Chapter 140 - Chapter 140: Forbidden Curse
I defeated the final boss in Tokyo's dungeon and was flung to another world.
The reason is unknown, but after a while, I realized this world was the one Tetsuo lived in.
If Tetsuo completed his work from the gods and was sent back to his own world, perhaps I got caught up in that as well.
I made various requests of the gods, so I can't complain.
I was at a loss, but the fact that Tetsuo came to Japan means there is a possibility I can return to Japan.
I must find that method. If I absolutely cannot find it, then I will have to accept work from the gods like Tetsuo did and have him send me back to Japan as payment for that work.
That's the only option.
For now, I need a base of operations in this other world, so I decided to stay at Tetsuo's place.
The house he showed me was quite a large mansion.
There seemed to be plenty of room in the rooms, so I felt a bit relieved. It seems he holds a certain status in this city.
I feel bad about it, but necessity knows no law.
When he introduced his family, a tiger-patterned fur wearing a red Chinese dress ran from the doorway and hugged Tetsuo.
"Te-tsu-o~! Welcome back~!"
The voice was a woman's voice.
The figure standing before my eyes looked, for a moment, as if she were wearing tiger fur.
Looking closely, it wasn't fur, but her own body's natural attire covering her.
Her striped fur, shining elegantly under the light, simultaneously conveyed suppleness and strength.
Large ears stood upright on top of her head, twitching and turning around in response to even the slightest movement of air.
The long tail extending from her waist swayed and undulated as if it had its own will, likely reflecting her heart.
"Whoa!"
I thought it was rude, but the sound slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it.
"Daisuke, she's a beastman."
"A b-beastman?"
I thought it was rude again, but I stared at her fur intently.
She is truly covered in fur all over her body.
I am driven by an impulse to stroke her like a cat, but I must endure it.
If I did something like that suddenly, even I know it would be dangerous.
"Nyanya, this is Daisuke. He'll be staying with me for a while, so take care of him."
"Heh~! Tetsuo has friends too?"
"Of course he does. Even beastmen men have acquaintances, right?"
"But bringing a normal human is the first time."
She was staring at me intently.
Her golden, vertically elongated pupils were impressive.
"Wow, so this is a beastman~. Heh~, amazing~."
I looked at her with eyes full of interest, but my words made her ears perk up straight.
"Sir! You understand beastman language?! Are you someone who is completely fine with beastmen?!"
"Eh?!"
Suddenly, cat-like eyes approached, and I was startled.
"Daisuke received the same language blessing as me."
"Yay! That's amazing! Sir! There's a child I want you to take care of, are you interested?!"
"Eh?! Huh?!"
"There's a cute child, but she's struggling to make a living."
According to Tetsuo, beastmen don't have very high intelligence and are bad at calculations.
There seems to be some discrimination against them as well.
This city has many beastmen, so it seems much better than other cities.
"It's fine, Daisuke. You need a woman to take care of your daily life, don't you?"
Judging from his tone, the other party is definitely a woman.
"No, I'm not into that kind of thing... I intend to return to my hometown."
"Well, it's fine until you return. In this world, that's normal, isn't it?"
"I'll go call her!"
The woman left Tetsuo and jumped out onto the street with incredible speed.
"Incredible speed."
"Beastmen aren't very smart, but their power and speed are their strong points."
"Heh~."
"Beastwomen are recommended! They're all good girls."
"But..."
"As they say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do, wa ha ha!"
I intended to do that too, but the cultural difference was so great that I was truly taken aback.
Until the beastwoman returned, I was allowed inside his mansion.
I took off my shoes at the entrance.
"Does this world also require taking off shoes?"
"No, we don't. Only our house."
Well, walking around the house in shoes would get it dirty.
If I stepped on something nasty outside, it would be terrible.
In foreign countries, people wear shoes inside the house too, I wonder how they handle it.
Anyway, I was led to the guest room.
The mansion is wooden, the hallway is wooden, but the upper half is coated with what looks like white plaster.
Stepping into the nearest room, I was first enveloped in the warmth of the wood.
The walls, floor, and ceiling were all made of polished wood, and the grain of the wood, aged by time, absorbed the soft light.
In the center was a low table with a thick top board, surrounded by leather chairs and sofas.
"Wow~."
It feels like fantasy.
Sitting opposite Tetsuo, I heard the sound of someone running down the hallway, and the door opened forcefully.
