Chapter 71: The Closed Specter Citadel: An Icy Sneer

The Specter Citadel! So that's the specter's hideout...

We must move right away, Aldo. I have an interest in this Tomb of the Gods.

Got it. But what are we going to do about that ice wall?

Ack! It won't open... If that's the case...

It's no good... It won't budge an inch. I don't think normal methods will work with this.

Hey, Aldo. How about we ask Tem Tem and Nekomasa? The specters or Nekomasa might have some idea about how to pass this ice wall.

You're right, let's go ask them. All right everyone... We're heading back to Itoise!

What?! Me Arrow of Purifying Evil broke on the Citadel's barrier?! Ye cursed three great specter rascals...

Is there anything else we can try?

Hm... If we put any more power into the bow and arrow, the arrowhead is like to shatter under the force. Might be possible if I use me skill to make an arrowhead with resistant materials...

Resistant materials, huh... Is there something you have in mind?

Ye could say that... There's an ore called aurentium...but it ain't easy to work with. It's uncommonly strong, and it can't be tempered with any normal flame.

How much heat do we need?

Hm... It'd have to be a flame so hot as to melt a whole mountain in a matter of seconds. And if it ain't a skilled smith working the flame, processing it'd be quite the task.

A difficult endeavor indeed...

I'd like to see a weapon made of Baboon Gold meself, but getting a flame that hot...

Hmm... What if we used my dad's meta-degeneration kiln?

What?!

You're right, if we take it to Ishar's, it just might do the trick!

Dad's pretty knowledgeable about this era's weapons, too. He should be able to make the perfect arrowhead.

Hm... So there's a man that can handle this here aurentium! I'm entrusting my dream to ye young'uns! When ye bring me the arrowhead, I'll pour me heart and soul into it.

It's decided! Let's hurry to Ishar's.

All right! Now we can finally break the Specter Citadel's barrier. But this Bow of Purifying Evil might be a bit difficult to handle.

I'm afraid I have no skill with bows... If it were a katana, I could handle it with ease.

Shall I give it a shot?

It's you, Yukino...

Heehee, I came to see how you were faring. I was so happy to see you again, Tsukiha, that I wanted to offer my assistance.

Would you mind letting me use that bow? I know it's a lot of power to wield, but I'm sure I can handle it.

Thank you for the help, Yukino. I'm certain your pure heart has the power to banish evil.

Well then, do you think you can use that bow to fire a shot at the barrier?

Yes, I'll try my best...

Bow of Purifying Evil... With this power, sever the specter's seal on this place!

Argh!

Yukino!

Even using the Bow of Purifying Evil couldn't break it?!

Damn it... What are we supposed to do?!

Perhaps we should speak with Nekomasa again. He may yet have a secret weapon we can use.

Seems like we don't have a choice. Let's hurry back to Itoise.

Huh?! This inscription! It belongs to the legendary swordsmith, Nekomasa! Where did you come by this?! A long time ago there used to be a demon-like master smith called Nekomasa. Is this a replica? But...it's so well made!

H-Hey Dad... Think we could get back to the topic on hand?

Oh, that's right! What did you want me to do with this?

Using this material, we'd like you to make an arrowhead that fits this arrow...

Whoa! That's aurentium, isn't it?!

You know it?

Yeah, it's a rare ore said to have been found in a particular region long ago. I never thought I'd lay eyes on it in this era of floating cities! It's absurdly hard. With our current technology, it's difficult to imagine such a hard substance was formed naturally. Where'd you...

Dad... Dad! We'll tell you where we found it next time. Can you make an arrowhead from it?

Of course. If I failed at this, I couldn't possibly call myself a blacksmith! Hand the ore over for a bit.

Whew... It's finished. It's been a while since I've had to work my skills like this. Take a look.

Wow... This looks like it'll fit the Bow of Purifying Evil perfectly!

Aurentium is such an interesting material to work with. If you come across any more, come here to get it forged.

Thanks, Dad. All right! Let's get back to Nekomasa's place.

Ye've come... So yer in need of me hammer again?

Yeah! We've got a shiny new aurentium arrow right here. Take a look!

