Chapter 109 - Chapter 109: Bonbon is Bonbon
Pressure was being applied to the movie we were making by the film industry.
Since we were encroaching on vested interests, it had turned into a situation where they were saying, "Let's give them a piece of our minds, hey!"
I had thought this would come.
"I tried to get through it with 'It's an amateur independent film! Hehe, sorry!' but it didn't work."
Pressure began to be applied in various places.
As a last resort, I contacted the Princess's older sister -- Kako -- and got the Yaegashi Group to become sponsors.
If a conglomerate that controls both the front and back sides sponsors a film, causing trouble for it would be a disaster.
-- And so, the pressure from various places disappeared.
It really is so straightforward, isn't it?
That director or whatever might be grinding his teeth, but I don't know about that.
Even if they resorted to violence, they couldn't possibly match us high-level adventurers with violence.
Rather, I'd like them to come to the Special District, but they're surely not that foolish.
The final shooting began.
When the director sitting on the folding chair gave the signal, a clapperboard snapped.
"Action!"
Once we passed through the dungeon, an unexpected scene unfolded before us.
In stark contrast to the dim cave-like passage, a magnificent castle loomed before our eyes.
The walls were as pitch black as obsidian, yet possessed a smooth luster like a beauty's skin, reflecting even the slightest light and shining eerily.
Well, it wasn't a real dungeon, but a partition made in a warehouse.
A vast hall stretched out in the back, and the ceiling was surprisingly high.
Countless magical candelabras floated in the air, emitting a pale blue light, and in the center of the hall lay a crimson carpet.
At its edge, solemn patterns woven with silver thread were embroidered.
Turning my gaze further back, a throne sat upon a platform several steps higher.
The throne, made of pitch-black stone, seemed to symbolize the dignity of whoever sat upon it.
Sitting on the throne was the Princess, playing the role of the Demon King, clad in ominous black equipment.
She proudly displayed her well-toned beautiful body, crossed her white legs, and sat on the throne with a fearless smile.
"You have made it this far, you foolish one!"
Looking down was Kaorulko, dressed in a black dress, playing the role of the Demon General.
"Oh~! As expected, the impact is amazing. Could you really be a Demon General?"
"Hehehe, that might be true~"
Laughing next to me while watching was Sana.
"If the Princess and Kaorulko actually became enemies, it wouldn't be a joke?"
"It's fine. I have Daisuke-san."
Facing the Demon King and the Demon General was the protagonist Iroha, clad in silver armor and holding a greatsword.
She was using her usual equipment with a little decoration added.
Behind her stood the heroine elf holding a golden staff.
That staff was an imitation for filming.
Of course, the elf role was played by Eito.
Equipped with the Breast-Curtain Dress obtained during the Lich battle, he showed his legs through the slit.
Well, since he is a man, it doesn't look like a Breast-Curtain Dress.
"Cut..."
The director stood up to end the shooting of this scene and move to the next one -- but.
At that moment, a loud noise was heard from the warehouse ceiling.
Following that, a hole opened in the ceiling with an explosion, and debris rained down.
The debris and dust shone, illuminated by the light coming in diagonally from the destroyed ceiling.
Seeing the rope hanging down from the hole, I had a sudden intuition.
"Enemies! Everyone run!"
The soldiers coming down from above holding guns looked like enemies at a glance.
They were wearing gray urban camouflage equipment and what looked like bulletproof jackets.
The Self-Defense Forces wouldn't break through the ceiling to rush in, right?
Probably, the target is me.
No way they would attack such a place --.
While regretting that I had dragged everyone in, I summoned a large rock from the Item Box.
"Those who are left, hide behind the rocks!"
In the hands of the soldiers sliding down the rope without hesitation was a cold steel gun.
With a sharp flash, gunfire erupted.
The roar tearing through the air echoed inside the room, and the smell of gunpowder filled the air.
The fired bullets flew in a straight line, accelerating as if trying to pierce me.
"Holy Shield [Protection]!"
A transparent wall manifested by Sana's chant repelled the enemy's malice.
"^$$%!!"
The enemies seemed surprised by Sana's magic.
Probably, they thought magic couldn't be used if they attacked here.
It must have been completely unexpected.
"Here I go!"
I threw a stone taken out of the Item Box at the enemy.
The pebble flew along the white curve visible in the air.
"^$$!"
Upon hitting the enemy, they were suspended in mid-air.
I didn't know if they were dead or unconscious, but these terrorists attacked us here.
Even if they were dead, it couldn't be helped.
While dodging attacks, I repeated the throwing.
"Gyaaaaaaa!"
Eito's scream could be heard.
It's noisy.
"Don't hug me in the confusion!"
Looking at the direction of the scream, it seemed Eito was hugging Iroha.
"Eito! If you're a man, endure it!"
