CH 16

[I Made a New Discovery, Child Dragon and Weight Saving Magic]

We’re entering the third day of the investigation, the road was getting more rugged as we approached the deepest part of the Demon Forest.

Furthermore, monsters are beginning to appear here and there.

If I was alone, it would be easier for me to use large-scale magic to destroy the monsters all at once.

This time, it is an escort mission, and as much as possible, we must avoid fighting so as not to cause unexpected situations.

Last night, I was informed by a scholar who was studying the ecology of monsters who accompanied the investigation team.

It seems Mana Wood that grows in large quantities in Demon Forest absorbs Mana in the ground and atmosphere, resulting in a very concentrated Mana Mist.[1]

The Mana Mist seems to create monsters by enlarging and agitating native wild animals and demi-humans with low intelligence.

It seems that Mana Mist occurs everywhere, but especially in the Demon Forest, the density of monsters is so high that the rate of monster outbreak is much higher than in other places.

Thus, it was said that the monsters that were born in large quantities became abundant food for feeding stronger specimen, in this way, even if it became a densely populated area for strong specimens, their numbers could also be maintained.

Even so, there are a lot of them…

Even just by feeling their presences, there are approximately 10 monsters roaming the surroundings.

Meiss, who is showing us the directions, was also advancing along the grassy animal trails while watching the surroundings.

Heーwho said that he visited the grave every yearーsaid that the density of monsters was higher than usual.

It seems that usually, the monsters aren’t so packed around our destination, “Abyss Hole”.

Meiss said he wasn’t sure why they were gathering.

‘It looks like two monsters are approaching. I will go ahead to kill them.’

I walked next to Meiss, then whispered that to him.

If we make a loud voice, it will attract monsters like the day before.

‘Understood, please leave the back to us.’

Meiss turn towards the escort knights, then gives them instructions with gestures.

Seeing the situation, both the Frontier Count Lloyd and Noelia put themselves on guard.

After confirming that everyone was on guard, I scraped away the grasses that had reached my chest and headed to the direction where the presence was felt.

In front of us was two Dragon’s children, Dragon Newts.

Despite being children, they are still the strongest creature Dragon, and has a body similar to that of a cow, but has hard scales, and prey on with sharp fangs and claws.

Since it is still growing, it was a relief for me at least that they can’t breathe fire or fly yet.

I should deal with the two silently huh…

Although they are still Dragon Newts, the monsters will flood here if they roared.

When I saw the Dragon Newts looking for food and wandering around, and was thinking about how to beat them without letting them roars, I suddenly remembered the exchange between the Frontier Count and Noelia.

Silence was a magic that prevented the target’s sound from being spread to the surroundings.

If so, the roar of the Dragon Newts may be sealed.

Moreover, Silence only affects the target, and there is no need to adjust the power because it is a support magic, so there should be no problem.

‘『Cut off the sound waves emitted by the person I pointed with invisible bubble. Silence』’

Lowering my voice, I activated the Silence magic.

A transparent bubble, which was only visible to me, was generated from the fingertip that I pointed at one of the Dragon Newts, and wrapped around the said Dragon Newt.

Noelia said that it would break if it was resisted, but it seems that it is a success because it didn’t break.

Moreover, it seems that it don’t realize that it is silenced.

Let’s Silence the other guy as well.

When the other guy was also silenced with Silence magic, I pulled the sword borrowed from Lloyd.

Lightness, suppleness of the blade and sharpness of this sword are all first-class…

With this, even a Dragon’s scale should be able to be cut without chipping the blade.

By gripping the sword again, I realized the quality of Lloyd’s sword.

Then, with that sword in hand, I challenged the Dragon Newts.

The result is my complete victory.

Dragon Newts who saw me tried to roar, but the silenced sound wasn’t spread, and by cutting off their roaring face into two, I succeeded in killing both of them.

