Saints Who Dive In The Water

Saints Who Dive In The Water (水辺に潜る聖女たち) is a game event in Mass for the Dead that was released on July 14, 2023 to July 31, 2023.

Background
After the attack of Jaldabaoth. Beneath the surface of E-Rantel's recovery, a new threat was emerging. In order to deal with that problem, the saints must wear the amphibious final battle weapon "swimsuit". All in secret, to protect the smiles of the residents――

Incident
At the Great Tomb of Nazarick, the protagonist gives his report on the state of E-Rantel's reconstruction. Said report includes not only the city's recovery but also the projections of the industry of confectionary goods sold as a result of the Idol Plan which has led to the Sorcerer Kingdom gaining foreign currency and leading to their nation to coming one step closer in making the Three Kingdoms into its puppets.

The protagonist notes the progress of the Sorcerer Kingdom in that it is an existence that is slowly becoming indispensable to humans, as the Re-Estize Kingdom has already fallen under the former's thrall. Although the Slane Theocracy has not let down their guards towards the non-human nation, but they have at least a cooperative relationship with its affiliates like the Sunlight Scripture.

Momonga adds that Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix has returned to the Baharuth Empire, and asks an update on the political situation there from Albedo who states that Lupusregina Beta and CZ2128 Delta who are monitoring and spying there report that so far there are no suspicious movements by the Empire. Though its can be said that they have the support of the Empire as its emperor views the protagonist as a hero after he saved him from the guillotine prepared by Demon Emperor Jaldabaoth. Even with all this new of positive progress, Momonga maintains that everyone in the room continue their vigilance.

Demiurge seeing as to that the topic of his alter ego Jaldabaoth came up, would like to confirm one thing with his master...in which it regards the mental state of the humans in E-Rantel. And asks what are the effects after such a fearful experience? On that the protagonist replies that the trauma from the demon's rampage was mitigate through community events such as the Harvest Festival, which gave people more chances to smile than dwell on those horrible times.

This pleases Demiurge as even though he terrorized the humans as planned, he worried that his debut may have been a bit too stimulating for his victims. Slimeko present assured him the damage he did may have originally affected humans' productivity but are almost fully recovered and now appear to be back on track in their employed occupations. Though she notices that the success of the Demon Emperor's story may have caused the humans to increase their dependency on the protagonist.

To Momonga it comes to show that humans are more stupid than they think. Now that they see the Sorcerer Kingdom as a savior they can make more observation of how their subjects will react. Despite the momentum of Nazarick's plans coming to fruition, Momonga warns against be "negligent" as this period is critical. Momonga knows he is repeating himself, but cannot help but worry that their is a problem lurking beneath the surface of all the myriad plans in motion. Once his retainers take his word to heart, Momonga asks that the protagonist conclude his report so he and Slimeko can rest causing everyone to be warmed in their hearts at their lord's mercy.

Late at night in E-Rantel, Nigun Grid Luin with Ian Als Heim is leading a troop of priests from his Scripture, commending at the nutritional value of the chocolate from the Sorcerer Kingdom is as a small bite from the food revitalizes him. After ensuring his men took their share, Nigun orders them to resume their patrol of the city and to regroup at their present location at the designated time. Once they are dismissed, only he and Ian stay behind. Ian complains that all they have seen so far tonight aside from a petty fight between drunks and wonders if this is due to the heat for the reconstruction of the city calming down.

Nigun thinks its to be expected for fights to occur when people gather. Though he expresses that he was worried with the demi-humans in the mix but it appears to be just baseless worry. Ian remembers that there was concern that jobs of the original residents of the city would be taken away by the demi-human migrants, but it also seems that issue has been resolved by the Sorcerer Kingdom who introduced new employment.

To add to the many things the Sorcerer Kingdom has been providing, Nigun includes the nutritious food at low prices like the chocolates. But feels that some things with the city can't be compatible with their nation. Still he would like to avoid being narrowminded and not ignore the achievements of other countries. Since it is already know that that the current restoration efforts of E-Rantel are due to the support of the Sorcerer Kingdom, Ian rather than feeling jealous or subservient believes that the best path would be to strive to maintain and develop a cordial relationship.

The two hear a commotion from across the street where they are standing guard. The two leaders of the Sunlight Scripture hurry to the site, which appears to be near E-Rantel's Cemetery. There they witness an all too familiar woman---Clementine and a man in an unfamiliar robe facing one another. At first it appears that the man is alone, but soon shadows appear to around him. Nigun immediately recognizes that the man is a neromancer and is summoning undead and orders Ian to intervene.

