Chapter 35: Habitat of Monsters – Mount Kuroon

The next morning.

Lucius was accompanied by Yu and arrived at the foothills of Mount Kuroon.

Although it was called Mount Kuroon, it was not a single mountain but a mountainous region consisting of various sizes of mountains connected together.

These were not gentle slopes but steep rocky mountains that seemed as if the earth had been carved away.

The mountains revealed exposed rock surfaces amidst the trees.

In front of Lucius and the others stood a massive cliff.

“Amazing…”

“Mount Kuroon is a mountainous region, you see. It is said that the steep slopes and sheer cliffs were formed due to a battle between a monster called Shiyu and nine dragons known as Ouryu and their subordinates.”

“The terrain changed due to a battle between monsters!?”

“It’s not certain if it’s true, but it was a battle between top-class beings. It’s quite possible.”

Lucius shifted his gaze towards the steep mountain range.

“I feel a similar atmosphere to my hometown, Silverwood.”

The habitats of monsters had a distinct magical presence. The density was overwhelmingly higher compared to the town or an ordinary forest.

Maid Matilda called it miasma.

After obtaining his contract, Lucius was able to sense it as well. When pointed out, it was indeed true. It was undoubtedly magical, but there was a somewhat prickly sensation to it.

“Monster habitats are like that everywhere. Monsters prefer places with dense magical energy in the air. By the way, Lucius, besides being Grade 1, do you have any specific familiar you want to contract with?”

“I’m not familiar with the monsters in the eastern region, but if there’s a familiar capable of wind magic…”

Lucius had admired wind magic ever since he was young, as he had observed his father, Robert, contracting with a Hippogriff that possessed wind magic.

“Wind, huh. In that case, Kyuki is a candidate, but it’s an extremely dangerous monster. I’ll try to find one, but be prepared to retreat. Today is just an inspection.”

“Understood. So, what about the actual contract?”

For the previous contract, he needed to directly touch the monster with the “Familiar’s Prosthetic” device. He wondered how he could contract with the monsters in the eastern region.

“We’ll use this.”

Yu took out something that looked like porcelain or metal from the luggage he carried.

――A VR headset?

“This is called the ‘White Specter’s Eye Root.'”

It was a relic-like device that covered the eyes.

“It would be dangerous to blindfold yourself, right?”

“That’s right. You can’t see anything in front. Originally, it seems that you were supposed to be able to see, but the ones that still retain that function are rare. I don’t know the details, but even the people of the Tower can’t restore their vision. Contracting is still possible, so it’s not a problem.”

――Eh… So you fight monsters with your eyes covered?

For the previous contract, he had to touch the monster directly, using the “Familiar’s Prosthetic.”

His voice trembled slightly.

“By any chance, do I need to expose my eyes to the monster?”

“That’s right.”

Yu nodded as if it were obvious.

“Actually, it’s more like touching foreheads together.”

Approaching monsters with impaired vision and touching foreheads.

Lucius had never heard of such a dangerous “forehead boop” move.

It was far less of a risk compared to the possibility of catching a cold.

Worst case scenario, his head might be severed.

“Yu-san, I’m impressed that you could contract with that method…”

“The people from the eastern region practice fighting with their vision blocked from a young age.”

――That’s something you’d find in manga or something.

He never thought that there were actual practitioners who put it into practice.

At the same time, he felt uneasy.

“By any chance, do I have to do that too?”

“No, there’s no need. If you already have a formula, it’s simple. You can have the formula restrain the monster or share the familiar’s senses. It can be a substitute.”

“I understand. So, I can’t do it yet.”

“In a few more years, you’ll be able to. For now, it’s better to go with the method of having the formula restrain the monster.”

“Indeed.”

Lucius put on the “White Specter’s Eye Root” on his head.

Since his field of vision was blocked, he couldn’t even walk properly, so he kept it raised like a forehead protector.

“If we’re going to the location of Grade 1 monsters, we’ll have to go deep into the mountains.”

“Can’t we walk back home today?”

Lucius looked at the sheer cliffs with a distant look in his eyes.

Although he could fly using the Evil Dragon, it would consume a large amount of magical energy to manifest it. Considering the contract with the monsters, it wasn’t wise to consume most of his magical energy just for transportation.

“No problem.”

Yu’s body swelled up, turning into a tiger-like man with nine tails.

