CH 115

Chapter 115.1 : Cajolery

「Please take care of him after this too.」

Both Yamajun and I had become even more depressed after discussing the party’s current situation. We returned to the fairy plaza located on top of the tower.

By the way, Reina who was previously weeping non-stop after her unreasonable violence toward me had calmed down right now and was sleeping soundly in the fairy plaza. The flame lion Engard was lying down by her side, glaring at us as if to protect the sleeping beauty.

But, the one thing that made me curious was the place Reina was sleeping at … The heck is that? A makeshift bed? It seemed to be a crudely made wooden bed look-alike, just barely resembling a bed even with beautiful cloth laid atop it.

Just a glimpse of their way of spoiling Reina already sapped what little left of my SAN.

「Uhm, I do want to know the current situation, but you guys have seen Goma’s fortress like this one, right?」

「Yeah, we did saw it――」

The one I talked to was Yamada-kun with Yamajun by my side. The Totem Pole Trio was currently disposing the Goma’s corpse at the tower’s entrance. Considering how Yamada-kun remained in fairy plaza while pushing the troublesome, dirty, and smelly job to the others, I was convinced that a caste had formed inside of this party.

「Though there’s a transfer magic circle close to the second tower, the tower itself has become Goma’s fortress, their stronghold. Our only choice is to kick their asses.」

「What about their war potential?」

「In the beginning, we just followed the compass and arrived at that tower. Those Gomas had formed a community around that tower and just one glance was enough to convince us that breaking through from the front was impossible.」

「Well, we might be able to beakthrough from the front if Gomas were our only opponent, but things got more difficult even for me when we saw those flocks of Govu wearing solid armors.」

「That Govu … are you referring to those commander-like macho Gomas whose size is bigger than the normal Goma?」

「Yeah. They’re called 『Goma・Govu』, some sort of warrior class amongst the Goma.」

As I thought.

「You seem to know those Goma very well, Yamajun?」

「Yeah, I mean, I received so many emails in my personal magic circle terminal. I managed to understand various things thanks to those emails.」

I see, so that meant the information received from that magic circle terminal differed from person to person. Was this the effect of vocatio- … Nay, that’s impossible, I mean Souma Sakura who gained 『Saint』 as her vocation didn’t seem to have that much information at her disposal.

「A Govu’s strength is far above a normal Goma. Normally, there’s only one of them commanding an entire Goma platoon, but the one in that tower is basically a platoon composed with nothing but Govus.」

「I see, in short, their elite troops were protecting the tower.」

Yup, as I thought, attacking from the front was akin to suicide.

「In addition, some of the emails mentioned that there’s sub-species amongst Goves that can use magic. So far, we’ve only been observing those Gove’s platoon, but I’m afraid that an even more powerful type of Goma’s species, a『Gogma』, a boss-like being is lying in wait for us inside of that tower.」

Gogma, an even more powerful form of Gpma’s species huh.

You can basically find Gomas almost everywhere in this dungeon, but only now do I know the reason behind their prosperities, it’s because some amongst them had evolved into higher species.

But this information was basically something akin to a death sentence to the current us.

「Hey, we’re practically screwed, right?」

「We’re basically in a stalemate situation since attacking from the front is impossible, in other words we’re trapped in this place forever!」

Yamada-kun seemed irritated as he realized we’re basically trapped between a rock and a hard place. I was informed before that it had been a week since they’d started living in this place.

「We are basically trapped right now, as we’ve to fight them just to know the situation in their tower or fight them when those Gomas send their troops to our tower. We’ve no other way to break the stalemate.」

Oh crap, it seems the situation was even more severe than my expectation. Well, it’s no wonder, I mean, they’re already cornered due to the previous Goma-raid.

