Manowa Chapter 63

◎ Argo Mountains, Front of Hot Spring Cottage

It was not a coincidence that the Mortal Monkey noticed it, because it discovered the smell of people while it was patrolling its territory.

An unfamiliar square rock ma.s.s was in this rocky place. It seemed to be hollow but there was no way to enter (the open air bath section still had a ceiling), and there was no sign of people. However, the Mortal Monkey thought that the person who made this would probably would come back, so it called its companions to fortify the area. And it came.

「Funyaaaaa」

The Mortal Monkey raised a surprised voice. It was not a human being but a huge cat that came. It did not know of the existence of Elder Cats, but the Mortal Monkey could understand that it was a powerful monster.

「Kiii!」

However, the Mortal Monkey thought to itself that they had a numbers advantage, so they attacked all at once. Strong monster meat would enhance its strength. It thought it was a chance.

Yukko-nee nimbly evaded and struck back against the attacking Mortal Monkeys as they came at him in groups of 2 to 3 at a time. Then, once they gathered together to attack with a larger number, it made a U-turn and started running.

「Kii, Kikiikiiiii!!」

The cowardly cat was escaping. Looking at it, the Mortal Monkey raised a scream of joy. Do not let it escape! Follow me! it commanded, and they all started running at once.

Yukko-nee pulled moderately far ahead of the monkeys, leaving them in an exposed position. And then it reached exactly the right distance between the cottage and Zinray's group. Something flew from behind the monkeys.

One of the monkeys advanced without noticing it had received a direct hit and wind holes had formed in its chest.

「Ki!?」

The Mortal Monkeys finally noticed that countless somethings were being thrown at then.  Two, three fell, and they noticed the trees around them were filled with holes from fist-sized stones.

Tatsuyos.h.i.+-kun had been dropped off near the cottage by Yukko-nee and was using his throwing attack. Throwing mode specialized its Muscle Clay solely for throwing. Diablo's magic barriers and the like would not be penetrated, but due to it being a completely physical attack with no magical power, resisting was impossible, so being hit was an instant death with the defense power of the Mortal Monkeys. It could be said that this was the strongest offensive ability for Kazane's party at the present moment.

However, the accuracy of the hits were not very high. It was mainly for the purpose of preventing them from escaping towards the cottage, so it was a lucky result that three monkeys were hit. One more died, two more received serious injuries, and after throwing twenty stones as specified, Tatsuyos.h.i.+-kun ran forward. Something like a shovel was attached to both knuckles. It was not a part of its regular bellows structure, but was a weapon that also served as a bottom lid when it was stored its helmet form. Although its shape was halfway between a shovel and a spoon, the edge was sharp like a blade, and it was as damaging as an axe.

Now, the Mortal Monkeys had been guided by Yukko-nee the Elder Cat, and after Yukko-nee pa.s.sed by a group of trees, four Flame Knights with their s.h.i.+elds raised suddenly appeared from within and sent the monkeys into a panic. Although the four had bodies, their bodies were completely engulfed in flame and the monkeys would be damaged simply by touching them. There was a mysterious attack from behind and pus.h.i.+ng forward and breaking through was no longer an option; they were stuck.

And then lightning suddenly descended. Of course, it was Louise's Thunderstorm. Countless thunderbolts rained down and ten monkeys were killed, which panicked the monkeys even more.

Even with a little judgement it was easy to tell that both behind and ahead were no good, so all at once they started running to the right and left. The monkeys scattered and tried to escape but Yumika attacked from the left and Kazane jumped in from the right. In addition, Tatsuyos.h.i.+-kun advanced from the rear towards Kazane and Yukko-nee headed from the front towards Yumika (this arrangement was due to Yumika's request) in order to join up with their respective partners, and each Flame Knight dispersed and started attacking.

The monkeys had lost their fighting spirit and thought of nothing other than escape, which was perfect for Kazane and the others. When they were reduced to about ten monkeys Kazane used her skill『Fear Voice』to make doubly certain they would remain panicked and flee. It was a complete victory for Kazane's party.

「It's over.」

「You worked hard. Yumika also did well.」

「Hehe, thank you very much.」

Kazane responded to Zinray's words of praise.

「By the way, was that ok? Letting that amount escape.」

Kazane asked about deliberately letting some escape annihilation.

「That is fine. As I've said before, the way most of my companions were killed in the past was from challenging monsters they didn't need to fight. It's not necessary to kill every monster we come across, just give them a good thras.h.i.+ng. We've done all we need to for now. 」

「That's how it is.」

Kazane said really?

「Well, that's enough standing around talking. Let's return to the hot spring.」

「That's right, let's get in at once.」

Tiara also agreed with Louise's words.

「Sure, let's go.」

Kazane said, and the party returned to the cottage.

In addition, this time Kazane got the pa.s.sive skill『Nimble.』Kazane is increasingly specializing in close range fighting.

◎ Argo Mountains, Hot Spring Cottage, Open Air Bath

「Yosh, hmm hmm.」

Kazane hummed while polis.h.i.+ng Tatsuyos.h.i.+ in the nude. This Tatsuyos.h.i.+-kun is a simple doll, so it did not show any particular reaction. Well, its Muscle Clay was disabled so it couldn't move anyway.

