I Was a Small Fish When I Reincarnated, but It Seems That I Can Become a Dragon, so I Will Do My Best - Extra Chapter 55
3-5. Finding Beddrock
Amariaz didn’t have to make such a disgusted face… Well, bringing Amariaz along is a given!
He seems to have a lot of knowledge about magical creatures and living beings. Taking him along should ensure a successful capture of Beddrock.
However, it seemed like nobody else knew about the fish called Beddrock. The Oni tilted their heads, floating question marks above them.
Come to think of it, Uchikage-Ojichan did mention that the fish’s population had decreased. It must be quite a rare fish if they don’t even know its name.
Wait, are we going to catch it now?
“Oh, that expression… Did you figure out what I’m thinking?”
“Maybe it’s an extremely rare fish?”
“That’s right. I knew of its existence, but I thought it wasn’t around here. But Uchikage-Ojichan said it is, right?”
“Yeah. It might be upstream.”
“‘Might be’… Well, it’s a slim hope, but… well, if we can catch it, it might indeed solve the problem.”
While saying that, Amariaz sighed as he looked at the partially destroyed waterwheel.
“W-What happened…”
“Everyone lifted it and placed it on the ground. It could withstand the water flow, but it couldn’t bear its own weight. The pulley part was still in good condition.”
After listening to Amariaz and the other Oni, it became apparent that the waterwheels in other locations were also in precarious conditions.
There seems to be a group of Maletanago inhabiting this entire river, divided into factions, engaged in battles. Since Maletanago eats other Maletanago, there’s no pollution from their corpses. However, at this rate, the waterwheels will be wiped out, making it difficult to transport water to the fields.
Although the Oni’s strength could handle manual labor like this, an additional task is unwelcome.
While the elderly carpenter was asked to make new waterwheels, it seems that unless Maletanago is dealt with, it will be a never-ending cycle. The best solution is to find Beddrock.
But Beddrock is a very rare fish…
“Well, we’ll figure something out! Let’s go, Amariaz!”
“I thought you’d say that. Well, if there’s a chance it’s there, it’s worth going. Alright, everyone, please continue inspecting the other waterwheels.”
“Yeah, leave it to us.”
Leaving the Oni in charge, Amariaz agreed to accompany me in the search for Beddrock.
Our destination is upstream. If we follow the river flowing nearby, we should be able to reach it without getting lost.
Now, I should ask Amariaz about Beddrock.
“So, what kind of fish is Beddrock?”
“Listen to Uchikage-Ojichan’s explanation first… Sigh. Beddrock is like an anglerfish, with black and purple colors. It attaches itself to the riverbed with powerful suckers, so it’s impossible to peel it off. You’ll have to bring it along with the attached rocks.”
“I see. Are there any specific ways to find it?”
“Well… Beddrock emits a scent that confuses other fish. When fish inhale it, they gather around Beddrock. So, if you see a lot of fish gathered in one place, and they don’t run away when you approach, there might be Beddrock there.”
“I see.”
So, I have to look for a school of fish. Hmmm, I haven’t practiced sensing fish underwater…
I guess I’ll have to visually confirm it?
…Wait, if I have to bring the rocks along, won’t this basin just be a burden?
I don’t need it!!
“No, that’s useful for when we keep it.”
“Oh, is that so? But we don’t need the net, right?”
“Don’t need it.”
Hmm… I ended up buying strange things. Well, they might come in handy for something, so I’ll take them for now.
Come to think of it, this might be my first time going upstream. I’ve always trained in the forest, so I haven’t been to different places.
Are there magical creatures there? If there are, I might want to defeat them on the way back. I might gain new skills.
“Amariaz, have you been upstream before?”
“I haven’t. But I can see it with ‘Spatial Awareness.'”
“That skill is handy. Then, please guide us!”
“… I think I’m too used to using it so it has become very convenient.”