Manowa 314

 Chapter 314 - Let's Make a Discovery


◎ Skies Above Hyvern, Dragon Boat Cargo Hold


「Sorry for barging in all of a sudden.」

After Louise's words, the younger staff member of the Dragon Boat Administration Bureau bashfully replied「Don't mention it.」

Kazane and Louise were currently at the entrance of the Dragon Boat's cargo hold. Louise negotiated with the staff of the Dragon Boat Management Bureau as a devil hunter and was given permission to check the luggage while supervised by staff. Though only Louise, the devil hunter, and Kazane, who could discern devils, were allowed to enter the cargo hold.


「Even so, I'm able to directly talk with the members of the White Party. You never know what will happen in the world.」

Apparently, one of the two staff members accompanying them had seen Kazane and the others' activities at the previous Grand Tournament. Though that young staff member was currently looking at Louise's violent things. To the end, he was glancing, but disguising a man's lustful gaze was difficult. Kazane also immediately noticed, but Louise took a provocative posture instead of being bothered, so she also didn't say anything. Perhaps she was playing with the young staff member. However, the other staff member didn't seem interested in such things and was looking around the cargo hold.

「Well, Leader-san is another story, but I didn't really actively participate.」

「No, I hear that you played a major role against the devil at the Grand Tournament.」

The staff member replied to Louise in a tone that didn't seem like he was trying to flatter her. In the first place, she was given permission to enter here because of her ability.

「So then, what should we do?」

「We'll more or less cooperate with the search, but as you'd expect, checking the contents of the luggage one by one would be difficult.」

The young staff member said, followed by the middle aged staff member.

「That's true. Kazane, how is it?」

「Yeah. It's stronger than when I was above. The smell is strong enough that I can assert that it wasn't a misunderstanding.」

「Well then, I wonder if you would also be able to guide us to the source of the smell? Just in case, I'll give us an escort.」

So saying, there was a buzzing sound as Louise summoned the Lightning Sphere. The staff were surprised by the lump of discharging blue light, but naturally, Kazane wasn't perturbed.

「You've become skillful with it, haven't you.」

「Well, yeah. We'd be in a fix if I couldn't use it when push comes to shove, right?」

While saying that, Louise split the Lightning Sphere into three parts and made them circle around themselves so they could deal with any surprise attacks. Looking at that, Kazane muttered「You can do something that dexterous.」


「Well then, let's do our best to search.」


Then Kazane led Louise and the others while concentrating on her nose.

「Various odors are mixed in.」

There were many things, like foodstuffs, weapons, and materials. In a separated area, there were compartments for livestock and monsters that could be used for some purpose, and it seemed there were also a few people managing those areas. It seemed there was also an area where Mysterious Warehouses and Bags were collected, but the source of the scent wasn't there.

「Deeper, I think?」

There was only a slight scent, but it was certainly there. Louise noticed something as they advanced.


「Oh? I wonder what this is?」


There was luggage wrapped in a white cloth. Looking at the item Louise pointed out, Kazane sniffed.

(The smell... I think it's coming from here?)

Kazane checked the torn white wrapping near the floor. And Kazane noticed it smelled the same as the drifting scent.


(Sealing Spellcloth... one using the same technique formula as the devil hunters? How dare they.)


Then Louise noticed that the wrapping cloth was the same devil sealing cloth she used, and an angry glint dwelled in her eyes. But Louise suppressed that feeling and questioned Kazane.

「Kazane, is the unpleasant smell coming from this?」

「Yeah. It looks like the cloth sealing this scent was eaten by a rat.」

「Ah, they appear sometimes. Various things are transported, so they probably slip in that way.」

The young staff member replied to Kazane.

「There's also a rat repellent magic tool just in case, but it isn't very effective, huh.」

Kazane made a suitable reply to the staff member's words before immediately speaking her conclusion.

「It seems the wooden crate inside the cloth has also been firmly shut, but there are black potions inside.」

「Heh? Black?...... This entire thing?」

Kazane nodded after the young staff member's words. The young staff member had already been informed about the black potion embargo through the Adventurers Guild. Despite that, the Shorty in front of him said this entire mountainous pile seemed to be that very thing.

「No way! But if you're saying that's here, then, Nazare-san?」

The young staff member looked at his colleague and teacher Nazare.

「It's a problem. Clark, I'll stand watch here, so go with these ladies and investigate the sender and recipient.」

Nazare took the paper affixed beside the white parcel and gave it to the young staff member named Clark.

「Ah, ok. Understood. So then, Louise-san and Kazane-san, shall we go back up?」

「Kazane, are there any indications of movement inside?」

「Nope. It's calm.」

The black potions were probably produced by devils, but at the present point, it wasn't moving at all.

「Nevertheless, I wonder why this is being transported by Dragon Boat.」

「If the source of the drug is Soldard like they say, it would currently be difficult to directly export it to Minshiana.」

After Clark's words, Louise said「Ah, I see」in agreement.

