Sousetsuka

13





This room's ceiling is quite high for a bedroom, it's got swellings and excessive decorations. Those swellings are hollowed in parts, with a hole at the edge.

A man has just stealthily moved into one of that hollowed parts, a cylindrical thing is poking out of the hole at the edge.

(A dart blowgun.)

Blowguns are a weapon of choice for assassins even in Lecan's former world. Which appears to be the case in this world as well.

The man managed to creep in without a sound splendidly, however he doesn't seem to posses an ability to hide his presence like Dovor and Gido.

"You have been tricked by this outlaw. Or perhaps, he's threatening you?"

Zepus glanced at the ceiling while speaking to Eda.

This man is aware of the assassin's existence in the ceiling. He must be the one who gave the order to the assassin.

"Would you have cared about me even if I weren't a <Recovery> user?"

The assassin in the ceiling is focusing on Lecan. Looks like he's still groping where to attack Lecan.

"This mansion will grant you happiness. We shall give however much wage you want. We will make you any kind of clothes. Good food and dreamy men await you here."

A blowgun dart has a low penetrating power. Since Lecan doesn't have much of his body exposed, it must be difficult to get a good aim.

"And in exchange, gone are all my freedom. Just like Norma-san's mother."

Prado the present master and Kanner the butler gasped. Zepus had a surprised look before changing into a furious expression.

"That lowly woman dared to yammer about a noble house's confidential matter, our house's secret."

The assassin in the ceiling inhaled. He's about to shoot the blowgun.

"<Flame Spear>!"

Lecan had already converged his mana.

A <Flame Spear> made of a huge mass of mana broke through the ceiling, piercing through the roof before disappearing into the sky. A <Flame Spear> was only supposed to be about as big as woman's wrist, but the one Lecan shot just now was huge enough to swallow a man whole.

Due to the extreme heat it emitted, both the ceiling and the roof had a clean cut hole opened. Scattered fragments fell down the bedroom.

No one could make a sound for a while.

Lecan felt a tinge of regret. He didn't see any other hole besides the one where the blowgun poked out on the ceiling. Yet the assassin had a perfect grasp on Lecan's position. It must have been thanks to the weird magic tool the assassin had on his face. Lecan was curious about that tool, but it was blown away along with the assassin. That said, it's not really serious since he already has <3D Perception> anyway.

"I just got rid of an assassin about to shoot a blowgun in the ceiling. Go on."

The moment Zepus finally understood what just happened, shocked look came up on his face before warping into horror.

Eda shook her head.

"There's nothing more to talk about."

"I see. Then it's my turn to ask."

Lecan put his left hand into the bag on his waist, grabbed four mid-sized magic stones and absorbed mana off them before discarding them on the floor. The mana-emptied magic stones rolled down the floor noisily.

Lecan thrust out his sword before Zepus.

The thin silvery blade had Arios's blood dripping on it, exuding a lurid beauty.

"Hi, hii, hiiiiii"

Zepus's legs tangled as he stepped back, falling on his back. Lecan stepped forward and lowered his blade. Pointing it straight at Zepus's face. Blood dripped down on Zepus's white shirt, seeping on it.

"How did you know that Eda had the predisposition?"

That's one mystery. This whole thing might see a repeat in the future as long as they don't know why.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"It's me."

A hoarse voice came diagonally from behind. It's Prado's.

"A Blessing Ceremony was performed at the royal capital's Erekus temple during the coronation of a new king. I bore witness to <Purification> then. Hence how I immediately knew that Eda-dono's spell was <Purification>. Besides, mere mid or advanced level <Recovery> spells will not ever work on this body of mine."

It's actually quite simple now that Lecan heard it. Prado had seen <Purification> in person. And he knows how advanced level <Recovery> are like. Of course one such person would be aware of the truth.

Lecan threw the next question with his line of sight still turned at Zepus.

"How and when did you know I'm a dungeon conqueror. How'd you find our house."

Zepus's mouth flapped open and shut without a word out. Kanner the butler replied in his stead.

"Zepus-sama has people watching over Norma-sama all year round. He knew about the training you two had at Norma-sama's house from the very first day, which he reported to Prado-sama. As well as the location of your residence on that day."

Which means they had been tailed on. Lecan didn't realize.

"This house also has its own intelligence network, and we were aware about the second conquest of Golbul Dungeon on the 35th. But we foolishly overlooked the fact that Lecan-sama was the very same person as the <Overlord in Black>."

Dungeon conquerors don't normally study under a downtown medical practitioner. It's only natural they wouldn't notice.

"I was in charge of delivering goods to Chaney Company's head clerk this morning, that was when I found out about it. That Lecan-sama is the <Overlord in Black>. I immediately went to report to the master as well as the young master. But by that point, the young master's subordinates were already well on their way to bring Eda-sama."

Apparently, this was all Zepus's doing. Lecan is starting to feel like he could believe it.

"I had my doubt as to how they would persuade Eda-sama when I heard about it, but never in my wildest dreams would it be an abduction."

Zepus shook his head left and right. He looks like he want to deny something. Either way, this man's word holds no value. Zepus squeezed his voice out and made a proposal to Lecan.

"I-I'll give you big gold coins. T-two of them. Take them and hand that girl over."

Kanner spoke before Lecan could respond.

"Lecan-sama."

"What"

"Pardon me, but could that sword be made of Sacred Solid Silver?"

"Yea. Shira said it's a Sacred Solid Silver sword without impurities."

"Thank you very much. Zepus-sama."

Zepus raised his face toward Kanner when his name was called.

"Kanner. You help me persuade this man. Two big gold coins aren't a sum mere adventurers could ever obtain in their whole life."

"This house cannot afford to expend two big gold coins at a moment's notice. Nor is there any meaning in that. Six years ago, the royal family paid one white gold coin for a <Dagger of Harut>, the same one hanging on Lecan-sama's waist here."

"Wha"

"And if the sword Lecan-sama has in his right hand right now is truly made of Sacred Solid Silver, even several pieces of white gold coins might not be enough for it."

"Whawha"

"You have absolutely no idea just what kind of beings adventurers who have explored the depths of dungeons are. Even just the Sacred Solid Silver sword and <Dagger of Harut> alone are worth more than the entire fortune of this house."

"T-that can't be."

"They are individuals who would casually use and discard such valuable items in a battle."

Kanner took a glance at discarded magic stones scattered about on the floor.

"Moreover, they are those who won't hesitate to lay down their lives in a battle. We cannot win against them, and even if we could, we would surely suffer unimaginable losses. Hence why no noble would try to go against them. But if you wish to, you have to have the same kind of individuals in your camp or at least rear some dungeon knights beforehand."

Zepus could only flap his mouth open and shut without a sound.

"You have made a mistake. In which the responsibility lies on me. I should have not opposed your disinheritance. I should have recommended your younger brother as the heir instead. In the end, I did not have the capacity to bring you up into the next master."

Lecan has grown tired of listening to the master and servant's exchange.

And it looks like there's a little brother even if the eldest son's dead. Lecan never gave a shit to that though.

