210 Episode 210 "The Secret and Mysterious Tail of the Pilgrim (Laila) and Rafilia's Little Determination".txt

You've finally calmed down: ......

I'm not tired at all. Master.

Actually, I do.

Iris-sama's new skill with her body was amazing.

Yeah.

"[......]

This is a lake in the mountains. This is where we camped today.

Laila, the half-elf, and I arrived here about 30 minutes ago.

Rafilia and I are resting with our legs in the lake.

Thanks to the geothermal energy from the volcano, the ground and the lake are slightly warm.

The water is clear, and every now and then a fish passes between my legs. The water is clear and the water is clear, and every now and then a fish will pass between my legs, and the fish will poke and prod at her pure white legs, as if she has taken a liking to Rafilia.

'Fluffy ......'

I used to get massages like this in the old world.

You know, the kind where you get a fish to eat the dead skin on your feet.

You don't think this is some sort of massage parlor for the ancient elves, do you?

What about you, Lila?

All clear. Just warm.

Laila, sitting next to me, shakes her shoulders, "Pikun.

Not as much as Rafilia, but the fish seem to be going to Lila-san's side as well.

Inexplicable. This is not the time for this. We need to set up camp and take a look around immediately.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

I offer cookies and Rafilia offers Laila a cup of tea.

Laila-san eats it while making a difficult face, "Mmmmmm. She's a surprisingly good companion.

Since we're ahead of schedule, let's just relax for a while.

I'm confused. I didn't come here for fun. It's a family ritual, a pilgrimage...

'But my party has a rule of 'let your friends work and then rest,'

You've been very protective of the Elf and the Dark Elf, haven't you?

Yes. They love you. Heh-heh-heh.

Rafilia is leaning on my shoulder.

By the way, Cecil is tucked away in his tent between the trees with Aine and Iris. Right now, Cutlass is keeping watch over us.

Rafilia and I are going to work with Lila now.

It's time. I think it's time for me to make my rounds.

Zabari, Laila said, as she stepped out of the lake.

Rafilia and I also lifted our legs from the lake. We both wiped our wet feet with a cloth and massaged them lightly.

'You really do care for the elf, don't you?

Of course.

I nodded.

I've decided that during this quest, I'm going to take care of Cecil and Raphilia even more than usual.

It's to gain the trust of Lila-san, the elf moe.

Only Lyra-san knows the mountain path, and if the 'Pilgrimage' fails, we won't be able to go to the 'Ancient Elf Ruins' either.

Let's treat Rafilia as a princess as much as possible.

''Come, Rafilia.''

I stand up first and offer my hand to Rafilia.

"My slave and my precious companion, Rafilia. Hold on to me.

...... master.

Here's your water bottle. Here, rehydrate yourself. There's dirt on my knees. I'll also...

Am I going to die tomorrow?

What are you doing?

The reason for this is that it's absolutely outrageous to ask Master to back off and let you stand up. I didn't return it to Master to be treated like a princess like this. I'd rather walk around with a string attached to me and pull it.

You're a dog. No, I'm not.

It's not fair. I've been walking around with Iris-sama ...... magically connected to her, and yet she's .......

That's another story.

I mean, Iris, you've blown it all out of proportion.

The girls at my party don't generally hide things.

"So, I'd appreciate it if you could treat me a little more discreetly ......

Rejected.

Oh, yeah?

Now, let's go have a look around. My dear slave Raphilia-Grace. I know it's unfair of me as a master to work you out of your tiredness, but I need your help.

Ew, ew, ew. You're creeping me out.

"If it were true, I'd let her 'undulate' as if she were a slime like she was at the inn, but ...... instead, when she comes back, I'll let her do whatever she wants, feed her, and sing her a lullaby... ...

I'm a Daemeister. ...... I'm not cut out to be treated carefully. It's not good for me to be treated carefully, because I get so terribly creepy and it makes me feel so good to go around in a circle!

Yeah. It's starting to get interesting for me too.

Well, shall we go? "My dearest minions, Raphilia-Grace.

'Huh, Master ...... no. What should I do if this kind of 'pulei' becomes a habit? ......

I had my magic sword Leggy in my hand, Rafilia had her bow in her hand, and Lila-san had her shortsword in her hand.

