How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 51

57. Black Magician’s Workshop Subjugation (2)

Kruse, having accepted my proposal, agreed to accompany us.

I also spoke with the mercenaries to get their understanding, but fortunately, there were no objections.

Everyone agreed.

They must have been drooling over the benefits of having a high-level magician with them.

“For us, having a mage is more than welcome… Are you really okay with this?”

“If it were just us, we would have had to retreat a long time ago.”

“…Hmm. It would definitely be too much to handle.”

Soland couldn’t argue with that.

Since a large drake-like monster had already appeared, there was a high possibility that something even worse was inside.

If I hadn’t found her, I would have retreated and looked for another way.

I’m not reckless enough to put my bare hand into a beehive just because I want honey.

If I don’t want to put my hand in the beehive, I have to put someone else’s hand in.

“Anyway, please take care of us, mage.”

“…Ah… Yes. I’ll do my best.”

Kruse answered hesitantly.

She probably doesn’t trust the mercenaries she doesn’t know very well.

There’s no need to create a scene of harmony, and it’ll be fine as it is.

“Then let’s start right away.”

With that, we quickly checked our equipment, took a break, and started off again.

“By the way, how are you going to find the Spiritist?”

As we were walking through the forest, Kruse came up behind me and asked.

I can feel her gaze telling me to try saying I can’t find him now.

If I said that even as a joke, she might hit me with her staff.

“Come to think of it, how were you trying to find him, Kruse? Were you using magic?”

“I was using a combination of basic detection magic and magic to find his black magic.”

Kruse shook her staff slightly.

“Like this.”

Then, I felt a wave that seemed to tap lightly inside my body.

Is that detection magic?

…Is it like using mana as sonar?

“Is it a method of detecting unique mana, like black magic?”

“You could say that.”

“Is there a more plausible method? I’ve heard rumors that some mages can count the number of earthworms within a city-sized area.”

“Unfortunately, that’s not my specialty. More than anything, it’s impossible unless you’re an exceptional… well, an expert.”

Was she about to say pervert just now?

Whatever.

I didn’t bother to argue and just nodded and moved on.

“And these monsters…”

Kruse frowned as she glanced at the corpse of a monster lying near the path we were taking.

For the record, we didn’t kill that.

However, judging from the wounds, it seems that it wasn’t a fight between monsters, but rather they were stabbed to death by swords or spears.

It must have been the work of someone who passed by earlier.

“It seems other mercenaries have taken care of them. I guess we’re not the only ones who came… But what about them?”

“These monsters are a hindrance. The energy generated from the exposed magic stones interferes with the detection. It must be intentional.”

“…I see. There’s also that method.”

Releasing monsters wasn’t just for defense, but also to interfere with magical detection.

They must have used that method because they were wary of mages and paladins first.

Indeed, they used their heads a bit.

“Then what were you planning to do afterward?”

“…I was going to flip it over.”

“Pardon?”

“If they’re hiding somewhere underground, it’s simple. I was wondering if something would change if I sank this entire area.”

“…Wow.”

“What’s with that reaction?”

“No, I’m just surprised at how clever you are. …Yes. Since you’re so clever, put your staff away. And don’t poke me in the back with it.”

If it’s too much trouble to find them one by one, destroying everything would mean the black magician would be among them.

Well, that’s logical. I can’t argue with that.

If the enemy is hiding underground, destroying them underground is the most certain method.

“So, Spiritist? How are you going to find the workshop?”

On the one hand, she seemed to be secretly expecting the method I would find.

Curiosity is a typical trait of a magician.

“Ah~ My method is…”

I deliberately smiled and pointed to the ground.

“I’ve actually been looking for it all along.”

“…Pardon?”

While she was puzzled, a gnome peeked out of the ground in a semi-transparent state.

The gnome in spirit form crossed its arms when it met my gaze.

-It’s not there!

Okay. It’s not there. Then go find it again. It’s an endless search until you find it.

As I sent the gnome away, Kruse watched my actions and understood.

“…So you’re having the spirits find it directly.”

Oh, I don’t need to say it.

In fact, it’s not a high-level search technique.

There’s a more direct method.

If the guy is underground, there must be a living space inside.

Then, I just have the spirits wander around underground.

“All I have to do is have the spirits find any unnaturally created space.”

Spirits can move without interference, no matter what’s there.