Once the undead summons are dealt wit, Ian has the man cornered and orders the man to stand down. The man at first appears to give in commenting its a pity that he will not be able to enjoy the foolish fear on people's faces before he plunges a needle in himself. Clementine tries to stop the man, but its too late as he is already dead, leaving Nigun and Ian perplexed on what the man was up to. More so Ian and Nigun are suspicious and demand to know why Clementine was meeting with such a shady character in the middle of the night.

Clementine claims that she thought the man was just a regular drunk as he seemed to be spilling alcohol around the streets. She approached him, thinking he needed help, but he snapped at her telling her "Don't interfere with the ritual," and soon after he began summoning undead. Hearing the words about a ritual, Ian and Nigun come to the conclusion that the man was probably a member of Zurrernorn, a death cult. Based on his power, the man wasn't one of the Twelve Executives, and Ian remembers that Blue Roses had recently dealt with them, but it seems that the cult is still hiding in the city. Seeing that there is a threat to the city, Nigun states that they need to inform the Kingdom's authorities and the Adventurer's Guild as soon as possible. Ian agrees and will summon the Sunlight Scripture to assist. The night expected to be long, Nigun invites Clementine to join in the investigation as he would like to hear more of her testimony. That in mind, Clementine too senses that there is an unknown threat approaching the city.

Still late at night, the protagonist arrives at the Adventurer's Guild after being informed about the resurfacing of Zurrernorn remnants. There at the guild, Soi, Lakyus Alvein Dale Aindra, Evileye and Gagaran have gathered to listen to Pluton Ainzach's story of events. The guildmaster tells the adventurers that the Sunlight Scripture are patrolling the city center and have found some of the cultists, but most have preferred to commit suicide rather than be captured, so the details of their grand scheme for E-Rantel are still a mystery.

The adventurers are dismayed that the death are still being a menace. The protagonist in particular annoyed that another mess is forming in the city just when he got back and struggles on how to deal with this new hurdle in his plans. Soi speaks stating that first time Zurrernorn appeared they were obessed with their Death Spiral ritual before the Tripartite Talks and the most recent scheme was the kidnapping ploy with those brides for the same ritual and wonders if there is another nefarious plot along the same lines.

Unfortunately Ainzach does not know as Nigun is working on interrogating those he managed to arrest. The homunculus displeased at the lack of progress in unraveling the plot of the death cult, considers directly intervening but knows he cannot do so carelessly as his action may cause insult in saying that he doubts the skills of the Scripture or even lead to suspicion that he wants to probe their interrogation techniques. So far now he plays his role and lets the humans do their part. Soi suggests that rather than stand idle the rest of them hit the various locations where the cultists might likely hide.

From what Lakyus remembers, the mausoleum in the cemetery was where Zurrernorn established their original base, and also there are passages in the city and hidden rooms in the underground sewers. Ainzach states that the passages are being monitored by the Scripture as the priests prioritized those paths to ensure the safety of the residents. Soi then leaves the investigation of the underground sewers to Blue Roses while her team of Darkness go check the mausoleum in the cemetery.

Gagaran and Evileye are amused, noting how the other adamantite adventurer quickly selected the cemetery to investigate, tease Soi for having a dislike for the particular environment, which Soi does not dispute. Lakyus being more diplomatic though tells the other team to be careful as the cemetery is more dangerous. The protagonist affirms the female team that they can leave the cemetery to Darkness, stating Blue Roses to be more suited to investigate the sewers as numbers are required for better protection.

Soi and the protagonist head off to check the cemetery. Once they are out of earshot, Soi commends her peer for giving a good reason for Blue Roses to believe as then they can avoid the adventurers from sniffing out the secret location in the cemetery. After the two are gone, Tina appears before her team ready to head out to start the investigation. Ainzach predicting that a battle with Zurrernorn may occur and knowing how the cultists like to take advantage pf the darkness, cautions the women from letting their guard down.

Whilst Blue Roses headed to the sewers, Darkness headed to E-Rantel's Cemetery, specifically the mausoleum which is now the location of the E-Rantel Magic Research Institute.

The protagonist, Soi and now Slimeko arrive at the gates of the cemetery. The trio manage to avoid being seen by the guards at the watchtower to avoid letting the fuss about Zurrernorn being active create a panic. In the confines of the graveyard all is quiet, causing Soi to wonder aloud if the cultists even have an interest in reclaiming their old base? Slimeko is more worried that the magic casters may have overtaken the research institute that the Sorcerer Kingdom set up, but the protagonist discounts that occurring as there is a warning system composed of Shadow Demons who monitor the site.

