A cold room, bare of rugged stone.
　Within minutes of Catherine's arrival, the man appeared.

I have brought you a sinner.

　He was shackled and kneeling on the ground, flanked by guards with spears.
　Guards with spears flanked him, lest he should run away and hurt Katherine.

　The man in the grimy shirt with the prominent stubble is named Diaz.
　He used to be a squire of the Count's.

　He had been selling information about the Count's family through Night Python, but it all came to light when his wife and child, who were being held hostage by Night Python, escaped.
　In a sense, he was a victim, but it was clear that he had been making a small fortune selling the information before his family was captured, and he ended up in jail.
　If the case went to trial, he was likely to be sentenced to forced labor in the mines,......, but there are no mines in the Earl of Keighley's territory, and he was sent to another territory. The country is in turmoil at the moment, so it is difficult to coordinate with other territories, and he was left in prison suspended in midair.

　This was an irregularity in itself, but it was even more irregular when the Countess summoned him.
　Diaz looked unsettled, wondering what was going to happen.

Take it easy. This is just my ............ personal indulgence.
"Oh, .......

　Catherine didn't know how to say it, so she had to use the word 'hobby'.

　You can't help but think that this is just a case of a countess with too much free time on her hands, poking her nose into a case out of curiosity.
　However, this was a big deal worth risking her life for.

"You said that Iris saw through your betrayal. Can you tell me more about that?

　"No.

"Well, I'm sorry to welcome you to such a humdrum place, young lady.

　The dwarven master of the Adventurer's Guild in El Talef said with a hint of fear and piled up an encyclopedia-like binder on his desk.

　The Adventurers' Guild also collects information to provide to adventurers.
　Each branch has its own archive room, which contains information on demons and other creatures.

　The library of the Erthalef branch was small, with only three bookshelves and a desk for reading materials. It was filled with the smell of old paper.

　The head of the branch (master) brings two cups of tea on a tray. One of the cups was only half-full, and the master poured a dollop of sake on top of it.

...... Isn't that just a cup of tea with alcohol?
"It's just tea. For dwarves.

　As she took the cup without the liquor in it, Catherine frowned at the smell of cheap liquor coming from it.

In the event that you're looking for a great deal of information on demons compared to the branch in King's Landing, ...... I hope you find what you're looking for.

　The Master's thick fingers flipped through the pages.
　The reason why Catherine came here was to find out about demons.

What we're looking for is an undead that has the power to hail people and read their minds.

　Hearing Katherine's words, the Master blinks his dull, bearded eyes.

I'm sure you're not the only one who can read minds.
Master. I've heard that mind-reading magic can be very uncomfortable for the subject.
......, right?　I'm sorry. I'm not familiar with magic that isn't meant for combat.

　It has the power to possess people, and it reads minds.

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've.
　But...
　In the event that you're not sure what you're looking for, you'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.
　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.

　--The undead with mind-reading abilities different from magic ......?

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

There are a lot of undead who can hail. ......
It's a good idea. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.
Then I wonder if there are any Dullahan's out there that can do it in spirit form.
Dullahan. ......?

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.
　It is said that when he was executed and turned undead, he also appeared as a Dullahan.
　So, if you think about it normally, Rene may be a Dullahan. ......

I'm sure you can't do that because Dullahan is an undead entity.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.
I'm sure you'll agree.

　The branch manager (Master) twisted his head like a log.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you.
　No, wait, you're right. I think I've seen some strange descriptions of demons before. ......

　The Master opened one of the files, roughly flipped through the pages, and pointed to data about a certain monster.

"'Doppelshadow'?
Have you ever heard of a monster called a 'doppelganger'?
Yes, I have. It's a demon that turns people into people.
A doppelganger changes its own body, but a doppelshadow changes the body, face and physique of the person it possesses. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.

　An undead that can change the body of the person it possesses.
　If there is such a thing, is there a Dullahan who can change his own body and pretend to be a person?

I don't think so. ......
　I think we should take a closer look at the spirit system.
The only thing worse than someone using possession is someone who uses it. I'm sure there's a demon called "Rage Spirit".



