Manowa

It took about 4 hours on the Hippo-kuns to reach the Vordo Ruins from Angelite City. It would have taken 1-2 days on foot, so the time required had been drastically shortened, but it would still be evening soon.

There had also been battles in Angelite City, and there was no need to push themselves by entering the ruins. So they decided to stay the night in front of the ruins and start exploring tomorrow morning.

◎ Floating Island, In Front of Vordo Ruins, Kazane Cottage, Night

Dinner was already over, and everyone was gathered in the living room to talk about tomorrow"s plans. And when Kazane mentioned the precautions for entering the Vordo Ruins, Jinrai made a blatantly displeased expression.

「Escape without fighting?」

Kazane had told them to escape above all.

Feeling the difference from the White Party"s policy so far, Jinrai asked that question with a sour look. By the way, from Jinrai"s perspective, the basic policy of the White Party was『Search and Destroy』. They hadn"t particularly touted that as their policy, but considering what they had done until now, that recognition probably wasn"t wrong. They had tried to flee in the last battle against the Odan.o.bunagas, but at that time, Jinrai had also known the strength of the enemies, so he had approved.

However, for Jinrai, being told to run away from the very beginning against the unknown monsters called Adamant Skull Ashuras wasn"t interesting. Of course, he didn"t think Kazane"s words lacked any basis, but he couldn"t consent without knowing that basis.

「Well, fighting isn"t absolutely no good, but they"ll start gathering in that place after a fixed time, and being attacked by a group would be Out.」

Kazane seriously replied to Jinrai"s question. In all honesty, Kazane thought this was the most dangerous thing they had ever deliberately chosen to do.

「Are they more troublesome than Odan.o.bugas?」

After Jinrai"s question, Kazane replied「It"s hard to say?」

「Individually, I think they"re weaker than Odan.o.bunaga Ashigarus.」

But... Kazane continued.

「Since they have 6 arms, they"re simply troublesome to deal with, and their st.u.r.diness is certain. Also, like normal Skeletons, they"ll revive after a certain amount of time even if they collapse. And, as is characteristic of Skeleton types, they also act in groups.」

「No matter how hard they are, won"t it be fine if I hit their Core?」

After Jinrai"s words, Kazane shook her head.

「They don"t have a Core.」

「What?」

Jinrai looked back at Kazane in surprise.

「Adamant Skull Ashuras aren"t strictly monsters. Just like my Golems, they"re simply creations that are moving due to sorcery. The only way to defeat them is to destroy the magic formulas in their joints that keep them together.」

「That"s troublesome.」

Jinrai groaned

「Right?」

「Moreover, the separated parts try to return to normal after a fixed period of time, and even when the arms are separated, they"ll still attack.」

Yumika successively told Jinrai. Yumika had also died quite a lot at the Vordo Ruins in Zexiaharts. She bought a ridiculous amount of recovery items and bombs and managed to advance by having Arch repeatedly use suicide bombing attacks. It"s no exaggeration to say that Heroic Spirit Arch"s suicide attack mentality was forged at the Vordo Ruins.

「It"s a type of magical trap? If so, wouldn"t it be fine if the source of the technique were destroyed?」

「It seems the technique is directly linked to the Floating Stone keeping this island in the air, so if the source were destroyed, the island would fall.」

(That should be what it said in the setting) Kazane recalled. And while there was no confirmation, Kazane thought that it was probably the same here.

「That way"s also bad?」

After listening that far, Jinrai started to understand the situation.

「Well, the goal this time is to bring Louise-san to the Grimoire Field, not to battle. Should Tatsuo, Naoki, Lyle, Tiara, and Mefirus-san stay back? I think we"ll have Tiara"s Flame Power alone come along as well.」

「Seriously!?」

Lyle replied due to being a.s.signed to the standby group, but Naoki didn"t say anything. Naoki himself probably understood that he hadn"t yet reached the strength needed to enter the Vordo Ruins. And even if it was only with her summoned knight, Tiara was in high spirits about being able to come along. Tatsuo had a lonely expression, but he didn"t want to be a nuisance to Kazane and cried「Kuaa.」Mefirus didn"t partic.i.p.ate in battles from the start, so he didn"t say anything in particular. However, Tiara would soon be able to learn to control the Ruby Griffon to a limited extent, so it seemed Mefirus might also partic.i.p.ate in battles after a bit longer.

