Chapter 88 – Desert (2)

Belloc muttered, but no hologram floated before his eyes, nor did his companions’ character sheets pop up. Only the campfire was visible, and the red-haired and short-haired women were merely sitting blankly.

What did he expect? By now, it was about time to adapt. Belloc chuckled and spoke.

“Originally, I could only imbue lightning into my weapon. But for some reason, after killing the archdevil, that power became even stronger. Now, it seems I can even call down lightning at my will…”

“The problem is that the consumption of mental power is so extreme that it’s not a power that can be used often.”

Belloc nodded at Cara’s words. The throbbing sensation in his head was truly like shit. Furthermore, if he were to faint during battle, that would be the end of it. Not stopping there, Cara also spoke about the armor he was wearing.

“The legacy left by the archmage. The spell-warding armor was also damaged during the battle with Astaroth. As you know from hearing the blacksmith’s words, it can no longer completely block the opponent’s spells. It only reduces a portion of the damage now. So, if you meet a mage, you need to watch yourself a bit. Understood?”

Belloc nodded once more at her firm tone, which was mixed with worry.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good. Then shall I introduce myself now? Or do you want Adele to go first?”

“Um… I will go first.”

With those words, Adele rummaged through her breast pocket. Soon, the holy relic bestowed by the goddess—the red book engraved with Helena’s emblem—shone in the campfire light. She gently caressed the cover of the book with a careful touch before opening her mouth.

“When I first accepted the goddess’s holy power, I was flustered. I had absolutely no idea how to handle this power flowing through my body. However, as the journey continued and the more I killed demons and monsters, something appeared inside the book. That is to say… a new spell? A prayer? Things like that appeared.”

Adele opened and showed the book. Inside, along with hymns and doctrines praising the goddess, the principles of the prayers Adele had used so far were densely written.

So it meant it was like a grimoire, right? And a growth-type one where stats rose as the level increased. Was that why she stared at that book at all hours?

“As expected, it wasn’t an ordinary item. Should we view it as a holy scripture?”

Leaving Cara’s admiration behind, Adele spoke again.

“Anyway, the powers I can use right now are largely threefold. Creating a protective barrier by raising flames. Imbuing holy power into a weapon to wield or detonate it. Ah, it seems this power can also be applied to other people’s weapons. If you happen to need it, you just have to let me know. And lastly…”

“The power that healed the wound on my stomach. You mean the healing art, right?”

“Yes, back then, when we fell into the lake. I used it once on Isabel and once on you. It was a clumsy skill because I had only just learned it.”

“That’s not true. Thanks to it, I was able to survive without any aftereffects. Of course, it was also because Belloc did a good job with the first aid, but…”

Cara shook her head and grabbed Adele’s hand. Then, she whispered a thank you.

“W-What is this! It doesn’t suit you! Cara, you! I think you’ve become strange lately! Why have you become so sentimental?”

Even though Adele pulled her hand away in disgust, Cara chuckled instead. Then, she clung to Adele’s side and linked arms.

“Me? Really? Maybe… it’s because I came back to life after dying. Or maybe it’s because I’ve come to like you guys too much. You too, Adele. And you too, Belloc…”

She said such things so casually. Was there alcohol among the food they ate? Belloc tilted his head, but her face looked perfectly fine. Perhaps the dry desert air and the campfire tickled her heart.

Adele looked at Cara, who was clinging to her like glue, and then at Belloc, before showing a complex and subtle expression once again. Soon, she listlessly stirred the embers with a twig in her hand, snapped it, and threw it into the fire.

“Anyway, my abilities end here. I am sorry for my humble skills. I will make more effort.”

What did she mean? She was a broken character who could tank, deal damage, heal, and even buff. Ah, was the buff not a thing yet? Even so, her versatility was incomparable. Dammit. Why did I choose this class? Lightning, fire, they were all pretty much the same, weren’t they? Belloc, who grumbled inwardly, spoke.

“Adele. You are doing well enough. Try not to overdo it.”

She shook her head. Then she grit her teeth.

“No! Because we must never repeat the things that happened at the royal castle. If only I had been a little stronger, there wouldn’t have been any problems. Isabel too…”

For a long time after that, Adele badmouthed Duke Georg. In her words, Georg died in dozens of ways. There were many bizarre execution methods that even Belloc admired.

Right, once they escaped this desert, they would have to make that bastard pay the price too. Catching all of his subordinates as well. Blood must be paid with blood. Revenge was always sweet. Just as Belloc’s eyes sank deeply and Adele calmed down a bit, Cara spoke.

“That’s right. Those disloyal sons of bitches are also our targets. Even though they survived thanks to us, they repaid our kindness with enmity. Fucking nobles. Anyway, we will need the assistance of a mage to get revenge on them, right? I’ll introduce my spells.”

Cara opened the rune book hanging at her waist. Then, she folded her fingers and spoke.

“First of all, I’m not a mage bound to a single element or school. Strictly speaking, you should view it as me having learned a wide variety of spells. Not all of them, but around cold, fire, lightning, and arcane magic. So…”

Cara trailed off and poured out the spells she could use.

“Ice Spear, Ray of Frost, Frost Storm, Chain Lightning, Lightning Bolt, Fireball, Dragon’s Breath, Shield, Arcane Missile, Blinking Light, Shockwave. That’s about it.”

They were all spells he had seen at least once in previous battles. However, hearing the explanation like this was different. Cara explained in detail to the two how each spell worked and which ones were lethal.

“That’s it. Looking at it now, it feels a bit lacking. I’ll make more effort too.”

