The royal castle was located on a small island in the oasis of Bigdareio. In terms of size alone, it couldn’t be called huge. It was only slightly larger than the Earle temple we had attacked before.
However, the beauty of the castle far surpassed that of the temple. Both were predominantly white and gold, but the sculptures scattered around the castle were impressively powerful! Unlike the delicate and graceful designs one might expect, these sculptures felt heavy and conveyed a sense of majesty; perhaps this was to reflect the spirit of Bigdareio.
Additionally, the water channels and fountains drawn from the oasis created beautiful geometric patterns. This alone was evidence that a civilization rivaling humanity had been established here. It was proof that monsters were not necessarily vile and stupid beings.
But leaving that aside, it seemed our arrival at the royal castle had been anticipated, as the Boar Orc guard saluted us and let us through. He stood upright without moving, which actually reminded me of the famous immovable guards at Buckingham Palace. The level of training was impressive.
“Orcs sure are different from the image we have of them.”
“Goblins are pretty much the same. For them, humans are food, not sexual objects. It’s like how humans do not lust after monkeys.” Usaji said.
“Usaji! You’re a girl; you should try to phrase things a bit more delicately…”
Eiji chided Usaji, but she didn’t seem to care at all. Was this the usual dynamic during their travels? Free-spirited Usaji and Eiji, who seemed to be constantly swept up in her antics…he must have had his fair share of troubles.
“Welcome, wanderers.”
Upon entering the royal castle, we were greeted by an old orc. He was draped in a white, flowing traditional garment and held a staff made from a bone in his hand with a yellow gemstone in its tip.
The garment he wore resembled a kandura, and it was typically worn by Arabs. In this place, it seemed like it was worn not only by the orcs but by all residents of Bigdareio. However, the fabric of the old man’s garment seemed more luxurious than that of ordinary people. He also wore a necklace embellished with large gemstones. His distinguished appearance, clearly of high quality, suggested that this old man serving in the royal castle was far from ordinary.
“We appreciate the welcome. I am Isam, the leader of this party. And you are?”
“Oh, my apologies for not introducing myself sooner. I am Mahd, the head court mage and I am a Boar Orc High Wiseman. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
A Boar Orc High Wiseman?! He must be a highly skilled mage! I wondered if he could impart some knowledge about magic to me. If the opportunity arose, I would like to ask him.
“Now, this way. Our lord awaits you.”
We proceed through the royal castle, led by Sir Mahd. Soft carpets lined the floors, paintings larger than Jigoro adorned the walls, and the ceilings bore carvings similar to those on the castle’s exterior. Hmm, I aspired for us to establish a base as splendid as this castle someday.
“Your Majesty, I have brought the wanderers.”
“Let them in.”
A large door that looked like it was five meters long was opened by the guards standing in front of it. Inside, plush cushions were arranged in a circle, and four individuals were seated in the upper seats, including an exceptionally large Boar Orc.
“You have arrived, our guests. Feel free to sit wherever you like.”
“Thank you; we will.”
We sat on the cushions provided. Although this meant sitting on the floor, it was not uncomfortable for us as Japanese people who were pretty much accustomed to a culture of floor seating. The audience was quite different from what I had imagined, but if this was the Bigdareio way, we would follow suit. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
“Let me introduce myself. I am Salman the 13th, the Boar Orc Warlord of Bigdareio. I hear you are willing to help resolve the current crisis. Is that true?”
The Boar Orc Warlord … He must be of a much higher race than the ordinary boar orcs. He was larger and more robust than any Boar Orc I had seen before, and while other Boar Orcs had two tusks, he had four, and much thicker ones at that.
Although he wasn’t equipped with any weapons at the moment, considering Bigdareio’s level of civilization, he certainly possessed superior weapons and armor. King Salman, who wore them, must be proud of his strength as well.
“Yes, Your Majesty. My familiar Karnaghtul, who stands behind me, and I are capable of scouting from the skies.”
“That is reassuring. However, there are those who question if it’s wise to entrust such an important task solely to you. Do you know why?”
“…perhaps it’s because wanderers without great accomplishments cannot be entrusted with important tasks without question?”
His Majesty Salman solemnly nodded his head, and when I thought about it, it seemed only natural. In Bigdareio, we had achieved nothing noteworthy. The most significant thing I could claim was assisting Booi and the other warriors, but such an act was trivial. Entrusting someone of my standing with a task critical to the country’s survival was understandably difficult.
“Your quick understanding is appreciated. Therefore, I wish for one of my sons to accompany you.”
“Your son… Does that mean His Royal Highness the Prince?”
“Yes. Introduce yourself.”
Prompted by His Majesty Salman, a young Boar Orc rose to his feet. Judging by his physical features, he was indeed a Boar Orc. However, he was short and slender. When the Boar Orc approached us, he straightened his back and opened his mouth on the spot.
“Ni-nice to meet you! I-I am the First Prince, Boar Orc Prince Zahar…!”
Prince Zahar appeared to be a member of the royal Boar Orc race. His title as Prince suggested he was male, though his voice was slightly high-pitched. Perhaps he hadn’t gone through a voice change yet?
His height was nearly the same as mine but he still might be considered a child among the Boar Orcs. His speech was unsteady, and the way he pulls and trembles under our gaze shows the strain of being young.
“Zahar may be a bit young, but he has a wealth of knowledge. He will surely be of help to you in this mission. This can also be an experience for him. Please make good use of my son.”
“I understand. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Prince Zahar.”
“Yes! I mean, um! Make good use of me!”
