Chapter 132
Chapter 132
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: Speed Battle - 4
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Offense's eyes gleamed as he spoke.
“Idria must have sent more monsters, huh?”
“Yeah. We need to figure out where. Mind helping out?”
“Wait just a moment. And don't fall asleep first like last time.”
Whoosh.
Offense's presence vanished like a lie.
Jenia blinked and asked,
“Maide. What do you mean, helping out?”
“Idria figured out Trail's ability to see secrets.”
“Huh?”
“So she hid the destination from Kaild and her minions. She put up a barrier to keep us from tracking them.”
Everyone's faces darkened.
Adwin spoke up.
“Then we're in trouble, right? Even at full speed, Agril would need to leave tonight.”
“Yeah. We'll have to sleep on Agril's back tonight.”
“That doesn't matter at all. It's softer than a bed.”
“I might have given it too much holy power. It's gotten fat.”
For some reason, Jenia reacted.
“I haven't gained weight.”
“I wasn't talking about you.”
“I haven't either?”
“Anyway, I get what you're trying to say, but wait. Offense will be back with info soon.”
One week ago.
Before leaving Peck territory, I asked him something.
If Idria hides the destination from her minions or Kaild, there might be no 'secret' between them.
No secret means even the Eye of Omniscience can't see it.
“So I asked. Could he mobilize all the assassin guilds across the continent?”
“Huh?”
“Assassin guilds are even more sensitive to info than mercenary guilds. The guild controlling a territory reports all major events in that territory to the guildmaster within an hour.”
A spectacle of black smoke swarming a territory.
No way the assassin guild wouldn't notice.
No way it wouldn't get reported to the guildmaster.
“All guildmasters of assassin guilds on the continent have communication orbs linked to each other. To avoid overlapping assassination targets.”
“Ah. So that means...”
“Yeah. Right now, Offense went to the assassin guild in this territory. He'll get info on which territory had the anomaly.”
Risel exclaimed in admiration.
“That's amazing. We can use this method from now on!”
“I'd rather not if possible. It costs a ridiculous amount of money.”
“No way they charge a reward? We're off to save the continent from crisis.”
“Assassins are like that by nature. Offense is the exception.”
“True. In a good way.”
Everyone nodded.
Soon, Offense returned.
I asked,
“How'd it go?”
“Money? Info?”
“Of course info.”
“They were short on cash. Cost about 40 gold coins.”
Crazy.
Seeing my crumpled expression, Offense shrugged.
“They said they gave me a discount. Half has to go to the guild in the territory that reported the info.”
“Whew. Money was never the issue anyway.”
“Wipe that vein off your forehead first.”
“So, where?”
“Domitri territory. Black smoke is swarming in, according to a hot tip that came in just minutes ago.”
Rustle.
Helpfully, Neril spread out the map herself.
She pointed to a spot and said,
“It's at the far south end of the continent. They went pretty far.”
“Idria knows we're in Tetra territory.”
“Huh? Oh, she peeked with that spatial authority again?”
“Yeah. So she probably targeted a territory as far away as possible.”
“Doesn't matter where. This place is right in the center of the continent.”
“Exactly. She must be pretty disappointed.”
Neril grinned at my words, clearly pleased.
Jenia jumped to her feet.
“Considering the distance, we should head out right now.”
“Yeah. Call Agril.”
“Got it. Hold on! Serein, come on.”
Serein was mid-sip of her drink.
She choked, as if hearing her name.
“Huh? Why me again?”
“Agril charges more if I ask alone now. You have to ask together.”
“Come on, seriously.”
“Shall we go?”
Jenia grabbed Serein and dragged her out of the inn like a sack.
Their teamwork is impressive.
[You should at least hear Serein's opinion.]
Anyway, we waited leisurely.
It was just a repeat of what happened in Peck territory.
With all the territory folk's eyes around, no life-or-death battle would break out there.
So the party waited casually for Jenia and Serein.
But.
Boom.
They returned in under five minutes.
Pale as ghosts.
“Maide!”
“W-what.”
“Big trouble.”
