Chapter 332

The monstrous bird, stripped of its legs and wings, took the combined attacks of everyone directly to its neck, and its massive head rolled with a thud. As expected of a level 466 creature, even when divided into nine parts, it yielded a vast amount of experience points, and level-up notifications reached everyone.

Tatsuro received: Level: 137 reached.

Ai received: Level: 129 reached.

Cardina received: Level: 81 reached.

Jeanne received: Level: 79 reached.

Nana received: Level: 81 reached.

Leah received: Level: 113 reached.

Athena received: Level: 82 reached.

Amaterasu received: Level: 49 reached.

Tsukuyomi received: Level: 49 reached.

Additionally, everyone was awarded the title Magic King Slayer, and Ai and Leah, having surpassed level 100, were also granted the title Transgressor.

“““““““………………””””””””

Amidst the addition of another peculiar title and the rapid level increase, everyone silently checked their stats. However, Tatsuro, realizing it was better to report the resolution quickly, was the first to break the silence.

“For now, there’s a lot to think about, but let’s go report that everything’s safe.”

“Yeah, you’re right. They’re probably on high alert until we give them the all-clear. We should collect the materials and head out soon.”

With that, they resumed action, carefully storing the scattered chunks of flesh, including those that wouldn’t rot, in a time-frozen state within the Infinite Item Field.

“Now… is there any need to restore this place to Wind Mountain?”

“It’s more like a giant rock than a mountain now, isn’t it?”

Looking again at Banramonte, once famous for being the world’s highest peak, they saw that after being hit by several Pain-Received Pain-Returned Healing attacks, the upper part resembled a pudding scooped diagonally with a spoon. Only the area that was once Wind Mountain remained intact, while the rest had vanished. Even if they buried the Fairy Fossil to restore Wind Mountain, it would stand out too much, and the Pixies likely wouldn’t gather there anymore.

“Well, we can discuss that with the Guild. We’ll need to explain the situation with Wind Mountain when we report the cause.”

“That’s true. Let’s leave it as is for now and head back.”

Thus, they left the drastically altered terrain from the battle with the monstrous bird untouched. Tatsuro and Cardina performed a final check for Black Fungus with Dispel Magic, while the others, refreshed from their first real battle in a while, returned with clear expressions to the boundary of the Barrier where the Guild Staff awaited.

As they passed through the Barrier’s edge, which they usually crossed when entering, it seemed the thirty-meter-tall monstrous bird had been visible even from there. The intense battle sounds and the disappearance of the mountain and surrounding Banramonte Forest led to a barrage of questions about what had happened inside.

“It’s difficult to answer so many questions at once, and we plan to report the details directly to the Guild Master, so please direct your inquiries there.”

“B-But, just one thing. Please tell us just one thing.”

“Alright, one question is fine. What is it?”

A familiar female Guild Staff member, who also served as a supervisor, stepped forward and asked the question she most wanted answered.

“Is this place safe now?”

“Yes. We’ve eradicated the lingering Black Fungus and its Source.”

At Tatsuro’s words, cheers of “Ohh!” rose from the crowd. However, not everything was positive, so Tatsuro touched on that as well.

“But in the process of eliminating the Source, parts of the mountain and forest were destroyed.”

“…That’s unavoidable. We should consider ourselves fortunate it only affected uninhabited areas.”

“I appreciate you seeing it that way. Now, we’ll head to the Adventurer’s Guild to report the completion of the request.”

“Yes. Thank you all so much.”

As the Guild Staff member bowed, other Adventurer’s Guild personnel and Soldiers dispatched from Casapisti joined in, collectively expressing their gratitude to Tatsuro and his party.

Surprised but dismissive, Tatsuro said, “We just fulfilled the request,” urging them to raise their heads as he prepared to leave. However, Aurikki, who had been silently observing, flew over.

“I saw from a distance, but that giant bird was completely taken down, right?”

“Yes. Want to see its head?”

