Chapter 36: The Sky is a Man's Romance
"This... is a worm."
We are currently standing at the entrance of an underground route that seems to lead to the Eastern Territory, deep within the cave.
Beyond that point, the surroundings clearly change, and the walls of the tunnel are coated with a sticky liquid. According to Cecilia-san's confirmation, it is the slime produced by a creature called a worm.
Based on my appraisal, it undoubtedly contains worm slime. Worms are creatures with long, worm-like bodies that can dissolve bedrock with the slime they produce from their mouths, allowing them to move underground.
Worms, which dislike sunlight, rarely come to the surface, and most of the damage they cause is concentrated in mines and the like, often resulting from collapses and such. They are not highly aggressive. However, they have extremely high regenerative abilities, making them difficult to exterminate. They are quite troublesome creatures.
"It's hard to believe that worms dug such a tunnel on their own. Someone must be controlling the worms."
Katarina-san sighs in a displeased manner. Normally, tunnels made by worms are squiggly and directionless, so a straight and purposeful tunnel like the one in front of us feels out of place.
"For now, let's have Felzen lead the way. Even if a newcomer comes from the other side, they wouldn't suspect it to be an enemy."
With Goblin General Felzen at the forefront, we proceed through the tunnel.
Along the way, we encounter groups of goblins several times, but Felzen deceives and annihilates them all with surprise attacks. It's a definite advantage to strike first when they are completely off guard. There's no doubt that this tunnel is being used as a passage.
"Master, I smell water up ahead."
Chloe's words catch my attention, so I ask Felzen about it.
"Lord, the underground lake ahead has become the nest of worms."
"A worm's nest?"
"Using the worms raised here, they are extending underground tunnels to various places."
According to Felzen, they have already started digging tunnels towards the Alcarize Kingdom's capital. It will take at least ten years for them to complete it, but if they manage to capture Primera, there won't be a need to dig the tunnel all the way to the capital. It seems they are proceeding with it as a backup plan. They have made thorough preparations.
"Kakeru, is it possible that this is how they have captured Astrea's capital...?"
"Yes, it's probably the same strategy. We're fortunate to have discovered it at this stage."
Aaron-san growls with a frustrated expression. Aaron-san and the others are from the neighboring country Astrea. They happened to be away from Astrea on a request, but they still regret not being there.
"If that's the case, there's a high possibility that this tunnel leads to Astrea, the capital of Astraea..."
Katarina-san was also lost in thought with an unusually serious expression.
"Kakeru, if the tunnel does lead to Astrea, we should consider returning to the entrance and reporting to the Knights. It seems we have surpassed the scale where a small group of adventurers can handle it. Depending on the situation, we may need to revise our strategy. However..."
"Since we've come this far, let's crush the worm's nest. If we can also eliminate the one controlling the worms, it would be killing two birds with one stone..."
"Master, the rare goblins here possess the skill of monster control. They are extremely rare, with only one in a million. Although their combat abilities are low, powerful monsters are guarding them."
According to Ferzen, there is a Goblin King of A-rank lower and also a Griffin of A-rank upper.
The fact that they are being guarded to such an extent means that this place is of great importance and they are valuable beings.
"My Lord, Griffins are powerful creatures that can manipulate wind. They have resistance to both physical and magical attacks... Why do you look so happy?"
"Well, Silphy, it's a man's romantic dream, you know. Riding a griffin and flying in the sky... I'm glad I came to this different world."
"...I worried for nothing. Please save those kinds of things until after we defeat them!"
Although Silphy was exasperated, she seemed happy to hear that I will be getting a cool summon beast. It's not just goblins and orcs anymore.
"Darling, if you want to fly so much, I can fly too, you know."
"Really? Ah, is it a transformation skill? Are you going to turn into a bat and fly?"
"Yes, indeed. That's what a regular vampire would do, but as a vampire like me, I can fly while maintaining my humanoid form. Look."
Wings sprouted from Eva's back, and she floated in mid-air.
"I have memorized the transformation."
"I see... So that's how you do it—Ouch!"
I also tried spreading my wings and flying, but I couldn't control it properly and ended up hitting my head hard on the ceiling. It's a good thing I have physical resistance.
"Awawa, Darling is a vampire, isn't he?"
"No, I just found out. Thank you, Eva."
"With this, we can finally have a date in the sky, right? I'll be the number one in reservations!"
"Well, then I'll be number two, Master."
"I'm late to the party. It can't be helped, I'll be number three."
"Sorry, but since I received power from Eva, she should go first."
"D-Darling..."
Eva's eyes shimmered with excitement.
"Kakeru-kun, sorry for interrupting your lovey-dovey moment, but let's defeat them quickly, okay?"
"This is the second time today, I'm sorry, Katarina-san. Here, please touch Lavi and cheer up."
"Before we fight, I have a favor to ask everyone..."
"Ah, it's fine. Kakeru wants to defeat the Griffin, right? If you let me ride it next time, I'll give up this time."
Everyone nodded. Thank you, everyone.
"In that case, Kakeru has to defeat the King if we want to gather information. But the King has a skill for strengthening monsters, so please defeat it first."
Indeed, if the Griffin is enhanced, it will become an S-rank threat. We have to defeat the Goblin King first.
"My Lord, Sara and I will restrain the Griffin with our spirit magic, so please defeat the Goblin King during that time."
"Eva and I will lure the Goblin King and create an opening, so I leave the finishing blow to you, Master."
"Understood. I'll count on you."
"In that case, shall we take care of the small fry and the extras? Leave the cleanup to us, Kakeru!"
The Usaneko members will take care of the small fry and the extras.
"What about the Rare Goblin? Kakeru-kun."
"I want the skill to control monsters, so if you could leave one of them alive, I'd appreciate it."
"Got it. Good luck. Here's a victory charm..."
Saying that, Katarina-san kissed me.
"All right, now that we're all fired up, shall we begin the battle?"