192 Episode 192 "The Holy Sword That Did Not Remain in the Legend and the Gentle Dragon Half Body".txt (1/2)

We rested for a while and then headed to the ”Mermaid's Dwelling Place”.

It was a rocky area about a dozen minutes' walk from the training site, a perfect cove for mermaids to protect themselves from the enemy.

The rocks protect the waves, so it's a good place for mermaids to gather and sing carefree songs,” Lumia the mermaid told me.

”The cave you're looking for is probably right behind you.

Lumia leads us to the back of the cove, bouncing in the water.

Sometimes she peeks out of the water and smiles. He's happy to be able to swim freely now that the marquises are gone.

Cecil, Rita, Aine and Iris follow the course that Lumia points out to us.

There was a narrow path on the rocky shore that led to a cave.

'I wonder if this is the ...... 'Dungeon of the Demon Dragon'?

The Marquis of Hilmut and the others were confident that the Holy Sword was just ahead.

The candidate site for the Demon Dragon Dungeon, which the Sea Dragon Kerkator told us about, is also in this area.

I have a bad feeling about those being in the same place .......

Aine and Iris, stay here. I'll send you a message if I hear anything else.

I don't want the demons to come.

'Let me know when the enemy comes and I'll be right back.

It's okay. By the water, Aine is invincible. Whoever comes in will be dried up.

Most enemies can be killed by Iris when she wakes up, too.

Aine and Iris were mmmm, chest heaving.

Where there's water, Aine and Iris are pretty strong, so I think they'll be fine.

That's why me, Cecil, Rita and the mermaid Lumia decided to head to the back of the cave.

''Then deactivate the 'Magic Attribute Change 《Elemental Changer》' and activate ......!　'Ancient Language Magic Light (Light). Adjusted output version!''

Cecil raised the 'True Holy Wand Noeloot' and activated the magic.

At the tip of the staff, a large light lit up. Its size is about the size of a volleyball ball.

This ancient language magic 'light' has a smaller output and a longer duration. I'm not sure if it's because the output is higher than the normal light, but it illuminates the cave as if it's daytime.

I'll make sure it's safe as we go. Nagi and Cecil-chan, please follow me slowly.

Rita takes the lead and walks off.

Behind her, Cecil follows with his 'light' held high. Me and Lumia, the mermaid, are behind her.

The light illuminates the wet rock walls, the ground, and the waterway that runs along the passage.

The mermaid lumia swims slowly along the channel at my walking speed. Sometimes she points at me and checks, telling me, ”That's where it's crumbling” or ”It's hard to walk”. He's a good boy.

Do you know what's in this cave... what's beyond the dungeon, Lumia?

I know where the canal leads.

Lumia nodded, letting the water droplets fly from her light blue hair.

”I've never been beyond that point, but ...... but the person who caught Lumia said things like 'there's a holy sword at the back of the cave' and 'the swordsman became a holy sword user and was invincible and unbeatable'.

The Holy Sword or .......

Normally, though, it would be 'an insanely strong sword with God's blessing'.

It's a good thing that you can't get away from the fact that there's a 'curse' here and the black people were looking for it. ...... I have a bad feeling about this.

I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not a fan. The older a dragon is, the more human-minded it is. The older the dragon, the more human moe...

Lumia is singing.

Maybe it's because of her tolerance, or maybe it's because of her singing, but I don't feel the effects of the 'curse'. There are no demons, either.

But ...... the road is narrow and extremely difficult to walk on.

It's called a ”demon dragon dungeon”, but this is a natural cave. The ground and walls are wet, and occasionally water drops fall from the ceiling. Lumiere will catch you if you fall in,” she says, but her size doesn't allow her to do so.

Rita is walking right in front of me, so if I slip, she'll probably notice and hold me up.

”There's a fork in the road. Nagi.

Suddenly, Rita, who was walking in the lead, stopped.

'The road is bumpy on the left. It's got some ups and downs. 'The right one looks easier to navigate.'

Lumiere, which one leads to the back?

This way.

Lumia didn't hesitate and pointed to the left.

Cecil used his wand to illuminate the path to the left. The path is scraped and tilted that way. The wall is a smooth rock wall. It doesn't look like it's going to crumble.

'I can sense a strange flow of magic from the path on the left. It's as if someone is screaming .......

Cecil grabbed my hand and mumbled.

Rita, ease up on your speed. Let's go forward, making sure it's safe to step on.

I'm sorry.

We headed to the left path.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for you.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on around you thanks to the Ancient Language Magic Light.

The waterway has become narrower and narrower, just barely allowing Lumia to swim in it. The ground is gradually drying up and the water from the ceiling has stopped dripping.

The walls have changed to craggy, and the ground, too, has become rocky. Rita takes a step forward, checking the feel of her feet. Cecil and I are following her as she walks. It's kind of like hiking in the mountains.