"Tetsuo!"
A black-haired girl in a blue one-piece dress jumped in and hugged him.
"Roro, there's a guest."
"Oh, hello~."
"I'm Daisuke. Nice to meet you."
"Hehe~."
She sat on Tetsuo's lap, smiling brightly.
Seeing that scene, I remembered Mio.
"Roro, Daisuke and I have something to talk about, so wait upstairs. I bought you a souvenir."
"Umm... okay..."
She reluctantly got off his lap and went out into the hallway, returning to the second floor.
"Sorry about that."
"No, she's energetic and a good kid."
"She's learning manners from Meltina..."
Was that the blonde woman in a bun I met outside?
"Well, it's been a while since you returned, so it's unavoidable."
Just then, a woman entered with drinks.
As expected, she must be Meltina-san.
Tetsuo was talking to her, and it seems about two months have passed since he left.
I spoke with him again.
"You were in the Special District for a longer time, weren't you?"
"It seems I can go there freely. I've been there in the past."
"Seriously...?"
I often hear people say they want to return to their elementary school days, but I can't stand that.
I don't think for a moment that I want to go back to when I was a kid.
While talking to Tetsuo, I sensed someone outside.
When the door opened, the beastwoman from before entered.
Behind her was a pitch-black fur wearing a shabby one-piece dress.
I looked at her feet for a moment; probably, she makes no sound because of her paw pads.
"Sorry to keep you waiting! Sir! This is the one!"
"..."
The introduced woman seemed a bit shy, hiding behind a red Chinese dress.
I stood up and reached out my hand.
"I'm Daisuke."
She reacted with a start to my outstretched hand, but slowly came forward.
"N-Ninya."
"Ninya, nice to meet you."
The fur spreading before my eyes had a softness that seemed to hold faint light.
Just looking at it made my fingertips tingle.
As I approached, I could see that each strand of fur was thin, supple, and fluffy.
Before I knew it, I reached out, and the moment my fingertips touched, there was an incredibly light yet definite warmth.
Every time I stroked it, the fur sank softly and then slowly returned.
With that sensation, I remembered the black cat I saved in the Special District.
No, she is cat-like, but she is not a cat; she is a human of this world.
I understand that, but due to the touch being so good, I kept stroking her.
At first, she was timid, but soon a loud purring sound could be heard.
Is this the same as a cat's throat purring?
------◇◇◇------
And so, my cohabitation life with the beastwoman Ninya began, staying at Tetsuo's mansion.
Life with her was wonderful, but I have no intention of burying my bones in this other world.
I must return to Japan where the Princess and Sana are waiting.
I am not the only one who came to this other world this time.
There is also that woman from the Labyrinth Cult who was thrown into Tetsuo's black hole.
She was forcibly made a follower of Izal, so she could not disobey Tetsuo's orders and is imprisoned in this mansion.
I thought for a moment that it was a bit pitiful, but considering what that woman did, it can't be helped.
She is a Saintess of another god and possesses immense power.
I couldn't just leave her alone, so under Tetsuo's management, her power was put to use to help people.
I, who am trying to return to Japan, cannot interfere.
I suppose I have to leave it to him.
Actually, there was another person imprisoned in the mansion, but I can't say anything about that from me.
It's not something an outsider like me can interfere with.
I'll make no comment.
"Well then."
Anyway, my plan to return to Japan began.
I have the funds for it properly.
The Golden Dragon I defeated in the dungeon.
I split it with Tetsuo, but just selling a part of it would earn enough money to live a life of leisure forever.
Well, it would probably fetch more money if I sold it in my original world rather than here.
So I sold just a tiny bit.
With that money as a base, the first thing I thought of was: since I came to this world by clearing a dungeon, maybe I can return to my original world by clearing a dungeon again?
Thinking that, I went around clearing famous dungeons in this world, but the result was a wasted trip.
Well, since I can use the Item Box, I collected a massive amount of dungeon materials, so I didn't struggle to live.
When setting out to clear dungeons, I gave Ninya enough money.
Maybe I wouldn't be able to return to the mansion anymore.
She didn't accept it, so I entrusted the money to Tetsuo's women.
If I don't return, the arrangement is for them to give it to Ninya.
Parallel to clearing dungeons, I also put effort into collecting magic technology from this other world.
This world is where magic culture blooms; it is the home of magic.
