107: Even if we're underprepared, no complaining

The finished divine wine should be handed to Raidock and used by his team—best case scenario.

Ideally, Raidock’s unit would remain hidden, get the hydra to drink it, check how drunk it gets, then attack all at once. That’d be foolproof.

So first priority’s meeting up with Raidock.

If we can rendezvous, we’ll have options beyond just knocking it down.

Anyway, somehow make contact. Hand over the wine.

"Right. Head that way and talk to Raidock."

Thinking that, I sent a mental link to Raidock.

"Raidock, if you're okay, let's—"

『Craft! What did you do!? That hydra bastard just started charging straight at us!』

No need to ask permission. The mental link snapped open instantly, and Raidock’s furious shout echoed through my mind.

Our mental link snapped open, and Raidock’s vision flooded into my mind.

Raidock was running.

Ahead of that view.

A massive eight-headed hydra tore through the trees, sending up sprays of water, charging straight at us.

“What the hell is that!?”

‘That’s my line! You did something, didn’t you!?’

Raidock instantly blamed me.

Sad!

Like I’m always the one causing trouble!

Well, yeah, I kinda am this time.

“One thing comes to mind. I made a drink that hydra’s might like…”

‘What the hell are you doing, idiot!?’

No, no, no!

I didn’t think it’d be strong enough to make a monster charge through thick fog like that!

Smell?

Is it the smell!?

Why’d you make something like that!? You had some plan, didn’t you!?

Raidock barks at me while sending orders to the adventurer and lizardman squads.

Behind Raidock, the squad keeps running—oddly, Zaid’s unit’s right there with them.

Whatever.

“This stuff… apparently makes monsters drunk as hell if they drink it! I was gonna hand it to you to use…”

A sharp click of Raidock’s tongue cuts through the air.

So… tracking the hydra’s trail’s easy. But we’re falling behind! I don’t even know how far you are—how long’ll it take to catch up!?

“Just buy time somehow! Hurry as fast as you can!”

If the eight-headed hydra’s heading straight for the liquor, leaving this here’ll buy us time on its own.

After the hydra passed through, it was like a tornado had blown through—nothing but emptiness. Even in this thick fog, Raidock and the others wouldn’t get lost.

‘Solar and Jitarou are searching for Kyle. If they find him, we’d have them move to our position.’

‘You really think you can tell where you are in this fog?’

‘Solar can find Kyle given time. Unlike you lot, he’s got a full unit. Plus, with his ranger’s ability, he remembers every step he’s taken. The plan was for him to bring Kyle’s group straight back to where we’re waiting.’

Makes sense. So that’s what the ranger’s mark can do.

If that’s the case, we just head back to camp and follow Kyle’s trail from there.

Once we regroup, we retrace our steps. Leave the camp behind. Get back to where Raidock was hiding.

Then Kyle and the others’ll be fine if we leave them alone.

We’ll just wait here for a bit.

We’ll regroup after we take down the hydra.

“Time’s short. I’m getting ready now!”

‘Ah! Don’t push yourself too hard!’

“What else am I supposed to do right now?!”

‘…Yeah. Just don’t die, Craft.’

“Before that, help me out.”

I stop channeling magic into the communication device.

My remaining mana’s about half. Maybe save a potion… no. That one might be the difference between Eva’s life and death. No room for luxury.

Maina looks at me, worried.

She’s heard Raidock’s words. She knows the situation.

“Maina. Listen closely. That huge hydra’s coming this way.”

“…Black… it’s black…”

"Yeah. That big black hydra. No time. I’m starting preparations now. Maina—stay right here. Absolutely no moving."

"...Huh?"

I didn’t wait for her reply. I pulled out the set of alchemical hardrock.

Gravel. Volcanic ash. Alchemical reagents. Empty barrels.

No time to be careful. I forced the materials together with magic, slathering them thick as a cloak over the tree roots.

Then I burned the moisture out with magic, drying it fast.

No proper spell for this—my brain’s gonna fry!

Glance at Maina.

I promised. I promised I’d protect her. I promised Kyle too!

Just before my magic runs dry, I finally finish the alchemical hardrock shelter—thick enough to hide behind the roots.

The entrance is just barely wide enough for me to squeeze through.

That way, even if the hydra notices me, it won’t be able to shove its face in.

The alchemical hardrock’s durability is guaranteed.

Nothing’s gonna break through easily. Though, honestly, I’m the one who’s supposed to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Just to be safe, I stack rations and water in the corner of the shelter.

“Wait a sec…”

I’m about to step out when Maina grabs my cloak.

Harder than usual.

“…don’t go.”

Don’t go.

Yeah, I know. Being left alone here like this—no wonder she’s scared.

I’d love to stay with her.

But I can’t.

I have to buy time until Raidock and the others show up. I can’t let them find this place.

“…Maina.”

“…”

Maina starts letting tears fall—slow, quiet drops.

I don’t collect them. I’m not gonna.

I just stare at her.

I slowly pulled out the doll tied at my waist.

Looks like a patchwork mess—scars all over, all torn up. A rabbit doll.

The one Maina worked on with her own hands, every stitch.

"Maina. Can you hold onto this for a bit? I’ll come back for it. It’s important."

"...This..."

"Being with me, like this—won’t it feel less lonely?"

Maina stared at the doll. Then up at me.

Her lips tightened.

"...Yeah. I’ll wait..."

She must’ve bit down hard to get that out.

Maina was stronger than I thought.

"...So. Always... protect it..."

Yeah. That’s right.

Once you promise something like that, you don’t come back unless you’re alive.

"Right. Promise. I’ll come back."

"...Yeah."

I patted her head a couple times, then stepped out of the shelter.

Just in case, I disguised the entrance with branches.

I left a bunch of markers around the shelter—enough to make it obvious someone had been here, but not in a way that’d stand out to monsters.

I backed up as far as I could without losing sight of the shelter, staring into the thick fog.

Magic nearly drained.

No allies.

Worst visibility. Swamp underfoot.

“Huh… heh heh… heh…”

Somehow, a laugh slipped out from deep in my throat.

Too bad to be anything but laughable.

But.

“Still… I made a promise. I’m coming back alive… I’ll see this through!”

I shouted it out, my resolve burning.

◆

“……”

I placed two barrels slightly apart.

Each held half a jar of sacred wine.

The rich, full scent hung in the air.

The fog seemed a bit thinner right around the barrels, but that was probably just my eyes playing tricks on me.

I tucked myself into a tree root just big enough to fit, right where I could see the barrel, and stayed still.

...

So we're just waiting.

Like this, sittin’ on it.

...don't go saying I look bad.

There’s nothing to do but hide until the Hydra arrives, really!

What the hell was that again?

Today’s the release day for the manga adaptation of Kubi Alchemy!

I’ve already seen tweets about stock arrivals at quite a few bookstores.

Lots of shops have bonuses, so grab one before they run out!

Nice to meet you!