Novel All
Chapter 538
Chapter 538
Chapter 538: The Palace of the Celestial Princess
Mizuho is not a land of powerful monsters.
However, it doesn't mean there are few monsters. It's even fair to say it's a habitat of monsters. But most of them are small fry monsters. Usually, they don't rampage.
However, Mizuho is a land prone to natural disasters. A sudden occurrence can cause the monsters to start rampaging. That's why there's a branch of the Adventurer's Guild there to subdue them, but the unpopular Mizuho branch is always short-handed.
The lack of powerful monsters makes it similar to the Empire, but Mizuho sporadically becomes busy due to frequent natural disasters. It's the worst environment for adventurers.
That's why few people willingly choose to be adventurers in Mizuho. The number of monsters does not decrease because there are fewer adventurers. Therefore, once the monsters start rampaging, the damage can become significant.
Now, this problem seems to be highlighted.
"Silver... Why would an SS-ranked adventurer from the Empire..."
"Haven't you heard? The Celestial Princess has given a request."
"I heard, but that was just the other day... Did you teleport from the Empire...?"
"How else would I come here?"
"There are ships, carriages, and so on. Don't talk like teleportation is common."
Sieg interjects my words. Thinking about it, he's right. I inadvertently agree with his retort, though I don't voice it out.
"So? Do you need help?"
"If you could assist, that would be extremely helpful."
"What's the situation?"
"For several days now, there have been frequent minor earthquakes, and because of that, the monsters have started rampaging. We've dispatched adventurers to various locations, but the monster groups in the east have been left untouched."
"I see. Let me take care of it."
"I must tell you, we don't have the funds to hire you."
"Don't worry. I'm doing work that is not worth paying for."
There are no powerful monsters in Mizuho. Not like there's a mass migration happening as there was before. Just a portion are rampaging due to being scared by the earthquakes. No need to move from here. I slam my foot on the floor and activate a wide-area barrier to the east. Capturing the monsters that get caught in the barrier, I throw silver magic bullets towards them.
The silver magic bullets divide into countless fragments in the sky, raining down on the monster groups like a shower. I can hear the sound of explosions. The reaction of the monster groups has disappeared, so that should be the end of it.
"I've wiped out the monster groups. You can take care of the remaining stray monsters."
"That can't be... without even taking a step..."
"I heard that you once swept away a tsunami... but to this extent..."
"Are you really human...?"
The members of the Mizuho branch, who are not used to my magic, were taken aback by my actions. I understand their reactions. It was more or less the same when I first started operating in the Empire.
"Hey, is what you just did okay? You didn't involve anyone else, right?"
"Don't worry. I confirmed before I released it."
"Long-distance teleportation, detection barrier, and an attack with magic bullets. You don't even show signs of fatigue. How much magic power do you have?"
I don't answer Sieg's words. Even for me, moving from the center of the continent to the eastern end is tiring.
But now I have the Holy Ring. Because of this, I can use magic without worry. I'm grateful that the worry about how to save my magic has disappeared.
"Well then, can we consider the greetings over? I am in Mizuho. As a branch of the Adventurer's Guild, please keep that in mind."
"Un, understood... So, how long do you plan to stay?"
"Well, that's something to ask the Celestial Princess."
Saying that, I turn on my heel. My target is the castle visible in the distance. Orihime is there.
When I visited the castle, I was greeted by an elderly tiger-man.
"I serve as the minister of Mizuho Sengoku, my name is Kotetsu."
"I'm the SS-ranked adventurer, Silver. I've come in response to the request from the Celestial Princess."
"Thank you for arriving so promptly. Let's guide you to the Celestial Princess."
With that, Kotetsu starts walking. I follow him. But there's no sign of us climbing any stairs.
"Is this the right way?"
"The Celestial Princesss residence is at the back of the castle. It's invisible from the surroundings due to a barrier."
"I see. It's better for the location of the guardian deity to be unknown."
So, the splendid castle is a bluff. Ordinary people probably think that the Celestial Princess is also there. But in reality, the actual residence is hidden behind it.
"The castle is utilized by the king and those in high-ranking positions."
"So even the king is just a deceptive material for hiding the location of the Celestial Princess."
"This country is just like that. Nothing can start without the Celestial Princess."
"It's twisted."
"Call it what you will. It can't survive if it's not twisted."
Everything relies on the Celestial Princesss presence.
But it's not like she's doing it willingly.
She has to do it to survive. She faces pressure from the neighboring Sokal Empire, and the land is often struck by disasters.
The fact that they can live in peace is thanks to the Celestial Princess.
I feel a little sorry for Orihime.
She's likely to be burdened with restrictions in the future.
Her innocent personality might be a rebellion against such circumstances. At least let the things that can be free be free, she might think.
"We are here."
After passing through a long corridor, there was a large door.
When Kotetsu forms a special sign, the door automatically opens.
And beyond it was a smaller door.
Kotetsu approached that door and called out.
"Celestial Princess-sama. I have brought Silver-dono."
"Oh! You're quick! Come in!"
The same lively voice as always comes from inside.
When the door opens, Orihime is relaxing inside.
"You've arrived, Silver. That mask of yours is as gloomy as ever, it's reassuring."
"You're just the same as always, Celestial Princess-dono."
In contrast to Orihime's innocent smile, I feel my energy drained.
Considering she called me out, it should be a fairly significant matter, but Orihime is as laid-back as ever.
"Well, neither of us is free. Let's get straight to the point. Kotetsu."
"Yes, what we would like to request of Silver-dono is the rescue of a child who has wandered into a mysterious forest known as 'Twilight Forest'."
"The Twilight Forest?"
Sieg, who had been on my shoulder, reflexively asks back.
Seeing his reaction...
"Is that the place you're heading to?"
"Yeah. By the way, Silver, how much do you know?"
"I was just told that there was someone who had business in a forest in Mizuho and to take him there. Celestial Princess-dono, this is a letter of introduction from Prince Arnold."
Saying that, I hand Orihime the letter.
It had a brief introduction of Sieg and his purpose.
I also added that they should ask him for more details.
If Sieg didn't want to talk about it, it was better not to. Well, if that was the case, I wouldn't be able to expect Orihime's cooperation.
"Hmm... So you're the talking bear that Arnold mentioned. Arnold has declared that you have nothing to do with demons, is that true?"
"Unless the Draconic Tribe is classified as demons, no."
"The Draconic Tribe?! Why is the name of the legendary tribe being mentioned?!"
Kotetsu is surprised at Sieg's words.
In the end, Sieg tells his story to Orihime, Kotetsu, and me, as Silver.
After hearing everything, Orihime nods once.
"Umu, I will believe you. And I will spare no effort to cooperate as much as possible."
"That's the Celestial Princess for you. Your generosity is impressive."
"Hehe. Praise me more!"
Orihime puffs out her chest with an 'Ehehe'.
Then her chest swings mightily.
Sieg is completely drawn to it, but I immediately grab him and slam him onto the floor.
"Ugh... What the..."
"Do you understand why?"
"You noticed, so you must have been looking too... you gloomy wizard. Bleh!"
When I step on Sieg with my right foot, he makes a sound like a squashed frog.
I continue the conversation while keeping him down.
"Our goals coincidentally align. We will enter the Twilight Forest and make contact with the Draconic Tribe. Sieg is a rare returnee. We'll proceed while sharing information."
"Umu, I leave it to you!"
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