Escape From a Deserted Island With Enemy Female Soldiers - Chapter 87



86 – Adora (1)

Beneath a tree, completely burnt and reduced to ashes.

Two demons crushed the corpses of bees under their feet as they cleaned up the area.

An old woman covered in mushrooms clicked her tongue.

[“Birjoneh has been taken out.”]

“Tsk.”

[“Didn’t expect her to go like this, though.”]

A girl with white hair and red eyes snorted.

“She deserved it.”

[“Ain’t you bein’ a bit heartless for a man just died?”]

“Heartless my ass. Whose fault is it for not reportin’ the intruders properly? Pretending to be some legion commander when he barely leads a division. Cocky b*stard.”

[“Regardless, it’s clearly an emergency. We need to come up with a plan.”]

The white-haired demon turned her head. She bared sharp fangs in a smile.

“Niemie.”

[“Speak your mind.”]

“The resurrection of He Who Is is almost upon us. External interference cannot be tolerated at a time like this. I’d like things quiet on the outside.”

[“Hmm, you ask a difficult thing.”]

An old woman covered in fungi.

The Witch of Calamity, Niemie.

[“Alright. This old hag will flex some muscle.”]

She nodded her head and clasped her hands together.

[“Gather.”]

Niemie muttered, chanting a spell. Blue flames ignited in her hollow eyes.

Thud-thud.

Spores scattered everywhere, rising like pollen. The pollen intertwined like sponges, forming human shapes. Truly, mushrooms molded in the image of man.

[“Find the intruders.”]

At Niemie’s command, the mushrooms moved slowly.

A white-haired, red-eyed girl.

The Vampire Princess, Vepisha.

She smiled contentedly, twirling her parasol.

“Satisfied. Find him and kill him immediately. If you can’t kill him, come find me.”

[“Didn’t need to be told, I was gonna.”]

“Now, here’s some good news. Just got word through the scroll. Salbira’s coming. I guess she wants to witness the Grandfather’s resurrection ritual with us.”

[“That spider pal of yours? Never did trust her much.”]

“What choice do we have? There’s only three legion commanders left, including you and Hae-ryong.”

Befasha waved a hand, telling him to get to work.

Then, abruptly.

She turned back to deliver one more fact.

“Oh, right. Seems like the Palyeonghoe are sending an outsider too, huh?”

*

Mado Kingdom Southern Command.

“He’s finally gone and done it.”

Air Force General Tetman Gifold sighed. He stubbed out a barely smoked cigarette in the ashtray and put down the newspaper.

[Hazkael Declares War on Sellane]

“To actually provoke even the Elven Kingdom… is the Chancellor out of his mind?”

“Watch your words.”

It wasn’t just anyone who responded to Tetman’s worries with such a sharp tone – it was Adora.

Adora Gifold. Tetman’s daughter, an Army Major General, and a prodigy affiliated with the Chancellor’s personal guard, the ‘Chiljadan’.

“Adora, why have you come here, of all places, as one of the Chiljadan?”

*Paang.*

Adora popped her bubblegum and said,

“I told you last time, didn’t I? That I’d be back someday to carry out a mission.”

“Is today that day?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Couldn’t you have contacted me before coming?”

“It’s confidential, so I couldn’t tell you right away. I hope you understand.”

Adora pulled her beret down further and bowed her head. She held out a small note.

“This is…”

The note was inscribed with a command bearing the Great President of the Magic Kingdom’s seal.

” ‘Mobilize all air power to smash the Elven Kingdom’s main fleet. Furthermore, Adora Giffold is temporarily assigned to the Southern Command for deployment in the naval battle with the Holy Spirit Kingdom?’ What is the meaning of this?”

“It’s exactly as it reads. His Excellency wants to crush the Holy Spirit Kingdom as soon as possible and seize control of the western sea. I am simply here to fulfill that wish.”

“What can you possibly do here?”

“I’m afraid I can’t tell you that. Yes.”

Adora tapped her sternum and frowned slightly.

“I am… His Excellency the President’s arms and legs. I will obey any order His Excellency gives.”

“Adora.”

As a father, Tetman’s head was starting to ache.

Just like the missing Admiral Dietz, Tetman himself was a massive daughter-fool. It’s just that he stopped showing it as his daughter got older.

A parent’s love for their child is real.

So from some point on, he couldn’t help but constantly worry about his daughter’s strange behavior.

“You really intend to go to the front lines?”

“It’s the Führer’s command.”

“Even a naval battle?”

“I’m a General too. Yes. I’ll manage.”

Tetman bit his lip.

“…Just don’t die.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“And if possible, don’t even get hurt.”

Adora lowered her head. She was about to turn and leave the office when:

“Wait.”

“Do you have something else to say?”

“Come to think of it, I saw the gum you spat out the other day… It looked like there was blood mixed in with it. I was wondering if maybe you were sick or something.”

“I’m not. You must have mistaken the coloring in the gum.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I mainly chew the strawberry flavored ones, so…”

Adora rolled her tongue, inflating her gum with air. The swollen bubble burst with a *pop*, the sound echoing sharply through the office.

