The Spearmaster and the Black Cat

Chapter 392 – Demi-Goddess Golgonshura

“Revenge? Please tell me the whole story.”

“It’s going to be long as it involves the war between the Spirit World and the Divine Domain, and the Great Abrahnam War that scattered Sky God Phyffindo through a raging storm of poisonous rain and adamantine tree leaves.”

Sky God Phyffindo? I’ve got Phyffindo’s Heart with me. But, for not only the wild god’s great war but even the Spirit World and Divine Domain to play a role here…

“The war between the Spirit World and the Divine Domain took place on the surface, didn’t it?”

“Indeed. It was a battle between God Wolf Hurley as well as the Twin Moon Gods Uraniri and Uryou on the Divine Domain’s side, and Vampire God Lugnad, King Tree Kyulha, and Twilight Queen Lebra on the Spirit World’s side.”

Nora had talked about it previously.

“Golgonshura-sama possessed powers similar to Space-Time God Crosseivis. That’s why it was only reasonable for the Divine Domain’s side to be wary of her, but…even Golgonshura-sama, who was about to lose her power due to the wild god’s great war, was not able to resist the mighty sealing magic cast on her during the melee between the wild gods, Spirit World gods and Divine Domain gods.”

“You two were present at that time?”

“Of course. I fought against the Divine Warrior Jenga Buu,” answered Jody.

A member of the Buu family, huh?

“I faced off against Dende, an apostle of King Tree Kyulha. And I also want to take revenge on the wild gods who injured Golgonshura-sama…”

“Nn, will Gol attack humans once released?”

Ciel blinked at Eva’s way of talking.

“…I don’t know about Gol…-sama. But we’ll refrain even if we run into an opponent who seems fun to fight.”

“Nn!”

Eva clad herself in her violet mana, quickly transformed her wheelchair into its metallic legs form, landed on the ground like that, and drew close to Jody and Ciel. Because small wheels were attached to the sides of her heels, she left a tire track in her wake.

Apparently she wanted to read their minds.

“Eva, wait a moment,” I requested and moved next to her.

“Nn.”

The probability that she wouldn’t be able to read their minds seemed rather high, considering how abnormal the other party was. But well, it won’t hurt to give it a try anyway.

Accordingly I looked down at the Death Butterfly women who were kneeling in front of me.

“Death Butterfly women, is it okay for Eva to touch you? In exchange, I’ll consider the matter with the key.”

“Of course. She can touch us wherever she likes～”

“Yep～”

Jody and Ciel replied carefreely.

“Hold out one of your hands then.”

In response, the two women held out their hands towards us. I looked at Eva with my eyes telling her that I got their permission.

“Nn…” Eva nodded, making her forelocks sway.

After checking out the Death Butterfly women’s bodies, she extended a hand. Ciel had an arm close to that of a female human. On the other hand, countless human lips were squirming around between the moths forming Jody’s arm, making it look disgusting.

That’s why I thought it’d require quite a bit of courage to touch it, but…Eva didn’t seem to mind.

“…”

Seemingly feeling no reluctance she touched the butterflies as if fiddling around with brooch toys. After a short time…Eva inclined her head, apparently having lost her confidence, and faintly shook it.

I guess she can’t read their minds after all. Well, no helping it.

“…Unfortunately, I can’t even sense their normal, outer layer.”

“As expected.”

“I think they have a special mental barrier.”

Makes sense. In the battle against me, Ciel split apart into countless butterflies, each being an individual with its own awareness.

“…Hee, so your kin-sama with the violet eyes can search someone’s mind, huh?”

“It won’t work on us.”

Jody and Ciel revealed grim expressions. They sounded as if having their minds probed felt unpleasant. But after casting a fleeting glance at me and the blue flames of Rebecca, their expressions immediately softened up.

“Nn, for this reason I’ll leave the matter of the revival to you, Shuuya.”

“Sure. But are you fine with that?”

