Chapter 258
The day after clearing the Dungeon and holding an item exchange, I logged in again. However, I planned to spend today in the 'Hidden City of the Mist-Weeping Princess' rather than go to the event area. I was tired from yesterday, so I wanted to take it easy.
On the first day, I caused trouble; on the second, I imposed self-restraint; and on the third, I cleared the Dungeon. In the end, I have hardly been involved in the event. The event itself is supposed to last a week, but I have no interest in rankings or anything like that. I intend to do as I please.
"Hmph, I've received a message... Is it from Conrad?"
Sure enough, the sender was Conrad, and it seemed he had done a good job keeping me hidden. Apparently, he had directed the players' attention elsewhere by revealing the existence of a special boss.
Among the other monster players participating in the event, there were naturally some who had cleared the 'Azure Moon's Trial.' Those qualified to challenge the special boss were desperately searching for others capable of tackling it alongside them.
Those without the qualification seemed to be trying all sorts of things, perhaps wondering whether there were other conditions for making a special boss appear. They seemed curious about the Dragon, but now that a hidden boss had been revealed, it was attracting more attention than I was, having vanished from sight.
Apparently, some people had even kept pressing Conrad for information about the Dragon, but he seemed to be choosing whom to sell information to, just as I had asked. I hoped they would not anger the Dragon God-sama.
"Hmm, everyone who's logged in is gathered in the event area. Should I go too?"
After checking on my companions, I found that they seemed to be enjoying the event. I had planned to fly around the area surrounding our base with Kal and search for anything new, but seeing everyone else go to the event made me want to join them after all. What should I do?
As I thought about that, I went outside the palace and found Kal sleeping in the plaza while basking in the sun. The Timbrica Continent was almost always covered in dark clouds, but sunlight occasionally streamed through gaps in them. Sleeping beneath that sunlight had become part of Kal's daily routine, so the place where he slept was different every day. Fortunately, he was in an easy-to-spot place today.
"Grrrrr..."
"Did I wake you?"
When I approached Kal, he woke up, perhaps having noticed my footsteps. He slowly raised his head and brought his snout close to me as if asking to be petted. I caught his head in my arms and gently stroked it, prompting him to let out a happy, high-pitched cry.
"There, there. I suppose we'll fly through the sky together today after all."
"Gwoooon!"
All right, I've decided! I'll spend the day playing with Kal. Adventuring and fighting alongside my companions is fun, but enjoying the sky with Kal is just as much fun. So I'll stick to my original plan!
Kal spread his four wings, lowered his body, and presented his back. When I leaped onto him, he flapped his wings powerfully and soared into the sky at tremendous speed.
"Ooooooh!?"
"Gwooooon!"
After climbing to a considerable altitude in one burst, Kal performed a full turn in midair. He then flew horizontally while slowing down to his usual speed.
Kal seemed to be in an especially good mood today. Seeing him frolic lifted my spirits as well. Was I really the doting parent Jigoro claimed I was?
"Gwo?"
"We don't have any particular destination. Let's fly freely, but keep an eye out for enemies in the air."
"Gwo!"
Kal cried as if to say, Leave it to me, and began flying in circles around the 'Hidden City of the Mist-Weeping Princess.' I wondered whether he planned to keep flying around the same place, but it seemed he was gradually widening the circles' radius. In other words, Kal was tracing a spiral.
There were no enemies around our base, so we were unlikely to encounter anything. Since our goal was simply to fly through the sky, that was fine. The wind I felt through my mask was pleasant, but the sight of ash blanketing the city below gave me an inexplicable sense of loneliness.
Come to think of it, where did all this ash come from? It had come from Claude's skull—Claude had been one of the two bosses—and I remembered that he had controlled the ash. I had therefore assumed that he was creating it.
However, the ash showed no sign of decreasing. If anything, it might even have increased slightly, though that could have been my imagination. The mystery only deepened.
Personally, I was grateful for it, since it was an item that could restore my health. Shiitake had also begun working on creating items that used the ash, and I trusted that he would show me the finished product soon. I wanted a convenient means of healing as quickly as possible.
"Hmm? Is that a Centaur over there? But what in the world... How many of them are there?"
While enjoying the sky with Kal, I spotted a group of Centaurs walking across the grassland. The men surrounded the women and children in the center, and their formation was perfectly orderly. They were organized almost like an army.
There was nothing strange about them being here. What caught my attention was their number. I had heard that Centaurs wandered in family units consisting of a married couple and their children. This group was clearly far too large. What in the world had happened?
"Oh? Is that Lucite-dono over there?"
Among the group of Centaurs, I found a familiar silhouette. It was Lucite-dono, the head of a Centaur family I had encountered before. He was mixed in with the group at the front, cautiously keeping watch over the surroundings.
