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nChapter 53

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nFifty-Third Episode~ The Witch of Sedia Wasteland ※

nI return to the inn, intending to take a bath .

nWhen I wash my body, Rollo jumps into the hot water as well, so I wash her black fur until it is pretty .

nAfter washing briefly, I lean my back against the edge of the tub .

nThe hot water is relaxing…

nFirst, I will check my Status .

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nDark Magic Spearman: Chain User

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n19 . 2 →19 . 3

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nSuch a thing, I grew a little .

nThen, I dismiss my status .

nThe Mirror of Paredes is in front of me…there should be 24 of them in this world .

nI will look for them, little by little .

nHowever, one is in the corner of this room .

nThis room has no door so won’t someone passing by eventually notice the mirror?

nMa, this is fine . Yosh, I will try out the gate magic .

nI get out of the tub and wipe my wet body down before getting into my leather clothes .

nFirst of all, I touch the bracelet and remove the zohedron trap from the item box .

nI hold the twenty-four sided zohedron trap in my palm . I rotate it and look at the different faces .

nQuite beautiful . Should I trace this second and third side? Or, should I go for it and trace twenty-four symbols?

nThe proof of the pudding is in the eating . (TL: Japanese saying, I couldn’t help but translate it like this . The English equivalent is “don’t know it till you’ve tried it . ”)

nI will touch the twenty-fourth face first .

nI trace the groove with a finger and it changes from red to green .

nOh? Even once the entire symbol is green, the gate magic does not activate…

nAs a test, I trace all the red symbols on the face .

nAt that moment, like the other day, the flashing sphere folds in on itself .

nThe mirror in the room shines and the scene in front of the mirror is reflected in the gate .

nIn other words, my form moved .

nWhen I pass through the gate as a test- I return to the room and land with the bed in front of me .

nLike the last time the twenty-four sided zohedron trap is set in the top of the mirror, it separates on its own and floats through the air .

nAgain, it begins to orbit around my head .

nThe symbol on the face can be used normally . So, that means…

nAre there not twenty-four mirrors? Or can it not be used now?

nIs it not usable because the mirror and sphere have not met some condition?

nAs another test, I trace the “one” symbol and activate the gate .

nWithout entering the gate, I leave it alone for five minutes, then ten minutes, without entering .

n-I reach out a hand to the shining gate .

nMy hand does not come out of the mirror . My hand does not stick out of the mirror so something like dimensional kill is not possible . (TL: Reference? I think our equivalent is playing with portals . )

nEven after thirty minutes have passed, the gate magic does not disappear .

nCan it not be canceled this way? I put my hand in the light of the gate and try to will “dismiss gate magic . ”

nThen, the light of the gate instantly stops and the twenty-four sided zohedron trap appears in my hand .

nHeeh, so I can cancel it this way .

nYosh, next I will trace the second face .

nOoh, the gate activates normally .

nI can see the other side through the light…

nThere, un…

nIt is under water . Is it the bottom of the sea?

nIt seems like the sandy bottom of an ocean, fish…

nStill, it does not seem to be too deep . I can see sunlight .

nI will postpone this one . I thrust out my hand…and activate the cancellation .

nI catch the rotating zohedron trap in my hand and then trace the symbol on the third face .

nThe third side activated normally too .

nThe scene on the other side of the gate causes me to stare in surprise for a moment .

nA woman, a naked blond changing into her clothes .

nWhen that woman noticed the light of the mirror, she covers herself with gray rag clothes, then begins to touch the mirror despite being scared .

n…I cannot go through this one .

nShe is joining her hands in prayer towards the mirror .

nNo, lady, don’t mistake me for some God .

nHowever, the clothes in front of this child’s chest, several places are torn…

nThe woman seems to be called by someone and leaves the room after stepping away from the mirror and putting her shabby clothes on .

nThe range I can see makes me think the room is small .

nThere is a bed on the right, and further to the right is the wooden door the woman left through .

nIn the left corner is a wardrobe and a small desk .

nThere is a wreath above the desk and there is also a small bookshelf .

nIt is a simple image of a modest life style .

nNow then, I have checked this gate, so should I check it another time…

nI cancel it .

nNext, I trace the fourth symbol .

nThis gate is different from the other one .

nThe scene I see is brown earth and bare rocks .

nMoreover, on the ground there is scattered a countless number of ruined arms and jewelry .

