Chapter 472 - Seventh Tale: Gnome's Cave (9)
Adding the two Ghouls, we set off for the third time. Since we met them inside the trial, it's a ten-person party in addition to the original eight. Also, since it's the third sortie, the Bear Man was replaced by the Boar Man.
According to the Ghouls, if we proceed further from where we met them, it goes down and becomes a hall connected to several more passages. Incidentally, if we go the opposite way from the T-junction before meeting the Ghouls, after turning left... South, it's apparently just a dead end.
“Apparently, there's a Tarasque there.”
At the Wolf Man leader's words, the beastmen's complexions changed uniformly.
Tarasque...
We faced one in the Earth Dragon's cave. Though, since it was a doll made by the Earth Dragon, according to Roberts-sama, it was a slow one with low defense.
“Bishop. Attribute magic doesn't work on it. Neither do iron weapons. Even silver weapons are difficult. We're relying solely on the Bishop's extra-large [Holy].”
The Fox Man said. Beastman magic doesn't work. It's more than I expected.
“After all, it's like a turtle. And the magic it uses is water.”
If it's water magic, is it [Maelstrom]? Or [Cocytus]? No, it's not [Cocytus], since it's supposed to hibernate. Then, how about having Eleanor-sama and Wilson-san fire [Cocytus] repeatedly to make it hibernate? We've already defeated one Cerberus. A shell that repels both magic and silver weapons is attractive as income, but we can think about what to do with that after making it hibernate.
When I immediately proposed this to Eleanor-sama, she agreed.
“Hibernate? Does that thing hibernate?”
The Wolf leader looked puzzled. Those expressionless types hibernate.
“It should. Let's freeze it solid.”
“Freeze it solid, huh. We can't use water or ice magic, so we're counting on the former heroes.”
He shrugged his shoulders.
Eh? Wait a minute.
“Um, is there no one among you who is good at water or ice magic?”
There are other attribute magic users. The Fox Man can even use fire magic and status change magic. The Deer Man can use recovery magic for monsters. But, for some reason, there's no water magic user.
“Water. There is, if you count them.”
The Fox Man gave a subtle answer while looking at the Wolf Man.
“It's the Otter. Since they live in the river and only eat fish, they live in a completely different domain.”
An Otter, huh. A cute fellow with a long body and short legs. I'd definitely like to meet one.
“They're not in our settlement. They're near the upper reaches of the river. More importantly, why water magic?”
It's simple. To make it hibernate.
Otter aside, the battle with the turtle... rather, the Tarasque, was decided on the 'make it hibernate' strategy.
When we had the Ghouls translate, they were laughing heartily.
“They say it's interesting. They say it would be better to freeze it after digging a hole and dropping it in so it doesn't get in the way.”
Are we going to bury it?
“No, apparently it'll crawl out even if we bury it. In short, it's to buy time. Since these guys don't hunt, they probably avoid unnecessary battles.”
In a sense, it's a splendid coexistence and co-prosperity.
With the Ghouls' proposal, some slight adjustments were made, but the basic line of making it hibernate remains unchanged.
Sending foxfire in front of the Horse Man's [Wind Barrier] wall, we proceed through the passage. As we go further down, the constantly released [Sense Living] picked up a reaction that could only be described as B-rank.
“There's a reaction. Probably B-rank!”
“A-Alright, let's do this.”
When the Wolf Man leader said that, we changed our positions as previously decided.
At the front is the Boar Man with a long spear. The second row is Henry-sama and the Wolf Man. In the center is me, merged with Fiona, and the Fox Man. Behind us are Eleanor-sama, the Horse Man, and the Wildcat Sister. At the very rear are the two Ghouls, who will create defensive walls behind us with earth magic in case of a surprise attack from the rear.
Maintaining the formation, as we proceed, after turning right at a right angle, we reached the underground hall the Ghouls mentioned.
The hall is high-ceilinged for the amount we descended. On top of that, it has enough space to be called an arena.
It's probably thirty steps from the exit of the passage to the center of the hall. The Tarasque was there.
The Tarasque had its legs pulled into its shell with only its head out, but as the wall approached, it put out both legs and braced itself.
“Guooooooo!”
I feel a tremendous pressure just from the growl.
“Ugh...”
The Boar Man in the vanguard stepped back half a step.
“It's fine as long as the front wall isn't broken.”
Henry-sama, also in the vanguard, held the hilt of the sword at his waist with his right hand, in a posture to draw it at any time.
“I-I know. Hey, you guys, don't mess up.”
Whether it's a bluff or to encourage his allies, the Boar Man said while looking back.
For monsters, strength is justice. The beastmen replied with tense voices and stood firm. Each must be doing their best.
“Fiona, Fox-san, please!”
“Alright. I'm going.”
“O-Oh! I-I'll do it.”
Fiona, who had been merged, floated in the air while emitting a pale blue light, and three foxfires flew as if chasing her.