「It was a big success, Tatsuyos.h.i.+-kun. I love you.」

The nude Kazane hugged Tatsuyos.h.i.+-kun. This love had nothing to do with the person who died 600 years ago. I'm telling you just to be clear.

「Fuu, does it feel good, Yukko-nee?」

「Nyaon」

Yukko-nee was soaking in the bath while Yumika was clinging to it. Yumika thought it was too pitiful that Yukko-nee couldn't enter, so in the end Kazane strained with the last of her magical power and expanded the bath to fit Yukko-nee. It took a while for hot water to acc.u.mulate, but there was enough stored that they didn't worry about it.

「Fuu, it was hard today.」

「It's indeed tough, isn't it.」

Louise and Tiara loudly opened their mouths and complained while floating lightly. Both used a lot of magical power. The truth was it was the first time that the magician group had expended so much since their party was formed.

「But Tiara's summoning techniques have come a long way. You were controlling four bodies properly.」

「Thank you very much, Kazane. Since the Tsuvaran royal family have been summoners for generations it feels like I was finally able to live up to the reputation.」

By the way, Audin did not summon anything when Diablo attacked because Audin cannot summon any monsters other than the Ruby Griffon's underlings. If the Ruby Griffon, which is the higher level summon, becomes an enemy, it becomes impossible to call them. This is also the case with Tiara, and it is a general summoning principle that a lower level summon of the same attribute cannot be called if it opposes the higher level summon, not just Ruby ​​Griffon.

「As you become more skilled consumption will decrease and your ability will also rise. In any case it is important to keep using it.」

So Louise concluded.

After that Zinray replaced them alone (Mefirus could not be summoned with her current magical power) and he immersed himself while feeling restless. He swam around for a bit.

Then the party hunted Gray Golems again the next day and acquired 38 Core Stones in total. That night they stayed again at the hot spring cottage, and the next day they returned to Conrad, continued onward the day after that to Winlard and reported their completion of the request to the guild. Tiarra was also promoted to rank C.

The day after the report, the client of the designated request agreed to buy all of the Core Stones even though there were significantly more than usual, and in total they received about 20000 kirigia. With this, Kazane's group easily made the equivalent of 2 million yen.

But now there was only one problem. A rumor was flying around the town.

◎ Winlard City, Zinray Dojo

「Are there really rumors that I went on an outdoor bath tour with multiple women? Rumors are spreading about it?」

Zinray was shocked and asked Kazane for confirmation about the rumor.

「Yeah, seriously. You took a hot spring tour with a variety of beautiful women, such as a young lady, a female disciple, and an Onee-san. They're calling it the Jijii Harem.」

Kazane said. In front of her eyes Gyao sealed his own fate.

「This guy.」

「That's.Not.What.Happened.」

Gyao started mumbling feebly.

When he heard the mixture of truth and lies that Zinray went to a hot spring with Louise, he was jealous and was one of the ones that continued spreading the story.

「Umm, with that I'll be leaving.」

For the time being, Kazane made herself scarce and left Gyao as the sole victim remaining for Zinray.

「Uh, umm.」

Gyao fearfully looked at Zinray.

Although they lived in the same city, Gyao had not interacted with Zinray. He only knew only that he was a remarkable adventurer called the Fang Spear Soldier.  However, he had often seen him with Kazane and he was probably a good person who would listen if he explained himself. So if he apologized… he peeped at his face.

「What!?」

There was a demon.

「Gyao ... ... was it?」

「Hya, yes!?」

Words of absolute power that allowed no opposition reached Gyao's ears.

「Shall we cool your head a little?」

The next day, all throughout the town people were greeted by a tidy beastman.

Mello asked in a cold sweat「What's wrong?」and heard back「I've turned over a new leaf.」 Gyao proactively took out garbage and volunteered to help people, but went back to usual in about a week. The correction seemed to have failed.

Name: Yuihama Kazane

Occupation: Magic Swordswoman

t.i.tle: Ogre Killer

Equipment: Staff 『White Blaze』, Two Handed Sword『Black Fang』, Silver Breastplate, Silver Gauntlets, Silver Sheep Clothes, Carapace Bull Trousers, Berserk Ogre Greaves, Indestructible Cloak, Mysterious Pouch, Crimson Saint Coffin, Spirit Summoning Ring

Level : 22

Health: 77

Magic Power: 132+300

Strength: 33

Agility: 27

Endurance: 17

Wisdom : 34

Dexterity : 20

Spell : 『Fly』 『Torch』 『Fire』 『Heal』

Skill : 『Goblin Language』 『Night Vision』 『Crus.h.i.+ng Blow』 『Dog's Sense of Smell』 『Golem Maker: Lv2』 『Rush』 『Fire Principle: Second Chapter』 『Healing Principle: Second Chapter』 『Air Jump』 『Killing Leg』 『Fear Voice』 『Invisible』 『Tiger Eye』 『Wall Walking』 『Insight』 『Cheat Death』

Kazane: 「That being said, the rumors about Zinray-san aren't really a lie, right?」

Yumika: 「That's right.」

Kazane: 「By the way,『Nimble』is a pa.s.sive skill that is invoked at all times and literally increases ability.」

Yumika: 「Shouldn't you change your occupation from magical swordswoman to something else?」