Allen's group had easily gotten through the first level of the Gate of Fang.
They had found a really powerful bracelet in the first level, so Allen's summons continued searching for more.
Then they spent 5 days in the second level.
Allen was carrying something like a gas cylinder.
Everyone was breathing heavily.
They had face masks and tubes connected to the air purifying device Larappa made.
The second level was a large poisonous swamp, noxious gas bubbling from it everywhere.
Allen could use Aromatic Vegetables to nullify poison, but the intolerable stink would remain.
It was even worse when they spent 10 hours every day trying to get through the dungeon.
When Cecile started punching Allen, angry that her clothes also started stinking, he felt the world was incredibly unfair.
Haku could not wear anti-poison equipment, but he quickly gained poison resistance.
Dragons gained various resistances going through the trials.
Haku's resistances were also Level 2 now, thanks to changing species.
He also had no issue devouring the monsters that came from the swamp.
Summons could also use Aromatic Vegetables to travel safely, but 10 Bird E summons had not been able to find the exit.
There were various suspicious places blended into the terrain though, like oddly large hills, swamps with more concentrated poison, or graveyards of various sizes.
The summons could investigate as well, but some swamps or hills needed the party to do it themselves, and that was how they spent 5 days there.
They investigated every place that seemed suspicious, including the floor of the swamp.
Kurena's [Supreme Sword] cleared both the swamp and monster nests.
Below, they found remains of treasure chests, but no magic symbol.
"There really were treasure chests under the swamp."
'Eeheehee.'
A Wraith A summon returned with a treasure chest from below the swamp.
There could be more of them in other places, so he sent the summon to search for more, so they could be picked up without being destroyed.
Inside the first one they found a staff.
"That's my staff!!"
(This might suit Kiel.)
Cecile snatched it from Allen first, it seemed like this world would always revolve around the strongest, and she wanted to know what the staff did really badly.
It was getting dark outside, and no one there had an Appraise Skill, so they headed to Peromus' mansion who could check it for them.
＊＊＊
Cecile brought the staff to Peromus before dinner. His job now was to examine the new items, as well as manage his company, be Heavy User Island's mayor, and being a husband.
"This is incredible. It's called the Twin Magic Staff."
Peromus checked the staff with his Appraise Skill.
[Twin Magic Staff]
-Intelligence + 20000
-Magic Damage + 15%
-Two spells can be used simultaneously for twice the Mana
It was better than any staff they got before.
"Incredible, this essentially doubles our damage output."
That was a good improvement.
"Eh? Really?! Heheheh."
Dinner was being served as Cecile hugged the staff in gleeful joy. Allen would've preferred a staff that did not require twice the amount of Mana, but he kept that to himself.
The party had plenty of sources to replenish Mana, so in the end it did not matter that much.
"Cecile, you've truly changed after all these years."
(No, she's always been like that.)
Allen had been dragged around anywhere by her during his days as servant, but he kept his comment to himself.
Meanwhile Luck was next to Cecile, stuffing his cheeks with food while looking after Fabre.
"Here, this tastes really good too."
'O-okay, thanks Luck.'
Fabre had been in a stunned state since they entered the gate, which was an effect of her pact with the God of Space and Time.
Luck tried to make her eat more, giving her some bread from a basket.
(Somehow we can't meet the Dragon King anymore now that we started the dungeon too.)
They had tried to visit the Dragon King a few times after they entered the Gate of Claw, to see if he knew more than Megadeth, but the temple gatekeepers never let them through, saying that the Dragon King was sleeping. That happened no matter what time they went.
"So what are we doing next?"
Sophie asked what Allen's plans were.
"Ideally I want to keep going through the levels, but there's so many good items that I want to stay around for a bit longer and pick up everything that I can."
The terrain was more difficult than the S Rank Dungeon, but the monsters were weaker.
At least today Cecile had obtained a new weapon, which was stronger than Gordino's drops.
