Chapter 153
Well, I am currently looking down at the ground from an altitude of roughly five hundred meters. It's a beautiful view... if only there weren't a sandstorm directly below us.
"Wooooooo! It's so high up here!"
And beside me was Prince Jahar. He was flying atop Cal, right next to me. Of course, there was a reason for this.
One of the Skills I frequently use is 【Appraisal】. This Skill is extremely convenient, but it cannot be used on someone who is too far away. Whoever was creating this sandstorm had a detection range greater than the range of 【Appraisal】.
Because of that, our previous investigations had failed when we were sniped from long range before we could use 【Appraisal】. However, that did not mean there was no way to appraise something from a distance. One such method was a magic item possessed by Prince Jahar called the 'Sage's Spyglass.' This rare item, which was also a national treasure of Bigdaleio, had the useful effect of being able to 【Appraise】 anyone within its field of view.
Needless to say, the condition of having the target within its field of view was a severe one. The dense sandstorm hid its form. As a result, we had been unable to make use of the national treasure after all.
"I can only see a silhouette... but I suppose it's a blessing that I can see anything at all."
Because of the sandstorm, we couldn't make out its form clearly, even from the sky. But we could see that there was some kind of shadow at the center of the sandstorm. It was quite large. Perhaps five times Cal's size?
According to the prince, the target had to be a little more clearly visible before he could use 【Appraisal】. In other words, we would have to enter the sandstorm. Well, this had turned into a life-or-death mission.
So, we descended to the ground once and came up with a plan with the three guards... but they didn't exactly take it seriously. Incidentally, Prince Jahar was riding Cal because only members of the royal family could use the national treasure, while the three guards had to remain on the ground for this operation.
"Your Highness, it's about time..."
"Mm! I know!"
"Grrrr..."
However, Prince Jahar, who was riding Cal, was utterly thrilled. He was probably happy to be flying through the sky, but he was so noisy. Did he even understand that this was going to be life-threatening?
"Forward, men! Operation start!"
'Yes, sir!'
Prince Jahar used a magic item with an effect like a transceiver to issue orders to the guards waiting on the ground. And so, our one-shot investigation operation began!
"Raaaaaah!!!"
As the first stage of the operation, the three guards charged while shouting war cries. Naturally, this was a diversion. They would deliberately reveal themselves and draw an attack, buying time before we were noticed.
Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!!!
Have we been spotted already!? It was a little earlier than planned, but still within the margin of error. The moment the guards hiding behind what looked like a small hill leaned out, something shot out from the sandstorm at incredible speed. These must have been the mysterious needles Mr. Bowie had mentioned.
"Stone Wall!"
The mage created a Stone Wall with 【Earth Magic】, and it caught the needles. They had embedded themselves deeply, but they had not pierced through. It seemed to have blocked them completely.
"Let's goooooo!!"
The remaining two leaped out from either side of the wall with their shields raised. The needles flew toward both of them, but their numbers had clearly decreased, and their accuracy had also fallen. On top of that, the shields they carried appeared to be high-quality, as they deflected the needles cleanly.
In the meantime, the mage also jumped out and joined the Boar Orc guard on the right. The Boar Orc on the left joined them immediately afterward. Then, just as before, they used Stone Wall to block the incoming needles. By repeating this routine, they could gradually close the distance. This tactic had been established through our numerous investigations.
However, our previous investigations had also shown that a limit would eventually be reached. The power of the needles increased as the distance between us and the enemy closed. Eventually, neither magic nor shields could stop them, and we would have no choice but to retreat. Even so, it bought us time. We needed that time.
"Defense Boost, Defense Boost, Defense Boost, Defense Boost, Defense Boost, Light Armor, Astral Magic Circle, activation on standby... Prince Jahar?"
"Yes! Begin phase two! Let's go!"
I raised Cal's defensive power with 【Enchantment】 and 【Holy Magic】, while keeping my spells on standby through 【Magic Circle】 in case of an emergency. Since Cal would be taking all the attacks, this was only natural.
Then we charged toward the shadow lurking in the sandstorm at the fastest speed Cal could manage. I followed desperately from behind Cal. Within a few seconds, we plunged into the sandstorm.
Huh!? This sandstorm actually deals damage!? My health is gradually being chipped away! We can't stay here for long!
"GROOOOOOON!!!"
Cal's roar echoed amid the thunderous howl of the sandstorm. The enemy must have noticed us, because it began firing needles in rapid succession. But they couldn't pierce Cal's scales, even with Cal's defensive power increased. A dragon's scales really were no joke.
Even so, I was sure they would eventually pierce them. I hoped the 【Appraisal】 would finish before that happened!
"Your Highness! Are you done yet!?"
"Almost! Just a little more!"
"GRAAAH!?"
Damn it! The needles had finally started damaging Cal! They had only made a hole in its wing membrane for now, but it wouldn't be long before they broke through its scales and stabbed into its flesh. I had no choice but to use my trump card!
"Standby release! Protect us!"
I released the magic I had kept on standby. It was the Holy Shield from 【Holy Magic】. Five barriers appeared, each capable of withstanding a single attack no matter how powerful it was. They probably wouldn't shatter in one hit, but they wouldn't last long.
