The Spearmaster and the Black Cat

Chapter 89

Chapter 89 – Taking an arrow in the knee

Once we returned to our room, Rollo runs to the bed as usual .

I confirmed my skills while still standing at the room’s entrance .

[Status]

Name: Shuuya Kagari

Age: 22

Title: Super-Warrior of the Water Goddess

Race: Light Demon Lucival

Combat Occupation: Magic Spear Darkness Warrior – Chain User

Strength: 20 . 1 -> 20 . 2

Agility: 20 . 8 -> 21 . 1

Stamina: 19 . 1 -> 19 . 3

Mana: 24 . 4 -> 24 . 9

Dexterity: 19 . 4

Mind: 24 . 7 -> 25 . 1

Luck: 11 . 2

Current Status: Calm

Skill Status

Obtained Skills: <Throwing>, <Demonic Brain Speed>, <Hide>, <Night Vision>, <Inhalation of Odour Technique>, <Banquet of Blood Chains>, <Thrust>, <Meditation>, <Demonic Beast Rider>, <Life Magic>, <Guidance Sorcery>, <Magic Combat Style>, <Magic Hand guided by Thought>, <Sage Art>, <Summoning>, <Ancient Magic>, <Crest Magic>, <Darkness Drill>, <Darkness Drill – Magic Spear Break>, <Language Magic>

Permanent Skills: <Power of True Ancestor>, <Natural Gift of Magic>, <Torrent of Light Darkness>, <Drain Soul>, <Immortality>, <Trickster Adaptation>, <Blood Mana>, <Suzerain of Household>, <Nimble Magic Mind of Super-Brain>, <Understanding of Magic Combat Style>, <Understanding of Guidance Magic>, <Spear Sparring>, <Chain Sense Guidance>, <Magic Crest Arts>, <Instant Staff of Water>, <Spirit Employment>

Extra Skills: <Instant Translation>, <Granted Seal of Light>, <Chain Factor>, <Magic Cerebral Spine Revolution>

I touch Super-Warrior of the Water Goddess first .

※ Super-Warrior of the Water Goddess ※

A transcendental being who obtained the water goddess’ protection .

Effects of Water Magic UP . All Growth Corrections + .

The effects go up, eh? If you combine it with <Instant Staff of Water>, the effect doubles .

Next time I want to get my hands on crest or language magic of water, but…

I understand its effects more or less, but next I check the permanent skill <Instant Staff of Water> .

※ Instant Staff of Water ※

Staff of Water Goddess Akreshys which serves as symbol of her protection .

It raises mana and mind abilities . It enables a simplification of magic squares without the necessity of casting, only for water magic, and allows for the magic to be activated immediately .

Without casting, huh?

As a matter of fact I still haven’t learned water magic, but if I consider the chants of darkness language magic, the effect of no-cast will probably be outstanding .

As it seems that magic squares will be simplified, I can expect for them to be quite usable .

As expected of Water Goddess-sama .

Well then, let’s wrap up the confirmation at this point…

Shall I maintain my equipment?

I remove the chest belt while walking and throw it on top of the bed .

As I take off my overcoat, I contact Helme who is dwelling in my left eye .

『It’s fine for you to come out now . 』 (Shuuya)

『Ha!』 (Helme)

It’s very unlikely that I will ever get used to her being released from my left eyes by water drawing an arc .

“Helme, it’s okay for you to take it easy and take a nap on the bed . I’m going to do the maintenance of my armour after all . ” (Shuuya)

“Your Excellency, I shall assist you . ” (Helme)

“Nah, today I want to do it myself . ” (Shuuya)

“As you wish . ” (Helme)

After bowing in a courteous manner, Helme sat down on the floor in a cross-legged posture, closed her blue eyes and began to meditate . And then her lower body liquefied while she was sitting there .

For some reason she starts to float in the air .

… Are you training?

Is the retort I wanted to throw at her, but I stayed silent, and hung the clean overcoat, which I took off, on a mannequin .

