CH 47

Shortly after a month following the “Purge of the Fog”.

“It’s been a rough time.”

“That was tough.”

“(It was such a hard time.)”

The three of us, me, Mugi-san, and Izumi, recollect the nightmare that had transpired just a few hours earlier with a faraway vision.

“Who would have imagined that right after we set sail, a swarm of water spirits and fish-type demons would descend upon us.”

“Just when we thought we would have a breather, a giant squid made its appearance.”

“(The ship went sinking and Ichiko nee-chan used her skill to run on the sea, you know.)”

To be more accurate, I did not run on the sea, but simply activated ≪Short-range Teleportation≫ consecutively while carrying the two of them. If we had not reached near the continental side, it would have been hopeless to make it because I would have exhausted my MP and SP. In any case, the giant squid had been pursuing us all the way to the continent, and we arrived just before sunset.

Incidentally, there was no other crew on board, since we had taken a ship out of service and sailed on it.

And the fact that we crossed the ocean means that,

“Well, at any rate, we’ve arrived.”

“Yeah. We’re actually here.”

“(It’s my first time out of the country!)”

We’ve arrived on the largest continent on the planet!

…

Let’s discuss the next step with the two of them now that everyone has had a significant emotional experience.

“So, what shall we do now?”

“(I will follow Ichiko nee-chan’s lead.)”

“I figured you had a plan, so I didn’t think about it…”

Apparently, all three of us came without a plan.

If that’s the case…

“Well, how about hunting demons discreetly while moving from place to place to broaden our horizons? Perhaps we could even serve as bodyguards in the human settlements.”

“If my memory serves me right, this region is the sort of country perfectly dominated by the Demon King, so I suppose we’ll have to wander about for the time being.”

“(I’m looking forward to itー)”

With this, the three of us have made our decision to head towards the human habitation while concealing ourselves from public view from the shore, our landing spot.

“By the way, can anyone speak the local language of this place?”

“Ah…!”

…Anyway, let’s hope that a skill like ≪Translation≫ will show up early for us.

On the same day, at the Northern Liberation Frontier Base (at the end of the tunnel).

“I’m sorry, but you’ll have to proceed on your own from here on out. We will stay here for a while to build up our strength.”

“I understand. Unlike us Kirijin, you humans have to establish logistics, plus the risk level will rise.”

At the temporary command center erected at the end of the tunnel that connects the northern region to the mainland, Otachi Mamoru-san and I are conferring face to face.

There, I am informed that the humans are to remain here.

Well, I guess that is inevitable. As I mentioned earlier, unlike the Kirijin, humans need to be equipped with various precautions.

Furthermore, I am afraid that the people on the mainland will eventually be forced to evacuate this place. After all, the master of the northern dungeon X-J4, the “Frozen Silver Snow Sage” ought to be still below level 3, but should he reach level 4, he should be capable of employing the “Long-distance Transportation Formation” the same way as Kurokiri can use it.

“Well then, I’m off to have a talk with everyone about the future plan.”

“Ah, okay.”

And then I head to join everybody in my group.

“Therefore, personally, I would like to hunt the ‘Frozen Silver Snow Sage’s’ subordinates as we head for the continent.”

“You don’t intend to conquer the ‘Frozen Silver Snow Sage’ himself or his dungeon?”

Houki asks in a tentative manner.

“It is impossible for us to triumph over the Demon King now, in light of the strength Kurokiri possesses. With regard to the dungeon, it would be difficult to capture it even if we could simply explore the entrance.”

“I see. I understand if that’s the case.”

Houki shows her understanding while nodding her head.

“Would you be okay with that, Chirito and Aria?”

“I don’t mind.” “I don’t have a word to say, do I?”

Chirito and Aria also look convinced.

“Then let’s be on our way. To the north.”

Thus, the four of us set out from the frontline base and head further to the north.

On the same day, in the vicinity of labyrinth X-J5.

“So this is X-J5. It’s certainly inaccessible to humans.”

In front of me (although I am actually viewing through Fog’s eyes) and Fogs, there is a volcanic crater that has been enlarged far more than before as a result of ≪Dungeon Creation≫.

And the entrance to the dungeon, which is the essential part of the dungeon, is made by digging into the side of the crater’s interior.

“Well, with this body of mine, there shouldn’t pose any problems for entry.”

We descend smoothly towards the crater. Needless to say, the closer we approach the crater, the higher the ambient temperature rises, but as I predicted, it seems that Fog’s body can withstand the temperature.

“Right, we’ve arrived.”

After arriving at the entrance of the dungeon, I take a gander at the surroundings.

Apparently, the master of X-J5 has taken excellent care in the dungeon’s construction since the pillars at the entrance are carved with dragons, and the door is etched with a dragon-like theme.

“Now, will a demon or a snake appear? Shall we try to enter?”

I put my hand on the entrance of the dungeon to open it. Since I can’t remotely control my Fog in the dungeon nor can I link my vision with it with the current one, I let the other Fog, the one I didn’t link my vision with, enter the dungeon and move in. For now, I plan to send it out immediately.

The first priority is to collect information.

And the instant Fog rushes into the dungeon, my vision is engulfed in sakura-colored flames, obliterating the body.

“Huh?”

A strange voice breaks out involuntarily.

At any rate, I know what transpired. The Fog had been blown away by the enemy’s onslaught. That is all.

“Ah, well, I’ll call the Fox Princess for now.”

Then I share what I found out with the Fox Princess, and we both reach a mutual conclusion.

“Well, since that’s the way it is.”

“Yeah. If that’s the case.”

“‘Let’s leave it alone for now’.”

We agree to leave it alone.

Well, from now on, let’s conduct a strategy, or rather, an investigation, by cultivating an exclusive Kirijin or a human being against X-J5. There is plenty of time for that as well.