157 Episode 157: "A Secret Battle between Nagi and the Saint and an Unfinished Gift".txt (2/2)

Little Delilah-san is in a state of shock.

Did I come out of nowhere? Let's take it a step further.

”To tell you the truth, we were just recently involved in a kidnapping...

I began to explain to Delilira.

That me, Leticia, and (though not present here) Cutlass were kidnapped by a mysterious girl.

That the culprit girl had been selling suspicious items and errand boys to the nobles. That a royal princess was behind it. He defeated the culprit, but as a deterrent against that kind of thing, he came up with something called the ”Heavenly Dragon's Blessing”.

Specifically, I pretended that the Tenryu were watching over the port city of Ilgafa, the winged city of Sharka, and the resort town of Mishurira, and spread rumors that if you tried to attack those towns, you would be punished──. As proof of this, he used the fact that a celestial dragon defeated Hydra in the resort area.

”So, when you were defeating Hydra, it looked like Delilirah-san called out the celestial dragon - the head of the celestial dragon, to be precise - right?　So I thought I'd let the story go through. Because when someone comes in here, they'll be surprised if the story comes out of nowhere.

”...... It's quite a fun thing to think about.

Delilira-san, dressed in a small golem, chuckled.

''The point is to stop the nobles from running amok by creating a 'Tenryu (temporary)' (kakkokari) in people's minds. Good idea. Delilira-san, I like that kind of thing.''

Yes, sir.

”So you intend to become the mysterious king of the world as the 'Delegate of the Heavenly Dragon'?

No way.

It's no joke.

The king and the brave men don't want it.

''I'd rather run away to a deserted island far away than become one.

I knew it.

Delilira laughed, holding her mouth shut.

'I'm fine with that as long as I can live a peaceful and calm life with everyone. I don't think anyone can understand the 'Heavenly Dragon's Blessing' if they can't understand it. I just want to reduce the probability of my family's place being vandalized as much as possible ...... that's all.

”Uh-huh, I like it, boy.

Delilah nodded.

''Okay. I'll go along with your 'Heavenly Dragon's Blessing' plan.'

Thank you, my saint.

”Well, I suppose when the world is at peace, Delilira won't have as many bad people raiding her labyrinth, okay? So, what exactly do you want me to do?

I hope you're in tune with me, but... yeah.

Come to think of it, Delilira-san said she sometimes goes out with a golem to collect materials.

So that means...

And would you mind gathering some information for me?　I'll just need to gather materials while I'm at it.

Are you going to do this for me?

''Yes. Delilira-san's 'work golem' would allow you to gather information without being seen, right?　I want you to give me a sneak peek at what you heard and saw out there. For example...

I said, my voice a little lowered.

'Like, for example, a story about a conflict that's going on across the forest.

”Okay.

Delilira nodded quietly.

'I got that story.'

But in moderation. We're not gods, kings, or brave men.

'I understand. So, next time I'll ask you to do me a favor, Delilira?

Delilira says, and the golems behind her start to move.

They walk to the back of the cave and come back with two boxes.

''Mm. Open them.''

”Things.

The golems open the boxes under the direction of ”Little Delilira-san”.

In the first box, there is a small mirror.

And in the other box, there was a winged dragon doll.

''That mirror over there is called the 'Reincarnation Destination Virtual Mirror [Leaning Carnation Mirror].

Delilira said.

'When we sleep near it, we can dream of each other. 'What would happen if you were reborn,' he said. It's just a prototype, but we wanted to give you a chance to test it out.

It's what we both want, right?

When Delilira-san was a saint before she died, she made it as a way to find a cure for her troubled patients. I left it unfinished, but now I've made it so I can finish it.

What about this one?

''That's another one of my prototype uses. I was going to use it for Delilira-san to go away, but the design isn't very good, so I'm giving it to you guys.'

...... not designed well?

In the box was a palm-sized dragon.

It was made of stone, but surprisingly light. The figure is what we call a western dragon. It has a long neck and long horns. It has front and back legs, and large wings on its back. There are crystal balls stuck in the places where the eyes are. And there is a hole in his chest. I wonder if they can put in a crystal body of magic power.

No, it's cool enough, right?

It's not pretty, is it?

Little Delilira-san started tapping me on the shoulder with a thump.

I thought to myself, ”Since you're going to use it, you should have more of a cute little ”pa-nyu” or ”fu-nyu”.　It was a mistake to make a dragon. I knew I should have made it into a human form. For example, I'd have to be prettier than all your slaves.

