Chapter 19: Something That Can Never Be Compromised (2)

“There! I see the fortress!”

It had already been seven days since the arduous journey on the carriage began.

The dry dust that whipped through the air became more unbearable with each passing day.

The constant jolting of the carriage, though the shocks became tolerable, left an unshakable dizziness that was impossible to adapt to.

At times, I wondered if I should request a long-distance teleportation spell.

“It’s truly formidable.”

“Haha, well, it’s said to be a fortress that’s been fortified several times.”

The fortress, built on the Caputa Highlands, stood at the confluence of two rivers.

Though it wasn’t right next to the water sources, getting to them would take considerable time.

Originally part of the Red Tail Tribe’s territory, it had undergone numerous expansions under the Hispania Empire and the Rozahan Kingdom, each adding layers of defensive walls.

Even with limited manpower, it was hard to believe that such a well-fortified fortress had fallen.

“Beneath the fortress lies the Source of Mana. Most structures here operate through mana.”

The Source of Mana beneath the ground resonates with itself, supplying mana to the fortress.

It was through this that such massive walls were built and most functions powered.

But, as powerful as it was, if the core wizards guarding the Source fell, the entire fortress would become nothing more than a useless pile of stones.

In both reality and games, negligence is a sin.

Though perhaps, the illusion was so elaborate that being deceived was inevitable, leaving room for excuses.

“So… does that mean the Source of Mana is now in the hands of the Red Tail Tribe?”

Even for a tribe that values strength and combat, there would surely be some who could wield mana.

The reason the kingdom’s forces had been defeated was because of illusions.

Such illusions couldn’t have appeared without reason; there had to be a magician of Laura’s caliber aiding the enemy.

Laura, a companion of the Hero, bore the blood of dragons.

While Natalia wielded the blessing of the Sword, Laura carried the blessing of Truth.

Imagine someone with nearly limitless mana casting large-scale spells relentlessly.

In terms of firepower alone, she could overwhelm the Hero.

The defensive advantage of the fortress only compounded the difficulty.

The only solace was that the Source of Mana was located just below the first floor. At least it wasn’t at the topmost level.

However, the Source being underground didn’t mean hope.

Most adventurers would likely meet their end in flames, lightning, tearing winds, or frozen prisons.

Even with plenty of people who could wield divine power, including myself, the difference between ‘nearly infinite mana’ and ‘human divine power’ was vast.

Knowing a magician existed among the enemy made hope for the adventurers seem nonexistent.

The kingdom’s forces reportedly faced a sudden assault at the location of the Source, unable to even activate their spells.

But that wouldn’t be the case for us. The Red Tail Tribe wasn’t foolish, and they likely stationed their best warriors around the Source.

“That part is fine. The Source of Mana has been rendered unusable for now.”

“Unusable? What do you mean?”

“Yes. According to the survivors from the fortress, when the assault began, it was too late to use magic. They severed all circuits connected to the Source of Mana.”

Mana, no matter how infinite, is just a raw resource.

It holds no power on its own and must pass through various laws wielded by magicians to manifest as magic.

The fortress had numerous systems in place to extract mana efficiently from the Source, but they had all been deliberately destroyed.

Restoring something broken is more challenging than creating something new.

Even in their dying moments, the defenders played their role, ensuring future plans for the fortress.

“The kingdom’s position is understandable.”

Mobilizing troops from the capital takes significant time, but waiting until the circuits were repaired wasn’t an option.

Their solution was to deploy numerous adventurer parties, alongside the Hero’s party, as a symbolic gesture of justice on the kingdom’s side.

With the recent issues of currency reevaluation and the incidents caused by Cain and Lilith, the royal family must have been grappling with numerous headaches.

“So, as a courtesy, I must inform you that rest time in the nearby village will be limited—perhaps a day at most. I hope you understand.”

“It’s fine, really. We wouldn’t have much to do anyway.”

When someone apologizes so sincerely, it only makes you feel awkward in return.

The Hero’s party didn’t have much to do; in this operation, they were purely symbolic.

“Hero, let me sit on your lap.”

“Ah, this dizziness… If someone would let me use their lap as a pillow…”

“Haha, well…”

And these people didn’t seem particularly motivated either.

“Guys…? Everyone’s watching…”

Good grief, take it down a notch! A month ago, they’d been too shy to pull stunts like this outdoors or in front of strangers.

Can’t they see the other adventurer parties and soldiers around?

Lately, I haven’t felt the headaches that usually come when meeting the Hero.

