Chapter 757 – Battle Outside the Field

000

After returning home, Cleon, who was enjoying a short break, gave a blunt answer, but Sasha blinked her eyes two or three times as if she was not sure and spoke again.

＂So, a person named Ben Tuna Gale Geyser invited Laila to her mansion! It seemed like he knew Laila?”

＂Hey again? Today is already the third time…”

As she said that, she leaned back on her sofa as if her head was hurting and glanced at Cleon.

＂What do you think?＂

＂If you ask me what I think… To be honest, it’s probably suspicious.＂

After hearing Cleon’s answer, Lila nodded as if she was thinking the same thing and lifted her own teacup and swirled the inside with a spoon.

On top of the brown milk tea mixed with milk, the cream created a white swirl following the trace of the spoon, as if it represented Lila’s dizzy mind.

＂Did you win…? He seemed like a good person to me.”

When Sasha sees the two people’s reactions, she tilts her head as if she doesn’t understand the two people’s opinions that are different from her own.

＂Petrus Earthseeker, Aqua Riverfinder. And Ventuna Gale Gazer. I know the families of all three people well. Along with the Flamewatch family, it is the fourth major family of Helix.”

“Come to think of it, Ventuna also said that.”

Cleon thought that the Four Great Families was a kind of convenient setting that only appeared in stories, but it seemed to be a reality in Helix.

“Excluding Flame Watch, the three families are all families of my grandfather’s colleagues. I abandoned my original castle, created Helix, and decided to take charge of the four elements and protect Helix and the seal of the Magic Tower.”

“Are they the four elements, fire, earth, water, and wind?”

There may be many other elements, but the four most basic elements mix and react with each other to create new magical reactions.

Therefore, in many magical theories, research is focused on the four major elements, or research on ether, the ultimate reactive magical power that surpasses the four major elements, continues.

“Like Mr. Fromme, are Laila’s grandfather’s colleagues still serving as the head of the family?”

“No. Fromme Everyone except her uncle died young. I don’t even know who is the head of the family now. The old oath is just being continued.”

When Lila says that, Cleon looks out her window as if he is worried.

Here, the ruins of an old ruin standing in the center of the village – part of the broken magic tower – were visible.

“Are you okay with that? It was said that the four great families must cooperate and protect the seal of the Magic Tower.”

With Lyla’s grandfather dead and her parents gone, she is the only current member of the Flame Watch family.

And, naturally, if she inherited her grandfather’s magic, she is the current matriarch of the Flamewatch family.

If the head of the Flamewatch family, who was also the leader of the four great families, had little interest in the other four great families, it was natural that there would be problems in protecting the seal of the Magic Tower.

But after hearing Cleon’s story, Lila blinked for a moment, then rested her chin and placed the teacup on the table.

“Ah. Are you okay? Because the four great families’ protection of the Magic Tower will be eliminated.”

＂Get rid of it?＂

When Cleon and Sasha, who was listening next to her, looked surprised at her unexpected words, Lila looked at the magic tower outside the window that she could see from her seat.

“Okay. As you know, even if it is an ancient ruin, if you find the source of its magical power and destroy it, it loses its power and becomes an ordinary structure. The fact that the act called ‘defeating the dungeon’ is actually completely neutralizing the dungeon comes from that meaning.”

Leila added, “The only reason to leave a dungeon that has been conquered is so that other adventurers can gain experience.”

“I see… You want to completely destroy that magic tower.”

When Cleon said this as if he understood, Laila nodded.

“Okay. Completely destroying the ruins of the Magic Tower was something my grandfather also attempted. But in the end, you were unable to complete the research.”

After saying that, Lila tapped her forehead with her finger and frowned.

“I, who inherited my grandfather’s research, ultimately aim for the complete destruction of the Magic Tower. I haven’t told everyone.”

“… That’s what it was, I misunderstood.”

Sasha, who heard her words, shook her head and answered as if she had realized something, and Lila looked at her as if she was a little embarrassed.

＂What are you talking about?＂

＂Well… I heard that Lila always said she was researching magic, and she only made fire magic with higher firepower, so she thought Lila was just a high firepower magic enthusiast! In fact, they were trying to develop magic to destroy the source of the Magic Tower!”