“So, when should we depart? I am ready to leave immediately if that is acceptable.”
“Then, as soon as Zahar is prepared, you may go.”
――――――――――
Emergency Quest: “Investigate the Desert Anomaly!” Do you wish to accept this quest?
※ If you do not accept it, you will not be able to receive it again.
Yes/No
――――――――――
At this moment, the quest order screen appeared before us. I glanced at my companions, and each of them silently nodded their heads in agreement. Alright, then it’s a “Yes”!
“As for the reward… Mahd.”
As I tapped ‘Yes’ on the virtual display screen, His Majesty Salman gestured to Mahd. The latter nodded once and handed a box he retrieved from his pocket to an attendant standing behind him. The attendant respectfully offered the box to us and then opened the lid.
Inside it was packed with jewels! Selling these could fetch a considerable sum! Or perhaps they could be used for equipment. Is this really okay? To receive so much?!
“This is an advance payment. If your investigation goes well, we will pay you an equal amount.”
“Th-this much… Are you sure…?!”
“Do not worry. It reflects the gravity of this national crisis. As of now, there have been no casualties, but neither has there been anyone who succeeded in the investigation. Remember, I have high expectations of you.”
◆◇◆◇◆◇
After receiving the large advance payment, the meeting came to an end. Now, we were waiting in a room in the royal palace for Prince Zahar to complete his preparations.
“Well then… this is a good opportunity to finish my evolution and job change.”
I had been so busy up until now that I had put it off, but I was already in a position to evolve and change jobs. I had reached the significant milestone of level 50, and with this evolution and job change, I was certain to learn either an “Ultimate Technique” or a “Secret Art”. I couldn’t wait!
“Aight! Evolution complete!”
As I stood there, a flash of light caught my attention. It seemed that Jigoro had evolved. Had he also reached level 50 at the same time as me? That was news to me.
“Ah, Jigoro has evolved too?”
“Yeah! I’ve become an Infernal Thunder Evil Demon!”
The Infernal Thunder Evil Demon was a race that seemed like a stronger version of his former race, the Infernal Thunder Demon. There was no major change in his height or muscle mass, but he claimed to have gained a notable increase in magic power.
The most distinct feature of the Infernal Thunder Evil Demon was his ability to manipulate fire and thunder without relying on magic. This trait had shone brightly in the “ancient ruined city” and Jigoro occasionally used this ability even in normal melee combat. It didn’t seem like his fighting style would change much.
Among us, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he specialized in attack more than anyone else. On the other hand, his defensive abilities were almost nonexistent, and Jigoro had chosen an offensive “Ultimate Technique”, meaning he gained no enhancement in defense. Only a real-life cheat player like Jigoro could effectively use these abilities.
“So, what are you planning to add this time, brother?”
Ah, as expected of Jigoro. He knew that I was planning to add new parts again.
“Hehehe. This time, I’m attempting… this.”
“This… wait a minute! That’s a skull, isn’t it?!”
Exactly! For this evolution, I had been steadily preparing to add a skull. It was a wild and crazy challenge, but I had become accustomed to modifying the shape of bones. There was nothing I couldn’t do!
I modified the bone at the base of my neck, using the same technique I had employed when I added an arm and fitted the prepared skull onto it. I prayed for success. Since I had used several bones for this purpose, my maximum health was reduced. If I failed, I didn’t know what would happen to my diminished health, but I once succeeded with the Ushioni before, didn’t I?
“Adjust this here… and there! Done! It’s complete! Yes, yes, it’s moving properly!”
The fitting of the additional head was completed without a hitch. The new head moved just as I had hoped. I manipulated my two heads in an irregular pattern. “Hmm, even in such an unusual form, I can move as I intended. Motion correction is truly remarkable!
“Um…? But why is my vision impaired?”
However, the added head didn’t have its own field of vision. To be precise, it seemed I could only see out of one head at a time. I had hoped to gain double the normal field of vision, but things didn’t work out quite so conveniently.
“Uhyahyahya! This is insanely cool, brother!” Jigoro said.
“That looks so cool!” Iris said.
“Uh… what… um…?”
“…No comment on this.”
While two of my companions, who were used to my transformations, found this to be cool, the spectacle seemed a bit too intense for the other two who were seeing it for the first time. Eiji looked bewildered and Usagi explicitly averted her eyes.
“Now for the evolution… yes, this is the one.”
I selected the only available option for evolution. As usual, a series of effects occurred, signaling the start of my evolution…!
“Whoa! Gogogogogoh?!”
At that moment, something unexpected happened to me. The two heads as if attracted by a strong magnet,began to merge, making a cracking sound as they fused together. Oh no! All the effort I put into adding the extra head was being undone!
“My… my heads… They’ve merged into one!”
“Well, that’s actually normal, isn’t it?”
Jigoro seemed to be saying something, but I couldn’t hear it. It seemed like some kind of log was flowing in my field of sight at the same time, but I couldn’t see it either. I was just that devastated.
Despite the modestly laborious effort I had put into it, my work had finally come to completion, yet my efforts went unrewarded. This fact alone was enough to make me feel down.
“I’m feeling down… Maybe I should call it a day now…”
“Hey! Mr. Isam!? Aren’t we about to go on a scouting quest!?”
Ah, that’s right… But honestly, I just couldn’t muster up the motivation… You understand, right? This frustrating feeling… Look, even the skeleton in front of me seems to be somehow sad… Huh?
“What’s…. this?”
“Th-thee skull is floating, isn’t it…?”
All I could do was stare in shock at the black skull that looked just like mine floating in front of me.
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