158 Episode 158: "When I Went Out To Collect Materials, I Came Across A Crime Scene.".Txt
The forest of Night Ivy is located in the north of the resort town of Mishurira.
It is said that the ground has a property that makes it easy for magical power to pass through, probably because it is near a mine that used to be located there.
The magic crystal that Delilira requested is one of the ores that can be obtained nearby, and it is said to have the characteristics of a battery, so to speak, that stores magic power. It can be used for a long period of time in a stable manner and doesn't deteriorate much.
However, it seems that the magical crystals are fond of large creatures, often growing at the base of trees.
And a bunch of goblins are said to be building their nests where there used to be a mining village.
I double-checked the map.
On the outskirts of the Night Ivy Forest, there's an abandoned village that's no longer in use.
According to Delilira's information, the goblins that made their nests there live in old houses and mine pits.
There's also a way to use Cecil's "Ancient Language Magic Fireball" to blow up the entire village beforehand, but that's too flashy for a collection quest. Besides, it would be troublesome if the people who were hiding in the houses and holes became violent and attacked us.
That's why we decided to avoid fighting as much as possible and focus on gathering.
That's why we split our party in two.
A "search party" that would keep an eye on their surroundings and inform them when monsters were approaching.
Me, Rita and Cutlass will be in charge of this one.
The other one is the 'collection group'.
Cecil, Aine, and Leticia will be helping me with this one.
Cecil has the aptitude for magic, so it's easy for him to find magic crystals. Aine pays attention to every nook and cranny when cleaning, so she's perfect for collecting. Leticia decided to ask for their escort.
''The 'magic crystal' sells for quite a bit of money.
Aine, the party's 'sage manager,' said.
Then let's have a party if we get a lot of them.
Celebrating our arrival at the sanctuary and the success of our quest.
The next day, after talking about it, we left for the forest.
The search party (Nagi, Rita, Cutlass and Fynn)
As we entered the forest, we ducked down between the trees.
'Okay then, Rita, take care of the 'presence of mind'. Let me know if the enemy is approaching.
Yes, sir. Master.
We are deep in the forest. We are deep in the forest, where we can barely see the goblin's nest.
It's our job to keep track of the demon's movements and inform the collection team.
"Do you think Fynn can create a magical body with the Valhalla Armor and send it into the air with ......?
You'll be fine until we're halfway up that tree.
So, please. It's easier to see the goblins' nest from the air.
Very well. I understand.
Cutlass, who was wearing the artifact "Balal's Armor", bowed.
Of course. It's Fynn in it. I'm having them take turns on the way here.
"Create my body - the sacred relic 'Armor of Valhal'!
Fynn declares, placing a hand on his chest.
From the armor on his chest, a fluffy magic power is born, and he turns into a human form.
Gray hair, red-purple eyes - that's Fynn. As for the clothes, as I requested, she wears camouflage clothes based on brown. Since it's a body of magic power, it seems that the clothes can be made at will.
"If you feel that you are in danger, you must come back immediately.
It's okay. I've already been rewarded.
Fynn put a finger to his lips.
Then he moved upwards through the branches of the trees.
As a magical body, Fynn could get away from Cutlass for about fifteen to twenty meters on a rough estimate. We decided to take advantage of that and have him keep an eye on the goblin's nest from higher up.
Cutlass and I will stay here. Cutlass and I will stay here and escort Rita and Fynn during the search. The hardest thing to deal with is a group of goblins. If we see any movement, we'll be ready to respond immediately.
Okay. Okay.
Cutlass held his shortsword at the ready.
When he looked up, Fynn's figure was hidden among the branches. It was hard to see him, even though I knew he was there.
Probably from the goblins, it should be completely blended into the landscape.
'Sender; Nagi.
Recipient: Fynn
Body: If you see a nest of goblins, send me a "screenshot".
Just make it feel like you're throwing the images you see to me. Can you do that?'
I sent a message to Fynn in "Consciousness Sharing (Mind Linkage) - Revised".
And then Cutlass' shoulder trembled next to me.
It's because they're the same person, or maybe it's because they're both sending the "shared consciousness" type messages at the same time.
'Sender: Fynn.
Recipient: Arujidono
Body: this is how it's done?
The message I received from Fynn reflected the view from the tree tops.
From 20 meters above the ground, I can see an old, abandoned village. A crumbling house, with goblins making their home in it. Beyond that, there are several side holes in the rocky mountain. Judging from the guards standing at the entrance, it looks like they're using it as a nest too.
It's amazing. I know exactly where the enemy is.
I'm glad that Fynn was able to help.
Normally, there's no way to search for them from the sky. Cutlass and Fynn, you're amazing.
Rita nodded at Cutlass' words.
Well, all my kids are cheat characters.
I decided to ask Fynn to send me a screenshot every three minutes as it was, and I decided to check out the scenery of the abandoned village.
'It's a strangely organized goblin, even at ......,'
What do you mean? Nagi.
