Chapter 168: Survival in a Extreme Place
「Another goblin horde, huh?」
A mere dozen or so goblins—enough for me to kick off single-handedly.
Moreover, I’m accompanied by the ten thousand swords Louise, a dragon maiden, and advance mage Kaara along with over a hundred marines (equipped with five bronze cannons). The battle itself poses no challenge.
Yet, encountering nothing but goblins for the nth time is tiresome. I’ve grown weary of those little green pests. I won’t even mention orcs; if only werewolves or kobolds would appear instead—they would be much better than goblin meat.
Of course, the absence of orc hordes is expected. Despite the potent influence of magic in the northern realms, monsters with succulent flesh can only thrive in warmer lands.
As a result, this region is inhabited solely by lower-tier creatures like goblins—inedible (though not impossible to eat, they’re tough, tasteless, and lacking in nutritional value).
To make matters worse, ever since we departed from Buccaneer’s Fort, heading inland, the snowfall has intensified. What began as light snow soon transformed into a blizzard, blanketing the rocky terrain in ice.
「Ugh… It’s so cold, and all we encounter are goblins.」
Even with my enhanced physique, the cold is unbearable. This grueling march will take its toll on the soldiers, especially those unaccustomed to such conditions.
The relentless snow and freezing landscape mercilessly sap our energy. Naturally, we’ve taken every precaution against the cold for this journey to the North Sea. The soldiers wear fur hats, thick coats, and boots. We’ve stocked up on gloves and tabi socks. Our camp is equipped with sturdy, insulated tents and an abundance of blankets.
Captain Mearid, the pirate leader, generously lent us ten large sleds. Presumably, it’s a challenge to fill these sleds with hunted provisions.
If only we had dogs to pull the sleds—anything to replace the exhausting human effort of pushing and pulling them along.
Certainly, I also joined in pulling the sled. The rope digging into my shoulders is uncomfortable, but moving my body this way distracts me.
The barren tundra is physically demanding, but more than that, it takes a toll on our spirits.
How can I describe it?
As we continue walking along the endless path—where the gray sky radiates snow in all directions, and rough black rocks mix with white snow on the ashen ground—it feels like an eternal loop of futility.
In short, it’s quite disheartening.
「Hey, Kaara. Are we really on the right place?」
When venturing into the demon realm, our only guide is the demoness Kaara. She can sense the flow of miasma and boldly claimed she’d find food resources. We have no choice but to trust her words.
「This land is rich for demons. Monsters that can serve as food are always present where strong miasma emanates.」
「If only we knew how much further we must go.」
Though it’s only the first day of our journey, the once-flat path has gradually become steeper as we enter mountainous terrain. We can’t ignore this change. Our sleds are designed for flat ground, so pulling them uphill requires additional manpower.
Continuing this arduous march for too long could lead to disaster, akin to the tragic ‘Mount Hakkoda Disaster’ from over a century ago during the Meiji era—a notorious mountaineering accident, one of the world’s deadliest.
As we trudge up the snow-covered mountain path, I can’t help but recall that historical lesson. Units unaccustomed to snowy conditions faced near-total annihilation during winter training.
To prevent such a fate, we wrap our toes in oil-soaked paper, sprinkle chili powder, and layer three pairs of socks. If the blizzard worsens, we’ll secure ourselves with hemp ropes to avoid getting separated. Neglecting these precautions could spell doom for our unit.
And even in these harsh conditions, the goblin hordes show no mercy—they continue to assault us. In a way, this might be tougher than their side of the battle.
If it weren’t for that creature and Louise fearlessly rampaging through the snowy mountains, who knows what would have happened?
Come to think of it, sweating is problematic because it chills the body. Even though we have spare underwear, gloves, and tabi socks, we should replace them promptly.
Given the unfamiliar snowy terrain, we should take frequent breaks.
I promptly suggested to everyone that we rest when I noticed a natural cave up ahead.
「Nation’s father, there’s a natural cave just ahead. Would you like to take a break there?」
「Thank you…」
Guided by Kaara, who had been scouting ahead due to her ability to fly, we hurried into the cave. Despite wearing only a swimsuit-like undergarment beneath her black robe, the cold-resistant demoness seemed unfazed. Perhaps miasma enhanced her already lustrous blue skin.
Truly, demons are energetic and enviable beings.
Finding this cave was fortunate. Although it’s snowing, the tundra’s ground—more icy than deeply snow-covered—is composed of frozen rock. While it’s easier to walk on ice than in deep snow, the tundra presents its own challenges compared to snow-covered mountains where we could dig snow trenches for our camp.
Considering the blizzard and the icy rocks, a cave with a roof is an excellent campsite. Upon entering, we discovered it extended deep into the earth, easily accommodating over a hundred troops. Despite being a natural cave, it appeared stable, with no risk of collapse.
「We’re a bit early, but pushing ourselves needlessly in unfamiliar territory won’t help. Let’s set up camp here for today.」
「Hey, Takeru. As we venture deeper… this cave seems to go on infinitely. Could it be a dungeon?」
As a precaution, Louise, who had explored further into the cave with a torch in hand, returned to report to me. But honestly, I know nothing about this cave to provide an answer.
「What do you think, Kaara?」
「Well, even if we call it a dungeon, it doesn’t feel like something artificially constructed…」
The rugged cave continues deep into the darkness. When we think of caves, we often imagine limestone caverns, but this one appears to be a lava tube.
After volcanic eruptions, scorching lava carves its path, leaving behind these massive tunnels. It’s likely that this mountain was formed through volcanic activity.
