104 Episode 104 "When I went to Shiro to feed, I was welcomed in a hidden place.".txt

After buying the "Kiyome no Yakuso" at the market, we returned to the villa.

Kiyome no Yakuso

A soft branch with herb leaves on it.

It can float and wash away the type of poison on the skin.

They are often used to cleanse oneself before important rituals.

Afterwards, I was in my room, thinking about what I was going to do.

Tomorrow morning, I'm going to start exploring the 'magic point' in the morning.

The objective is to retrieve the remaining magic power of the Heavenly Dragon.

It's easy to gather magic power from the surrounding area at the magic point, so it's possible that the remaining magic power of the Heavenly Dragon that was scattered around the last time has also gathered to some extent.

I'd like to collect as much as possible while I'm in this region.

The second objective was to discover the Ruins of the Saint. But this is just a side project...

This, this and that.

As I was thinking about this, I heard a knock at the door.

'...... Nagi-sama. I'm Cecil. May I come in?

Okay. Go ahead.

Excuse me.

The door opened softly and a nervous looking Cecil walked in.

''About tomorrow's quest, Nagi-sama, you're planning to split the party into two, right?''

Yeah. To the search group and the detention group.

The search group will collect the magic power at the "magic power point".

The detention team plans to deal with the situation when the Viscountess messes with them.

''I have a favor to ask you about that.

Please?

Yes, Lord Nagi. Please let me join the search party!

Cecil bowed deeply to me.

'Fine.'

That easy?

'I was originally planning to take Cecil or Rafilia with me.

Confirmed search party is me, Cecil or Rafilia.

The detention group is led by Iris.

We'll be here to deal with visitors. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it look like we're there.

It was originally inspired by the Ancient Elves and the Magicians, so we decided to take either Cecil or Rafilia with us. If Cecil wants to go, that's fine.

Raphilia said, "Now that you know who I am, I don't need to get into the details.

'Thank you. Nagi-sama.

'But that's unusual. Cecil wants to go on a quest himself.

...... It is.

Cecil held his cheeks with both hands as if embarrassed.

I've recently started to think that I want to tell my descendants ...... about the demon race properly.

"To your offspring?

Yes. There's not much information left on the demon race.

...... sure.

Until now, the demon tribe had seldom been on the front lines of history.

Perhaps it's because they were a hidden race that lived in hiding, but there are no detailed records of their existence.

The only things I've found so far that are related to the demon tribe were things I found by chance during my quests.

''The 'Valley of the Mist' also had something to do with the demon race and the ancient elves. That's why I thought there might be some information about the demon race in this 'magic point' as well.

Okay.

I nodded.

'If that's the case, I'll have Cecil join you on your quest.

Okay. Thank you.

Cecil shook his silver hair and laughed.

''I'll do my best to be of service to you. So that I can brag to my descendants, 'I worked hard with my master to find the records of the demon race'.

Talking about the future, Cecil was motivated.

His eyes sparkled and his fists clenched.

'Yes, you're right. I'll be there for you.

'Yes!　Thank you. If Nagi-sama can help us, it's a hundred people power!

Not much I can do.

That's not true. If it weren't for Nagi-sama, I would never be able to hand down the demon record to my descendants.

...... Really?

'What are you talking about?　That's a given!

...... Really?

Okay. Tomorrow, me, Cecil and Rita will go on a quest. I'll have Iris, Aine and Rafilia stay at the villa in case anything happens. Let's do that.

I'm still connected to Iris through the Consciousness Sharing Program.

We'll be able to tell each other what's going on, and we'll be able to handle anything that comes our way.

Well, why don't we cleanse ourselves, just in case.

I got up from my seat.

I bought the "Kiyome no Yakuso".

My main purpose is to 'recover the residual magic power of the Heavenly Dragon', but it's just in case I encounter other ruins.

''Does Cecil know about the purification rituals in this world?''

Yes. I understand.

So tell me about it.

Ha-ha-ha!

I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what I'm talking about.

I'm afraid to say that ...... I will be teaching you the Kiome no Kiiki. Please ...... come here, Nagi-sama.

- At the same time, at the Viscountess's house, Edengle-Heimlich

This is the parlor of a mansion owned by the Viscount family.

Edengle-Heimlich, the Viscountess, seated on a large sofa, was enjoying her after-dinner tea.

Next to her stood a boy wearing a black hood.

He was a tall boy with dark hair and dark eyes.

''To begin with, it's a mistake to let adventurers and others go free.

He fiddled with a black board - a tablet - and said uncomfortably.

''Those guys are just like animals. It is the opinion of our 'White Guild' that kings and nobles should control them. We thank you for agreeing with us. Mr. Edengle-Heimlich.

'We're just on the same page with you, though, aren't we?

