Chapter 90 - Chapter 89: The Cursed House 3
Mika, having secured the entrance, set out to explore the first floor.
Kaerya and Trys agreed to follow, promising not to interfere in any way.
Still, one never knows where the Wraiths will attack from.
Telling them not to interfere at all means they cannot even protect themselves.
However, Kaerya was grumbling, "I hate Wraiths because you can't punch them." Does she have any means of attack?
"Trys-san has [God's Miracle], but does Kaerya have a way to defeat Wraiths?"
"No."
Kaerya declared this with her chest puffed out in response to Mika's question.
That's not something you say so boldly, is it?
"You're just big and bulky, honestly you're only in the way. Go play outside."
"...Aaaan!?"
"If you're going to fight, please do it outside."
It's exhausting to lead these two who get hostile immediately and tour the first floor. ...Mentally.
Mika defeated the Wraiths he occasionally encountered and continued exploring the mansion.
Inside the mansion, ornaments were scattered on the floor, but there were no holes in the walls.
There was a bit of dust accumulated, but it didn't feel that much ransacked.
Bright landscape paintings hung on the walls, and the furnishings were quite stylish.
The family who lived here must have been reasonably wealthy, and quite people with good taste, I suppose.
Entering the dining room, Mika defeated about three Wraiths inside, and Kaerya and Trys followed behind.
"I don't need [God's Miracle] to deal with Wraiths. I have this."
Saying that, Trys tapped the Longsword sheathed at her waist.
"You can cut them with a sword? Wraiths?"
"Yes. I've [Granted] it such an effect. It works well on the 'Unclean Ones'."
Trys drew the blade of the Longsword slightly from its scabbard and showed it to Mika.
The blade was whitish, with a blue luster. And some characters were engraved on it.
It was a beautiful sword that made me sigh involuntarily.
"I was wondering, is Trys-san's armor made of Rare Silver Metal [Mithril]? And that sword too?"
"Exactly. You know your stuff. ...Though, it does contain quite a bit of impurities. Equipment made of pure Rare Silver Metal [Mithril] is something only found in legends and myths."
So Trys's equipment is indeed made of Rare Silver Metal [Mithril].
Moreover, it seems to be effective against Undead types via [Granted].
I really want that.
As Mika looked at Trys's armor and sword saying, "Nice," Kaerya came over.
She turned her chest away, flashing her bright red Bikini Armor as if a sound effect "Don!" were about to happen.
"It's Rare Gold Metal [Hihiirokane]."
"Huh?"
Mika blinked his eyes.
Could it be that her red Bikini Armor is made of Rare Gold Metal [Hihiirokane]?
As Mika stared wide-eyed at the Bikini Armor, he took the Battle Axe she had on her back.
"Rare Copper Metal [Orichalcum]."
"No way!?"
Isn't this a parade of rare metals!?
Mika, forgetting the exploration, asked to borrow the Battle Axe.
(I knew she carried the Battle Axe on her back, but I hadn't seen it properly. It is indeed dark-colored.)
Even for Mika, who has boosted his strength four times with [Physical Enhancement], it feels heavy.
How does she fight using something like this?
Her physical strength is incredible, Kaerya.
(...But still, how is it that equipment made of rare metals is circulating so much? Is it not that precious? Or are these two just amazing?)
I can't quite judge.
Chirensta said they were quite capable.
Are these two making a fortune, or is the value of rare metals not that high?
Mika shouldered the Battle Axe.
Looking closely at the Bikini Armor, the places where luster should naturally shine were indeed darkened.
Mika asked Kaerya to stand by the window and checked how the light leaking through the boards covering the window reflected.
(Whoa... Indeed, the luster is black. It feels strange somehow.)
As Mika observed the crotch part of the Bikini Armor before him from various angles saying, "Heh, ho-ho," Trys cleared her throat lightly.
"Is it okay to be so relaxed? We haven't even finished exploring the first floor yet."
"Oh no, that's right."
Mika thanked Kaerya and returned the Battle Axe, moving from the dining room to the kitchen.
(I can't tell if it's cursed without touching it, so it's quite a hassle. For now, I haven't found anything suspicious.)
For the time being, he was poking everything he could see with his finger, but couldn't find anything that seemed to be the cause of the curse.
With the first-floor exploration finished, they went down to the basement.
However, the basement seemed to be used only as a storage room and warehouse, and this time too, it was a false alarm.
