Once we were sure that the enemy was dead, Kathe and I searched the room for magic tools.

  ‘Maybe it would have been better to bring Lord Gerberga with us, since we’re fighting against strong vampires.’


  ‘Yes. It’s hard to ensure that not a single bat escapes. But at least the Holy Sword works……’


  Eric was right.

  If Lord Gerberga was here, he could deal with the most difficult part.

  ‘Locke. You’re not going to use Drain Touch?’


  ‘Well, I’m assuming that the enemy Sorcerer, who is most likely the High Lord, is continuing to use Magic Detection.’


  ‘Hmmm. You mean you want to hide your identity until you reach them?’


  ‘Yes.’


  Magic Detection was currently being cast on us. Of course, Magic Exploration as well.

  But as I was concealing my own magic, they shouldn’t know our identities yet.

  That being said, it would be a different story if I used Drain Touch.

  I didn’t want them to know which of us was using the magic.

  They were probably focusing on Kathe right now. And it was best to leave it that way.

  And so we continued on.

  As there were many rooms, it took a while. But at least no one was injured.

  ‘Shia, Serulis, and Grulf. Are any of you tired?’


  ‘I’m fine.’


  “Groof.”


  Serulis nodded silently. However, all three of them were panting.

  ‘Drink some water. And you should eat something.’


  I said as I took out some sweets and water from my magic bag and handed it to them.

  Eric and Goran had their own stuff.

  But as Kathe was looking at us hungrily, I gave some to her as well.

  ‘The rest of us will take care of the next room, so you three should get some rest.’


  ‘No, I can still fight.’


  ‘But I want you to be in good condition when it really matters.’


  That would be when we have to rescue those people who have been charmed.

  When that happened, we would have to fight the High Lord.

  And we wouldn’t be able to help Shia and the others.

  ‘If that’s the reason……I understand. Please leave it to us.’


  ‘You can rest here, but keep your guard up.’


  ‘I know.’


  And so the next room was taken care of by us men and Kathe.

  Shia and the others guarded the entrance.

  As I cut off a Vampire Lord’s head, I talked to Serulis through telepathy.

  ‘Since it’s a good opportunity, I should tell you about how to use it.’


  ‘Right now? Wouldn’t that be very difficult?’


  Goran said as he cut down an arch vampire and a vampire lord.

  ‘Well, it’s not that hard. So it might just work.’


  And so I gave Serulis tips on how to communicate with telepathy.

  ‘.……So, that’s how you do it.’


  ‘I understand.’


  ‘Huh!’


  “Grr?”


  Goran and Grulf raised their voices in surprise when they heard Serulis.

  ‘You learn very quickly, Serulis.’


  ‘It’s because Mister Locke is a good teacher.’


  Talking with telepathy was actually quite easy.

  But it wasn’t easy enough to learn immediately. It usually took a few days of practice.

  In fact, it had taken Goran up to two weeks to learn.

  Perhaps Serulis had the kind of skill necessary to become a Sorcerer.

  After that, we made good progress through the building. We crushed one room after another.

  Then Eric said, ‘Should be soon, right?’


  ‘I think so.’


  I said. Serulis tilted her head to the side.

  ‘Soon? Do you mean the boss room?’


  As Serulis did not have much experience, she did not understand what we meant.

  And so I explained it to her.

  ‘There is still some distance until we reach the boss room. However, it’s about time the enemy does something.’


  ‘Does something?’


  ‘If only we knew.’


  ‘I see. Yes, of course. Sorry for asking something so stupid.’


  ‘No, it was a good question. You should ask more.’


  I said and Serulis smiled.

  Then Goran said, ‘Serulis. What kind of attack do you think the enemy might launch?’


  ‘.……Yes. As their individual groups have been crushed, maybe they’ll unite and attack us.’


  ‘That’s very possible. A good guess.’


  Goran praised her.

  I agreed with him. However, the enemy knew that there was a strong Sorcerer in our group.

  They would likely consider the possibility of wide-area attacks that could hit them all at once.

  In fact, I would very much welcome them uniting and attacking us.

  ‘What do you think, Mister Locke?’


  ‘Indeed…… Perhaps the boss will come out to greet us.’


  ‘Do you mean it doesn’t want to lose too many men?’


  ‘Yes. Even arch vampires are important to their fighting force.’


  ‘And if they weren’t important……then the boss might run away……’


  Serulis’s guess would be a very dangerous scenario to have to deal with.

  However, this boss seemed quite confident, and I doubted it would run away.

  Still, I continued to use Magic Exploration so that it would not try to escape.