Chapter 94 - The Priestess and the Crocodile King
The room in the back was just like the first, scattered with barrels and wooden crates. A green slime appeared, and I dispatched it quickly.
"Mash, you're so strong!"
After the fight, Ensha once again moved behind me and grabbed my shirt. It seemed that had become her designated spot.
"But I said he was mine…"
Maira muttered under her breath, holding Yurith's hand. I would have preferred she keep her distance to stay ready for battle, but I told myself it was better than him panicking. Kirim followed along, clutching the dagger at his waist. He had tried to join the fight, but Maira stopped him. It would be dangerous if he got in front, so I assigned him the role of protecting Ensha and Yurith. We climbed the stairs. A single hallway stretched out before and behind us, with several doors lining either side. There were staircases at both ends leading up.
"The galley, perhaps?"
"This one's full of sheets. All dirty."
Maira and Kirim opened nearby doors and peeked inside.
"What if there's a monster? You need to be more careful!"
Ensha said exactly what I was thinking. Maira and Yurith looked apologetic. It seemed she had been the leader of these children. And now, she was our leader.
The sight was rather amusing, but Maira shot me a disgruntled look. We followed Ensha's words, preparing for a fight as we cautiously opened each door. We found a room lined with bunk beds, likely for the crew, and another that looked like a passenger cabin. We encountered a few more green slimes, but they were alone, so we defeated them without much trouble. Finding nothing else out of the ordinary, our exploration continued.
"There's nothing here, is there?"
"I hope we find some treasure, though."
I nodded at Maira's words. We had reached the stern of the ship. I opened the last unexplored door and entered a wide room. It appeared to have been a dining hall. Tables and chairs were strewn about. A section of the wall was destroyed, leaving a hole large enough for a person to pass through. We could see the scenery outside.
"Monsters! Kids, get back!"
A green slime that had been wandering the room lunged at us. I sliced through it with my sword and blasted another with a stone sphere from my earth magic. Maira stayed back to protect the children, casting a magic defense blessing on them. I must have killed about five of them before all the enemies were defeated. As I scanned the area to confirm, I noticed a man lying on the floor. He appeared to be badly wounded.
"Father!"
Yurith rushed to the man's side. Maira followed right after him.
"It's okay. He's alive."
Maira began casting a healing spell.
The man's eyes fluttered open. He stroked the head of a worried-looking Yurith, then carefully scanned his surroundings. His expression softened when he saw Ensha clutching my clothes.
"My lady. You are unharmed."
Ensha nodded silently.
"You are the ones who protected the children, then."
He pushed himself up, supported by Maira and Yurith.
"Yeah. I'm Mash, and this is Maira. Are you alone?"
"My name is Sheil. My companions…"
His words trailed off as he stared at the massive hole in the wall. They must have been attacked by the crocodiles.
"We want to get out of this dungeon. Do you know where the exit is?"
"We are inside a dungeon?"
Sheil looked surprised. It seemed he had no information. I shared what little I knew.
"My lady's parents and Kirim's parents did not come here. I came with others from my lady's estate."
"Father isn't here…"
Ensha was clearly crestfallen at his words. I wondered who she was. There was no doubt she was a young lady from a well-to-do family.
"We're looking for the exit. You can just follow us, but if possible, I'd like you to protect the children."
"Of course, but the crocodiles attacked… all my weapons are in the water."
I pulled a one-handed sword and a shield from my storage and handed them to him. With him protecting the children, Maira would be free to participate more actively in combat.
"Alright, let's head to the upper floor."
With Yurith's father joining our party, we decided to continue our exploration.
We stepped out onto the ship's deck. We were at the stern, with a full view of the vessel. I could see a small cabin that was likely the wheelhouse. The deck was littered with a broken mast, along with ropes and a tattered sail. The deck itself was made of wooden planks, heavily rotted with some sections missing. It was in worse shape than the ship's interior. There was a lifeboat, but it looked to be in poor condition.
"Shall we head toward the bow?"
Urged on by Maira, I shifted my gaze toward the front of the ship and saw a figure. It was wearing a blue tunic and an iron helmet with two horns.
"Someone's there."
"You're right. Let's go see!"
I nodded in agreement with Maira.
A man stood at the very tip of the ship, his back to us. A brown, reptilian tail extended from a gap in his clothing.
"I am the King of Crocodiles!"
