Chapter 97

The purpose of going to the Munalong Canyon, Ricardo told Tania and the others, was to obtain the catalyst from the Shadow Chaser Lizard. Tania and the others seemed to think that they were going to investigate the catalyst taken from a rare magical beast and write a paper about it.

Ricardo and the others headed for the Apra territory by carriage. They would go to the capital of the Apra territory, Brel, via Lurices, and from there, start walking towards Fedor Village, which was near the Munalong Canyon.

The Apra territory was a land adjacent to the eastern side of the magical realm of Crebres, tasked with stopping magical beasts from trying to come out of the magical realm. Therefore, many elite soldiers were under the command of the Duke of Apra, and the royal family also considered it one of the noble families that should be valued.

The road to Fedor Village was a narrow, unmaintained path off the main road, with small stones scattered around, making it difficult to walk. They headed west on this road.

"Monta, what are you doing? Are you sleeping in the bag?"

"The carriage is boring. So, I'm flying outside."

The carriage journey seemed to be boring for Monta. Monta, who had come out of the bag, climbed a nearby tree and looked around to see if there were any delicious fruits.

Ricardo and the others started walking. Monta, while searching for fruits, began to fly from tree to tree along the road, looking graceful in the air.

"The Apra territory has more forests than I thought," Patrick said, looking around. Monta glided over and landed on Ricardo's shoulder. Ricardo was used to it, but the first time Monta landed, he almost fell over.

"What's wrong, Monta?"

"Trill, coming."

Monta pointed to the forest on the right. Ricardo and the others drew their magic wands. The bushes rustled, and four Trill, magical trees, appeared from behind them.

Greta's eyes widened as she looked at the Trill. Ricardo instructed Greta to draw the wind magic gun he had lent her.

"But, but, will it be okay?"

Greta, who had no combat experience, held the magic gun uneasily. Although they had practiced shooting when he lent it to her, her accuracy was not very good.

"Greta, just aim. Don't pull the trigger, and practice aiming at the Trill's vital points."

Observing Greta, who was afraid of the magical beasts, Ricardo judged that she needed time to get used to them.

The two guards, Raggi and Rondi, assigned to Greta by Alphio, were holding short spears on either side of her, as if they were there solely to protect her. By the way, the middle-aged soldier with connected eyebrows was Rondi, and the stocky young soldier was Raggi.

When Tania tried to take out the catalyst, Ricardo stopped her.

"We don't need magic to defeat the Trill."

"What? How do we defeat them?"

"We use the magic gun and the magic wand."

Patrick tilted his head.

"Even if we attack the Trill's vital points with the magic gun, we can't kill them."

The vital point of the Trill, the tree liver, is protected by a hard knot. The knot of the Trill is as hard as a rock, and the shock wave from the magic gun cannot create a crack.

"Try shooting the knot of the tree liver."

Tania and Patrick aimed at the knot of the approaching Trill's tree liver. The Trill, which had been swaying its lightning whips, stopped moving and let them hang down after receiving the shock wave to its vital point.

However, it only stopped moving for about three seconds.

"Did you see? When the Trill receives a shock wave to its vital point, it stops moving for a moment."

"I understand, but you're saying to hit it with the magic wand during that moment, right?"

Tania and Patrick started to defeat the Trill using the method Ricardo had instructed. Patrick, who had more combat experience, stepped in without hesitation and delivered a shock wave from the magic wand. Tania, although her movements were still lacking in strength, steadily defeated the Trill. The last one was defeated when Tania shot a shock wave from the magic gun, and as it stopped moving, she thrust the magic wand, infused with magic, into the knot of the tree liver.

The knot of the tree liver burst, and tree liver oil flowed out.

"Great job. Both of you have got the hang of it."

"Thanks to Ricardo."

"We're in the same wobbly school, so you need to get stronger."

Ricardo began to feel the need for companions to help with the preparations for the Serrato prophecy, as it was impossible for him to do everything alone.

There was also the option of leaving the preparations for the Serrato prophecy to the crown prince, who had returned to the capital, but the crown prince's position was delicate. The king's condition was not good, and the crown prince was currently handling the government in his place. If the king recovers, it is highly likely that the crown prince will be sent back to the Yogul territory.

Leaving everything to the crown prince was considered high-risk by Ricardo. He planned to proceed with the possible measures for the capital's residents.

"Everyone, that's amazing!"

