episode_0025

25.

“Hmm. Definitely a pretty fast route.”, Osti mutters softly.

The third day of their journey to the elf city, Chinahara. Thanks to the help of the Red Forest fairies, their schedule has been significantly accelerated.

The peaceful journey continued leisurely, feeling like a casual picnic with Erina’s aftercare sessions alternating each day.

The morning of the third day of the journey. The clear forest air envelops the group.

To check the path, the group decides to climb to a high place to check the road ahead.

“Wow, the scenery is great.”

“There was a place like this~!”

“It’s beautiful….”

A vast forest stretching out before them, visible from the open vantage point. Its size is almost impossible to gauge.

Unlike the gloomy atmosphere of the Red Forest, the sheer grandeur of nature is felt. It’s so dense that calling it a jungle would be more accurate than a forest.

“Is that… a building?”, Levy points beyond the scenery.

Artificial structures nestled among the forest like uninvited guests. Even from a distance, they appear somewhat dilapidated.

However, only their vaguely discernible shapes are visible; they cannot be seen clearly.

“We’ll do the exploring later.”, Aries dismisses it curtly.

“But isn’t it on our way?”

“It is. It’s faster to go through this forest. Alternatively, we could go through a human village.”

“Oh really, I hate bugs so much.”

“Let’s go on an adventure~.”

Levy’s eyes sparkle.

“…Wait a minute. I sense magic from that forest. It’s faint, because it’s far away….”

“Magic? If it’s felt from here… isn’t it dangerous?”

“If it’s dangerous, we can turn back. Thanks to the Fairy Queen, we’ve gained a lot more time than expected.”

“No. Leaving it will be harmful. Let’s go and eliminate it along the way.”

“As expected of you, Nun.”

“Come to think of it, Mr. Levy almost got caught too? Hehe.”

“Ugh… let’s not talk about that.”

“Wait, I really want to hear that story.”

This time, Aries’ eyes sparkle.

“Sticky, slimy, squishy with that strange slime…♡”

“Later, later. It’ll get dark soon if we enter the forest.”

“Oh my. I’d like to see Osti-ssi get caught too♡”

“……A-Anyway, I’ll lead the way, so follow me. Keep your eyes straight ahead on the person in front.”

“We’ve already been through a forest.”

“It’s much denser than the Red Forest. …and there are just as many bugs.”

“…! Okay. I’ll follow closely.”

Aries complains a little.

Unlike her, Levy is beaming with anticipation for adventure.

“Alright. Let’s prioritize monster extermination, and I’ll guide the direction.”

The group nods at Erina’s words and heads into the forest.

While they’re tense about this unfamiliar place, they don’t feel anxious. They’re greeted by warm sunlight and the scent of grass.

Certainly, unlike the Red Forest, there’s no unsettling gloominess or chilling sensation to stimulate their senses.

Pleasant birdsong and light footsteps. Trees providing shade, cool enough to be refreshing. A true haven.

“Whoops.”

“Watch out.”

Levy catches Aries who almost trips over a tree root.

Despite being a haven, it’s rather dense, not a place to walk completely carefree.

“Ah, this way. It’s getting stronger. Everyone, get ready to fight.”

“Got it!””Yes!!””Ready.”

“Um, to avoid confusion, please just respond with ‘Yes’ if you would?”

“””Yes!”””

Erina guides the group toward where the magic is strongest. Deeper into the forest, the trees grow denser.

Human traces are almost nonexistent.

They each take up battle stances, slowly advancing while waiting for Erina’s instructions.

“That’s strange. I hear birdsong, but there’s no sign of animals.”

“Like Levy said, it’s strange. At least in the Red Forest, it was just powerful magic, but here, the magic gets more twisted the deeper we go.”

“Explain it simply.”

“Oh so, let’s be careful?”

“You don’t know the details, then.”

“I can’t help it. I don’t know what it means when it’s twisted like this unless I see it directly.”

“Everyone, this way.”

The place Erina indicated is a large artificial structure. The one they saw from afar.

Up close, more than half of it is hidden by moss and vegetation.

“It’s incredible. What’s it made of? Stone?”

“……Wait, I think I feel magic coming from the building itself.”

Everyone falls silent at Erina’s statement.

“What do we do then? Should we destroy the building?”

“Osti, was this building originally here?”

“The last time I passed this way was long before you were all born. It definitely existed, but…”

Osti trails off, uncharacteristically hesitant.

“Let’s go inside. The reason for the twisted magic might be here too.”

“There aren’t any magicians living around here….”

No magician would leave magic twisted like this. Unless, of course, they weren’t the cause of it.

Finding an entrance is a problem. They have no choice but to check carefully amidst the moss and vegetation. The fact that the building material is smooth like marble makes it even harder to find an entrance.

It might be better to just break it down.

The results of breaking it down are unknown. However, whether it will even break is the question.

There is no answer to be found. They lack the experience and knowledge.

“…Let’s break it.”

“Um… I don’t think a sword will work.”

Levy, who has already tried tapping it a few times with the blunt side of her sword, expresses her doubts.

“Time for magic. …Inforce!”

“Using your fist isn’t a good idea….”

Even with a physical enhancement spell, it’s unlikely to be strong enough to break it. Aries is dissuaded.

“Magic… but with a fist?”

“You wouldn’t have seen Osti. This guy wraps their magic around their fists to fight.”

Osti looks dumbfounded. Although he’s lived for a long time compared to humans, fighting with magic-infused fists is an unheard-of concept.

“Ah, then would fire work using a more standard method?”

“How about portal magic?”

Erina asks, recalling being violated on her penis with Aries’ portal magic.

“Well… we don’t know how thick it is, or what’s inside.”

