98 Episode 98: The abandoned mine has a slum scent.txt (1/2)

We say goodbye to Mr. Shamash and drive down a trackless road.

Our destination is the Kayentau Tunnel. It is the largest gutter in Luklaera.

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After communicating with everyone by walkie-talkie.

It was Shamash-san who stopped me as I was about to run off in the dark, before it became irretrievable.

I'm not going to be able to tell you where you're going,” he said. Have you decided where you're going?　You don't even know the lay of the land, do you?

'Oh, right!　That's right. Can you take care of the grand master?　Guide.

I am sure he knows the area.

It's a trivial matter.

I don't mind. ......

Then I'm counting on you. If you don't hurry, the monster's momentum will be too strong. We're in trouble.

In fact, it was amazing.

I wonder how many goblins we killed today alone, I think we did about 100 of them.

If they were to gush out of the other tunnels at that rate, Luclaera could already be an a-hazardous hellscape.

In the meantime, we have to meet up with Deanna or Rebecca or someone else and be flexible depending on the situation. ......

'So, calm down. It's certainly an unforeseen situation, but it's okay. Lucretia is not going to fall so easily. It's a good thing that the people are not helpless. At least against a goblin-sized opponent, we should be able to survive on our own.

'Really?　But there were a lot of tunnels on the way here, and I don't think all of us can prevent that from happening. ......

It's an abandoned mine, isn't it?　The entrances to the abandoned mines have been properly sealed, so no monsters will be able to come out. Right now, there are only four mine entrances in Luklaera that have been approved.

According to Shamash, there are only four tunnels to be sealed off in total.

Much less than I thought there would be.

There were about 10 holes in the mountain just before we got here, but .......

When I asked him about it, he said, ”Abandoned mines are dangerous. We've taken steps to seal it up and collapse it to prevent monsters from coming out.

The area that looked like it was inhabited was not deep in the mine, but rather, the area around the entrance was used as a dwelling or for growing mushrooms and other purposes.

The tunnels themselves are blocked off a few dozen meters from the entrance.

Since monsters come out of the depths of the tunnel, it must be safe to stay a few dozen meters from the entrance. I've heard that tunnels can be dug out for as long as a thousand meters, you know.

There's a scene in Lauta where they walk through an abandoned mine, but it's like that kind of thing that goes on forever.

I'm not so familiar with it, but I heard that an abandoned mine is quite dangerous to begin with. Aside from the fact that monsters will spring up, there is a risk of getting lost inside the mine because it branches off like a spider's web, and there are also concerns about toxic fumes and lack of oxygen. It is said that it is possible to fall down a vertical chute without noticing it.

That's why the entrances to the tunnels are basically closed off.

Even in normal times, there is a danger of monsters springing out of the tunnels, so they are strictly controlled.

It is said that there are always warriors - 'demon hunters' like Mr. Shero - stationed in the tunnels that are still alive.

Therefore, it doesn't mean that they'll be able to do anything about it right away.

According to Shamash-san's story, there are some very powerful monsters in the area, so it's hard to be optimistic.

There are four tunnels, but we can ignore the government-owned tunnels. They have a large contingent of warriors, and they have good crisis management. It's a big place with a large force and a good crisis management system, and they will be quick to respond. It's the last place we'd want to go.

So there are three places left?

Oh, it's quite manageable.

It's a world where monsters are commonplace, so they must be doing some serious risk management.

The remaining three sites are currently the second most influential, privately commissioned Liras Tunnel.

The Kayantau Tunnel, which is believed to have existed since the Age of Spiritual Civilization and is now a virtually abandoned mine, has been repurposed and turned into a cave for the poor.

The tunnel is now virtually abandoned, but its tunnels have been repurposed and turned into caves.

''The last one is this tunnel where my house is located. ”The last one is this tunnel, where my house is located. The demon crystals are essential to the demon tribe, so they allow me to use the tunnels alive, on condition that I keep them under control.

I heard that's what it means.

I thought he was a recluse at first, but he has a normal social nature. Even though he's a demon, he's just a normal, friendly person.

Anyway, there are two tunnels that we should head for right away.

If we hurry, we can make it.

Shamash-san, please take all this stuff for now.

I'll give you all the countless magical crystals I've recovered from the goblins.

For now, I have no use for them. It would be more useful if Shamash-san, the demon tribe, had them. In terms of size, it's a smaller stone than Skeleton's. It's not a good time to be concerned about that, and the monetary value is not of much value.

Shamash-san's summoning magic.

Earlier, I only had to summon a single Twilight Mimic and used a handful of magic crystals. Then it's probably a good thing no matter how much you have.

''Are you sure?　It helps.

Yeah. Come on, we don't have time to waste. Let's go.

No, wait. I think we should split up. I'll seal off the Liras Tunnel on my own. Ayase, I want you to head to Kayentau. There are a lot of poor people there, and no matter how fast Luklaera responds, there's a good chance they'll be put off.