After that I undo the clasps of the arm protector, place it on the ground and examine it .

Every time I see it, this arm protector, shaped after a dragon, looks great .

Though they aren’t very dirty, I pick up each piece one after the other and carefully wipe them .

… Finishing the rough wiping, I polish the entire armour set .

Uh huh . The purple lustre is wonderful .

After I was satisfied with its sparkling condition, I lied down on the bed .

— This bed is hard .

I turn over heavily .

Once I started playing around by turning over several times, Rollo, who got interested in my playing, brought her face close in front of me .

And then she licks the tip of my nose .

“That tickles . ” (Shuuya)

“Nyanyaaa . ” (Rollo)

She presses her tentacle against my cheek while purring .

『Rolling around』『Playing』『Together』『I’m hungry』『Playing』『Rolling around』

Does she want to play with me by lying down next to me?

What a funny cat . However, shall we go eat as there was a “I’m hungry” mixed in there as well?

“Helme, I’m sorry to disturb you during your meditation, but we plan to go eating . How about you?” (Shuuya)

“For me eating as humans do is unnecessary . My food is your mana, Your Excellency . Thus I shall wait here . ” (Helme)

“Got it . Then you will stay here, Helme . Let’s go, Rollo . ” (Shuuya)

Just for caution’s sake I put my overcoat and armour in my item box .

Taking Rollo along, I left the room in casual clothing .

Once I walk towards the dining hall through the corridor, a nice smell tickles my nose .

Lively sounds reach my ears, too . I went to the dining hall as if being lured by those sounds .

Isn’t it filled with guests? The inn’s flourishing .

Not only guests but also customers, who came only for the food, are there .

The amount of people sitting there is to the extent that there isn’t even an open spot at the round tables surrounding the counter’s location . They are chatting pleasantly and enjoying eating the dishes peacefully .

The landlady and her employee were busy placing the dishes on the tables .

“Oh, aren’t ya the Shuuya who defeated the snake dragon?”

An adventurer, who accepted the same request as me, addressed me casually .

He’s a survivor of the vanguard . If I remember correctly, his name was Zaji, wasn’t it?

“You were at the same inn?” (Shuuya)

“Appears so . Rather than that, did you order your food?” (Zaji)

“No, I planned to do so now . ” (Shuuya)

The warrior smiles broadly while showing his yellow teeth . It’s a refreshing smile .

“I see, I see . Well, sit down . ” (Zaji)

That fits greatly . Zaji was the only one at this round table .

Let’s intrude upon him .

“Got it . ” (Shuuya)

“Oy— landlady! I order today’s meal for this remarkable lad!” (Zaji)

He requested in a loud voice from the landlady whose skin colour was that of aloe wood .

“— Yeah, yeah, I will bring it over right away, okay?”

“Ah, please put Rollo’s portion on another plate, too . ” (Shuuya)

“Nya . ” (Rollo)

Rollo jumps on the round table and skilfully stands up on her hind legs . She charmingly appealed with her forepaws to bring her fodder with a “come, come” as she raises her forepaws while putting both of them together at her chest .

Kuh, this fellow… I don’t know where she picked that up, but she has definitely acquired a cute technique .

“Oh my, isn’t that a lively and cute cat? I understand . I will prepare an extra-large fish . Look forward to it, okay—”

Did the landlady admire the pleading movements of Rollo? After raising her elbows, she gets enthusiastic while obviously pushing out her chest and heads into the kitchen located behind the counter .

“You heard her . Isn’t that great for you?” (Shuuya)

“Nn, nya . ” (Rollo)

Rollo purred while looking satisfied and returned on my shoulder .

“That’s your familiar?” (Zaji)

The adventurer Zaji apparently felt bothered by Rollo’s actions .

“That’s right . Something close to that . ” (Shuuya)

“She seems to be a bright cat . Did she also contribute to the defeat of the snake dragon by chance?” (Zaji)

“Yea, she did . ” (Shuuya)

“Nya!” (Rollo)

Rollo raises one of her paws and hits my shoulder with a *pon* .

