Chapter 148: Battle in the Marshlands

Leave a Comment / Spirits' paradise and ideal life in another world / By IX

Yesterday, I had dinner together with Marie-san and she also gave me information about delicious monsters to encounter in the marshlands. It’s encouraging for Sara and the others’ training.

“Well then, I don’t think I’ll be back for a few days. See you later.”

“Please take care and have a safe journey.”

After bidding farewell to Sebas-san, I set off into the labyrinth. Sebas-san came to see me off, even though the sun had just risen… I feel somewhat sorry.

It’s been a while since we entered the labyrinth, and Bell and the others seem a little too excited. Although it’s Sara and the others’ training, it seems like it would be better to give Bell and the others some opportunities to shine as well.

Speaking of which, yesterday, after finishing our meal and returning to our rooms, Bell and the others were excited about trying new dishes and ingredients for the first time. They happily exclaimed, “I love this!” while holding up their treats. I also thought the Giant Deer was delicious, but it seems to have suited Bell and the others’ taste buds as well.

…They don’t seem to be calming down anytime soon. Bell and the others are flying around with laughter. They’re adorable, but I have a feeling that today will be challenging. Since Marie-san wanted some ingredients, I’ll have them do their best to gather materials. If they’re going to defeat their favorite Giant Deer, they’ll be motivated for exploration as well.

Dyne and Dolly returned to managing the Spring House, but it might have been better to have their help until Bell and the others settle down.

At the entrance of the labyrinth, I showed my guild card to the soldiers and entered. It seems like they know who I am, as they looked at me with curiosity. I find it troublesome when people try to strike up conversations, so I bowed politely and swiftly entered.

“Master, may we take the lead?”

“Hmm? Well, let’s see. You won’t be able to handle the lower-level monsters, so it would be more efficient to move quickly up to the 26th floor. Let Bell and the others accompany us.”

“Understood.” “Got it.” “We’ll do our best.”

Kikka has more stamina than Mel, so I think she’ll be fine, but it’s true that she has the least stamina among them, so I should keep an eye on her.

“Alright, in that case, Bell and the others, guide us through while dismantling traps and taking the shortest route. If there are other adventurers, I’ll handle the monsters, but if there aren’t, you can take them down. And Silphy, please assist us when it’s dangerous.”

Bell and the others raise their hands high in the air and make their declaration. Yes, everyone seems lively. I hope they can calm down a bit during this journey. Silphy also nods lightly, so there shouldn’t be any issues.

“Well then, let’s depart!”

With a cheer, Bell and Rain take the lead. Turu seems to be in charge of the nearby area. Tamamo can’t fight in caves yet, so she’ll take a rest. Following them, we quickly advance through the cave. We’ve leveled up quite a bit, so if we take the shortest route, we should arrive by evening.

———–

Surprisingly, we arrived at the marshlands faster than expected. Leveling up is amazing, isn’t it?

“Well, we still have some time. Should we take a break and have a light battle with monsters? If you’re tired from the journey, we can rest today, but which option do you prefer?”

I ask Sara and the others while taking the first break after entering the labyrinth. Bell and the others are full of energy, so they should be fine. They’ve been kicking away monsters and pushing forward, so I thought they would have calmed down a bit, but they’re still maintaining their high spirits.

I considered building a new house, but I don’t feel like doing it in the marshlands. Let’s wait until we return to the land of death to build a new house.

“I’m fine with either, but what about?”

“I’m fine too. How about you, Kikka?”

Sara and Marco are also worried about Kikka. Although they’re at an age where they should be the ones being worried about, it can’t be helped.

“I’m fine as long as I rest! After all, Mame-chan is here!”

Kikka firmly declares, finishing her drink in one gulp. It’s a bit touching to see Kikka, who used to hide behind Marco, now speaking her mind so clearly.

“Alright, if you’re okay with it, let’s rest and have a battle with the monsters.”

“Yes!” “Okay!” “We’ll do our best!”

The three of them respond with determination. It seems there are no issues.

After a proper rest, we pack up the mobile base and move through the marshlands.

“First, let’s target the Marshland Lizard. From now on, you’ll explore and defeat monsters on our own. Do you know the characteristics of the Marshland Lizard?”

“Yes, it’s a large lizard with greenish-gray scales, just like Master’s armor. It’s about the size of a Roughbird and hides in the swamps of the marshlands, launching sudden attacks.”

“Correct! Also, be careful because, as you can guess from the armor, it has very tough skin. Its rank is lower than a Troll, but don’t let your guard down.”

Sara and the others nod firmly, and they start giving instructions to Fukuchan and the others. They’ve been coming up with various strategies, so it goes smoothly.

“Yuta, what about Bell?”

Energetic Bell and the others ask eagerly. But they’ll have to wait a bit.

“You guys will stay around Sara and the others and be on standby. If things get dangerous, help them out. After Sara and the others finish their training, we’ll gather the materials requested by Marie-san, so I’ll count on you then.”

“Got it!” “Kyu-kyu!” “We’ll do our best!” “Kuku!”

