CH 248

Cheat Magician (Hazure Hantei) Chapter 248

Flamme

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After returning to Volzard and reporting the situation in Bakkenheim to Klaus-san, I moved to the Devil's Forest training ground.

In the center of the training ground lay the subdued salamander.

[ Kent-sama, are you going to make the Salamander your genus? ]

"Hmm, I'm thinking about what to do."

This time I just subjugated an average-sized Salamander.

The combined size of its head and torso was only about one size larger than Nero's, but when combined with its thick and strong tail, it was almost double the size.

To put it simply, it was a size that couldn't be used indoors at all.

Nero and Zeta-tachi could only come out in a large room like in a royal castle or a Lord's Mansion, but in the case of the Salamander, the tail seemed like it would get in the way.

"If you cut the tail ... It wouldn't be cool anymore ..."

[ In terms of strength, I think that the current genus are enough. ]

"Maa, that's right, but when the Goblin outbreak occurred, the Salamanders arrived and it became a pinch."

[ That's right. The Goblins who stopped for a while came to Volzard because they were afraid of the Salamander. ]

"If you think about it the other way around, if the Salamander arose from the Volzard side, the Goblins would have been able to be pushed back."

[ In terms of intimidation, it seems it would be more effective than Nero and Zeta-tachi. ]

"And, when the horde from the maximum outbreak comes rushing in, Volzard will be upwind, right?"

[ I see, if you let the Salamander attack from the windward side, you can spread the fire in the Devil's Forest and push even further. ]

"Maa, it might not go so well, but I thought it might be useful as a deterrent."

A Salamander's flame bullets were also impressive in appearance.

Even if a Griffon came flying in, if you kept it in check with flame bullets, the chances of it treating the area as its territory would decrease.

If I had one complaint, it was that it wasn't fluffy, but even if I say that, Reinhardt-tachi who were Skeletons, and Zae-tachi who were Lizardmen were also here.

"Okay, will you become my genus?"

When I concentrated my attention and imagined connecting the passage, the Salamander woke up right after I felt like I had my magical power sucked out.

"Guruuuuuu ..."

A large eyeball with a vertically open iris was staring at me while making a guttural rumble that echoed in its stomach.

"Will you be my genus?"

"Guruuuu ..."

The Salamander nodded with its big head.

"Then, I'll strengthen you and give you the fire attribute."

I threw a pile of magic stones into the Salamander's large mouth, and placed both hands on its nose to strengthen and enchant it.

As the dark haze enveloped me and the Salamander, an image flowed into my head.

A Salamander that grew up in a forest overgrown with tropical plants fell into a crevice in a cave and found itself transported to an unfamiliar forest cave.

It was a very worrisome image, but let's prioritize strengthening and enchanting for now.

The scales that covered the body were given the dark attribute, and other attribute magic would be repelled.

Strengthen muscle strength so that even a large body can move quickly.

Then, add the fire attribute and it's done.

The reddish-brown scales turned moist and a glossy jet black, and the body had become firmer and more defined.

It felt like a completely different monster from a Salamander, but it was more powerful.

Its eyes were glaringly golden, and it felt like they were coldly piercing its prey.

"Your name is Flamme."

"Hey! Nice to meet you, Aniki."

"Ehh ... Aahh, yup, nice to meet you."

"Let's work hard! Everyone, it's nice to meet you!"

Huh? I imagined it to be friendly because its appearance was a little scary, but I think it gave a bit too much influence.

"Now, Aniki, where do you want me to start a fire? Something is filling up my body, and if it's now, let's turn this area into a sea of fire!"

"No, no, you don't have to burn things indiscriminately ... Rather, you can't burn it."

"Is that so? I gotcha. If Aniki says so, I won't burn it. Wow, this place, it's a very nice forest!"

Flamme looked around, stretched out and looked into the distance, and looked somewhat restless.

However, my genus should have inherited their original personality, so I wonder if Flamme was originally like this?

"Hey, Flamme."

"What is it, Aniki."

"Flamme, you lived in a warmer forest, didn't you?"

"That's right. It's the first time in my life that it's this cold."

"Did you fall into a crevice in the depths of a cave, and move to a cave in this place?"

"That's right. Huh, I wonder what happened."

The sight of a giant Salamander twisting its neck and thinking was quite humorous.

[ Kent-sama, what are you talking about? ]

"Yup, it's the image I saw when I strengthened Flamme, but maybe the cave in the southern continent and the cave in the Bakkenheim forest are connected."

[ Previously, Reese-dono said that a new dungeon might have been created, but it might be that. ]

"I wonder if the previous group of Ogres also wandered in from the southern continent?"

[ That possibility is high. ]

In a sense, it was more dangerous than Volzard because it was connected to the southern continent where monsters roamed.

"Hey, Flamme, how big was that cave?"

"That's right, it's a size that I could easily pass through, so it's pretty big."

"Is the cave on this side about the same?"

"This side is a little narrower, but it's basically the same."

"Uwaa ... That's a little bad. Reinhardt, let's go inform Bakkenheim."