Laila-san’s research has such deep intentions…! Sasha says, as if she is touched.

But Cleon knew.

Laila says she is a fan of high-power magic.

To be precise, she prefers magic that is wider and can kill many enemies at once.

The reason is simple; it saves her more time, and she doesn’t have to bother dealing with enemies one by one.

For her, it is efficient to burn away all the problems that come her way with intense flames and explosions.

＂… What do you think of me!＂

When Lila growled and raised her voice angrily, Sasha was startled by her reaction and hid behind Cleon.

＂Sorry for my sin!＂

＂Haa..? I didn’t develop magic with high firepower for that reason… In the past, it was a magic of pure flame element that was used to burn the Jeolgyesu tree in Elesia. And incarnation magic. In terms of the ultimate goal, they are magic that helps destroy the source of the Magic Tower.”

“So, is it possible to destroy the source of the Magic Tower even now?”

“How great it would have been if that were the case. Perhaps this level of magic is still not enough. Unless you can use the magic you used to defeat the Jeolgyesu on your own without Luti’s help…”

＂I wonder if I can use Yongeon magic alone… It’s so far away.＂

Lila nods her head at Cleon’s words.

“Well, it doesn’t mean there is no hope at all. Of the materials my grandfather left behind, I can only check some of them now. What’s left is probably in one of the unopened rooms stored inside this mansion.”

＂Is this a room that can’t be opened…? Then, shouldn’t we just open it with magic like we always do?”

“I’m sure Grandpa has his own thoughts too. Because when the time comes, he said the key would appear. For now, I have no choice but to wait.”

When Lila said it was a key, Sasha repeated the key… Key… And after a while, Ah! And let out an exclamation.

“Now that I think about it, when Ventuna invited me, she said she had information about the key that Laila was waiting for!”

＂What?＂

Lila suddenly heard the story of the key there? As if she was thinking, she looked confused whether she was surprised or dumbfounded.

“Now that I think about it, she said something like that. It was so unexpected that I kind of forgot about it in her memory…”

When Cleon answered as if Sasha was right, Lila closed her mouth for a moment and seemed to think about something for a long time.

However, she soon nodded her head as if she understood and stood up from her seat.

“Honestly, I don’t know what that Ventuna is doing. If she has information about the key, I can’t help but meet her.”

＂It’s been less than 5 minutes since she said she was suspicious… But she really wants information about the key, right?”

At Cleon’s words, Lila looked back at him, nodded her head, and obediently acknowledged the desire.

“If we can destroy the source of the Magic Tower, there will be no possibility of the Magic Tower resurrecting and making the surrounding area dangerous, and everyone will be able to escape from restrictions and constraints such as the oath to protect the four great families.”

＂Indeed…＂

“So, Cleon. Help me Probably, they won’t just hand over the information either. Because I know they want information about the key. We need to prepare just in case.”

When Lila answers like that, Cleon nods her head without much thought.

＂I understand.＂

“And Sasha… Ah, Kuon! Help Kuon too!”

When Laila said that and raised her voice to Kuon in her kitchen, Kuon stuck his head out and gave me a questioning look.

＂It’s been a long time since the Elesia party gathered together!＂

“Anyway, this party is well-balanced. As for the others, there might be someone targeting this mansion while we are away, so we decided to stay here.”

The reason she made that prediction was probably because she had met Aqua earlier.

It certainly seemed like she was more concerned about this mansion than Lila.

“Okay, then… Will a tiger or a snake appear? Let’s go into the cave and check it out.”

Looking at Lila speaking with her confident attitude, Cleon felt a little uneasy.

001

In the end, even Kuon, who was in the kitchen preparing the ingredients that Cleon and Sasha had purchased without knowing anything –

After a long time, a group of four people who were originally from Elessia arrived at the mansion of the Gailgazer family, where Ventuna had invited the group.

The overall size could be said to be one size smaller than the Flamewatch family’s mansion.

It is not a difference in economic scale, but rather the decoration used, the amount of magic felt – when comparing the materials used.

He seemed to be conveying his true intentions, saying that he could make a better house, but he would give up first place to Flame Watch.

“Indeed… This is a mansion worthy of the prince-like Ventuna living in.”

Among these, when Cleon, who had personally experienced Ben Tuna with Sasha, said that, Sasha nodded as if she sympathized.

