it.

Elysium' is a huge ruin that continues deep underground.
　Only the upper level has been revealed. We don't know what is underneath. It is said that the Sanctuary Church once escaped into the depths of the underground, but in the end they were wiped out.

In the end, it will take a few more hundred years for this place to be fully understood.

　General Barnes murmured vaguely.
　He's an acquaintance of Princess Iris' mother. Because of that connection, he sometimes helps with work related to the 'Magic Guild'.
　This time is one of them.

''The vast dungeon 'Elysian'. There are passages along the rock walls and countless caves in the walls. That's just the upper level, and we don't even know what's going on in the lower levels. I wonder why the magic civilizations of the past created these things.
Quiet, please. Testing. Mr. Barnes.
Excuse me. I'm a bit bored.

　The old man leaned against the rock wall and yawned.

You know, Master Demeter," he said. I'm told that the ghosts of the priests of the Sanctuary Church who died here wander in Elysian.
'I know, sir. It's just a fact. It is.

　The sorcerer Demeter pounded on the wall of the passage.

'They won't come to the upper levels anyway. The passageway is covered in protective gear. They won't be able to come up from deep underground unless they are summoned.
'Then why were there undead in the Cave of the Holy Sword?
We're looking into it right now.
Are you sure you're okay?
The passageway protection was checked by the officer in charge yesterday. No problem.
'How can you be sure that the undead in the Holy Sword Cave are of a low grade?
I'm sure of it. I have confirmed it by releasing the messenger.
Don't rely on it. There's the example of Kachel-Migen, who was a worshipper of the 'Sanctuary Church'.

　Suddenly, General Barnes picked up the axe he had left up against the wall.

'Besides, this place was an old battlefield. There were quite a few dead. It wouldn't be surprising if some of them were lost.
...what is this? What is this fog?

　The sorcerer Demeter looked around.
　The shallowest area of the giant dungeon, Elysium, that passage.
　There, a faint mist was lingering.

''........oh dear, it looks like we too will have to take the test.
"Please refrain from speaking lightly. General.

　Through the fog, I saw something like a shadow.
　The shadow, which wavered as I tried to focus on it, was...

"...ghosts in the corridor!　No way. The amulet to ward off evil was checked by the officer in charge yesterday...?
I told you. No reliance!

　Dozens of ghosts appeared from behind the fog.

　Ghosts are ghosts that have left their unrequited love for this world.
　They bathe in the cold air just by being touched, and if they are possessed, their spirits are taken away.
　On top of that, they are a troublesome opponent that can only be understood by magic and magical weapons.

''A higher level of undead may have appeared. "Perhaps a higher form of undead has emerged, one powerful enough to override the amulet.
Unbelievable. There can't be any such thing...
The Sanctuary Churches used to fight among themselves in this land. No wonder the ghosts came out!

　General Barnes wields a long-handled axe.
　Barnes is a veteran warrior. The weapons he uses are cloaked in magic.
　The ghosts floating around him are sliced open like thin sheets of paper and then obliterated.

　Meanwhile, the sorcerer Demeter chants "Ancient Magic".

''Leave, ghosts!　Activate!　'Thorns of the Underworld'!

　His fingers drew a crest in the air and the magic of the earth was activated.

　Thud, the surroundings shook.
　From the ground of the underground passage, Ibarra, made of magic power, appeared and entangled the ghosts.
　They were pierced and torn off their spiritual bodies, then dissipated into mist and disappeared.

''At the end of the 'War of the Eight Kings', we should have held a requiem ceremony at the end of the 'War of the Eight Kings', why do they appear now? Why does he show up now!
''Activation is ... slow ............................. A sorcerer.

　The vanishing Ghost murmured.


...the seventh priest...?

　In front of Demeter, who was murmuring, the Ghosts disappeared.
　General Barnes breathes a sigh of relief.

I'm not good at dealing with ghosts," he says. I don't know if it's working or not.
You don't sound like a general in a war.
'Are the trainees safe?　You are sending a messenger, aren't you?
''..............................We have confirmed it. Yuki-Grossaria and Odette-Slay are moving smoothly. Eh.........too soon!　We're already deep in the cave...?　Not even to engage the undead?　How!
Do not be surprised. That's not what the boy does.
''He was also too quick to activate the 'Ancient Magic'.
What's going on with the other team?
'They seem to have chosen a less undead path. As for myself, I like it better this way. Rather than being reckless... no... what the hell!

　The sorcerer Demeter closed her eyes and synchronized her spirit with her messenger.
　Her messenger is a rat made of magic. It's quick, can get in anywhere, and because it's small, it's hard to be seen. It's perfect for exam supervisors.

　Demeter closes her physical vision and switches to the view of the messenger.

　He can see the two trainees running hard. They are Zirvan-Keels and Gaiel-Wolfgang. The taller one would be Zirvan and the shorter one would be Gaiel. They seem to be arguing about something. I hear shouting. Gaiel-Wolfgang is shouting back. And...


　There was a bang, and the errand boy's mouse died.


"...huh?
What's up, Demeter?
My messenger has been killed.
To the undead?
I wouldn't mess it up like that. A rat strengthened with magic power to the extent of a skeleton or a ghost...

　The sorcerer Demeter shook his head and stood up.
　I had a bad feeling.

'We're going into the cave too. I don't know if there's anything unusual going on.'
"Oye!　If there are any casualties in a mere test, my princess will be saddened!

　The sorcerer Demeter and the general Barnes leapt into the cave where the holy sword was hidden.