Touching the many items stored on the shelves, there was nothing that seemed to be the cause.
Defeating the few Wraiths encountered, they exited the warehouse.
It seems Wraiths have a concept like their own Territory; if you don't step into it, they often just stand there saying "Boo..." even if they are right in front of you.
But if you invade that territory even a little, they attack with bare hostility.
The ones that attacked as soon as we stepped into the entrance seem to be of that sort.
However, there are exceptions, like the Wraiths that came through the walls.
There are also Wraiths wandering inside the mansion, and they won't attack unless they are visually confirmed.
Does this mean Wraiths have personalities too?
"Do you also have the [Skill: Appraisal]?"
As they climbed the stairs returning from the basement to the first floor, Trys asked.
Since Mika was touching everything one after another, she seemed to think he had such a [Skill].
"I don't have [Skills]. But I can tell if something is cursed by touching it."
"Oh, is that so?"
Trys tilted her head in confusion, but said nothing more.
After searching the first floor and basement, only the second floor remained.
Returning to the entrance, they climbed the stairs.
Upon reaching the second floor, corridors extended to the left and right, but that was quickly understood.
"...There it is."
The moment he saw it, Mika slumped.
That leaking from the ceiling.
There was something on the ceiling just after entering the right corridor.
There was no doubt that there was some kind of "something," whether you called it a black mist or a vortex.
(This is definitely the cause of the curse! Why couldn't we identify it until now!)
Looking up, both Kaerya and Trys were staring at it.
It wasn't just Mika who could see it.
It seemed anyone could see it.
"Why couldn't we identify the cause until now with this?"
"Probably... perhaps it became this bad only recently? It's impossible to overlook this... However."
When Mika asked the two, Trys answered with a bitter expression.
"...We should probably stop here. That is beyond the level of something we can touch. ...I have never seen anything so ominous!"
Even Trys, who said she had considerable combat experience against the 'Unclean Ones', seemed to have never seen anything like this.
Honestly, Mika has dispelled many curses, but he has never encountered anything this severe.
In fact, if it's this severe, you might not even be able to bring it to the Appraisal Shop Owner.
To think there is a curse visible to the eye... I can't hide my surprise.
Looking at Kaerya, she too was sweating coldly while staring up at that.
Mika thought for a moment and spoke to the two.
"You two stay outside. I can't predict what will happen with this, even for me."
"Huh!?"
Saying that, Trys raised her voice as if enraged.
"Don't say foolish things! Touching such a thing is suicide! What are you thinking!?"
Kaerya nodded with a serious expression in response to Trys's persuasion.
"If it looks like it won't work, I'll give up. But there is no option to 'retreat' without trying. However, since I don't know what effect it will have on the surroundings if we touch it, you two... please evacuate outside the premises if possible."
Mika looked at them with eyes conveying strong will, and Trys held her breath tightly.
Then, she trembled her fist as if enduring something.
Kaerya looked at Mika with a stern expression but said nothing.
Mika and Trys glared at each other for a while, until Trys finally sighed, "Haaah...".
"You really... never listen to what I say."
Saying that, Trys drew her Longsword.
That beautiful blade seemed to be faintly glowing.
"Then do as you please. I will do as I please too."
Trys seemed to have no intention of moving from the spot, holding her drawn sword.
Kaerya also crossed her arms firmly and didn't move from the spot.
Kaerya said she has no way to fight Wraiths, so what is her plan?
Mika slumped his shoulders and sighed.
"Are you idiots? Getting involved in such a worthless thing. I can't believe you're sane."
"It doesn't bother me to be called an idiot by an idiot. I have no reaction other than 'Ah, he's saying something foolish again'."
Trys replied with a straight face, and Kaerya nodded yes and yes.
(...Maybe they actually get along well.)
Mika gave them a suspicious look, but they didn't care at all.
For these two who are too considerate, further persuasion would be meaningless.
(Is there no way but to retreat to keep them out of this? But I'm sure I'll come back to confirm until I cancel the request.)
Mika was fine with postponing the clearing of the curse before him to another day, but he certainly didn't intend to cancel the request.
And if Mika didn't cancel the request, Trys, at least, wouldn't be satisfied, regardless of Kaerya.
(She's someone who memorized the Guild rules word for word? There's no chance she won't take some action through official means. I can't even imagine what method she'd use.)
Mika pointed at the window while looking at Kaerya.
"Kaerya, open that."
