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97. Rapid Cooling

「We are the Red Dragon Knights Order. Among the seven Knight Orders, we are a unit that focuses on intelligence.」

Kirmiji exaggeratedly announced his order.

While standing on guard in front of the dwarves, who were covering their eyes and ears, Shizuku intently watched the knights.

「I’ve heard about you guys from Marge. For an intelligence unit, you geniuses sure did come to a hot dungeon in iron armor. Do you know what happens when metal plates come into contact with fire?」

「I know. I just ate yakiniku the other day.」

「Yakiniku…」

Although Azula was standing next to Shizuku as the leader of the dwarves, her legs were shaking slightly. That figure caught Kirmiji’s attention.

「Oh, now that I look closely, isn’t that Azula? To think that you were here. I am glad that Marge Siu gave you some yakiniku as well. It is your favorite food, is it not?」

「How do you…」

「I do not even have to say it, do I? I heard it straight from you, of course. Everything from your likes and dislikes to your upbringing and relationships. You likely do not remember it, though.」

「All that? For what purpose?」

「Because there are uses for it. I heard that some “guest” suggested that “cockroaches look like yakiniku,” and “horse manure looks like sauce”. I heard that you were suffering from abdominal pain and vomiting for a while, I apologize for the inconvenience. How are you feeling right now?」

「…!!」

Azula instinctively covered her mouth, and Kirmiji chuckled.

「It was a great help to me that you were so easily susceptible to suggestions. This time as well, you have reliably guided those girls here. Is Marge Siu also nearby?」

「G-Guided them?…N-No, that’s not… true…」

「Don’t listen to him, Azula! We don’t know if he’s telling the truth!」

「Shizuku-sama, I did not. I would not…」

Shizuku glared at Kirmiji while pushing back Azula who could not even confidently deny it.

「It’s not like I believe what you say either. But Marge said to Angelina; “Protect Shizuku and Azula”. If my lord considers you an ally, as his vassal, I will absolutely protect you.」

「Shizuku-sama…」

「Oh, I see that you have become friends. Do pigs have their own sense of friendships as well?」

As Kirmiji took a step forward as Azula retreated, Angelina, who was standing in front of her, touched the ground with her hands.

「[Mud Infant], activate!」

White golems stood up one after another and blocked the passage. Stone giants filled the narrow tunnel and faced the ranks of knights.

「You will not get any closer than that. It is easier to generate golems in this place. Now that Geli has activated her skill, don’t think you can get through even with a hundred people.」

「Hou… men, stand back.」

The knights who stood with their shields at the ready in front of Kirmiji, returned to their ranks at Kirmiji’s command. Kirmiji himself approached the golem and caressed the stone skin as if it was harmless.

When the golem swung its stone pillar of an arm, he took two steps back and easily dodged the fist.

「Hmm, is this the golem mentioned in the information? This is my first time seeing the real thing. It seems to be quite strong.」

「He is Husband-2092! Please don’t touch him casually!」

「Husband?」

「For some reason, Skill Lender-san asked Geli to protect Shizuku-chan and Azula-chan for five minutes until he returns! You will not get through here!」

「Angelina, that’s…」

Angelina suppressed Shizuku’s doubt with a glance.

「We can’t hide the fact that Skill Lender-san is not here. At least we can make the enemy lose their cool.」

Shizuku understood and shut her mouth.

There was no guarantee that Marge would return in five minutes. However, there was no point in informing the enemy that “Marge has been swallowed up by the dungeon and there is no sign of him coming out.”

Kirmiji chuckled as those two glared at him from the other side of the golem.

「Angelina, right? You have made two miscalculations.」

「No. Geli has never miscalculated.」

「First, you are only an alchemist after all. You can’t win by deceiving someone who is an expert in suggestions. As for Marge Siu, I have already guessed that you did not know when he will return.」

「!!」

「You don’t have to make that face. The second one is an even more hopeless miscalculation, after all.」

Kirmiji spoke as if he were giving a lecture, as exaggerated as ever.

「No matter how many golems you spread around us, nothing will stop us. No. Even if Marge Siu was here, our victory will not be denied.」

「That is your miscalculation. Prove it if not.」

The passage was blocked by dozens of golems. Angelina exuded a confidence that wouldn’t be broken through easily. It was ridiculous to her that he assumed even Marge wasn’t a threat.

Kirmiji, however, snorted at the red-haired girl.

「Then, let us start the proof. Ah, that werewolf lady over there asked me earlier. Why did we come to a scorching dungeon wearing metal armor, correct? Let me also answer that question.」

「What are you……」

Facing the group of golems, Kirmiji held aloft his right hand.

「[Song of the Age of Gods], activate.」

「Age of Gods…!? That is the skill that Skill Lender took from Eria-chan and further evolved–」

「Don’t be deceived, Angelina! That’s the suggestion!」

“No,” Kirmiji briefly denied it.

「Immediately activated by [Chant Destruction]. Mana consumption is nullified by [Infinite Mana Fountain].」

Cold air was held in his hands. The spell was fired at Angelina, who was unsure whether that overwhelming presence was a suggestion or reality.

「Freeze through, [Cocytus].」

Crack!

A harsh sound echoed from the golem as it was caught by the cold air. The sound, starting from those closest golem to Kirmiji, spread towards the caster with overwhelming speed. A strange sound that kept getting louder and louder. Discerning the truth of the sound, Angelina pressed her hand to the ground again.

「[Mud Infant], reactivate!」

Immediately creating additional golems and fortifying the wall.

The golems that were standing on the front line broke into pieces. They didn’t break due to impact. Angelina noticed a unique crack that looked like it was coming from within, drawing her gaze towards it.

「The contraction caused by rapid cooling caused the stone to shatter…!?」