Volume 7 - CH 20

The hydra unexpectedly rushed in.

“It’s not exhaling the poison breath!?”

Starting with Amiyu who shouted, everyone scattered and dodged the Hydra’s charge.

A giant sub-dragon stepped on the ground in the center of us. The five heads seemed unsure of who to feed on first.

The basics of party battles are that the vanguard acts as a wall and the rear guard safely fires a large amount of firepower, but it is impossible for Amiyu and the others to stop a demi-dragon that is this large and has multiple heads. In order not to become the target of the poison Breath, it is better to disregard the hydra and spread out.

We had a meeting about this area in advance.

However, the rest is entirely up to each person’s ability to respond.

“Goo…!”

Nozuro stops the head attack with its jaw wide open.

Rolling over to parry the fangs sideways. He crawled besides it’s neck and fired a thrusting palm. A head as large as a carriage rises slightly.

But.

“… Chi”

Nozuro clicked his tongue and distanced himself.

The Hydra only shook it’s head in disgust, and it didn’t seem to do much damage.

At that time, a roar echoed from the side.

“……nothing”

Mabel’s blow split even the bedrock, but was carefully dodged by one of his necks.

Even with the upward slashes that were thrown without slowing the momentum it escaped even higher. Even though the throwing sword flashed like a stream, the flash aimed at his eyeballs was received by hard scales.

The hydra’s bluish-green eyes looked down at the small human being in displeasure.

On the other hand, Mabel also muttered in frustration as she held up her battle axe.

“… Trouble. Even though you’re a monster.”

A hard sound resounded to the right.

“W-what is this guy!”

One of its necks is persistently aiming at Amiyu.

Although she manages to repel the biting attack, the opponent shows no sign of flinching, and Amiyu is on the defensive.

“Come on…!”

Amiyu shoots a flame bullet fireball at the red mouth.

It’s neck retracted as if startled by the sudden flames, but that was all.

The hydra shook it’s head lightly and glared at the girl swordsman with its bluish-green eyes, as if dissatisfied with being counterattacked.

“……give me a break”

I took my eyes off Amiyu, who muttered with her tense face.

The most dangerous place right now is at Ifa’s.

“…!”

Passing through the spear of wind and belt of flame, one of the necks attacked Ifa.

Faced with her crisis, the girl’s expression stiffens.

But then an arrow with a stream of power flew from the side of it’s head, plunging between it’s scales. In the blink of an eye, water-attribute magic ice was created and covered the hydra’s head.

However — the Hydra didn’t even care.

While smashing the ice, it forcibly opens it’s mandibles towards the girl.

Then Rurumu jumped in from the side and rolled around holding Ifa’s body.

The hydra, which failed to catch its prey, broke down about three trees in front of it, and stopped there.

“If the ice from the arrows hadn’t slowed it down, we might not have made it in time.”

Rurumu said in a tense voice while standing up with Ifa.

“Be careful, it won’t stop with middle-level magic.”

“Yes…”

I let out a sigh of relief and released the curse I was aiming.

Although I can do something about fatal injuries, i want to avoid serious injuries.

On the other hand, as I was observing the Hydra from behind, I somehow came to understand this monster.

It only attacks with it’s head, and doesn’t seem to swing it’s thick legs or tail.

For a hydra, the legs and tail that support its imbalanced body are probably much more important than the multiple heads.

In that case, it looks like I should just be careful of the five heads.

I shake my head.

“Hmm, in fairy tales for children, this kind of enemy would be defeated by entangling their necks…”

“There’s no way that’s real!”

Amiyu shouts at my muttering.

That’s no surprise. There is no way such a stupid creature exists.

The five heads are not camouflage, they all seem to have their own intentions. However, it doesn’t look like the torso is being pulled by each head.

That’s probably because… the head in the center, which is glaring at us with its raised neck, controls everything.

And――――at that time.

The four heads pulled in unison.

At the same time, the head in the center opens its jaws, and the flow of power begins to swirl.

Rurumu shouted.

“Poison Breath incoming!”

Right after that――――The central head exhaled pale blue gas.

The warm wind from the Poison Breath vigorously caresses the surface of the mountain.

As soon as I was exposed to it… a fishy odor was accompanied by a sharp pain in the eyes and throat.

“Goho, goho!”

“Eh, my eyes…”

“Wha, what is this?”

Everyone coughs and rubs their eyes.

If you look closely at the surroundings… the undergrowth on the ground has a faint tinge of whiteness, and the dead branches right under the poison breath seem to be on fire.

This is… more than I expected.

“The concentration of toxic fumes is quite high. With this, no matter how much injury or disease i can heal, it won’t be a battle.”

