Chapter 435 - Third Episode: Vertical Shaft Exploration ②
"I won't forgi-i-i-ive you!"
Suddenly, a voice of a man who could be called elderly echoed throughout the room.
Gladys-sama readied her spear, but Roberts-sama restrained her hand.
"Gladys, hold back. Don't show hostility."
"Ah, yes."
Henry-sama went down on one knee and lowered his spear to the floor. Eleanor-sama lined up beside him. It's to show they have no hostile intent. Roberts-sama, Gladys-sama, and Will similarly lowered their spears to the floor behind them. We all hurriedly followed suit behind them.
"I am Henry, the former King of the Kingdom of Sertoria, who possesses this land as a human. Is this your dwelling?"
What Henry-sama said, 'possesses as a human', probably means he also recognizes the possession by other living things.
"Indeed."
A heavy voice echoes. Sweat runs down my back.
"While exploring the cave in the vertical shaft ahead, we arrived here. I deeply apologize for intruding into your territory without permission. However, I want you to understand that we had absolutely no intention of being hostile toward you."
"For that, that woman's words of apology were quite light. You're sixty years too late!"
He said 'too late' instead of 'too early'. He seems to understand well.
Um, Eleanor-sama? Please don't glare at me.
"Hey, you, who are you?"
"V-Violet! Stop that."
I pull on Violet, who is standing there with her arms crossed, but she doesn't budge.
"Hmm? I didn't recognize you because you're wearing a strange helmet, but you are an Arachne. Why is a monster with humans?"
"I found this entrance. So, these humans aren't bad. It's my fault. Besides, anyone would explore such a suspicious hole."
"No, Violet... this Arachne was just asked to be our guide..."
"I'm not asking the humans."
Eleanor-sama hums and holds back.
"Is 'Violet' your name?"
"Yeah. A human friend gave it to me. So, who are you?"
"A human friend? Hmm. Then, do you know the origin of that name?"
"It's for the color, right? The color I like. Purple."
"Hmm... very well. I shall tell you my true identity."
Finally. It must be the Earth Dragon. Otherwise, Henry-sama and the others' attitude wouldn't be explained.
"No, there is no need for you to name yourself, so if possible, please overlook us as we are."
It's Eleanor-sama. Despite usually seeking the truth, it's unlike her.
"What? You say you do not wish to know my true identity?"
"No, because I already know it."
"You say you already know?"
"Yes. Therefore, I believe there is no need for you to tell us."
"Then, try to guess it."
"If I guess correctly, will you overlook our disrespect?"
She suddenly entered negotiations. 'Eleanor of Tactics' is not just a nickname. She's trying to make the trespassing a non-issue.
"Then, what will you do if you are wrong?"
"I will clearly deify your territory and make it a land where humans do not enter."
"Insufficient."
"Specifically, in what way?"
The owner of the voice told us to give him time.
"What are you going to do?"
"I'll have you keep me company. Let me tell you, it's not a vulgar talk."
"What exactly does that mean?"
Here, the owner of the voice was silent for a bit.
"You will tell me what is happening on the surface. After that, I'll have you join in a game I've thought of."
Pardon?
In the end, the owner of the voice was the Earth Dragon, as Alex had guessed. What was unexpected was that he lived in a horizontal hole that humans would use as a passage, rather than the huge horizontal hole that served as the back entrance to the Demon Lord's cave. Moreover, he's looking for a playmate...
"Hey, since she guessed right, show yourself."
When Violet said that, after a slight pause, the back door opened, and a man who looked to be in his late forties wearing brown clothes came out. Being a dragon, he has deep features and thick eyebrows. Long mustaches hang down to the left and right like a catfish. His hair reaches his shoulders. He doesn't seem to have a tail.
"Are you the Earth Dragon?"
"Indeed."
When Henry-sama asked, he was smiling gently. Sometime ago, Dune had said. The Earth Dragon is so calm you don't know when he'll get angry. Thinking about it now, the voice that echoed was heavy, but it wasn't exactly a roar.
"The real thing? I can't tell in that outfit. Recently, there are many strange swindlers, so you have to show me your Earth Dragon form."
W-Wait, Violet! You're being dangerous.
"I don't mind."
See, he got angry—wait, eh?
"Then, let's go to my original dwelling."
No sooner had he said it than the ground rumbled... but I wonder what happened.
"Look outside from that door. Let me tell you, never go out from the door. You'll die."
Saying that, he went out from the door we had entered.
When Violet approached the open door, she suddenly stopped and beckoned. Her face is serious.
