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TL: ALT
Chapter 178 – Day 9 of Management Life
From early morning on, the harpies showed up. They didn’t attack us while we slept, but they kept watch over the eastern sky. Perhaps they were trying to protect us from an army attack.
“It’s okay. You don’t need to protect us.”
When I called out to them, they turned around and looked at me, but then returned to their original position and continued staring at the eastern sky.
“Ah! Breakfast? Li-Lipa is hunting with some wild herbs, so wait a moment.”
The harpies let out a sigh of relief.
They must be hungry.
“Why are you so kind to us?”
One of the harpies asked suddenly.
“There are people with the same symptoms in my territory. I just thought it was good that they had friends.”
“Territory? Are you a noble?”
“In a different country. I’m not very familiar with it, but I’m supposed to be the margrave of the ‘demonic land.’”
“The demonic land? Where is that?”
They didn’t seem to know about the demonic land. It wasn’t surprising since they didn’t travel very far.
“It’s a region far to the north, bordering Cliff Garuda.”
“I see… So, you’re not on the royal army’s side?”
“I’m not on either side. I came to check things out because there was a conflict and nobody could mine magic stones.”
“That’s the opposite! The conflict is happening because no one can mine magic stones.”
“That seems to be the case.”
The old mining worker said the same thing.
“Can you mine magic stones from these rocks?”
I lit a fire and heated the stones while asking the harpy.
“You can’t mine magic stones here. We’re just outcasts who were abandoned here. Our power is much weaker than it looks.”
Since they were called outcasts, they must have been discriminated against and isolated.
“I’m so glad you’re still alive.”
“That’s the first time anyone’s ever said that to me.”
“You’re fighting the royal army even though you were abandoned?”
“We have no other choice. Whether they’re monsters or the royal army, we must draw the enemy away and protect the village with our lives. There are lots of harpies like us on the west side of Cliff Garuda.”
“I see. So you’re all harpies?”
“What other monsters are born from humans?”
“There are also Lamia and Arachne. In my territory, the director of the dungeon is a woman with a lizard head.”
“The director of the dungeon!?”
“It’s a time of change. Everyone is starting their own businesses. If you don’t like it here, you can come to the demonic land.”
The harpies looked dumbfounded after hearing this. This was their first time being invited.
While we talked, Lipa hunted six rabbits and two deer, as well as some wild herbs. We butchered the animals, wrapped them in large leaves, and steamed them in holes we dug in the ground. Since there were so many of us, I thought it would be better to cook everything at once, but the harpies were more interested in the magic cube I had used than in the cooking.
“You’ll learn by using defensive magic, so you should practice.”
As smoke rose and a delicious smell wafted through the air, the harpies in the cave came down from the mountain.
They seemed to be enjoying the warm meal since they rarely ate such food. They were skilled at flying but rarely used magic. As they gradually realized that we weren’t a threat, they began to share things with us.
“Is there a place around here where you can find magic stones? No, can you tell us where a large mine used to be?”
“I can’t tell you that. You might be spies for the royal army.”
“I guess you’re right…”
“But many of us were born in a place where there used to be a large deposit of magic stones.”
They were abandoned in these rocky mountains, not far from where they were born. If that’s the case, we might be able to find the deposit by flying around the area.
“Thanks. That’s enough.”
We decided where to go.
“Are we going to wait for the ladies?”
Lipa asked while getting ready.
“No, let’s go ahead.”
I got some water from a nearby river and was ready to go.
“Later, a demoness, a vampire, and an elf woman might come.”
“There are a lot of different races.”
“All kinds gather together. If you tell them that Makyo is here, they might help you, so ask them for antidotes and weapons. Don’t try too hard and get yourself killed.”
“Got it. Thank you.”
We waved goodbye and took off on Lipa’s broom.
To the southwest, a large depression was visible, with faint smoke rising from it.
Gliding over the low bushes, we approached and saw the royal army’s balloons burning in the town below. We hid behind some rocks and watched.