“She says “that’s only natural . ”” (Shuuya)

“Hahaha, I’m sorry then, cat-dono . But, why is someone of your skill working as adventurer in this remote area of 【Hesliphat】?” (Zaji)

“Weelll, there are various reasons for that . ” (Shuuya)

Did Zaji sense something from my words? He waits for a bit .

“… I see . I won’t dig any deeper . Both of us have various reasons . After all I’m working as adventurer in such a remote area as well… but, you know, please listen . I’m thankful to you . ” (Zaji)

Thankful? Is it about me defeating the snake dragon?

“Thankful?” (Shuuya)

“… I saw your strength, which defeated the snake dragon, directly in front of my eyes, Shuuya . That made me suddenly remember my old feelings of yearning . ” (Zaji)

He saw me…?

“Old?” (Shuuya)

“Yea, the old me… crossed the Mahaheim Mountain Range after getting through 【Great Desert Goldix】 . I did have the strength to at least aim for the labyrinth city located in 【Oseberia Kingdom】 . But then I took an arrow in the knee . ” (Zaji)

Zaji shows me his knee and hits the remaining scar with a slap .

Did he just now say that he “took an arrow in the knee”?

To hear these words in this world .

Are you a palace guard from some place!

Is not what I tell him . I store away those dear memories in my brain .

“… It was probably bad that I wasn’t able to immediately treat this wound at the time when I received it . The healing magic I had cast on it was late and it was apparently rubbishy magic . The knee ended up recovering incompletely . Ever since then the movements of my knee are sluggish… therefore, I have continued to drink the spring water here for the sake of my knee . Doing this for many years, I settled down in this inn before I realized . ” (Zaji)

There are also cases where even healing magic and potions won’t cure a wound completely…

“… I see . That means you are working as an adventurer while at the same time recuperating? However, the labyrinth city’s name is quite famous, isn’t it?” (Shuuya)

“That for sure . You can get quickly rich not only because of the magic gems, weapons and armours, but also due to the magic cores looted from defeated monsters, magic items you can take from treasure boxes, minerals produced by the labyrinth, and new magic tools as well as new sorcery devices obtained there . ” (Zaji)

Various imaginations are gushing forth within me…

“Well, if you only talk about labyrinth cities, it’s not just the one in the southern major power 【Oseberia Kingdom】 though . There’s another one in the 【Lazaford Kingdom】 which is located in the west of the Oseberia Kingdom . Even in this religious state, there’s a labyrinth called 【Great Labyrinth of Shandol】 . One more is located in the eastern 【Holy Kingdom Arkamneris】 . It’s said that there’s one inside the northern 【Rollorizza Kingdom】 . ” (Zaji)

I feel like I heard a bit about these .

Though I wasn’t that well-informed about the countries they are located in .

“Hoo, even in this country… 【Great Labyrinth of Shandol】 is yet another labyrinth with a exaggerated name . ” (Shuuya)

“True . But its entrance has been sealed by the Holy Ancient Ruins Excavation Department . The ones who can enter are limited to only those who belong to this country’s pope’s army, the church’ knight-like high ranking nobles or a part of the top-ranking adventurers . That doesn’t mean that all of the adventurers can enter by just paying a small amount of money like in 【Oseberia Kingdom】 and 【Lazaford Kingdom】 . Well, you might also be able to say that 【Labyrinth City Pelneet】 and 【Labyrinth City Sazardelri】 are special? Most of the foreign labyrinth cities are monopolized by a part of those who are strictly regulating them . ” (Zaji)

It’s the first time for me to hear of the Holy Ancient Ruins Excavation Department .

However, one can enter if they pay money . That means, restricting it only to this aspect, 【Oseberia】 and 【Lazarford】 are possibly nice and liberal countries?

They probably have some objectives by releasing those labyrinths though… .

Even so, I didn’t know that there’s a labyrinth in this country as well .

“… I see . so where’s that 【Great Labyrinth of Shandol】?” (Shuuya)

“It’s located in this country’s 【Sect’s Capital Heslipha】 . ” (Zaji)

Then it’s impossible .