Fiona and the foxfires flew so as to bypass the front wall from the right.
It's a collaboration between a ghost and a monster. As expected, the Tarasque is wary and has its head turned.
Fiona proceeds slowly along the wall. She came out to the right side from our perspective, right next to the Tarasque. She slowly turns to face the Tarasque. Three foxfires are swaying in front of Fiona. When Fiona slowly raises her right hand, the three foxfires gather above that hand. The three became one, and a large foxfire appeared on Fiona's high-held right palm. The presentation is perfect.
Seeing that, the Tarasque moved as if turning to the left.
It fell for it!
Fiona throws stone pebbles.
The Tarasque, which was distracted by the foxfire, lets out a growl at the surprise attack. It's planning to release [Maelstrom].
In an instant, Fiona disappeared and appeared a bit further back. The Tarasque changes its direction sluggishly to face Fiona.
I deactivate [Light] and [Wind Barrier].
The Wolf Man and the two Ghouls simultaneously dig a hole in the ground behind the Tarasque with [Clump Sand].
A hole opened up under its feet all at once, and the Tarasque fell into the hole from its tail. At the same time, [Maelstrom] blows up directly above. It must be a last-ditch resistance, but it's exactly as planned.
The water that blew up hit the ceiling, poured down like a waterfall, and most of it accumulated in the hole where the Tarasque fell.
“[Glaciate]!”
The bowl Eleanor-sama was manipulating moved to diagonally above the hole at a speed that could be called teleportation, and Wilson-san, who was riding it, released [Glaciate].
The sound of the water in the hole freezing can be heard with a 'beki-beki.' The Tarasque's growl gradually becomes smaller.
“[Glaciate]!”
When he released one more, it could no longer be heard at all.
The Tarasque, which took two [Glaciate] spells in the puddle, is being held down by ice and is also frozen solid itself. It will probably hibernate just like that.
“Is it over? Even so, that was incredibly fast.”
Fiona came back. The 'incredibly fast' must be Eleanor-sama's bowl.
“If I can be praised by Fiona, it's enough. It's the result of daily training.”
She's doing a fist pump. Does she always practice?
“Even so, did you see how Fiona drew its attention? Fox-dono was also splendid.”
“Thank you. This too is the result of daily training. I must thank the Okugata-sama who teaches me.”
I see. That grandiose evil queen act was because she had guidance from the real deal.
We defeated it by combining everyone's strength. We formed a circle and high-fived each other, and toasted with fruit wine put in a water bottle specially prepared by the Elder.
“Now, we've defeated a B-rank. This should be a sufficient achievement for Gnome's trial.”
It's as Eleanor-sama says. Everyone is responding with applause.
Now, the next destination is...
Thinking that, I had them light foxfire grandly, and there are three more passages.
However, this must be the western passage.
The one we came in from is the northern entrance. In other words, it's beyond the passage on the right. With the momentum of having defeated the B-rank Tarasque, we all set off, divided between the Horse's bowl and Wilson-san's bowl.
“To think you'd make that Tarasque hibernate. Bishop Jeanne, you've fought one before, haven't you?”
The Wildcat Sister with fluffy ash-gray short hair talked to me.
“I've never fought a real one, but I've practiced with something like a fake, or a doll, for practice.”
“What's that?”
Well, it would be strange if she understood. Since the Earth Dragon's arena isn't a secret, I'll talk about it.
“Heh, that sounds interesting. But, if he's hoarding that much gold, I wish he'd make it with prize money.”
As expected of the Wildcat Sister. The gesture of sticking her tongue out is indescribably cute.
But, prize money is good. I'll propose it to the Earth Dragon next time.
While we were talking, it had become an uphill slope before I knew it. Since I was riding the bowl, I didn't notice at all.
Somehow, I have a bad feeling.
We all thought there would be a wall at the end of the western cave, but when we finished climbing the slope, it turned sharply to the right. Since it drew a perfect semi-circle, the destination is East.
Beyond the turn is a long straight line. If it continues like this, it might overtake the underground hall. Whether they hollowed out the bedrock, the passage with a circular cross-section has walls, floor, and ceiling that are all hard rock.
Flat areas and climbs continue. It's not steep, but since it's long, I can't see the end. Foxfire doesn't reach either, so the end remains in darkness.
Since there's no reaction on [Sense Living], taking advantage of the fact that we're moving forward, I deployed [Magic Reflection] in front of my face and illuminated the front with [Light].
Midway, there was a step, and after passing through a lower part once, it went up again.
I've read Gnome's thoughts. Surely, it'll be an uphill climb ahead too. And a round rock will come rolling from the front. Even if we run away, we have to climb after once going down the step. Since it's a hole like it was hollowed out of bedrock, we can't dig a side hole with [Clump Sand]. [Curve] is a rare magic. Ordinary humans wouldn't be able to escape.
