58 Spider Goddess (2/2)

'Hey, Kroki. What are those people doing here?

Raina says, looking at the tourists.

The tourist is throwing something into the fountain.

'Oh, perhaps that was a wish,'

A wish?

'Yes, they say if you throw money into the fountain, your wish will come true. Do you want to try it?

Saying this, I took out a Tucum coin from my pocket.

Tewkam coin is the coin issued by the Republic of Ariadia. It can be used not only in the Alliance of Ariad, but also in the distant Republic of St. Renaria.

And the Tukam currency unit is also used in other areas.

'Humans are weird, how they get their wishes granted when they throw these things.

Raina looks at the copper coin curiously.

From Raina's point of view, the existence of money would be a mystery.

The gods don't use money. This is because they don't need money.

The gods can easily get most things without money. And the things that the gods want are not something they can put a price on. So they don't need money.

''I think it's interesting to me, though. By the way, if a man and woman throw a gold coin together, they can stay together forever.''

Raina sounds surprised when she says this herself.

'I've never heard of that kind of magic before.

Raina shook her head in disbelief.

'It's not magic, but it's ....... Well ...... what do you mean by that, or so people say, or something like that ......

I don't know how to explain myself. The language gets weird.

'It's getting more and more confusing: ......

Raina doesn't seem to be getting it right.

'Um, ....... I think it's good for me to try to imitate a human. Well, I can't say I'm forcing myself.

I try to put away my coppers. It's not something I have to do. I just miss it.

”Wait, Kroki. I don't understand, but it's worth a try.

Raina popped her hand.

'I see.'

I laugh a little to myself and try to get the copper coins out again. It would be tasteless to do nothing at this point. It's just a matter of time.

You should do it.

'No, Kroki. It's not the coppers you're throwing, it's the gold. You have them, don't you?

What?

I'm surprised myself. Did I not hear the explanation I just gave?

But if you're motivated to do it, why don't you make a difference?

I'll give myself a gold coin, not a copper.

'I'll throw them together, Kroki.

Raina's white hand grasps the hand holding the gold coin.

'What, Raina ......?'

I throw a gold coin with Raina, puzzled by my own confusion.

The gold coins fall like a parabola, right near the fountain in the center of the fountain.

''Huh, it's good to imitate a human.

I can't see Raina's face, but I can tell she's enjoying herself.

I'm relieved to see that.

Honestly, I'm not sure I'm capable of entertaining a woman. So I'm relieved that she smiled at me.

But then again, does Raina have to be my beloved Rage?

It bothered me a bit, but the beautiful woman would be happy to see me. So let's not think about it.

'Well then, Kroki. Where shall we go next?

Yes. ......

I was thinking about where I was going next.

Dark Knight Kroki.

Raina, what's going on with you all of a sudden?

Following the Fountain of Tride, we go to the Port of Ariadia after seeing the Ariadia Senate Building.

The Port of Ariadia is home to a huge, magical cold storage facility for storing food brought in by ship.

After the two of us eat ice cream made with the cold air from that refrigerator, Raina suddenly walks into an alleyway that is not very popular.

Once in the alleyway, Raina takes a hood.

'Wind ....... I've been wearing it for so long it's hard to breathe.'

Indeed, Raina had been wearing a hood ever since she came here. As expected, it would be hard to breathe.

But the hood must be worn.

Despite hiding her face, somehow Raina was getting a lot of attention.

If you take off the hood, it's not enough to attract attention.

Utterly, this goddess has too much of a presence.

''Are you okay, Raina?''

I worry about Raina. She's a woman, even though she's a god. And she has promised to be a knight just for today. So you'll have to protect her.

”Hmm, I'm a little tired.

Then Raina leans in closer.

Raina's wet eyes stare at her. Her little pink lips let out a hot breath.

My heart starts to throb as she stares at me with her wet eyes.

The expression on Raina's face is very bad.

No, it's already really bad .......

If you give me that kind of expression, I'm not going to be able to do it a hundred times in Sukebe, sir!

And here we are in an alleyway and there's not a soul around. It was an opportunity.

The devil and the angel inside me argued with each other.

Demon Kroki: ”That's good. No one is looking at you. I came to this unpopular place on my own. This goddess must want it too. Take all your clothes off!

Angel Kroki: ”Devil, you are mistaken. It is outrageous to take off a woman's clothes. It's more exciting to do it without taking your clothes off!

I thought he was an angel, but he was a fallen angel. d*mn the world!

But my rational mind warns me. This is a death flag.

We can't just let it slide. I have a feeling it's going to be a big problem.

I can't trust this goddess in the first place.

