Mass for the Dead Chapter 04

Fortress City E-Rantel (城塞都市エ・ランテル) is the fourth main story chapter in Mass for the Dead. It was released to the public on August 1, 2019.

Episode 1: Saint Clementine
The person at the gates of E-Rantel introduces herself as Saint Clementine to the newly arrived protagonist and his allies. She welcomes them to the city, explaining that under the direction of the Mayor of E-Rantel, she is working with the Adventurer's Guild to maintain the security of the city. Having heard of the protagonist and his role for saving the people of Carne Village she sincerely thanks him. Ian Als Heim is a bit more cynical to her welcome and noting how fast she responded to welcoming the protagonist. He finds it utterly ironic that a person who betrayed her nation would find patronage in the Kingdom. Clementine calmly states that she is merely helping the people of E-Rantel, however, the Sunlight Scripture commander is not convinced having not forgotten what she did in the past. Clementine responds to Ian's accusation, stating that people can change and she is a different person now. Ian finds this to be unsatisfactory, which leaves the saint to warn Ian that if they clash here at the gates, rumors will spread.

Leinas Rockbruise seeing that there is some troubled history with Clementine and those from the Theocracy urges her colleague that fighting is not the time when the three nations are coming together. Ian reluctantly agrees with her. Leinas then moves to leave to return to her unit and deliver her report. She promises to see the protagonist again as soon as she has taken care of internal matters. Ian also needing to report back to his captain, though he gives the homunculus a warning about Clementine. She was a member of the Slane Theocracy who was infamous for many outrageous criminal acts. After she left her nation she apparently got caught up in the turmoil of the Kingdom. For some reason, she was well received by the refugees. Despite her appearance and actions of benevolence, Ian warns the protagonist to not trust her. Before leaving he suggests that the protagonist to visit the barracks of the Theocracy, offering hospitality with food and rooms provided.

Left with Saint Clementine, the protagonist and Surako are given an offer by the saint of a tour of the city. The protagonist seeking to establish connections readily agrees. The two visitors follow Clementine through the crowds of the city where the latter explains that the city is close to the border of the three nations and thus has flourished as a trading hub. Ever since the appearance of the Cracks, the influential people from the three nations gathered, and the city was flooded with refugees, causing the population to increase. During the tour, a group of refugee children point out to Clementine, who briefly pauses to greet and comfort them.

Clementine then goes to explain that though the city is vast, and surrounded by triple walls, it is still not easy to accommodate all the people. Currently the military facilities are on the periphery, while the citizens mostly inhabit the middle part of the city, while all the political institutions are in the inner wall. For the refugees the are designated in the outer periphery. A fourth wall is under construction to strengthen the city's defense capabilities and to secure cultivated land to improve food self-sufficiency. A large amount of stones are needed to build the wall so a quarry nearby is being operated day and night by the refugees. After the saint asks the protagonist where he and his friends would like to visit, they are taken to the Adventurer's Guild for employment.

When the group reach the guild they notice a commotion inside. There they find a blonde hair copper ranked adventurer complaining to the guild's receptionist to be given higher ranked jobs stating that she is capable. She is denied as the adventurer has not accrued enough achievements. Clementine decides to intervene in the conversation and asks for help in registering the protagonist as an adventurer. The receptionist immediately recognizes the holy woman, and complies. The same cannot be said for the blonde adventurer, who's name is So, but seeing that she is getting nowhere with her request, she leaves the reception table.

Clementine then illustrates the rules of the Adventurer Guild, and that there are eight plates which adventurers advance in rank starting from a copper plate. However given that the protagonist's abilities are recognized by the Sunlight Scripture, the saint asks the receptionist if the guild would consider promoting them to a higher rank. Since it is a recommendation from the Saint of E-Rantel, the guild approves the request. Soi having returned demands to be given to same opportunity to prove that she is more than a copper ranked adventurer. Saint Clementine approves and then arranges for mock battles between other adventurers to make the evaluation. While the plan is reasonably, the protagonist sees it as a way for Clementine to gauge his strength. Nonetheless the protagonist accepts the conditions, which pleases Clementine. Soi tells the homunculus to be careful, drawing confusion from Surako as why a stranger is showing concern to them.

