Chapter 82

After traveling for a considerable time on the carpet from the capital, we arrived at the Angori Ruins.

"Is this the Angori Ruins?"

"It's more solid than I imagined."

From the plain, a desert area was clearly demarcated as if by a boundary line. There, a building like a pyramid, constructed with large stones, stood. The apex was not triangular but a square box with a hole that seemed to be an entrance.

Is that where we go in?

Around it, several buildings with round pillars and roofs stood, a place that wouldn't seem out of place if it were said to be man-made. Could this have been made by humans? It really looks like a typical ruin...

"Well, let's call Sisha and the others first."

"I hope nothing happens..."

I immediately took out the beacon to call Sisha and the others. Since we are quite far from the capital, I had already set up a relay beacon on the way, so there shouldn't be any problem. However, I can't just call them suddenly, so I need to contact them via the transceiver first.

"Yes, it's Sisha."

"Hey, it's me. Haven't you done anything to Luna?"

"No matter how many times, I don't cause problems every time! Anyway, do you need something from me?"

"I'm about to do a B-rank promotion request, and I want Sisha and Luna to come. I can call you with the beacon, so come quickly."

I called Sisha's transceiver on my smartphone, and she immediately responded. I was relieved... I was worried what I would do if she had messed with Luna and she was down.

"I'm done with my current task, so it's fine. However, Luna is still resting, so I'll wake her up now. It might take some time, so please let me know when you're ready, and I'll contact you."

"Got it. No rush."

Even if it takes some time, it shouldn't be too long. I feel a bit bad for the sudden request, but it's for the gacha, so it can't be helped.

"Sisha, is everything okay?"

"Yeah, she seems to be doing housework normally."

"Maybe she's finally learned her lesson after being bitten so many times."

Noll and Estelle, who were worried, asked me after the call. It's understandable to be worried after seeing her usual behavior, but this time she was just doing housework. Maybe it's time to reassess her. If this is the case, it should be fine to leave her with Luna in the future.

About 30 minutes later.

"It's so hot... Are they late?"

"Ugh... It's been quite a while..."

"That's a long time just to change clothes..."

"Should we move to the plain?"

Since we can't enter the ruins, we waited in a position where we wouldn't be attacked by the surrounding monsters. The desert area was unusually hot, and the three of us drank water from our canteens while waiting for a response. I thought they would come soon, but there was no contact. What are they doing?

Since it was taking so long, I suggested moving to the plain when my smartphone vibrated. It seems the contact finally came.

"Oh, it's finally here."

"...Hachiro. Sorry, I'm late."

"Hey, it's Luna. What about Sisha?"

The notification on my smartphone was from Sisha's transceiver, but Luna answered. Why is it Luna?

"...I messed up. But the preparations are ready, so please move us."

After a slight pause, Luna said she messed up, just that. Even though it was just her voice, she sounded apologetic. What does "messed up" mean? Did something happen to Sisha?

I'm worried, but since the preparations are ready, it's faster to call them. I immediately displayed the beacon operation screen on my smartphone and moved Luna and Sisha to our location.

"Oh, oh... Oogura-san..."

Using multiple beacons as relays, I moved Sisha and the others to our location. In front of us, Luna appeared, carrying Sisha on her shoulder. What... What happened? She was fine when we talked on the phone, what happened?

"Why did it come to this..."

"She's not rolling her eyes yet."

"Did you do something extra when you woke her up?"

We laid Sisha on a mat, and she was pale and convulsing. This is a common symptom after being bitten by Luna. She can talk a bit without rolling her eyes, so it seems to be a bit milder than usual, but she can't move on her own.

"No, Sisha woke up normally. But I bit her."

"Why did you do that?"

"It's a habit, biting Sisha."

When Estelle asked Luna, it seems Sisha woke up normally, but she bit her. When asked why, she shockingly replied that it's a habit.

We were speechless and looked at each other. Luna, who seemed to realize it was wrong, bowed her head apologetically. Anyway, I need to give her the all-purpose medicine to help Sisha recover.

"Sisha, are you okay?"

"Yes..."

"Sisha, I'm really sorry."

I took out the all-purpose medicine from my smartphone and put it in Sisha's mouth. Her complexion quickly improved, and she returned to her usual state. Luna immediately bowed and apologized to the recovered Sisha.

