Chapter 63

Quickly, let’s go find the Dead Sea!

This time, I’m likely going to move around in detail using flight magic, and Ekvar  will stay behind. He’s still investigating the count’s misdeeds from before, so it’s probably for the best.

His motto is “When cornering someone, do it thoroughly.” He says it with a smile, but still.

I am currently in a town near the Dead Sea called Koare. It’s located to the south of the Wastent Republic, which is in the north of the Chenkaslar  Kingdom. Apparently, this town is governed not by a king, but by a president elected through a vote, though the election is only among the nobles.

First, in this town, Belial is visiting the demon and contractor who gave me information about the Dead Sea during the Sabbath. I’m collecting information around town, so I’m currently separated from Belial. I was walking through the shopping street.

It seems that many tourists come to see the Dead Sea, as there are plenty of souvenir shops. There are also stalls with cloth spread on the ground, selling salt and various unusual goods.

After passing through the section with stores, I was looking for a bench to rest in the park when I spotted a man sitting on a brick in a flower bed. He seemed to be in his fifties or sixties.

He had a solid build, likely a former soldier or adventurer, with a beard. He was wearing long sleeves and long pants, with a brown cloth wrapped around his waist, and his hair was grayish-white.

He bent over and was rubbing his leg with his right hand, making a pained expression, possibly from pain.

“Excuse me… I’m sorry to bother you, but is something wrong?”

The man looked up at me with a confused expression.

“No, it’s just an old wound acting up. It’s nothing new.”

Seeing him rub his calf with his hand, I could tell it was probably a large scar.

I knelt down in front of him and made eye contact, then took a white bottle out of my item box and offered it to him.

“I’m sorry, it’s already been partially used, but this is a pain-relieving ointment. Please feel free to use it if you like.”

“…It’s no use. It’s nothing I can do about it. Don’t worry about me.”

The man gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

“This is medicine I made myself. Please, don’t hesitate to use it.”

I smiled and urged him again. This ointment was perfect for these types of wounds. I wanted to see how effective the Amrita Ointment would be on old scars.

“…You made this ointment, young lady? Well then, since you’re so kind, I’ll go ahead and use it.”

Just as he was about to lift the hem of his pants and apply the ointment, Belial appeared.

The scar was even worse than I expected, and it looked like it must have been quite painful. It was no wonder he couldn’t fight anymore.

“I’m sorry, it seems my companion has arrived. Please keep the ointment, and if the pain doesn’t subside, feel free to use it again.”

“That’s kind of you… Wait, where are you headed?”

“We’re going to the Dead Sea! Goodbye!”

I ran toward Belial.

The man who received the ointment hastily pulled his pants leg back down and called out to me in a loud voice.

“Wait! The Dead Sea is currently closed off due to powerful monsters appearing there…!”

His words as he stood and reached out to me didn’t reach my ears.

To reach the Dead Sea, it seems you need to pass through a forest and continue until the trees thin out and turn into rocky, reddish hills. Since it’s a tourist destination, it’s said to be easy to find.

After leaving the town of Koare, there were several houses at the edge of the forest, but it seemed like no one was around at the moment. The forest path was wide and well-maintained, so it seemed like there was usually quite a bit of traffic, but I hadn’t seen anyone. It was strange.

Come to think of it, I had seen from above that a gatekeeper was stopping someone from leaving at the exit on the other side of town.

Could it be closed off? But now that I’ve come this far, I can’t turn back. If anyone scolds me, I’ll just claim I didn’t know. I really need the Dead Sea water!

When I stopped flying and began walking through the forest, I noticed several trees had fallen on both sides of the path. This must mean there’s a large monster around, which explains why I haven’t met anyone… So it really is a restricted area. I must have flown over the checkpoint with my flight magic.

“Seems like something fun is about to happen,” Belial said, looking intrigued.

He probably wanted a dragon to show up, but there were no signs of dragon breath. At least it wasn’t a dragon of intermediate rank or higher.

We continued a bit further. The sound of trees breaking and the rumble of falling wood reached us.

From between the trees and grass, a massive, pitch-black snake appeared. It was the kind that could easily swallow a human whole.

“Ugh… This is troublesome. It’s a Hell Serpent. Whoever summoned this one must have known it’s resistant to fire…”

“Then let’s hit it with lightning.”

I began chanting slowly, waiting for the moment the giant snake opened its mouth wide and lunged to attack.

“Light, flash fiercely and show your existence. Let the rumbling sound of a hundred thunders resonate, and the burning golden brilliance shine! Thunderstrike, grant me the thunderbolt in my palm! Roar and pierce through, lightning! Fael Tombé La Foodle!“

This is a magic spell that releases lightning from the hand and strikes the opponent. While it has less power and range than a spell that drops lightning from the sky, it has the added effect of numbing the target, making it quite useful.

As I approached and shot a lightning bolt into the open mouth of the serpent, an explosion occurred inside its body, paralyzing it completely. However, it wasn’t defeated just yet. As it weakened, Belial sliced it in half with his flaming sword, and the hunt was over.

“Such a lack of challenge…” he muttered.

Complaining about how troublesome it was, or how it lacked impact—I’m not sure which would be better…

By the way, was this the reason for the lockdown? Or are there more of them still lurking?

As we left the forest, the terrain turned into a rocky and sandy path, and in the distance, low red-brown mountains stretched out. Ahead of us, water gleamed!

