The Storm Valley.
The wind howls, tornadoes roar, unsuspecting birds are torn apart and flung into the sky. After leaving the capital of Lizea, we dashed towards our destination, this valley, and arrived a few dozen minutes later.
“It looks like it’s rejecting anyone who approaches,” I muttered.
“This valley was formed by the frequent, intense tornadoes. Since the Wind Dragon King made it his home, his overflowing magic has been converted into wind, causing this chaos,” Ashley explained.
It was strange, considering only moments before we were on a perfectly flat plain. It felt as though the valley had been either artificially created or raised by a natural disaster. However, no matter where I looked in the valley, the wind was raging. I didn’t know if it was intentional, but it was quite something for the Wind Dragon King’s magic alone to cause this. The entrance of the valley was so bad that the headwind could blow a horse away.
“To release wind with enough power to change the terrain is a real nuisance. I need to give him a piece of my mind,” I declared.
“As Master says! It must be corrected!” Efil exclaimed.
“Efil-chan, Kelvin is just picking a fight,” Ange said.
Hahaha, that’s right. Efil generally grants my selfish requests, so I can’t help but rely on her.
“Regardless of the ‘picking a fight’ part, getting his blessing and requesting his cooperation is a done deal. Don’t you want to at least justify yourself a little?” Ange countered.
“And Kelvin-kun will then justify himself,” Ashley added.
“Ouch, that’s harsh…” I winced.
Ange, being the older sister (though younger than me), doesn’t spoil me as much as Efil does. Well, it’s only “less” than Efil, so she’s still pretty sweet. I’m grateful for the support of all my battle-maniac friends.
“Well then, since we’re here, let’s break through the front. Ange, can you pass through?”
“If we take breaks along the way, yes. At your speeds, it shouldn’t be a problem, and we’ll find gaps in the wind within the duration of ‘Unblockable’ and reactivate it to proceed. Here, hold my hands, both of you.”
Ange took the middle, with me and Efil on either side, holding hands. By using Ange’s Unique Skill like this, it didn’t matter how much the gale tried to obstruct us. We could pass through without being affected. If I had to say anything, I was just worried if I’d be carried princess-style again. I have my pride, you know. I certainly didn’t want to appear before the Wind Dragon King in such a state.
“You know, this reminds me of when we were spies!” I said.
“An annihilation, how nostalgic,” Ange replied.
“Um, are you perhaps referring to our date in Pars? It is certainly nostalgic,” Efil asked.
Hm? What is it? Everyone seems to be saying the same thing, yet there’s a subtle disconnect…
“Speaking of which, the discussion with Edward-sama was disappointing. We weren’t able to find out what was being hidden in Lizea, were we?” Ange said.
“Ah, he clearly seemed to know, but… If Sera-san were here, he would have told us voluntarily,” I replied.
“Now, now, no talking about such dangerous things. Ange, you’re no different yourself…”
“Ehehe, perhaps I’ve caught some of Kelvin-kun’s ways,” Ange giggled.
Yes, it seems everyone was quite lenient with me.
Regarding my conversation with Edward, I had directly asked him why Lizea was targeted by Kuromel’s airship. Edward maintained his composure in response to my question. At least, outwardly. However, Ange was with me. He couldn’t hide the turmoil in his heart, and I could see his eyes dart away for a moment. Edward probably realized that he had been seen through. He simply said this:
“You are my benefactor who saved my mother, and a friend to Ronoa and Ashley. I am greatly indebted to you. However, that is merely my personal debt. As one who serves Lizea, this is all I can say. I cannot speak about that matter.”
Edward holds a rather high position in Lizea. He knows why Lizea was targeted. He saw through us, showed us the utmost respect, but he also had his position and responsibilities. Considering those factors, he answered that he couldn’t speak about it, rather than saying he didn’t know.
We didn’t press Edward further. Edward is like Silvia and Emma’s sibling, and I didn’t want to make an enemy of him. Besides, he’s probably not the type to break under duress. Realizing that I wouldn’t get anything out of him at that moment, I quickly gave up on persuading him, completed our greetings, and hurried to this valley.
However, I haven’t completely given up.
“Gerard? I’m sorry to bother you, but could you write a letter to Ellen-san for me? I’ll upload the details to the subordinate network, so please convey them. What? You don’t want to go because the Pink Devil is nearby? That’s not like you, Gerard. I don’t know what’s going on, but that’s probably a trial. Fight on!”
If I can’t get the information, I’ll have Ellen get it out of him. I believe there’s a slight chance he might slip up if it’s a letter from his mother. He might just let something slip, like a complaint. Oh, that’s right. I put Edward’s letter in Kuroto’s storage and had the doppelganger in Gaun deliver it. I’ll have Gerard deliver this as well.
Still, Gerard’s voice trembled more than usual. I wonder what he’s so afraid of? … No, my guess is probably correct nine times out of ten. He did mention “pink.”
“There’s a gap in the wind on the right side. Let’s take a break there,” Efil, who possesses Clairvoyance, said as she predicted the magic power and wind currents to find a safe spot. Since I’m the slowest among us, I was running at full speed even while telepathically communicating with Gerard. When I’m up against the two who are among the fastest in the group, I do worry about how slow I am. It can’t be helped. These two are indeed formidable opponents. I can manage with Wind God’s Kick II, but its duration is insufficient. So, it’s mostly about guts.
“Here we are! I’m releasing the phase shift for a moment, so be careful of your surroundings,” Ange announced.
“Understood,” I replied.
“Acknowledged,” Efil said.
Still, the inside of the valley is even more severe. I thought the wall-like headwind at the entrance was bad, but here, aggressive gales are blowing from all directions – front, back, left, right, up, and down. If this were a game, the wind would probably be set up so that by riding the correct currents, you’d eventually reach the end. However, the wind here acts as if it knows nothing of such conventions, and its sharpness is like a blade. It’s a fully automatic meat grinder that instantly kills you on contact, filling all surroundings. To clear this dungeon through legitimate means would take quite some effort. But I’m in a hurry, so I’m cutting a few corners!
“We’re close,” I said.
“Yes, I feel a strong presence deep inside. But, hmm…?” Ange replied.
Ange made a troubled face as she reactivated her skill.
“You see, I can feel the Dragon King’s presence, but there are also two other, even larger presences besides it.”
“……You’re right. I thought this large presence was the Dragon King, but there’s something else separate from it.”
“I will strengthen my alertness. Let’s proceed cautiously,” I said.
We resumed our advance. However, this presence… where have I felt it before…?
