Capítulo 30: vol 9 PT 2
ARIFURETA SHOKUGYOU DE SEKAI SAIKYOU (WN)
V9 C4
Dukedom of Ancadi
Because of his peculiar condition before, the young man, though he regained consciousness, could not stand straight. Furthermore, because of the danger of dehydration due to the desert's temperature and his considerably sweating, the young man was invited into the vehicle and allowed to drink some water inside.
The young man was forced to acknowledge that the four-wheeler was some sort of carriage, and he feels giddiness from the comfortability inside it. However, when he recalled that he could not finish his mission if he stopped mid-way, he pulled himself together as there was no time to enjoy such luxury. Then, he introduced himself to Hajime's party who saved him.
"First, let me say my appreciation for your help. Thank you very much. When I thought I was going to die in this state… Ancadi would be finished. My name is Viz Fuad Zengain. Son of the Dukedom of Ancadi's ruler, Randzi Fuad Zengain."
Surprisingly, the young man called Viz was an important person. Ancadi itself is the key point in transporting marine products so the freshness would not drop by much from Elisen, where 80% of marine products were produced in that northern part of the continent. In other words, by being the main supplier of the food from the northern part of the continent, Ancadi held the monopoly. Ancadi's ruler himself was not only a distinguished noble but a great noble who was trusted by Herrlicht Kingdom.
Hearing Kaori's identity of being one of the "God's Apostle" and someone summoned from different world, as well as how Hajime's party was made up of Gold-ranked adventurers, Viz was so astonished that his eyes popped out. Thus, he thought, Is this a command from God!? Even a Goddess is sent to us!, and he suddenly prayed to the heavens. In this case, the Goddess, Kaori, was dumbfounded by him. Hajime urged him to tell them the situation while leaking a slight Pressure, making Viz clear his throat and begin to talk while drenched in cold sweat.
What Viz told them was,
Four days ago, people collapsing with a high fever of an unknown cause began appearing one after another in Ancadi. It was really a sudden, with 3,000 people out of 270,000 falling unconscious in the first day, and those with similar symptoms reached 20,000 people. The medical center filled instantly, and it continued to fill up the communal center. The medical personnels were treating the patients while looking for the cause of the disease, but, just like Kaori, they could only delay it without curing any.
While it happened, the number of patients kept increasing one after another. Before long, infected medical personnels began to appear. The number overwhelmed the magic users capable of delaying the disease, and under such chaos, dead finally appeared among those who didn't receive the treatment. Despair shrouded the people due to the fact that people died only after the second day they were infected.
Within those, one pharmacist accidentally used "Liquid Judging" on the drinking water. Resultantly, it was known that the water contained poison, which resulted in rampaging of magic power. At once, survey team was formed. They examined Ancadi's oasis while assuming the worst situation in their mind, and as they thought, the oasis had been polluted.
Naturally, the oasis is a lifeline for a country located in the middle of the desert, so the guarding and maintenance were strictly managed by the one in charge. Thinking about it normally, it was not an exaggeration that it was impossible to take out the guards of Ancadi and poisoned the oasis even with all prepared measures.
From where, how, who… The survey team could only tilted their heads, but more importantly, because the stock of water from two days ago were not plenty, they didn't have any more water to use. Thus, it resulted with them having no other ways to save those infected from drinking the polluted water.
However, it wasn't like there wasn't any other method — there was a method to heal those infected. The method needed a mineral called "Serene Stone." This "Serene Stone" is a special mineral hat carried an effect to calm the magic power's activity and a small amount of this valuable mineral could be harvested in the northern rock zone near «Guryuu-en Great Volcano». If the "Serene Stone" was made into powder and drunk, it would be able to calm the rampaging magic power inside the bodies of the infected.
Even so, the northern rock zone was too far that it needed at least one month of travel using carriage. Moreover, Ancadi's adventurers, especially those capable of entering «Guryuu-en Great Volcano»'s dungeon, harvesting "Serene Stone," and returning, had already fallen to the disease. Half-assed adventurers could not even able to go through the desert storm wrapping «Guryuu-en Great Volcano». Besides, even if there were people with power to do so, they also did not have any stock of water safe to use, so it was necessary to ask for help from the Kingdom.
The requested help asked for water that could temporarily relieved 270,000 people in the Dukedom of Ancadi, in addition to powerful people capable of going to the dungeon of «Guryuu-en Great Volcano». However, it was not easy to arrange powerful people capable of doing that. Even though the request from the Dukedom could not be disregarded, the Kingdom would rather choose to investigate Ancadi's current condition first. Furthermore, the Kingdom would also deliberately make the procedures as a slow one.
That's why, Zengain, the one in power, thought it was necessary for Viz to be the representative and directly asking for reinforcement.
"Father, mother, and my little sister were infected, too, and although they managed to recover using the stock of Serene Stone in Ancadi, they were in a truly weakened state that they are incapable of going to the nearby city much less to the Kingdom. That's why I am the one to ask for the help and left Ancadi yesterday along with bodyguards. At that time, I didn't have any symptom… but I might have been infected. The appearance of the disease likely differs depending on the individual. I was agitated by this situation… my family falling sick, the duchy fell into disorder, and how we were argued on who was to immediately ask for rescue. It is also necessary to procure Serene Stone. And even right now, the lives of Ancadi's people are perishing… but I am in such a miserable condition!"
Even though he could not put strength into his body, Viz put strength into his fist and hit his thigh. He seemed to have a strong sense of responsibility towards the people as the next Lord of Ancadi. He might also be mortified by how his bodyguards were annihilated when the Sandworms attacked.
However, it was fortunately the Sandworms hesitated to eat him due to sensing the disease. Though he was exhausted due to the disease, it was also what caused the Sandworms not to attack him and resultantly, he met Hajime's party. Life is where one is unable to know what would happen next.
"… I want you, no, I request you as the formal representative of the Lord of Ancadi Dukedom. Please lend me your strength."
Saying so, Viz bowed his head. Silence filled the vehicle for a while. The sound of sand carried by the wind and hitting the windows greatly resounded. Viz himself knew that as the Lord's representative, he should not easily bow his head to someone else, but he was so desperate not to let go of such good fortune.
All gazes moved to Hajime. Though they left the decision to Hajime, everyone's gazes, except Yue and Tio's, were obviously telling him they wanted to help. Especially Kaori; she could not disregard such a situation as a "Healer." Her gaze was petitioning him. However, Myuu was more direct.
"Papa~. Won't Papa help him?"
She said while looking at him with a truly pure gaze. She seemed to believe Hajime could solve whatever the problem was, unconditionally. For Myuu, Hajime was her one and only hero. Towards Myuu, and Kaori's expectant gaze, "It can't be helped," Hajime shrugged his shoulders with wry feeling.
"Fufu," Shia and Tio chuckled at Hajime. Hajime immediately looked over his shoulder towards Yue, and Yue was… just the same as always. No matter what Hajime's decision was, she will lend him all of her might. Even without words, Yue's feelings were clearly transmitted to him. Hajime stroked Yue's cheek, and Viz his agreement to undertake the request.
To begin with, he had planned to go to «Guryuu-en Great Volcano», and he thought of entrusting Myuu to Ancadi at that time. After all, it wasn't right to bring along a four year old child into a Great Dungeon. As such, they didn't have any problem of procuring "Serene Stone" while conquering the dungeon, and there was no danger for Myuu, a child from demi-human race, since the source of the rampaging magic power disease was known. In the end, it was a problem Hajime could solve while completing his own agenda.
"With Hajime-dono's class being "Gold," I wanted you to gather "Serene Stone" from the Great Volcano first, but it is necessary to go to Imperial Capital first to secure our water. Can this movement type artifact be used by someone else other than Hajime-dono?"
"Well, except Kaori and Myuu, everyone can use it, but… there's no need to go all the way to the Imperial Capital. I will somehow secure the water, so I want to go to Ancadi first, what do you think?"
"Hajime-dono can somehow secure it? What does it mean?"
The words that Hajime was capable of securing the water for several hundred thousand people made Viz dubious, and it was natural to doubt it. However, even without transporting it, Hajime had a method to obtain water. It was to collect the moisture in the atmosphere using water element magic.
Of course it might be impossible for an ordinary magic-user, but by his side was the rare magic genius, Yue. Moreover, Yue had many means of instantly recovering her magic power. Also, Viz or Randzi would still have enough time to go to the Kingdom to ask for help again if they regained their physical condition and took the remaining Serene Stone in Ancadi along.