It doesn’t seem like they’re hypnotizing me anymore, but the lascivious antics of these heroines are growing bolder by the day.

Or did he change tactics? Instead of brainwashing me, is he planning to fully corrupt the other heroines first, turning them into living toys? I thought the Hero preferred simultaneous conquests…

The repulsive displays of perversion dragged on through the afternoon, and before I knew it, evening had arrived.

Now, under the night sky, we visited a village visible from a distance where the fortress lay.

It would have been ideal to set up near the fortress with proper facilities.

However, since the fortress had been seized, the surrounding areas couldn’t escape danger either.

In the rush to evacuate, the residents barely managed to flee, leaving little time to implement scorched-earth tactics.

Naturally, what was left of the village was more akin to a shantytown.

While a few intact buildings remained, they were hardly in good condition, left behind by those unable to compete in the trade or military professions.

“…This place is a complete slum.”

“L-Laura! That’s rude to these people!”

“But it’s true, isn’t it, sis?”

The cold and unfeeling woman spoke without hesitation, seemingly unbothered by the plight of the people.

Still, there was a silver lining to this dreary situation.

Even if we were dealing with a perverted little loli and a knight acting like a living doll, at least they wouldn’t be tempted in such grim surroundings.

As for the Hero, it wouldn’t be out of character for him to try to “comfort” the refugees by offering a heroine to them, but thankfully, no heroine seemed brainwashed to that extent yet.

“The temporary base’s tents seem like a better option.”

“I agree with Sera. What about the rest of you?”

As the Hero and I argued, the poor living conditions became undeniable.

Staying here would likely make us sick before we could even fight. Dusty tents would be a better choice than this place.

“…Agreed.”

“Tsk, just when I had the time to… Ugh.”

Fortunately, neither Natalia nor Laura seemed to have complaints.

With nothing keeping us here, it was time to move on.

Although it was quite late, the Hero’s party and the kingdom’s army were bound to be given decent accommodations.

The thought of enjoying such privileges brought a slight thrill.

However, the poor hygiene and security in the village became immediately apparent.

Beggars filled the streets, alongside people drunk or high on drugs, lying in heaps. Some were even engaged in brawls.

Although, calling it a brawl might be an overstatement.

It was more of a one-sided assault on a girl who appeared to be their peer.

“How dare you crawl back here!”

“I’ve only ever lived in the sanctuary! I have nothing to do with the warriors! Please, just sell me some medicine! I’ll pay fairly, I swear!”

The girl wasn’t an ordinary one. She had crimson furred wolf ears and a tail—the hallmark of the Red Tail Tribe that had seized the fortress.

“I said, get lost!”

“Kyah!”

Even in a shantytown like this, there were merchants eking out a living, ironically selling unlicensed and dangerous goods.

But even these unscrupulous merchants seemed unwilling to sell to someone from the Red Tail Tribe, opting instead to drive her out with blows.

“Tsk! Such bad luck! Why don’t you just stay quietly in your sanctuary? Thanks to you, I can’t even do business! Who’s going to pay for all this mess? Get out before I kill you!”

With a loud slam, the shop door shut behind her.

The beastkin girl, now battered and bruised, whimpered in pain.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

And of course, the Hero rushed to her side.

Judging by the situation, it seemed I would have to heal her. On closer inspection, her face looked oddly familiar.

“Haah… Haah… This is all your fault! Sanctuary? That’s just a garbage dump for your kind!!”

The crimson ears, tail, bronze skin, and that anguished voice—there was no mistaking it.

She was a warrior of the Red Tail Tribe, known as the “Unyielding Rock.”

I had heard of her from the Hero’s party when we stood against the invasion of the demon forces.

The “Unyielding Rock” was said to be the lover of “Rushing Thunder,” another warrior.

Yet, under the Hero’s persistent brainwashing, she had become entangled with him.

Eventually, the corrupted Unyielding Rock fell into depravity, even sending a crystal recording of her humiliation to Rushing Thunder.

In the end, she was discarded by the Hero and degraded to serving soldiers as a mere tool.

Was this why the Hero hadn’t tried to brainwash me after the incident in the capital? Could he have been saving this moment for his twisted pleasure? Perhaps the Hero was truly an NTR fanatic.

“Why… Why is this happening to us? What did we ever do wrong…?”

The Unyielding Rock collapsed in tears, barely conscious.

“Sera, can you help her? She needs healing right away.”

Though she was broken and crying, all I could feel was despair. Of all places, I had to meet another heroine here.