Chapter 233 – The Dwelling of the Water Dragon

King Melvin said he would proceed with measures around Silvatoria.

That aside… I still had one urgent task remaining.

“I think I’ll first make sure to properly finish the Magic Light Water Vein matter.”

“Hmm… I hope no demons interfere this time. I’ll deploy personnel as planned, but… there was some issue with the Magic Light Water Vein, wasn’t there?”

“According to her story, yes.”

The unsealing of the sealed door in the Magic Light Water Vein was only days away. There was no doubt Alvelinde had connections with those demons.

I anticipated combat would occur before the unsealing. While the possibility of interference during the actual event was probably low, that didn’t mean we could let our guard down. According to Claudia, the Water Spirit Hall was different from the others, with a somewhat unusual Guardian.

“Still, I don’t think there will be many problems. My injuries are mostly healed… I’ll focus on making sure my physical condition is perfect for the day.”

At my words, King Melvin’s expression darkened for a moment. Hmm. He seemed troubled by the situation where I was the only one who could handle high-ranking demons.

Well then, perhaps I should change the subject.

“Ah, about the ritual site matter…”

As I changed both my tone and the topic, King Melvin smiled somewhat awkwardly. I had already contacted him about the ritual site matter via communication device. While we weren’t being careless, this was a situation where we could use some brighter topics.

“…You mentioned a hot spring had sprung up, correct?”

“Yes. I’m thinking of developing the surrounding area. I’d like to build a therapeutic bathhouse and public bathhouse, among other things.”

This was business as usual. I wanted to quickly create a model, have the necessary materials prepared, and begin construction.

“Who manages the current public bathhouses?”

“That falls under the jurisdiction of the officials.”

Hmm… In that case, maybe I don’t need to worry about competitors?

According to King Melvin, while bathhouses have aspects of public entertainment, they’re facilities intended to promote awareness of maintaining cleanliness and the accompanying aesthetic upkeep. In short, they’re for welfare benefits and also serve the public good.

Hence, they’re managed by the state. The bathing facilities found here and there are the same.

“However, they’re not operated by that many hands. If we expand the scale, we’ll need to increase personnel. Let’s see… We can decide gradually while looking at the facility’s scale.”

This aspect is similar to the theater. Regarding the development around the ritual site, fiddling with the scale model serves as magic control training, so I’ll work on it during my free time.

“The Spirit Hall… I wonder what’s beyond the door?”

As we gathered in the workshop to discuss plans for the Magic Light Water Vein unsealing day, Rosemary voiced her question. This would be Rosemary’s first time going to a Spirit Hall. I needed to explain in detail.

“Based on previous locations—it feels like there’s a temple-like building in the opened area.”

“The terrain beyond the door differs according to the section, but the building forms are consistent with previous ones. The Verdgar royal family side at that time also deployed the Spirit Hall Guardians in the same way. However… the Water Spirit Hall has some differences from previous ones.”

Claudia supplemented my words.

“Is there some problem?”

Alfred tilted his head while inspecting his equipment.

“The Verdgar king at that time protected a mated pair of water dragons that had been injured in the nearby sea and washed ashore on the beach. Several spell formulas for using the labyrinth remained from that era. During the sanctuary ritual, permission was requested to incorporate external monsters. This included not just golems, but those water dragons as well.”

Water dragons. And a mated pair at that.

Unlike the classification of sub-dragons like wyverns and earth dragons used for riding, these are genuine dragon species. However, they’re said to have gentle temperaments. Since they mainly eat fish and shellfish, they rarely become hostile toward humans… but they possess power worthy of being called dragons.

Indeed… considering their longevity and strength, they would be perfect as guardians for the Orb.

“Due to attacks by demons, the water dragons were wounded and lost their child. So they’re cooperative about sealing the demons. They alternate between dormancy and activity… during active periods, they feed on other labyrinth monsters in the deep floors of the Magic Light Water Vein.”

I had thought the Magic Light Water Vein was strangely rich in ingredients… but hearing this, it might also function as a feeding ground for the water dragons.