The three of us went to look around the area.

Ten minutes later...

Me and Rafilia and I are walking along the beast trail, with Lila in the lead.

We are now going to walk around the outside of the lake, which will take about two hours.

If we look around to that point, the rest of the time we can take it easy.

Master, I can see the fort!

Raphilia pointed to the west.

Through the haze that drifted over the mountains, the shadow of a fort could be seen faintly on the mountain plateau.

That's where the wizard is holed up. We have to keep away from it.

There may be monsters ahead.

Lila stopped and looked at me and Raphilia.

'When we meet the demon, I will use my special earth magic to stop it from moving. I want you to take it down in the meantime.

A special kind of earth magic?

'Affirmation. I'm good at a special kind of earth magic. It's a weak magic, but it doesn't produce sound or light, so it's useful for sneaking around and taking out enemies.

"Sneaky ...... so the wizards at the fort wouldn't notice?

'I agree. Another thing is that we don't want to irritate the big boys in the mountains.

Lila pointed to the mountains in the distance.

'That snowy mountain is home to a powerful 'Frost Basilisk'. It is a fearsome monster that breathes ice. If we encounter it with this many people, we could risk ...... annihilation.

"Frosted Basilisk

An ice-attributed giant reptile (Hachiru).

Just as an ordinary basilisk exhales poisonous breath, the Frost Basilisk exhales a breath that has a freezing effect.

Those glared at by its eyes are said to be frozen at a certain rate.

A blow of its tail will blow away even a carriage. This is a level of monster that should never be offended.

''I heard that the lord of the 'Northern Town of Hermilt' once stood up to it as a test of his skill, but he was unable to stand up to it and ran away. That's how powerful these demons are.''

Which one is stronger, the Hydra?

It's a frosted basilisk, by a slim margin.

I understand. I'll be careful.

A close call....

Certainly, we have to be careful about that.

''So, what kind of earth magic is Lyra-san's earth magic?''

...... Nothing much, huh?

Lila looked at me rustily.

'Our clan's half-elves are halfway decent. They can't use powerful magic. ......

I don't have much more than two levels of my own magic.

I don't even have access to magic.

...... Yeah, right.

If Lila can do something special with her magic, I'd love to see it.

If you insist.

Lila raised her arms towards the ground in front of her.

''Soft (soft) earth, be my bulwark'' - ''Wall of clay''!

A one-meter high wall appeared in front of me with a whimper.

I touched it and it was ...... really soft. It's really soft and my fingers are squirming around normally.

And it's sticky.

It was said in the ............ village. I'm halfway there and therefore can only use this kind of magic.

Lila murmured in a whisper.

'So I thought I'd just do my adult pilgrimage well. I just wanted some confidence, .......

No, no, I think it's great enough.

As for me, I wish I could tell Cecil about it.

A clay wall - a wobbly, sticky wall.

It could be used for various combo moves.

"Lyra-san has shown me new possibilities for 'clay magic'. If I taught this to Ceci - no, I mean someone who can use 'earth magic' - it could have a great effect.

I'm sure the master can come up with a dozen amazing ways to use it.

...... Yeah, right.

Laila-san, you have a shy smile on your face.

I feel as if I've never seen you smile before. Laila-san's tone of voice makes her look more mature, but she's not much older than me.

"Laila-san.

I said.

Maybe it's time to ask.

"Can you tell me where we're headed?

Yeah.

Lila looked up and saw me.

Then she pointed a little to the west of the fort...

"The destination of the 'pilgrimage' is the Valley of Sumi'iro, a two-hour walk from here.

'The Valley of Ink?'

I looked at Raphilia.

She's scratching her pink hair and craning her neck. She doesn't seem to know.

'It's a place that mimics the colours of old creatures, the rocks and the earth are all black. At the bottom of the valley are the bones of the tail, of a giant creature. It has become a 'pilgrimage' for my clan to touch it and return home.

What happens if you touch it?

"There are magical crystals near the bones. When a clan member touches it, the spirit of the ancestor appears and speaks to him. According to tradition, they respond to the blood and magic of the same clan.

I see.

That's the pilgrimage to the fantasy world. That's great.

How big are these bones?

The tail alone is twice as much as a normal house.

Laila held out her arms in a big way.