「…. Is it possible to breakthrough from the front if we’ve Ayase-san’s cooperation?」

「Don’t be stupid, Momokawa! Like hell, I’m going to go through that kind of danger!!」

Yamada-kun shouted those words with an extremely threatening look on his face. Wow, this idea is rejected huh …

「But, Ayase-san’s sacred beast is like super strong, right? It’s not like she has to stand on the battlefield herself, we just need to borrow her sacred beast while she hides in safe pla――」

「That’s not the problem damn it! Listen to me, Momokawa! You’re a man right! Since you’re a man, it’s your duty to protect girl, dammit!」

My bad then, that macho theory of yours cannot be applied to me, I’ve always been protected by Mei-chan before we got separated after all. This was the world in which even a woman could become far more powerful than man, sorry to plop your bubble but, you better scrap that feminist theory of yours before it gets too late. It seemed like Yamada-kun was the type similar to Kenzaki Asuna who had to taste Mei-chan’s brute power before he could change his mind.

Aah, I wanted to meet Mei-chan as soon as possible, and her massive tits that shake a lot during the battle.

「Oi, can you hear me, Momokawa!」

「Ah, yeah, okay, I understand.」

Scrap that spiritualist, Reina’s actual vocation was 『NEET』.

Anyway, I guess the plan to persuade Reina to help us had to be shelved for the time being since I just got the recognition of Yamada-kun, the strongest one in this group.

I might as well give up this plan since Yamada-kun became that emotional for Reina … I mean, he was currently the lead in the race to gain Reina’s attention by protecting her in the middle of the battle, a place that he wouldn’t give to anyone else.

I guess this was the stubbornness of unpopular guys.

「That means we’re going to capture the Goma’s tower with just the male members, right?」

「Hell yeah!」

「Yeah, we’ve no other choice …」

Yamajun could only smile wryly upon seeing yamada-kun’s eagerness, well I guess I was wearing the same smile as him.

「In that case, the next thing I need is the information about demons in this area and also Yamada-kun and Co’s abilities.」

「R-Roger … Well, my vocation is――」

Ah, Yamada-kun is an idiot huh.

He got pushed back by my momentum and was telling me about his abilities. If all of this was an act, then I can say that he was one hell of an actor.

When Yamada-kun started talking about this party member’s abilities without particularly hiding anything. Yamajun supplemented the missed details in no less than perfect timing. After combining their information, I made a summary of their power.

===

Yamada Genki・Vocation『Heavy Warrior』

『Parry』：Repelling enemy’s attack with protector or weapon.

『Parry Return』：Sending back the parried enemy’s attack with an even heavier, faster and more powerful strike.

『Iron Skin』：Skin as hard as iron.

『Steel Body』：Muscle as tough as steel.

『Smash』：Strengthening strike type attack.

『Break』：Creating shockwave from a powerful blow.

===

Yamakawa Junichiro・Vocation『Healer』

『Lesse Heal』：Healing magic of light element, can heal small injury

『Lux Sagitta』：Lower rank attack magic of light attribute.

『Lux Shield』：Light attribute’s low rank defense magic.

『Summon』：Summon low rank Lux Elemental.

『Flash』：Releasing strong flash of light within a moment to blind the enemy.

『Heal』：Healing magic of light element, can heal small injury.

『Ancient Language Decoding・Beginner』：Enable the reading of ancient language. Up to 3rd class.

===

Ueda Youhei・Vocation『Swordsman』

『Slash』：Strengthening slashing type attack

『Thrust』：Strengthening attack of thrust-type.

『Abandonment』：Can react to enemy’s attack.

『Hi-Walk』：Increase Movement speed.

『Rush』：Consecutives slashing attack.

===

Nakai Shouta・Vocation『Warrior』

『Smash』：Strengthening strike type attack.

『Parry』：Repelling enemy’s attack with protector or weapon.

『Iron Skin』：Made the skin’s surface as hard as iron.

『Throwing』：Increasing throwing’s power.

『Rage』：Consecutives strikes attack.

===

Shimokawa Junnosuke・Vocation『Hydromancer』

『Aqua Sagitta』：Low rank attack magic of water attribute

『Aqua Shield』：Low rank defense magic of water attribute.

