The next day, we’re going to the dungeon early, and cross through the door behind the throne.
I guess we missed the others, because there are only people from the royal guard here.
“W-wait!”
But just as we’re about to head into the eighth floor, Sirk comes running, out of breath.
First he takes big breaths to compose his breathing, and then…
“C-come back safely! We’ll have another match then!”
He says, before he takes off running again. He has too much energy.
And right after, Yuini and Sahana arrive, escorted by Alfriede.
“Everyone, please stay safe.”
“Hikari, teach Sirk a lesson again.”
They say to see us off.
I can tell by what Sahana says that Hikari came out on top in her fights with Sirk yesterday.
According to Rurika and Sera, Sirk’s moves have gotten better compared to the last time we were here. I’m sure he’s been shedding blood sweat and tears… Well, I don’t know about that, but I’m sure he’s been working hard.
But Hikari has gotten through an even tougher time, so unfortunately for him, it doesn’t look like that gap between them has been filled.
In fact, Hikari has probably grown even more due to her experiencing actual combat.
Sahana uses harsh language, but she seems concerned about Sirk fighting. This girl is still not honest when it comes to Sirk.
“Here we go.”
We move to the landing in the stairs that lead to the eighth floor, and before we advance, I cast a barrier on everyone.
Once I’m done, I go in by myself, but come back right away.
“Were there any monsters?”
I shake my head, but use Basic Daily Life Magic to warm myself.
“It’s not snowing, but there’s snow piled up on the ground. And it’s cold…”
At the very least, I need to change my boots. And these clothes won’t do either.
We change into clothes to protect against the cold, and put on boots that will help us not slip.
Chris and I put on thicker robes, and the others also put on robes.
Hikari starts rotating her arms, but it seems like she has a little trouble moving. I guess the same goes for Rurika and Sera.
“Leave the vanguard to the golem, and attack with throwing knives. Let’s go with a strategy based around Chris’ magic.”
“That might work.”
“Yes, but it depends on what monsters appear. If magic is ineffective against them, we might have to rely on Sera, Rurika, and Hikari.”
Say Rurika and Chris.
“Let’s keep going.”
I go down the stairs again, and when I step into the eighth floor, I’m attacked by a piercing cold.
My exposed cheeks hurt, and my breath is completely white.
I call out Map, and use Presence Detection. It doesn’t show me monsters nearby. Actually, even when I enlarge it, it doesn’t show me any monsters.
“Hn, I’m cold.”
“This is rough.”
“It might be even tougher than when we were climbing the mountain.”
“Yes, it’s cold.”
Everyone has come down the stairs too, so I call out a golem and check if it can walk on the snow. It’s a little slower than usual, but I think it can do it.
But I guess the layer of snow is pretty deep, because it gets buried with each step.
Then I think of something, and attach the fire element to the golem. Now it’s melting the snow when it touches it.
But a short while later… About five minutes, the snow that disappeared comes back like it’s regenerating.
Now I can also see that it’s about fifty centimeters deep.
When I step on the actual ground, well, it’s regular soil. I figured it would be wet because of the snow, but it’s easy to walk on, pretty much like if it was dry.
“This really isn’t normal snow.”
“Dungeons are full of mysteries to begin with.”
“And my Map doesn’t show me any reactions from monsters. What do you think, Rurika and Hikari?”
“…None.”
“At least none near here. But it’s still a dungeon, so we should be careful.”
Rurika is right.
I call the other golem, the one in the shape of a dog, and infuse it with the fire element too.
After checking the flow of magic energy in the golems with Magic Energy Detection, I see the magic energy is being depleted faster than usual.
But when they walk in front of us, the snow in our way is completely melted, so it’s way easier to walk behind them like this.
“We know which way the stairs are, so let’s head there first.”
I say, and everyone except Hikari nods.
“What’s wrong Hikari?”
“Nothing.”
I ask, because she didn’t react, but she shakes her head.
“Let’s be careful and keep going.”
I give the golems instructions to keep going, and we walk behind them.
“At least I’m glad there isn’t a snowstorm.”
Rurika’s right. That would block our view, and the wind would make it even rougher.
I could block it with Wind Magic, but losing visibility would be the worst part.
Not to mention that using multiple skills at the same time would drain my MP and SP. Some don’t spend any while I’m walking, but that doesn’t work with every skill.
“But our biggest saving grace is knowing the direction where the stairs are. There are no visible landmarks, so we’d get lost if we were just walking around normally.”
Says Sera, and Chris nods.
Yes, there’s only snow as far as the eye can see. It looks beautiful with the sunlight reflecting from it, but we have no time to admire it.
Also, the golems are melting the snow, but the others still need to rest after walking around here. Especially Rurika and Hikari, since they’re also constantly watching over our surroundings.
“How about we take a break?”
I ask everyone, and I try making a snow hut. I’m doing it like I do when I use Earth Magic to build houses, but I also use Water Magic.
I keep an eye on it to see if there are any changes, like when it melted, but apparently nothing happens when I just change the snow’s shape.
“I know it’s way late to be saying this, but your magic really is useful.”
Says Rurika, looking exasperated, but what can I say?
I lay out wood I take out of the Item Box inside the snow hut, and also take out hot drinks after everyone sits down.
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Error:
the same time would drain my MP and SPa. -> the same time would drain my MP and SP.
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