Manowa Chapter 268

The name『Elsta Floating Kingdom』first appeared in a fairy tale about 300 years ago.

Originally, the floating island was called things like Sky Island or Dragon Graveyard, but due to the fairy tale spreading both inside and outside the country, the name took hold, despite there being no record of the Elsta Floating Kingdom actually existing.

Though it was true that there were ancient ruins on the floating island, so it was certain that some kind of community had existed. The island had been set foot on several times, so that much was well known. Or perhaps the fairy tale author had actually come to the floating island themself, since the fairy tale had many points in common with the real island.

Thus, it could not be denied as simply a『fictional fairy tale』, and the name『Elsta Floating Kingdom』spread and eventually became entrenched.

Of course, there was no such thing as『Elsta Floating Kingdom』. It was fictional from the beginning. This floating island was actually the stage of an endgame event that was always visited in the main scenario of Zexiaharts.

Its true ident.i.ty was one of the mobile continents owned by the ancient technological civilization『Ishtar』that prospered on the Ishtaria continent, which was next to the Philon continent. It was an overtechnology object called『Orusorei』that had its roots in the technology used for the Dragon Boats. The ancient technological civilization『Ishtar』was only a setting in the game, but since the island existed, it must have actually existed in this world.

The player would go to the Sky Emperor's Tower, which was in an area surrounded by rocky mountains in the southern part of『Orusorei』, in order to make final preparations for the decisive battle with the Devil King, who was the boss of the main scenario. That preparation was『Angelization』. It was an indispensable ability to repel Magic Particles so the player could step foot into the dark realm ruled by the Devil King and invade his castle.

And the Birdman race was the source of Angelization. Their race had become almost extinct due to being excessively hunted for their feathers, which defended against Magic Particles. According to Kazane's recollection, the story was that they would be protected on the island in exchange for becoming experimental subjects.

And Kazane was now setting foot on the floating island that had such a background.

Though once she landed, it only looked like ordinary ground. It felt strange to see clouds parallel to her line of sight, but it didn't seem any different from being on the surface at considerably high alt.i.tude. She couldn't help but wonder if they might get something like alt.i.tude sickness, but it would be best if no such thing happened.

◎ Elsta Floating Kingdom, Northern End

「Does it seem like the vegetation is different from the game? Maybe because it moved south?」

「Nn, I don't remember. Besides, it looks a lot bigger than in the game.」

Yumika tilted her head and answered Kazane's question. Naoki was still asleep from Jinrai's blow some time ago. Jinrai and the others seemed curious as they surveyed the surrounding area.

『Hm. Young lady wasn't Humanized, but originally a human?』

「Yeah. I'm contacting Husband right now, so wait a bit.」

Since they had already reached the floating island, Kazane had cancelled Dragonization. Then Azure Sky Dragon Paimon laid his huge body beside Kazane and the others. His total length exceeded 30 meters. That was three times bigger than an Adult Dragon. His large build was stunning.

『It seems different from a Dragon Shapes.h.i.+fting spell. It's a body made of magical power, but the ability turns you into an actual dragon? You have an unusual power, young lady.』

「Right? Ehehehe.」

The giant dragon and Kazane conversed calmly. The other members were daunted, or rather, they were subtly ignored, so they didn't partic.i.p.ate in the conversation. It didn't seem like Paimon had any ill feelings toward human beings, but it seemed he also thought he didn't need to be particularly friendly.

Paimon talking to Tatsuo was no surprise, but he talked with Kazane normally as well. That was likely partially because he was talking to a friend's wife, but it was also probably because he perceived her Dragonized figure as a member of the same race. Like with Aka, Naga, and the others, it seemed that Kazane was recognized as an actual member of the dragon race from a dragon's point of view.

While they were conversing, Kazane's Window displayed a notification of a new email. Naturally, Paimon didn't see it.

「Ah, an email from Ao-san came. That was fast. Wait just a bit.」

Kazane opened the email Window and began reading the contents.

『Ao-dono? That's a nostalgic name. Has it been around 300 years?』

Words unique to a long-lived species. By the way, Paimon was one of the oldest dragons. He had been alive since before the war 1000 years ago. And the content of the email from Ao was that he was worried that Paimon hadn't come yet, as well as instructions for hereafter.