Greta exclaimed excitedly. Tania smiled.

"You can do this too, Greta."

"Really? That would be great."

They were attacked by Trill and Horn Wolves several times after that. Each time, Ricardo and the others fought them off. Greta learned from Ricardo and the others' combat style and began to get used to the existence of magical beasts.

"The sun is starting to set. Should we prepare for camping?"

"Yes... How about under that big tree over there?"

There was a suitable grassy area for camping around a large tree that resembled an oak.

The two guards looked troubled. Rondi spoke up.

"We were told that camping preparations were unnecessary."

"Yes, we have everything we need."

Raggi and Rondi looked at Ricardo. They had seen him using a storage amethyst, a magical tool that had recently become popular but was expensive and had a limited storage capacity.

"Is it in the storage amethyst?"

"No, the camping equipment is in this."

Ricardo took a metal cylinder from his pocket. This metal cylinder contained three storage aquamarines: one regular, one refrigerated, and one frozen. However, the refrigerated storage aquamarine was a failed prototype with only about 20% of the capacity of the one used at the Unius restaurant, but it was sufficient for personal use.

Ricardo took out a container house from the storage aquamarine and placed it under the large tree.

"What is this?"

Raggi and Rondi were surprised. Greta, who had also been surprised the first time she saw it, found it amusing to see the guards' reactions. Greta had a unique experience with this unusual camping.

The next day, Ricardo and the others set off early in the morning and arrived at Fedor Village just before evening. The village chief, who had received orders from the Duke of Apra, welcomed them. They were treated to a warm reception at the village chief's house and set off early the next morning with the village chief as their guide. Ricardo had noticed that the village chief seemed nervous since the previous day, perhaps because Greta, the daughter of the Duke of Boniperti, was with them.

"The entrance to the Munalong Canyon is this way."

The village chief led them to a cave about thirty minutes south of the village. The cave was large enough for two people to walk side by side and sloped downward. The village chief lit a torch and entered the cave, followed by Ricardo and the others.

After about ten minutes of walking, they reached a fork in the cave.

"Which way to the eastern valley?"

The village chief wiped the sweat from his forehead and chose the middle path, starting to walk.

The light began to appear at the end of the cave. Ricardo and the others quickened their pace and reached the cave's exit.

"Wow! What a beautiful view!"

Greta exclaimed in awe at the scene before her. The cave's exit was about twenty meters up a cliff from the bottom of the valley, and from there, the valley stretched east and west.

A river flowed at the bottom of the valley, and a forest extended along the river for tens of kilometers.

"Is this the Munalong Canyon? It's a beautiful valley. It's hard to believe that magical beasts live here."

Ricardo and the others gazed at the valley, burning it into their memory.

"How do we get down from here?"

In response to Patrick's question, the village chief began to explain hurriedly. According to the village chief, they had brought a rope ladder. He took the rope ladder out of his backpack, tied one end to a rock near the exit, and let it hang down.

"I see, we'll use this to get down."

They made an agreement with the village chief to pick them up in three days at noon and started to descend the rope ladder.

After everyone except the village chief had descended, he pulled up the rope ladder and disappeared.

"Pulling up the rope ladder feels like our escape route is blocked, and it's an unpleasant feeling."

Tania said, looking up at the cave, their return path.

"It's okay. The crown prince negotiated with them, so they won't betray us."

"True. Let's focus on finding the Shadow Chaser Lizard."

"They often climb trees near the water. Let's head to the river."

Ricardo was a bit excited. The thought of finding a new catalyst made his heart race.

The valley bottom was a gentle slope, and as they approached the river, the trees grew taller. Monta, perched on Ricardo's shoulder, was on alert, twitching his ears.

"Look over there, black rabbit."

The "black rabbit" Monta referred to was a headbutt rabbit.

Ricardo was considering letting Greta perform the "Benefit Selection" soon. The headbutt rabbit would be a good opponent for her.

"Greta, let's have a real battle with the headbutt rabbit."

Greta's face turned pale, and she swallowed hard.

"R, real battle?"

Ricardo made Greta aim the wind magic gun at the headbutt rabbit. Her hand holding the magic gun trembled as she aimed at the rabbit.

"Aim carefully at the head... and pull the trigger slowly."

Greta, eyes wide open, pulled the trigger. The rabbit, hit by the shock wave, fell over. At that moment, Greta dropped the magic gun.

