Sculpture of Shameful Ogres
The work of a little known Sculptor. Ogres were Kings of the forests and mountains. With the pride they hold for their territory, they will show a savage attitude towards invaders.
However, because of a commission from the Matallost Church, they were sculpted in this manner instead.
If Ogres were to see this, it would make them seethe with rage and resentment.
Artistic Value: None at all
Special Effect: Stimulates the sadness of the Ogres.
– Waaaaaaaaaah.
The groaning sound of the River of Lamentations only amplified as they continued down the river.
On the second day at the River of Lamentations, Weed found some ruins. The temple of the Matallost Church!
The temple of the church which was thought to have completely disappeared from the face of the continent was here.
The building, which he estimated to be made out of marble, was completely no more than a ruin. It was hazardously built like it was going to collapse at any moment, so it made him worry about entering.
“Summon Death Knight!”
Death Knight appeared with a puff of smoke and raised his sword.
“You called. Master.”
“You, go in there. If there are any living humans or monsters, come out immediately and report.”
“Understood.”
It might lower his Intimacy with Death Knight a little, but seeing they had spent a long time in each other’s company, they were connected through sticky and tough situations.
After searching the temple interior thoroughly, Death Knight came out.
“There is no one inside. Master.”
“Really?”
Weed went inside the temple.
Inside, there were only stone statues worshipping the God who put the enormous temple’s entrance to shame.
“The temple remains but all of the Priests are gone.”
Weed soon came out of the Matallost temple.
There was not a single item left in the Priests’ quarters. His clothes only got smudged with a ton of dust inside the temple.
* * *
The third day on the River of Lamentation!
In a place not very far from the temple, Weed found over 100 Priests and Dark Knights.
“The Embinyu Church!”
A groan escaped Weed’s mouth.
Even in the region where the Bone Dragon had been, he had found traces of the Embinyu Church. He remembered getting rid of them, with the help of the expedition, Seoyoon, and Alveron.
Weed’s face hardened with seriousness.
“So the Embinyu Church is involved again!”
For him to find the Embinyu Church who had influenced the fall of the Niflheim Empire here, the situation was serious.
For now, Weed hid himself.
There had been over 1,000 Demonic Spirits gathered near the Priests and Knights of the Embinyu Church. Mighty power indeed!
Moreover, they were performing a grave ritual.
“Kehhh. Do not leave. Take revenge on those who made you like this!”
“Painful and agonizing feelings. Awaken the meaning of despair!”
“Return once more to take your revenge.”
They were performing a Ritual of Slaughter downstream the River of Lamentation.
The river sloshed every time a lamb or deer was offered as a sacrifice. The water spurted high like a fountain and surged like it was going to swallow them. Every time it happened, the Priests of the Embinyu Church hurried to escape the river.
“Erupt the bitter feelings, endless sorrow, and boiling anger!”
It was when the Ritualists offered the heart of a lamb.
Wooooosh!
The river’s waters sloshed like they were going to reverse direction, and gushed up 10 meters high. The dirty and murky waste water!
Ghosts made groaning noises while making extremely distorted expressions in the river.
“Looks like they’re doing something… Death Knight.”
“Speak. Master.”
“Defend Smith here.”
“Got it.”
He planned on leaving Smith and Death Knight to try infiltrating alone.
Smith came forward.
“Woah, no. I’ll help. It’s ridiculous to leave recon to a fledgling Sculptor like you.”
“…”
“Where do you think you’re going without me, a first-class mercenary. Trust me.”
Weed threw him the remaining whiskey, about half of what he’d had.
“Ahh! Luxury whiskey! Sure enough, it tastes real good.”
Drinking the liquor thoroughly erased Smith’s thoughts of following the recon. Weed solved the luggage lump problem and infiltrated the Embinyu Church area alone.
‘Infiltrating’ was an exaggeration. In reality, he was just climbing the rock mountain while slowly approaching them!
Every time he crawled, stone debris fell down. When the Priests and Dark Knights of the Embinyu looked like they were going to turn their eyes, he quickly crouched and hid.
The wind blew through the holes in the rock, letting out an eerie ghostly sounding wails. Weed climbed as near as he could towards the Embinyu Church at the top of the rocky mountain. It wasn’t enough to eavesdrop on the conversation or activities of the Priests, but he was able to hear what the Dark Knights on guard were saying.
“… Did what?”
“Today… seems like… reported they did that many.”
“To utilize the sculptures… It’s an excellent plan.”
“The Versailles Continent into misery… our goal.”
The words he heard in fragments! Bits and pieces were cut off because of the wind.
Weed tried putting the pieces together to get the meaning of the conversation.
He’d survived thanks to his senses. By simply seeing the boss’ expression, he could tell if his wage was going to come safely or be withheld.
‘They did that many. Dunno know what that is, but seems like it was about they what were doing with the ghosts in the River of Lamentations… Utilize the sculptures. They’re probably using them to give evil power to the ghosts in the River of Lamentations.’
There could be no other reason for them to be using the sculptures.
The River of Lamentations was becoming increasingly filthy downstream and the spirits were suffering. He had to assume they were interfering with the negative power the sculptures gave off.
“.. Time is like this.”
“Replacement… get a break.”
“Fresh sheep’s blood…”
The Dark Knights’ guard duty was rotated.
Weed silently waited as the next Dark Knights stood guard.
“The wind is strong.”
“The weather is bad… Caltrops emerged…”