　Moments earlier, Gilvan, son of the Marquess, and Gaiel, son of the Count.



You're going too fast. You're the bastard son of a baron. What the hell is that thing?

　Girvan-Keels shouted.
　This is the Cave of the Holy Sword.
　They were going as fast as they could on a circuitous path with few undead.

''d*mn I wasn't well informed. I didn't expect the Baron family to have a person like that.''
I was slipping between the skeleton and the ghost. I can't do such a horrible thing. I can't believe it...
That kind of nonsense won't last forever.
Well.....
Yeah. Of course the undead would catch us and leave us stranded. We've played it safe and we've won.
Dear Mr. Girvan.
What's going on? Gaile.
'Why didn't you allow me to take the measure that I was going to throw magic at Yuki-Grossaria to disable her from acting?
That thing your father suggested?
'Yes. With me being disqualified and Yuki-Grossaria being incapacitated, it will be a one-on-one battle between Girvan-sama and Odette Sley. Jirvan-sama would have been able to win enough.
That's not the kind of thing you can do.

　Girvan-Keels patted Gaiel-Wolfgang on the shoulder.

'My purpose is to become a knight of His Highness the Princess and to enhance the name of the Marquis family. There is no point in making you expendable and displeasing His Highness.''
As for the Marquesses of Kielce.
'That's the way I've been educated. You know, to be noble because you look down on others.
The Wolfgang family doesn't have that kind of thinking.

　Gaiel-Wolfgang sighed.

''My family is a 'necromancer' - a family that specializes in magic to control the dead...''
You're not a liability. And that's why you can be useful to me.
Mr. Girvan.
Please. Gaile.

　Girvan-Keels turned to Gaiel and told him.

'With your magic, lead me to victory!
Okay. I will activate my Ancient Magic.
As soon as this was the site of the test, it was pretty much a done deal for us.
Yes. The Marquess of Kyrus has gone behind the scenes to find out where the examination will take place in advance.
I'm gonna be on the lookout. Go ahead.
Yes.

　Gaiel-Wolfgang stopped and began to chant the spell.
　Zirvan-Keels chuckled as he watched.
　This is a victory in information warfare.

　A battle is something that is won from its preparation stage.
　The Marquesses of Kiels followed that lesson and did everything they could to make Zirvan their escort knight.

　Gathering information by bribing servants is one of them.
　Before being briefed by Princess Iris, Zirvan knew the location of the examination.
　He also knew that this place was full of low-grade undead.

''........I have received a transmission of 'Ancient Magic' from my father's acquaintance, which is appropriate for this place. It's the most advanced one and should be used in this huge dungeon, Elysian.......
Oh. Then use your powers to control the undead!
Yes sir.

　Gaiel-Wolfgang begins to draw a crest in the air.

　There are many people who use the undead.
The "Vampires" and the "Immortal King (Rich)" - and sorcerers are one of them.
　A high-ranking sorcerer can control hundreds of undead like limbs.

　That's why the Marquis Keels turned to the Wolfgang family, who had inherited the magic of the 'necromancer'. The eldest son, Gaiel, in particular, despite his young age, is very talented.
　It's as simple as pointing out the undead around him to a rival who is on a different path.

''You can count on him. "You can count on him, Gaiel-Wolfgang. "You can count on him, Gaiel-Wolfgang, and when I'm elected minister or vizier, I'll make him my second in command.

　Girvan-Keels nodded with satisfaction.
　Gaiel finished his chant and is about to activate 'Ancient Magic'.

''Hear me, O dead, hear my voice!　Accept my will and avenge the enemy!

　A thud, there was a sound.

　Skeletons and Ghosts, who had been hovering around Zirvan and Gaiel, started to run towards the other path.

'It's a success. You did it, Gaiel!
...
Now Yuki-Glossaria and Odette Srei are stuck in the middle of this. We've won. Now, let's go to the finish line. Gaiel...!

　Zirvan's voice was cut off.
　This was because Gaiel-Wolfgang, who was in front of him, suddenly grabbed him by the neck with both hands.

''........Gah!　
"Who has awakened me?

　There was a voice.
　A chilling voice that did not belong to Gaiel.

''Who opened the door to the raw world heno door.
"Oh, my....eh....what.....is... ...?
"The Seventh Priest of the Sanctuary Church Rogruel...
The...?

　The moment I heard those words, a throbbing black magic flooded from Gaiel-Wolfgang's body.
　The skeleton begins to tremble, rattling its bones.
　Ghosts hovered in the air and tried to flee at once.
　Some small animal is slammed against the wall and crushed with a becha.

(.........Seiiki.......Kyouka, yi)

　Girvan's eyes widened in fear.
The 'Sanctuary Church' - it is a taboo (taboo) for those who use magic.
　Those who are familiar with history know this. It is also known that there were people who destroyed themselves in this "Elysium" as a result of their investigations. And that it is wandering in the lower levels of Elysium...

...)

　The companion in front of me looks at Zirvan with an expression that doesn't seem human.
If it's a ghost from the 'Sanctuary Church', then it's already not a ghost.
　It's an even higher species, a Wraith, Spectre, or even a Rich.
　If a low-level sorcerer tries to use it as a tool - on the contrary, it will take over the spirit.

''Where are the 'ancient artifacts'..........''
What?

　A tremendous chill came from Gaiel's fingers.
　The moment he felt that, Girvan-Keels let go of his consciousness.

....

　The ghost who called himself the priest murmured in a whisper.
　And then he walked off towards the back of the cave, still haunted by Gaiel-Wolfgang.