Chapter 638 - Chapter 3: The Demoness of Engrio ③
“If a human had entered here previously, and let us assume this was a place where some kind of ritual was performed. If that is the case, wouldn't there be a place to set offerings?”
Will spoke up. Thinking that made sense, we all began to search. The only thing that looked like such a spot was the rock where the waterfall's water fell.
“Is it that one?”
“I guess so. I mean, there's nothing else, is there?”
The female member of the Demon Race agreed. One's eyes couldn't help but be drawn to it. Looking at it now, it was so huge it felt out of place. Except for the spot where the water fell, it was grandly covered in moss; the rock itself had a certain presence, so to speak.
“Hey, look at the place where we're standing now,” said Carla. She and Annabella had been looking at the rock for a while.
“Doesn't it look like it connects to the underside of the rock?”
Now that she mentioned it, it was true; the place where we stood connected all the way under the rock. Except for the edge where it connected, the front side of the rock was a very shallow puddle where the waterfall's water collected, so the rock looked as if it were sitting inside a puddle. It looked unnatural in a way, yet natural in another.
“Hey, maybe that rock moves?” suggested the female demon.
“It's quite large.”
It wasn't quite a house, but it was about the size of a small shack. I had never seen anyone move a rock that big.
“For something that size, even a human could move it if they were a super-high-class mage using [Magic: Clump Stone], couldn't they?”
When I looked at Price-sama and Harrison-san, they tilted their heads. They probably hadn't seen anyone move something of that scale either. In the first place, unfortunately, there were no super-high-class elemental mages among our current members.
Everyone looked at the female demon. She was supposed to be skilled in earth magic.
“I said I wasn't going to help, didn't I?”
“Now, don't say that. It's just moving that rock a little bit, isn't it?”
The Captain began to persuade her. Since he was standing directly in front of her, I couldn't see the Captain's expression from here, but the female demon's eyes were moving quite a bit as she looked at him. The Captain's right hand was raised in front of his body; they were likely communicating through hand gestures and eye contact alone.
“What's the reward?”
Alright, she gave in. As expected of the Captain. That Imperial Sword at his waist isn't just for show.
“A wine barrel. How about one barrel of wine?”
As labor costs for a super-high-class mage just to move one rock, it might be reasonable.
“A wine barrel, huh...”
“How about it?”
“No.”
“Is... is that not enough?”
Keep at it, Captain!
“A bath. It's a pain to boil water with [Magic: Fire Ball] and then dilute it with water every single time. Give me one of those baths humans use. And teach me how to use it.”
An unexpected reaction. It seems she took a liking to the hot water baths.
“Is a wooden bathtub alright?”
“Yeah, that's fine. But if it breaks, you give me a new one.”
“A simple task. I can't provide it today, but I will arrange for a brand new one immediately. Tell me your preferred size later.”
“Alright, it's a deal!”
After consulting with Price-sama, we decided to also give her the blueprints for a bathhouse equipped with a washing area and a stone bath with a boiler. It would be easy to use and unlikely to break. Having a washing area would be good for when she wanted to bathe in the summer, and she'd be able to use soap. It should be convenient once the Hornless learned how to use the boiler. They would have to build it themselves, but if that was too much trouble, they could just use the wooden bathtub they were going to receive.
It turned into an unexpected negotiation, but it went well. Perhaps thinking I had contributed somewhat, Price-sama gave me a light pat on the shoulder.
“Alright, move out of the way. I'm going to move it over there.”
We all moved and lined up in a row by the stream.
“Okay, here I go.”
She raised her right hand casually and spoke the incantation. But it didn't budge an inch.
“Huh? Does it have roots or something?”
I've never heard of a rock having roots.
“Tch, fine. I'll get serious.”
She cracked her knuckles and aimed both hands at the rock. She was going all out.
She spoke the incantation again. But still, it didn't budge.
“You bastard! Don't underestimate a Queen just because you're a rock!”
Getting herself worked up, she let out a great shout, as if straining with all her might.
“I-It moved.”
The rock was trembling.
“O-Of course it did!”
Veins popped out on the female demon's forehead. Sweat began to pour off her. Her purple face was turning a reddish-purple.
“A-Are you okay?!”
“Shut up! Don't talk to me right now!”
“D-Do your best!”
It was the Captain.
“Go for it!”
The women all raised their voices at once.
“Right there!”
“One more push!”
The men also shouted. Everyone had their fists clenched, putting so much strength into it that their hands were shaking.
“Ugh, guuugh!”
The rock began to sway violently. Just a little more. Beatrix had said that once it floated into the air, the rest would be easy.
“If it moves, I'll add another barrel of wine!”
