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There was a mountain of treasure right before his eyes, and he was supposed to simply turn around and walk away? If a supply base could be established at the ore vein ahead and mining operations organized from there, just how much honor and recognition would that bring? If he could achieve that, all of his hardships until now would finally be rewarded… For Connor Clark, turning back here had never been an option.

Clark ordered the knights, who had begun constructing the supply base, to halt their work. He then insisted that they immediately continue onward toward Black Rock.

Knight-Commander Cedric Meyer, Logistics Chief Fred Rowling, and others all tried to persuade him that such a course was reckless. The route from here to Black Rock was a gentle downhill slope, so the march might actually proceed somewhat faster than before. However, in another two hours, the sun would begin to set. Once darkness fell, not only would establishing a camp become difficult, but advancing at all would be dangerous. Surely Clark understood how perilous that would be in this land. They carefully explained the strategic advantages of constructing a supply base on the current high ground and urged him to abandon the advance.

But Clark stubbornly refused to listen. The march continued. And as a result, they encountered the undead.

“Acting Director Clark, we understand. Please calm down.”
“That’s right. Sooner or later, we were bound to run into them. It’s nobody’s fault.”
“Still, we ignored the planned campsite and pushed much farther ahead before being attacked. Both the men and the horses were already exhausted.”
“…Conrad!”
“…I… am not at fault…! I…!”

Howard argued that the encounter had been unavoidable. Conrad, however, mocked the notion. Clark’s voice gradually grew quieter, and his eyes no longer seemed focused on anyone present.

“Professor Morris, then. Is there some connection between the fissure in Black Rock and its current condition?” As though resetting the discussion, Cedric directed the question back to Morris.
“There were signs of geological displacement all along the way here. Whether it’s the result of a great upheaval, earthquakes, crustal movement, or all of the above… It’s probably both.” Morris replied, continuing his analysis. “Manulite possesses exceptionally high mana absorption and conductivity. If a massive vein of it stretches through this region, it would explain the torrent-like flow of magical energy around here. The Great Upheaval likely exposed the vein to an overwhelming surge of magical power, causing it to distort and fracture. That fracture is probably the fissure in Black Rock.”
“Hm. Then it’s reasonable to assume that the fracture released a tremendous quantity of magical energy, creating a massive reservoir of mana.”
“Professor Seiwashi…”

Picking up where Morris left off, Seiwashi Melchior, an expert in Sorcery Workings, began speaking.

“Hm. Large concentrations of mana tend to transform into miasma rather easily. The death of vegetation around Black Rock suggests that miasma has indeed formed there.” He paused briefly before continuing. “However… It’s difficult to believe that such a transformation into miasma occurred naturally in so short a time.”
“Then do you believe some other factor was involved?” Cedric asked.
“Who can say?” Seiwashi replied, glancing toward Nosori.
“Natural appearing undead have certain characteristics, you see.”

This time it was Nosori Kasbar, the magical biologist, who took over.

“One of them is that newly formed undead cannot leave the place where they were born. Since they are manifestations shaped by the ‘memories’ of a location, that’s only natural.”
“And there’s another thing. Undead are materialized beings created when astral entities, resentment, grudges, lingering emotions, and the like, absorb the etheric body and take physical form. In that sense, you might even classify them as a type of mana-generated organism. Though, of course, they’re dead from the outset, so calling them organisms is rather questionable! It’s outside my field anyway! Hyahyahyahyah!” Nosori broke into a bizarre cackling laugh.
“Then stop fooling around and get to the point!” Morris shouted, smashing him hard on the back of the head.
“GUOOOH! M-Morris, my friend! Are you finally trying to murder me?! Anyway! When undead materialize, ether and astral energy combine to form a magical core. Everyone here should know that dispersing that core destroys the undead, yes? A corpse that has remained materialized for a long time will continue to exist in the physical world even after its core is destroyed.” Nosori gestured wildly as he explained.
“Looks like he’s getting into it now! Careful, Nosori, your blood vessels might burst!” Morris heckled from the side.
“Quiet, you nuisance!” Nosori snapped back before continuing. “However! The undead you’ve all been fighting disappear almost immediately after being destroyed, dissolving back into ether without delay! That’s one of the hallmark traits of summoned undead!”
“Hm. Then the logical conclusion is that someone used the mana reservoir, converted it into miasma, and employed it to summon undead.”

The moment Seiwashi voiced that conclusion, murmurs spread throughout the tent.

“Are you saying our enemy is a necromancer?!”
“Impossible! Controlling this many undead is beyond human capability!”
“Not necessarily human. There could be a high-ranking undead involved.”

Norman spoke up. Then Tony. Then Cornell. The Team Leaders voiced their doubts one after another. Lisa remained silent, a hand pressed against her mouth as she considered the possibility of an undead summoner.

“In any case, there can be little doubt that someone with hostile intent is waiting for us there.”
“Lord Cloud.”
“And besides…” Conrad added grimly. “Black Rock isn’t a place where creatures like those undead should exist.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Conrad.”
“I know, Howard. But if it comes down to it…”
“Of course.”

The two men locked eyes, silently reaffirming their resolve against whatever enemy awaited them.

“We never actually saw the enemy’s main force,” Raisa said, “but I believe there are even more of them than the ones currently on this side.”
“You didn’t see them, so how can you be so sure?” Tony questioned her.
“When undead gather in large numbers, they emit a faint phosphorescence. The glow coming from beyond Black Rock was incomparable to what we saw on this side. There were definitely several times more.”

Her explanation sent another wave of unease through the tent.

“…Impossible. Are you saying the enemy numbers exceed ten thousand?”

Cornell of the Heavy Shield Corps muttered in disbelief.

“The course of action is obvious, then. We retreat.”
“But if we attempt to withdraw, they’ll simply move around us. They won’t let us escape so easily.”
“That’s fine. Conrad and I will hold them back. A thousand or two cannon fodder won’t be a problem.”
“Fuhaha! Exactly! Leave it to us!”
“What are you saying?!”
“That’s madness!”
“Lord Cloud!”

Kyle. Tony. Cedric. All three shouted at Howard and Conrad when they calmly declared that they would become the wall that allowed the expedition to escape.

“You should use that time to get everyone out,” Howard said, glancing toward the three professors and Clark.
“Commander Meyer, fulfill your duty.”

Protecting those unable to fight was the duty of a knight.

“Then I’ll stay behind as well.”
“So will I, Sir Conrad!”

Kyle and Tony immediately stepped forward.

Just then…

“Ah… regarding that matter, I have a proposal.”

Having watched the exchange unfold, Morris slowly raised a hand. A fearless smile spread across his face as he stepped forward into the center of the tent.