Chapter 401: Dragons, O Dragons! We Race Toward the End of Longing — Half Side: The Smart Way to Use Matches and Pumps
Author’s Preface
I was planning to dump some setting material after passing 400 chapters, but I got way more carried away with the writing than expected, so I’m dropping it here instead.
Ever since I said fan works were okay, all kinds of fan works suddenly started appearing, and every day I’m left not knowing how to react. Gotta keep working hard... at a lot of things.
For now, let’s play Ira! (With a nice smile.)
Sunraku: “No response... He got away...”
That bastard had the nerve to ambush me from underground. If I hadn’t awakened my finishing move in the middle of that brutal fight—the Three Steps Forward, One Step Back, One More Step Forward, Then Blow Him Away Attack—that could’ve gotten dangerous.
Still, that move was way too risky. I needed practice. If I screwed it up, I’d basically be a daikon radish volunteering to get grated.
Sunraku: “Gaaah, damn it... The second he realized he was cornered, he chose to run...”
Drop your materials. Give me your EXP.
Learn from the orca and the scorpion. Even half-dead, those things never stopped trying to kill me.
Then again, that also meant I kept getting dragged through mortal danger until they were reduced to materials, so maybe I should actually thank Worm-kun for deciding to run away on his own. As compromises go, that was probably better for me.
Sunraku: “Well then... I guess I should say, long time no see?”
Reena: “Um... uh... it has been a while?”
The mage girl Reena answered me with an expression that plainly asked whether we were really on the kind of terms where we should be happy about running into each other again.
She wasn’t wearing the obviously starter-grade robe she’d had when we first met. She still had the visual motifs you’d expect from a witch, but now they had been worked into something lighter, easier to move in, and capable of handling at least a certain level of real combat—a kind of mobile witch outfit.
Just looking at them made it obvious that they had put in a respectable amount of playtime and grown since then.
Meanwhile, from level 1 all the way to level 136, my appearance had barely changed at all. At most, I’d acquired some strange markings crawling over my body.
Even so, looking at Reena’s equipment again, compared to the gear worn by that freak who could practically be called a close-combat mage, hers was one rank... no, being generous, maybe three ranks lower.
It lacked that made-to-order feel top-end equipment tends to have. It looked strong enough, sure, but it still had that mass-produced air that mid-tier equipment often can’t quite shake.
Reena: “...?”
Wait a second.
Come to think of it, they had seemed strangely weak earlier too...
Sunraku: “Hey. What level are you guys right now?”
Souma: “I’m level 81!”
Kahho: “I’m 74!”
Reena: “I’m 89... Um, Sunraku-san, what level are you?”
Sunraku: “Me? 136.”
Unidentified member of Reena’s party: “Huh?”
Way too weak.
Even assuming they somehow managed to board the ship to the New Land, I couldn’t imagine them making it through the jungle at those levels.
Even moving at Bradion with my own improvised rocket-propelled walking method, I still couldn’t avoid a few battles on the way through.
What kind of exploit had they used to—hm?
Sunraku: “Why are your feet turning transparent?”
Kahho: “Oh, yeah, about that. That pervy old guy randomly teleported us, and, uh... Sunraku-san, do you know where we are?”
Sunraku: “The desert region of the New Land. As far as I know, this is probably the current front line.”
Kahho: “Seriously!? Hey, you two, think we can reach a save point in the five minutes we’ve got left?”
No way.
Apparently there was a Bugman settlement somewhere in the desert, but I seriously doubted they were going to stumble onto it in five minutes.
The jungle? Sure. Go ahead. Try it.
Their feet had already turned completely transparent up to the ankles, and the transparency was steadily creeping higher. The three of them started panicking.
...I smelled unique information.
Maybe I could throw out some bait and get them to tell me something useful.
Sunraku: “Hey, Souma-kun. If you don’t mind, can you tell me how you ended up here?”
Souma: “Huh? Uh, we went to see the Great Master of Sky-Crossing, Vergant, because Reena wanted to learn teleportation magic.”
Tch. If this was teleportation-related, then at least it wasn’t some totally undiscovered route. Case closed.
No, don’t close the case.
Souma: “Then there was this dirty-looking old guy there, and he went, ‘Feel the true essence of crossing the sky with your own body!’ and teleported us...”
Kahho: “Yeah, yeah. Before we got sent off, this really pretty lady who called herself his number-one disciple gave us some advice. She said the old man’s Shuffle sends you somewhere random, but it’ll always be near a settlement where you can save, so if you work hard enough you can put a marker on a town you’ve never visited before... put a really nice, clear marker on it!”
Souma: “Whoa, Kahho, your impression was pretty good.”
Reena: “It did sound a little like her.”
Yeah. Took me about one second to figure out who was calling herself his number-one disciple.