And among them, Lyle was the only one who tried to protest, and Naoki put his hand on his shoulder.

「What, Naoki?」

「Lyle. This time is too much for us.」

Lyle made a bitter expression at Naoki"s words. The real feeling of his own lack of ability prevented Lyle from saying any more. Kazane supplemented the explanation to Lyle.

「Well, this time, it"s a problem of movement speed. If a member without high top speed joins us, they"ll be left behind when we run away. Even Jinrai-san would have been questionable without Yuuko-nee.」

They didn"t have the leeway here to promote growth in actual combat, so fleeing ability was desired this time.

「However, this place can"t be called safe either. Please guard Tiara.」

Lyle reluctantly nodded after Kazane spoke. Lyle was certainly a normal human being, so since he was told it was about movement speed, there was no use arguing about it.

「And for the party configuration, we"ll have Jinrai-san and Louise-san ride Yuuko-nee in the middle. Me and the Flame Power will be in front, and Yumika will be guarding the back. Yumika, please apply『Nimble』with your『Metamorphosis Miko』Skill.」

「Okay. If push comes to shove, I"ll use my G.o.d Wolf Transformation to get through it.」

「Well, there are likely some things we won"t understand until we"re actually doing it, so let"s be more careful than usual tomorrow.」

After all members replied to Kazane"s words, the party meeting ended.

◎ Floating Island, Vordo Ruins, Early Morning

The buildings that made up the Vordo Ruins were located at the southernmost point of this floating island. Originally, the Sky Emperor"s Tower and the rocky mountain surrounding it were at the southernmost point, but since those were now gone, there was likely a precipice on the other end of the Vordo Ruins. Kazane and the others were currently standing in front of the entrance to the Vordo Ruins.

「First of all, the scale size is different from the game, and the structure is probably different anyway. We"ll advance while mapping and return when it seems impossible. We"ll do that repeatedly until we find it.」

Everyone nodded at Kazane"s words. Then they stepped into the ruins.

The ruins were stone structures covered with trees and greenery on the outside. The inside was the same, but the surfaces of the walls also had shining green lines that seemed like they were flowing.

「These ruins seem like they"re alive.」

Kazane"s words were filled with tension.

「Those Skeletons don"t appear immediately?」

「Yeah. In the first place, they"re a trap to prevent intruders. They don"t react to people who are walking on the right path. Therefore, they naturally don"t appear near the entrance. They"ll continue chasing here once they"ve been attacked, though.」

「But there were treasure chests on the roads that weren"t the regular route, right?」

「Yeah. Resp.a.w.ning ones. It"s probably the same mechanism as the dungeons, so I think they"ll also be here.」

Kazane replied as they advanced. And after going through several crossroads, she realized that like she had thought, it was very different from the game, and she checked her Map Window.

(As expected, the size is different from the game? Well, I already knew that, though.)

The Vordo Ruins had five floors, and the Grimoire Field Kazane was aiming for was on the 3rd floor. Since each floor had a boss, they would need to defeat 2 bosses this time. It subtly resembled a dungeon, but since there was no Heart Orb, monsters didn"t appear.

While thinking such things, a ringing sound suddenly began reverberating in Kazane"s ears.

「Hey, what?」

Kazane raised her voice at the sudden occurrence.

『What is it? Kazane?』

Through the Flame Power at Kazane"s side, Tiara called out to Kazane due to her sudden reaction, and Kazane looked around while tilting her head.

「Tiara, you guys don"t hear it? No, this. Ah, I see, it"s my『Alarm』Skill?!」

An enemy existence that『Dog"s Sense of Smell』and『Intuition』didn"t react to. However, the Guard Military Ant"s Skill『Alarm』responded to any movement within 50 meters.

(Which means something"s coming? But from where?)

「Kazane, above!」

Jinrai"s voice echoed from behind while Kazane was deliberating.

「Eh?」

Then Kazane saw.

The figure of a six-armed Skeleton falling towards her from the ceiling.

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:「!?」

Yumika:「!?」