Raina laughs with a giggle.

My thoughts go round and round. Honestly, I want to let my lust take over like this.

It was that time.

The air trembles.

''This is a ward ......''

The space around here has been closed off by a ward.

And I feel someone approaching.

'I didn't know you'd come to an empty place yourself ....... You must be very eager to be killed by me, Goddess Raina.

A person approaching calls out to him. It's a woman.

Both you and Raina look at the person who called out to you in surprise. Perhaps this woman is the one who trapped her and Raina in the room.

And the woman who called out to her looks familiar.

'You're Atrana, I believe?'

The woman is Atrana, the wife of Tormarkis, a merchant of the Temple of Raina. I met her once.

She must have been the one who arranged their own accommodation.

I knew that even though you were hiding your face, Raina,” he said. Let's get revenge for years of bitterness here!

That Atrana points at Raina with a drawn-out smile. And Atrana is aware of Raina.

Who is she?

'Raina ....... Who is she? And what did you do?

Considering the nature of this goddess, it's not surprising that she's resentful at some point.

''I don't know either. Who are you?''

Raina shakes her head and looks at Atrana as she answers.

'Hmmm ....... You don't know me, ....... You can't say that after seeing this figure, Raina!

Atrana's lower body changes as Atrana shouts.

'Spiders!

He exclaimed.

Atrana's lower half of her body has turned into a giant spider. Fangs sprouted from Atrana's mouth, and her face changed to look a bit insect-like.

Atrana was not human.

She could feel the sweat coming out of her body.

I was completely unaware of her identity.

She was completely human. I didn't think anyone could hide their identity so completely.

'No way. ....... You are .......

Raina was also surprised to see Atrana change. Apparently she knows who she's dealing with.

'Kuk, you look surprised, Raina. 'Yes, it's me.'

...... who?

Raina's words almost make me squirm.

Atrana is almost stiffening too.

'You don't remember me, ....... 'You d*mn goddess!　Don't tell me you've forgotten this Atranaqua, Raina!

Atrana Amended Atranaqua glares at Raina.

'Just kidding, Atranaqua. I can't forget it even if I wanted to ....... Are you here to complain to me again?'

Raina and Atranaqua seem to have known each other for a long time. What kind of relationship did they have?

What's with the attitude!　You seduced my husband and yet you are so slippery!

Atranaqua yells at me.

'My husband ......?　Oh, you mean that persistent male deity. I didn't try to seduce him. It's just that she made a pass at me in the first place. Rather, it was more of a nuisance to me.

Raina is unperturbed. She's used to this kind of thing.

'My dear husband would never do that!　Of course you seduced him!　Just because you look a little better than I do doesn't make you feel good!

Atranaqua's face looks like a cross between an insect and a human. A human would say that Raina is more beautiful.

And what does her husband look like? It bothers me soooo much.

'If you know you're ugly, why don't you try to get a little cleaner? Though, no matter how hard you try, you'll never beat me.

What? ！！！！！！

Raina giggles and Atranaqua gets angry.

To sum up the story, it seems that Atranakua's lover cheated on Raina in the past. Atranakua seems to be angry about that.

It makes my head hurt to listen to it.

Very ............ unimportant.

'Booth!　Booth!

Ky. ------ ！！！！！！！！！

Raina taunts Atranaqua while hiding behind her own back.

A ridiculously low-level conflict is unfolding before our eyes.

If the congregation saw this image of Raina, they would be saddened.

'Ugh! That's enough!　Listen to me, Raina!　I'm the one who lured your man, the brave man of light, into the labyrinth! Hmmm, now that man is probably in the labyrinth making love to Lavrus' daughter! Now repent, Raina!

Atranaqua laughs triumphantly.

'So ...... rage is ......'

Raina sounds like she's stifling her emotions. Then she raises both ends of her shapely eyebrows and glares at Atranaqua.

The expression on Raina's face makes my heart ache.

After all, Raina is ...... about Rage.

Maybe she was actually worried about Rage. It's not like that until now. But did he or she endure a healthy dose of it?

I'm ashamed that I didn't realize it. I can't see how a woman feels, so I can't have it.

I should have been nicer to Raina if this was the case.

'Ho ho ho ho, you must be frustrated, Raina. As for me, I'd like you to be more frustrated. ...... Hmph!　You're a good fit for the unimportant ordinary man over there!

Atranaqua points at herself and laughs.

He is called an ordinary man, and it dips a bit.

Are you an ordinary man ....... Is that so ....... He's a useless man who doesn't even know the heart of a woman anyway .......

'What?! Say it again!

Raina shouts out.