“The Church will also provide one barrel!”
“I'll provide one as well!”
The Captain, the Archbishop, and the Princess started making generous offers.
“Gugugu...”
The rock's swaying grew larger. It looked like it was about to float.
“Guu...”
Her arms were starting to drop. Was she at her limit?
“The addition is two barrels!”
“Two barrels it is!”
“I'll also make it an addition of two barrels!”
The female demon turned a look toward us that was so intense it made us tense up just by watching.
“O-One more offer!”
Wait? Does she actually have energy to spare?
In the end, with three additional barrels from each, the rock floated, and with a brave shout of “Dossei!”, she moved it all at once.
“We did it! Splendid!”
“You did it. Truly magnificent.”
“It's truly wonderful.”
The trio who would be presenting the wine barrels were also overjoyed.
The great rock moved slowly through the air toward the front and settled in the spot where we had first landed.
I handed a canteen filled with wine to the female demon, who had collapsed on the spot and was panting heavily. Sianya wiped the sweat from her forehead with a hand towel she had soaked in the clear water of the stream and wrung out.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Th-Thanks.”
She thanked Sianya while huffing and puffing.
She must have worked quite hard. As expected, it wasn't something a human could move.
“But look, we found it.”
Where Sianya was pointing, there was the entrance to a cave. It was a hole just large enough for one person to pass through. The place where the waterfall's water fell was hollowed out. It was probably a plunge pool. The collected water would pass through there and join the puddle.
“Right? You should be grateful to me.”
“Thank you very much, Queen-sama. We will be sure to bring the promised wine barrels.”
“Ahahaha, I'm counting on it.”
After consulting with Harrison-san, he and I, who would be receiving rewards, decided to add two more wine barrels. The total became twelve barrels.
“Well, I guess that's that. Thanks.”
She looked satisfied. Her fingertips seemed to be trembling; I wonder if she's alright? I wanted to cast [Magic: Hand Over] on her, but since it's holy magic, I couldn't really do that.
“I'm going to rest here for a bit. You guys go on ahead.”
“Are you okay? We can all rest together.”
When I looked at Price-sama, he nodded in agreement.
“It's fine. I'll catch up later.”
She must have been quite exhausted. It would be better to let her rest slowly and without reservation in her favorite spot. I handed her the wine canteen and a piece of dried meat and we decided to move forward.
“It was fitted in just perfectly, wasn't it?”
It was Price-sama. Between the rock that was moved and the plunge pool that appeared, there was a flat section wide enough for one person to pass, continuing as if from the stream.
“And yet, she moved it quite well.”
The place where the great rock had been was hollowed out on the inside as if to fit the rock. It must have been designed so that it wouldn't move even if lifted straight up. As proof, there was no moss in the hollowed-out part. Furthermore, the parts where the hollowed-out cliff and the fitted rock had been touching were unnaturally smooth. No matter how you thought about it, it had been processed.
“Did humans really seal this?”
Sianya asked, but it would be impossible for modern humans. I don't think they could move the rock. It was likely done by a super-excellent Priestess who was influenced by the surge of mana a thousand or three thousand years ago. She was surely so powerful that no mage living in this era could match her.
“Perhaps whether or not one can move this rock is the trial here,” Price-sama said while peering closely at the hollowed-out rock face.
In other words, is this rock also an obstacle? If so, what on earth is behind the wall?
I was starting to feel a bit hesitant, but I couldn't very well not go inside at this point. I handed a [Magic: Firefly] to Carla, who had been ordered by the Captain to lead the way, to light up the interior. It seemed we would have to walk one by one for a while. As a result of adding my opinions to the order Price-sama and the Captain had discussed, I, the lighting person, would be second, followed by Falstaff-san, Annabella, the two bowl-users, the Captain, Harris-sama, Price-sama, Sianya, and finally Bishop Harrison at the rear. I had the bowl-users finish their incantations so they could create a [Magic: Shield] with Wind Barrier at any time. There were five priests of high-class or above. We divided the work and cast double layers of [Magic: Shield], [Magic: Defend], and [Magic: Resist] on everyone. We also cast [Magic: Increase Agility] and [Magic: Magic Reflection]. We should be able to withstand a surprise attack.
As a result of detecting with [Magic: Sense Living], there was nothing. There should be an altar further ahead. Until then, it's likely just a passage.
When entering, I looked toward the female demon and saw her lying down with her left arm as a pillow. Honestly, she must be tired and sleepy. She thrust out her right fist, which was free, so I responded with a thumbs-up and entered the cave.
“Hey, it's pitch black further in.”
Carla, holding a one-handed sword in her right hand and a [Magic: Firefly] in her left, was quite scared.
