Chapter 58
Chapter 58
Foreword:
Last time, I messed up the scheduled post and the order got all mixed up.
I'm really sorry m(_ _)m
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The room upstairs was quiet.
Maybe they went to observe the major incident of the monsters' mass appearance and the deployment of the desert country Sandy.
No, since they're called bandits, maybe they're taking advantage of the chaos and attacking somewhere. It's highly likely this house is being guarded by only a few people.
I slammed the mana interference bracelet hard against the cage.
A dull thud echoed, but neither the bracelet nor the cage showed any damage. My hand just went numb. Forcibly destroying it would be difficult.
Next, I thoroughly examined the cell. The iron bars were meticulously arranged on all sides—walls, ceiling, and floor. In otherworld or medieval movies, there's usually a wall you can escape through, right? Like a hidden passage or a drainage hole... There's neither!
Is there any spot that's rusted... nope.
As a desperate measure, I tried condensing mana.
Mana gathered around my navel and slowly began circulating in that area. When I tried to send it toward my right arm, it scattered like crushing a sugar cube.
Once more, I focused and condensed my mana.
This time to the left leg... no good.
Next, from my stomach... ugh, the mana vanished before it could be released.
My side... this doesn't work either.
Something like invisible threads was being emitted from the mana interference bracelet, and when touched, the mana scattered. It felt like the threads were entangled all over my body. It seemed to function differently from the restraints I had worn earlier. The previous one repelled mana like an invisible wall even when I tried to condense it.
If I can somehow find a gap in the mana interference, I might be able to pull it off.
I stood firm and focused with all my attention.
A tremor shook the ground, maybe lightning struck nearby.
Only my breathing and Ariana's soft sleeping breaths stretched thin in the silence; occasionally, thunder rumbled in the distance. Focus, stay focused. Find a way around the mana interference tool. Don't rush, carefully, slowly...
I kept condensing mana, only for it to be dispersed by the interference again and again.
Sweat trickled down my forehead.
How long had I been condensing mana?
—――――――！！！！
"What the hell..."
Words of shock slipped from my mouth.
No way... this is...
I can't believe it.
But there's no other way!
Guh... but... this.
Why?! Why is it like this!!
I mean, I've got no choice, right?!
But this is just too cruel. This is too much!
The fact that this is my only option is just brutal!
Oh God!
I don't believe in you, but oh God!
The magic——
The magic———
The magic is———!!
"The magic is coming out of my butt!!!!!!!"
Crack-BOOM! A huge bolt of lightning struck outside, causing the cell to tremble slightly.
○
"Ariana, I'm sorry. Like, really, really sorry."
While grappling with inner conflict, I turned my butt toward Ariana and chanted "Cure Light." Desperate times call for desperate measures. No—desperate butts call for desperate measures. What am I even saying? Calm down. I can finally use magic now!
This changed everything. It was a joyous thing. Smile, me!
"Haaaahahahahaha!"
What an idiot.
...But there's nothing sadder than doing a comedy bit when no one's watching.
The "Cure Light" that bypassed the mana interference wrapped around Ariana. It's a spell that can instantly heal things like cuts and bruises. Her pained expression eased, a bit of red returned to her ashen face, and I could tell she was feeling a bit better. I lifted her shirt. The bruise on her stomach was gone. Thank goodness.
Just in case, I cast "Cure Light" two more times.
As expected, or rather obviously, there was no additional effect.
Lower-tier Light Magic and upper-tier white magic healing spells excel at treating physical wounds, and the effectiveness depends on the spell's rank.
For example, no matter how many times you cast "Heal" on someone whose arm is about to fall off from a monster bite, it won't work. At best, it'll stop the bleeding for a few seconds.
In such cases, you need at least the intermediate white magic "Light of Blessing" to reattach the limb instantly. It's probably like how putting a bunch of band-aids on a severed arm won't help.
Come to think of it, the textbook had the general effects written out.
I closed my eyes and tried to recall what it said.
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Healing Magic
Light Magic
Intermediate "Heal" → cuts, abrasions, simple bleeding, etc.
Advanced "Cure Light" → major cuts, bruises, sprains, etc.
White Magic
Beginner "Light of Regeneration" → slashes, burns, etc.
Intermediate "Light of Blessing" → immediate reattachment of severed parts, etc.
Advanced "Light of Omnipotence" → regeneration of missing parts, etc.
Supreme "Light of Mystery" → regeneration of all phenomena, etc.
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That's about how I remember it.
That means Ariana is at least injured enough to need beginner-level white magic. Or maybe it's not physical—her internal organs or digestive system could be affected by viruses or bacteria. Healing magic for internal conditions would be lower-tier water magic or upper-tier wood magic. I can't use either, so I'm out.
Water and wood magic went something like this.
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Healing Support Magic
Water Magic
Advanced "Cure Water" → enhances healing power.
Wood Magic
Beginner "Green Smile"
Intermediate "Green Purification"
Advanced "Green Compassion"
Supreme "Green Abundance"
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I don't really remember the effects of wood magic.
If Amy were here, she probably could've healed her.
Amy's probably worried sick right about now...
I bet everyone's scrambling to find me right now...
Clarice and Barry are probably freaking out...
Anyway, one thing's clear—staying here won't help Ariana's condition.
I sliced through the ropes binding Ariana with a tiny "Wind Cutter," gently held her up, and moved her away from the cell door.
Then, with a little wiggle, I pointed my butt at the door and condensed my mana.
"Wind Sword!"
The blade of wind that could slice even stone struck the iron bars, letting out a loud metallic clang.