Episode 2: Adventurers
A large crowd of adventurers gather at the training grounds of the guild. After hearing rumors that whoever competes in the mocked matches and wins, will receive the honor of being introduced to influential members of the city, they are all eager to participate. Everyone eventually calms down once Saint Clementine appears. Those that wish to raise their ranks are allowed to take part against the new challenger, the protagonist. Most of the adventurers present don't expect much from the new adventurer. The first challenger is a big husky iron ranked adventurer. He is quickly defeated by the protagonist. Though it is a victory, the warriors attending the mock battles do not think much of it as iron ranked adventurers are easiest to defeat. The next contender is a rough looking gold ranked adventurer. Surako is worried as the level of opponent has gone up, but the protagonist is confident of his skills.

Once the gold ranked adventurer is on the ground, many in the crowd are in disbelief. Even though Clementine recommended the protagonist they think the win to be a fluke. It was only after the defeat of a second gold adventurer, did the crowd start to admit perhaps the newcomer was the real deal.

Clementine who has been observing the fights, ponders which country the protagonist and associates are truly from. Eliminating the Dragon Kingdom and Argland Council State, as those countries have already fallen, and also the Roble Holy Kingdom since contact was never reestablished. Her mental musings bring her to the City-State Alliance which is currently in negotiations with the Empire. At this point she cannot draw absolute conclusions. The saint addresses the gathered and asks if there are anymore challengers. One contender rises up, which Clementine recognizes as an associate who is said to be a gold ranked adventurer but due to his strength could rise to that of a platinum rank. The contender promises to defeat the upstart in Saint Clementine's name. While the saint takes no sides, she encourages both to win. The match falls in favor of the protagonist's team. Clementine seeing the other adventurer defeated tells him it was a good fight and encourages him to try harder, earning her admiration from the former.

The other adventurers have acknowledged the protagonist's strength, not only that it's possible to rise to a higher rank in the adventurer system. However the protagonist decides to start as a copper to the shock of everyone. Clementine accepts the decision made by the protagonist. Back in the guild, the saint gives the character a form to fill out. Unfortunately the protagonist is unable to read the script of the document as they are unfamiliar with the written language of the New World. The Saint of E-Rantel seeing this to be the case, assists, and fills it out for them. She even offers to tutor them in the Kingdom and Empire's written language, which as similar as they were once part of the same nation. The same is said about the Theocracy's language due to past national interactions with the unified nation. Once the protagonist is successfully registered, the saint has a small job request that needs to be completed.

Before the protagonist can answer whether of not to take the job, Soi interrupts congratulating Surako and the former. She adds herself to the protagonist's team. To allow the protagonist and his comrades to rest, Clementine decides to excuse herself and sets up a later time for them to talk if the protagonist is still interested in taking the job.

The three new adventurers congregate in a shabby inn room, where the protagonist tells Soi to drop her disguise. The copper adventurer complies, revealing herself as Solution Epsilon of the Pleiades. The battle maid explains that Momonga knowing that she possesses a humanoid form and assassin skills had sent her to infiltrate the city.

Slimeko seeing her idol for real is full of excitement at the older slime asks why she hid her identity until now. Solution explains that it was part of her cover to hide her affiliation with the protagonist. Currently is known by members of the Theocracy and Empire that Narberal Gamma, Aura Bella Fiora, and Mare Bello Fiore are associated with the protagonist. Her identity as Soi was set to decrease suspicion around the protagonist to allow for a smooth transition when she 'met' them at the guild. Anyway her character in interacting with them was flawless and worked.

The protagonist asks what other operations are being taken place in the city by Nazarick. Solution states that currently two paths of infiltration were set, one being through the Adventurer's Guild and the other being a refugee. The last option is being undertaken by Sebas Tian, who is engaged in manual labor at the refugee camp. Their orders were to act independently for now and in the future meet up from Momonga. As for now, the protagonist having already established relationships with Ian and Leinas who are high ranking members of the Theocracy and Empire, decides to pursuing a friendly relationship with the Kingdom. That of course involves taking Saint Clementine's request. Solution knowing about the saint, admits that she has a powerful position in the city and is adored by the masses. The protagonist suspects that there is more to her as the saint has through their encounter been collecting as much information on them as possible through subtle but effective means. Despite the dangers Clementine poses, the group decide to go meet her.