She looks very happy. You really are proud of your family, aren't you?

They say the owner of the bones is a creature that was close to his ancestors.

Wow, there are big creatures like that.

'We don't know what it looks like because it only has a tail. The family lore says it might be a dragon, though.

...... Yes?

The dragon's tail.

'It's just lore. It's just folklore. They must have brought out a dragon to add some flair.

Lyra chuckles.

'Because there's no weapon in the world that can cut off a dragon's tail.

That's true. - No, it isn't.

Yes, though.

Aine keeps track of what I've been rewriting, though. At the lake.

Can I ask you a question?

Hmm. If it's not your family's secrets,

Doesn't the Sumi-iro valley where these bones are located lead to the ocean?

You know it well. There's a river down in the valley. Follow its course, and you'll find the sea.

I see.

Connected to the ocean.

Excuse me, ma'am, it's time for me to go to work.

One moment, please.

Me and Raphilia crouched down on the beast path and stuck our foreheads together.

'...... It takes a day and a half on human feet to get from the sea to the valley, so a dragon would be quicker: ......

If you're in a desperate state after being slashed by ...... holy swords, I think you'll be faster than that. ......

So, Lila's destination for her "pilgrimage" is...

This could be the tail of the Earth Dragons' Earthgulls.

The Earth Dragon Eargals fought against the Dragon-slaying Holy Sword Master long ago and was defeated. His flesh and bones were pierced by the holy sword.

His tail might have been cut off.

It's easy to imagine that it was buried in the valley and became a fossil.

But then you'd have to go to ...... to find out what happened to Lyra's family.

Could it be that Lyra's family is an amazing ancient race?

I asked.

'No, although my own family isn't like that.

Lyra shook her head easily.

'If there's one amazing race of ancient beings, it's the ancient elves, right?　Some of my own people know their legends. But our clan is not like the ancient elves. I am certain of that.

Okay.

I see.

I know. Well, that's a coincidence...

'Because I heard my ancestors say that they were not ancient elves, that they were not like them.

'You said that every time!

'Your ancestors were beautiful, so they were probably misunderstood as 'ancient elves'. I think that's why she went out of her way to deny it. He was very humble: ......

Lila is looking somewhat distant.

"Excuse me, it's operation time again!

Me and Raphilia crouch in the grass again.

'...... What do you think?'　Raphilia.

...... I think Lila is a natural. She's very approachable.

...... It's not.

...... Lila, you are of ancient elven blood or not, right?

' ...... Yeah. It makes sense to me that the 'bones' in the pilgrimage site are the tails of the 'Earth Dragon Earthgalls', and it makes sense to me that Lyra's ancestors served the Earth Dragon. ...... Pure 'ancient elves' should have died out, right?

"...... 'Foggy Valley'," said Raizika from the Bone Wyvern, "so you know.

And if you're referring to Lila's ancestry...

............ Raphilia's sister's 'ancient Elleweiler', I guess.

............ That's what I thought, too.

Raphilia looked straight at me and said.

'If my sisters woke up a long time ago and did Lila's ancestors, then the ...... story will pass.

Let's just check it out later, okay?

It's easy to find out for sure. When Raphilia is on a pilgrimage, she can touch the bone in her tail.

It is said that when you touch it, it reacts to the blood and a spirit body appears. If Lila's ancestors were the Ancient El-Ferritory, which existed in ancient times, then even if Rafilia touched the bone, the spirit body would still appear.

''So, let's try it out secretly later.

Okay.

Rafilia gave a small nod.

She squeezes my hand and squeezes it - with an unusually serious expression on her face.

I want to check it out too. You will be able to find out if Lila's ancestors were the same as me, the ancient El-Ferritory. For my own sake.

...... Raphilia.

Raphilia's eyes are up in the air and she's biting her lip.

I also had a vague hunch when I received this quest.

I'm sure that since the pilgrimage is to the side of the Ancient Elf Ruins, Lyra-san might be related to the Ancient Elves.

But if Lyra's ancestors are the same as Rafilia's, the "Ancient Elves", then ...... Lyra's clan is a distant relative of Rafilia's.

In that case - Rafilia would have many relatives. She won't be the lone 'Ancient Elle'.

...... You can understand why I want to verify the authenticity of this, don't you?

