Chapter 1031 – Trust and Qualifications

000

“Wait a minute. Please stop.”

Something was caught on the radar of Sasha, who was walking at the head of the expedition.

She quickly raised her hand and signaled, and those following her also stopped in place.

And Sasha quietly sharpened her senses and looked at the flow of wind around her.

The bushes are shaking and the sound of tree branches crashing can be heard.

However, in the meantime, once you identify an unnatural flow that does not exist in nature.

Quietly, he attached a magical arrow to his bow and pulled the string.

Piyung!

The arrow flew at high speed with the sound of cutting through the air, heading towards one of the trees hanging on the side of the road.

Crispy!

And, the magical arrow that reached the target made a cheerful crushing sound as if it had pierced something.

With a rustling sound, the ‘thing’ hanging on the tree falls to the ground.

“Hwiyu.”

From behind, someone whistles as if they were impressed by Sasha’s shooting skills.

It must have been a little over 10 minutes since I entered the mountain.

Sasha felt a sense of discomfort in this road in front of them and the trees standing next to it.

A feeling of heterogeneity that is mixed in nature and is not natural.

When you fire an arrow at the place where there is a feeling of heterogeneity, there is always ‘it’ at the end.

“Sasha, is it ‘that’ again?”

“Yes.”

Sasha walked to the side of the tree one step ahead to confirm what she had shot down.

And while she was sitting with her knees bent and checking her remains scattered on the ground, Sasha nodded her head when she heard Laila’s voice.

The being called ‘it’ or ‘that’ from earlier.

Neither Lila nor Sasha know her official name, and they have no idea how to call her, so she’s just called that.

I felt reluctant to give a name to this repulsive being that seemed to be a bizarre mixture of plants, animals, and machines.

Among the flesh scattered on the ground, what appeared to be ‘eyes’ were moving around as if they were still slightly alive, and the piece of metal intertwined with the nerves seemed to have been damaged, and oil-like blood was trickling out from within. .

It is the hunter’s role to destroy the prey, but every time Sasha sees this, a feeling of rejection wells up deep in her heart, and at the same time, she is shocked that someone has created such a terrible creature.

Lastly, I sympathize with the lives that were sacrificed as the material for this existence.

“Mr. Lila.”

“Yes.”

Since she could not completely end this being’s suffering on her own, she left the work to Lila.

Then, Lila carefully drops the flame created on her hand to the ground and places it on top of ‘it’.

The flames do not burn the grass on the ground or the trees next to it, but turn only what Sasha shot down into ashes.

It turns black in the flames and slowly turns into ash and disappears.

If there is one fortunate thing about Sasha, it is that it does not have a vocal organ such as a ‘mouth’, so it does not scream when it disappears.

Of course – if you look at it from the point of view of its existence.

Not being able to scream no matter how painful it is may be nothing but a curse.

“This is the third…”

Leila mutters as she removes the flames from the thing that has completely turned into ashes.

“Maybe, the inside of this mountain range is full of things like this.”

“That’s right. Its role is to monitor us. There must be a being that uses magical connection to share and collect sensations.”

Lila speaks as if she has already completed her analysis of her existence.

“It would be nice if we could trace it back and find the location, but… The moment we start backtracking, it will cut off the connection. So, at best, if we want to stop surveillance only in the places we pass by, we have no choice but to break it down one by one and move on.”

“Yes. Please leave it to me.”

When Sasha nodded her head at Laila’s words, Laila stroked Sasha’s head again.

“Of course. It’s hard for me to find these hiding guys like you.”

These beings have only a very small amount of magic power, so that they cannot be detected by Lila’s magic detection.

Probably because of fusion with machines.

Therefore, among the group, only ‘Sasha’ was able to find these things hiding in the bushes or trees from a distance.

“Okay, then go back to the ranks—”

[Layla. Is it okay for a moment?]

Just as the two were about to return to their original positions, Kuon’s voice came into Lila’s head.

[Huh. This one too has been sorted out. We can leave now.]

[I see, good job.]

Since it was the third time, Kuon’s voice seemed less worried than the first time.

