“We’re finally here. Damn, what a waste of time getting here.”
Deep in a forest, dense with snow-covered trees.
Aston cursed, gazing at the cave that spread out before him.
The Fire Foxes they were tasked to hunt were said to make their dens in the caves of the northern snowfield’s forest. The carriage couldn’t enter the forest, forcing them to walk some distance through the snowy path.
“Making me waste my energy like this.”
The other party members following Aston also started to grumble.
“Ah man, I’m still not over my wine,” said Gail, the support mage.
“Let’s just finish this quickly and go back to town for another drink,” said Yuma, the archer.
“Yeah. The girl at the bar, her eyes lit up when we told her we were the ‘Invincible Phoenix of Steel Iron’,” said Andres, the destruction mage.
Translator’s Note
“鋼鉄アイアンの不死鳥フェニックス” literally translates to “Steel Iron’s Undying Bird Phoenix.” As if the party’s arrogance and overinflated ego wasn’t already big enough. “Invincible Phoenix of Steel Iron” was a bit less cringe for this chapter. Afterwards they’ll just be referred to as “Iron Phoenix” because it’s easier to read.
It seemed the reputation of their up-and-coming party, which had slain numerous A-rank magical beasts without a scratch, had reached even this remote area.
“Hey, Andres. Don’t try to get ahead of me, I’ve got my eye on that girl too.”
“It’s first come, first served, Yuma.”
“Hey, hey. Don’t fight over some barmaid. We’re going to be able to have any noble lady we want soon enough.”
At Aston’s words, the group grinned back.
As they proceeded deeper into the cave, the chilly air began to mix with heat.
Fire Foxes are a rare magical beast inhabiting the north, and they are known to hole up in caves during this season for child-rearing. Their fur takes on a vibrant red hue, heated, but this is also when they are at their most ferocious, so local adventurers reportedly avoid approaching them.
That said, the subjugation rank was B+.
They were no match for the ‘Invincible Phoenix of Steel Iron,’ which had defeated numerous A-rank magical beasts.
“Heh, there they are.”
Reaching the back of the cave, two adult Fire Foxes came into view. Behind them, several small cubs were mewling.
The Fire Foxes, presumably the parents, lowered themselves and emitted ferocious growls. They had already noticed Aston and his party’s presence.
“Heh, they seem pretty wary.”
“Well, of course, the strongest hunters have arrived. Which one do you want?”
“I hear the cubs’ fur is softer and sells for more.”
“Hah, just hunt them all. Lord Fennel will be pleased.”
Aston said this as he drew the sword from his waist.
At that moment, the Fire Foxes’ fur took on an even deeper shade of red, becoming engulfed in crimson flames.
“I hope you can at least entertain me. Gail, I’m counting on you for barrier magic, just in case.”
“Leave it to me.”
Gail quickly drew a magic circle on the ground and held up a talisman. As he chanted, a green light enveloped the party members.
Grrr!
The Fire Foxes attacked. Aston lunged at one of them, but it dodged, and he was struck from the side.
“Tch, they’re surprisingly fast. But, your pathetic tackle is—Owwwww!”
A sharp pain shot through his left arm where he had been struck. Looking at it, the skin was red and swollen, and blisters were forming.
“Huh? What is this?”
“Gyaaaaaah!”
A short distance away, Yuma, the archer, screamed. The other Fire Fox was biting his shoulder.
“It hurts, it hurts!”
“Tch, what’s he doing?”
Even if he wanted to help, he was too busy dodging the fireballs the other Fire Fox was continuously spitting from its mouth.
“Andres! Hurry up with the destruction magic!”
“I-I’m working on it.”
Andres, at the very back, held up his staff, his face showing his agitation.
Destruction magic is powerful, but it takes time to prepare the magic circle and chant the incantation. Aston holding the front line and Yuma disrupting with his bow to buy time. Finishing the chant in the meantime was the usual pattern.
“You’re too slow! What the hell are you doing?”
Aston shouted, barely managing to deflect a fireball with his sword. He had forgotten the reason, but this sword was a masterpiece that he had Zenos go and retrieve from a certain underground labyrinth as a punishment.
It was the tomb of a great noble from long ago, where various treasures were sleeping, but it was also a dangerous area where ghouls and hellhounds roamed. If he brought back even one treasure, he could get a considerable reward from the guild, but he thought Zenos, who usually cried and ran away immediately, would return empty-handed. Instead, Zenos returned with seven treasures. He remembered thinking that Zenos was a guy who had good luck only, as he was unharmed for some reason.
Most of them were exchanged for money or given to women as presents, but this sword had a wonderful sharpness, so he used it as is.
But even with it, the heat from the fireballs was scorching Aston’s skin.
“Hurry up with the destruction magic, Andres! Are you sleeping or something?!”
“I told you, I’m working on it! You should be able to hold out a little longer!”
“Tch, incompetent.”
Aston thought he’d fire Andres soon too. The pain in his left arm was getting worse, and he couldn’t put any strength into it.
There was only one cause he could think of.
“Hey, Gail. Are you even casting the barrier magic properly?”
“I-I am! I-I’m just a little off, I guess.”
“Huh, too much to drink? Don’t be ridic…”
“Aaaaaaaagh!”
Yuma’s scream echoed through the cave.
“Damn it!”
Every single one of them was useless. But he didn’t want to lose any fighting power either. Aston managed to drive off the Fire Fox that had bitten Yuma. The two flame-clad foxes let out warning growls.
Andres, still holding up his staff, spoke hesitantly.
“W-what do we do, Aston?”
“…Tch, we have no choice. We’re retreating for now, dammit!”
Gritting his teeth, Aston dragged the limp Yuma back to the cave entrance. Fortunately, the Fire Foxes’ attention seemed to be focused on their cubs, and they didn’t pursue.
“What the hell are you guys struggling with against some B+ rank magical beasts?”
“You weren’t exactly fighting well either. What was with that sluggish movement?”
“Huh?”
Just as Aston and Andres were about to come to blows, Gail mumbled.
“…Hey. There’s no way… Zenos’s story was actually true… right…?”
When they were injured, they were healed instantly with healing magic. And they also used barrier magic and ability enhancement magic to prevent injuries in the first place.
“That’s impossible. Are you drunk?”
“Y-yeah, you’re right. Sorry.”
Gail nodded repeatedly. Aston, grimacing from the pain in his arm, muttered as if he had just thought of something.
“…But, hiring a healer might be a good idea. A skilled healer, unlike that useless commoner, Zenos.”
There was still plenty of time before the subjugation deadline. They had also received ample preparation funds, so they should be able to hire someone even on short notice.
The path to glory was spread out before him. He didn’t have time to stumble here.
“Alright. We’ll go back to the nearest town and talk to the guild. You’re on a drinking ban, Gail.”
“R-right.”
The sound of ruin was creeping up on the party’s footsteps.