At first, we were planning to hire a carriage to get to the Crimson Demon Village. But after Liz's sudden change, we decided to walk on foot to let her get used to adventuring with the human body. The dragon was more than happy to comply, saying that she has always wanted to fight monsters.
So now we're on a trek through the smooth road that led to the Crimson Demon Village. According to the Adventurer's Guild, it'll take us two days if we camp for the night. Not only that, but there are all sorts of monsters we might meet on our way.
That's the very least of my worries…
I mean, seriously, we have a level forty-two Archpriest, level thirty-five Crusader, level forty-four and forty-three Archwizard, a level forty-five adventurer, and a freaking level sixty-seven dragon. Yes, Emperor Liz, who registered herself to Alcanretia's Adventurer Guild, is level sixty-seven.
The priest working as the receptionist almost fainted after looking at her stats. All of them are the highest she has ever seen, and her magic stat literally glitched out. She is so OP that she could take any advanced class she wants.
The girl took on Adventurer class because she wants to learn all the skills and all the spells that have ever existed. Like, seriously, in her own words, 'I'm gonna collect them all!'. At this point, she has learned all of Yunyun's advanced spells, all my intermediate spells, and some sacred spells unique to Aqua.
After walking for a while, we reached a forest. It's a lush and green forest, but not as dense as Elena's home forest. The trees are thick, but they're grouped together, forming a labyrinth of some sort. There's a large river with streams of pure water flowing through it. One can even see fishes and tadpoles swimming around inside it.
I turned towards Megumin and Liz. Although they're supposed to be mother and daughter, the two-act more like a pair of siblings. They play rock paper scissors before running around, chasing each other. A tree or two would get caught in their game and paid the price with their life.
Liz tackled Megumin, who was about to use me as a shield. They rolled around on the grassy forest floor before…
'Splash'
They both fell into the river and struggled inside the water. After a moment, they both jumped out of the river, drenched in water. They then walked together behind me while arguing about the victor.
"That was unquestionably my win," Liza said.
"I think you're mistaken Liza chan," Megumin said. "You didn't manage to take me alive since I fell into that river."
"But you are still alive, that means I've taken you alive!"
"However in this context, I escaped from this mortal realm through that river!"
They both turned to me.
I scratched my head a little and pointed behind them. They turned around and saw Darkness standing behind them with a flat look on her face.
They were about to bolt away when the crusader caught them by the ears.
"Ouch, ouch! Darkness, let go of me!"
"Nee sama, that hurts, aaah!"
After a moment, the crusader let go of their ears and folded her arms on her chest. "Look, you two, I don't mind if you were play around like a bunch of children. You are children, but you should at least know the time and place."
"Aww come on Darkness, this is just stroll through the woods," Megumin said.
"Okaa sama is correct! No monster that walks this forest can defeat us!"
"Or could it be that you want to join in on the fun?"
"A splendid idea okaa sama! Let's go nee sama and I shall show you the joys of youth!"
They both pulled each of Darkness's hands.
"Wa-wait! Let me go! I don't, hyaa!!"
Powerless against the two powerhouses, Darkness was dragged into the river. They all then started a two on one war with Darkness desperately trying to show that she's not enjoying herself.
"Oi, Darkness, what are you doing?" Aqua asked suddenly. "I get it if it were just Liz and Megumin, but you, really?"
"It's not what it's…" Liz splashed Darkness with water, cutting her off. "Ah! Let me talk!" Darkness sprayed her back with some water.
Then, Megumin splashed Aqua, who's still staring at them at the edge of the river. The goddess narrowed her eyes before smirking a little.
"Ho? What's this? You're challenging me?"
The water dripped down Aqua's body, but she's still perfectly dry.
"Do you perhaps forget what I'm a goddess of?"
The water in the river started to churn. Megumin and Liz quickly turned to Darkness and hid behind her.
Aqua jumped into the river, and the boss music starts playing.
I simply chuckled and shook my head a little at their squabbles. Then I turned towards Yunyun and Elena. They both held each other's hand as they walked through the forest. They didn't really talk much, but judging by the smile on their faces, they seem to be enjoying each other's presence.
Now that I think about it, in one of Megumin's memory, I saw Yunyun reading a book titled 'Even Plants Have Feelings, Ten Tips to Start Befriending A Plant.' I guess that also applies to plant girls like Elena.
"They're so noisy, aren't they?" Elena commented while glancing at the four girls playing in the river. They're still catching up to us, mostly because Aqua kept forcing the current to keep them all catch up to us. "Is it always like this?"
Yunyun giggled a little. "We've always been like this, well, I guess with Liza chan here, things will gets a little too lively," she looked at Elena and smiled. "You don't mind do you? Elena chan?"
Elena rolled her eyes. "As long as they don't disturb me, I guess I can tolerate," then she turned towards me. "What are you looking at pervert, you better think of anything indecent."