“…No matter what might happen, I’m your bloodkin, so I’ll obey your decisions,” agreed Eva with a nod.

“Me too. Just, I think freeing her would be dangerous. But, you also need to think about the future…there’s also the matters with the village, so if you take a positive outlook, Goddess Golgonshura might feel indebted to us? On the other hand, the Death Butterfly women are also saying that they don’t know whether Goddess Golgonshura is going to attack humans, so it might lead to a dangerous situation for the village,” Rebecca mused seriously for a change.

“You’re right. But, even if we ignore them, it’s quite possible that Ciel and Jody will follow us around. There’s some truth in wrapping things up now, if possible…”

All the more so because the Death Butterfly people seem to be rather whimsical. If Golgonshura is a brutal and chaotic goddess who attacks others indiscriminately just like Rebecca has warned, it’d be far too dangerous to release her, I think. I’m not as arrogant to think that we’d be able to handle her ourselves.

But, that’s only if you look at the downsides…

“…Hihi, that’s a matter of course,” giggled Jody, “we won’t give up. However, we should have told us our feelings by giving our cherished weapons into your custody.”

“Yep. Besides, if we were attacked by you right now, we’d be incapable of fending you off. We’d suffer heavy damage.”

Damage, huh? Her not saying that they would die…is proof of their strength.

Having said that…we should still tread carefully here.

“I understand your feelings on the matter. But, it’s impossible after all. The risks are too big if I hypothesize what might happen in the instant of a god’s release.”

“Wait, besides entrusting you with our weapons and items, we’ll also tie a covenant with you that will expend a large amount of Father Time.”

The hell’s that?

“What’s a covenant?”

“The covenant will permanently remain in effect until we’re extinguished, even if Golgonshura-sama is freed and revived,” replied Ciel in Jody’s stead.

“You want Golgonshura released to such an extent…?”

Looking at Eva and Rebecca, I felt conflicted. Their expressions were dyed with complicated feelings, too. It was obvious that Jody and Ciel were desperate.

At the same time, it’d become cumbersome to have them as enemies. They appear to have dispositions that would trigger them to attack Cydale even while disappearing, in case they bore a grudge against us. I think we’d be able to cope with them if it’s just those two. But, would we be able to protect everyone and everything?

I don’t have the confidence to confirm this, if asked.

…Hmm.

“Assuming I release Golgonshura, I have a condition,” I started, and then continued, “Don’t make a move on my friends. That includes Pelneet and also Cydale.”

“Very well, spearmaster. We shall promise on our lives. Tell me your name.”

Jody agreed readily, but why does she want to know my name? Is that covenant a spell bound to a name like in Shingon? Well, I guess I can tell them either way.

“Shuuya Kagari.”

Hearing my name, Jody and Ciel’s eyes gleamed and they nodded.

“…I vow in the name of Golgonshura-sama. I shan’t make any move on the friends of the spearmaster Shuuya Kagari!”

“I also vow in the name of Golgonshura-sama. I shan’t turn my hands on Shuuya Kagari’s friends for eternity.”

Their phrasing was teeming with ceremonial formality. At that moment――

――Eh?

The two women thrust a hand into their own chests. Butterflies dispersed from the place where their hands were embedded. Jody and Ciel’s faces were filled with pain and anguish.

And then they swiftly pulled out their hands again.

…In their hands they held something similar to a gem. Jody’s gem was round, resembling antimony that had a mirror finish applied to it. Ciel’s gem was a cracked, dark red garnet. Purplish red blood clung to its cracked surface.

I feel like I’ve seen that gem before.

“Yep. This is my <Red Heart Almandine>.”

The instant they held their gems up over their heads, blue blood surfaced at several places from within the gems. As soon as the blood started to gush out, it started to cause ripples on the surface. The ripples then transformed into small letters, just to disappear into the gem again.

However, at the same time, trenches were automatically carved into the gems’ surface. Those trenches formed letters.

『Covenant – No violence defying Shuuya Kagari, nor turning a hand on his friends』

Lastly, Jody and Ciel put their respective gems back into their chests.