...... There's a trail that someone went through. Nagi-sama.

Really?

Yes. It's not natural for a natural cave. It's as if someone has made a path through it.

Cecil pointed his 'light' at the ground.

The ground is craggy and rocky. But there is a gap between the rocks. It's a foothold just barely enough for one person to pass through. I know this because Cecil has shone his light on it and Rita has found it for me.

”Someone got through here?

Maybe someone with a resistance to the 'curse' came here.

That's not possible, sir.

Lumia responded to Cecil's words.

The mermaids have been living in this cove for a long time. If someone passed through this cove, I think it's still in the folklore.

Before that, I don't know.

I said, ”Before the mermaids came here.

'Before the mermaids came here. Before this place became the 'Land of the d*mned', if anyone passed through here: ......

That 'someone' might have taught the nobleman about the Holy Sword.

But why didn't that person take the holy sword himself?

That way, the conversation would have been quicker. We wouldn't have had to look for someone with 'curse resistance'.

...... I don't know.

The only way to find out is to go ahead and find out for sure.

”This is as far as I can take you, sir.

I heard a voice.

From the shallow water, Lumia, the mermaid, was looking up at us.

The channel is cut off by falling rocks. Lumia can only follow us so far.

Lumiere will continue to sing a song of purification here. What are you going to do?

The saint's request can be completed by setting the silver plate near the center of the 'curse'.

I took out the ”Silver Plate of Purification” from my luggage.

My quest is to activate it and regain the mermaid's abode, but things have already changed.

The reason why the saint told me to activate the Silver Plate was to bring the trainee back to her senses. That's already done. There was no longer a need to set this 'Silver Disc'.

The Marquis of Hilmut couldn't touch this land anymore. It will take time for other nobles to find someone with 'curse resistance'.

But ...... the guys from the 'Brave Quest' will come eventually, right?

The visitors are looking for the 'Dungeon of the Demon Dragon'. The goal is probably the holy sword. I'm not sure if this is the case or not, but it's still possible that the same thing will happen to them. That's why...

I'll go as far as I can.

I said.

According to the mermaid lore, the human king did something very bad to the dragon that lived on the earth.

And maybe the dragon of the earth died because of it.

If the holy sword was involved in this terrible thing he did to the dragon...

I have a feeling that Heavenly Dragon (White) and 'Sea Dragon Kerkator' will be in danger if we leave them alone.

Of course, I'll come back if I can't make it,” he said. I'm sure Aine and Iris will be able to help you if the situation arises. We'll manage.

'I'm interested in the old dragon, too. You might know ...... about the demon race.

I wish I could tell White about my people.

Cecil and Rita nodded.

'Then I'd like you to take this with you.

Lumia took out a small crystal ball from her chest.

It's a skill crystal.

It's a skill for mermaids to enjoy singing. It's also the key to the Purification Song. Rita Shama may be able to use the ”Purification Song”. Mermaids can create skills on their own again after a while, so go ahead.

Thank you. I'll take care of it.

I received a skill crystal.

The name of the skill is ”Mushinka-shoutai Level 3”.

Mushinga Singing LV3.

The skill of ”singing” ”freely and joyfully

We waved to Lumia and started going again.

'...... The dragon of the earth does not make mistakes. She made the right choice and ...... so sad and kind.'

Lumia sings the cleansing song all the time.

Trying to counteract the curse. You're a good girl. You are a good mermaid.

”No one knows how it ends, but the dragon of the earth who saves others.

An earthly dragon.

No one knows its name, the dragon of the earth.

Did it really become a 'demonic dragon that curses people'?

It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm afraid of black people much more than I am of dragons.

'The air has changed. Nagi.

Suddenly, Rita stopped in her tracks.

'It's a dead end up here. Maybe it's the end of the line.

...... the magic is getting stronger.

Cecil - he's cold - said, rubbing his arms.

She leans her back to me and hugs herself as if she's hugging me.

''- I'm angry. There's a very, very big one ahead of you, ...... and it's telling you to stay away ...... from it.

Do you feel that kind of magic?

”Yes, ...... I can resist the effects of the 'curse' but it's scary .......

A lot of people have a tendency to chatter, and Cecil's teeth were chattering.

After a while, even the stones lying around began to shake faintly.

I wondered if the ”someone” ahead of us also noticed us.

I turned my attention to the back of the passage.

The path ahead is suddenly narrow. The walls on either side of the path are jutting out, so there's only enough room for one person to barely get through. If a rock falls while you are passing through, you cannot avoid it.

Even if it was able to pass through safely, if someone who was ahead got angry and blocked the passage, it was out.

I'd better get their permission to go through here.

”If there is someone ahead of us... 'Earth Dragon'?

They are fellow dragons just like Kerkator and Blanchalka.

