173-Episode 173: Investigation resumed

"I'll make you a roast pig!　Melt Sword!

Jairo-kun, who was clad in flames on his sword, tore through the orcs one by one.

'Don't fight too close to the trees!　Wind Thrasher!

When Mina-san shoots a series of wind magic in a direction where there are no friendly adventurers, the upper and lower bodies of the orcs are neatly divided into two halves.

When all the magic hits the enemy, Mina-san's magic accuracy and ability to grasp the battlefield is increasing.　

''Minimal.......cut!

Meghri-san is moving in all directions on the battlefield with a flying magic that is further increased in speed by the wind attribute defense, while using the surrounding trees and rocks as a foothold to accurately attack the vital points of the orcs with a surprise attack accompanied by a three-dimensional leap.

''Teeee!''

''Bum-oh!''

And Norbu-san responded with a defense-specialized tactic using a combination of solid attribute defense and defensive magic.

It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to see the difference.

It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time with your friends.

It's a good thing that you're able to use your magic to reap the benefits of the Orcs.　Why aren't they running out of magic?

I'm sure they're just a bunch of newbies who just became adventurers.　Why are they so strong!

The other adventurers and knights were surprised by the success of Jairo-kun and the others.

Yeah, yeah, it's nice when your people are praised.

''Eei!　Don't lag behind the rest of the adventurers!　You, too, must destroy the orcs.

""Ha, yes!"

Scolded by the boss, the knights hurriedly went towards the orcs.

But because they jumped out in a hurry, they didn't seem to check what kind of characteristics the other party had.

The one they jumped out at was an orc with long arms like a mantis, and the wide bladed battle axe in their hands attacked the knights.

''Hee!''

The knights managed to avoid the attack of the unexpectedly long arm, but it caused them to lose their balance and fall on their buttocks.

Then the axe in his other hand comes at them.

''Ooooooooooooooooooooh!

The knight is blinded by the inevitability of the attack.

But at that moment, the blade of the axe in the orc's hand was blown off.

You'll be in danger if you swing something that dangerous.

The one who appeared there was Liliera-san.

The reason the orc's axe looked like it had been blown off was because the handle was cut off by Liliera-san's spear.

''Are you okay?''

Yes, yes....

Okay, fine!

After confirming that the knights were safe, Liliella-san slid across the frozen ground and accelerated, tearing through the bewildered orcs who were unsteady on their feet.

''Goddess-sama...?''

And the knights left behind were staring at Liliella-san with stunned faces.

Now, it's time for me to focus on the fight too.

◆

Phew, it's over at last.

Everyone exhaled heavily after the battle with the orcs they encountered during their search.

''We've been fighting with the orcs since this morning.

The Adventurer's Guild and the Knights of the Order have begun to re-investigate the orc fracas, but the situation has turned out to be more troublesome than we expected.

As we headed in the direction the orcs came from, we began to encounter them more and more often.

But these guys are getting stronger by the minute, aren't they?

'Oh, I had that feeling too. We've been getting more injuries earlier, haven't we?

At Gyro-kun's blurbs, Norbu-san voiced his agreement.

'And the orcs are getting stranger and stranger in shape, aren't they?

Yeah, the non-Orc thing.

As Mina and the others said, the orcs they encountered were increasing in number with unusual appearances.

The opponents I've encountered so far have looked like an extension of orcs, but now the orc element is a garnished orc?　Because it's getting to be.

'There's no way I'm going to be a hydra-like demon with nine orc heads or anything like that.

This one has a shell on its skin like a bug.

"Cukew.

Moh Mohammed took a bite out of each of the orcs' parts and pondered something.

"Squeak.

Then I went back to one of them and started eating in earnest.

Maybe they're eating each other?

Hey, Mr. Lex, I think I know what this is...

At the obviously strange appearance of the orcs, Liliella-san uttered the question she had been having until now.

''Yes, they're definitely chimeras.

Yes, these orcs were definitely chimeras.

''I'm not saying that such unnatural creatures in nature.......don't exist......but creatures with such a relentlessly orcish element are extraordinary.

There are beings. Strange creatures...

It's a big world, you know...

In my past life, there were many times when I encountered demons that made me think, "This is a natural creature?　You'd be surprised how many times we encountered monsters in our past lives.

Does that mean someone made them?

But why are you so obsessed with orcs?　Orcomania... or something like that?

Hmmm, I don't know about that either. Why is it really an orc?

I don't think orcs are just a fast growing number, but I don't think there's any advantage to bother with a chimera element in terms of species.

At any rate, we won't know until we determine the cause of the problem.

Cause....

Upon hearing the cause, Liliera-san gets a difficult look on her face.

''Speaking of chimera, it reminds me of that undead...''

Is this about Mr. Ganey?

As I recall, the undead from the ancient magical civilization era that I met before, Ganei-san, specialized in chimera research.

I haven't seen him since we parted at the lowest level of the cave, but I wonder what he's doing now.

''Could it be that undead is the cause of the chimera incident this time...?''

''Hmmm... I wonder. That guy's goal was to create a chimera that could defeat the white disaster, but then again, I don't think this orc is going to live up to that goal...''

Yes, Gan-ei's goal was to create the strongest chimera. I'm sure he wasn't trying to mass-produce weak chimeras.

"It doesn't matter either way. I'll know when I find out what's going on.

You should think a little harder.

While Gyro-kun dismisses it as useless to think about it, Mina warns him to be more thoughtful.

But what Gyro-kun says has a point. It's a good thing that we don't have any information on the subject, but in the end it's all just speculation. You have to find the culprit.

'Yes, yes!　Let's get on with it, bro!

I'm afraid that's not going to happen.

