401-Episode 401 True Strategy

　There were countless entrances to the dungeon, so they entered and exited from a place that was not controlled by the phoenix tribe, which meant that they had entered and exited from a place that was not controlled by the phoenix tribe.

”Hahaha, Monica, did you see that?　That useless, surprised face!

Yes, he was very surprised.

I opened my mouth wide open and everything…

　Laughing loudly, Leanne seems to be having a lot of fun.

　Monica is smiling as well, as she matches her….

　His face is somehow inorganic, as if he’s saying that he’s only smiling because Lean is smiling, too.

　You have to be able to find out what is going to be the reason for this.

”By the way, the呀 wolf tribe and the phoenix tribe…….?　How did you know about those guys? I’ve never heard of them before.

Mr. Reese knows a lot of things.

”Hmmm … you certainly look smart. Besides, I wonder if you’ve been a demon tribe for many years, do you get a lot of information?

I don’t know all of Mr. Reese’s sources of information, so I can’t say for sure, but there are probably a lot of different ways to get the word out.

Well, that’s what I’m talking about. We want to live amongst ourselves, but we’re not so ordinary.

Yes, of course. Mr. Reese is a very noble man.

　Monica smiles at me.

　This one is a genuine smile.

　She is honestly expressing her joy at the Lord’s praise.

”The呀 wolf tribe and the phoenix tribe are trying to kill Reese, right?　I had a confrontation in the past and they resented me or something.

‘Yes, we do. That’s why we have to get rid of these two species somehow.

‘That’s all well and good, but… why now?　If you’ve had the information for a while, why didn’t you do it sooner?

”The opponent is the most powerful species. And when you’re fighting two species, it’s not going to be smooth.

Well, that’s just as well.

But I’m with Mr. Lean now.

“Whoa?

　Monica gives Lean a look full of reverence and respect, as if she were directing it at her Lord.

　Receiving such a gaze, Lean’s face was surprised, but not unconcerned.

”Lean-san, who has gained the power of the Rainbow Crystal, has no enemies.

Oh, yeah?

”Until now, we were hesitant to attack because we didn’t have someone as strong as Lean-san… but now it’s different. Lean-san is here. So I’ve decided to reach out.

I see.

　It’s nothing more than blatant flattery, but…

　Even so, Lean was in a better mood than ever, and her smile couldn’t be hidden.

It’s a good thing that you’re a beautiful beautiful beautiful wizard.　It’s not that easy, it’s more like it can be done… let’s do it!

That’s very encouraging.

With my power and this rainbow crystal, the most powerful species or not, that’s just a twist!

　Lean spun the rainbow crystal around and then held it ready.

　But Lean didn’t notice.

　She didn’t know anything.

　That the real Rainbow Crystal looked like a different shape.

　That what Lean was holding in her hand was called the Dark Crystal, a cursed tool that ate the malice and soul of its owner and grew.

　Monica knows about the Dark Crystal, but she doesn’t talk about it.

　We will only talk about it as a rainbow crystal.

　There is a purpose for doing so.

”So, what do we do now?　Anyway, I flew the obtrusive mooks somewhere far away.

‘That’s the thing…….you don’t know where you flew Mr. Lane and the others to?

‘Hmmm, it might be a bit difficult. I’m still getting used to forced long-distance transfers. So the transference is completely random.

Well….

But I’m pretty sure he flew pretty far away. I don’t think he’s anywhere near it, unless he’s very lucky.

”…Okay. Then it looks like we can decide not to get in the way and act accordingly.

What is it?　What’s next?

　Lean’s eyes sparkle.

　She seems eager to use the power of the rainbow crystal.

　It’s as if she’s a child who has gotten her favorite toy.

　However, the toy was not funny, as it could easily kill people.

Well, don’t you think it’s a bit of a hassle?

”I thought this was the surest way to be sure. No matter how many Leans you have, you can’t take on all of the two most powerful species at the same time, can you?

Uh … well that’s just the way it is.

‘So let’s take it easy when it seems easy. Let the two races fall out and when they’re exhausted, we’ll put a stop to it… how about that?

”Well I thought it would be a hassle or something, but after thinking about it, it sounds like it would be fun.”

　Lean reacts strongly to the part about making them fall out.

　She even had a twinkle in her eye.

　They say someone else’s misfortune is the taste of honey….

　Lean’s character was advancing it on the ground, and it was quite rotten.

‘So let’s go in that direction … let’s talk some more about it.

Okay.

　While discussing about the future, Monica glanced at the rainbow crystal…….and the dark crystal.

　Lean didn’t seem to notice, but a mischievous jet-black aura was flooding out from time to time.

　It saw an opening and tried to swallow Lean.

”……..That’s enough.”

Hmm?　What did you just say?

No, I didn’t.

　Monica smiled.

　In her mind, the true strategy, known only to herself, was being constructed.

———-

　We had a tentatively contracted wild wolf and Sakura to explore the surroundings.

　As a result, they found an ocean a short distance away.

　Also, we learned that there was no human settlement in sight.

　I compare the information Sakura and the others brought back with the map Rezona-san gave me to find the current location.

　As a result……..we found out that the place we are in is somewhere in the northern continent.

　I received Finia’s opinion and verified it many times, so I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it.

　But……..the problem is that we don’t know where in the northern continent we are.

　I’m in a place that neither Sakura nor Feinya know about, and I don’t know how to get back to the village of the Netherworld tribe or the phoenix tribe.

”Good grief…….we have to get back soon.

　What will Mr. Elfin do after we’re gone?

　Most people would think that we’re in cahoots with Lean and that we’re up to something.

　In that case, I’d be worried about Kanade and Chiffon, who are being held hostage.

　Of course, I’m also worried about Nina and Rifa, whom I left behind in the phoenix tribe’s village.

”Calm down, don’t be in a hurry…….”

　Impatience narrows your vision.

　Or so I tell myself.

‘….Good.

　We were able to put together a plan for the future.

　I call Sakura and Finia.

　Sakura chirped cheerfully, while Finia came over here with a timid look.

”As I told you earlier, we’re currently lost in the northern continent. I think we need to find our way back to the phoenix tribe’s home as soon as possible.

‘Yes, yes … yes,’

But I think I’ll put that on the back burner.

What?

　The sudden declaration made Finia look surprised.

　However, I’m not saying this without thinking about it.

”Before I return to the phoenix tribe’s village, I have some things I have to do.

Do I have to do… things?

It’s about catching the people responsible for this, Leanne and Monica.