"You know, I wasn't," I told her the truth. "But you gave me the idea and now I can't stop thinking about it after seeing how close you two are together,"
They both blushed after hearing that. Elena let go of Yunyun's hand and lunged at me. "Ahh! Just roll over and die you stupid perv!" she exclaimed while punching my shoulder.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, geez!" I ducked under a high kick. "Come on Elena, I was just joking. Oi, leave the presents alone!" I added, evading a strike that almost hits my backpack.
---
Liz suddenly stopped in her tracks after what felt like hours of squabbling and having fun in the forest. She sniffed the air around her and jumped around a little in excitement.
"Okaa sama! Otou sama! There's a monster nearby, there's a high exp monster nearby!" Liz said in excitement.
We let Liz lead the way through the forest. Though she didn't veer off the path, so I'm guessing this monster is stalking around the main road. This could prove to be a problem for anyone else, so we better exterminate it.
Then, after walking for a while, we saw a peculiar and somewhat pitiful sight. A little girl sat on a large boulder. She has a bandaged leg that seems to be bleeding. She noticed us and waved her hand, glancing at her legs every now and then with a pained look on her face.
"Ah! There's the monster!"
Liz pointed at the wounded little girl. I activated my own detect enemy and felt it coming from the little girl too.
"Eh? Are, are you sure Liza chan?" Megumin asked hesitantly.
"Of course! Dibs on its exp!" Liza raised her hand, and powerful magic began building on her palm. "Fireb-"
"Wait!!!" Aqua lunged at her from behind, cutting her off. "Wait, maybe, maybe it's not a bad monster?"
Liz narrowed her eyes a little. "But I swear I can feel hostile intent coming from it," she tilted her head a little. "But yeah, it doesn't seem to be all that dangerous…"
Megumin and Aqua sighed a little in relief. They were about to approach the monster when I grabbed them both by the collar.
"Now where do you think you're going?"
"W-well… She looks like she needs some healing?" Aqua said.
"She looks like she's in trouble!" Megumin said.
I was about to give them a long explanation about the existence of the Mimic class monster when Yunyun and Elena stepped forward. The latter glared at the mysterious monster and was about to say something.
However, before she could say a word, I put a hand over her mouth. I slowly shook my head before gesturing at Liz. It seems she kind of caught on to what I just implied since Elena quickly took Yunyun's hand and held it tightly.
You see, I really want to learn more about Emperor Liz. I was kind of surprised and a little worried when she tried to kill the monster without hesitation. Is it because of her dragon nature that makes her merciless? Or is that she doesn't find human girls as something she needs to instinctively protect? Or does she simply doesn't judge a creature based on sight but rather her other senses?
Megumin, Aqua, and Liz went to the monster's side. The latter has that confused look on her face. The other two already gave the monster some attention. Aqua even started checking on the monster's wounds.
"Hey Liz, she looks like she's about to cry. Is this really a monster?" Megumin asked.
"Well it's obviously not a human!"
"I'll heal your wounds! … Huh? These aren't wounds. These aren't bandages either, just something that looks like it."
We all walked closer to the little girl. Even Darkness already fell to her charm. I'm guessing the only reason Yunyun hasn't lost for her is that Elena wouldn't let go of her hand. I think Elena here realize just how much Yunyun is vulnerable to this child.
I mean, the mad lad tried summoning the devil to befriend with…
"Okaa sama, Goddess sama, what are you doing?" Liz asked in slight boredom. "If you think we should spare its life, then we should just leave it alone. Since it doesn't seem to be that dangerous,"
"Ano!" Yunyun exclaimed suddenly, "Elena said it's a Tranquility Girl. It's a type of vegetation monster that won't deal physical damage, but it'll stop travelers by stimulating their protective instincts, starve them to death, and enroot them."
"Yeah, I'm willing to bet it's just an act," Elena added.
Liza nodded in agreement. "Yeah! See? Even Yunyun nee sama agrees with me, this is a monster," her hand turned into black and red dragon claws. "Let's kill it!"
Darkness stepped forward and brandished her sword. "Liz's right… We should kill it. I came over because I thought it was injured, but it wasn't hurt at all. Judging from this, this monster must be a very cunning mimic. If we leave it alone, there'll be more victims in the future."
"…Want kill… Me…?"
The tranquility girl quivered nonstop as tears begun streaming down her face.
Darkness stabbed her sword to the ground and turned towards me.
"Kazuma… your orders…" she said with a look of defeat.
I walked closer to the Tranquility Flower. It seems to be an expert at acting, and I'd imagine it'll keep up her act until the very end so she could haunt us forever with guilt. Honestly, if it wasn't for Elena and Liz's backing, I would probably spare her out of pity.
"Aqua, Megumin, this is a monster," I pointed at the boulder. "This is not a child, heck, it's probably older than us and just acts like one."
"Wait! No!" Aqua hugged my shoulder and begun crying. "Please don't! It looks like a child, please just leave it alone!"
"This monster is playing with your feelings! Aqua sama, Okaa sama!" Liza gritted her teeth in frustration.