While coughing, I also checked the hitogata of my astral body…………I opened my eyes wide in amazement.

“Huh…? Isn’t that a lie…?”

Everyone’s hair had turned black and had already lost their strength and fallen to the ground.

This means one thing—everyone, including me, died once. With the poison breath ahead.

I turn pale.

“Well, that’s bad…”

Just in case, I made a spare, so I can still die three or four times, but if I keep fighting like this, I’ll eventually run out.

I’m not in a situation where I can say I won’t get involved anymore.

The head in the center had a puzzled look, probably because we never died.

As if it had boiled over, it’s mouth opened again and the flow of power began to swirl.

And before the poisonous breath was released… I released the spell from the Hitogata that flew into the sky.

《Water Phase―――Waterfall Technique》

A large amount of water that was released upward turned over and rained down on the ground.

Confused, the hydra stopped breathing and looked up at the sky.

Poison is weak against rain.

In addition to creating downward air currents, some types dissolve in water and flow.

Although it’s not as soluble as the toxic fumes of volcanoes, this Hydra’s poison breath should have that tendency to some extent.

I shout at the party members who were surprised by the sudden rain.

“With this, the poison breath has been sealed! Now is the time to attack!”

I thought to myself right after I said that. Words are not enough for this.

We were being pushed even without the poison breath, so we had to change our fighting style.

After thinking for a while, I called out to everyone.

“Don’t take on this challenge alone! We have an advantage in numbers, so let’s  cooperate!”

They immediately responded with their voices.

On the other hand, the Hydra clearly seemed to have lost its momentum.

In the unfavorable weather of rain, it must have been hesitant about fighting.

However… it’s difficult to retreat from here with a sluggish body with five heads.

As if determined, one of his necks attacked Nozuro.

The divine-demon fighter once again caught the mandible with his whole body.

So far, it’s the same as before.

However, the development from there was different.

“Freezing, freezing and cracking is blue! Dear spirit of the ice lake, silence and congeal and act as a hammer of anger! — Glacia Fall Fall!”

It was almost the first time I heard Amiyu’s spell chanting.

In the next moment――――a thick icicle was created and thrust into the neck of the Hydra that Nozuro had suppressed.

It vomited a large amount of blood from it’s mouth, and it’s head became motionless with the whites of it’s eyes peeling back.

Nozuro, drenched in blood and rain, muttered in surprise.

“… high rank magic huh?”

“That’s right. I did something unbecoming a magic swordsman like chanting a spell!”

Amiyu answered while dealing with another neck attack.

Amiyu usually uses only medium- and low-level magic without chanting. I asked her earlier, and she said that’s what a magic swordsman is.

But…it wasn’t like she couldn’t use high-level magic.

Because she is a hero who is blessed with talent more than anyone else.

“—-I see”

Nozuro muttered quietly.

How did he do it

The divine martial artist didn’t even show a hint of tension―――― Before we knew it, he was standing on top of the Hydra’s head, which was aiming for Amiyu.

“Then let me show you my secrets.”

The hydra noticed and tilted it’s head, trying to shake him off.

What Nozuro did in response was… with one hand, he grabbed the stern scale projection, and with the other hand, he lightly placed his palm on the top of the Hydra’s head.

And that was the end.

The Hydra didn’t have time to shake it off――――A blow that made the atmosphere shake was delivered to the top of its head.

In the next moment, the hydra’s neck fell to the ground as if the thread had been cut.

It’s tongue hangs loosely and does not move.

It was already dead.

Seeing Nozuro jumping to the ground, Amiyu muttered in astonishment.

“Wha… what, just now. Did you hit it just now…?”

“That’s the place.”

In the martial arts technique passed down in the Song dynasty, there is a martial art called Seonjin.

A blow that reverberates deep inside the target, fired with the sole of the palm from a distance that is almost touching.

It seems that once you become a master, you could destroy the enemy’s internal organs through his armor… but I never thought that I would be able to see the same thing in another world.

Rurumu smiled at Amiyu and Nozuro’s good fight.

“… That’s right. You don’t have to fight by yourself.”

Rurumu nocks her arrows and points the bow at one of the necks that is closing in on her.

Then she let it go.

An arrow sticks out between the scales.

At first glance, it didn’t seem to deal any damage.

However, the Hydra’s head, which was approaching, suddenly stopped moving, baring its fangs.

If you look closely, you can see that a thin shadow stretched out from the protruding arrow and connected to Rurumu’s feet.

“This… it’s powerful, but I can’t even move…!”

Rurumu’s cheeks twitched, but she still laughed.

“That’s why I ask you to do the rest――――Mabel-san.”