Edengle, dressed in his home dress, spat out.

'I just don't want adventurers and others to interfere with my quest.

I know. That's why I'm an 'innkeeper-in-waiting'.

'But what you said: "But you said ...... 'People operate on expectations'? I'm not sure I understand that one?

It's just the hope that something good might be available to them that moves them.

It's a little easier to understand.

''Being able to become a regular soldier of the ...... royal family is perfect for touting. You are directly under the royal family. The pay and treatment is different from that of adventurers. When it comes to that position, it means that adventurers are willing to make some sacrifices.

The boy in the black hood chuckled and cleared his throat.

'Mostly, though, this one only says, 'You might be able to become a regular soldier,' right?

A final selection will be made before the quest begins. Most of them are dismissed as 'not a match'. You don't have to pay for 'innkeeper waiting' or anything like that, since you're not actually working.

'You said you were going to lend money to an adventurer who had run out of money for accommodation. What was that?

It was funded through the guild, wasn't it?

Yeah?

"You're going to make a 'deal' with a debtor adventurer to 'take quests at a discount as interest', right?

I'm sorry.

Excuse me.

The boy in the hood bowed his head in a theatrical motion.

'I just wanted to make sure.

The first purpose of this time is to make the adventurers 'stay at home' until we can investigate the hidden ruins, so that they cannot be disturbed. Secondly, by making them wait 'at the inn' for a long time, they would be in debt.

Covering his mouth with the tablet, the hooded boy chuckled.

'We'll pay the adventurers we recruit, but we don't have to pay them ...... even the interest on their debts. If we use them well, we can use them for Edengle-sama's purposes.

I know it's a valid move. Take-nochi-Yogi.

Now I'm Fenrir-Laguna.

The boy retorted absent-mindedly.

He ducked the hem of his black robe and ran his fingertips over the black tablet in his hand.

The White Guild is committed to supporting Lady Edengle-Heimlich in her quest to become Prince Kravis' consort. That is our promise.

'We're putting a lot of money into this project. We'll get our money's worth, won't we?

We have found a record of the remains of 'Saint Delilira' nearby. It won't take long before you get your hands on her legacy.

I've been stalling other adventurers for that.

Suddenly the face of an adventurer Edengle-Heimlich met at the facility flashed into his mind (nouri).

He said something unfamiliar, a cocky-looking boy.

I don't really remember what he said.

The only thing I'm sure of is that he didn't just follow his words.

It would have been 'I'm sorry. I'll be waiting at the inn'.

There are uncooperative people like that. Adventurers can't be too careful.

'What are the chances of other adventurers finding the ruins?

'The sources said, "The Temple of the Saint is hidden by wards. The average adventurer won't be able to find it.

The boy laughed, in a thick voice that didn't look like it was meant to be.

'Because treasures come first, don't they?'

'Yes. And most of the adventurers are now 'managed'.

The boy, who introduced himself as Fenrir, sat up.

'Everything has to be managed. Like Saint Delilira, who laid down her life to save people. That is the motto of our guild.

The next day. The rocky mountains to the west of the sanatorium.

We left the town before dawn and it was almost noon.

Having defeated the demons that attacked us, we decided to have an early lunch.

This is a rocky mountain in the west of the resort. At the foot of it.

If you check the map ...... this area is definitely the 'magic power point' of the ancient elves and demons.

"Cecil. You'll have to check your magic detector. I'm not sure if the bracelet of the heavenly dragon absorbs magic power properly.

I patted the 'bracelet' on my right arm and then said, "I'm fine.

It's all right. White's eggs are absorbing all the magic around them.

It's warm to the touch, and I'm shaking a little.

I think it's like bathing for Mr. White.

Okay.

"Ugh ...... wah wah ...... wah.

There was a growl next to us.

Rita was shaking with a sandwich in her hand. Her face was bright red and her ears were flapping.

"Rita, are you tired?

No, it's not!　I mean, it's not that.

Rita grabbed a sandwich and a bottle of water and shouted out, "I'm just a throbber.

It's just me being nervous ....... Because of yesterday's purification ceremony .......

Rita's cheeks puffed out as she looked at me.

It took the two of us, Nagi and Cecil-chan, to get plenty of cleansing ......

Oh, that.

The three of us were going to come here together, so we purified each other with the Kiyome no Yakusou.

With the help of the others, we made an impromptu 'purification room'.

I think the reason it took two of us was because of Rita's rampage.

Ugh.

Rita looked at me, with tears in her eyes.

This part of the story is going to be a long one, so you can go to .......

'All right. When we get back, we'll remember every detail properly and talk about it.

"Cha-ching," he said.

I'll talk to him, but for now, we need to focus on the quest.

Uh-oh.

Rita flaps her ears and then moves her face closer to mine.

