Volume 3 - CH 20

Volume 3

Chapter 20-Fuss and Conviction

(TL:By Rafael)

We finally stopped when we were only a few hours away from La-Jo.

The black, hemispherical, pitch-black object behind us was now dissolving into the darkness of the night, but the black sky, where not even a star could be seen twinkling, told us it was there.

'I think we're in a safe position now."(Yuki)

The location is near the place where the first magical tool artifact for the live broadcast was set up.

It was a place that had been secured in advance as a camp point.

"Let's take a break. Thanks for your hard work, everyone."(Yuki)

The girls' agitation could not be dispelled by their cheerful voices.

"What the hell is that?"(Nene)

I can only make a rough and wild guess.

Silk and Marina responded to Nene's reply.

"Yuki, you have a guess, don't you?"(Marina)

"What is that? It's a little weird."(Silk)

Now, I'm not sure if I should speak up here or not.

I am still in the middle of the confusion, and I feel that it is better not to speak lightly about an inference that I am not sure of.

But Rain spoke up without regard to that.

"Colorless Darkness."(Rain)

I guess Rain has come to the same conclusion as me.

I guess it's only natural since she share the same senses as I do.

"Yuki's imprint was reacting. And I felt a presence."(Rain)

"A feeling, Sensei? You can tell?"(Silk)

Rain nodded in response to Silk's words.

"Humu, I can"(Rain)

"Is it some kind of new magic?"(Silk)

"Fufu, secret."(Rain)

Rain glanced at me and smiled mischievously.

I can't explain the details to my friends, but Rain has a little glimpse of my blessing.

She wishes it so, and it is also the result of my indulgence.

I hope Lady Persephone doesn't find it wrong, but so far I haven't received any complaints.

Perhaps this may have been a part of the deal.

"But anyway, why? This is the "King's Mausoleum," isn't it? 'Colorless Darkness' is not  in Welmeria."(Silk)

"Yeah, that's the thing, ...... but I still think it's an event associated with the appearance of 'Glad Shi-Im.'"(Yuki)

I would like to discuss this with Nibelung as well.

In addition, my hypothesis has been half-proven.

"It looks like the ...... expansion has stopped, but what are we going to do about it?"(Marina)

"For now, let's get some rest and head back."(Yuki)

But what is it about the ...... "valley of death" that causes me to retreat so impatiently every time I enter it?

Perhaps we are not compatible with each other.

It is a bit of a jinx that is whispered among adventurers, but some labyrinths have bad chemistry. Or should I say "incompatibility" or "bad timing"?

Even if you enter the labyrinth with the right equipment, the right friends, and the right preparations, there are times when you just can't make it.

"I'm going to put some hot soup in our stomach. Nene, I'm going to use the magic scroll to set up a perimeter around us , so get some sleep."(Yuki)

"I'll be fine. I can't sleep under these circumstances."(Nene)

"Shall I send up some Sleep Mist?"(Yuki)

At my suggestion, Nene uttered a "ugh".

I'm not the only one who is forced to take a rest.

Nene also works too much. 

"I'm sure you're a little overzealous. You'll lie down after I get some soup."(Nene)

"Okay. Now ...... what's today's soup?"(Nene)

The soup stock in the pot of [ever-present pot], and when you take it out and tap it with a ladle, a mellow aroma wafts out.

Inside the pot, fluffy beaten eggs are dancing, and there is a somewhat soft and exotic aroma.

"This ...... is a first for me, too."(Yuki)

"But it smells good."(Rain)

Rain's eyes sparkle as she looks into the [ever-present pot].

She's still a bit of a magic tool artifact freak, and she can't help but be pleased.

"We'll be back in La-Jo before the sun comes up."(Yuki)

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement with my words.

◇ 

And then, I was so happy to see that the night was over.

Unfortunately, things did not go as I had declared.

There were many monsters in a state of panic, and we were stranded in many places.

It was also painful that we could not take the shortest route for safety reasons.

However, we were able to return to "La Jo" right after dawn and headed for the guild building through the city center, which was still in a state of confusion.

Running next to me is Rain. And clinging to my back is Nibelung.

The other members of the guild are asking each other to rest and gather information.

"I should have followed them."(Nibelung)

Nibelung is aware of the situation, and her conclusion is that she should have followed us.

And we are in agreement on that conclusion.

The problem is that we don't have a way to deal with it.

Once that happens, we can't just attack the "King's Temple" and get rid of the cause of the problem.

At the very least, it would be foolhardy to go charging in behind that black wall.

"...... hmm?"(Yuki)

A crowd of people had gathered by the building of the Adventurers' Guild, which had finally come into view.

In this situation, it is not surprising that there are some residents who come to the guild to make a petition,......, but the situation is very different.

"Excuse me, sir. I was wondering if you could help me through here."(Yuki)

I saw a familiar face and called out to him.

"Oh, Mr. Ferdio. His Highness Rahma was here, and there seems to be a bit of a struggle. ......"(??)

"His Highness Rahma?"(Yuki)

"Yes."(??)

Prince Rahma is the elder brother of Mastoma.

I'm not surprised that he would come out of the woodwork.

"But still, he's making trouble?"(Yuki)

"Yes. He said he's going to seize this city, along with all of your magical artifacts."(??)

I don't know what's going on, but it seems that he is who they say he is, even in a situation like this he is still making trouble.

However, we can't afford to be stranded in a place like this.

It would be better if there was a regular military commander. We need to share information as soon as possible.

After all, this is not a story that can be solved by a single country.

The ...... "culling" was not over.

TL Note- And here I thought it was a artificial  culling but technically  I am still right.....right?