Chapter 475 - Seventh Tale: Gnome's Cave (12)
For the banquet, since I wanted to avoid the sulky prince, I used the excuse that the food was different and divided it into two locations.
One side was with the people living in the outskirts of the settlement, where Henry-sama and the others started drinking with the martial faction like Wolves, Bears, and Boars. Of course, the prince had no choice but to go there.
On the other hand, I decided to have a banquet in the field where Horses and Deer cultivate wheat, together with Lyudmila, Fiona, and Alex. Not only Horses and Deer, but the Wildcat and the Wolf Elder also participated.
In the end, four Otter households came. However, participation in the trial is conditional.
“We live near the upper reaches of the river.”
The elderly Otter looks like he inherited the abilities of another animal because his hair is pure white.
“Until now, humans have come several times. Each time, those living in the settlement have gained benefits. However, there were no benefits for us. Trade with humans, after the tradition-bearers disappeared, ceased at the same time the human generation changed.”
The Otters probably have a grudge for being left out. Also, if the fields develop, the flow of water flowing around them will change, and the living things living there will change. The Otters probably hate it if the beastman settlement becomes like that.
“Otter-no. It is an honor for us to overcome Gnome's trial together with a wielder of light magic.”
The Wolf Elder raised his voice, but it's not like that. Honor alone cannot support a family.
The Otter Elder turned away with a 'fun.'
I have to do something about this.
I asked everyone to increase the amount of fruit wine and summoned Dune.
“Oh? A banquet with beastmen this time?”
Dune is wearing a one-piece dress in a color that's blue with a bit of purple. It comes with a hair ornament of the same color. It's a dress dyed by Miana, who has started marble dyeing in earnest lately. It's a masterpiece that would fetch a tremendous price once it's known who made it.
“W-Water Spirit!”
The beastmen raised their voices and all prostrated themselves.
They seem to go down on all fours when they're surprised. This part is different from humans.
“There's some good fruit wine.”
“Heh, I'm looking forward to it.”
I introduced her to everyone and had them exchange greetings.
The Otters, who are good at water magic, were cautious at first, but they seemed happy and even thanked me.
If I hand over the barrel, it'll just create distance with the beastmen, so we toast with bowls.
After eating and drinking for a while, I had her give some advice. In short, it's whether there's some trick that would be useful for the Otters.
“In that case, not doing agriculture is best.”
No, if you say that, it'll defeat the purpose, so Lyudmila, don't laugh, you're an agricultural researcher.
“But since it's upstream, agriculture has nothing to do with it originally, right? Why don't you pick medicinal herbs and sell them to Jeanne and the others?”
That might be good.
“Trade? With all due respect, wouldn't that also be temporary?”
“Of course. Because humans die faster. It might be short for beastmen, but it's a lifetime for humans. Besides, whether you can provide attractive things to the next generation is up to you. Think well. Though, if you say you can't trust the human I protect, that's fine too.”
“No, never such a thing. We shall certainly start trade. Are medicinal herbs acceptable?”
His attitude changed instantly. It's practically a threat.
The next morning, when I met up with Henry-sama and the others, as expected, the sulky prince was with them. He's staring at people.
“Good morning.”
“Ah, Bishop Jeanne, is it. I heard the story from Henry-sama, but you shouldn't be so self-indulgent.”
At least say 'good morning.'
“What? This guy?”
It's Dune. Human lineage means nothing to a water spirit.
“Hey, you woman, who do you think you're... guooh.”
How stupid. He's showing the whites of his eyes after being kicked in the solar plexus by Dune, who feigned looking away for an instant.
“He's a prince of Regnentes.”
“Hmm. The citizens must have it tough.”
Wasn't he the first one to call Dune 'you woman'?
“Jeanne, good morning. Oh, Dune was here too.”
“Good morning.”
When Henry-sama and the others exchanged a light glance, the white-eyed prince was carried away by the scouts.
After seeing Dune off, we're seen off by Lyudmila and Alex. Since we're using magic this time, there are no warrior types except for Henry-sama. The humans are Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama, Wilson-san, and the three of us including Fiona... since Wilson-san and Fiona are dead, they don't count toward the number... and the beastmen are the Fox Man, Horse Man, Deer Man, and two Otter women. And the two Ghouls we met in the cave.
Since the escape route connected to the grave is still there, we go straight to the place where magic doesn't work without exploring.