＂Prince?＂

“No, when I met him earlier, his attitude was quite polite, a bit pretentious, but I felt it was formal.”

“And as a family of wind, it appeared like the wind and disappeared like the wind…”

After hearing the two people’s sentiments, Layla responds with a ‘hmm’ as if she is interested, but then starts talking while shaking her head.

“I don’t know what it is, but the founder of the Gailgazer family was originally a merchant. They say he was also famous for being quite salty and a miser. “I was trying to build something like a mine while saving on labor costs, and found a part of the Magic Tower, which was the beginning.”

＂… It’s hard to imagine from Ventuna’s appearance. ＂

“I just heard that too. Even now, the Gailgazer family is in charge of bringing supplies into Helix from outside. Or, conversely, sending it outside. So, it might be natural for wealth to gather.”

While saying that, Lila presses firmly on the nose of the dragon head decoration hanging on the front door of the mansion.

Then, she feels that there is a button, and it caves in, and then she slowly comes back.

＂What is this?＂

＂Look at it.＂

When she answers Cleon’s question so briefly, her eyes that were wrapped around the dragon’s head start to open.

However, since her metal head was still there, she could tell that the dragon was not alive or moving.

[… Thank you so much for coming right away, Cleon. And~ I guess it will be ‘I’ll see you after a long time’. Laila Flamewatch. She seems to be a bit taller, but other than that, she doesn’t seem to have changed much inside and out.]

“And…! I heard Mr. Ventuna’s voice…!”

When Sasha reacts as if surprised, Lila quietly explains to her, “It’s that kind of magic tool,” And then turns to the dragon head and answers.

“Okay. I don’t remember that side at all, but… Anyway, open the door. I think I need to hear what you’re thinking.”

[Um~…]

After hearing Laila’s answer, Ventuna sounded a little worried for some reason, but then she spoke.

[Bakery… I can’t be a merchant anywhere, Laila.]

＂Haa!?＂

To Ventuna’s answer to suddenly grading her, Lila reacts as if asking what that means.

[Well, I expected it to some extent. At least Lila will come out like this. But I was planning to talk to Lila peacefully, but she gets a little upset when she shows up in a fighting stance like that.]

＂…＂

At the obvious provocation, Lila’s face slowly crumpled and the ends of her hair began to flutter.

[What. However, if Lila sincerely apologizes… I, too, will generously forgive you for the rude remarks you just made.]

As Ventuna spoke in a teasing voice as if to drive a wedge into it, a red magic circle appeared under Layla’s feet, making a sound.

＂La, Laila!?＂

As her Kuon raised her voice in surprise and stretched out her hand towards her, a faint light made of her magic poured from her Kuon’s fingertips towards Lyla, angering her. Calming magic is activated to calm down.

Originally, it was a spell used by priests to calm agitated humans or to use it against rampaging animals or monsters.

＂… Hot!?＂

As for Lila, as she became somewhat calm thanks to Kuon’s magic, she looked down at her own hands as her magic circle disappeared in an instant.

Then, looking back at her Kuon and nodding her head as if she was grateful, she looked back at the dragon head decoration from which her voice came, took a deep breath, and spoke.

“… Okay. What I just said was careless. Allow me to speak to you formally again. Ventuna Gale Gazer. I need the key information you have.”

As she spoke, successfully suppressing her own temper as best as she could, there was a moment of silence on her part as well.

[… Good! If you say it that way. Now, I’ll open the door and go inside-]

＂Wait a minute.＂

At that time, a voice stopped Ventuna.

It was the voice of Cleon, who was watching the situation from behind.

[Huh? Cleon. What’s going on?]

“Lila apologized. How about you apologize too? Ventuna.”

[Apologize? Me to Lila? I didn’t do anything wrong to her.]

Ben Tuna replies that he only pointed it out because of Laila’s sullen attitude.

“No, at first you said to Lila, ‘It doesn’t seem like much has changed.’ Doesn’t that mean you were looking at Lila with her own preconceptions? Sure, Lila may have been rude, but you thought she would act like that, so she deliberately provoked you.”

[…

At Cleon’s point, Ventuna beyond the decoration fell silent for a moment.

“I think it’s your fault that you intentionally made remarks that the other person might dislike?”

