Chapter 123: Fall, and Then… Part 3

"Ha!"

Khalid seemed to realize what I was up to right away. He burst into loud laughter and changed the spell he was about to cast.

"You're quite clever. It's a pity you're a druid."

"It's because I'm a druid that I can think this way."

Khalid snorted. Tiny green flames appeared at the tips of his fingers. From his thumbs to his little fingers, flames ignited on all of his ten fingers. He seemed to be enjoying himself and he started humming the spell as if he were singing.

– Whoosh!

The green flames dancing at his fingertips merged together and then vanished in an instant.

– Boom!!!

Khalid wasn't aiming at the Yetis.

– Fwoosh!!!

The silver snow sprouts' fluff scattered like mist among the Yetis. The green flames rose high above the drifting fluff, causing a massive explosion. It was as if the fires of hell had been summoned; the eerie green flames roared like a storm before engulfing and burning the Yetis.

– Guooooowwwh!!!

– Grrraaagh!!!

Suddenly trapped in a sea of fire, the Yetis began to flail and scatter in all directions to escape the hellish scene. It was a foolish act.

– Swoosh!

– Thud!

– Slash!

– Thump!

The Yetis who were fleeing from the green flames were being cut down by Lloyd and El as they emerged from the silver snow sprout fluff mist. Each swing of their swords sent a chilling flash through the air.

– Thud!

– Plop!

The arm of a Yeti was severed by El's strike and rolled across the ground. Its long white fur was burning with Khalid's flames.

– Whiz!

Ayla who darted out following my whistle was weaving through the snow field peas. She was fiercely biting the smaller Yetis.

– Crunch!!!

– Thwack!

I directed the battle while embedding arrows into the foreheads of the Yetis that Ayla had clamped down on. Since we worked together for a long time, our coordination was seamless and the number of Yetis quickly dwindled. Some were consumed by flames, others were sliced in half, and some had their heads torn off by Ayla's powerful jaws.

"Whew…!"

The surviving Yetis fled in panic over the ridge. There were fewer than ten of them left. With dozens already down, there wouldn't be any more coming. I caught my breath and checked on my companions. Despite the tension, the battle had ended swiftly leaving everyone looking bewildered.

Only Khalid was smiling brightly as if he found it amusing. Was he a psychopath? I had never seen such a chilling grin on his face before.

"That was more impressive than I thought!"

Khalid who was unusually excited slapped my shoulder. He was known for being a solitary wizard, so was this his first time experiencing such a coordinated attack? He seemed thrilled like a child discovering a perfect puzzle piece.

"In this environment, it is standard to use lightning magic, but lightning magic has a narrow range. It's inefficient against dozens of Yetis."

"Haha…"

"Using fire magic here would be foolish too. Look around; it's a snowy mountain with blizzards. Fireballs would be like matchsticks here. But…"

"..."

"You used your head, and you did it well. Look at this fluff! Could there be a better material for 'fireworks' as you said? It was a truly beautiful explosion. The Yetis' screams sounded like music to my ears."

Was this guy really a psychopath? Haha. I awkwardly laughed off Khalid's praise and took out my canteen to relieve my tension and quench my thirst.

This is what modern knowledge is, you crazy mage…

Dust explosions.

It was one of the stories my father, who worked in a metal factory when he was young, often told me.

When combustible particles are suspended in the air, even a tiny spark can cause a massive explosion. Coal dust explosions in mines, flour dust explosions in milling factories, and metal dust explosions in metal factories…these are incidents sometimes reported in the news.

I modified the silver snow sprouts' fluff to make it finer and more abundant to achieve this effect.

The effect is more terrifying than I thought…

Of course, it was amplified because the green flames Khalid used were particularly strong. If I had ignited it myself, the power would have been reduced by about half. Still, it would remain useful.

"Theodore, how much does that plant cost?"

"…I understand what you're thinking, but I won't sell the silver snow sprouts to Sir Khalid."

"Why not? Don't you like money?"

"I do like money, which is why I'm not selling it."

"I don't understand…"

"You'll be disappointed. I'm the only one who can handle the silver snow sprouts like this. Even if I sold you the seeds, Sir Khalid, you wouldn't be able to cultivate them like I do."