'Ho ho ho!　I'll tell you as many times as I can!　You'll be a good fit for the guy over there who looks weak and fragile and can only carry a load and doesn't look like he's going to be able to get stuck with chopsticks or a stick!

Atranaqua points to herself again.

You don't have to say that much: .......

I'm aware that I'm not a good guy. But it hurts to be told to your face.

It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get a good look at this, but I'm going to try to make it look good.

Always keep it clean. Trim my hair. I work out so that I don't get fat. But is it not enough?

They say we're a good fit: ......

Raina's shoulders are trembling.

After all, she doesn't like being called a good match for herself. Maybe the reason they've been together so far is because he was forcing himself to help Rage.

I get curious and look at Raina's face.

Is she smiling ........................?

Um, Lena. ......?

Why do you look so happy?

'Wait a minute, Raina!　Why are you smiling?　You must be frustrated that your man was taken!

'Yes, that's partly to my chagrin. It's just, Atranaqua ......, you're wrong about a lot of things. Your head is as disappointing as your appearance. That's why your husband is cheating on you too.

Raina says with a cold laugh.

'Ki------!　What did you say? Forget it, I'll kill you!　Hate your own stupidity for acting without entangling your guards!

'Without an escort, huh ....... You are really dumb. If you are a knight of my escort, you are here, aren't you?

Raina points to herself.

'Honestly, I don't want you to get involved in this stupid fight.

'Hmph!　That's what you call a bodyguard who looks so weak!　Then I'll kill him first!　Come out!

Atranaqua held up his hand.

Two large shadows come out from behind Atranaqua. Two of them come out from behind themselves.

'Golem?'

What came out was a metal golem, with a two-meter body and four arms each holding a sword.

''That's right, a battle golem. This golem is a replica of the golem that the god Heybos made as the guardian of the labyrinth. However, this golem is made from the same materials, so it's quite powerful. With four of these golems and me fighting together, even if you are the goddess of battle, you will not be able to win.

Atranaqua laughs.

'Is that how you're going to beat me, Atranaqua?

Raina doesn't lose her spare expression.

'Why!　Why did you do that?　Why not fear! There are no guards, and the only person there is a man who doesn't seem to matter!　You couldn't even call for help inside the wards!　How can you be so comfortable with that?　Enough, go, go, golems, kill them!

Four golems are coming towards you.

'What can I do? ......

I mutter to myself and call up my armor and sword. The dark knight's armor and magic sword are connected to you across time and space.

You can summon them no matter where you are.

''What!　The Dark Knight?!

When Atranaqua saw herself in the form of a dark knight, she let out a cry of surprise.

However, I didn't mind and moved quickly to the enemy that came at me from the front.

When the golem's sword pointed at you is swept away with the magic sword, the golem loses its stance and collides with another golem.

The strength of a golem is determined by the materials and the strength of its creator. If it was a golem created by the Hayboss God, but it wouldn't feel strong from a duplicate.

Besides, the golem is not capable of fine movements. The sword movements are also very monotonous and easy to read. This would be an easy win.

When I see the two golems collide and temporarily get stuck, I quickly jump back and take on the two golems coming from behind.

You guide the four swords of the golems coming from behind to your left and slash their bodies as they slash through the sky.

They may be made of a special magical alloy, but the magic swords I got from Modes can easily slash them.

Then, he moves while spinning as it is and heads for the golem on the right rear that came towards Raina.

The golem swings its four swords. I flick the swords with my magic sword and slash off the four arms and head.

The golem that came from the front begins to move again, so you leap to move and deal with the two golems.

The two golems' monotonous swords are flicked away with their swords as they turn their bodies to avoid them, and when they pass them off, they turn and slash them off at the same time.

The four golems then turn into mere pieces of metal.

Meanwhile, Raina hasn't moved a single step. What will she do if she can't move well?

Maybe you trust me, but I'm not that strong. I want you to move a little.

'Such ...... golems are ...... in an instant. It's a lie .......

Atranaqua's voice quivered.

'I'm sorry Atranakua, but it was very weak.

'I'm sorry, Atranakua. My knight is strong.'

Raina giggles.

'd*mn!　Take, a thread that can cut through my iron!

The walls of the buildings around you are slashed apart as Atranaqua swings her arm.

I move my left arm, which I don't have a sword with me, and grab the ultra-fine thread that came towards me.

''Lie!　What do you mean you grabbed this thread of mine?!

'I'm sorry. I have to interrupt you. ......

I fumble for the thread so that Raina won't get hurt.

Atranaqua tries to move the thread with her hands, but I won't let her do that.