"I want to help Lila-san with her pilgrimage. I'll take it seriously.

Raphilia snorts and looks into my eyes.

'Master. May I have your permission?　So that I can fight with the limiter off.

Okay. And I'll help you with that, too.

I said, "It's a big deal for Rafilia.

"It's a big deal for Rafilia. Isn't it only fair that I should be able to help?

No, no, I'll let the master help me out at ...... and more later.

Really?

Yes. As soon as I'm sure I know what's important.

...... Really?

There's a certain order. Anyway, we have to find out if Lila's ancestors are my sisters or not, because if we don't, we won't feel safe. Otherwise, you won't feel safe.

...... You mean you're restless?

Yes. It's not easy to relax.

...... I see.

I guess we'll take what we don't know in turn.

Raphilia's got a lot on her mind too, doesn't she?

"Well, that's a long story: ...... Sorry, Lila.

...... precious.

I turned around and saw Lila looking at me and Raphilia with a blurry look in her eyes.

'I'm impressed. I didn't know that a human and an elf who believe in each other could be so hilarious. ......

Lila?

What...?

Lila slapped herself on the cheek, with a pan.

'I'm sorry. I guess I was a little out of it. Let's resume our rounds.'

With that, Lila turns her back on us and starts walking away.

Then she turns around and

I'd appreciate a little something to mark the end of this quest.

A souvenir?

I'd appreciate an autograph from a human I trust.

I don't mind.

But why are you offering your shirt to me, Lila? Don't tell me it's a family heirloom or something to brag about back home. It's not like it's okay to use a fake name or to protect your personal information. Your parents are human and elf to begin with, right?　No, I don't care if you don't know your father's face or something like that: ......, and Raphilia!　You can't just write "The Righteous Elf is Here!　I'll come up with a proper non-disclosure sign later, so wait until you get back to camp.

Then I resumed my rounds with the gleeful Raphilia and Lila.

We followed the beast path, through the rocks.

If there's nothing to see through these bushes, we'll just go home and get some dinner.

It's a monster.

Lila said, her expression suddenly tightening.

Me and Raphilia reflexively got down in the bushes.

When I looked through the grass to the other side, I saw a group of wolf-like creatures gathered there.

"A wolf with a shell on its back - or is it an armadillo?

'I affirm. But I'm not supposed to be at this low of an altitude.

Lila is biting her lip.

Behind the bushes, a beast with a shell on its head and back is gathering. They haven't noticed us yet.

It's a nasty one. It's a berserk armadillo.

"Berserk Armadillo

A beast with a carapace on its head and back. It has horns and sharp fangs on its head.

They are extremely belligerent, and when they see an enemy, they turn into a ball and charge at him. It has a high-pitched whine.

Their shells are perfect for armor material.

''They are normally demons that live at higher altitudes.

Are you strong?

'Yeah. Long-range attacks aren't very effective, and when you get close enough, they spin around and attack you.

I understand. Okay, Rafilia. Please.

It's time to go, Master. It's activated. ''Gououkyoujutsu'' plus ''Physical Penetrator''

Hmph.

Five arrows flew from Rafilia's bow.

Swoosh. Sour sour sour!

"Piggyaa? Fuguea! "'......-kyu'

Raphilia's arrow easily penetrated the shell of the 'Berserk Armadillo'.

It was easily defeated, inflicting fatal wounds on four of the five bodies.

'This, from this distance?　The shell of a 'berserk armadillo' with an ordinary arrow!

You had a good shot.

I said.

Rafilia, you look so serious. I'm really going to help Lila-san's 'pilgrimage' by lifting the limiter.

To Rafilia, the "pilgrimage" is not just a request anymore.

It has become an important journey for her to learn her sisters' secrets. You know you're serious about this, right?

If that's the case, I'll just do my best to follow through.

'There's still one left. Lila, the magic.

Jeez, how does your magic work?

Just do it. I'll take care of the rest.

Okay, okay...'Wall of Clay'!

Puh-uh.

A brown wall appeared in front of us.

Quickly a moment later, the 'Berserk Armadillo' curled its body and rushed forward in a ball shape.

As it was, it hit the wall and stopped moving.

''Pi, pi-gya. ''Pi-gyaah!''