Regardless Soi thinks its better to check the institute's countermeasures against intruders. The trio then descend the stairs to the hidden entrance of the underground mausoleum coming to the research facility. There at the entrance they are greeted by Nfirea Bareare and Sophie Noia, who find it rare for their patrons to be present as such a late hour. Sophie wonders if the group have come to check on their work, but the protagonist in prudent to explain the situation on the surface.

The news is worrying, but Nfirea assures that the only visitors the facility has received are the protagonist and his friends. The boy is confident of the security of the institute as it is like a fortress with various measures against intruders. Soi confirms this, stating that she checked that there were no abnormalities in the traps to prevent intruders. This brings a cheer from Sophie as Soi is referring to the cute slimes that she uses for her traps and decides to take a moment to check on them to see if there are any changes to her pets.

Slimeko wonders if the slimes could have eaten any intruders without Sophie and her team noticing, which the alchemist believes is possible, given that one of her slimes is a glutton. But thankfully that has not happen as they have a warning system that informs them of anyone trying to approach the institute.

Sophie mentions that right now her current research is suppressing the predatory instinct of slimes. Soi is relieved that the alarms and traps are installed reassuring her of any danger to the facility. Slimeko hearing about Sophie's research on a drug to suppress predatory instincts in slimes wonders if it could be useful in dieting. Sophie amused by this states that the drug is not meant to be drunk but was originally part of an old research project that was left unattended at the request of the Kingdom to adjust the performance of the Sanitary Slimes.

This causes Sophie to reminisce that this work was how she first met the adventurers in the sewers. Soi laughs as she recalls her first impression of the alchemist was being a weirdo called "Zoffy" and also mentions that Blue Roses are investigating the sewers as they speak. Slimeko also brings up the hidden room in the underground sewers and hopes that the other adventurers find something useful.

The protagonist thinking about what Sophie said about the Sanitary Slimes and how Clementine became worried at seeing the cultist drinking alcohol and appearing drunk causes him to have a lurking suspicion. His concern look is raised by Slimeko, which he then directs his attention to Sophie to ask about the management of alchemical solution, believing it to be still done by the Pharmacist's Guild.

Nfirea explains that because of the incident in the past where new sanitary slimes developed abnormally after absorbing the alchemy solution, is now being managed even more strictly.

This means that the cultists don’t have access to alchemy solution itself to use in their plans. The protagonist thinking that since the modus operandi of them and now similar, then inquires Sophie more on the drug that she is researching.

Sophie delighted to hear the adventurer’s interest in her work is all more than willing to give it in full length detail. This causes Soi to worry that this might take too long which they can’t afford as they have zip on Zurrernorn’s whereabouts.

The protagonist wants to take the initiative on learning more create countermeasures for the upcoming incident and is willing to let Blue Roses handle the investigation for the time being.

Meanwhile in the sewers of E-Rantel, Blue Roses are progressing with their investigation. Evileye complains that they have yet to find anything substantial. Her concern is shared by the others, leading Lakyus to have her team follow to the presumed hidden room in the sewers. Inside Tina and Tia find on signs of any habitation nor recent use. Gagaran thinks maybe the Zurrernorn may not be underground as they thought and are still topside.

Evileye hearing her comrade's annoyance thinks that the ones above ground could be decoys and that the main unit is either here in the sewers or the cemetery. That in mind Lakyus wonders if the other adventurer team got a "hit" at the cemetery. Tina though states that its took early to assume that. The assassin does note one curious thing, particularly on those that treat the filth in the sewers. Everyone obviously knows that its the sanitary slimes, but Tina highlights her concern in that she and her friends have not seen a single slime since coming into the depths of the sewers.

Gagarn doesn't believe that's odd as the slimes could have been wiped out yesterday from a routine request for adventurers. Even so, Lakyus does find it strange not to see a single specimen as for long as humanity live in the world, there will be plenty of food for sanitary slimes to be around. Gagaran now begins to thinks something strange is happening with the slimes as there should be some of their numbers around as they are great proliferators. In any case adventurers would never fully eradicate the monsters as they are too useful for the city. Evileye suggest they continue to look around and head to the water tank of the sewers as that is usually where slimes propagate.

The team reaches the main sewer hall, where daily wastewater flows downstream at the Sewage Treatment Plant. From the shadows Blue Roses spies a group of robed men are in a specific formation, muttering words. Evileye's hunch is that the group is Zurrernorn. Gagaran watching the robed men wonders what kind of ritual they are preparing as it seems like they are just pouring liquid into the sewers and ponders if it could be poison. The theory is dismissed by Evileye as throwing poison in the sewers is pointless as its downstream and the best place would be upstream.

