Chapter 468 - Seventh Tale: Gnome's Cave (5)
I can understand the Wolf Men's claim, but on my side, moving is out of the question as a condition. And even if I moved, whether I establish friendship with Gnome is another story.
Gnome and I both said it's too early, and we were allowed to give a tentative refusal regarding the Wolf Men's request.
"By the way, what kind of thing is the trial of Gnome's cave?"
"Fighting monsters in the cave you were teleported to, winning, and coming here."
We fought, won, and came here. Doesn't that count as cleared?
"As I said earlier, you were able to come because I helped. It's a do-over."
"Um, from where?"
"From the beginning, of course."
"From after placing my hand on the grave?"
"Yes."
Then, I'll have to knock out the Wolf Men one more time.
"No."
"No? Is it?"
"It's the second time. I have to make the opponent stronger."
"To what extent?"
The first time, two Fenrirs appeared. Since they are stronger than D-rank, the next will be C-rank...
Maybe something like a Cerberus. I've defeated one with Fiona before, but I wonder if I can capture that high physical defense creature alive.
As a result of the Elder talking with Gnome, the content of the trial became clear. Gnome doesn't seem to have any intention of hiding it; they answer as much as I ask. In that case, we all asked a barrage of questions.
What became clear from asking like that is that this time, the opponent will be real monsters. And the location will change too. The fact that it's in the ground remains the same. The opponent is C-rank or higher.
"The first move was the first stage of the exam. If you had killed these guys, I wouldn't have let you out from underground forever."
No mercy. Dangerous, dangerous. But the first stage is a pass, huh.
"Yes. From now on, if you don't clear it as quickly as possible, the opponent will become stronger and stronger."
"Hah, I'll do my best."
It's started to feel like the Earth Dragon's cave. Well, it's better since there's no maze.
"Um, can I call for reinforcements?"
"I don't mind. Species doesn't matter. However, let's limit the number of people brought into the barrier... let's see. Let's make it a maximum of eight people, including you."
"I can bring up to seven people into the barrier, then. Which means three more reinforcements are possible."
"I don't mind if it's other people besides you. Also, as you already know, I won't let spirits of the same class as me use their power inside the barrier."
An exceptional condition. Maybe the content of the trial will become that much more severe.
The Elders seem to want to say something, but it's better to withdraw early and devise a strategy.
"Thank you very much. Then, I'll return to the settlement once and prepare."
If possible, I want to rest slowly and prepare sufficient food and water.
"I don't mind, but before that, we have to form a bond."
"A bond?"
"Yeah, if Jeanne doesn't make the second attempt within three days, everyone here will die."
I-Isn't that already a curse?
Unlike the Earth Dragon's cave, it's probably kind to say that we can return once and start over. Since those who are already dead have no effect, Fiona isn't cursed, and furthermore, she's not counted in the number, which is a good impression. I was able to take my leave after promising to re-challenge within three days.
For an instant, I thought it went pitch black, and then I was in front of the grave. It was the same with the Earth Dragon, but I wonder what kind of magic Gnome is using. Sunlight isn't hitting the grave, but the light itself is shining in. According to the Wolf Men, it's morning. Including the time we were digging the hole, we stayed for one night.
When we returned to the settlement, everyone came out to meet us. There are even old women who are crying. Unfortunately, the conquest failed, but when I said we obtained the right to re-challenge, they were disappointed but encouraged us. After resting our bodies slowly for a whole day, they decided to hold a banquet for us at night.
"Everyone, I'm glad you all gathered."
As the Elder says, many people really gathered. It seems everyone who could come among the beastmen in this area came; not just wolves, but foxes, and not just that, there are also wildcats, horses, deer, and boars.
"This human is Bishop Jeanne. She is a user of light magic and carries the alias of Dragon Killer, while at the same time, she has established friendship with many kinds of dragons and, furthermore, has obtained the protection of the Four Great Spirits except for the earth Gnome."
Cheers go up. Everyone is clapping, and some are whistling. This is bad. I hope they don't expect too much.
"And this time. We succeeded in meeting Gnome!"
Ah, he's saying unnecessary things. The conquest itself failed.
A great cheer is rising, but when I conveyed that the conquest failed, everyone let out a 'doyo-doyo' sigh.
"Howeveeeer! Do not give up, everyone! Gnome clarified that they hold no anger toward us and permitted a second, no, repeated challenges until the trial is conquered!"
After a moment of silence, everyone stood up at once and started making a huge fuss. The carnivorous types raised howling voices, and the herbivorous types were jumping 'pyon-pyon'.
Before I knew it, they gathered around me and each one sought a handshake.
Unlike the Earth Dragon, I thought it was kind of them to let us out, but it wasn't so. If I don't definitely conquer this, I'll really be made to move.
