Chapter 140 – Underground City Da’Umezalan Part 1
“You have something for me?” (Viine)
“Exactly, I forgot that I wanted to give you this.” (Shuuya)
I smile.
Then operate the item box.
Retrieving the object, I pass it on to her.
It’s one of the items we obtained from the silver treasure chest in the labyrinth.
It’s a small, silver-colored, short-sleeved camisole with a nice texture.
“Oh? You’re giving this silver threaded magic armor to me?” (Viine)
“Yes.” (Shuuya)
Viine receives the body-hugging cloth.
“…” (Viine)
Viine pulls off her black one-piece.
After getting naked, she puts on the short-sleeved dress.
The dress is almost see-through. I was a bit doubtful of its defensive power, but it has mana dwelling within it.
As it’s clothing that perfectly matches with Viine’s silver hair and her bluish-white skin, I’m very satisfied.
Her style is also great, making her quite the beauty.
“Thank you very much, Master.” (Viine)
It suits her, as expected.
『…Your Excellency, how unfair.』 (Helme)
Whoa, that startled me.
Suddenly, a small, smoky cloud appears in my vision with a puff.
Helme talked to me after appearing from within that.
She’s squinting.
Helme is jealous.
『I always give you mana, don’t I?』 (Shuuya)
『Yes, but…』 (Helme)
『Guess it can’t be helped. Here you go.』 (Shuuya)
I poured my thick mana into Helme.
『Ahh, aaaaahn, so sudden, mufuu…』 (Helme)
『Keep your voice down… You’re satisfied with this, right?』 (Shuuya)
Helme disappeared from my sight.
It’s just my imagination, but I’m sure there’s steam rising from her face as she weakly slumped over like a helpless little girl.
『Ahnn! Au, yes.』 (Helme)
I stare at Viine without paying attention to Helme’s voice.
“…It suits you incredibly well. With that thinness, can you wear it below your leather armor?” (Shuuya)
“Yes. I will cherish it…” (Viine)
Viine looks quite happy.
She hugs it to her chest.
Given that she’s flushed red from her neck to the tips of her long ears, it’s easy to grasp her emotions.
Her over-the-top delight makes even me feel somewhat embarrassed.
In order to gloss over that embarrassment, I casually dive into my bed after averting my eyes from her.
“Nya!”
Rollo, who was sleeping on the bed, got surprised and hit me with a cat punch.
“Are you picking a fight with me?” (Shuuya)
“Nyaoa.”
Once again, the song of a boxing movie starts to play in my mind.
Rollo-san transforms into a paw boxer, delivering jabs and straights into my guard.
I oppose that cute Rollo with my certain death technique, the cat teaser.
“Nnn—!”
Rollo purrs with a throaty voice, responding very strongly to the cat teaser.
Jumping up, she chases the cat teaser I was dragging.
I let her catch the string once, then Rollo calmed down some.
Rollo embraced the cat teaser as she pours violent cat kicks against it, gnawing on the string’s fiber all the while.
The wooden grip had already become tattered.
I guess I have to make a new cat teaser again.
“Fufu.” (Viine)
Viine smiles as well.
Did it turn into a good exercise for Rollo? She purred with a throaty voice while hugging the cat teaser to her chest, then starts to close her eyes.
I watch the sleeping Rollo as I wait.
◇◇◇◇
A cockcrow resounds from outside.
Morning already?
As I move to the bay window, I ponder what I’m going to do today.
The choices are: search for the dwarf siblings or decipher the magic map.
I retrieve the dried chopsticks.
I open the window while checking the workmanship of the chopsticks and look outside.
Several crows…are soaring through the air.
It’s probably my imagination that the eyes of the crows are shining crimson.
It’s a clear, summer sky. Looks like it will be hot again today.
I look down at the small alleys and the other buildings from my view on the second floor.
It’s obvious, but this city belongs to the 【Oseberia Kingdom】.
As I’m observing the townscape, yesterday’s story of Mel crosses my mind.
The NSA-like organization 【Nine White Great KnightsWhite Nine】 is investigating the murder case at the 【Owl’s Fangs’】 headquarters in the noble district, she said.
At the very least I can expect that the soldiers of the White Nine to have higher investigation abilities than the common guards.
Even so, they probably don’t use sophisticated, scientific crime detection methods like a forensic investigation team; still, this is a different world where magic and skills exist.
Investigation methods exceeding my imagination might exist as well.
In that case, is it just a matter of time until they get a lead on me?
Mel-san said that I’m a comradeOne that won’t be betrayed, but even the dark guild 【Remains of the MoonMoon Remnants】 is unlikely to be able to oppose an agency which holds the authority of and reports to the ruling power of Pelneet.
