Volume 3
Chapter 13-The Valley of Death" and Strange Signs
(TL:By Rafael)
It's been two weeks since I came to "La-Jo".
Finally, I am getting used to this place.
And I have learned a few things.
The people of La Jo are friendlier and more interested in us than we expected.
The people of Salmutaria are apparently stragglers recruited by Prince Mastoma.
The term "stragglers" refers to those who did not fit in with their clans, those who left their clans, and those who had lost their original clans.
In Salmutaria, each clan has its own job, but the "La-Jo Clan" under Prince Mastoma's direct control is a little different.
Their job is to run the town of La-Jo.
In short, their way of life has become much closer to Welmeria in recent years.
They live by searching, discussing, and doing in the town what they are talented, what they want to do, or what they are capable of doing. This is allowed and supported by Prince Mastoma.
It may be somewhat alien in Salmutaria, but it is familiar to us.
And it is also where Prince Mastoma aims to reform.
In a way, this town is a model case for Prince Mastoma when he becomes king.
Thanks to this, we are able to spend our time relatively stress-free.
Of course, it's not all good.
There are some problems, and there are some people who seem to have been sabotaged by Prince Mastoma's brother.
However, Prince Mastoma seems to be taking no direct action in this regard.
If he is swayed by this, he says, it is his own way of doing things that is wrong.
Once again, Prince Mastoma's high ideals can be seen.
Prince Mastoma seems to be serious about establishing a culture of adventurers in La Jo, and a street of adventurers has already begun to form in front of his temporarily set up adventurers' guild.
The customers were us, "Clover" and apprentice adventurers recruited from all over Salmutaria.
They have been arriving in La Jo one after another for the past two weeks, and are currently undergoing preliminary training under Benwood.
And now we are investigating ...... the Valley of Death.
"It's a big and complicated ...... place, and it looks like a labyrinth in itself."(Silk)
"Ah, and there are also many monster and demons in the valley."(Marina)
"There are no safe zones."(Rain)
We are carefully assessing the terrain and route, but it is difficult to make progress.
As one would expect from a place with such a monstrous name, it was extremely dangerous.
"Mr. Yuki, something's wrong."(Silk)
"Have you figured out what's going on?"(Yuki)
Silk, with a book and Biblion, the spirit of memory, on her shoulder, nodded her head.
"There is a disturbance in the spirit power. Not quite a frenzy, but a deranged spirit as well."(Silk)
The cautious Silk, choosing h÷= words carefully, makes a point.
"Rain, keep your 'magic sensing' close. Nene, we're going to have to be a little less careful from here on out, so keep a close watch on the perimeter. Marina, be ready to cover at any time."(Yuki)
"Copy that. I've got a bad feeling about this situation."(Marina)
"Maybe"(Yuki)
The spirit elementals that make up the world are in disarray, which means the world is in disarray.
The reason for this is various, but we have experienced similar situations several times in the past.
I don't want this to come true, but in times like this, we should expect the worst.
"Let's be very careful. There is a possibility of overflow."(Yuki)
"I hope that's all it is."(Nene)
Nene, with a wry smile on her face, runs off to scout for danger.
"What about Yuki?"(Rain)
"Actually, I feel uncomfortable now that you mention it."(Yuki)
I thought I was overly concerned about the labyrinth after a long time, but it seems that this strange sensation buzzing in the back of my mind was not a mistake.
If the bruise on my cheek starts to tingle in time, my bad premonition will come true.
"What would you do if the seal of the Temple of the King had been broken?"(Rain)
"First of all, we should report this to Mastoma that whether this is an overflow or a stampede ......?"(Yuki)
After all this talk, another possibility occurred to me and I kept my mouth shut.
But my efforts were dashed by Marina.
"Or is it another 'selection'?"(Marina)
I was afraid to say it out loud and stopped, but as usual, this Marina is a little too bold.
"That's a prediction I don't want to see come true."(Yuki)
"We'll be fine! We've got Yuki."(Marina)
Marina smiles at me and I let out a small sigh.
"I'm back. I've dropped off a few of the lighter monsters in the area."(Nene)
"What about wear and tear? Have you've been injured."(Yuki)
Nene is a bit of a pushover.
I am a little concerned because in the past, she would not even declare a minor injury.
"I'm fine! I found a spot where we can set up camp for the time being."(Nene)
At this pace, it would be dark by the time we returned.
Nene is very good at what she does.
"Thank you, Nene. We'd like to take some time to do some research. We'll be camped out, is that okay?"(Yuki)
"No problem. Then, we have a plan B."(Silk)
Silk and I had three plans in advance.
Plan B is to secure a campsite in front of the labyrinth and conduct a field survey.
If it is difficult to make a round trip in a day, it is not unusual to have a camp site in front of the labyrinth.
If necessary, we should arrange magical tools and artifacts for warding, etc., and report to Prince Mastoma, who will provide us with materials and personnel.
Even if there is just a little hut of some sort, safety is as different as it gets.
"It's been ages since I've been in a camp! Ah, but we still can't deliver - ......."(Marina)
Marina sounds a little disappointed.
The "large magic tool artifact for the distribution station" brought in by the Welmeria technicians is a little slow to adjust to the earth vein ley lines.
But on the other hand, this might be a good opportunity.
"Even if we can't deliver, we can still record, can't we? Why don't you give it a try? Might show it to 'La-Jo,' right?"(Yuki)
"Really? Then, I'll record the adventure meal!"(Marina)
Marina nodded her head in delight, and we followed Nene's lead.
It was around twilight when we arrived at the campsite, and my heart was stirred with a strange feeling from the "King's Temple."
TL Note- The adventure begins