"That's emotional abuse, emotional abuse! I'm scared, I'm scared!"
"Don't hug me!"
Gunfire assaulted the rock where the two were hiding, and rock fragments scattered.
"Gyaaaah!"
Amidst Eito's screams, a dry sound echoed on the floor, and a round metal mass rolled over.
"!"
Seeing its true identity, the blood drained from my face.
"Store it!"
I hurriedly stored the round metal mass -- but probably, it was a grenade.
"Damn! That was dangerous!"
Outside the Special District, attacks like this happen normally.
"Hey! Get away!"
"No way! If I die, I'll die with Iroha-san!"
"Such bad luck!"
Iroha and Eito were still screaming.
The Princess and Kako were hiding behind the rocks, staying still.
This isn't a dungeon.
The enemy has heavy weapons, so we can't do much.
Besides, the Princess and the others are in filming costumes.
Since they aren't drop item equipment, their defense is low and it's too dangerous.
Enemy soldiers landed on the floor and started full-scale gunfire -- but at that time, the warehouse door opened.
A flash ran through the gap in the door.
I thought it was enemy reinforcements, but it seemed to be the Self-Defense Forces' Special Forces.
Now it became a firefight between the enemies and the Self-Defense Forces.
"You're late! Weren't you supposed to be my bodyguards!"
The terrorists started a firefight with the Special Forces, hiding behind sets and luggage.
"Here I go!"
We also launched an attack.
The stones I threw attacked the enemies at hundreds of kilometers per hour.
Hitting a soldier who stuck his head out, the helmet flew off, and red things scattered.
It's a big mistake to think we won't do anything.
If I were a bit closer, I'd drop a big rock on their heads.
Maybe my attack methods have also been collected as information.
When I get close to them -- attacks like this come.
Maybe we're sharing the way of fighting in that sense.
"Sana! Throw in some attack magic too. A normal Light Bullet is fine."
"Yes! Light Bullet --!"
Blue light began to dance around her -- but.
Deep inside the warehouse, a bell-like shrill sound suddenly rang out.
Although it should have been clear, the sound carried an ominous resonance, shaking the space like metal rubbing against metal.
I didn't know where the sound came from -- but in that instant, the air inside the warehouse changed completely.
"Hey! What is this?! Sana! Stop the magic!"
"Y-yes."
The blue particles she had gathered dispersed into mist.
The enemies who were firing guns also stopped their attacks due to the strange atmosphere.
Humans freeze when suddenly caught up in something incomprehensible.
Especially when it comes to supernatural phenomena beyond understanding.
"Darling! Is this a spawn?!"
At my voice, Iroha, who was hiding behind the rock, also reacted.
"Uwaaa! It's no good anymore!!"
Eito was still hugging Iroha.
A heavy atmosphere spread slowly.
As if something invisible was trying to dominate this place, the space began to warp slowly.
The sets made inside the warehouse creaked unnaturally, and the luggage piled carelessly where the cameras couldn't see swayed slightly.
The lighting flickered weakly, and shadows stretched out abnormally long.
While the sound continued, a change occurred at the edge of my vision.
The walls, the floor, everything wavered as if melting, and gradually the contours of reality began to collapse.
Something was manifesting from the center of that "warp".
From the twisted end of space, a black mist-like substance oozed out and slowly spread.
Something huge seemed to be appearing within it.
"Woooo!" "Waaaa!!"
Screams also echoed from the enemies.
"Damn! What is this!"
The staff had run away -- but.
Amazingly! The director was picking up the camera thrown by the cameraman and continuing to shoot.
"Huh?! Wait, Director-san!"
"It's fine about me!"
"Ehhh?!"
While such things were happening, a dumpling-like lump of flesh appeared from the crack in the darkness.
"What is this!?"
Iroha shouted, but I was about to say the same thing.
It was a monster I had never seen before either.
'Deefufff...'
With a creepy laugh, a human face appeared on the lump of flesh.
That face... I've seen it somewhere...
The lump of flesh smiled thinly, looking down at us as if the outcome was decided from the start.
Cold light resided in its red eyes, and confidence and contempt seeped out.
The corners of its mouth curled up slightly, and even that smile seemed part of a provocation.
A gaze that seemed to enjoy our reaction pierced through, planting a feeling of discomfort with no escape.
"Sakurako-sama! That is!?"
"Yes!"
Kaorulko and the Princess also seemed to recognize that face.
"Nnn~ As expected, a fragrant scent~. As that woman said, if I follow this scent, I could meet you."
The monster's licking gaze turned toward the Princess.
"That woman -- is that woman from the Labyrinth Cult?!"
"See! Daisuke-san! You heard that they followed the scent of Cherry Princess-san, right?!"
Sana pointed at the Princess.
"Huh? No... that -- more importantly! You are -- that Bonbon official, aren't you!"