Interestingly, points with magical reservoirs often coincide with mountainous regions where volcanic activity is prevalent. Whether there’s a causal link between the miasma erupting from the earth and magma remains uncertain. I recall asking Lyle-sensei about it, but she couldn’t provide a definitive answer.
Perhaps the similarity lies in the fact that both miasma and lava emerge from the depths of the earth.
「Natural caves sometimes transform into dungeons inhabited by monsters.」
「Well, that’s true. Typically, natural caves house insects or bats. While it’s common for monsters to inhabit such places, contrary to what our esteemed leader suggests, there’s no sign of any living creatures here.」
「But having no living creatures at all is eerie.」
「Maybe I should investigate further.」
「Human knights aren’t very reliable. This time, I’ll venture in.」
「Who says human knights aren’t reliable?」
As they bicker, I find comfort in their familiar banter. An empty cavern devoid of life—it’s undeniably unsettling. Even in freezing conditions, this feels like a horror story waiting to unfold.
Compared to the raging blizzard outside, the cave’s interior offers respite. Yet, why does it lack any living presence? It’s a disturbing mystery.
Having a goblin or two around might actually put my mind at ease.
「Alright, let’s hold off. Our soldiers need a break. Once they’ve rested, we’ll explore the depths together.」
My internal alarm system—a flag detector—blares a warning. This pattern leans toward yellow, bordering on red. Something is about to happen.
I can’t sleep without confirming, but rushing in blindly would be like poking a snake in the bushes. Timing matters.
After allowing the soldiers sufficient rest, we prompt them to remain vigilant, keep their lanterns lit, and prepare to fire cannons toward the cave’s interior. Then, our elite party—consisting of myself, Are, Louise, and Kaara—will venture deeper into the cavern.
Excellent, let’s proceed with this plan.
Carefully preparing, we descend further into the cave. What initially seemed like a horizontal tunnel gradually steepens, leading diagonally downward. Likely formed by the flow of erupted lava, it now resembles a vertical shaft extending deep into the earth—an ominous sign.
「Hey, dragon maiden, don’t crowd this way. I’ll take the lead.」
「What’s the matter, human knight? You’re obstructing the passage.」
Though Are and Louise energetically jostle for the front position, their banter doesn’t lighten the mood. Around ten kilometers in, anxiety creeps in—could this cave stretch on indefinitely?
Thinking of the treacherous underworld of the harsh fantasy world, I recall the warning from Kaara when we sealed the ‘Demon World Gate’. If this case were to hit the legendary ‘other world beyond imagination’ of 100 floors, it would be a disaster.
When I was having these internal fears, Kaara grabbed my hand tightly, put her lips next to my ear, and whispered.
If she was joking around or seducing me, I wouldn’t know how to react but she’s serious.
「Ano, nation’s father, I have an urgent matter to discuss with you.」
「If it’s about an oni or a snake….I don’t want to hear them.」
「You see, as I said before, this land is ruled by the North Demon King but that’s not really accurate.」
「What are you talking about」
「The North Demon King only resides in his glacial castle at the North Pole, the Krowkassischloss and he hardly ever gets out. 」
「Is he a hikikomori?」
Is he someone like the Study King of Castilia?
「No. In truth, the previous demon king of these northern lands attempted to manage his territory diligently. However, he faced countless hardships and eventually met an unfortunate end. The current demon king has all but given up on ruling the north. As a result, he avoids involvement with the outside world, calling it ‘residence absence’ system.」
「What do you mean? Isn’t this land inhabited by demons? Is this land now lawless?」
Kaara tilts her head, considering my question.
「It’s complicated. To the hostile humans, this is supposed to be part of the demon world. However, in reality, most of the current northern expanse isn’t governed by demons—it belongs to another realm.」
「Another realm? That sounds ominous. Is it a place where ‘furuki sha’ emerge from the depths, swarming like shadows?」
「Exactly. The ‘Fukuru sha’ dwell deep underground, but occasionally, they manifest here, riding the currents of erupting miasma. Even an ancient dragon would flee from their presence.」
「Sounds like a natural disaster…….」
「Although the Sway Peninsula still experiences relatively weak miasma, entering this cave may have been unwise. If need be, nation’s father, consider fleeing alone.」
「So, you mean you’re having a bad feeling about this.」
Her words carry a foreboding weight. Kaara isn’t joking; her expression remains serious. Despite her pale complexion, her delicate peach-colored lips curve into a fleeting smile.
「I’ve traced the miasma flow this far. But the power ahead feels overwhelming. It rivals even the strongest miasma hole.」
「So something formidable lies ahead.」
「Nation’s father, despite your strength and the divine protection bestowed upon heroes or even a half-dragon like a dragon maiden, there exist beings in the other realm that we cannot contend with. If such formidable foes appear, I will do everything in my power to ensure your safety.」
「You should also consider the case where you can’t escape.」
The term ‘furuki sha’ conjures memories of that tentacled oneesan I encountered before. She wasn’t the type to let anyone flee easily. Once ensnared by her intentless tentacles, escape became an unattainable feat. Victims endured torment until she was satisfied.
「If your life is endangered, I’ll shield you with all my might. My existence owes itself to your initial rescue. Even if it means breaking the ‘Demon King Slavery Curse’ and perishing in a burst of energy, I will protect you. Consider this my preemptive pledge.」
「Kaara, declaring such solemn resolve in a place like this… Have you heard the saying, ‘Speak of the devil, and he appears’?」
Indeed, I should have educated Kaara more about the concept of flags.
If we survive this, I’ll make sure to rectify that.
Kaara’s magical light illuminates the depths of the cave. And there, suddenly materializing at the far end, stands an unmistakable figure—a ‘furuki sha’.
What’s more, it’s a face I recognize—the tentacled oneesan, once again.