Chapter 58

Sliding across the water, I darted through the twilight forest.

The swarm of bees, each as large as a puppy, came towards me, making a loud buzzing sound. They are Gigahornets, highly territorial and aggressive magical creatures. Once you enter their territory, they immediately attack. Their venom is potent, making them quite dangerous.

Infusing magic into Uroboros, I knocked down the bees as I passed by them. My destination was their nest. If I didn’t deal with the source, it would be endless. The closer I got to the nest, the denser the swarm became.

“Aqua Wall!”

From behind, Ashley’s magical support arrived. Water walls formed on either side of me, limiting the directions from which the bees could approach. They could only come from the front or the back. Swinging the dragon staff like a windmill, I shattered the approaching bees like twigs and continued forward. I used the water walls created by Ashley, manipulating the water flow with magic to create a path in the air. Riding on the water rails, I described a jet coaster-like trajectory, sliding towards the beehive in the trees without a moment’s pause.

“Freeze Jail!”

The bees were still trying to crawl out, but I trapped the entire beehive in an ice prison. The honey and larvae can be sold for a good price, so I wanted to recover them while preserving their shape. I cut down the tree supporting the nest with Uroboros and knocked it to the ground. I then descended in a large arc towards the ground. Although some bees had already launched from the nest, it wasn’t a problem.

“Lightning Cloud!”

I released a thundercloud towards the remaining bees, who were charging at me in a rage, wiping them out in one go.

“Ashley, good timing.”

“Thank you!”

Ashley smiled and, with a golf swing-like motion, deftly repelled the approaching Whisper Mushrooms. ...She’s getting quite composed. That’s a good sign.

“Now!”

“I understand!”

Shiela and Ilmhirte, who understand each other’s movements, fight as a team. Shiela strikes with a dagger and, as she pulls back, Ilmhirte’s arrow flies to hinder the enemy’s movement. Or, Ilmhirte’s arrow forces the enemy to dodge, and Shiela launches a surprise attack from that direction.

Grace faced a new monster.

Her opponent was an Angry Mushroom, a large, squat mushroom monster about my height. Unlike the Whisper Mushrooms, the Angry Mushroom is a frontline fighter. It uses physical attacks like punches and crushes, relying on its size and strength. It’s quite powerful, so caution is needed. Incidentally, it tastes similar to enoki mushrooms. Though not numerous, it provides a satisfying meal.

The Angry Mushroom’s raised arm could snap a tree in half, but Grace easily avoided it.

“You’re too slow.”

Even as a powerful frontline fighter... it’s no match for Grace, who can hold her own against a Guardian. The chain attached to the axe, thrown in a curved arc, first entangled its feet, depriving it of movement, and then the main axe struck from above.

“...Um. Can mushrooms that split vertically be eaten...?”

“No, that’s a myth. Whether they can be eaten or not isn’t really related to that.”

Ilmhirte’s comment about the Angry Mushroom’s fate was negated by Shiela. Impressed that such a myth exists here as well, I continued Shiela’s explanation.

“That was an Angry Mushroom... it can be eaten. I think the Scarlet Mushroom also splits vertically, but it’s highly toxic, so be careful.”

It’s good that there are such clear ones. Some mushroom-type monsters are difficult to distinguish, so caution is needed when encountering such layers.

The beehive and the Angry Mushroom take up a lot of space, so I considered which to transfer while collecting from the surroundings. I found a stone tablet and returned to the temple.

“Any injuries?”

“I’m fine.”

“Same here.”

After confirming, we checked today’s spoils. A group of armed individuals, about thirty in number, descended from the upper floor of the temple to the stone tablet square. They were dressed in matching equipment and seemed to be preparing to enter the dungeon in groups of six.

“Those are... knights?”

The team leaders are knights, with one knight, four soldiers, and one healer in each group. The teams that were ready lined up and marched into the dungeon from the entrance.

Among them was Chester. He glanced in our direction for a moment but didn’t say anything, maintaining a neutral expression as he led the soldiers into the dungeon.

“The knights are tackling the dungeon...?”

Ashley tilted her head. Perhaps some investigation at the royal castle has led to this. The knights have a legitimate reason and appearance to move.

I wonder what wind blew Chester here. I didn’t think the dragon knights would have a role in the dungeon.

I went to sell the spoils, but Heather only knew that the knights were starting to enter the dungeon. The guild’s upper management is aware, but a gag order has been imposed.

Well... if something comes up for me, King Melvin will likely reach out.

“Hey, long time no see, Theo.”

“Huh?”

When I got home, a carriage was parked outside, and Prince Albert—rather, Alfred disguised as a prince—got out of the carriage.

“Has Prince Albert told you? I’m an aspiring magic technician and would like your help if you’re willing.”

“Yeah, I heard about that.”

“Great. Thanks for that.”

He smiled and extended his hand for a handshake, which I returned.

“Also... there’s someone I brought today who really wants to talk to you.”

“Who is it?”

Alfred lightly knocked on the carriage door, and a familiar face appeared.

“It’s been a while.”

Talcott, with a wry smile, looked different from before.

“Yes, it has.”

“I caused you trouble before. I wanted to apologize for my father’s actions as well.”

Talcott closed his eyes and bowed his head towards me.

“...I understand.”

Being thanked or apologized to by Talcott... it’s a bit unsettling.

“You don’t need to worry about me. Your father’s actions are his own doing.”

Perhaps my expression showed this, as Talcott said something to that effect. His tone suggested he knew to some extent that I was involved in the kidnapping incident. I was there when I tried to coordinate with the authorities, so the information likely reached the royal palace.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I lost to you and was lectured by someone. Now, I’m going to think for myself, in my own way.”

He narrowed his eyes and smiled, looking somewhat melancholy.

“At the very least, if it weren’t for the incident with you, neither I nor my mother would likely be here.”

“I didn’t think about it that way. I acted for my own sake. There’s no need for gratitude.”

Therefore, being thanked is even more inappropriate. I thought it would be fine because the prince was involved, but such gratitude should be directed towards Prince Albert.

“If you say so... it’s for my own sake too. If it had been discovered through another channel, we would have both been punished.”

Or, if it hadn’t been discovered, I might have been used up for my older brother. Considering the punishment Maurice inflicted on Talcott, there might have been a rift between father and son.

“Anyway, that’s all I have to say.”

“Is that it?”

“Yeah. For the rest, I’ll wait in the carriage until Alfred’s business is done, so as not to be a bother.”

He placed his hand on his chest and saluted. ...His attitude towards Alfred is that of a noble. He has good manners, but he’s not yet skilled at hiding his thoughts. His actions and words are still honest. At least, I can tell he respects Prince Albert. People change when their masters change...

Alfred looked a bit troubled but, understanding the situation, smiled and nodded.

“Got it. Well, my business isn’t complicated or important. Just wait there for a bit.”