"Kura! Please help!"
Henry nearly collapsed in front of me, but caught herself at the last minute. Behind a female, a night arrived with Henry's lady in waiting, sharing her horse. I can see another horse carrying a different knight approaching as well. I have a bad feeling. The newcomers look just as worried as Henry.
"Please calm down and tell me what happened." I guided Henry to a nearby bench and sat her down before offering her a glass of water. "I'll help if I can."
"The soldiers sent into the labyrinth are in trouble," Henry told me. "One of the Silverlights scouts managed to escape and report what was happening. According to her, a large group of monsters appeared out of the walls and attacked the soldiers. They have taken a defensive position, but the number of monsters keeps growing. Please save them!"
I take a moment to think. It doesn't sound like a monster stampede; you can see some warning signs before they happen, and they don't come out of the walls. But I have never heard of so many spawnholes opening up at once, and from what Henry said, they are staying open. A demon causing trouble is my first thought about how this is happening, but Satou never mentioned detecting one. But no matter how this has happened or why, I can't just ignore those people in danger.
"Where are they?"
As Henry tells me the name of a nearby marker to the troops' position, I signal everyone to get ready and tell Arisa to let Satou know what is happening. Thankfully, our new armour isn't that hard to put on, so it took little time to prepare. So, I left Henry in Lulu's care and teleported us to the nearest point I could. It still wasn't close, but we can cross the distance in no time.
<0>
"Airborn targets elimination complete, I report," Nana said after a round of magical arrows cut through a swarm of bat-like monsters.
"I've taken care of the bugs in front," Pearl also reported as she ran just ahead of us, cutting the heads off worm monsters.
"Good," I nodded. "We'll take the left tunnel up ahead, and we should be at the marker."
I had Pearl at the front because of her superior hearing. We still didn't know where the soldiers were, but she should be able to hear the sounds of their battle. Sure enough, Pearl was quickly able to hear them.
"They're close," Pearl said as soon as the marker was in sight. "Just down here."
"Okay," I took a deep breath and got myself ready. "Once we see them, Nana, draw them towards us. We take some pressure off them as we assess the situation. Sara, Mia, depending on the situation, you two will either support us in eliminating the monsters or treating the wounded."
"Yes."
Once everyone replied, we entered the battle. Things were looking pretty bad for the soldiers and explorers. They were trapped in a corner, and while their front line is holding off the monsters, it is clear they can't hold on for much longer. Blood-stained armour and tired faces drenched in sweat tell me we need to act fast.
"Come fill my stomach, you tasty meat, I invite!"
Nana's taunt quickly draws the monsters to us, but maybe she has been spending too much time with Pochi and Tama lately. But her taunt worked just as planned, so I should let it slide for now.
Ant, mantis, and centiped monsters charged us from the ground while bat and moth monsters cut through the air. There really are a lot of them, and I can see more trying to squeeze out of the spawn holes lining the walls.
"I'll take care of the spawn holes, handle the rest."
I leapt into the air, cutting a diving bat monster in two before firing a fireball into the spawnhole, burning the monsters inside and forcing it to close. A burnt smell fills the air, but I can't stop now. I cut down a War Mantis as I land before striking down an armoured mole-like monster, before I take out another spawnhole. Five more are still left. I don't know why so many appeared, but I can't stop to worry about it now. I jump over a pair of ants Mia just took out with her arrows and burn another spawnhole before cutting down a trio of soldier ants, then jumping again to cut a pair of bat monsters.
"Huh."
My Danger Sense skill went off, and I dodged just in time as a thick web struck the ground where I was about to land. Looking up, I saw a giant spider with a black body that blended in with the crack in the ceiling, where the monster was hiding. Its fangs flashed, coated in a pink substance, but I wasn't about to get close enough to find out what it was. Using earth magic, I crushed the spitting between the stone of the ceiling, only barely avoiding being covered in the monster's blood as it exploded. Now that the unpleasant encounter is over, I need to get back to closing up those spawnholes.
In the end, we managed to deal with the situation rather easily as the soldiers counterattacked the moment they caught their breath. Trapped between the might of Seiryuu's elite training troop looking for vengeance and my party's overpowered attack, the monsters were swiftly eliminated.