"That's not true. I've thought it over. If I make a bomb-shaped container and supply it with magic stones in advance…"

"No, no. You're completely wrong. The silver snow sprouts burst even with the slightest breeze. It won't work the way you think."

"…Hmm."

"Just as you need an understanding of spells to properly use magic, you need an understanding of plants to use them effectively."

I smiled faintly and continued drinking from my canteen. Ah, the water tastes sweeter after putting Khalid in his place.

By the way…

Why on earth did the Yetis launch an attack?

Usually, Yetis don't form groups, and despite their terrifying appearance, it's rare for them to attack humans. They don't even show themselves unless their territory is invaded.

But these Yetis were attacking people in a place that wasn't their territory and in groups?

There are too many things that don't make sense.

And at the same time…

…It reminds me of that time.

A time when I was attacked by unexpected beings in an unexpected place.

The Swamp of Death.

Yes.

In the Swamp of Death, a group of trolls had suddenly appeared and launched an attack.

Could it be the Yetis too…?

I drew the dagger from my waist and approached the nearest Yeti corpse. As I cut into the back of the dead Yeti's head that was lying face down, I heard Aquila gagging from behind.

I find it disgusting too…

But I had to check. When I forced my hand under the skin, I grabbed hold of something hard. Just as I expected.

This is…

I pulled it out and wiped the blood and flesh from it with my hand. Then "it" revealed itself.

…It's too small to be a Black Worm, and the color is different.

Yes. It was completely different from the Black Worms found in the trolls. It was the size of a fingernail and blood-red in color. Though it had a gem-like texture similar to the Black Worms…

"Ah, could it be…?"

Were they using a different type of plant because Black Opium was not available?

Let's see, what kind of plant could be used instead of Black Opium?

Star Kratom then? It was a narcotic plant that could be obtained in Altan. It was toxic to humans but beastmen supposedly enjoy it like smoking tobacco… If beastmen could enjoy it, it probably wouldn't have much effect on Yetis.

Dark Bella Donna? It was impossible to cultivate and could only be found in the Dark Forest. However, entering the Dark Forest to obtain Dark Bella Donna was practically a suicide mission. Not only was it difficult to pass through Lysette, but the dark elves were also stationed throughout the Dark Forest.

So then…

Red Cannabis?

Judging by its red color, this seemed the most likely candidate.

Red Cannabis was a type of plant that inhabited the rocky mountains between Roshan and Ergin. While obtaining the seeds was difficult, the cultivation conditions were not particularly demanding. Maintaining a dry climate and carefully managing moisture supply would be enough.

Although it did not boast as powerful an effect as Black Opium…

If they made it in a hurry, it makes sense.

But since its effect was weaker, the Yetis would not have been properly controlled like the trolls who had Black Worms. That's why the surviving Yetis fled without attacking any further.

The crows already know we are here.

Their interference would not end here.

At least we would soon find Tondra's lair which was fortunate.

I hope we aren't interrupted before then.

I handed the lump to Didier. Didier accepted it with a look of disdain on her face. Just as she was about to crush the lump with her black nails, I shook my head to stop her.

"Keep it. And if you happen to encounter any strange behavior from beasts or monsters in the future, kill them and examine the corpses. Check if there's anything 'like that'."

"…"

"I have a feeling the crows won't easily give up on the Silver Mountains."

"…Alright."

With a displeased look on her face, she tucked the object she held into her clothes.

I addressed my companions.

"Something unexpected happened, but thanks to everyone's efforts, we won't be delayed. Though we won't be having a grand meal."

-Growl.

Right on cue, El's stomach let out a loud growl. I suppressed a smile and continued speaking.

"Let's postpone the mealtime until after we find Tondra's lair. As Didier and Aquila mentioned, Tondra's lair is nearby."

The entrance to the dragon's lair changed its appearance periodically. Because of this, it was difficult to locate with an ordinary eye. This was likely why even the Sherpas and Didier couldn't find Tondra again.

However, I was different.

I had the [Explorer] trait.

The dragon's lair was classified as a type of dungeon. Therefore, my [Explorer] trait would certainly apply. No matter how well-hidden Tondra's lair was, I could find it given enough time.

Of course, such a task would come with its own risks…

I had already anticipated that much, so it didn't matter.

"Alright, let's go!"