After shouting toward the river, the man slowly turned around. It was a crocodile in the form of a man. His head featured a powerful jaw that spoke of his ferocity, with sharp fangs interlocking. A wire-like tongue moved eerily. His body was muscular and covered in tough hide. He wore a round shield on one arm. In his other hand, a scimitar glinted in the sunlight.
"See, Maira? I told you there were monsters that could talk."
"…They say that clever birds can learn and speak a few human words. Perhaps it is something of that nature."
I wonder if parrots and parakeets exist in this world.
"I ain't no bird! You wanna get yourself killed?!"
The monster roared.
"You were going to kill us from the start anyway. Just like a bird."
I readied my blade. The children were with Sheil. I stood beside Maira, who already had her mace at the ready.
"Mash, look at the door behind the monster."
Behind the creature, at the prow of the ship, a pole known as a bowsprit jutted out. At some point, a door had appeared at its very end. It was strikingly similar to the doors that appear in an Area Guardian's room.
"Let's just take him down."
We closed the distance, attempting to pincer him from both sides. Just as we were about to get in range, the monster bared its fangs and opened its mouth. Flames erupted forth. He then swung his head, scattering the fire. Maira and I hastily leaped back.
"This thing breathes fire. We can't get close carelessly."
I launched a stone sphere. He easily deflected it with his shield. Next, I threw one with a bit of a slide to it. He blocked it again, but his attention was focused on evading. Seizing the opening, Maira swung her mace and charged. The monster blocked with its scimitar, but couldn't absorb all the momentum, and the mace struck his armored hand. I jumped in as well, slashing with my sword. The monster pulled back to dodge, but I managed to land a shallow cut. The monster bared its fangs and spat fire. Maira and I retreated.
"You bastards… messing with me!"
The monster pulled on a chain that was dangling into the river. An anchor, half the size of the monster's body, was attached to it. He effortlessly swung the chain and hurled it at Sheil, who was protecting the children. Sheil awkwardly pushed his shield forward, but it seemed like a futile gesture. Both Sheil and the children had squeezed their eyes shut in terror.
"No!"
Maira must have sensed it too, because she twisted her body and dashed toward Sheil. She leaped, swung her mace, and knocked the anchor out of the air. I used that opening to charge and slash at the monster, but he spat fire and I couldn't get close. As I hesitated, the monster lunged at me. We clashed two, three times, our blades ringing as I parried his attacks, then I launched a counteroffensive, and we fell into a fierce exchange. In the middle of our duel, the monster bared its fangs and breathed fire. I thought I had dodged it, but I smelled burning cloth. There was pain, too. I'd been burned. As the monster moved in to press its attack, Maira cut in and struck its torso. The monster's body staggered, and he took several steps back. I regained my footing and was about to attack, but he spat fire again, forcing me to keep my distance. The monster used the opportunity to retrieve its chain and once again hurled the anchor at Sheil. A violent crash echoed as it smashed into the deck. Maira's support hadn't made it in time, but they had been on guard and managed to dodge. Ensha gave me a thumbs-up to signal they were okay, and I gave a slight nod in return.
"This fire is a pain."
But it seemed he couldn't breathe fire indefinitely. If I aimed for that opening, I could cut him down. I took a deep breath, relaxing the tension in my body, and gripped my sword anew.
"Mash, let's take turns attacking. We'll aim for the moment after he breathes fire."
It seemed Maira, standing beside me, had the same idea. She re-gripped her mace, her lips pressed into a firm line as she stared down the monster. She was completely at ease fighting on the front lines. Utterly dependable. The way her breasts bounced with every movement was also magnificent. The only shame was that I didn't have the luxury of admiring them. I took a slight lead as we slowly closed the distance.
"Wait. At this rate, I'll be overpowered. I wish to demand a fair and honorable duel, one-on-one."
The monster held out a hand, halting our advance.
"Don't be ridiculous. I have no obligation to accept that. Just die quietly."
I rejected the monster's proposal.
"Are you sure? I'll just spin around, breathing fire, and charge right for those brats. I'll probably be killed afterward, but I'll take those kids with me."
Hearing that, Sheil pulled the children behind him and raised his shield. Yurith, realizing his father had resolved to sacrifice himself, tried to approach him but was pushed back. Ensha gently took Yurith's hand. To me, they were strangers I had just met on this ship.
"…Go ahead and try."
A surge of anger rose within me. The moment the monster made its move, I would summon Racshell. One strike from her spear would end this.
"So you have a way to stop that… which means you've been fighting while hiding your true power."
Seeing that I was unfazed, the monster muttered as if giving up. He then relaxed his entire body, releasing the tension.
