Volume 2 Chapter 13 Plant Research Area, Variant Trooper (1️⃣)
When the monster completely disappeared from the square, the soldiers gradually seemed to calm down and started to move again.
It seemed like Lord Barton realized it was our doing, but he just said, "Please wait a moment," and walked over to the gathering of knights.
Anyway, I felt tired.
So, I decided to sit down and rest like the other soldiers nearby.
The soldiers were chatting about things like "My old wounds are gone!" and "My chronic illness is cured!"──it all sounded too good to be true. It seemed like some kind of Healing Magic (Holy Magic) effect was happening in the square. However, neither of us felt any physical changes.
"I'm not healed, huh?"
"Is it because you were born this way?"
Just being alive feels like a miracle.
Maybe I'm asking for too much.
If I hadn't had a copy of the diary, we might have been completely wiped out.
If Fatina had fought alongside us, things might have turned out differently, but from what I saw in the exchange with Lord Barton, she seems to be opposing the lord's army. It looks like we won't be getting any help.
And though I wouldn't say it out loud... Leanne might really have some special power. All I've heard from Eric is that her ability stats are off the charts and that she always has 3 fixed skills. Could that be the reason?
"Thank you so much. You really saved my life."
I was suddenly spoken to.
It was the knight, Gaston.
He had almost been eaten by a chimera, but seeing him safe somehow made me feel oddly relieved.
"Your girlfriend is really amazing. The setup here is incredible. Monsters can't get in at all, and if we can ensure safety on the way, it could function as a healing center."
"Well, I think it was just luck..."
"That may be true, but maybe that luck came to you because you're a good person."
That's definitely too much praise.
"Well, I'll join the discussion too. Let me thank you properly later."
"Are we able to return to town now?"
"Uh... sorry, but I don't know that either."
Gaston hesitated slightly before leaving.
I hope they're not planning to go deeper in.
"Well, the lord said to turn back if things got dangerous, so shouldn't we wrap up the investigation and head back? Here you go."
I got back half of the diary I handed over earlier. Lord Barton and the knights are still in discussion. Right now, there's not much for me to do.
"Want to read it?"
"Yeah."
Something might still happen. I decided to read the rest while I had the chance.
'After visiting the plant research area, the priests stopped me. They said I couldn't enter the worship town area because Shadiya is a homunculus. Shadiya and Rodi-kun said they would head back, so we should enjoy ourselves together. But I got mad and decided to turn back with them. Well, after that, we all strolled around town and ate delicious food, so it turned out fine...'
"Did the 4 of them head back halfway?"
"Looks like it. Beastmen used to be of low status, huh?"
"What do you mean...? Then why was Rita in the hidden room?"
"Now that you mention it. If you think about it normally, they might have come back later."
"For what purpose?"
"Don't just ask me questions. I don't know the reason. But whatever happened, I want to pay my respects."
"Yeah, that's true."
Maybe I should tell Lord Barton later and get permission to carry it. If we split it up, the two of us can manage.
"Hey, let's see what's next."
Prompted by Leanne, I focused on the next part of the text.
'Evral-sama has passed away. 'When I found him, his heart had already stopped.' The 7 sages were said to have extended their lifespans through magic, and they were almost considered immortal.'
For some reason, the cause of death is circled...
It seems Wallace transcribed what Rita wrote. The reason isn't mentioned.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. We had a bit of a disagreement about our course of action."
Lord Barton returned. He stood up, finishing his break.
"No problem. So what happened?"
"I'll say this first: we still can't return to the surface."
"......"
I silently stared back at Lord Barton.
Our faces probably said, "We want to go home right now."
"I do feel sorry about this. But the increase in monsters is definitely the work of that chimera. I can't report to Albert-sama until we take it down."
That's a problem. No matter how many lives we have, it won't be enough.
We almost got wiped out once already. If we move forward without a plan, survival is hopeless.
"But, there are not just chimera ahead, but also those beastmen."
"I know that. However, that girl didn't seem to have the will to fight. Maybe because I have sword skills, I can somewhat read the opponent's intentions and strength through my abilities."
It seemed Lord Barton had noticed the other was holding back too.
"Besides, Ark-dono, don't you have some kind of connection with that girl?"
"It's not really a connection, but I have been helped by her and talked to her before."
"I see, I see. Well, I guess that kind of thing happens."
Lord Barton, satisfied with himself, pointed to the back corridor and said, "Look at that."
The corridor, which had been shrouded in darkness just moments ago, was now brightly lit without any visible light source.
"The facility that had been stopped might have started operating again. This could be a good opportunity for us. To be honest, I was half in doubt too, but it must be related to Leanne-dono's power. We should make this entrance area, where healing and protective magic is being deployed, our new base and move deeper in."
"No, but──."
"As soon as we take down the chimera, we'll head back to town. I promise you a substantial reward from me as well. For now, I want you to come with us. Please."
Lord Barton bent slightly at the waist and lowered his head deeply.
Not just us, but even the nearby soldiers were surprised by his demeanor.
I could understand his feelings of prioritizing the hunt over the lord's orders.
If we turned back now, there was no guarantee the chimera wouldn't show up again.
Though we had just met today, Lord Barton didn't seem like the type to drag us around for the sake of his knightly pride.
He was just trying to resolve the situation before it got worse.
And if something happens because I refused... I can't take responsibility for that.
After a short break, the march began again.
The corridor leading from the entrance area was different this time, paved neatly with white stone from floor to ceiling. It was quite wide, at least twice the width of the garden entrance, but the roots and vines were growing wildly, covering parts of the walls, making it hard to walk.
Every time I went down the stairs along the way, I felt a little fear as I realized I was getting further away from the ground. Plus, I was extra tense thinking there might be another chimera attack.
I turned to check on Leanne, and our eyes met.
"Are you tired?"
"I'm okay for now, but... how far does this path go?"
"According to the diary, it's called the plant research area."
"Still, I've never seen a room around here."
Leanne was right.
I hadn't seen a single door so far.
We must have walked quite a distance from the entrance area. Would they really design it to be this inconvenient...?
Did Lord Barton and the knights not notice?
Maybe they were too busy being on guard against chimera attacks to care?
Even I, a novice in battle, felt that the current situation was dangerous.
I should suggest we turn back soon.
Just as I was about to speak to Lord Barton, a soldier walking a little ahead suddenly tripped and fell dramatically.
I thought it looked painful, but I felt a strange sense of familiarity. It seemed we weren't the only ones who were tired.
Lord Barton, who was right next to me, reached out to help the soldier up. In the process──he suddenly drew his sword.
"Cut the vines! Hurry!!"
When Lord Barton shouted loudly, it felt like I woke up.
Looking around, I saw soldiers collapsing both in front and behind us, thick vines wrapping around their ankles like they had a mind of their own.
...This isn't a wall.
What I thought was just a wall covered in plants.
As part of it split open in a cross shape, a giant eyeball appeared, bigger than a human head.
A monster covering the entire corridor was trying to drag the soldiers into the wall from all sides...
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