Abert-kun, his son, was among those guarding the sides, while Abashin-dono and Lusin were among those being protected. That family was here too... What had really happened?
Perhaps Kal had spotted Lusin, whom he had befriended, because he flew toward the airspace above them. He began slowly circling overhead. The Centaurs below suddenly grew noisy and hurriedly readied their weapons. Lucite-dono hastily stopped his compatriots, while Lusin hopped up and down, vigorously wagging her tail.
Apparently, Lucite-dono had explained that we were not enemies. We ought to respond in kind. I asked Kal to slow down even further and had him descend slowly, landing a short distance away so as not to alarm them. When Kal landed with a heavy thud, Lucite-dono came running over.
"It has been a long time, Lucite-dono."
"You always appear so suddenly, Izamu-dono. Still, I'm glad you've come. Actually, there's something important I'd like to discuss with you..."
"Kal-chan!"
It seemed that some problem had arisen for Lucite-dono—or rather, for all the Centaurs gathered here. I wanted to ask about it, but before I could, Lusin came running over and leaped onto Kal's foreleg.
Using both hands and all four legs, she tried to climb up Kal's body. Kal lowered himself to help her. Once Lusin had climbed up, she quickly stood on Kal's back and excitedly began to frolic.
"I'm sorry for the trouble my daughter is causing."
"Not at all. Kal is enjoying it too. So, what was it you wanted to discuss?"
"Yes, there is something I would like you to hear. Please come this way."
Led by Lucite-dono, Kal, carrying Lusin and me, joined the group of Centaurs. It seemed they had heard about us from Lucite-dono, and rather than being wary, they regarded us with intense curiosity.
As we stood under their curious gazes, a large Centaur approached. He was a lion Centaur with a magnificent, heavily muscled body and a silver-white mane swaying around his head.
From his imposing bearing, I guessed that he was the leader of this group. The Centaurs' clothing consisted mostly of simple leather garments, but he was different. He wore golden bracelets and armor that was clearly made of metal, and he carried a large spear whose blade looked nearly a meter long.
The scars on his weapons and armor suggested that they were quite old. Perhaps they were masterworks passed down through generations. In any case, he was clearly no ordinary Centaur.
"Are you Izamu-dono, Lucite's two-legged friend?"
"Yes, I am Izamu, and you are?"
"I am Regdus. I trust we will get along."
Regdus-dono spoke in a deep bass that reverberated through my bones and held out his hand. Assuming he wanted to shake hands, I reached out as well, and he gripped my hand firmly.
Ah, he was too strong; I actually took a little damage. Rather than being bad at controlling his strength, he probably had no experience dealing with someone as frail as me, with nothing but bones for a body. I decided not to worry about it.
"Is Regdus-dono the leader of the Centaurs?"
"If by that you mean the one who leads the entire Race of Centaurs, then no. For generations, my clan has borne the duty of mediating whenever disputes arise between families. As we are in an emergency, I am merely taking command because I excel in martial prowess."
So his clan occupied a position as a sort of intermediary among the Centaurs. They were mediators, not figures with powerful authority like a chieftain or king.
However, lacking formal authority did not mean that he could not command the respect of those around him. The Centaurs, Lucite-dono included, relied on Regdus-dono, which was why he could lead the group without disrupting its order, even if only temporarily.
"Then I apologize. Please forgive my ignorance of your people."
"No apology is necessary. More importantly, this matter is urgent."
"...What in the world has happened?"
From Regdus-dono's serious expression, I could tell something grave had happened. Whatever it was, we could not remain uninvolved, since we had established our base on this continent. I needed to hear the details as soon as possible.
"Southwest of here, along the coast, there is a large vertical shaft. It is said to lead to the bottom of this world... to Hell, and then to the Abyss."
"Hell and the Abyss..."
Hell and the Abyss. Both were deeply connected to me. I had discussed Hell with Usuba and Conrad only yesterday, while the Abyss was connected to my Race. It was difficult not to be interested.
"According to my clan's oral traditions, it is one of several holes throughout the world that lead to Hell. It had always been quiet until now... but Hellbeasts are pouring out of it."
"We fought to protect our families, but all we could do was flee... Many have lost their families, and nearly all of us are exhausted in both body and mind."
"So you were heading for the area inside the Black Wall we cleared—the 'Hidden City of the Mist-Weeping Princess'—in search of a safe place. I understand. Please follow me."
Regdus-dono and Lucite-dono both nodded. I knew how fearsome Hellbeasts were. The only things I had summoned so far were a mysterious insect and something resembling 'Gluttony's' tongue, but both had performed admirably when they appeared. There was no doubt that they were powerful beings.
If those creatures became our enemies, especially in such numbers, we would have a serious problem. I would have to hear the details. With Lusin still riding on Kal's back, I led them to the 'Hidden City of the Mist-Weeping Princess'.