The Spearmaster and the Black Cat

Chapter 422t

Rollodeen stopped on the way to the ship. She extended several tentacles towards the rapid stream below and scooped up some water. She then cast that water on Delhart. He was stinking after all.

She continued to do so while also stopped, checking the corpses of the monsters which got stuck between the rocks without being washed away by the waterfall and its current.

Those were dead troops of the Tree King of Wonders. No captain-class like the one who had attacked Cydale was among them. All of them were monsters with their lower bodies being aquatic planarians.

Solobo and Quema had mentioned a famous spear user called Flame Spear Dean among the Tree King's forces, but I couldn't see anyone fitting its description.

Right now we're high up at the top of the waterfall. Probably because of that, all the monsters who died here seem to be highly mobile races. Maybe the Tree King's forces have factions that are split by territories with their army being divided in correspondence to the various races. Like the orcs also do.

I continued checking the remains.

A corpse with multi-legs… Another one with a horse-shaped head that got deer antlers growing out and a humanoid lower body half. A centaur with multiple legs.

Anyway, some of their materials should be nice materials. Using a Dagger of the Ancient Dragon, I started to loot and dismantle the various parts. I also paid attention to the equipment the dead soldiers were wearing.

I found a special steel armor which combined hides, bones, and metal. It was made very elaborately with the joints and the parts connecting them being connected together nicely. The armor also contained some mana. I also found some more equipment pieces such as a sword belt with a hatchet sheathed in it, potions, a magic bag, and a slender, wooden necklace.

But, that's perfect. I'll give the armor to Delhart.

I removed the armor from the corpse, shouldered it, and took a look at the traces and footsteps of what had fought the monsters here. The footsteps were so big that I assumed it to have been a troll.

The trail led away from the waterfall. Upstream along the river. Green blood was scattered at the riverside. Did it run away? At least it seems to be injured.

Well, it's not like I plan to give chase anyway.

I looked in Rollodeen's direction. She was still washing Delhart. But now Helme had joined in as well, shooting water finger pistols at his butt.

On the other hand, Shuhelia moistened the blades of her two swords with water, and then started to polish the blade with something similar to a whetstone. Eboue had received an item similar to a grindstone from here and was now sharpening the blade of his ax with it.

While watching the two, I said, "Delhart, this armor might fit you. Try it on."

"Roger. But, right now I'm washing."

With those words, Delhart bent over and thrust his head into the stream. For a moment I was worried that he might be carried away by the quick water, but that fear was pointless. He energetically pulled his head out of the water a moment later.

To top things off, he was holding a fish in his mouth. Delhart immediately devoured it, raw. It caused the magic gem on his forehead to glow.

"Oohh, what a feat, Delhart-dono! For you to be able to catch a horse's battle fish with just your mouth is astonishing!" Eboue praised.

It was a weird fish with the shape of a horse. That's why such a name, I suppose.

"The black beast, no, Divine Beast-sama brought me these fish. They're delicious."

As Eboue and Delhart talked about fish, I pointed my feet in the direction of the ship wreck. Its design resembled that of some of the ships anchored in Hekatrail. It was close to a huge galley. However, it wasn't a galleass with a star-shaped deck. It was a big ship with a deep hull. That's also why it looked as though it could hide some treasure chests or loads.

From here, only the upper part with its protruding, long planks (probably added under the assumption of entering enemy ships during battle) stood out. The lower part was full of holes, making it pretty clear that it was flooded with water by the river.

Big rocks had pierced through the deck and bilge. Nowadays, the wreck has turned into a fish reef.

"…Rollo and I will go inside the ship. You guys watch the vicinity."

"Are we going to chase the troll's footsteps?"

"No. The ship is small, so we'll head back soon."

"Very well. Shuhelia-chan, we will patrol the surroundings of the ship."

"Okay."

Rollodeen transformed into a black cat and climbed onto my shoulder while skillfully employing her small tentacles. While sensing her weight, I left the others behind, jumping upwards on top of the ship.

The deck was wet and slimy. The wind carried water, making the chilly air feel refreshing and nice.

With the ship still retaining its shape in parts, I jumped across the deck. But, my foot immediately broke through a rotten plank. A wooden pole, which used to be an oar, was visible through the small hole in the deck. I could also see stacked barrels below.

The aroma of wine drifted up through the opening.

Pointing a smile at Rollo, I asked her, "Shall we go down?"

