Chapter 254 - Goddess Descent?
[Your [Dagger Skill] level has increased!]
[You have acquired [Dagger Arts
[Your [Taming Skill] level has increased!]
[Lupi has acquired Arts
[Your [Shield Skill] level has increased!]
[You have acquired [Shield Arts
[Area Boss defeated!]
[Island Ancient Ruins Area occupied!]
"We won?"
That's amazing!
The jade-colored light receded, and only the light from the Light Spirit illuminated the passage. Only a tattered robe lay where the [Maroon Wraith] had been.
"Woof!"
"Whoa!"
I caught Lupi as he leaped at me, and as I went to pet him, I noticed something. The [Goddess Statue] I was holding in my right hand had completely transformed; its cloudy silver, featureless form was gone. It was now a shimmering, pale green, wearing a goddess-like dress, and its face was...
"Ah, sorry..."
Eh?
It looked exactly like Mion. This is definitely my fault, isn't it?
M-more importantly, what about Sweee-chan and the others?
"Oh, right! Sweee, is everyone okay?"
"~~~!"
I turned to see Sweee, with a "We did it!" look on her face, giving a thumbs-up.
I'm glad everyone's safe...
The Fairies were also celebrating their safety, but they all looked a bit dirty, probably from being pressed against the ground.
"Haa, thank goodness..."
Even if Lupi and I were defeated, we'd respawn at the Mountain Cabin, but Sweee and the Fairies wouldn't. Probably... No matter if they're NPCs, for them to be so fond of me... no. I need to stop taking them to dangerous places in the future. Come to think of it, does IRO even have Resurrection? No, and I wouldn't know if it would even work on NPCs.
As I stared intently at the [Goddess Statue] in my right hand, pondering such thoughts,
Ah, um, Shou-kun?
"Whoa, sorry. Uh, I was meaning to use [Appraisal]."
[Jade Goddess Statue]
A [Goddess Statue] kept in homes during the [Ancient Magic Civilization] era. Through devout worship, it transformed into a [Jade Goddess Statue] that brings peace of mind and the bounty of nature.
Yeah, it changed. Was this actually a magic tool or something like that?
"If I had taken [Holy Magic Skill], would I have known something?"
Y-yes, perhaps.
Mion's reply was still a little awkward. Of course, it'd feel weird to be arbitrarily made into a goddess statue. Haa...
"Also, a bunch of stuff leveled up, didn't it?"
In addition to skill level-ups, I'd acquired various arts. And finally, [Area Boss Defeat] and [Island Ancient Ruins Area occupied]. Since we were in an alliance this time, there was no [Solo Area Boss Defeat], I guess. That would have triggered a [World Announcement], so I guess it's good it didn't happen.
"It said [Area Boss Defeat], but no [Safe Zone] this time..."
Is there still danger ahead?
"Hmm, but if that [Maroon Wraith] from earlier was the [Area Boss], then there probably isn't anything stronger than it."
If I had countermeasures with [Holy Magic] from the start, it might not have been such a difficult opponent. Normally, I can appraise regular monsters after defeating them, but it's annoying that I can't appraise undead types, especially [Ghost]s and the like, afterward.
"Well, whatever. We should get moving soon."
Shou-kun, are your MP alright?
"Ah, yeah, still fine. But I'll deactivate [Spirit's Blessing] for now."
After reconfirming with [Presence Detection] that there were no more enemies, I deactivated [Spirit's Blessing]. In addition to my MP starting to recover rapidly,
"Woof."
Lupi shared some MP with me using [Mana Aid], and it instantly returned to 80%.
"Thanks."
"Woof~"
As I was petting Lupi, Sweee appeared in front of me, giving me a glance, glance appeal. They want me to praise the Fairies too, I guess.
"Sweee, and all of you Fairies, you were amazing. Thank you."
"~~~♪"
Sweee nodded repeatedly, puffing out her chest.
"Is everyone's MP okay? You were assisting quite frequently."
"~~~♪"
When I asked, the Fairies formed groups of three, performing a dance where one would drop out and another would join in.
So they were using [Spirit Magic] in shifts.
"I see. That's smart."
Sweee, pleased by this, puffed out her chest even more, almost falling in mid-air, and was supported by the Fairies...
Shall we take a short break? It's just past 9:30 right now.
"Hmm, this isn't really a good place for a break. Lupi, Sweee, if we're taking a break, should we go back to that rocky ledge from before?"
Both of them shook their heads at my question. The Fairies also looked at each other and nodded, so it seemed they were fine. Considering the trip back, I'd want to decide whether to return by a little past 10...
"Alright, let's quickly move on and take a break in a better spot. But seriously, don't push yourselves, okay?"
"Woofn."
"~~~♪"
...
...
...
We proceeded straight down the passage. The width of the path and the height of the ceiling were the same as the passages leading north or south. But the fact that there are no lights... I guess it's still inactive.
"Oh, is that a room?"
At the end, illuminated by the light, a half-open door was lit up. Nothing registers on [Presence Detection], but it's better to be safe than sorry. I stopped, cast [Spirit's Blessing], then took out my [Ken-nata].
"Lupi, please."
"Woof."
I leaned forward, ready to catch up at any moment as Lupi advanced silently and smoothly. He cautiously observed the situation in front of the door, then moved a bit forward to peek inside.
"Woofn."
"Thanks."
I sheathed my [Ken-nata] and went to Lupi's side. I naturally broke into a jog, and Sweee and the others kept up without falling behind.
"Hm, looks like a room, but..."
It's quite messy.
About half the size of a classroom, maybe? I think it's pretty big, but it's completely trashed everywhere; various things are scattered on the floor, and the boxes and shelves that held them are toppled over...
"I want to clean this up."
"Woofn."
Lupi's a clean freak too. He always helps me clean. Looking further in, another door was half-open in the back right.
"I'll check the door over there. Lupi and Sweee's party, keep watch on the door we came from."
We probably defeated all the undead that were in this area at the previous door. They probably also tried to escape the calamity but got stuck at the [Unlock Code]...
"Alright, nothing's here. Let's take a little break here."
Okay.
If both doors are closed, this room should be safe. First, I'll properly close this door...
"Sweee, what are you doing?"
The Fairies (1) seemed to be properly guarding the door we came through, but Sweee and her Fairies were flitting around various parts of the room.
"~~~♪"
"Hm? Is this a ring?"
[Azure Star Ring]
A ring that aids [Elemental Magic], worn by the highest-ranking administrators of ancient magic facilities. Made of Mithril and blue moonstone. [Elemental Magic] +1 to all related skills, MP recovery +1 every 3 seconds.
[Your [Appraisal Skill] level has increased!]
"Huh?"