'Stroke me, stroke me.'

Yeah?

You stroke me and give me the scent of your master and I will resist.

Are you sure?

It's okay. This quest is a way to give Shiro-chan some magic power. I'm Shiro-chan's "mother" too, you know. I can't be selfish in front of my own little ones!

"Rita.

Hey. Master.

Thanks.

Oh, it's annoying. Hurry up and stop stroking it!

Okay, okay.

Strokes. Strokes.

"Whew, whew. ......

When I lightly stroked her golden hair and the back of her animal ears, Rita's eyes glazed over.

Rita sighed pleasantly and pressed her head against my shoulder.

I almost drop the sandwich I'm about to eat, so I rush to catch it.

When I brought the sandwich to my mouth...

acquaintance

Rita, like a tiny animal, nibbles and swallows it like a tiny animal.

...... It seems that the more you are with them, the more beastly they become.

I'm not going to be able to get it right.

I'm going to be able to lift up Rita's pure white chin, uncork the water bottle, and then hold it up to her.

Hour by hour.

Rita, I'm spilling.

Hmm.

The undrinkable water is dripping down Rita's lips to her chin.

When I wipe it off with my fingertips...

with a thump

Pichan, chub, chub.

Rita wiped my finger in her mouth and carefully licked the water off.

"Rita-san, you look so good.

Cecil looked at the animalistic Rita with a smile like a puddle.

I dream of living with Nagi and Rita like this.

'I think I'd rather be in a more human-like state,'

...... ha!

Oh, I came to my senses.

Rita looked around from side to side and turned bright red as she realized what she had been doing.

'Wah, wah, wah ────!

Wow. Oh, no, Mr. Rita. You're shouting.

Cecil held Rita's lips with his index finger.

'Nagi-sama said that there are strong demons at the top of the rocky mountain.

────?

hour by hour

buzz buzz

Nodding and shaking their heads, Cecil and Rita gestured at each other.

I heard before in the guild that there are strong demons at the top of the rocky mountain.

They rarely come down to the foot of the mountain, so it's apparently nothing to worry about as long as you don't stimulate them, but it's best to be careful.

'Wow, I'm ...... funny. Lately, whenever Nagi touches me, I immediately go to .......

It's normal.

It's okay. I'll take any Rita I can get my hands on.

Both Cecil-chan and Nagi are ...... ......, huh?

Rita unexpectedly stopped her gaze at one of the rock piles.

'Nagy. There's a ward over there.

Halfway up the bare mountainside, where there's a large rock.

Beyond that, Rita is pointing at it.

I activated the 'Warding Breaker Lv 1' and that's the only place I saw a blue-white glow. Then I saw a blue-white glow just over there.

The "Warding Breaker" is a skill that I created with Rita before, to break special areas created by magic or something.

When you use it, you'll be able to detect the location of the wards themselves.

"Maybe it's a fake ward. It looks real, but that rock surface is an illusion.

The same type of 'fantasy space' as Iris'

Maybe even stronger than that.

Up close, it looks like a rocky slope. Even when I touch it, it still feels like a rock.

Let's check out .......

There's still some time before White gets 'full' with magic power.

''Cecil, summon Salamander with the normal version of the 'Fire Spirit Summoning 《Summoning Elemental》'. Let's experiment to see if we can get to the other side of this rock wall.

Okay. "Come from another world and do as I command, summon your fire spirit!

In response to the summons, a fire lizard surrounded by flames appeared in front of him.

When Cecil pointed at the rock wall, the salamander rushed towards it without hesitation──and disappeared.

''What's the response?''

'The salamanders exist as they are. It's not ...... in the rocks. It looks like there's a cave in the back. Rita is right, this rock wall is an illusion. It's also quite high level.

What are the traps?

No. Not even a demon. What do we do now, Nagi?

Cecil's eyes lit up and he looked at me.

She did a great deal of research.

It's something to do with the demon race and the ancient elves, you know. You know you're interested.

''There might be some treasures, let's just check them out. I'll come back if it's too dangerous. Can I have Rita too?

Of course. I won't allow you to explore alone, Master and Cecil-chan!

So we decided to check out the other side of the wall.

It looks and feels just like the real thing, but...

I touched my hand and pushed with force, and we were able to pass through.

Beyond that, there was a cave with faintly luminous walls...

"Congratulations!　You found me!　Welcome to the Labyrinth of Saint Delilira!

I heard a voice.

'Great!　Finally, the adventurers have found this place!　Come here, come here. Shake my hand in the depths of the maze.

...... Yes?

"At last, at last!　Someone has come to visit me in this labyrinth!　I can finally do what I wasn't able to do when I was alive. Come and play with me. Play with me, Delilah. "Come on, play with me.