svetikya #340 - Anything related to blue has problems
#340 - Anything related to blue has problems
The Frozen God Sword might be able to defeat the Flame Demon Dragon, but the enhanced Flame Demon Dragon is unlikely to be defeated by the Frozen God Sword, especially when used by Mabel.
“I think this approach is still too bold. Can we reconsider? The Frozen God Sword isn't omnipotent. Although the legends say it's particularly effective against the Flame Demon Dragon, that might not be the case with the enhanced version. So, let's discuss this further, okay?”
If someone else had said this, Zun Zun would definitely tell them that with the Frozen God Sword, everything would be fine. But the words came from Mabel, the wielder of the Frozen God Sword.
“Mabel…”
The beautiful elf girl twitched her lips.
Even Alicia and the others, after deciding to help Zun Zun defeat the Flame Demon Dragon, didn't say anything discouraging, but actively formulated tactics and communicated.
On the other hand, Mabel, who might be the main force in this battle, became more afraid and procrastinated the closer they got to the last shrine. Most of the time was wasted on this journey.
Zun Zun placed his hands on the shoulders of the descendant of the Ice Clan and said, “Listen to me, Mabel, you are the main force this time, there's no doubt about it. You are strong, especially when dealing with the Flame Demon Dragon. You are an expert.”
“But, but…”
“Don't be afraid! We are behind you supporting you. You can definitely do it. Believe in yourself!”
Encouraged, Mabel looked at the beautiful elf girl and the others, and saw them smiling at her, seemingly trusting her greatly.
The trust of her companions moved Mabel, but trust alone couldn't give her strength. She then lowered her head timidly.
“I… I'm afraid I can't do it, and I'll let you down…”
“What are you saying, Mabel! You are the descendant of the Ice Clan, the wielder of the Frozen God Sword! What the ancestors could do, you can definitely do too! Have more faith in yourself! And Mabel, think about it carefully. If you succeed in sealing the rampaging Flame Demon Dragon again, even the enhanced version, you'll become famous! With this as a qualification, you might be appreciated by a major organization, never having to worry about food and drink, counting money until your hands cramp, and living the reclusive life you desire!”
“J-Just if I defeat the Flame Demon Dragon… seal it away again… I… I really will… live the reclusive life I desire?”
Mabel looked at Zun Zun with anticipation.
Her expression, as if she would never have to work again and someone would support her, like a certain idiotic goddess, made Zun Zun realize how to handle her.
He chuckled.
“Hehe~ Of course, I always keep my word~ This is a Give \u0026 Take with the Flame Demon Dragon as the bargaining chip… Come on… agree quickly!”
“But, I refuse!”
Huh???
Is saying NO to someone she thinks she has figured out one of the things Mabel likes to do the most!?
Suddenly hearing Mabel's refusal, Zun Zun couldn't keep a straight face. He felt like his pep talk had made him a clown with a red ball on his nose. A waste of words, it hadn't worked at all.
“I… I don't want to! The Flame Demon Dragon is so terrifying. I… I can't defeat it!”
“Wait a minute, Mabel, we didn't want you to defeat it alone!”
The beautiful elf girl corrected Mabel's misinterpretation. She always thought that Zun Zun and the others wanted her to fight alone, which caused these misunderstandings. In reality, Zun Zun only regarded her as support and didn't expect her to be of much use.
It was just that Mabel's misunderstanding kept deepening.
Zun Zun was too lazy to use friendship, kinship, and bonds to deceive people. He said with dead fish eyes, “Ah, is that so. Since Mabel doesn't want to help, then there's no way. Let's end our contract here. I won't hire you anymore.”
“R-Really?”
“Of course. But according to the contract you signed, you, who violated the spirit of the contract, have to compensate me 100 million in damages. Speaking of which, Mabel, you seem to sing very well? Don't worry, I won't do anything excessive to you, after all, I'm not some kind of demon…”
Zun Zun looked at the trembling Mabel with an evil smile. Her face was filled with fear, and the Frozen God Sword in her hand kept freezing, as if she were a weak, pitiful, and helpless little girl.
Kishiyo Yosuke didn't try to dissuade him.
He felt that this kind of thing must be made clear before the battle, otherwise, it would be like a trouble-making machine that constantly held the protagonist back in games.
But Alicia couldn't accept this kind of coercion.
She stood up and loudly stopped him like a righteous priestess, “Zun Zun, you're going too far! Although Miss Mabel is an important force in defeating the Flame Demon Dragon, forcing her like this is unacceptable!”
So valiant and brave.
Mabel saw Alicia speaking up for her, tearfully threw herself into her arms, and shouted with immense emotion.
“Mommy!”
“Mommy!?”