The Berserk Armadillo slammed into the clay wall.

The demon broke through the wall and tried to roll towards me...

"What the hell?

It made a sharp curve and crashed into a tree.

Because there were pieces of clay stuck to the ball-shaped body.

There was no way I could roll around in that condition, right?

...... It's very convenient. The clay-based clay magic is so useful. I really wish you could teach Cecil about it. I'm not sure if I can do that .......

''I...

The "Berserk Armadillo" gave up rolling.

It stretched out, took on a wolfish form, and ran towards us.

Be careful. The Berserk Armadillo doesn't only use spinning attacks. Those horns and those huge claws are also a threat.

All right. Let's go, buddy (Reggie).

I call out to Leggy the Magic Sword so that Laila-san can't hear me.

The figure-sized Leggy comes out with a pop, and is on the opposite shoulder from where Lyra-san is.

Hiding behind my collar, he looks at the demon and smiles wryly.

''I see. Did you use your half-elf girl's magic to put clay on its shell and block its high-speed movement, Lord-sama?''

If he comes at you like a ball, my arms won't hit him.

We're still some distance from the "Berserk Armadillo". I'll be able to strike out five times.

You could at least scratch the shell. Leggy.

"Hmm?　Isn't it possible that a good hit will penetrate, Lord?

I can't do it myself. Let Reggie do it.

"Yes, sir.

I step forward with the magic sword Leggy in my hand.

As Rafilia, who immediately went behind Laila-san, softly blindfolded her, and as she did so...

Activate. Delayed martial arts.

Activate. Activate your Condition Changer.

Bump.

Guling.

The gigantic Magic Sword Leggy splits the shell of the Berserk Armadillo.

At the same time, a window appears in front of me and the 'Body Condition Roulette' begins to spin.

Reggie's skill 'Condition Changer' can cause a small change in the target's physical condition.

The roulette has been played. Leggy, please.

What will we get? I wonder what they'll have: ......

Pt.

Reggie's finger stopped the "body condition change roulette".

The characters displayed were...

"'............ fukazume?'

The claws fell out of the Berserk Armadillo's hands.

The claws fell from the hands of the "Berserk Armadillo".

The demon's hands have claws like a tiger. The claws fell off from the base of the hand.

In addition, the horns of the head also fell off with a crunch. It seems that those were claws that had been changed.

''Piiiiiiiiiiiii?

The "Berserk Armadillo" is rolling around screaming.

That looks painful. I've had my own deep nails done, but it's nothing compared to that. If it were human, it would be as if the nails had been torn off to the very bottom. In addition, because the nail was rolling on the ground, the dirt, sharp leaves and pebbles were in the gap between the nails. It looks painful just by imagining it.

Rafilia. Make yourself comfortable.

''Yes. Activate 'Physical Penetrator, Physical Penetrator'.

Sucker.

The Rafilia's arrow pierced the torso of the berserk armadillo, which was suffering from deep claws.

The "Berserk Armadillo" was defeated.

I'm sure you'll be able to find it. A "rolling attack"?

I'll take it.

...... Oh, oh.

He was strong. "Berserk Armadillo,

I agree. But those guys are usually at a higher altitude. They shouldn't be here at this low altitude.

Is it because you can use the rolling attack on the hill?

'Exactly. Those guys at full strength can't be stopped by a 'wall of clay' or anything else. That's why they're usually in high places where they have the advantage. The mountain with the 'Frost Basilisk' should be their home: ......

Lila, and me and Raphilia, looked toward the whitened mountains.

When I turned around, the mountain fort came into view.

As I recall, there's a group of stoic wizards there who are hiding in the mountains to 'improve themselves' .......

If they're improving themselves by slaying ...... demons, that's fine.

Well, it's none of our business. We're on a quest.

Besides...

We've made our rounds. Come on, Master, Lyra, we're leaving.

Raphilia is ready to do a crazy job.

'When I get back, I'd like to hear a story about the family. Mr. Lila.

What an honor. Mr. Elf talks about himself and others.

No, no, Lila, your ancestors' stories are very valuable.

Raphilia shook Lila's hand and laughed.

'When I heard about the pilgrimage, I longed for it so much. I wish I could ...... do the same thing as Lila's ancestors, because that's what I'm ...... thinking about.