101: The smoother things go, the more you gotta watch out.

That’s what Raidock told me later.

They were moving like this, apparently.

The mixed unit of Raidock’s adventurer squad and Julara’s lizardman force had pushed into the heart of the marshland to rescue Zaid and the others.

It was said to be a maze of tangled mangrove branches, water, and grass.

First, they paired up adventurers with lizardmen.

Each team spread out evenly on either side of Raidock and Julara’s lead team, felling hydras while searching for survivors.

"Right! Raidock!"

"Got it!"

Raidock’s swordwork diced the twelve-headed hydra into pieces.

Of course, that only worked because his teammates had his back.

Julara let out a soft sigh.

You're really strong. A twelve-headed hydra? To us, that’s a legendary-level monster.

Raidock turned around and laughed, hahahaha.

I was just like that not long ago. But ever since I came to Golden Dune, I’ve gotten stronger.

"A Craft stamina potion, huh... My lizardman warriors have been taking it daily for the past month. They're stronger than ever now."

Right?

But still, the stronger you get, the slower you grow. Your strength is in another dimension.

"Not even close yet."

Raidock shrugged, and Julara shrugged in a different way.

The Jurala narrowed its eyes, lifted its face, and began scanning the area with a grim expression.

...I sense human presence.

What? Solar!

Yeah! Which way!?

Solar approached cautiously, following the direction Julara pointed.

"Those roots! Survivors!"

Good work! Team, full perimeter alert! Bep and Solar, extraction!

"Ooh!!"

Solar rushes toward the soldier hidden within the roots.

"O... oh, you came to rescue us... you didn't abandon us, Zaid-sama?"

The soldier crawls out slowly, face worn to the bone.

Solar and the priest Bep exchange a look.

Bep shakes his head slightly, then turns back to the soldier.

"Right now, I’m healing you."

"Thank you. I thought I was done—potion ran out."

"Save your breath."

Bep heals the soldier with recovery magic.

A Craft-marked Healing Potion would work faster, but they’re limited in number, so magic’s the way to go.

Magic recovers with rest.

Balancing items and magic—now that’s the trick for long fights.

(If only we had Craft’s storage space, we wouldn’t be stuck with all this gear.)

Raidock let out a dry chuckle, wishing for Craft’s spatial storage—something that could hold more than the limits of normal items.

“Treatment’s done. Your fatigue’s worse than the wounds.”

“Drink a stamina potion, then head out with Shururu’s team.”

As Shururu’s team approached the soldiers, the sight of a lizardman—something they’d never seen before—made them flinch.

Raidock was right there, quick to cover.

“Fine, fine! No time for details, but they’re on our side!”

“B-but… a humanoid we’ve never seen before…”

“Who found you? That lizardman.”

The soldier stared wide-eyed, eyes locked on Shururu and Julara.

“S-so… I see. I owe you thanks.”

Shururu grinned, stepping forward.

“Relax. I’ll guard you till you get home!”

“Y-yeah…”

The soldier joined Shururu’s team and began moving together with them.

Thus, Raidock and the others rescued one soldier after another, working alongside the lizardmen.

Somewhere along the way, Solal noticed something.

"Hey, Raidock. I just realized something. When those soldiers stayed still among the mangrove and banyan roots, the hydra didn’t seem to notice them. Everyone ended up hiding in the roots at the end."

Raidock nodded, big and slow.

"Right. They lost their weapons and potions. Trapped in this thick fog. When they run out of strength, it’s natural they’d end up crawling into the roots to rest. Maybe… maybe we can save them all after all!"

Thanks to the lizardfolk’s unshaken tracking ability even in swamps and the relentless effort of a few rangers, they managed to uncover every soldier hiding in the mist.

◆

“What?”

Julara, leading the way without hesitation through the marsh, suddenly lifted her head, her expression hardening.

I thought Raidock had found another soldier, but something felt off.

“Julara, what’s wrong?”

“No… it’s just that ahead, the fog seems to be thinning…”

“Why’s that strange?”

Raidock would’ve welcomed the fog lifting, but Julara looked tense. There was something only a lizardfolk could sense.

Julara stood silent for a moment, scanning the surroundings. Then suddenly dropped to one knee and began examining the ground.

“Raidock… call Solal.”

“Got it. Solal!”

Raidock called out, and Solal arrived moments later.

Solal began carefully examining the ground soaked in water.

“These are human footprints. Quite a few of them. No surprise, really—Lizardmen, after all. I wouldn’t have noticed these in the swamp without paying close attention.”