The townspeople were burning the flying carpets, brooms, and balloons. Some buildings had collapsed, and many injured people were shouting in all directions—they must be running out of healing potions.
Soldiers and magicians were being tied up and taken away in the streets. Among them was a masked man whom I recognized. He looked like the sorcerer I had met in the forest.
“It looks like the rebel army has won. If we go there now, we’ll only cause confusion. Let’s find some healing potions first. It’ll be easier to get information if we bring them a gift.”
“Understood.”
Together with Lipa, I searched for medicinal herbs in the scrub forest. The quality of the herbs was poor compared to those found in the demonic land, but it was better than nothing.
For lunch, we grilled the remaining venison with herbs. Attracted by the smell of grilling meat, a pack of wolves appeared. There was too much for the two of us, so we shared the hind legs of the deer. They took them without saying a word. Animals are the same everywhere.
After taking a nap, we headed back to town as the sun began to set.
Dressed as volunteer soldiers and posing as adventurers from the countryside, we passed through the gate without being questioned.
We asked the adventurers’ guild if there was anything we could do, but they only told us to “be prepared for a night raid.” After delivering the herbs, we decided to explore the town.
The town was preparing for the next battle. Adventurers sharpened their swords, and hammers sounded from the blacksmith’s shop.
An old man serving tea at a food stall told me that the number of wounded people lining up at the church seemed to be decreasing.
“There’s not much we can do. We happened to meet some adventurers who agreed to help us. We’re just lucky.”
He said, “You don’t have to pay me in times like these,” and continued calling out to people walking in the square. Apparently, there was a group of skilled adventurers.
“Shall we go see them?”
Lipa seemed eager to see them.
“Find the prisoners instead. I want to talk to the sorcerer.”
“Then it must be the slave trader near the gate.”
“Do they turn captured soldiers into slaves right away? That’s barbaric.”
“No. I just thought so because there’s no other place with a large prison.”
There are many criminal slaves among the miners. There used to be a mine in this town, where many slaves worked. But I don’t see any now, probably because of the conflict.
I headed toward the slave trader before sunset.
“Is there a sorcerer among the prisoners? He looks a bit like someone who helped me in the past…”
“There might be, but I can’t let you see him. We don’t know who might be an enemy spy.”
The slave trader was surrounded by adventurers who had joined the rebel army. The prisoners were bargaining chips, so they couldn’t be released. Especially today, with the suspicious volunteer soldiers who had just arrived, there was no way they would let us in.
We could force our way in, but that would make it harder to escape later. I was considering using a sleeping potion when the adventurer who had been glaring at me suddenly rolled his eyes and turned white.
Ding-ding-ding.
A faint bell sound could be heard.
“Come… this way.”
As if possessed by someone else, the adventurer said that and turned around to enter the slave trader’s tent. The other adventurers gathered there looked as if their minds were elsewhere as they stared up at the ceiling.
“What kind of magic is this?”
“I don’t know.”
Even if I ask Lipa, he won’t know.
“Let’s just go for it. Worst case scenario, we’ll blow up the whole town. Lipa, wait outside.”
“Understood.”
I followed the adventurer with the white eyes as he led me into the slave trader’s shop.
It was dimly lit, and the farther we went in, the fewer light sources there were.
As we descended into the basement, small magic stone lamps hanging from the ceiling were the only light source, and I could not see my feet.
However, I could sense that there were many people there.
The underground space was larger than the building itself, and rats and insects crawled on the walls and floor. The air was humid, and the place had a musty smell.
In front, a desk was placed, and a magician with a large staff stood guard. He leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling. He was unconscious.
Further down the passage were iron-barred doors embedded in the stone walls.
“Hey, genius sorcerer! Are you there!?”
My voice echoed through the basement.
“I knew it! I thought a monster had entered the town, but it’s the Lord of the demonic land! Over here!”
A tattooed hand reached out from behind the iron bars in the back.
“Can you see magic?”