"I am the King of Crocodiles. I wish to die with pride, but as it stands, I cannot die in peace. I want a memory."
"A memory?"
Maira and I exchanged a look.
"I want to escort that woman and show her the view from the bow. I'm sure it will feel like flying."
"…If it's just that."
Maira slowly lowered her guard.
"You're wrong, Maira. After he puts you in a romantic mood, he's going to beg for a kiss and do lewd things to you!"
"Is that so?"
It was a scene from a famous movie in my world. Of course, I'd seen it. When I did, I believed that one day I would have an encounter just like that. But my world wasn't one where such things actually happened. At my warning, Maira tightened her grip on her mace and shot the monster a cold glare.
"H-Hey, you! How did you know that?!"
"I'm more interested in how you know that!"
The monster fell silent.
"Give it up. Accept our blades."
I felt a little sorry for him, but I spoke as if admonishing a child.
"W-Wait. Please. I can't die like this. I need a chance. Strip rock-paper-scissors! I demand a match of strip rock-paper-scissors with that woman! Win or lose, I will accept my defeat."
The monster screamed.
"Whaaat? Do you really think I would ever agree to that? Don't be ridiculous!"
Maira lifted her mace high over her head. It seemed both she and the monster knew what strip rock-paper-scissors was. Yet, I hadn't seen anyone playing baseball here. This, too, must be a custom brought over by a transferred person.
"W-Wait! I'll take off my armor, my clothes! Down to my underwear! All you have to do is win once against me. Please, accept my challenge!"
As he said that, the monster threw down his weapons and actually started taking off his clothes. She paid his words no mind and brought her mace down. I hurriedly jumped between her and the monster. The mace stopped just inches from my face.
"What are you doing, Mash? Scum like this must be purged from the world. I will do it, so please step back and watch."
Her gaze was terrifyingly cold. All trace of emotion had vanished. All that remained was a sense of duty to defeat the monster before her.
"I… I'm asking you too. I believe what the monster says is true. Please, grant him his final wish."
Maira's glare was terrifying. I hadn't been able to stop trembling for a while now.
"Y-You…"
In contrast to Maira, the monster looked at me, overwhelmed with emotion. A passionate friendship was about to bloom.
"If you say so, Mash…"
Maira sighed and lowered her mace. I took it from her, just in case.
"Are you sure about this, Mash? Even if it means someone else might see me naked?"
"No, I'm sure you'll win long before it comes to that, Maira. All that matters is that the monster is satisfied."
She sighed again.
"…Very well. Just this once, you understand?"
"Thanks, Maira. But… please, at least go until we get a little cleavage."
Yesss! I screamed in my head.
"…"
As I was talking with her, the monster approached. He was already down to his underwear.
"Your name is Mash, right? I'll remember it."
He offered me his scimitar.
"I want you to hold onto this for me. And I ask you to be the witness for this match."
"Of course, King of Crocodiles. I wish you the best of luck. Strip that woman naked and knock that arrogant attitude right out of her."
I nodded and accepted his sword.
"…It seems I have no allies here," Maira murmured as she watched us.
"Alright, let the match begin!"
I declared. Maira and the monster were already facing each other.
"Rock, paper… scissors!"
At my call, the two of them presented their hands. Maira had rock. The monster had paper.
"Grrr…"
Maira glared at her fist, which trembled with frustration, before finally giving in and removing her necklace.
""That's cheating!""
The monster and I yelled in unison.
"Hmph!"
""…It is not cheating.""
We couldn't say another word under Maira's glare. Still, the gesture of her removing her necklace was quite alluring, so I decided to let it go.
"A-Alright, next round! Rock, paper… scissors!"
Pulling myself together, I called out. Maira played rock again. The monster played paper. Maira silently took off one of her shoes. We could only watch, saying nothing. I thought it was against the rules, but the sight of her bending over to take off her shoe was quite sexy. As I was thinking that, my eyes met Maira's.
"Ah, right, next one! Rock, paper… scissors!"
Once again, Maira played rock. The monster played paper. Maira took off her other shoe.
"Rock, paper… scissors!"
Maira played rock. The monster played paper. The monster threw his fist into the air with a theatrical roar. He even breathed some fire for good measure. I did a mental fist pump myself.