They're demons, but they act like an army. There are guards at the entrance to the village, goblins patrolling the area. A group of people are cooking in the middle of the abandoned village, and there's an orderly queue in front of it. The roads in the abandoned village are usually filled with weeds, but they've been neatly weededed and maintained.
I said, and both Cutlass and Rita nodded their heads.
'...... I've never heard of a goblin like that,'
...... I haven't heard of it either.
Right.
''I'd better get more information to the Adventurer's Guild later.
I hear there's a 'request to take out the goblins in an abandoned village' over there.
That's what Aineidono asked me to find out, isn't it?
It's good enough to tell the guild about the "Goblin's Nest Strategy".
Our job is just to collect. We can't put everyone in danger when we have no use for them.
...... And I have a bad feeling about it.
It's like there's something unearthly that exists on top of an organized goblin .......
'...... Nagi. Contact Aine and the others.
Suddenly, Rita poked me on the back.
''There's a hint of a demon in the air. I'm sure you're not the only one. The distance is much closer over there.
Okay. Rita, go cover me.
Yes, sir!
I lower myself and Rita starts to run.
At the same time, I send the message "Consciousness Sharing (Mind Linkage) - Revised".
'Sender: Nagi.
Recipient: Aine.
Body: Rita has sensed the presence of a demon. She's headed your way. Rita's gone to cover you. Until then, we need to deal with it in the quietest way possible. Is that clear?
The reply came back quickly.
'Sender: sis.
Recipient: Nei-kun
Body: We've seen the monster over here, too. It's a forest crawler. May I use Nah-kun's "Raku-Ten Annihilation Strategy"?
"Sent by: Nagi
Recipient: Aine.
Text: okay. The operation code is 'Cecil Aine's number one'?
'Sender: Sis.
Recipient: Nei-kun
Body:Yes. It's "Hell's Gate" named by Ms. Rafilia.
And Cecil Aine Laetitia No. 2.
"Sent by: Nagi
Recipient: Aine.
Body: "Two-step pitching kill (dual death ball)" named Rafilia? That's fine. But be careful.''
"Sent by Aine.
Recipient: Nagi
Text: Thank you. Master. As a token of my gratitude, when the Leaning Carnation Mirror is completed, Aine will be the test case. It's going to be a real experiment. Huh? Do you want to be a test case, Cecil? And Letitia? Hmm. That one doesn't seem to involve a slave contract, so maybe we can do it. Then how about we all become a test subject together? If that's the case, the arrangement would be...''
...... Oi.
Come to think of it, when we came back from Delilira's yesterday, everyone was talking about the "Tensei Tensei Virtual Mirror".
Well, there's not much to do in this world, you know. I know how you feel. Yeah, I know how you feel.
For me, I thought the "Dragon Golem (Mini)" would be more useful. It's cool.
"Sent by: Nagi.
Recipient: Aine.
TEXT: It's good to be excited, but battle, be careful.'
In case you missed it, let's nail it. Master-like.
As soon as I sent the message, I got a reply from Aine. With a picture.
Of course!
Letitia catches her best friend at the edge of her vision.
The three of them are completely sandwiched between the 'forest spiders'. Cecil in front of them, Aine and Leticia behind them. It's a no-questions-asked pincer position.
I'm going! Waterball!
From Cecil's fingertips, a sphere of water about the size of a person's head jumps out.
This is the water version of the fire magic "fireball".
When it detonates, it swells up and has the ability to envelop the enemy and crush them with water pressure.
The Forest Spider is shaking its head frantically to get rid of the water in its eyes.
And then it raises its face and looks at the flying water ball...
"Shush!
Wow.
He fled into the air.
Before I knew it, the forest spider had strung a string on a branch above my head. He used it as a rope to climb up and avoid the approaching Water Bomb Ball.
The dodged water magic method did not stop.
As it was, it flew towards Leticia and Aine, who were behind the 'forest spider'!
Here they come. Aine, you'll have to help me!
I got it!
Aine lays her own hand on Leticia's hand.
It's ready. In Leticia's hand is a wooden ladle. I bought it at the market for this operation.
It's for use in a large pot, with a strangely long handle.
It's so long that from a distance, it looks like just a stick (・・・・).
"It's activated - 'Magic Stick Art'
Aine infuses the ladle with magical power.
It was just a cooking utensil, but it turns into a magical weapon.
''If it's a magical weapon, it should be able to pass.
Leticia activates the skill while laying hands with Aine.
''I'm going to go! Egg Reflex (Counter Egg)!''
Letitia and Aine raised their ladles.
'I've experimented with this usage!
Leticia's 'Long Ladle' touched Cecil's 'Water Bomb Ball'.
Essentially, magic can only be interfered with by magical weapons.
On the contrary, it can be interfered with if it is a magical weapon.
And 'Egg Reflex' is a skill that allows you to push back the 'sphere thing' with a cooking tool.