I approach timidly. When we all peek out from the door, we can see the outside as if wrapped in something like a bowl made with Wind Barrier, and the self-proclaimed Earth Dragon is standing there.
Eh? Outside?
"This is the vertical shaft we entered, isn't it?"
Eleanor-sama says it's not Teleport.
"I don't know what kind of magic or technique it is, but it seems he connected the underground room and the vertical shaft with the door as the boundary line."
When Roberts-sama shaved the edge of the table with a knife and threw it out the door, it disappeared...
Someone gulped.
"Ah, he's transforming."
Violet points outside. When we all return our gaze to the man, he's chanting something like an incantation. It must be Transform. And, as we watch, his body becomes larger, and finally, he becomes a huge brown four-legged dragon.
"That's the Earth Dragon..."
Being a dragon, he's large. Several times a Behemoth. Since he's four-legged, his height is about two stories, so he's not that tall. His neck is short, so the Water Dragon seems longer, but his torso is about the same.
Two horns are growing. On his back, some scales are bulging like lumps, looking very hard. His legs are thick and short, and his claws are large. His tail is thick and has horn-like spikes on the left and right, three each.
"It's the Earth Dragon, alright."
Convinced, Violet waved her hand toward the Earth Dragon.
"Then, if you like, shall we have a drink in commemoration?"
Henry-sama takes out a bottle of wine.
The Earth Dragon returned to human form and came back to the room. The door also returned to being just a door. After we all said "Nice to meet you," we gathered around the table again.
"Isn't that from the continent? Is there no wine from the island?"
"Then, how about this?"
This time it's Finis liquor.
When Henry-sama offers it, he pulls the cork and sniffs it. He began to cough with a "geho-geho".
"W-What is this? It's too strong. That continental one is still better."
The Finis liquor, which is popular with other dragons, was a total defeat.
"Then, how about this?"
I offer a water bottle containing mead, which is popular with some spirits.
"Oh, it's mead. You're thoughtful. I'll take this."
Yes! The one I made got the best evaluation from a dragon. Next, when I put out Highway Cookies and dried meat, the cookies were a big hit.
"Well, sit down. It's been a while since I've had guests. Let's talk while having a drink of our favorite liquor."
Whether there's a warehouse beyond another door, he brought out chairs and there were enough for everyone.
The trespassers became guests. Negotiation successful.
Eleanor-sama says "I'll help," and takes bowls from the shelf and lines them up. Gladys-sama is hurriedly helping.
"As expected of Jeanne."
"In the end, Jeanne took all the credit, didn't she?"
Violet and Eleanor-sama are smirking. Eleanor-sama is taking out a deluxe box from her bag and serving it on a plate. But I put mine out faster.
Well, well, both of you, isn't the result all right?
When Eleanor-sama confirmed, it seems the Earth Dragon can transform into human form. Previously, he lived in the huge horizontal hole that had become the back entrance to the Demon Lord's cave. After being taught how to transform into human form, he came to live in the horizontal hole where he is now.
"That's right. It might be only us Earth Dragons who transform."
"Did you originally have such an ability?"
"No, it's magic. I was taught by a human a little while ago."
A human... Speaking of a little while ago, was there a user in Sertoria besides Jennifer-sensei?
"What kind of person was it?"
"It was a woman. Since she was accompanied by several attendants, she must have been of high status. Apparently, she lives on an island to the northwest of here. Being human, she might be dead by now."
An island to the northwest of here...
"Um, isn't that from five thousand years ago?"
Probably the Ancient Priestess.
"That might have been so. I don't remember the details."
I had forgotten. One year for a dragon is a thousand years for a human. If it was five years ago, it's fully applicable as 'a little while ago'.
Well, fine.
"Light!"
I just have to show him a Firefly. I produce it on my palm and place it on the table.
"Ho-ho. You can use Light. Could you be a relative or something of that woman from back then?"
Although his tone is calm, he's taking it in his hand and looking at it with a smile. As expected, he likes Fireflies.
With this, it became clear that the one in front of us is at least not a monster. And. It was found that the one who taught this self-proclaimed Earth Dragon Transform was the Ancient Priestess. There's also the line of the Priestess who served King Griffith, but the Earth Dragon doesn't appear in King Griffith's memoirs.
"It's a shame. If you hadn't seen through my true identity, I was thinking of playing a little game, you know."
"That sounds interesting. What exactly is that game?"
Oh no, Eleanor-sama took the bait. I'll definitely be made to participate.
