The Spearmaster and the Black Cat

Chapter 184

As I’m playing around with Rollo atop the front gate――

As if being pulled towards her, I climb on the back of the huge, divine beast Rollodeen .

Then we took off into the sky .

We might be discovered by Great Knights riding dragons if we stay at a half-a.s.sed alt.i.tude .

That’s why we fly higher and higher into the air .

The labyrinth city below me has an elliptical shape .

We flew up to such a height that Pelneet looks small from up here .

I lift my eyes as we ride upon the winds .

We continue ascending and finally pierce through a gigantic column of clouds .

Immediately after, we came out above a beautiful sea of clouds .

The tips of the two, thin control tentacles are tightly stuck below my neck .

That’s the reason why I understand Rollodeen’s feelings to some extent .

Just now she transmitted feelings such as 『Fun』 and 『Play』 to me .

However, there’s a huge amount of monsters in the sky .

Large swarms of huge whales and jellyfish .

Dragons and griffons of various sizes .

Gargoyles .

Monsters that seem to be a combination of bats and people .

Uwaah, what the f.u.c.k is that?

I found some kind of huge being, albeit human-shaped!

Moreover, there’s a golden loop on top of its head .

Several things similar to warped magic crests are extending from the loop .

There’s a round hole in the middle of its face…what a very odd face .

A pair of black, big wings are spreading at its back .

A magic source, that contains a huge ma.s.s, expands in a radial shape .

We got curious about the huge, winged humanoid .

――Once we closed in, a ray of light came flying .

――Rollodeen evades in a hurry――

She rotated .

A gigantic column of cloud behind us was split in two .

The light was a shock blade?

“…”

The huge humanoid, which had an aloof att.i.tude, casually stretched its arms to the left and right while floating silently .

Many small coronas are created on both its arms .

They join into bracelets covering the arms from their upper parts to the hands .

While alternately blinking, those rings simultaneously move towards the hands .

On both its palm s.h.i.+ning circles, which seem to be another kind of spell, took shape .

Thin disks, huh?

Something like runes are moving at high speed at the edges of the light rings and disks .

Somehow it looks really awesome .

“Me――approach――evil G.o.d, spirit world, person――death――only awaits . ”

I don’t know where to find its mouth . The huge humanoid with its holey face spoke in a language I understand and released two light rings .

“Rollo, I will intercept . Fly while maintaining the visibility . ” (Shuuya)

“Nyaao . ”

I release two for the sake of interception .

The instant the two light spears and the two light rings violently clashed in the air, a loud sounds, similar to gla.s.s breaking, resounded, obviously blowing the sea of clouds away and making my earlobes tremble . The spears and rings offset each other .

“Light――!? You are not one of the crow people, or those entranced by the evil G.o.ds or spirit world?”

The voice of the humanoid is unique and vibrating .

It’s floating in the air at a place slightly away from my location, but I could hear it properly .

“Rollo, try getting a bit closer . ” (Shuuya)

Rollodeen approaches the humanoid while circling .

We received an attack, but it looks like it’s possible to talk with it .

I show a friendly att.i.tude on my face .

“――I am me, but what are you? What are you doing in this sky?” (Shuuya)

“I am, one following the divine domain Seuros, one of the divine domain’s soldiers, one standing guard against the evil G.o.d domain h.e.l.lrhone, one destroying the spirit world Sebdola, Arbagudrobe Buu . ”

The last part is its name?

In short, a monster that came from the divine domain Seuros, huh?

Since I can’t actually ask something like that,

“Buu-san, are you my enemy?” (Shuuya)

“No, wrong . Lightholder, I made a mistake . Sorry . I will give you Arbar as apology . ” (Buu)

Buu-san with his conspicuous golden loop .

He removes a bracelet from both arms, and those two light bracelet-like things come my way while floating in the air .

Once I grab those light rings, they transform into golden bracelets .

“Are you giving these to me?” (Shuuya)

“Yes . Arbar is an offense and defense bracelet . Someone holding light will likely be able to master it . Farewell, lightholder . ” (Buu)

He turns around, and then makes the golden loop on top of his head s.h.i.+ne and flaps his black wings .

He’s visible in the distant skies in an instant . I guess he left .

But, I wonder whether I can put on these two bracelets .

