Chapter 112: Exploration Preparation Part 2
Translator: Soafp
We are currently on our way to the Talon Fang Labyrinth.
After walking about two hours along the highway from the capital, we can see the Wise Wolf Forest. Then, after about an hour’s walk into the Wise Wolf Forest, we reach a cliff. The “Claw Fang Labyrinth” is a cave on that cliff that has transformed into a labyrinth.
For this trip, we’ve hired two adventurers known to Joe. They will accompany us to the Wise Wolf Forest to guard the horses. Joe, Naga-san, Mother, and the two adventurers ride horses, while I ride with Ashera.
To be honest, things are a bit precarious… There’s a nice scent in the air, and while I’m wearing armor, Ashera is in robes. Riding horses inevitably leads to a bit of bumping into each other… Some parts feel soft… and some parts feel hard, and that’s just me.
I wonder if they trust me… It’s dangerous for Ashera to lean on me like this.
But the happiness doesn’t last long; after about 30 minutes, we reach a clearing near a scenic water source where we tether the horses and leave them in the care of the two adventurers.
From here, we’ll proceed on foot through the forest. Since this is just a trial, I propose that I and Joe take the front, while Mother and Naga-san take the middle. Ashera will be alone in the rear, ensuring she has a view of everyone. With this setup, we have the highest combat capability, with healing and exploration abilities.
Naga-san asked me to move as a skirmisher. I could tell just from hearing that this was the right decision. It was a wise choice to recommend Naga-san as the leader.
Before entering the forest, Naga-san cast enhancement magic on us. It was my first time experiencing such magic, and it was more effective than I expected. The enchantments included physical and magical guards, as well as an increase in physical abilities. The effects are about 5% of my own body strengthening, but it’s incredibly helpful to have such effects continuously active.
Moreover, I’ve heard that Naga-san can also use healing magic. She’s a much more capable adventurer than I initially thought.
As for me and Joe, we’re positioned with Joe on the right and me on the left. This is because Joe wields a large sword and is right-handed. If I were on his right side, Joe would constantly have to allocate a portion of his attention to me, so it’s better for me to be on his left.
This “Wise Wolf Forest” is home to not only wolves but also many other beast-type monsters. This is likely due to the influence of monsters leaking from the “Claw Fang Labyrinth.” It seems that each labyrinth has its own unique ecosystem around it.
This phenomenon is known as “overflow.” As monsters continue to multiply inside the labyrinth, they eventually overflow, causing a change in the ecosystem around the labyrinth.
While the truth of the matter is uncertain, there are stories of green meadows near villages to the north turning into wetlands within a short period of one month. This was caused by an overflow of lizardmen and aquatic monsters from the labyrinth…
Once, the village’s only industry was modest wheat farming, but now it has developed into a major fishing area. It’s a testament to human resilience. However, this is a rare case. When overflow occurs, most villages become unsustainable… It’s a dire situation, with stories of entire villages turning into bone overnight, among other horrors.
When a labyrinth is discovered in a territory, the lord must decide whether to invite adventurers or send his own knights.
Many lords tend to lean towards summoning adventurers due to past experiences…
This is one of the reasons why the occupation of adventurers, akin to that of the yakuza, is accepted by the general populace.
In some countries, there are even tales of adventurers who defeated monsters threatening the kingdom being desired by the people to become “king” and subsequently marrying the princess.
It’s been about an hour since we entered the forest, and according to the pre-survey, we should be nearing the cliff where the labyrinth should be visible.
As we walk, with vigilance towards the front and left, Joe speaks up.
“Aren’t you able to easily find out with your exploration magic?”
Haa, so he’s Joe is still Joe… I turn my tired face towards Joe and explain.
“My area sonar utilizes the reflection of magical energy. It only gives a rough idea of the terrain.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah.”
“…It’s not as useful as I thought.”
You b*****d! You just said the one thing you shouldn’t have!
“…Still more useful than you, Joe.”
We both laugh with veins popping on our foreheads. Meanwhile, Naga-san and Mother, watching us from behind, look exasperated.