“This is a covenant. If we violate it, we’ll break apart and die.”

“You saw our resolve with your own eyes, right spearmaster?” Ciel asked with a bewitching smile.

It looks like she doesn’t add any honorific titles to my name anymore.

“Yeah, so I did. So, where’s the sealed door?”

“This way.”

“Come. It’d also be good to call your black divine beast.”

“Yep. I think you understand by now, but we really don’t have any intention to fight you, okay? We will never make a move on a village related to you. I mean, we knew about the scaled children coming right in front of our territory, but we ignored it. Besides, you saw Ciel’s precious <Red Heart Almandine>, didn’t you? Although it’s recovering quickly, it will take some time for it to replace the parts it’s lacking.”

“…Indeed. That’s why I was serious when I said you “stirred my heart,”” explained Ciel, quoting her past words.

“Got it. I’ll have you guide us there, but wait a while. I’m going to call the friends I can.”

“Sure, we’ll wait.”

“Nn, you’re going to call over Spirit-sama and party?”

“I’m with you on that. Kisara-san and and the Darkness Whale called Rotalz appear to be reliable allies to have.”

“That’s how it is. Everyone, Eva, Rebecca, please wait here with everyone.”

Eva and Rebecca nodded.

“Nn, okay～”

“Of course～”

“Milord, the village’s defenses will be insufficient if everyone comes here.”

“Boss decided to handle it like that while being well aware of the risks involved. Three-eye, keep unnecessary things to yourself.”

“What was tha～at, Bucktooth!?”

“Hoh, wanna get a taste of my kukri?”

Adombraly readied his whip-staff. Meanwhile Tsuan extended his light threads towards the branch of a different tall tree in order to capitalize on the height difference between him and Adombraly.

And then he reeled the threads into his kukri blade, moving through the air.

“You two are forbidden to fight. Otherwise, Tsuan, turn back to Catiza or Purin, and Adombraly, change back into a permanent ring.”

“Hii～! Milord, I was just joking! Tsuan-dono possesses a refined swordsmanship I’d love to adopt very much.”

“Boss, I understand. To be honest, I was simply jealous of Adombraly-dono’s stylishness and strength.”

My threat worked. Looks like it’ll be alright for now.

“With that said,” I said to everyone, and then shouted, “Rolloooo!”

“Nnn――”

Rollodeen came closer while circling downwards.

“Lower Lily and Dee-san. We’re going to move, so come on my shoulder.”

“Nya～”

She wrapped tentacles around the two, and put them on the ground next to me.

“Well then, Lily, Dee-san, we’re going to head to the village, so please come with me.”

“Of course, but…”

“Okay…”

The two got scared when they spotted the Death Butterfly women. Without minding that, I operated my 24-faceted orb. As usual, the orb turned into a shining gate.

The instant I confirmed that Rollo had climbed on my shoulder, I passed through the gate while pushing the backs of Lily and Dee-san.

◇◇◇◇

After returning to Cydale, I gave Kisara and Helme a rough rundown of the events. Kisara immediately called Rotalz over, and in the meantime, Helme returned into my left eye.

Muu watched all that happening while obviously bewildered.

I’ll entrust the babysitting of Muu to Lash-san who’s been trying to touch Iglued’s tree.

Lash-san adopted a triumphant pose by throwing her hands in the air.

Did she understand what I was thinking? What a strange ghost she is. Well, it’s just a joke anyhow.

“Quema, Solobo, I leave Muu in your hands. Also, don’t go to the village’s center, okay? Plus,put on your masks.”

“Count on me! I shall teach Muu my locking technique <Combat Grab>!”

“Very well. It is a shame that the thread user Muu has no interest in swordsmanship, but I shall abide by your order, Shuuya-dono.”

“Nn, nyaa.”

“Nyaoo.”

The two magically created tigers Hueremy and Alray meowed. I don’t think that they’re perceiving the orcs as fodder, but…

“You two also guard Muu. You’re also free to turn into statues as gatekeepers.”