When Jairo called out to go on, Norbu waited for him.

'Nah, that's not very flippant.

There seem to be more casualties than expected, and they're discussing whether they should pull out and get ready again, and then come back out again.

Are there that many wounded?

''Yes, it seems that there were too many of these strange orcs of all kinds, and many people were injured by unexpected attacks.

'I see. It's true that if their appearance is this different, they are already different creatures. It's practically like we're fighting multiple groups of demons.

And they seem to be quite uneven in strength.

We encountered only weak Orcs, but the other adventurers were unlucky enough to run into some troublesome ones. No, if there is a mastermind controlling these orcs behind the scenes, the enemy may have targeted the skillful adventurers, hiding a strong orc among the weaker ones and wounding them?

Huh?　Me?　Why?

'Anyway, if the guild is in consultation, I guess we should take a break now.

''Right. And since we've taken out so many orcs, it's quite possible that we'll have to retreat in order to recover the materials and dismantle them.

I see, that's certainly a possibility.

If you store the defeated materials in a magic bag, you won't have to worry about them rotting, but there's a limit to the number of dismantlers you can have. And also the size of the dismantling place.

◆.

"Hey, leaders of each party, gather around!

As we were taking a break for lunch, the person in our party who had been appointed by the adventurer's guild to be the leader of the party, perhaps because the consultation was over, called out.

''Then I'll be off.''

Yeah, we'll clean up the food.

Yeah, nice to meet you.

Gyro, don't bother them.

We're just here to talk!

Since Jairo is the leader of the Dragon Slayers, he's decided to go talk to them with me.

Up until now, I would have been too lazy to leave it up to Mina-san, but now that he's taken it upon himself to take on the leadership role, Jairo-kun is growing up every day.

It's a pain in the ass. But if you don't go, he'll be too annoying...

Oh, I have to go because I'll be lectured to...

'As I'm sure you all know, the orcs have increased in number and have become more formidable enemies. The number of wounded is not small. So after consulting with the Knights, we decided to retreat here for a while.

"[Ooh-oh-oh-oh]

At the leader's words, some people shouted with relief and others with frustration.

'Of course it's not compulsory. Adventurers have the motto of being free, you know. ........However, that is only if you can take responsibility for yourself. The people who are returning will be safe because they will be working together with the Order, but those who want to stay behind and continue their search will be in greater danger because they won't have anyone to fight with. Think carefully before you make your choice. That's all from me.

That's all the leader has to say, and everyone immediately goes back to discuss what they've just heard with their party mates.

'What should we do?'

I listen to Liliella, Jairo and the others. I still have plenty of time to spare, but you guys might be tired and want to go home already.

'Of course I'll be there!　The rest of the guys seem to be leaving, so let's solve the problem today and take the credit for it!

I'm with you on this one. There's still time to spare. But, well, I think we should be very cautious about this, because today is too hasty.

Oh, well...

'Well, I agree with you about continuing my investigation. We'll be flying home by magic soon enough anyway.

'It's rather easier to fly and investigate when you don't have to take group action.

I suppose the investigation will be safer if we're on our own, since we won't have to fight the orcs on the ground.

Everyone seems to agree with the investigation.

"Squeaky clean.

When I noticed, Fluffy Moffy had finished eating all the orcs we were comparing eating.

I mean, what was the point of eating them all if they were all going to be eaten?

"Squeaky clean.

Fluffy patted his belly and looked around.

'Tsk, kewl.'

Then he clicked his tongue and climbed up my leg and started crunching on the magic bag.

Maybe he wants the oak that I stored?

Apparently the Fluffy Moffy hasn't eaten enough orcs either.

Coo!

The mofo mofo fell to the ground, his chest heaving as if to say that he was right.

'Yeah, let's continue the investigation then!

""Oh!"

Cue!

You're not going to be able to do that.

That was easy to find.

You got me.

You've been found.

You found me.

It's too easy...

Haha.....

As it turned out, we found our destination as soon as we resumed our search.

I separated from the survey team and used my flying magic to move in the direction of more and more orcs coming, and we reached the base of a large mountain range.

In one corner of the mountain, there was a large building that seemed to assimilate with the mountain.

Dozens of orcs kept coming out of the building.

''A building like that in a place like this...''

'And it's so big, I wonder if the guilds and knights had any information about this building?

Mina and the others nodded their heads at the building's too unnatural appearance, wondering why there hadn't been a commotion before.

''There was a hidden ward, so there's a good chance that the knights and adventurers didn't notice it when they came near here.

'What?　There is such a thing?

You're lying?　I didn't notice it!

Hearing that the wards were in place, Liliera-san and Mina-san shouted in surprise.

''Yes, they were in the way, so we deactivated them.''

Oh, so that's why the building just appeared out of nowhere.

You scared the crap out of me earlier.

That's my brother!　I had no idea!

'Don't be so smug... well, I didn't get it either.

Mina lets out a sigh as Jairo-kun says excitedly.

''Anyway, it looks like that building is definitely the cause.

So we'll get on with the investigation of that building... hmm?

That's when it happened.

All of a sudden the earth began to rumble with a gurgling sound.

What?　Earthquake?

No, no!　Look at the building!

As Jairo's words drew everyone's attention to the building, it began to crumble noisily.

The building...?

And something huge appeared from inside the building.

''Fuhahahahahaha!　I thought it was a good idea since the warding was lifted, but it was still you, kid!

A familiar voice came out of the dust cloud.

''It was you after all.......Mr. Ganei!

What came out of the dust and smoke was Gan-ei, as Liliera had expected, and a creature that could literally be called a synthetic creature (chimera) that could no longer be called an orc because it had fused too much with various creatures.