“I’ll just break it then.”

Creak, creak. A mechanical whirring sound, jarringly out of place in the forest, interrupts their conversation.

“Something moved.”

The creaking sound continues at regular intervals, drawing closer.

The surroundings are obscured by grass, trees, and branches, making it impossible to see. They only know something is approaching through sound.

“It’s not a monster. And definitely not a demon…”

“It’s right in front of us!”

A huge mass, entirely covered in moss, as if wearing moss armor.

It vaguely resembles a human form, but its upper body is disproportionately large compared to its lower body.

The way that it moves is making only a creaking sound, causing a primal sense of unease.

“A golem…?”

A golem, a magical creature made from earth or metal using magic. It’s a puppet that moves according to a set code; the simpler the command, the more efficiently it moves.

Complex movements are a testament to the magician’s skill.

“Is this the legendary golem? Amazing~!”

“The atmosphere suggests it’s not friendly.”

“No, it doesn’t have any magic at all. It’s just moving automatically!”

“Automatically? Isn’t that even more amazing?”

“Everyone, watch out! It’s attacking!”

As the golem (machine) raises its arms high in preparation to strike, Erina shouts loudly.

“Erina, retreat!”

“It’s buried in moss, but…the material seems to be the same as the building.”

“This is our chance to see if we can break it with magic!”

Following the advice, abandoning her fighting style, she generates flames in both hands. “Are you planning on burning it all down?!”

Bang!! The golem’s strike was faster than Osti’s shout. Seemingly judging the small girl’s risk level as high while she prepared her fire magic, a powerful punch lands on her.

“Phew. I’m fine. It’s not simple fire, so it won’t spread. Even though I look like this, I’m a genius beauty, you know?”

Thanks to activating Inforce beforehand, she easily dodges.

Levy takes advantage of this opening, circling around the golem to prepare for a strike, and Osti takes up a position to follow up.

As the golem raises both arms to strike again, Aries quickly dives into its arms.

Her spell of choice is one with high penetration. It fires a high-output burst of flame from her palm, aimed at piercing her opponent. While it has short range due to its high power, the Inforce enhancement spell partially compensates for the disadvantage.

However, it doesn’t fully penetrate. There’s an effect, but it doesn’t reach significant damage.

Aries immediately retreats, dodging the golem’s follow-up attack.

Levy, seizing the opening, spins her body, swinging her sword.

The finely honed sword slices through the moss, reaching the golem’s body, but not deeply enough.

“It was too shallow!”

Then Osti attacks, but his short dagger doesn’t inflict much damage either.

Their strategy is for two to attack while the third attacks the target, but the damage output is insufficient.

Several exchanges continue, resulting in only a few small puncture wounds on the golem, and the group’s stamina is already dwindling.

If it were a monster, Erina’s divine power would be a great help, but there are no effective skills against a mere machine.

“Ugh… it’s really tough. What is it made of?”

“If it’s a golem, it should have a core, but it’s kinda tricky to call this one a golem.”

“Whether it’s a golem or an automaton, it must have a heart!”, Erina calls from a little distance away.

“That’s true, I guess? But my magic can only pierce something the size of a needle’s eye, and I’ve only got around 10 shots left!”

She roughly estimates after firing around 30 shots already.

“Your sword isn’t working either, Osti. Any ideas?”

“Hmph…. We’ll have to create major movements to target one spot at a time!”

Osti skillfully dodges and attacks simultaneously.

“I have a strategy! I think I know what to do by observing from afar! Osti-ssi will be in the back, Levy-ssi in the front. Aries-ssi, take advantage of the gaps to strike where I tell you!”

It’s not that she merely watched because there are no effective skills. She is reading the golem’s movements from afar to find its weaknesses.

Her skill of identifying weaknesses can indeed be used in this area.

“””Yes!”””

“Levy-ssi, you’ll have to take a hit! Can you do it?!”

“Of course!!”

Following instructions, the three take their positions.

Levy deliberately steps half a step forward to draw attention, taking a hit.

“Tch!”

Though not a master swordsman, she’s not someone who can’t receive a simple punch.

The excessive power compared to the movement is a burden, but she somehow parries it. Even if injured, she can recover with a healing spell.

With Erina, there’s no problem.

“Osti-ssi! Target its legs! Give it an impact, don’t cut!”

“Going in!”

When its comparatively weaker legs receive an impact, it loses its balance in conjunction with its attack, making it stagger.

It tries to cover its weakness, shielding its left waist with its other arm.

“Aries-ssi! There! The left side!”

“Haaah―!”

Wild flames erupt from Aries’ palm, directly hitting the golem’s waist.

Considering it the final blow, she pours in more magic power, succeeding in piercing it with roughly double the power.

“Is it done?”

“That’s a forbidden phrase.”

“Why?”

“Because when you say that, it usually goes wrong.”

Unlike Aries’ concern, the golem ceases its function.

“Good job everyone.”

“Phew…. I hope there aren’t more of these things.”

“Now that we’ve fought one, the next one will be easier.”

“First, healing.”

While injuries and health can recover, stamina can’t.

The group breathes heavily, savoring their hard-won victory.

“Well, since I guess we can penetrate the thing, please, Aries♡”

“Absolutely not. Aren’t you tired? Are you a hero or something?”

“Please, Ms. Aries.”

“T-Then, ah, I’m thirsty~ Is there anything to drink~ I want something thick and rich~”

“Ah, me too, me too.”

“I want to ask too….”

“You should ask politely, right? I think I made that perfectly clear, you know♡”

“””We want to drink Master’s precious cum♡”””

The three of them say in unison.

“Oh, well, only this once for your hard work everyone♡ Now then, this way.”