“Well, good then. If there’s a secret operation, be careful and don’t get hurt.”

“You worry too much.”

Adora left the office. After walking dozens of steps, she turned a corner and pulled out an electronic scroll from her uniform. She reconfirmed the orders the Chancellor had given her alone.

[Transport captured Holy Spirit Kingdom soldiers, alive, from the waters near Tatankuru to the designated destination. Handover personnel are present at said destination.]

I checked the nautical chart.

A large dot was marked right in the middle of the Tatankuru Sea. This was Adora’s mission location.

Adora had set out to sea without even her dedicated adjutant. The vessel she was on wasn’t an aircraft carrier, nor a destroyer, but a small speedboat.

A small, insignificant vessel, considering her rank of Major and her position as the President’s personal guard. But for carrying out secret missions, there was no better ship.

“Haa…”

Adora sighed and, alone on the bow, reached behind her neck to remove her necklace.

A silver chain with a pendant featuring eight inverted crosses spaced equally apart.

The crest of the Eight Shadows.

An artifact she’d received from the President after becoming a member of the Seven Stars. It was designed to assist with the wearer’s mana control.

Adora clutched the necklace tightly in one hand and lifted her head.

The sea fog was thickening.

*Splaash!*

The sea parted through the deep blue mist. A massive serpent emerged from it. It was a behemoth, appearing to be about 40 stories tall, and even had whiskers like a catfish.

The serpent looked at Adora’s speedboat and said quietly:

[“Are you the outsider from the Eight Shadows Conference who was scheduled to come this time?”]

*

A few days had passed since defeating the Queen Bee.

I’d been steadily checking on the three female soldiers’ conditions during that time. They were basically okay, but there was also a subtle vibe I was picking up. Just to briefly recall, well, yeah…

Valkyrie tried to hug me even when I just lit a campfire.

The Saintess, claiming her Divine Power was depleted and she was dizzy, initiated a back hug.

The fox sisters kept trying to pull my pants down with their tails.

It’s worse than usual. Weirder than the last island. Setting everything else aside, it makes no sense that the Saintess is supposedly struggling with depleted Divine Power.

I feel like I’ve become prey.

Could they be acting?

I don’t know. How am I supposed to read a woman’s heart?

Anyway, we’ve been throwing ourselves into securing food again lately.

The next exploration will take us through the forest, toward where there should be mountains and caves. I want to check if there’s a barrier or any clues related to a barrier over there.

Judging from past experience, a powerful magical beast is probably waiting for us.

We need to conserve our strength, even if it’s just to fight them.

“Tada! New net complete!”

Riyo made tools for sea fishing. I helped, but she finished them really fast. The more I see, the more I just think she’s amazing.

So, we decided to go sea fishing today for the first time in a while.

I chatted with Miyo on the way to kill time.

From noble mtl dot com

[“What should I teach you today?”]

To be precise, we had a lesson.

[“Since we’re on our way, how about we talk briefly about forbidden magic, like we’re taking a break?”]

[“Forbidden magic! I know some. They’re magic that’s super dangerous, so we promised not to use them, right?”]

I nodded. As much as she’s interested in magic, Miyo already has some basic knowledge.

[“There are many types of forbidden magic. Like ones that control the mind, or destroy things, or leave the mind alone and just abuse the body…”]

[“What do you think is the most awful taboo for a mage?”]

The answer was predetermined.

[“Anti-Talisman.”]

[“Huh? What’s that.”]

[“Never heard of it?”]

[“Nope.”]

[“It’s a dark spell that completely steals the rights to someone’s major organs, like their brain or heart. It’s linked to sacrifice, so it’s incredibly gruesome.”]

Miyo nodded, humming.

[“Explain it more.”]

[“Let’s say someone has cardiac arrest. Normally, once that happens, it’s impossible to get their heart beating again unless a miracle happens. But if you use Anti-Talisman, you can force the heart to beat with demonic power.”]

The crucial element that makes this possible is a tiny speck of soot called an Amulet. The caster injects the Amulet into the subject and seals it up, seizing control of their physical form.

[“Even if they live, they’re not really living. Their body has been hijacked by the caster. If it’s the brain, they’ll live like a puppet, but what if the heart’s been stolen?”]

[“Every time they disobey… you just squeeze it?”]

[“Exactly.”]

It was dark magic I’d learned about when I read a history book on taboos. I only saw one page, but the event was so intense I still remember it.

[“Is there a cure?”]

[“I don’t know that far. Oh, since the Amulet is made with magic, maybe you could just bombard it with divine power.”]

I don’t know the details. It’s not a technique anyone can use in the first place. You have to be good at magic, and your medical skills have to be outstanding. I know the Amulet implantation process is very complicated.

[“Ah, we’re already here.”]

It’s been a while since I’ve seen such a clear ocean. Salty wind filled my lungs in the open space. The grains of sand shimmering in the sunlight are beautiful. And so is the Magic Kingdom officer who’s collapsed haphazardly like seaweed washed ashore…

What the hell is that.