Chapter 141 - Chapter 140: The Cursed Saintess 2
Mika touched Nerisfeene's hand and attempted to interfere with the curse.
"Absorb Wing" is working without any problems.
Gutsun-gutsun, magic power is being drained by the curse, but the amount of magic power recovered exceeds that.
Clearly, I can absorb more magic power than before.
It is purely a matter of sensation, but I am certain that I can absorb at least double the amount.
However, it seems it won't go as far as hundreds of times.
Is the absorption efficiency lower than my own body? Well, since it will eventually reach full capacity, there is no difference between double or a hundred times.
Whether the operating rate is five percent or one hundred percent, either is fine as long as it covers the consumed magic power.
Mika began to dispel the curse on Nerisfeene.
...? Something strange is mixed in?
How should I put it, I feel something other than the curse interfering with Mika's magic power.
"...U, gu... g..."
At that moment, Nerisfeene groaned and began to suffer.
"Ah, are you okay?"
Mika quickly let go of her hand and spoke to Nerisfeene.
For a while, Nerisfeene squirmed as if in pain.
She did not seem able to move her body as much as writhing, only twitching slightly.
"...Kyuu-ni, itaku... natte..."
"Where does it hurt?"
"...Zenbu..."
Does this mean her whole body hurts?
Well, there is no way it wouldn't hurt with her whole body twisted and crushed like this.
"By the way, why is your body so, um... bent like this?"
I thought it might be inappropriate to tell her directly that she was "crushed" or "twisted," so I wondered if there was a better expression, but... it was useless.
In the end, I decided to stick with the expression "bent."
"...,...Wakara... Nai.... ....Sukoshi, zutsu..."
After a brief pause as if thinking, Nerisfeene answered.
It seems she had been bent little by little over time.
Is it because of the curse? Or is there another cause? ...If we think normally, it must be the influence of the curse.
But there is some factor inside Nerisfeene that I cannot quite understand.
Something other than the curse.
...[Blessing]...?
Before, I considered that both the curse and [Blessing] might be made of the same magic power.
Could it be that what interfered with me was [Blessing]?
Did it judge my magic power as an intruder and interfere... or something like that?
I glance at the black mist.
Sometimes, the black mist is repelled like sparks.
Is [Blessing] resisting the curse...?
It seems [Blessing] is indeed related to the fact that Nerisfeene is still alive even in this state.
Still, there are parts I cannot accept about her surviving for three months without eating anything.
Mika interferes with the curse once more.
He swings "Absorb Wing" around, opposing the curse with overwhelming magic power, and searches for parts where he can interfere.
"...U, ...gu..."
"Sorry. Please endure it for a bit."
"...Waka... Ta..."
Mika searches for places where he can interfere with magic power, but he is bothered by the interference from that "something" other than the curse directed at him.
Moreover, that "something" seems to be interfering with the curse as well, clinging to the curse and making it extremely difficult for Mika to search.
...I can interfere with it itself, but it is being hindered, so I cannot dispel the curse like usual.
It takes a lot of trouble every time.
This is going to take quite a long time.
Mika gives up for now and thinks for a moment.
He looks at Nerisfeene and the attached curse.
...Is this curse related to the "unclean ones" in the Catacombs?
According to Chirensta, the mining area collided with the Catacombs.
At that point, the Catacombs were overflowing with "unclean ones."
The curse erupted, and Nerisfeene became cursed after that.
If the curse and the "unclean ones" are not directly related...
Mika stands up and looks at the stone door of the stone chamber.
The gap to squeeze through is forty to fifty centimeters.
It is a little short.
Mika points his left hand and creates a "Stone Bullet."
Its size is slightly larger than a bowling ball.
He fires that "Stone Bullet" with as much speed as he can imagine.
DOGAH-NNN!!!
A terrible crushing sound and sand dust.
When Mika scatters the sand dust with "Blast," he sees the crushed stone door scattered about.
"Alright. Well, let's go."