There are countless archmages, and research has progressed over thousands of years.
In the city where I live, there is an organization called the "Tower of Magic" where high-ranking archmages gather.
The woman in charge of the organization is an acquaintance of Tetsuo.
I begged her and got copies of valuable grimoires.
I didn't even need to make copies; my Item Box has a camera inside.
I just need to take photos with it.
While collecting a massive amount of magic materials, I also worked hard on clearing dungeons, but...
No results.
"Daisuke!"
When I returned to the mansion after failing to return to Japan, Ninya hugged me.
Even in this other world without the internet or technology, life with her brought richness.
"Ha ha ha! Daisuke, you're back!"
As I hugged Ninya, Tetsuo came laughing.
"This time was no good either."
"Well, since you came by the gods' whim, maybe you can't return unless the gods have another whim."
"Umm, so that's how it is...?"
"Besides, the plan was to become an Apostle. Unless you work for Izal to some extent, they might not let you go."
"I'm beaten..."
Ninya was happy with Tetsuo's words, but I was troubled.
------◇◇◇------
Continuing such a life, about two years passed.
There were fewer dungeons left to clear, and one day, as I was wondering what to do next.
The inside of the mansion was filled with the quiet afternoon air, but...
At the moment I suddenly felt the wind flow change, a murmur like ripples rushed in from outside.
The sound of footsteps and the mixed presence of low voices heard through the window were different in quality from the daily murmur.
It contained a sense of ill omen, making the depths of my chest tremble slightly.
"...Daisuke, something is strange."
Ninya sensed that first with sensitivity.
Her ears were constantly turning, and her golden eyes were trembling with anxiety.
She approached hesitantly for one step—then suddenly jumped into my chest.
The moment her small shoulders touched, her body temperature and slight trembling were transmitted to me.
Her slender fingers gripping my clothes showed her fear of the outside presence directly.
"...Scary."
"It's okay. I'm by your side."
When I said that, Ninya lowered her ears and, burying her face in my chest, nodded weakly.
That gesture was somehow childish, and I couldn't help but protect her.
As I waited for the outside presence, I heard the sound of someone running down the hallway.
This running style was Tetsuo.
"Is Daisuke here?!"
The door opened suddenly.
"Something feels noisy outside?"
"It's a disaster!"
"A disaster?!"
Ninya, still hugging me, heard Tetsuo's words and stiffened her body.
"It's seriously a disaster!"
Listening to his story—it seems a massive horde of undead is approaching the city.
Already, archmages, city warriors, and swordsmen are deploying for defense.
They won't work without pay, but if the undead trample the city, they will lose their homes.
"I'll help too!"
"That would be a help!"
Tetsuo summoned Shazam inside the room, and I jumped onto it.
"Daisuke!"
"Ninya! Run to the forest with Nyanya and Roro! I've already talked to the elves!"
Tetsuo pointed toward the forest located away from the city.
He has connections with the elves as well.
Truly, he has a wide network.
A black carpet carrying two men jumped out of the window and danced in the sky.
Although magic is developed in this world, few have means to fly in the sky.
Leaning on Shazam, which was flying gently in the sky, I looked up, and the sky was covered with thick clouds, blocking the sunlight.
Is this also an effect of magic?
The moment I dropped my gaze to the ground below, the depths of my chest trembled.
Far below—the thick city walls surrounding the city.
On the outside, a horde like melted darkness was writhing like an endless tide.
It was the horde of the undead.
From the opposite side of the city, a long line of people fleeing had formed.
"This is—indeed a massive horde!"
"According to Misra, there is a fool who used a Forbidden Curse."
Misra is the woman in charge of the "Tower of Magic" who I also received help from.
"A Forbidden Curse?!"
"Yes."
"Who would use such a thing—exactly who?!"
"Probably, or rather, undoubtedly, it's the nobles of the Anti-Izal faction."
Originally, this world worshipped a different god, and Izal was persecuted.
Tetsuo overturned that all by himself.
"It's the work of those who are not pleased that the Izal god became the main one."
"Really~, it's such a troublesome thing. But probably, those who used the Forbidden Curse are also turning into undead, ha ha ha!"
Well, karma.
You can't get away with using something like that.
Otherwise, it wouldn't be called a Forbidden Curse.
"So... if we get through this, the Anti-Izal faction will be eliminated..."