A banquet after the big fuss. Drunks surrounded me, and the pouring and returning of drinks was tough, but from the middle, the women's group rescued me. The Fox's wife and son I first met were also there, and I was somehow able to eat and drink calmly.
"Jeanne-san, good work."
I'm grateful that what they recommend is water. The beastmen are making and drinking fruit wine. It's sweet and goes down easily, so if you're careless, you'll end up drinking more and more. If I had been surrounded by the men and responding to the rounds of drinks like that, I would have really gotten drunk.
A drunk wolf came to meddle, but he's being kicked away by a horse mother. She's more reliable than anything.
"It's fine to leave the men alone. Please relax here."
"Thank you very much."
Since the Fox's son is there, I call him and he came to my side. I stroke his head just like that. Unlike human hair, it's fluffy, soft, and glossy.
"I've only been eating one of those cookies a day."
"What a good boy. Keep doing that from now on."
"Yeah. Because it's wheat, eating too much isn't good, right?"
"That's right. Eat the dried meat instead."
I thought it was a trivial talk, but...
"Jeanne-sama. I heard that Jeanne-sama will improve our winter food situation."
The horse and deer sisters asked. Behind them, there's a person with a build like Matilda. Might be a Boar. Since they are on the herbivore side, they won't eat dried meat. The ones I negotiated with were the Fox and the Wolf. I hadn't negotiated with that side.
"The Priestess who was here a long time ago gave us pasture seeds. If we harvest those, we can eat them even in winter."
Oh no, they want something added to the pasture. I recommend turnips for the winter, but without Lyudmila... no, I've never heard of horses or deer eating turnips. In the first place, there are no fields. They probably just grow pasture randomly in the nearby clearings. Basically, it's not like they do agriculture.
Um, it would be good if Lyudmila and Flora were here...
While I was hesitating before the herbivores whose eyes were sparkling with expectation, the Fox's wife stood up, came to my side, and sat down. She's holding a box of Highway Cookies Deluxe in her hand.
"Everyone. This was given to me by Jeanne-sama for my son's snack. The ingredients are wheat, butter, milk, and sugar, which is not easily obtained by us, apparently."
Saying so, she began to distribute them to everyone.
Everyone took them in their hands and sniffed them, but then ate a bite as if they had made up their minds.
"D-Delicious. This is a human sweet."
"It's very sweet. To think there was something this delicious."
It's quite well-received. The Fox Man is eating too, and the wife is putting it in her mouth as if to test for poison. It must suit the beastmen's sense of taste.
"Is it okay?"
I asked the child sitting on my lap. I have no more on hand. The portion for the Fox's child to eat has vanished.
"Yeah. Because once we can trade with Jeanne's companions, we'll be able to eat them anytime, right?"
Hmm. I certainly did negotiate. I have to have Godwynn-sama work hard here.
The next day, setting aside the fellows who are sleeping soundly while snoring while drunk and the fellows who have turned pale with hangovers, the five who will challenge Gnome's trial together are sharp.
"Bishop Jeanne. There are two days left until the deadline shown by Gnome. We must immediately master that Flight Magic and reunite with Godwynn."
"Ah, yes."
The Elders seemed to have already thought of a strategy and seemed to have thought of a formation against C-rank.
They intend to add humans to the three reinforcement slots. The two who were captured the other day were brought out in a state tied with ropes. Since Fiona isn't counted in the number, if we add the commander Godwynn-sama, it'll be exactly right. If humans are added, silver weapons and scrolls can be used.
The Wolf Men's practice didn't go very well because I myself can't handle Flight Magic. They can make it fly, but it's not maneuverable, and they can't reduce speed. If they can't fly slowly, it's dangerous in the forest. Their magic control itself is strong, but they might be bad at fine control. The humans who were captured were just scouts and couldn't use magic. Therefore, the beastmen need to learn it, but they can't fly at all unless they can fly safely.
The Fox even went to call Godwynn-sama because he couldn't bear to watch.
"The one being used is Wind Barrier, right?"
"Ah, yes. That's right."
When I was called and turned around, there was a horse.
How about something like this, he said and did it easily.
"When it comes to wind magic, we're the experts."
The Wolf leader is looking frustrated.
"Are there strengths and weaknesses depending on the species?"
"Yes. Wind is horses. Wolves are earth, wildcats are lightning."
I see, I can somehow understand that cats are lightning. Their fur would probably stand on end when they release it. By the way, deer are apparently recovery magic. Somehow, that also fits the image.
In that case, how about challenging the trial with a combination of various species?
The leader was about to say something, but he's become unable to say anything, sandwiched between a Bear and a Boar.
"Bishop Jeanne, we aren't good at magic. However, as you can see, our bodies are strong. We can become a wall to protect you."