“all right”

Zupan!

The hydra’s head fell off with a sound that sounded like a water bag had been slashed.

A blow as if neither hard scales nor strong muscles existed.

It would have been a sight that would not have been possible without the tremendous weight of the battle ax being swung down.

Somewhat satisfied, Mabel picks up her battle-axe.

“……I feel so much better”

At that time.

Another head was uprooting a large tree while making a thumping noise.

I was surprised by its superhuman strength, which even ten oxen would not match, but what was most terrifying was that the Hydra was clearly trying to use it as a weapon.

Did you think close combat was dangerous? Its head, which was showing cautious movements toward Mabel earlier, suddenly bent its long neck like a whip, and swung the large tree it was holding in its mouth toward Rurumu and Mabel.

If it had hit…they wouldn’t have survived unharmed.

If it had hit.

“If it’s high-level magic…it works properly.”

In the next moment――――A huge, red-hot block of stone fell from the sky and crushed its head along with the large tree.

It was similar to the earth-attribute high-ranking magic, Meteor fall.

However, the magic brought about by spirits is completely different from that of humans.

Ifa strokes her chest.

“Haa, good. Just in time…”

While the heat of the meteorite turned the rainwater into steam, the last remaining neck in the center clearly seemed panicked.

No wonder.  It’s poison breath was sealed, and four of the five heads were knocked down.

The rest is just me.

“Seika-kun, it’s just a little bit more!”

“Lastly decide!”

Ifa and Nozuro shout.

I ask back with a blank expression.

“Eh, can I do it?”

“Of course, I won’t complain at a time like this!”

“Seika, hurry up.”

Amiyu and Mabel also said so.

And Rurumu too.

“You end it— Seika!”

“… it can’t be helped if you say that much.”

I smiled and stopped the <Waterfall>.

Rain stops.

The central head was startled and glanced at the sky.

At the same time, the mouth opened and the flow of power began to swirl.

It must be thinking that it could still defeat these humans if it just uses it’s poison breath.

I raise the corners of my mouth and mutter.

“It wasn’t a barrier, it was worth making it rain.”

As long as the spell is stopped――――In this way, it can arbitrarily let out poison breaths.

A bluish breeze is produced from the hydra’s mouth.

At the same time, I invoked the spell, starting from the hitogata that was flying in front of it.

《Phase of the Sun――Thinthunder Jutsu》

Sparks scattered around the Hitogata.

Originally, it was a technique that only generated a small lightning bolt.

However, in the next moment――――a huge explosion occurred in front of the Hydra.

A blast stormed the ground.

The last head that received it up close had most of the scales on its chin and neck blown off, and its pure white body was stained with blood.

The only remaining left eye… still glares at me.

I mutter involuntarily.

“Like a poisonous snake, tenacious.”

“I’ll make it easier for you.”

A piece of Hitogata sticks to the neck where the scales have peeled off.

Then, I made a sign with one hand.

《Wooden phase――――Shuyu Yuzokuto no Jutsu》

The last head approaches with its mouth wide open.

The desperate assault… However, it suddenly turned away as if it lost sight of me, crushing the rocks beside me and stopping its movement.

There is no light in the remaining left eye.

It must have already lost consciousness.

The medicinal ingredients contained in poppy seeds, if taken in excess, can lead to hallucinations, coma, and ultimately death.

It can be used as a pain reliever in small amounts, but it can also be poisonous like this.

Before long, the flow of power disappeared from the Hydra’s body.

It’s pure white body was smeared with blood and dirt and showed no signs of getting up.

That was the end of the white hydra that had long frightened adventurers.

I take a deep breath.

“Haa… somehow it ended safely.”

None of us suffered serious injuries.

Well, if I didn’t have a backup, we would have died once.

Everyone just looked relieved and didn’t raise any particular cheers.

Leaving aside the demi-dragons, I’ve defeated high-ranking monsters many times. It’s about time.

However, there was an atmosphere among the friends who were drenched in the rain that they had accomplished something.

“Oh, you are ….”

At that time, Amiyu looked at Nozuro and muttered.

The martial artist’s thick, deadly white arm. There, a geometric black pattern emerges faintly.

“nothing……”

Nozuro noticed and looked down at his arm and frowned.

“… the rain washed away the dye. That’s all.”

His voice had a slightly awkward tone to it.

When I turned my head and looked at Rurumu, she was the same. She turns her eyes to her own markings, which emerge from under the fading dye, and makes an uncomfortable look.

In front of humans, it has been hidden all this time. Even for those of us who have traveled with him until now, knowing the circumstances.

That’s why it’s not unreasonable to feel awkward.