Jenia's face looked like she'd burst into tears if poked.
No, she was already on the verge.
It was the first time I'd seen her like that since the Ophelia incident.
Serein spoke for her.
She looked grim too.
“Agril isn't showing up.”
The Heavenly God sat on his sky throne at the starting line.
In a massive, radiant form of light, he gazed into the distance.
But soon, he slowly turned his head and reached out a hand.
He tried to stroke something bound in golden chains beside him.
“Grrr. Grk!”
It... the divine beast Agril... growled unpleasantly and dodged his touch.
The Heavenly God spoke in a voice full of mercy.
“How long has it been since you fell, that you can't recognize your master? I sent you to humanity just under 1,000 years ago.”
“Grrrk!”
“Or do you prefer your current master, a Jenia or whatever?”
He withdrew his hand.
The gentle tone vanished, replaced by stern rebuke.
“You need to know one thing.”
“Grk.”
“I'm extremely jealous. Comparing me to a worm-like beast? You deserve punishment.”
“Grrrrk!”
The iron chains binding Agril tightened around its body.
They began crushing its thick, tough hide, coiling into the flesh beneath.
Tearing wounds, drawing blood.
“Grooooar!”
Agril couldn't endure the pain and roared.
The Heavenly God leaned back in his chair, treating the agonized cry like fine music.
He closed his eyes and murmured softly.
“Is this beyond 'passive cooperation'? Even I feel a bit tense wondering how far the laws of the world allow...”
“Agril! Agril.”
Jenia desperately called for Agril from atop the territory walls.
It had been 40 minutes already.
Neril finally intervened.
“Enough already.”
“Agril. Cough.”
“Your throat's wrecked. Stop it.”
“But!”
Neril yanked Jenia away.
She shouldn't have budged by force, yet Jenia staggered and leaned into her like magic.
“Sorry. Thanks.”
“Whatever. Wipe your tears with this.”
“I'm not crying? This is sweat.”
“If sweat pours like that, you're sick. Here.”
In the end, Jenia wiped her face with Neril's handkerchief.
Meanwhile, Offense asked me,
“What's up with Agril? Condition issue?”
“But it was full of energy just this afternoon, they say.”
Sniff.
Then Jenia blew her nose into the handkerchief and said,
“It must be mad. At me.”
“Hey. Your nose...”
“We used to joke around on missions just the two of us, but now I'm only hanging out with you all, so it's sulking for sure.”
How do you even joke with Agril?
That impresses me more.
Then Serein spoke.
“No. I don't think so.”
“Huh?”
“As someone whose holy power was stolen by Agril, I can say it still really likes you, Jenia. I guarantee it.”
The evidence and conclusion didn't connect at all, but Jenia smiled, comforted.
Well, I don't think Agril is staying away out of anger either.
There's only one answer.
“The Heavenly God.”
“Huh?”
“Agril is a treasure the Heavenly God gave humanity. During the second Demon King descent.”
“...”
“Giving it means he can take it back.”
The Heavenly God agrees with the Demon King's plan.
Even 'passive cooperation', in his words.
“We're catching up to Kaild despite the vague oracle. That must have alarmed the Heavenly God.”
“Ah.”
“And last time, I pissed him off, right? He probably wants to crush me by helping the Demon King.”
“Sigh.”
Risel let out a deep sigh.
“But how can a god be so petty?”
“Tell me about it.”
“And so stingy too. Stealing Agril, one of our companions. He has plenty of other ways to mess with us.”
At that, Jenia's cheeks flushed slightly.
Risel hadn't said it to comfort her specifically.
In other words, calling Agril 'one of our companions' was genuine.
“Thanks, Risel.”
“Huh? What did I say?”
“...Nothing. It's even more precious because you said it without realizing.”
Risel tilted her head.
Everyone smiled warmly.
I smiled along while sorting my thoughts inwardly.
'Risel can be surprisingly sharp sometimes. Without even knowing it.'
[What are you talking about?]
'You just said it. He has plenty of other ways to mess with us.'
[So?]
'Risel hit the nail on the head. For example, withhold holy power from Jenia and Serein. Could we have survived this far?'