Well I'll be... This is the spitting image of the thing I've been dreaming of for years! How'd you get the flames to melt it?! This wouldn't break even with the full weight of me hammer on it. Time to get to work!

It's finished. Take this bow and arrow. Ye'll need it.

There's enough evil power to churn the air... But with this bow and arrow we should be able to get through!

Yeah, we can break through that barrier! Let's head to the Specter Citadel.

Hi, everyone. Thanks for coming. How are you all doing?

Hi Tem Tem. We came because there's something we need to ask you and Nekomasa...

Me and master?

Ye've got business with me? Spit it out.

We need to enter the Specter Citadel, but its entrance is sealed shut with ice...

Right, a bunch of tough guys are holed up in there, and are using an ice wall as powerful barrier.

Hmph, and yer saying you want to break through the Citadel's barrier?

Can you help us, Nekomasa?

If ye use me special Bow of Purifying Evil, ye could break through their barrier with ease. Hehe.

Do you speak truly?! We are in your debt. May we ask for your assistance, Sir Nekomasa?

Please help us, Nekomasa!

Hmph. Leave it to me! Those varmints have been up to no good lately, teaming up with some strange, monstrous types. I've been worried about it for a while. If yer trying to smoke 'em out, I'll lend ye me strength. Wait here.

It's done. Perfect! Take it to the citadel. It's a Nekomasa special, the Icicle Bow. It's filled to the brim with evil purifying powers. With this, ye should be able to smash the citadel's barrier to pieces. Hahaha!

Thanks, Nekomasa! This will be a big help.

Great. All right everyone, we're heading to the Specter Citadel!

Be careful, everyone!

The time for that gate to shatter has finally come...

Can you do it, Yukino?

Bow of Purifying Evil... Shatter the specter's seal! Will of heaven! Divine protection! In this arrow fly!

You did it! The barrier shattered!

So this is the power of a bow forged by a master blacksmith!

We also have your father to thank for his assistance, Amy.

All right everyone, we're heading into the Specter Citadel.

Hold it!

You've done well making it this far. Have you come to offer up your heads? Hehehe...

He's further along here. But do you really think I'm just going to let you pass?

We still have a score to settle from before. Hope you're ready, Shokera!

Hmph, I can't deny your strength. I was unprepared last time. It won't be so easy today! Huh? Is that the snow woman with you? Why're you working together with humans? You've more in common with us specters. Why wag your tail for these humans?

I travel with whomever I choose. You have no right to question my choices.

Hmph, and aren't you Tsukiha? Half the blood that runs through you is specter blood! With that cursed arm, can you turn your blade on your mother's brethren with no remorse? Did you not love your mother? Speak up!

I... Of course I trusted in... Loved my mother! I won't believe it! I won't believe my mother would turn her back on her own country...

I... Of course I trusted in... Loved my mother! And yet I couldn't save her... I never thought that my father would turn on my mother!

Tsukiha. Don't listen to him.

Yukino...

It's okay. Have faith in the memory of your mother... It's okay to love her. Your memories are your own. No one can take them from you!

Listen, Shokera. I am me... I was born of the infinite snowflakes that fell from heaven. It matters not if I am a specter or a human! I can only respond to the feelings of those who hold me dear. I will live my life loving myself! As the wind...and as the snow!

Then you'll die here, on the leash of these idiotic humans! Ready? Here I come!

We did it!

Tsukiha, let's go on ahead. Your birth or your past... None of that matters now. It's just like Yukino said. We are who we are. We've got to walk our own path.

I think I understand. Let's go. Thank you, Aldo...

Phantom, show yourself! Where are you?!

You've really outdid yourself coming this far... I suppose this means Shokera has been taken care of. Hmph! I am plagued by these useless lackeys.

Phantom... We have something to ask you. That huge stone structure... The ancient tomb of an undying god... What exactly is it?

Well, well... You've come so far... I suppose I can tell you what you want to know.

In an ancient time, before the birth of humans, a fierce battle between light and dark, order and chaos, raged endlessly. The original gods of this time were life-forms containing tremendous energy, immortal and indestructible higher-order waveform beings. At the end of the battle, the gods retreated to a place of peace and entered into an eternal sleep. That place is the Tomb of the Gods.