nThe sunlight is illuminating the jewels beautifully, and the various articles on the ground look like wonderful treasures .

nEven so, it shows signs of a battle field, even if it does look like a gold mine .

nHowever, what is this unnatural gold mine?

nSuddenly, it vibrates and is all blown away in an instant-

nThat surprised me .

nAnd, suddenly the only thing that occupies the gate is the color of a great eye .

nUhaa, huge, it is an amphibian eye .

nDragon, is it the eye of a dragon? The area around the eye is dark red, its blinking is also big…

nAfter it blinks the dragon took some distance from the mirror, this time the dragon’s entire head is in view and it opens its mouth and its dark red tongue envelopes the gate .

nDid it lick the mirror?

nSticky juices are covering it…

nThe dragon seems to have gotten tired of licking and vanishes in an instant .

nHowever, this time a brave woman, no, an old looking woman appears in front .

n-She is staring in this direction .

nThe old woman is wearing a special helmet .

nThere is a red jewel in the middle of the forehead, covered by an ornamental dragon .

nThe frame around the jewel extends out the to the sides and tapers to two points, hidden behind her hair like a head-band .

nThe frame makes it seem like a crown .

nHer hair is black but tinged with red .

nThe contrasting black and red stands out and the hair flowing down her back sways in the wind .

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nShe is wearing a decorative red armor that covers her entire body all the way to her toes, it looks like a sweat suit, a costume type armor .

nMoreover, the narrow feminine silhouette is captivating, I follow the curving outline of her body .

nHer body seems to be youthful, but her face is that of an old woman, full of wrinkles… unbalanced .

nAs for information about the woman on the other side of the gate, I can see her one-sidedly, and I cannot feel any bit magic essence either .

nN~ . this is bothering me .

nTo go through this gate, this strange old woman, I would like to meet this dragon-baba .

nI check on my throwing knifes and small weapons .

n“Rollo, I think I’m going to go check this place out now . ”

n“Nya . ”

nShe claps my shoulder with one paw . Signalling her agreement .

nWith a smile and a nod, I summon the black spear into my right hand and pass through the gate .

n“Oya, maa…this is surprising . ”

nThe moment I pass through the gate, the old woman reacts with a transparent voice that conveys her experience .

n“Thanks…I surprised you?”

n“Aah, it was really surprising, I have lived several thousands of years, yet this is the first time this mirror has shined . You suddenly appeared to, just what are you”

n“Iya, even if you ask what I’m called…I am just a humble spearman . ”

nI check things out while speaking so lightly, and observe this old lady with magic observing eye .

nA strong and dazzling magic essence is rising from her whole body .

nI do not know whether it is fighting moji, or if it is just the magic essence quickly circulating through her body .

n“Hou… those “eyes” you’re using? Hyahyahya . ”

nThe old woman shows mana in her eyes and her eyes change to being slit .

nThe color is bordered by dark red, a strange triangular magic formation pattern is visible .

nThis old woman, she really is the dragon from before…

n“Aren’t your eyes strange too? Are you a dragon?”

n“Aah . That’s right . However, I’m not a common dragon . My formal name is ‘Haiesoshesoto Dragonia” of the dragon race . However, it has been a long time and I am called the ‘Witch of the Sedia Wasteland’ by the neighboring countries . ”

nWitch of the Sedia Wasteland?

nThe witch of a wasteland…this is the first time I have heard of this .

n“…Is that so . Then let me introduce myself . I am Shuya Kagari, the one of my shoulder is Rollodinu . ”

n“Is that so . A strange partnership, aren’t eyes of the beast with the appearance of a cat not common like Shuya Kagari?”

n“Nya . ”

n-Her various judgements seem good .

nIya, is she able to tell with those eyes?

nDuring the conversation, the zohedron trap separates from the mirror and returns to drifting . It begins the orbit my head as usual .

nI casually grab the sphere . I put it in my chest pocket .

n“…Hou, isn’t that a strange technique or magic tool…”

n“Pardon me, may I ask your name?”

n“Ah, of course, I guess I will introduce myself as well . My name is Sazihali . My old name is the witch Sazihali . ”

n“Is that so . Sazihali-san .

nI bow slighty in response .