“…Is that okay? That’d be a big help. I don’t want you to think I doubt you. It’s just that a creature with such an eerie presence—I need to see with my own eyes that it’s truly dead to ease my mind. Please, let me see. It’s embarrassing, but my hands are still shaking just from seeing it from afar…”

Aurikki extended a small, childlike hand, trembling slightly, with a noticeably pale face. To reassure him, and as curious onlookers watched, Tatsuro retrieved the thirty-meter-class monstrous bird’s severed head from the Infinite Item Field and placed it on the ground. Contrary to expectations of a reaction, everyone except Tatsuro’s party froze, eyes wide.

Then they realized: even though it was just the head, the eight-meter-long creature exuded an overwhelming, anomalous force, not quite an Oppressive Aura but a powerful presence.

During the battle, it had been masked by the Oppressive Aura of Cardina and the others in their True Form, so they hadn’t noticed.

“—Alright. Is that enough? Can I put it away?”

“Y-Yes, thank you. To think it still has such presence even in death—it’s good it’s gone. I’d have been petrified and unable to move if I’d been there.”

“Well, it might be tough for someone not used to it.”

“What kind of situation do you have to be in to get used to that!?” Everyone except Tatsuro and his companions nearly blurted out but swallowed their words, too afraid to ask.

“At any rate, I’m glad you’re reassured. We’re heading to the Guild Master, but what about you, Aurikki? If you explain things to the Guild Master, you might get some reward for holding out the longest.”

“A reward? I don’t need that. You guys were the ones who solved it and made it possible. But it might be good to explain things. I’m exhausted today, so could you tell them I’ll stop by tomorrow? I want to rest for the first time in a while.”

“That’s an easy request. Take it easy after all your hard work. We’re heading out now.”

“Thanks for the help.”

“It was part of the request—see you.”

“Later.”

With that, Tatsuro and his party flew off to the nearest town, Banratesimo. Landing near the town and walking to the Gate, they found the area outside crowded with residents who had noticed the mountain vanish with a roar and the Catastrophic Beast rampaging.

“No surprise, the mountain was visible from here, and the crowd’s intense.”

“Yeah, the battle sounds probably carried this far too.”

As Ai pointed out, snippets of conversation from the crowd revealed tales of a dangerous Magical Beast that had obliterated the mountain. Speculation about whether the area was safe, if they should flee, or if the beast was defeated swirled, with everyone anxiously gazing toward the mountain’s former location.

“This is quite a big deal.”

“We should report to the Guild Master quickly.”

“Yeah.”

Pushing through the crowd of townspeople, Tatsuro and his party hurried into the town, heading to the Adventurer’s Guild to calm the chaos. Inside, the Guild Staff were overwhelmed, struggling to handle the situation. The Insectoid man who had assisted them before quickly escorted them to the Guild Master, Ippolito Bertone.

“What’s the matter? You know something about the mountain disappearing and the large Magical Beast, don’t you!?”

Ippolito’s urgent tone and forward-leaning posture startled Tatsuro and his party, their eyes widening.

“Huh? Oh, I see. It got here before the report.”

“…What do you mean?”

Since Tatsuro’s group had flown straight to the Guild after reporting to the staff, they arrived before the news. The Insectoid man had assumed they knew the details and let them through without asking. So, they explained the events to the extent possible.

“S-So, you’ve resolved everything!?”

“Yes. The Request Document’s color has changed to indicate completion.”

“Indeed… Then, could you all submit your completed Request Documents?”

“Of course.”

Everyone presented their Request Documents, which had turned from red to green via the system. Ippolito collected them, merged them into one, and absorbed it into particles after manipulating the system. He then turned to them.

“It’s officially confirmed here. You’ve undoubtedly completed all three tasks. I never imagined it would be resolved so quickly and easily. To think that such a dangerous Magical Beast could emerge from the energy of a Fairy Fossil beneath Wind Mountain. We should investigate other locations as well.”

“It’s probably rare, but it’s not a bad idea to be prepared.”

“Yes…—Oh, that’s our concern. Now, about the reward… I’d like to provide it immediately, but as I mentioned, we thought it would take longer to resolve, so we’re not prepared. I apologize, but could you return on December 8, the Day of Ice, around noon? We also need to explain things to the residents…”

“That’s fine.”

Since the Guild had to explain the situation to the country and residents and make preparations, Tatsuro relayed that Aurikki would visit soon. They agreed to return in two days, on the 8th.

