I teleported to the Nochiruku Highlands Mountain Range.
Leaving Mariu and his subordinates at the hideout, I stepped outside, and it was already night.
Nina Starlights (without Anju) was making good progress hunting while I provided Light Magic support.
“Alright, that group of Golems has formed a line in the valley, Deles!”
“Yes, let’s charge in!”
“Understood!”
“You’re coming too? That’s encouraging.”
Immensely muscular and fluffy, the White Frontbeard stepped out ahead of Nina.
That’s a long name. I should think of a nickname for it later since it’s a race name.
(Before Anju gives it a tricky name!)
“Um, well, to all you Bards, please keep up properly, all three of you. Especially you, Otuha, who’s wearing the Fairy Ring, don’t stray too far.”
“Yes, Master!”
“Kaumi, you don’t have time to be daydreaming either!”
“…Naturally.”
I also considered saying something to Dapena, but then Nina leaped forward!
Seriously, being able to fly is so convenient. The Whitebeard (temporary nickname) floated and flew alongside us.
“Alright, my first strike… Hmph!”
With a flash of my sword from Nina’s chest, I hit the nearest Golem from a distance, causing it to crack.
It finally shattered into pieces after the second, third, and fourth blows.
“Deles, we’ll finish them off. Baird, you understand!”
“Understood!!”
“Then, with timely cracks, I’ll attack the other Golems!”
We continued like this, chatting along the way.
(Seriously, even I’m surprised at how composed I am.)
Nina would tell me if the situation was truly dire.
“Speaking of which, it’s a bit of a late question, but…”
“What is it?”
“What happened with that thing?”
“What thing?”
“There was another Fairy Ring, right? The one belonging to Badolin.”
The fairy inside, what was its name again?
Ah, right, the ‘Jewely Pixie.’
It was wearing that around its torso, or rather, *in* it was the ‘Fairy Ring.’
“About that, if it’s removed, the fairy, Badolin, will die.”
“Whaaat? Were they fused?”
“More or less. So, it’s usually a choice between the two.”
Should we take the valuable monster, the fairy Badolin, or acquire the Fairy Ring by killing it…
No, no, the method to get both popped into my mind first!
“If we can get inside the Great Tree, right?”
“Exactly. If we make it the dungeon’s boss, both Badolin and the ring will effectively be obtained.”
“The downside is that we won’t be able to sell Badolin, or the Jewely Pixie itself…”
We don’t plan on selling it or keeping it for a monster museum ourselves.
Although having more money is never a bad thing, we aren’t in dire need. The profits from regularly auctioned items are more than enough.
(Whoa, the Whitebeard is sending a Golem flying with a slap!)
The Golem shattered against a nearby rock.
Despite being fluffy, it has incredible strength. Truly muscular.
Nina nodded and called out.
“Whitebeard, keep it up!”
“Understood!”
…Does it actually understand what I’m saying?
If it says something wrong, should I correct it and train it?
That reminds me, I have another question for Nina.
(Of course, while defeating the Golems!)
More accurately, while cracking them.
“Also, I’ve had a vague doubt about this for a while.”
“What is it? About the night?”
“No, I don’t have any doubts about that now.”
“Like wanting to come to me more, or wanting me to come to you more?”
“…Aren’t you the one thinking that, Nina?”
Whoa, I was hugged tightly!
“Well, you probably want to be fair to everyone, but I am the main wife.”
“Yes, if there’s ever a need to consider the order, it will undoubtedly be Nina first.”
“Then it is settled. Haaah!!”
Whoa.
She defeated seven in one slash.
The Berserk Sword is truly amazing.
(The chipped part from before is fixed. Was that Mariu’s work?)
No, that’s not it.
My other question was…!!
“It’s a bit late, but regarding Korome, we collected the Elixirs, didn’t we? Didn’t she have a Fairy Ring, or something similar?”
“Ah, apparently it was returned to the victim.”
“Ah, you stole it?”
“It seems so.”
I’m done with this part of the story.
“I understand. I’m sorry for pushing all these conversation topics onto you, Nina.”
But something else is being pressed against my back right now!!
“You’re the Leader, so it can’t be helped. Besides, it was a condition for acquiring Deles.”
“Um, I also talked with Clarice…”
“Last night? It seems you had a good time.”
“W-well, that’s not it!”
(I just thought, maybe Nina, Clarice, and I could all three of us go sometime soon.)
“Then what is it you wanted to talk about?”
“Ah, yes. When I met Ric, I promised I’d deal with things properly myself.”
“We’d prefer you do that after everything is over. All what?”
Nina turned around.
Helen and her Succubus, Nastasia, and others were surrounding the three Bards.
(Clarice and Nataira are likely at the back.)
She immediately turned forward again and unleashed a barrage of ranged attacks.
“Everyone gets one shot at Ric, you know.”
“Um, Nina, Clarice, and Anju will be with a stick, and then Helen, ah, Nastasia, Nataira…”
Ric’s head might fly off.
“Let’s maintain a proper distance between each strike.”
“No, no, it can’t be a discussion first…”
“You will listen, without Deles. But I’ll go first.”
Will that lead to a discussion? I wonder.
As I was thinking this, my Light Magic strike illuminated an unexpected place.
“Deles, what is this… a lake… and a cave?”
“Yes, a cave floating on a lake. And there’s water right after entering.”
“…Golems are spawning from there.”
“They’re called Water Giant Golems.”
Water-attribute Golems, huh?
“Since we’re here, let’s go in.”
“Ehh? Here?!”
We do have the ‘Bubble Shell,’ an item that allows us to breathe underwater for thirty minutes.
“For now, let’s keep hunting until the others catch up.”
“Understood.”
“Understood!!”
Now then,
What awaits us beyond the underwater cave?