“So the demons attacked even the water dragons…”

“I heard there was someone who tried to capture their child to subjugate it.”

The result was combat with the water dragons trying to reclaim their child, during which the water dragons were wounded and the child got caught in the fighting and died.

“Well, if we belong to the royal family or labyrinth side, we probably won’t have to fight.”

“I see…”

“Even so, we can’t let our guard down just because we’ve defeated demons before.”

At Grace’s words, everyone nodded with serious expressions.

We’ve been properly progressing with training. As the date approaches, rather than focusing on training, it becomes more important to maintain physical condition and thoroughly prepare, checking that equipment isn’t deteriorating. Especially since our group has many magic tools.

“After the Magic Light Water Vein matter is finished, we’ll proceed with things around the ritual site too. Knowing Theo-kun, you’re probably thinking about various things, right?”

Alfred seemed to have finished inspecting the magic tools’ circuits and operation, and asked me that.

“Well, to some extent.”

I’ve reached the stage where I can write down spell formulas to have them made into magic tools. I need to work on that during spare moments too.

—And then the day arrived when the Magic Light Water Vein’s seal would be broken.

The Knight Order, Mage Corps, soldiers, and Adventurer Guild were on alert, creating a tense atmosphere.

Important facilities like the Royal Castle, areas around the Temple, and the ritual site were secured, with communication device holders dispersed throughout. They were preparing for unexpected situations while maintaining close contact.

Seeing off people like Mildred, Penelope, and Auria, I flew to the Magic Light Water Vein—passing through the underwater cave and heading toward the large hall where I fought Alvelinde.

The sound of flowing water and the sealed door. This place remained just as it was when I came before. The wall I destroyed with my magic had been neatly repaired. This aspect is unique to labyrinths.

As we waited, the appointed time arrived.

Light appeared on the sealed door’s relief, and its celestial chart began to move. As if cracking from the center, the door slowly opened—and water came rushing from the passage beyond.

We all gained altitude to ride out the rising water level. I could see many small fish mixed in the water. Schools of fish shining in various colors—. The rich colors reminded me of tropical seas.

As the schools of fish passed through with the water abundantly filled with magical power—shining crystals, corals, and such popped out everywhere, growing with tremendous speed. The previously empty large hall had instantly become quite lively.

Water was still continuously flowing from beyond the sealed door. For sea creatures, this must be blessed water.

The fish schools, along with the water that had rushed from the Spirit Hall, pushed forward through the Magic Light Water Vein’s underwater cave connecting to the large hall.

“That water will pass through the cave and reach the nearby sea. For a while, there might be abundant fishing not just in the Magic Light Water Vein, but around Termwills too.”

“…Now that you mention it, I heard the Magic Light Water Vein connects to the sea?”

“There aren’t exactly entrances, but it’s in the form of water gushing out from various places on the seabed.”

…I see. Anyway, the sealed door had opened. The communication devices reported no abnormalities. There was no sign of demons transferring in at the moment.

Exchanging glances and nodding with everyone, we advanced beyond the sealed door.

Proceeding deeper and deeper along the half-submerged passage, our view opened up.

“Beautiful…”

Ashley inadvertently let out an admiring voice. Everyone else seemed speechless too. A space even more vast than previous Spirit Halls. Fitting for being the water dragons’ roost.

But most of it seemed submerged. The Spirit Hall was also half-submerged, with stepping stone-like footholds continuing sporadically.

Shining crystals protruded from the walls and ceiling, illuminating the water bottom that resembled an underground lake. …No wonder fish schools emerged. Vividly colored seaweed, purple, orange, and pink corals, countless small fish—. My, my. What an incredible sight.

From its depths, large white shadows swayed. Two shadows. The water dragons.

…Somehow, seaweed and corals were growing on their backs. They’d become habitats for the fish.

The two water dragons with pure white bodies and blue eyes slowly surfaced, then extended their long necks from the water and looked at us.

They didn’t seem to have any intention of attacking—. Well then.