「They tried to transport it to Minshiana by going through Hyvern and the Dragon Boat.」

I'll have to email Yuuko-nee... Kazane thought, and they were about to head out of the cargo hold.


Then, there was a rattling sound.


The three people simultaneously turned toward that sound.

「Nazare-san?」

Clark's voice sounded like it was squeezed out. And Kazane's line of sight was pointed at Nazare and the white mask in his hand.


「Louise-san, what is that?」

Without replying to Kazane's voice, Louise sent a Lightning Sphere flying at Nazare.


「Gya!?」


Nazare screamed and collapsed from the Lightning Sphere's lightning strike, and the white mask fell to the floor.


「Kazane, the mask!」

「Yeah!!」


After Louise's words, Kazane started running.


「Hahaha, you're too late!」


While still prostrated on the floor, Nazare smiled and said that. Then there were sounds of things cracking inside the white package.

「What is that?」

Clark's face was ghastly pale as he raised his voice. Louise also wanted to know the answer to that question, but it seemed likely it would come out of the package soon.


「The mask is simply something to rouse and activate... and」

「Nu!?」


Kazane had started running, but『Intuition』activated, she stopped in place,


「Not good!」


And the wooden crate inside the wrapping was loudly destroyed as something black jumped out. Kazane dodged with a backstep, but that thing's aim wasn't Kazane, but the fallen white mask and the crouching Nazare.


「Gu?」


And with a disbelieving expression, Nazare looked at the thing piercing his chest.


「My... life... my... reward...!?」


The black liquid-like thing took in the white mask that had fallen, pierced Nazare's body, and started sucking up Nazare's body fluids. It only took a few seconds for Nazare to become like a mummy and die.


「What is that?」

Kazane held her mouth at that situation. It wasn't like she hadn't encountered a person's death before, but as might be expected, someone being killed like that before her eyes was something that had to be endured.

「Devil Hiruko...」

Louise loathsomely said beside her.

「Like Genzo-san?」

「I don't think it's a runaway process like the one from the Grand Tournament. The mask is probably controlling it.」

「In that case, should I break the mask?」

Kazane said, but the Devil Hiruko's surface burbled, and countless masks of various sizes appeared.

「Why multiple?」

Kazane whined, and Louise noticed that one of its faces was Nazare's.

(No way... that black potion's true character is...)

A repulsive thought crossed Louise's mind.

「It's coming!」

However, she had no time to express that thought; countless limbs sprouted from the slime-like black body of the Devil Hiruko, and it started running towards them.



Name: Yuihama Kazane

Occupation: Summoning Fighter

Title: Ogre Killer, Dragon Slayer, High Beast Summoner, Rea King

Equipment: Staff 『White Blaze』, Two Handed Sword『Black Fang』, Draghorn Tonfa x2, Dragonscale Breastplate, Drake Gauntlets, Silver Sheep Clothes, Sylphyn Skirt, Plasma Pants, Dragon Eating Ogre King's Greaves, Indestructible Cloak, Mysterious Pouch, Crimson Saint Coffin, Heroic Spirit Summoning Ring, Circlet of Wisdom, Aim Bracelet, Magic Accumulator, White Magic Accumulator, Rainbow Necklace, Rainbow Dragon Ring, Angel Bracelet

Level : 36

Health: 145

Magic Power: 304+420

Strength: 67+20

Agility: 71+14

Endurance: 38

Wisdom : 72

Dexterity : 47

Spell : 『Fly』『Torch』『Fire』『Heal』『Firestorm』『Healer Ray』『High Heal』『Golden Dusk「Dragon Exclusive」』『Mirror Shield』

Skill : 『Kick Devil』『Warrior's Memory: Lv2』『Night Vision』『Crushing Blow』『Dog's Sense of Smell: Lv2』『Golem Maker: Lv3』『Aegis Shield』『Fire Principle: Third Chapter』『Healing Principle: Fourth Chapter』『Air Jump: Lv2』『Killing Leg: Lv3』『Fear Voice』『Invisible』『Tiger Eye』『Wall Walking』『Intuition』『Cheat Death』『Nimble』『Charge』『Material Shield: Lv2』『Information Link: Lv2』『Optical Camouflage』『High Dash』『Bloodsucking Blade』『Dragonization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Regenerate』『Soul Breaking Blade』『Stealthy Hand Placement』『Thunder Chariot: Lv2』『Sturdier Teeth: Lv2「Dragon」』『Crystallization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Devil King's Intimidation』『Stone Minotaur: Lv2』『Mega Beam: Lv2』『Space Expansion』『Pseudo-Silver Creation』『Poison Claw』『Fireball「Dragon」』『Cuticle「Dragon」』『Arms Creation: Black Flame』『Ingredient Connoisseur』『Dragon Pheromone「Dragon」』『Boost』『Monkey's Strong Arm』『Two-sword Style』『Boobies Plus』『Living Armor』『Alarm』『Six-sword Style』『Mental Attack Complete Protection』



Kazane:「Uwaa, I saw something gross...」

Yumika:「A mummy?」