Is this the Dead Sea!? The surface of the rocks is white!

I wondered if tourists usually visit this place. Along the sandy shore, there were several small wooden huts. I tasted the water—it was salty, confirming it was indeed brine!

This is it! With this water, I can make Amrita!

However, the absence of people caught my attention. Just to be sure, I peered into the Dead Sea before collecting the water, wary of any monsters that might drag me in.

“I was worried something else might show up, but it seems not.”

“…No, there is something.”

Belial’s gaze was not on the Dead Sea but on the rocks beyond it.

In the stillness, the sound of footsteps echoed. Something that resembled a person emerged from behind a large rock.

“…This is strange, Belial. Why would a King of Hell be in a place like this?”

“Kingu. Is it you?”

Could they be acquaintances? But this figure doesn’t seem to be a demon. Not an angel either, I’d say.

“I’m just passing through.”

“I’m similar. Iriya , stay back.”

“Yes…?”

He didn’t seem like an enemy, but I still moved away as he had instructed. The man, whom Belial called Kingu, had dark grayish, pale blue hair and golden eyes. He quickly drew a sword from his waist. Belial responded by summoning a flaming sword in kind.

Wait! Are they going to fight!?

While I was flustered, Kingu kicked off a rock and leapt towards Belial, slashing at him. The swords clashed with a sharp sound as they drew closer.

“So this is your contractor? How curious. I thought those who summoned you would be after glory and prosperity.”

“And you, alone? I heard you came seeking your mother.”

“…I was scolded for leaving the village.”

“This one here is more interested in knowledge than wealth. A troublesome little girl.”

They exchanged blows several times as they spoke. In terms of pure swordsmanship, the opponent seemed to have the upper hand.

Belial ignited his sword with fire, leaving afterimages, while Kingu used water to extinguish the flames. In terms of magical ability, Belial was superior.

When Kingu lunged, Belial effortlessly jumped backward, then raised his hand to create two pillars of fire between them. But Kingu wasn’t stopped—he charged through the flames and pursued Belial.

Once again, their swords met.

The flames that formed the pillars stretched and thinned, transforming into serpentine shapes that curled toward Kingu, chasing him from behind.

“…So that’s how it’s going to be! As expected of the King of Flames!”

Kingu narrowly dodged and watched the flames with a keen eye. His cloak fluttered but just missed being burned.

The flames morphed back into Belial’s sword, roaring as they burned fiercely.

“Well done avoiding that! Now, here’s the next move!!”

This time, there was an explosion where Kingu had just been, but he was already charging at Belial.

“You think you can take it so easily!?”

The sound of clashing swords echoed repeatedly. Both of them seemed to be enjoying the battle.

I decided to focus on collecting the Dead Sea water.

As I dipped the bottle into the water, I noticed a long shadow moving at the bottom of the sea.

It slowly rose, drawing closer.

It was a snake-like figure, dark brown with white spots on its throat and seaweed-like mane on its back. It was a sea serpent, longer than a tower.

However, it seemed weak, possibly because of the intense salinity. Its movements were slow. Had it wandered into the Dead Sea from somewhere?

“Clouds, be dyed in brilliant darkness. Pile up thickly and forge weapons of dazzling brilliance. Let the thunder resound, a triumphant cry that echoes and delivers glorious victory! Exile those who are cast out, a mighty display of anger! Yagrush, descend like a hawk! Shut-too foodle!“

Heavy black clouds gathered as lightning crackled. Thunder rumbled like a drum, and thick bolts of lightning shot down like spears, striking the sea serpent that had risen from the waters.

“Another snake. Too bad it’s not a dragon.”

As I watched the sea serpent floating on the Dead Sea, I heard Belial’s laughter behind me.

“Ha, ha! To think you’d say that in this situation…!”

There was no need for him to laugh that much.

Meanwhile, Kingu gave me a rather neutral look, turning his face toward me.

“…I see, you’re quite a troublesome woman.”

He sheathed his sword and, instead, took something from his waist and threw it toward me.

“…What is this?”

Scales? Black scales.

“…If you really like dragons, you can have this. Consider it an apology for boring you.”

With that, Kingu left without further word. What on earth was that about?

As for Belial, he stopped laughing and looked at the scales in thought.

“…This…??”

“You’re lucky. This is a scale from his mother. It’s quite a rare item.”

If Belial calls it rare, then it must be something truly exceptional.

I examined it more carefully.

It was glossy, black, thick, and heavy. It seemed like it came from a dragon… but its attribute… water? It smelled of the sea. Given that it could change into a humanoid form, could it be one of the highest-tier dragons… the Dragon Gods!?

“…A sea… black… dragon!!!”

“Tiamat!!?”

“Correct. That was her son, Kingu, the commander of the Black Dragon army.”

“What!? Why were they fighting… and why did he give me a scale!?”

I was completely confused. Why were the King of Hell and the young leader of the Black Dragons fighting like this? Friends? Dangerous friends?

“That was just a greeting. As for the scales, he likes strong beings. I’m sure he’s taken a liking to you. After all, you dropped a powerful thunder magic and claimed you wanted a dragon!”

“I didn’t know he was a Dragon God!!”

That’s why Belial was laughing. I had just said I wanted to defeat a dragon in front of a Dragon God.

What an enormous slip of the tongue…