kscans

Chapter 71 - An Unconventional Sword Forges a Path in the Tree Sea

The wolf meat barbecue was a brief respite.

Mireille handed Darius the necessary Sleep Orbs, and for good measure, the prototype Moonshadow Wolf light-and-dark-attributed magic stone.

"My... that scar on your forehead, did you get hurt?" Darius asked, his eyes narrowing with concern.

"I was trying to figure out the compatibility of the magic stones, and well... It seems my master didn't use any protective gear."

"Ah, Ariel used to catch flying stones with her bare hands and crush them to dust."

Leonhard was rendered speechless by this terrifyingly casual statement. It wasn't defensive magic. It was something on a whole other level.

"But that's something only Ariel could do. You be careful." Darius said, gently touching Mireille's scar.

"Once the pelts are dry, I'll process them into armor. And the eyeballs... they seem to have a night vision effect, so I thought I'd try them out."

Mireille explained her future plans and, while at it, asked about the items needed to seize the Magic Furnace.

"I'm planning to enter the Tree Sea to gather materials. I could think about it after seeing what materials I can gather, but..." Darius thought for a moment.

"We'll still need defense, and the ability to control the enemy's magic."

"What about the Sleep Orbs...?"

"It's over if a mage who can counter them uses purification magic on everyone. The people here are all first-rate physical attackers... but if fire and water start flying at us, we won't be able to advance."

"Magic control... huh."

Mireille decided she would investigate the wooden boxes on the fourth floor that night. Then, she asked to be allowed to accompany them on their material gathering trip.

"If we dismantle them on site, it'll reduce our luggage, and we can use them while they're fresh, so I too..."

But.

"We won't be using any monster repellents. So, Mireille, you can't go. There's no guarantee you'll get away with just a scar on your forehead." Darius shook his head, as stern as a father.

Despite being so stubborn with Leonhard, Mireille obediently backed down to Darius with an "Understood."

(Hey, Mireille. We're having a debriefing later.)

Though he grumbled this inwardly, Leonhard was honestly relieved.

――――

The expedition began.

Darius was at the front, with Leonhard at the rear. The original squad members formed a perimeter on the left and right to keep them from straying from the path.

The mountain stream flowing near the base was a den of water-attributed monsters.

"Take care of the small fry yourselves. Try the Sleep Orbs on the large ones."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Darius had instantly sliced the giant crocodile in front of him into pieces.

What!?

The crocodile fell apart with a splash of water. That was clearly a large one.

"Leonhard, behind you!!"

What came leaping out from where he turned was a pure white lion. No, it was a monster that seemed to be formed from mist. Its blue eyes and white mane swayed, and its true form was difficult to grasp.

"It's a Foglion!" Darius shouted.

Wait, wasn't that the thing Mireille's master was holding by the scruff of its neck, saying something like "it's useful for washing my body"!?

How did you even grab it, former captain!

When I slashed at it with my wind magic stone enhanced fifteen times, the mist burst and showered down on me. I got drenched, but I steadied myself.

In the meantime, fish-like monsters attacked one after another. I silenced them with Sleep Orbs and delivered the finishing blows.

But then, from the mountain side, a three-meter-class armored monster appeared. A giant crab monster.

The Sleep Orbs didn't work. It had sharp claws and spewed purple poison foam from its mouth. Squad members fell one after another.

They barely managed to recover with antidote and Potions, but at this rate, should they retreat?

"Leonhard..."

"Yes, Supreme Commander!" I saluted without thinking.

"Tonight's dinner... is crab."

"What!?"

"Its weak point is its eyes! Let's go!"

"R, right!!"

We both thrust our swords at the same time. The claws were just five centimeters from swinging down. We desperately pushed our blades in and pierced the armored monster's eyes.

As the giant's posture crumbled, Darius pressed his attack.

"Ice! Slash!"

The frozen crab died on the spot.

(No, that's a magic sword...)

"Darius, that sword..."

"Isn't it fine? It's my own sword, made for me by Ariel." Darius caressed the sword lovingly.

(Yes, yes, thank you for sharing.) Leonhard couldn't say anything more.

"But that's an incredible amount of monsters... how are we going to carry it all back?" Kyle muttered, looking exasperated.

Leonhard could only offer a wry smile.