"Nya," she agreed by nodding while looking at my face.

I went down into the ship. My Arzen's Boots were submerged in water. I'm not Moses, but I carried out <Water Flow Manipulation> while imagining to part the water to the sides over a small area. As such, I walked up to the place with the barrels while repelling the water at my feet.

Unlike the punctured deck above, the hull's toughness felt unexpectedly reliable through the soles of my feet. Soon I arrived at the place with the barrels.

Thanks to being submerged in water for a good while, the barrels beneath had a different color than the ones above. I picked up the topmost barrel from the stack that had several levels.

The surface of that barrel appeared to be dry at a glance. I checked a wooden grain that seemed to have red cracks below and the sides. Sniffing that part of the barrel's surface, I checked the smell of what was inside and then shook the barrel. I could feel a liquid moving beyond the barrel's wooden shell, splashing.

As I thought, wine was inside and it seemed to be still fine too.

You could see a symbol burnt into the barrel's surface. A child dancing while holding up two cows on one hand? I guess it's a company's logo.

Going by the hue and weathering, I assume it to have been added ten to thirty years ago. I suppose it should be wine that's very different from dirt cheap booze. Maybe it's actually high-class wine.

I think the only barrel with its contents perfectly fine should be this one alone.

Carrying that barrel, I left the ship. And with the sun glaring down at me, I asked, "Have any of you seen this logo before?", while holding up the barrel at chest height.

"A wine barrel? It's different from the sign used by the Malerian Enterprise. It's different from the one of the Luksol Company, too. I've never seen this logo in Naval Port City Sokteria and Bay Coast City Terrier."

Shuhelia was well-informed about the southern cities because of her mission as Spirit World Knight, but she couldn't help me with the identification of this logo. Maybe Viine could tell me if I show her this symbol.

"I don't know either," Delhart, now sparky clean, answered.

He was wearing the steel armor. I'm happy to see that it fits him.

Anyway, I guess I'll store this barrel away for now.

"…Alright. This is the only interesting thing I found on the ship. Let us head over to the airplane's location next."

"Okay."

I looked at my futuristic watch-like item box while listening to the others answering. I touched the thick, round disk formed like a sun.

"Open."

A semi-transparent 3-D window popped up.

◆: Humanoid Mark: Storage: List

―――――――――――――――――――――――

Item Inventory 77/490

I pressed Storage and it changed into a black window. I tossed the barrel into that window.

Afterwards, Rollodeen transformed into a divine beast again and I jumped on her back. While riding on her back as we flew through the sky with everyone, I checked my status.

Name: Shuuya Kagari

Age: 22

Title: Demonic Gigachad of the Supreme Spear

Race: Light Demon Lucival

Combat Occupation: Spirit Spear Blood Chain Master : Sage Hands of the White Flames User

Strength: 26.7 → 26.8

Agility: 27.8

Stamina: 24.0n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Mana: 28.0 → 28.3

Dexterity: 25.2

Spirit: 29.2 → 29.4

Luck: 11.0

Current Status: Normal

Next the skill status.

Obtained Skills: <Throw>, <Demonic Brain Speed>, <Hide>, <Night Vision>, <Inhalation of Odor Technique>, <Blood Chains Banquet>, <Thrust>, <Meditation>, <Life Magic>, <Guidance Sorcery>, <Magic Combat Style>, <Magic Hand guided by Thought>, <Sage Art>, <Summoning>, <Ancient Magic>, <Crest Magic>, <Darkness Drill>, <Darkness Drill – Demonic Destruction Lance>, <Language Magic>, <Chain Spear of the Ray System>, <Powerful Slash>, <Blood Acceleration>, <Beginning of Dusk>, <Dusk’s Stake>, <Blood Chain Search>, <Dimension of Darkness Blood Chain>, <Spirit Cursing Chain Net>, <Waterwheel Slash>, <Thousand Palms of Darkness>, <Fang Stab>, <Spirit Ball Conception>, <Water Membrane>, <Dark Water Moon of Nothingness>, <Elixir Art - Catfish Conception>, <Water Refinement - Demonic Chain Drill>, <White Flame Sage Hand>, <Crimson Storm Drill>, <Powerful Lightning Water Slash>, <Mad Demonic Roar Slash>