n“Hyahyahya, you are interesting . With this response, after all, you are not a human from the neighboring 【Aherne Country】 or 【Zerubia Empire】 . They would normally respond with violence upon seeing me . ”

nSazihali-san folds her arms and reaches one hand to her jaw . While placing her fingertip of her beautiful red lips, she talks with a smile .

n“Eeh, that’s right . I have no idea where the Sedia wastelands are, and I have never heard of countries called 【Aherne】 or 【Zerubia】 . Then, have you heard of the Maheim mountain range?”

n“Maheim mountain range . That should be where Aruditto lived . That is an extremely distant place…it is a mountain range to the south east; did you metastasize from there?”

nAruditto?

nThe Maheim mountain range is the far southeast place which is far from 【Hector】 and 【Mount Burdock】, so this 【Sedia Wasteland】 is far off to the northwest?

n“…Eeh, something like that . ”

nSazihali’s words become sharp when she hears my words .

n“Hou, then isn’t Shuya a talented magic user with the space-time attribute? Did you come to ‘hunt’ me like the other humans?”

nSazihali talks with a suddenly cold tone .

nThis nuance, is traveling such a far distance with the space-time attribute impossible?

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nHowever, hunting?

n“…No, no, it’s different . As for hunting, are you being aimed at?”

nThe witch Sazihali’s eyes open wide at my question .

nThe ends of her scale-like eyebrows move in surprise .

n“…I have lived for a long time . Still, this is astonishing . Explaining it, I am viewed as the natural enemy and target of the humans, a mortal enemy, isn’t it because I took the form of a dragon for a long time? I am targeted by 【Aherne】 and 【Zerubia . 】 . It’s natural, but I indiscriminately lay waste to the surroundings, eating monsters and humans alike . ”

nUha, I thought it was fine since I could talk to her like a human, but is she actually frenzied?

nIs it the same for the Evil Dragon King?

n“It was such a thing…”

n“Because of that, what kind of reason did Shuya come here, is it not to hunt me?”

n“I had no reason, I was simply curious, that’s the reason . ”

n“Oho, is that so . You had no business…kukuku . ”

n“Is something wrong?”

n“Iya, na, it has been a long time since I have talked to someone like Shuya . Even if you see the form of this dragon-baba, you have a pleasant attitude without flinching . ”

nIt‘ is really fun . Shouldn’t I ask in this situation?

n“That’s right . Then, since it’s fun, may I ask you a question?”

n“Aah, it’s fine . Don’t hesitate to ask . ”

n“Well then, what is the difference between an Ancient Dragon and a High Dragon, and have you ever heard of the evil dragon king?”

n“That’s simple . An ancient dragon is generic name for old dragons that belong to the strongest class, aside for ‘high dragons . ’ Their character is ‘fierce and greedy with a daring personally’ . Those guys are different from an ordinary dragon, and possesses a degree of intellectual power, but they can never take on the form of a human like me . I have never heard of the name evil dragon king . ”

nShe has never heard of the evil dragon king… no, shouldn’t I ask about the intelligence?

nIs either one okay?

n“…Is that right . Like Sazihali-san, can contact be made with a high dragon?”

n“It would be impossible, I said it earlier, but violence is not uncommonisn’t violence common . ?”

nIt seems I will not be able to contact the evil dragon king .

n“Is that so . Is there any significance behind the name High Dragon?”

n“High Dragons are those dragons that stand at the top of the dragon race aside from the ‘ancient dragons . ’ It also means there are people who have dragon language magic . ”

nDragon language magic .

nThis is another kind of magic I have never heard of .

n“Can I use dragon language magic?”

n“Immpossible . “Fazloirugaaaaaa . ”

nSuddenly, the old woman sets “words” free when she opens her mouth and shakes her throat .

nAt the same time- suddenly, a gust of wind is born that flows behind me .

n“That was part of dragon language magic . It is impossible with the throat of a human . They don’t have the appropriate vocal organs . ”

nThere is such a magic .

nAh, I will also ask about this .

n“I see . That’s certainly impossible . Then have you heard of Genju’s sake ball of light, or the sacred stone of wisdom?”

nThe witch Sazihali shows a reaction different than she has so far .

n“…I have . Where did you hear of it?”

nEven if I cover it up, it can’t be helped . I guess I will tell her the truth .

n“I heard about it when I made a contract with a divine beast . ”

n“Nya . ”

nRollo also calls out .