“Nyaa.” “Nyao.”

The two transformed back into cats and moved to their favorite spot on the training ground, the trench created by Nemus. It was the preferred pastime of the Rollo Squad to squeeze themselves into that trench and nap in there.

『The cats appear to have taken a liking to that depression』

『Seems so』

Helme-chan pointed a finger after having appeared at the edge of my visual field.

“N, nya.” Rollo meowed while watching the other two cats leave.

Even though I I didn’t understand cat talk, I still got the meaning behind her meowing from the general flow of the conversation up until now.

And then I had the Burning Knights return into their ring, and entrusted Dee-san and Lily to Quiche who had been chatting with Gramps Ton. I also explained the situation with the Death Butterfly women to Red Tiger Storm, Moga, and Nemus who were near Quiche.

Since everyone basically confirmed to leave the village’s defenses to them, I left the village hall and loudly shouted, “Rollo!”

“Nn――”

Rollodeen, who had transformed into a Horse Lion, deployed her tentacles with the children cheering behind her. Her tentacles coiled themselves around Kisara, Rotalz, and me. In the meantime, Granny Bang continued to pray loudly, extolling Rollo as a divine beast, while letting her saliva fly.

『Granny Bang’s mystical force is quite something～ It looks like even the spirits are acknowledging it』

I ignored Helme’s telepathic comment, and acted before Rollo would retract her tentacle. I dashed towards her, jumped, and landed on her back. Kisara matched my actions to a tee.

Just what you’d expected of a Four Heavenly Witch.

She was straddling Rollodeen while clinging to me from behind. As such, I could feel the pressure of her boobs on my back.

The pressure and softness was irresistible! Her boobs immediately pepped me up. Thanks!

However, Rotalz…

“Uuuhh, why am I the only one to suffer such a treatmeeeent!”

Rotalz was dragged along rather than being carried.

“Sorry, Rotalz. You’re too huge. Anyway, Rollo, follow the scent. It’s right around the corner!”

“Hehe, Rotalz. If Golgonshura kicks up a fuss, you’re free to devour her,” cooed Kisara while wearing a classic nun’s garb.

It looks like she was badgered by Muu because her boobs’ swaying made it hard on Muu to focus on the spear training.

“For real!? Alright! I’m going to do my best!”

The fireball on Rotalz’s forehead grew bigger.

“Nyaoooooo,” roared Rollodeen, just to start dashing.

The instant her limbs demonstrated their mighty power, we immediately flew up right above the Sea of Trees. If Viine had been with us, I’m sure she’d have peed herself out of fear.

◇◇◇◇

We arrived at the Death Butterfly people’s territory, which also encompassed the special orchard of apple trees, in the blink of an eye.

Everyone was paying attention to the vicinity while casting glances at the two Death Butterfly women every now and then.

“I’m back.”

『Those are the infamous Death Butterfly women…』

『Helme, I’ve formed a covenant with them, so no need to worry about them. However, Golgonshura is different pair of shoes…』

I got off Rollodeen and walked up to my friends. Kisara and Rotalz followed me. Meanwhile Rollodeen transformed into her black panther form. After showing off something to Rotalz, Rollodeen came next to my side.

“Nn, welcome back.”

“That was quick…”

“Boss, our preparations over here are complete.”

“Those two are Death Butterfly people… I see they’ve also dropped items and weapons with tremendous amounts of mana,” commented Kisara from behind me.

“Ah, I’ll take care of those weapons.”

Noticing the treasures thanks to Kisara’s remark, Rebecca picked them up.

At the same time, I cast a look at Jody and Ciel, “Yo. So where’s that sealed gate of yours, you two?”

“Come, it’s this way.”

Jody was apparently going to lead us there.

“…”

Ciel revealed a sad expression when she saw Rebecca storing her scythe being stored away in Rebecca’s item box. But, once Jody started to run, Ciel shook her head and chased after brethren. We also followed the two women while chatting.

