Chapter 116 (2/2)

We have already confirmed its presence in the elven village.

”It's hard to believe that they're elves like Alusha-san.”

”Jumm, not at all! It's not fair to compare Alusha-san to these elves. Besides, both Kaede and Alusha-san have respect for the Lord.”

”Really?”

I agree with Kaede.

I can't imagine Alusha talking the same way as these guys... Although I think she did when we first met, but then she changed.

Or am I wrong?

Well, no time to think about it, there's a lot of work to do.

”Kaede, do you see anything suspicious nearby?”

”...No. There doesn't seem to be anything in the vicinity that's causing this.”

”It's possible it's hidden. Frau, is there anything we can detect?”

”No. At least it's not hiding in this area. I'll check again from above.”

Frau flies directly overhead, further extending her range of visibility.

”Icefall!”

Snowflake-inducing magic dyes the ground pure white.

The feet of the approaching villagers are now covered in ice and cannot move.

This will buy us some time.

As expected of Kaede, she can always be counted on.

”There's a lake over there! Judging by the density of the fog, I'd say that's where it's coming from.”

”That means there's something that's creating this crazy fog. Shall we go to the lake then?”

”Yes.”

Kaede and I decided to head to the lake following Frau's guidance.

”What do you think, are there any suspicious creatures?”

I noticed a large reaction in the center of the lake. It appears to be an aquatic creature called a Mistmaker. According to my appraisal, it creates a hypnotic fog and manipulates living creatures.”

”It's a monster I've never heard of - is it reasonable to think of it as an endemic species living on the mainland? Anyway, the cause has been found. Sharkboy, are you ready?”.

”Glup!”

I activated Mega Boost in case it was even more dangerous than I think.

Sharkboy headed towards the monster at breakneck speed while raising a column of water.

I couldn't see the fight due to the thick fog.

I only managed to see the red light emitting from Sharkboy. Besides that, I could hear the roars of the monster and SharkBoy.

The thick fog starts to fade.

Maybe it's over?

”What is that thing coming towards us?”

As Frau said, there is a large mass floating on the surface of the lake, coming towards us.

But it's not swimming, it's more it's like drifting.

It came to the water's edge with the current.

The Mistmaker... It looked completely like an octopus.

It was about ten meters long, with a slimy body surface and a dark blue color.

On its head, there were innumerable holes that looked like exit wounds.

It looked like it had been mauled by a shark, and there were many burned holes on it. Also, its lungs seemed to have stopped completely.

”Glup glup!”

Sharkboy came out of the water.

I patted him on the head, and he began to shake his body with glee.

”I guess now the villagers here should be back to normal.”

”Wow, I never imagined there would be monsters like that around here. Frau isn't very good with octopi or animals with soft bodies.”

Kaede smiled as Frau poked the monster with a branch.

”Thank you for your help!”

”I'm sorry I couldn't save everyone.”

”Don't be sorry for that. Without you, the adventurer would have killed us all.”

The village chief shook my hand in gratitude.

The survivors present also nodded at his words.

More than thirty residents were killed by Zig and his companions.

It's a shame to think that I could have saved them had I arrived earlier.

”Thank you for saving me, Onii-chan.”

”I'm glad you're okay.”

The girl's smile seemed to save me a little.

The Wise Sword of the Sacred Forest.

If I ever get the chance to see you again, I'll punch you in the face.

I don't care if you are a hero of this country.

I will never approve of your way of doing things.