After briefly explained those, Viz could not believe it at first. After all the chance was so small for him to make it into the Kingdom in his current condition, but he agreed to return to Ancadi after being persuaded by Kaori, a "God's Apostle."
While being surprised once again from how four-wheeler moved in high-speed as if it was sliding in the desert, Viz wondered why a "God's Apostle" like Kaori was alone accompanied by the adventurers, why a child of Sea-dweller tribe called Hajime, a human, Papa, why they got along with someone from Rabbitman tribe, why a black-haired blooming woman made a disgusting smile though she being abused, but his chest was heated by the hope that came into his view.
* * *
Within the fluttering brown sand, the Ancadi they arrived at, just like Neutral Commercial City of Fhuren, was surrounded by wall and a milk-white one in this case. The outer wall and buildings were milky white in color, which created a beautiful contrast with the brown-colored outside world.
However, what differed from Fhuren were the pillars of light coming from the enclosing, irregular-shaped wall, which climbed towards the heavens. The pillars of light joined together in the sky, forming a gigantic dome, covering the entirety of Ancadi. At times, it was as if the surface of water had something thrown into it; ripples were appearing, creating a mysterious and beautiful spectacle.
Apparently, this dome was preventing sand from entering the city. And although large sand storm sometimes appearing in time of full moon, the dome made none of the sand entered Ancadi and it was only looked like a cloudy weather from inside.
Hajime's party entered Ancadi from the shining, huge gate. Even a magic barrier was erected on the gate to not let sand entered. The gate guards, though surprised by seeing magic-driven four-wheeler, they didn't have energy to question it because of the gloomy atmosphere surrounding Ancadi; they seemed to have given up. However, when they noticed the next Lord sitting on the back seat of four-wheeler, they stood in attention, seeming to regain their energy as soldiers.
Ancadi's entrance gate was located in higher elevation. It seemed to be built in consideration of letting visitors to enjoy Ancadi's beauty.
Hajime's party were certainly admiring its beauty. The oasis in the east was glittering while being reflected by the sunlight, and a lot of lush green vegetations growing, surrounding it. The water from the oasis was flowing within the town like rivers and there were small boats moored here and there even though it was in the middle of desert. Lush green plazas were set up around the town which made one understood how spacious the city is.
On the north was the farmland. To prove the story of Ancadi's abundance of fruit production, Hajime could see numerous amounts of fruits growing as far as his "Farsight" could see. To the west side was a big, palace-like building with pure white color unlike the other buildings which were milky white. The impressiveness and scale made one understood that this is the dwelling of the Lord. Boorish looking buildings were lined up around the palace in order which was likely to be the government ward.
While it was a desert nation, it was also just like a capital of water… that's how Dukedom of Ancadi is.
Normally, this place would be actively doing business for fruits since it was the relay point from Elisen. Moreover, it was a popular place for sightseeing and should've been filled by vigor and clamor. But now, it was covered in a gloomy atmosphere. There were only few people on the street and no store was in business. All of the doors were firmly shut, as if they were quietly waiting for the storm to pass, crouching. The silence ruled the town.
"… I wanted to show our country filled with vigor to Miss Apostle and Hajime-dono. Unfortunately, we aren't in time for that. So, let me guide you around myself once everything is solved. For the time being, let's go to my father. He is in the palace."
The party nodded at Viz's words, and they advanced with the oasis as the background.
* * *
"Father!"
"Viz! You, wh—… No, wait, what's with you!?"
Entering the place using Viz's face as a pass, Hajime's party entered the Lord's, Randzi's, office. They heard the Lord was pretty weakened, but apparently he had used a lot of healing magic and medicine, and now was working in vigor.
Randzi was surprised that his son, who departed to the Imperial Capital to ask for help, had returned. Just like the workers inside the palace, Randzi was pop-eyed seeing his son's state.
It wasn't strange. After all, Viz was floating mid-air at the moment.
More accurately, he was in a falling prone state while being carried by a Cross Bit in mid-air. Viz was severely weakened, and although Kaori's healing magic managed to help him keeping his consciousness, he could not walk by himself. When Kaori couldn't bear with it any longer and tried to help, "Ah, Apostle-sama, for me…," Viz blushed and began to watch Kaori with moistened eyes. Thus, Hajime forcefully made the Cross Bit carried him.
Incidentally, it made it seemed Hajime was jealous. Thinking so, Kaori's cheeks were reddened and she took a peek at Hajime, but it was simply because Hajime didn't want to create another Kouki or Hiyama.
Even though he was in such a miserable appearance, clinging to the Cross Bitt, Viz quickly finished explaining to his father. As the talk advanced, a butler-like person came bringing in a powdered form of Serene Stone which Viz drank, who was still receiving Kaori's healing magic. Thus, he was cured as if there was no obstacle to prevent him from being cured.
Even so, it was only a feeling; the toxin itself was still inside his body's liquid. It was simply the effect of Serene Stone doing its work. The toxin was merged with his body's liquid, so there was possibility of it being excreted, and there was nothing more that could be done.
"Well then, we should get going. Kaori, you go with Shia to the medical center where the patients are. Bring along Magic-Crystallization Stones. The rest will be securing the water. Lord, is there a broad space around 200 meters on all sides at the lowest?"
"Hmm? Um, though there's one in the farming area…"
"Then, other than Kaori and Shia, we will go there. Shia, you must go to Yue if the Magic-Crystallization stones are full."
Hajime issued instruction to all of the members. What Hajime's party needed to do was simple. Just like Viz's case, Kaori will use "Holy Ground" to extract magic power from the patients little by little and delayed the disease's progression using "Ten Thousand Heaven." The extracted magic power will be stocked inside Magic-Crystallization stones. Then, it will be carried to and used by Yue to create water once they were filled.
After he helped Yue create a reservoir, Hajime will go towards the Oasis. He was going to investigate the cause. He will solve it if he find the cause, but if not, he will just go to «Guryuu-en Great Volcano». It was such a plan.
Everyone nodded vigorously towards Hajime's instruction.
* * *
Currently, the Lord, Randzi, the guards, and his attendants went to a corner of the farmland area in northern part of Ancadi, followed by Hajime, Yue, Tio, and Myuu. The plain was almost three times of the 200 meters on four sides. Normally, it was the place where a certain crop was grown, but it was now in its resting period.
Currently, the dubious Randzi was staring dagger into Hajime's party expressing that if not for the emergency situation, they would receive capital punishment. Although he truly wanted to secure water, common sense told him Hajime's plan was an impossible one thus it couldn't be helped that Randzi was glaring at him.
However, his doubting gaze was instantly turned into an astonished after Yue used her magic.
""Threat Destroyer.""
A black, swirling orb immediately appeared above the farmland where her right hand was outstretched to. That orb changed its shape above the farmland, into a thin square which spread horizontally and the square was already around 200 meters in length. Thus, after a moment of stagnation, it fell to the ground without making a sound and casually crushed the ground.
The ground sunk due to the terrific pressure, and the earth tremored. It was as if the ground itself was screaming. After a moment, the 200 meters on all side of the farm that had received the supergravity pressure formed a huge reservoir with five meters in depth.
Hajime sneaked a look at Randzi and his subordinates, and every single one of them had their jaws dropped far that their jaws might have dislocated. Their eyes widened and seemed to pop. The impact was too strong that they turned speechless, all of them were shouting, "Huwwhuuattt—!?", in their minds.
Having activated Age of Gods magic with half of its output, "Fuu," Yue exhaled. Although her magic power was exhausted by suddenly consuming a large amount of magic, her expression did not change since she felt only a slight tiredness. Though it would be okay if she took the magic stored inside Magic-Crystallization stone just like the battle in Ul, she thought of keeping the magic power inside the Magic-Crystallization stone as much as possible because they were going to challenge «Guryuu-en Great Volcano» after this. Moreover, because they were not in a battle, Hajime used Yue's other method of replenishing her magic power.
Yue's body was swaying as if she was about to fall, but she displayed she didn't need to be supported. It was something she wanted to do, so she didn't want to fall because of this. Eventually, with a thud, Yue's body leaned on Hajime's arm.
From behind her, Hajime embraced Yue a little, and lifted her. This time he was embracing her from the front. Yue was smiling in joy, and answered his embrace by wrapping her arms on Hajime's neck.
