At the end of the cave, there was a deep and wide pit.
A mysterious creature caught my eye. It was a lifeform that looked like it was made up of lump-like appendages stuck together. It was wriggling and moving, and when just looking at its limbs, it seemed to be bipedal with four limbs.
There seemed to be dozens of them moving around. However, many of the same type lay sprawled motionless in the pit, and it was impossible to determine how many of them were able to act.
And the highlight was the bizarre tree located at the center.
This tree, seemingly made of flesh, was writhing and pulsating. Each time it did, the thick blood vessels covering it emitted a bloody hue.
In that moment, the cocoons seemingly hanging from the branches of the tree lit up. The shadow writhing in agony was reflected through the thin film of blood.
“…What is that?”
“That’s the ‘Flesh Nest.’”
Yulen replied to my dazed muttering. The group’s gaze shifted towards Yulen.
He looked very intrigued. After stroking his chin for a while, he began to elaborate on the ‘Flesh Tree.’
“According to myth, there was a time when humanity and Delphrium waged war. As everyone knows, that was the ‘Divine Beast War,’ right? This creature is mentioned in rare records that describe that time. It’s a terrible being that grew from the severed thumb of Delphrium.”
The Divine Beast War, huh?
That was a completely unexpected mention. To bring up a story from a myth of which the truth was uncertain.
However, the moment I heard those words, my heart throbbed violently.
The strange exhilaration that had touched my heart intensified. I inhaled sharply.
Fortunately, the group did not notice my change. Everyone was focused on Yulen’s following words.
“The creatures wandering around are the ‘Flesh Seeds.’ They guard the Flesh Nest, and some of them will grow into another Flesh Nest.”
“…Guard that grotesque tree?”
“Yeah, even though it looks weak, records say it’s quite strong. They said they were opponents that even the army blessed by the Heavenly Deity was hesitant to confront.”
I looked at Yulen with doubt about how those sluggish-looking monsters could possibly defend the tree.
But Yulen merely shrugged his shoulders at me.
“This is all the information I have. I think we’ve gathered enough eyewitness accounts, so how about we start heading back?”
My mouth fell shut for a moment.
Yulen was right. It was best to go back and report to the Empire or the Holy Kingdom.
We hadn’t found the mage, but we had witnessed a mythical-era monster known as the Flesh Nest. It was a result that no one would believe.
In fact, it was so astonishing that it felt troublesome. Without physical evidence, nobody might believe us.
However, among us were the Lady Virgin Saint, Senior Delphine, and Senior Elsi. They were people with the power to exert influence in the nation’s decision-making processes, so there was no need to take the risk of collecting evidence.
The process could be a bit complicated until the army was dispatched. But it was a foregone conclusion that the army would eventually arrive here.
Dealing with a mythical-era monster of whom we didn’t even know its habits was a far worse choice than leaving it to the army. There was no reason to hesitate any longer.
Even so, why couldn’t my lips stop trembling?
My eyes glanced down towards the pit. There, the Flesh Seeds were moving slowly. At a glance, they didn’t seem threatening.
Which made it all the more frightening.
I couldn’t predict what they would look like when they truly became terrifying. The exaltation that prodded at my chest grew even more intense.
I inhaled again, holding my breath.
The anxious expressions of the group, who were readying to retreat, slowly turned to me.
It seemed they were puzzled that the order to retreat hadn’t been issued yet. I was also wondering about it, so they were no different.
But I couldn’t let myself mess things up based solely on a strange intuition. If it were just me, it wouldn’t matter; right now, I was in a position leading seven people.
Fearing that the monsters beneath the pit might catch on, I crouched down, leaning forward, and carefully whispered.
“……Everyone, retreat as silently as possible. I and Senior Delphine will guard the rear, and Yulen will start moving first.”
Then, the group quickly rearranged themselves as if waiting for that moment.
Yulen would guard the front, followed by the Lady Virgin Saint and Senior Elsi, then Celin and Seria, with Senior Delphine and me taking the rear.
This was to prepare against any possible ambush.
There might be another attack from the monkey monsters in the front, and there was no telling how those creatures would respond from the rear.
I myself didn’t know why I had deployed more forces to the rear.
Perhaps it was because I had unwittingly overestimated the danger posed by those creatures. It could seem like a silly judgment since there was no response at the moment.
However, as always, things didn’t resolve simply.
Just as Yulen was about to step out of the cave, my mouth opened urgently.
“Wait!”
Yulen, instinctively taking a step forward, stopped. His puzzled gaze turned towards me.
I had already started to sweat profusely. My eyes darted towards the pit.
The movements of the Flesh Seeds, which had been wriggling around, suddenly ceased. Instead, they were glaring at us.
“……Those bastards are staring at us!”
“Shit.”
At my words, Yulen muttered a curse under his breath. Usually so dignified, he showcased the rough tongue he’d learned in the orphanage when entering battle.
Celin’s expression paled, and Seria asked me with a serious look.
“Is there any sign of an ambush?”
“Not yet… Yulen, try to step back slowly.”
Hearing that, Yulen gradually pulled back his foot.