Permanent Skills: <Power of True Ancestor>, <Natural Gift of Magic>, <Torrent of Light Darkness>, <Drain Soul>, <Immortality>, <Darkness Adaptation>, <Blood Mana>, <Suzerain of Bloodkin>, <Super Demonic Brain Nimble Sensation>, <Magic Combat Style Knowledge>, <Guidance Magic Knowledge>, <Spear Sparring>, <Chain Sense Guidance>, <Magic Crest Construction>, <Instant Staff of Water>, <Spirit Employment>, <Divine Beast Serene Mind ・ Soaring>, <Blood Path – Open First Gate>, <Blood Path – Open Second Gate>, <Blood Path – Open Third Gate>, <Factor Engraving Increase>, <Central Pillar of a Greater True Ancestor’s Lineage>, <Tail of the Crushing Evil Spirit Tree>, <Dark Dream Celebration>, <Apostle of Light Evil>, <Sage Art – Understanding of the Yellow Water Ribbon>, <Sealer's Seal>, <Super Brain - Hazy Moon Reflection on Water>, <Secret Art of Saraten>, <Demonic Armored Spirit - Ruby Loop>, Call of the Water Goddess>, <Flying Motion of the Demonic Gigachad>, <Scepter of the Light Demon>, <Blood Path - Open Fourth Gate>, <Spirit Blood Spring>, <Lotus Butterfly of the Light Demon> (NEW)

Extra Skills: <Language Comprehension>, <Granted Seal of Light>, <Chain Factor>, <Demonic Cerebral Spine Revolution>, <Crest Tree of the Lucival>, <Tree of the Evil King>

I checked <Lotus Butterfly of the Light Demon>.

※ Lotus Butterfly of the Light Demon ※

※ Proof of a Light Demon Lucival's Founder having guided the soul of a Butterfly kin into the principle of causality dwelling within his own blood as Light Demon to save it ※

So it's not about a bloodkin in the framework of <Head Servant Leaders> and <Servant Leaders>, but a kin within the same classification as the <Disciple of Light Evil>, huh? I guess it defines a being close to Helme and the Burning Knights.

After finishing the status check, we headed straight for the location where we had left the business airplane behind.

———- End of Part 1 ———-

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At the lake where I fought Golgonshura I could see a small deer monster appeasing its thirst while a snake monster was meandering across the lake's surface.

"It's a pretty lake."

While agreeing with Helme's assessment, I surveyed the area. Wild flowers and weeds extending out of the water were gently swaying in the wind along the lake's edge.

"Just as Spirit-sama has said, it's a nice place, but there's lots of monsters here," Delhart exclaimed full of motivation while pointing his spear at a monster near the lake.

"I've finished my Demonic Twin blade preparations. It will be a great chance to test "Majin - Quickness," the sword style of Mick Hermit, one of the Spirit World's Twelve Swordmasters," Shuhelia declared with her eyes full of cunning.

"Ah, the swordsmanship that you exhibited during the big bear extermination underground?" Delhart asked.

She nodded and extended a hand for the pommel of her magic sword. The Demonic Eye embedded there had its lid closed, but once Shuhelia's fingers touched, its eyelid opened.

Going by its behavior, it looks like it's intelligent.

I let my eyes wander, trying to check the state of the plane which Eva had moved with her <Mind Force>, but…it was covered by murky, white threads…? Spiderwebs?

Those white threads extended in all directions as if to create a huge spider web that buried the trees in the vicinity underneath, connecting cloudy cocoons.

How weird. As the area is so full of spiderwebs, I can't see the plane's frame. Although it should be here…

Metallic parts, which had turned somewhat gray, were stuck in the nearby trees. But they seemed small as they were covered by those cocoon-like things? Maybe they've become smaller after being melted through the white cocoons.

I peered inside one of those cocoons. It looked like a fruit dangling from a big branch. And I also discovered the monsters which were continuing to create those threads. Countless of them were moving atop of the branches. They looked similar to nautili.

Outwardly they possessed a curved, round carapace. Its surface looked like a steel block, or densely overlapping layers of dragon scales.

Octopus-like tentacles were bustling around inside in huge numbers.

Suddenly those nautili monsters stirred. A vertical line formed on the carapace, just for the carapace to open up to the sides. A mantis-like head popped out from the central part where the carapace had divided. The head looked like a rugged rock. It had countless holes. Eerie, cloudy threads extended from those holes.

