247 - - CHAPTER XXIV -- EXTERNAL EDITION -- MAGICAL KAMAGURA

"It's starting to snow.

We had come to the snowy mountains in the north to take down a certain demon.

The chief of the village, who was the client, told us that the demon was a very wily one, and that it was a troublesome demon that would herd hunters who carefully entered houses on the outskirts of the village or in the mountains.

Being such a cunning demon, the target demon repeatedly dodged our pursuit, and on the contrary, we had to fight many times with a demon from another territory.

Those demons weren't much to fight, but still, it's not a good feeling to have to fight in vain.

And while we couldn't find the demon we were looking for, it started snowing and finally it turned into a blizzard.

"We'd better bivouac here today.

We were all very tired from the many times we had been shrugged off.

If we try to force our way back to the village in such a situation, we might be attacked by demons that have been waiting for us to get tired.

So I suggested that we spend the night here.

"But if we rest in a place like this, we'll freeze to death in no time, right?　Wouldn't it be better to go back to the village?"

Mina suggested we go back, shivering.

"No, we'll be fine, we'll make a hut for you.

"Kamakura?"

"Yes, just a minute. Snow control!

I magically gather the snow around me and make a small mountain.

"Snow Compression!"

By applying compression magic to the small pile, he created a hard, condensed mass of snow.

"Snow Tunnel!"

Then, a hole was made in the small mountain by drilling magic, and in no time at all, a simple Kamakura was completed.

"Come inside, everyone."

Once inside the Kamakura, one feels quite warm thanks to the lack of wind.

"Oh, it's warm!

However, the temperature remains quite low, so the danger of freezing to death still remains.

"Temperture control!"

Then, by using temperature manipulation magic, the temperature inside the Kamakura is really raised, not just an illusion.

"Oh!　It's warm!

But the heat will melt the casserole, so we must apply a state preservation spell to keep it from melting.

"I'll build a wall around it to keep the wind from coming in, so you guys get ready to eat.

"""""Yes! """""

I leave the others to prepare the meal, and go outside the Kamakura.

"Well, normally we would just build a wall, but we haven't found the target demon yet, have we?

I hear they are cunning demons. If that's the case, they must have already noticed our presence and are watching us closely for the moment we let our guard down.

"Considering that, we'd better make it as sturdy as possible.

I put every possible countermeasure around the Kamakura and its surroundings that I can think of at present.

"Well, I guess that's about right.

"Lex, your dinner is ready!"

When I had finally made a satisfactory Kamakura, Liliela called out to me at the right moment.

"Yes!"

Come on, demons, anytime!　We're all set!

◆ ◆

And the next morning...

"I guess he didn't come after all."

I had cast an alarm spell to prepare for the arrival of demons while we were sleeping, but none of them ever came.

I wonder if they are prepared for a long-term battle.

Considering that we came here to defeat them, it is very likely that they intend to do the same.

But that's okay. We've established a base of operations.

This way they can rest without having to go back to the village, and they can use it for defensive battles.

It will not be a waste of time.

"Ah, I'm sleepy."

"Hmm, walking in the snow is surprisingly tiring. I fell asleep so soundly."

As I was preparing breakfast, everyone woke up.

"Good morning, everyone."

Good morning, I'm going to wake up and get some cold air.

"Oh, me too."

They all go out of their pillows to wake up. Then ......

"""""What the hell is this?

Suddenly I hear something startle me.

What's going on?

Are we under attack?

Did they slip through our magic?

I ran outside in a panic, but I didn't see any demon-like creatures around me.

"Huh?"　

I looked at them and wondered what had surprised them, but for some reason they all turned their heads toward the Kamakura and froze with surprised looks on their faces.

"What's wrong with everyone?"

When I called out to them, they all turned their heads to me with a giggle, moving as if they were magic items that had run out of oil.

I said to them, """"""What's the matter with you!

"What?"

"What is this?　Why is there a castle here?

Ah, so it's the Kamakura that everyone was surprised about.

You didn't say anything about the design, did you?

"This is not a castle but a Kamakura.

""""" this!?"""""

"Um, the walls are being built. ......"

"I made it a little bit higher to protect it from the wind and to prevent demons from attacking it. The walls are harder than iron due to the combination of compression and defense magic.

"Is the defensive magic on the level of sturdiness?"

There's something built very high up in there.

We built the upper floors to provide shelter in case demons attack from beyond the walls, and to allow us to attack from above.

"How did you build all this by yourself?

"By combining the snow manipulation magic from when I made the Kamakura with the compression magic and the state preservation magic, I could easily make this all by myself.

"DECK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!　That's huge!

Gyro is very excited at the size of the Kamakura.

Now that we have a base, it will be easier to track down the demons.

"Uh, ...... yeah, I guess so."

For some reason, Lilieira voiced her agreement, her shoulders slumped in disappointment.

What's going on?

As it turned out, we didn't find the demon we were looking for after that.

Because the herd of the target demon was among the ones we had kicked out when we were searching.

Hmmm... It seems that they were not very good demons in proportion to their cunning.

A few hundred years later...

"This is the famous castle of the Ice Spirit King of Langer Territory."

A guide with dozens of people in tow leads them through the snow-covered castle and explains what is going on.

This castle is made of snow that suddenly appeared about 375 years ago. It was first discovered by a hunter who escaped from a demon attack at that time. The castle is so solid that it is hard to believe that it is made of snow, and the inside is as warm as the spring sun.

"If it was built so long ago, why is it still there?　Won't the snow just melt in the spring?"

When a small child raises a question, the guide smiles and says, "You asked nicely.

The reason is that the entire castle was enchanted to preserve its condition. When this magic is cast, things don't age and the snow doesn't melt so easily.

"Oh, I see."

"Huh?　But isn't it funny?　Wasn't state preservation magic invented 200 years ago?"

Instead of the child being convinced, the student tilts his head at the fact that the timeline of the development of magic technology does not match.

"Yes, it's not only state preservation magic. There are many magical techniques used in this snow castle that did not exist at that time. The warmth of the castle is also due to magic. The fact that the castle is an ornament made with technology that could not have existed in ancient times has led to the belief that it was the legendary Ice Spirit King who created the castle.

When the guide explains the reason for the castle's name, the tourists who have come from far away are impressed.

The Kamakura Kamakura that Lex had once built during his adventures had become a tourist attraction in the far future. ......