“Just because we’re better in swamps and marshes. Solal’s got the edge in town or forest. She can use her ability anywhere.”

Humility? Julara turned her head slightly. Maybe she was blushing.

Raidock gave a dry smile. Solal shrugged lightly, then continued.

“Given how many soldiers we rescued, these footprints must be all the survivors’ tracks, right?”

“So Kyle’s brother is probably ahead of us?”

“Absolutely.”

The two nodded in agreement. Raidock confirmed it.

“Alright. Move carefully.”

Raidock gave the order to everyone.

Julara opened her mouth to speak, then shut it again.

(Feels off... but rescuing comes first. Yeah.)

Julara crouched low and began following the footprints alongside Solal.

The change came instantly.

The thick fog, like spilled milk, suddenly cleared—revealing a black mangrove forest right before them.

A sea of pitch-black trees, as if plucked from a fairy tale, spread out in every direction.

Julara froze, speechless at the sheer shock of it—but the opposite was true for Raidock and the others. They gasped in disbelief.

“W-what…!?”

“This can’t be!”

“Impossible!?”

Julara turned sharply toward Raidock, stunned by their reaction.

“Raidock!? You knew about this!?”

Raidock didn’t look away from the black trees. He spoke to Julara.

“Remember what I told you about Goldendown being attacked by a flock of Cocatrices?”

“Yeah.”

When the lizardfolk like Julara and Shurlul moved to Goldendown, they’d listened to endless stories from Craft, Leifan, Raidock, and Jitarou.

The attack by a flock of Cocatrices was spoken of with such heat by everyone that they’d all been caught up in it—excited, wide-eyed, listening hard.

“I once saw them eating black plants.”

“What?!”

“The vegetation was different… but back then, as soon as the monsters opened their mouths, they went berserk.”

“That’s….”

Julara’s eyes snapped wide in shock.

“Wait! There! Someone’s there!”

Ranger Solal spotted the massive mangrove where Zaid and the others had fled—sharp-eyed, quick to notice.

Raidock grabbed Solal’s arm, yanking him back hard.

“Huh?”

(Shh! No noise! Everyone’s been told to stay silent!)

(…!)

Raidock gave the order, but his eyes were fixed on something enormous—something like a mountain of rock.

Deep in the fading mist, a black mass loomed.

(Solal! You see that thing!?)

(A black rock mountain… no! It’s alive! It’s moving—just slightly!)

They crouched low, slipping into the shadow of the trees, staring at the massive creature that sent a chill down their spines.

…No way… can’t believe this… That thing… a hydra… the size of a dragon…

Solal’s voice trembled.

Even Raidock, usually unshaken, felt his skin prickle with dread. This was no ordinary monster. It was dangerous. Beyond dangerous.

Normally, they’d run. No second thoughts.

But here—now—of all times—they’d stumbled on survivors. A group that looked like rescue targets.

Raidock paused, just for a breath. Then he locked eyes with Solal, his resolve hardening.

(…Solal. Got a dangerous request. First, I need you to meet up with Zaid-sama alone, then quietly slip back here and relay the message.)

Raidock’s serious gaze froze Solal’s trembling mid-shiver.

(…Leave it to me! That’s a ranger’s job.)

(Ah. I trust you.)

They shared a quick kiss.

Just as Solal began to move—

“““OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!”””

To his disbelief, the soldiers surged forward as one, Zaid leading the charge, straight into the massive hydra.

A charge born of pure resolve.

“Damn it! Charging in with damn near suicidal guts! We should’ve linked up sooner!”

“No, Raidock! No time for regret!”

(Ah! Everyone except the Shururu team—charge! We’re getting them out!)

“““OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!”””

The adventurer, a lizardman, charges forward.

The hydra, which had been moving sluggish until now, snapped its head with startling agility.

There. They finally see the full form of the hydra. Too late.

The figure was massive.

Eight monstrous heads.

Thick, long, and powerfully built—eight tails.

It was terror itself—no less than a dragon.

Sorry it took so long.

The first volume of the manga adaptation of "Cubit Alchemy" will be released on November 12th!

Enjoy the wonderful artwork by Professor Konno!

Also, the third volume of the manga adaptation of Goddess SHOP is now on sale.

And the manga adaptation of the carefree female mage has also begun!

We’d be delighted if you enjoyed it together!

*Added note

Added an episode I had forgotten about in chapter ninety-eight.

No problem if you haven’t read it—just check the extra bit added later on.