“You managed to cut only their faces cleanly. The scales are also still beautiful. If we remove the scales and wing membranes and bring them home, it will be a pretty sum even though they are just Dragon Newts.”

After confirming the safety of the surroundings, Lloyd and co who had caught up were inspecting the heads of the Dragon Newts that was cut into two.

“We will arrive at the destinated campsite after a short walk, so it seems that tonight we will have fresh Dragon Newt meat.”

Meiss also seems wants to bring it back, but even a single Dragon Newt weights about the same as a big cow.

I thought it would be impossible to carry with this number of people after all.

“Become an invisible hand and reduce the weight of his person. Weight Saving[3]. With this, even I alone can carry it. The meat of the Dragon Newt is my favorite food, so let’s bring it.”

Noelia used a magic I had never seen before.

Apparently, it seems to be a magic that reduces the weight of an object.

The petite Noelia was dragging a Dragon Newt that was about the size of a big cow.

“Noelia, can I try that magic on the other one?”

“Yes, it’s okay. It’s support magic after all. It should work if you can imagine the effect of the incantation and magic, even Frick-sama won’t have a problem.”

As permission was given from my teacher Noelia, I also activated Weight Saving on the other Dragon Newt in the same way.

Magic was activated without any problems, and the weight of the Dragon Newt had changed to about the same as the blunt sword I was using.

Light! If the weight is reduced by this much, wouldn’t it be insanely easy to carry a bag that was crammed with various things?

“Noelia, how long does this last?”

“It should last for about half a day. Be careful though, as the effect fades it’ll becomes heavier.”

“I see, can this also be activated on the bag?”

Noelia thought about my question with her hand on her chin.

“I’ve never used it that way, and it also wasn’t written in the magic guidebook…so I can’t give an immediate answer.”

“Can I try it?”

I felt that if Weight Saving was activated on the bag, it would be possible to carry heavy luggage without burden and it would be much easier.

“I understand. It’s also necessary to confirm it. If you manage to activate it, it will be added as a note to the magic guidebook.”

Noelia called an escort knight, then he put down the bag on his back.

When I lifted it up with my hand, the bag containing camp tools, food, water, etc. was heavy.

“Become an invisible hand and reduce the weight of his person. Weight Saving.”

The magic was activated.

Then, I pick up the bag.

Light, this is light y’know.

The contents are inside, but the weight seems to be empty.

“It’s working. It became very light y’know.”

“Is it true? This Weight Saving is a buried magic after all. It was hard to find a mage who can use this magic. This is a special fact that should be noted.”

Noelia was also surprised to see how light the bag was.

The amount of magic power consumed is not so high, and if a mage learns this magic and reduces the load on the party’s luggages, they should be able to carry a considerable amount.

Nevertheless, magic is convenient right…

I received the bag from Noelia and returned it to the escort knight who owns it.

“I-it’s light. It’s filled, right?”

“It is. But it’s made lighter. The weight seems to come back over time though.”

The escort knightーwho carried the bag on his backーseems surprised as he pulled the shoulder straps many times to check the weight.

“It was a great magic effect discovery, but it seems that if we don’t go to the campsite quickly, other monsters will come near due to the smell of blood.”

Meiss, who was wary of the surroundings, advised us to move soon.

It seems that the blood of the Dragon Newts has run out, so it’s better to move it from here quickly.

We hurriedly regrouped and decided to head for the campsite close to today’s destination, “Abyss Hole”, while dragging two Dragon Newts as loot.

[1] – Mana Wood, 魔素木(マナウッド) : Mana Tree in kanji, but the author writes Mana Wood in Katakana.

– Mana, 魔素(マナ) : Magic Particle in kanji, but the author writes Mana in katakana.

– Mana Mist, 魔素霧(マナミスト) : Mana Mist in kanji and katakana.

[2] Dragon Newt, ドラゴネット : Lit. Dragon Newt.

[3] Weight Saving, 軽量化(ウェイトセービング) : Weight Reduction in kanji, but Weight Saving in katakana