"What, it's a game I thought of together with the Priestess who used Light and taught me Transform."
"Specifically, in what way?"
"If you want to know, just participate. However, there's a limit to the number of people. Up to six."
He glances here. Since I know he is, I looked away.
"Hey, if we participate, is there something like getting a reward?"
The greedy mage is asking. I don't know if she'll be ignored.
"I can prepare it. Like with a prize."
Oh no. She'll definitely want to do it.
"It's a game, right?"
"That's right. A game."
Beatrix is smirking, but there are various kinds of games. The ghosts of Finis would probably bet their lives on a game.
"I can't let that pass."
"Exactly. What exactly is a prize, for example?"
The two delinquent old men took the bait. Roberts-sama is laughing confidently. Surprisingly, Gladys-sama is listening intently. In that case, Mary will also participate.
"I can tell you, but before that, there are various things I want to ask. This isn't the kind of place to explore to the extent of arming an Arachne like that. What was the original purpose? Tell me."
This time, the Earth Dragon has launched negotiations.
"The reason we came here is to clarify the regions called Demon Realms within the territory. Although we once subjugated the Demon Lord who was hostile to humans, there are still those among the high-level Demon Race who lead the Demon Lord's army and are still active, and there are also places called Demon Realms where monsters occur. Even though we look like this, we are the former King and former Queen. For the sake of the people, we are exploring such lands."
"What will you do after exploring?"
"If possible, I want to challenge the Demon Race who come to fight and find a way for coexistence and co-prosperity with the creatures of various races living in that land."
At Henry-sama's words, Eleanor-sama and Violet nod. These three have maintained a friendship for thirty years.
"Do you seriously think such a thing is possible?"
"I believe it's possible and do what I can. If I can't do it in my generation, I believe the next or the generation after that will take over."
Roberts-sama and Gladys-sama nod together. Surely, it would be the same if the King, Magdalena-sama, or Jennifer-sensei were here.
"Hmm. Did you think it was possible if you had that Light user... Jeanne, was it, that girl's magic?"
Eh? Me?
Why me?
"That's not it. I don't think it's so simple that it can be done with a specific magic."
"Hmm. You seem to understand."
Saying that, the Earth Dragon looked at me again. Violet, who is sitting next to me, puts her hand on my shoulder.
"Very well. Then, I shall tell you about the prizes. However, only two."
"F-Finally."
Beatrix, your voice is trembling. You don't have to force yourself.
The Earth Dragon's prizes apparently come in three types. He tells us two of them.
"The first is the wonderful way to handle weapons. The second is the possibility of learning new magic."
That means, in short...
"Um, let's all consult once..."
"It's a wonderful prize. I'll definitely ask for it."
Oh no, Henry-sama gave the answer...
Eleanor-sama is grinning.
"Hmm. Good resolve. However, only six people. It's not something to be done with such a large crowd. Also, the Arachne and the super-advanced mage Revenant are no good. Because they are too strong."
G-Good resolve... Too strong? ...
"Then, Wilson, Harrison, Violet, Henry, and I will refrain. Those who challenge will be: Bonnie as the scout. The front guard will be Roberts, Gladys, and Will. The rear guard will be Beatrix and Mary. And Jeanne will be support."
"No matter how you look at it, isn't it like monster extermination?"
Beatrix is poking fun.
"Isn't it fine? Being with Gladys-sama is the first time since the mountain."
Mary, who was a tool-carrier back then, is now a user of two super-advanced spells.
"We'll get proceeds, right?"
"Proceeds? What's that?"
The Earth Dragon tilted his head at Beatrix's jab.
"We're going to fight monsters, right? In that case, look, like fur or meat, things that can be sold?"
"Such things cannot be obtained."
"Confiscated?"
"Confiscated or not, nothing remains."
"Nothing remains? What exactly are we going to do? Could it be, fighting evil spirits or illusions created by illusion magic?"
He's smirking and saying nothing.
In the end, while not really knowing what we were going to fight, we were jumped to another place along with the room. He's called the Earth Dragon for a reason; he apparently dove underground along with the room. After the light vibration subsided, when we opened the door, a stone passage with torches here and there extended.
"It's the Labyrinthum I made. From here, I'll have you go up. There will be something along the way, but please resolve it there."
He's too vague.
"U-Um..."
Roberts-sama patted the shoulder of Beatrix, who had stood up, with a 'pon'.
"Well, it'll probably be fine. Let's just go as far as we can."
Really... Is it okay? Truly?