“Phew. I’m done!” Grida said.
Thank you! There sure were a lot of them, weren’t there?
Grida had created seven coins from seven hundred of the normal ant corpses, and one coin from the five bodyguard ants with her ability—eight in total.
“I guess this doesn’t work with other items,” Grida added.
Yeah. Seems like our opponents have to be decently strong, or your box won’t accept them.
We had tried to add unnecessary items and weak demons’ corpses into the Coin Creation box, but we only heard a buzzer sound followed by the inserted item being spit out. We didn’t try this on anything valuable, on the chance it could get lost forever.
Okay, we’ve prepared what we could! Let’s aim for some rare items!
“I’m sure this box has other valuable items! I’ll take them all for myseeelf!” Fresa cried.
Oh, you’re into this! Okay, put those coins in for us, please!
“Let’s gooo!”
Gooooooo!
“Wait a second, Fresa-san—and probably you too, Apple-san!” Datil interrupted us right before we got started. “Now isn’t the time for this, is it?!”
Tsk, so you noticed. You’re pretty sharp, Datil.
“Datiiil, it’s important to go with the flow for these things, you know? We got an amaaazing item, so now’s our chance!”
Datil was wearing Loga’s Leather Armor now. It looked normal at a glance, but it was a rare item with incredibly high stats. We call this “winning it big.”
“I understand your stance here, but we must hurry. I’m worried about the situation on the lower floors.”
He’s right. There’s no guarantee that Elumichai and the rest of our group are safe on the fourth floor. Even though the Funerary Shackles killed the ants...
“There are other demons down there. We should hurry to confirm their safety,” he continued.
“Hmmmmmm. I guess so,” Fresa said with a sad look. She put the coins in her pocket.
“Ummm, could you take this for me, Apple-san?” Datil asked.
Roger that. Grida, could you store Datil’s old armor? Also, could you pull out all the swords we’ve collected? Ideally with their scabbards.
“Swords? Datil-san has his own,” Grida said.
Yeah, and amateurs might not notice, but smart swordsmen like Zambarau and his former coworkers like Elumichai might immediately be able to tell that he’s got Holmer’s sword.
“What, really?”
Listen well, Grida. Humans can be weirdly clever when it comes to things they’re good at. Oddly enough, they get extremely perceptive.
“I see! Then we should be careful!” Datil’s armor disappeared, and six swords took its place.
“Oh, I’m glad you understand!” Datil exclaimed. He removed his sword and started choosing a weapon.
“Huh? Why is Apple-san taking out swords?” Fresa asked.
“If Elumichai or Zambarau sees, they’ll know that I’m holding Holmer’s sword.”
See?
“You’re amazing!” Grida said.
✦ ✦ ✦
We started to descend the spiral staircase, collecting ant corpses along the way.
“Do you think they might have made their way outsiiide?” Fresa asked.
“No, that’s not possible. Elumichai is with them. In times like these, the best course of action is to remain put until you’re absolutely sure that it’s safe to move.”
They probably didn’t expect us to beat those ants so quickly. They must be hiding in a safe area somewhere.
“Just in case, let’s go over our story. I’m Datil. You happened to save me, Fresa-san, and I lost some of my memory. I don’t remember anything other than my name.”
“I, the great apple sorcerer—with your help—managed to rout the ants. Buuut, as I delved farther into the colony, I found Holmer-san’s guild card. I assumed he’d been eaten! Then I’ll fall to the ground weeping!”
We thought there were a lot of ants, but there actually weren’t. I think saying “We killed five of them, and five more fled” should be enough to dodge the “Hero of the Land” title. We already exchanged all the other corpses for coins, so there’s no evidence and no witnesses.
“The rest is up to my verbiage and your acting.”
“Leave it to meee! I was the popular star of an acting troupe when I was a child!”
“I know. Oh, we’re on the fourth floor.” Datil stood on the ground that I burned a while back, and glanced around. “Why’s there a burnt circle on the ground?”
“Heh heh heh. This is the result of my genius strategy!” Fresa said proudly.
