BMFBR ~ 06

Chapter – 06

“Good. Everyone’s here. Let’s do a roll call. Garlin. Joseph. Tay. You three, pay attention. I’m the squad leader.”

“Got it.”

“Yes, Squad Leader.”

Tay said nothing, simply watching her.

“The survival rate of Bronze Plate mercenaries entering the sewers has dropped way too low. It’s not just our Black Spear Guild—even the other guilds are in chaos. That’s why someone with an Iron Plate rank like me has been assigned. We even have a priest accompanying us.”

Despite her rugged, muscular physique, the warrior Ellen spoke clearly and methodically.

So she’s both brains and brawn. Unexpected.

“Other guilds have already sent investigation teams down there too, but nobody knows what the hell is going on inside. You all know the rumors, right? About what’s lurking in the depths.”

She must be talking about those rumors that cultists and dark mages have made nests down there…

Tay muttered inwardly.

In truth, they weren’t just rumors.

Criminals really had built hideouts deep within the sewer system.

There was even a black market operating in its depths.

Ironically, that helped keep the Ratman population somewhat under control.

The ancient sewer complex was enormous, after all.

“Well… we’ve heard the stories…”

“So… how deep are we going?”

The fat man Garlin looked uneasy, while the skinny Joseph asked the question.

“Our objective is simple. We head to the Central Wastewater Treatment Facility and come back. Whether we discover anything or not doesn’t matter. The guild isn’t expecting us to uncover some great secret. This mission is mostly for appearances, if you ask me. The guild should’ve already told you it’ll take around three days. You all brought your supplies, right?”

“Of course.”

“Got everything.”

“I’ve brought mine.”

Satisfied by the responses from the three Bronze Plates, Ellen smiled.

“Good. Then let’s move out. Fatty, you’re in front.”

“Me?”

“You’re not planning to stay Bronze Plate forever, are you?”

It was a test.

Garlin understood immediately. Frowning, he raised his shield and took the lead.

Walking diagonally behind him, Ellen continued issuing orders.

“Priest Molton, you’ll stay at the rear. Archer, you take the middle. Skeleton, stand in front of Priest Molton. You three will handle most of the fighting. The priest and I won’t step in unless it’s an emergency. Understood?”

“Got it.”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

The three Bronze Plates answered in unison.

Priest Molton merely smiled quietly.

“Before we enter,” Tay spoke up, “I’d like to cast a mental protection spell.”

Ellen nodded without hesitation.

“Go ahead. Just don’t bother casting it on the priest or me.”

“Yes.”

Tay raised his staff.

The staff, decorated with the skull of a Ratman, radiated sinister dark mana.

Reciting the incantation as he had learned it, he guided the black mana through the staff.

The spell activated.

“Mental Protection.”

A protective enchantment settled over Garlin and Joseph.

Tay didn’t cast it on himself.

Then…

Using his spiritual connection, he called to his demon.

As. You can come out now. It’s time for battle.

I was getting rather comfortable in there…

With a soft rustle, the Imp Butler As emerged from Tay’s shadow.

“Hm?”

Ellen raised an eyebrow with obvious curiosity.

Molton, on the other hand, frowned slightly.

The two Iron Plates reacted quite differently, but neither seemed to view the demon as a genuine threat.

Garlin and Joseph, however, flinched in fear.

Which was only natural.

Even the weakest demons were infamous as evil beings that dwelled within the Nine Hells.

If not for the Great War against the Outer Gods a thousand years ago, dark mages would never have been able to walk openly among society.

“An imp…? I’ve heard rumors, but…”

“I-Is it really safe?”

Garlin and Joseph asked nervously.

“These humans possess remarkably fragile minds and souls,” As observed calmly. “I’m worried whether my contractor will truly be safe fighting alongside them.”

“It’s fine. We’ve got two people here who are much stronger than I am.”

“True enough. A servant of Lady Caltera, Goddess of War and Struggle… and a warrior who has mastered body reinforcement. Those two should be more than capable.”

“So it’s not an ordinary imp.”

Molton’s expression relaxed as he asked,

“According to the knowledge of our church… that’s an Imp Butler, correct?”