[So, what happened?]

[Huh. It seems like Mr. Artis has something to talk about with Lila… I guess he’s decided what to do about Cleon’s disappearance.]

The leader of the expedition was Artis, so it was up to her to decide whether to search for the missing personnel or move forward to achieve the original purpose of the expedition.

Either way, if I didn’t move forward, there would be no beginning or end, so I was moving forward inside the mountain range.

After a 10-minute meeting, it seemed like a conclusion had been reached.

[Okay. I’ll be there soon.]

After Lila answers Kuon, she tells Sasha that she will return to the middle of the line for a moment to talk to Artis.

“Yes, come back!”

Sasha cheered up and answered, and Lila tried to use her flight magic…

“… That’s right. You can’t use it here.”

When she remembered that she couldn’t use flight magic after entering the mountain range, she sighed in frustration and started walking on her own two feet.

Passing by the rest of the expedition group that followed behind her, she reached the central area, where mainly non-combatants were gathered.

Artis, Fleur, and Quartz were talking together when they made eye contact with Lila.

“Oh, you’re here.”

“So, what have you decided to do?”

As Lila’s words got straight to the point, Artis closed her mouth and spoke while adjusting her glasses.

“Ah. Yes. I decided after talking with the two of you. Cleon’s departure is a painful loss for us, but dividing more people to search for Cleon is actually more dangerous.”

In other words, Artis’ conclusion is, ‘We will not form a separate search party to search for Cleon.’

It may be a bit cold-hearted, but in a situation where you have already entered enemy territory, thinking about the safety of the majority would be a natural choice for the person leading the expedition.

“Hmm, yes.”

Because she understood that, Lila was able to accept what she said.

“Please don’t think too badly. This was a possible choice because I had ‘trust’ in Cleon.”

After seeing Lila’s reaction, Artis added,

“If it had been someone else who disappeared, not Cleon… For example, if it had been Sasha or you, we would have stopped moving forward for a moment and put our all into the search.”

“That’s right. Cleon would have taken the lead in doing so.”

Lila spoke as if it was obvious even without looking.

Lila also knows.

It’s not that they aren’t worried about Cleon, who has disappeared.

However, Cleon will return safely.

It was a judgment that could be made objectively, thanks to the fact that Artis, Fleur, and Quartz had seen his skills with their own eyes.

“So… You mean you understand?”

“Of course. And, you are not the only ones who believe in Cleon.”

Lila answers and turns her body.

Even if they don’t talk about it, Lila knows very well what kind of person Cleon is.

“Ah, that’s right. You can look forward to it, you guys.”

Artis asks a question as if he doesn’t understand Laila’s words.

“… What do you mean?”

“When Cleon goes alone, something miraculous happens. He definitely went alone… But when he came back, there were more people there.”

“Layla… Please don’t sound anxious.”

Kuon was quietly listening from the side.

But she also felt like she was being persuaded by what Lila said, and she sighed.

001

Unicorn ‘Uni’ rescued by Cleon.

She nodded after hearing Cleon’s answer to the question of why humans were wandering alone in the Dragon Mountain Range.

“I see. Human… No, Cleon got separated from his comrades and was blown here by magic… So, to find his fallen comrades, he went up to a high place and found me.”

Cleon nods his head and answers Uni’s words, which summarizes his words.

“Yes, that’s right. Originally, I wanted to fly using flight magic, but strangely, flight magic isn’t used often here.”

“Because the flow of magical power has become abnormal… It seems like there is something adversely affecting the spiritual vein.”

As Yuni said that, she slowly turned her head and looked at the summit.

There seemed to be concerns about whether Cleon would still be able to walk to the towering peak that was quite far away.

“So… Are you living here alone? Are there any other people?”

“Unicorns do not live in groups. … However, aside from that habit, I am the only unicorn living on this mountain. It must have been several decades already. When I came to, I was living halfway up this mountain. .”

“Decades…!?”

No matter how you looked at her, she seemed to be quite older than you, despite her appearance only appearing to be similar to or slightly below her.

However, I think she did well.