"Done talking?"

Kanner looked at Lecan with stern, and sorrowful eyes.

"Yes."

With a stroke of Lecan's sword, Zepus's head parted from its neck.






Previous Chapter

Chapter 95 Quickening

 

There's a recently popular fortune teller. Well known for giving accurate advices for many things, from love problems to finding lost items.
Take a turn at an alley. A small tent. Anyone is welcome to come in.

"What brings you here today?"

"H-how do I make the one I love to turn at me?"

I brought that matter to consult with the fortune teller. The fortune teller, unclear if they're a man or a woman inside the dim tent, touched a crystal ball and murmured something. And then the crystal ball shot out a faint light. I wonder why, I can't take my eyes off it.

"Your love shall come true if you put on this necklace and make him carry this jewel."

"Y-yes! I'll get right to it! Here's your payment."

I handed over all the cash I had and went out the tent in high spirits. Ufufufu, with this he will be mine, ufufufufufufu.



◇◇◇



Nobusadasa~n, nobusada~n♪ With Lunar Cat on his waist~♪
Wanna cut up monsters in two, let's~♪
Let's cut up, cut up~♪ Together with kids, in precise~♪
Let's cut it up in two like thump, let's~♪

Right now, I'm on dungeon 2F together with four kids.
At first I was only going to take the three girls with me, but Tino-chan ended up tagging along for some reason. I suppose it's wise to let her learn how to protect herself even if I don't plan to make these kids live in battlefields. Since Tino-chan requested for it herself, I've gone and convinced Dilt-san to let her go. Ah, Tama-chan the watch dog has enshrined herself on top of my head.

Anyway, I picked this hunting spot since beating up mushroom monsters should be easier than dog and humanoid monsters.
It's a quiet spot with not much foot traffic.


And now it's like....

"Hohhohhohhohoo, would you fools kindly get out of my sight desuwa."

"Ora ora ora ora ora, bring me someone stronger! Strong enough to satiate me!"

"Kuka----, oooh. Ambush is a no no desuyo, Wind Arrow, Wind Arrow, ey ey."

"Spirit-san, spirit-san, go get 'em~"


We have mushrooms getting whipped, punched, pierced, blown away. Would make even P*min jump in surprise.
These are children musou... How'd it even come to this!! You can't blame for singing aloud to escape reality.




<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >





Turning back the time a bit.


"Heyaa, Boss-san, you in there?"

I went into the store nonchalantly like usual.

"Ou, what's up? A bit late to dive in a dungeon... ain't... Gah, you got more of 'em!? Young kids this time!?"

That comes off sounding scandalous. Yes I got more of them though.

"No no no, I won't quip back at what you might have in mind there, but these kids are our store's employees, see. I was thinking of teaching them ways to defend themselves in this violent world, thus I picked up times when few people are out and about."

"O-oh yeah? Been hearing some rumors about ya recently. So you know, I thought for a sec. Heard you've been getting called [Magic Beast] lately."

What the heck! No one told me though?!
My nickname changed yet again, or rather, isn't it getting more and more inhumane? I've given up on it though so whatever. More importantly, gotta get to the point.

"I've decided not to worry about that anymore. Anyway, today I'm here for these kids' equipment. Since we need to find out stuff like aptitudes for their Weapon Skills and such, maybe we'll take a bunch with with us."

Eh? Boss-san's got this dubious look on him. Huh? Did I say something weird??

"Nobusada. Don't tell me, you never used a 『Martial Soul Stone』?"

Hae? What is that item, never heard of it.

"Eh, what is that thing?"

Boss-san scratched his head while grimacing like he was saying, 'Achaa'.

"I see now, had my suspicion already when you bought so many stuff the first time you came here, but with how confident you were, I thought you already knew. 『Martial Soul Stones』 are items processed from Soul Stones. Using one will tell you your correct weapon aptitudes."

ΩΩΩ< W-whattttttt.

Just what all those struggles to find solutions when I was told I couldn't use Weapon Skills for then...

"...I'll have those 『Martial Soul Stones』 for five please..."

"It ain't breaking with use, so just go in turns. Here ya go ladies, put yer' hand on this one by one."

Boss-san brought out a sumo wrestler's fist-sized lithograph-like thing.

Some words emerged on the [Martial Soul Stone] when Gana put her hand on it.

『Rapier, One-handed Sword, Small Shield, Whip』
Whip!? It is indeed the weapon of choice for a certain vampire hunter, but she's supposed to be on the receiving end here. Besides, used by a girl, it's... no wait, I guess it's fine? It's fine I guess.

Oltea is 『Fist, Ball, Rock, Club』.
There's so many things I want to quip, but I don't even know where to begin.

Mashu is 『One-handed Cane, Two-handed Cane, Wand』。
It's ordinary. But why does it makes me so glad I wonder.

Tino-chan is 『Dagger, Bow』.
Yup, it's ordinary again. Ordinary is wonderful.

And lastly, me.

『Two-handed Katana, One-handed Katana, One-handed Cane, Two-handed Cane, Wand, Gun, Concealed Weaponry, Bombs.』

...It's good up until Wand. Does guns even exist in this world?
Not to forget, Concealed Weaponry and Bombs. I can only laugh. Are they telling me to assassinate or slaughter people or something.
I don't mind doing such to monsters though. Ah well, I suppose this helps squeeze my Classes down. Let's think in that direction. Thinking further will just make me depressed.

"Aa, well then, go pick your own weapons with these results in mind. Protectors come after."

""""YES""""

Boss-san laughed as he watched over us.

"Yer' the very image of a father aintcha. That aside, I couldn't read two parts of yer' aptitudes, what was that about?"

Oho, does that mean they don't exist in this world then?

"I have no clue either. For these girls' protectors, since we don't have time to spare, would it be okay to purchase ready-made ones?"

"Yea, no probs. We're out of Iron Ant mats with no ETA anyway. You're going once 『Turbulent Quicksands』 is over right? I'm gonna send ya nominated quest for it."

"Sure thing. We plan to go straight to 9F on our next expedition. Boss-san has been such a great help to us, I'll be sure to get a lot for you."

"That's swell. Just don't for yerself to hard."

"Ah, right, I found myself a Mithril sword, though worn-out. Could you melt it down and use it to try that thing I asked you last time?"

"Ah, that single-ended sword handed down in the east huh. Oh hey, this thing's a two-handed sword. Should get plenty of mats from this. Suffice for around two one-handed swords I reckon."

"Yes, please make them."

"Leave it to me. I'mma finish them up before [Turbulent Quicksands]'s over."


We had that conversation while warmly watching over the kids frolicking over equipment in the store.


30 minutes later.


These are the girls' equipment.

Gana
Main Weapon: Vera's Whip
Sub Weapons: Iron Rapier, Buckler

Whip as her main!? Gana, just what kind of path have you taken. By the way, Vera's Whip is one of magic weapons this shop's hoarded. It's got unknown effects and few known users. Since it had been collecting dust for years in this store, I managed to buy it for cheap.