"Hmm...?"
Kaerya made a suspicious face but removed the boards covering it and opened the window.
This side is opposite the entrance. Opening the window lets in outside light, but not sunlight.
The ground below the window is dirt, with weeds growing.
If we jump down, we might get injured if we're unlucky, but we won't lose our lives.
"If things get bad, jump down from there. I'll do the same. The ground below is damp soil with weeds growing, so unless you fall in a very strange way, you won't die."
Mika explained his intention for opening the window to the two.
"If the Wraiths come outside... well, condolences."
Saying that, he shrugged his shoulders and smiled bitterly.
There's nothing to be done about this.
Normally they don't come outside, but there's a possibility of an abnormal situation.
The two also smiled bitterly at Mika's explanation.
"Understood. Do as you wish from here on."
Nodding at Trys's words, Mika turned his consciousness toward the "something" leaking from the ceiling.
Observing the surroundings well, he found a square hole like a maintenance hatch on the ceiling.
However, it seemed to be covered by a board placed on top.
"Attic? How do we get in...?"
There were no ladders or stairs.
Folding ladders that descend are common, but the board covering it looked like just a plain board.
As he looked up wondering what to do, Kaerya lifted Mika.
Then, she stood Mika on her shoulders so he straddled her head.
"Thanks, Kaerya."
"Yes. Be careful, boy."
Mika gently lifted the board covering the hole.
At that moment.
"“““A"A"A"A"A"A"A"AaaaaaaAAAAAAaa!!!"
"“““O"O"O"O"O"OooooOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
Dozens, hundreds of groans.
From the attic, a massive amount of groans that shook the entire mansion poured down.
"Kaerya!"
Before Mika could call out, Kaerya, still carrying Mika on her shoulders, retreated near the stairs.
The board that had sealed the attic fell into the hallway, and dozens of Wraiths poured down from there.
Looking at the ceiling, there were fewer, but some Wraiths were bursting through the ceiling.
"Tch!"
Trys clicked her tongue and slashed the Wraiths coming down from the ceiling.
In the blink of an eye, several Wraiths turned into Magic Stones.
Mika deliberately charged into the Wraiths, using the narrow hallway to kick the floor, kick the wall, and even use Low Gravity to utilize the ceiling.
He jumped freely up and down in the narrow space, chipping away at the Wraiths, gouging them, and stealing their weak point Magic Stones.
In this way, he instantly drained the Magic Stones from countless Wraiths that he couldn't even count.
"Phew... I was surprised. I got quite flustered. Just a little 'whoosh' happened."
Where, he wouldn't say.
For now, he hunted all the visible Wraiths and took a breather.
Since he was in a state of wrapping his magic range, at least against Wraiths, he wouldn't be defeated.
If there were Wraiths with magic power exceeding Mika's magic range, it would be a bit of a trouble, but otherwise, he was confirmed to be unscathed.
Mika returned to Kaerya and Trys and used Heal on them.
It seemed they had taken Drain a few times, so they looked a bit tired.
"Sorry."
"Thank you, boy."
The two thanked Mika, but Mika had dragged them into such a mess.
Normally, this wouldn't be something to be thanked for.
"But, your movements are amazing. I've never seen anything like that. If attacked by that many Wraiths, unless it's a party with exceptional skill, it would be a retreat. Even I would usually do that."
Kaerya nodded at Trys's words.
Was using Low Gravity for three-dimensional movement too much?
For now, he laughed "Ahaha..." to cover it up.
"Well then, I'll go check the Attic for a moment. That is still there."
Saying that, Mika pointed at the ceiling.
There, a black mist-like substance was swirling as before.
"...You won't listen even if I tell you to stop? Do as you please."
Trys made a face as if giving up.
"But, a first-class adventurer knows when to quit. Those who don't understand that can never become first-class. ...Before that, they'll lose their lives."
Trys's serious words pierced his heart.
Mika seemed to be bad at this 'knowing when to quit'.
Rather,
"Go as far as you can."
"Let it be wild or mountainous."
He ended up thinking like that.
He is aware of it but doesn't restrain himself; he could be called the most troublesome type.
(I wasn't like this in the past.)
He thought so, but felt half-resigned that this is who he is now.
But...
(Today I've dragged these two along. It's not good to be like usual.)
For now, he decided to check and give up if it seemed impossible.
Coming to the exact spot under the hole like a maintenance hatch, he jumped with his weight lightened by Low Gravity, grabbed the edge, and climbed into the attic.
