[Chapter 44] Rose – Lost World

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“What’d you make of this?” Rose asked Hope. They’d both received a bizarre communication from Soul who was organizing an dungeon expedition.

“It’s going to take a lot of ammunition…” Hope said seriously. “Let me think.”

Rose doubted Astra would permit it. Not to mention… They were standing in the commercial sector with stalkers nearby. Reporters, the sensationalist kind, desperate to interview Hope. Fortunately, the pests were kept at bay by the blue shield swirling around them, a courtesy extended by Miki. It’d be difficult for Hope to leave unnoticed. Soul’s proposition is outlandish.

“So?” She asked again.

“Ok, I got it.” Hope declared. Rather than an opinion, she gave Rose a set of instruction. “You do that. I’m heading to my workshop. We’ll meet at the docks.”

I guess we skipped over whether this was good idea. Rose watched Hope run off, fairies and journalists in tow. She sighed and headed to Sunset.

At least I’ll fulfill my original purpose. The ‘stones from Earth’s End’ had been a smash success. Hope was so flush with cash that Rose had to reassure her. She nearly panicked when she found out Agata had raised the prices. Her sister felt guilty getting rich on stray pebbles. Which is why I must reduce the funds in her bank account.

For her part, Rose felt nothing but satisfaction at her growing balance at the Black Bank. That was my goal from the start. Arriving on the Isle, she’d resolved to acquire a source of income. Money is power. Pondering the matter, she’d concluded that leveraging Hope was most efficient and was now racking in five percent of every sale. I earned that in the bargaining alone. The only unanticipated hurdle was Hope’s aversion to wealth.

Rose found Agata discussing with a client. Let’s be rude. “Excuse me,” She broke in. “I need all the dimensional pouches you have handy. It’s an emergency.”

Apologizing, Agata sent her patron away and glared, “Explain.”

Rose set up a barrier for privacy, “We’re traveling to Lost World to save some adventurers from giant spiders. Hope wants storage to transport the fire power required.”

“I see…” Agata slowly digested the words. “While I’m sympathetic, you’re asking for some of my most prized items. Is Astra bankrolling the purchase?”

“Probably not.” Rose admitted. “Instead, I’m offering the six thousand stones in hope’s workshop as collateral, as well as the funds in our accounts.” It hurts spending my own money, but extra bullets won’t hurt if this is really happening. Plus keeping Hope happy has its advantages.

Agata reached under the counter and retrieved four pouches and a backpack. Rose cringed, “Only that much?” We aren’t that rich after all…

Agata gave her a look of scorn, “While these four are the identical to the one Hope has, this backpack a ‘lugger pack’. It only has twice the space inside, but the weight of its content is reduced by eight. They’re ideal for transporting heavy materials such as metal. Their selling feature is that they can withstand a single recursion. In layman’s term, it means they can hold other dimensional pouches.”

“Now, take these and run along.” Agata shoved the bags her way. “I’ve another client.”

Rose turned to find Light behind her. Must be here for his weapons. She didn’t wait for him, making her way straight to the docks. Wise, Dawn, and Free were discussing next to Exodia. Wise is here! Time for some info.

“What’s going on?” Rose asked.

“Soul is arriving with Shine in forty seconds.” Wise pointed the sky. God I envy him.

There they are. Soul glided down with Shine hanging from his arms. She let go and dropped to the ground. She looks as confused as I am. Landing, Soul held up a hand.

“Our quest stone.” He said.

QUEST: Recover team Minstrel’s missing members

STATUS: Uncompleted

GUILD ESTIMATED DIFFICULTY: A+/S-

ACTUAL DIFFICULTY: —

‘A+/S-’, right between the two. “How on Enera did you convince Astra?” Rose demanded.

“I highlighted a series of coincides.” Soul said slyly. “This morning I was struck with the urge to pay her a visit. After leaving, I was hit by a yearning to fly. While airborne, I happened to spot Shine Balladeer, discovering a problem only we could solve.”

I see… This was an orchestrated affair. While the HEAVENLY DAO never overrode a person’s preferences or decisions, there was much it could still do. Having an idea pop into your head, drawing your attention in certain ways… Soul’s experience had the hallmarks of that meddling.

“And just like that, she sanctioned a rescue mission?” Rose was incredulous.

“Maybe she thought I could use the boost.” Soul smirked. I don’t get it.

“Excuse me,” Shine said sheepishly. “The way Soul marched into the guildmaster’s office, I have to ask… Are you really from Earth’s End?”

They looked at each other. What to say… “Yes, we are.” Wise affirmed, before clarifying. “It would’ve become obvious anyway.”

“Oh, really?” Shine shook her head. “Those types of crazy rumors usually turn out false…”

Hope entered with metal bars strapped to her back and a rattling barrel in her arms. She nearly as strong as I used to be.