“Then, please do as explained. If it goes well, we can conquer Gnome's trial. To reach this point, there was cooperation from you beastmen, Ghouls, us humans, and spirits. As fellow inhabitants of this island, let's combine our strength based on the spirit of coexistence and co-prosperity and make this operation a success.”
Everyone applauds at Eleanor-sama's words. I don't know if the Ghouls understand, but they were given a service of one barrel of fruit wine by the Wolf Elder. I'm sure they'll cooperate happily.
Next, we prepare and conquer.
The two standing side by side, Eleanor-sama and Wilson-san, start chanting. It's for two [Prominence] spells.
I'm kneeling in front of the two, readying my staff.
Along with their sonorous chanting, two huge fireballs are formed.
The target is the center of the five foxfires burning as if clinging to the wall that seems to be Gnome's barrier.
“[Prominence]!”
The two finished their chanting, and it was finally released.
The two dragon heads, released at an intentionally slow speed, proceed while spinning as if chasing each other's positions.
“[Holy Lance]!”
At the same time, I release an eight-volley shot. Since I'm firing many, I moderated the output a bit. Even so, they're log-sized.
The dragon heads turned yellow.
One more shot!
It's close to white, but a yellowish tint remains. Is it a bit lacking...
“[Holy Lance]!”
I felt faint, but I managed to release the third shot.
(Jeanne! Pull yourself together!)
Fiona's voice echoes in my head. Since we're merged and using [Thought Communication], I can tell even without her speaking.
“Now!”
“Yes! [Wind Barrier]!”
At Eleanor-sama's instruction, the Horse Man's [Wind Barrier] is deployed in front. It's a preparation in case it's reflected back. Even if it's not reflected back, it's a narrow cave. If a huge fireball hits the wall, we'll be done in by the reflected heat.
“[Glaciate]!”
The Otter man and woman shot icicles at the [Wind Barrier]. They'll freeze it and create a powerful ice wall.
In an instant, at the moment the two dragon heads hit the wall as if combined into one, the five foxfires all merged with the dragon heads. At the same time, [Megiddo Fire] releases a white brilliance.
Along with the sound of the ice wall being formed with a 'beki-beki,' we all jump into the hole behind us. The Ghouls dug it as an evacuation spot. We retreated further inside.
After waiting for a while, when we went to inspect, it was successfully dug through!
To be precise, a hole about the size of an arm passing through is open in the wall, and light is leaking through. It's the same as when we were digging a hole with the Wolf Man and the others before.
We broke through the wall!
“W-We did it!”
I stop the Fox Man who was about to approach and have Fiona go scout. Fiona, who flew 'fuwa-fuwa,' after doing a wall-pass, suddenly teleported in front of me.
“Jeanne, Gnome was there. Everyone, we have overcome the trial.”
Ignoring the fact that I was surprised by her sudden appearance, Fiona was surrounded by everyone who was cheering.
Everyone runs up and has the Ghouls deliver the final blow to crumble it. When I got closer, I realized that the place dug with [Megiddo Fire] has its surface melted and is sparkling. It's like it's made of glass. Since it might cause a burn if it's hot, I didn't touch it, but if I stroked it, it would surely be smooth and glossy. The width isn't that thick. It's about enough for me to reach from end to end if I extend both hands. Probably, Gnome used his magic power on the hard bedrock to cast a technique that nullifies magic.
But there's already a hole. When the Ghoul shouted something, a crack appeared with a 'bishi.' Beyond the part that crumbled just like that, there was Gnome sitting in a chair. He has a quite grim face. Is he frustrated that we broke through?
“No matter how you look at it, you went too far!”
While we were rejoicing, we were suddenly yelled at.
“There's a Fox there, isn't there! The Fox should know the method to extract metal from ore. If you used the same method, a hole would have opened in the wall, and it should have become brittle and crumbled. What on earth was that magic! To think you could use such magic!”
Eleanor-sama, who had her magic treated as 'such magic' by Gnome, is doing a fist pump.
The 'such magic' she and the Headmistress thought of together had its power recognized by Gnome, one of the Four Great Spirits. Surely, the two will toast together when she comes to Nakanohara next time.
“To think you could produce that much firepower. Even a Fire Dragon couldn't do it. For a moment, I panicked thinking all the furniture in this room would burn without even leaving soot.”