A voice, known as the voice of a god in her mind, was resonating. Ricardo had her choose the fifth "Magic Power Enhancement." It was a necessary benefit for becoming a magician.

"Now I'm the same as you, Master Ricardo."

Greta said happily. Ricardo had a complicated expression.

"...Yes."

It hurt to lie to someone who trusted him completely. He hoped he could tell her the truth someday.

When they reached the river, Monta gave a warning.

"Rica, there's a big one."

Monta's sharp hearing had detected the sound of a large magical beast approaching. Ricardo readied his magic wand and put his left hand into the catalyst pouch where the catalysts were stored.

A Bicorn Armored Bear emerged from the bushes near the river. It had two short horns on its forehead and was about three meters long.

"Whoa!""G, Greta-sama, get back."

The guards readied their short spears, but they looked unreliable compared to the Bicorn Armored Bear's massive body. Greta, feeling the same way, stiffened and couldn't move a step.

Tania and Patrick were momentarily stunned by the sight of the Bicorn Armored Bear, and their preparation for magic was delayed. On the other hand, Ricardo, with his experience of defeating powerful magical beasts, was able to calmly face the situation. He quickly selected the "Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet" catalyst, released magic, and began to chant the spell.

"Amril Galshamuz Hyrebag Zaldakishur"

The Bicorn Armored Bear, having spotted Ricardo and the others, started to run. The approaching giant bear was still incredibly intimidating. Ricardo's Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet hit the bear's face in a counter-like manner. The sound of flesh and bone being torn apart was heard, and the Bicorn Armored Bear's face was shredded, causing its massive body to fall to the ground.

It was difficult to defeat a magical beast as powerful as the Bicorn Armored Bear with a single intermediate magic. This time, it was possible due to the optimal timing, point of impact, and angle.

Raggi and Rondi, standing next to Greta, stared at the dead Bicorn Armored Bear in shock.

Tania, looking at the dead Bicorn Armored Bear, said,

"Hey, is this really the eastern valley?"

She had heard that the eastern valley was home to relatively weak magical beasts like the Trill and Horn Wolves, but it seemed different.

"I think so, since the village chief led us here. The information might be outdated."

Tania looked unconvinced.

"What do you mean?"

"The last survey was seven years ago. The ecosystem might have changed during that time."

Tania considered the possibility, but she still thought the Bicorn Armored Bear was too much of a change.

They skinned the Bicorn Armored Bear, removing the horns, fangs, and fur that would serve as catalysts. They discarded the internal organs, which were filled with undigested food. She had heard that the stomach could be eaten, but proper processing was required, so they gave up.

The internal organs were stored in the refrigerated storage aquamarine, and the remaining meat in the frozen storage aquamarine.

Ricardo and the others searched for the Shadow Chaser Lizard. Using magic detection to search for magic, they found a similar reaction upstream of the river. This magical beast was a black lizard about 150 centimeters long, known for its sharp claws and tree-climbing ability.

Monta, perched on Ricardo's shoulder, tapped his cheek with his small front paws. When Ricardo paid attention to Monta, he pointed to a nearby tree with his cute finger.

A large black lizard was clinging to the tree trunk. Ricardo signaled that he had found the prey.

Raggi, standing next to Greta with his spear ready, saw the black lizard.

"Oh!"

The small sound alerted the Shadow Chaser Lizard, which began to spew a black mist from its mouth.

Ricardo and the others readied their magic wands and began to prepare their magic, but the Shadow Chaser Lizard disappeared before they could finish. Patrick activated the "Storm Fang Array" and released a dozen wind blades at the spot where the black lizard had been clinging.

The wind blades damaged the tree trunk and branches but missed the Shadow Chaser Lizard.

"Where did it go?"

"It didn't seem to move quickly and disappear."

Ricardo described what he saw, and Tania and Patrick nodded in agreement.

"That black mist is the problem."

"Right. It might be a unique magic of that magical beast."

Greta, who had been listening, tilted her head.

"Magic?"

Tania explained about magic.

"I didn't know. So, the magic-like abilities that magical beasts use are called magic."

"Monta, can you find where that lizard is?"

The cute intelligent beast listened carefully and twitched his nose. However, he couldn't find the location of the Shadow Chaser Lizard.

"It's gone. No smell."

It seemed that the smell disappeared at the same time it vanished, indicating that it didn't just camouflage or turn invisible.