『Vera's Whip』
A magic whip owned by a demon who wished to become a human.
Its trajectory can be changed to a degree by its user's will.

I suppose it has a bit of homing function. Should give better hit rates and surprise attacks. Please just don't end up living in the darkness.


Oltea
Main Weapon: Iron Fist
Sub Weapons: Iron Ball, Treant Club

It's ordinary brass knuckles. Apparently to her, a fight doesn't feel real if she can't feel her fists gouging out her opponent's flesh. What are you, a combative race. Ah, she is Ogrekin. Iron Ball is exactly what it says on the tin. She also bought three baseball-sized iron balls. Treant Club is shaped like a baseball bat for some reason. Though twice as long and big.


Mashu
Main Weapon: Treant Wand
Sub Weapons: Morning Star

Mashu has managed to learn wind magic under Sefi-san's tutelage during break times. Treant Wand for magic support is wonderfully normal. But why's her sub a morning star. Is it the thorns, it must be the thorns isn't it?


Tino
Main Weapon: Treant Small Bow
Sub Weapon: Iron Cutter

Tino-chan picked a small bow partially due to her physical strength. Iron Cutter is a dagger that resembles a hatchet. Pretty good for crushing branches that get in the way. Huh? Aren't elves supposed to forest protectors? I guess pruning is okay though.

We choose light armor like leather breastplates that won't slow them down. They're even more lightweight thanks to [Lightening] enchant magic. There were no catalyst to do the enchant initially, but Boss-san found leftovers his little brother had used. I had no idea Gilui-san's got that kind of special skill.
At any rate, I'll use my magic to cover for any shortcoming in their defense.

All in all, it cost 21,240 mani. Quite an expense. A necessary one for bolstering defenses. Luckily our cosmetics and stuff sold well.


Thus we finally dived into the dungeon with all new equipment.






Previous Chapter

12





With a Sacred Solid Silver still in his hand, Lecan walked off without looking back after saying 'let's go'. He can tell Eda is tagging along behind him even without looking.

As they went down to second floor and continued deeper inside instead of going down to the entrance, five men rushed out toward them.

That said, they're clearly amateurs despite holding weapons. They way these men moved were amateurish, getting in the way of each other.

"<Flame Arrow>."

Five <Flame Arrows> were shot out of Lecan's left hand, landing on the weapon-holding hands of the five men each.

"Uwaa"

"Gyaa"

The five screamed as they let go of their weapons before passing out.

Even Lecan couldn't bring himself to kill such weak foes.

"L-Lecan?"

"Hum?"

"Didn't those <Flame Arrows> just bend?"

"Yea."

Now that she mentioned it, ever since he learned <Fire Rush> spell that necessitated magic bending, he's now capable of bending <Fire Arrow> without thinking.

"I didn't know you could do that. That's our Lecan for you."

This is indeed a very usable technique.

Perhaps <Flame Spear> can be bent too. Which means he can use it to defeat the opponent lying in his blind spot.

"Wait, wait! Put your, please put your hand down!"

It's Kanner the butler.

Kanner stood in Lecan's way.

"Move."

"Lecan-sama. Where are you planning on going?"

"Master's room."

"What are you going to do to our master."

"Delivering retribution for depriving someone of their belonging."

"Our master has been kept completely in the dark about this whole incident."

"When a robber killed someone with a knife, do you put the blame on the knife?"

Lecan isn't gonna believe such an absurd explanation as the master having no idea about this abduction, but even if he is, as the master of this house, he must be held responsible for the stuff members of this mansion have done.

"I'm very much aware of what you're saying, Lecan-sama. But please if you would hear us out. Oy."

Kanner spoke to a nearby male servant.

"Bring Zepus-sama to master's room. Hurry it up!"

"Y-yes."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
After seeing off the servant running off, butler Kanner bowed to Lecan.

"Allow me to lead the way."

There's a luxurious door leading to a room at the end of a passage they took. It's the master's bedroom.

A man is standing in front of it. A swordsman. And quite a skilled one at that.

With a sheathed slender sword hanging on his waist, his right hand is steady on the grip, ready to draw any time.

"Kanner-dono. You're not telling me you're going to lead that man into this room, are you."

"Arios-dono. I must bring Lecan-sama to master. There, master shall explain the situation, Lecan-sama will surely come to an understanding"

"I cannot let someone with such bloodlust step into this room."

"Please try to understand, Arios-dono. This person here is Lecan-sama <Overlord in Black> who has conquered Golbul Dungeon twice. This house will fall into ruin were we oppose him."

Arios did not reply to Kanner. His eyes are looking straight at Lecan.

As Lecan took a step forward toward the door, Arios showed no sign of letting up.

This man has an unusual presence about him. He could very well be the most skilled swordsman Lecan has ever faced since he arrived at this world.

However, Lecan is an adventurer before a swordsman. He's excited for a thrilling fight, but he doesn't feel like playing a duel right now.

"<Flame Arrow>"

As Lecan nonchalantly recited the spell name, about 100 <Flame Arrows> manifested over his left hand. The swordsman, Arios surprisingly managed to dodge most of the flame arrows that suddenly emerged at a point-blank range, however several arrows pierced his shoulders, belly and legs and exploded. Lecan bisected Arios with his Sacred Solid Silver sword the moment Arios stopped moving. No, Arios was supposed to have been split in two.

There was a weird feedback. Arios seems to be wearing some sort of extremely durable protector under his clothes. Something that wouldn't have allowed the slash to pass through were it not for Sacred Solid Silver sword.

That something still failed to defend against a Sacred Solid Silver sword, but the slash that should have cut Arios in two only left a deep wound running from his left shoulder to his right waist instead.

In any case though, it's a fatal blow. The practically dead Arios fell back due to the momentum as he sprayed blood everywhere.

Lecan took the sword Arios's hand was still gripping tightly and put it away in his <Storage>. It's an undoubtedly nice sword. It belongs to the victor of this match, Lecan. That's what he thought at least.

The missed <Flame Arrows> left not an insignificant damage on the walls and floors. The wall right behind Arios especially, it's burning and full of holes. As Lecan went into the master's room, the mansion's employees tried to put the fire out, but Lecan doesn't care even if it's burning.

Kanner opened the door.

"Master. Please pardon me. I am here with adventurer Lecan-sama."

"What was that sound. What's going on."

"Arios-dono drew his sword at Lecan-sama despite me begging him not to. As a result, he died."

"What"

Lecan shoved Kanner aside from the entrance while he was still talking to Prado. With a drawn sword in his right hand. Eda followed after him.

"Lecan... And Eda, was it. I am really in your debt."

"And abducting Eda is your idea of returning the favor?"

"What?"

"Please. Please wait a moment, Lecan-sama. Master. Zepus-sama has escorted Eda-sama to this mansion. Against her will. And Lecan-sama is"

Lecan thrust his Sacred Solid Silver smeared with Arios's blood before Kanner's neck.

"Lying to relax her guard then knocking her out with a magic tool before abducting her is this house's idea of escorting huh."

"I have no excuse."

