First Outer World Story Series: The Black Mist that Devours - Chapter 143

Translator: MadHatter Editor: MadHatter

(Third person POV)

The story returned to the “Palace of Abyss,” where Ryo and her team were currently having a discussion in the rest area inside the “Palace of Abyss”.

“Now, according to the flow of the enemy, this place seems to be suspicious, doesn’t it?” Ryo said, pointing to a spot on the map depicting the general structure of the “Palace of Abyss,” as far as she can ascertain.

In contrast to the surrounding structures, which all resembled temples or palaces with a solemn ambiance, only the location that Ryo indicated seemed to be a rocky mountain that had grown directly from the depths of the sea.

“Well, it seems that when you search for their site of origin, all of the adversaries appear to have sprung from there, doesn’t it?”

Mugi agreed with Ryo’s opinion, and with a pen, she drew the flow of enemies she had observed so far onto the map.

“Is it possible, notwithstanding, that the Long-Distance Transportation Formation and underground passageways are being adopted to fool us as to their source of departure?”

“Even so, it doesn’t change the reality that there are hints here.”

Chirito voiced his opinion just to be on the safe side, but Une assured the others that everything will be fine.

“Then the issue is the black smoke and the monsters that are still in position and on the lookout,” Deborah said, adding the location of the black smoke and the monsters she had detected to the map.

The black smoke was probably an imitation of undersea volcanic fumes, and if the composition of the smoke was the same as that of a real volcanic plume, things would be quite grim.

The monsters, on the other hand, maintained their vigilance at the same spot and would not move from there no matter what they did in the vicinity, but struck when they crossed a certain line.

“Mugi. Let me confirm this, the membrane does is repel ocean water and regulate air pressure, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right. So, if the seawater contains hydrogen sulfide, etc., it will penetrate inside the membrane according to the percentage it contains.”

To her question, Mugi answered for all of them to hear.

But then, a frontal penetration would be tough. As far as they can ascertain, the entrance to the place in question was at the top, and the only way to get there was to swim up to it.

If they swam up to the entrance, though, their swimming abilities may render them a conspicuous target. Even if they tried to walk all the way to the bottom and then swam only at the end, the undersea volcanic plume would obstruct them from doing so.

“After all, we don’t have an option but to pursue another path given our present circumstances…” Ryo concluded this based on the information presented.

“But it’s been a full day since the invasion began. We must respond promptly in light of what is developing on the ground.”

“We don’t know how long the front on the ground will last…”

Both Yuu and Hachi expressed their feelings of concern.

Indeed, what they were saying was something that must be weighed as well. Each Demon King had mobilized their own personal retainers to defeat the Octopus King, which had resulted in a minor decline in overall combat capability, while simultaneously increasing the Octopus King’s might to unprecedented levels.

“But if we are to break through that defense, our firepower will be no match for them. No matter how you look at it, we need Ichiko and Izumi’s offensive power.”

Nonetheless, Mugi was the only member with wide-area destruction capabilities among the present members, signifying that Mugi alone lacked the firepower to defeat the Octopus King’s defenses. Therefore, the only thing to do now was to wait for the two who were not here…

“The problem is that we have no idea where they are.”

“At any rate, we should rest for now. After moving for a whole day, we are all close to our limits.”

Each of them checked their own status in response to Une’s words, and it was clear that they were extremely worn out.

“Then, let’s take a break while we take turns. If Ichiko and Izumi come during our break, we will storm through the front. Otherwise, we will come up with something else.”

With this declaration, they split up into two groups, one to be on guard and the other to take a rest.

————–

“They’re very strictly guarded, huh?”

“Yeah. I think they are a little too cautious.”

After joining Izumi at the entrance, Ichiko hid in the shadows alongside her and observed the volcano and the monsters that surrounded it.

“Izumi. Do you know where Lady Ryo is?” Ichiko asked Izumi whether she can track Ryo’s scent now that she had the wolves under her command.

“Yeah. Wait a minute… They’re probably there.”

Izumi produced a puppy-sized wolf she called Moyasuke and let it sniff about. After sniffing for a while, Izumi pointed to a spot. There was a small building built there.

“Let’s go. We’ll continue on after we meet up with Lady Ryo.”

And both of them headed for the building.

————–

“Aren’t you late?”

“Please pardon me, Lady Ryo. We took so long because we were retaliating against every single adversary who assaulted us.”

Ichiko and Izumi slowly made their way to the resting place, where they had been keeping a watchful eye on the situation.

Despite the fact that their appearance was a little disheveled, probably as a result of the enemies’ onslaught, their expressions revealed no hint of exhaustion. They were, after all, a half-Demon King and a Demon King.

With these two in attendance, there were plenty of measures that can be taken.

“Shall we go then?”

“Where to?”

As soon as Ryo stood up, the others also rose to their feet and get ready for action.

Thanks to the rest they took earlier, their movements had restored to their full potential.

“Isn’t that obvious?” Ryo announced to everyone, “To begin the hunt for the octopus.”