Certainly, they are exactly walls. It seems they brought out particularly large ones for both the Bear and the Boar, and behind them, their brethren who are one size smaller are watching with bated breath.
When I count on my fingers, it'll be seven people: Fox, Wolf, Horse, Deer, Wildcat, Bear, and Boar. Including me, it's eight. It might be just right.
"Then, for the second time, let's try challenging with one of each species."
"Alright! I was waiting for those words."
"Ooh! Let's do it!"
The two, the Bear and the Boar, approached together with heavy steps. Both are breathing heavily. Being looked down upon by them is a huge pressure.
"Now, now, no. You can't approach while breathing so hard. It's rude to the Bishop."
The Wildcat sister stepped in between.
I almost ran away involuntarily.
The ones lined up in front of me were the leaders of each species. If the Fox who went to call Godwynn-sama is added, it seems all beastman species in this area will be present.
"Foxes can use fire magic. It'll be useful for something."
The Wolf told me, but I didn't know that. He didn't use it at all last time.
"It's his trump card. He's a blacksmith. Normally, you wouldn't think a beastman could manipulate flames. After all, he's a Fox. How should I say, he's cunning, or rather, strangely clever."
I see. That also makes strange sense.
As sunset approached, the clever Fox Man returned. Godwynn-sama is with him too. Not just that, even Sawelyn Prince is here along with Henry-sama's group.
"What are you doing on your own!"
I was suddenly yelled at by the Prince.
I'm not your subordinate. What I do in a place where human authority doesn't reach is my freedom.
"Who's this guy?"
"Step back, Bishop. I'll teach this guy how to speak."
I'm surrounded by the Bear and the Boar.
"What! You guys! Who do you think I... w-wait, what are you doing... w-wait, wait, wait! S-Stop!"
He's screaming while his collar is grabbed by the Boar and his mouth is covered by a huge hand, but I don't care.
"Oh Jeanne, I'm glad you're well."
"Jeanne, it seems you've become friends with the beastmen too."
It's Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama. They are pretending not to notice the Prince.
"Yes, thanks to you. But why did you come all the way here?"
"Because I heard that Jeanne not only succeeded in contacting Gnome but also that she's challenging something called Gnome's trial. Unlike the Earth Dragon's time, we're going to the front line this time."
The Fox Man is puffing out his chest proudly. One person is extra, but reinforcements are welcome.
"Bishop. Who is it? This guy."
The Bear started rolling up his sleeves. The Prince, whose collar was already taken by the Boar and whose mouth was covered by a huge hand, is only going 'fugu-fugu' with teary eyes.
"Um, the former King of Sertoria..."
"It's Henry."
"And his wife, Eleanor."
They cut in without waiting for an introduction.
"H-Henry and Eleanor? Hey, Wolf, you definitely knew those two, right?"
"They're the real deal. The two who were lauded as the strongest warrior and the greatest mage in human history, having defeated the Demon Lord."
A stir is rising among the beastmen.
"Sertoria is the country where the light magic user who visited last time became King, right?"
"Yeah, his descendant is the hero who defeated the Demon Lord."
After waving their hands for a while, they came to my side with full smiles.
It's good that they are motivated, but it's been decided that I'll conquer it together with the beastmen.
"I-Is that so?"
"Yes. I've already made a promise... I didn't think you two would come..."
Both of them are looking dejected.
At that moment.
"It's fine. You can go in my place."
It's the Fox Man.
"I'm a guide. Up to here. I have no obligation to challenge the trial."
"Is that so. Then, one more person."
Eleanor-sama bit. It seems they both want to challenge it no matter what.
"What do you want to do? Fox, did you get cold feet?"
The Wolf said mockingly.
"Oh, no. I just thought that a combination of multiple humans and beastmen might be better for Gnome's trial."
"Is that so?"
Eleanor-sama bit.
"In the legends, the Ancient Priestess brought two human followers and one Dwarf, didn't she. That Dwarf is the one who taught blacksmithing techniques to our Fox ancestors. And eight of us, including them, challenged Gnome's trial. Though, the Dwarf was apparently just a hireling and only taught blacksmithing to the ancestors."
"I see. There were three humans including the Priestess, then."
"Then, it's exactly right."
They are completely in the mood to go.
"Th-Then, what? Are there five of us?"
Those two have defeated the Demon Lord. Moreover, the sword at Henry-sama's waist is silver. The beastmen also flinched.
"If we follow the legend."
"A-At most, five?"
"Yeah, the fact that Gnome said eight people was probably because they followed the legend too."
"Which means. If the Fox is the substitute for the mage, then the substitute for the warrior is..."
When the Wolf leader turned around, the Boar and the Bear were already grappling with each other.