He grew about twice in size, and his body was covered in fur and armor, leaving no trace of Yu’s appearance except for his eyes.

No matter how many times he saw it, Lucius was amazed by the transformation.

“I’ll carry you, so hold on tight.”

Yu placed Lucius on his left shoulder.

Lucius placed his hand on the tiger’s head to maintain his posture.

“Let’s go.”

With Yu’s shout, Lucius felt an acceleration as if his back was being kicked, leaving his head behind.

They ascended the cliff at once, as if in a vertical sprint.

Although they reached the top of the cliff in a short time, Yu didn’t stop.

――It feels like I’m riding on my father’s photon.

They ran through the gaps between rocks and trees with the strength and stability of the roots.

Occasionally, they caught sight of monsters that Lucius had never seen before in Silverwood up until now.

There were monkeys covered in red fur all over their bodies and monsters with the upper body of a centaur and the head of a dog.

Their forms were somewhat grotesque.

In no time, they reached the summit of the steep rocky mountains, and the mountains spread out, piercing the clouds.

“If you want to go up and down all the mountains, it will take time. Let’s fly.”

“Huh?”

Yu clasped his hands together.

Suddenly, the empty space in front of them fragmented into a mosaic-like rift.

“Yu-san, is that…?”

“It’s a gate.”

“Go ahead without me, I’ll be there soon.”

After saying that, Yu threw Lucius into the fragmented space.

“Waah!”

Passing through the rift in space, the surrounding landscape completely changed.

Although it was undoubtedly on top of a rocky mountain, the view from the previous mountain was different.

Something jumped up from the mountain facing them.

It was a tiger.

The tiger landed with a heavy thud right next to Lucius.

It was Yu.

“…Could it be teleportation?”

Given the situation, Lucius probably teleported from the neighboring mountain.

“If you knew the gate spell, it would be possible. I can’t use the gate myself since I have to maintain it. Also, carrying you like this, I can’t jump over the valleys between the mountains.”

“…I see.”

It seemed like a convenient spell, but if the person who could use it couldn’t, its usability would be limited.

After that, they continued to jump from mountain to mountain, advancing deeper into the mountain range.

The density of miasma increased with each jump.

Around noon, around the ridge of the mountain, Yu gently lowered Lucius from his shoulder.

“We’re still in the middle, but Grade 1 monsters might appear around here.”

Now that he mentioned it, Lucius felt a much stronger magical presence.

“What grade is Yu-san’s familiar? We didn’t encounter any monsters along the way.”

“Mine is a Grade 2 familiar called Rikuguri. It’s a gentle familiar that doesn’t unnecessarily harm people. But it mercilessly attacks those who lack manners.”

――Somehow, it seems like Yu-san and I would get along well.

Formulas and people were one entity.

It seemed that those with similar personalities were attracted to each other.

From here on, they would explore while remaining cautious, silently advancing along the mountain path.

“When we spot a monster–“

As they passed by a massive boulder, Lucius was about to speak when something was launched from behind the rock.

It was an arrow.

“It’s an attack!”

At the moment when Lucius was about to shout, a large sword appeared in Yu’s hand, and he deflected the incoming arrow.

The arrow was split into two and soared into the sky.

“Keitenka.”

The creature that shot the arrow had a strange form with a huge head and arms and legs growing out of it. It could be described as a muscular Daruma with limbs.

Its body was large, easily surpassing the height of an adult, and there were four of them glaring at Lucius and Yu.

Some of them wielded bows and axes and wore armor-like equipment, indicating their familiarity with combat. Unlike the goblins who simply picked up and used whatever humans had, their equipment shone with a pristine white light.

“What grade of monster is this?”

“They’re Grade 3 monsters. But their group attacks are troublesome. We’re probably surrounded.”

From behind the rocks surrounding Lucius and Yu, the creatures called Keiten emerged. There were probably around ten of them.

“No problem, I’ll exterminate them.”

Yu wielded his sword, swaying it back and forth.

“Could you wait just a moment?”

“Why?”

These creatures were not mere beasts. Humans had entered their territory, and Lucius believed that they should show a minimum of courtesy.

“Let’s avoid unnecessary fighting. Monsters have lives too.”

Lucius prepared his treasured sword and infused it with mana.

The sword faintly emitted a hazy light.

“Fall back!”

The Keiten creatures opened their large mouths at their navels and let out a low, resonating sound that went, “Booomoo.”