『Aqua Mist』：Low rank concealment magic that obstructing the field of vision by creating mist.

『Aqua Blast』：Low rank AOE magic of water attribute.

『Aqua Bind』：Low rank binding type magic that restraint the opponent movement by creating water’s whip.

===

Thanks to the two kind explanations, I managed to create such a detailed draft of everyone’s abilities and vocation.

In addition, when I combined the draft with the result of my observation during their battle against the Goma troops, I drew a conclusion that there’s nothing special about their vocation.

As long as the Totem Pole Trio didn’t hide some sort of a trump card, that was, but since Shimokawa told the other about his 『Aqua Whip』, I think they’re not hiding their abilities at all.

I mean they could lie to me by hiding 『Aqua Bind』  since Shimokawa didn’t use it in the previous battle. In that case, I could easily discover their lie since I knew from the class rep’s story about Shimokawa using 『Aqua Bind』 to kidnap Takanashi Kotori.

On the other hand, their side had no idea that I knew about this magic. That’s why they’d do everything to hide 『Aqua Bind』 if they really wanted to trick me.

How I wish that hypocrite saint learnt to tell the truth like these delinquent but honest guys. I mean look at them, they’re still honest to each other even though they’re supposed to being Reina Fanclub members, rivals to each others.

Nevertheless, I felt it was strange for them to advance this far with so little abilities like that. I mean, I won against everyone here if it’s limited to abilities I gained so far but when I was reassessing their abilities … I found out that their abilities were simple yet powerful and extreme, in short, versatile and powerful combat-oriented abilities.

Take Ueda-kun for example, his 『Slash』, 『Abandonment』, and 『Hi-Walk』 alone were the basic abilities for hit and run tactic, he could defeat Goma as long as he had a sword.

In short, a hundred trash skill couldn’t beat an extremely powerful and versatile skill. The important point wasn’t how much skill was in your possession but its effect.

In addition, seeing the quartet battle against the Goma’s troops and comparing them to JuriMari combi’s battle, the latter seemed to be weaker than the former despite their similar combat oriented vocation. I mean, JuriMari didn’t give the impression of having cheat skills despite supposed to have the same skills composition as the four.

So, there’s still a great difference in mastery despite having the same skill composition. Which meant that the battle sense and individual talent might play a great role in creating such difference between two people with the same abilities and vocation.

「Thank you very much, that’s a really useful information.」

「So, what about you, Momokawa?」

「I’m also rather curious about your vocation, Momokawa-kun.」

Chapter 115.2 : Cajolery

So I had to tell them about my 『Shaman』 vocation too. Well, I intended to keep it for myself if they didn’t ask though.

Anyhow, the things that I emphasized to them to a T for the case of friendly fire was 『Pain Return』, and Rem, or 『Vile’s Clay Doll』to be exact.

「In short, the powerful-looking monster we saw before is actually a powerful version of a clay doll.」

Yes, with gifted materials.

Now, plebeians, offer yer small fries monster materials to this Great Shaman.

「So those guys with you are clay dolls … But, why did they have a monster-like appearance?」

「Using the monster corpse as its base material will transform the clay doll into a corpse doll.」

「Uhm, then we might not be able to use it.」

「Pardon!?」

Oi Yamada, the hell you’re talking about, LOLICON bastard!?

「I mean, Reina got scared by their monster-like appearance, right?」

Whoops, I almost forgot about that. It seems I misjudged you a tiny little bit, Yamada-kun.

I misjudged you, pervert bastard … To think that you’re even more a hardcore lolicon.

「I’m sorry for saying this, Momokawa-kun, but I agree with Yamada-kun in this matter. Your monster-like familiar will end up being killed again by sacred beast if Reina saw them again. If you make them again, make sure you keep them away from Reina, or smaller size one that couldn’t be seen by her.」

「… Uhm, you got a point here.」

Such amazing insight, Yamajun. His assist came at the right moment, completely destroying my hostilities toward Yamada-kun, and even offering a viable solution.