"That's right. With this pace, the Imperial Capital might be in big trouble, so the royal family will be furious."
Staring at the black wave—skeleton soldiers that couldn't maintain their shape and were about to collapse crawled forward with high-pitched creaking sounds.
Flesh-stripped corpse soldiers staggered like puppets with cut strings, but they were advancing steadily forward.
Even from a distance, the pale blue light burning deep in their eye sockets was chillingly cold, and as the number increased, the whole horde seemed to take on a creepy glow.
The horde was a wave that did not know how to stop.
Pushing forward in one direction, following only instinct, overlapping, collapsing, and standing up again.
Spreading out as if painting the ground black, the density thickened as they swirled just before hitting the city walls.
Staring at the undulation of the black wave—the center suddenly swelled up.
In the next instant, a shockwave that struck the eardrums tore through the air.
Spreading black smoke, the horde of undead was torn apart, and bone fragments and rotting flesh scattered everywhere.
The shockwave ran across the ground like ripples, and the skeleton soldiers blown away shattered into pieces in the air.
Warriors, swordsmen, and beastmen were fighting together; there were few, but there seemed to be lizardmen too.
These beastmen were once the target of discrimination, but in this city, discrimination was also low.
Regarding that, it is said that Tetsuo made great efforts.
The fact that humans, called normal people, and beastmen fight together like this is unique to this city.
Sharp flashes cut through the vision one after another.
Pale blue magic light—was it lightning, or perhaps high-level spiritual arts?
"That is Holy Smite."
"Is it magic that is effective against undead?"
"Yes."
That light fell like a pillar, and the moment it touched, the undead bounced away like stones.
Pale blue afterglow drifted like fog, and the smell of scorched bones rose on the wind, but as soon as the light disappeared, the surrounding darkness immediately began to fill the void.
Twice the number of the fallen welled up from gaps like cracks in the ground, like swamp mud water.
Rotting limbs bent but continued to move forward, stepping on the ground burned by the pale blue light, and approached the city walls again.
The roar of explosions and the flash of magic—this only made the black sea hesitate for a moment.
No matter how powerful the magic was, before the number of darkness surging, the light faded as if swallowed by a sandstorm.
Many against few—that phrase floated into my head whether I wanted it to or not.
It looked as if hope itself was being swallowed by the black wave.
—Eventually, the city walls will be swallowed by this wave.
"Tetsuo, aren't there any archmages or clerics who can use Turn Undead? What about a Saintess?"
"Not right now..."
If Sana's Turn Undead existed, this horde could be handled in one shot...
"What about Shazam?! If she goes full power, can't she handle it?"
"Of course, I'll send her out—but..."
His face was dark.
If the opponent was a giant dragon, Shazam would be active, but...
Against such a petty horde of zombies, it seems a bit disadvantageous.
"Tetsuo, let me down too!"
"I'm sorry to get you involved in this."
"It's nothing. This is all the gods' will, isn't it?"
"Ha ha..."
He smiled weakly.
It's a rare expression, but he probably can't think of a situation where he can win.
According to his story—humans and beastmen hit by the undead also turn into undead.
If that happens, the number will increase endlessly and become uncontrollable.
This horde of the dead is also thought to have swelled up that way and come this far.
It is truly a Forbidden Curse, but if one uses such magic, won't this country be destroyed?
This country is the Empire, but what are the ruling royal family thinking?
No, they might be currently taking measures enthusiastically.
The fact that the dead are pouring into this city means they might be pouring into the Imperial Capital too.
If so, we shouldn't expect reinforcements.
"Come out, Shazam!"
The black hole he opened was just a board, but the moment the darkness there wavered with viscosity, a presence of something being pushed out spread.
"Oooooh!"
Cheers rose from the people fighting around.
The first thick finger to come out—skin as black as coal reflected no light at all, as if it scooped up darkness itself.
When that finger grabbed the edge of the hole, the surrounding air growled low, and the space itself emitted a vibration as if it were creaking.
Next, the shoulder.
Shoulder width carrying a mass of rock blocks incomparable to a human's body forced its way out of the expanded hole.
Black-glistening muscles rippled, and it looked as if the edge of the hole was tearing apart; it was so huge.
The moment the giant's one foot stamped the ground, the earth seemed to sink for a moment, and a tremor ran through.
Dust and small stones were kicked up by the impact, and the stone masonry of the city walls shook with a faint scream.