During this free time, they spent it leisurely at their Mobile Home, practicing Spacetime Magic for their return to their world, researching their skills, and discussing what Cardina and the others should acquire.

Tatsuro and others, especially Cardina’s group, gained class-specific skills through SP consumption with each class change, so they had held off on acquiring new ones, anticipating better options with further class changes. However, since no such opportunities had arisen recently, they decided to start choosing.

They also investigated the Magic King Slayer title, which granted +50 to all Stats and the Anti-Beast Specialization skill effect, increasing attack power against Magical Beasts.

As they handled these minor tasks, time passed quickly. Tatsuro’s practice with wandless teleportation magic progressed well, allowing him to send objects within a visible range with an error margin of two meters. He practiced diligently to ensure he could do it alone, as even a slight mistake in Interdimensional Transfer Magic could be disastrous.

“If this is Interdimensional Transfer Magic, even a small error is scary. Sending magic alone to a spot in my field of vision was easy, though.”

“Once you perfect this, try it with a person next, then at a distance—gradually build up to ensure accuracy.”

“It’d be terrifying if we ended up in a world uninhabitable by humans due to a mistake.”

“Yeah, so I’ll keep practicing. But since the class change, magic’s been easier to use, so I’ll master it in no time.”

“Yeah! We’ll be able to see Mom again soon!”

“Don’t forget Dad.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, right.”

As a teenage girl, she likely missed her mother more, but Tatsuro felt a pang of sympathy for his distant fatherhood, imagining how he’d feel if his own daughter treated him similarly.

After an early lunch, they walked toward the Guild Master’s room, passing residents who seemed slightly restless but were returning to normal.

Entering the Guild Master’s room, now almost on a face-pass basis, they found Ippolito and five other men. One, seated on a sofa, wore understated yet expensive clothing and had striking silver hair and an exceptionally refined face, even among the typically handsome Elves. Behind him stood two Elves, a human, and a fishman, each with sharp expressions directed at Tatsuro’s group. Though surprised by the crowd, they entered casually.

“Hello. Uh, if you’re busy with guests, we can come back?”

“No, no. These people are here for you, so it’s no issue.”

“I see. Then we’ll stay.”

Given the situation, Tatsuro suspected these were high-ranking individuals. His guess was confirmed when one spoke.

“Greetings, Tatsuro Hasami and companions. I am Howl Luisarch Casapisti, the current king of Casapisti. I am deeply grateful for your heroic efforts in saving our nation from an unprecedented crisis.”

“So you’re the king. It’s an honor to meet you. As you seem to know, I’m Tatsuro Hasami. I didn’t expect the king himself to come and offer words of thanks.”

“No need for humility. You’ve done something extraordinary. I’m ashamed to call myself king when I could do nothing.”

“Your Majesty! Please don’t say such things!”

A gray-haired Elf in his late thirties, likely the second most important person there, hurriedly reprimanded King Howl. But Howl silenced him with a wave of his right hand.

“Sorry for the commotion. Here’s my proposal: I’d like to welcome you as key figures in our nation. If you wish, I can offer not just the Hyalva Medal with a house and land, but a vast territory to govern. What do you say?”

“Your offer is greatly appreciated, but we have no intention of serving anyone. We want to live freely. Sorry.”

“I see. I figured as much. Don’t worry about it. But how about a mansion and land in any town you choose? Not as subjects of our nation, but as a place to live freely or visit occasionally.”

“Yes, we’ve been wanting some bases, so we’d love that—though, could we be a bit picky about the location?”

“Of course. It’s the heroes’ wish. In my name, I’ll ensure every convenience. Where would you like?”

Tatsuro’s group had wanted a base in this world. They initially thought a mansion with a decent garden in the Noble District would suffice. But with the king himself present, Tatsuro wondered if a bolder idea might be possible.

He pulled out a map of Casapisti’s entire territory, purchased at a department store when they arrived, and pointed to a specific spot.

“Here.”

“Hmm—”

“What!?”

““““Huh?””””

The king raised an intrigued eyebrow, his presumed aide exclaimed, and the others, including the Guild Master, tilted their heads in confusion.