However, I would be in trouble if you reacted like that.

When I was wondering if I should have stopped the rain…

“Hmm”

Amiyu muttered that while looking at Nozuro’s arm without any particular feeling.

“I kind of forgot about it, but now that I think about it, you guys are demons. Hey, is that something you were born with?”

“…That’s right. Unlike the patterns that humans carve into their bodies, they are received from our parents along with our bodies.”

“Hmm, that’s right.”

Then, Amiyu smiles and says.

“Well, I’m glad you got a cool one.”

Nozuro, who heard it, opened his mouth as if dumbfounded for a moment, but then suddenly turned his face away and whispered.

“……Not really”

“No, Nozuro, you…”

Rurumu, who was watching the series of events, said in amazement.

“Can’t you say something a little more witty?  Amiyu chan praised you.”

“…”

“It’s been like that for a long time…”

“Ah, um. Rurumu-san’s is wonderful too…!”

“It looks like it was carved by a sculptor.”

“Huh? I guess so. Thank you…”

Rurumu hesitated a little while answering Ifa and Mabel, who were staring at her with interest.

Before I knew it, the atmosphere had calmed down.

“Well…these guys are carefree, aren’t they? Don’t even know what Seika-sama’s feelings are…”

Yuki whispers in my ear.

“Yuki was nervous… I’m glad nothing happened.”

“Yeah… it was tougher than I expected. Especially that poison breath.”

I never thought it would work so quickly…

I was panicked because the body was ruined so quickly, but the stimulation when it touched my eyeballs and the mucous membrane of my respiratory tract was more than I imagined, and it was far from bearable.

This wouldn’t happen if it was a volcano’s poison…well, you can’t know until you actually experience yourself. Just because I knew of its existence, it wasn’t something I would take lightly.

“Well, you probably didn’t have anything to say…”

“Mmm, it’s nothing like that. That garlic-like odor was unbearable even for Yuki…”

Yuki talks as if it was really hard, but if the poison breath smells bad, it’s easy.

Because only poisons that are widely known to people are effective against youkai.

“However, the human body is very fragile when it comes to dying from a foul odor.”

“It’s not like I’m going to die because of the smell, but… I can’t help it.”

“People are weak.”

“Even to defeat this level of metamorphosis, you have to fight with your life on the line.”

“Even if they’re as talented as they are…”

“Seika~”

Amiyu suddenly called out to me, and I turned around in shock.

“W-what? Amiyu”

“I’d like to ask you just in case… what was that last spell?”

“last?”

“Didn’t you explode the Hydra’s poison breath?　It didn’t smell like smoke at all, and it wasn’t gunpowder, was it?”

Rurumu continued.

“You use a lot of mysterious magic… but could you have exploded the Hydra’s poison breath?”

“Ah, no, it’s not…”

I will explain.

“That Hydra’s poison breath is originally that kind of poison.”

A faintly blue, poisonous fume with a strange smell that takes away the color of anything that hits it and sets it on fire. I can only think of one such thing.

“It’s thunderous ozone.”

This gas produced by lightning has some strange properties along with strong toxicity. It removes the color of objects, sets things it touches on fire, and explodes with a strong stimulus.

It didn’t even react unless the concentration was quite high, but it was as expected when I assumed that it would kill people instantly.

I saw a very interesting phenomenon. After all, I’m glad I didn’t easily blow it away with a suitable technique.

Amiyu said with some interest.

“Hmm. Then you can’t do it against a normal hydra…”

“No, it can be done. Actually, the poisonous air of a volcano has similar properties. It depends on the concentration.”

“Is that so? Then next time, let’s go to the dungeon where the hydra appears. I’ll try it too!”

“It’s dangerous, so don’t do it. As usual, it’s better to surprise attack on a rainy or foggy day. The volcanic fumes are quite soluble in water…”

Amiyu listens to me dissatisfied.

Rurumu, who was watching the situation, said in amazement.

“You… you know a lot of things like that, don’t you?”

“Don’t say that. I just happened to read it in a book before.”

“It’s a natural history book, isn’t it?

“Yeah.”

“……”

At that time, Rurumu gave a small laugh.

“As I thought… you are not the child of Melosa, are you?”

When I turned my eyes silently, Rurumu said with a somewhat resigned smile.

“It makes you seem, very human..”

___________________________________

※The art of poppy seed bath.

A technique that produces morphine. A type of alkaloid produced by poppies, it has an analgesic effect, but ingesting a large amount can lead to delirium, unconsciousness, coma, and even death within minutes at the earliest. Although it was actually discovered in the early modern period, the Arabian herbalist was separated in the 8th century in the world of the work.