If you have lived here for a long time, you probably know this mountain very well.

“Yuni. If you know, I’d like you to answer…”

“Huh? Of course! Because you saved me! If you don’t repay me!”

Uni, who answered Cleon energetically, nodded her head once again, and each time she saw a dangerous-looking horn pass before Cleon’s eyes.

“Ha, haha… Thank you…”

Cleon continued as she spoke, careful not to notice her sweating.

“… Actually, what my colleagues and I are looking for are huge ruins buried beneath this mountain range. Do you know anything about them?”

“Underground ruins… Is it? I’m sorry, we try not to go underground in the mountains if possible… There are always dangerous beings at the entrances to the underground.”

However, contrary to Cleon’s expectations, Uni responded by shaking his head from side to side.

Even though he felt regret, another curiosity grew in Cleon’s mind.

“Us…?”

“Yes. The gentle demonic beasts in this mountain range, including me, live together. ‘Unicorns’ do not live in groups, but it is inevitable that their living areas overlap with other demonic beasts. This mountain is a safe place. Because it is limited.”

Indeed. Is there a community that cooperates for survival?

That too, of the demonic beasts…

‘If you think about it…’

Uni introduced herself as ‘Unicorn’.

Of course, after Cleon saw her, her information about the unicorn played itself out in her head.

If you think about it a little, the fact that the unicorn is in the form of a ‘human’ is a denial of the ‘horse-shaped beast’, which is the biggest identity of that species.

In general, a being that combines the characteristics of a horse and a human is a centaur, which is closer to a monster than a monster.

A half-man, half-horse monster with the lower body of a horse and the upper body of a human.

Although they are a nomadic tribe with their own culture, few humans have friendly relations with them due to their cannibalism and very violent temperament.

Similarly, although they are subhumans and have intelligence, they are classified as monsters, like orcs who are hostile to humans.

However, the uni in front of me looked like a human if I covered that part, except that it had very slight animal features.

“Uh, over there…”

Uni, who felt Cleon’s warm gaze unconsciously while thinking of her, folded her arms together and blushed.

“You look at me like that, it’s a little embarrassing…”

“Huh? Ah, ah… I’m sorry. To my knowledge, I’ve never heard of a unicorn that can take on a human form…”

“Ah! I guess that’s why! You might be surprised. I also don’t know why I took on human form.”

“The fact that it took on human form… Does that mean it wasn’t originally there?”

When Cleon asked that question, she nodded her head again.

“When I came to my senses in these mountains, I was just a colt with horns. I lived alone and somehow managed to survive by eating the plants of the mountains. But one day, I suddenly woke up, and I had changed like this.”

“…”

The story was that the cause and process were unknown.

When I woke up and found myself human, it was like an old fairy tale.

“However, what has improved since becoming human is that my body has become smaller, making it easier to move around, and I have gained hands! They are much more comfortable than my front legs!”

She was smiling and opening and closing her hands.

“Do you have any other questions? Please ask anything!”

Uni’s eyes sparkle, as if she’s having fun talking with Cleon.

Then, if Cleon keeps his mouth shut for a moment-

“Cleon. Ask about the returner.”

Galatea, who was quietly watching the situation next to her, intervened.

“Regressor?”

And Uni, too, would tilt her head in response to those words.

“… That’s right. At least you might have some information than me.”

And Cleon asks her a question.

About the existence of a mansion that exists within these mountains.

Then Yuni seemed to think for a bit and then-

“Uhm… I’m sorry, I’ve never seen a human building before. Maybe it’s a place far away from here. I don’t travel far either.”

“… I see.”

There was no proper answer this time, but Cleon just nodded.

“I don’t really know anything.”

“Galatea!”

Galatea seemed dissatisfied, though.

It was Cleon who stopped Galatea and said something, but Uni said ‘Ugh’ and had already taken damage.

“But isn’t that right? I think it would be faster if we move and find it ourselves.”

Galatea continued her words without forgiveness, and Cleon sighed.

But, that is also true.

Actually, I didn’t know there would be time to chat with Yuni like this and laugh out loud.