"W-wait. Please wait. I'd be grateful if you could spare Kanner. But then, abduction. It can't be. There's no way he would do such folly."

There's a commotion outside the room. Someone is screaming out loud.

"What in the world happened here. Arios-dono? Just what!"

Kanner glared hard at the open door and shouted out loud.

"Zepus-sama! Please get in Master's room."

A man at his prime holding a fine-looking sword in his left hand entered the room. This man must be the present master's grandson, and the heir to the house, Zepus.

He's got a pompous beard.

"Kanner. I cannot believe you would let a thug in master's bedroom"

Prado who had raised his upper body in the bed interrupted his grandchild.

"Zepus. Is it true that you kidnapped Eda... dono?"

"That is not true. I took her under my protection."

"Protection?"

"Yes. I'm protecting a talented young girl beloved by gods from the tyranny of an outlaw."

Lecan's vision was dyed red in rage after he heard him. Everything within his view must have looked like the color of setting sun at this point. Or perhaps the color of dripping blood.

He's still got something to say. However, his anger clogged up his throat, he couldn't speak. Thus he decided to kill this man instead.

Right as Lecan was about to make his move toward lopping Kanner's head off, Eda who was standing diagonally behind Lecan spoke up.

"After our first meeting and parting, I went to look for Lecan. After our second encounter, I really used everything I had to look for him. Because I believed Lecan was the one who would save me, the one who would show me the way."

Zepus turned toward Eda with a haughty look on his face.

"On our third encounter, Lecan taught me a lot of things. Did you know that my <Recovery> is one of the things he taught?"

"I had no idea."

"You're Zepus-san, am I right."

"Indeed."

"Your messenger lied to me about having something to talk about with Lecan while another used some kinda tool behind me to knock me out. You never attempted to hear me out, not even one word, so of course you wouldn't know anything about my situation or how I feel."

Lecan's mind calmed down as he listened to Eda telling Zepus off. He's still boiling inside, but he's got his cool back.

Someone's here.

Someone is lurking above the ceiling.






Previous Chapter

17-44. Netherworld Invasion (4)

 

Satou here. People sometime see a rapid growth thanks to any number of reasons. Like coming up with a new perspective, finding a fitting workplace, or encountering an advisor. You can find those chances everywhere you go.
Not just in daily lives, but even in another world--.



◇



"...T-this is, Netherworld!"

Starting with lady Karina, the girls voiced their shock when they saw Netherworld scenery.

"Quite a template Netherworld, isn't it."
"Almost made me want to answer that with 'yep gansu'."

As said by Arisa and Hikaru, what lie before our eyes are barren purple colored grounds, soaring thorny mountains, and clouds rising out of erupting volcanoes filling up the skies.
Dark shadows that appear to be demons are running rampant in the lands and the skies.

I had quickly opened my Map to investigate, however, it displayed [Area without Map] same as the Realm of Gods.
I also tried to use All Map Exploration magic just in case, but it failed to extract any information probably because there's no Dragon Veins in Netherworld.

Nevertheless, all terrains within my sight and the large spaceship's observation areas get automatically inputted into my Map. Doesn't seem like we'd get lost now.

"Satou-san, look at the sky!"
"Blue moon nanodesu!"

Looking up where Zena-san and Pochi pointed at, a blue moon--an earth-like blue planet is hanging in the cloudless sky.

"Earth?"
"That's not it, Arisa-chan. You know what that is, Tina?"
"Yes, Hikaru-sama. It's the same as the landmass drawing I saw in Banned Archive."

Now that she mentioned it.
It's true, the shape of the continent in the center is the same as the landmass we live on in human world.

"Think we can get back to our world there?"
"Nah, it's probably just an image."

Considering the Netherworld Corridors, that's most likely not how human world and Netherworld are connected.

"Master, we have got warnings so I report."
"It seems the miasma density here is even thicker than in the corridors."
"Yes, Sera. Estimating anti miasma barrier to last for about 30,000 seconds, so I report."

Nana and Sera reported in.
30,000 seconds huh, about eight hours I guess?

Well, it's not like we're gonna stay here for long.

"Nyu~?"
"Satou, ahead."

Tama and Mia pointed forward.
Mia must have perceived it thanks to her Unique Skill [Sanctuary Guard], yet Tama also did at the same time. Looks like Tama's crisis perception rivals that of a god's Authority.

There's something black floating above a sea of clouds--a huge mass of rock covered in jet black cumulonimbus clouds tore apart the sea of clouds as it made its entrance.
Or rather than a lump of rock, its size is like that of an island or a continent.

"--Floating island?"
"Yeah, and it looks similar to one from Lalakie Dynasty."

I affirmed princess Sistina as she murmured.

It's exactly like the floating island of Lalakie caught in my sight during the Divine Punishment.
Looking closer, there are even somethings that look like Rumooku Kingdom's shadow castles floating close to it.

"It's more like a fortress than an island huh."
"Yes, Arisa. Clouds-like black dots have been launched, so I report."
"Emergen~?"
"Emergency nanodesu! Pochi and co's got to scramble egg nodesuyo!"

The girls sent out a red alert as swarms of demons took off from the floating island.
Pochi mistook scramble for scrambled egg in her panic.

"Master, our enemies appear to have discovered us. Should we go intercept?"

Liza looked at me to confirm.

Judging from the black dots' movement, they have definitely noticed us. I'd like to know how they managed to see through Sera's [Hermit Hide].

Perhaps--.

I turn around and look at the purple little girl sitting next to Core Two.

"--No, I don't think so."

Noticing my glance, Hikaru negated my guess.

"Miasma Barrier."
"Yup, that's what I believe as well."

Hikaru nodded positively at Mia's murmur.

"--ah."

Moving around in a dense miasma with a barrier that brushes miasma aside and miasma purifying [Saint Prey] active is like doing a march while ringing a bell.

"Master."
"I know. But there's sure a lot of them."

Liza asked for my permission once again, but we're greatly outnumbered.

During the conversation, I've been controlling Menu, opening magic list, picking a certain magic and designating targets and range displayed on my Map.
I know a spell that works best in times like this.

I don't think one shot would be enough, thus I use up about 30% of all mana batteries I have in Storage to repeatedly cast the spell in a rapid succession.

"Okay then, how about we get on board support fighters to help as well!"
"I too shall deploy in a small spacecraft along with Raka-san desuwa."

Zena and lady Karina announced.

This large spaceship has two small spaceships that also act as lifeboats, one docked on each sides. There's only six manned fighters, and even fewer people who can pilot one.

"Both of those are equipped with Miasma Barriers. It might not hold up as long as this main ship, but it should be enough to last for a few minutes."

Princess Sistina added.

"Master, 600 seconds until we come into contact so I report."
"We've got no time to argue over this. First of all, we should reduce their numbers."

Fortunately, I don't have to worry about collateral damage here.

"Gotcha! I'll claim the first strike with 『Over Boost』 and advanced level magic--"
"No, there's no need for that."
"--No need?"

At the confused-looking Arisa, I pointed my finger at the sky.