“Ah, okay . ” (Shuuya)

“You are not aiming for the Treasure of Shandol, are you? Do you intend to go to the sect’s capital?” (Zaji)

Calling it treasure; that word has a certain charm that attracts people . Yea .

But, it’s in the sect’s capital, right?

It’s clear that I was targeted by the Demon Extermination Doll Disorte . I won’t go there .

“… No, not at all . I won’t go there . I just heard about it . ” (Shuuya)

Given that the landlady brought the food at that point, me and Zaji, who were lured in by the delicious smell, talk less as we focus on the dishes .

What was served is soup with bread and grilled fish .

Next to the grilled fish was a sauce that seemed to have been shaved off a vegetable, which resembled pea green grated radish, and was then mashed .

The grilled fish is close to Japanese cooking in its preparation .

It’s a combination that makes me crave for soy sauce and rice .

The hot soup has a thin, salty taste .

Something fluffy, that resembled wheat gluten, and a green vegetable similar to brown seaweed have been abundantly put into it .

Since the bread is as hard as usual, I eat it by dipping it in the hot soup before biting into it .

The soup’s taste is average .

The fish was delicious . Though it’s salty, it has a simple, refined taste .

It gives the impression of a freshwater sweetfish . The white meat is soft to a degree that you can scoop it up with a spoon . Once I hold it in my mouth, even its large main part has a gentle sense of touch and the combination of the saltiness and the fish’s original sweetness is appetizing .

The pea green, grated sauce was delicious, too .

I was able to experience a sourness like lime, a flavour like celery and the sweetness of an onion from its bottom .

Though I can’t describe it well somehow, it has a mysterious taste .

I enjoy the fish’ good flavour a second time by combining it with the sauce and the soup .

Aah, if there was only some rice…

At first I thought “if there was only soy sauce,” but since there’s the sauce, it’s the rice what matters .

Well, I shouldn’t plead for something that doesn’t exist .

Rollo munched on a fish which has been prepared on a different plate .

She devours it down to the bones while making crunching sounds .

As long as it doesn’t get stuck in her throat, it’s fine, but…

While watching Rollo, I realized that worrying about her was needless .

Eating up the fish on her plate in the twinkle of an eye, she repeatedly cleans her paws with a satisfied expression .

I also eat all of the fish’s white flesh and am basked in the feeling of satisfaction .

Phew, that was great .

As last I drink the alcohol here . It’s beer but at ambient temperature .

As such I add a small twist to it by putting a bit of ice into it with life magic .

After cooling it down to ice-cold, I put the chilled goblet to my mouth and gulped down the refreshing beer .

Watching me drink it, Zaji gulps while looking envious and talks to me .

“Ooooy, jeez, is that ice? You are sure drinking it happily . ” (Zaji)

“Haha, do you want me to put some into your goblet as well, Zaji?” (Shuuya)

“Oh, that’s alright with ya?” (Zaji)

“Sure, right away—” (Shuuya)

Refining ice with life magic is a speciality of mine .

“Oh, there’s certainly ice inside the goblet . The water attribute’s friend is a friend of alcohol, eh? Thanks . ” (Zaji)

Though I don’t know that proverb, I face Zaji with a smile .

He immediately drinks while tasting the ice .

He has a good drinking style . He ordered another beer .

Don’t drink it while looking so happy… jeez, this man .

I also pour the chilled beer into my stomach in one go as if being enticed by him .

Once we drank a while together, Zaji stretched himself and stood up .

“— Thanks for the ice . I will return to my room now . I sated my hunger by eating, now there’s only sleeping left . Well then, let’s meet again somewhere, okay?” (Zaji)

“Yea . ” (Shuuya)

While heartily slapping his swelling belly, Zaji says aesthetic words that befit a fellow adventurer and returns to his room .

Well then, shall I go back, too?

Rollo is still licking her paws as if scratching her head .