I was certainly a shaman, hex user. I could curse everyone I’d a grudge with but it didn’t mean that my boiling point was so low that I’d wantonly cast a curse on everyone that annoyed me. Except for those who tried to disturb my cute Rems’ revival, AKA Yamada-kun and that Reina bitch.

Rem was my lifeline, the trusted partner who was going through several deadly battles with me. That’s why it was natural for me to wish for her revival ASAP but … What Yamajun had said made sense.

Maybe, no, it’s almost certain at this point that Reina bitch would only destroy Rem again as soon as the former met the latter. In the worst case, that idiotic bitch might even go as far as trying to kill me with sacred bitch for using monster-like familiar.

I mean, Rem almost never left my side up until now.

「I understand, I’ll make sure that they’re hidden from Reina’s eyes.」

「That’s also rejected. Reina-chan will leave the tower once in a while for a short walk.」

「Seriously? Are you fucking seriously telling me to not use precious combat potential, Rem, just for that silly reason?」

Da hell ya talking about! What are ya going to do when those monster-like familiar of yours make Reina-chan cry again!」

FUCK, this guy is an incurable lolicon. Why was he left alone until reaching this critical condition?

My feelings after hearing Yamada[Lolicon]-kun’s unreasonable excuse went beyond anger. It felt like I was talking to an alien. I mean, even those Gomas were more realiable than this Lolicon-kun.

Cough, okay, my desperate escapism aside, seeing Yamada-kun acting this way, I got the feeling that he’d prioritize Reina’s mood more than the battle with our life on the line.

That’s why Yamada-kun dismissed the option of reviving Rem due to the previous incident.

This Lolicon’s arguments were simply too unreasonable. And this Lolicon bastard was satisfied with his attempt to protect her from the scary experience … Tch, even though we’re clearly lacking in combat potential, we had gotten another trouble from unpopular Lolicon.

Ha~ha, can’t be helped then. I guess I’ve to make a little adjustment to my plans.

「Your duty, is it? … Then, maybe there’s no problem if you stop them at that time. I mean, something like a manly hug to pacify the crying girl.」

「WHA!?」

The color on Lolicon-kun’s face changed rapidly. He might even be imagining the scene of him hugging Reina. What an easy fellow!

If he hadn’t given such a reaction, I might’ve treated my statement as a tease, but it was hook, line, and sinker for this one. Well, problem solved I guess.

「In my opinion, Ayase-san is anxious. That’s why she’s getting scared of a simple matter. Of course, the duty to protect her will fall upon the strongest amongst us, in other words … you, Yamada-kun.」

「I-Is that so?」

「Yeah. I mean, Ayase-san is just way too timid, I think she’ll understand once you explain the matter about Rem to her. That’s why if by some chance Ayase-san sees Rem and is on the verge of tears … I’ll leave the duty of hugging and pacifying her to you, Yamada-kun.」

「Do-Do-Don’t speak such nonsense, Momokawa, Li-Like … Like hell I can do something like hugging Reina-chan… 」

「Don’t be so shy! You know that there’s no one else but you, Yamada-kun to be entrusted with this job right? It’s your duty as the party leader and the strongest amongst us to pacify Ayase-san, the sole female member of our party. 」

「B-But, if I did that, it’ll be … Sexual harassment, right….」

「Don’t worry about it, both Yamajun and I will back you up to explain the situation to Ayase-san. I mean, things will turn pretty bad when she’s crying in fear, right? Considering the situation, this is our best option. That definitely does not fall under the category of sexual harassment.」

「I-I see … You’re absolutely right! I guess it really can’t be helped, Momokawa, leave the job to pacify Reina-chan to me!」

Easy, you’re way too easy, Yamada.

This buffy guy should be smart enough since he managed to enter an extremely prestigious prep high school, Shiramine Academy, and yet he had been easily baited by me- someone who wasn’t blessed with a glib tongue.

