Mass for the Dead Chapter 02



Wise King of the Forest (森の賢王) is the second main story chapter in Mass for the Dead. It was released to the public on April 1, 2019.

Episode 1: Dark Elf Siblings
After a fierce battle with a Giant Chaos Beast, the protagonist had taken a rest in the tent provided by Ian Als Heim, the leader of the Sunlight Scripture. Once refreshed, the protagonist awakens and is greeted outside the tent by Nabe and Surako. Nabe informs her teammate that the Sunlight Scripture members are already getting ready for the morning and they should follow too. She inquires about the reinforcements the protagonist sent for, asking when they will arrive. She gets her answer when to the surprise of all, Aura Bella Fiora and Mare Bello Fiore appear. Aura explains that since being resurrected, they have been training to regain their strength. Plus with their summons dead, Nazarick is still short-handed. Surako is happy to meet the Floor Guardians, greets them, drawing attention from Aura due to her being a rare species of slime. Since two dark elves are more than enough to safeguard the protagonist and Surako, Nabe bids the group farewell to return to Nazarick for additional orders.

The protagonist, using Surako's [Message] ability, contacts Momonga who he then expresses thanks for sending the new escorts. Momonga on the other end of the [Message] is glad his assistance has arrived safely, wishes for the protagonist to continue their investigation of the Crack that is supposedly located around Carne Village. The protagonist though as a plan in motion for that, and explains to their master that their group has encountered the Sunlight Scripture who are also searching for the Crack and recommends they cooperate with them for the time being. Momonga intrigued by this permits the joint venture, as it will give the protagonist the necessary human shields to make it through to conduct their research.

After the [Message] is over, Surako is noted by Aura to look weaker, which the slime confesses that using her communication skill takes a lot of energy. She is then ordered by the protagonist to regain her strength by consuming nutrition from the Scripture's stockpiles. Aura would like to start doing her survey of the forest, however there is still an issue of the Sunlight Scripture and asks f its alright to accompany them.

Back outside, Ian is being briefed by one of his men that the advance team has returned from the forest that the monsters are plaguing the southern part of the nearby forest. The monsters that now roam the forest are mentioned to be Contaminated Beasts and Chaos Beasts. Despite having hunted quite a few there is still danger lurking in the foliage. The question now is whether to wait until reinforcements from E-Rantel arrive or delve deeper into the forest for their investigation.

The protagonist interrupts Ian's train of thought. The priest is glad to see the character out and about, but when he learns that the protagonist is requesting to be allowed to join their investigation, the Sunlight Scripture member tries to dissuade him, stating that the forest is too dangerous. The protagonist insists that if he and his team go with the Scripture it will be less dangerous. When the surrounding priests detect a rustle from the forest, and that the approaching people are dark elves, the entire Sunlight Scripture is tense as they had heard that the Great Forest of Tob was originally ruled by the latter. When the two dark elves appear, Aura tells them that they come in peace and are hear at the invitation of the protagonist. Ian after hearing a confirmation from new guest, is slightly accepting of elves, as he knows their kind are present in the Empire and Kingdom. He tells his men to stand down until ordered otherwise. Its obvious that Aura and Mare are not welcomed by the priest, and Ian admits that this may not work and apologizes to the protagonist.

Ian questions why the elves were in the forest, which Aura explains that she was doing a preliminary survey. One of the priests are aghast that the two little elves would dare thread into the woods alone. However Aura displays that she and her sibling were not alone, showing her pet wolf. While her fighting power is not high she admits that her nose is good. Ian asks if she is a boy, but is stunned when he learns she is actually a girl and that Mare is a boy and not a girl despite their attire. The protagonist then highlights the main points of each of the dark elves strengths that might aid the Sunlight Scripture in their investigation, citing both would be useful as Aura is a ranger and tamer, while Mare is a druid.

After shaking off the elves genders and attire as a bizarre custom of elves, Ian recognizes that having the elves in their investigation would aid them tremendously. He also notes that the abilities of these two an the protagonist's association hints that the latter to be part of a larger organization. Unfortunately the protagonist does not elaborate on his affiliation, and Ian knows better to make an enemy. Ian agrees to let them join as he trusts the protagonist's character and orders his men to stand down. As a show of good faith, Ian then reveals his face to the protagonist and Surako, surprising them of the action.

Episode 2: Human Enemy
Aura asks Ian what is the purpose of the Sunlight Scripture mission in the forest. Ian explains to the party that his team's aim is to determine the cause of why the monsters from the forests are flooding out. There has never been an instance of such an event as all the monsters in the southern forest area were kept in check by the Wise King of the Forest, hence why Carne Village lived such a peaceful existence until now. Aura is extremely interested in the beast, after Ian explains that it is a quadruped with a snake-like tail and that none who enter its territory are heard from again. However since the monsters are now coming out of the forest, the question begs if the Wise King of the Forest is dead, contaminated or was hunted. Nevertheless Ian believes they need to determine what has happened and take immediate action. The city of E-Rantel which is less than a day's travel on foot for humans is vulnerable to attacks by these monsters which can arrive there in half a day. The city is currently serving as a vital base for the three countries: the Re-Estize Kingdom, the Baharuth Empire and the Slane Theocracy. There is also a good chance that the incident that caused the Cracks may be related to the monsters fleeing the forest, given the number of Contaminated Beasts. Thus the Sunlight Scripture was sent to investigate to see if there is a Crack in the forest. With the dangers that they may face Aura offers to use her wolves to scout the area, however given the area battle is almost inevitable.