Following that, "…Thank you for the treat." Then, she bit Hajime's neck.
BITE!~ CHU~,
Blood flowed from Hajime's body. Yue, absent-mindedly with moistened eyes, was licking Hajime's neck multiple times. Yue's amorousness despite her appearance was further increased when she sucked Hajime's blood. It made one think pheromones was discharged from all over her body, turning the atmosphere into one of a bewitchment.
Nh, ah, chu chu, fuu
The appearance of the beautiful little girl using her tongue to lick the scruff of Hajime's neck while making small, lewd, gasping sounds made everyone forgot to question Yue's race, when thinking normally, was actually the hateful, bloodsucker. The surrounding men were slouching. Only the Lord, as expected of a Lord, had recovered from his astonishment and stared daggers at Hajime's party. A lot of things were swirling inside his head. He thought they were being a little too arrogant, he thought of things seriously and his eyes became bloodshot.
Incidentally, though Tio also wanted to exhibit her pervertedness, she was completely blindfolding Myuu from behind because it was too early for Myuu, while being aroused herself. "Myuu can't see~," Myuu complained only to be hugged from behind and could not resist since her head was wrapped by breasts far bigger than Shia's.
Converting Hajime's blood into magic power using "Blood Conversion," Yue quietly separated from Hajime's neck after she licked it for once more. Then, she kissed Hajime's lips. Hajime and Yue were looking at each other with burning gazes and Ahem!, it ended with coughs. They came from Randzi, the Lord, and the slouching men. Thinking they overdid it, Hajime and Yue made wry smiles… then they turned around and began to kiss again.
"No, no, no, you should do it where we can't see… I also have various guesses about that thing, the bloodsucker, but for the time being, I want you to do the thing that should be done… Rather, shouldn't you be the one who understands it the most!?"
The Lord's rebuttal made Hajime and Yue shrugged their shoulders in reluctance, leering at Randzi and the others who were irritated by their gestures, they began their work.
Hajime went into the reservoir, and took out the four-wheeler from "Treasure Box." Using land-leveling function installed in four-wheeler, he used "Mineral Separation" and coated the surface of the reservoir with metal so water couldn't be absorbed. After Hajime returned when he finished the coating, Yue thrust out her arm and used water element magic against the instant-reservoir.
""Fissuring Wave.""
It was one of the high-ranked, Water element magic which created a huge wave to crush the enemies. For an ordinary magic-user, though it was called a huge wave, it would only be a tsunami around ten to twenty meters, squarely. However, the number changed once Yue used it. A tsunami with width of 150 meters and height of 100 meters was created, immediately flowing into the reservoir. In the middle of it, she sucked Hajime's blood so many times to replenish her magic power, and thus, as much as half of her magic power was saved. However, there was also a limit on how much blood Hajime had.
Any further, he would become anaemic due to loss of blood, but Shia came at this time. In her hands were the Magic-Crystallization stones from Kaori. Although it was drained little by little, the magic power was drained from several thousands of patients. Thus, a large amount had been saved up. Not even two hours had passed since Kaori came to the medical center, but in such a short time, Kaori was able to treat a large number of patients. She certainly was also a cheat-like character.
Shia returned to help Kaori again and at the same time, Yue activated "Fissuring Wave" in rapid succession. Before long, the forty thousand square meters reservoir was filled with fresh, unpolluted water.
"…Such a thing…"
Dumbfounded, Randzi was staring at the surface of water before him, reflecting by the sunlight and glittering just like an oasis. He was speechless.
"It is enough for now. Next, I am going to examine the oasis… if I don't come to understand anything, then it is okay for you to ask for water from the Kingdom at that time."
"Ah, yeah. Well, I have a lot I want to ask… but thank you. You have my gratitude. With this, my people won't die from dehydration. Also, let me guide you to the oasis."
Although Randzi was still recovering from the shock, he knew what should be done, so his attitude completely changed and he sincerely said his gratitude to Hajime's party.
Hajime and the others moved straight to the oasis.
Unchanging, the oasis was beautifully glittering, reflecting the sunlight, and it did not seem to contain any poison.
However…
"…Nn?" "…Hajime?"
Frowning, Hajime stared at a spot inside the oasis. Noticing his change, Yue tilted her head and asked Hajime with a doubtful expression.
"Well, that, my Magic Eye was reacting to something just now… Lord, to what length has the survey team examined it?"
"… I am certain it was the substances inside the oasis and the river flowing from it. They also investigated the substance in various wells and the underground river. The water's substance was just as you heard from my son, but no abnormality was found in the underground river. Moreover, the range of examination was only several tens of meters from the oasis. The bottom of the oasis itself hadn't been examined."
"Had an artifact sunk into the oasis?"
"? No, I don't think so. Although the guards and the management of the oasis used an artifact, it was set up above the ground… It is a barrier-type artifact, so it shouldn't be able to pollute the oasis. As for the proof, the oasis had never been polluted before."
The artifact Randzi spoke about was called "Cutter of What Intended," and it was actually the dome of light protecting Ancadi. It was a useful barrier that prevented sand from entering while allowing the necessity such as air and moisture to pass through, but the things capable of passing could also be decided by the setter. In addition, it was not just a simple barrier since it also had detecting function, and what was detected could also be set. By setting it in default, it was possible to detect whether one's soul was affected by a magic of dark element.
In other words, if it was set to "those who have malicious intent towards the oasis," the person who set it, Randzi, would know if the "Cutter of What Intended" was reacting to something. However, the Lord himself didn't know whether there was a hidden requirement. Incidentally, up until now, a lot of people had been going in and out during the examination while the guards had been off-duty due to the oasis being polluted already.
"…Hee~. Then, I wonder what's with that."
Having the oasis of Dukedom of Ancadi polluted, the appearance of Randzi clenching his fists in bitterness made one think he was indeed Viz's father. Looking at Randzi with narrowed eyes, Hajime laughed while understanding Randzi had misunderstood his words. Hajime's Magic Eye was certainly seen "something" releasing magic power in the bottom of the center of the oasis.
The thing that shouldn't be there made Randzi and the others agitated. Coming near the oasis, Hajime took out a 500ml pet bottle-shaped metal object from "Treasure Box" and supplied it with magic power. Next, he casually threw it into the oasis.
Trotting, Hajime moved away from the oasis and stood next to Yue. Though everyone wore doubtful expressions, Hajime didn't say anything. Following that, Randzi finally came to ask Hajime. And at that moment,
BAAAANNNGGGG!!!
A huge explosive sound rang out accompanied by the oasis spouting a huge column of water. Randzi and his subordinates were once again slackjawed and pop-eyed.
"Tch, was it evaded? …No, it must be because it has high defense, huh?"
Saying so, Hajime took out ten of the same thing and thrown them into the oasis. Following that, after several seconds, huge explosions and huge columns of water appeared all over the oasis.
What Hajime threw were the so called torpedo. Because the next Seven Great Dungeon over the Elisen, «Meljeenae's Seabed Ruin», was located at the bottom of the sea (according to the information from Miledi), Hajime made prototypes of weapons that could be used in the sea, the torpedo. He threw them because he now had the time and a place to experiment them. The result was, although it had a good amount of power, its homing and speed was not that good. Improvements were necessary.
The torpedoes were equipped with crystal created by Creation magic which was capable of "Specific Perception" and "Pursuit." They would run after the enemy, and once the enemy was locked, it would explode upon contact. What it meant was, something was inside the water, and he used the experimental weapons to chase after it.
"Oy, oy, oy! Hajime-dono! What in the world are you doing!? Ahh! The pier is blown off! The fishes are dead! The oasis is dyed in red!"
"Tch, it still couldn't be caught, huh. Well then, next will be 50…"
Randzi was screaming because of the scenery of the oasis was gradually turning worse, but Hajime muttered without a care and moved out. Randzi, along with his subordinates clung to Hajime, desperately trying to stop him.
From Randzi's view who didn't know about the "something" seen by Hajime's Magic Eye, Hajime had suddenly threw out unknown objects which blasted the oasis one after another along with the pier and the fishes. It was a confusing situation since the barrier didn't see it as an evil, destructive action. Randzi couldn't conceal his confusion, however, he still desperately tried to protect the oasis.
Irritated by Randzi and the others clinging to him, Hajime tried to shake them off as he advanced. However,
WOOOOSH!
