Editor: KOOKIEDREAMER
“KYUA!” (Gaelion)
The sack collapses and the contents fall out.
Last time it was the Ding-Dong-Dash, this time it’s the sack rummaging.
Also, Firo does the same thing. Even now.
After all, she is a bird. Gaelion is no different.
Ah, I’m sure the dumpster diving would also turn into a territorial dispute.
“Ah Jeez…… think about the cleaning I’d need to do.” (Naofumi)
Rolling out from the sack are demon bones, ores and the Zombie Dragon’s core which was previously attached to the Barbarian’s Armor.
Gaelion sees the Zombie Dragon’s core, chases it with his eyes and starts playing with it.
This reminds me, Gaelion and Firo both like shiny things.
Let’s end this quickly with a swift scolding.
Paku!
Gaelion grips the core of the Zombie Dragon with his jaws.
“Hey. That thing isn’t yours. Return it quickly.” (Naofumi)
But I might as well have been talking to the wind, Gaelion pays no attention to me.
Huh, didn’t the monster seal have a punishment for that?
The sound of something creaking can be heard from Gaelion’s whole body.
“O-oi.” (Naofumi)
“There’s a terrible ominous feeling overflowing from Gaelion-chan, is he all right?” (Atlas)
An ominous feeling?
This color, I recognized it.
A breath of magic is unleashed from Gaelion’s mouth and the ceiling is blown away in an instant.
“GYA!” (Gaelion)
*Flap*…… the sound from his wings reverberates as they begin to expand, Gaelion leaps high into the air.
Opening the monster seal!
“What just occurred?” (Sadina)
“Something…… wrapped around Gaelion-chan……and then―” (Atlas)
We exit the building and look at the direction Gaelion flew in.
“What is it?” (Rat)
The slaves who remained in the village begin to appear when they heard the commotion.
“What? Did something happen?” (Taniko)
Together, Rat and Taniko look in the same direction towards me.
“To tell you the truth-” (Naofumi)
I explained how Gaelion ate the Zombie Dragon’s core.
“The core of a Zombie Dragon…… the Count sure has strange things.” (Rat)
“I’m not that knowledgable about dragons. Dragons are a species whose ecology is shrouded in mystery. Though I’ve heard the cores found in other dragons are highly desired…… but to make him lose control like this…..” (Rat)
The core of the Zombie Dragon is important for my armor and in the worse case, I’ll get it back even if I have to fight Gaelion for it.
“I understand. We have no choice but to call Firo and leave.”
It doesn’t mean we couldn’t just chase after him. But it will be much quicker with Firo.
Halfway to next town, we meet several soldiers on horses riding in from the opposite direction.
“Ah, Shield Hero! We were just on our way to fetch you.” (Soldier)
“Princess Melty urgently summons the Shield Hero. It seems something grave has happened to the Shield Hero’s holy bird.” (Soldier)
Upon entering the clinic, Melty comes rushing with a face that’s about to break into tears.
“You know…… Firo-chan started suffering suddenly. Naofumi. Help Firo-chan!” (Melty)
“Absolutely!” (Melty)
That being said, if it’s a really dangerous disease, there’s no choice but to rely on the Yggdrasil medicine.
I’m reminded of how deeply attached I am to Firo, I will spare no expense.
“Anyway, let me have a look.” (Naofumi)
There Firo lies wearily in her monster form.
“Uhh…… uhhh……” (Firo)
Around the abdomen, her body was being eroded like when I changed into the Wrath Shield.
Though the erosion is being resisted by the shiny crown of feathers on Firo’s head, you can feel that the erosion is winning.
“What’s going on here? Can this even be cured by the Yggdrasil medicine?” (Naofumi)
I check the status of Firo using the status window.
I touch Firo gently on the cheek.
Then I continue with the status verification.
Firo’s status screen flickers many times like in a sandstorm.
I also notice a big problem while I’m there.
Multiple possibilities are surfacing.
“Understood.” (Melty)
After a while, not only Rat, but even Atlas, Taniko and Sadina come in together.
“Firo-chan!? What happened?” (Taniko)
The worried Taniko runs up to Firo.
Is it natural because you like monsters?
“Rat, what you think?” (Naofumi)
“Level down? Isn’t that the equivalent of a high-ranked curse? So far I’ve never seen anything as terrible as this.” (Rat)
“I think there’s no doubt. But…… is there a matching contact point between Gaelion and Firo?” (Rat)
“What?” (Rat)
“I suppose.” (Naofumi)
As expected, just like Firo’s status window, a sandstorm happens, and there are a lot of things which could not be read.
Gaelion’s level which is 35 has become 45.
“It is plain to see.” (Naofumi)
Although there’s suppose to be nothing there.
“Atlas-chan is a child who can see things that are not visible to the naked eye, she might know where the force is moving towards.” (Rat)
She has a surprisingly useful ability.
It’s the same direction that Gaelion flew in.
“Is it possible for the core in Firo to be vomited out?” (Naofumi)
To recall Rafatalia and the others to chase after it…… at the speed it is decreasing, we don’t even have two days.
No, it’s still better if it becomes 1 and stops. At the worst, she may die.
“Also, I can see some additional force leaking out from Naofumi-sama.” (Atlas)
Apparently, it’s unnoticeable.
“That一 it’s from around the area where the left arm is now.” (Atlas)
It’s the place where I have my shield attached.
Does that mean the shield’s ability is decreasing?
I check the list again for confirmation but there is no abnormality for now.
Atlas steps forward full of determination.
“Naofumi-sama, there is something I would like to try out for a bit on Firo.” (Atlas)
“I would like to suppress the leakage of Firo’s force even by a little.” (Atlas)
Atlas goes to the side of the laying Firo and puts a hand on her chest, then she affixes both hands lightly.
“Mm…… ah……” (Firo)
Firo moans painfully while opening her eyes and slowly gets up.
“It became a little bit lighter.” (Firo)
“Well then…… A carriage……” (Naofumi)
Shit. There are no guys who can run as fast as a vehicle.
Do I have to rent a Filo Rial in town?
“Th pursuit of Gaelion will be me, Sadina and….Tani… No, you and Rat will――” (Naofumi)
“Yes. You rest quietly in bed.” (Naofumi)
However, Firo shakes her head to refuse.
“Noー…… Firo is absolutely going together with.” (Firo)
There is none of the usual vigor. But she takes a step forward and insists to follow at any costs.
No matter what, she is very stubborn.
“Well, if anything happens, I’ll leave you in a clinic. And then, I’ll get another guy to pull the carriage.” (Naofumi)
“Atlas, you’ll also be there to suppress it, right?” (Naofumi)
“Good.” (Naofumi)
Ah, her best friend is in a pinch. She insists on coming by any means necessary just like Firo.
“Being a princess comes second, Firo-chan is my friend!” (Melty)
Firo has a good friend indeed.
“We are setting off to chase after Gaelion. Soldiers of the castle must hurry and notify Rafatalia and the others.” (Naofumi)
Thus we let the stubborn Firo overdo herself and left on a carriage.