That's right -- the clueless young master who caused so much trouble during the restoration work of the Dungeon Railway and went missing.
'Gigigi!'
The ugly face distorted, grinding its teeth.
"Did you stop being human and become a round Bonbon-like monster?! Bonbon is Bonbon, right?!"
'U, quiet!! A gentleman like me -- an old man crawling on the ground like a bug! Dieeeeeeee!!!'
The monster's mouth glowed, and something seemed about to be fired -- at that time --.
"Uwaaa!" "Hii!" "$%Y!!"
The soldiers who had been firing guns at us started shooting at the monster.
After all, the target was huge.
It looked like all the fired bullets hit the lump of flesh...
Holes opened in the monster's skin, and black liquid scattered.
'Ideeeeyooooo!!'
What was about to be fired from that guy's mouth attacked the soldiers.
"Gyaaaaah!" "^%$Ugiiiiii!" "%^&%!!"
Green sticky stuff was spat out, and when the enemy soldiers were enveloped by it, a change occurred.
Gradually, humans began to melt into a gooey mess.
Acid -- or perhaps some fantasy substance like a curse.
"Sana! It's better not to look!"
"I'm fine!"
She has become quite strong too.
Now she is one of the highest-level adventurers, and that must be giving her confidence.
While watching, the terrorist holding a gun became a lump of something along with the gun.
Does it even melt iron?
Even just acid wouldn't melt it in such a short time.
For now, the terrorists were neutralized, but a troublesome enemy remained.
'Buhihihi!'
The monster's eyes shone lecherously.
This time, it must be an attack on us -- no, on me personally.
"Everyone, get away from me!"
"Holy Shield [Protection]!"
The transparent wall created by Sana's magic deflected the monster's attack.
The dripping slime caused the floor and the rock I had thrown to begin melting.
This is bad.
"You guys! That's cheating! Magic shouldn't be usable here!"
I don't know what, but the monster seems furious.
It also looks like it's flailing its limbs, but it's short so I don't understand well.
"You used magic too, didn't you!"
'My magic isn't magic!'
"A, ah! Daisuke-san, it smells strange..."
"Now that you mention it..."
"Eeeee!"
Iroha was about to vomit from the foul odor.
"!!"
The Princess and Kako also covered their mouths and stopped just in time.
"Is this your vomit?!"
'A gentleman like me wouldn't produce such a thing!'
That's what he says, but it looks like vomit no matter how you look at it.
"Gyaaaa! Help meeeeee!"
"Get a grip!"
"Gya!"
Fed up with Eito hugging him, Iroha seemed to have punched him hard.
"This! Vomit monster!!"
Shaking off Eito, an angry Iroha jumped out from behind the rock.
"Hey, Iroha, stop!"
In a dungeon, Eito has support magic, but here he can't use his magic either.
Before I could stop her, she kicked the ground and closed the distance in an instant.
Muscles tensed, and she charged with a speed that made the air tremble.
Dodging the vomit attack by a hair's breadth, she swung the sword from bottom to top with explosive force, jumping up.
The steel blade tore through the air, slicing the monster's belly, and dark liquid spurted out from the rift again.
This time, too, it was a terrible smell.
Isn't this thing rotting while still alive?
Or has it become undead?
If it's undead, Sana's Turn Undead should work...
"Gyaaaa! I-it hurts!!"
Sana's magic struck a blow there.
"Compressed Light Bullet! Strike my enemy! [Magic Missile]"
A flash gushed forth, and the magic she chanted was unleashed.
Along with a thunderous roar, a scorching energy bullet rushed straight toward the monster.
It hit the monster's huge body directly, and an explosive shockwave shook the warehouse walls and the half-destroyed ceiling.
The monster's thick outer shell was cruelly torn apart, and a huge hole gaped open on the side, with dark bodily fluids scattering in all directions.
Organs and bones hidden inside the black body were cruelly exploded, falling to the ground and flowing along the floor as if pulled by gravity.
'Gyoeeeeee! My insides! I won't forgive you!!!!'
The flesh at the spot where the huge hole opened swelled up and repaired itself before our eyes.
This guy -- is he the same type as the Chimera made of the Dancing Darkness gang we encountered before?
If so, probably, unless the Magic Stone inside is destroyed, it will keep regenerating.
After returning from the attack, Iroha hid behind the original rock.
"Can't we pursue them?!"
I took out a sword from the Item Box.
I wanted to use this guy's Namu Thunder, but here only Sana can use magic besides me.
No, before that, I have to deal with that regeneration ability.
While I was thinking about what to do, the guy's body was regenerating with a creepy sound.
As I was thinking, "Let's go all in --" --.
Suddenly, a terrible explosion roared inside the warehouse.
The shockwave shook the walls, and the ceiling beams creaked.