Each time the other foot followed and fell, its weight became a rumble that shook the surroundings.
"Shazam! Shazam! Shazam!"
The people fighting raised their fists high.
Arms stretched toward the sky here and there, and the city walls shook with the echo of cheers.
The people of this city knew about Shazam.
Of course, they also knew that Tetsuo was Izal's Saint.
I was lowered to the ground and had something I wanted to try.
I took out a sword from the Item Box, charged at the approaching undead, and with one flash—swiped it.
"Store! Store! Store!"
I consecutively stored the undead in the Item Box.
Living things cannot enter the Item Box, but dead undead can be stored just like in the dungeon.
I stored about 30 corpses.
"Alright!"
Kicking the ground, I climbed up Shazam's black body.
Her body is soft, so there are places to grab everywhere, but—I felt like I became an ant.
"Daisuke! What are you going to do?"
"I'll do this! Summon Undead."
The corpses thrown out from the Item Box fell straight down, hitting the ground and shattering into pieces.
It is effective as an attack, but the efficiency is too poor.
"Daisuke, that won't be in time!"
"Damn! Is there any good way..."
"Go! Shazam!"
By Tetsuo's short command, the black giant slowly began to move.
Its obsidian-like skin repelled light, and every time its huge body took a step, the surrounding air rippled as if being crushed by pressure.
The giant's foot fell to the ground—no, it was more correct to say it was slammed down.
With a roar, the ground sank, and the undead there were crushed together.
Rotting flesh and bones were indiscriminately crushed like brittle clay, cracking and collapsing.
Indeed, the undead were being crushed—but the rotting gas trapped inside the crushed dead flesh burst out as if blowing up from the ground, polluting the surrounding air at once.
It wasn't just pungent.
The smell of rotted entrails, the sourness of fermented blood, the raw smell of wet bone marrow—all of these came together as a concentrated mass on the wind, rushing onto the battlefield.
A violent odor as if an invisible turbid current was flowing into the throat at once.
"Ugh...!"
Before anyone could let out a sound, the people fighting reflexively covered their mouths.
Covering with cloth was meaningless.
Even if the nostrils rejected it, the lungs automatically inhaled that stench, and a nausea that dug into the depths of the stomach rose up.
Unable to endure it, people knelt on the spot and scattered the contents of their stomachs.
The sounds of vomiting piled up one after another, and even that mixed with the smell, creating a hellish air.
"...This will rot the land!"
Someone shouted.
Indeed, if this continues, the soil will be polluted, and the well water will be affected.
If rotting bacteria and pathogens spread, another death will strike the city after the battle ends.
"Tetsuo, is this the Forbidden Curse?!"
"Yes..."
I understood the reason for his dark face, but if I stop crushing them, they will avalanche into the city as is.
"Is there any way... God..."
I had never prayed to God in my life, but now I had no choice.
No, I should say I understood the feeling of clinging to God.
"Hey! What is that?!" "Oh?!"
Amidst the confusion spreading all over the city, someone pointed a trembling finger at a single point in the sky.
Looking in that direction, a sphere of white light was floating, as if tearing through the cloudy sky.
It was not dazzling like the sun.
Rather, it was a soft yet sharp whiteness like concentrated moonlight, and looking at it filled the depths of the chest with a holiness that made it tremble quietly.
The surrounding noise receded for a moment.
The light sphere began to pulse slowly, and the light stretched vertically.
As if someone pulled it from above, the sphere became a long, thin pillar and descended straight to the ground.
Its speed was slow, yet there was no hesitation at all.
A quiet determination like a blade of fate that gave no chance to escape.
—The bottom of the light pillar touched the ground.
A silent explosion occurred there.
No roar, no shockwave.
Only the white flash enveloped the surroundings, and waves of light spread.
The undead there had no time to scream; their skin, bones, and clothes all turned into fine white powder as if salt was crumbling.
Their outlines, which were clumps of black miasma, crumbled and dissolved into the wind like snowflakes.
One by one.
Not falling, but disappearing.
The city residents stared at that scene in a daze.
The white light pillar continued to flicker slowly, maintaining a silence as if the world there had changed into a purified place.
"Ha ha... Could it be, God? This is a huge service!"
I heard Tetsuo's mutter—but.
『Daisuke-san!!』
The next thing that reached me was a nostalgic voice I had left far behind in another world.