n“…Is that so, is that so…it’s that cat on your shoulder? Ma, it’s fine . Twilight of the gods, it’s a treasure artifact left behind by Rerikus, the god of relics . From a human…it should be something only known of as a fairy tale?”

nThe witch Sazihali, stares at Rollo with apparent unrest .

n“It’s only the name . I am looking for it . ”

n“Haha, you’re looking for something that may as well be a mirage . The meddling of the gods in Seurosu has never gone past that point . Still, Sateyura, the god of plants, has a direct effect on the spirits of plant types, Gaia, the god of earth, has a sanctuary that is a forest thick with magic essence…Perhaps, you may find some clue there . ”

nOooh, this is more than enough . As expected of an ancient dragon and witch .

nI got a major clue .

n“Thank you . I will remember it . ”

n“Fumu . -It is time for me to go soon . Shuya? It was fun . ”

nSazihali looks in the opposite direction and talks with a smile .

n“Yes . May I come here again?”

n“…Do what you want, I have a whimsical mood, so am often not here . Well then, I’ll go-”

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nWhen the old woman says so she transforms into a raging red dragon right in front of me .

nAfter releasing a roar, she flies away .

nFuu, she has an intimidating air, that mysterious dragon .

nNow . Should I look around this area or return?

nI leave the small mountain that is Sazihali-san’s home and look around the area .

nOverhead, a crow-like bird is flying .

nIt may be a hawk or a falcon…

nAt any rate, a wasteland spreads out .

nIn the distance, I see a small hill on the brown side of a mountain .

nThere is only the desolate scenery without any trees or grass .

nAfter a few hours of wandering through such a wasteland, I come across the familiar green monster, the Goblin .

n-There is a magic essence reaction .

nI activate at once .

nI get closer to the goblin while staying hidden .

nMost of the goblins have wooden clubs in their hands and are wearing hide armor .

nThere seem to be goblins carrying bows in the back as well .

nSince they have yet to notice me, should I attack first?

nRollo prepares for the first attack with me .

nI use with a throwing knife . The knife pierces the head of a goblin and the chest of another, two are dead in a fraction of a second .

nRollo extend her feeler toward the skull of a goblin too .

nThe sharp point of the ivory sword pierces the goblin’s head .

nGoblins are killed one after another .

nThe goblins in the back begin to counter attack with bow and arrows, but their aim is poor, and we are not hit .

nWith no intention of allowing the goblin archers to continue firing, I quickly run with fighting moji enhanced legs, and approach a goblin archer .

nI extend the black spear grasped in one hand and pierce through the archer’s body .

n“Gyaa . ”

nPulling out the black spear dirtied by entrails, I make a wide turn centered on my toes .

nUsing the turn, I summon the magic sword Bitou into my left hand and bring it down, cutting through the shoulder of the nearby goblin .

n“Ge . ”

nOnce other goblins see their comrades easily killed, they take us as a threat, and fire arrows from the bows desperately while wailing . However, every time, I use a dead goblin as a shield, knock down the arrows with the black spear, and easily block the arrows .

nThe time lag between firing arrows makes it useless .

nNow if they had a skill that allowed them to fire three arrows at once…

nIt becomes troublesome to kill them with the distance, so I eject as a middle range weapon to easily kill them .

nIt would have been easy if I used the chain from the beginning .

nAs the development always goes, I slaughter the goblins without being careless .

nIn front of Rollo and me are scores of goblin corpses along a stone road . This much will not become an obstacle .

nThe corpses of the goblins are scattered across the wasteland . From the sky descend carefree crows to the new feeding ground .

nIf so many goblins appeared, there should be a goblin race colony in the area .

nOr is it an underground hole because of the topography of the wasteland? When I try to look and walk around, the frequency of goblins becomes high .

nI head north, slaughtering goblins along the way, there does not seem to be anything like a goblin colony or a town with people nearby .

nThe sky darkens as the day comes to an end .

nI should have asked Sazihali-san where I could find a human town .

nMa, I can return for now .

n“Rollo, let’s return . ”

n“Nyao . ”

nRollo returns to my shoulder .

nI take the twenty-four sided zohedron trap out of my pocket and tamper with the sphere .

nI trace the symbol for the mirror I placed in the inn, and the gate activates .

nThe shining gate appears without a problems .

nI go through and return to the inn in 【Hector】 .

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