“Right, it fits as I don’t wear the ancient dragon armor . I suppose I will try to put them on . ” (Shuuya)

The instant I stuck my arms through bracelets, the two bracelets automatically move to the upper part of my arms .

Just when I thought that they had stopped around there…eh!? The bracelets automatically sink into my arms and a.s.similated with my skin .

Now there’s a little bulge on my upper arms .

How can I use these?

I guess I will try gathering mana at my upper arms for starters .

The instant mana acc.u.mulated there――

A corona extending from my upper arms to my wrists manifests, just like it happened for the humanoid .

After a few milliseconds, light rings were created on the palms of both my hands .

Oooh, wow .

It’s the same as the rings created on the palms of Buu-san .

The characters wandering across the light rings’ surfaces are cool .

The moment I imagined the two light rings flying in the air, they rushed out into the sky .

The light rings possess directionality .

It seems I can control them .

I guess I will try having them barge into a place, where a huge whale and a flock of dragons are struggling for survival, as a test .

“Rollo, please circle next to the whale and dragons fighting over there . Do it skillfully so that we don’t get hit by any attacks . ” (Shuuya)

“Nyaon . ”

Rollodeen adjusts the angle of her wings, and moves at high speed .

We get close to the battle between the whale and the dragons .

A medium-sized dragon with a muzzle that resembles a dinosaur collides against the whale from the front .

They bite each other with their big, fanged mouths .

My target are those two .

I charge mana into a rings around my upper arms――

Light rings form on my palms .

Runes appear on the rings’ surface .

The light rings head towards the whale and dragon .

One clashes into the whale .

The ring pierced through the whale’s back .

A disk-sized hole is created in the torso of the medium-sized dragon by the other ring .

The light rings move around at a dizzying speed each time I manipulate them .

They cut up the huge flesh of the whale and sever the bones of the dragon .

The targets were turned into small pieces of meat――

A great amount of big meat chunks fell down onto Pelneet’s big prairie, giving birth to a feeding ground for the monsters down there .

The two bloodstained rings float in the air .

Aren’t those amazing weapons?

Buu-san, thank you . You gave me something good .

Once I order the light rings to vanish in my mind, they disappear .

However, the corona at my bulging, upper arms remains as is .

What should I do to remove these…

As test, I charge mana into the corona’s bracelets, and focus on “Bracelets, disconnect . ”

At that moment the golden rings buried in my upper arms rose to the surface of my arms like bracelets and separated .

Both automatically return on my palms .

Convenient . Weapons, armor?

But, I can’t equip my right, violet arm protectorRearbreath .

It’s my favorite armor made by my friends Zaga and Bon, but I guess I have to switch towards not using arm protection .

It would be great if I could transform the equipment as I fancy .

Let’s equip these light rings for now .

If I continuously deploy the two light rings as bracelets, they will likely serves as armor, too .

At that point I put back the two golden rings on my arms again .

They were automatically equipped on my upper arms .

“Rollo, let’s go back soon now . ” (Shuuya)

“Nyaoon . ”

RollodeenHuge Lion cries cheerfully while nose diving .

And, no sooner than seeing a bird eye’s perspective of Labyrinth City Pelneet, we returned right above the mansion .

Rollodeen slowly circles above the ground, and finally lands gently atop the front gate .

At that moment the sound of the gate’s door being opened reverberated .

Oh?

It looks like my slaves came back from the labyrinth .

They returned at just the right moment .

I jump off the huge Rollodeen, landing on top of the gate’s roof .

Rollodeen transforms back to her usual cat size .

We leap towards the courtyard at the same time, and land with a stomp .

I say towards Mamani who’s walking across the courtyard,

“It seems you came back . ” (Shuuya)

“Yes, Master . These are the spoils . ” (Mamani)

Mamani handed over a back filled with magic stones .

A few dozens medium-sized magic stones and one large magic stone are inside the bag .

“You did well . So, how did it go? What’s your impression of challenging the labyrinth by yourselves?” (Shuuya)

“Yes, we didn’t do anything unreasonable, just as you ordered, Master . We hunted after scouting the power levels so that we would have some margin left . ” (Mamani)

“I see, you’re probably tired . Get some rest . ” (Shuuya)

“I’m happy for your kind concern, but we aren’t tired at all . ” (Mamani)

“You’re not?” (Shuuya)

“Yes . Since we just woke up inside the labyrinth a while ago, we can challenge the labyrinth again right away if it’s your order, Master . ” (Mamani)

Mamani explains while smiling .

