Chapter 560 – Battle of the Gorge

“The way the sound spreads feels different somehow. I don’t think it’s a dead end,” Seraphina said to Caduceus.

If that was the case… then the dead end spreading out before our eyes was probably an illusion created by the mist.

As variations of illusions, they could make us waste attacks by disguising themselves as large monsters or make adventurers retreat. Or they could camouflage the terrain itself to mislead us. Even just one illusion seemed quite elaborate.

But when it came to illusions, Seraphina could relatively easily see through them using sound reflection.

“Something… seems to be lurking around.”

“Be careful. There seems to be a waterfall beyond the mist, and there are places where temperature differences are hard to see.”

Sheila and Irmhild’s warning voices. The fact that Lavigne and Belius were also looking at the dead end and groaning softly… meant this was a place requiring caution.

In Phantom Mist Valley, water sometimes flowed out from the cliffs like waterfalls, and parts of the valley became rivers. The area we were currently advancing through also had water flowing out from various places on the cliffs, with a small stream continuing… in that case, the pond that appeared to be at the end was probably also an illusion.

“Understood. I’ll scatter it with wind magic when I give the signal.”

When I said that, everyone nodded. Now then…

Slowly raising one hand, I swung it down. The moment I slammed wind into the mist to disperse it—the cliffs and pond that should have been a dead end vanished, revealing a spacious valley beyond.

Simultaneously, what leaped out from beyond the mist was a relatively large raptor monster called a Nail Vulture. While it didn’t possess projectile weapons, it had sharp talons and beak, along with physical strength matching its build—a brute force type that would dive down and attack with sheer power.

A raptor was approaching head-on. Synchronizing with that, cannonballs from Cannon Beans hiding in the bushes beyond the mist were fired toward me.

Since this was an ambush in an area where we hadn’t grasped the terrain, our allies’ support would be slightly delayed.

But—

“Go.”

Balor flew from my shoulder, soaring toward the Nail Vulture. While the bird and magic bullet complexly intertwined, drawing trails of light as they vied for advantageous positions, the match was decided in an instant. Balor changed its trajectory at an acute angle and shot through the Nail Vulture from behind.

As for the bean cannonballs fired at me—while having Lindwurm perform evasion movements that deliberately let them barely graze by, I caught them with a condensed magical power net deployed by Ouroboros. By simultaneously deploying water magic cushions to weaken the cannonballs’ power, I could easily neutralize their force and catch them, though they spun for a while.

Seeing this, the Cannon Beans, as if their pride was at stake, peeked their faces out from the bushes, leaned forward, and began firing cannonballs in rapid succession.

Yes. They seemed to have a tendency to get stubborn after having one shot caught. Lindwurm repeatedly stopped, then accelerated rapidly after drawing them in, avoiding the incoming cannonballs while positioning itself to make it easy for me to catch them. I levitated the caught cannonballs, keeping them airborne, and when I caught the final one, I slammed a Solid Hammer toward the bushes.

“They’re coming!”

As she said this, Sheila leaped out. Following her, Grace, Ignis, and Belius also raced through the air. Yes. A group of monsters was approaching from beyond the mist. It was probably a two-stage setup—monsters that would launch ambushes to delay us after we saw through the illusion, and the main force charging in from there.

It was a mixed force of flying and ground troops. I could see Cannon Beans among the ground forces too.

If it turned into a chaotic battle, there was a risk of wasting beans, but well… let’s try to crush them as much as possible before they can fire.

“I’m deploying a Defense Field!”

Ashley constructed a defensive position. With water nearby, this location worked to Ashley’s advantage. Lavigne created multiple ice walls that served as obstacles along with her roar, creating a situation where they couldn’t attack relying on numbers. We were in a narrow path—a choke point. While they could attack from above and below, it would be difficult for them to deploy left and right to surround us.

As if declaring anti-air defense, Marlene’s Saucers and Rosemary’s Magic Slaves danced around the defensive perimeter, while Dullahan and Pietro’s clones formed ranks before the position.

The rearguard’s interception system was perfect. Then I could rampage without worry.

The ground forces were a mixed group of Cannon Beans, mushroom monsters called Smoke Mushrooms, and a band of Orcs led by a High Orc.

Overhead were Nail Vultures, crow monsters called Flash Crows, and bat-winged ape monsters called Fly Apes.

And—Solid Goats that could handle both ground and air combat. Unfortunately, no Sprint Birds were present, but it was quite a large horde.

“I’ll crush the ground forces!”

“Understood!”