Hmm, even though she dislikes it, she apologizes when she realizes it's her fault. I think it's understandable that biting Sisha has become a habit for her. Still, her willingness to apologize without making excuses is something I should learn from.

"Alright, that's enough! I'd rather be bitten more... hehe."

"Ugh, ugh..."

Sisha hugged and stroked Luna, who looked very happy. Luna, who was hugged, pressed her cheek against Sisha's chest and made a pained sound, staying still. She can't get angry, so she's enduring it... As a man, I'm a bit envious of being hugged by Sisha.

"Luna, is it okay with the sun out?"

"Ugh, no problem. Rather, please help me get out of this."

Since the sun was still out, I asked about Luna's condition, and it seemed to be fine. However, being hugged by Sisha was more painful, so I helped separate them.

"Ah... So, what's the request this time?"

"This time, it's a survey request for these Angori Ruins."

"Hmm, a gacha. I haven't experienced it yet, so I'm interested."

"Exploring ruins is a bit exciting."

Luna showed interest in the step-up gacha, and Sisha was excited about the ruins. I also find exploring such places adventurous and a bit fun, but I can't afford to spend too much time.

"I really want to explore thoroughly, but we also have the gacha. So, I want to clear this ruin as quickly as possible."

"Since it's originally a C-rank suitable place, it feels like overkill."

"With Luna here, it should be quick."

This is a B-rank request, so it feels a bit unfair to rely on Luna, who isn't an adventurer. However, I want to use her power to clear this ruin quickly and surely.

By the way, Sisha is still F-rank, so even if we complete this request, she won't become B-rank. However, if we complete this request successfully, Wijji said she would consider it when Sisha becomes C-rank, so it shouldn't be a problem.

"First, let's check the monsters around the ruins."

"There are lizards and birds."

"Where are the Sandworms?"

We started walking towards the most prominent pyramid-like building. Looking around, there were only yellow-brown lizards about 1 meter in size and giant eagles perched on rocks.

Those are C-rank monsters, not our target. Our goal is the B-rank Sandworm. However, I can't see any around...

While thinking about this, the sand under our feet suddenly started to shake, and a mound of sand began to rise and move towards us.

"Watch out! They're coming from below!"

The mound of sand suddenly rose, and a monster emerged from the sand. It had a huge worm-like body covered in yellow-brown skin, with many long, thin legs on its torso. Its round mouth was filled with countless fangs, and being swallowed and impaled would be fatal. It was smaller than Behemoth but large enough to swallow a person.

This is the Sandworm... As expected of a B-rank monster, it's quite intimidating. But we've already hunted many B-rank monsters. We should be able to take it down easily.

The Sandworm opened its large mouth as if to threaten us, and I readied my bar, entering a battle stance. I can't afford to be swallowed, so I need to stay focused.

However, just then, a huge rock flew from behind me and was forced into the Sandworm's mouth. The Sandworm writhed in pain, trying to spit out the rock, but before it could, the rock exploded, and its head was blown to pieces. The headless body convulsed for a moment and then disintegrated into particles of light, leaving behind its large fangs.

"Opening its mouth to threaten us, it's like an invitation to attack."

"Mmm, no time to attack."

"...With a large body, it's a perfect target for Estelle."

"Even one hit...?"

Estelle had already taken out her grimoire and readied her staff. Only Estelle can do something like this. Luna also had her spear ready, but she looked a bit disappointed at being beaten to the punch.

To take down a strong monster without even checking the status... I thought it was a strong monster, but it was over so quickly...

"Let's deal with the Sandworms around the ruins and then go in."

"But waiting for them to come out is a hassle."

"Leave it to me. Hey!"

The pyramid-like building was still a distance away. Many Sandworms should appear along the way. Stopping each time would indeed be a hassle.

When Noll mentioned this, Estelle said she would handle it and thrust her staff into the sand. The ground began to shake violently, and the sand rippled like waves.

"Look, they all came out at once. Hehe, how do you like it, big brother?"

"Hey... Well done."

The ground shook, and Sandworms emerged from all directions, lying on the ground like stranded fish, convulsing. ...Did she create shockwaves in the ground to attack the Sandworms? Estelle is really amazing...

Estelle approached me with a smile, as if asking for praise. Even though it was different from what I expected, I praised her, and we dealt with the stranded Sandworms as we headed towards the pyramid-like structure.