Chapter 133: Interlude – A Day Off with Aurora
About half a year had passed since I defeated the Evil God. Fog’s adventurer rank had risen to S-Rank, and Kiri’s Commerce Guild rank had climbed to Gold Class. Apparently, both achieved these ranks with unprecedented speed. I’ve also been interacting with Aurora-san from time to time, and now we’re at the point where we can casually go on adventures together.
Today, Aurora-san asked for my help, so I’m assisting her with summoning a new Summoned Beast.
“Fog-san, good morning!”
Aurora-san’s dazzling smile greeted me as I teleported to the Imperial Capital.
“Good morning, Aurora-san. Thanks for having me today.”
“Likewise, thank you for your help!”
After exchanging brief greetings, we confirmed today’s plan.
Currently, the only one Aurora-san can summon is Snow. She tried summoning during the decisive battle with the Demon Lord, but nothing responded. I feel like someone might answer her call now, but since we have the chance, I want to help her summon a strong Monster.
When Aurora-san consulted me, the first thing that came to mind was something I heard from the eccentric Excel. Apparently, to get Samuel to summon a Dragon Zombie, she had him chant the Summoning Magic right in front of it. Doing so supposedly increases the probability of linking with that Monster.
So, I decided to introduce her to a Dragon I knew had been summoned once before and was interested in the human world.
“Hey, wait a minute! Take me with you too!”
Just as I was about to teleport to Mount Dragonia with Aurora-san, I heard a somewhat panicked voice. Ah, that must be that certain prince. No need to even use detection.
Turning towards the voice, sure enough, I saw Theodore running towards us. Is it really okay for the next emperor candidate to be casually running through the middle of the city like this?
That said, everyone (except Aurora-san) knows Theodore is interested in her, so perhaps this could be called a commendable effort.
I’m not so heartless as to leave Theodore behind, so I properly waited for him. Aurora-san didn’t seem particularly bothered by it either. I want her to cherish her relationships with people other than me too.
And so, the three of us held hands and teleported to Mount Dragonia. Incidentally, Aurora-san’s hand was small, warm, and soft.
“C-Could this place be!?”
Theodore, having teleported to the entrance of Dragonia, cried out in surprise upon seeing the Dragon lounging there. As expected of royalty, even if he hadn’t been here before, he seemed to know of its existence.
“Is that a Dragon-san!?”
Aurora-san also seemed excited by the real Dragon. Maybe her tension shot up once she realized the Monster she was being introduced to was a Dragon?
The Dragon who had served as the gatekeeper before sent me a Telepathic message. And it called Aurora-san and Theodore slaves! Is that how humans look from a Dragon’s perspective?
When I lightly cautioned it, the gatekeeper Dragon stepped back slightly, stood on its hind legs, and gave a salute, letting us inside. Of course, seeing a Dragon strike such a pose left Aurora-san and Theodore with strained expressions.
“W-Well, it seems they’ll let us in, so shall we go inside?”
I led the slightly nervous pair into Dragonia. Surrounded by nothing but Dragons, it’s only natural they’d be tense.
I guided the two to Nagini’s room. I had told Vora I wanted her to come beforehand, so it seemed the two of them were waiting for us.
“Long time no see! Nagini, Vora.”
Since Aurora-san and Theodore were here, I deliberately spoke aloud to greet the two.
Nagini sent a Telepathic message that everyone could hear. Hey, did she almost just say Mist!?
“N-Nice to meet you… My name is Aurora. Th-Thank you for having me today.”
Aurora-san seemed overwhelmed by Nagini’s presence. As for Theodore, he was frozen stiff like a doll.
Yes, the plan today was for Aurora-san to chant Summoning Magic in front of Vora, and if their wavelengths matched, Vora would respond to the summons. When I checked with Vora beforehand, she said, ‘Accompanying a human again after so long might be interesting,’ which is why I brought Aurora-san today.
Aurora-san nodded firmly at Vora’s introduction, her lips pressed tight. Yep, she really is cute!
With the introductions finished, Aurora-san immediately began chanting the Summoning Magic. Theodore and I stepped back behind Aurora-san, leaving her and Vora facing each other. Nagini watched from behind Vora.
【Someone whose magical wavelength matches yours has cast Summoning Magic. However, those whose contracts have been previously severed cannot respond to the summons.】
For the third time, a window appeared before my eyes. Whoops, looking at the summoning scene, I saw myself standing behind Aurora-san. What a strange feeling.
Looking at Vora, it seemed their wavelengths had matched successfully; she stared into the void, letting out low, soft growls. Then, the number countdown in the window decreased… and hit 0.
Huh? Vora is shouting something? What’s this? Did someone higher-ranked than Vora respond to the summons, pushing Vora aside? The possibility isn’t zero, but there shouldn’t be many beings higher-ranked than Vora… or so I thought, when—
Nagini’s apologetic Telepathic message reached me…
Seriously, it was you?! Do you think the excuse ‘Because I wanted to try being summoned too!’ will fly?!
Nagini was thoroughly scolded by Vora, but apparently, Aurora-san’s Summoning Magic Skill had leveled up, allowing her to summon a third beast. Explaining this somehow managed to calm Vora down, and she was successfully contracted as the third Summoned Beast.
“Alright, now that the contracts are settled, why don’t we take this opportunity to head straight to an Underground Labyrinth?”
Aurora-san nodded happily at my suggestion, and Vora and Nagini also agreed, wanting to fight to their hearts’ content after so long. Theodore… yeah, he’s still frozen, so let’s just bring him along.
I took the fired-up Aurora-san’s hand, placed my free hand on the shoulder of the still-frozen, open-mouthed Theodore, and teleported to the Underground Labyrinth “Jewel Box”.
