Manowa

◎ Angelite City, Ruins

「Look, look, my ears have grown.」

「Oh, they"re a little Elf-like.」

That conversation was between Yumika and Naoki.

Yumika unveiled her Superiorization after she came out of the cave. Well, her ears were the only thing that changed, though. Therefore, Naoki was the only one with a suitable reaction, and it seemed her other companions didn"t realize anything had happened in the first place.

Even if they were told that her race had suddenly changed, Tiara and the others didn"t understand the significance. They would be able to understand better if she said she had been hiding the fact that she was a Hermit, but since it seemed that wasn"t how it was, they didn"t really get it.

According to the words of Louise, a genuine Elf, it seemed Hermits were descendants of the same family that had wandered to the East. It seemed there were also stories about them having unique techniques, such as being able to live off eating mist, but since there wasn"t anyone who could teach her hermit techniques and they didn"t understand how someone could eat mist in the first place, the only effects of her race were increased lifespan and slightly higher Status.

「When it"s Naoki"s time, do it when the party is in a pinch and on the verge of death and bring us back from the brink with one blow, ok? And when you become monster-like and say something like『Oh, oooh, I"m not human anymore, am I』, Onee-chan will say something touching.」

「…… No way.」

Naoki had a very unwilling expression after his older sister"s words. Naoki loved his older sister, but he wasn"t absolutely obedient to her. Unpleasant things were unpleasant.

In any case, they had successfully removed the Magic Life Stone even more smoothly than planned. Kazane also sensed through smell that the flow of Magic Particles was already weakening, and if it continued as it was, it looked like it was only a matter of time until the frequent monster appearances in the city were stopped.

Though removing the central Life Magic Stone and dispersing the Magic Particles was only a  temporary measure. The subsequent response would be the work of Morphia and the Birdmen.

They had no plans for what to do next, and it was only a little past noon. Therefore, they decided to have lunch first before deciding their future plans, and after they moved away from the city, Kazane took out the Cottage.

◎ Angelite City, Vicinity, Kazane Cottage

「So she can take it out anywhere.」

Rather than surprise, Morphia"s face showed his shock as he said that.

Today had been, by far, the most surprise-filled day in the 34 years since Morphia was born. The Kazane Cottage that was exposed to Morphia"s gaze could be taken out from her Item Box"s large storage s.p.a.ce and installed anywhere she could make a foundation. Although it wasn"t something that really stood out compared to what had happened recently, the rooftop had been remodeled so that it could be used as a resting s.p.a.ce by installing a fashionable complete table set and a water fountain. It seemed it was popular with Louise and the others.

Then lunch was prepared, and since it was sunny, they decided to eat on the rooftop instead of in the living room.

「We"ve removed the Magic Life Stone from Angelite City for now, but monsters will still appear for a while, right?」

Kazane asked after she finished eating the prepared smoked chicken sandwich. Louise affirmatively answered her question.

「That"s right. Well, I think the Magic Particles will temporarily disappear in 2-3 days.」

A Magic Life Stone was a crystallization of Magic Particles, and Magic Particles were matter made from high densities of『Mana』, the name given to magical power in the outside world (magical power inside the body was called the『Odic Force』instead). It acted as a pointer for the flow of Magic Particles, and when it was removed, it seemed the flow of Magic Particles would collapse.

「When the Magic Life Stone disappears, the Magic Particles will be guided to another flow, so monsters won"t be generated for a while. But I think that after a few months, it will return to its proper flow, and Magic Particles will flow into the city again. Well, it"s been 700 years, so it"s also possible that the flow will change and they won"t appear, though.」

Louise so finished her explanation.

「Concerning that, we"ll figure out something, so it"s fine. We can"t cause visitors any more trouble.」

Morphia said strongly after Louise"s words. The White Party had already done more than enough for Morphia and the Birdmen.

「And once again, thank you. You are the benefactors who"ve helped us Birdmen retake our land.」

Morphia bowed his head. They had retaken the city after 700 years. Although it was a speedy solution that took a considerably short time, it was an event that had great meaning for the Birdmen. Morphia was keenly aware that bowing alone was insufficient, but right now, conveying his grat.i.tude was important.

The adults understood the meaning of Morphia"s behavior, but the children shrank and said things like「Ah, stopー」and「It"s no big deal.」

Truthfully, Kazane was able to do it because she had a special ability, and since it went more smoothly than she had expected, she didn"t really feel like she had used much power. But it seemed like Morphia was conversely deeply moved by the Devil King"s magnanimity. Then saying he had to thank them properly, he once again bowed his head.

