First Outer World Story Series: The Black Mist that Devours - Chapter 136
Translator: MadHatter Editor: MadHatter
(Kurokiri POV)
“Is the Fox Princess here??”
I asked, maneuvering over Fog’s body as I always do.
“What do you want? Mist King?”
And, as was customary for the Fox Princess, she responded by operating her Little Fire Fox body.
Unlike other times, though, both the Fox Princess and I had a dazzling twinkle in our eyes.
“Oh. You guys have also joined us.”
“Hello?.”
Both the Snow Sage and the Dragon Sovereign appeared to have logged in with their respective bodies, as they normally did.
“Now then, I have a piece of auspicious news for everyone today.”
“I have a piece of good news as well.”
“As for me, I have rather bad news.”
“Um, I’ll be delivering my regular report as usual.”
“Then let us proceed to a direct meeting between the Demon Kings.”
[[[Agreed.]]]
Thus commenced the direct conference between the Demon Kings.
————–
“First of all, let me share my report with everyone. Even though the ‘Ultra-long-distance Transportation Formation’ is now completed, many improvements are still to be made.”
“It took you five years to develop it huh?”
“What are the specifics of its performance?”
“Congratulations.”
To my report, the Fox Princess was cynical, while the Snow Sage requested further information disclosure and the Dragon Sovereign congratulated me. But at least, all of them were saying well done.
“For the time being, the spectrum of teleportation possibilities extends westward to the ‘Magic Holy Land’. The east side may be reached all the way to the United States’ east coast… or rather, the coordinates designation is dependent on the cooperators’ memories. Most locations can be made accessible without difficulty as long as consumption is not an issue.”
“Hmm. That means the Octopus King’s dungeon is also accessible…”
“Yeah, I’ve captured one of the Octopus King’s monsters alive, so I can utilize his memories to transport to the front of the dungeon.”
“The front of the dungeon? You mean transportation into the inner part of the dungeon cannot be done?”
“I won’t delve into the theory in-depth, but it is impossible to transport someone, except for the dungeon to which the practitioner belongs. That aspect cannot be modified at this time. In fact, it would be preferable not to.”
“That… might be true.”
At Dragon Sovereign’s nod, the other two expressed their concurrence.
In reality, if you can transport straight into the dungeon, nothing but challenges will arise. If future modifications were desired, I should make them in a covert manner so that no one will notice.
“Then the problem lies in consumption?”
“Yeah. Since the system is gate-based, there’s no limit to the number of people who can participate, and it depends on my physical condition and other factors on that particular day, but if I were to dispatch something human-sized to the Octopus King’s dungeon, I would say once a week for about ten minutes would be a fair amount of time.”
“Ten minutes… that leaves us with a small number of elite members to choose from.”
“In that case, the main participants would be the ones at the Mist King’s place.”
Well, it was true that if it was a small elite team, the main members were going to be from my place. A half-Demon King, a level 9 kin, and if luck was on our side, even a Demon King will join the group.
“But, well, all I can do is make the transportation happen, and if my memory serves me well, the Octopus King’s dungeon is 4000 meters deep in the sea, and entry to the dungeon demands special equipment or techniques. How are you dealing with that aspect of it? Fox Princess.”
I inquired the Fox Princess. As if she had been anticipating my question, the Fox Princess bended over and said confidently, “Of course, I’ve already devised a pressure-resistant technology and gone through the research and material retrieval stage, as well as the production stage. All that I am waiting for is for the object to be brought back to me. But I’m sure you’ve already been told about this by your own kin who is accompanying Mugi.”
Incidentally, as she had mentioned, I had already received this information from Chirito. According to this information, it was a bracelet-type tool that exploits the power reactor and conductors of the giant robot, allowing the wearer to operate up to 5,000 meters below ground and 20,000 meters above.
Furthermore, the effect lasted for approximately two weeks from the first activation, and the device was said to break down when the effect wears off. I supposed it can be said to be adequate for eradicating the Octopus King.
“If so, we ought to summon them back using the ‘Ultra-long-distance Transportation Formation’ as a trial run as well. Time is of the essence now.”
“Ah, could it be that the Snow Sage’s report is…?”
And then, the Snow Sage proposed the usage of “Ultra-long-distance Transportation Formation” which Dragon Sovereign intuited as to the reason why the proposal had been made. Or rather, even the Fox Princess and I had a hunch.
“Mmm. The Emperor of the North’s maneuvers have become more erratic, and the Octopus King’s third invasion appears to be on the horizon.”
“What do you think the scale of the incursion will be?”
“Probably much grander than the last two, I’d say.”
All of us present were dumbstruck by the words that followed in response to my question.
“This is rather unbelievable. All of the Octopus King’s previous attacks were accompanied by a commensurate force and you’re saying this time would be even more ferocious…”
“But they are in the ocean. That would mean he can accommodate his subordinates without facing any issue, and the risk of being assaulted by other hostiles is minimal, so it’s not impossible….”
“No, that doesn’t explain it. No matter how efficiently he can summon them, there must be a limit to how far he can push things through.”
“That’s right. Therefore, I believe that it is the Octopus King’s unique skill that allows for this drastic increase in force. Unless, of course, he has acquired some strange power like the Mist King.”
A unique skill… that is certainly a strong possibility. Or rather, that’s the only explanation that makes sense. Otherwise, there is no way to justify this unusual summoning speed.
Besides, it was hard to imagine that anyone apart from me will be able to use sorcery, let alone Outer Skills, anytime soon.
“Well, I understand the situation, so please contact your kin now. I’ll set up the ‘’Ultra-long-distance Transportation Formation’ and call Chirito and the others back as soon as possible.”
“I understand. I’ll notify Mugi.”
“No objections.”
“Understood.”
Everyone gave a nod to my words.
“By the way, Dragon Sovereign. You said your regular reports are the same as always but are they really in line all the time?”
“Ah, come to think of it, there was one strange report that surfaced.”
As we were about to disband, the Fox Princess shifted the conversation to Dragon Sovereign.
“I heard a report from my kin stationed in a town near the ‘White Mist and Black Swamp Forest’ that a man dressed all in black were seen on what appeared to be a date with the half-Demon King, Ichiko, and the Kirijin, Ryo at the Mist King’s area…”
We were caught in the act!?
This is bad. If possible, I want to conceal the fact that I can go outside. Therefore…
“A-Alright, let’s disperse. I’m going to prepare for the Ultra-long-distance Transportation Formation.”
“Right?”
“I guess so?”
“?”
…I am going to run away!
I mean, don’t you be smirking at me! You bitc*y fox and metallic old man! You’re smiling while keeping your lips shut since it’s an emergency right now, but I’m sure you want me to inform you later how to get out of the dungeon! Even if I teach you, it doesn’t imply you’ll be able to accomplish it! This is sorcery! If you want to get out of the dungeon so bad, why don’t I use Iron Shackles of the Sealing Art ? on you guys!
And then, I returned Fog’s consciousness to his original body.