“As expected of you guys . But, please spend some time comfortably for now . I will call upon you again when we are going to head to the labyrinth . ” (Shuuya)

“Yes! As you wish . ” (Mamani)

Mamani turns on her heels after bowing her head .

They head to the boarding house on the right side of the courtyard .

Souther, Bia and Fuu follow behind their leader Mamani while chatting about each other’s accomplishments .

If she’s capable of leading, there’s also the option of moving her under Kaldo’s control as his subordinate, I suppose .

I operate the item box .

A touch window and ◆ were displayed .

―――――――――――――――――――――――――

◆ Please enter the Elenium Stones here .

―――――――――――――――――――――――――

I put in all magic stones .

◆： Total stored quant.i.ty of Elenium: 528

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

Necessary Big Elenium stones: 99 – incomplete

Reward: Storage +60: Release of Gatrance Form

Necessary Big Elenium stones: 300 – incomplete

Reward: Storage +70: Release of Murasame

Necessary Big Elenium stones: 1000 – incomplete

Reward: Storage +100: Release of Tiny Orbital

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―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

The size of the magic stones is unrelated to the stored quant.i.ty .

I just have to collect medium-sized magic stones as bullets for the beam gun and beam rifle .

As I was tampering with the item box, Mysty arrived .

Everyone from Innocent Arms including Helme is chatting with Mysty while sitting at the big table located in the main building’s living room .

And then, once the conversation died down, I confessed the sequence of events that happened to Sol .

“Eh…?” (Mysty)

Mysty widens her eyes and trembles upon the sudden confession .

It looked as if a black stagnation appeared and disappeared for an instant . I recall the time I met her for the first time .

“So that crazy, ma.s.s-murdering brother of mine died?” (Mysty)

“Yeah, he’s dead . ” (Shuuya)

“I see…he was killed by you, my benefactor…I can’t say anything to you…giving me back my strength, and killing the guy I wanted to kill…so you didn’t pay attention to me back then…you’re much too kind! s.h.i.+t, s.h.i.+t, s.h.i.+ttt . ” (Mysty)

Mysty unleashed a rapid succession of her habitual s.h.i.+t’s and then broke down crying on the spot .

I look at Viine after having become slightly anxious .

Viine stared at me with her silver eyes, smiled, and nodded .

We don’t have any telepathic connection, but I felt as though I heard her saying 『Master, it’s fine』 .

“Mysty…are you alright?” (Shuuya)

Getting close to her, I place a hand on her shoulder .

“…Yeah, sorry . Something so shameful in front of everyone…” (Mysty)

“No, they don’t mind it, I’m sure . ” (Shuuya)

“He’s right, Mysty . ” (Rebecca)

Rebecca nods, agreeing with me .

While also nodding, Viine moves her pretty lips which are covered with lipstick,

“…Indeed . It’s nothing to be ashamed of . Just as it’s written in a famous fairy-tale, my great Master is a kind tiger with a strength equal to a fierce G.o.d . He’s the embodiment of love . It’s especially limited to beautiful women, but he will kindly accept anyone without fail . ” (Viine)

It’s the t.i.tle of a fairy-tale Mysty liked .

Although it’s coincidence…Viine is fairly perceptive .

“Viine, you’ve grown . To be able to guess His Excellency’s feeling to such a degree, it’s no wonder that you were the first with whom His Excellency shared his blood . ” (Helme)

“Spirit-sama…such a…it’s only natural for me to always think about Master…but, thank you very much . Spirit-sama . ” (Viine)

As if Helme and Viine had understood each other’s intentions, both blush while smiling at each other .

I guess it’s mostly me who thinks in the perverted direction of them possibly having become good friends after the water play .

“Milord…I’m sad…” (Kaldo)

After Viine’s pa.s.sionate talk and Helme’s remark, Kaldo muttered without any liveliness…

I think he reacted to the women-only embodiment of love part, though .

There ain’t no love towards men in me…

I deliberately devoted myself to being Hoichi the Earless . No, that’s meaningless . It’s in one ear and out the other .

No, that’s also wrong…ah, now I got confused because of the grim Kaldo looking as though he’s about to cry .