Tia and Tina think that it would be best to do a surprise attack and kill them all. Afterwards they can revive one of them through Lakyus's magic and give them to the Kingdom for payment. Lakyus disagrees as the method for revival is not always successful and reminds them to not damage the culprits too badly. Evileye still has no inkling of what the cultists are plotting. Normal criminals usually won't answer easily, but for these flamboyant magic casters, Lakyus deduces that they might just brag enough of their feats to give them a full story, so she decides to do the direct approach.

The leader of Blue Roses enters openly into the chamber in full view of the robed men and warmly greets them to provoke some action from them. One of the men are surprised at seeing Blue Roses, as it appears the cultists were not totally unawares of expecting company and are even thrilled that they managed to catch such big "bait".

The rest of Blue Roses appear, amused that the cultists think they have a chance of winning against them. The man though states that their chances are good as their plan is already good as done and declares if they can feel and smell of the foul miasma which is all thanks to the "secret medicine" they used to invite destruction upon the fortress city.

A booming sound is heard in the deep tunnels of the sewer as the man announces the start of the Death Spiral ritual. Something emerges from the darkness, and the female adventurers at first mistake it to be a bunch of slimes but it turns out to be a Super Giant Sanitary Slime. The man calls out to the slime, Birth Slime, to feed upon his flesh and his comrades so that it can destroy the city and bring death. The slime responded by wrapping around each cultist at a terrifying speed and melt their flesh, causing it to grow. For its victims, once the flesh is devoured the skeletal remains rise up as a Skeleton Mage.

Gagaran is disgusted that the cultists are allowing the slimes to feast on their bodies. Besides that Evileye is stunned that the slimes victims are rising as undead thanks to the negative energy.

The remaining cultist laughs at what he perceives to be a success for the doom of his enemies and is subsequently eaten by the monster slime and turned into an undead.

It becomes obvious to Evileye that the death cult’s main goal is to turn themselves into undead. The adventurers then ready for battle, eliminating all the newly created Skeleton Mages.

All that's left is that big slime. To their utmost shock the slime comes at Tina and Tia far faster than what is expected of it’s kind. The other three members of Blue Roses quickly switch places with their teammates to block the slime’s attack.

Gagaran Lakyus and Evileye switches places with Tina and Tia. While holding the slime off Gagaran asks what’s the plan for now, which Lakyus declares they have to defeat it somehow. Their magic caster states she can did so, but the advantage of the land is in favor of their opponent s it appears that the watery environment allows the slime to move quickly.

For now Evileye thinks they should retreat and prepare countermeasures. She casts a [Gate] and the adventurers file through the portal to escape the sewers. The portal leads them outside the treatment plant and just as Evileye begins listing their next plan of action, like contacting the Sunlight Scripture, a quake is felt through the ground.

The adventurers surmise that the slime is making it way towards the surface as if ravenous. Gagaran initially thinks that once it’s on dry land it will weaken its speed, but her teammates point out that the thing can still do a lot of damage to the surroundings. Above all if it gets to the surface, where there is a lot of people it would be like a feeding ground for it. And while they may have a home field advantage. Evileye comments she doesn’t have have the confidence to beat the slime.

Lakyus adds that the monster also carries negative energy. And depending on its other abilities, it may not be suitable for Evileye to defeat on her own. The leader of Blue Roses wants to give priority to evacuation efforts and alert everyone of the danger.

Before the group puts a plan into motion, Soi arrives commenting that everything is happening as the protagonist predicted. Soi engages with the slime as it emerges from the sewer entrance, throwing a large botte at it. Once the contents make contact with it, the Borth Slime is then driven back and flees back into the sewers.

Soi notes that the substance worked as planned, though her colleagues from Blue Roses are flabbergasted at the monster's retreat. The adventurer from Darkness seeing their confusion tells them to hurry and follow her to a strategy meeting.

At Pluton Ainzach's office, the guildmaster, members of the Sunlight Scripture, Blue Roses, Darkness and Clementine have gathered. Ainzach first asks for confirmation of the creature in the sewers, which Soi provides with her testimony. Surako asks about the effectiveness of the "sticky agent" that she used against it, which Soi also confirms was potent. Further evidence is provided in that the slime fled back to the underground and even seemed to move much slower after being exposed to the agent. This news pleases the protagonist who then offers to give those in the room an explanation.

Aftermath
TBA