The monsters let out a roar and began striking their weapons against the ground, surrounding Lucius.

They were completely in battle mode. The giant heads on their bodies, which were formed by being affected by Lucius’s mana, drooled profusely.

――Is this not going well?

This was the territory of the monsters.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t conveniently avoid all the battles, and Lucius understood that in his mind.

“The lives of monsters…”

As Yu’s words spilled out, the Keiten creatures rushed towards them.

“Lucius, I’ll take care of the rear. But if you feel it’s dangerous, ride the mount and escape.”

“…I’ll be fine.”

Around five Keiten creatures swung their axes at Lucius.

While avoiding their axes, Lucius struck the side――or rather, the gaping mouth――of one Keiten creature.

――It’s hard.

With a scraping sound, the sword traced the surface of the creature’s skin.

The sword didn’t penetrate.

Although it had been carefully sharpened when they left the northern region, it now needed to be sharpened again.

“Lucius, the outer skin of the Keiten is tough. Formulas are more effective than blades.”

While Yu taught Lucius, he continued to slay the Keiten creatures with the large sword in his hand.

――This isn’t very convincing.

Even if Yu told him that the blade couldn’t penetrate the monsters while slicing them with a large sword, it was hard to believe. But for now, Lucius had no choice but to follow.

Keeping his distance, Lucius flowed mana into his left hand.

He felt the presence of the Evil Dragon fused with his left hand’s mana core, and the mana he flowed in overflowed as flames.

Instantly, the movements of the Keiten creatures came to a halt.

It was clear that they were wary of Lucius.

――They perceive the Dragon Flames as dangerous.

Lucius felt a faint hope that he could avoid the battle, but several creatures still swung their massive axes and charged at him.

“…Sorry.”

A pillar of fire rose from his left hand.

The mass of flames engulfed several Keiten creatures.

It was not a weakened attack like the one he used during the duel with humans before. It was a clear and intentional attack.

The dying screams of the Keiten creatures enveloped the mountains, echoing through the air. Intense hot winds covered the surroundings, carrying the unpleasant smell of burning flesh.

When the wind blew through, the flames that consumed their lives disappeared.

In their place, the ashes of what were once monsters crumbled.

Only the demon stones, shining with a bright red color, remained intact.

――So the demon stones don’t burn.

Fire magic still consumed a large amount of mana. The light from the treasured sword also consumed a similar amount of mana, but Dragon Flames had a higher area of effect as an offensive spell.

The remaining Keiten creatures, witnessing their fallen comrades turning into ashes, began to flee in unison.

They jumped over rocks, leaped onto trees, and scattered in a hurry.

What remained was the dust settling and silence.

“Lucius, that was truly formidable fire magic. Nothing but the demon stones survived.”

“Yes, I didn’t want to kill them if possible.”

“It can’t be helped. If you don’t kill, you’ll be killed.”

Lucius understood.

This was the territory of the weak being preyed upon by the strong.

But understanding something and wanting to do it were two different things.

Lucius turned the soil, picked up the demon stones, and buried them in the ground.

Demon stones were considered impure by most people and were treated as both something to be avoided and something sacred. It was a similar sensation to remembering someone’s corpse.

The defeated monsters might have once been someone’s familiars, and if their familiars devoured their masters, it was even more so.

Furthermore, the bodies of monsters disappeared quickly.

Whether it was due to decomposition by microorganisms or other monsters eating them, within a few days, not even bones remained.

But the demon stones were the only things that remained. That fact added to the association with death.

“There’s no harm in touching them. However, my father used to say that demon stones should be returned to the forest.”

That’s why Lucius carefully buried the demon stones in the soil.

It was his way of burial.

Since he didn’t know where they were located on the creatures’ bodies, it was impossible to properly mourn and bury all the demon stones of the defeated monsters.

But whenever his father, Robert, found demon stones from defeated monsters, he always made sure to bury them.

“I see. You treat both monsters and humans with respect.”

“Yes, after all, familiars were originally monsters.”

“That’s commendable. Speaking of familiars, what kind of monster did you make your familiar?”

Lucius was asked the same question again, which he had forgotten to answer earlier.

It would be easy to deceive, but it felt dishonest.

Especially when Yu was helping him without any benefits, it felt even more necessary to be honest.

“Actually…”

As Lucius was about to speak, a dense magical presence filled the area.

――A monster’s presence!?

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