As for their future plans: Kazane and the others didn"t have any problems with food or a place to stay thanks to this Cottage, so they had no reason to return to the village. Therefore, they decided to immediately continue on to the Vordo Ruins, which were at the foot of the now gone Sky Emperor"s Tower.

Also, Morphia needed to consult with the other villages concerning how they would deal with Angelite City, so he told them he would return to the village from here. Also, Emily decided to temporarily leave the party with him so she could be taught how to handle her Dragon Bow.

According to Morphia, they would probably recruit warriors from the scattered Birdmen villages and station them in Angelite City. The Birdmen would likely start living in the city again sooner or later, but temporarily going back to their villages to discuss it was necessary. Retaking Angelite City was certainly a long-cherished wish of the Birdmen, but that didn"t mean everyone wanted to return to the city. It seemed they would probably recruit applicants to immigrate to the city.

Since Kazane and the others would have to pa.s.s through this city to head towards Dragonil Shipyard, their next exploration destination after the Vordo Ruins, they thought they would likely be able to meet again at that time.

「The Vordo ruins are south of here, but be careful. I said it before; there are visitors that have come this far before, and we"ve been here countless times. However, the ruins are a different story. The monsters inside never come out of the ruins, but everyone who has entered has been attacked without exception, and almost all of them were killed. We"ve decided to never enter that area.」

Kazane and her companions nodded after Morphia spoke when they parted.

The Vordo ruins were near the end of the game"s main scenario, so naturally, the enemies were correspondingly powerful. Kazane, Naoki, and Yumika were well aware of their difficulty.

The name of that enemy was Adamant Skull Ashura. Even though they were the strongest type of Skeleton, with Adamantium bones and 6 arms that incessantly attacked, they weren"t unique monsters; they were normal enemies that attacked in groups.

Hard as diamonds, they possessed high defensive and offensive power, and even if they were defeated, they would revive after a set amount of time. Above all, they weren"t monsters, but a type of magic trap, so they didn"t give experience points. They were dangerous monsters, and even in Zexiaharts, running from them was the recommended method.

Name: Yuihama Kazane

Occupation: Summoning Fighter

t.i.tle: Ogre Killer, Dragon Slayer, High Beast Summoner, Rea King

Equipment: Staff 『White Blaze』, Two Handed Sword『Black Fang』, Draghorn Tonfa x2, Dragonscale Breastplate, Drake Gauntlets, Silver Sheep Clothes, Sylphyn Skirt, Plasma Pants, Dragon Eating Ogre King"s Greaves, Indestructible Cloak, Mysterious Pouch, Crimson Saint Coffin, Heroic Spirit Summoning Ring, Circlet of Wisdom, Aim Bracelet, Magic Acc.u.mulator, White Magic Acc.u.mulator, Rainbow Necklace, Rainbow Dragon Ring

Level : 36

Health: 145

Magic Power: 304+420

Strength: 67+20

Agility: 71+14

Endurance: 38

Wisdom : 72

Dexterity : 47

Spell : 『Fly』『Torch』『Fire』『Heal』『Firestorm』『Healer Ray』『High Heal』『Golden Dusk「Dragon Exclusive」』『Mirror Shield』

Skill : 『Kick Devil』『Warrior"s Memory: Lv2』『Night Vision』『Crushing Blow』『Dog"s Sense of Smell: Lv2』『Golem Maker: Lv3』『Rush』『Fire Principle: Third Chapter』『Healing Principle: Fourth Chapter』『Air Jump: Lv2』『Killing Leg: Lv3』『Fear Voice』『Invisible』『Tiger Eye』『Wall Walking』『Intuition』『Cheat Death』『Nimble』『Charge』『Material Shield: Lv2』『Information Link: Lv2』『Optical Camouflage』『High Dash』『Bloodsucking Blade』『Dragonization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Regenerate』『Soul Breaking Blade』『Stealthy Hand Placement』『Thunder Chariot: Lv2』『St.u.r.dier Teeth: Lv2「Dragon」』『Crystallization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Devil King"s Intimidation』『Stone Minotaur: Lv2』『Mega Beam: Lv2』『s.p.a.ce Expansion』『Pseudo-Silver Creation』『Poison Claw』『Fireball「Dragon」』『Cuticle「Dragon」』『Arms Creation: Black Flame』『Ingredient Connoisseur』『Dragon Pheromone「Dragon」』『Boost』『Monkey"s Strong Arm』『Two-sword Style』『b.o.o.bies Plus』『Living Armor』『Alarm』

Kazane:「That place is indelibly stained with a large quant.i.ty of Yumika"s, or perhaps I should say, Arch"s blood.」

Yumika:「This part of the game was incredibly difficult for Arch. She died over and over again.」

Kazane:「Well, that could be said for players in general, not just Arch. The mortality rate here was particularly high.」