They made a momentarily disappointed face during the standby part, but once they realized they have a role to play later, they responded energetically. They’re just excited, right? They haven’t turned into battle maniacs, have they?

With Bell and the others on standby around Sara and the others, I give the signal for them to start their actions.

“Fukuchan, please.” “Mame-chan, find a big lizard.”

Sara and Kikka rely on Fukuchan and Mame-chan for scouting. Uri will be guarding the surroundings. It’s the usual pattern.

Fukuchan returns after spotting their target. Kikka summons Mame-chan and calls her back. It seems there’s a Marshland Lizard where Fukuchan is circling in the sky. Since Sara and the others can only sense the presence of spirits, Fukuchan is giving them a clear sign with her movements.

…Sara and the others might be geniuses. They’ve made the swamp easier to walk on by having Uri pave the way to make it more comfortable. When I was searching for rice in the marshlands… Well, I muttered things like “Leveling up is amazing” while running around, relying on my stamina. Ingenuity… It’s an important word, isn’t it?

Just when I was feeling a bit down, Sara and the others’ movements changed. It seems there’s a Marshland Lizard in the area where Fukuchan is circling. Since Sara and the others can only sense the presence of spirits, Fukuchan is making larger movements to convey the information.

As I observe what they’re doing, Uri, upon Marco’s signal, covers the Marshland Lizard, which was hiding in the marshes, with hardened soil. Then Fukuchan and Mame-chan unleash their magic on it.

After defeating it, I check and realize that they had given instructions to cover everything except the neck. It seems that while it was immobilized, they focused their attacks on the neck. The tough skin couldn’t withstand multiple Wind Blades.

Trolls could easily break free from that level of restraint, but it seems impossible for Marshland Lizards. This monster is nothing more than mere prey now.

Seeing Sara and the others celebrate their successful mission, I can’t help but think their way of fighting is brutal, isn’t it? Safety first is not wrong, and perhaps it’s a result of my teaching approach that they prefer this kind of strategy… but is it really okay like this? Hmm, it’s difficult to say it’s wrong.

“Master, we have successfully exterminated it.”

Sara and the others report happily. I can’t possibly tell these kids that their fighting style is brutal.

“Yeah, you all did well. You ensured safety and it was perfect.”

As I praise them, they hold hands and rejoice happily. They’re such obedient and good kids. I store the Marshland Lizard and head towards our next target, the Poison Toad.

This monster is a frog about the size of a large dog, with poisonous properties, but it doesn’t matter to Sara and the others who can attack with magic from a distance. It ends with a surprise attack.

Hmm, just like with the Marshland Lizard, it might be better to show them how the monsters move and what kind of attack methods they have. It’s not wrong to defeat them without giving them a chance to do anything, but if an unexpected situation arises and we don’t know how the monsters will react, it could be fatal. Starting tomorrow, I should include that aspect in their training as well.

“Next is the Giant Toad. Be careful because it’s big.”

Well, they probably already know since they saw it while we were moving. The Giant Toad is a really grotesque frog about the size of a two-story house.

Its inorganic large eyes and slimy texture… I’m a bit uncomfortable. I think small tree frogs are surprisingly cute, but when they’re this big, the creepiness multiplies.

“Yes, it’s big, but its defense isn’t that high, right?”

“Yeah, its body is slimy, making it difficult for slashing attacks to work, but its defense itself isn’t that strong. However, be careful because it has enough strength to support its massive body.”

Sara and the others review the plan again based on my explanation. I’m excited to see how they will defeat it. The Giant Toad is easy to spot due to its large size. I watch nervously as Sara and the others launch their attack.

Huh? Fukuchan, Uri, and Mame-chan are waiting in front of the Giant Toad’s face and not moving. Sara and the others are also watching closely.

After observing for a while, the moment the Giant Toad opens its mouth, they quickly cast their magic directly into its mouth. The Giant Toad collapses with a rumble. Sara and the others rejoice, praising Fukuchan and the others for following the plan. It’s not wrong, and it’s efficient, but their methods are brutal. I wonder if they remembered that it’s effective to aim for the eyes and mouth from the time they fought the Troll?

“The main monsters that appear in the marshlands seem to be no problem. Starting tomorrow, we’ll focus on hunting the monsters we fought today, so keep that in mind.”

“Yes.” “Understood.” “Okay.”

Feeling a sense of accomplishment, Sara and the others respond cheerfully. It seems there are no issues. Now… it’s time for Bell and the others to shine, and the spirits are itching for action.

Bell and the others fly around the field happily, targeting and hunting monsters. They were delighted when they discovered the Giant Deer they liked so much. It should be a rare monster, but maybe their appetites surpassed their material desires.

The Giant deer, as its name suggests, is a large deer-like monster with huge antlers. Turu secures its legs with soil as if not letting it escape, and Bell lowers its head to finish it off.

We defeated it quickly, so I don’t know what kind of attacks it can do. I’ll have a chance to fight it next time I encounter one. I want to fight against various types of monsters as much as possible.