'Oh no. ....... That's how weak that guy looked. I didn't know he was a dark knight .......

I'd like to say I'm sorry for looking weak, but I'm grateful that you let your guard down.

Atranaqua didn't completely see herself as an enemy. If he had been careful, it might have turned out differently.

But it's too late now. I let out a black flame.

The black flame burns out the threads.

Seeing this, Atranaqua tries to rush away.

”Sorry, but I won't let you go!　It's the binding of the black blood rose!

As he chanted his magic, a black rose, Ibarra, came out and bound up Atranaqua's body.

'Nonsense!　Isn't this the magic that Zarxis uses!

As Atranaqua said, this magic was the magic used by Zarxis in the Roxx Kingdom.

He looked it up and learned it.

And it seems that Atranacua knows Zarxis. We're not going to let him get away with it.

”I won, Atranacua.

Raina walks over to Atranaqua and looks down.

''Guguugu ....... I didn't expect you to join forces with the Demon King. I didn't expect that. ......

Atranaqua grunted, but she couldn't escape her own Ibarra.

Technically, Raina hadn't joined forces with Modes. But it's a pain in the ass to explain.

'You're out of luck, Atranaqua. I'm safer now than I am with a thousand angels protecting me.'

Raina laughed high and mighty.

◆Silone, the maiden of the sword.

I met up with Kuroki and his friends at the inn and asked them about the events in the Republic of Ariadia.

That's what happened ....... I didn't know that he wasn't human ....... I didn't realize that.

'Yes, I was not thinking, Miss: ......

'Yes, ....... If we didn't, they were able to see what we were doing. ......

We nodded at Kyouka's words.

Atranaqua's mimicry was perfect. I hadn't realized that she wasn't human either.

It's dangerous to leave her on the loose. I'm glad we were able to catch her.

'But Raina was aware of it, wasn't she?　That's why you left Kroki in Thessia, isn't it?

Unlike us, Raina was the only one who should have noticed. That's why she left Kroki here.

It's impressive that he used himself as a bait to lure Atranaqua, who is hiding himself, into hiding.

The reason he kept it a secret even from us must be so that the other party wouldn't notice.

If they found out, Atranaqua would have escaped.

They say that in order to deceive an enemy, you have to start with an ally, but if possible, I wanted you to tell me.

'What?'

But when I say this, Raina gets a surprised look on her face.

”What?

Could it be different? If that's the case, then what did he and Kuroki go to the Republic of Ariadia for, just the two of them?

'Oh, yes!　That's right, Shirone!

I knew it. That's great, Raina.

I nodded yes.

That's the only reason I can think of for Kuroki and Raina to be together.

There's no way a beautiful woman like Raina would date Kroki.

I thought about something a little stupid.

'I see that the investigation over there has been completed. What are the results?'

'Regena told me the results of the investigation. She's supposed to be meeting with Kroki right now, along with the Lizardman.

Ligeena is now in another room with the Lizardmen, reporting her findings to Kroki.

Lizardman only obeys Kroki.

He's listening to the conversation in the other room because it might be difficult for him to report back when we're together.

I haven't heard any details from Ligeena, but I think I've found out something. Now we can finally enter the labyrinth.

A lot of people are working to help Rage and his friends. The goddess Reena is also working hard to save Rage-kun.

And Kroki has come too. So I'm sure they'll be okay.

'Hang on, guys. We're coming to help you.

Dark Knight Kroki

Good job, Regina. And you guys.

'No, I won't suffer any hardship if I can help my husband.

”Mottainaio.

Rigena and Lizardman bowed their heads.

Thanks to Regena and the others, I have a general idea of the geography around the labyrinth.

The fifth level where Rage and the others are located is not perfect since it wasn't originally built as a prison.

And if I combine it with the blueprint I got from the Hayboss God and the information I got from Atranaqua, I can see how to attack it.

''Hey, Dark Knight!　I've told you everything I know, so hurry up and let me go!

Atranaqua yelled at herself as she was tied up.

Atranakua spoke honestly.

It's not like he's pledging allegiance to the Evil God Lavrus, the Lord of the Labyrinth.

''I appreciate your honesty in speaking honestly to me. But I can't let you go like this. I will send you back to Nargol.

When I say this, Atranaqua looks unhappy.

But even if you didn't hand them over to Raina, you should be grateful. If you do, Atranaqua will get a bad experience.

And I don't think Modes would do anything untoward. So I'll send it to Nargol.

Well, we've gathered the information. Tomorrow, we will finally enter the labyrinth.

But to be honest, I don't want to go there to help Rage.

This is what I thought.