“Yes, there’s a family with cursed eyes here. Anyway, get me out of here.”
“Hmm… I’ll have to hear your story first.”
“What?”
I picked up the key on the desk and walked to the iron bars in the back.
“What happened? Are the sorcerers joining the civil war?”
“No, we have no such intention. We came here to investigate the magic stone mine and prevent a civil war. But while we were investigating, the people in the capital sent the air force, and now look at this mess.”
“Didn’t you explain the situation to the rebel army?”
“If they had understood, this wouldn’t have happened. They think that everyone who comes from the east is the enemy. I can’t blame them for attacking us without warning, but…”
The soldiers lying on the ground must have heard us, but they didn’t respond.
“Are you investigating the mineral deposits in the mine?”
“That’s right. But there are hardly any minerals left. There were no slaves in the town, right? The townspeople know the mine is exhausted. However, the master of the mine is trapped in the deepest part.”
“What do you mean, ‘trapped’?”
“The master is a monster born in stagnant water. He grows larger by absorbing hatred and resentment. The water has accumulated at the bottom of the earth. The magic stone particles, powder, and dust that have accumulated over many years have given birth to this creature…”
This is going to be a long story.
“Keep it short. Is there anything I can do? If civil war breaks out in Cliff Garuda, it will affect the Kingdom of Meiju. I came here because I don’t want any problems with trade involving the demonic land.”
“Defeat Nushi, pull it out, and if there is a magic stone deposit beyond it, there may still be hope.”
“If not?”
“We’ll have to gather all the cursed families and search for the earth’s veins. If the veins reach the large hole, we can expect the entire continent to split apart.”
“That’s serious. I’ll go then.”
I headed straight for the mine. No one scolded me for not releasing the sorcerers from their cells.
Before leaving, I asked one last question.
“Are there really so many cursed families?”
“There are eight families in the front line and four in the back line. There are also four families with special curses. These families of sorcerers have existed for hundreds of years. They are called the Hundred Cursed Families, and it might seem creepy to the lord of the demonic land.”
“No, teach me sorcery next time. I’ll come back for you when I defeat the master. Just wait a little while.”
With that, I left the slave trader.
“The master is trapped in the mine. They want me to pull it out.”
“I don’t really understand the situation.”
“Let’s check it out at the site.”
“There are guards, I’m sure.”
“Should we use a sleeping potion? Did you bring any?”
“No, I didn’t bring any. What should we do?”
“It’s getting dark, so we’ll manage somehow. Leave it to me.”
“Um…”
◇◇◇
Swung!
Lipa’s wooden sword sank into the stomach of the big man guarding the mine.
“I’m sorry. I decided to just knock him out.”
“Ugh, that’s going to hurt. Well, whatever.”
After taking the magic stone lamp from the unconscious guard, we entered the mine.
It would have been surprising if there had been any traps, but this wasn’t a bandit’s hideout, so there weren’t any. A few bats and mole-like monsters appeared, but Lipa took care of them.
Gradually, the humidity increased, and puddles formed at our feet. It seemed to be the site of a subterranean lake.
When we lit the lamp to illuminate the depths, we saw a round hill embedded in a hole.
“Is that the master?”
Its smooth, shiny black surface was covered in slime. Was it originally a catfish?
It was a giant catfish, even by the standards of the demonic land.
“It seems we just need to pull this giant catfish out.”
“Is it okay to kill it?”
“Sure.”
“What kind of catfish dishes are there?”
Lipa was already thinking about eating it.
I deployed my magic cube and tried to pull it out all at once.
Bang!
The moment I used my magic inside the master, I was repelled.
“What the?”
I ignored the slime and palpated the master’s body, finding that magic was spinning inside at high speed.
“What’s going on?”
“Magic is spinning inside. The master’s anger won’t subside. This is bad. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
According to the sorcerer, it’s a monster that has been absorbing human thoughts and magic. I realized for the first time that this master was different from the monsters I had encountered in the demonic land.
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