Well, the test wasn’t the absolute parameter to know whether someone was smart or not, there’s a saying that love is blind, having this kind of mistaken perception to his own convenience like this might be normal for an unpopular virgin dude like him. I mean, I myself would jump head first if there’s a chance for lucky pervert event with Randou-san or Mei-chan, regardless of the consequence.

「Our first checkpoint is to rebuild Rem, she’s definitely a great boost to our combat potential.」

The truth was, we can enter the battle as it is but here we’re facing against our next problem, the proper capture method of Goma’s tower.

「How close is that fortress from our base?」

「I’ve no idea how many kilos distance it is from this base, but it’s about half-day walking distance from here. We’ll see their fortress before the night if we depart in the morning from this place.」

So that meant straight ahead from this place since our compass pointed straight ahead toward that tower, but it’s still quite far from here. No, that kind of distance might be trivial since it’d only take half-day by traveling inside the uneven path in the jungle.

「Did Ayase-san go with you when you measured the distance?」

「Yeah, we’re planning to advance as it is after defeating the boss in this place after all.」

「Since Ayase-san would be riding on Engard’s back at that time, we would a hard time to follow her pace.」

I see. In short, the distance between our tower and them was around 20 kilometers.

The distance that a normal human can cover in half day is about 30 kilometers, while infantry can cover around 50 kilometres. They might be normal highschool students before, but now they’re superhumans enhanced by the power of their vocation. Their newfound power allowed them to walk through the uneven jungle path with ease and cover 20 kilometers in less than half day.

「So that’s mean we can arrive at their tower in a single day.」

I mean, that kind of speed despite living in the jungle.

「Then, could it be that the battle in front of this tower from before was their first invasion to this place!?」

「Yeah, seems to be the first time.」

「After continous failure, we have up the plan to capture Goma’s tower for a while and decided to use this tower as our base, our current priority is defeating as many monsters and raising our power as much as possible. That must be the reason why the Goma’s side also made their move…」

「OH F4CK」

Let alone capturing Goma’s tower, it’s our tower that was in danger of being captured by them instead!

In the first place, this wasn’t a game. We’re not gonna meet a small fry monster based on random encounter, they’d come at us whether we like it or not. No matter how stupid those Gomas were, with their village-like communities around their tower, there’s no way they wouldn’t notice that parts of their army kept missing everyday. That’s why it’s only a matter of time before they launched an all out attack on us.

「Well, they’re not a big deal anyway as if the likes of Gomas can defeat us.」

「The one who attacked you back then might’ve just been a scouting group, not their main army. Their elite troops that comprise of only Govus doesn’t even make their appearance.」

They might be Goma’s tower final line of defence, thus couldn’t move as they pleased though.

「This tower is dangerous. We should evacuate to the closest fairy plaza as soon as possible.」

「Yeah, I think that leaving this place right away is our best option but …」

「We were transferred right in this tower, so we’ve no idea about the location of the other fairy plaza.」

Whoopsie, as useless as ever huh, this muscle brain. But, at least they knew that they could only walk around without a destination in this jungle if they chose to leave this base.

「Nay, it’ll be all right, I had been walking until I arrived at this tower from previous fairy plaza after all!」

Yes, I noticed that we could save ourselves from the army in goma’s tower as long as we could evacuate until we arrived in the previous fairy plaza where I enjoyed the hot bath, wild boar nabe, and poison experiment on the Goma, ――

「But, do you remember the way to go back to that fairy plaza, Momokawa? I mean, our compass will only point toward the next destination, it’ll never point the previous destination…」

Though I understood that Yamajun didn’t fully agree with the retreat idea, it took me ten seconds to fully understand what he said

Magnetic needle always points north. That’s why we can normally use that as the starting point when looking for direction.

But then, our magic compass only pointed toward the closest transfer point. That was far from enough to understand the general direction in this labyrinth. Moreover, at times, it suddenly changed direction midway.

Just walking toward the opposite direction of the compass wasn’t enough to go back to the previous fairy plaza.

「C-Crap!」

It seems we had no choice but to stay in this tower and make a solid plan to capture the Goma’s tower.