'You can't create a prettier existence than our boys, can you?　Common sense.

What?

What?

Delilira and I stare at each other without a second thought.

Delilira-san, didn't I say something weird?　Is it my imagination?

............

”............

Is ...... Delilira's request related to this?

”......, is that right?

I just don't have enough material to finish it.

You know what I mean. That's what you get for having such a cute little slave army! It's amazing.

Delilira, you're surprised.

Well, there's a hole in the dragon's messenger, so you can see it.

'That's right, I don't have enough materials to finish this. I'll need you guys to help me collect that.

Delilira-san said that and took out a piece of parchment from the golem's hand.

What was written on it was...

Magic Crystal Collection Quest

Please pick up the magic crystal from the Forest of Night Ivy, which is located north of here.

I usually send the Work Golem to it, but recently, goblins have built a nest in that area, and we can't get close to it anymore. But recently, the goblins have built a nest in that area, and we can't get close to it anymore, because the Work Golem doesn't have any fighting power.

Some of the goblins might be advanced species of 'Goblin Lords', so be careful. There's no need to defeat the enemy. The magic crystals are often found at the base of large trees. All you need are 6 of them. They're about the size of a man's palm. They're the power source for the ”Golem” and the ”Reincarnation Virtual Mirror”.

The rewards are the Small Dragon Golem and the Reincarnation Mirror, the Reincarnation Mirror.

Also, let's include Delilira-san's information gathering duties.

It's a forest about two hours' walk north of the main road. It's not easy to find, so be careful.

Is this it?

I pulled out a map and pointed up the street.

'Yeah, yeah, ......, why do you have such a detailed map!

I made it before.

'I made it!　How far off the mark are you guys?

Come to think of it, I never showed Delilira-san the map.

Before the Hydra Incident, the one I distributed to the guild was a simplified map. I kept the detailed version of this one for my party's treasures.

Well, well, I can't help but be surprised by your incompetence after all this time.

Delilira cleared her throat.

Also, they say there is a mysterious blank area deep in the forest. It is rumored that there are the remains of an old temple or ruins there. I don't know the exact location, but be careful because there might be powerful demons there.

Right here?

”Yeah, yeah. A vacant space in the middle of this forest - that's right, a vacant space!

I see.

I've been wondering since Garfe in Wyvern told me about this blank area in the woods.

Is there a temple site or ruins: ....... I think it might be involved in some kind of world secret.

Let's never go near .......

I understand. I'll accept the order for this quest.

”Oh, I see. You're a fast talker.

With that, Delilira-san stepped off my shoulder with a plop.

''By the way, I wonder how your friends are doing. Have you cleared about half of the 'small group labyrinth' by now?　No, I don't think it's possible. It's a pretty high-level labyrinth...''

What kind of labyrinth is this?

It's a labyrinth with low defense, but corridors filled with quick demons and traps for slimy eggs flying around. And I also set up an illusionary ward!

Delilah puffed out her chest.

''I don't think even you guys will be able to capture this one easily. For example, unless you can use the skill to stop a group of enemies from moving, or have the ability to bounce eggs back!　Not many people can break the illusionary wards!''

...... What do I do?

”............ What do I need to do?

Faintly, I heard a voice.

I looked across the passage.

There was a hole in the wall with a note on it that said, 'Labyrinth for Small Group, Exit' very carefully.

And then I saw Rita and Letitia looking at me.

They looked very, very uncomfortable.

'Hmph. I'm sure the people in the bastard party will learn a little something from this. There are some labyrinths where your henchmen skills don't work!

”...... Um, Mr. Delilira.

''But as expected, Delilira-san raised the level of the labyrinth too much this time. I'm sorry about that. That's true. Well, if we can clear the labyrinth within the next hour, we'll just give you a reward without the quest. I'm going to clear the labyrinth with my whole being, Delilira. That's the kind of reward I'm supposed to give you. Well, I don't think it's possible!

”...... thing

”What a golem! I was just...

The 'work golem' pulled Delilira-san's sleeve.

Delilira-san looked to the side.

Rita and Letitia and their eyes met.

Delilira-san got teary-eyed.

I wondered what Delilira-san looked like after that.

How did everyone, including me, Rita and Letitia, and the work golem, comfort her?

For now, I'm going to put that aside.

I felt like I had done something wrong, so - we decided to accept the quest as normal.