SWNOVELXO Episode 10: Uncovering Shadows
Chapter 10: Uncovering Shadows
“Haaaah!”
“Guga!”
A lightning-fast entity swooped down, attacking the sluggishly walking zombie, delivering a powerful blow to its head, sending it
crashing down.
Alshade took a moment to catch her breath after confirming that the fallen zombie was no longer moving.
“Phew, that makes it the tenth one. Seems like quite a substantial number, doesn’t it?”
“Skeletons: three, zombies: seven. Can’t decide if that’s too many or too few for me. But more importantly, how
does that weapon feel in your hands?”
“It’s called a blackjack, right? This weapon is surprisingly powerful considering how easily it can be made.
Although, if I had to express a desire, I would have liked to use it in a more open area.”
“Well, you’ll have to resign yourself to that. Nevertheless, it’s a hundred times better than fighting with human
bones, isn’t it?”
“That’s true.”
The impromptu weapon I created using my wallet and a rope was nothing more than a cross-shaped binding, tightly secured to prevent
it from coming undone. In my past life, it was said that improvised blackjacks could be made using stockings filled with stones or coins,
but I’m not sure if what I made falls under that category. It’s more of a makeshift imitation of a blackjack.
Since the blackjack imitation is swung around using the rope, it’s not very practical in tight spaces, as Alshade pointed out.
The height of the hidden passage’s ceiling was about two meters, and its width was roughly the same. It was a challenging environment
for using the blackjack imitation.
Nevertheless, the fact that not a single undead creature was allowed to get close was not only due to their slow movements but also
thanks to Alshade, who effortlessly brought them down with a single strike.
“By the way, you’ve been taking them down in a single blow, but how are you doing it?”
“Ah, you didn’t see because it happened in the instant when it connects.”
Saying that, Alshade generated orbs of light around the object that used to be my wallet.
Presumably, Alshade wanted to imply that she had defeated them using light magic. Indeed, undead creatures were highly vulnerable to
light-based attacks.
In the game, even the weakest light magic spell could dissolve skeletons and zombies like melting butter.
Although there might be differences in the intensity of the light, it was undoubtedly the same magic as the one currently floating in
front of Alshade, about the size of a light bulb.
In the original story, it was classified as a basic magic called “Illumination Light,” which was helpful for exploring dark areas.
According to the setting, this magic had no offensive capabilities, but would that remain the same in reality?
“So, it can be used for attacks.”
“Only against undead. You’ll understand once you study the theory of magic… But for now, just remember that
undead are weak against light.”
While continuing the conversation, Alshade remained vigilant, swiftly using the blackjack to knock up the chin of a newly appeared
zombie. A sound of something cracking echoed, and the zombie arched its body, falling backward onto its back.
“There are quite a lot of them, huh? Even if people who fell into the hole that Rios mentioned are included, it’s still
too many. I wonder if the church they established in the slums isn’t functioning properly?”
Alshade muttered, her expression slightly grim, as she touched her chin with her hand.
“What do you mean it’s not functioning?”
“If the church conducted proper funerals, it should prevent people from turning into undead. Funerals are a kind
of magical ritual, you know. Well, the church probably denies it, saying that they have more sacred rituals.”
Come to think of it, the reason why it didn’t cost much money for my mother’s burial might be because of that. Maybe I should ask her
about it.
“My mother’s burial didn’t cost much, so is that the reason?”
“Well, burials themselves don’t require much money. It’s probably because they wanted to build a proper tomb for
Lady Rios.”
“Indeed, we did build a grave. But if that’s the case, can the church survive without charging any fees?”
“We’re the same, but most lords provide subsidies for burials, which are included in the annual donations to the
church. No lord would want undead creatures appearing within their territory.”
“Especially in the slums, it’s even more important, right?”
If undead creatures appeared in the lord’s territory, let alone the fact that it was in the heart of the city, it would cause anxiety among
the residents and might invite ridicule from other nobles for their inability to manage the cemetery.
Even though it was a hidden passage underground, the presence of undead creatures was an unwelcome development for Alshade. Her
face became somewhat stern.
“Now that we’ve resolved this matter, it seems like we have a lot more to do.”
“I think the church is functioning, but there are people in the middle layers of the slums who use the holes to
dispose of inconvenient things.”
For example, those who gathered around Gad or members of the underground organization would most likely use the holes in that
manner.
“…That’s troublesome. Some people might use the holes simply because they’re closer, rather than taking
everything to the church. Well, regardless of the reasons, we’ll need to investigate and fill up all the empty holes.”
“It seems like one problem leads to another before we can even breathe.”
“What are you talking about? I’ll need your help, with your knowledge of the area.”
Alshade pressed her forehead, as if her head hurt, and sympathizing with her, I found myself caught in the line of fire.
“Huh? Seriously?”
“That’s good news. Your first task has been decided. Maybe you’d like to take charge of the investigation?”
Alshade suggested something completely unexpected, as if she had come up with a brilliant idea. However, I vigorously shook my head
in refusal.
“No way! That would only bring trouble! I absolutely refuse!”
“Hahaha, just kidding. I wouldn’t go that far. But I do expect you to provide information.”
I gave Alshade a stony glare as she laughed and tried to pass it off as a joke.
“Don’t sulk. It was just a little joke aimed at you, who always seemed so detached from everything.”
“I’m not sulking.”
Considering my mental age, which is more than ten years older when taking into account my past life, it was unimaginable for me to
sulk just because I was teased.
“Oh, was it just my imagination? I apologize if that’s the case.”
“Miss, you have a good personality.”
“Thank you.”
Alshade had lost her composed demeanor, and her face had turned as red as her ears. Honestly, it was quite adorable, but now wasn’t
the time to admire it.
“Hey, Miss, I have a suggestion. Can you listen?”
“…Sure, I’m listening.”
So, I presented Alshade with a suggestion.
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