“…Dad, don’t be so sad . ” (Yui)

Seemingly feeling pity for him, Yui, who sits next to Kaldo, looks at him .

“Y-Yeah…” (Kaldo)

After seeing the gentle expression of his daughter, Kaldo’s sunken-in face broke into a smile .

As long as Yui is with him, Kaldo will be fine, I think .

Now then, let’s get healed by looking at Eva’s and Rebecca’s faces…

Today’s Eva has her long, black hair gathered into one by a violet ribbon that’s covered with a polished gem as it streams down towards her shoulders .

Her clothes use white as basic underlying tone with violet stripes . Her s.h.i.+rt exposes her shoulders .

She wore a black, thin undergarment with long sleeves .

It matches her violet eyes .

Since her bare skin is allowed to faintly peek out from her undergarment, she makes one feel the charm of an adult woman .

Rebecca has her platinum blond hair tied into braids with beautiful, blue strings .

s.h.i.+t, that’s friggin’ cute…

Or rather, not only Eva and Rebecca, but even Yui and Viine have dressed up?

I guess they are bringing out the big guns since a new woman is visiting!

What adorable, gorgeous, charming

“Nn, Shuuya, what’s the matter?” (Eva)

“Shuuya, you’re looking at my face . You’re imagining something perverted again, aren’t you!?” (Rebecca)

Eva speaks while smiling angelically .

On the other hand, flames dwell in Rebecca’s blue eyes .

She was harshly glaring at me as if saying “How filthy!”

However, a little mischief sprouted within that glare .

“I wonder, what are you saying? Yesterday you said, “if it’s you, you can do to me whatever you like”…or such, while donning a h.o.r.n.y expression and being disheveled…” (Shuuya)

“Wai-! …Don’t talk about that here!” (Rebecca)

Rebecca’s face becomes as bright red as a boiled octopus .

She fell prostrate on the table while looking embarra.s.sed, and covered her head with her hands .

She mumbling some kinds of complaints, but…

Well, that’s how far I’m going to mess around with Rebecca…

I turn my face towards Mysty who had stopped crying and was looking at Rebecca while amused .

“Mysty, it’s such a party, but I hope you will look favorably on it . ” (Shuuya)

“Yes . Everyone . My combat occupation is called Heavy Steel Doll Maker . Please leave a part of the vanguard to my simple golems . Also, since I possess a special skill enabling me to create sorcery dolls called Star Ore Casting, I have the confidence that I can instantly repair most metal-based items . My compatibility with metals is good . Given that I also have confidence in my knowledge related to refined gold, feel free to ask me, okay?” (Mysty)

As might be expected of a temporary lecturer, Mysty gave a polite explanation about herself .

“Wow!” (Eva)

The one reacting first to her words was the metal lover Eva .

“Eva-san, thank you . As a matter of fact…it’s like this . ” (Mysty)

Mysty removes the green cloth bandana coiled around her forehead, showing the magic symbol to everyone .

“Whooaaa, I heard about it, but you’re a former n.o.ble, after all . So you’re one chosen by the G.o.ds, eh?” (Rebecca)

Seemingly having overcome her embarra.s.sment, Rebecca is acting as if nothing has happened .

“Nn, Mysty, look at me too…” (Eva)

Eva releases her mana .

While twisting her face, she engulfed her whole body, including the magic wheelchair, with mana, and floated on the spot .

And then she exposes her bare bone legs by melting the greenish-gray steel covering her lower leg .

The melted metal turned into many round orbs, floating around Eva .

“…The crest of those feet, I have never seen it, but it’s similar to my magic symbol? So you can manipulate metal as well, Eva-san . Amazing . It’s floating…” (Mysty)

“Nn, Mysty, just call me Eva . And, I can’t repair metallic items like you . I can’t create sorcery dolls either . The other day I evolved, but what I’m only capable of is refining metals, and processing metal so that it sticks to these legs . Making them float is part of another ability . ” (Eva)

Mysty nods many times at Eva’s words .

She stared at the surface of Eva’s bone legs while breathing somewhat roughly through her nose .

It looks like she got interested .

“I see . That’s wonderful, Eva . It seems my hobby of manipulating metals matches with you . I’m looking forward to working with you from now on . ” (Mysty)

“Nn, best regards . ” (Eva)

Eva and Mysty nod at each other while smiling . They appear to get along just as I expected .