Numerous tentacles came out of the water cutting the wind, and it attacked Hajime and the others. Immediately, Hajime intercepted it some using Donner-Schlag and the tentacles coming out of the water were blown off. Yue froze them while Tio used fire to evaporate the tentacles.
As Randzi and his subordinates looked at the oasis, wondering what happened, but they were once again astonished by the spectacle of something appearing from the oasis. They thought the surface of the water raised because of anger from Hajime's bombing. It kept rising up and became a little mountain with the height of around ten meters.
"What is… that…"
Randzi muttered with a blank expression, but his words were resounded clearly.
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ARIFURETA SHOKUGYOU DE SEKAI SAIKYOU (WN)
V9 C5
The Thing Lurking in the Oasis
The thing appearing in the oasis was 10 meters in length, it has numerous tentacles wriggling around, and a magic stone shining in red was inside of it. A slime… it was the most suitable word to describe it.
However, its size was abnormal. Slime-type demonic beasts were normally one meter in length, at best. Moreover, there should be none with power to manipulate the surrounding water. It should only capable of manipulating tentacles that were part of its own body.
"What the… what's with that demonic beast? Is it… a Vachram?"
Randzi muttered in blank surprise. Vachram itself was a slime-type demonic beast of this world.
"Well, I don't care whatever it is. In the end, isn't this the thing polluting the oasis? So, it is most likely to have a peculiar magic that excreted the poison."
"… What you're thinking should be right. But, can Hajime-dono defeat it?"
While Hajime and Randzi were conversing, the Oasis-Vachram was still attacking in anger by using its tentacles. Yue and Tio were dealing with those tentacles with ice magic and fire magic respectively. Hajime was also intercepting while talking using Donner-Schlag, and though he aimed at the core-like red magic stone, he could not easily hit it since the magic stone moved around the body, as if it had its own will.
Seeing Hajime's artifacts and magic from Yue and Tio, Randzi had given up being surprised and decided to just ignore them which resulted in him being capable of calmly ask Hajime that question.
"Nn~… yeah, there's no need to worry. I've caught it now."
Replying casually to Randzi's question, Hajime quietly put Schlag back into its holster and used both hands to ready Donner while narrowing his eyes, following the track of the moving magic stone. His right arm thrusted straight forward and left arm's elbow slightly bent. His feet, one positioned forward and one backward. It was the shooting posture called Weaver Stance, the pose to accurately fire Donner.
Hajime's eyes sharply narrowed just like those of a hawk's, completely capturing the movement of that magic stone. Then…
KABOOM!!
With a dry explosive sound, a line of flash cut through the air as though they were pulled by a magnetic force. The moving magic stone, while ignoring the law of inertia, was shot through by the flash, and it could be said the magic stone was being voluntarily being hit.
The impact and heat from the railgun instantly annihilated the magic stone, and at the same time, Oasis-Vachram lost its power and the water it manipulated returned into normal water.WoOoOoOSH~! A large amount of water poured down. Randzi and his subordinates were watching the generated rough waves.
"… Is it over?"
"Ah, there's no more magic power reaction from the oasis now. I don't know whether annihilating the cause is equal to purifying it though."
With Hajime's words indicating he easily repulsed the cause of Ancadi's desperate situation only made Randzi and his subordinates puzzled. Even so, because the cause was certainly annihilated before their own eyes, one of Randzi's subordinate came to examine the water's substance in a panic.
"… How is it?" "… No, it is still polluted."
Randzi asked with an expectant tone, but his subordinate was shaking his head in disappointment. They knew the people were infected by the water drawn from the oasis, but they could not conceal their disappointment after finding out that it was still polluted even though Oasis-Vachram was no longer there.
"Well, there's no need for thee to be disappointed. With the cause gone, the pollution won't advance. And the water from the oasis comes from the fresh water in the underground water pulse, so the oasis will be able to return to its normal state if the polluted water is exhausted."
Tio told Randzi and his subordinates to comfort them, thus Randzi and his subordinates began to pull themselves together, displaying their wills. Their appearances, with Randzi, ruler of Ancadi, in the center showed how much they loved this country. It was a country that existed in a severe environment, so the patriotism was high.
"… But, I wonder just why that Vachram-like demonic beast is doing in the desert… Was it a new kind of demonic beast that came from underground water pulse?"
Having pulled himself together, Randzi tilted his head while looking at oasis. And Hajime was the one who answered him.
"It is just my guess, but… it was probably the work of Demon race, right?"
"!? Demon race? Hajime-dono, you must know something to be able to say that, right?"
Randzi was surprised by Hajime's words, but he instantly regained his composure and urged Hajime to explain. Randzi was looking at Hajime, the one who secured the water and annihilated the cause of pollution, with respect and trust. There's no more trace suspicion that he had in the beginning.
Hajime guessed the Oasis-Vachram was a new demonic beast created by Age of Gods magic Demon race had. There's the peculiarity of Oasis-Vachram, coupled with the fact the Demon race was also aiming at Aiko in Ul and the Heroes in Orcus.
It was probably one of Demon race's scheme, using demonic beast. The Demon race was investigating and erasing dangerous, unknown element and the key point in northern of the continent before the war. The proofs were how they aimed at Aiko, an existence that could affect food supply, and the Heroes from another world the Church of the Saints summoned to fight against Demon race.
As for Ancadi, it was the key point of food supply since it was the relay point of marine products from Elisen and it also produced large amount of fruits and other food ingredients. Moreover, if Ancadi was attacked, it was hard to call for help because it is located in the middle of the Great Desert. So, it wouldn't be odd for Demon race to aim for Ancadi.
Being told so, Randzi raised a low groan with a bitter expression.
"I've heard about the demonic beast. We also did our own investigation about it but… I've never expected they could create such a thing… how naive of me."
"Well, it isn't something you can help, right? After all, even the Imperial Capital didn't get information about new kinds of demonic beasts. Furthermore, the case where the Hero's party was attacked was only recently. And that must have created commotions everywhere right now."
"Maybe it is about time for them to move make a move, huh… Hajime-dono… although you introduced yourself as an adventurer… those artifacts and power, as expected, you are the same as Kaori-dono…"
Without saying anything, Hajime shrugged his shoulders, thus Randzi stopped asking, thinking Hajime must have his own circumstance. No matter what the circumstance was, it didn't change the fact that Hajime's party saved Ancadi. There's no need to make any useless inquiry to their benefactors.
"… Hajime-dono, Yue-dono, Tio-dono. Let this Lord of Ancadi, Randzi Fuad Zengain, show his gratitude on behalf of this country. You have saved this country."
Saying so, Randzi and his subordinates bowed their heads. It wasn't an easy thing for the Lord himself to bow his head, but regardless whether Hajime is one of the "God's Apostles," Randzi would still bow his head. And although only a short time had passed, Hajime understood Randzi held an extraordinary patriotism. This was also the reason why his subordinates didn't stop Randzi from bowing his head to someone who introduced himself as a mere adventurer, and they also bowed their heads. Such personality was also passed onto his son, Viz. Their gesture, speech, and behavior were alike.
Towards them, Hajime was smiling broadly while saying,
"Ah, you have expressed your gratitudes. Also, please don't forget about this huge favor."
He expected them to return this favor. Well, it was not something new. Hajime said, "No, please don't worry about that. This is something natural to do as a person," clearly and humbly, thus Randzi was inadvertently dumbfounded thinking Hajime had casually said he wanted something. Randzi himself actually didn't mind giving him anything as his thank towards the country's saviors, but he didn't expect it to be said straight to his face.
Hajime had thought there's no need for gratitude since it was necessary for him to make Ancadi secure because he needed to entrust them with Myuu, and there's Kaori's request, too.
However, because they made their way to express their gratitude, it wouldn't be bad to have more people as allies in a time of emergency, so he clearly told them it was a favor. Hajime thought Randzi would sincerely correspond to it, but he was also a politician, so Hajime needed to make sure of it.
"Ah, ahh. Of course. It will be remembered forever… But, there are still many people suffering in Ancadi, can I ask your help in their behalf?"
It was something Randzi was used to, as a politician and as a noble, but Randzi was a little perplexed due to the too straight forward words said by Hajime. Before long, as if he had come to an agreement, Randzi nodded with a wry smile. Afterwards, he requested Hajime to procure "Serene Stone" for the sake of saving those infected.
"My original objective was «Guryuu-en Great Volcano». Thus, there's no problem in getting it at all. However, just how much should I gather?"