I guess I will go to the bar where I might find Rubia today. I had decided to look for a person that might decipher the magic treasure map for me, but…
Should I stop and escape through a gate?
Hmm, escaping is exaggerated. I suppose once in a while it’s necessary to tackle the unknown.
I will use the gate as a change of pace.
This will allow me to explain Paredes Mirror to Viine.
It’s not an escape, it’s nothing more than a temporary vacation.
I plan to return here before long. If I get involved with White Nine, then let’s go along with that. After all, I’m curious about the true power of the great knights.
Alright. While holding on to such trivial ideas, I turn around and return to the bed.
After putting the chopsticks back into the pocket of the bandoleer lying on the ground, I start a conversation with the beautiful Viine, who is combing her long, silver hair.
“…I guess today we are going to depart to the yet unknown ‘outside.’” (Shuuya)
“Outside, you say?” (Viine)
I don a serious expression.
“Yes. Viine…you are vaguely aware that there are still many things I haven’t explained about myself, right?” (Shuuya)
“…It is as you say.” (Viine)
Viine’s face stiffened as if she was bracing herself.
“First, have a look at this.” (Shuuya)
I take out the 24-faceted orbTrapezohedoron from a pocket in the bandoleer I had picked up.
I proudly hold out my right hand, which is grasping the 24-faceted orb towards Viine with a “Ta-dah!”
In the mood of Suke-san. 1 Looking at the seal case of the 24-faceted orb, it’s not the Tokugawa’s family crest, but I still show it off.
『…So, you are planning to explain the mirror to her.』 (Helme)
Helme reacted. An orb shines on her small finger.
『Yes.』 (Shuuya)
“…This is?” (Viine)
Viine was very calm.
Well, going by its appearance, it looks like a big die, after all.
Fufufu, let’s give her a surprise.
“That’s right. Take a good look at this polyhedron and that mirror in the corner.” (Shuuya)
Still smug, I trace the symbol of the first facet, activating a gate.
Just as usual, the orb transformed into a light gate in an instant.
The mirror is releasing light as well.
“T-This is…” (Viine)
The burst of light surprised Viine and the images “reflected” from the other side of the gate shocked her.
“It’s something similar to teleportation. It’s called gate magic. Once you enter — as you see.” (Shuuya)
Walking through the floating, shining gate, I came out through the mirror.
“…Hiii, y-you really teleported? Gate, magic? A-Amazing! That’s far too incredible! Even priestess-sama, who receives revelations from god, wasn’t able to do something like that.” Viine sighs. “Master, are you not only loved by the gods, but actually a divine being?”
Wha-, a divine being…
Even with the right half of Viine’s face being covered by her silver mask, I grasp that she’s very confused right now.
Her body started to tremble towards the end of her sentence.
『…I got angry before, but she’s quite…magnificent. To deify Your Excellency…I can discern that she’s a person possessing a keen eye. Her butt has a nice shape too. Your Excellency, let’s make her bloodkin.』 (Helme)
Helme, you are changing your opinion quite fast, aren’t you?
『Well, I guess that might happen at some point.』 (Shuuya)
“…Calm down. I’m no god. I can simply use this magic tool, the 24-faceted orb.” (Shuuya)
“…Really? Ah!” (Viine)
Viine is surprised by the movement of the 24-faceted orb, which was automatically ejected from the mirror.
The 24-faceted orb floats next to my side, then starts to orbit around my head.
Haha, Viine with her characteristic calm face has become dumbfounded.
Her silver eyebrows twitch and her purple lips that had a trace of pink trembled slightly.
While smiling as I look at her face, I grabbed the orb.
“—Correct, this Trapezohedoron has 24 facets in total. If you use this orb, you can teleport to 24 mirrors located all over the world. At the moment I only know of three places where a mirror has been set up. One is the mirror in this room. One is in the northern 【Hesliphat】 and the last one is in the far northwestern 【Saldia Wasteland】. The rest are only places whose names I don’t know. There are also mirrors at the bottom of the sea and buried in the ground.” (Shuuya)
Even as she stares in mute amazement, Viine nods.
“Using this, we are going to disembark to the yet unknown outside then?” (Viine)
“That’s how it is. I will activate one gate after the other from now on. Please tell me if you find any place you’d like to go to. Today we will explore that place.” (Shuuya)
“Is it fine for me to be the one to decide?” (Viine)
She asks while blinking rapidly while wearing a puzzled expression.
“Yeah, that’s okay. For the time being, I will put up the shallow sea as a candidate. We can go for a dip in the ocean there and call it a vacation, but it’s fine for you to choose a place you want, Viine.” (Shuuya)
“Vacation? Go for a dip in the ocean? I’ve heard about the ocean in legends, but I have never seen it before. I know of a huge, underground sea called Adoban though.” (Viine)
The ocean is a legend? I guess that’s only natural for a dark elf who has grown up in the underground.