“Why did you bring so much steel?” Free asked.

“I though we might need it. I mean…” Hope faced Shine. “Can your Sublime Vagary duplicate weapons?”

“No, it can’t.” She answered. “That’s why I usually don’t use them.”

“Then we’ll need it.” Hope explained. “There are eight of us. If we arm ‘Radiant Masquerade’, it becomes sixteen, doubling our fire power.”

“That could work…” Shine mumbled.

“What about your fears?” Soul asked.

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“Firing from a distance is no problem. It’s getting close and touching that’s repulsive.” Shine confirmed.

This is a solid plan, Rose realized. Sixteen A rank adventurers armed with machine guns would make quick work of the arachnids. We just need to get through the dungeon.

“Did you get what I asked?” Hope pressed eagerly.

Rose turned over her acquisitions. Hope promptly filled the lugger pack and lifted it. “So much lighter! Perfect…”

“Want us to put the bullets in the pouches?” Light asked, peering in the barrel after quietly sneaking up. We’re all assembled now.

“No, I’ll create magazines in the airship and fill them with those. Rather…” Hope appeared uncertain. “I’m concerned. I’ve been frequenting Agata’s shop every afternoon. What happens if I don’t go? There are so many hounding me… Wise, can you check?”

“I’ll try.” Wise close his eyes. Not ten second later, he’d finished. “It’s a problem. There’ll be news reports about you leaving the Isle.”

That’s bad. There’s no way the Northern Emperor would miss such an opportunity.

Hope looked at the backpack, “I can shape the guns now, but there’s no way they’ll all fit in here.” Not to mention we’d have to avoid damaging them. That isn’t viable.

“Allow me.” Dawn said. She froze the nearby wall, creating a mirror, then walked in front while forming a magic circle. “’Mirage of ice’.”

A flurry of frost fell on Dawn, and another Hope stood before them. Astra taught them the best spells. I’m so jealous. The fake examined herself. “I’m a little taller, but otherwise not bad. This works even better since I’m a ‘ninja’.” She whirled towards them. “Can you check again?”

Wise shortly rendered his verdict, “This works. If Dawn takes Hope’s place, no one notices.”

Soul clapped loudly, “Alright, everyone on Exodia. This is a time sensitive quest.”

While the others boarded, Rose dragged false Hope aside, “What are you playing at?”

“The mission depends on Hope’s presence.” The fake replied. “This time, she’s more critical then me.”

“That’s obvious, but why are you giving up this chance so easily?” Rose insisted.

Disguised Dawn sighed, “I know what the entrance to Lost World looks like. I’d rather not put myself through that if I don’t have to.”

Rose frowned. What does—— “Rose, We’re leaving.” Light yelled down.

Muttering, Rose jumped on deck. Everything has been so rushed. She didn’t enjoy the hectic pace. I like to think, damn it! The HEAVENLY DAO was to blame.

As Exodia flew from the hangar, Rose entered the cabin and sat besides Shine. Across from them, Hope was molding magazines while Free interrogated her about submachine guns.

At last a quiet moment. Rose observed the idol. The girl was looking around in a mild state of shock. She’s also struggling to keep up.

“Do you resent us?” Rose asked. “Now that you’ve learned our identity, you must understand your team’s misfortune wasn’t bad luck.”

Shine shook her head, “Not at all.”

“What?” Why is everyone so selfless today?

Shine smiled, “Even if it was a trap, it doesn’t change we took the bait. Rather, after finding out who you are, I’m hopeful. Kaito and the others might be alive.”

Rose slowly processed the take. I see… If the HEAVENLY DAO orchestrated this, then there’s no way we’ll find her teammates dead. Such a lousy ending wouldn’t be allowed. She’s pretty smart.

“So you’re optimistic?” Rose wondered.

Shine hesitated, “If we reach them within a reasonable period, then yes. It’s a matter of getting there.”

“South from Spiral city, right?” Soul asked as they dropped below the Isle.

Shine nodded, “Yes, just follow the Blue Abyss.”

Passing the giant water cone stretching from the ocean, Rose could clearly see the foam and ripples from the merging skyrivers. The HEAVENLY DAO rally went the extra mile.

“How far?” Soul asked.

“We’re almost there.” Shine said. “See that chasm where the far side was a quarter mile higher. “It’s right before that. The docks are facing the water.”

Several airships were parked below a decent sized outpost. Apart from that, there wasn’t much of anything. “Where’s the entrance?” Rose asked.

“It’s on that next fragment, down near the Darklands, with a long narrow path leading to it.” Shine explained, “I hope no one is bad with heights, because it’s about as bad as it gets.” That solves one mystery.