“Rollo, we are going back . ” (Shuuya)

“Nya . ” (Rollo)

Rollo climbs on my shoulder .

A slight stench of fish drifted over from her muzzle .

I thank the landlady .

After standing up from the seat at the round table and suitably flattering the landlady’s cooking, I returned to my room .

When I returned there, the spirit of everlasting darkness, Helme, was meditating .

Moreover, she’s creating a strange sheet of spray in the surroundings .

Once she realizes that I returned, she stopped meditating and bowed her head with one knee on the floor .

“Helme, is there any meaning to that meditation?” (Shuuya)

“Yes . I feel happy due to the meditation . ” (Helme)

“Due to it?” (Shuuya)

“Yes, on top of being able to experience a state close to that of being stored inside you, Your Excellency, I’m improving my mana control . ” (Helme)

“I see… are there any other things that make you happy?” (Shuuya)

“Sprinkling water on plants . ” (Helme)

She’s a strange spirit who’s not human, isn’t she?

“Roger, got it . Well then, please return inside me . ” (Shuuya)

“Yes!” (Helme)

Helme turned into water in an instant, expanded and settled into my left eye .

Well, shall I refresh myself by cleaning my teeth and taking a bath?

I cleaned my teeth with a wooden brush and went into the bath .

Cleaning Rollo in the bathtub, I wash myself as well and spend my time relaxing .

After wiping my whole body with a leather cloth, I lay down stark naked on top of the bed in the shape of a 大, and fall into a shallow slumber .

I woke up in the dark, early morning .

Holding once again the small brush, I head to the veranda .

I brushed my teeth lightly and washed my face while discharging water with life magic .

I wish I had tooth paste, but I endure with a bit of salt for now .

Rinsing my mouth’s interior, I spit out the water and return to my room . I carefully equip one piece after the other of the purple armour which I placed yesterday at the mannequin’s feet .

The purple armour is sparkling . After all I cleaned it yesterday .

As the dark-violet scales and bones of Magic Dragon King Baldok have been used lavishly in its creation, its appearance is elegant and cool .

I put on the overcoat and after that hoisted the chest belt on my shoulder .

I also check the daggers in the simple iron box for putting in potions which have been installed on the belt .

After properly making sure that the Ancient Dragon Daggers are sheathed in the belt before putting it on, I applied the metal fittings and equipped the belt .

Rollo has also woken up .

“I think we will stay in the sky for a long period of time today . We are heading straight east . ” (Shuuya)

“Nya? Nn . ” (Rollo)

Is the meaning of what Rollo purred at the end with a throaty voice “Roger?”

Without minding it, I look at the rough map .

【Sect’s Capital Heslipha】 is located in the north-east . 【Holy Kingdom Arkamneris】 can be found in the distant east after passing Hesliphat’s border . The area, where my destination 【Ancient Great Empire Belfaritz】 can be found, is a huge woodland that is spreading further ahead east of 【Holy Kingdom Arkamneris】 . Somewhere there I will find “Sadeyula’s Forest . ”

There I can get the ingredient required to revive the withered Holker Large Tree .

One of the ingredients, Spring Water of Water Goddess Akreshys, I did obtain already .

Next up is the Leaf of Sadeyula .

However, I have another objective as well .

I will be introduced by 【Belgart】 . With there being such an agreement, I’m promised to meet with the top brass of a large company on the second day of summer .

Today is the 60th day of spring, thus there are 30 days left until that promised date .

It will probably be alright since I have still plenty of time to spare .

Therefore, shall I gather the ingredients for the revival of the Withered Holker Large Tree?

First I will exit at 【Beltzam】, located in the south-east, by using the a mirror .

“… Well then, I have decided to return to 【Village of Beltzam】 once . Helme and Rollo, I’m going to use a mirror . ” (Shuuya)

『Yes!』 (Helme)

“Nya . ”

I take out the 24-faceted orbTrapezohedron from the chest belt .

I tamper around with the sphere by rolling it around on my palm .

— Third facet . Tracing the code of the third facet, I had the gate start up .