<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
◇



"WHAT THE HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECK!"

Stars are falling.

Rain of stars are falling down from beyond the sky with a blue moon as a backdrop.

Arisa's scream acting as a BGM, sky-packed rain of meteorites pierced through the cloud-like incoming demons, demolishing the gigantic floating island and castles, brushing aside the dull clouds below without slowing down before gouging out the purple lands below.
Tens, hundreds of thousands of demons are rapidly getting felled from being stricken by giant meteorites.

It's truly a Map annihilation attack.

The log is scrolling crazy fast in the corner of my vision.

"...Star Falls."

Zena-san mustered the word.

"This is the forbidden spell used to defeat 『Dog-head Demon Lord』..."
"What an amazing magic desuwa."
"No, this is more like--a work of god..."

Princess Sistina, lady Karina and Sera gave their impressions as well.

"I've heard about it already, but seeing it in person is really something else."
"Yes, that's our master for you."
"Master is the strongest nanodesuyo!"

Hikaru spoke, followed by Liza and Pochi's proud agreement.

"Nyu!"
"Satou!"
"Master, some have slipped through the Star Falls coming straight here!"

The two scouting pair Tama, Mia gave a warning followed by Lulu who's in charge of monitoring.
Several tens of greater demons who've survived my attack by either being outside the small range, or by using other demons as shields, are coming straight here.

"Nana prepare defensive--"

As I was giving an instruction, a familiar sense of pain from the time of that first meteor shower back then assaulted me.

I know what it is now.
A severe case of level up intoxication.

"""MASTER!""" "SATOU" """SATOU-SAN""" ""MASTER""

I could hear the girls calling my name in concern.

In my vision dimming from the pain, I saw several dots closing in on us.
I wanted to tell them to focus on that instead of me, but I couldn't let my voice out due to the pain.

"--Nana-chan, prepare defensive measures!"
"Yes, Hikaru. Deploying 『Paladin Domain』 so I announce."

A vermilion light emitted out of Nana's closed shell cockpit.

"Mia-chan, Garuda please. Tina, take care of defensive measures with Gun Golems, Lulu-chan aim for bigger enemies with gun turrets!"
"Nn--Magic Wind Create (Create Garuda)."
"Understood. Activating Thousand Thrones. Core Two, I need your assistance."
"Un, I'll help."
"AI-san, release full armaments. Your assistance please."
"AYE AYE MA'AM, ALL WEAPONS FREE. FCS STAND BY."

I could hear the girls.

"We will sortie out in heavy powered suits as well."
"Aye aye sir~"
"Roger nanodesu!"

In the corner of my view, I saw the beastkin girls jumped into emergency shooters that go straight to Catapult Deck.

"I'm going out in a support fighter as well."
"I-I shall accompany you."

It's Zena-san and lady Karina.

"You two are in charge of close quarter defense. Don't let any swift-footed demons get too close if you could. Counting on you too Raka."
"Yes!"
"I understand."
『Acknowledged.』

The two jumped into shooters after receiving Arisa's instruction.

"Sera-tan, how's Master looking?"
"Recovery magic doesn't seem to work."
"Don't worry, Sera-chan. It's probably a severe case of level up intoxication. He should be fine after some sleep, let's put him in the medical capsule for now."
"Un, if you'd please. I have to take control of the main armament, take over for me later."
"Gotcha~"
"Sera-san, the girls who went outside need your support. Tell them not to get too far away from the ship chasing enemies."
"Please leave it to me."

After hearing that last conversation, my consciousness was swallowed up in darkness.



◇



"--Starboard hit. Second barrier partition has been broken through."

My consciousness arose out of darkness from a sensation of having my body greatly shaken.

"Damage control is reaching its limit. Can you re-cast [Paladin Domain] yet, Nana-san?"
"Yes, Tina. 1800 seconds until cool down so I report."
"Tama! Take care of Starboard! Mia, call up another Garuda!"
"Pochi-chan, Liza-san, don't get close to Kukulkan! Arisa-chan, Jormungandr is coming from below us!"
"Tchhh, so that thing hasn't kicked the bucket yet! What a pain these demon lords and Authority-holder greater demons are. I'm gonna shoot them up with full powered anti-god magic instead of just lesser ones this time!"
"That's too rash! What would you do if you turn into demon lord again!"
"I'll think about it when that time comes. Rash or not, all is lost if I don't act now!"

My fading consciousness was completely roused up from that conversation.
I got to the bridge using Unit Arrangement.

"Set the main armament's spellcasting mode in full power."
『Aye aye ma'am. Transform Staff Ship Mode.』
"Over--"
"That's enough."

I stopped Arisa who was going to push herself over her limit.

"Master!"
""Satou!""
"Master!"

The members who were still on the bridge saw me, smiles floated up on their fatigued faces.

"Thanks for waiting, everyone."

One of the dots displayed on Radar made a mad dash here.
I went up on deck with Unit Arrangement.

"Kukulkan slipped through!"
"Pochi will go after it nodesuyo!"

Liza and Pochi in their heavy powered exoskeleton suits went after Winged Serpent (Kukulkan).
Considering our current positions, I must careful not to have those two dragged in.

I cast [Magic Arms] and sent the incoming foe flying with the spell.

"--Eh?"

The number of Magic Arms is weirdly numerous.
What was once 120 Magic Arms at most have been expanded to more than a thousand.

I hurriedly checked out my Status in Menu.

--Level 3100.

I thought I would gain a few levels, but never would have dreamed it would be an additional digit.
Perhaps my Meteor Shower managed to kill hundreds of millions of demons.

I point my arm at a kilometer-long giant serpent demon lord--Jormungandr coming from ahead of me.

--Fire Shot.

Fire Shot that was supposed to be only about as strong a intermediate-level magic destroyed Jormungandr's defensive barrier with power rivaling Arisa's advanced magic.

--Fire Shot.

Jormungandr's hard scales broke apart, black blood gushed out of its skin.
This demon lord seemed to be under the influence of black sludge as well, its gushing blood hardened into a wriggling armor over it scales.

Looks like I'd better end it in one go than resorting to bite-sized attacks.

I restrain Jormungandr with [Magic Arms] and [Deracinator].

『All hands, take anti-shock and anti-flash defensive maneuvers.』

After confirming the girls outside have returned to the large spaceship, I cast a spell.

--Photon Laser.

A flash of light that would have dazzled even those with sunglasses on dyed the surroundings white, part of Jormungandr's body that was hit by the laser evaporated instantly.
Wave of plasma-turned air mowed down mushroom clouds and particle dust, deeply deeply gouging the lands out.

I had chosen this spell for its limited collateral damage since I was afraid other more powerful means of attacks could end up damaging the spaceship, and yet this is how it turned out.
So glad I didn't pick anti-god magic or forbidden spells by mistake.

"Master, above you!"

I cut apart the swooping Kukulkan with the hero's secret move, [<<Shining Blade>>].
Even a black sludge-powered demon lord was instantly killed by a weakened flying shockwave of the attack.