With Hajime easily accepting his request, Randzi patted his chest in relief, next he told Hajime the current number of patients and the amount needed to be gathered. Although it was a considerable amount, it was not a problem because Hajime possessed "Treasure Box." Normal adventurers might not be able to save all of the infected, so Randzi was thanking God to have met Hajime's party.
* * *
Accompanied by Shia inside the medical center, Kaori displayed storm-like activities. She simultaneously extracted magic power from the more urgent patients and filled the Magic-crystallization stones. She also delayed the progress of disease for the patients gathered within radius of ten meters from her and used healing magic at the same time to recover the patients from their weakened state.
Shia was using her herculean strength to move the immobilized patients at once. She wasn't moving using the wagon, but she lifted the wagon filled with the patients and jumped above the buildings, going back and forth the medical facilities. It was because it was more efficient to gather the more urgent patients around Kaori than her going around each of the facilities.
This method created an unbelievable spectacle starring the should be incompetent rabbit-eared girl, made a lot of patients begin to think their disease had gotten worsen, and thus created such illusion. Despair poured into the medical facilities, creating unnecessary chaos.
The medical staff themselves had used high-ranked magic in succession, and they became astonished when they saw Kaori used several healing magic simultaneously as if it was a natural thing. Once their astonishment passed, they now held deep respect towards Kaori, and treated the patients according to Kaori's instructions.
Hajime and the others arrived at the group gathered around Kaori. Afterwards, Randzi spoke out loud about the water being secured and how the cause had been annihilated which resulted with everyone shouting out of joy at the same time. Smiles began to return to the people who were despairing from the amount of death and how they could not secure safe water in the middle of the desert.
The information was immediately conveyed to the other facilities. The infected people regained up their energies because they only needed to endure a little while and they would be saved.
"Kaori, we are going to challenge «Guryuu-en Great Volcano». So, how long can you hold on?"
"Hajime-kun…"
Inside the medical facilities filled with shouts of joy, Hajime walked up to Kaori, who didn't stop treating the patients, and asked.
Kaori was so glad once she seen Hajime's figure, but she immediately made a serious expression, watching an empty space. Next, she finished her calculation, turned to look at Hajime and answered with, "Two days." She might have judged that was the very limit regarding both her magic power and the patients' endurance.
"Hajime-kun. I, I will stay here and treat the patients. Please gather the Serene Stone. It seems to be a valuable mineral… but no one except Hajime can do it because a large amount is needed. I am sorry… even though I know Hajime-kun doesn't concern himself with this world…"
"If it's just that much, then I can just gather them while entering deeper into the volcano. It doesn't matter if I need to search on the surface… In short, I only need to conquer the dungeon faster. Also, there's no need for you to apologize. After all, it is something I decided myself… Besides, I couldn't just leave Myuu in a place where people collapsed and died, right?"
"Fufu… I see. Then, good luck, and leave Myuu-chan to me."
Kaori had heard about the Mad Gods and the purpose of Hajime's travel on their way to Ancadi. She also heard Hajime would return to their original world even if it means to abandon this world. He also told her to return to Kouki and the others if she couldn't agree to his way. Having heard all of those, Kaori's will didn't waver; she wanted to continue following Hajime.
Even in this current case, if Hajime decided to abandon Ancadi, and although she would try to persuade him, she would just give up if there's no effect.
However, it was the truth that she wanted to become the strength for the people of Ancadi, if she could. She was inadvertently looking at Hajime with petitioning gaze at that time when Hajime was thinking about his decision. She wasn't conceited that her desire would be the same as Hajime's decision, but Kaori's gaze must have influenced Hajime's decision since he shrugged his shoulders a little with a wry smile when he received her gaze.
That's why, the way it seemed that Hajime was going along with her selfish desire made Kaori hold a complex feeling.
However, Hajime only indifferently shook his hand towards the apologizing Kaori. Having seen through Kaori's feeling, he told her not to mind since it was something he decided on. Kaori smiled at Hajime, who was worried about her although he said so in a blunt manner, and who casually showed a father-like attitude. She looked at him with a gaze filled with trust and affection.
"I will also do my best… so please come back safely. I will be waiting…"
"…O-okay."
Kaori, who narrowed her eyes dearly and exuding an aura of a wife who sends off her husband to the battlefield, made Hajime stammer inadvertently.
Since before, Kaori had been a straightforward person. Even when they were in Japan, Kaori mercilessly cut down Kouki's misunderstanding, dropping bomb onto Hajime which resulted in the classroom to suffer the storm of jealousy… those had become their daily life. And she was being even more frank since the day she confessed to him.
Hajime somehow managed to avert his gaze, but the place he averted to was… where Yue was. He saw it; Yue was watching Hajime in silence with dead, inorganic eyes. It was really terrible. He instinctively changed his gaze other way, and Kaori was there smiling with affection…
But seeing Kaori's atmosphere, our idol, Myuu dropped a bomb.
"Kaori-oneechan, Kaori-oneechan looks just like Yue-oneechan from before. Is Kaori-oneechan going to kiss Papa~?"
"Oya? So thou saw it, Myu?"
"Uh~? Myuu saw it from the gap between the fingers. Yue-oneechan looked so lovely~. Myuu also wants to kiss Papa~."
"U~m. Even this one hath not done that, thou know? So, Myuu need to wait until Myuu is bigger."
"Uu~."
Myuu's innocent words made Hajime say, "This good for nothing!" an unjust anger towards Tio. As expected, with "Those eyes! Those eyess! Tres Bien!" Tio began to be aroused, but it was something trivial this time.
As for the reason, a katana-shouldering Hanya appeared right beside Hajime. Of course, it was Kaori.
"…What does that mean, ah? Wasn't Hajime-kun going there to work on something? So, why did you kiss Yue? Tell me, how did it come to that? Was there any need to do that? While I was desperately treating the patients, the two of you were enjoying yourselves, ah? Did you even forget about me? Rather, did we separate just so you could be alone?"
Eyes without light, Kaori was looking at Hajime with a Hanya behind her. Cold sweats ran along Hajime's cheeks. Hajime wanted to say it was because of the bloodsucking act; he and Yue wouldn't be separated unless they kiss. But faster than him, Yue advanced.
Hajime had expected her to solve the misunderstanding, but he was a fool to expect that from Yue in this kind of situation.
Yue and Kaori looked at each other, and Yue puffed her chest in a dignified manner. Smiling after saying fu,
"… It was delicious." She informed Kaori.
"Aha, ahahahahaha."
"Fufu, fufufufufufu."
Eerie laughter coming from the two beautiful girls was echoing inside the medical center. Up until now, the staff of medical center and patients thought of Kaori as a saint, but now they were taken aback and turned their faces away so their eyes would not meet hers.
It was something they couldn't help. No one would think a person with katana-swinging Hanya behind then was a saint. Moreover, the one confronting her had a dragon clad in black clouds and thunders. They couldn't help but wanting to look away.
Towards Kaori and Yue, who were staring at each other while laughing, Hajime sighed and quickly decided to approach them to deliver forehead flicks. Shwip! An unbelievable sound rang out from the impact of the flicks. Yue and Kaori spontaneously groaned and squatted. With teary eyes, they looked up, expressing, "What are you doing," which made Hajime raised an amazed expression.
"Kaori. It's not like I and Yue had wanted to do such an act. You understand it, right? Besides, Yue is my lover. We don't need your permission to do such a thing."
"Uh… that is so… but I don't think it is the real reason…"
Angered by that, Kaori objected to Hajime. Hajime sighed again and said, "Yue, too, there's no need to always bicker like that." However, hmph!, Yue turned her face and refused to listen to him, "This is a woman's fight… there's no need for Hajime to interfere."
Randzi and the others could only stand in place by the suddenly generated carnage. Shia reflected, "I noticed that recently my presence had been thinned." Tio was still panting hard, while Myuu turned into angry mode because Yue and Kaori were quarrelling again.
Hajime gave up on controlling the situation and decided to go to «Guryuu-en Great Volcano» as fast as possible. Kaori was not the only one being busy in the medical center, since although Hajime had told Randzi beforehand, he once again told Randzi to take care of Myuu. Smiling wryly at the relationship between Hajime and his party, Randzi readily agreed to take care of Myuu.
Myuu had been persuaded beforehand, but as soon as she guessed Hajime was going to leave, Myuu looked down with a lonely expression. Hajime kneeled to match Myuu's eye-level and patted her head.