The spell of the gate, which was bordered by light, appears .

『This is gate magic… it’s the first time for me to see that . 』 (Helme)

『Really? You’re seeing it for the first time?』 (Shuuya)

It’s because she was always in my butt .

『We will travel by passing through this . 』 (Shuuya)

『Yes, my heart’s pounding due to excitement . 』 (Helme)

Let’s go— I pass through .

We returned to the church in Beltzam in the blink of an eye .

— Alright .

I check for magic sources in the vicinity with Grasping Perception . There are none though .

『It happened in a flash . 』 (Helme)

『It’s an instantaneous transition just like that . 』 (Shuuya)

Mmh, shall we leave this church then?

Leaving the room, I climb up the stairs and jump outside the church’s building . Using <Magic Hand guided by Thought> and <Chain> I run up into the sky .

High in the sky, I sit down on the chain chair and enjoy the view while ascertaining the direction .

I won’t head to the 【Sect’s Capital】 of this country which lies north-east .

Is it north from Beltzam?

I will head straight east . It will be fine if I arrive at the large forest directly, but…

Even so, the cathedral of the church and the 【Great Labyrinth of Shandol】, which is said to be located in the 【Sect’s Capital】, are places I want to see someday .

However, the pope, the holy church… and the worrying factor called Disorte . I can vividly imagine it as den of the vampire hunters who attacked me before .

Therefore I will hold back on sightseeing . I shall resign myself to give the “Goal of obtaining the Leaf of Sadeyula” priority .

I begin to travel with <Magic Hand guided by Thought> and the <Chain> chair .

— Clouds are hanging in the sky .

Since my altitude isn’t too high, the wind feels good .

I plunge forward through the beautifully blue sky on the assembly of chains .

Moving while sitting on a iron-plate-like chair, that’s me .

It’s perfectly suspicious if seen from the side .

It’s the definition of a space alien, far too surreal .

… A flying humanoid moves through the sky .

◇◇◇◇

In such manner I continuously advanced through the sky until evening .

While endlessly sitting on the chain chair, I travel the sky with my chains and <Magic Hand guided by Thought> .

Pheew—

Since I haven’t had anything since morning, I became slightly hungry .

Did a few hours pass? I wonder if I travelled several hundred kilometres since then?

Thus this area should already belong to the domain of the 【Holy Kingdom Arkamneris】 .

Below me there’s a highway surrounded by forest .

Shall I descend a bit and have a meal?

Making <Chain> disappear and using <Magic Hand guided by Thought> as a scaffold, I descent by leaping with a *tack*, *tack*, *tack* down on the scaffolds in the sky .

Since I found a suitable thick branch growing from a large tree, I went down and stood on it .

“Rollo, the view is nice here . We will eat here . I will take out the food and prepare it now . ” (Shuuya)

While talking to Rollo, I let both my legs dangle at the edge of the thick branch .

Let’s eat the meal without setting up at the highway-like snake path continuing inside the forest .

“Nyaa nya . ” (Rollo)

As it’s a thick branch, it will be alright for me to even place a hot pot on it .

I take out a thermos flask from within my backpack .

Steam with a nice aroma rises from the hot pot cooking .

Rollo thrust her head into the pot, slurped down the broth and munched on the meat and vegetables .

I’m going to eat as well . Itadakimasu~ .

I scoop up the broth with a wooden spoon and bring it to my mouth .

Delish~, it’s piping hot and soft .

The broth has been absorbed by the vegetables, too . They are great .

Oh, the sensation of the meat at the bottom . Well, it has been put in it from the start though .

This hot pot cooking is something I bought at the market of 【Hekatrail】 .

It’s in the same state as when I put it into the item box, freshly-made .

It’s correct to say that this has large amounts of stock .

Let’s drink it once it’s cold, too .

I drink it in order to eat the chilled blood juice which was inside the thermos flask .

This finishes my replenishment .

Oh? I wonder what’s that…?

What I saw at the time of finishing my meal is black smoke rising from ahead of the highway .