However, if he thought that, Gnome is way too soft.
After all, we have the secret weapon Wilson-san and the digging experts Ghouls. If it was set up so that we couldn't break through unless we brought Ghouls as allies, we've cleared it easily.
The end of the straight line turns sharply to the right. This time we proceed toward the South.
As we fly slowly through the straight uphill climb, which is longer than the previous one, a dull sound was heard far ahead.
Here it comes. Surely, it's the sound of a large round stone falling.
“It's here.”
Wilson-san raised his right hand. Eleanor-sama is already manipulating the bowl. The two Ghouls are also on the same bowl and have completed preparations to release magic along with Wilson-san.
When the rock comes rolling, Wilson-san will temporarily stop it with [Wind Barrier]. And the Ghouls will dig a hole in the floor with [Curve] and drop the stone in. At the same time, they'll also dig a hole for evacuation on the side. We just have to get through it like that. There's also the option of crushing it with [Crevasse], but if many come rolling one after another, it'll use a lot of magic power. It's cheaper to just let it pass.
A perfect strategy.
While waiting for the round stone any moment now, a sound like something collapsing was heard, followed immediately by the sound of rushing water.
“Oh no! It's water! It's like a waterfall! That bastard Gnome, did he move a pond or something above this and pull out the bottom?!”
W-Water attack...
Gnome! You're nasty! You're an earth spirit! Fight with earth or rock!
Eleanor-sama manages to stop the approaching water by plugging it with [Glaciate] ice.
Everyone heaves a sigh of relief.
“Not yet. If he pulled out the bottom of a pond he moved, it will eventually break through. If we don't quickly make a detour, pull the plug, and go up, everywhere will be flooded and the way back will be lost.”
Come to think of it, there was a step. It's not a distance we can swim. That said, I have no idea how much we should dig.
Eh? Wait a minute.
“Wilson-san, Eleanor-sama, I have a good idea.”
I told the two, who were consulting with the Ghouls through the beastmen as translators about how to dig an escape route, what I had thought of.
“Is such a thing possible?”
“Yes. I've done it before. Since the Horse Man is here too, I think it'll be fine even with this many people.”
I look at Wilson-san. He should know.
“Hmm. Not bad.”
In the end, they said let's try it.
“Then, please do as we discussed.”
At Eleanor-sama's signal, first is the Ghouls' [Curve]. They dig next to the ice Eleanor-sama used as a plug.
It seems they successfully dug through, and water started flowing. The ice next to where the water is flowing is melting rapidly. The side of the hole the Ghouls opened widened, and the amount of flowing water increased.
“Then, let's evacuate.”
Eleanor-sama deactivated [Glaciate], and flood-like water rushes through the passage. We hurriedly escaped into the holes the Ghouls dug on the left and right of the passage.
Water kept flowing in, and the water level in the passage increased along with it. Especially since Eleanor-sama is also plugging the side we came in from with [Glaciate].
Finally, the passage in front of us became full.
“Then, let's set off.”
A ball-shaped [Wind Barrier] sets out into the water.
It's the same method as when we proceeded through the underground hot spring in the hot spring town before. At that time, thanks to Salamander putting us on the water vein, we proceeded by riding the flow, but this time it's self-propelled navigation.
Wilson-san is manipulating one, and a Revenant and three humans are on board. Of course, Fiona is merged with me. Since I'm illuminating the front through the bowl with [Light], I could secure visibility to some extent even in the water. Since the water flow itself has subsided, we won't be swept away by the current even if we leave the evacuation hole into the passage. Since speed isn't necessary, we're proceeding as if blowing bubbles from behind.
“It's working.”
Just like that, we go up along the passage. I don't know because I can't turn the light backward, but Fiona told me the Horse Man's following group with the beastmen and Ghouls is also coming along.
As we continued to climb for a while, it felt like we were being pushed from above once, but after that we accelerated greatly. Apparently, we successfully rode the water flow flowing in from above. Having finished climbing, we accelerated all at once and proceeded South through the passage. Perhaps because the ceiling is high, the ball we were riding surfaced. (T/N: 'Ball' refers to the spherical Wind Barrier.)
We reached a right turn midway, and although we were bumping with 'gotsun-gotsun' sounds, we turned well by riding the flow.
“What's ahead of here?”
Since we've been proceeding through the underground forever, I got anxious and asked Eleanor-sama.
“I don't know. Gnome wouldn't intend to make an underground lake either, so won't we be thrown out somewhere?”
“Could it be that it's connected to the original pond?”
If that happens, we'll be circling endlessly. If our magic control power runs out and the bowl disassembles, it's the end.
“S-Surely not. I don't think Gnome intends to take our lives, though.”
“T-That's right. No matter what, there's no way that's the case, right?”
We both laughed 'ufufu' at each other.
If we couldn't make the bowl into a ball, we might have drowned, but let's pretend not to notice.