Lacking? What was lacking? Belloc shook his head. From what he knew, even a mage who could only use a proper fireball spell could occupy a seat by a lord’s side and live in luxury. However, Cara could use over ten spells regardless of their type. Although most of them were offensive magic, it was actually better since they were a party that lived covered in blood anyway. Besides…

“Ah, you know I have some knowledge in alchemy too, right? I can also manufacture potions that give various beneficial effects, poisons, or explosive potions. As long as I have the materials and equipment, that is. Of course, I’d need the help of this book.”

For the supportive part, they could get help from alchemy. The party had also fully benefited from the healing potions she made. What a broken character. No matter how he looked at it, it seemed he had chosen his companions well. Isabel too… Belloc’s smile faded. Unaware of this, Cara continued speaking.

“It’s all thanks to this book you got for me. Bizarre spells come out endlessly. If only I had some time, I’d want to shut myself away and do nothing but research for several months. Anyway… look forward to it. Next time, I’ll show you summoning magic. There’s one I’m learning right now.”

Finishing her words, Cara stretched and yawned. Her body seemed exhausted from the journey after a long time. She shook her head to drive away sleepiness, then looked at Belloc. She spoke.

“More importantly, Belloc, isn’t it about time you got a haircut?”

“Is that so? I’ve been so distracted that I didn’t even think about it.”

During his stay in Altanis, he habitually shaved. However, because he couldn’t get a haircut, his hair had now reached the length of a bob falling to his shoulders.

Damn. When did it grow this much? The moment he heard Cara’s words, his wavy, slightly curly hair seemed to tickle the back of his neck. What should he do about this?

“Does it look weird? Should I cut it with a dagger?”

“Mmm, no! It would be such a waste for that. Maybe because your natural features are good, everything suits you well. Seeing you with long hair, rather than a knight, you look more like a young noble from somewhere.”

Cara shook her head. This time, Adele approached Belloc’s side. She also opened her eyes wide, stared at him, and took off her gauntlets. Soon, with hands full of calluses, she combed Belloc’s bangs and parted them to the side.

Isn’t this a middle part? This is a bit burdensome. Even though he frowned, Adele smiled brightly. Then, using her glossy gauntlet as a mirror, she held it up in front of his face.

“Take a look, Lord Belloc. It suits you very well.”

Belloc slightly raised his head. A handsome man with eyes shining like obsidian, sharp eyes, and a mouth that looked somewhat stubborn was making a strange expression. His face, which was now familiar but could never truly become familiar.

He was suddenly startled by a strange thought that flashed in his mind. What did the original me look like? My name? My age? His head throbbed. Was it the aftermath of last night’s battle? As he groaned, he heard the conversation between Cara and Adele.

“It’s all good, but still, I think men look best with short hair. Neat is the best.”

“Certainly, that way highlights their masculinity more… Ah! I absolutely did not mean you, Lord Belloc!”

Dammit. Whose tune am I supposed to dance to? Belloc ended up chuckling, and the headache hitting his brain disappeared. Under the desolate land piled with nothing but sand, which looked only like blocks of dark shadows because the sun had set, the party shared small talk for a long time.

Eventually, as the half-burnt campfire crackled with embers, and the white moon and the swarm of stars floating overhead watched the party intently, Belloc took the first watch. He did not wake the two. He just sat quietly, befriending the moon and stars until the embers died out completely.

#

“Why didn’t you wake us up? I am worried your body might have suffered. Please never overdo it by yourself from now on.”

“Adele is right. Why do you always try to shoulder everything alone? Even if we’re not fully reliable, I wish you would lean on us a bit too.”

“I was wrong. I’ll do so in the future.”

Leaving the nagging duo behind, Belloc mounted his camel. As if the low temperature had vanished, the intense direct sunlight welcomed them once again. Damn. It was fucking hot. After a while, perhaps to save even the energy to speak, Cara and Adele also shut their mouths tightly and began to move.

The camel snorted, and with two humps and one head added, three pillars received the sunlight, casting dark shadows.

It was when the party had been walking for a long time on the soil that they didn’t sink into. Something caught Belloc’s senses. First, the sound of tearing wind was heard. After that, a fine vibration in the air struck the back of his neck.

“What is this now?”

Belloc reached his hand to his waist. A spear in the form of a dagger clicked, revealing a cold blade.

“There’s nothing visible right now… Is it above? Or below?”

The two, who had already adapted to Belloc’s beast-like senses, drew their weapons familiarly. The camels’ cries turned rough. Their hooves, which had been supporting them firmly on the ground, also began to tremble. It was an instinctive fear as prey before a predator.

No, you can’t. If you’re gone, who do you expect to carry this luggage? Belloc, who calmed the camel while stroking its chin, raised his spear. Where his gaze and shoulders were pointing was where the setting sun was. The sky.

“It’s above.”

Just before he threw the spear, a giant shadow cast over the heads of the three. Cara and Adele turned their heads.

Kkiieee-ek!

Beasts with wings full of stiff feathers, birds of prey’s talons, and glass-like eyes were gliding in the sky. Perhaps due to the wings spread out to both sides, their size seemed to easily exceed 5 meters. However, that was not the important thing.

“My God… what on earth is that?”

“It looks disgusting.”

The creatures were not just large birds. Instead of a bird’s beak and face, they were monsters with human heads attached. Damn. What novel bastards. Are they some kind of human-faced birds?

Kkuueeee-e

Did finding prey after a long time excite them? The human face that had been wearing a crying expression grinned. Even so, it was merely the grin of a fiend whose corners of the eyes folded once more and saw-like teeth were revealed. Belloc also smiled. He looked forward to seeing how much experience points those new monsters would give.

After nodding his head once, he stretched out one hand. A flash of light tore through the sky. The spear embedded itself into the monster’s heart with a thud.