Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 334: The Salt Lake Monster
　Black-Gold Wings was currently the only team available at the Caxart branch that could subjugate Flaming Crabs, the monsters multiplying throughout the salt lake.
　When facing an unfamiliar monster, adventurers would normally ask experienced local teams for advice. Unfortunately, no team in Caxart had accepted the request before them, so Tauro’s group had to approach the first battle with very little practical information.
“Even you’ve never fought Flaming Crabs before, Leader?” Ankh asked while they traveled toward the lake.
“No. I’ve never encountered one. I assume they walk sideways because they’re crabs, but that’s about all I know.”
“Flaming Crabs have an enormous left claw,” Ragune explained. “They fire balls of flame from its base. As Tauro guessed, they can only move sideways. The safest approach is from their right, while remaining alert for the left claw. Their shells are extremely hard, so aim for the joints or the underside.”
“Ragune, you know a surprising amount about them,” Tauro and Ankh said together.
“Of course I do. Dragonfolk learn this knowledge from childhood. We were also taken into dungeons for practical training, so I fought them personally. I remember Flaming Crabs very well because they set me on fire.”
　Her explanation offered yet another reminder of how brutally thorough dragonfolk training was.
　When they reached the salt lake, smoke rose from several buildings that had once served as salt-production facilities.
　Most were already half destroyed by fire. Another attack could scarcely leave anything more to burn.
“This is terrible,” Ankh muttered.
“It’s,” Tauro agreed. “I can understand why the territorial soldiers withdrew from this area. For now, let’s locate the monsters and complete today’s subjugation quota.”
　Tauro activated [True Eye] and scanned the surroundings.
　The skill revealed a vast number of living shapes, but he couldn’t immediately distinguish which belonged to Flaming Crabs. Similar silhouettes were buried beneath the ground and hidden throughout the shallow water around the lake.
“Leader, how close are they?” Ankh asked, relying on Tauro’s detection.
“Wait… Could every one of these shapes be a Flaming Crab?”
　The possibility made Tauro’s blood run cold.
　A moment later, crabs with enormous claws began crawling from the ground and emerging from the water.
“What the hell…?” Ankh exclaimed.
　Dozens were visible at a glance.
　A single Flaming Crab belonged in the D-rank band, but a quest involving such an enormous swarm would ordinarily be raised into the C-rank band.
“Are the three of us really supposed to defeat all of these? I’m starting to feel faint,” Tauro said.
“We have no choice but to reduce them steadily,” Ragune replied.
　She tightened her grip on her magic spear and advanced. Ankh drew his magic greatsword and followed.
“You’re right. Let’s begin. I’ll prepare an excellent meal for both of you afterward!”
　Tauro raised the Bow of Artemis and launched a [Light Arrow] high into the sky. It split into four smaller arrows and plunged toward the clustered Flaming Crabs.
　Most of the light struck their shells and scattered harmlessly. The armor was too hard for a dispersed attack to penetrate.
“So I still lack the power to break through from above. In that case, I’ll bring them down one at a time.”
　Tauro dropped to one knee and formed another [Light Arrow] without using a physical shaft. He fired it almost parallel to the ground.
　The concentrated projectile skimmed over the surface, struck the exposed undersides of several Flaming Crabs in succession, and pierced through them.
“As expected of Leader! I refuse to fall behind!”
　Ankh released a wind-infused flying slash from his magic greatsword and cut upward through another crab’s vulnerable underside.
“Come, Flaming Crabs! Today I’ll erase the memory of all those fireballs from my childhood!”
　Ragune poured magical power into the Mirror Turtle Rectangular Shield Tauro had made for her. A wide defensive field spread around both her and Ankh while she swept her spear through the advancing monsters.
　Earth magic surged from the weapon. Stone spears erupted beneath several Flaming Crabs and impaled them through their softer lower shells.
　Nevertheless, the creatures were D-minus-or-higher subjugation targets for good reason.
　They could move only sideways, but they did so with startling speed, and balls of flame flew from every direction.
　Pella repeatedly spread its body to protect Tauro, yet even the slime familiar couldn’t intercept the entire concentrated barrage. Tauro was forced to move between cover while continuing to shoot.
　Ankh grimaced against the waves of heat but kept fighting within Ragune’s defensive field.
　Ragune stayed close enough to shield him, alternating between defense and attacks with her spear.
　Tauro watched both companions carefully. Whenever their strength began to flag, he threw them recovery potions, then resumed firing from a distance.
　They fought for what felt like an eternity, but the Flaming Crabs still vastly outnumbered them.
“Ankh! Ragune! This battle will take days. We’re withdrawing for now!” Tauro called.
“Understood! We can’t finish this in a single day!” Ankh answered between harsh breaths.
“I understand! Fall back!”
　Ragune placed herself between Ankh and the monsters, raised her shield, and retreated. Tauro covered them and opened a safe route away from the lake.
　Once they had put sufficient distance between themselves and the swarm, Tauro spoke to the others.
“Black-Gold Wings can’t resolve this quickly by itself. We may have to accept a prolonged operation.”
“I agree,” Ankh said. “Once the teams from the other branches arrive, the burden should become lighter. Until then, we’ll have to keep doing what we can.”
“With so many enemies, rapid extermination would be nearly impossible without Aeris,” Ragune said without thinking. “Her lightning magic could cover an enormous area.”
“…You’re right. This is difficult without her.”
　Tauro smiled bitterly, once again realizing how important Aeris’s offensive and defensive support had been to Black-Gold Wings.