[ That would be best. Large monsters don't always appear every day, but if you don't prepare for them, you'll move late. ]

I wanted Flamme to stay with Nero and the others, and I dived into the shadows with Reinhardt and Mart-tachi, heading for Bakkenheim.

Somehow today I was busy going back and forth.

At the Bakkenheim Guild, although the chaos was subsiding, the staff were busy moving around.

At the desk at the far end of the staff space, Rita was standing and giving instructions.

Or rather, there were piles of papers on the desk, and if she sat down, she couldn't see her surroundings.

In order not to surprise her, I put out a shield of darkness where she could see it and went out.

"Sorry to bother you when you're busy."

"Kent-san, do you need something?"

"Yes, it's not exactly good news ..."

"Haa ... That, is it something I can handle?"

"Hmm ... But, I can't afford not to tell you ..."

"I understand. Do you mind if we talk here?"

"Hmm ... If possible, a separate room would be better."

"Then, this way ... I'll leave for a while!"

Rita-san called out to a nearby staff member and guided me to another room.

"So, what do you want to talk about?"

"Yes, it seems that a cave in the Bakkenheim forest and a cave in the southern continent are connected."

"Haa? The caves are connected ... ?"

"Yes, actually, I added the Salamander I subjugated to my genus ..."

"Yes? You made the Salamander your genus?"

"Yes, that's right ..."

The cool beauty Rita-san, had a surprised look like a pigeon who had been shot by a peashooter, but as the story progressed her expression stiffened.

"Is it something that someone intentionally set up?"

"Maa, I didn't actually go there and check it out, so I don't know."

"Are they still connected at this point?"

"I don't know about that either, but Flamme ... According to the Salamander who is my genus, it doesn't feel like they're directly connected, but rather it seems like they're connected with something like a distortion of space."

"Will another powerful monster like a Salamander appear again?"

"If it gets lost in the cave on the southern continent, conceivably ..."

"Haa ... Why is it when Master isn't around ..."

After holding her head in her hands, Rita-san suddenly raised her head and cast a piercing gaze at me.

"Kent-san, could you investigate and close the cave?"

"Hmm ... Aren't you relying too much on an outside power? If I did it and later Graciela-san found out about it, it would be troublesome ..."

"That's right, it's certainly as you say. I will discuss with the captain of the garrison and the high-ranked adventurers."

"Please do so."

"However, if Bakkenheim alone cannot handle it, I will send a nomination request to Volzard, so please keep that in mind."

"I understand."

After shaking hands with Rita-san, I dived into the shadows.

[ Kent-sama, is it okay if you don't go to investigate? ]

"Yup, I'm curious, but it's not like I can do everything."

[ That's right. There's also the case of Barshania's monster-fallen and the case of the Calvine Territory. If you hold on to too much, you might not be able to move around. ]

The southern continent seemed to have a higher density of monsters than the Devil's Forest, and if a horde of Ogres or Salamanders appeared, I might not be able to let my guard down.

However, this was Bakkenheim's problem, and above all, it was like the Bakkenheim garrison and adventurers would be judged as useless if I interfered from the beginning.

Maa, if I looked at the subjugation of the Ogres and the response with the Salamander, their skill was doubtful, but I didn't want to be called out for something like stealing credit again.

"Then, if I don't get back to the boarding house soon, I'll miss dinner."

[ Amanda-dono and Meisa-chan are waiting impatiently. ]

"I don't know about that, but I have to go home before it's cleaned up."

Amanda-san's dining room seemed to be a success tonight, and Meisa-chan was also busy helping out at the restaurant.

"I'm back just now!"

"Aahh, welcome back Kent, please wait a little longer."

"Kent is in the way, so go upstairs!"

"Yes, yes, understood. I'll be on the second floor."

Until the end of last year, Meline-san was training, so the number of workers had decreased by one, so she must be extra busy.

Speaking of which, I should show up at Meline-san's newly opened shop, shouldn't I.

Kartz-san must have already gone.

But, if that Meline-san started serving delicious food, her restaurant would definitely prosper.

It seemed that the number of customers who were there for Meline-san would increase, and Kartz-san couldn't be careless.

In my room on the second floor, the bed had been extended recently, so when I opened the door, it almost felt like it could be called a bed.

As soon as I took off my shoes and sprawled on the bed, Mart and the others came up to me.

Hmm ... Mofumofu, it's healing, isn't it.

"Goshujin-sama is working too much."

"Right, right, play with us more."

"Right right, pat us more."

"Yes, yes, that's right. Let's do our best tomorrow, and let's all relax on the day of rest."

Lying on the futon, if mofumofu, surisuri is done, I will be attacked by drowsiness.(TN:surisuri is snuggling/cuddling.)

I wonder if I should doze off until dinner ... As I thought such, Fred came back.

[ Kent-sama ... Tomorrow evening, the managers will gather ... ]

"Does that mean they're planning something?"

[ Maybe not ... They seem to meet regularly ... ]

According to Fred's research, the five mine managers in the Calvine Territory held meetings on weekend nights.