Back in Nazarick, Momonga aware that all three neighboring nations in the region are gathering in the city, receives a report from his agents in E-Rantel that they have made contact with each other. He allows the protagonist to proceed to the new phase of the urban investigation operation.

Episode 3: Underground Sewer
Saint Clementine standing outside the Adventurer's Guild, is glad that the protagonist came and see that they are accompanied by Soi. Surako asks what kind of work does the saint wish to have them do. The saint then guides them back into the guild and show them a bulletin board posted with many papers which contains details of requests that adventurers can take according to their rank to receive a reward. The one that Clementine wants them to take is the Underground Sewer Research Mission. She explains that the task involves checking the state of the current city's sewage system and slimes in the sewers. The city of E-Rantel, like many cities relies on low level slimes for sewage treatment. These are known as Sanitary Slimes which feed on the waste in the sewers and purifies it. Usually when slime have enough nutrients the split into more slimes. The increase in slimes could be dangerous, thus downstream in the city, there is a sewage treatment plant that has high walls to stop the spread of the monsters. With the increased population, there should be a proportional increase in waste and slimes. Around this time the number of slimes should be skyrocketing. Strangely, no reports of greater slime numbers have been reported. The cause is currently unknown. So far the purification of the sewage is still going on, but the slimes population don't match the situation. Clementine wants to solve this issue before it brings any harm to the city's citizens. The mayor also expects this to be resolved which brings up a chance to be introduced to a high ranking official should they solve the mystery. The party agrees to take the job which please Clementine and she also requests that the adventurers take some slimes as samples for research on this mission.

At the sewage treatment plant the trio enter into the underground sewers. As the saint said the sewage and garbage in the channels have been cleaned, yet they see no slimes. Soi prepared for the trip and has a bag that was given to her by an alchemist. It was treated with acid resistance to allow for a slime to be kept inside for a day. Soi wishes for this mission to go as quick as possible and heads into the tunnels.

Briefly fumbling in the darkness, Soi uses a glowstick to light up the sewers. To avoid being infected by the sewage, the proceed with caution. Soi and Surako note it is too quiet, when a slime immediately appears seeing them as prey. Soi easily dispatches it. However the slime's behavior is abnormal as usually low level slimes wait for prey to pass rather than aggressive attack. Another soon attacks from the water, but is defeated by Soi. The group wonders if the aggression is due to hunger, though it doesn't make sense as there should be plenty of sustenance for the slimes in the sewers. Walking deeper into the sewer network, the adventurers find that the entire sewer aisles have been cleaned spotless and that there are no small animals. It is definitely he work of the slimes who must have devoured everything in their path. But the question still begs as why there are no more slimes. They soon encounter a large slime which Soi then kills. Its deemed that this particular slime is abnormal, a low level slime that increase in body mass due to greater nutrition. Such a thing should not be possible for a low level slime as once they have enough nutrients they split into more slimes. Only high level slimes have the ability to maintain their forms and a few rare exceptions. Guren is brought as an example by Surako as it has an ability called [Vomiting] that can spit out small numbers of slimes.

The protagonist thinks the slime may have mutated, if so this is a serious problem. The protagonist orders his party to search for a slime to examine. Surako using her slime abilities tracks one down through the passages, briefly getting into a scuffle with a slime. Afterwards the trails of where it came from leads to the water tank where all the sewage gathers. At he water tank the party face off against a giant slime. It's still unknown why it grew so big without splitting but Soi kills it. After its dead, Surako celebrates their victory, however her senior tells her not to let her guard down as there might be something else lurking nearby. She is proven right when another giant slime emerges. Soi undaunted by its size decides to hack it apart to take as a sample. Once it is defeat Soi scouts the area to make sure no more slimes are present. So far they have guessed that for some reason the slimes in the sewers have lost their ability to split and increase and storing their nutrition and becoming bigger. The sewers and fauna have been eaten due to the greater appetites of the monsters. Surako thinks that the recent mutation of the slimes may be the result of a Crack, though Soi, who thinks even if humans are an inferior species they wouldn't be that stupid to missing something like a Crack in the area. Still having no information to shed light on this mystery the protagonist orders everyone to return to the surface.

