Chương 73: Chapter 43:”Yu Rescue Operation”

Tor Guief Magic Laboratory. We finally arrived in front of it.

"It's time."

"It's going to be life-threatening. Are you ready?"

"Of course."

"Ah. Wait for us, Yu." We charge in boldly from the front entrance. First, the open entrance hall came into view. There is a large meteorite model in the center, and various paintings hang on the walls. All of them look expensive. There was a reception desk in the back, but no one was there. Far from it, there is not even a sign of people anywhere. It's eerily quiet.

"It was underground, right? Where Yu is."

"That's right. It seems there is no one here or above, but many Qi signatures are squirming underground."

"Then there must be an entrance somewhere. But... there are no stairs anywhere." I looked around, but I couldn't find any stairs leading underground.

"In times like this, the theory is that there are hidden stairs. Since it's probably a top-secret facility, it shouldn't be made so anyone can go easily."

"If so, the suspicious one is here. It's just the right size to hide something like stairs." Where Inea-sensei was standing was in front of the large central model. Approaching with Argus, an explanation is written: " This is an image of the Celestial Magic 'Megil' described in legends."

"Alright. Alice, Inea. Split up and look for a switch or something."

"Umu."

"Okay. Leave it to me." We decided that Argus would check around the model and the floor, Inea-sensei around the walls and paintings, and I around the reception in the back. Before long, I found a small switch behind the counter.

"Found it!"

"Press it!" Urged by him, I pressed the switch pochi. Then the model of [Megil] slid sideways, and stairs appeared from below.

"Bullseye." Inea-san muttered so. Descending the long, long spiral staircase, we eventually arrived at the underground where cold air drifted. Changing completely from the bright and beautiful atmosphere based on white on the first floor, the place is covered with mouse-gray floors and walls, and lights illuminate dimly in the gloom. For a while, a single path continued, and eventually, we came out into a large open room. There, many enemies wearing masks were waiting.

In the back, a passage can be seen in only one place. Apparently, we can't proceed unless we break through here. Making up our minds, the three of us jump into the room simultaneously. Then, a loud sound gashan was heard from behind. A thick metal wall descended on the passage where we were just now, closing the way back.

"Ah!"

"Kuh! Retreat is cut off!"

"Tch! So we have no choice but to advance!" Inea-san created a Qi Sword in her right hand. It is emitting a brilliant white shine. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"The objective is Yu's rescue. There is no need to defeat everyone. Defeat only those in the way and proceed quickly!"

"Ou!"

"Yes!" Inea-san applies [Qi Reinforcement], and Argus and I apply [Falspeed] to increase speed. Here, Inea-san showed tremendous strength. I could truly realize the words Yu often said, " That person has quit being human." She dashed out with the momentum of lightning speed, two heads above us, and in the next moment, she had slashed down three people almost simultaneously. While charging straight as if splitting the path as it is, she mows down enemies one after another.

Speaking of her fighting figure, it was exactly like a fierce god. If she felt like it, couldn't she even annihilate everyone in this place alone? It was enough to make me think so. We only had to proceed while checking with magic so that the path Inea-san literally opened up wouldn't be crushed. Since I didn't want to consume too much Magic Power against underlings, it really helped. Breaking through the first room without problems, we run through the passage at full speed so that enemies cannot catch up.

Then this time, the path was divided into three.

"Which one is correct to proceed?"

"Troublesome. But splitting into three is too dangerous. Do we have to check one by one?" Here too, Inea-san was reliable.

"Probably the left. I felt Yu's Qi from that direction."

"Felt?" When I asked wondering about the past tense, she showed a painful look.

"Just a moment ago, the reaction disappeared. Either he turned into a woman, or he was killed." I also became worried, but I decided to behave brightly as much as possible and encourage Inea-san. At times like this, I have to be strong.

"It's okay! Surely he just turned into a girl!"

"That's right... That guy is tenacious after all."

"Let's go without dawdling. Before the enemies catch up." I and Inea-san nod kokuri and proceed further. After a short while, where we arrived was a room much wider than before. There are huge cages on the left and right, and numerous vicious magical creatures are housed there. As expected, there seem to be no dragons, but man-eating flowers and huge guardian beasts are crowding. The moment we entered, the cages opened all at once, and they attacked simultaneously. Not disjointedly, but with coordinated movements.

Probably the same as in the Great Forest. Some kind of brainwashing magic is applied to attack intruders. Just as we prepared to intercept, Argus stepped forward.

"Around here, a role to hold back pursuers including these guys is necessary. I'll take it. You guys go ahead!"

"But those creatures have high Magic Resistance. Even for Argus!" He smiled ni as if saying not to worry.

"It's fine. I have Gravity Magic. If I slam them against the floor or wall, Magic Resistance doesn't matter." However, strong regret is visible in him after the smile disappeared.

"Probably, that Karla or Clam is ahead. If possible, I wanted to fight Clam, but even though I've been thinking about it all along, I still can't see the true nature of his attack." Clenching his fist, he hesitated for a short while, but he made a decision again.

"I'm not a brat either. I understand that there is no chance of winning as it is. It's frustrating, but I'll leave dealing with him to Inea for now. Will you do it?"

"Ah. Leave it to me." Inea-san nodded powerfully.

"Alice, I ask you for Karla. I leave it to you."

"Yeah. Got it!" Normally, even ignoring the chance of winning, he should want to take revenge first himself. How much heartache must accompany prioritizing Yu's rescue by suppressing personal feelings this much. For me who is not the party concerned, I can't possibly guess his feelings. But still, I strongly sympathized. At the same time, I respect him for being able to do that. I thought I would respond to his decision no matter what. What I can do is do my job properly. Overcome Karla-san and save Yu firmly.

I and Inea-san immediately ran forward, leaving the opponents of magical creatures to him. Looking back for just a moment, the back figure of him giving a thumbs-up pi was reflected in my eyes. That back looked truly big and reliable.

"We're getting close to the point where Yu's reaction was."

"Is that so! Please. Be safe...!" Then again, we dashed out into an open room. A space prepared only for fighting, with no decorations or ornaments at all. In the back, the silver-haired hero whom I once asked for help—. Clam Selenberg was blocking the way alone.

"You came. I was waiting." Against Clam waiting boldly with an intimidating attitude, Inea-san stepped forward as if stamping each step.

"Your opponent is me." Then he floated a fearless smile looking truly happy from the bottom of his heart." Inea. I've been looking forward to the day I can fight you."

"Hmph. I don't know if I can meet your expectations."

"Well, entertain me as much as you can." Saying only that, the two didn't speak anything anymore and faced each other holding swords. Centering on the two, I feel pressure that makes the atmosphere tremble biribiri. Heavy tension covers the place instantly. Just watching makes me feel like my body will be slashed. When I was unintentionally overwhelmed and unable to move from the spot, Inea-san shouted without looking back." Go! Alice!"

"Yes!" Coming to my senses, I passed through the side quickly so as not to approach him as much as possible. Whether he was satisfied if he could really fight Inea-san, he didn't interfere at all. Leaving both Argus and Inea-san behind. I hurry ahead alone. While feeling acutely the premonition that Karla-san is waiting ahead.