Soon they approach the chasm. Fifty feet away a platform had been carved out in the cliff.

“That’s the starting point, a first test to prove you’re worthy.” Shine looked towards Hope. “Will you be alright?” Her sister had insisted on carrying the lugger pack.

“No problem.” Hope fired three bullets, flying across. Those really boost her mobility…

The path varied between two and three feet in width, sloping down parallel to the Blue Abyss. On their left was a sheer rock face. On their right was a vertical drop into pitch black. Silver and Kate are down there. They moved in single file, Shine leading the way. Then came Rose, Free, Light, Hope, and Wise. Soul took up the rear. Just in case.

“Enera sure has a lot of cliffs.” Free remarked.

“Shouldn’t you be used to them?” Shine glanced back.

“We grew up in the arctic.” Free answered.

“Oh, right.” Shine exclaimed. “That continent survived intact, didn’t it… How are you adapting?”

“For the most part, alright.” Rose said tersely as a gust hit them. I didn’t need that. She couldn’t fly, create parachutes, or stick to walls. If I fall, I’ll have to slow myself until Soul saves me.

“So, what’re your real names?” Shine asked, changing subjects.

“You already know them.” Rose replied, a bit peeved.

“Really? You didn’t chose them yourselves…?” Shine rambled. “Ah! But they’re great for adventuring. Easy to remember.”

She’s doing rather well emotionally, Rose noted cynically. As if reading her mind, Shine explained, “By the way, if I seem all perky and stuff, that’s just my way of coping with stress. Some find it annoying… Sorry about that. Still, overly talkative is better than a sobbing mess, right?” Debatable. Rose wasn’t a fan of perky.

I might as well steer this somewhere useful. “Besides Kaito, tell us of your teammates. Are they also ninjas?” Rose asked.

“Sure.” Shine replied. “Minstrel’s third member is Rock Wron, and his affinity is Earth. He’s quite the character. The least ninja-like ninja I know. Stubborn and inflexible as a boulder. He’s our tank and power hitter. I’m the one who suggested the name.”

“Why is he a——” Free began.

“He’s from the same village as Kaito. They’re childhood friend.” Shine finished for her. “Our forth member is a necromancer, Jeane Nordlin, with pretty good foresight. She just came up to me one day after I started dating Kaito and declared: ‘You’re forming an adventure team. It’s name is Minstrel. I’m your fourth.’ Thanks to her, I sometimes doubt whether I put together or named my own team… Anyway, I don’t know how we’ll replace her when she heads back to the Black Citadel.”

“And she didn’t see the blue-backed spiders coming?” Rose asked.

“No, she warned us late.” Shine replied sadly. “Foresight gets muffled in the deeper parts of dungeons, but it’s still strange.”

“What’s the purpose of an adventurer team?” Free asked.

“Convenience.” Shine answered. “All kinds of scenarios come up in dungeons, and you need a balance group to tackle them safely and efficiently. Organizing such a party on the fly at every new location is a hassle. It’s a simpler to form one and travel together.”

They’d descended nearly a mile, and the light was growing dim. “It’s harder to see.” Free griped.

Suddenly, they were surrounded by five… no six fairies. The sprites shone so brightly she could barely make out their form. Like staring at a lamp.

“Let there be light!” Shine declared.

“Thanks, but please warn us.” Free replied. “That was blinding.”

“Ah, sorry…” Shine apologized. With better visibility, they picked up the pace.

“This makes it so much easier.” Rose commented. “why didn’t you summon them earlier?”

“Oh, because of that,” Shine pointed towards the watery mass reflecting the fairies’ glow. It was only three hundred feet away. When did it get that close? “There’s a reason airships don’t fly directly to the entrance. The distance shrinks even further ahead.”

“Is there a chance the light will attract something?” Free asked.

“Well, there was an incident with a hydra a few centuries ago.” Shine said. “Since then, people are more cautious.”

“Then maybe we should be too?” Rose eyed the menacing dark wall.

Shine shook her head, “I realized earlier that, considering our circumstances, it was unlikely anything will happen. Also, we’re almost there. See?”

Two sprites flew up, illuminating the skeletal impression of an enormous aquatic creature. “Is that genuine?” Free asked.

“Yes, this and all the others.” Shine answered. “Thought they were probably gathered from around Enera.”

Forms of beasts great and small were etched into the stone. Mollusks, birds, fish, mammals, lizards… Rose saw a snail shell three times the size of Kaito’s summon.

“We’ve arrived.” Shine said seriously.

They rounded a bend and found a gigantic lizard skull facing them. The fossil was only half buried, as if emerging to devour them. The path lead to where its jaw was missing two teeth. Lost World’s entrance is through the maw of a prehistoric beast. Rose followed Shine into the darkness.