Chapter 122: Fall, and Then… Part 2

We decided to spend the night after leaving the valley.

"It should be around here somewhere."

Aquila who was examining the map in front of the campfire said this. Didier who was listening also nodded her head.

"I can faintly sense Tondra's magic."

It seemed Tondra's lair was indeed nearby.

This arduous journey would soon be over.

"Then let's get a good rest today and start searching for the entrance to Tondra's lair tomorrow."

"Good idea."

"I'll take the watch tonight. Everyone else, please conserve your strength for tomorrow."

Now that I had the necklace, I wouldn't get tired even without sleep, so there was no problem standing watch alone. Of course, sleeping well would be nice, but it was better to let the others conserve their energy for the battles ahead.

"You're not going to sleep?"

"No. I chewed some red cacao seeds and now I'm wide awake."

The seeds of the red cacao contained a substance that chased away sleep, so it wasn't a lie. Khalid glanced at me with a concerned look as if he was worried about something, before turning away and disappearing. Phew, even though Khalid was a knowledgeable wizard, he couldn't know more about plants than a druid like me, so he couldn't argue. I wondered if he sensed something; ever since we climbed the cliff, he had been acting suspiciously. I need to be careful. The magic stone of the Sand Olaphant was something every wizard coveted, and getting caught wouldn't do me any good.

"Are you really alright?"

Lloyd asked. Unlike Khalid, he seemed to be genuinely concerned about me. I nodded my head with a smile.

"I really am. So please get some rest tonight. Haven't you stood watch the longest during this journey?"

"…"

"Don't worry. I also have things to do before morning comes…"

"Things to do?"

"Yes. There are some preparations I need to make before meeting Tondra."

"…Alright then."

After a brief commotion while the group prepared to sleep, silence quickly descended as everyone was quite exhausted from the forced march and fell asleep.

-Crack, crack.

While listening to the crackling of the campfire, I patted Beepys head as he dozed off in my palm.

When we meet Tondra…

I was about to meet a dragon, the strongest being in the world aside from the gods. The thought made my heart race. It was only natural, after all, I was going to meet a creature I had only seen in novels, comics, movies, and games. A being different from monsters, an intelligent entity comparable to a god…

Perhaps it might even give me a hint about the Origin God.

Even though I tried not to get my hopes up, I couldn't help but feel excited. Of course, the priority was to calm the enraged Tondra after waking it from its slumber before having a proper conversation.

There's a way to handle that.

I pulled out the old book and started organizing the recipe I had in mind.

Fifteen bundles of black opiumSix roots of summer cypressOne basket of valerian rootsTwo sacks of white rutamarin leavesThree bundles of dried lavenderThree bundles of dried jasmineTwenty clumps of dark aloeTwelve jars of wild honey

It was a modified version of the giant beast sedative recipe the old woman used, where water lilies were substituted with black opium. The quantity was significantly increased since the other party was a dragon. This much strength and quantity could put an entire city's population into a coma.

This should be enough.

Or maybe it wouldn't be.

Just in case, let's make plenty.

I added more logs to the campfire and placed a deep wide pot over it. First, I needed to extract the essence from the roots of summer cypress and valerian. I put the spiky roots of summer cypress and the fluffy roots of valerian into the pot before I scooped in snow which soon melted and began to bubble.

While the essence was being extracted, I prepared the dark aloe. After peeling off the skin and dicing the sticky, jet-black, jelly-like insides, I found that the roots in the pot were floating as the essence was fully drawn out. I removed the roots and poured in the diced aloe which started to emit black smoke. There was no need to worry as dark aloe always produced such smoke when heated.

I rubbed my eyes to wipe away the aloe's essence and then started tearing white rutamarin leaves into the pot. It took two whole sacks, and by the time I finished, my wrists ached.

After boiling the leaves until they completely dissolved, I reduced the heat. From then on, it was important to simmer the mixture slowly over low heat. I added three bundles of dried lavender and three bundles of dried jasmine, and then I poured in twelve jars of wild honey without hesitation. A gentle bubbling sound accompanied by a sweet aroma filled the air.

Now, I stirred slowly until the petals turned transparent. After simmering it down to a thick consistency, I moved the pot onto a pile of cold snow. While the pot cooled down, I added bundles of black opium instead of water lilies and mixed it in. Since inhaling the smoke produced at this stage could cause fainting, I made sure to cover my mouth and nose. Then, I waited for it to cool completely before molding it together…

"Phew, it's done."

A sedative large enough to be held with both arms was completed. Good, it was well-made. Lastly, I coated the surface with syrup made from wild strawberries and stored the sedative in my space ring.