Just as they are about to depart, Soi discovers a hidden room in the water tank area. A wall is soon opened containing a room not in the sewer plans. The room contains crates filled with civil engineering equipment. While the contents are not suspicious, the purpose of having a hidden area still has the group worried. With even more questions, the group decide to report this to the guild.

Episode 4: Refugees
At the Adventurer's Guild, Saint Clementine hears all the details of the results of the mission. She is likewise shocked on the discovery that the slimes in the sewers have mutated. After giving the adventurers' their reward, Clementine states that this issue will be brought to the mayor and fully investigated. As for the person who will be researching this case, Clementine introduces the trio her acquaintance, Sophie Noia, a researcher that belongs to the E-Rantel Institute and a magic caster from the Baharuth Empire capable of the 4th Tier Magic. The researcher happily greets the adventurers and upon seeing the sample Soi is carrying is eager to start her analysis as she believes her work will make great progress for human civilization. When Surako asks what her researcher is, the researcher is all too keen to find that there is a worthy soul who is interested in her work and promises to write them as a footnote. Sophie the explains her work involves the use of monsters to enrich human society. It is a fascinating field, which the magic caster agrees pouring her efforts into it, since the original goal of getting revenge on a colleague was killed during the emergence of the Cracks. Taking the sample, the researcher rushes out to conduct her studies. Clementine also parts from the adventurers to give her report to the mayor.

After she leaves, Soi releases her sheer disgust of the woman to her companions, knowing full well that the saint's smiling face is but a mask. The group decide to focus on what comes next, which to make a name for themselves as adventurers to spread their fame. This brings up the topic of the Swords of Darkness and she asks if Soi has heard of them. Sadly the copper adventurer has not, which is not surprising as they were only silver and the mock battle that they competed in were for ranks higher than them. The protagonist then decides to take the chance to check up on their fellow comrade, Sebas Tian, in the refugee camp as he has been in the city the longest ever since he infiltrated it.

On the road, the group head to the quarry where refugees are working to mine the stone to make the fourth wall for E-Rantel. The job that the trio have taken from the Adventurer's Guild, is security around the site and transportation of stone. En-route the get attacked by a goblin, but other than that manage to arrive at the quarry. There they see a watchtower and guards on patrol, indicating the site to be an important facility for the fortress city. A question arises as if this location is so important, why were higher ranked adventurers not sent? The meet a guard at the quarry, who seeing that they are copper adventurers says that its better than nothing. Soi demands to know what that means, but the guard states that they will know soon enough and goes back to his post.

The group decide to explore the area, seeing that many of the laborers are refugees working in mining stones. They also spot what appears to be a few collapses here and there. A sunburned worker spots them and greets the adventurers. The worker is glad that their request for aid was received but warns it may be dangerous. Luckily though the quarry has been assisted by a specific individual. Soi guesses that the individual is Sebas Tian. Surako wanting to know more details, asks a rough looking worker about Sebas Tian's involvement in the mine. The miner tells the adventurers that Sebas is seen as a savior at the site as he has fought against monsters that appear in the quarry and even saved buried workers. The worker knows what he says is unbelievable but he insists its all true about Sebas Tian. He tells them if they have any issues, they should speak to Sebas directly.

There is a commotion in the quarry and immediately rush to see the same guard the adventurers just met being attacked by a Stone Eater. Soi arrives just in time to save the human and afterwards receives his thanks. The guard now grateful of the save apologizes for his previous attitude, and that the additional security request was to help the guards deal with the monsters. Apparently due to the large concentration of humans in the area, monster have been attracted here in search of food. This is the only location that the city of E-Rantel can secure good quality of stones for their construction project. Its a short distance from the city, meaning there is less of a chance of attack during transportation.