　The branch manager (master) opens another page.

It's not very powerful on its own, but it can take over the body of a person or a demon and manipulate it in a possessed state to fight. A rage spirit that has gained experience in battle will be more cunning than the owner of the original body, and will draw out all of the body's potential and produce a foolish power that is willing to destroy itself.
"That sounds like a nightmare for an adventurer. It would be a nightmare for adventurers if they were forced to fight and steal the bodies of their friends. ......
That's it. That's why high-level undead in spirit systems are so terrifying.

　Catherine almost shuddered just listening to him.
　Such a horrible world these adventurers live in.

　It's horrible, but... It's a horrible story, but..." When she heard the words "body swap," it hit her.

　--Yes, ...... yes!　For example, if you had the body of a Dullahan or a Lich, and you could possess it!

　All I could think about was possessing people.
　Wouldn't it be possible for the undead to use the bodies of the undead?
　That would explain why Rene was a Dullahan or a Rich.

"You can make Dullahan and Rich, right?
I'm not sure.　Oh, ......, they're made by wizards and demons.

　Katherine decided to put aside the subject of the body for the moment and just consider the properties of possession and mind-reading.

　--Reading Minds ...... as strong a spirit system as possible Undead ......

　She flipped through the pages, and flipped through them, and then her hand stopped.

"Here it is!

　Catherine's slender fingers pointed to the data that was spelled out.

　It has an evil intellect, high magic power, and the power to possess and control people.
　It feeds on the negative emotions of humans, such as fear and despair.
　The name of this demon, which is one of the strongest of the spirit system undead, is.

I'm not sure what to make of it.　It's a higher form of rage spirit. It specializes in possession, but it's also good at magic.
If it can feed on the mind of fear and despair, doesn't that mean it can read minds?
I don't know. I don't know. You might be able to find out by asking some of the scholars at the branch in King's Landing. ......

　The Branch Chief (Master) didn't seem to get it.
　In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, you'll be able to find out more about it here.

He said, "Demons can mutate, just like those in Nameless. Trying to find them by their characteristics might not work too well. In addition, undead are mostly created by demons and sorcerers through magic. It's possible that they have some unexpected features added to them. ......
　But why did you want to find out about this, young lady?
I was hoping to hear about ...... such demons and find out how to defeat them.

　I'm not sure if I'm lying or telling the truth.
　She was curious about Rene, but how did she feel about him?

"How to defeat it. What does it say in the "Weaknesses" section?
"Uh, .......

　The guild's data is not an academic demon book, but a practical one for adventurers.
　It contains characteristics, abilities, uses for loot, and what to do if you encounter one.
　For Abyssal Spirit, see ......

'Weakness: Sanctity' ......, isn't that what all undead are?
"Practically no weaknesses?

　A single word written in a space of three lines.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　I'm sure you'll agree.

...... I know this is a painful reminder for you. But please tell me.
　What happened that day, in that place?

　The girl in the nightgown facing Catherine, Alisa, nodded quietly.

　This is a sanitarium under the Temple in El Talef. A quiet resting room in the ward.
　The light streaming in through the windows creates a sunny atmosphere, and the white wooden walls are warm and inviting. It is a place where everyone can take a breather.

　Alisa was the daughter of a knight of the royal court.
　On the day of the fall of King's Landing, she was one of those captured by the undead soldiers and dragged into the battle.

　According to the survivors' accounts, the hostages were divided into three groups.
　First, those who were taken to the battlefield first. All of these seem to have died, except for Catherine, who was released in the middle.
　Next, those who were taken to the second battlefield. In front of them, the knights were overrun. But the captured girls all came back alive.
　Finally, those who had been captured but were released. Perhaps they were only released because they were the second to be captured.
　Alisa was the second.

　The battle had left a deep mark on the survivors.
　The one who got depressed and threw herself into the river. Children who were so afraid of the dark that they could no longer live a normal life. A child who lost her emotions and stopped laughing. ......
　Catherine was mentally safe because she didn't see the carnage firsthand and wasn't afraid of it.

　Alisa was captured by an army of undead, and although she was released without incident, she was unable to speak due to the psychological shock.