"Myuu, I am going. Be a good girl and wait for me, okay?"
"Uh, Myuu will be a good girl. So come back quickly, Papa."
"Ah, I will return as fast as possible."
Grasping the end of her clothes tightly with both hands, Myuu was enduring her tears. And the appearance of Hajime gently patting Myuu, even if they weren't related by blood, made everyone see them as nothing but a father and his child. The cold, post-carnage atmosphere has turned warm. Hajime pushed Myuu's back towards Kaori's side. Yue, Shia, and Tio moved out in order.
Hajime was about to turn on his heel, when Kaori called out to him.
"Ah, Hajime-kun… that's, have a safe journey."
"Ou, please take care of Myuu."
"Un… also, that is… can I ask for a, kiss? Like… a kiss to pray for a safe trip."
"… Of course you can't. Rather, what's with that?"
"On cheek is okay, too, you know? Still no?"
Although she was fidgeting with flushed cheeks, Kaori's tone was unexpectedly a strong one. Apparently her rivalry with Yue made her think she must not back out at such a time. Hajime recalled that he noticed Kaori was rather proactive at the time they were still in Japan, but the Kaori after confessing to him was even more proactive.
Hajime ignored the rabbit-ear who said, "Ah, then me, too!," from behind him and decided to flatly refuse Kaori, but he was attacked by an unexpected enemy.
"Myuu, too~. Myuu wants to kiss Papa, too!"
Kaori took an advantage of Myuu, who innocently reached out to Hajime. Hajime wanted to say a lot of things and evade her (Myuu isn't that strong after all), but finally,
"Papa, Papa hates Myuu?"
Saying so with teary eyes, Myuu endured herself from crying.
In the end, Kaori, Myuu, and somehow Shia were kissed on their cheek. And this time, in a place where a lot of patients were lying down, they were watched with warm gazes although they didn't know why. Afterwards, Hajime, as if running away, went towards «Guryuu-en Great Volcano».
By the way, although Tio also wanted a kiss, Hajime rashly insult her because she was being too cocky which resulted in her being even more excited. Let just say it turned into something disgusting.
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ARIFURETA SHOKUGYOU DE SEKAI SAIKYOU (WN)
V9 C6
Guryuu-en Great Volcano
«Guryuu-en Great Volcano»
It is situated 800 kilometers towards the north of the Dukedom of Ancadi. From what could be seen, it was a huge mountain five kilometers in diameter and 3,000 meters in altitude. It didn't have cone-like appearance similar to those of normal active volcanos. It has dome-like, flat top made of lava, and it would be more appropriate to call it a gigantic hill than a mountain. However, the altitude and scale were just abnormal.
The «Guryuu-en Great Volcano» was commonly known as one of the Seven Great Dungeons. However, unlike «Orcus Great Dungeon», it wasn't much visited by adventurers. It was because of the danger inside and how troublesome it was. In addition, unlike the «Orcus Great Dungeon», demonic beasts from whom the magic stones were gathered from were scarce… those were the basic reasons, but the foremost was actually because only few people were capable of reaching the entrance.
The reason was,
"… It looks just like Laputa."
"… Laputa?"
Hajime unconsciously muttered while recalling the scene of that masterpiece anime, which made Yue and the other girls look at him with questioning glances. Hajime only shrugged his shoulders and watched the gigantic swirling sandstorm from inside the four-wheeler.
That's right, just like how the floating castle was wrapped by cumulonimbus cloud, the «Guryuu-en Great Volcano» was wrapped by gigantic, swirling sandstorm. The storm's scale was so huge that it completely hid the «Guryuu-en Great Volcano», and the tornados of the sandstorm were just like a flowing wall.
Moreover, a large amount of demonic beasts such as Sandworms were lurking inside the sandstorm, and they would mercilessly make surprise attacks within the place that had limited range of view. Thus, Hajime could only nod at the tale where people with average ability wouldn't be able to pass through the sandstorm, and into «Guryuu-en Great Volcano».
"I am glad we aren't walking here."
"Indeed, even I doth not wanteth to enter it with mine own body."
Looking at the giant sandstorm from the window just like Hajime, Shia and Tio were grateful to the four-wheeler. Smiling wryly, Hajime said, "Then, let's go." and the four-wheeler dashed out. For this case, they didn't come to conquer it leisurely. There wasn't that much Serene Stone on the surface, so it was necessary to go into the untouched depth of the dungeon to obtain the amount needed. And if they go into the deepest part, there should be a shortcut similar to what they have experienced until now. As such, they would be able to immediately return to Ancadi.
Hajime, himself, wasn't interested in the safety of Ancadi's people, but he didn't mind helping them. By doing so, he would at least not to feel guilty towards his companion, Kaori, nor would he let Myuu see a spectacle that would bring great shock to her.
While thinking this, Hajime regained his spirit and charged into the gigantic sandstorm.
Inside the sandstorm was a world painted in brown. Just like in the fog of«Halteena Sea of Trees», it was hard to see ahead. It was also capable of influencing one's physical condition, so it might be more troublesome than that fog. Thus, even using magic, breaking through this place filled with hidden demonic beasts was indeed virtually impossible.
Light coming from the headlight made out of Green Light stone cut through the dim place where the sunlight could not reach. Their speed was 30 kmph. If the information they got before was accurate, they would break through the sandstorm within five minutes.
And at that time, Shia's rabbit ears stood straight and Hajime also reacted, one beat after her. "Brace yourself!," Hajime raised his voice, and grandly turned the steering wheel.
Three sandworms with their big mouths opened and jumped out from below. Evading the ambush, the four-wheeler created S-letter on the ground, and Hajime kept running away without a care. With four-wheeler's speed, it would be better to quickly get out of the sandstorm than fighting each time something appeared.
Two more sandworms came to attack from both sides of four-wheeler while it was dashing out and ignored the previous three sandworms. Their timing was so good that the four-wheeler's body would receive body blows. However, it would hit without damaging the four-wheeler at all, and the four-wheeler would only be turned sideways. That's why, once Hajime grasped the surprise attacks using "Sign Perception," he immediately tried to drift to evade. However, Yue and Tio stopped him.
"…Nn, leave it to me."
" Just leaveth it to this one, Master."
Hearing the two, Hajime unhesitatingly kept the steering wheel straight as it was. Then, the gigantic worms dashed out of the brown colored world.
However, the attacks coming from the sandworms from left and right side couldn't even touch four-wheeler.
"""Wind Blade."""
Seeing the sandworm on the left, Yue muttered and a blade of wind was instantly produced outside the four-wheeler and fired, drawing a trajectory using the sand on the air. Thus the sandworm that jumped out before them was horizontally slashed, and blood scattered from the divided sandworm.
That spectacle was similar to what happened on the right side, which Tio had taken care of.
"Hmm, as expected of thee, thee fired a good wind."
"… There's no way I won't use the wind from the sandstorm. Tio, too, as expected of you."
Similarly, they instantly chose to use wind element magic, "Wind Blade," and though it was a beginner-ranked magic, the "Wind Blades" previously fired were as strong as mid-ranked magic. The reason was because they used the raging wind outside. Simply, the strength of magic wasn't only affected by magic power, thus the best magic used was selected according to the condition and environment of the location. However, even though saying it was simple, it was difficult to actually do it. For Yue and Tio to be capable of doing it, it was indeed as expected of their competency.
Behind them, the three sandworms from before were still following. They had considerable speed as they advanced under the ground. Irritated by them, Hajime activated four-wheeler's gimmick. Briiing!Such a sound came from back part of four-wheeler and one of its rear part opened. Several black, round objects rolled down from there.
The moment some met up with the sandworms pursuing the four-wheeler, they created huge explosions. The impact blew away the ground, and the sandworms advancing underground came out of the ground while scattering flesh and blood. Towards the sandworms, more black object, grenades, rolled and caused more explosions that blew away half of each of the sandworms. Their upper-bodies were blown off, fluttered mid-air, and disappeared inside the sandstorm.
"Uhya~, amazing. Hajime-san, just how many functions are installed in this four-wheeler?"
Shia asked Hajime while looking at sandworms that were flashily blown away from the back window. Hajime was wearing a mischievous smile.
"It is capable of transforming into human-shaped weapon, a gigantic golem."
"""…"""
Although they wanted to say it was impossible, they knew Hajime could do it, thus not only Shia, Tio and Yue were also began to silently look around inside the vehicle. Smiling wryly, Hajime said, "It was a joke. As expected, I can't make such function… I want to though." However, Yue and the girls were convinced that Hajime would someday capable of creating that.