The explosion fire tore through the darkness in an instant, and a dazzling flash scorched the surroundings.
Smoke filled the area in a blink, and the sharp smell of burnt gunpowder hit my nostrils.
Scattered flesh pieces were slammed against the walls and floor, and white smoke danced in the air as pink mist.
Slippery organs tangled with wooden crates and metal shelves, and a raw smell and the scent of blood like iron rose from there.
The fat of the burnt flesh sizzled and popped, mixing with a pungent irritating odor, stirring up a disgust that rose from the depths of the stomach.
"W-what is this!?"
Probably, it's modern weaponry.
Since this isn't a dungeon, normal heavy weapons can be used.
"Niwa-san! Are you okay?!"
A voice came from behind the smoke.
Probably, it's the Self-Defense Forces' Special Forces.
This attack was probably done by them with a rocket or something.
"Idiot! If we weren't adventurers, we would have died!"
They probably knew we were high-level adventurers and went for a rocket attack from close range -- but it's too reckless.
'Grogelogororo! Come on~! Come on on!!'
From behind the dust, the enemy's death throes could be heard.
"Hey! Darling, that guy is still alive?!"
Iroha's voice came from inside the smoke.
"Probably, unless you destroy the Magic Stone inside, it will regenerate again!"
"Damn! Should we do it again?!"
"Wait, wait!"
As the filling smoke cleared, the enemy's condition gradually became clear.
The lump of flesh had a huge hole from the rocket, and something black could be seen among the collapsed organs.
"It's a Magic Stone!"
The Princess's voice could be heard.
Is she safe?
Hearing the Princess's voice, I felt relieved, and took out a fist-sized Magic Stone from the Item Box.
Inside the black stone, blue light flickered, indicating that magic power was contained within.
I had been imbuing it with magic power whenever I had time to use it as a weapon.
Gripping the stone tightly, I raised my leg high to vertical.
"Oryaaaaaa! Major League Ball No. 1!"
All the muscles in my body tensed, and the power poured into my fingertips was transmitted to the black stone.
Swinging my arm wide and throwing it with all my might, the stone flew in a straight line, emitting a roar as if tearing the air.
Containing the power of the dungeon, the pitch-black mass like obsidian glowing with blue light accurately captured the enemy's weakness and rushed forward like a storm.
The stone flying while rotating at such high speed drew a sharp curved trajectory.
"Did you shoot a natural curve?!"
Since I put in so much power, the stone's course seemed to have curved.
A momentary regret flashed through my mind, but the target was too big.
It didn't hit dead center, but it struck the monster's Magic Stone directly.
The moment the power collided at one point, a fierce shockwave exploded.
A dazzling light spread like an explosion, and a flash that burned the eyes enveloped the surroundings.
The shockwave shook the space, and silence as if time had stopped --.
"Good! Sana!"
"--Eh?!"
I held my sword and hugged her from behind.
"Hold the sword with me."
"Y-yes!"
Here, this sword's magic can't be used, but if I use Sana's body as a medium, maybe it can be used?
I can feel the magic power being absorbed into the sword.
This might work!
"Namu Thunder!!!"
The sword held by the two trembled, and a flash gushed from the tip.
In the next instant, along with a thunderous roar, dazzling lightning was released from the sword tip.
The pale white electric light tore through the space, burning the air and creating ozone, and the surrounding space warped due to the aftereffects of the lightning strike.
When the lightning touched the monster's skin, which was already collapsing, a terrible explosion rang out.
Flesh burst, and pale blue sparks scattered in all directions.
Lightning wrapped around the monster's body like bonds, and every time the flash of electricity pulsed, a roar of agony echoed.
Soon, the smell of burnt flesh drifted, and the monster's body collapsed while convulsing.
Sudden silence visited, but perhaps because of the loud noise, my ears wouldn't stop ringing.
The enemy was completely silent.
It probably won't revive anymore.
"Everyone, are you okay?!"
"...Yeah! Haa~ We're saved..."
A voice of relief could be heard from Iroha.
"What about the Princess and Kako?"
"...""We're fine."
I couldn't hear the Princess's voice, but when I glanced over, she seemed to be fine.
Around us, nothing was moving... something was moving.
Looking, the director holding a camera had fainted.
He was lucky to be safe.
And anyway, it was a mess.
"Niwa-san!"
Looking toward the door, the Self-Defense Forces' Special Forces were peeking out from the half-destroyed shutter.
"I'm fine! It seems the enemy is defeated."
"Daisuke-san!"
Sana hugged me.
"Phew, I was saved by Sana again this time..."
"If it's for Daisuke-san, it's fine!"
'Gigigigigi!'
The Princess's teeth grinding could be heard.
Anyway -- I never thought it would turn out like this....
"Why did it turn out like this?"
I looked up, holding my head in the half-destroyed warehouse.