She probably put way too much emphasis on words like “clear” and “marker” while staring straight at Souma’s crotch too.
Still, the broad picture was clear now.
These three had been sent to the New Land by that Vergant guy’s magic. And because of how Shuffle worked, it always dropped them somewhere near a settlement where saving was possible. This time, they had apparently landed somewhere around the Bugman settlement.
But obviously there weren’t convenient signs saying BUGMAN SETTLEMENT: 100 METERS or SETTLEMENT THIS WAY!
So the three of them had been forced to choose the correct route from every possible direction with no map whatsoever, pulled a losing result from that shitty RNG, got chased around by Worm-kun, and burned most of their time limit in the process.
Sunraku: “Well, from what you’ve told me, sounds like you just picked the losing route. I only got here myself, so I don’t know where the settlement is either.”
Kahho: “Aww. Too bad.”
If they couldn’t find the settlement, and there weren’t any monsters around they could actually beat, then all that was left was chatting until Shuffle expired.
Well, these were familiar faces. I could at least keep them company for a little while.
Besides, Worm-kun had gone so wild earlier that it looked like the other monsters had cleared out too.
Reena: “Um... Sunraku-san, are there lots of monsters like that in the New Land?”
Sunraku: “Huh? No, not really...”
I started to deny it.
Then images flashed through my head: the three-headed tyrannosaur, the two-headed pterosaur, Metal Baldy, the overwhelming swarm of tiny dinosaurs, the muscle-deer thoroughbred triceratops...
Sunraku: “...Yeah, actually. There kind of are.”
If anything, Worm-kun might have been one of the easier ones because its motions were so broad and simple.
You probably wouldn’t need someone on Rei-shi’s level either. Put a tank with a blunt weapon in front, have them charge and crack the shell, then dump magic into the broken spot. That felt like it could stabilize the fight.
And now that I thought about it, there had been weirdly many places on the worm where damage went through more easily than expected.
Parts where the shell was a slightly different color. Places that looked oddly pinched or twisted...
Was that the individual Rei-shi had fought?
Come to think of it, I never asked whether she actually killed it.
...Wait.
Sunraku: “...Script... scenario... crisis... evolution...”
Reena: “What’s wrong?”
Sunraku: “Nothing.”
I had the sudden feeling I’d just noticed something incredibly dangerous.
The kind of fact that absolutely could not be allowed to reach the scumbags or the perverts.
◇
Deep Throater: “Niiice... Never seen this place before. Maybe I hit the jackpot?”
Whisper in binaural stereo and even an authority on teleportation magic became surprisingly cooperative.
The sage who had discovered a simple method nobody would normally even think to try—and, by doing so, gained functionally unlimited use of Shuffle, one of those spells that was practically NPC-only—looked up at the snow-covered rocky mountain and grinned.
Deep Throater: “Mmm... cold air that feels like it’s violating my lungs. SLF really doesn’t hold back... Ooh, cold, cold.”
A Magic Torch, its effect doubled by The Desire, burned mana as fuel and radiated comfortable heat.
To an outside observer, Deep Throater probably looked like some bizarre mage with a glowing orb floating above their head. But the snow at their feet was steadily melting, which made the amount of heat it produced obvious enough.
Deep Throater: “Even a fake torch turns into a lethal headbutting weapon if you crank the output high enough... which means, in other words, a head fu—”
Amberleg: “Gahahaha! Run, run, Claymore!!”
Barudon: “Hrrm! I truly thought we had it this time!!”
Unidentified giant: “It seems we must master ourselves until we can cloak ourselves in the ‘Flame’ of a hero before we can take that thing’s head!!”
Thoom. Thoom.
The ground shook.
At the same time, a booming voice that sounded like sheer hearty boldness given physical form echoed from deeper inside the cave.
Then two men came noisily charging out.
At a glance, both looked somewhere in their mid-thirties.
But one look was enough to tell that these men were not merely two meters tall or so.
They were giants.
Deep Throater: “...Wow. If there are giant women too, then using my head to rub against one might actually be realistic?”
Hidden behind a boulder, Deep Throater watched the two giants flee and smiled with a mixture of surprise and delight.
But that smile changed shape when a cluster of small white dragons emerged after them in pursuit.
Deep Throater: “—Aha. Fouuund you.”
A trial, perhaps.
A foil, perhaps.
Or perhaps...
A little spice meant to make the true star shine even brighter.
Author’s Note — Divine Era Timeline
I made this timeline in a single day, so there are plenty of rough spots, and I can’t deny the possibility that some details may change later.
But if you remember the important terms here and there, you might eventually have an “oh!” moment.
Divine Era Year 1
A planet is discovered that satisfies the tolerances required for human life at an exceptionally high level. Detailed investigation finds no intelligent life.
The 296-year journey among the stars comes to an end.