However, it was pitch black inside, and he couldn't see anything.
He secured a light source with Fireball.
It was a room with a low ceiling, showing traces that someone had lived there.
Unfortunately, even in this low-ceilinged room, one could stand normally, what's up with that?
Mika gathered his wits and checked the surroundings.
A bed made of a board with grass laid on top. A wooden box serving as a desk. Clothes full of patches, presumably belonging to a woman.
And a shabby maid's uniform that a female servant would wear was placed there.
(A servant's room...?)
Was this a room assigned to a servant serving this mansion?
The black mist was around where the patchwork clothes were placed.
Mika approached cautiously, carefully moving the clothes aside.
(...This is... a wooden box?)
Under the clothes was a small wooden box.
It was about the size used for gift boxes of sweets.
Mika concentrated magic in his left hand and gently touched the wooden box.
Thump!
He felt a strong pulse for a moment, but by concentrating more magic, he managed to suppress it.
(This is it...!)
Mika was curious about the contents of the wooden box, but it was difficult to do various things here.
Mika gathered his spirit, held the wooden box, and jumped down to the hallway.
"Whoa."
"Good. You're safe... Ugh!?"
"Boy... No matter what, bringing such a thing...."
The two had grimacing faces because Mika had brought down a cursed object.
He placed the wooden box on the floor once.
"Well, what shall we do, this wooden box? I want to avoid wandering around the town with this too."
The request was to identify and eliminate the curse.
For now, eliminating the wooden box from the mansion would fulfill the request.
To smoothly have the request completion recognized, it would be best to bring the wooden box to the designated Appraisal Shop Owner.
But if brought here, will that Appraisal Shop Owner be okay?
The Wraiths will swarm like crazy.
"I would recommend sealing it directly at the Church... but I wonder if they will accept a cursed object this severe. I think there's a high chance they will refuse even if gold coins are piled up."
By the way, the headquarters of the Church of Light was in the Royal Capital.
However, it seemed doubtful whether they would accept a cursed object of this level.
(It's a curse visible to the eye, after all. I want to avoid carrying it around. Then...)
Mika sat down next to the wooden box and decided to try dispelling the curse.
Fortunately, it wasn't even noon yet.
If he hurried, it might work out.
(As long as the elimination of the curse is recognized, they will accept it as request completion later. ...It will be a lot of explaining, but it's better than carrying this around as is.)
Mika looked at Trys.
"Sorry, but please deal with any Wraiths that appear from now on. I think I'll be fully occupied dealing with this cursed object."
"That's fine, but... what do you intend to do?"
Mika hesitated for a moment there.
Should he talk to these two about dispelling the curse?
However, he had already dragged them this far.
He didn't want to be too ungrateful.
"I will try to dispel the curse."
"...Huh?"
Leaving the two gaping, Mika began to interfere with the curse.
(This requires an enormous amount of magic power.)
Without even thinking, it was the best cursed object in the past.
The magic power required was incomparable to previous cursed objects.
However, Mika's magic power was increasing steadily, and interfering with curses was something he was used to.
If he spun Absorb at full power, the depleted magic power would recover immediately.
Mika challenged this first-time puzzle as if it were a time attack.
About four hours passed since Mika sat down and stopped moving.
During that time, no Wraiths came, and Kaerya and Trys watched Mika on the spot while guarding the surroundings.
At that time, the black mist that had been clinging to the wooden box suddenly dispersed.
"What...?"
"What?"
The two, who should have been watching this scene up close, couldn't understand what had happened at all.
"Haaaaaaaaa... I'm tired haaaaaaaaaa!"
Mika, who hadn't moved much until now, suddenly lay flat on his back.
He took a deep breath in, then exhaled loudly again, "Haaah."
"What...? Eh? What happened to that black mist just now?"
"Boy, are you okay?"
The two, unable to understand the situation, looked down at the lying Mika with concern.
"For now, this is safe. ...If this was the only cause."
He didn't think so, but there was no chance that there were other causes.
"I have dispelled the curse on this wooden box."
Mika said with a smile, but Kaerya had a gaping expression.
"Dispelled? ...The curse?"
"Yes."
"...Hmm?"
She still didn't seem to understand well, tilting her head.
Well, normally one wouldn't believe it.
"......Dis... pel...?"
Trys, staring at Mika, froze with a surprised expression and muttered something.