After Jian’s explanation, Citie added on to summarize the situation.
* In Lurs Village, the shadows of giant birds are frequently seen, but their bodies are never visible.
* Farm crops often vanish along with the wind, particularly those ripe for harvest.
* Mysterious white feathers drift down, only to disappear as if dissolving into the air.
* When they try to investigate the mountains where the shadows are likely to appear, they inexplicably get lost and can’t enter.
* They tried offering luxurious fruits and alcohol as offerings to an altar, and after it vanished with a female voice saying “Thank you,” the next day was peaceful.
* A mysterious seed planted in the back hills recently sprouted a huge bud, but it’s always wriggling.
* In documents left in the mansion, there was a description of a Taming Monster called the “Eho-maki Fairy.” What is Eho-maki?
* Amari (Female), deceptively, is skilled at the job of crushing grapes barefoot.
* There’s a woman at the brothel who claims to be in her early thirties, but she looks well into her late fifties.
* The cheapest set meal at a nearby cafeteria is the “Bean Sprout Set Meal,” costing only three copper coins.
Setting aside the latter half, Nina and I had a rough idea of what was going on.
“This is it, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s Concealment Magic from a Monster or a Demi-human.”
“In that case, it’s Anju’s turn.”
With Anju, who can use Concealment Release and fly, if she casts the wide-area release magic, whatever is disappearing should reveal itself. For now, as long as we know its true identity and approximate numbers, the request should be considered minimally cleared.
“Good morning! Huh? What’s all the commotion? Ugh!”
The members of Deru Deru Ecstasy, who had woken up late one after another, were given their due punishments in order. I let the first one, Mother, off with a double kick since she was the earliest, but I didn’t hold back on the subsequent ones, tightening their collars.
(These guys are too lax; they need something like this.)
Mother hurriedly went towards everyone’s bedrooms, likely to explain the situation to the Princess Sisters. It’s a pity, but we can’t give special treatment just because they’re young.
“After Anju’s Tournament is over, before we go to the Imperial Capital, we’ll take care of that first.”
“We can probably pinpoint the culprit, or rather, the monster’s nest, but what kind of opponent will it be?”
If it’s as understanding as the Vampire Lady Kyun, that would be good, but their actions are those of thieves. It’s about how we’ll negotiate with them, assuming we can even talk to them.
“Clarice, what do you think?”
“Yes, if it’s a Dragon that can use Concealment Magic, it would have considerable intelligence.”
“Do you have any idea what kind?”
“No, but if it were Demon Lord class…”
If something like that were flitting about, constantly disappearing and reappearing overhead, it would be unbearable.
“Hmm, do you think it’s an opponent we should defeat?”
“No, it’s likely not the Dragon itself using Concealment Magic, but rather a Monster or a Demi-human controlling it.”
“Any ideas?”
“If it’s a Monster, perhaps a high-ranking Harpy. If it’s a Demi-human, perhaps the legendary Angel Race.”
Ah, I’ve read about that in novels and picture books. It’s a race that should have died out long ago.
“If that’s the case, it’s not unnatural that we heard ‘Thank you’.”
“However, Harpies are violent even when they can speak at higher ranks. And if the Angel Race still exists, that would be a historic discovery.”
“When it comes to Monsters, Helen is our expert. What do you think?”
“There’s a possibility it’s neither a Dragon, nor a Harpy, nor the Angel Race.”
In that case, it becomes even more confusing.
“Alright, from here on, it’s up to Anju and when we get there. Let’s forget about it until then.”
Ah, the Princess Sisters, led by Mother, came over timidly.
“Master, these two were just cleaning the floor… Ugh!”
“Don’t lie!”
Ah, Mother, Baraka, is finally having her collar tightened. She was forgiven with just a kick, but now… and the Princess Sisters are trembling.
“Are you leveling up properly?”
“Um, setting aside our levels…”
“We’ve gathered lots of seeds.”
At those words, Camilla, the Temptress who offers seeds, appeared.
“I’ve been gathering them diligently every day!”
“Hmm… The quantity is small.”
“What!”
Yes, considering the number of days and the time elapsed, it’s insufficient. Although new enemies are less likely to spawn now, this doesn’t quite reach a passing grade.
“I’m fighting properly, but somehow everyone else is reluctant to go further.”
“I know that Eldoria hasn’t been completely corrupted by these guys.”
“Thank you very much!”
They seem genuinely earnest, so much so that it’s almost a problem.
“Alright, listen up, Deru Deru Ecstasy! If not a single one of you wins the Tournament, we will take the Dancer Sisters under our care from now on.”
“That’s too unreasonable!”
“Please spare us!”
Still, with Eldoria added, the members have become ten. If we exclude the two Princesses, the members can be fixed at a just right number, especially since there’s a Hero at the core.
“Therefore, do not neglect your training. Go to the Dungeon at once. Eldoria, I’m counting on you!”
“Leave it to me!!”
She proudly pounded her chest. Yes, she’s reliable.
“Don’t exclude the Princesses, please!”
“If it’s Lord Derus, I’ll ‘exclude’ you as much as you want!”
“Exclude me from what?!”
…Is this a moment of stress relief? (Playing dumb)
And so, for now, a direction was decided.
“Amari, I want to look around this city!”
“It’s raining, though?”
But still. Walking underground should be fine.