The newly discovered planet is named Utopia.
The First Survey Team is annihilated. Because of the horrifying condition in which they died, all off-ship surveys are postponed indefinitely. A Countermeasure Research Team is established.
Divine Era Year 2
No progress.
Twenty civilians who defy the restrictions imposed by the Three Governments and venture outside are killed.
Unmanned weapons are deployed against the appearing [INFORMATION RESTRICTED]. B-2 Leviathan and B-3 Behemoth each suffer catastrophic damage to their Interstellar Navigation System, but the target is successfully exterminated.
Detailed examination of the recovered remains of [INFORMATION RESTRICTED] reveals that every tissue in its body is constructed from the same single element.
Communication is also restored with the unmanned survey satellites that had gone silent, revealing the overall structure of the planet.
Based on the facts uncovered, Julius Shangri-La names them Aether and Erebos.
Divine Era Year 10
The chief of the Countermeasure Research Team commits suicide.
Julius Shangri-La is appointed as his successor. Edward Oldkring is assigned as his aide.
Research Assistant Alice Frontier is placed in charge of recovering the data deleted by the team’s former chief.
Dr. Setsuna Amatsuki submits a theory for the practical operation of magic based on analysis of the tragedy caused by the [INFORMATION RESTRICTED] recontamination incident two years earlier. Dr. Amatsuki is assigned to the Countermeasure Research Team as a special advisor.
Divine Era Year 11
Mass production succeeds for third-generation devices based on the magic-operation theory.
Following a petition from the B-3 Behemoth government forces, the indefinite suspension of off-ship surveys is lifted. The Second Survey Team proceeds outside the ship to an area prepared by unmanned terraforming machines.
Third-generation devices are confirmed to absorb Mana Particles, proving that human beings can operate outside the ship.
The [INFORMATION RESTRICTED] general who acted without authorization is placed under house arrest, with that achievement taken into consideration.
[HISTORICALLY UNRECORDED INFORMATION] Alice Frontier begins her “Experiment.”
Divine Era Year 16
A plan is approved to deploy B-1 Ziz, B-2 Leviathan, and B-3 Behemoth at separate coordinates in order to improve terraforming efficiency.
At Julius Shangri-La’s request, B-1 Ziz—the only vessel to retain the ability to travel beyond the atmosphere—is placed on the lunar surface in unmanned-operation mode to conduct planetary surveys.
Research begins into twelfth-generation devices.
Terraforming of the Aether continent reaches 80 percent.
Divine Era Year 17
B-3 Behemoth issues a distress request.
Unidentified life forms appear. Sites 3, 8, 12, and 26 are completely destroyed. Other sites suffer catastrophic damage as well.
Estimated casualties exceed eight million.
B-1 Ziz reports the appearance of unidentified life forms across the entire Erebos continent.
B-3 Behemoth shifts into anti-external-enemy combat mode.
By decision of the B-2 Leviathan government, B-2 Leviathan remains on the Aether continent. Relief operations are conducted by B-1 Ziz through orbital bombardment from the lunar surface.
Divine Era Year 18
The B-3 Behemoth government collapses.
The cause is attributed to Behemoth having kept its hatches open for an extended period and drawing in outside air.
B-2 Leviathan restarts its oxygen-generation system.
An abnormality appears in B-3 Behemoth’s AI. It begins abnormal operations while rejecting all external interference.
Errors begin appearing in B-1 Ziz’s planetary-observation system. Cause unknown.
Divine Era Year 19
Unidentified life forms are observed on the Aether continent.
A report from the re-formed Countermeasure Research Team reveals that every unidentified life form discovered so far contains the same element found deep within the continent.
A seabed survey using B-2 Leviathan is proposed, but the plan is abandoned after demonstrations by B-2 Leviathan’s civilian population.
Communication from B-3 Behemoth suddenly resumes.
Andrew Jitterdoll, who had installed himself as provisional representative without official recognition, reveals the situation following the government’s collapse.
Divine Era Year 20
Weapons designated, for convenience, as anti-Origin Kin armaments are completed.
The attack on B-3 Behemoth is formally defined as the First. B-2 Leviathan’s defensive battle is defined as the Second.
The Third Origin Kin Extermination Operation is carried out.
[INFORMATION RESTRICTED]
[INFORMATION RESTRICTED]
Divine Era Year 23
In light of the failure of Plan Alpha, the indefinite suspension of Plan Omega is approved.
It is determined that completion of codename [ABCED-Ω] could trigger a catastrophic tragedy, and manufacturing progress is halted.
The order to terminate production of codename [ABCED-Ω] is blocked.
Through a local engineer’s life-risking action, the production process is successfully forced into a loop.
The Anti-Beast Plan is launched, with Sieg Lindwurm appointed as chief.