"Thank you for your…" Sir Hence, nursing a nasty bit to his arm, had just come up to me when…
"Hey!" Someone ran into my side and grabbed my arm. "It's Zenacchi! Zenacchi…!" It was Zena's friend, Lilo, who gripped my arm so tightly it was almost painful. Lilio sounded so desperate, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Zenacchi got abducted by monsters! Please, you've got to find her!"
"Lilio, please calm down. What happened to Zena?" I asked while prying her off my arm before she broke it.
"Please bring someone who can heal with you, too. Right before she was captured, Zena was seriously injured by a monster that looked like a black cloud." Zena's other friend, Iona, added.
Iona's armour was cracked, too, and her shoulder was badly injured. Mia was starting to look annoyed as Iona kept moving as she attempted to heal her. But at least what she said gave me a clue where to look.
"Don't worry," I smiled. "Zena's fine. That black cloud was an ability of the Blue People. They are a friendly group, so they probably took her to treat her injuries."
"Really?!"
"Really?"
Lilio seemed hopeful while Iona sounded doubtful.
"Yeah, I'll go pick her up from their place," I continued.
Zean should be fine.
"Then can you take us with you?"
Both Lilio and Iona opened their mouths to say the same thing, probably, but it was Zena's final squadmate, Lou, who beat them to it. Compared to the other two, she looked better off with only a few dents and scratches on her armour.
"I can, but you will need to have any injuries treated first." They looked like they were going to insist on leaving right now, so I added. "There are some plants in the area we will be going that can cause some nasty infections if you have an open wound."
That only made things worse; they grew even more worried about Zena, so I had to assure them that the people who know the area better than I do can avoid those spots. It was a lie anyway. There are no plants like that, but the miasma can still cause pretty bad infections, so their wounds needed to be treated. Van and his wives have magical devices in place to keep people safe from the miasma so that Zena will be safe. It would have taken too long to explain that, so I made up that plant story.
In the end, everyone sat still and let Mia heal them. Afterwards, I left my party with the soldiers to continue to heal the other wounded and teleported Zena's friends along with me into Van's manor. As expected, the dark Gothic style of the building didn't make them feel hopeful that Zena was alive and well, but they still listened to me and followed me through the halls instead of running off looking for her.
But there was a problem…
"This isn't an attack, so don't interfere," I told them before a stream of hardened blood moved like a snake before whipping around to smash the floorboards beneath where I was standing.
I dodged by an hairsbreadth as more streams of blood shot out of the shadows. She's gotten better with this kind of attack ever since Yuika suggested this kind of attack. It isn't long before Shirahime charged with her scythe made from blood. I blocked her attack with one sword and used my other to parry her blood that snaked around my back.
"Hey, Shirahime," I smiled, ducking under a stream of blood that she turned into a whip. "I didn't come here for a sparing match today. Is Ban around? I need to ask him something."
With a grumble and a great deal of reluctance, Shirahime withdrew her blood and weapon back into her body and gave me a nod. She turned one of her hands into a bat and sent it off before signalling me to follow.
"I see you got the hang of that technique,"
"…" Shirahime just nodded.
"Have the others been improving too?"
"No," Shirahime shook her head, looking smug.
Ban's other wives seemed to be struggling to control their blood while attacking with a weapon made out of blood, the last time I was here. But they had time to spare in mastering it, so it will probably only be a matter of time before they can all do it. And it looks like Zena's friends might be here to see it because when Shirahime and I reach the door at the end of the corridor, I spot them frozen in place.
"It's fine, these people are friendly and will only attack in self-defence despite what you just witnessed," I told them.
They all looked pale with their hands on their weapons, but also looked confused. Finally, they glanced at each other and started to walk, but it doesn't look like they will let go of their weapons any time soon. I should have expected this since I took them to a castle filled with vampires and the undead.
"The people here really won't attack you," I assured them, but my words fell on deaf ears.
Shirahime's bat returned as her hand regrew, but for somereason she started to frown.
"Annoyance…" She muttered before I heard a cry.
"Become my servant!"
Oh, I see why. Semery came running down the hall towards us, turning most of her body into a black mist to move faster and through a handmaid who tried to dart out of her way. Semery stops right in front of me and points her finger at me.
"The next war is nearly upon us, and you will be my servant for the battle once again." It still amazes me how she can sound so confident that something is a done deal when it couldn't be further from the truth. "And with you as my vanguard, I shall defeat Shirahime and the others. Then Lord Ban and I will finally ahhh!"
