Chapter 678 - The End of the Secret Cave
I learned this later, but the gimmick of the 【Withered Water's Secret Cave】, the dwelling of the Great Water Spirit—and one shared by the other three secret locations—was exceedingly simple.
Find and defeat the twenty-six types of 【Leaping Water Spirit (Lipis Aquia)】, each containing one of the Arcadia letters. Fulfilling this condition would cause the 'true path' through the labyrinth to light up, guiding you to the deepest sanctum where the 'master' resided.
It was a classic gimmick, if a bit cliché. And because it was classic, the time limit element would have, under normal circumstances, made for a thrilling and enjoyably tense experience.
Yes, under normal circumstances. Which is to say—the design was not meant to handle an outlandish group that would kick aside the threat of the water spirits, who had mastered the unique underwater environment, and the pressure of the ticking clock… while practically humming a tune.
"In the end, I still don't really get what that gimmick was… right?"
"I wonder what the condition was for the path to start glowing…"
"It just felt like we were defeating whatever appeared and moving forward… right?"
"…The three of you should watch a regular player's archive later."
We stood at the entrance to the 'deepest sanctum.'
As Haru, Sora, and Ui-san tilted our heads and voiced our confusion, Tetra shot us an exasperated look, with Kanata offering a wry smile beside him.
Our strategy was less search-and-destroy and more go-go-and-destroy. In the end, it probably took us just under thirty minutes to traverse the dungeon path.
As for the water spirits that stood in our way… while their variety increased along the way with small sparrow-like and large hawk- or eagle-like creatures joining the gulls, their threat level barely changed, with only minor variations in their swimming patterns.
We cut them down one after another, and before we knew it, the path Sora-san mentioned began to glow, 'guiding' us forward. After following it for a while, we arrived at our destination.
What exactly went wrong is currently unknown, but even we are aware that our party is, in every sense of the word, not normal. Seeing the two boys' reactions, it's not hard to imagine our entire clear was anything but ordinary.
Well, I suppose we should just accept it and stand proud—or so I thought.
"Anyway, um… are all 'Great Spirits' basically like that?"
"You've seen the 'Ice' one, right, senpai? Yeah, pretty much. They're all basically like that."
At the end of the guiding light, we found a final chamber. Not a perfect circle, but a perfect sphere. There must have been countless routes, as there were multiple 'mouths' opening into the space, including the one we were standing in. Other than that, the walls were smooth, perfect curves.
Covering those walls were a vast number of Arcadia letters, so numerous they almost looked like a giant mural. Their radiant glow illuminated the water that, as always, filled the space, as well as several spiraling pillars… and,
At the center of the nine objects, arranged at equal intervals, stood a colossal figure that exuded an appropriate level of pressure, glaring down at the intruders—【Great Water Spirit Rapharn】.
In a word, its form could only be described as a 'whale.'
However, its entire body was covered in feathers, its pectoral fins had become 'wings,' and a gaping hole where its head should be housed a glowing blue core. Its bizarre appearance… was undoubtedly of the same ilk as a certain 'Ice Spirit (Epel)'.
A being that was both grotesque and divine. It seems that's the direction 'spirits' in this world tend to go. Quite different from the fairy I know.
And as for Sora-san, who was looking up at this slightly strange and imposing figure… Hmm, it seems she's fine with it. Perhaps her tolerance was raised another level by the 'mole' the other day.
Setting that aside, I glanced at her for a moment before turning back to my partner with a single question.
"Alright, Clan Master. What are your orders?"
"Ehh… W-What do you mean, 'what'…"
It would be one thing if I were leading as someone with prior knowledge, but both Sora and I are seeing this for the first time. Furthermore, since discussing and finding ways to deal with the unknown is part of the 'practice,' Tetra and Kanata are, as usual, keeping their mouths shut….
"Ui-san, what do you think?"
"Hmm… It is a bit too large to bisect in one go, I'm afraid."
"That's not exactly what I meant, but that's such a perfectly [Sword Saint]-like opinion that it's okay. You're right, it is a bit too large."
"…Haru-kun, your eyes are not smiling."
"No, no, I just think it's endearing—Sora-san, please don't pinch my side."
"Don't just ask questions, Haru. Give your own opinion too."
"I was about to… Yes, I will state my opinion at once. Yes."
We engaged in lively banter right before the boss fight, with my master joining in.
This, too, is part of the fun of cooperative play. I tried to manage the situation so that the two of them could enjoy every part of the process… and as I did so,
"…Hey."
"Ah, yes?"
"Are we going to have to watch this flirting every time?"
"M-Maybe we should just try to enjoy it instead… I think…"
"You've been doing that from the start, Kanata—Haaah… Out of five people, am I the only normal one here?"
I overheard the two boys' amusing conversation….
But I decided to avoid stirring the pot and feigned complete ignorance.