Chapter 72: Wicked Meadow: A Puppet Kodama within the Dungeon

Damn it! I can't believe they've brought us to a place like this...

It's so dark...and damp...

Hidden back-door functionality extension activated. According to my elemental sensor, this place is...

S-Stop! I don't want to hear it! Riica, why do you always have to do pointless stuff like that?!

Unable to ignore "pointless stuff" comment. My elemental sensor's aura encounter accuracy is...

Hmph... This is unfortunate. There appears to be a special barrier in use. This paper seal... It is a magical art from Land of Ro.

So it is unlikely we would be able to open it from inside here. There is no hope...

The source of the Land of Ro's power... It seems I have some affinity towards it... What is this sensation?

We've been had... But we can't just rest on our laurels here.

Hm? Wait a moment... Something comes.

It is said to be sleeping around here somewhere... Where could it be?

*woof woof* *bark bark*!

Um... I feel like I've seen that hound somewhere before!

What is it, Hound?! Already found the great power source, have you?

Hm? This scent... I've smelled it before. Could it be...?

Are you...Baron?!

What a surprise! So it's you lot. It's been quite some time. What are you doing in a place like this?

What're we doing?! Does it look like we're relaxing at an inn to you? We got arrested!

How unfortunate. I'll take my leave, then. I've no time to waste.

Hey! Wait, Baron! Wait a second!

Hm? What is it?

Baron, please! Can't you open this jail cell for us?!

Oh? You would ask a favor of Baron, 7th generation of the noble House Hauzagawst, a family of supreme prestige. When asking a favor of someone of my stature, one would expect a touch more sincerity in one's request.

Nrgh...

First of all, I cannot fathom why I of all people should be pressed to help you. We are bitter enemies. We cause harm to each other and it is not a relationship whereby we assist one another.

C'mon Baron. Don't be like that. Help us out.

Enough with the small talk. Open the cell, Baron.

Huh?! Ogre Rancorem?! Tch... I cannot easily ignore a plea from a former compatriot...

I suppose I have no recourse... Understood. I will open the cell. Wait a moment.

It appears that this strange piece of paper is the key. If I simply remove it...

It's open!

Thanks for the help, Baron.

T'was my pleasure. Let us leave it at that for today. It appears as though you are still buried in troubles. I would not deign to overstay my welcome.

Let us say that you are now in my debt. Farewell.

We're off, Hound.

*woof* *bark* *bark bark*

All right! We should get going, too. Let's search for an exit.

Huh? What's this cell? Let's have a look inside.

Those clothes... Was a woman imprisoned here?

In a place like this? That's terrible...

Hm? What's wrong, Heena?

You are...?

This place...

Who am I...? I am... Puppet... Puppet Princess...

What's with this cell?

Huh?! Puppet...?!

I was once imprisoned here.

What...are you doing here?

Heena, you were imprisoned here?!

We were locked up below here, and somehow managed to escape. We're looking for an exit, but... What are you doing here, Puppet Princess?

That was quite a predicament indeed.

I was once imprisoned here. I had reason to return, but then I heard a voice and couldn't help but wonder...

But...why?

Warning: irregularity detected. Unable to confirm signs of life.

......

What?! You can't confirm signs of life?! You mean she's not alive?!

Heena, is it possible you were given life from the one of the Land of Ro's puppeteers?

Does that mean...

So you were caught up in the flames of war that destroyed the Land of Ro...and ended up here?!

Just...who are you?

I... I am...

I... I am...

At last... She's perfect!

My gosh! She really is the spitting image of her... It's like she's really alive. It's as though she's come back from before she fell ill... Back when she was a healthy girl...

Yes... She is likely to be the last puppet I ever make. There are rumors in the air that the Land of Shin and Land of Mi will attack the Land of Ro. Puppeteer Princess... I will give you the power to cut out your own path. A beautiful power with no substitute...

......

......

What's wrong? Are you okay, Heena?

What's wrong? Are you okay, Puppet Princess?

Huh?

Huh?

Oh... It's nothing at all. I'm fine.

Oh... It's nothing at all. I'm fine.

Really? Well, I guess it's fine then. Let's keep looking for an exit. Everyone, we're heading out.

Really? Well, I guess it's fine then. Let's keep looking for an exit. See you again, Puppet Princess.

Hey, wait!

What's wrong, Heena?

Yikes! What the heck is that?!

War Demon! I knew you'd be here!

It's been a while, Puppet Princess. So you finally had the gall to return? I'm the guard of this prison. I can't just let strangers run amok in my prison.