I might have gotten about as strong as the Demon God Dog-head mentioned back then.



◇



"That's it, over there. That's the castle where milord-sama's at."

With the purple little girl in charge of navigation and after several loops of sight-based Unit Arrangement, we finally arrived at the center of Netherworld.

"--Castle?"
"More like a comet empire."

There's a city with radically shaped buildings on a floating moon that's been cut in two flatly.
Just as Arisa's said, it looks similar to the enemy's stronghold 148,000 light years away in a certain classic SF masterpiece.

That seems to be Demon God's castle.

"Satou!"
"Incoming super huge enemy so I report!"

A greater demon over level 200 that had been circling around Demon God's castle is heading our way.
It's gigantic, many times bigger than even Ancient Dragon. And it's got Unique Skills to boot.

"--Master."

However, there's neither fear nor anxiety in my mind.

"It's nothing to worry about."

I made a short work out of the demon lord using a more advanced version of Flexible Sword, Ultra High Speed Dragon Rending Sword.
No unnecessary collateral damage with it.

"Awesomely awesome nodesu!"
"Oh, ameowzing~?"
"Master was already incredible to begin with, but now your strength is just scary."
"Yeah, it's cause my level went up by a lot."

I don't think I'd lose even against Demon God now.

Now then, let's get this over with in a jiffy.





※ No update is planned for 12/22. Next update will be at the end of the year.

※ Forgot to add about how Ringrande's group went their separate way at the end of [17-40. 「17-40. Dungeon Corridors and Lunar Corridors (2)]. Added now. [TLN: Translated]



Previous Chapter

11





Lecan arrived in front Goncourt House's gate.

It's night time already, the gate is shut tight and there's no guard. It's dark around the gate.

He concentrated on <Life Detection>, and while he could detect several red dots indicating mages inside the mansion, it's not clear whether one of them is Eda. The dot with the strongest mana is probably her, but he can't be sure. He should have memorized Eda's red dot pattern while he had a chance. However, there's no point in mulling over that now. Either way, he simply has to comb through the mansion.

Lecan decided to go in through the front door. The side door would be easier to break in, but it doesn't really matter which in the end.

He took out <Guardian Jewel of Zana>, put it in his breast pocket, and buttoned it up.

He took out <Lightning Dragon Gauntlet> and put it on his left hand.

He removed <Sword of Rusk> hanging on his waist, stowed it inside <Storage>, and grabbed a Sacred Solid Silver sword in its stead.

Silver Ring is adorned on his left finger.

<Dagger of Harut> on his waist belt.

He took out a cloth bag packed full with grain-sized and medium-sized Magic Stones and tied it on his belt.

He's checked the gate with <3D Perception>. It's a double gate that opens from the center, shut tight with a thick fastened bolt from the inside. Destroying the bold should do the trick.

Lecan held his left hand up and recited a spell.

"<Flame Spear (Bandroux)>!"

A beam of light emerged in the darkness of the night and pierced through the giant gate's center, destroying it along with the bolt before landing at the mansion's front door around 50 steps ahead and causing an explosion.

With his left hand still held up, Lecan recited another spell.

"<Move (Torim)>."

The gate opened to the left and right with a dull sound.

It was quite heavy, he ended up consuming more mana than expected before it was fully open.

Lecan thrust his left hand in the cloth bag on his waist, roughly grabbed a fistful of small magic stones and absorbed mana from them before throwing them away.

Sounds of magic stones getting dropped on a stone-paved path resounded.

Tonight he's going to use all the expendable magic stones he needs to replenish his mana. He's not gonna skimp on it.

Lecan's <Overking Bear> overcoat-tails fluttered in the night wind.

Right before he reached the front door, two guards showed up from the right bypath.

"You ruffian!"

"Turn yourself in!"

They were swinging their swords at Lecan as they shouted.

Lecan swung his sword twice to cut apart the guards' swords. With the incredible sharpness of Sacred Solid Silver's sword, it was as if he was cutting paper without any resistance.

He pours mana into his left arm and swung it wide, gently brushing the two's heads in a single motion. Even though Lecan deemed it as 'brushing', it might actually feel like a heavy blow to the guards' themselves.

Electricity emitted out of <Lightning Dragon Gauntlet>, the two guards crumbled down without a sound.

Lecan does not intend to attack this mansion yet. He's still at a stage of looking for Eda. He doesn't care if he has to slaughter all inhabitants of this mansion once he found Eda, but there is no need for that if she isn't here. The time to unleash mayhem has yet come.

As he took the first stone step of three, wreckage of a broken door dangled in front of him.

"<Flame Spear>."

He blew the wreckage away with a bit of mana.

Lecan stepped inside the mansion's entrance and advanced toward a stairway ahead.

The strongest red dot in this mansion is located in the center of this mansion's back. It's probably on the second or third floor, <Life Detection> can't distinguish.

As he took the stairs up, several faces peeked out from the entrance. But they're not attempting to attack him. They're probably non-combatants.

In any case, this mansion's inhabitants' reaction is slow.

They must have never imagined they would be raided like this.

Or perhaps, Eda is not here.

But he can't turn back now.

Just as Lecan's finished scaling up the stairs, several people are headed toward him from inside the mansion.

The hallway is furnished with candlesticks, shining lights on the approaching people.

Three people.

The man in the middle looks familiar.

It's the butler who interacted with them during the house call yesterday.

It was Kanner or something.

Kanner halted and spoke to Lecan while glaring at him with a stern face like he's a different person.

"What business do you have breaking into this mansion in the middle of the night."

Lecan answered back without stopping his advance.

"I'm looking for something. Passing through."

They would try to dupe Lecan if they really have abducted Eda. In other words, it's useless to even ask.

The two men behind Kanner are equipped with light armor, and just trousers. They must have put on their armor in a hurry after news of an intruder broke out. They've had their swords out already.

The two stepped forward to cover Kanner.

Lecan proceeds ahead without caring.

The two raised their swords, coming for Lecan from both sides.

Lecan swiftly moved to the right, cutting the right man's sword apart, and swiftly raised his sword overhead before swinging it down to sever the left man's sword.

"<Flame Arrow>."

Lecan shot out two <Flame Arrows> from his left finger, piercing the two swordsmen's top of feet each. The two screamed and fell down the floor. They writhed in pain as Lecan closed 20 steps of distance.

More people are coming.

But none attempts to attack him even though some are timidly observing from afar.

Judging from their lack of alertness, perhaps she's really not here.

Lecan hit a dead end in the passage.

Should he go right or left.

There's a stairway to the right. While the left passage would bring him deeper into the second floor.

Wonder if <Graph Making> would help him not get lost in situations like this.

Lecan proceeds to the right. A stairway immediately came into view.

He went up the stairs toward third floor.

With his right hand still gripping a sword.

The Sacred Solid Silver sword gleamed ominously in candlelights.

He's getting closer to the red dot. It's on this floor for sure.

Soon.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
Soon he will arrive at the room where that red dot is.

He's here.

Lecan invokes <Mana Detection> in front of the door.

