Chapter 462 – Aiming for the Depths

Well then. After waiting for the right moment to clear the ground blizzard and having the snow brushed off our cold-weather gear, I began explaining the anticipated situations and countermeasures.

“If you get caught in a ground blizzard and can’t secure visibility even when flying above—moving without visibility will only lead to getting lost. The countermeasure is passive, but it’s best to wait for the weather to improve while ensuring you don’t lose body heat.”

I also gave various other warnings, such as using a compass on the snowfield. Well… if we deploy the unit accompanying the Sirius, I don’t think we’ll get separated, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

I also explained situations that could only occur when fighting in the air, like how flying with poor visibility makes it easy to lose your sense of up and down. The members of the Demon-Slaying Knight Order listened with serious expressions.

“Now then—we’ll begin the mock battle as scheduled.”

Elliot’s voice echoed through the Glacial Forest.

Once the setup and my various warnings were finished, the plan was to proceed with combat training between knight orders and actual battles with monsters, centered around the base.

This time, we planned to explore the Glacial Forest with Forset, Sion, and the others. The Demon-Slaying Knight Order would conduct combat training centered around the base. When our exploration team returned, another team would head out for exploration—that was the flow. When Elliot gave the command, everyone began their preparations.

“Theodore, are you exploring the forest first?”

“Yes. I thought I’d check how Forset-san and Sion are progressing with their Aerial Combat Gear.”

When Princess Stephania asked, that was my response.

We couldn’t use space widely in the old mine. That said, Sion and the others moved three-dimensionally in the Forest of Bewilderment, so aside from being a cold region, this terrain should be to their advantage. As for the Aerial Combat Gear, they were naturally compatible with it to begin with.

“Be careful. We’ll also practice using our Familiars and Equipment at the main camp.”

Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana would remain at the main camp and participate in mock battles to prevent the base from being breached. Having royalty present might be good for the knight order’s motivation too.

“Shall we help with training when we return?”

“That would be helpful.”

Princess Adriana smiled. Hmm. Well then—let’s head out for exploration.

“I’ll leave Caduceus at the base, so please let us know if anything happens.”

“Understood. Please be careful.”

Caduceus stood by Elliot’s side as he bowed quietly.

“I’m heading out, Elliot brother-sama.”

“Ah. Ashley. Be careful.”

“Yes.”

Ashley and Elliot exchanged words with quiet smiles.

And so, we set off for the Glacial Forest, seen off by Elliot, Princess Stephania, Princess Adriana, along with Corulis and Flamia waving.

“Marceska! They went over there too!”

“Mm-hm!”

Sion, Marceska, and Sigritta repeatedly bounced between the glacial trees, weaving through the grove before charging at a giant deer rushing straight at them.

Burning crimson eyes and snow-white fur. A deer monster called Prism Deer. As expected, it was a type of monster that appeared in cold regions.

Its most distinctive feature… was probably its translucent antlers that shimmered with rainbow colors. It would be easier to understand if I described it as crystal-like antlers growing from its head. As their appearance suggested, the antlers had formidable hardness, and combined with its heavy weight, taking its charge head-on would likely cause significant damage.

Its mobility that paid no heed to the frozen footing also indicated excellent leg strength and hoof durability. Not just the antlers, but its kicks required caution too.

The Prism Deer charged in a herd. The particularly large individual at the front gathered shimmering light between its antlers before colliding with Sion’s group, then fired a Magical Power Light Bullet from there.

Sion, having sensed some attack coming from the preliminary charge, performed a Form Shift as the Light Bullet passed through that space and pierced the glacial trees behind.

A moment later, Sigritta’s ink birds swarmed from the side, passing between Sion and the deer, while Sion split into her main body and shadow, leaping out from different directions in perfect timing.

Sion’s main body burst through the bird flock as if to draw the deer’s attention, while the shadow rushed low along the icy ground with a sideways leap—.

The moment the deer tried to follow Sion’s main body, Sion’s shadow slipped in from below while delivering a Slash Attack. The instant its attention was drawn there, a magical slash wave from diagonally above caught the deer’s neck.

As for Marceska—just as she cut into the center of the herd, exchanged blows with the deer’s antlers a few times, and was about to receive a time-delayed headbutt from deer leaping up from both sides…

Marceska, having glimpsed this from the corner of her eye, performed a Form Shift. The Weapon in her hands—extended. Marceska herself spun at tornado-like speed. While leaving behind a glimmer of Fighting Spirit, countless slash attacks were unleashed in an instant.

The deer who had completely misjudged their distance from Marceska collapsed on the spot.

The weapon Marceska wielded was a special weapon resembling two swords connected at the hilt… but it turned out to have that hidden feature. The hilt portion extended, changing shape to something more like a long-handled weapon with blades at both ends rather than connected swords… It seemed to be made of some kind of magical metal.

The Fighting Spirit, physical abilities, and reflexes were her own. Her combat capability was probably quite high.

“Hmm. I need to be careful not to damage the fur too much…”

Though she herself seemed somewhat unsatisfied with that fighting method.

Forset was dealing with a group of deer that had circled around. Standing on her Shield with her toes, she moved as if sliding while engaging the deer group. She didn’t move as extensively as Sion or Marceska—or rather, her movements had no waste.

At close range, she slammed her Khakkhara wrapped in Lightning Strike, while against distant opponents she fired Light Bullets from the tip of her staff, moving without pausing for even a moment as if dancing. The light fired by the deer swept through the space where Forset had been, but she was no longer there. A graceful movement combining Dodge and attack. And as she passed, the deer collapsed one after another behind her.

“Are you injured? I’ll use Healing Magic, so please tell me even about small wounds.”

Forset asked, looking back at Sion and the others.

“We’re fine.”

“That’s good.”

Forset showed a gentle smile at Sion’s response.

“Sigritta, that Coordination was pretty good. Thank you.”

“There was one trying to target Sion with a Light Bullet from behind…”

So that’s why she blocked the line of fire with the bird flock. Then Marceska cut into the group behind to prevent covering fire… Quite impressive coordination.

“How was it?”

Forset asked us who had been observing.

“Being able to handle this Floor without danger is good. Forset-san, you seem able to use Healing Magic too, and you’ve sublimated the Aerial Combat Gear into your own unique movements.”

“I can’t use Healing Magic as powerful as Ashley-sama’s. As for aerial combat… I was practicing to first be able to do what I can on the ground.”

Saying that, Forset gave a wry smile. That attempt seemed quite successful.

With the three of them able to provide command and Healing support, the balance seemed quite good.

“What can be harvested from these deer?”

Sheila asked.

“Antlers, fur, meat… We can use almost the entire thing. I want to use some for Sigritta’s paintings too, and we should secure the Magic Stones.”

Since Prism Deer were monsters I knew about. I knew the harvesting locations and usage methods. The antlers could even be processed into weapons.

“…That would be helpful.”

From what I could see through Caduceus, the Demon-Slaying Knight Order side also—seemed to have significantly improved their proficiency with Aerial Combat Gear. At this rate, combat in the Glacial Forest didn’t seem concerning.

While Ouroboros had been Enhanced too… we might want to leave the training here to Elliot after it progresses a bit further, and we should aim for deeper Floors of the Labyrinth.

Beyond the great corridor continuing from the Full Moon Labyrinth—that might mean we’re getting close to reaching the Moonlight Temple. I should consult with Claudia about this later.