Gagagagagag! Crack!
Damn! Another one already!? Each barrier should buy us several seconds! Cal was also closing in while dodging with complicated flight patterns! Please let us make it!
Gak-gagagag! Crack!
Gagagaga! Crack!
Gagaga! Crack!
Nuuuuuuuu! The intervals between them breaking are getting shorter!? The reduced distance was making it difficult even to dodge. No matter how adept Cal was at flying in every direction, it was simply too large a target.
"Yes! I got the 【Appraisal】!"
Is it over!? I couldn't make anything out with my own eyes, but thanks to the magic item, it seemed that the 【Appraisal】 had somehow succeeded. The mission was complete! All that remained was to escape!
"Retreat, Cal!"
"GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
As a signal to retreat, Cal unleashed its trump card, 【Dragon Breath】, at the shadow. What came from Cal's mouth was a black beam almost identical to the one I had used the other day. As expected of a dragon born under the influence of my magic!
'Gigirigirigiiiiii!?!'
Cal's 【Dragon Breath】 burned away the incoming needles and pierced through the sandstorm, apparently striking the enemy directly. A scream-like cry came from beyond the sandstorm. Was it frightened? No more needles were coming! Now was our chance!
We used that opening to fly straight upward and successfully escape. I thought I heard the last Holy Shield shatter behind us, but that no longer mattered. For now, all that mattered was getting home safely and bringing back the information!
'Gioooooooooooooo!!!'
The furious roar of the thing lurking in the sandstorm continued to ring in our ears long after we had hurried away.
◆◇◆◇◆◇
――――――――――
Your Race level increased. You acquired 1 SP.
Your Job level increased. You acquired 1 SP.
Your Tamed Monster's Race level increased.
Your Tamed Monster's Job level increased.
――――――――――
All right, it's Saturday night. I'm about to head out with Bigdaleio's army to defeat the cause of the anomaly, so I thought I would summarize what has happened so far.
Prince Jahar used the 'Sage's Spyglass' to 【Appraise】 the enemy, revealing its identity. It was a monster called the Thornshell Scorpion High Lord. Here are its stats.
――――――――――
Race: Thornshell Scorpion High Lord Lv83
Job: High Lord Lv3
Skill: 【Hard Thorn Shell】
【Mighty Pincers】
【???】
【Sharp Tail Strike】
【Earth Magic】
【Storm Magic】
【???】
【Health Boost】
【Strength Boost】
【Defense Boost】
【Agility Boost】
【Ambush】
【Unknown Skill】
【Thorn Regeneration】
【Unidentified Skill】
【Unrevealed Skill】
【Undetermined Skill】
【Undisclosed Skill】
【Hidden Skill】
【Unascertained Skill】
【Guardian of the Sandstorm】
――――――――――
I have a lot to say, but the most important point is that, for the first time in a while, my 【Appraisal】 turned up several unknown Skills. Apparently, the 'Sage's Spyglass' can identify everything perfectly up to level 70, but this opponent is level 83. We should be grateful that it identified this much. That is especially true when I consider that, when I previously appraised Agnasrerim-sama, the Ancient Aqua Dragon Lord, I couldn't see anything at all.
As for the Thornshell Scorpion High Lord, it was a monster well known throughout this region. It supposedly lived farther south than Bigdaleio and had a peaceful temperament, attacking only when someone entered its territory. That was precisely why everyone was so shocked when the enemy's identity was revealed.
At the same time, many people found it understandable. From the initial attack on the oasis through all the investigations since then, there had been many injured people, but no one had died. No one knew why it had come north, but their theory was that the lack of fatalities might have been thanks to its temperament.
From then until today, we had been helping prepare for Bigdaleio's deployment while leveling up. Creating items and procuring materials for weapons and armor had made it look exactly like preparations for war.
Apparently, everything was completely finished this morning. I say apparently because I hadn't been logged in. Why? Because I had to work on my day off! Though only for the morning!
"Yo, bro! Done with work?"
"...Yeah, somehow."
"There's no way Izam would skip a quest like this, right?"
That's right, we were participating in this war as a quest. We accepted it after completing the investigation and receiving our reward. The quest was called 'King Cloaked in Sand and Dust.' Its objective was to liberate the oasis occupied by the raid boss, the Thornshell Scorpion High Lord.
In other words, we didn't necessarily have to defeat the powerful Thornshell Scorpion High Lord. Driving it away would be enough. We just had to make it realize that staying here would do it no good if we kept attacking it like this. Though Jigorou seemed to want to fight it and kill it.
"Anyway, let's get this quest over with quickly. We can't keep everyone waiting."
"We'll be the last ones to reach the hideout. What a shame."
My companions, starting with Shiitake, had apparently reached Vetus Floating Island via the 'Ancient Moving Tower.' They were now following the map data I had given them and making their way toward Birdie Perch. That meant Eiji and Toji would be the last to arrive at Vetus Floating Island.
"Everyone! It's time to set out!"
As we were talking, Eiji approached from the other side, waving. It seemed the war was finally about to begin. After a siege battle, next up was a raid boss battle involving almost nothing but NPCs... Well! This should be fun!