“If it’s something you have never seen before, the ocean is the first choice, I guess? Well, just decide as we look. Well then, I will activate them in succession.” (Shuuya)
“Okay.” (Viine)
The usable gates are as follows:
1st: The mirror set up in the room.
2nd: A mirror located at the bottom of some shallow ocean.
3rd: The mirror located in the basement of 【Beltzam’s】 church in 【Hesliphat】.
4th: The witch dwelling 【Saldia Wasteland】, where the wilderness spreads into the far northwest.
5th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
6th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
7th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
8th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
9th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
10th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
11th: A mirror where one can see furniture with some kind of emblem that’s stored in a dark warehouse.
12th: A mirror located on an empty island.
13th: A mirror set up in the house of either some merchant, a major dealer, or a high-ranking noble.
14th: A mirror overlooking snowfall.
15th: A mirror located at a rocky mountain or a cliff with a good view.
16th: A mirror located close to the remains of a ship that’s wrecked in shallow waters.
17th: A mirror set up in a room, where time seems to have stopped. It’s overflowing with armors, swords, and black frames filled with organs and eerie hearts.
18th: A mirror located in a dark, treasure vault-like place.
19th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
20th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
21th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
22th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
23th: A buried mirror showing dirt and darkness.
24th: Seemingly has no mirror, so the gate doesn’t activate.
“This is! Ocean! Blue.” (Viine)
When the second gate activated, a shallow ocean became visible.
“That’s correct. Tell me if something catches your eye as I will activate them one after the other.” (Shuuya)
“Yes. Thank you very much.” (Viine)
I activate all the gates except for the ones with the pitch-dark, earthen views.
And then, when Viine saw the scenery reflected on the other side of the 11th gate, she approaches it leaning forward, almost falling over.
“Eh!? Eeeh? T-This is…my home city?” (Viine)
For real? This dim storage room?
Although all I can see is old furniture…
“Really?” (Shuuya)
“Yes! Please, look at that. It’s the family crest Snake of Green Roses. This is a family crest extolling Misea-sama, the Goddess of Magic Poison. It’s a standard symbol possessed by all the Sorcery Nobles of 【Underground City Da’Umezalan】.” (Viine)
Ah, she’s right.
“Isn’t that great, Viine? You can go back home.” (Shuuya)
“…I-I-I can go back a-ah, ah, ah, ah, aaahh—” (Viine)
Suddenly she went crazy, began crying, and hugged me.
Did Viine-san break?
Her boobs are pressing against me?
Once again, I can feel them through her thin clothes; I guess it’s because she isn’t wearing her usual armor?
Soft, dynamite melons?
I have finally reached Shangri-la?
Bah, let’s hug her tightly with a squeeze?
Haa, no good, no good.
You can call it natural for Viine to be confused after seeing something that appears to be her home for the first time in a long while.
No matter how high her boob volume might be, I must not fall into the spiral of lewdness so easily.
Right now I have to keep my reason…
I stroke Viine’s back.
After a while, Viine stops crying into my chest and lifts her face.
Her silver-colored eyes are still moist.
“Did you calm down?” (Shuuya)
“Y-Yes.” (Viine)
“So, are you going back home?” (Shuuya)
“…Yes. I want to try going back at least once.” (Viine)
Alright, I guess we will give it a try.
If Viine told me that she wants to stay in the underground city to avenge her family, I will let her do so.
“I will leave the gate up as is. We have to check whether this mirror location is somewhere in the 【Underground City Da’Umezalan】 as well as making sure that the vicinity is safe.” (Shuuya)
“Yes.” (Viine)
Viine nods.
“I’m a man and I look human. If a magul like me suddenly appeared, it would probably surprise the other dark elves. It might result in a battle.” (Shuuya)
“…That’s true, isn’t it? It might be better for you to hide your face, Master.” (Viine)
“I know. I’m going to change my clothes.” (Shuuya)
And I will wear my armor.
Closing the bay window, I equip the bandoleer I was still holding.
I look at Rollo who’s waiting on top of the bed.
“Rollo, are you ready?” (Shuuya)
“Nyao.”
Rollo jumped up onto my shoulder and settled herself.
『Helme, are you ready as well?』 (Shuuya)
Once called, Helme appears in my visual field.
『Yes. Am I going to show myself outside from the start?』 (Helme)
『No, after we check the situation on the other side.』 (Shuuya)
『Yes, your Excellency.』 (Helme)
Helme begins genuflecting and vanishes from my sight.
“Master, my preparations are in order.” (Viine)
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