Afterwards, the composed Hajime's party were also attacked by brown-colored, gigantic spider, and ant-like demonic beasts. However, all of them were crushed by four-wheeler's armament and magic from Yue and Tio without accomplishing anything, not even halting the party's advance.
Ignoring Shia who said, "I am useless here," from the back seat, Hajime's party easily broke through the gigantic sandstorm that had obstructed a lot of adventurers.
Buuahh! Hajime's party came out of the sandstorm and arrived at a rocky mountain several times bigger than Ayers Rock. It was a silent place surrounded by the wall-like sandstorm where the blue sky could be seen up above — the eye of the storm.
The entrance into «Guryuu-en Great Volcano» was at the top, so they continued to travel up on the slope using four-wheeler. The exposed rocky surface was reddish red in color, and steams gushed from here and there. Though it was an active volcano, the point where it never erupted was a Great Dungeon-like wonder.
Before long, the angle became more difficult for four-wheeler to advance, so Hajime's party got out of the four wheeler and went towards the top of the mountain on foot.
"Uwau… i-it's hot."
"Nn~…"
"Indeed. … the heat is in a different scale compared to the heat of desert's dry weather… Even without the time limit, it would be better to quickly conquer the dungeon, huh."
"Hmm, though this one feels comfortable here… this one can't wait… to feel so hot that this body would writhes in agony."
"… I will drop you into the magma later."
Attacked by the heat as soon as they got out of the four-wheeler, other than Tio, all of them made dissatisfied expressions. Due to them being in air-conditioned place before, they felt even hotter. As adventurers in another world and travelers, for them to have withdrawal symptom similar to shut-in was… just reaping what they sowed.
They didn't have much time, so while complaining about the heat, they quickly went towards the mountain top, climbed the rocky place quickly as if they didn't feel any weight. As a result, Hajime's party reached the top of the mountain in less than one hour.
They arrived at the top, a complex place buried by rocks of various sizes. There were rocks with pointed surface and also those with slippery, smooth surface. It was just like an exhibition of strange objects. Also, they could feel the top of the sandstorm nearby.
There was an exceptionally huge rock, and a group of strange-shaped rocks. It was an arch-shaped rock with the length of ten meters.
Hajime's party went there and found huge staircase that continued on into «Guryuu-en Great Volcano» under the arch-shaped rock. Hajime stood before the staircase and looked over his shoulder towards Yue, Shia, and Tio's faces in order. With a confident expression, he said a word to challenge the Great Dungeon.
"Let's do it!"
"Nn!"
"Yes!"
"Umh!"
* * *
The inside of «Guryuu-en Great Volcano» was even more unexpected than «Orcus Great Dungeon» and «Raisen Great Dungeon».
Rather than the difficulty, it was the interior's structure that was unexpected.
First, magma was flowing mid-air. Not flowing like the waterway in dem-ihuman country, Faea Belgaen, but the magma was in the mid-air and flowing like rivers. The streaming, scorching red magma in mid-air was just like huge, jumping dragons.
Thus, the magma flowing around the passage and broad space made not only the dungeon challenger be cautious about the magma on the ground, but also above them.
Moreover,
"Ukya!" "Woops, are you okay?"
"Ha~, Hajime-san, thank you. It was impossible for me to perceive that… the magma would suddenly spout from the ground."
Exactly what Shia said, the magmas abruptly spouted from all around the walls. It was really abrupt that it was difficult to perceive any prior sign of it. It was similar to that of a booby trap. Fortunately, Hajime has "Heat Perception." Without it, their conquering speed would've fallen due to the need to be cautious.
Following that, the thing that made it truly difficult was the boiling heat — extreme heat. It was naturally hot due to magma streaming all around the passage and broad space which made the party feel like being inside a sauna, or to be more accurate, above a heated frying pan. The heat was the most troublesome thing about «Guryuu-en Great Volcano».
While sweating, Hajime's party continued to advance while evading the drops of and the spouting magma. And in a certain broad space, they found the place has artificial cut all over the place. The place was worn down by cuts that seemed to come from something like a pickaxe, but there was a small, faint pink-colored crystal peeping from one part of the wall.
"Oh? That thing. Serene Stone… right?"
"Hmm, twas indeed that, Master."
Hajime's questioning-like words were confirmed by Tio whose knowledge was broad. Apparently, this seemed to be the place the adventurers, who passed through the sandstorm and entered «Guryuu-en Great Volcano», mined the stone.
"… So small."
"The ones at others' places were also in a size of small stones…"
Just as Yue said, the remaining Serene Stone was only almost as big as little finger. Though those could be taken out and carried, but the size was indeed too small. As expected, it was too inefficient to gather the ones on the surface, so it was necessary for them to go into the depth to be able to obtain a lot of it in a dash.
For now, Hajime used "Mineral Enquiry" to search around for Serene Stone. After he stored those that could be gathered easily, he urged Yue and the girls to move ahead, quickly.
While being disgusted by the heat, they descended into the seventh floor. It was the highest floor recorded to be reached by the adventurers. None of those who moved farther than this had come back alive. So, bracing themselves, Hajime's party descended into the eighth floor.
At that moment,
GRuuOoOOOO!!!
When they felt fanned by a strong hot wind, a huge blazing flame came to attack Hajime's party from right ahead of them. It advanced as it drew a spiral on the orange-colored wall.
""Absolute Calamity.""
Yue's magic activated against the blazing flame. A black, swirling orb appeared before Hajime's party. It was a gravity magic. However, it was not used to crush the object on the ground.
The flame that could easily burn a person to ash was pulled by the sphere which was only 60 centimeters in diameter and disappeared without a trace. The flame swallowed by the sphere was actually nullified. The black, swirling sphere, the gravity magic called "Absolute Calamity," was generating its own gravity, pulled those coming near it, and swallowed them into the inside of it, like a black hole.
When all of the blazing flame was swallowed by Yue's swirling supergravity, the party could see the identity of their attacker.
It was a bull. It stood in the middle of the magna, and its whole body was also cladded in magma. It had two sharp curved horns on its head, and flame was coming out of its mouth from time to time. The heat-proofness of this demonic beast made Hajime instinctively wanted to retort on it.
Maybe because the Magma Bull was angry that its peculiar magic, the blazing flame attack, was easily nullified, sounds of thud! Thud! could be heard from its legs and it turned into a charging stance.
To the Magma Bull, the swirling supergravity Yue created immediately moved as if being pulled toward the Magma Bull. At that moment, Magma Bull also attacked using compressed flame. The laser-like, compressed attack from the Magma Bull carried several times the power of normal flame attack.
Even now, the Magma Bull was still charging head-on. However, Yue literally received and returned the fired attack.
KABOOOOM!!
The space vibrated accompanied by an explosive sound, and the Magma Bull that stood on the magma was blown away by the attack. Blown backward by the impact, the Magma Bull struck the wall. However, "GRAAAAH!!," it only raised an angry shout and instantly stood up. This time, it began to once again charge with all of its might to repel the intruders.
"Hah… as expected, flame attack isn't effective on it."
"Well, it is cladded in magma… so it can't be helped."
Yue, who deflected the blazing flame shot back, raised a grunt. Laughing wryly, Hajime tried to take Donner, but Shia raised a hand.
"Hajime-san, please leave it to me!"
Although Hajime doubted Shia who already held Doryukken in her hands, she snorted in full spirit. His doubt turned into trust, and he expressed his acknowledgement with a wave of his hand. It was after he had guessed Shia wanted to test the new features installed in Doryukken when his magic eye saw Shia was supplying her magic power into Doryukken.
"Alright~! I am going to do it!," Shia raised a yell, and after few light steps, she jumped towards the Magma Bull who had moved several meters towards the party.
Rotating once in the mid-air and riding on the momentum, she swung down Doryukken towards the Magma Bull on the ground with such a perfect timing. Her aiming wasn't off, the Doryukken swung down directly hitting the Magma Bull's head. At that moment, ripples of faint blue-colored magic power spread around the center of the place where it struck, followed by tremendous impact. The Magma Bull's head popped, exploded.
Using the nailed down Doryukken as a fulcrum, Shia rotated again. She jumped over the sliding Magma Bull's body and splendidly landed on the other side.
