Chapter 117: Corpses of the disappeared monsters (1/2)
Chapter 117: Corpses of the disappeared monsters
Translator: Tseirp
Cathy, Kefin, and the former slaves returned about when the cooking was done.
When I received their offer of vegetables, I offered them spices in exchange and the dwarf aunties gave shrill cheers.
After that, I discussed cooking with them in full harmony but I found out that Estia completely could not cook so she was totally out of the loop.
I started listening to Cathy and group’s report on the situation of the cavern.
“How’s the inside like?”
“It proceeded in the direction of the monsters becoming stronger nyan.” (Cathy)
“However, because in addition to the large numbers, they do not disappear while leaving only magic stones like in labyrinths. Hence, it was quite hard to proceed with our search.” (Kefin)
If that’s the case, then we have no choice but to recover the corpses while proceeding?
Even if I assign magic bags to them … I can’t assign magic bags to the slaves.
In other words, there’s no other choice but for me to take up the role of recovering the monsters?
If we continue to remain here, the monsters might attack Rockford instead and it would also be disastrous … that line of thought is valid as well.
No, if we work the former slaves …
” … What about the former slaves?”
“Unfortunately, it might work if it is above ground but underground it would be suicide and can’t be done nya.”
“It’s not that wide inside. It would be hard to coordinate cooperation with large numbers and I believe it would inversely cause a difficult situation whereby it would be hard to move about.”
” … I see. Former slaves, after you get your rest, please defend this location to the last man.”
So it’s hopeless … my wish was severed.
Well, even though I could understand from the dark expressions that were on both of their faces.
“Will we return to being slaves?”
“Or will you make us suicide to the ant monster’s nest?”
I only demanded one thing from the frightened former slaves.
“As long as you all securely defend this location and the other 2 caves, I promise to not treat you badly.”
“Thank god.”
“We’ll absolutely defend this place and win our freedom!”
『Oooo!』
The former slaves were in high spirits but I didn’t have an ounce of intention to let the criminal slaves and war slaves loose.
After our meal and rest, we and King Rockwell had our nap.
I left instructions to substitute the dwarves at the respective caves and for them to take their meals.
Thus, after waking from a couple of hours of nap, we begin storming the cave.
“Then, shall we go? Before that, those with nose plugs?”
Lionel and group immediately raised their hands.
King Rockwell and Estia who were unaware of Object X tilted their heads.
“Oh well. This amount of stench can even transform clean air so plug your noses with these.”
I passed nose plugs to everyone.
“Is it really alright for me to not go in as well?”
“I’d be at ease with the defence if Grand-san remains here. Moreover, the Dwarf Kingdom residents feel that way as well. Former slaves, listen to Grand-san’s words! Alright, some nasty smell might float over but please don’t be alarmed.”
“Understood.”
Thus, I stormed into the cavern that I had no intention of entering.
“It’s fine for me to just shine the light like this?” Estia asked me.
“Yeah. Please tell me immediately if you see any places to take note of or where the enemies might appear from when we’re advancing.”
“Understood.”
I asked Estia to play the role of shining the light from the second row.
We advanced with King Rockwell who has great manoeuvrability at the lead, Kefin, Estia, and Cathy lined up in the second row and with me and Lionel at the rear.
“There are many corpses but looking closely, the monsters sure seem small.”
“It certainly seems that way. However, they will gradually increase in size after we enter the branching passage.”
“I think that now monsters will appear as well nya.”
“I leave it to you. We’ll proceed and place Object X at the branching passage.”
After I announced that to Cathy and Kefin, perhaps because their tension was transmitted, King Rockwell and Estia asked.
“Is that Object X bad to such an extent?”
“Furthermore, is it capable of weakening the monsters just by placing it there?”
“It’s just smelly. To the extent that monsters run away from it. It’s even possible to drink it after everything is over. Incidentally, if you waste it, you will receive penalties in accordance with the pledge to the Philosopher-sama.”
” … So it’s something like that huh.”
“If that’s the case, why isn’t it widespread?”
“Because one must definitely finish drinking it.”
” … That means you …”
“Of course, I can drink it without any issue.”
Their faces paled a little when I said that with a laugh.
To have that expression before they have a whiff of the smell … I could immediately tell that they were wondering about how to judge me. Moreover, it’s certainly not anything good.
As we advanced through the cavern, the corpses of monsters gradually increased.
I was storing the corpses in my magic bag but then, both Cathy and Kefin began to describe suspicious points in sync.
“Weird nya. There should be more monsters that I dealt the final blow to nya.”
“Certainly. Such a small number is certainly abnormal.”
Both of them said that there should have been more ant monsters that were defeated.
Since neither of them was the type to serve up strange stories, I considered if it was due to the case whereby the corpses disappear after being left for a certain amount of time like in a labyrinth or that the ants carried them back.
” … They might have been carried back by the ants. … Taking that into consideration, there’s a possibility that the monsters will become stronger from here onward. If that’s the case, I should have come along from the beginning to recover the corpses.”
“Nobody could have known about such a thing. Since Luciel-sama has currently entered such a dangerous cave, you don’t need to feel ashamed to anyone.”
Lionel said so and all the members nodded synchronously, causing my body to feel slightly lighter.
“Thank you. Let’s do what we can for now.”