NOVEL WEB Chapter 85
Chapter 85
In the face of a powerful enemy, even sworn enemies may join hands. The witches and witch hunters worked together to overcome the Frost Nest.
“Damn it… The position of that creature is incredibly tricky.”
“Peshua, is there any way?”
“I can… create some cover for you. Is there a strike you can make once the distance is closed?”
“I don’t have one. What about you?”
“Hm… There are plenty of ways.”
“Then let’s go with that method. What do you think?”
“Without even testing it first?”
“You’re expecting a lot from a witch who just had a hole punched in her stomach. Just do it! Peshua! Do it!”
Whioooooo…
The witch began muttering an incantation.
One of the major differences between a magician and a witch was precisely this incantation. In the case of a witch, the magic power required to use large-scale magic was generally less than that of a magician of the same level, but the incantation took longer.
“Rise!”
[Peshua uses the Pillars of the Ice Temple.]
[Six massive ice pillars rise ahead. They deal cold damage on direct hit and freeze on multiple impacts.]
[The pillars last for a short duration and will collapse and disappear if the supply of magic power ceases.]
Thud— Thud— Thuuud!
Six pillars shot up in front. The spacing between the pillars was wide, but unfortunately, they didn’t reach the creature.
Paaang—!
[Collin uses the Grappling Launcher.]
[The grappling hook is launched, allowing you to traverse terrain.]
[Defense increases by 20% during movement, and the movement can be canceled.]
Whirr—!
Two witch hunters wrapped the grappling hook around one of the pillars and used the centrifugal force to rapidly charge straight ahead.
“Try attacking from behind, and you’ll be dead!”
“Look who’s talking!”
Whirr—!
Kwaaang—!
“Eek.”
The witch hunters narrowly evaded the attack of the Snow Cannon Turtle and positioned themselves behind the closest pillar, preparing to attack.
Sssss…
[Anselm uses Explosive Arrows.]
[This ranged attack will explode, dealing physical and fire damage.]
[Has a certain chance to induce a burn.]
A magical engineering weapon capable of firing special arrows. The crossbows used by the witch hunters were their pride, honed through years of battling magic.
Thunk—! Thunk—!
The two arrows flew toward the creature’s cannon.
Crack…
Kwoooong—!
The Cannon Turtle’s legs buckled under the impact, and it collapsed. The cannon didn’t seem like it would be operational again.
Paaang—!
The two witch hunters drew their swords and plunged them into the turtle’s neck.
Splat—!
Hot blood splattered across the snow-covered ground. The creature fell, but the blizzard didn’t stop.
“Let’s hurry.”
“If only someone hadn’t triggered the trap….”
“Who was it that decided to flee into an unknown dungeon in the first place!?”
“If we hadn’t run, you would have killed us!”
“It’s war! Of course, that’s what….”
“Enough, enough. Getting out of here is our top priority.”
Even when facing a critical issue, emotional disputes would flare up. Such was the relationship between witches and witch hunters.
“If we can’t find a way to stop the blizzard, we’ll have to keep moving. Otherwise… we’ll end up buried in the snow.”
“You’re right. Let’s go, Anselm.”
“Hmph.”
“At least we took down a creature like that, so we shouldn’t face any problems for a while.”
They hoped that the dangers of the fourth layer would end here, but the dungeon’s master had plenty of means to stand in their way.
Kiiii….
“A, a Glacier Spider. Here of all places….”
“A web? I’ll burn it all.”
“You don’t see creatures like this often here, so you wouldn’t know. The Glacier Widow Spider’s web is more dangerous for its strength than its adhesive.”
“Strength?”
“It’s as sharp as a sword.”
The White Witch Peshua spoke to the Purple Witch Albany.
“Albany, can you cast a Curse of Perception?”
“In other words, you want us to sneak past the spider?”
“Yes. Can you do it?”
“I haven’t tested it on a creature with that level of awareness, but… I think I can.”
After the Purple Witch Albany began her incantation, a little while later:
“…Disappear.”
[Albany uses the Curse of Perception.]
[The target’s awareness of its surroundings is diminished. The curse will break if it senses a threatening attack or presence.]
Kiiii…
The four crawled slowly under the spider’s web. They were beginning to recognize that each other’s abilities were quite useful, but none of them voiced it aloud.
“Let’s keep doing it like this. If we do, we won’t end up….”
It was at that moment.
As they moved in their low-crouched position, the terrain ahead suddenly caved in like a slide. And it wasn’t just the slope; the terrain itself was ice.
Slip—!
“W-what!”
“Careful!”
[Peshua uses the Ice Cocoon.]
[Encases yourself and those around you in an ice wall for protection.]
Crunch—!
The White Witch hurriedly cast a spell, creating an ice wall to protect herself and those nearby.