Therefore, the mummy flying dragon Raizika, who was in charge of the graveyard of Blanchalka the Heavenly Dragon, said that this graveyard was built by the demons and ancient elves.

If the Earth Dragon was a dragon from an older era than that, then he should know about the demon race.

''Cecil, try inserting the 'True Holy Staff Noeloot' into the back of the cave.

Like this?

Yeah, almost.

It's not a good idea to have a good time, but it's a good idea to have a good time.

It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on it.

It's the demon tribe's treasure, the True Holy Wand Noielut and the ancient language magic that only demons can use.

It's proof that there are survivors of the demon tribe here.

How will the earth dragons react to the demons who were on the side of the heavenly dragons...

──── Oooh!

From the depths of the cave, a voice was heard.

At the same time, the shaking of Cecil's body stopped. Cecil's body stopped shaking, as did the shaking of the stones around him.

I am sorry to disturb your sleep. A man of the land.

I said, putting my hand on Cecil's shoulder.

''I came here after hearing the story from 'Kerkator the Sea Dragon'. I have received blessings from the Sea Dragon. This child is connected to me. So we are not affected by the 'curse'.

No answer.

I continue.

”I know this is the land of the cursed, and I know there is an existence of a magical dragon. I want to know how this place came to be like that. If a dragon was killed in the past and there are items associated with it, I'd rather just get rid of them.

My child has a dragon.

As an adult, I can't risk my children's safety.

──── Huh.

There was a faint hint of laughter, perhaps it was my imagination.

'Of course, if there's no such thing and you don't want to be disturbed in your sleep, we'll just go home.

All I've been asked to do is reclaim the mermaid's dwelling place and help those who have been affected by the 'curse'. I don't want the Transcendent Being to be angry with me.

Rather, if you don't want anyone to interrupt your sleep, I'm going to break down the rock wall in front of you, what do you think?

...... Nagi-sama.

Nagi is amazing: ......

Cecil and Rita are laughing, too.

I stayed close to the two of them and waited for an answer. Honestly, if there's no such thing as a 'holy sword', I'd be happy to just go home...

Gulp.

Suddenly, the rock in front of me moved.

The rock walls on either side that had blocked the passage crumbled in front of us.

The narrowed passageway opened up and I could see what lay beyond.

'...... fossils and ...... swords?'

There's a massive bone in the wall at the end of the hall.

The wall is several meters high. But the bone buried there is about the bottom half of the ribs.

That means that above this is the top half of the ribs, and beyond that is the spine. I can't even imagine the size of the whole thing .......

The sword was stuck in one of its ribs. The blade was silver and the handle was pure white. The tip of the hilt was in the shape of a dragon's head. Perhaps because it was old, half of the head is missing. The blade itself is free of rust. The tip of the blade pierced through the ribs and into the rounded rock. This shape - it looks like a heart, but...

I think it's the dragon's bones: ...... Nagi-sama.

Cecil's eyes widened as he looked at the 'dragon bones'.

''There's a dead dragon buried here. It's turned into bones - into a fossil.

With the sword in his arm, that's what he's gonna die of.

'Yes. It's probably .......

The path opened up. The rocky terrain has stopped shaking.

Cecil looks relieved. He doesn't seem to be feeling the fear anymore.

'I guess that means go through ......,'

It's not like the exit is blocked the moment you go through. I'd like to think not.

Hmm.

It's frankly just my curiosity that we're going to go beyond this.

The opponent is a ground dragon or a demon dragon. You can't tell when they will turn violent.

I think it's best to play it safe. I don't want the two of you to get involved if something goes wrong.

Good.

”Cecil and Rita, you wait there...

”Okay, okay, let's go, Nagi.

Don't get lost up here. We'll live and die together. We are.

Cecil and Rita grabbed my hand and started to walk away.

I'm no match for them.

I also prepared myself and moved on.

As I got closer, I could clearly see the size of the dragon's bones.

The holy sword that pierced it was also quite long. It's only natural that it pierces through the dragon's ribs - around the thinnest part - so it's natural.

I knew it. This rock looks like a heart.

Cecil turned his gaze to the rock the sword was stuck in.

I'm sure this sword is also a powerful magic sword. I'm not sure if this is a normal sword, it would have rusted and broken a long time ago. The fact that it pierces through bone means that it can cut through the dragon's scales and flesh. That's how capable it is. This sword...

So this is the 'Holy Sword' that the Marquises wanted.

Oh man.

You've found ...... 'The Holy Sword'.

...... It was a much more dangerous item than I imagined, though.

Me and Rita had the 'Holy Sword' in the distance.

This sword is bad.

It's bad enough that it's pierced through the dragon's ribs, and it's bad enough that it's clean even though it should be old. The fact that there is not a single rust floating on the side of the ocean is also bad, and the fact that it is in the center of the 'curse' is also bad.