I feel like you just took all the credit, but whatever. Grida, see anything?
“Nope, nothing around here,” she replied.
Gotcha. They shouldn’t have gone far, so let me know if you see anything, okay?
“Okay!”
We moved forward, staying alert. This floor was pretty similar to the third—it was basically one long path.
“Furutsu! I see them! They’re back there!”
Hm? Where? Ah, they’ve expertly blocked this passageway. It only looks like a wall to me.
“Huh? Apple-san?” Fresa said.
I rolled off of Fresa’s hands and tackled the wall. It crumbled, and we heard a familiar voice.
“Entreat the moon and unchain the wind. Envelop the unseen, return into dust, and be unmade. Wind magic!”
Whoa, watch out! You cut me a little! Your wind magic’s amazing, Zambarau!
Ding Ding! “Detected an unknown spell and activation of magic. This will be registered in the magician card.”
Oh, nice! I got wind magic.
Ding Ding! “Successfully registered. Users will be Furutsu and Grida. Default strength set at fifty percent. Safety settings include the user, those in contact with the user, and [002] other listed entities.”
Ding Ding! “Successfully analyzed the spell. Incantation has been abbreviated for efficiency. Spell will now be: ‘Unchain the wind, entreat the moon.’ Because the spell has been made more effective and powerful, default strength will be set at three percent.”
My new ability should also activate!
Ding Ding! “Detected wound on the outer layer. You have gained six percent resistance against wind magic. [6/100]”
Yes, I knew it! This is Resistant Outer Layer. I gain resistance towards any damage I take. Once I hit one hundred percent, I become completely immune.
“An apple? Is that you, Fresa?! Sorry, I fired because I thought you were a demon!” Zambarau said.
I can’t blame you; you’re in a tough situation. I can tell by everyone’s faces.
“No, I’m fine! Are you all okay?” Fresa asked.
Zambarau wore a dark expression. “Yeah, but there were a lot of other demons that weren’t ants. We’re all alive, but Ciruela’s horribly injured.”
“Holmer-san!” Elumichai said, running towards us. She had been treating Ciruela’s wounds. “You’re not him. Um, who are you?” Her smile slowly gave way to a worried expression.
“My name is Datil. Fresa-san saved me when I was being attacked by the ants. I’m sorry, I actually can’t seem to remember anything else.”
Nice acting, Datil. You don’t sound like an old man at all.
“I-I see. That must have been rough for you. Um, Fresa-san, where’s Holmer-san?”
Fresa hung her head in silence, shaking it from side to side. Tears dripped onto the ground.
Whoa, Fresa! That’s some amazing acting!
“Right in front of my eyes, Holmer-san...was... The ants, they...” Fresa choked on her words, her shoulders trembling as she desperately held back her sobs. She silently handed Elumichai Holmer’s bloody guild card. The blood, of course, was Holmer’s.
“N-No...” Elumichai’s shoulders slumped.
Fresa started outright crying. Large tears rolled down her cheeks.
Wait! You’re making me cry a little too!
“Fresa-san’s amazing,” Grida said with surprise.
What’s with her acting? It’s mesmerizing.
Someone coughed from deeper in the room.
That’s right, Ciruela’s injured.
“My sadness won’t bring back Holmer-san. I’ll go treat Ciruela-san. Apple magic!” Fresa yelled, raising me above her head.
Good thinking. If Datil uses his water magic, it might remind someone of Holmer. Grida, if you would, please?
“Okay! Break the water’s seal, thieves!”
Ding! “Spell confirmed. Activating at two percent strength.”
Grida’s powerful magic went through me and a blue light gushed out.
“Amazing! The wounds are healing!” Everyone held their breath as Ciruela’s injuries were repaired at an amazing speed.
“But this magic didn’t work on Holmer-san. He was too badly hurt. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry, Holmer-san!” Fresa cried out again, and fell to the ground in tears. Datil put his hand on her shoulder.
“Furutsu, are you crying too?” Grida asked.
N-No, of course not! This is just apple juice!