「Umm, Dragon Eaters appear here, so it's too dangerous to use as a meeting place. Since going directly to the Dragon Village also seems difficult, he'd like you to go to the country's capital Deer South and wait there.」

『Dragon Eaters? Aah, so that was the unpleasantly sweet smell coming from the forest?』

Paimon said while looking at the forest. Looking at that situation, Kazane was in a cold sweat and said「You didn't notice?」

「I think not approaching was the right choice.」

The natural enemy of dragons, Dragon Eaters, indiscriminately scattered large amounts of parasitic seeds. Even G.o.d Dragons would have a difficult time defending if they were attacked by a large amount. As might be expected from a high ranking dragon, it seemed he had resistance to the smell, so he wasn't lured to enter the forest, but that didn't change the danger of staying there. That was partially concern for Paimon, but the danger from a parasitized Paimon was also high.

And when Azure Sky Dragon Paimon heard the directions to Deer South from Kazane, he immediately flew north. He would be staying in the East Dragon Village for a while, so they might meet again. So thinking, Kazane saw off the giant dragon.

********

「So then, we have some time. Shall we decide what we'll do from now on?」

After seeing Paimon leave, Kazane called together her companions.

「If I remember correctly, there's something called the Sky Emperor's Tower?」

Jinrai was the first to open his mouth. It seemed he was excited from arriving at the place he had longed for.

「Yeah. Vordo Ruins is around that area, and there's Dragonil s.h.i.+pyard for Dragon Boats to the east. There should also be a city called Angelite City. I think exploring around those areas would be best?」

Kazane looked around, but it seemed there were no dissenting opinions. In the first place, n.o.body knew anything about the floating island, so there was no reason to have a dissenting opinion.

The Vordo Ruins Kazane just mentioned had a Grimoire Field where a person could learn a main scenario endgame level spell. It was also possible that there were still some items remaining. Dragonil s.h.i.+pyard also might still have frames, Power Stones, and Muscle Clay. Kazane thought Angelite City still existing was doubtful, but even if it had become ruins, she thought going to see it was probably worth it.

But there was a problem. Kazane tilted her head as she looked south.

「But there's no tower, is there.」

Indeed. The Emperor's Tower and the rocky mountains that concealed it, which could be seen from any location on the floating island in the game, didn't exist, at least as far as they could see from their position on the northern end.

「We've never heard any stories about a tower.」

After Lyle spoke, everyone other than Kazane nodded.

「In that case, it might be a completely different floating island. Well, once we advance, we'll know, but it's definitely different.」

Kazane apologetically looked at Louise.

「The Grimoire Field might not be here.」

「You don't have to make that face. It was already only a maybe when we discussed it. It wouldn't be Kazane's fault.」

Louise said and smiled wryly. The spell she could acquire from the planned Grimoire Field was a measure to power up Louise, who was currently always on support duty.

「Yeah, that's true. The only thing left is the Birdman race, but...」

Kazane looked toward the southern forest while saying that. All members turned that way as well.

「Shall we ask the people themselves? It looks like they've just been captured.」

The gazes of Kazane and the others were pointed at the five winged humans already『captured by Yumika』who had fallen to the ground just in front of the forest.

Name: Yuihama Kazane

Occupation: Summoning Fighter

t.i.tle: 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 Acc.u.mulator, White Magic Acc.u.mulator, Rainbow Necklace, Rainbow Dragon Ring

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 s.h.i.+eld』

Skill : 『Kick Devil』『Warrior's Memory: Lv2』『Night Vision』『Crus.h.i.+ng Blow』『Dog's Sense of Smell: Lv2』『Golem Maker: Lv3』『Rush』『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 s.h.i.+eld: Lv2』『Information Link: Lv2』『Optical Camouflage』『High Dash』『Bloodsucking Blade』『Dragonization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Regenerate』『Soul Breaking Blade』『Stealthy Hand Placement』『Thunder Chariot: Lv2』『St.u.r.dier Teeth: Lv2「Dragon」』『Crystallization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Devil King's Intimidation』『Stone Minotaur: Lv2』『Mega Beam: Lv2』『s.p.a.ce 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』『b.o.o.bies Plus』

Yumika:「Today's prey is angel.」

Kazane:「They're normal squalid middle-aged men. They have wings, though.」