If this really is the cause of the dragon's death: ......

This holy sword will have the power to kill a dragon.

If that's the case, this should be thrown to the bottom of the ocean right now.

After that, I want you to ask the 'Sea Dragon Kercator' to bury it deep and deep, whether it's a rock, a stone, or anything else, so that it will never be seen again.

In order to do that, we need to pull this out of the bone.

The sword is through the bone. You can't just grab it and pull it out. You'll have to strike it hard with a rock and force it out.

But if we do that, he'll be furious. The master of the bone.

”...this sword cannot be removed.

I heard a voice.

It was from the ceiling.

When I looked up, ...... I saw a small person sitting on one of the bones protruding from the wall.

He was wearing a jet black robe.

His hair is also completely black. Small horns sprouted behind slightly spiky ears.

His skin is pure white and his eyes are narrow. It's almost impossible to tell that they are open. I can only barely see the golden eyes behind one eyelid.

'If you're going to pull out, I want you to do it now. And as you say, you may as well throw them to the bottom of the sea.

The girl said.

”Identify yourself. The Dragon's Mate. A descendant of the demon and his friends.'

I'm Souma-Nagi. These two are my 'spirit link' partners, Cecil-Falot, a demon, and Rita-Melpheus, a beastman.

Without a moment's pause, I replied, ”Nice to meet you.

Ha, nice to meet you.

Hi. Sorry to disturb you.

Cecil and Rita also returned the greetings immediately.

The other party is a person related to the earth dragon. Moreover, they are in the center of the 'curse'.

There is no doubt that they are quite strong. It's better not to offend them.

''May I ask your name? He's from the Land of the d*mned.

I am the spirit of the Earth Dragon Eargals.

The dark-haired girl said.

It was easy.

As if she was talking about where she was from, the girl told her a mythical grade name.

''...... Earth Dragon ...... Earthgals.''

I looked at Cecil and Rita.

They both shook their heads. They don't know.

Neither Saintess, Shiro, nor even 'Kerkator the Sea Dragon' knew the name of the earth dragon - or demon dragon. That means that the owner of this bone was a dragon from an era older than the Heavenly Dragon.

...... Sorry to disturb your sleep, my dear. O great earth dragon.

”Don't be mad. What we have here is a piece of your soul. The body is dead.

The black-haired girl nodded her head in annoyance.

''For some reason, only the spirit couldn't die out, it just stayed like this. Moreover, my mind has split and half of it has gone somewhere else.''

Half?

It doesn't matter. That's not important, and we can't understand it with our own knowledge.

The black-haired girl - the soul of the 'Earth Dragon Earthgulls' - sighed.

''You guys are here, what are you doing here?''

We are here to investigate the source of The Curse.

I looked up at the soul of the earth dragon and responded.

Before I knew it, Cecil and Rita were holding my hands firmly.

My body stopped trembling - or rather, I didn't even notice that I was trembling.

It can't be helped, can it? I'm talking to a god-level opponent.

'The mermaid who lived outside this cave was chased out of her dwelling place by a nobleman.

I nodded to Cecil and Rita and continued my story.

''The reason for that was to obtain the 'Holy Sword' that the nobles say is around here. If there really is such a thing──

”To the bottom of the sea.

'Also, I was personally interested in The Dungeon of the Demon Dragon.

”I see...

The dark-haired girl looked at me with her golden left eye.

I thought for a moment, and then...

”You tell me you have another dragon's presence. ”Outside the cave, too, you will find someone else who shares your spirit. And here is the dragon's good friend, the demon tribe. Well, very well.

Nodding convincingly, she said.

'Curiosity is a young man's prerogative. Allow me to ask you a question. What would you like to ask this 'Earth Dragon Earthgulls who could not die'?'

I'm going to find out what happened to you. I'll tell you what happened in the past, who killed you.

I said, looking up at the soul of 'Earth Dragon Earthgalls'.

I don't avert my gaze. The other party is a god-level soul. The so-called ancient dragons, older than sea dragons and older than heavenly dragons. It doesn't matter how careful you are to communicate with such a thing, no matter how careful you are, it's not enough.

''If possible, the identity of the 'curse' and the reason why you're still here. Please tell me what happened in the past. Maybe that might have something to do with the 'White Guild' - the dragon's adversary - in the world outside .......

”...... Do you know what it means to not be able to die for a long time?

The dark-haired girl put her hand on her ribs and went upside down, using it like an iron bar.

She stood on top of the bone with a thump.

”I am here, I am a dream.

”Dreams?

'Yes. 'Yes, I dream that the body is dead and cannot die yet. That's why what I say is so vague. I have no memory, no resentment, no anger I am no longer certain.

That's okay.

Yeah?

'I am the dragon's people. I just want to know what items are dangerous to the dragon and who is dangerous to them.