Moreover, compound eyes formed at the forehead with hissing sounds. That immediately came to an end, replaced by the triangular jaw tearing open. A gray, long, and narrow tongue with plenty of thorns shot out of the eerie mouth. That tongue repeatedly extended and retracted with sickening, wet smacking sounds.

Monsters with carapaces who liked to eat steel, huh?

All of my friends, who had spread out, were quite experienced. It was unnecessary to tell them each and every single detail, but I should warn them just in case.

"Enemies. All of you, get ready――"

The instant I warned my party, the carapace monsters all charged at us while releasing threads from their heads.

I grabbed Murasame's hilt at once, and poured mana into it within milliseconds. The light beam formed with a buzzing. At the same time, I lifted the hilt to deal with the incoming monsters

With a loud roar, Divine Beast Rollodeen dealt with the swarm of monsters approaching from the right front. The former Spirit World Knights and Eboue took care of the left front. Helme assisted all of them from behind while swinging an ice baton. I handled the monster swarm coming at us from right in front.

Individually the mobs posed no challenge, but their sheer amount forced us to invest some time to cull all of them. During the battle I used Baldok and Ganghis, and even got injured lightly from the monsters unexpectedly using metallic fragments as projectiles. But in the end we managed to obliterate all of the carapace monsters.

I could also watch the performance of my reliable friends. Helme moved about like a pretty ice queen. Delhart dominated with his spear like a military commander, possessing a fierce and terrifying splendor. Shuhelia, on the other hand, used movements and tactics with her two blades which made her seem lovely, despite being a martial artist. Her handling her swords to slice the monsters apart simultaneously possessed beauty and finesse as a female swordswoman.

"Still, for metal-eating monsters to exist…," I examined what seemed to be the remains of the airplane while commenting.

Among them, I spotted the remains of what appeared to have been seats, but had now turned into a soggy mess after getting melted.

And here I had thought I could use the seats in the airplane as part of the sofas in my home…

They looked unusable now. I pondered whether I should challenge myself to make new ones in a Do-It-Yourself style, but…

If there had been a refrigerator, it might have had carbonated drinks, but those damn monsters had to melt everything.

The ground was riddled with holes as well. It looks like the carapace monsters had appeared from those holes. Similar monsters also inhabited the swamps of Holkerbaum, but the monsters we fought just now definitely excelled the Holkerbaum ones in numbers, movements, and quality.

If I assume they crawled out of these holes, and given their strength, I suppose they're related to the underground world. Maybe they were the kin of some underground god.

"It looked like they possessed some degree of intelligence, but…in the end they lost out to their appetite," Helme commented while creating water orbs around her and deploying those into the vicinity.

"I think it's a species you don't see often in the forests on the surface…" Shuhelia added while letting her eyes wander across the vicinity, not easing on her vigilance.

A yellow, shining magic blade flew away from her magic sword like a boomerang, killing a monkey-shaped monster that had jumped out of a tree.

She apparently didn't know these monsters either.

"In the south of the southern Seven Pholia Kingdom exists a ravine zone where rain doesn't fall during long spells of dry weather. The monsters here moved in ways similar to the scorpion monsters spawning over there," Delhart pointed out.

However, Seven Phoila is far away and a place I don't know. But, maybe the adventurers, who have been traveling into the direction of Benrack Village's Sea of Trees and Tandarl's west from Hekatrail's south, might have been fighting many of such monsters.

Those murky threads might be able to also melt metallic weapons and armor…which would make them types of monsters hated by adventurers. Even at the lowest, you'd need an adventurer rank of B to subjugate them, I think. Or maybe even A.

Rollodeen had devoured them happily, so some gourmet nobles would probably put forth requests for the materials of these monsters.

After reaching that part in my thoughts, I collected all the monster corpses. The octopus-like tentacles on their inner sides seemed delicious and chewy enough.

"…They are monsters with an appearance similar to rock shells and their heads formed like mantises or people, so maybe they live near rivers or seas. It might also be related to us being close to a lake here."

While concisely answering my friend's speculations like that, I wrapped up the looting. And then we got back on Rollodeen, who had been waiting.

There were still some monsters left around us, but we ignored them.

And thus we left the area near the lake. Signs of monsters spawning, or rather, appearing could be observed all over the places. The Sea of Trees were truly a place full of elusive monsters which would appear at the most unexpected places. But, it'd be endless to try to hunt them all down.

Just like that, we flew back to Cydale.