"Annoying," Shirahime muttered again before striking Semery with the back of her scythe, sending the confident vampire flying.
If the sounds are anything to go by, I'm sure Semery crashed through multiple walls before coming to a stop. If it were anyone but Semery who took that hit, I would have been worried, but I have sparred with Shirahime enough times to know she was holding back. Instead, I struggled not to laugh at Semery's love-struck face, turning to one of terror as she was sent flying back.
Several handmaids appear to start cleaning up the mess nearly instantly. I can't help but feel sorry for them, since things like this happen a lot around here. Still, none of them complains as they pick up furniture and sweep the rubble aside. They were even smiling and happily talking as they worked.
I turned back to Zena's friends and saw them looking even more pale and confused. I can understand how seeing Shirahime's strength can be a little scary, but why are they looking at the maids while muttering stuff about good treatment? I told them these people are friendly, so why is it so surprising to see the maids in good health and spirits?
"Shortcut," Shirahime said as we started walking again.
It was a nearly formed shortcut, but it would save some time as we approached the freshly made hole in the wall. I doubt we will climb through all the holes since Semery broke through almost the whole length of the castle, but we will probably pass through a few.
The handmaids bow and greet us as we pass by. A few thanked me for some of the gifts I brought them through Ban's request, but most of their gratitude was aimed towards the meals I had made for Ban, Yuika, and those perverts, Yoroi and Mukuro.
"Does Ban have any other guests at the moment?" I'd better make sure.
Glancing at the armour of Zena's friends, both Iona and Lou are in danger of falling victim to Mukuro and Yoroi. Lilio will be safe since we are about the same size, and those two don't seem interested in me.
"No," Shirahime shook her head. "They went home."
"That's probably for the best," I let out a breath.
If Shirahime is scaring them this much, then Zena's friends would probably die from the shock of seeing Yoroi and Mukuro. They might get along with Yuika, though, while some versions of her. Ban might scare them, but he does have a handsome face, so maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
"Oh, lass. It's been a while," Lord Ban Hellsing, it turns out, had come to meet us.
We ran into each other after only passing through two of the Semery-made holes. He isn't dressed in the typical evil vampire suit I see him in. Instead, Ban is wearing clothing more suited for travelling.
"Yeah," I nodded. "I've been busy lately, so I haven't had a chance to visit."
"Please try to visit more often, Shirahime has started living by the teleport spot, waiting for a chance to spar with you again."
"I'll try," I glanced at Shirahime, but she looked away. "By the way, Ban, did you or someone here happen to rescue a young lady today?"
"Yes, I did happen to come across a young lass on my way back from the village," Ban nodded. "I believe I saw the lasses with you at that battle."
I was about to confirm whether it was Zena or not, but someone rushed by me.
"Is Zenacchi okay?!" Lilio ran by me and up to Ban so fast that none of us could stop her. "Please tell me Zenacchi is okay!"
I stop Shirahime from moving when Lilio clung to Ban and pilied her off myself before she could form her scythe.
"Calm down if Zena's here, she's safe," I told her as Ban straightened out his clothing.
"The hero is right, lass," Ban said. "Your friend is currently resting in one of the guest rooms."
After calming Lilio down, we headed for the guest room only to find Zena already in the hall. She looked surprised to see us, but Lilio quickly tackled her.
"Zenacchi! Zenacchi!" Lilio cried as she lay on top of Zena. "You're okay!"
"I'm fine, but… why are you here?" Zena replied, hugging Lilo back before looking around. "And where is here?"
It took a while to calm Lilo down and explain things to Zena, but just when I thought things were going smoothly. A loud crash echoed through the room as a cloud of dust filled the air, but mostlikely because it was him, there was no rubble or debris striking anyone.
White hair, a tanned face that looked right off the poster for some Hollywood film and a strong body. No wonder my 'Danger Sense' skill didn't go off since there was no way he would harm anyone here. But didn't I mention this place to him? Shouldn't he have known there was no problem with me here? So why did he?
"Why did you have to break down the wall?" I asked, shaking my head, before either Ban or Shirahime went on the offensive. "I did tell you about this place, remember?"
Satou… no, I should call him Kuro since that's the disguise he put on, blinked as if he only just realised I was here. Did he really not notice? I'll have to warn him about the dangers of becoming overly fixated on targets later.
