Starting with the defeated female knight

"there."

The next second, without any hesitation.

The marksman in the team raised his musket and pulled the trigger.

Then, a loud bang was heard.

With the combined effects of refined gunpowder, sanctified charging, and a high-strength barrel engraved with magical circuits.

The lead-gray bullet whistled through the air and struck the location of the red-eyed orc squad in the blink of an eye.

No hits.

but--

boom!

After the impact, the lead-gray projectile exploded.

It didn't cause any damage; it just caused a ring of gray mist to scatter.

Then, upon contact with the members of the red-eyed orc squad, it seemed to produce some kind of reaction, emitting a faint fluorescent glow.

It outlines the silhouettes of those who hid.

"The enemy has been marked."

The orc squad sensed something was wrong and was about to retreat.

The next second, a creature carrying a greatsword, seemingly human, charged forward, tearing through their cover and appearing right in front of them.

"Oh, there's a little mouse here."

The next second, without even drawing his sword, he punched the nearest orc in the face.

His entire face had sunken in.

The creature that appeared to be human had blood splattered all over its face and was displaying a maniacal smile.

"Heretical blood..."

"That's how it should flow!"

He laughed as he smashed the head, then casually pulled out a greatsword with his other hand and sliced ​​the orc's body in two with a horizontal slash.

The remaining orc squad members tried to escape.

But the gun barrels in the distance had already locked onto them, and the two furthest away were hit directly by the exploding bullets, turning into fragments scattered everywhere.

As for those who were nearby, some tried to ambush the gunman.

But as soon as they got close, the burly figure next to them raised his hand and slowly clenched his fist.

The knuckle duster-shaped spell-casting tool in his hand glowed, and then—

"Magic Punch!"

"Magic Uppercut!"

"Magic Barrage!"

Bang! Bang bang! Bang bang bang—

A single, breathless magical combo nearly knocked the souls out of the attacking orcs.

Then, with the cooperation of the three, a red-eyed orc squad was wiped out in just a few seconds.

Finally, as gray mist rose from the bodies of the fallen red-eyed orc squad, preparing to send a message into the distance.

The remaining members of the group, including the priest who hadn't made a move yet and the knuckle duster mage, all reached out.

Magic and miracles were performed simultaneously; one disrupted the surrounding environment, while the other acted directly on the gray fog.

In an instant, the gray mist was wiped out and scattered, unable to even utter a wail.

After a moment, he confirmed that there were no other enemies around.

The four looked at each other and expressed the same sentiment.

"It doesn't feel as good as tentacles... the underworld."

"I don't think ordinary beings can be as sinister as tentacles—and there are just too many tricks they use."

"I actually think those blue-eyed ones are stronger. Their combat skills and proficiency are truly terrifying..."

"That's different. The intensity is great, but the underworld is the underworld..."

"Alright, let's talk about the dungeon when we get back."

"Let's finish the patrol mission first. When we get back, we won't have any problem chatting, we can go straight to the dungeon."

"Row."

So the patrol team continued their patrol.

Similar situations continue to occur in other places.

One orc scout squad after another went missing.

Although most of them failed to send the message back, a few were lucky enough to succeed.

Even if the final result is still a total annihilation, at least after death, or in the few seconds between deaths, a resonance is still emitted, transmitting the collected information and the information of death back.

Among these orc squads, there was one that was rather special.

They arrived relatively late, following behind the various orc scout squads.

And based on the information given by each orc squad before their deaths, as well as the chaos they created.

Not only did they easily pass through the outermost surveillance, but they also made their way forward through the chaotic gaps.

With excellent stealth skills and the ability to conceal their presence, they passed directly through the area patrolled by the squads.

Furthermore, after passing through, they even managed to penetrate the defenses that were being constructed, thanks to certain unique techniques.

Behind the defensive line was an undefended area where people were busy transporting goods and building fortifications.

It seems safe now.

But the reconnaissance team did not let their guard down.

They cautiously explored their surroundings, gradually venturing deeper into the area.

After sensing the noise in the distance, it retreated into a nearby cave.

Tap, tap, tap...

The sound of footsteps grew closer and then faded away.

Long after they completely disappeared, this special red-eyed orc squad made no move.

After a period of silence, he realized something was wrong.

"......come out."

The red-eyed orcs drew their weapons.

After the footsteps faded into the distance, they finally realized...

Perhaps they never succeeded in infiltrating from the very beginning.

Instead, it was deliberately let in.

"Hmm, Lady Cecilia, I told you they would find out."

As the words fell, a heavy step followed by a light one.

Two figures, one large and one small, emerged from the darkness.

A living greatsword with a hideous, twisted shape and tentacles wrapped around its back, its entire body covered in black and gold armor.

A smiling figure dressed in a black and gold robe holds a 'holy book' made of tentacles that are writhing and breathing, with a huge dark green eye flowing through its center.

Cecilia and Edith.

The moment the two appeared, the red-eyed orcs realized something was wrong and tried to send a frequency directly.

but......

"It's no use."

Edith smiled and weighed the 'holy book' in her hand.

"If you can't even do this much, we won't let you in."

silence.

Then came the attack.

Several sharp claws, gleaming with a cold light, attacked Cecilia, but it was just a feint.

While using attacks to distract the entity that appeared to be a knight, more attacks were directed at the girl who seemed easier to deal with.

But the black-and-gold knight remained motionless, letting the attacks strike him without leaving even the slightest mark.

As for the eerie girl on the other side, she simply smiled and raised her hand.

A string hangs from the index finger, and a gold coin from Dawn City hangs from the string.

Shaking slightly.

An inexplicable ripple spread out.

The orcs paused for a moment, a look of confusion flashing in their eyes, and their attack slowed down.

Then, taking advantage of this brief moment of respite, several tentacles emerged from beneath the girl's black robe and bound them all.

After regaining their senses, the orcs tried to struggle.

But the coin shook again.

Moreover, this time, not only was the distance closer, but the time was also longer, and it was even deliberately swayed in front of everyone.

The struggles grew weaker and weaker, the resistance grew ever weaker.

The red light in his eyes dimmed and became increasingly hollow; he wanted to call for help, but found that he couldn't make a sound.

Finally, with the coin constantly shaking...

With the last bit of strength gone.

Those bodies drooped down.

His eyes were vacant, and saliva dripped from his mouth.

They were like warm, rag dolls that could be manipulated at will.

After a moment, he confirmed that they had all become 'good kids'.

Edith put away the coin, nodded in satisfaction, and then looked at the Tentacle Holy Book in her hand.

"My lord, it has been tested, and the power of pleasure works on them."

"Furthermore, items blessed by Joy will also have a certain enhancing effect when used as a medium for casting certain miracles."

“Even the nature of some miracles can change.”

Edith smiled as she saw the holy book in her hand nod.

Then, he suddenly turned his head and looked at a dark corner in the cave that seemed to be empty.

Without the slightest hesitation, a cold light erupted instantly, piercing towards Edith's neck.

Edith raised her hand again.

But this time, the cold glint of the eye, having anticipated this, left a trail, preparing to cut the rope holding the coin the instant it fell.

But this time, no coins fell.

Even Edith raised her hand, but it was the back of her hand.

Instead, it was on the raised, slender, fair back of the left hand, or rather, the back of the ring finger.

A writhing ring, exuding an eerie aura, was quietly worn on it.

As the cold light drew near, he suddenly opened his eyes.

hum-