The destination proved to be surprisingly nearby. Of course it was still deeper down the ravine, but it wasn’t as though we had to go underground or anything.

However, the vicinity was filled with trees, or rather, blue flowers and a single, huge tree, to be precise. The tree’s shape resembled that of a butterfly, naturally you could say, I suppose. It had a color that seemed to be a combination of Judy and Ciel’s colors. The number of butterflies fluttering around it was abnormally high.

At the base of the tree was a door. A single, wide path continued from the root to the place we arrived at.

“Over there. It was close-by, right?”

“Your face shows that you hadn’t expected it.”

“Yeah,” I admitted.

After a short walk, we arrived at the sealed door.

“This is the sealed door that had a magic seal cast on it.”

It was an awfully simple door.

Jody and Ciel moved to both sides of the door, and said, “Spearmaster-sama! Please open this door! We beg you!”

“We beg you～!”

They went down on their knees and lowered their heads.

“Nn, strange. They look like they’re Shuuya’s new subordinates.”

“They formed a contract, so it’s not necessarily wrong to call them that, is it?”

My <Head Servant Leaders> remarked while their eyes dyed crimson red. But not because they were aroused. They were apparently both using their <Blood Mana>.

Eva deployed her usual floating weapon arsenal and also Sajiron’s globes. Rebecca, on the other hand, released flames from Guphon, creating a huge ring of fire around herself that also contained her own blue flames.

Kisara activated her <Magic Breath>, too.

Okay, I’ll get ready as well then.

Touching 《Dark Hell Bone Knight》, I summoned Zemetas and Adomos. Next I summoned Adombraly.

“Your Excellencyyy.”

“Your Excellencyyy, this is the hideout of the Death Butterfly people! There’s a similar place to be found in the Spirit World. We shall trample it down!”

“Milord, the Burning Knights’ heads are scary!”

I don’t want to hear that from a three-eye like you!”

“Oh, only the eye on the forehead has become smaller.”

“Nn, did it shrink because of Shuuya’s scolding?”

Exactly because it’s a Red Moon Puppet Soldier with three eyes, it looks somewhat surreal.

“Boss, I’m ready as well. However, this place got only one high spot – the tree with the sealed door.”

“Tsuan, just do what you can without trying the impossible.”

“Hey, Bucktooth. I’ll handle defense, so you focus on attacking from a distance,” ordered Rotalz with a haughty tone.

“…Roger.”

“Kisara, you’re going with defense too? I’ll become a wall, so handle the rest skillfully.”

“Yep, I got it covered.”

It sounds like that’s a special tactic of the Kisara-Rotalz-combi.

Still, this sealed door looks fairly old. It’s as imposing as the vault door which had sealed away Wild God Cazdolo. The door over here looks just as old or even older.

However, it contains a considerable amount of mana at one point in its center where a medal has been inserted. Small, depressed, silver lines are creating complicated thunder swirl patterns which are lining up horizontally and vertically.

“Partner, you ready?”

“Nn, nyaa,” Rollodeen replied while baring her glittering fangs.

“Very well, then I’ll open it in one go.”

I took Golgonshura’s Key out of my item box and inserted it into the door’s lock.

In the next moment, countless streaks raced across the wooden surface of the door from its depressed center. Thereupon, the door was divided in upper and lower part, opening.

“…Who…dazzling…the door, the door was opened!? Ciel, Jody? Are you there?” Golgonshura’s voice resounded from within.

And then a humanoid appeared through the now open door. No, it was a person with butterfly wings that sported a pretty contrast of black and blue on her back. She had long, delicate hair which was adorned with ornaments. Her eyes were pure white, and she had small lips and chin.

She moved her small head left and then right. A necklace with gems swayed beneath her neck.

She wore a sleeveless, girly dress with blue as the basic color. And on top a garment that was tinged with mana. Her boots with the attached ankle straps had an extremely high-class feel.