　But then she slid her pen across the paper on the table and spoke.

'It's okay. I'm more than sorry to be paid for something like this.

　Alisa's father was dead.
　Normally, the families of knights of the royal court who died in battle would be paid a bereavement allowance, but with the collapse of the nation, there was no way they could receive such an allowance.
　She needed the money.

　The deal that Catherine would get information and Alisa would get money was equal, but Catherine felt a little guilty because it was as if she was holding her life hostage.

　Alisa recounts the events of the day of the fall of King's Landing in writing.
　The Order of the Knights collapses in front of the second group of hostages.
　The "Rose Princess of Hell" laughs loudly.
　And ...... the girls who were released without a scratch.

"Alisa. I'm sure the Rose of Hell you saw was the headless swordsman in the white dress, right?

　I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you out.

The dress?
"Are you sure?

　Catherine asked if it was Dullahan.
　But something else seemed to be bothering Alisa.

"It wasn't a dress. Just plain, ordinary clothes. Aprons. A dress.

　It was Catherine's turn to be troubled by the unexpected information.

　--Why did you change your clothes ......?

　I'm sure you've seen Rene in a pure white dress.
　Why, of all things, would she change into something else in the middle of a battle?

　--I'm not sure, but I think it's a good idea.

　But who can afford to worry about that in a battle?
　And can he afford to wear clothes?

　Or maybe it's not the clothes that have changed, but ......

　--Or is it not the clothes that have changed, but the ...... body that has changed?

　Because the body has changed, the clothes have changed too.
　It's natural to think that way.
　But I wonder if it's possible to create a body that conveniently.

"Alisa. Rene ...... "The Rose of Hell" was about the same age as you and me?
"Yes. She was about ten.
"Did she have silver hair and silver eyes?
Yes.

　That's strange.
　You can't conveniently find a 10-year-old with the same silver hair and eyes as Rene.
　If you want to create an undead body in advance and change it, it can be an adult or a man, or it will be inevitable. ......

　--maybe the body can be anything?

　Catherine remembered the story of the doppelshadow. A change of body.
　If Rene could turn the person he possessed into a Dullahan of his own likeness, the question would be answered. I don't know if such an undead thing could exist, but ...... it would be unnatural if it didn't.

　And Catherine's skin flushed.
　The girls that were brought in. I thought they were hostages, but maybe not.

　What had the Master said about the Rage Spirit and its higher form, the Abyss Spirit?
　They take the bodies of adventurers and make them fight with their friends. That is, if applied, ......

　--They'll turn the girls into undead ......!
　　　You're saying that was a "replacement weapon" to fight Lawrence?

　It's just too blasphemous. Katherine shuddered at the thought.
　The knights had been forced to fight with their own daughter's body?
　That was the worst theory. She would rather hope that Rene was just changing her clothes, but how could she afford to 'change clothes because they were ruined' against Lawrence, who was known to be as strong as a god of war?
　Besides, if you think about it, Rene is a revenger. She would want to fight in a way that would metaphorically trample the heart of her avenger. When he threw Catherine out, Rene said that she was useless because she was not a child of a royal knight. I thought he meant that she was useless as a hostage, but if you're only going to use her as a hostage, even an unrelated child should be effective, which means that what Rene was looking for was ......

　And when Catherine realized that Alisa was holding the pen, she stiffened.
　Her hands were shaking, and her pen was making soggy spirals on the paper.

I'm sorry to have to tell you such a painful story.
　I'm sorry I made you talk about something so painful. ...... Get a doctor!
What?

　The nurse in the corner of the room urged Alisa to leave.
　The nurse in the corner of the room urged Alisa to leave, and Catherine, also frustrated, kicked her chair.

　--to your father, we must tell him this story as soon as possible. ......!

　A devastating thought about Rene: ......
　If I'm right about this, it's outrageous.

　--But what do I want to do with ...... Rene?

　As if driven by some unseen force, Catherine impulsively researched Rene.
　But what do you want to do with him as a result?

　Do you want to defeat him? Do you want to save him? Or is she hoping for a different ending?


　Catherine didn't understand. Not at this time.