"You look painful… Sorry because I live…"
The tranquility girl said as she showed a weak smile.
"Because, I, monster live… Will cause trouble…"
Specks of tears appeared in her eyes.
"Since born, first time, talk with humans…"
It clasped its hand before its chest as if in prayer.
"First, and last time met with you, wonderful… If, another life… Next time, not monster, will be wonderful…"
After saying its piece, it closed its eyes in resignation.
Liz turned toward me, and I simply nodded at her. She took a deep breath, and her hand turned into a large claw. She then dashed in towards the monster when…
'Clang'
Megumin stood between Liz and the monster, her crystal staff blocking Liz's claw. The crimson demon glared at the dragon before pushing her away.
"Step away from her!"
"It's a monster!"
"The only monster here is you! You heartless dragon!"
Liz gasped and took a step back. "B-but… I-I don't understand…" Tears began welling up in her eyes, and she turned towards me. "M-more people will suffer if we spare it… I-I'm doing the right thing… right?"
I embraced the girl into a hug. She sobbed quietly in my shoulder, and we simply sat there for a few minutes. I gently pour in some of my magic and use a little bit of charm skill to calm her down.
Soon enough, her breathing steadies, and she quickly wiped some tears off her face.
"What do you think is the right thing to do Liz?"
Elizabeth looked down a little.
"Many travelers pass through this road everyday, if they came here without any knowledge of this monster, they will surely fall prey to her,"
I nodded in agreement. "That's right, she's too dangerous to be let alive,"
"But… If I kill it… Okaa sama, Aqua sama, they'll…" her breath hitched a little. "They'll… they'll hate me…"
I crouched down to her level and smiled encouragingly.
"What's your winning condition?"
Liz looked at me. "Winning condition?"
"Yes, what's the most ideal outcome to this problem?"
"To get rid of this stupid plant without… without okaa sama and Aqua sama hating me in the process…"
"Good, now figure out a way to get there, I know you can," I gestured at the plant, the girls, and everything around us. "Notice every detail, notice every opportunity, think outside the box, and when you think you found it," I grinned at her. "Bet on your luck and go for it!"
A glimmer of hope appeared on her bright purple eyes. She closed her eyes for a moment in deep thought. Then she stared at the plant that's being pampered by Megumin and Aqua. "I think… I think I got it…" she nodded confidently. "Yes, I think I know what to do. Can you… distract them?"
I gave her a thumb up before lunging straight at Aqua, prying her away from the boulder. "Yunyun! Elena!" I yelled while struggling against the goddess.
Yunyun dashed towards Megumin and tackled her. "Teleport!" the former said before appearing a distance away from us. A bunch of vines that weren't mine appeared and tied Aqua to the ground.
"It's all yours Liz!"
The dragon raised her palm, and a magical pattern formed on her palm.
"When you think you found it… Bet on your luck and go for it," Liz took a deep breath and glared at the plant. "BLAST!"
With a resounding 'BANG,' the spell detonated the area in front of us. However, Liz didn't aim for the girl. Instead, she sought for the boulder below the girl. The boulder slowly cracked open like an egg, and… well, let's just say that this plant can't bluff no more.
Inside the boulder were piles of human bones and dozens of decomposing corpses. The stench could be smelled all across the forest as the pile of gore poured all over the ground. Both Megumin and Aqua stopped all of their struggles and simply stared in shocked silence.
"Eh, EHH!?" The not-so-tranquil girl yelled. "Wh-what have you done!? AH! You stupid little brat!!! Do you have any idea how long it took me to make this thing!?"
I gave Liz a thumbs up and a proud grin.
"Congratulations Liz, perfect victory!"
Liz gave me a tearful smile and a thumb up.
"Perfect victory!"
It didn't take long for Aqua and Megumin to snap out of it. The shock and disgust after seeing the pool of blood and gore were enough to erase any sort of pity from the plant. This is coupled with the fact that the so-called helpless girl revealed that she's capable of speech and is now cursing up a storm at Liz and me.
To say Megumin was pissed was an understatement. She was downright murderous. I mean, I honestly have never seen her this mad before in my entire life. The Crimson Demon makes Hans look like a wet kitten in comparison.
I decided to give Megumin some space to vent out and led everyone to continue on ahead.
We were pretty far away from Megumin, but we can hear the screams from all the way over here. Judging by the tone and how the begging sounds like, I can tell for sure that Megumin is not giving it the mercy of explosive death.
I can imagine the girl ripping and pulling apart the plant, piece by piece, slowly, like celery. It went on for almost ten minutes until the screaming turn into a silent whimper before going silent in the end.
'BOOM'
A powerful shock wave followed by a heatwave signaled the telltale sign of a powerful explosion. We all turned around and saw Megumin standing in the middle of a smoldering crater. There was literally nothing left of the plant and the gore, only smoke and ashes remains.
"Megumin, are you done?"
"It's over…"
"Well come on then, let's continue…"