Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 158: The First Day of Investigation Ends
“Firestorm!”
Burning the unnaturally tall grass, Rest and his party pushed forward into the heart of the magic wasteland. As they advanced, the magic concentration in the atmosphere thickened, making it feel like the intense magic was almost choking them.
“This is incredible… Is the magic of the wasteland really this overwhelming…?”
Isis muttered, her face pale as she covered her mouth.
The rest of the group, though silent, were showing similar signs of discomfort. Isis was the most visibly affected, likely due to her heightened magic sensitivity. While such sensitivity is a rare talent for a mage, it also made her more susceptible to the oppressive magic of the wasteland.
“Are you alright, Isis-senpai?”
Yuri asked, offering her his shoulder.
“Yeah… thanks, Yuri.”
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While Isis broke into a cold sweat, Yuri seemed unfazed, unaffected by the dense magic. Her natural lack of magic power and strong physical abilities seemed to shield her from the environment’s changes.
“This environment is brutal. Can we really build a town here?”
Isis asked.
“As it is, it’s impossible to live here.”
Rest responded.
Even for those less sensitive than Isis, staying in the center of the wasteland would expose them to the magic’s harmful effects. Building a town in such conditions seemed out of the question.
“It’s unlivable right now, but once the real development begins, court magicians skilled in barrier techniques will likely be sent to install protective barriers. By using the magic to fuel the barriers, the concentration of magic in the air should lessen.”
Rest explained.
“So, the plan is to drain the wasteland’s magic with the barriers and change the environment… I see.”
Isis said, contemplating.
“Rest, can’t you set up a barrier?”
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Yuri asked, tilting her head.
“I can’t do that. It’s way too advanced for me.”
Rest shrugged with a wry smile. He lacked the knowledge, not the power or skill, to create such a complex barrier. While they learned basic barrier techniques at the academy, the one required for the wasteland was far beyond what he was taught.
“Our job is to survey and clear the area, making it easier for the experts to do their work later. We need to investigate the terrain and take care of any monsters in the area.”
After burning a section of the plain, Rest used “Levitation” and “Wind Control” to lift himself into the sky.
Looking down from above, Rest sketched a rough outline of the plains and recorded the terrain.
“Alright… I guess that wraps up today’s investigation. It’s pretty rough, but we’ve got a good grasp of the central area’s layout.”
They had slain a considerable number of monsters and burned away parts of the plain, clearing the land. Though their progress was small compared to the vastness of the plains, it was a decent outcome for the first day.
“Let’s call it a day and head back to the entrance. It’ll be dangerous if night falls.”
In the magic wasteland, nightfall meant almost certain death. Being attacked by monsters in the dark would be fatal, especially since the dense magic in the area rendered their ‘Presence Detection’ useless. They had to return before sunset if they wanted to survive. The investigation would take several days, as they needed to work cautiously.
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“We’ll be able to head back faster than we came. Since we burned the grass, moving should be easier. This will speed up tomorrow’s survey too.”
“Let’s hope new grass hasn’t grown by the time we return.”
Lubase said with a sarcastic shrug.
Normally, vegetation wouldn’t regrow so quickly, but in a magic wasteland, anything was possible. It was even conceivable that by the time they came back the next day, the tall grass would have grown back to its original height.
“Well, we’ll deal with that if it happens. Alright, let’s head back—”
“GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”
Just as they were about to leave, a beast’s scream echoed through the air, a haunting cry that seemed to come from the depths of the earth. It was a familiar sound.
“That scream…!”
“Be on guard! It’s coming!”
Argyle shouted, readying his sword.
Isis and Yuri took defensive stances, and Lubase silently gripped his sword’s hilt.
“Firestorm!”
Rest cast his magic first, burning away the vegetation. From within the scorched grass, a large shadow emerged.
“As I thought… it’s a subordinate of Sabnock!”
What appeared before them was a monstrous lion-like creature with pale blue fur standing on end, drooling foul, rotting saliva. It was a massive six-legged beast with compound eyes, the same species as the Sabnock that Rest had previously defeated. The Corroding Beast leapt out, ready to attack.