Mass for the Dead Chapter 08



The Lost Hero (消えた英雄) is the eighth main story chapter in Mass for the Dead. It was released to the public on April 1, 2020.

Episode 1: On And Off The Board
In a cave located north of E-Rantel, Gazef Stronoff is fighting a mass of Chaos Beasts ,but is slowly overwhelmed by the beasts. Refusing to give up he continues to fight, running straight towards the mob. In the Great Tomb of Nazarick, Demiurge discusses Nazarick's plan in making use of the Tripartite Alliance with the protagonist and Slimeko. To demonstrate their plan, Demiurge uses a military board game simulating a scenario where the Chaos Beasts are attacking a human city. Demiurge starts the game by going on the offensive and attacks the protagonist's game pieces. The protagonist reinforces their defense and repels Demiurge's beasts thanks to setting up an ambush. Demiurge is impressed, however he notes that the protagonist's forces are now exhausted. In a hypothetical situation what would happen if another raiding party showed up. Demiurge proceeds to implement that strategy, which the protagonist counters by sending out their special unit. The Floor Guardian admits that is a sound idea and brings up that the real Gazef Stronoff has not returned to E-Rantel and wonder on his whereabouts. Going back to the game Demiurge positions his game pieces around the special unit and removes it from the field hinting the question of what the Re-Estize Kingdom should do when their champion is gone? The protagonist states that the Kingdom would most likely send a rescue party. However the Kingdom cannot send out its own troops otherwise the city would be left undefended, thus it would have to rely on outside help. Demiurge is happy that the protagonist sees beyond the rules of the game so it reflects reality. Right now the Kingdom may face this situation and may seek help to find their Warrior Captain. In order to monopolize on this opportunity, Nazarick authorizes the protagonist to use whatever means to negotiate with the Kingdom to return their Warrior Captain.

After that the protagonist returns with Slimeko, now Surako, to E-Rantel, to a ludicrous inn where they and Soi have taken residence as adamantite adventurers. The group are interrupted when guards enter their room announcing the appearance of Price Zanac Valleon Igana Ryle Vaiself. Prince Zanac requests the protagonist's assistance that the royal family wishes to be resolved. The protagonist and company are then escorted to a carriage and transported to a more private location.

Episode 2: Request From The King
At an undisclosed location Zanac presents the adventurers to his father, King Ramposa III. The protagonist believing that this meeting involves Gazef's disappearance, inquires on the warrior's whereabouts. Zanac explains the situation to the adventurers. The Warrior Captain was leading elite soldiers to investigate the source of the Chaos Beasts that attacked E-Rantel. The location was pinpointed to a cave north of the city. The survey of the area proceeded as plan and due to it being a high risk mission Gazef's team made regular reports to the city from their base camp in the cave. The Warrior Troop progressed deeper into the cave to clear away the Chaos Beasts, however the royal family lost contact with them a day before. It is unknown whether the troop was wiped out or if they are alive. Ramposa III wishes the protagonist's help in rescuing Gazef or retrieving his body so he may be resurrected. The protagonist asks why so much effort to save this one man? The king states that Gazef's existence is necessary to maintain the alliance with the two other nations.

The king implores the protagonist's aid, offering anything in return. The protagonist seeing an opportunity is at hand, requests Ramposa III to consider forming an alliance with his nation of "Japan" and presents a formal letter that he wishes to be approved. If such an alliance were made then the protagonist's nation would approve of the latter's involvement of this mission that the Kingdom wishes for them to undertake. While the conditions of the alliance are standard, Zanac is wary as they do not have enough information of the protagonist nor Japan. Princess Renner Theiere Chardelon Ryle Vaiself urges her father to accept the alliance. Zanac rather than argue with his sister, gives his approval and support though he wonders if they made a mistake of allies.

Episode 3: Undercover
After finishing up their report to Nazarick the trio set off at night and are on the road to their destination. Outside the city they are joined by Shalltear Bloodfallen, who has been assigned to accompany them. To interact with beings outside Nazarick, Shalltear creates the identity of Shall, a tragic daughter of a famous family who has embarked on a journey of exile. The group though collectively agree that "Shall" meeting humans outside is not the time, so advise the Floor Guardian to stay hidden during the quest to search and rescue the Warrior Captain. Due to her strength, the protagonist arranges for her to be given an adamantite plate to serve as her cover as an adventurer.

Meanwhile, Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El Nix received a report from Nimble Arc Dale Anoch that Blue Roses and the protagonist's team have left the fortress city. According to his information, they are heading towards the cave where Gazef was stationed at. So far no movement has been reported on the Slane Theocracy. Jircniv wary of the events orders that the Baharuth Empire be on high alert and to send a force to E-Rantel intent on being the one to steer humanity's survival.

Back with the adventurers, Shall is now fiddling with her new adventurer plate. The topic turns to the possibility that a Rift is leaking Chaos Beasts in the cave where Gazef was last seen. They worry about the possibility of being contaminated by the fog that the Rifts produce. To test the gas's toxicity they decide to make a small detour to the closest Rift and experiment. They head to the Great Forest of Tob where Abyss Demon is waiting for them.