This mana.

It's Eda!

No doubt about it.

She's really been carried off to this mansion.

"Eda!"

There's no response. He understands she's sleeping in a bed through <3D Perception>, they must have forced her to.

As he gripped the knob with his left hand and turned it, the knob broke. He did put his strength but it was also because there was a resistance. It's locked.

With a sword still in his right hand, Lecan lightly punched the door's keyhole with his left hand.

Lecan was only going to hit it very lightly, however his destructive force has been doubled thanks to <Guardian Jewel of Zana>. The boost far exceeded Lecan's estimation, part of the door and the wall ended up getting blown off with a loud sound.

He tried to open the partly broken door, but it would only give off a weird cranking noise and not budge. The hinges must have been bent from the impact. Lecan tore off the entire door and discarded it in the hallway.

There's a woman sleeping in a canopied bed.

A woman with a truly small, small body in contrast to the huge bed.

Another woman who seems to be a maid is curling up in the corner of the room, trembling.

"Eda."

Was Lecan aware how a smile came up on his face when he said her name then.

A noisy sound echoed, a door to the opposite room was pushed open, then a knight-like man donning a full armor rushed out with a heavy looking sword raised overhead.

Lecan thought of dodging and slashing back at him, but then the knight could end up crashing into Eda's bed.

Lecan drove his left fist on the knight's belly as he turned around.

The knight's body twisted into a < shape as he got blown backward, breaking the already crumbling wall before crashing into the hallway's wall and falling down.

Since he heard only the king is allowed to appoint a knight, this man is probably not a formal knight.

Lecan didn't even glance at the sham knight's sword lying on the floor as he looked at the face under the bed's canopy.

It's Eda.

A peaceful sleeping face.

However, there's something wrong with her still not waking up after all this commotion.

Lecan switched his sword to his left hand, put his right hand into <Storage>, took a yellow potion out and crushed it above Eda's face. It's a potion that removes abnormal status.

When the half-transparent liquid got splashed over Eda's face, her eyes immediately opened. And they caught Lecan.

"Lecan!"

Eda sprung up straight from her position and clung to Lecan's neck.

Then she quickly let go.

"Where, is this place?"

"Goncourt House."

"Goncoort?"

"The house we visited yesterday."

"Ah, that old man's mansion?"

Lecan continues to monitor this room and the surrounding area with <3D Perception> even while conversing with Eda. The maid trembling in the corner of the room doesn't look like she's gonna attack.

"Yeah. What happened?"

"Uh, well, some people came up to me and said they got some business with Lecan, one of them was doing something behind my back while I was talking to another. Then something went bzzt, and I passed out. It was way late by the time I thought 'they got me'."

"I see. Can you walk?"

"Un."

Eda nimbly moved like a small animal and got off the bed.

Her bare feet could be seen. They've been wiped clean.

Not sure about Eda's opinion on the matter but having his body groped by other people while he's not awake is the most repulsive upsetting thing in the world to Lecan.

Eda put on her shoes that were left next to the bed and stood up.

"Thanks for waiting! Let's outta here."

"Right. But first, let's take a little detour."






Previous Chapter

10





A parked carriage.

What does that mean.

Roads around here aren't suited for carriage traffic.

No house here would warrant a visit from a carriage either.

And yet, it parked in front of Lecan and Eda's house.

(Was she kidnapped?)

A carriage that shouldn't have been there, and Eda that should have been at home, putting two and two together it's logical to guess that Eda had been abducted by that carriage.

There's only two possible party who would kidnap Eda.

Ceres Temple.

Goncourt House.

However, the vice temple head has vowed against taking forceful actions on this matter. She's also aware how their temple would be reduced to a pile of rubble were they dare to incur Lecan's wrath.

How about Goncourt House then.

It's too quick.

It's just way too quick.

They made the house call to Goncourt House yesterday morning.

Old man Prado surely wouldn't so quickly come out of his first peaceful sleep after so long. He might be surprised at his condition once he woke up. But even at the latest, that should take until yesterday's afternoon or today's morning.

Could he really realize that his wellness was unlike anything before and it was thanks to Eda's <Recovery> in a mere half a day time. On top of that, he came up with such an extreme measure as abduction, looked for and found where Lecan and Eda lived, got everything in order to send a carriage and abducted her. Is that really possible.

Besides, thinking calmly, the fact that the house did not get roughed up is weird.

Eda's reflexes aren't bad at all. Or rather, they're outstanding.

Even if she's taken by surprise, she's not a girl who would let herself get abducted without putting up a fight. Despite her usual demeanor, she's still an adventurer at heart.

Which means, she must have gone out on her own volition. Thinking that it was an abduction would be a mistake.

She wasn't leaving for good since she left her important belongings behind. She ran out for an errand. Something urgent that came up suddenly.

But what if the other party was someone with assassination skills like Dovor and Gido. It's not unthinkable for someone like that to invade unnoticed and knock Eda out before she could realize anything wrong.

Besides, this world houses all kinds of Grace-laden items. There might be a Graced item that can knock someone unconscious from a distance. There might be a magic tool that can hide an intruder's body and sounds.

Just how should he proceed with this.

(Why am I this at a loss?)

Anxiously worrying over things is wholly unlike Lecan at all.

Lecan's strength lies not on his brain, but his decisiveness to promptly take actions.

And yet, why does he keep mulling over this in circles.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
(Am I... upset?)

Lecan closed his eyes and looked back on Eda.

Their first encounter couldn't have been any farther from a good impression. They took an escort job together, she was completely useless from the start until the very end.

Their second encounter was at Vouka downtown. She called out to him out of the blue. Lecan treated her coldly, yet he told her about how she was a mana holder.

Which connects to their third encounter. Eda went looking for Lecan and made her way to Shira's house.

Then little by little, Eda stayed by Lecan's side. For some reason, Shira was very accepting toward her, she even had Lecan teach Eda magic and take quests together.

She was quite an inexperienced adventurer, but her being 14 came as quite a surprise. A fourteen years old who could move with such nimbleness and master a magic bow, she's in fact extremely adept. She's got talent in magic as well. Too much of it.

Lecan suddenly recalled their time at Kogurus

In the reception room of Zaikaz Company, how Eda stuffed herself full of snack like a small animal in defiance of bizarre pressures emanated from Zack Zaikaz, his butler and Dovor. Lecan found her figure back then comforting.

In that situation, an adventurer wouldn't have been able to even drink the tea served unless they had a heart of steel. Neither can you face that if you keeled over either. Her audacity is an indispensable trait of an adventurer that's hard to come by. You could even say that was the exact moment Lecan deemed Eda a comrade.

Zack too must have been impressed by Eda's boldness. It was as if Zack's pressure was completely ineffective on Eda. In a way, Eda came out victorious against Zack at that time.

However, was her behavior only possible thanks to her nature by birth.

Indeed, Eda may be naive, yet she's not a coward. But is that really all there is to it.

Probably not.

Eda believed in Lecan from the bottom of her heart. Hence how she could be so rambunctious at that time. She was even acting spoiled on Lecan.