Ah, at that point I remember the labyrinth’s ingots I have with me .

I operated the item box and took out the Magic Black Soft Steel .

“Mysty, these are ingots we obtained in the labyrinth the other day, but I will give it to you as commemoration for having entered the party . ” (Shuuya)

“Eh? Thanks . Can you please place those on the table over there for the time being?” (Mysty)

“Sure . ” (Shuuya)

I put down the cl.u.s.ter of Magic Black Soft Steel with a thud .

Mysty immediately stretched out a hand towards the glossy, black metal with her fingers trembling .

Just as I had seen before, something like a spiderweb is generated on the surface of her hand, and the hand changes its color .

Only her nails s.h.i.+ne in white .

And then lines run across the surface of the Magic Black Soft Steel . Metallic threads of bubbling slime mold wriggle around, and the threads repeatedly combine with each other .

The Magic Black Soft Steel that used to be one ma.s.s has been transformed into a long and thin shape .

“…Whoa, this is the Magic Black Soft Steel I’ve heard about in rumors . If there’s this and a furnace that can be used for simple smithing, I can right now and instantly create a stronger version of golem than the ones I have normally been using after coming to this city . However I won’t be able to carve too many command symbols as it will be a simple sorcery doll with a new iron crystal core which I bought by ama.s.sing money . ” (Mysty)

Mysty’s voice becomes excited and she looks happy .

“Oh, but the creation of a sorcery doll is impossible, huh?”

“Yeah, an excellent sorcery doll with commands carved into it is impossible . Even I, who own a special skill, need an exclusive furnace . It won’t do unless I tackle a painstakingly laborious work . ” (Mysty)

“I see . I don’t know what kind of exclusive furnace you need, but there’s a smithing room at the courtyard . I don’t understand what has been placed in there on a glance, but Mysty, how about using it if you like?” (Shuuya)

“Eh? You sure?” (Mysty)

“Yeah . Ah, right, I thought that it’s after you joined the party, but you might as well live here . How about it?” (Shuuya)

“Okay! I want to be next to you, Shuuya!” (Mysty)

Mysty smiled brightly .

“Nn, Mysty, very welcome . I want to talk about various things…” (Eva)

Eva’s violet eyes sparkle .

She alternately looked at me and Mysty with eyes full of expectation .

“…I’m not against it either . ” (Rebecca)

“Oh? How unusual . ” (Shuuya)

“Yeah, it’s not because I was chided by spirit-sama, but you’re making me always happy at night…that’s why I will accept everything as long as you wish for it, Shuuya . My best friend Eva is very delighted as well . If Mysty can come here, I will be happy, too . ” (Rebecca)

Rebecca, who always objected first, has become an adult .

What a cutie . Once it’s night, I will “once again” do my best to pleasure her .

“Your Excellency, it’s an outcome of you carefully persisting in your mental care of the

She extols me as usual .

Oh well, after all she’s my oldest acquaintance and my first subordinate .

“Helme, don’t flatter me so much . ” (Shuuya)

“Okay, excuse me . However, I’m Your Excellency’s water . ” (Helme)

Helme smiled gently .

I naturally returned a smile filled with feelings of grat.i.tude .

While switching my look towards Rebecca at that point, and at the same time as I plan to apologize for the previous teasing,

“Well, I guess you’re saying: a beautiful flower will naturally bloom beautifully no matter the place . ” (Shuuya)

“Shuuya, flower? What’s that about?” (Rebecca)

“A flower’s beautiful blooming isn’t decided by whether it’s seen by people’s eyes or not, right? Thus, there are splendid, pretty women like Rebecca anywhere without any relation to place or status . I just said that as example . ” (Shuuya)

“…Splendid woman…jeez, don’t say something so embarra.s.sing with a serious look, okay? Shuuya, you idiot! But, thanks . ” (Rebecca)

Seemingly embarra.s.sed, Rebecca laid her her head on top of the table again .

She hides her face behind her white fingers .

Everyone smiled due to this conversation .

Then, after turning my look towards Mysty, I explain the matters concerning the magic treasure map and the evil G.o.d .

“We are not going to hunt normally?” came from her in surprise, but…

While receiving an explanation, Mysty nodded with an obedient look .

In the middle of talking…my conviction whether I should tell her about the blood of the