"O-Ohh Hajime-san, I, the person who used it, now know that this new feature generated an amazing amount of force."
"Ah, looks like it… I've thought what kind of thing is this "Conversion : Impact," but this is good…"
Not only Hajime, Yue and Tio immediately raised words of praise towards the blow that Shia did with considerable force. It was thanks to the peculiar magic Hajime said, "Conversion : Impact."
This "Conversion : Impact" was a new peculiar magic Hajime acquired, a derivation from "Magic Power Conversion." The effect was just as the words expressed, it converted magic power into impact.
It was the ability of the horshead Hajime instantly turned into minced meat several days ago in«Orcus Great Dungeon». He had actually collected the meat in secret, and when he recovered the stake, he ate it.
If it was an average demonic beasts, neither the stats nor Hajime's the skill would increase, but he ate it since he thought it might have an effect because the horsehead was able to hold on against Kouki's party along with the Kouki in limit break… But as he thought, his stats didn't change at all; he only gained the horsehead's peculiar magic.
Then, he used Creation magic to add "Conversion : Impact" to an ore and installed it into the newly built Doryukken.
Hajime watched the Magma Bull's head blasted in interest, but he was urged by Yue to hurry.
Afterwards, the demonic beast variations increased as they descended the floors. There were bat-like demonic beasts that scattered magma from their wings, scorching red moray-like demonic beasts that jumped out from the wall it melted, hedgehog-like demonic beasts that shot out numerous needles of flame, chameleon-like demonic beasts that only produced its face from within the magma and attacked using its magma-covered tongues like a whip while swimming on the gravity-defying magma river overhead, and there were even blazing serpents…
It was indeed troublesome since the demonic beasts' bodies were clad in magma or ablaze which nullified any half-assed magic, and some were using surprise attacks from the flowing magma rivers where they hid their body. The demonic beasts not only would try to inflict fatal wound by using body blow, a lot of them were also using the surrounding magma to attack; a situation where they have infinite weapon. Besides, they would run into the magma to ensure their safety.
It was indeed true that even if the adventurers were capable of breaking through the sandstorm, they wouldn't be able to descend further than seventh floor and return. Moreover, even if the demonic beasts could be defeated, the size and quality of the magic stones were the same as the demonic beasts in forties floors of «Orcus Great Dungeon» and the existence of Serene Stone, a valuable mineral, didn't affect the income much. So, it was understandable that no one want to challenge this dungeon.
Following that, the most troublesome thing was the heat gradually increasing.
"Haa, haa… it's hot."
"… Shia, you feel hot because you think it is. Those flowing thing is just water… See, it's cool now, fufu."
"Ah, Master! Yue is starting to break! The eyes hath became hollow!"
Other than Tio, Hajime's party were downed by the strong heat. For now, he took out air-conditioning type of artifacts… but it just like sprinkling water over dry soil. Their sweat flowed like an unstoppable waterfall. Seeing Yue and Shia whose consciousness began to become hazy, Hajime thought it was necessary for them to take a little rest while he wiped off the sweat on his chin.
When they reached a broad space, Hajime used "Transmutation" on a wall away from the magma and created a tunnel. He urged Yue and the others inside, and shut the entrance to the limit so the heat from magma would not reach them directly. Furthermore, he used "Mineral Separation" and "Compressed Transmutation" to coat the surface of the room's wall with solid material so they wouldn't be attacked by any moray-like or magma spout.
"Fuu… Yue, please create a block of ice. We will rest here for a while. If not, it would not be odd if we make a fatal mistake later."
"Nn… okay."
Although her eyes were hollow, Yue conjured ice magic and a huge block of ice appeared in the middle of the room. Though Tio didn't mind the heat, she made the wind blow with the block of ice as the core. Thanks to the wind created by Tio, the cold air from the block of ice instantly cooled down the room's temperature.
"Whaa~~, it's coool~, I can live on noww~."
"… Hmmmm~."
Collapsing in a girl's sitting pose, Yue and Shia narrowed their eyes in delight. The birth of squishy-Yue and squishy-Shia.
While thinking the two were moe, Hajime took out towels from "Treasure Box" and handed them over to everyone.
"Yue, Shia, it is good that you're enjoying yourselves, but wipe your sweat. Your movement will become duller if you get too cold."
"… Nn~."
"Roger~."
With elongated words, Yue and Shia slowly took the towel. Seeing them, Tio spoke to Hajime.
"Master, doth not relaxed thy guard yet, okay?"
"You, too. This heat is indeed dangerous. I must create better air-conditioning type artifact…"
"Hmm, for it to be capable of defeating master… This is probably this Great Dungeon's concept."
Rather than defeat, hot is hot, and Tio, who also wiping her sweat with towel, made Hajime doubtful with what she said.
"Concept?"
"Mhm. This one hath heard many things from Master, but there is the thing called trial, right? If this was to challenge the God… then, there should be various concepts it based on, or so this one thought. For example, the «Orcus Great Dungeon» that this one heard from Master hath a lot of demonic beasts, so various battle experiences would be gained as one advanced through. «Raisen Great Dungeon» nullified strong power called magic, polishing one's flexibility against any kind of attacks. This «Guryuu-en Great Volcano» probably uses the heat to obstruct one's concentration and how one would react against the surprise attacks under this situation, right?"
"… Indeed… I never thought of it because in the end, I only needed to conquer it… but the trials are used by the Liberators to "teach" us, huh."
"I see," Hajime nodded at Tio's conjecture. She has deep knowledge even though she's a complete masochist, and the prudent Tio was normally could be thought as a beautiful, black-haired woman who exuded sensual and amorousness… so Hajime looked at her with a truly pitying gaze.
However, seeing Tio's sweat flowing from the scruff of her neck disappearing into the valley of her bountiful breasts, Hajime averted his gaze. His gaze turned towards the clothes of Yue and Shia sticky from all the sweat. Noticing the disappearance and appearance of their bare skin, his gaze was pulled towards Yue.
Probably because she was wiping her sweat, a large amount of her skin was peeping from her pure-white dress. Her skin had a tinge of red due to heat. Her bare skin glossy from the sweat and her rougher-than-normal breathing was truly erotic.
Unconsciously, Hajime even forgot to look away and continued watching her, but his gaze suddenly met Yue's raised gaze. Having forgotten the situation due to being charmed… and getting somewhat aroused, Hajime tried to look away in guilt.
However, just before he looked away, Yue who caught Hajime's gaze revealed a bewitching smile. With the still disarrayed clothes, arching her back like a cat, she slowly got down to all fours and approached Hajime. Her hazy eyes that wouldn't let Hajime's gaze escape, flushing cheeks because of heat, and showing a tint of breasts every time she moved…
Yue, who immediately approached Hajime in all fours, sat on Hajime's cross-legged legs, sending him an upward gaze, and with a spoiled, sweet tone…
"… Hajime, wipe me?"
Hajime unconsciously received the towel from her, and his gaze remained fixed on Yue's eyes. In his mind, "Ah, crap. I can't win against Yue in this situation," he thought with a wry smile. Quietly, he tried to glide his hand on the scruff of Yue's neck… but was stopped by Shia's protest.
"Y-O-U T-W-O! Please mind the time, place, and occasion a little! We are in a hurry and this is a Great Dungeon! Geez! Seriously, geez!"
"No, well, umm. It's not like I could help it, right? Yue is too erotic. So, I couldn't ignore her."
"… Hajime who was quietly staring was cute."
"Can't you two at least reflect a little? To begin with, why didn't Hajime-san look at me? Even though I was right beside Yue-san and in such condition, too… Gosh, my confident plummeted~. Hey, Tio-san should say something, too."
"Well, the two art infatuated with each other. So methinks it can't be helped, right? This one also wants Master to abuse one without minding the place… however, well, Master reacted a little to this one's breasts~. This one will be satisfied with just that this time. Kufufu."
It was the usual perverted remarks of Tio. However, Hajime was found out that he felt the sweat that flowed into Tio's breasts made her looked sexy. Hearing that, "I am not even looked at!," Shia was angry. Shia forgot about the TPO (time, place, and occasion) she said a little while ago and began to strip before Hajime. Then, this one will strip too, but Hajime fired rubber bullets to silence them because it would turn bothersome otherwise.
Hajime continued to wipe off Yue's sweat before the writhing Shia whose breasts was completely bare and the writhing Tio with her disgusting smile. Hajime sighed while secretly relieved that Kaori wasn't there.
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