A faint scratch appeared on the bars.
So it's no good after all.
I decided to aim at the door's lock and drop a pinpoint "Thunderbolt" on it.
But I couldn't aim properly while facing backward.
I stuck my butt out and twisted my body slightly at an angle, condensing mana.
"Thunderbolt!"
A weakened bolt of lightning struck the lock.
Upon checking, the upper part had melted from the heat. I struck the same pose again and cast "Thunderbolt."
Clunk, the lock dropped, and with the recoil, the cell door slowly opened.
"Alright."
I whispered and pumped a fist in victory.
There was no sound from upstairs. Looks like we haven't been discovered.
"Ariana, Ariana."
When I called her name, she twitched her fox ears and opened her eyes slightly.
"We're getting out of here now. I'll carry you on my back. It might be a little rough, but bear with it, okay?"
"Mm... okay..."
I wrapped Ariana in a blanket and slung her onto my back. She was light, so it was no problem at all.
I climbed the stairs slowly, careful not to make a sound.
When I reached the top and stood before the wall, it began to move on its own, creating a hollow passage. The light from the room gently streamed through. Still carrying Ariana, I crouched and peeked inside—no one was there.
Next to the sofa, someone had left a mess of mana potions and mandragora tonics. I pocketed a mana potion and drank the mandragora tonic that looked the most expensive.
It tasted like Orona○in C. Delicious.
The flavor was way richer than the stuff I drank when I pulled an all-nighter making magazines. Must be some really good meds. It hits just right.
I felt like my body got lighter somehow.
After about ten seconds, I was buzzing with energy all over.
Staying alert to my surroundings, I tried to leave the room.
Then I heard a noise from deeper inside, so I quickly hid behind the kitchen.
A man who seemed to be a guard walked in, wiping his wet hands on his pants and slouching lazily onto the sofa. Guess he went to the bathroom.
I observed him for a bit.
There might be more than one guard.
Right—stay sharp, me!
"Damn it, why am I the only one stuck on guard duty..."
The man muttered to himself.
Heh heh heh heh heh.
Ha—ha ha ha ha ha!
Only one guard? How stupid can you be!
Too bad for you! We're busting outta here!
Maybe I'd been holding in a ton of stress.
Right now, I'm hyped as hell! It just hit me!
I'm as pumped as I was the time I got top sales numbers, got an award, and partied all night at cabarets and clubs!
Magic is the best! Freedom is the best!
YES MY DREEEEEAAAAAMMMM!!!
With everything let go, I spun around, stuck out my butt, and mercilessly unleashed "Electric Shock (Impulse)." When I go for it, I go all out. I even struck a cute pose with my index finger on my cheek. Take this, thief!
ZZZZAPPPPBBRRRRZTT!!
"Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!"
A flash like a spiderweb crackled through the room. I squinted against the brightness. The electrocuted guard lay face-down like a squashed frog, white smoke drifting from his head.
I approached the sofa and checked his face—it was the toothless guy who endlessly mocked me.
Apparently, he's still alive.
If I keep the output at minimum, he can barely stay alive. That's a useful discovery. A great human experiment. Today, I'm a mad scientist!
"Heal!"
I gave him a tiny bit of healing and slowly sat down on his back with my feet together.
"Guh... huff... huff... wh-what the hell just happened..."
"Divine punishment has been delivered unto you."
"Y-you... how'd you get out, you fat freak?!"
"Such a dirty mouth."
I cast "Electric Strike" with just enough strength to make him feel intense pain without passing out.
The current sparked from my butt.
"GyaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAaaaaahhh!"
"Bad-mouthed kids get divine punishment."
"Y-you... what the hell are you...?"
"'You'?"
Electric Strike!
"AaaaahhbbababababaaAAAbabaaaAAhh......"
"I'll say it again—bad manners get you punished."
"Huff... huff... damn you... what kind of magic is that?!"
Electric Strike!
"BabababababaaAAAbaba!"
His shriek rang out as the current made his muscles seize up, stretching his limbs stiff. He dropped to the ground like one of those festival toys that stretch when you blow air in and collapse when it stops.
By the way, "Electric Strike" doesn't send the current back to me. Super handy.
After about thirty rounds of this, the toothless guy became a good little boy.
"Bad manners get you punished."
"S-sorryyyy..."
"Good boy."
"Yeees, I'm a good boyyy."
"This isn't the bandits' hideout, is it?"
"Nope."
"Where is it?"
"I can't say."
"Oh? Who do you like more—me or your boss?"
"E-E-Ellie-chan, of course!"
"Then you can answer, can't you?"
"........."
"Want another zap-zap?"
"W-wait! It's in the basement of a bar called 'Garan-DO' on the west side of town! If you take my coin, they'll let you in! Just tell the master you're sent by Derby!"
Still face-down, the now-good-boy pulled a silver coin from his pocket and began explaining the way in detail.
"Good boy. Thank you."
"Yesss."
"Do you have the key to the handcuffs?"
"The boss has it."
"Where is the boss?"
"At the hideout."
"And the other members?"
"Out attacking somewhere."
"What's the boss's specialty magic?"
"High-level fire. Flame Arrow is super powerful."
"Wow, he's talented. Anyone else who can use advanced magic?"
"Nope."
"Got it. One last request from me, okay?"
"Okay."
"If you ever see a fat and ugly girl, never ever call her a fat ugly. Be nice to her, alright? Got it?"
"Got it!"
"Good boy. Now, good night."
"Good night!"
"Electric Strike!!!"
ZZZZZZAAAAP———
The good boy passed out with a blissful smile on his face.