There is another commotion and the group see the sunburned worker yelling to everyone to run as another Stone Eater is in the site. It turns to attack the worker. Soi at her present distance is unable to reach him in time, but the demi-human is killed by an old bearded man. Sebas Tian is revealed and after checking on his fellow worker, decides to take care of the remaining Stone Eaters. The protagonist orders the rest of the adventurers to join their colleague, though Soi is hesitant at the situation but complies. After all the monsters have been cleared up, Sebas is thank by the worker who refers Sebas Tian as Big Brother, a name that Sebas had asked not to be called despite many times. Upon seeing the adventurers, he welcomes the group 'introducing' himself as Sebas Tian and directs them to a private location to speak. Once alone the undercover agents welcome his comrades to the quarry. Soi seeing Sebas Tian's attire of that of a worker is surprised at his choice of disguise. Sebas states that he didn't want to get his normal clothes dirty. Normally sticking to the image that the creators had given to them would be followed, though Sebas Tian believes that following his creator's philosophy is more important. That is helping others as, which he has applied in helping the refugees in E-Rantel. He explains that the jobs refugees can afford are all low-paying and harsh, but here at the quarry the jobs are the most demanding. As they saw not only does the work can potentially kill you but also the encroaching monsters. To help the refugees he decided to take a job here. Seeing that the trio have also arrived Sebas guesses that they took the security job request. He then decides to give them a tour of the quarry.

Surako queries the metallic sound of the digging, which Sebas explains to be the crushing and cutting of stones by the workers. The stones need to be cut small enough so that they can be placed on [Floating Board]s. His party unfamiliar with the spell, he then explains it to be a 1st tier magic developed by the magic casters of the New World. An injured worker soon approaches the undercover butler, who thanks the latter for saving him from a cave him the other day. Sebas notices that he still is hurt and advises him to take it easy. The man though is hesitant to quit working as he has a family to feed, but Sebas assures him to take half his burden much to the other's man's gratitude. Soi sees that a lot of cave ins are common around the quarry, too many to be coincidence, which Sebas admits to be true as they have been caused by Stone Eaters that occasionally appear from the rock. Due to the topography of the quarry which changes due to the mining and cave ins, its hard to take measures to prevent surprise attacks. Despite the security, the attacks have been exhausting the guards and thus require more manpower. Hence the site sent out a request for any aid they could get. Sebas asks if they could lend a hand to the humans in this harsh environment. While the protagonist is onboard, Soi displays her reservations, commenting that in such an environment, maybe perhaps being a bandit would be more profitable.

Sebas states that isn't possible anymore as E-Rantel's vigilance against all criminal activity in more sever, ever since the three nations gathered. The criminal organization Eight Fingers was mentioned to having to disband as a result of the new order by the alliance. The butler wishes to help the refugees, unfortunately he cannot use his full strength lest it will draw unwanted attention to himself. Having the adventurers manage the security will allay everyone's fears.

Night falls, but the quarry is still operating as it was during the day. The protagonist is about to have their shift being taken by Soi, but before they rest, the slime confesses her reservations on Sebas Tian. Soi expresses that she worried he is getting too close to the humans and refugees, afraid it might impede his loyalties. The protagonist thinks it shouldn't something to worry about at present, before a disturbance is heard at the perimeter. Something unhuman had sneaked into the site, following it north they find an injured guard. From him they learn that a bunch of demi-humans managed to get past him and headed straight towards the workers' lodgings.

They direct their attention to the barracks. On the way the group are attacked by several demi-humans but they are swiftly defeated. When they reach their destination the group are worried about revealing their strength as there are too many witnesses in the quarry. Soi suggests they get rid of potential witnesses by destroying the lodging but the protagonists rejects the idea. They find the demi-humans are being fought by Sebas Tian, who is easily fighting them off. However the protagonist has a strategy that will work in their benefit. After discussing with his colleagues, Sebas Tian agrees to commit to it, though Soi highly doubts it will work. Inside the barracks, the workers are hiding, listening to the sounds of battle outside their walls. Many are worried that they will not make to dawn, but a few are confident that Sebas Tian will protect them. Outside there are sounds of moans and tearing of skin. Sebas Tian having to restrain himself from killing some of the Stone Eaters then attempts to make a convincing cry for help, though his acting skills leaves much to be desired by his friends. However the previous sounds by the demi-humans, the workers thinking they were from Sebas immediately come to his aid no longer willing to stay at the sidelines despite the butler's rebuffs. Their solidarity startles Soi as she didn't think the humans would have it in them to confront the monsters for a single being. Together with the adventurers they fight against the Stone Eaters.