The Tomb of the Gods has returned. Does that mean...the immortal gods will return as well?

Isn't that...just like the Chapel of the Goddess of Time predicted? "On the day of the awakening from visions of the Time Dream, the Goddess of Time shall return and the gates of paradise will open..."

I told you as much. I will not allow the Goddess of Time to open the gates of paradise. Come, Hoe Ko!

Aaaaaahh!

Nrgh! Could it be?!

I am Hoe Ko, one of the three great specters! I'll pay you back for Mizuchi and Shokera. Ready to die, human scum?! Here I come!

We did it! We've defeated all of the three great specters.

The specter's fighting spirit and combat strength has surely taken a hit, having lost their three champions.

Hmph! Seems I have no choice. I will withdraw for now, and rethink my strategy. But don't get full of yourselves. I will pay you back for this, Aldo! Don't you forget.

This should keep them quiet for a bit. Hopefully.

The specters will at least be likely to settle down.

And perhaps it would be best if you all rested for a bit, too.

Garneli?!

Don't forget me!

Genshin?! What are you two doing here?

We heard that you were after the specters, so we've been following your movements.

I heard from Garneli. It sounded like quite the grave situation, so I decided to come along.

I couldn't help but think your group seemed suspicious. You were a little too strange to ignore. My eyes can't be deceived. Hahaha!

Are you certain you don't have rocks for eyes?

The strange incident with Chapel of the Goddess of Time, and strange ruins rising from the sea... It would be best if you told us everything you know about what is going on.

Unfortunately, we honestly know little more than anyone else about what is going on here.

Phantom said something about the Tomb of the Gods from ancient times...

What?! Did you say the Tomb of the Gods?!

Hmph, this is nonsense. What have you all done...?

Whoa! Wh-What's with this sword?! It's shaking all by itself! What a strange phenomenon...

What's wrong, Ogre Rancorem?

Aldo... It has come. The pulsating power from before.

Graaaah! Th-That sword...just spoke?!

You possess a demon sword?!

Huh?!

Feinne?!

Wh-What's happening here?!

Ogre Rancorem and Feine's Geo are resonating with each other! Is it the immortal gods?

Wh-What on earth is that?!

Is that...the Tomb of the Gods?!

You mean it's not just one tomb?!

Whoa! What's that?!

A wormhole! No, that's not right... It's the same kind of dimensional tear that swallowed up the Chapel!

Wh-What's...going on here?! Aaaahh! My body's...

Urgh!

Whoaaaa! Aaaaaagh!

Whoaa! Empress Garneli?!

Lord Genshin?!

It's time to act, Aldo!

Go, Ogre Rancorem!

Whew... That was a close call. Was something or someone trying to draw Ogre Rancorem and Feinne to another place?

I do not know, but the pulsating power emanating from the Tomb of the Gods grows stronger and stronger.

Wait, so what's this second Tomb of the Gods?

It seems as though the Phantom is still hiding something from us.

Hmph... Things are getting interesting.

Hey, you! Where have Lord Genshin and Empress Garneli gone?!

Huh?! W-Wait a second. It's not like we did anything to them... We don't have a clue where our friends went, either.

You wear a strange sword and use stranger dark arts still! Don't think I will let you pass!

Troops! Apprehend these people!

Yes, at once!

Just a moment! We truly have done nothing wrong!

Stay silent, fool! Give up quietly and let us tie you up! We won't let you go free until Lord Genshin and Empress Garneli have returned safely!

This isn't a joke! Stop fooling around! If you insist on fighting us, we'll be happy to oblige!

Aldo, perhaps we should quietly follow their instructions and let them apprehend us.

Tsukiha's right, Aldo. If we fight here, we'll make enemies of both the Land of Mi and the Land of Shin... It'll be difficult to move freely from here on out. We should try to avoid pointless fights...

Aldo!

I guess you're right... Fine... If you say so. If everyone agrees, I won't complain.

Right! Take them to the Wicked Meadow! Lock them up in the Land of Ro's old prison!

And send the order to prepare Lord Genshin and Empress Garneli's body doubles! ...On the double!

Yessir!