Chapter 262 The Disappeared Celestial Race, Part Ii
In a way, it felt like we had won the battle, yet at the same time, we had lost.
After feeling such a complex mix of emotions, we once again descended from the mountaintop and returned to the Essence inn.
Of course, Mother, Berberi-san, and Neta-san were with us as well.
The cooking at Essence tavern was highly praised by Mother.
As usual, Berberi-san was eating while shedding tears.
I really thought it was delicious.
It suited the taste of both me and Maya-chan, after all.
We took our time to rest, and by morning, the aftermath of the battle began anew.
Mother, guided by Jag-san, headed to the Grand Duke's mansion for discussions.
Talks like those, you see, are beyond someone like me or Maya-chan.
My mother (Privia) is the most important person in Ensgard, after all.
I believe it's better to leave national discussions to those who know better.
If Jag-san deems the treatment for the Grand Duke's family and the nobles' Oso (Dreadful element) poison beyond his abilities, I will take over later.
Since Jag-san has a level 3 Healing Attribute and is a Dragonkin Saint, he should be able to provide treatment with enough practice.
Centered around the Celestial Race's mansion, it was determined that the remaining walls, like burned castle walls, could be turned back into stone and wood using the earth attribute magic from Jag-san and the others, and they began work this morning.
I was amazed at Jag-san's skill when he quickly built a small structure from the soil under the snow, but it seems that this was not such a significant task.
So it was first decided what Maya-chan and I needed to do.
"How about it, Maya-chan? If the flying birds leave no trace, there shouldn't be a problem."
"Yeah, that's true. You can't tell just by looking, big brother."
We started by taking Maya-chan with me to check whether any poison or the like was scattered in the area where the mansion once stood.
After all, the Celestial Race is the kind of race that would likely engage in such harassment.
"Well, it looks fine here, brother."
"Alright, let's move on to the next."
"Yeah."
'Kuu'
'Guu'
We're checking around on Centrena and Wilshion.
First, we are confirming the area where those with earth attribute magic have finished dismantling the mansion.
The Dragonkin doing the dismantling wave to us when they see us.
"Hey, big brother. Hello!"
"Yeah. Good job──"
Maya-chan is waving her hand with a smile.
I decide to wave back.
Apparently, the Grand Duke's mansion might be relocated to this place someday.
It seems like it's still just a plan, though.
Since Maya-chan took pictures there, we decided there's no need to keep the room that looks like it had a magic circle.
There were no other materials that seemed relevant besides that trace.
It used to be a place where many people lived, so overall, it's quite large, but most buildings were one to 2 stories.
The lord's mansion in the center was made of stone and wood, but most of the buildings where commoners lived were wooden.
We checked those buildings as well, but nothing that looked like a clue was left behind.
More like, it seemed like the insides were burned.
It felt like they were hiding evidence.
Despite the number of people, nothing that could indicate the Celestial Race's headquarters was found.
It's either a good cover-up or something, it's just ridiculous.
Since it's lunchtime, we're taking a break eating the bento we brought from the hut built by Jag-san with the Essence.
Of course, I brought lunch for Centrena and Wilshion too.
Including skewers and bread snacks.
"It was delicious, big brother."
"Yeah. It was a miracle that it suited us Japanese."
"Right, right."
I decided to give some snacks to Centrena and take a breather.
But this hut built by Jag-san is quite convenient; it gets warm enough with just a small Magic Tool, even at this cold mountaintop.
They say this hut will eventually be torn down and returned to the earth.
The earth attribute magic is more cheat-like than I expected.
The lunch break is over, and we continued the soil investigation.
As expected of Maya-chan.
She can assess it just by looking, so she's quick about it.
"It seems fine. Brother, are we about done here?"
"Yeah. We just have the dismantling part left, but you're not going to sprinkle poison on the building's foundation, right?"
"No. I don't think we'll have the time to do that while preparing to escape. But either way, we'll have to check later."
"That's true."
So, with that, we wrapped up the soil investigation for now.
"Alright, Centrena. Can you take us back to the lake?"
'Kuu'
"Wilshion-tan, follow Centrena-tan."
'Guu'
Once Centrena took flight, it was a breeze from the dismantled former residence to the lake.
Even though it hasn't snowed since then, running is still a bit much.
"We've arrived."
Before I knew it, Wilshion had overtaken Centrena.
He's faster at flying.
Well, Centrena is older than Wilshion, so there's no need to compete.
"Wait here, okay?"
'Guu'
Since Centrena also crouched down, I headed over to Maya-chan.
"Thank you, Centrena."
'Kuu'
Now, the next investigation is the lake water.
Since the battle started, the Celestial Race hasn't approached, I believe.
So there shouldn't be any contamination.
Still, we have to investigate just in case.
"Maya-chan, could you please check within your visible range?"
"Understood!"
Maya-chan saluted me and then turned to face the lake, staring intently at the surface.
"Yeah. It looks a bit stagnant since it's not flowing."
"Right."
"But it's surprising that there's 0 percent Oso poison, after all."
"That's it. The rain and snow didn't mix with Oso poison. That means that hypothesis was correct."
"Yeah, but drinking it is a bit iffy. We should probably purify it first."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Because, you see, where did all that pest's waste go?"
Ah.
Speaking of which, that was true.
There was a place that got partially contaminated.
It was the end of the toilet's path.
It had turned into a cesspit.
They seemed like a cleanly race, but the Celestial Race didn't seem that way.
"I see. It's possible the snow melted and flowed in."
"Yeah, I can't say that's impossible..."
"That's scary."
"Yeah. It's scary."
The possibility that it's been accumulating and melting for years, little by little flowing in, is quite frightening.
We should investigate thoroughly.
It would be for the best later on.
Man...
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