In this relaxed atmosphere, Ashera kicks off into the sky with a space kick.
After soaring above the trees, she looks around.
Seemingly having found something, she freefalls back down. As usual, Naga-san, with a blue face, rushes to catch her… which is futile.
Ashera, having seen her attempt, descends slowly using space kicks.
“I saw strange magical energy in that direction.”
“Strange magical energy?”
Ashera points straight ahead to indicate where she saw the “strange magical energy.”
“Yeah. It looked like a hole in magical energy.”
“A hole in magical energy… From what I’ve heard, it sounds like the entrance to the labyrinth. What should we do, Naga-san?”
Seeming still affected by the fear of falling, Naga-san speaks with a stiff face.
“Y-yes. Ashera-san, was it a cliff?”
“Yeah. Strange magical energy was visible on the cliff.”
“It seems there’s no mistake. Let’s head in the direction Ashera-san pointed.”
We all nod in agreement with Naga-san’s words.
It was closer than expected, and in about five minutes, we arrived at the cliff.
Looking at it again, it’s like a wall. When looking up at the vertically steep cliff, it seems to be about 50 meters high.
At the very bottom of the cliff lies the “Claw Fang Labyrinth.”
It’s hard to describe… It’s not just an ordinary cave. It has an atmosphere to it. Ashera would be able to tell at a glance with her ability to see magical energy.
“Well, shall we take a short break here and discuss before diving in?”
At Naga-san’s words, everyone nods, indicating their agreement.
As we relax and sit down wherever we please, three women disappear into the bushes without saying a word.
If we say anything unnecessary here, we don’t know what might happen.
As I try to speak to Joe, he inexplicably calls out to the women.
“What’s wrong? There might be snakes or venomous insects around. It’s dangerous, you know.”
I widened my eyes, trembling from the bottom of my heart at his stupidity.
The women gave him cold looks, and “Ice Witch” shot a Wind Bullet (non-lethal) spell.
Even though it’s non-lethal, it’s enough to cause fractures… One person is writhing in pain after being hit directly in the abdomen, but it’s clearly his own fault.
He’s flopping around, so I filled Joe’s water bottle with water.
Joe is the only one among this group who can’t use magic. I’ve given him three water bottles just in case.
With water, he should be able to survive for three days. With that much, we should be able to somehow rescue him.
Joe manages to get up and asks me, “What’s going on…?”
This guy doesn’t seem to understand his own foolishness. I carefully explained it to him so as not to ignite his anger towards me.
“I see. Women have it tough, huh…”
Don’t you dare say that to the women themselves. I’m scared to think about being lumped together with him as part of the “male group”… It’s terrifying!
With a pounding heart, I wait for the women. As soon as I hear their voices, the ground trembles.
It turns out there was a venomous snake, and Ashera’s fist exploded.
At the spot where she swung her fist, there was a crater about one meter deep, and what appeared to be the remains of a snake lay scattered around.
This was the first time Joe had seen Ashera’s true strength. He had heard about it, but seeing it firsthand was different.
Even I still wonder. Where does she get such strength from those slender arms?
Yet Ashera walks casually, seemingly unfazed…
As the break ends and we’re about to start exploring the labyrinth, Joe speaks to me in a low voice.
“I heard about Ashera’s combat abilities from you, but honestly, I didn’t believe it.”
“Oh, really?”
“But now, I’m starting to think… I’ve been underestimating her. I have no idea how strong she really is…”
Perhaps he’s started to read the atmosphere a little during the break.
I hope he grows up as soon as possible… Right now, I’m more afraid of the bombs coming out of Joe’s mouth than the monsters in the labyrinth.
To shift gears, I lightly slap my own cheek. The other members follow suit, seeing my demeanor change instantly.
With me and Joe at the front, we enter the labyrinth.
The moment we step into the labyrinth, I feel like I’ve been transported to a different place.
This might be one of the reasons why labyrinths are said to be in another dimension.
With plenty of determination and stamina, the quest to conquer the labyrinth begins!