Trail fell silent, convinced.
I continued.
'My previous guess was right. He can't leave the starting line either... There's some law. A yoke even the Heavenly God can't escape.'
[Who put a yoke on a god?]
'No idea. Too profound for me to care.'
Then Neril spoke.
“For now, I'll do my best as a stopgap.”
“Huh?”
“We'll fly with Flying magic. Risel supports with spirits.”
Doubtful if it would work, but I didn't voice it.
With no other options, Neril's Flying plus spirit assist was our party's top speed.
I handed her the Withering Jewel.
“Stop midway if it's tough.”
“No way. I'll push through.”
“Stop if I say stop. I can't watch you collapse.”
“...Got it. Thanks, Maide.”
Then, like last time, Serein whispered to Risel.
“See? Those two are at it again.”
“...”
“I said no!”
“I didn't say anything.”
Anyway, soon we soared into the sky.
Neril's Flying with the Withering Jewel, boosted by wind spirits, was faster than expected.
Jenia and Serein blocked air friction and cold with shield spells.
Adwin handled mid-flight talk, Offense scouted surroundings.
But in under a minute, I sensed it.
We wouldn't make it in time at this speed.
Sure enough, we missed.
I knew thanks to Trail.
[Looks like we got it wrong this time.]
'Why?'
[See this.]
Tap.
The continent map appeared.
[Maide Mohan Cumulative Fame: 318,500]
[Kaild Wake Cumulative Fame: 410,730]
My fame had dipped slightly from last check.
Kaild's had risen slightly.
A huge shock.
First time my fame dropped since regression.
'Feels like my bones are being shaved off.'
[That bad?]
'Didn't know I was this sensitive to fame. Good experience.'
[Elevating this to a good experience. You're something else.]
I checked the map too.
Domitri territory was thick with Kaild's black mist.
Faint light—my fame—peeked through occasionally, but overall, he dominated Domitri.
'Must have had a field day. That Kaild bastard.'
[Hm. With you gone, he badmouthed freely. Probably spreading that first oracle lie: Maide is Idria's vanguard.]
'A hero who handled 10,000 monsters saying it? Convincing.'
I sighed deeply.
Neril noticed my expression sensitively.
She gradually slowed her flight.
Soon we circled in the sky and gathered.
Neril asked cautiously.
“...We late?”
“Yeah. Seems so.”
“Sorry.”
“Why are you sorry? Don't say that.”
Neril gave a faint smile.
Then Adwin, trembling, spoke.
“Bro.”
“Yeah?”
“Since we're already late, can we land?”
“Scared? Different from riding Agril, since you can see below?”
“Khkh. Who do you think I am? Scared? Me?”
Before his tough-guy line finished, Adwin reverted.
I said in alarm,
“Adwin's in danger! Serious condition.”
“Not that bad.”
“Land quick. Neril.”
Neril slowly descended us to the ground.
A valley with a stream, so we filled our canteens.
Offense said,
“Adwin, next time ride on my back.”
“Khkh. Who do you think I am.”
“Hm. Back to normal. Good.”
He turned to me.
“Kaild's fake heroics are over?”
“Seems so. His fame rose in Domitri. Mine dropped.”
“...”
“Don't make those faces. The gap isn't that wide yet.”
I forced cheer.
“We'll make it next time.”
“But we're not even halfway to Domitri.”
“True.”
“Like you said at first, Idria's pushing a speed war. Without Agril, no way to go faster, right?”
I scratched my head.
Serein said softly,
“Shall we go back to the starting line once more?”
“Huh?”
“If the Heavenly God really took Agril, it'll be there. We beat him up and rescue it.”
“I'd love to, but...”
“I know our power's not enough. But that, uh, whoever?”
Jenia picked up.
“Impellium?”
“Right. Mention that being's name, maybe he'll give it back?”
Who knows.
Recalling the Heavenly God's aura when we fled the starting line, doubtful.
Might just crush us on sight.
Maybe Impellium appears in a dream with advice again?
Hm... Fine. If so.
“Come on, now.”