Chapter 344 - Scarlet Dragon Survey Team
"This way."
"Yes."
He walked behind Vermilion-san, but the Dragonfolk-san kneeling on either side bowed their heads, making him feel truly apologetic.
It seems like the first floor here, so is this a courtyard? There are traces of flower beds beside the stone pavement.
After walking for a while, there was another door, and inside was a room that looked like a very ordinary conference room.
"Come, sit down."
"Yes. …I get the feeling you're expecting something, so I'll say this upfront: I didn't bring any wine today."
"Eh…? Ah, no, my apologies!"
"I have to go to a slightly distant place to prepare it, so once this matter settles down, I'll send it in barrels."
Hearing that, Vermilion-san's face immediately brightened. He was very easy to read.
Sweee had been quite upset by Vermilion-san's attitude last time, so he'd have to endure for a while on that front.
"Um, where is the church located? I was thinking of just opening it up and cleaning inside, in every sense of the word."
"Alright, just a moment. I'll go call the survey team leader!"
Saying that, Vermilion-san left.
After seeing him off, Shou sat Lupi, who had been looking rather lost at his feet, on his lap.
It seems the business will be concluded quickly.
"I hope so."
After a short wait, petting Lupi, he heard footsteps, so he put Lupi down and stood to greet them.
"Shou. This is Geira, chieftain of the Dragonfolk."
"A pleasure to meet you, I am Geira. I look forward to working with you."
He accepted the handshake, thinking that customs like handshakes were the same here.
[Alliance formation requested by Geira. Accept?]
Ah, right. That's how it was.
"I'm Shou. The pleasure's all mine."
[Joined Alliance 'Scarlet Dragon Survey Team']
With this, Geira-san and his group would at least avoid the worst. A huge relief.
"Good. Now then, please explain the operation."
"Yes, sir!"
Geira-san took out a large sheet of paper—straw paper?—and spread it out. It showed an overhead view of the Necropolis from above.
The circle in the center, at the 11 o'clock position, must be the tower they were currently in. The church was right behind it? Or outside it?
"The gate to this church will not open."
"I see."
He couldn't quite grasp the scale, but at this rate, would they be outside for less than five minutes?
I'll quickly go, open the front door, clean up the inside in every sense, and then it'll be over. Oh, there was one thing I wanted to confirm, after all.
"Well then, shall we go right away?"
"Alright. We can't entertain you this time, but once everything is settled, we'll invite you to the Dragon Capital."
Saying that, Vermilion-san clapped his hands once and stood up.
First, they had to open the initial gate.
...
..
.
Leaving the meeting room, the south side seemed to be the exit to the outside.
The entrance to the large central building should also be nearby, but that wasn't part of the Dragonfolk-san's secured area. Players might be coming and going, and perhaps he could even see the area outside this tower?
"Lupi. Try not to be seen by too many people."
"Woofn."
Confirming his clever white Lupi's reply, Shou also put away his conspicuous equipment, the Ken-nata and Round Shield, into his inventory. Just in case, he pulled up his hood. Presence Concealment and Stealth are…
"Will anyone other than the Dragonfolk-san see us once we leave this tower?"
"No, we've made sure they can't get in here, and we've driven off anyone trying to peek, so don't worry."
"Thanks."
Stepping outside, a landscape exactly as he imagined a once prosperous city spread before his eyes.
Stone buildings lined the streets, but people were sparse. Or rather, only Dragonfolk-san stood as sentries.
Yeah. I don't see any other players. Then, on top of a stone wall, he saw a familiar statue.
"Ah…"
Is that…
"Ah, that too is thanks to you, I hear."
When he approached and looked closely, it was indeed a Jade Goddess Statue, but it doesn't resemble Mion as much as I made it? It's just vaguely similar.
Perhaps there's a difference depending on whether the sculptor has actually seen the person.
Turning north, he was surprised to see a church very similar to the one on his island.
However, it didn't have the imposing grated gate like the island's. Perhaps it was used as a relaxing place where people could drop by casually.
The approach path leading to the building's entrance was straight, and with a dry fountain and an overgrown garden, it felt melancholic, but it must have been beautiful in the past. The appearance of the entrance was also very similar.
Shou-kun. This door requires an ordinary blessing to open, says the Goddess.
"I'll put out a light before opening it."
He had the Light Spirit generate light, and preparations were complete.
Vermilion-san seemed a little surprised, but…
"Shou can use Spirit Magic too? How dexterous."
"Hahaha."
Actually, I can use Holy Magic too.
I haven't had much opportunity to use it other than purifying Magic Stones, so the level is still low.
"Alright. You all, get ready for combat!"
To the Dragonfolk-san's gruff replies, Shou also steeled himself.
"Okay, I'm opening it."
"Alright!"
As he placed his hand on the door,
[Blessed One's access confirmed. Unlock?]
"Yes."
As he pushed it open, a most unpleasant sensation strongly assailed his Presence Detection.
"Woof!"
"Blessing."
He cast Spirit's Blessing and sent a light ahead into the interior.
The light flew smoothly, illuminating, as expected…
"[Ice Spear]!"
A pillar of ice as thick as a utility pole appeared before him, and the next moment, it was shot towards a horde of Skeletons.
Skeletons struck by the ice pillar were flung like toy dolls, shattering and collapsing.
"Go!"
"""Yes, sir!"""
Vermilion-san's command flew out, and Dragonfolk-san dashed past on both sides, eradicating the remaining Skeletons.
It seems fine to leave it to them, but it's been a while since a proper fight, and I want to get my feel for it back.
"Light Arrow."
He fired a Light Arrow, a Spirit Magic spell, at the Ghosts near the ceiling, which were difficult to attack at close range.
This was something Sweee and the Fairies taught me, as they used it.
"Hah, I'd like to rampage too, but Argenta told me to hold back."
Though he was in human form, Vermilion-san's true nature was that of a Scarlet Dragon. It seems he's supposed to refrain from acting unless we're in truly dire straits, as it's difficult for him to gauge how much to hold back.
"It would be over with one breath attack."
"Please, no, really…"
"Woof…"
Lupi might be smarter than Vermilion-san…