It would be a lie to say there is nothing that bothers me, but if I don’t move slowly.

Cleon thinks so and stands up.

Then, following him, Galatea and Caliburn will return to their sword form and get caught in Cleon’s waist.

“Are you going?”

“Yes. I think I need to find my colleagues before they go deeper. It was fun talking to them.”

When Cleon says that and tries to walk forward, Yuni says ‘aaaaahhh”?”?

“Now, wait a minute! If you go to the top, it will be difficult even if you go in a straight line!”

While saying this, he grabbed Cleon’s hand.

“The road in front of here is rough and unsuitable for humans to travel alone… There are distances!”

“… I see. It’s going to be a difficult road.”

Cleon merely nodded, perhaps taking it as Uni’s own advice, but Uni placed her hand on her chest.

“Hmm! But don’t worry! I’ve been to the top several times.”

Speaking with a slightly smug look on his face, Cleon closed his mouth for a moment and then placed a question mark above his head.

“So… So?”

“I’ll take you to the bar!”

Yuni speaks powerfully with her confident voice.

As the upper body shook, the peak under the dress also shook.

“Are you going to give me directions?”

“No! It’s a safer method than that.”

Saying that, Uni also got up from her seat in front of Cleon.
She blocked his path.

Then, he bent down and sat there, showing his back.

“Get in!”

“Ha?”

A natural reaction came out of Cleon’s mouth.

But Yuni didn’t care and continued what he said.

“It’s okay to carry him on his back, or even if he’s thirsty! I’ll take charge of Mr. Cleon and get him to the top!”

“… Wait a minute, what are you talking about? I’m riding you…?”

Feeling her head becoming confused, Cleon spoke to her.

Then, Yuni smiled brightly and nodded.

“I’m a horse! It’s natural for me to carry people! No matter how rough the road is, with the strength of my legs, I can go anywhere quickly, right?”

[Ahahaha! Cleon, ride, ride!]

Galatea’s voice, bursting into laughter upon hearing Uni’s words, seemed like she was going to lose her mind.

Cleon said nothing for a moment.

Of course, it was clear from her previous appearance that her physical abilities were considerably superior compared to humans.

However… Even so, it’s a bit odd for a grown man to hang on to the back of a woman who looks younger than him or sit on her shoulders… Isn’t it?

“Come on, come on!”

However, the pressure of Uni in front of her.

And, it is also true that she better hurry.

‘Okay… Well… Anyway, if there’s no one around…’

As various requirements overlapped, Cleon eventually gave up and decided to get her help.

“… Okay. Then, I’ll take care of you.”

“Yes!”

Uni responds energetically to Cleon’s words, and sees that he puts his arm on her shoulder and holds her.

Then, she turned her hand behind her, grabbed Cleon’s leg, and at the same time, she herself stood up lightly from her seat.

Uni casually and lightly lifts Cleon, a sturdy young man.

“…!”

Cleon is momentarily surprised by her physical strength, which is close to her superpower.

“This is amazing, if this is really-“

And the next moment.

As soon as Uni got up from her seat.

“Yeah!”

And he screamed.

It just falls backwards.

Kwadang!!

Cleon is thrown to the ground from his back, making a sound.

“──…!!”

Perhaps because he was unprepared, he wanted to scream because of the pain, but was unable to do so for the sake of face and ended up shaking.

And Yuni, who was on top of him, must have come to her senses by saying ‘Hot’ and quickly got out of the way of Cleon.

“Huh!? Why?”

“I-I want to ask…”

Cleon would rub his sore back with his hand and look up at Uni.

However, Yuni herself seems to be equally confused, looking down at her hands and then at Cleon.

Then, he looked at him and asked, as if he had noticed something, saying ‘hot’.

“Mr. Cleon! Are you, by any chance, not a virgin!?”

“…!”

Of course, he is not a virgin.

Far from being a virgin, this is a man who has had sex with a double-digit number of women.

And, the unicorn is a symbolic animal that protects purity.

In other words.

Those who can ride on its back are ‘pure ones’.

There were only virgins and virgins.