Saying that, Mika embraces Nerisfeene with both hands.
Since he is using "Physical Enhancement," the weight is not that heavy, but it is a little awkward to hold.
And, as expected, just holding her drains an enormous amount of magic power.
"...Na... Ni...?"
"It seems to take some trouble, so I will do it in another place."
"......?"
Nerisfeene does not seem to understand the meaning well.
Mika walks steadily toward the Catacombs and the mining area, explaining simply.
"...No-ro-i..., toku...?"
"Yes. I have dispelled many before, so do not worry about that. But it seems it will take quite a while, so I would like to do it in a calmer environment."
Mika decided to dispel Nerisfeene's curse in another place.
He could not bring himself to stay in this stone chamber for several days.
He decided to concentrate on a base that was not popular, hard to be seen by people, but had good access to the town.
Mika went out of the mining area.
Outside was pitch black.
He did not know how many hours he had stayed in the mining area, but it was certainly midnight.
No one was outside, but he noticed the light of a torch approaching.
Since he saw the torchlight swaying greatly, they must have noticed that "someone is at the entrance of the mining area."
Well, since my wings of light are out, they would notice from a distance anyway.
"I think you will be surprised, but it is okay. Well then, let's go. 'Low Gravity', 'Blast'."
While holding Nerisfeene, Mika jumps up into the sky.
He does not know Nerisfeene's weight, but he flies up at once by increasing the output of "Blast" without caring.
Due to the increased absorption amount by "Absorb Wing," he was able to increase the output without any difficulty.
"I think it will not take two hours from here. If anything happens, let me know."
Saying that, Mika flies at once toward the destination.
Air resistance is reduced by the "Blast" deployed around himself, so he does not receive much wind.
"...So... ra, to-be... ru... ...A-po... su-to..."
"Hm? What?"
While flying, he heard Nerisfeene's whisper.
"...Aa..., Ka-mi-ga-mi-yo..."
He does not understand well, but it seems she is praying to God.
Well, she is a Saintess after all.
Mika does not mind and continues flying.
■■■■■■
What they arrived at was the former Zureept's hideout.
It had been about half a year since the last visit.
If "unclean ones" come here, no one else will be troubled... I think.
"There is no one left anymore, surely."
Looking down from the sky at the rock shadow where the hideout was, he checks the situation.
According to Mika's testimony, the Orcosa Viscountcy's guards should have come to investigate the hideout, but surely the investigation is over by now.
The question is whether the hideout can be used.
"I hope they just sealed the entrance."
Mika landed at the entrance of the hideout.
There was no sealing or anything.
"Is it okay with that?"
What if someone else reuses it?
Well, since the location is already known, they might just come to check occasionally.
"Well then, I will use it gratefully."
Mika secures a light source with "Fireball," but extinguishes it immediately.
The wings of light from "Absorb Wing" were brighter than "Fireball."
He enters the cave.
It seems the inside has been completely cleared out.
Nothing was left behind.
"Wait a moment."
Mika puts Nerisfeene down and takes out a blanket from the Magic Bag.
He folds the blanket in two and spreads it on the ground.
Then, he places Nerisfeene on it.
"Well, it is better than nothing, right?"
"...Ari-ga-to-u..."
Mika sits in front of Nerisfeene and takes out food this time.
When leaving the capital, he bought about six portions just in case.
It is a type that lasts a long time, so it is quite hard and not delicious.
Well, it is the kind prepared just in case as an emergency supply.
"Can you eat...?"
Mika speaks to Nerisfeene, but she shakes her head slightly.
Probably meaning "No."
Thinking about it, she has not eaten for a long time.
Even if she eats, she should start with something like bread porridge.
"Are you not thirsty?"
He asks, but it seems she does not need it either.
Really, how is she surviving?
Mika says a word and goes outside.
There, he eats the hard food slowly.
As expected, it was a bit embarrassing to eat openly in front of someone who cannot eat.
Mika tries to eat quickly, but since it is originally difficult to eat, it takes a little time.