For the time being, it was hosted by Havre, and it seemed that it was being held at the Calvine Family's Mansion.

"Perhaps it's a regular meeting ... But, right now they're stuck in the snow and can't get any information, right?"

[ I guess so. But, Kent-sama, you can see their personality at such gatherings. ]

"I see, it's a situation where they don't know about Havre's safety, so it might be necessary to see how the five managers move."

The Lord of the Calvine Territory, Margrave Havre Calvine, was being held in a dungeon for plotting a rebellion.

I heard that he was tortured repeatedly and that he was going to die in prison without any treatment, but I have not heard of Havre's life or death after that.

I've heard from Camilla that Havre's life or death won't be revealed.

"If the opinions of the five of them are divided, should I provoke them to self-destruction?"

[ If you use the strategy well, it will bring about great results, but if you use it poorly, it will have the opposite effect. ]

"In this case, on the contrary, it will strengthen their unity ... Is it like that?"

[ The Calvine Territory is closed off with snow, and time has been granted, but as soon as the snow melts, the stopped clock begins to move. Those five are, so to speak, a community of destinies. A superficial strategy will only make the situation worse. ]

"In that case, it's wiser to focus on reconnaissance this time."

[ That's fine, isn't it. ]

As if in response to Fred's return to the Calvine Territory, I heard footsteps pattering up the stairs.

"Kent, Kent, food ... Unfair! You're the only one gets to sleep with Mofumofu!"

"Later, Meisa-chan will sleep with us, right. We won't run away, so it's okay."

"Muu, Kent is unfair."

"Because Meisa-chan was helping in the dining room, she can't sleep with Mart-tachi."

"Then, Kent should work too."

"Eeehhh ... I've worked hard. I went to Bakkenheim, returned to Volzard, went to Bakkenheim again, went to Breichberg, returned to Bakkenheim, came back to Volzard, then I went to Bakkenheim again, and then came back."

Meisa-chan's eyes widened when I told her that I had been moving all day.

"He~y, you guys, if you don't come down quickly, I'll have you skip dinner!"

"We're going now, Mother, Kent has been drifting around all day!"

"Hey, Meisa-chan, I wasn't just drifting around!"

While eating dinner, Amanda-san and Meisa-chan looked at each other when I told them that Bakkenheim had been attacked by a Salamander and that the Salamander I subjugated was added to my genus.

"Kent, umm ... Is it okay?"

"Yes, Amanda-san, you've met Nero the Storm Cat and Zeta-tachi the Gigawolves, haven't you. Just like that, the Salamander joined my genus."

"It's just ... Even if you say that."

"It's troublesome if you turn it into an enemy, but it's reassuring if you turn it into an ally."

Both Amanda-san and Meisa-chan looked skeptical, so I introduced Flamme behind the restaurant after dinner.

As expected, it would cause a fuss if other people saw it, so I surrounded us with shields of darkness and asked for it to come out.

"Flamme, these are Amanda-san and Meisa-chan, whom I'm indebted to."

"Hello, I'm Flamme. It's nice to meet you!"

When the jet-black Flamme slowly came out from the shield of darkness, both of them stiffened their bodies, but after being greeted in a light tone, this time they froze with their mouths open.

Yup, as expected, parent and child have the same reaction.

"Aniki, those two, what are they doing?"

"They're surprised because it's the first time they've seen a Salamander that is alive and speaks words."

"Is that so, wow ... I was a little worried because I thought they might have disliked me."

"Aahh, I'm sorry. As Kent said, I was surprised because I had never seen a Salamander so close. I'm Amanda, and this is my daughter Meisa. It's nice to meet you."

"What a polite fellow, it's nice to meet you!"

Amanda-san's freeze seemed to have been resolved, but Meisa-chan remained frozen.

Giigii ... with a movement that seemed to make such a sound, Meisa-chan turned her gaze to me.(TN:A slow creaking noise.)

"Meisa-chan, would you like to touch it? It's 'sube sube', 'su~be sube'."(TN:Sfx for smooth/sleek/silky)

Meisa-chan kept her eyes wide open as if her eyeballs were about to fall out and nodded.

Ordinary Salamanders were rugged, but Flamme was designed to be all smooth and velvety when enhanced, so you could only slightly feel the difference in scales.

The scales were not only hard, but also supple and had a slippery sheen.

"Fuwaaaah ... 'tsuru tsuru' and 'sube sube' ... it feels good."(TN:tsuru tsuru is smooth/slippery.)

When she stroked the nape of Flamme's neck, who was lying flat on the ground, she narrowed her eyes after seeing it felt good.

"If there's a large number of Goblins, Flamme will mow them down."

"This me, will do it when I have to!"(TN:Flamme calls itself 'Orecchi' which is a cutesy way of saying of saying 'I' for males.)

Amanda-san's cheeks loosened at Flamme's light tone, which felt a gap between its frightening appearance.

It seemed that Flamme would be able to get along as a new genus.