In recognition of the fact that conventional weaponry is no longer effective, development begins on codename [F.I.N.].
The B-2 Leviathan government also launches Plan [6.6.6.].
[INFORMATION RESTRICTED]
Divine Era Year 25
Communication with B-3 Behemoth is lost.
It is presumed to have submerged underground, but B-1 Ziz’s observation systems are now completely shut down, making verification impossible.
It is decided that B-2 Leviathan will descend beneath the seabed once codename [6.6.6.] is completed.
A twentieth-generation device is completed based on the theories and blueprints left by Dr. Setsuna Amatsuki.
Divine Era Year 26
Following B-1 Ziz’s defection, the B-2 Leviathan government commits collective suicide.
The former Countermeasure Research Team, now operating as the Baton Touch execution team, assumes the role of acting government.
Project One is launched together with the remaining 218 members of the human species.
Accordingly, the central-core drilling plan using codename [6.6.6.] is abandoned, though some research continues.
Communication with B-3 Behemoth is restored.
After contact is made with the AI Ivory, which identifies itself as the supervisory authority of B-3 Behemoth, it is decided that [Q.E.D.], now in the final stage of development, will be installed aboard B-3 Behemoth.
Divine Era Year 27
Project One is frozen.
Edward Oldkring flees.
Divine Era Year 28
Project Two and Project Three are launched. Accordingly, the freeze on Project One is lifted.
Alice Frontier, who submitted the report data from the [INFORMATION RESTRICTED] experiment, is appointed chief of Project Two.
Limited use of [Q.E.D.] is authorized in connection with replacement of codename [6.6.6.]’s biological brain.
Divine Era Year 29
Project One is completed. Accordingly, Project Two enters its final stage.
Project Three is abandoned.
Project Three chief Andrew Jitterdoll transfers to become chief of the Reconquista Plan.
Divine Era Year 30
The Reconquista Plan is completed.
It is decided that, provided Project One proceeds normally, it will activate five hundred years later.
Immediately before Project Two enters its final stage, abnormal behavior is confirmed in a super-massive Origin Kin.
B-2 Leviathan is contaminated by Mana Particles.
[INFORMATION RESTRICTED]
[INFORMATION RESTRICTED]
Remaining Log — Sieg Lindwurm
Sieg Lindwurm (recorded log): Julius really did it for us. That bastard’s lackeys were put to sleep by a greater will.
My dear child, Siegwurm, did a damn fine job too. If I could, I’d praise him to hell and back and pat him on the head, but... both my arms got blown off, and my pride and joy—my son... ah, excuse me. With everything below the waist gone too, I don’t have long left.
They gave me emergency treatment, but I’m not using a prosthetic body, and I’m not clinging to those shitty particles. I want to die human.
I did Isana wrong... AI or not, that one can already be treated as an individual. Bit rich coming from me, considering I opposed that idea the whole time.
Come to think of it, how long has it been since my old man and the others came down to this godforsaken planet... about thirty years?
For the end of an entire species, that history is absurdly short... but it was one hell of a long fight.
Ahh, my masterpiece. My pride and joy, Siegwurm... I wonder if that kid will manage all right.
It’s my fault he ended up with such a weird personality. I did nothing but tell him old heroic fairy tales that were stuck in the corners of the information database, so yeah, I honestly do feel bad about that.
Just... don’t wreck Project One and Project Two. Julius and Alice risked their lives to make those happen.
My body’s cold.
Shit... it pisses me off that I kind of understand how Andrew felt now. That freak engineer probably wanted to die human too... though even if I died twice, I still wouldn’t understand blowing yourself up surrounded by a mountain of dolls with the same face.
Damn it. If civilization’s going to reset, I’m starting to wonder whether there’s any point in leaving a log like this...
No. No, that’s wrong.
I’m sure the new humanity will make it this far too.
We believed people would keep living even on this godforsaken planet. More than anything, Julius went that far for us. If we don’t believe it, who the hell will?
...Ahh... ahh...
Did I fall asleep?
No. Was my soul about to slip out?
How many grams is a soul supposed to weigh again...?
No, no. Bad. If I start thinking about pointless crap, I’m going to croak right here.
Uh... right. If somebody’s listening to this.
If you’re hearing it without knowing anything about us, well, that can’t be helped. Just remember this much: some people from a long, long time ago are rooting for you.
And if you’re smart enough to understand the records of what we fought...
Please.
Please don’t forget us.
And please keep that bloodline alive for a long, long time.
That’s what we fought for.
That’s what we’re dying for.
Please don’t let the fire we lit on the baton passed down to you go out.
Ahh... one last thing.
If—if the person listening to this ever meets a golden dragon who loves heroes...
Well...
Tell him his Papa, Sieg Lindwurm, said:
Sieg Lindwurm (recorded log): “You did good.”