Alicia, only 17 years old, inexplicably became the mother of someone her own age.
Zun Zun rolled his eyes at Mabel, who went to whoever offered comfort, and then looked at Alicia… Hmm, she certainly had a lot to offer.
“Forget it, I won't force her. Since Mabel doesn't want to go, then so be it, but to compensate me, return that ring to me—”
“What are you guys dawdling about? Let's hurry up and set off to defeat the Flame Demon Dragon!”
“…Ah, A-Are?”
Before he could finish speaking, he saw Mabel walking in front of everyone with a serious expression, urging the others who were still talking behind her. Alicia stared blankly at her empty chest, the tears still lingering on her damp clothes.
…6
Zun Zun didn't know what to say to her. Could it be that as long as they were blue-haired female characters related to water, they were all like this?
He couldn't help but think of a certain idiotic goddess.
Just like that, after Zun Zun asked for the ring, Mabel no longer shrank back, but instead became proactive, declaring that she must defeat the Flame Demon Dragon. The beautiful elf girl, on the other hand, was uncharacteristically trying to persuade Mabel that this operation was dangerous and that they should give up.
A polar reversal, making people laugh.
After Mabel perked up, their speed increased a lot, and they soon arrived at their destination.
“The Mysterious Gard…”
“Is this the last shrine?”
“We've finally arrived.”
“No matter how many times I see it, I can't help but want to complain… How long has it been since this place was renovated? Even if we didn't come, it would soon become dilapidated and collapse, right!?”
The beautiful elf girl complained loudly.
The Elf race places great importance on ancient culture, which is why they collect ancient magical tools and artifacts. They believe that preserving history is their duty and mission, so they are so dismayed to see the dilapidated shrine.
“Because no one has been transferred for a long time.”
“And there are very few.”
Although people from other worlds are common, and almost all of them can make a name for themselves in this world, the number is still too small, especially since there are old men like 'Shojiro' who only have 10 days to live after coming to another world, making it even more impossible to renovate and protect the shrine.
“So, rather than letting it slowly decay and deteriorate, it's better to let it play its last role, to distort and break open space for me.”
Zun Zun looked at the back of his hand.
Two of the three circles already had mysterious patterns drawn on them. Although he didn't know what impact gathering the last one would have, he didn't intend to waste this opportunity.
“In short, this time, as usual, I'll go explore first, and then destroy it. The difference is that this time, there should be a huge power of a god that brings disaster. You guys should support me from the outside. If something unexpected happens, don't hesitate to attack or run away.”
“Don't worry, we will.”
After receiving a positive response, Zun Zun nodded and walked towards the last shrine without hesitation, as if he had made some kind of determination.
Time passed by little by little.
Everyone waited silently outside.
Normally, the speed should be very fast. Doludo of Knowledge took 1 hour, and Shalegu of Body took even less than half the time, but the Mysterious Gard had passed for a full 3 hours, and Zun Zun still hadn't come out.
The beautiful elf girl couldn't sit still any longer. She wanted to rush in and destroy the shrine to rescue Zun Zun, but she was stopped by Mabel and Alicia.
Kishiyo Yosuke was also very worried, but even he, who would attack at the slightest disagreement, endured it. The beautiful elf girl could only continue to endure.
5 hours later.
Zun Zun walked out of the shrine with a strange expression. The three circles on the back of his hand had all been filled, indicating that he had successfully cleared the shrine. However, he didn't show a happy expression, but rather a very conflicted and puzzled one.
Everyone immediately greeted him.
“How is it, Zun Zun? Are you injured anywhere?”
“…No, I apologize for being late. Actually, there are some things I don't quite understand.”
He told everyone about his experience in the shrine.
Unlike the Shrines of Knowledge and Body, which required passing trials, this shrine had nothing. After Zun Zun entered, he saw the door to the exit.
And when he stood in the empty hall, he felt as if his soul was being scanned. At the same time, an unknown orb of light danced around him, seemingly curious and questioning him, as if curious about Zun Zun as a person. But in the end, it merged into his body, and a pattern appeared on the back of his hand.
“I suspect this has something to do with the fact that I myself was not summoned by a god.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Shrines of Knowledge and Body gave rewards related to the strengthening of magic power and the physical body, so I speculate that the Shrine of Mystery would strengthen the cheat given by the god, but I didn't receive a cheat from the god.”
Zun Zun should belong to an outsider, not someone who was invited to this world by a god, so that orb of light would be wondering why Zun Zun was not from this world but didn't have a cheat.
Fortunately, the gods of this world were slacking off and not on duty, otherwise Zun Zun might have been thrown out of this world long ago. In a more serious case, he might have been exiled to a crack in some world.