Since it's the old woman's recipe, it should be effective.

I vividly remembered how even the fiercest giant beasts turned into docile lambs with just one of these sedatives. Back then, I thought I was going crazy because I was getting scolded and making sedatives… Who knew it would be so useful now.

After tidying up around the campfire, I looked towards the distant ridgeline. The faint green light indicated dawn was approaching. As soon as the sun rose, I needed to find Tondra's lair. Thanks to Aquila and Didier, it seemed I could find it sooner than expected…

-Thump, thump, thump…

"…Hmm?"

What was that ominous sound?

Quickly, I sprinkled snow over the campfire to hide the flames and shook Lloyd's shoulder to wake him. With just a small shush, Lloyd seemed to understand everything and he started scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes. I placed my hand on the ground and listened carefully.

It's not an avalanche.

The sound was getting closer. After exchanging a brief glance with Lloyd, I stood to wake the others.

-Thud!

In an instant, I lifted my head at the rapidly approaching sound.

"…!"

The dawn was faintly brightening.

And huge shadows unfolded in front of it.

"…Yetis."

With a chilling sound, Lloyd immediately drew his sword. I also took out the bow slung over my back and nocked an arrow.

Usually, Yetis acted independently. At most, they gathered in groups of two or three. But the number of Yetis before us now…

There are easily over forty of them.

It was as if they had gathered all the Yetis from the mountain range.

"This, this isn't Yeti territory; why on earth?!"

Aquila's panicked voice rang out.

The question of "why on earth?" was pointless and meaningless right now. The situation had already erupted. Before us stood dozens of Yetis. In terms of attack power in the snowy mountains, they were as powerful as trolls, and there were dozens of them!

Don't be intimidated.

On our side, we had a special shadow wolf, the future <Silver Lion>, an unusually strong knight, a crazily skilled wizard, the infamous witch of the Silver Mountains, and a sherpa who knew this place very well.

And most importantly…

I am here!

"Beepy."

-Beeeep!

As if he had been waiting, Beepy snuggled into my arms and flew up with a heavy seed pouch in his beak. Fortunately, the winds of the snowy mountains aided his flight.

– Whirr~!

– Plop! Plop! Plop!

He flew straight along the horizon. Following Beepy's flight path, the seeds of the snow field pea were dropped one by one from the pouch. And as soon as they hit the ground, the snow field pea seeds began to sprout.

– Shoom!

– Shoo!

– Pop!

The stems grew thick to withstand the cold, the pods enlarged beyond their original size through selective breeding, and the roots settled firmly for stable aim.

They weren't strong enough to kill Yetis, but they could slow their advance. That alone was sufficient. After all, the snow field pea was improved for crowd control.

– Boom!

– Bang!

– Boom!

When vibrations were detected by the roots, the snow field peas shot towards the source of the disturbance. Each volley launched three to five snow field peas at a time.

But I didn't stop there; I used the [Fertile Earth] skill on the area where the snow field peas were planted. Thanks to the skill, a powerful life force was supplied, and the growth of the snow field peas did not stop. New pods grew and grew again, launching more solid peas.

– Bang, bang, bang, bang!!

– Popopopopopo!!!

– Puck! Puck! Puck!

The sound of the snow field peas being fired was crisp. Thanks to the well-set direction, the peas were aimed at the relatively vulnerable eyes and noses of the Yetis that were not covered in fur.

– Kuworrr!!!

The smaller Yetis were clutching their faces and going berserk.

"I'll attack from the side."

I nodded my head at Lloyd's words.

"El, you push from the opposite side. Drive them to the center."

"Yes, Master!"

Since there were many, it was best to deal with them quickly and at once. I attached the seed pouch with a hole to Ayla's necklace and whistled long. Ayla darted out like lightning. Following my whistle, she swiftly weaved through the Yetis. Meanwhile, seeds were falling from the pouch around her neck into every nook and cranny.

"You two."

Khalid and Didier who had been chanting their spells frowned and looked at me.

"Please cooperate for a moment."

"…What are you up to now?"

"Let's hear it."

Khalid raised one corner of his mouth as if amused. Truly, he was a crazy wizard through and through. I got on one knee and placed my hand on the ground. The magical power blessed by Lynshaka swam out and started searching for the seeds. Then…

– Poof!

– Pop!

– Poom~!

The silver snow sprouts grew rapidly and burst like bombs, releasing small tufts of fluff into the air. The fluff drifted among the Yetis like mist.

"Let's have a little fireworks show."