"...Haa."
A sigh slips out unintentionally.
As expected, I feel quite exhausted.
Since leaving the capital early in the morning, I have been moving almost non-stop.
Conquering the mining area, exploring the Catacombs, and fighting the Legion.
"As expected, I might be at my limit..."
Even if I force myself to start dispelling the curse now, I will surely fall asleep halfway.
I do have a stimulant just in case, but even if I use it now, it will not last very long.
"Should I take a nap?"
It would be more efficient to tell Nerisfeene to rest a bit and then start dispelling the curse.
Deciding on that policy, Mika returns to the hideout.
"---So, unless I rest a bit, my body cannot hold out. I will take a nap."
"...Ee..."
It seems Nerisfeene has no objections.
Mika takes out a blanket from the Magic Bag, wraps himself in it, and decides to sleep next to Nerisfeene.
"...Ko-ko-de... Ya-su-mu...?"
"No? If you are concerned, I can go over there."
"...No-ro-i..."
That is fine, I do not mind.
The black mist is just wriggling, isn't it?
Mika yawns, "Fah~...".
"Aah... Really, I am at my limit... Good night."
Saying that, he lies down on his side and immediately starts snoring.
In the pitch-black cave where the light was lost, Nerisfeene's eyes continued to stare fixedly at Mika.
■■■■■■
"...Nnn..."
He rolls over.
Bachin!
"Ugya!?"
A terrible shock runs through his whole body, and Mika jumps up.
Panicking, he looks around.
With the faint light from outside, he remembers that this is a cave.
And right next to him was Nerisfeene.
"......, Ah... Maybe, I touched you...?"
"...Ee..."
It seems he touched Nerisfeene when he rolled over.
He got into a terrible mess.
Next time, I should sleep a bit further away.
To get into such a mess just by rolling over is something he really wants to avoid from now on.
Mika rubs his sleepy eyes and stands up, putting away the blanket.
He scratches his head with a pori-pori sound.
"...I will go out for a bit."
He cannot get rid of the sleepiness.
He wants to bathe in sunlight and wake up his consciousness more firmly.
He can sleep anywhere as long as he lies down, but that does not mean the fatigue will go away.
This feeling of "I slept, but the fatigue remains" feels nostalgic in a way.
When staying overnight, it was always like this.
Walking out of the cave while loosening his stiff body.
"Kua..., me ga..."
He feels as if he has become a Wraith.
He feels like he is taking damage just by bathing in sunlight.
"It is hot today too..."
The sun is already quite high.
Maybe it is not even ten o'clock?
Mika eats the food slowly and replenishes water with "Water Splash" as if scooping water with both hands.
Having water that wells up endlessly is really convenient.
Then he goes to the forest surrounding the rocky area and cuts down one tree with "Thousand Edge."
Using "Thousand Edge" again, he shaves out one board.
It is the size of a table top.
"To cut down a whole tree just for this one board. I am crazy myself."
It would have been good if there was a fallen tree that could be used, but there was only something quite damaged.
Returning to the cave, he decided to start dispelling the curse immediately.
"It seems my body hurts when I interfere with the curse. I am sorry about that, but there is nothing I can do. Please endure it."
If there was an anesthetic, it would be good, but there is none.
It might exist somewhere in this world, but he has not heard of it so far.
So, he has no choice but to ask her to endure it.
"...Ee..."
Nerisfeene answers briefly.
Mika places the shaved board on the ground and takes out a satchel from the Magic Bag.
Then, he takes out paper, a pen, and ink from the satchel.
This satchel is the one he usually takes to the academy.
Mika usually stores the satchel he takes to the academy inside the Magic Bag.
If you have a Magic Bag, you do not need a satchel, but he did not want to show off the Magic Bag too much.
So, he uses the satchel to match the style of everyone else.
It is part of the camouflage to avoid standing out, but it might just be a futile struggle.
"Well then, let's go. 'Absorb Wing'."