Changing altitude, I charged toward the ground forces at maximum speed.

Before the enemy could begin their bombardment, I deployed an assault shield and plunged into the ground forces, simultaneously dismounting from Lindwurm. Jumping into the middle of the enemy ground troops, I deployed Ouroboros’s condensed magical power. Transforming it into a greatsword, I flashed it around my surroundings.

Unable to respond to my movements, the group of monsters stopped moving. The monsters within the blade’s range were hit by the flash. While most monsters within the area were neutralized, as usual, the Cannon Beans didn’t cease activity.

Then Balor flew in and accurately shot through their heads. There were still comrades in the line of fire. I could take down as many as possible before the Cannon Beans’ judgment caught up.

And then—the Smoke Mushrooms also hadn’t been neutralized.

They had the ability to emit smoke when attacked, temporarily paralyzing anyone who inhaled it.

The Smoke Mushrooms with their dome-shaped heads sliced off were frantically holding their heads with both hands, but upon seeing this was futile effort, they began showering smoke toward us.

But I was expecting that. Raising my palm, I compressed the erupting smoke with wind magic as if grasping it.

Keeping the smoke consolidated, I released it toward the High Orcs and others who were outside the range of my magic greatsword.

The Smoke Mushrooms’ smoke immediately showed effect. The Orc group, including the High Orc, collapsed as if their legs were broken. Right then—Lindwurm, having returned, snatched them up.

Quite meticulously, it precisely identified and took away the commander, the High Orc, flying at high speed and smashing it against the rock wall. I hadn’t given that order, but… identifying and acting against the enemy boss was good movement. It seemed to be holding its breath too, avoiding inhaling the smoke.

Among the flying monsters appearing in Phantom Mist Valley, there was one type that required attention mixed in.

Flash Crows. While not particularly powerful, they would emit strong light from their entire bodies when closing to close range, blinding their targets—a type that demonstrated power when combined with other monsters.

They’d be troublesome in a chaotic battle. So we moved with the policy of preferentially crushing them from long range.

“There!”

Irmhild’s Light Arrows showered down, accurately shooting down the Flash Crows from within the enemy group.

Some individuals managed evasion actions, but they were preferentially crushed by Grace’s thrown axes, Sheila’s water blades, and Belius’s Roar Resonance Bullets.

Perhaps realizing they were being targeted, some emitted light trying to escape despite the distance. But it was ineffective. Irmhild detected them by temperature. They apparently needed to stop moving when emitting light, and shooting stationary targets was child’s play for Irmhild.

As the Flash Crows decreased in numbers and the concerning elements were eliminated—Grace and the others charged in.

Dual Axes, Pearl Sword, War Hammer, claws and fangs. Wielding them freely in all directions, they swiftly knocked down the Vultures and Apes.

The flying monsters in this section were groups skilled at hit-and-run tactics using diving attacks from the air and disengagement. But our vanguard could properly engage in aerial combat and close-quarters fighting. Since they could pursue even into the air, it was only natural they’d overwhelm them in a direct confrontation.

The Solid Goats charging toward our rearguard using three-dimensional movements with the cliff walls as footholds. But that too was futile.

The rearguard’s response was a baptism of bullet curtains. They attacked the predicted landing points of the leaping goats with area attacks. Unable to change trajectory in midair, the goats were knocked down from the cliff walls without being able to evade.

Marlene’s Illusion Magic altered the cliff terrain—causing them to misjudge and miss their footing, while Rosemary’s Magic Slaves deployed traps with magic threads where they fell. As they became unable to move, Eclair leisurely mowed them down with Lightning Strikes.

And so—after repelling the monster group and finishing looting… it could be said to have been quite a hunt indeed.

As for the loot… first, the Cannon Beans’ beans could be used directly as food.

Solid Goats yielded horns and fur, Vultures yielded claws and beaks, Flash Crows yielded feathers, Apes yielded wings, and Smoke Mushrooms yielded the powder accumulated inside them. The Orcs yielded equipment, that sort of thing.

The rest were either suitable or unsuitable as meat.

The Crows and Apes were considered inedible… or rather, not very tasty, while the others were fine to eat without issue.

And so, while having Claudia transport the supplies outside the labyrinth, we continued our exploration until we found the stone monument.

Now then. First, should I stop by the Guild to exchange them for money? I collected more beans than planned too. It should be plenty for various experiments.

After returning, should I first create an experimental room for fermented foods underground or something? I’ve already borrowed temperature and humidity adjustment magic tools from Alfred. Once that’s done, I’ll proceed with experiments right away.