Seeker 252

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Chapter 252. Beyond The Wall

The Killer Ants' nest is composed of tunnels of moderate size, allowing upright-walking mages and soldiers to easily pass through. 

Even for us humans, it's spacious enough to walk comfortably without feeling too confined.

The tunnels wind and twist as we progress forward. 

We walk along the path, sometimes descending gently, with occasional slight inclines. 

There are no intersections or diverging paths.

It's a continuous, winding tunnel.

"How do you feel about this hole? It would be great if it leads to the Queen's location." 

Remarks Yumizuki, who is walking behind.

"Whether it's connected to the Queen's lair or not."

"Yeah, it's really like drawing lots. If we get it right, we'll get invited to the Queen's room. Whether that's a good thing or not." 

Kazane-san said, walking beside me teasingly.

If the holes beyond the four holes in the village ground aren't connected, only one of them leads to the Queen's location. 

If we pick the right one, we can sneak in.

But if not, we'll have to challenge the Queen with the entire raid party. 

In that case, we need to observe the battle and skillfully deal the finishing blow to the Queen.

If we're lucky, our hole may directly connect to the Queen Ant. 

However, even with our current party strength, it's uncertain whether we can defeat the Queen with its guards. 

Based on the data, the Queen's strength is comparable to a Wyvern but less than a Dragon. 

Even considering the Killer Ant guards, we might be able to handle it.

However, uncertainties such as the number and quality of guards and the fact that it's our first encounter make it a risky venture. 

Joining a raid battle might be a safer option, although there's no guarantee we'll earn additional points for defeating the Queen.

Aside from the Queen, the number of Killer Ants we can defeat in our assigned tunnel is also a factor in our potential earnings.

"Oh!" 

At that moment, Kazane-san suddenly raised her voice as if she noticed something.

"What's wrong, Kazane-san?"

"Yeah, I sense the presence of monsters beyond this wall."

"Is it the [Presence Detection] skill?"

"Yeah, but even if I sense a presence beyond the wall, it's not useful."

If Kazane-san noticed something, there might be another tunnel from the other side of the wall. 

If there's a group of Killer Ants parading there, it's a chance to gain extra experience.

"Aw, what a waste. It would be nice to get additional experience points if we could defeat them. If we had a shovel, we could dig through the wall and go over there. Or should we try to cut through with weapons or magic?"

"Well, we didn't bring shovels. It would be quite tough, and there's a risk of being buried alive."

"Yeah, using [Explosion] repeatedly might be dangerous. It's magic flames, so we won't run out of oxygen, but still."

Despite our seeker ability having an inexplicable relationship with physical phenomena.

If it's "magic specialized in that effect", it's a different story.

Such things bring about the effects they promise.

"Kazane-san, can you step back a bit? It's that wall you're talking about, right?"

"Huh...? Um, sure, but do you have a plan, Daichi-kun?"

As Kazane-san steps back as instructed, I approach the wall she's looking at and place my hand on it.

"Before coming to the Holy Kingdom's capital, we went through the Monster Forest and spent a night in the village with Rebecca-san. I learned a new magic at that time."

"Ah, come to think of it, senpai, you had something up your sleeve. What was it? I remember it had a plain-sounding name."

"Oh, come on, don't call it plain. Well, maybe it is, but whatever. Since we're likely to pick up something like this eventually. I learned it in advance. —[Tunnel]!"

I release magic energy towards the wall.

Then — Zoom, zoom, zoom. 

A hole opens as if prying open the earthen wall where my hand touched. 

The hole eventually expands to about the same size as the current tunnel we're in, creating a new passage. 

The finished passage forms a T-intersection further ahead, connecting to another tunnel. 

As it's also a T-intersection, from our position, it looks like the tunnels have connected in the shape of the letter "E".

"Wow!" 

Kazane-san and Yuzuki applaud. 

Griffin chirps happily, flying around us.

The new magic I acquired, [Tunnel], literally creates passable tunnels in things like earthen walls. 

However, this is a temporary opening created by magic power.

It will return to its original state after some time.

"So, this is what you meant by 'crafty maneuvers', Daichi-kun."

"Yeah. Well, its applications are severely limited, so it does feel a bit like a 'crafty maneuver'."

"No way! You're amazing, senpai! Sen-pai!"

"Hehe, don't praise me that much, kohai. It makes me happy, you know."

"Kyaa!" 

I take Yuzuki's hat off and pat my junior's head thoroughly before putting the hat back on.

Hehe, that's Yuzuki for you, making a smug and shy face.

"You're to blame for making me feel so happy."

"Mu. Why does Daichi-kun always pat Hotaru-chan and not me? Am I not good enough?"

Seeing that, Kazane-san shows a cute pouting face.

"Oh... Well, it's not like I have any ulterior motives. It's just that Yuzuki's head is conveniently located for patting. Also, patting your head without permission seemed a bit rude."

"It's not rude! Pat me like you do with Hotaru-chan! We're close, right?"

"Uh, sure. I got it. I'll do that from now on."

I casually pat Kazane-san's head, too.

"Ehehe~" 

Kazane-san lets out a pleased sound, looking happy.

But now Yuzuki is staring at me with her round eyes.

"Um, Senpai? I'm not sure if it's not rude to pat me like that."

"Well, that's because it's you, Yzuki."

"Mmm... Since it's Senpai and me close, I'll allow it."

"Boo! It's unfair! Daichi-kun and Hotaru-chan are closer! That's cheating! I want a close relationship like Daichi-kun has with Hotaru-chan!"

"Oh, um... Can we go through the hole before it closes? We can discuss these things after finishing the mission and returning to the city..."

As Kazane-san begins to act like a child throwing a tantrum, I step into the tunnel I created with my magic. 

Yuzuki and the pouting Kazane-san follow.

It's difficult to achieve the same closeness with Kazane-san as with Yumizuki... 

After that, on the other side of the tunnel, we encountered a group of three Killer Ants and one Killer Ant Soldier, easily defeating them. 

After earning more points for the raid, we returned to the original tunnel and resumed exploring our assigned hole.