[Monster Ranks from the Gates of Trials]
-Gate of Claw Level 1: Only C Rank
-Gate of Claw Level 2: Mostly C Rank, few B Rank
-Gate of Claw Level 3: Few C Rank, mostly B Rank
-Gate of Fang Level 1: Mostly B Rank, few A Rank
-Gate of Fang Level 2: Few B Rank, mostly A Rank
[Items obtainable in the Gates of Trials]
-Gate of Claw Level 1: None
-Gate of Claw Level 2: Alchemy, Magic Device, and Magic Trinket materials
-Gate of Claw Level 3: Mythril, Hihiirokane, Adamantite
-Gate of Fang Level 1: Accessories
-Gate of Fang Level 2: Weapons
Allen told everyone about the notes he had taken.
"More equipment sounds wonderful. I also want better accessories!"
Cecile continued hugging her new staff.
"I'll increase the number of scout summons. We have mermen in our army now, and the Hero's Army has plans to increase their number to 10000 by spring anyway."
Allen wanted to obtain items for the armies as well. His army had just reached 7000 members.
The Hero's Army currently had 1000, but they had streamlined their activities so they could reach 10000 soon.
"So you want to make the Hero's Army stronger and not just the mermen?"
Luck asked something he was wondering.
He did not understand the reason why they would hand out the items they worked so hard for.
"Yes, we'll be fighting together after all. We need them to be strong enough to be reliable."
The Hero's Army had helped in Prostia without asking for anything in return, even though they suffered losses.
"I see. So we have to cooperate."
Luck was satisfied with that answer.
'Cooperate…'
"Hm? Did you say something Fabre?"
'No, it's nothing.'
"I see."
'...'
The Spirit King sounded slightly shaky. Rosen watched that without saying a word.
＊＊＊
Today they went to explore the swamps again.
Allen increased the number of summons searching for items and sent them to all levels.
"And still no sign of the next floor. Wait, this swamp looks oddly deep."
"Oh! Maybe there's treasure!!"
Allen and Kiel spoke through their facemasks, this area was larger than the others.
Something was clearly different there, and Allen was sure of it.
A Wraith A summon entered the swamp, its appearance looking straight out of a horror movie.
It went until the swamp water reached the summon's hips when waves started forming on the muddy surface..
"There's something there. Everyone get ready to fight!!"
Something started to rise from the swamp, a pair of eyes and a mouth opening on it.
'I'm the ruler of swamps and poison, the Great Spirit Mouton. I'll make you regret setting foot here!'
(Huh? A Great Spirit?)
It looked like an enormous slime, but it had called itself the Great Spirit Mouton.
As it opened its large mouth, it spat a large quantity of swamp mud at Allen's group.
'Gyau?!'
It seemed to be some form of toxic sulfur sludge. Haku spread his wings trying to protect Kurena, and smoke started sizzling from them. His poison resistance was not enough.
"Haku! I won't forgive you!! Supreme Sword!!"
Kurena swung her orichalcum sword down with incredible force, splitting Mouton in two.
'Ghah?! So you can split my body apart this much?! Still!!'
"Au!!"
The slime body quickly reattached itself, stretching one portion like a hand and flinging Kurena away.
(This is a powerful enemy to send Kurena flying so far away.)
"Physical attacks won't work. Sophie and Cecile cover us!!"
Physical attacks did not work, so Allen ordered for long range magic attacks instead.
'Nghuh!! This much power..!!'
Magic seemed to be more effective.
"Makris! Use Freeze Cannon!!"
Why a Great Spirit was there was unclear, but it was an enemy, so Allen fought with everything he had, including the Fish S summon's attacks.
'Gooot it. Freeze Cannon!'
Makris opened his mouth and a magic circle appeared, an enormous ice cone forming from it.
'Hm?! It's all useless!! My power will trump over you! Noxious Tsunami!!'
A large magic circle also appeared around the Great Spirit Mouton.
An enormous wave the size of Mouton headed towards the group.
Makris' and the Great Spirit Mouton's powers clashed.