“Indeed. I cannot reveal the identity of the lord whom I serve, but I can tell you that they are a being of exceptionally high rank.”

At that moment, Ellen interrupted.

“Skeleton. The guild mentioned you’d summoned a special kind of demon. How many spells can your demon use? That Imp Butler thing—they said it’s surprisingly capable.”

Tay chose not to reveal everything.

He only listed three.

“Blinding Darkness. Sticky Flames. Floating Hellfire. Those three.”

Floating Hellfire.

The name sounded incredibly impressive.

In reality, it simply created a ball of fire that floated above the caster’s head and followed them around.

In other words…

It was basically a magical torch.

Though, being dark magic, it carried one additional effect.

Anyone not protected by mental resistance who looked directly at the flame would have their mind corrupted and descend into madness.

Those with strong enough willpower could resist it.

Everyone else?

Instant insanity.

The effect applied equally to humans and monsters.

It was also one of the major reasons dark mages were always in demand.

They excelled at mental attacks, wielded powerful offensive spells, and could inflict debilitating curses.

Extremely useful companions.

“Three spells…? That’s practically Iron Plate level.”

“I was fortunate. Besides… I can cast all three of those spells myself as well.”

“You too? Seriously? So what, we’ve basically got two dark magic users?”

Ellen’s face lit up as though she’d won the lottery.

And for good reason.

Spellcasters were always valued.

One spellcaster doing the work of two people?

That was an incredible bargain.

Even though dark mages were widely disliked—after all, who welcomed people who made contracts with demons, regardless of their contributions during the war against the Outer Gods?—they remained highly sought after.

Demand was high.

Supply was scarce.

“That’s right.”

Tay’s answer made Ellen nod firmly.

“Good. Now let’s actually head in.”

At Ellen’s command, Garlin began leading the party forward.

“Skree! Skik! Skik! D-Demon! Demoooon!”

“Kiiieeek!”

The moment the Ratmen saw the Floating Hellfire and the Imp, Glashalavolias, fluttering above Tay’s shoulder, their already weak minds completely shattered.

Three Ratmen rushed out from farther down the sewer passage.

All three instantly went mad.

One threw itself straight into the sewage canal.

Another repeatedly smashed its own head against the wall.

The last charged at the party with wild abandon.

A berserk frenzy.

Thwang!

Whoosh!

Joseph loosed an arrow.

It missed.

The Ratman closed the remaining distance and thrust its crude knife toward Garlin.

But Garlin wasn’t completely incompetent.

He blocked the stab with his shield before bringing his mace crashing down.

His aim wasn’t perfect.

Instead of crushing the Ratman’s skull outright, he smashed its shoulder.

Crunch!

The smaller creature screamed as its shoulder caved in and collapsed to the ground.

Garlin calmly brought the mace down a second time.

Crunch!

Its skull burst apart.

“Hoo… What the hell’s gotten into these things…?”

“Fatty. If you’re going to work with dark mages, you’d better get used to it. This is what they’re good at.”

“Oh! I’ve heard about this before, Squad Leader. So this is that?”

“Yeah. Madness.”

“It’s convenient, sure… but makes collecting bounties a little awkward.”

Apparently unable to stop himself from belittling others, Garlin threw out the jab as naturally as breathing.

Tay ignored it.

Instead, it was Glashalavolias who reacted.

“So this is why the Middle Realm is so wonderful. To think I can enjoy such exquisite delicacies simply by standing here…”

“What’s with you suddenly talking about gourmet food?”

“Contractor, surely you know what demons enjoy. Humanity’s wicked emotions are the finest delicacies we can consume—and the very source of our power. The jealousy radiating from that pathetic fat fool is simply exquisite…”

Tay let out a sigh.

Telling someone, ‘Are you jealous?’ only created even more resentment.

“Eek!”

Though perhaps resentment wasn’t the issue.

Garlin had overheard the conversation between Tay and the demon and visibly shrank back in terror.

Whether they were low-ranking or not…

Demons were unsettling beings.

Feeling intimidated by one was only natural.

Especially for mercenaries.

Mercenaries tended to be particularly superstitious.

“Alright, enough chatting.”

Ellen cut in.