“What is this Underground Labyrinth called?”
“This is the ‘Jewel Box’. I’ve only been down to the 62nd floor, but the Monsters that appear are quite strong.”
I answered Aurora-san’s question, relaying the information I had about this place.
Hearing this, Aurora-san steeled herself even more and immediately summoned her now three partners.
“Come forth, Snow, Vora, Nagini!”
Three magic circles appeared at Aurora-san’s feet, and from them, her three Summoned Beasts materialized. Vora, the A-Rank Red Dragon. Nagini, the SS-Rank Storm Dragon. And Snow, who evolved into an S-Rank Ultimate Griffon along with my own evolution. Looking at them again, isn’t Aurora-san alone enough overkill to destroy an entire country?
Snow seemed to be greeting her new companions, Vora and Nagini. She knew Vora, but Nagini was a first meeting. I hope they get along well. Nagini, seeing Snow for the first time, also seemed surprised by the rare Ultimate Griffon species.
Once the Summoned Beasts finished their greetings, we tried to enter the lone entrance at the foot of the mountain, only to realize… Vora and Nagini couldn’t fit…
Aurora-san awkwardly went inside first, teleported to the 50th floor to skip the lower levels, and then bashfully re-summoned them.
On the 50th floor of the “Jewel Box,” Monsters exceeding level 90 appear. Vora is level 90, so it might be a bit tough for her, but Snow is level 95. She’s on par with the enemies, and with her excellent Skills and Divine Protection, she should be able to fight evenly. Nagini, on the other hand, is a whopping level 120. She stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Oh, looks like something’s already here. Let’s see, what’s that…
Species: Crystal Golem
Name: None
Rank: S
Level: 95
HP: 1612/1612
MP: 503/503
Attack Power: 923
Defense Power: 905
Magic Attack Power: 555
Magic Defense Power: 962
Agility: 627
Skills:
Roar Lv18
Harden Lv19
Earth Magic Lv15
Earth Resistance Lv15
Lightning Resistance Lv15
Physical Resistance Lv16
Magic Reflection Lv14
Status Abnormality Resistance Lv20
Oh, isn’t this a degraded version of that Crystal Dragon from before? Its stats look just right, too. Guess I’ll have Aurora and the others handle this!
The Crystal Golem seemed to recognize us as enemies, raising both hands and stomping one foot as it let out a roar. Or rather, that wasn’t a war cry, it looked like magic casting. I wonder if everyone realizes?
Sure enough, Earth Magic Rank 1 “Stone Needle” shot up towards Aurora and the others’ feet. However, ignoring my worries, it seemed Aurora and the others also knew it was casting, as Nagini defended with Wind Magic Rank 2, “Air Wall”. During that opening, Snow and Vora closed in on the Crystal Golem. It seems the plan is for Nagini to focus on defense while Snow and Vora attack.
First, Snow, having received Aurora’s Summoned Beast Enhancement, charged straight ahead. She stopped abruptly just as the Crystal Golem swung its thick arm, activating her Evil Eye. The Crystal Golem flinched for a moment, but it seemed to succeed in resisting, letting out another roar as it tried to cast magic again.
Just then, Vora, who had circled around behind it, bathed it in her Fire Breath. It didn’t seem to take much damage, but perhaps because the casting was interrupted, it turned its anger towards Vora. But now, Snow’s Wind Magic Rank 3, “Aerial Blade”, exploded forth. Partly due to type advantage, it left a rather deep gash on its torso.
The Crystal Golem has a Magic Reflection Skill, but it seems Snow’s magic can break through it. I have a feeling Vora’s magic probably can too.
Forced onto the back foot, the Crystal Golem’s expression didn’t change at all, but as if in retaliation, it fired countless Stone Bullets at Snow, only to be once again blocked by Nagini’s Air Wall. However, that seemed to be a feint, as it turned and charged towards Vora.
Vora, who had been anticipating an opening right after it cast magic, tried to leap up and evade the charge, but couldn’t dodge completely and was grabbed by the tail and slammed into the ground. As the Crystal Golem tried to follow up, Nagini hastily struck with Wind Magic Rank 3, “Aerial Blade”, cutting off its right arm and successfully freeing Vora. During that time, Vora regained her footing and unleashed Fire Magic Rank 2, “Explosion”, at the Crystal Golem.
Simultaneously, Snow cast Wind Magic Rank 2, “Tornado”, causing the flames of Explosion and the winds of Tornado to merge, creating a giant fiery vortex. It was the unexpected completion of Snow and Vora’s combination magic.
After the fiery vortex subsided, the Crystal Golem was covered in wounds, melted and gooey in places, kneeling on one knee. It seemed to have taken considerable damage, but as always, its expression didn’t change. Which is natural for a Golem, though. However, perhaps realizing it was disadvantageous to fight two opponents at once, the Crystal Golem quickly stood up and started running towards the injured Vora.
Calmly, Vora let the Crystal Golem get close enough, then hit it with her Fire Breath again.
It seemed to barely manage to defend against the point-blank Breath, but the Crystal Golem was blown backward. Snow, waiting there, finished it off by slicing it up with Aerial Blade. Match over.
“Snow, Nagini, Vora, good work!”
Aurora praised the three who had safely defeated the Crystal Golem with a smile. She immediately started healing the injured Vora with Holy Magic. Theodore could only watch this unfold with a strained expression. Well, that makes sense. If he angered Aurora, she possesses enough fighting power to destroy the Empire.
After that, Aurora and her Summoned Beast companions continued hunting, focusing on Golems, and I happily received lots of materials, enjoying our Underground Labyrinth (Dungeon) date.