Thunk—!
Thump—!
Each person grabbed one of Peshua’s arms.
“Collin! No!”
Collin tried to regain balance alone but noticed the Glacier Widow Spider’s web at the edge of the ice too late.
Splat—!
Could a person shatter into pieces in the shape of a spider’s web? Yes, they could.
“Kyaaah!”
“Aaaah!”
“Peshua! Get a grip! Below us!”
“Oh….”
The ice wall that Peshua created pierced through the spider web, but it couldn’t prevent the fall.
“There’s no foothold….”
“Jump!”
Paaang—!
The witch hunter Anselm fired a grappling hook across to the other side.
Creeeak…
With three people hanging from a single grappling hook, the line seemed like it could snap at any moment.
“Sorry.”
“…Huh? Albany? No, you can’t be…”
Splat—!
The Purple Witch Albany let go of the White Witch Peshua’s hand.
“Youuuu!”
Splat…
With a horrifying sound, Peshua fell into the abyss below.
“…Wasn’t she your ally?”
“I wasn’t that close to the White Witch. If I had slipped up, we’d all be dead.”
“…Cold-hearted.”
“If you had intervened, you would have triggered the Curse of Perjury, so I took care of it. Be grateful.”
“Hmph.”
Creeeak…
Fortunately, the grappling hook held the weight of the two remaining people.
“Where on earth is this place…?”
“It might be where Eckelart once stayed.”
“You witches are always talking about that shaman.”
“What?”
“That Eckelart’s wrath will come, that when he wakes, everyone is doomed… Just empty boasts.”
“It’s not a boast! Eckelart is a legendary being sealed by the Three-Colored Witches!”
“Isn’t it funny that the ones who sealed him would be the ones to wake him? Eckelart will be very cooperative, I’m sure.”
“Cooperative? Hmph, he’ll simply follow orders.”
“Do you have a way to control him?”
“Why should I tell you?”
“If we get out of here….”
“…Shh.”
“Let me finish….”
“Be quiet.”
“……”
Whiooo…
Albany took out two grotesque-looking dolls.
“Are those cursed weapons?”
“Yes, ha… Is this some kind of fateful encounter?”
“What do you mean? Speak clearly.”
“Are you familiar with the Frost Giants?”
“The ones who were controlled by the Purple Witch, right? Because of that, more than ten hunters were killed.”
“Recently, they were annihilated.”
“Annihilated? You mean they escaped?”
“To be precise… Should I even be saying this? A high-ranking Purple Witch named Valois took control and defected.”
“A deserter, huh? Heh…”
“Thanks to that, these magical devices were given to other mid-to-low ranking witches as well. To reclaim the Frost Giants.”
“Oh…”
“But the device is vibrating. It means… they’re here.”
“Is that good news?”
A nod.
“It is good news. If we reclaim the Frost Giants with the device, we can quickly break out of this dungeon.”
“Wait, even if you obtain the Frost Giants, you would…”
“I’m bound by the curse as well. That won’t happen.”
“Then it really is good news.”
“Moreover… if the master of this dungeon is the runaway Valois… there’s a chance I might even succeed her as a high-ranking witch.”
Whooong…
Albany advanced, holding the device forward.
Rumble…
The device trembled as if there were an earthquake, indicating that the Frost Giants were very close by.
“Reveal yourselves! Frost Giants!”
Sss…
As the cold air swept in from the darkness, a massive figure appeared.
Thud-!
Thud-!
When two Frost Giants revealed themselves, Albany, who was holding the device towards the sky, began the brainwashing ritual.
“Awaken from deep within…”
As the device emitted a suspicious light, it tried to bind the Frost Giants.
Rumble…
“Wait… Hey, is this right? Something feels off…”
At that moment, the Frost Giants lowered their bodies and brought their faces close to Albany’s.
“Are you done, little witch?”
“Huh…?”
“Trying to bind us with that crafty power again, you must be punished.”
“W-Wait! I…”
The Frost Giants, Boldan and Hawkin, each grabbed one of her arms with their fingers and pulled.
Rippppp-!
In an instant, the witch was torn in half.
“You dared… to try and bind us…”
“Ugh… Ugh…”
Thud…
Witch Hunter Anselm, horrified by the gruesome scene, fell on his rear and tried to crawl back.
“S-Stay back… you monsters!”
“Heh heh heh… Look at this one! He wet himself?”
“Kahaha! Make sure he doesn’t die.”
“Better handle him carefully, so he doesn’t break.”
“Eek…”
Anselm, having dropped his crossbow, saw his vision filled with the Frost Giant’s hand.
* * *
…here.
“Ugh…”
…Wake up.
Anselm, regaining consciousness at the sound of a voice, slowly opened his eyes.
“I’m… still alive…?”