"…"
Maira looked at me as if for confirmation, then placed her hands on her priestess robes. As she pulled them off over her head, her chest bounced softly. She now wore a pure white, one-piece petticoat. Her black underwear was visible through the fabric. Her large breasts pushed the petticoat up, leaving the valley between them exposed. The monster and I held our breath, captivated by the sight. Sheil and the children were also staring intently at Maira. When he noticed my gaze, Sheil hurriedly covered the children's eyes. But his own eyes never left Maira. I swore I would tell his wife about this. It was then that I realized the terrible thing I had made her do. A wave of intense regret washed over me.
"M-Maira… I…"
"Mash, is it alright if I win next?"
"Huh?"
I looked at her, surprised. Was something like that even possible? I was skeptical, but she nodded with absolute confidence.
"Then please, give the call."
"R-Right. Rock, paper… scissors!"
I didn't want to continue, but her words pushed me to shout the call. Maira played scissors. The monster played paper. A victory, just as she had declared.
"…So this is it."
The monster hung his head in defeat, then slowly reached for his underwear. Maira and I rushed to stop him from going any further.
"I believe he intended to play paper until the very end,"
Maira said.
"Is that true?"
"Seems she saw right through me. I did it so she could stop whenever she felt she'd had enough."
The monster nodded when I asked. In that case, he should have just stopped when she gave him that cold stare, but since I was an accomplice who had gotten carried away, I kept my mouth shut.
"And I intended to keep playing rock until you stopped me, Mash."
So it had all depended on me?
"I believed that you would stop it."
"Maira, I wasn't the man you thought I was. I was rooting for the King of Crocodiles with all my heart."
"But you noticed, in the end."
I picked up her robes and handed them to her. She pulled them on over her head. I glanced at the monster.
"I'm ready. Give me a clean cut."
The monster stroked his own neck.
"King of Crocodiles. I don't see you as an enemy anymore. I want to save you."
The monster snorted at my words.
"Don't be a fool. I'm the Area Guardian of this dungeon. The door behind me won't open unless I'm defeated. And you'll never get out of here."
I looked at Maira. I thought perhaps she might know a way to save him. But she just shook her head silently.
"I'll call Racshell. I'll see if she can smash that door open."
"That door opening means my annihilation. So you might as well be the one to defeat me."
"Don't be ridiculous! I absolutely refuse. You're my…"
Before I could finish, the monster shoved me. As I stumbled, Maira caught me from behind.
"Maira, was it? You're a strong woman. A good woman. So I have two things to ask of you."
Maira nodded.
"You must destroy the crystal core beyond this point. I hate fighting as an Area Guardian. I don't want to fight in a constrained place like this."
"I understand. And the other?"
"Take care of that soft-hearted fool. I know you're fond of that part of him. But you need to make him develop the resolve of an adventurer."
After confirming Maira's nod, the monster grabbed his chain and tossed the anchor high above his own head.
"That soft-hearted fool… he's my… friend."
The monster smiled shyly. The anchor fell upon his head. The King of Crocodiles vanished.
I continued to stare at the spot where the monster had disappeared for a long time.
"Mash, I know I acted against your wishes."
She was still hugging me from behind, her face buried in my back.
"No. I knew it had to be done. But because you were here, Maira, I was able to be selfish until the very end."
I could feel her soft warmth and gentle breath through my back.
"Maira… I want to change the world."
"You can do it. First, let's remove the limit that has been placed upon you."
The time limit for a transferred person to stay in this world is ten years.
"That's right. I have to change my own world first, huh?"
A bitter smile escaped me. I still didn't have a single clue how to do that.
"Mash, even if you give up, I will not."
The arms holding me loosened. I felt Maira's face lift from my back.
"It is a promise to him. I will destroy the crystal core."
She was probably trying to be considerate of me.
"No, let me do that. I'd like you to handle the second request, Maira."
She released her hold on me. Then she turned to face me. Maira smiled. It was the gentlest smile I had ever seen on her face.
"Yes. I will."
She threw herself into my arms. I held her tight.
Getting through the door was a challenge. The bowsprit was a round log about sixty centimeters in diameter. The door was at the other end of it. One slip, and you'd fall into the river. A glance below revealed a swarm of crocodiles. A fall would be fatal. There were no walls, just a solitary door standing in the air.
"Sheil-san, you, and I will each carry one of the children across."
Hearing that, Ensha immediately clung to me. That left Maira with Kirim, and Sheil with Yurith. Maira shot me a resentful look.
"Protect me, okay, Mash?"
Ensha kissed my cheek. I could have sworn I heard the air around Maira crack like ice.
Thank you for reading. To everyone who has liked, bookmarked, and rated this story, thank you. It's a great encouragement. I'll do my best. And thank you so much for pointing out typos.