Volume 3 Chapter 12: Shrouded in Darkness
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Translator: “Pink Tea” Editor: ”Ryunakama”
A round table surrounded by complete darkness.
A single man was sitting there with his eyes closed.
「Hello. Can you hear me, majin, Byoko-kun.」
To those words, the man addressed as Byoko-kun opened his eyes.
「I hear you. And this time we are having a discussion by sending our thoughts via means of sorcery again. ……So you don’t have to worry about tapping. Relax and show yourself.」
When he said so as if in reply to his words a figure appeared on the other side of the round table.
A silhouette out of a black mist.
With its undefined shape, it appeared both like a human and an animal.
「It’s been a few weeks since our last contact, is the God Tree destruction plan going smoothly?」
As the figure of black mist manifested itself, it turned a human-like head to Byoko-kun and asked.
In turn, Byoko-kun nodded and replied.
「Yeah. ……When the head of magic science guild called the Hero of Alchemy I thought it’s going to be a problem though.」
After those words, the black silhouette opened the area where its eyes would be wide.
「I see. I can’t get in touch with you frequently due to the consumption rate of communication magic, but now the situation seems even more difficult than the last time.」
「One time per week is the limit. Well, I’m doing this on accumulated residual magic power, so it can’t be helped. We both have our own things to do.」
Nothing can be done about the freshness of information.
That’s why we had this exchange to keep us updated.
Though he told this to the black haze, he still was in a serious predicament.
「In fact, the Hero of Alchemy is making a great contribution to the guild, from poison detection to its analysis. With her analysis skills, decomposition magic, and even drill sorcery, she is a lot of trouble. Thanks to her they are even making outrageously fast progress on the antidote, which the magic science guild would’ve never developed on their own…… Damn, those annoying pets of gods.」
Byoko-kun sighed.
「And now I have to move as well. well, I already prepared countermeasures. Even if it turns to combat, I’m sure to defeat the Hero of Alchemy.」
「Fumu, I see. That is fine, I have trust in your ability. ……However, I acquired another piece of information. Have you heard of『Flying Carrier』?」
Byoko-kun replied with a nod.
Naturally. There is no way he wouldn’t know of him.
「Yes, it’s that carrier with the same name as the dragon knight hero, right? The one that already defeated our brethren twice? Supposedly he is traveling in a party with heroes.」
「Correct. I received information that he took off towards the City of God Tree.」
「Figures. It actually seems like he is already here. A fellow boasting an exaggerated name of flying carrier.」
With Byoko-kuns reply the shadowy figure shrunk a little.
「……So he is already there. He is faster than I expected.」
「Yeah. According to the head of the magical science guild, he already delivered them supplies. Even though I corroded the pathway leading to the upper floors. Never would’ve I expected a lousy carrier to make his way there.」
「Oh……? Just how did he?」
「Who knows. I asked around and apparently, he climbed along with a hero by some unknown method. Perhaps due to the dim lighting of the evening, but as far as I heard, no one actually saw the sight of the carrier climbing to the upper floor. Damn, this is why humans are useless.」
「……Fumu. Even so, there is no mistake that he immediately began his activities there. You think he poses a threat?」
Since he vanquished the ancient one, our brethren that possesses immense power. Byoko-kun could see where the uneasiness of the black misty figure came from. However—
「Fundamentally, I don’t think there will be any problem.」
Byoko-kun said confidently.
「And the basis for that?」
「The activities of that carrier. They may be greatly attributed to the contribution of his heroic companions. I have my guesses for the ways he accomplished his previous delivery as well. Most likely, he merely relied on the dragon’s power. That is the only way a mere carrier could deliver anything to the top of the God Tree.」
「Ah, I see. Were he to rely on the tremendous power of the dragon monarch, of course it will be possible.」
There are a few hundred meters to the top. There is no way a mere carrier can climb there on his own. As such, there must be some other explanation.
Such was the base presumption for his theory.
「If it’s the dragon that the invisible dragon knight owned then it would’ve been easy for her to fly from the outside and carry the supplies. Even in her human form, with her physical strength, there is a countless number of ways to climb to the top. It’s only my guess, but I think the name of flying carrier got stuck to him because he has that dragon with him.」
This would actually provide a reasonable explanation for all of his great exploits so far.
If you think of all the deeds of the Flying Carrier as something that『The Party With a Carrier In It』did, then it all makes sense.
「Naturally, you would think that heroes made a large contribution to defeating an ancient beast. ……Well, though it still is clear that that Axel is quite skilled, given that he formed a party with the heroes and is able to collaborate with them.」
「Indeed. It wouldn’t hurt to be on your guard.」
Yes, no matter what you say, it doesn’t change the fact that he is moving in the party with the heroes. That alone makes him a person worthy of caution.
「……But well, the poison already took effect, reducing the tree to that state. Those are dragon monarch’s wings we are talking about, the damage the God Tree is bound to take from shockwaves coming with every single flap is tremendous. They should understand that by relying on dragon’s wings they will do nothing but shorten the God Tree’s remaining lifespan as it hardly can endure any longer.」
While thinking, that being capable, they soon should become unable to continue their work, after noticing that fact, Byoko-kun announced to the black haze.
「Well, that is the situation. Even if that carrier is outstanding, if heroes can’t assist then there is nothing to be concerned about.」
Then, Byoko-kun adds one more line.
「If by some small chance, by some absolutely minuscule chance. Even considering that non-existent probability that the carrier himself has some ace up the sleeve that allowed him to defeat the ancient beast, then it still would be useless against my poison. Though it’s impossible, but even if they were to find me and attack, it would still have no influence on the poison. It’s a special one, even among the other poisons I produced so far, it will be able to act on its own.」
Saying that much, Byoko-kun smiled wryly.
「Though I think it’s too much precautions since in the first place, I’m invincible in this location.」
「Yes, that would be the case for you. That’s why you were sent to destroy the God Tree.」
「Precisely. Even if it comes to battle with the heroes, I won’t be negligent and surely crush them.」
My preparations are complete. I certainly have within me what I’ve been preparing for a long time, since the very beginning of the great war, thought Byoko-kun looking at his hand.
「You are special after all. I can trust your word. ……However, talking about the possibility of being discovered, are you sure it’s going to be okay with you infiltrating so deep in humans’ ranks?」
「That’s okay as well. I even have one of the Beasts King’s relics, of which only a handful remain in this world. Except for the fact that I get a chill of disgust every time I think about being surrounded by the groveling before the gods humans, I’m all good. ……And I also have a trigger prepared, just in case.」
「Trigger? Some kind of magic?」
Byoko-kun replied with a sour face.
「No, it’s one of the functions of the relic. I don’t want that to happen or even think about it happening, but in case such a situation actually occurs it can automatically set things in motion. An insurance of sorts.」
「That’s quite an elaborate setup.」
「Didn’t I say that I won’t be negligent? It’s a rare chance to get rid of the disgusting tree the gods dropped to this world, naturally, I will do what I can.」
I have no intention of allowing a failure whatsoever.
「As expected, you are quite enthusiastic about this mission.」
「Yeah. The failure is not an option. Even if there are heroes, carriers with grand names, even if they have some kind of strength, here, I’m unbeatable. So— You can look forward to my virus destroying the God Tree.」
Those words became the last in the conversation with the black haze and their figures disappeared into the darkness.
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