“Yes, for now.”
“P-Please spare me.”
“Answer my questions.”
There had been no contact with witch hunters until now, so there was no information to extract. Neither Bil nor Koning could infiltrate the outpost directly, so there had only been an excessive accumulation of information from the witch faction.
Therefore, this opportunity had to be used carefully.
“T-Those are… witches!”
Anselm, upon seeing the three witches forging the cursed sword Mislante, reacted with a seizure-like rage.
“As expected… this is a witch’s lair. Was it a trap?”
“…There’s an outpost now?”
“Yes, this hunt will surely succeed.”
“Didn’t you ask to be spared? What an arrogant attitude.”
“Heh… No matter how much I want to live, I won’t beg for my life from a witch.”
“That’s a good attitude. Does that mean you won’t reveal any information?”
“Information? There’s no information, only facts. It’s already over. This hunt can’t be stopped, and the Witch Order is practically doomed.”
“Can’t be stopped, huh…”
“A full-scale offensive is planned. The witches won’t be able to resist.”
“You’re quite confident.”
“That’s the kind of force we’re talking about. Like predicting the outcome when an elephant steps on an ant.”
The gap was actually narrower than that, but he let the man remain confident.
When dealing with someone like this, it’s best not to be servile. Rather, provoking him is a better way to extract quality information.
“Ridiculous. The Witch Order must have a hidden trump card.”
“Pfft… Are you talking about Eckelart?”
“…You knew?”
“Of course. To think of such a thing as a plan… Isn’t it laughable that they are now in such a hurry to wake up a being they sealed themselves?”
“Well… I do share a similar sentiment…”
“Heh heh heh… Ahahaha! This is so funny, I feel like my stomach is going to burst. Want to hear something amusing?”
“Something amusing?”
Anselm grinned slyly as he spoke.
“The Blue Witch, who held the key… ran away alone.”
“…How do you know that?”
“Because it was our intention.”
“What?”
“How could a single person escape from the devastated Blue Witch Order? And that too, the witch who holds the key to Eckelart’s seal! Do you really think she managed to escape on her own?”
“……”
Anselm’s words were correct.
It would have been nearly impossible for Enis to escape that hellscape on her own, and yet somehow she did, with no further pursuit as if it had been abruptly cut off.
‘So it was indeed the witch hunters who interfered, just like in the original story.’
However, it was still unclear how the witch hunters knew so precisely about the matters related to Eckelart’s seal.
“Speechless? Our spies within the Witch Order urged the revival of Eckelart, and a consensus was formed to eliminate the Blue Witches who stood in the way. The witches… were played by us. It’s laughable, laughable! Despite not realizing this, the witches are still relying on what’s practically a mere legend, even with the full-scale offensive looming…”
“Something doesn’t add up.”
“…What’s off?”
“Witch hunters only recently started pressing the Witch Order. Until then, they showed no significant results or determination. Why have they suddenly adopted such an aggressive strategy?”
“…Because it’s time.”
“That’s a meaningless answer. Let me ask you something else. Whose idea was it to first plan this operation related to Eckelart?”
A loaded question.
There was a strange sense that something was off.
‘Why are the witch hunters so fixated on using Eckelart?’
What if the Blue Witch Order had helped awaken Eckelart? What if the revived Eckelart had been controlled by the Purple Witch Order?
‘At the very least, the witches wouldn’t have been so easily overpowered… They could have even driven back the witch hunters.’
In hindsight, the Witch Order had split, reducing its power, and with the full-scale offensive imminent, Eckelart’s complete revival was no longer possible, meaning the witch hunters’ plan had succeeded.
‘It’s strange… It’s as if the witch hunters intentionally left room for this.’
It was as though they were inviting the Witch Order to stab them with this dagger, continuously keeping Eckelart in mind.
‘Things only went well because of some luck, but why did they specifically target Eckelart?’
In the original story, the conflict concluded without Eckelart’s revival, with the Witch Order resolving matters internally… but upon further reflection, the identity of the witch hunter who sought to divide the Witch Order by exploiting Eckelart was never revealed.
What I was curious about was whose idea this plan originated from.
“It was…”
“Answer me.”
“Who… Why…”
The man’s eyes became unfocused as he looked at me, drool dripping from his mouth.
“Who it was… I can’t remember… Aaaaah!”
Drool…
Suddenly, blood began to pour from Anselm’s eyes as he collapsed with a thud. I checked his pulse.
“…He’s dead.”
It was likely the work of the person my question was targeting. Someone within the witch hunters had implanted something in Anselm, and when he tried to reveal their identity, the contingency took effect.
‘If that’s the case…’
The Frozen War.
Malice seeped out from the cracked ice.
‘The one who desires Eckelart’s revival the most…’
It might not be the Witch Order after all.