Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Magic Stone Engine (6)
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Watching Herringsha hurl fireballs into the forest sparked all sorts of thoughts in my mind.
No matter how harmless magical flames might be—no toxic gases or anything—they still posed a risk to anything flammable.
So I freaked out.
But surprisingly, the fireballs simply burned away the suspicious energy without igniting a single twig.
Was this the legendary will-o'-the-wisp I'd only heard about?
I let out a small gasp of admiration, and Herringsha turned back with a wave of her hand.
"Come on, let's hurry. It's just a hunch, but I don't think this is the end of it."
"You're right—it's not over yet. There's more up ahead."
Oh? She's more capable than I thought.
I'd only just met Herringsha, so I was merely surprised.
But Katiranya was a different story.
I'd only ever seen her reading books or going for walks outside.
She'd visit my room every day just to watch me write, nothing more.
Yet right now, she looked entirely different.
"Grrr!"
"Quiet down, you mangy mutt."
With a casual flick of her hand, the magic beast was sliced into several pieces.
Blood sprayed everywhere, but remarkably, not a single drop reached us.
Katiranya must have controlled it.
A vampire who could manipulate blood, after all.
We made quick progress.
Katiranya and Herringsha handled the black magic traps scattered along the path.
Of course, watching them left me both impressed and a bit troubled.
Honestly, with skills like that, it was obvious something was up.
"Why are these black mages targeting us?"
"Beats me. I don't think we've done anything to earn their grudge."
What a coincidence, right?
It had only been a few days since I got dragged before the council and came back.
And now black mages were after us?
My guess? It was probably those nobles trying to drag me down.
But colluding with black mages was illegal under imperial law.
The punishment wasn't light, either.
The ringleaders would face execution at minimum.
Their entire family line—up to three generations—could be wiped out.
Maybe even extended relatives would feel the fallout.
But surely they weren't stupid enough to try that?
As I dismissed it as overthinking, Pretina shook her head lightly.
"Edn, there are more unpredictable people out there than you'd think. I've seen plenty."
"Really?"
"Though it wouldn't fly with House Apontuna."
She shrugged, looking proud as if it were only natural.
Well, for them, it probably was.
Anyway, thanks to Katiranya and Herringsha's teamwork, we finally reached the dungeon.
Were they just that overwhelming?
There were obstacles, but nothing too tough.
Aside from the skeletons popping out now and then, which startled me a bit.
Why do black mages even use real corpses? It's too realistic.
I nearly cursed out loud without thinking.
"Is this the dungeon?"
It looked like someone had dug a hole into the mountain, with a slope rising toward the back.
"That's it. I don't know what dungeon you're looking for, but this is the only one around here."
Herringsha turned back, signaling the end of her guidance.
So, time to part ways?
As that thought crossed my mind, Herringsha looked at me and asked if she could join us inside.
Her eyes glistened a little.
A pitiful expression, perfectly acted.
And then.
"Would that be okay?"
Swish, swish.
...No helping it.
I decided to let her come along.
Absolutely not because of that fluffy tail or the fox pouch.
No, definitely not.
But since I wasn't alone, I had to check with the others.
This time was different from before, though.
Only one person objected—Esili.
She still hadn't dropped her guard.
"Isn't it a bit early to trust her fully?"
"True enough. But we fought together on the way here."
It wasn't outright opposition—just caution.
I agreed, but staying on edge after coming this far felt off.
Still, Esili's words made me uneasy.
"Stick close to Katiranya."
"Uh, sure. Got it."
Wait, why her?
Esili nodded with a reluctant expression.
Her look was like an adult forced to rely on a child!
But you've seen Katiranya's power too!
I felt wronged, but it wasn't the time or place to argue.
Magic beasts could still be lurking nearby.
Anyway, decision made.
I approached Herringsha and told her she could join us.
"Really? Thanks!"
She flashed a bright smile, her tail wagging happily.
Hmm, maybe I should get a pet...
And so, we entered the dungeon together.
But as Esili said, we agreed not to lower our guards.
It might be overkill, but they could turn on us inside after pretending to bond outside.
Better safe than sorry.
So once more, Herringsha and Katiranya took the lead.
Pretina and the professor guarded the rear, leaving Esili and me in the center.
The safest spot in a standard exploration formation—no major issues unless something went wrong.
"Let's head in."
"Right."
We slowly ventured into the dungeon.
Having stood here for ages, moss covered every surface.
Strange plants and mushrooms sprouted in the crevices.
