第１０３４堀：静かすぎる森 (Part2)
It was evidence that creatures lived in this area.
Yet, it was strange that there were absolutely no traces of them. It was as if this forest was completely devoid of life.
"Aslin. Did Igu-chan or Fae-chan find anything?"
"Nope. They said this whole area is like, totally empty. It’s weird, right?"
Hmm. It is indeed strange that the magical beasts led by Aslin can’t find anything. If there were any monsters or animals around, they would surely have spotted them from the sky or detected even the smallest creature for Aslin’s sake...
"Milly. Do you have any experience with a situation like this? A forest or space where there are absolutely no monsters or animals?"
"Hmm. Well, sometimes that’s a sign of something coming. Like a Great Outbreak, for example."
"N-no way!"
Schans panicked at Milly’s hypothetical scenario. Well, if a Great Outbreak were to happen here, Schans would be hit directly from the rear, so that would certainly be unbearable. Though, that goes for us, too.
"Wait, calm down. It was just an example. But usually, that happens when a place that was full of animals and monsters suddenly goes quiet. But this place seems like it never had anything to begin with. Schans, don't you have any experience with a situation like this?"
"I have no experience with such a mysterious forest either. Hmm, but come to think of it, there was a report that the guild sent out an investigation team 150 years ago and subjugated a massive swarm of monsters. Therefore..."
"Ah, I see. So we could consider that most of the monsters in this area were wiped out back then. And there was also talk that the guild repelled any monsters in the vicinity afterward, right?"
I see, so there is a possibility that the monsters in this area have already been eliminated.
"Ah, I get it. If that happened, the monsters and animals might be wary. Since everyone died, the surviving monsters might have just run away."
"Monsters are surprisingly clever. If they think they can't win, they run away immediately."
"Animals are the same. They pull back easily if they think it's impossible."
Opinions from the experts, then. That makes it a high probability.
"Well, for now, this isn't a bad thing. Regardless, let's clear a path and move on. Not that we should let our guard down, so everyone stay alert while we pick up the pace."
I said that and gripped the magic sword I had customized—or rather, improved—with the help of Yuki, Narjia, and Comet while they were copying it. The original "Thunder Magic Sword" is a national treasure, after all. Since the connection to the Rogari Continent allowed enchanted swords to circulate, the rarity of magic swords has diminished slightly, but a sword that can cast magic on behalf of the wielder still holds significant value. Considering the situation with the Hifie Holy Kingdom and the R-Magic Swords, if peace hadn't been established, it would have led to further warfare, so Yuki and the others running around to fix things was definitely the right call.
Anyway, that’s beside the point. What I have in my hand now is the Lightning Sword, which was heavily modified—no, adjusted—based on that thunder magic sword. Yes, yes, don't tell me I just changed the name. The power is...
"Here I go. Pierce!"
*Pyun!*
Triggered by my shout, a thick flash of light tore through the air with a sharp sound, and nothing was left in its wake.
"Huh. And where exactly is the 'thunder' element in that? It looks like a beam to me, no matter how you slice it."
"Wow~, it's a beam!"
"It definitely looks like a beam."
"Well, in principle, that’s correct. If you pursue high firepower, it eventually becomes high-density heat. Science and magic are the same in that regard. That said, its attribute is still lightning. Thanks to that, it’s useless in places where magic nullification is active."
Well, if I choose the right location, I can fire this absurd beam as much as I want as long as my magic power holds out. Also, it’s hard to damage creatures with high magical defense. It just goes to show that the world isn't as simple as those sci-fi robot stories from Yuki's world. Though, Narjia and Comet seem to be considering whether they can somehow create a "mobile suit" using magic.
"How incredible... Does Weed possess weapons of this caliber?"
"Unfortunately, you need high magic power like ours to use it at this level. Schans, you might just barely manage it? But anyway, the path for the climb is made, and I want to reach the middle of the mountain by sunset."
With that, we hurried along our way. They say that lands where "things have happened" become quiet, but I wonder what it's really like. A forest where animals vanish. It feels like there’s something more to it.