Inn Overlord: Reincarnated with Enhancement Magic, Now Worshipped as a Divine Messenger! - Chapter 23

(Harmonia Holy Kingdom’s Three Great Scores – Lydia Kreil’s Perspective)

This forest is as eerie as ever. The sound of leaves rustling in the wind, the sensation of stepping on fallen leaves. The humidity clings to my jewel-like white skin, turning into sweat that drips into my ample cleavage.

—It keeps stimulating all of my senses…

The tree trunks’ grain patterns confuse the eyes of those who enter the forest, while the recklessly sprawling roots hinder my steps.

However, it is also true that the natural formations of this forest stimulate my artistic senses.

—It might be good to compose a piece about this forest next time…

The Pope’s command was to strengthen the Harmonia Holy Kingdom’s army, expand its territory, and lay the groundwork for a large-scale invasion in the future.

If we consider this cursed forest as a nation, it borders three countries: the Harmonia Holy Kingdom, the Kingdom of Schmar, and the Victor Empire. However, for both the Harmonia Holy Kingdom and the Victor Empire to enter the forest, they must cross steep mountains. If they try to bypass the mountains and enter the forest, they must overcome the walls built by the Kingdom of Schmar. The same applies to the Victor Empire to the south. If we were to do so, there was a risk of being spotted by the border guards of Schmar. That is why I chose to cross those treacherous mountains.

—Damn it! Even if it’s the Pope’s request, I never thought I’d have to take on such a harsh mission alone…

Originally, I had a group of about 30 people, including guards, but due to the dangerous mountain paths and monster attacks, they all died before we reached the cursed forest.

—I could have turned back, but if I did, Prima, Michaela, and the cardinals would have scolded me…

I take control of the monsters’ minds in this forest, making them fight and kill each other. The surviving monsters can challenge or provoke those I couldn’t control, attack the Kingdom of Schmar, or even invade the Victor Empire. Even if they don’t go that far, they could serve as a deterrent.

This mission brought an unexpected discovery: the Army Ants managed to defeat an Orc King, a B-rank difficulty monster. It was simply a matter of numbers. No matter how strong one individual is, they cannot withstand an attack from an even larger group. I had hoped that the creatures of this forest would challenge the higher-tier monsters in its depths. That stray griffon also shows promise. Or perhaps it would be better if that massive swarm of ants attacked the villages and towns of the Schmar Kingdom’s citizens.

—If that happens, I can achieve an accomplishment that surpasses the other two of the Three Great Scores!!

—I’ll prove those muscle-headed fools who mocked my mind control wrong!

—And then, I’ll use my mind control to make the other Great Scores kneel before me!

—Even if I make them think they’ve lost to me just a little, that will be the opening I need!

—Wait… could I even use the Army Ants to create my own independent kingdom?

Thinking about this bright future, I can’t help but laugh.

“Heh… hehehe…”

At first, it’s a reserved laugh, but it gradually grows louder.

“Gahahahaha!!”

After laughing to my heart’s content, I head toward my expected Army Ants.

—By now, they must have grown into a force of over ten thousand! If it reaches one hundred thousand or even two hundred thousand…

As I approach the Army Ants’ nest, I realize that even though I’ve entered my own mental control domain, the queen ant isn’t responding.

—Huh? Is it because the nest is deep underground?

“Tsk, this is annoying…”

“…Are you planning to meet the Army Ants?”

The voice was so natural that I instinctively answered without thinking.

“That’s the plan, but—”

But then I realized something.

“What!?”

I quickly jumped back and raised my flute, staring at the man who spoke to me.

A blonde man dressed like an adventurer stood there.

“W-Who the hell are you!?”

—No… an adventurer? What is he doing here…?

At that moment, the man’s gaze shifted slightly to my left. He averted his eyes from me.

Seeing my chance, I put my flute to my lips, preparing to take control of him—but suddenly, a violent gust of wind erupted from the direction he glanced at.

“Huh!?”

Before I knew it, I was soaring through the air.

—Damn it!! He must be skilled in surprise attacks like an assassin! That was just a feint with his gaze, but it won’t work on me twice!

I tried to regain my footing and land properly—but I noticed something.

I was trying to land, but… I had no legs to land on.

“…Huh?”

I tumbled to the ground. As I turned to look at the blonde man, I saw something familiar standing upright nearby—my own lower half. As soon as I realized it, it collapsed with a thud.

I understood. That gust of wind had sliced my torso apart. At the same time, a wave of excruciating pain surged through me.

“Gaaahhhhhh!!! W-What did you do to me!?”

The man waved his hands dismissively.

“It wasn’t me. It was that person—”

My consciousness faded to darkness.

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(Seraph’s Perspective)

“You idiot!!”

Laura’s scolding came down like a hammer. David and I sat in seiza, accepting her words. Luka and Jeanne stood nervously, watching us.

Because Jeanne had cut down too many trees with a single slash, the villagers had gathered.

David somehow managed to cover it up by lying, saying that a giant mantis-like monster, a Mantis, had appeared and he had driven it away.

The villagers believed him and viewed David, already known as a skilled warrior, as even more of a hero. However, because of this lie, they became worried that the monsters in the cursed forest were becoming more active.

Their livestock had gone missing, and with our previous lie about defeating an Orc General, along with the recent supposed appearance of a giant Mantis, adventurers reported seeing monsters closer to the village than usual. Because of this, the guild decided to conduct a large-scale investigation.

“Because of your lie, now they’re conducting a massive investigation!”

“B-But the monsters really are getting more active…”

“Shut up!!”

I hesitantly spoke.

“U-Um…”

Laura glared at me, making me flinch. Still, I quietly said,

“Is cutting too many trees really a bad thing? We could use the wood to build a protective wall around the village…”

David chimed in.

“Oh! A wall? That’s a great idea!”

Laura’s glare made us sit properly again. Abigail answered my question.

“Seraph, the forest is home to monsters and creatures, and it also prevents landslides. Cutting too much might drive monsters toward the village or cause disasters.”

“I-I’m sorry…”

Luka and Jeanne also apologized.

Laura smiled gently at them.

“You’re still new to being human, so you’ll learn. Seraph, you didn’t know about the forest’s role either, right?”

I looked up.

“Then…!”

Seeing hope, I used my ten-year-old’s innocent eyes.

David yelled,

“Hey! You’re sucking up to the old lady!!”

“I’m not! It’s strategy! Women love pure-eyed boys!”

“Where’s the purity in that!?”

We froze as Laura muttered, “Old lady?”

“You’re both skipping dinner!!”

“Eh!?”

“No way…”