Makeshift Wolf Brigade ③・Therefore.
I researched Hayyarn, and from the scarce materials available, I formed a hypothesis.
It was just a maybe, but it wasn’t entirely impossible.
‘A mechanism using three Eggs.’
Normally, that would be the end of it.
It’s conceivable that Alhazardo Abramelin, who didn’t possess even one, gave up at that point.
But there’s a way to potentially overcome that.
It’s the Witch’s techniques. The exploration techniques she showed me in the Grave of Death.
However… should I really learn those? I hesitated.
The Witch’s methods are akin to what you’d call exploits or glitches in games.
Is it okay to use them? Memories of my past life whispered ethical concerns.
Even so—I decided I should learn them.
I made up my mind and asked the Witch.
She asked for my reasons, so I explained, including my hypothesis.
“Hmm, hmm. I see. That might indeed be possible.”
“…The Elixir Sacred Egg buried in the Junkyard where the Sacred Chamber was. It’s too much to dismiss as mere coincidence… That’s why I want to learn.”
“Indeed, indeed. Even setting that aside, learning this won’t hurt. But it’s quite difficult, you know.”
“Yes. I understand.”
“Mm-hmm. You have good eyes. Wof boy’s straightforward silver eyes. Kon likes them.”
“Ah, thank you very much.”
Her directness made me blush. The Witch smiled.
“So, so, I don’t mind teaching you.”
“Thank you very much.”
“However, however. I want you to remember. This requires resolve.”
“Resolve?”
Resolve—As I stood there confused, the Witch laughed.
Ah, what a beautifully unpleasant smile.
“Now, now, do you know what kind of resolve?”
“…Resolve…”
“Now, now, no need to overthink it. It’s actually quite simple, Wof boy.”
“…Simple?”
What’s a simple resolve?
The Witch nodded deeply and opened her mouth, looking truly amused.
“Well, well. It’s the resolve to break the Dungeon.”
That’s not simple at all.
I had no desire whatsoever to break the Dungeon, but I learned the techniques from the Witch.
I haven’t perfected them yet, but I can manage a few things now.
Well, I can’t deny that they’re all basically cheating methods for Dungeon Exploration.
Still, I want to know.
“So, what are you going to do?”
“First, I need to investigate.”
“Investigate what?”
“Hmm… Let’s see… your skills…”
It’s not like I have amazing skills to show off, but I took another look.
The blue altar. It was almost identical to the white altar in the Sacred Chamber. It just looked like a different color.
As a pedestal for placing an Egg, it felt exactly the same.
But that was just a feeling.
Because this pedestal could distinguish the Elixir Sacred Egg from other Eggs.
First, I thought. How does this mechanism activate?
Being able to distinguish it from the Elixir means it can tell what’s inside.
It knows the contents. Meaning some kind of sensor to detect it is built into this pedestal.
If the sensor determines the contents don’t match, it won’t activate.
So, if the contents match, it will activate. I see, I see.
“Hmm…”
“Wof?”
“Think you can manage it?”
“…Believing… in you…”
“Na?”
Yeah. Impossible. I have absolutely no idea how to do that.
Seriously, what kind of sensor detects the contents? What does ‘activates on match’ even mean?
Is this some kind of Lupin the Third or spy movie thing?
The mechanism isn’t fantasy-like.
No, wait. Maybe there’s a Legendary Relic that does that.
In that case, it’s perfectly fantasy.
“…Yeah.”
I give up.
“Wof. What is it? Can you do it?”
I can’t.
“How’s it looking?”
It’s not looking like anything.
“…Hmm?”
Hmm.
“Na?”
Na.
It can’t be helped.
If it comes to this, the last resort. Use 【Vanish】 to destroy the pillar and get the key.
That’s the only way. Ah, that’s really the only way.
I formed 【Vanish】 in my hand.
‘—But, but. Can you really do something like that?—”
Suddenly, the Witch’s words echoed in my head.
“…”
I dispelled 【Vanish】.
Then, I took out the Elixir Sacred Egg and placed it on the pedestal.
“Eh, what are you doing?”
“Hey, hey. Wof. Hey, hey.”
“…Suddenly… plot twist…”
Just then, the black pillar began to glow, split into upper and lower sections, and started rotating.
“Wh-What the!?”
“Wh-What’s going on…?”
“Hmm… Boy… that Egg is…”
“It’s the Elixir Sacred Egg.”
When the pillar vanished, a key was floating there.
This one was also long and slender with a gem embedded in the center.
This time, I took it.
Ax-san muttered, dumbfounded.
“You gotta be kidding me…”
“…”
“…”
Mineha-san and Liv-san were stunned.
I picked up the Egg from the pedestal and tucked it deep into my pouch.