You want to split up? Well, Mr. Shamash is a huge asset. He needs to go alone. There's no point in having someone else go with you.

Okay. Grand master, do you know where?

Yeah, I'll be fine.

All right, let's go. Let's get going.

Kayentau Tunnel. A favela means a slum. ...... I don't mind if I'm a guy, but what about Deanna? It's funny how you go to eliminate one monster danger and then encounter another, isn't it?

Well, there's Marina as an escort, so I don't think it's going to be so strange. ......

...... No, is Marina more dangerous than the tattooed Deanna, or is she more dangerous in reverse?　But they say the Turks don't have that kind of demand, and I'm not sure. Rebecca-san and Elepippi might be more dangerous.

...... Also, can I leave Aeon to you, Ayase?

When I'm worried about the futility of the situation, Shamash-san makes such a request.

Aeon, right? Well, it's okay.

I was half planning on it.

It's not like Aeon-san is going to be of any use to me.

But he's determined to follow her, you know.

Right now, he's still staring at Shamash with his backpack heavy with all his belongings.

It's a silent pressure.

''I don't mind, but Aeon-san seems to be really uncomfortable with it.

No, no, no, I don't hate ...... but I do have ...... prison crests, for example.

Polar pattern. I see.

Maybe it's not safe to bypass taking them to a place with lots of people. If it's Shamash-san, she has the more frightening attribute of the fearful demon race, so it's not a problem ...... I guess.

If you're taking Aeon-san with you, does that mean you're going to be protecting her?

''But, well, it's okay. We have elves in our house too.

If we meet up with Deanna early and leave it with her, it won't be a problem. It would be like an elf catching the polar cresters, so they won't be able to mess with them so much.

And you know what, Ion? And let's face it, I'm slowing you down. I alone can contain the monster before it comes out of the mines.

Shamash says with a snap.

'All right. Be careful at .............

Thank you. Now, before we go, let's get an escort for now. It's not that I don't trust you, Ayase, but just in case.

He laughed so mischievously and took a handful of demonic crystals in his hand.

And then he began to chant the spell.

＜”The Eight Loving Precepts of the Knight, Mirror of This World, Sword Lurking in Shadow.

＜Let there be light, and in the shade, let there be a corridor of blackness.

＜I am the Nightmare, Shamash Aureole.

＜Show yourself when called upon!　Shadow Knight! >

Shamash's aura rises like a flame.

It is a summoning magic.

After a distinctly large glow, what manifested was a black figure.

'Yes!　Yes!　Your Highness!

What can only be described as a knight in shadows came out.

He came out and yes yes!　He shouts.

He's all black and has what looks like a sword and shield.

What the hell is this thing?

I knew it was going to talk.

He's going to talk. We're alive. ...... Come on, Shadow Knight. Your master is this little Ion. Protect him well.

'Yes!　Yes!　Your Majesty!

...... Well, okay.

Apparently, the monstrous people called by Shamash-san's magic are not monsters, but are classified as 'summoned magical beasts' and are, in fact, living beings.

The small, 140-centimeter-tall shadow knight, Shadow Knight, is also a creature. It's quite a fantasy.

Apparently, it seems to be the one that is sometimes called up, and Aeon-san accepts it without much surprise. Well, it's certainly helpful to have a knight as a bodyguard.

Since we've come to an agreement, I took out my walkie-talkie and explained the current situation to Etowah.

---- and that's it. I'm heading to the Kayentau Tunnel now. Etwa and the others will continue to evacuate the people and head to the Kayantou Tunnel. We'll meet up with you.

Yes, sir. Hey, boss. Miss Deanna has made contact with the priestess of Elishe.

Whoa, what's going on?

It's high performance when you think about it, being able to contact the priests in Elishe in real time normally.

Is distance irrelevant?

Are they transmitting amazing radio waves, or are the spirits relaying radio waves to each other?

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it. And he's also going to organize a strike team in Luclaera. There are adventurers in Luclaera who make their living by hiding in dungeons, so they've asked for help from them as well.

Oh, you're moving fast.

I don't know if adventurers ever existed.

I think I've heard of dungeons before, but adventurers hey .......

Well, a dungeon is probably an old ruin or something, maybe it's like a treasure hunter. If there are monsters out there, they'll probably collect magic crystals, and I've heard that magic crystals can be sold for a good price.

Well, it would be helpful if the ones who are used to fighting those kinds of monsters would cooperate with me.

''...... That boss. Also, ...... do you have a minute?　I have a proposition for you.

It's rare to hear a suggestion from Etowah.

''I heard that Miss Rebecca and Elepippi-san are going to be separated, but in this case, I think it's best not to spread out the forces.

What do you mean?

''Since the demon tribe is heading to seal up the Liras Tunnel, it would be more efficient if we only do our best to deal with one place. There are only six of us, and we are more comfortable focusing on one place rather than seeking many results!''