Isn’t that quite a beauty there…? Her fairy-like wings, the outfit, and her boots; all of it is nice! But, her eyes…

Does she possibly have no eyesight like Amelie?

『The color of her wings resembles my skin color, doesn’t it?』

『Now that you mention it』

“Golgonshura-samaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

“It’s Golgonshura-samaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Jody and Ciel embraced Golgonshura.

“Those voices…Jody, Ciel? Did you possibly open the door?”

“Golgonshura-sama, your eyes…”

“…What, if I recover my mana…they’ll heal eventually,” answered Golgonshura, but then turned her face in my direction, apparently sensing my presence. “Did you form a covenant with these two?”

At that moment, Golgonshura’s expression went through a complete change. Many veins surfaced on her face out of rage, and mana overflowed from her entire body. And then she extended fingers towards the eyes of Jody and Ciel, scooping out their eyeballs.

“Kyaaaa.”

“Ugyaaaa.”

Ignoring their wailing, Golgonshura kicked both of them away.

“Of all things, you have sullied me with a covenant! Rejoice that I limited it to just your eyeballs!” Golgonshura screamed in anger, her voice loaded with mana.

Then she pushed the eyeballs, of which she had one gouged out of Jody and Ciel respectively, on top of her own white eyeballs as if to dissolve them into her own eyes. In the next instant, her eyes regained their light, now possessing butterfly marks as irises.

“Now then…you people whose mana I cannot measure, and especially you who arbitrarily bound my kin with a covenant.”

“What?”

I reflexively readied Baldok in response to the force behind her words. Removing the Wave Gourd, I extended my <Chains> to the sides a bit.

“…For the present I shall put your existence aside.”

“You put my lord aside? Want to eat my whip?”

“Cheeky three-eye. Hmm? A Spirit World dweller has a human as lord? Oh well, small fry should remain silent. Even if I cannot see your mana for some incomprehensible reason, you’re just frail mortals in the end, right?”

“Boss, this bitch…”

“It reminds me of the fierce battle at Highground. ――She exudes a presence surpassing the enemies of back then by far, though…”

Kisara moved to the left while preparing her witch spear and checking the combat distance.

“Nn, a goddess with a bad vibe?”

“Everyone, sorry, as expected, I’m…” Rebecca’s bad habit reared its head.

She wants to say that Golgonshura is a goddess of disease and disaster?

“Rebecca, don’t mind it. We’ll confirm the situation for a bit longer,” I appeased Rebecca.

In response, Golgonshura spoke up while chuckling, “…But, if the quality of mana is so trifling…gufufu, phhahahaha. I can’t sense any other gods in the vicinity either!! This time I’ll succeed for sure――”

Golgonshura had apparently snatched mana from Jody and Ciel, seeing how her mana had grown now. And then she summoned a wand in one of her hands, which still had the butterflies of Jody and Ciel stuck to it.

“――<Dimension Kizeleg>.”

――Ouch! My ears hurt.

Once a terrifying volume, combining voice and wand, thundered, a bright mana beam shot up into the sky from the wand. Golgonshura had apparently activated some kind of huge spell or skill

Everyone except for me held their ears. Rollodeen had also retreated while lowering her panther ears so as to block them.

I didn’t fall back, though. With Baldok in one hand, I kept slowly shortening the distance. Blood was streaming out my ears, but I didn’t give a damn.

“Hoh…even if it wasn’t a direct hit, you still endured after being exposed to my divinity? Just who are you!?”

“I’m a spearmaster, just as you can see.”

“Spearmaster, stay away from me. Rather than that, you might find it more interesting to look above. …Gufufufu.”

She has a beautiful face, but her laughter is really hard to stomach.

It wasn’t as though I was tempted by Golgonshura’s look, but I still faced the sky.

Eh?

The sky, or rather, a part of space has been torn?

Huge passenger planes, business jets, and fighter jets fell down through the tear. The passenger planes and business jets were smoking.

Had their engines been busted? But leaving that aside…airplanes!?