CH 237

“Chapter 237: Nest”

– This place is huge. The inside is like a labyrinth. (Roar)

– Can you tell?

– Kind of. I can more or less feel the flow of the air and the echoing of sounds on the walls. Feria said it would be useful someday.

Without any magic, any sort of trick we can pull is helpful.

This is unexplored territory. Even Ever has only set foot here once. We have no idea what we’ll find.

I’ve been holding onto the wolf fang that Shiori gave me. I used Silver to turn it into a sort of knife.

As good as Shiori’s sword might be, everything breaks eventually. The more weapons she has, the better.

– That’s a nice knife you have there. (Shiori)

– It’s called Silver. It can be a little selfish sometimes.

It doesn’t matter how much I use it to exhaustion, Silver always comes back stronger every time I repair it.

But whenever anyone else uses it, Silver just loses its sharpness. It’s as if the knife surrenders all motivation until it’s back in my hands.

When I came to my senses, I realized we had stumbled upon a wall.

– Everywhere looks just the same…

– We were moving while hugging the wall. Which means…

A pale light shone through a hole in the ceiling.

– That’s a big hole. Do you think it leads to the top of the mountain? (Roar)

– I don’t know, but I know Mike must be that way. The problem is how to climb it.

There’s no way all of us will be able to make it up there.

– I can’t go by myself. Mike will be wary of me. Nagami-kun, excuse me.

– What?

Shiori grabbed me and held me in her arms.

– Minagami-san!?

– I’m sorry, but she won’t listen to me. I need to take you too.

– Well, I guess that’s fine, but do you have to take me like this?

Embarrassing, to say the least. It feels like a princess carrying a baby.

– I like it. I can see your face this way.

– But I don’t want to… Can you just carry me on your back?

Riding on Shiori’s back, we began climbing the vertical wall. Meirir and the others stayed behind with the protection of Shiori’s bugs.

– Minagami-san, is it fine to climb without your shoes?

– Some old loafers won’t be useful for climbing. I thought I’d change it up a bit.

– By which you mean…

– Actress!

Shiori’s legs turned into the legs of a beast.

– Woah, you can do that?

– I sure can. It’s one way to make this climb easier.

Bugs Noise, Rabbit Foot, Actress… Just how many hidden talents does this girl have? How was she blessed with such strength?

– …I found her. I can sense her smell from that hole over there.

A glance of silver fur flashed on the edge of my vision.

There’s no mistaking it. That was Mike.

– Let’s go. (Takaya)

– Alright. Stay behind me. (Shiori)

Before even acknowledging her order, the sound of metal clashing reached my ears.

– Warm welcome, dear wolf. Is that how you treat your guests? By eating them? (Shiori)

– Grrrr…

– Minagami-san!

– Do NOT move. Just stay back. (Shiori)

Shiori’s sword was fending off the wolf’s fangs.

– …How many are there?

– About 10, I would say. To be honest, we might be in big trouble.

It’s the first time I’ve seen such a serious expression on Shiori’s face.

Goes to show how bad this situation is.

– MASTER!

– Mike!?

Mike’s voice echoed in the darkness of the cave.

– Misha, I told you to keep it quiet.

– But…

– Don’t worry, we won’t hurt your “master”. Your dad and I will have a talk with him.

My vision was filled with bright lights illuminating the scene.

Mike was standing on an ice pedestal along with a woman and a divine wolf much bigger than the others.

– You must be Takaya-san. The pleasure is mine. My name is Falme, and I’m Misha’s mother. Or should I call her “Mike”?