Aine's 'Long Ladle', which was turned into a magical weapon through her 'Magic Stick Technique', touched the 'Waterball' and activated the effect of the 'Egg Reflex' cheat skill. Furthermore, the trajectory of the raised ball changed the sphere into an unusual course.
Diagonally upwards.
It escaped into the air (・・・・・・・) towards the 'Forest Spider (・・・・・・・・・・)' (・・・・・).
'Shush ────!
Bohum.
A puffy ball of water wrapped around the 'Forest Spider'.
The water pressure is applied to crush the body of the spider. It's normal magic. It's not very powerful. The spider just broke a few legs and fell to the ground. It should have been able to survive.
Unless there was a maid on the ground with a mop in her hand waiting for it.
'Yes, sir. ''Sewage increase LV2.''
"────!
The Forest Spider has gone dry!
"'Oshimai!
Pan, poof.
Cecil, Aine, and Leticia clasped each other's hands together.
''After all, Nagi-sama's plan is perfect.
Nay-kun, you know Aine and the others.
...... It's a battle in a realm no longer reached by normal adventurers. This.
No further reports of 'enemy approach' from Nagi.
The demons that were nearby must have all been defeated.
''Ah, Rita-san is here. Rita-san. Over here!
Through the trees, he could see Rita's figure.
Cecil couldn't help but stand tall and wave his arms as full as he could.
'Cecil-chan! Aine! Lord Letitia!
...... Rita?
Cecil nodded his head.
It's because Rita, who came running, had a strange, serious look on her face. Rita shouldn't even be sweating when she runs as fast as she can, but now she's breathing hard. I hold my swaying chest and kneel down in front of Cecil and the others.
'Oh, please. Send a message to your master. 'Aine. As soon as possible.
I know.
Aine nodded instantly.
She could tell that Rita was desperate.
Aine also became serious and sent a sentence just like Rita said to Nagi in 'Consciousness Sharing and Revision'.
The content of that sentence is──.
The search party. Nagi, Cutlass, Finn...
Yuji. We've got movement!
I heard Fynn's voice above my head.
Instantly a message with an image was sent to me.
'...... e.'
There was a picture of a small child, being carried in a cage.
He's crying ...... with a spear to the outside of the cage.
Two goblins are guarding the cage. It's probably a two-faced 'master goblin'.
The destination they are being carried to is the center of an abandoned village. Kidnapping?
Just as I was wondering if I was going to be able to make it, I received a message from Aine this time.
"Sender: Rita (Substitute: Aine)
Recipient: Master.
Text: I have a request. Please allow me to act alone for the next day.'
...... Rita?
'Yesterday, in the Saint's dungeon, the master said, "You will do me a favor," he said. So I ask you to do me a favor. I just saw a little beastly boy being held by a goblin. It looks like he was brought in from the forest beyond the mine.
Maybe it has something to do with the ...... story of the sub-humans fighting each other deep in the forest.
I can't leave him alone. Please.'
I looked at the image Fynn had sent me.
It's hard to see from a distance, but sure enough, the kid in the cage has beast ears and a tail.
'So, Nagi. I'm going to need to be allowed to go it alone for now. I don't care how you punish me later. Let me help the little one.
"Sent by: Nagi
Recipient: Rita (Alternate: Aine)
'Text: We don't allow people to act alone'
I sent the message.
Of course not. I can't let him go it alone against a nest of goblins.
"So, I'm coming.
I'm coming with you. I'm going to enter the participants. Anybody who can help me...
Yes, sir! Of course I'm going, of course I'm going!
Cutlass and Fynn raised their hands.
'Sender: aine.
Recipient: Nei-kun
Of course you're going!
Cecil-chan (Substitute: Aine) "There's no way I'm not helping Rita-san!
Letitia (Substitute: aine) "I'll cry if you leave ...... behind.
Good.
It's that "subhuman conflict" that I've always wondered about.
If the beast child's capture had anything to do with it, it might help you get some information. There's no separate deadline for the saint's quests, and you can come back to collect them later (I've collected three of them).
Alright, let's gather information first.
''Say something to Rita. I'll listen to what she has to say. I'll do the talking.
I send Aine a message.
Aine replies right away. She says she understands. And then...
"Rita has a message for you. I'm a slave, so I don't want you to be selfish. You must punish me for sure. What are you going to do?
Okay, I said.
But, well, that's only after the kidnapping-ish incident is over and Rita is settled.
I'll find out what's going on between the sub-humans and the demons.
''Everyone else, join up for now.
Cecil, prepare the "Holy Wand Neuerut". It's a group of people. We might need to use some giant magic.
The target is an abandoned village with goblins. There are less than 30 enemies.
I heard that the Adventurer's Guild has been ordered to take them down, so I thought I wouldn't want to take away people's jobs, but if they're kidnapping little ones, that's a different story.
Let's let them capture the base safely, easily and quickly.