That's right.

Not clear when it started, but Eda had placed her faith in Lecan for some reason. An unconditional trust. She took to Lecan, clung to him.

Except during their first escort quest, Lecan can't recall Eda ever bearing malice or doubt toward him. Eda always opened her heart to Lecan.

Why would she.

Why would she believe in Lecan and act that way toward him.

He doesn't understand why.

Lecan is bad at trying to guess how other people's minds work.

He's bad at trying to guess how women's hearts works.

He's bad at trying to guess how children think.

Eda is all three of that. There's no way he could understand.

However, he doesn't really have to. The issue is what Lecan himself thinks about it.

Lecan never considers the trust Eda put in him as being unpleasant. The opposite even actually, it's rather pleasant.

Which means, this is really all so simple.

He simply needs to move as his heart tells him.

To begin with, Lecan has taken upon himself to protect Eda.

It was never necessary to mull over this so hard.

If she went out due to some unexpected business or something urgent came up, she would return on her own eventually.

If that's not the case, and she's been abducted against her will, Eda is in a predicament right now.

He should move under the later assumption.

Which one is the most suspicious?

It's Goncourt House.

Then he's just got to head there.

Head there and see for himself.

Defeat anyone who stands in the way.

Smash any door blocking his way.

If Eda is not at Goncourt House, he just needs to look at the temple afterward.

And if Eda comes back home while he's looking for her in both locations, that's also fine. Nothing wrong with that.

Lecan opened his right eye wide and grinned broadly.

The grin of a beast of prey.





Previous Chapter

9





"By the way, something's been bugging me."

"What is it?"

"Were you aware that Norma's mother was a <Purification> user?"

"Eh? No, first I've heard of it. Is that true?"

"Does that you mean you also don't know that she was confined in marquis Whatchamacallit's mansion and forced to cast <Purification> till her dying breath?"

"Oh my, is that so. I had no idea."

"I see. Listening to Norma's personal life made me realize just how deprived of freedom <Purification> users' lives are. So I thought you sent me and Eda under her on purpose."

"That wasn't my intention at all. But, did Norma really tell you two her life story?"

"Eda ended up casting <Purification> during a house call. She might have felt responsible for that."

"Even so. Norma must really trust you two both."

"Fumu. I wonder about that."

"That girl is actually quite tight-lipped, she won't say anything to anyone she finds disgareeable. The type that doesn't confide about herself to others."

"You know her well."

"It's not like we're particularly close or know each other for long. I've just been acquainted with people like her before."

"I see. That aside, I'm interested in <Graph Making>. Can I learn it."

"<Graph Making> huh. How do you go about teaching that anyway."

"What?"

"Did you know that I used <Graph Making> just now?"

"No."

"No surprise there. <Graph Making>, you see, works its magic inside the caster. There is no way to demonstrate this kind of spell to other people."

"How did you learn the spell then?"

"Me? In my case it's... Huh. How did I learn it again?"

Shira pondered for a while.

"It's no use. I can't recall. It's been more than 350 years since then after all."

"Isn't there some kind of knack to it."

"Uun. I wonder. All you need to know is that it's a Perception type. It may be intermediate level, but it's not actually that complex of a spell. Knack eh. Right. Just try doing all kinda stuff inside a dungeon. Like you're <Appraise>ing the dungeon."

"<Appraise> dungeons?"

"Like, picture how a dungeon's floor is formed inside your mind. That should work as a knack, I think."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Okay. I'll give it a try."

Afterward, Lecan discussed magic with Shira for a while.

<Flash (Liliom)> is a magic that simply produces an exceedingly dazzling flash of light for an instant, but it also gives a fixed amount of damage to Soul Ogres and Specters. In addition, the spell is surprisingly effective as a distraction in a fight between humans, thus you're advised to immediately close your eyes the moment your opponent recites the spell <Flash>.

Afterward, Lecan continued his <Lightning> practice, and once he learned that, he tried to challenge <Acceleration (Mora)>. Another extremely useful magic Lecan is eager to learn.

They got too engrossed in their discussion and ended up taking more time than expected.

After leaving Shira's house, Lecan headed to the orphanage. He bought some spit-roast along the way and had his fill. That was when he recalled about shopping and bought some jerky, vegetable, hard bread and water. Enough food for the journey. For food intended to be consumed inside a dungeon, it's a good idea to purchase some right before delving in.

The children found Lecan when he arrived at the orphanage, he had a difficult time trying to tear them off him. Since vice temple head was present, he informed her he'd be out of town for about a month.

Then Lecan got back home. It was already dark out.

There's no Eda.

She's nowhere to be seen.

Of course he was already aware of Eda's absence the moment he arrived at home.

Lecan recalled about a woman he had spent some time together with, who disappeared while he was diving in a dungeon. He didn't attempt to look for her, but the sense of loneliness he felt back then wouldn't vanish for some time.

At first he thought Eda had left him as well.

But that's strange.

She was looking forward to going to the dungeon together with him tomorrow. Perhaps she didn't leave, perhaps she just had an errand to run.

As he was thinking, Lecan probed the house with <3D Perception>.

"Hum?"

Lecan went into Eda's room in order to closely inspect the thing <3D Perception> found.

There's a <Box>. It's obvious the <Bow of Isya> is inside.

(Eda went out while leaving this behind?)

(Can't be.)

Lecan concentrates on <Life Detection> once again. This ability can detect in 1000 step range. Humans are displayed as red dots. Humans with powerful mana are displayed with deep red color. But it's not that precise, and it's hard to tell people apart unless they're someone with extraordinary mana like Shira. Nevertheless, there was no one who could possibly be Eda within 1000 steps.

He tried to peek at the well. since <Life Detection> sometimes do not show those on higher or lower elevations. But of course Eda wasn't in the bottom of the well either.

Eda's mana pool is large and has a unique quality to it. Hence it's possible to distinguish Eda using <Mana Detection>. However, <Mana Detection>'s effective range is only 20 steps, which further lowers when there are obstructions.

Lecan walked around the not so wide house.

He investigated behind a tree in the corner of the small garden.

Peeking into the kitchen, coming inside the only four rooms in the house.

He looked in the well once again.

But she's not here.

There's no Eda.

She's nowhere.

"Hold on? Maybe she's next door."

A middle aged married couple live in the house to the left. The house to the right was apparently inhabited by an elderly with bad legs a while ago, but it's vacant now.

There's no particular bad blood between them and the middle-aged couple. Eda went to greet them when they first moved in here, and he occasionally saw them having small talks from time to time.

Lecan stopped in front of the neighboring house and looked for Eda with <3D Perception> and <Mana Detection>.

But he couldn't find anyone that matches Eda.

He knocked on the door.

A middle-aged woman, the wife, came out and leaked out a shriek when she looked up at Lecan.

"Sorry for intruding this late, have you seen Eda?"

"N-no? Didn't see her since yesterday. Ah, but."

"But?"

"There was this really luxurious carriage parked in front of your house this noon."

"I see. Much appreciated. Excuse me."






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