“That's right. Going slowly is fine. I think it'll be okay, but please proceed while checking for traps just in case.”
“T-Traps?”
“I'll look with you, so it'll be fine.”
To be honest, I didn't really know either. Until now, we had excellent scouts like Bonnie with us.
“Carla, I'll look for traps for you. Just proceed slowly, like Bishop Jeanne said.”
“Yes, I understand.”
It was Falstaff-san. The [Magic: Firefly] I gave Carla was for all-around illumination, and since Falstaff-san was tall, he'd be able to see even from behind. He's the one who challenged the Demon Lord's cave alongside King Seldic as a main member. It's best to leave this to him.
We continued through the narrow cave. It was a cave hollowed out of rock, quite different from the ones before. It was likely hollowed out with [Magic: Curve], but I couldn't help but feel it was rougher compared to the female demon's house. I wonder if it's the difference between demons and humans. Even a Priestess from three thousand years ago couldn't match a demon when it came to mana.
“It's getting wider.”
After walking for about an hour, Carla turned around and said. We were walking slowly, so it took an unexpected amount of time, but it seems we've arrived.
“Wait a moment. I'm going to detect.”
I had them hold up their waist lanterns. I also had a lantern held up behind us to secure light.
“[Magic: Sense Living]!”
There was no particular reaction. It should be fine. Just in case, I asked one of the bowl-users to fly a [Magic: Firefly] with Favorable Wind. When turned to full power, the darkness was illuminated, and I could see that the floor and walls were made of stone. This must be the place where the altar is.
“It seems fine, let's go.”
I left the [Magic: Firefly] in the hall to shine on the floor and handed another [Magic: Firefly] to Carla.
“Jeanne, you really are amazing.”
She said as she received the [Magic: Firefly].
“It's just habit. You'll get used to it soon too, Carla.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. During our first rat extermination, both Beatrix and I were totally terrified.”
“Ahaha, I can understand that!”
“Right?”
“Yeah. I got it. I'll do my best.”
As expected, there was an altar in the hall.
I basically knew how to operate it.
“We have been told our part ends here.”
“Yes. I've heard. Thank you very much.”
The Captain and Price-sama spoke, and the Engrio group left simply. It was a straight path, and Falstaff-san was with them, so they should be fine.
“Shall we proceed then?”
After everyone made a [Vow of Silence] toward the stone statue of the Goddess that Price-sama had brought, we examined the altar and moved the crest. When Harrison-san pushed it, it moved slowly and stairs appeared. Descending the stairs, there was an iron door. It was the same as before. When I detected with [Magic: Sense Living], there were several familiar reactions near the door. This was also the same.
“Slugs, I see.”
We have soap. However, there is no one who uses water magic. We can't make soapy water like this. I was struck with dismay just now. We don't have bowls either; we can't proceed like this. The Engrio group should be outside, but from what I heard, there were no [Magic: Clump Water] users. Carla only knows up to basic [Magic: Water]. That said, I wonder if it's right to put any more burden on the slumped-over female demon. Is this... quite frustratingly, a retreat?
“It will be fine. As long as we have water from the canteens.”
It was Harrison-san. Come to think of it, Harrison-san was the one who taught me how to defeat the slugs.
“Leave it to me.”
Saying so, Harrison-san poured water from a canteen into a waterproof bag made of bat wings. He also had soap, and he put a piece in and shook it. The soapy water was ready. He tied a sponge to the tip of his staff with string and soaked it with that water. He then charged at the slugs, quickly dodging other slugs that approached and circling behind one. When he pressed the sponge-tipped staff firmly against the back of its head, there was a nasty smell like something burning, and the slug went limp. He must have utilized the effect of the silver. Even during that, he was using his feet to keep other approaching slugs at bay so he wouldn't be bitten. This, in itself, couldn't be done unless one was a veteran.
After defeating one, he came back once to refill the soapy water.
“We must defeat them one by one, and my clothes, hands, and staff will get a bit dirty, but this is the easiest way.”
More than just a bit; his hands, priestly robes, and staff were slimy.
He's skilled, as expected, but even with [Magic: Clean Up], I hate getting slimy, and no matter how much I have the Cat's Stone, I can't do battle with slugs. I'd definitely be pushed down and eaten.
“Then, I shall handle the rest as well.”
The people outside are also looking elsewhere. It's something only Harrison-san, a combat-type priest, can do.
I was just about to ask him, feeling very sorry.
“Hey, I heard there was progress? I'll accompany you as far as I can go.”
The female demon came running. She must have rested enough; she looked energetic.
I feel sorry for the slimy Harrison-san, but it seems better to start over.