War Demon, the Land of Ro is no more. It fell long ago! There's no more reason for you to protect this place!

Silence! Even if that were the case, I will carry out my duty until the end! I will forgive no one! Even if I must face you, Puppet Princess!

You stubborn fool! Seems we have no choice... We won't go easy on you, War Demon!

I wouldn't expect less! Give me all you've got!

W-Wait!

What's wrong, Cyrus?

Yikes! What the heck is that?!

I'm the guard of this prison. I can't just let strangers run amok in my prison. Return to your cell quietly... Or I will slay every one of you here and now!

What?!

Wait, War Demon!

You're... Puppet Princess?!

I knew you would be here. I was looking for you, War Demon! Stop this futile charade! The Land of Ro is no more. It fell long ago! There's no more reason for you to protect this place!

Silence! Even if that were the case, I will carry out my duty until the end! I will forgive no one! Even if I must face you, Puppet Princess!

Urgh...

As guard of this prison, it seems like he has business with us. I don't know what this is all about, but we'll handle it from here. Get back.

But...

Don't worry. This is what we're good at!

Understood... I wish you good fortune in the coming battle.

Let's do this, War Demon! Don't underestimate our strength!

I wouldn't expect less! Give me all you've got, puny humans! I will show you your rightful place!

Listen to me, Puppet Princess. We're manufactured bodies given a soul. Built like a toy, rather than born naturally. Any signs of free will I exhibit are nothing more than an illusion. I am a mere copy of some long dead thing... All is preordained... You are no different, Puppet Princess. Don't forget that.

A Karakuri War Demon... I am well aware of this. Even still, I who was given life by my father must pursue my brethren... Because that was my father's last wish.

A Karakuri War Demon... I am well aware of this. Even still, I who was given life by my father must pursue my brethren... Because that was my father's last wish.

That's...

A key. The Karakuri War Demon was holding it. It must be the key to some door in this prison.

Ah, long time no see.

Nyanjiro!

It seems you all are poking your head into troublesome business as usual. I was curious, so I came to see how you were faring.

It's not like we're doing this by choice. Before we knew it, we were already caught up in this mess.

Let's leave it at that, then. Have you already heard the special information about this prison? Apparently, somewhere in this compound is a hidden section. There's a rumor that an ancient elemental spirit lies captured deep in one of the rooms within that selection. Perhaps the key the Karakuri War Demon held is the key to that room.

Ancient elemental spirits?

Yes. It's an old story from the early years of the Land of Ro. Supposedly a very powerful shaman sealed the spirits underground here. Using their energy, the Land of Ro quickly developed from a small country to one able to oppose the Land of Mi or the Land of Shin. In this era, the elemental spirits' energy has been limited to the form of the Cat Deity, and is said be a reason behind its manifestation.

Sealed off elemental spirit energy? So that strange sensation I felt here was because of that?

Whether or not you can free them is entirely dependent on your willingness. But you... I'm sure the elemental spirits would surely grant you great powers.

Got it. We'll search for this hidden section.

Is that so? Please be careful in your endeavors. It seems I am likely to get caught up in this business. I will be happy as long as it doesn't end up overly troublesome.

Okay everyone. Let's get going! Time to search for these captured elemental spirits.

Okay everyone. Let's get going! Time to search for these captured elemental spirits. Puppet Princess. You can come with us if you'd like. It's dangerous to be here alone.

Ah, long time no see.

Nyanjiro!

It seems you all are poking your head into troublesome business as usual. I heard you were having difficulties, and I grew curious, so I came to see how you were faring.

It's not like we're doing this by choice. Before we knew it, we were already caught up in this mess.

Let's leave it at that, then. Also, have you heard? Apparently, somewhere in Land of Ro's prison, located under the Wicked Meadow, there is a hidden section. Ancient elemental spirits lie captured deep in one of the rooms within that section.

Ancient elemental spirits?

Yes. It's an old story from the early years of the Land of Ro. Supposedly a very powerful shaman sealed the spirits underground here. Using their energy, the Land of Ro quickly developed from a small country to one able to oppose the Land of Mi or the Land of Shin. In this era, the elemental spirits' energy has been limited to the form of the Cat Deity, and is said be a cause of its manifestation.

Sealed elemental spirits...

To be sure, whether or not you can free them is entirely dependent on your abilities.

Got it. I don't really want to go back into that underground prison, but we'll try searching for that hidden section.

Is that so? Please be careful in your endeavors. It seems I am likely to get caught up in this business. I will be happy as long as it doesn't end up overly troublesome.

Oh brother, not this again...