46 Chapter 39: The Fated Reunion (1/2)

Purin: ”Humans and Aelves? Are thou certain, purin?”

Ciel: ”Well, based from what I see using my Magical Perception, I'm pretty sure.”

The Humans who looks a lot like the humans that I know, and the Aelves with their distinct features of having pale skin and pointy ears, are certainly there. But one of them has a much more fairer complexion even though she has pointy ears.

At any event, what makes Purin confused is that how Humans and Aelves are together.

With the current status of this world, it's implausible that Humans and Aelves could possibly be together. Although, I've heard from Purin that the races are currently on truce and have stopped the wars temporarily, that doesn't mean that they would be on good terms and join together just like this. Much more, they look like they know each other fairly long enough to trust each other's back in this dangerous place.

If you're asking this is weird, then it really is.

Well, there are also some remote places that are not concerned with the war and are simply living together in peace, just like the Demon Empire. Maybe they're one of those.

In front of them, acting as a vanguard, is a small girl with a huge mace, much larger than her own body. How she can wield it with ease is making me wonder if what I've learned from school Physics is true or not.

Behind her is a group of rough and grunt looking men, wearing leather vests on top of their shirts. They're carrying specific equipment, like pickaxes, hammer, shovels, and carts filled with empty sacks.

Behind those men is…

Is…

Fleur: ”Master?”

Ciel: ”… Huh?”

Fleur: ”You had this serious face all of a sudden, then followed by a very complicated one… Are you okay?”

Was I?

Hmm… I didn't notice…

Ciel: ”I'm fine. I'm just analyzing the group. If I see them as dangerous threats, then we'll be leaving immediately.”

Fleur: ”… Understood.”

Going back.

Behind those men is the Aelf with a fair complexion and with a much less pointy ears. She's holding a staff, which is half the length of her own height, donned with a crystal bluish green ball at the top. She's not that tall for a girl, rather, she's just tad taller than the loli in front of her, making her look like a small highschooler. Her glistening silver hair is wavy and long enough to reach her lower back. It's tied in two separated crystal balls at the end of each partition.

But then again…

I feel like I'm attracted to her.

I don't know why, but I feel like there's something in her that makes me want to call out to her. And that there's something in me that screams out trying to call out to her.

… Who is she?

Alright. Let's try listening with Magic Perception.

The girl with a staff trots towards the loli with a mace.

Girl with a staff: ”Are you sure that the Evil God here disappeared?? I still feel ominous for some reason…”

Oh…

Sorry, but, I already reaped its soul.

Loli with a mace: ”I'm certain. Its presence is nowhere to be found. That huge ball of malice should be enough to fill this mountain range with negative Crysaztel or in other words, Miasma. But I can't feel any of that. Well, there are still lingering ones from here and there, however.”

Girl with a staff: ”So that means, we're safe? –Ow!”

After asking her inquiry, the loli used her mace to hit the girl with her mace. It wasn't strong enough for an attack, it's just a light bump on the head.

Girl: ”What the heck are you doing?? Muu…!! That hurts!”

Eh…?

Loli with a mace: ”Don't be complacent at what you see and hear. Becoming lax is one of your biggest enemies when it comes to exploring dungeons.”

Girl: ”Muu… Okay…”

The girl rubbed her head as she tries to handle the pain and responded with a disheartened voice.

Wait a sec… That weird grunting… And her way of talking…

… No, no. That's… It's impossible.

But, what if…?

Loli: ”Tch. Something's coming! I suppose these are Marburrows. A number of them. All men, prepare for contact! Archeologists and Artisans, find a safe place to hide. Fina. Ready your magic.”

Fina: ”Y-Yes!”

Miner: ”M-Marburrows?? Those with deadly claws… Why are they here?! They should be far deeper inside!”

Miner: ”A-A-And a number of them… A-Are we going to be fine!?”

I cut the Magical Perception and checked my Detect. Powerful monsters have approached the group while digging through the walls, floor, and ceiling. I guess they're planning to attack them from their blind spot.

Analyze.

<Marburrow Lv. 42>

[A Beast Type monster that lives most of its life burrowed in the ground. It uses its huge claws to dig through the soil and also uses it to attack its prey. It is best at ambush and loves surprise attacks. Intelligence Level: 41%]

<Status>

HG: 4,900/4,900

CG: 150/150

Physical Attack: 490

Physical Defense: 150

Magical Attack: 0

Magical Defense: 70

Agility: 120

Crysaztel Cognizance: 5%

Crysaztel Manipulation: 0%

<Skills>

[Passive Skills]

(Stealth) (Iron Stomach) (Night Vision) (Heat Sensor)

[Resistance Skills]

(Strike Resistance Lv. 6)

[Active Skills]

(Slash Mastery) (Piercing Drill)

[Active Magic Skills]

(None)

Well, they ARE kind of strong. But they're not really a problem. More like, they're easy to deal with, since they're always burrowed under the ground.

I was surprised by their reactions and was certain that a powerful monster had come or something. Well, the loli is calm, though. I guess she had her fair share of experience. But, to think it's just a huge mole without nothing to do with its life.

Although, looking at them, the grunts seem to be almost prepared for death or something… Am I just weird for thinking that these are weak monsters?

Wait… Don't tell me that their reaction is the normal one?

Ahaha…~ Getting used to strong monsters is sort of… something…

Anyways.

Ciel: ”Fleur, can you use Alter to remove my tail and horn?”

Fleur: ”Eh? Ah, yes. I can.”

Wow.

Ciel: ”Please. And remove yours as well. Purin, try transforming into a human if you can.”

Purin: ”Hmph. No need to tell Purin.”

It seems like Purin and Fleur realized my urgency and followed my every instruction. Fleur activated Alter and removed our horns and tails as I just said so. Though my ears are pointy, it's not really that noticeable because of my hair.

… Wait. Hair?

Ciel: ”Fleur? Did you change the color of my hair?”

As I felt the activation of Fleur's Alter, a lock from my bangs appeared to have been dyed with white.

Fleur: ”Eh? No. I did not. I just altered the horns and tails, just like you said.”

Ciel: ”… I see.”

Well, whatever. It's just a color of my hair anyways.

Alright. Leaving aside the bewildered Fleur, I guess we should go and help them.

Why? I'm a good guy, why else?

Or so I'd like to use as a reason, but… I just can't get that girl with a staff out of my mind. If what I think is indeed it is, then I really need to help them as soon as possible.

Ciel: ”Hold on to me. … Wait. … Who are you?”

Fleur held my hand while blushing, and another beautiful little girl placed her hand on my shoulder. Her straightly flowing red hair are evenly tied into a twintail, as it flutters gently in the air.

She looks down at me with sharp golden eyes.

It's as if she's looking at…

A garbage…

Ahh…

Purin: ”It is Purin, who else?”

Ciel: ”… Pfft!! Ahahahahaha!!”