Unfortunately, the torches were long dead, so Esili's fireballs lit our path.
About ten minutes in, a sudden thought hit me.
It's quieter than expected.
I scanned the light's reach, and that's when a low vibration hummed from ahead.
I hadn't even said anything—talk about a flag!
Esili sensed it too, her face stiffening as she spoke.
"Edn, nothing dangerous in those documents you checked?"
"Hold on. There was... oh, right. Something about golems?"
No sooner had I finished than Katiranya drew out that eerie darkness I'd seen before.
It swirled up from her feet like a vortex.
Soon, the sticky, tar-like shadow began mixing with blood.
"You sure know how to jinx it. Well, at least we weren't too late."
Right on cue, a hulking golem appeared.
It looked crudely assembled from random rocks nearby.
But it moved smoothly, no issues there.
I couldn't help but admire it.
"Wow, the creator's got talent."
"Talent?"
"With that?"
Esili and the professor stared at me like I'd lost my mind.
But to me, it screamed skilled craftsmanship.
"The core's still active, and even with scrap rocks, the shaping's spot-on."
That's pure talent.
No doubt.
"Hmm, if you say so, Edn."
The professor seemed convinced.
Esili still looked baffled.
While we chatted, Katiranya sprang into action.
One flick of her hand, and blood-red darkness latched onto the golem.
It clung like thrown slime.
The golem paused as it approached, its artificial eyes glowing.
But it shrugged it off and resumed walking.
Is it working?
I asked nervously.
"Uh, Katiranya?"
"So impatient. Just watch."
Dismissing my worry with calm assurance, she flicked her hand again.
The blood-red shadow enveloping the golem writhed.
It ballooned in size, swallowing the golem whole.
In an instant, the thing was trapped in a spherical prison of crimson darkness.
"See? It won't move now."
"Whoa, impressive. But does it just stop the movement?"
"No, the core will shut down soon. Let's leave it here."
Katiranya stated it matter-of-factly, a pleased smile on her face as she showed off.
We followed her lighter steps onward.
More golems appeared later.
"Getting annoying."
She grumbled and swept them away.
The first one got the sphere treatment; the rest she just shattered.
Herringsha perked up her ears, intrigued.
"I've noticed since the black magic traps—you're amazing. And you're impressive for having her on your side."
"Haha, just lucky with people."
"Nothing to be shy about. Luck with people is a talent too."
Chatting like that, we reached the dungeon's depths.
Probably the most peaceful raid yet.
The door to the final room stood wide open.
Esili peered at it curiously.
"Looks like those documents you saw weren't fake, Edn. This should've been the reward room—or boss room."
"Yeah—wait, Esili. You didn't believe me?"
"No way."
Hmm, suspicious.
I gave her a pointed look, and she puffed her cheeks, grumbling.
I let it slide for now.
Finding the ore came first.
Nothing happened as we entered.
Herringsha and Katiranya scanned the room and gave the all-clear.
Perfect, confirmation from both.
"Time for a thorough search. Light pink, crystalline. Not in plain sight, so it's probably hidden."
"Not in the documents?"
I shook my head at Esili's question.
"They just said it's in this room. But it's old info, so not guaranteed. Could be buried by earthquakes, blocked by golems, or in a vein. Or hidden, like I said."
No choice but to hunt manually.
Katiranya looked annoyed, so I told her to rest.
She'd carried us here.
Herringsha dove in eagerly, seeming to enjoy it.
And so, the five of us scoured the room.
Checking the dusty floor.
The mossy, nature-infused ceiling.
Spots where torches might've been.
The walls.
Nothing—no ore, not even a sparkle.
Just as doubts crept in that it might not be here...
"Edn, come here."
"Yeah? What is it, Katiranya?"
A collapsed ceiling section with piled rubble.
She sat there, beckoning gently.
Up close, she pointed at the broken ceiling.
"Could that be it?"
"In the ceiling?"
I followed her pale finger upward.
Something glittered like starlight.
No way!
"Katiranya, can you chip away at it?"
"I'll give it a try."
Had they overheard? Everyone gathered around.
All staring up, waiting.
Katiranya fired darkness at the rock.
It crumbled with a crack.
"Softer than expected. This'll work."
Emboldened, she sped up.
A few more blasts...
And glittering crystals rained down!
"Katiranya! Nice one!"
"Hehe, no big deal."
She shrugged at my praise.
I complimented her more, then gathered the crystals.
A full handful later, I turned to the group.
"This should be plenty."
Time to head back and build the engine.
And give those nobles a piece of our mind.