"It probably isn't a problem since I've caused more damage than this in the past, but can you please apologise to Lord Ban here?" I continued, stepping up beside him. "But you still owe an apology."
"I'm sorry, Lord Ban," Kuro said with a bow.
"Don't worry about it," Ban chuckled. "As the lass said, it won't be a problem. It will be a nice change to have something new to do. Besides, the lass is right when she says she's done a lot of damage to this place. That tower still hasn't been rebuilt."
"That was more Semery's fault than mine."
I didn't expect she would do so much damage when I threw her at that tower. Or that the tower would fall into the moat. Or that Yuika was napping in that tower and started throwing fireballs at us after she dragged herself up at the bottom of the moat. The fire that followed was definitely not my fault, at least.
"There is no danger here then?" Kuro asked me.
"Apart from you, no, there isn't," I nodded.
"I understand," Kuro said before turning to the others. "My name is Kuro. I am one of Kura's followers, and I am sorry we had to meet under such circumstances."
"It's hardly the worst first meeting I had with hero followers, so think nothing of it," Lord Ban replied. "Besides, those strong enough to entertain us are always welcome in the Castle of Eternal Night. I do hope you will come with your hero the next time she visits so we can have a little bout."
"If my duties give me the time to spare, I'll consider it."
"Just remember the teleport spot I mentioned next time," I warned him.
"I'll keep that in mind," Kuro said before asking. "Shall I take the others back with me?"
"If you don't mind," I nodded.
So I watched Kuro take Zena and her friends away before they could respond. I would have taken them back, but I stayed to explain to Ban who Kuro really was.
<0>
"So that follower of yours showed up again?" The guild master said.
As soon as I returned to the surface, I was summoned to the guild master's office for a debrief on what happened. Everyone else had already gone home, so it was just me, Satou, Zena, a few people from the Seiryuu force and the leader of the Silverlights, who were sitting opposite the guild master, her secretary Ushana and Sebelkeya.
"And did he defeat the black fog monster that captured you?"
"No…"
As she explained to the guildmaster, Zena had been severely injured and had woken up in the Blue People's village, where she discovered that her injuries had been healed. We left out the part of the Blue People being vampires to avoid trouble. Satou, in his Kuro's disguise, got Zena and her friends to agree with that story. The guild master seemed to think we were hiding something, but she didn't press the matter.
"Looks like you're in trouble," Satou said, using the 'Telephone' spell to communicate with me secretly.
"Yeah, I'm going to get an earful later," I wanted to sigh, but I couldn't with the sharp looks the guild master keeps sending my way.
No doubt she is only staying quiet for now to get the real answer from me later. There probably is no problem telling her the truth. I'm sure she will keep quiet about it to stop any idiot explorer from challenging Ban and his wives. Not that the vampires would be in danger, but I'm sure they will find the whole thing boring.
"Zenacchi, sounds like we've got a few days off while they fix up our armour."
After the debriefing, we went back to the guild hall, where Lilio shared information with Zena.
"That's right—your armour looked seriously beat-up when you got back. What in the world did you fight anyway?" Satou asked.
"Ahhh, what was it called again? That stupidly big, fast monster—"
"A sword axe mantis."
Instead of Lilio, an explorer from the Silverlights who had accompanied them, answered Satou's question.
"It's quite common for other monsters to come out of the spawnhole while you're fighting maze beetles, but I've never seen something as dangerous as a sword axe mantis show up like that."
"Not to mention the horde that followed it."
"Yeah," Someone nodded. "I've never seen or heard of so many spawnholes appearing at once before."
They went on to explain that the mantis appeared first and cut through their formation before disappearing. Zena had been severely injured while fighting the mantis before Ban arrived and whisked her away.
"I thought for sure that we would die, but we survived thanks to the bravery of the fighters from Seiryuu County, who quickly rallied against the charging horde that followed. One often hears rumours of the strength of the Seiryuu County army, but now I know they are even stronger than I heard."
"Aw, shucks, you're makin' me blush. Right, Zenacchi?"
Lilio appeared pleased to be complimented by the Silverlight member. However, since Zena had been injured in the battle and captured by a vampire, she seemed uncomfortable.
"Zena, about our plans for dinner…"
It was when Satou mentioned a dinner date that I felt a chill run down my spine.
"So, miss hero," The guild master said, grabbing my arm. "Care to tell me what really happened?"