Then the Flesh Seeds returned to their normal movements, starting to move clumsily around the pit again.
I conveyed the situation to my still tense companions.
“They’re wriggling and moving around again.”
At my words, Senior Elsi covered her forehead with her hand. As the one most knowledgeable about magic among us, it seemed she had an idea that sprang up upon hearing my words.
“…It seems they’re designed to send a signal when we try to escape.”
“Then what should we do?”
There was a hint of anxiety in Senior Delphine’s voice which wasn’t like her. It seemed that even she couldn’t maintain her composure in front of a mythical-era monster.
Senior Elsi let out a deep sigh. A faint fear flickered in her blue sapphire eyes, though her voice was rather irritating as she spoke.
“What can we do? We should line up and escape in a straight line from that line… It seems there’s no device for maintaining confidentiality in such a secretive place; they must have been planning to catch us off guard. Damn mage.”
Of course, there were also curses directed at the presumed instigator of this situation. Senior Elsi looked at me with a somewhat fearful look.
The way she sent me a pleading look the moment trouble arose was reminiscent of a puppy.
I gave a wry smile and reassured Senior Elsi.
“Don’t worry, Senior Elsi. I can carry you just fine.”
“…Huh? Ah, carry me?!”
Senior Elsi seemed startled by my words and jumped back awkwardly.
I waved my hands up and down to calm her down, though.
There was no need to provoke the Flesh Seeds with unnecessary large movements. I thought about that as I convinced Senior Elsi.
“But I can’t just carry you, right? If an attack comes from the back, you might get hurt; we have no choice but to run while carrying you. Of course, if you really don’t want to…”
“N-no! I-I’m fine! Please carry me!”
Senior Elsi replied in a hurry, as if fearing that I might change my mind.
I didn’t know why, but it seemed to be because she felt a sense of security similar to when I patted her head. That was irrelevant to me.
As long as I could ensure the safety of our group, that was all that mattered. And among us, I was the one most capable of thinking on my feet, so it made sense for me to take on a bit more burden.
Just as I was about to nod my head.
“…Then what about me?”
A pinching voice pricked my ears. My gaze turned towards its source.
It was the Lady Virgin Saint. She wore an expression that seemed somewhat disappointed, gazing at me with her drowsy eyes.
“If so, who should I cling to?”
I responded casually as if asking what she meant.
“You can cling to Yulen.”
Then the eyes of the Lady Virgin Saint and Yulen briefly met. Yulen spread his arms with a playful smile, but immediately the Lady Virgin Saint clasped her hands together as if in prayer and sat down.
“Oh, dear! You are testing me, oh Lord! You’re sending trials upon your most beloved maiden so that rumors arise of a wicked relationship with her beloved younger brother. What should this lamb do…?”
“Then I’ll carry you.”
Suddenly, the overly pretentious prayer of the Lady Virgin Saint was interrupted. The pastel pink eyes that had been staring at me shifted to the one who had made that suggestion.
It was Celin. She gazed at the Lady Virgin Saint with a somewhat displeased expression, meeting her gaze with a bright smile.
“I can carry you. It’s between women, so there’s no chance of misunderstanding.”
“But, Sister Celin, your physical strength…”
“I have confidence in my magic. My strength might be better than I-an oppa’s.”
The Lady Virgin Saint, at a loss for words, slowly turned her gaze to me. I nodded my head as if confirming this was the truth.
Ultimately, the Lady Virgin Saint slumped in defeat.
In a situation where every second was precious, what on earth was she doing? I shook my head and issued an order.
“Then, I will carry Senior Elsi, and Celin will carry the Lady Virgin Saint. Everyone, prepare to retreat.”
As I approached, Senior Elsi looked at me with a radiant expression. She seemed both excited and nervous as she hesitated.
That was when Senior Delphine stepped in.
“…I’ll carry Rainelle.”
Suddenly, I halted in my movement. My gaze fell on Senior Delphine.
She was looking at Senior Elsi with an annoyed expression before breaking into a relaxed smile.
“Rainelle said she wants me to carry her. You’re the leader, right? You have to manage the rear and give instructions, so you’d be a distraction if you’re worried about me.”
“…Is that okay?”
Knowing the fierce relationship between Senior Delphine and Senior Elsi, I asked, but Senior Delphine merely smiled sweetly back.
“Then, leave it to me.”
After a moment of hesitation, it seemed that Senior Delphine’s opinion was more reasonable.
Eventually, I withdrew my body from approaching Senior Elsi. Then, the expressions of those around us became a mix of emotions.
Senior Elsi’s face, filled with anticipation, cracked into disappointment. Senior Delphine looked even happier at that sight, and the Lady Virgin Saint asked with joy.
“If so, then what about me…?”
“I already said I would carry you.”
Even that was extinguished by Celin’s pointed little remark.
I shook my head.
Even before the retreat, things were already in chaos. Wasn’t everyone under tension?
My eyes once again turned to the pit below.
Those wriggling lumps were constantly getting in the way. It was as if they were pricking my optic nerves with a needle.
My heart was beating. Too roughly.