The next moment, a section of the left wall slid open, revealing a new passage.
Meaning, we were supposed to proceed. But no one moved.
The shock was too great; I couldn’t move either.
So, this is how it was.
Distinguish from other Eggs? Detect? There’s no such thing! It opens if the weight matches! Hahahaha!
I wanted to scream, “HAYYAAAAAAAARN!” but held back.
No doubt about it. This alchemist, Hayyarn, was on the Witch’s side. And malicious.
Even though he was already dead, I felt he was an enemy.
If he were alive, I’d be hitting him with a 【Punish Knuckle】.
“…Ah, well… uh… lucky break, I guess? Or something? Right. That’s it. That’s it. Anyway, let’s try moving forward…”
Ax-san managed to string words together, trying to smooth things over, though his expression was complicated.
Even for the experienced Ax-san, this situation must have been a first.
“Hmm…”
“Right.”
“Yes.”
Somehow, I felt needlessly exhausted.
We proceeded down a passage with faded red floors and walls.
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…”
We fell silent.
We had been walking silently before, but the atmosphere felt different now.
Before, the air was tense and crackling. Now, it was indescribably awkward.
“No Monsters are appearing.”
“Yeah.”
“Hmm…”
“Na.”
“I’ve been wondering for a while now, Liv,”
“Hmm… what is it?”
“That, uh, Monster-like creature you’re holding, what is it?”
For some reason, Liv-san had been holding Dagaa ever since earlier.
Also, Mineha-san. She’s stayed large this whole time, is she okay?
More importantly, I tilted my head.
Huh, I hadn’t explained yet. No, I hadn’t.
Mineha-san nudged me with her elbow.
“Hey, you. You haven’t explained?”
“I haven’t.”
“Guess I hadn’t heard.”
“Um, Ax-san. That’s Dagaa. He’s my pet and weapon.”
“? Pet and weapon?”
“Na!”
“Yes. A pet and weapon… He becomes a Knife. He possesses the Relic [Swordsmanship].”
“…This thing possesses a Relic…?”
“That’s right.”
Ax-san looked quite shocked.
Well, that’s understandable.
“…It becomes a Knife? This thing?”
“It does.”
“Hoh…”
“Na!”
Dagaa turned into a Knife. Liv-san took it in her hand.
“Hmm… Smooth…”
“Whoa, it really turned into a Knife…”
Then he changed back and approached Mineha-san this time. “What is it now?” she said, holding Dagaa.
Ax-san smiled faintly.
“Somehow, things are never boring with you around, Wof.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
It didn’t sound like a compliment. He told me not to mind his deadpan stare.
Just as the atmosphere shifted slightly, we suddenly entered a wide, bright space.
Faded white walls curved around us.
It was a semicircular space. Strangely large.
“Oi. What is this place?”
“The other two didn’t have this.”
“Hmm… Deep inside… black door… there.”
“That black… door, you saw it clearly?”
“…Liv… has good eyes… Smug face.”
Her smug face was cute. Even so.
“Why is it so far away?”
“If you look closely, there’s a weird hole in the middle… I wonder what it is.”
“A hole? Ah, there is. Looks like something might fall from it.”
“Don’t say that. Besides, what would fall down?”
“Who knows.”
“…”
Looking at the hole above, I had a bad feeling.
And those kinds of feelings usually come true.
Judging the situation to be strange, we drew our weapons and cautiously entered the space.
Instantly, something dropped from the hole in the ceiling. It writhed and changed shape.
It became a four-armed, four-eyed Minotaur.
Moreover, it was enormous, about twice the size of a normal Minotaur.
Its color was bronze mixed with black.
Its four arms held weapons.
However, they were all axes, each with a different appearance.
“Another subspecies?”
“It doesn’t look like it’s made of metal.”
“How troublesome.”
“Hmm… Scent… of the strong…”
Then, a voice echoed within the space.
‘You fools who attempt to proceed with only a single Egg. Receive the wrath of the guardian!’
“Who’s there?”
“Oi. Sounds like we’ve been found out.”
“Hmm… Can’t do… bad things…”
“…”
Then don’t let us pass!
Hayyarn. I want to punch him even though he’s dead. I want to punch him even though he’s long dead.
The guardian… the Minotaur Subspecies roared furiously upon seeing us.
Its Roar alone caused the entire semicircular space to tremble slightly.
“Here it comes!”
“Hmm… Exciting…”
“This is no joke!”
The Minotaur’s figure vanished. Incredible speed for such a huge body.
Immediately after, Thump! I was pushed.
It was Mineha-san who pushed me, her face desperate.
I saw it.
The longest axe of the Minotaur Subspecies… sliced through her Spear.
Fragments of the Spear struck the floor with a dry clatter. And then.
“Mineha-san!?”
I shouted.