As expected of a Great Spirit. He was worried about the furniture rather than himself.
“Well, fine. It is a fact that you splendidly broke through my trial. Sit there. Let's have a toast or something.”
I thought we'd be kicked out in anger, but it was fine. We exchanged smiles with just our eyes and sat side by side on the two long benches on both sides of the table.
Gnome brings over a bottle of alcohol and bowls. When I try to help, I'm told, 'Guests should stay seated.'
At the word 'guests,' the beastmen look happy.
The bowls are ready, and it's a toast. Gnome knows, and it's fruit wine. Those meeting him for the first time introduced themselves, and Gnome thanked each one for their hard work.
“You did well to break through my trial and come this far. I welcome you.”
We all toasted at Gnome's words.
One way or another, we broke through Gnome's trial. It seems we went a bit too far, but well, it's fine.
“Just what is that magic?”
Gnome asks.
Eleanor-sama explains, taking this opportunity.
“You've discovered something quite extraordinary. Humans are truly impressive.”
“Thank you.”
Eleanor-sama is triumphant.
“So, did you think you could break through my barrier with that?”
Here, Eleanor-sama looks at me. I'm the one who proposed it.
“To be honest, I didn't know. I just couldn't think of anything but fire to counter earth.”
“Hoho, why is that?”
Dune and Salamander maintain a certain distance from each other. If fire and water are combined, the surroundings would be in trouble. They must be incompatible. Mel wasn't quite like that, but she did say before that if fire and wind are combined, it would be a disaster. In short, the most dangerous are water and fire, followed by fire and wind. It's impossible to counter that wall with human or beastman water and wind.
Dune and Mel are on good terms and have physical contact. In other words, it's safe.
The remaining are earth and fire, but by process of elimination, they should be compatible. The Four Great Spirits said they have compatibility with each other. The one incompatible with earth should be wind.
Besides, Gnome said he taught humans and beastmen the method to extract metal from ore using heat... in other words, fire. In other words, the way to break an earth barrier is fire.
Come to think of it, for the wind barrier we encountered on the mountain, we were able to break through because I had the ring I got from Dune. Surely, water and wind, and earth and fire, are compatible.
“You've understood us that well.”
I was praised.
“I was astonished when you brought Salamander.”
He opened his eyes wide and spread his hands as if to say he was really surprised. He's quite playful.
“But it doesn't violate the conditions.”
“Of course, that is so. However, to bring another spirit into the barrier of an earth spirit.”
Actually, it was Salamander's offer.
When I explained the circumstances, he let out a 'u-mu' sigh.
“Did he teach you anything?”
“Yes. The key points for the initial move. He taught us the method to find the escape route.”
“That Dwarf, right?”
“Yes. He's a friend.”
He's groaning 'u-mu.'
“There's more. We made the Ghouls our allies.”
“Yes. Because we've been together before.”
The Ghouls we met then are working as scavengers in northern Nakanohara.
“And, we found this place.”
“That was the Horse Man's discovery.”
I didn't realize it was a four-leaf clover. Even Eleanor-sama, who was drawing the map, didn't notice.
“It was a pretty good design, wasn't it? Humans shouldn't have noticed.”
“It was romantic.”
He's happy at Eleanor-sama's words. When I looked at the Horse Man, he winked at me.
“Whose idea was it to freeze the Tarasque?”
That was a method Mary taught me. However, digging a hole and dropping it in was the Ghouls' idea, and distracting the opponent with Fiona and foxfire was the idea of those two.
“Hmm. So the Ghouls weren't just brought along?”
“Yes. They're companions. Apparently, they're going to help as scavengers and with the fields in the beastman settlement from now on.”
“What, those Ghouls?”
“Yes. The payment is the carrion of hunted prey and fruit wine.”
He's groaning 'u-mu' again. He's doing nothing but groaning, but there's nothing that beats delicious food and drink.
“Humans, ghosts, Revenants, beastmen, monsters, and spirits; you've made each race your ally. Without the Ghouls, you wouldn't have been able to dig this far. Without the Horse Man noticing, you wouldn't have known the location of this place. You used four attributes of magic, used non-attribute magic, and finally reached here through merging with holy magic. Umu. Splendid. You pass.”
Good. It went well.
While I was high-fiving Eleanor-sama, the Wildcat Sister jumped on me.