Chapter 583 - Chapter 520: Rigel Gets Serious
It was night. We planned to continue north from the forest where Rigel had been.
I carefully formed the party and alliance, giving thought to aspects I hadn't considered much before.
[Tir na nOg]
☆Shou's Party
Shou, Lupi, Leda, Roy, Raz, Rigel
・Queen and her Merry Companions
Sweee, Mion, Shal, Kuro, Rake, Ato
This was a combination of front-line fighters, who were likely to engage in combat, and rear-line supporters, whose main role was to assist.
I could have made Mion the party leader, but Mion herself suggested that it would be a waste to lose Sweee's [Fairy Queen's Blessing].
Additionally, this time, the three sisters—Kuro, Rake, and Ato—were all participating. This was also at their own request.
They had brought back Cuminon before, and it seemed to have made quite an impression on them; they wanted to join the exploration themselves.
"Ready to go?"
"Shou-kun, please give everyone some Camlus Fruit Compote."
"Ah, right!"
Everyone ate a serving of Camlus Fruit Compote. Mmm, delicious.
After confirming that the Anti-Poison effect was active,
"Alright, let's go."
"Woof!" "Woof woof!"
...
...
...
Lupi and I crossed the river we had traversed before. Raz settled into his usual spot in my hood.
As soon as we were across, Lupi and the others immediately began scouting the surroundings. Looks safe enough.
"Okay."
This time, Mion would ride Rigel.
I also had her acquire [Riding Skill], and she agreed that in case of an emergency, she would make her escape first. It was a good thing Sweee was on our side...
"Brrr."
"Thanks. I'm counting on you ahead, too."
I patted Rigel, while sharing senses with Lupi and the others... No problems.
We were making good progress heading north, with the lake on our left, but then,
"Huh?"
Lupi detected a monster's presence deep in the forest, so we all stopped.
I should probably at least see what kind of monster it is.
"I'm going to take a look."
"Yes, sir."
I turned to tell them, then used [Stealth] to move towards Lupi and the others.
What I saw when I caught up was a large pitcher plant, nearly three meters tall...
"Kuru?"
Raz poked out from my hood, looking at me as if asking what to do.
If it's not moving, we could just pass by, but I at least want to use [Appraisal] on it.
So, I cautiously approached... Good.
[Schennepentes]
A carnivorous plant monster that suddenly appears in lush forests.
It emits an alluring fragrance to attract animals, entangling its prey with tentacles and digesting them in its trap-sac.
I see. So it uses scent to lure prey, then ensnares them with tentacles.
This looks dangerous, we should probably take care of it...
[Stealth has been nullified!]
"What?!"
The moment that notification rang out, the pitcher part of the Schennepentes opened wide, and a strange odor began to fill the air.
Then, its stems and leaves started wriggling.
"Kuruu..."
"Raz! Hang in there! Lupi! Back!"
"Woof!" "Woof woof!"
I firmly held the swaying Raz in both arms and ran at full speed towards Mion and the others.
My status now shows 'Charm', so I need to get that dispelled!
"Sweee, wind! A strange smell might be coming this way, so blow it away!"
"~~~!"
Without hesitation, Sweee summoned a spirit's wind.
"Mion, Raz seems to have inhaled some of that strange smell, could you check on her?"
"Y-yes, sir!"
I handed Raz to Mion, who immediately cast Holy Magic's detoxification and soothing spells on her.
I quickly explained what had happened, and that leaving it alone would be dangerous.
"Ugh?"
"No, it's a tricky opponent if you get caught. Just protect Mion from a safe distance for now."
"Nya!" "Woof! Woof! Woof!"
Mion looked displeased, but if the healer goes down, the whole party collapses, so she had to understand. Besides, if Mion goes down, the emotional damage to the fairy team would be too great.
"Also, I'll be using fire, so if it looks like it's going to spread, I might need help putting it out."
"Yes, sir. Shou-kun, the blessing."
"Thanks."
With Mion's Holy Magic blessing, it was time for a rematch.
I advanced, followed by Lupi, Leda, and Roy. Thanks to a gentle tailwind, the strange smell was gone, and we made it back to the Schennepentes, but...
"Whoa..."
A Parpigeon, flying erratically, was caught by a tentacle-like appendage and unceremoniously dropped into the pitcher.
Any player who gets thrown in there would probably be traumatized, wouldn't they?
"Gauuuu... Gah!"
Lupi and the others slashed away the attacking tentacles with their claws.
The tentacles were much faster than I expected, like whips, and not to be underestimated.
"O Fire Spirit."
As I focused the image of a flamethrower into the Fire Spirit Stone I gripped, flames burst from the tip of my outstretched hand.
Immediately, the attacking tentacles recoiled, writhing to avoid the fire.
\"Shou-kun. Are you alright?\"
"Ah, yeah."
I was a little startled to be spoken to through the Guild Card, but this is its intended use, isn't it?
"I think I'm okay, but it might take a while."
If it were dry grass, it'd be over in an instant... Hmm?
"What?!"
The pitcher tilted sharply, and the liquid that spilled out instantly extinguished the burning branches and leaves.
\"Shou-kun!?\"
"Ah, sorry. Uh, I'm heading back for now."
Unable to think of a counter, I retreated to Mion's side.
Feeling relieved at the sight of Raz sleeping peacefully, I briefly explained what had happened.
"If it's not attacking, why don't we just proceed?"
I was actually thinking that might be the safest option, when...
"Brrr!"
Rigel, full of motivation, seemed to be making an appeal that he would defeat it himself.
Lupi, Leda, and Roy also agreed. Does he have some trick up his sleeve? Well, he was originally from around here, so it wouldn't be strange if he knew something.
"Okay, just one more try. If this doesn't work, we'll just go around it."
"Y-yes, sir. Please be careful."
Riding Rigel, we slowly approached again.
When we got close enough for the Schennepentes' tentacles to reach,
"Huh?"
The temperature around Rigel began to drop, making the back of my neck feel chilly—no, quite cold.
"Whoa..."
I glanced down and saw thin ice? Or frost? The area near Rigel's hooves was frozen solid, so I guessed it was an Arts. ...Did he have something like that?
With Rigel slowly approaching in that state, the Schennepentes' tentacles seemed to have become immobile.
Ah! Yeah, Lupi and the others... they seem completely fine.
"Brrr."
"Yeah. It'll be fine once we get this close."
The Schennepentes was menacing, but pitcher plants are vines, so they don't have thick trunks.
Just cut it down, dig up the roots, and incinerate them, I guess?