Once again, when Cleon’s voice reprimanding Ventuna is heard, Lila looks at Cleon with a slightly surprised face.

And after a while, when you think you can hear a sigh beyond the dragon’s head.

[… Yes, that’s right, Cleon. It’s as you said. I apologize too. Lila.]

＂No, I…＂

Lila also seemed a little embarrassed by Ventuna’s apology, but Cleon spoke while looking at Ventuna.

“Surely, Bentuna, you might have 100 points as a merchant. Before entering into full-scale negotiations, it is important to slow down the other party. But. She has a friend called us. We make up for her shortcomings. Just like Lila fills in what we lack.”

[It seems so. Really, Lila also made annoying people her allies.]

“But, if it weren’t for Kuon a moment ago, this mansion would have been blown away by now.”

The magic circle that spread out at Lila’s feet was at least a sign that a considerable amount of magic would be used.

[That… I’ll have to be careful next time. Let me correct you. Lila. Her magic skills seem to have grown beyond compare.]

“I’ll take that as a compliment. Now, fighting like this is a waste of time, so why don’t you slowly open the door?”

And—

When you think you hear a clanging sound, the lock on her iron bar door opens to both sides.

Sasha seemed amazed by the door that opened automatically even if no one came out.

[I am in the inner mansion. I’ll be waiting.]

With those words, the eyes of her dragon headdress close, and the presence of Ventuna beyond them also disappears.

“… Let’s go in, Lila.”

When Cleon says that and walks ahead of her, Lila also follows behind him.

＂… Thank you, Cleon.＂

“No. … He was just a little angry.”

When Cleon says that, Lila nods her head.

Although he spoke in a polite tone, it seemed like there was a hint of malice mixed in, rather than a kind of patronizing desire toward Laila.

As for Lila, she probably felt like today was her first meeting with him, but she seemed to know her Lila well.

Why on earth does this misalignment of perception occur?

Until I figured it out, it seemed like an invisible war of nerves would continue between the two.

“But. “I don’t tend to avoid a tough fight.”

“I know. But even though he’s pissed, he’s a resident of this town. If you kill people arbitrarily, Laila’s position will be in jeopardy.”

“I know that too. From now on, I will meet him and bring out his true feelings.”

Lila lets out a low laugh.

Kuon and Sasha, who were watching the two from behind, looked at each other in surprise when Lila suddenly let out her devilish laugh.

“… If Lila tries to run away, the two of us have to stop it. Got it? “

＂Yes, yes…!＂

In the front, they plan to reveal Ventuna’s true intentions, while in the back, they secretly plan to stop Lila as her group walks near the entrance to her mansion.

The person walking out of it appeared to be a person with mint-colored hair who was not yet sure whether he was male or female.

“… Is that Ventuna?”

＂Ah.＂

When Lila whispered to Cleon, Cleon nodded and answered her.

And – when the four people reached right in front of Ben Tuna, Ben Tuna placed her hand on her chest, bowed her waist, and welcomed her group into her mansion.

“Welcome, Laila, and her companions. As the head of the Gale Gazer, I welcome guests.”

She’s smiling just as refreshingly as when I saw her in the morning, but what kind of expression is underneath that mask?

As Cleon looks at him as if unable to relax, Lila greets him in the same way by grabbing the middle part of her own skirt and lifting it slightly.

“For the first time─ no, according to what you said… It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. Lady Ventuna. This is Lyla Flamewatch, the current matriarch of the Flamewatch family. “Thank you very much for forgiving my rudeness a moment ago.”

＂…＂

When Lila suddenly changed her attitude and spoke, Cleon did not miss the momentary twitching of Ventuna’s eyebrows.

“… Isn’t this what you wanted?”

As Lila spoke with only one corner of her mouth raised, Ben Tuna ran a hand through her bangs and responded with a stiff smile.

“Haha… Let’s stop. It doesn’t suit Lila.”

“What. Yes. Then, as usual.”

Ventuna nodded her head at Lila’s words and then turned her body and welcomed her group into her mansion.

And—Sasha, Kuon, and Cleon were only thinking about one thing after listening to the conversation between the two people just now.

＇… It was a woman.＇

I was a little relieved that the fact that had been confusing until now had finally become clear.