Mika deploys "Absorb Wing," touches Nerisfeene's hand, and begins to dispel the curse.
While searching for places where the curse can be interfered with, he is bothered by the unknown "something" but diligently dispels it.
Then, when one place is dispelled, he writes it down.
...This is really hindering me.
He wants to concentrate, but he cannot.
While feeling a little irritated, he continues to dispel the curse silently.
After continuing for about two hours, he takes a break.
Then, he resumes again and dispels the curse for another two hours.
"Fuu----... Sorry. I will take a short break."
"...Ee..."
When Mika spoke to Nerisfeene and stood up, a chunk of the black mist floated away and disappeared.
"...U... Gu..."
Nerisfeene groaned slightly.
The mist that had covered Nerisfeene's whole body until then was removed in part.
Mika stares at that part, but the mist does not return.
The missing part remains missing.
"What is going on?"
Mika sits down again and tries to interfere.
But even if he searches, it does not feel different from before.
"......What is it?"
It is a phenomenon he does not understand well.
Mika scratches his head with a pori-pori sound and exhales.
"Anyway, I will take a break. I am tired and my head is not working..."
Ah, I want to drink canned coffee.
It feels nostalgic again, as if only my head is tired.
In the past, I would chat with colleagues while holding a can of coffee during work breaks to change my mood.
Suddenly remembering that, he couldn't help but smile.
■■■■■■
About three days have passed since Mika started dispelling Nerisfeene's curse.
In the middle, he went to Yaunasun to rent a bath and buy food.
And the dispelling of Nerisfeene's curse has progressed considerably.
It seems that Nerisfeene's curse loses the black mist as the dispelling progresses to a certain extent.
And it seems that [Blessing] is doing that.
The "something" that I initially thought was hindering... interference from [Blessing].
But once I got used to it, I grasped a little trick.
First, this [Blessing] is very useful for searching for places where the curse can be interfered with.
Mika does not have to search for it himself; this [Blessing] searches for him.
The places where [Blessing] rushes to interfere with the curse are the places where the curse can be interfered with.
When one curse is dispelled, he tells [Blessing] to "go and come back" like releasing a hunting dog or a cormorant, letting it do as it pleases.
Then, when [Blessing] gathers to interfere, Mika interferes there, and the curse can be dispelled easily.
[Blessing] is probably trying to interfere with the curse as well.
But there is too much difference in output between the curse and [Blessing], so it cannot interfere at all.
Still, it rushes to interfere with the curse relentlessly.
And as the curse peels off, changes began to occur in Nerisfeene's body as well.
Nerisfeene's body, which was stiffly hardened and twisted, began to loosen little by little.
It probably does not return to normal immediately after the curse is dispelled, but there is a possibility that her body can be healed.
The matter of Nerisfeene's body was one of Mika's concerns after the dispelling.
But first, dispelling the curse comes first, so he deliberately chooses not to think about it now.
And regarding the twisting of this body in the first place, Mika began to suspect that [Blessing] is suspicious.
Normally, one should think it was caused by the curse, but something does not quite sit right.
Mika has no basis for this, but somehow [Blessing] is too active.
Of course, it is this [Blessing] that keeps Nerisfeene alive, but perhaps [Blessing] twisted Nerisfeene's body.
To keep Nerisfeene alive.
Should he say it is to divert a curse that is too strong?
He thinks that [Blessing] is forcibly interfering with Nerisfeene's flesh to resist the curse or divert its influence, just to keep Nerisfeene alive.
Well, this is just Mika's guess, and it is something that cannot be verified.
Whatever it is, [Blessing] might be an amazing thing, but without [Blessing], Nerisfeene should have died more easily.
Because Mika became famous as a Dispeller, there is a possibility she was saved.
But what if Mika had not received the request to rescue the Saintess?
How many years, how many decades would Nerisfeene have suffered in that stone chamber?
Thinking of that,
Even if you call it [Blessing], it is not a good thing.
Mika ends up having such a feeling.