Morning eventually comes to the location One of the guards states that the site will have to be closed for a time as much of the equipment was destroyed. However thanks to the adventurers no lives were sacrificed, and the guard will report to the Adventurer's Guild on their success. Sebas Tian is glad everything worked out alright and promises to see them again, as he will be heading back to the city with the rest of the refugee workers in due time.

Back in the city of E-Rantel, a priest submits a report on the protagonist and their progress. Nigun, having heard of the protagonist's involvement in Carne Village and the Tob Forest from his subordinate, Ian has now taken a peculiar interest in the new adventurer.

Episode 5: Encounter With Nigun
The next morning, the protagonist awakens in his room in E-Rantel. Soi and Surako already awake. discussing their lives as slimes now that they are alone, notice that their colleague is awake greet them. Surako is eager to start a new mission, though the protagonist states that today they will take it easy today. As for why, the sound of a carriage pulling up beside their inn draw their attention. The adventurers decide to check it out and find that Ian and his priests have come to see them.

Ian states that its been too long to see the protagonist. Soi who is unfamiliar with the man, is shocked when the priest knows her name and her recent inclusion in the protagonist's adventurer team, indicating that the Theocracy has been observing them. The Commander of the Sunlight Scripture has come to fulfill his promise to bring the group to see his captain.

The adventurers are taken to the headquarters of the Scripture in E-Rantel. Though it looks ordinary, Ian boasts it to have several high magical defenses to prevent potential information leaks. This causes the protagonist to realize that the Theocracy's support for the Tripartite Alliance is not absolute, though they say nothing as the protagonist does not wish to waste an opportunity to meet one of the high ranking officers of the Alliance. The adventurers are brought before Nigun Grid Luin, the Captain of the Sunlight Scripture, who greets them. After receiving reports on the protagonist's deeds from his forces, he thanks them on the Theocracy's behalf. Soi is not impressed by the bravado asking if that is all they have brought them here. The protagonist quickly apologizes for his teammate's behavior. Nigun is unperturbed and even offers his own apology if he offended the adventurers. As the protagonist may know, the Sunlight Scripture's mission is to destroy all the enemies of humanity. The captain extends a hand offering the adventurer to join hands in this believing their strength can make a difference among their forces. The adventurers do not accept right away only asking for some time to be given before an answer. Nigun is fine with that, but now that they are here asks if the adventurers would entertain his forces with a little demonstration of the skills. Like hosting a few mock battles to deepen their relationship. Seeing nothing wrong with it to avoid a bad impression the protagonist accepts.

The group is led by Nigun to a section of the base where various priests from the Sunlight Scripture are practicing combat. On the way Nigun tells his guests that ever since the world broke, their mission of the Scripture has changed. Now that his forces have been stationed in E-Rantel, their main focus has been dealing with the ever changing state of affairs like defense, the subjugation of Chaos Beast and research missions. The fact of the matter is that the Scripture needs more strength to accomplish its goals. Here at the training ground the priests of the Scripture are drilling themselves for battle situations that they might encounter. However they would react better in live combat situations, hence why he invited the adventurers so they can help train his men.

Nigun has his men fight against the adventurers, which emerge victorious after every engagement. The number of battles increase at Nigun's insistence, which Ian reluctantly follows. The engagements eventually lead to the protagonist and Ian facing off, which ends in a draw. Nigun though is not satisfied at evaluating the newcomers strengths and to the shock of his men steps into fight. During the captains battle with the adventurers he gets into a heat duel with Soi, and the fight has them at each other's throats, until Ian steps in at the last minute just as they were about to charge at one another. Announcing that the fight has concluded and is more than enough to have tested the adventurers skills. While the surrounding priests think the battle was a tie, Nigun states that he was losing in the end. Despite this evident loss, the captain is glad to have experience that all what was said about the protagonist was true. Then he states that if the protagonist need any assistance his forces would gladly help.

After sending the protagonist and his allies away, Nigun and Ian privately spoke with each other. Nigun having confirmed the power of the protagonist for himself, tells his commander to keep an on the protagonist's activities.