Moreover, if it’s underground, the gnome’s actions are not restricted unless it’s in combat.

That’s the advantage of spiritism and the difference from magic.

“More than anything, if the spirit can’t approach for some reason, that in itself is suspicious.”

“Indeed. That’s how it is.”

“It’s simple but it’s a blind spot. …By the way, Kruse, can you see my spirit?”

It’s in spirit form to save mana, so no one but me should be able to see it?

Kruse shook her head.

“I can’t see the spirit visually either. However, I can faintly feel a slight concentration of your mana, Spiritist. So there must be a spirit there.”

“Indeed…”

Should I keep that in mind? Even if you summon a spirit invisibly, the other person will notice the discomfort if they are skilled.

Anyway, Kruse seemed quite impressed with my suggestion.

“…Spirits, it would definitely be convenient to use them like that.”

“It looks like mages are more comfortable to me. You were flying around as much as you wanted a little while ago, weren’t you?”

“High-level spiritists can do the same thing.”

“I’m a low-level one.”

The weakest of the spiritists. Hehehehe…

After that, we carefully explored the area.

We encountered several types of monsters along the way.

“Monsters. Annoying.”

Seeing them instantly turn to ashes, swept away by the magic that Kruse immediately unleashed, the mercenaries were relieved, or they admired, feeling embarrassed that they didn’t seem to have anything to do.

“At this rate, it seems like we won’t have anything to do.”

“…Should we even be here?”

They just fidgeted with their weapons, looking awkward.

Not having anything to do is really the best.

And after wandering around for about two more hours, we finally got a bite.

-It’s there! It’s wide!

The gnome finally found an empty space.

I knew you’d find it!

In fact, this method was suggested by the protagonist to a fellow spiritist in the original work and used it.

However, it’s not a panacea [a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases].

It’s impossible if there are high-level spirit-specific defenses, and the same goes for dungeons.

Dungeons prevent spirit intrusion and detection as a matter of course.

Still, it’s a method that can be used sufficiently at the current level.

“It’s here! Underneath here!”

“Underneath here?”

“Yes. I’m sure of it. Ah, and Kruse.”

Come to think of it, I should have told you this story earlier, but oh well.

It’s already late.

“Yes? Spiritist?”

“Actually, now that I think about it, there might be one drawback to this method.”

“What do you mean?”

I slowly distanced myself from her, who was still tilting her head as if she didn’t understand.

With infrared detection deployed in my eyes from a while ago.

I can see something getting closer and closer to Kruse from below.

“Ah… Now that I think about it, I thought they might notice when we find it. So please take care of it~.”

“What is…”

Kruse’s words were cut off.

Kwagagagagagang!

The ground suddenly soared up, and something huge popped out from inside.

The mercenaries exclaimed the monster’s name in horror.

“A worm?!”

“No way, how could a worm be in this area!”

“Wait! What about the mage?”

Unfortunately, Kruse was right above the spot when the giant worm popped out.

What bad luck.

And she flew away with the clod of earth.

Really bad luck.

“Kyaa!”

A shrill scream was heard, and then the worm swallowed Kruse.

‘She’s a bit slow in sudden situations.’

She’s weak to surprise attacks.

She must be inattentive because she hasn’t been out of the magic tower for long.

She hasn’t had enough of the social water [experience in dealing with people and navigating social situations].

“Ah, she really got eaten.”

“Eilon! Is this the time to say something so nonchalant!”

Soland screamed in a fluster.

It’s definitely not the time to mutter leisurely.

It’s annoying if she’s dragged all the way to the basement like that.

It’s annoying to go find her.

“Let’s hold it back for now.”

I pulled out the magic sword chain sword from my waist.

First, Salamander creates flames and throws a fireball to draw the monster’s attention this way.

Worm-type monsters don’t have visual organs like earthworms, so they judge objects by heat and smell.

Salamander’s heat will be very annoying to the monster.

The moment its attention is drawn this way.

“Haaaaaaaat!”

I activated the magic sword chain sword’s ability with all my might.

Dozens of strands of magical chains for binding soared from the blade, wrapping around the worm and binding it.

Got it!

“Kuh! It’s heavy!”

It’s good that I caught it, but it wouldn’t be strange if I was dragged out the other way right away.

The difference in size can’t be ignored.

“This! We’ll help too! What are you doing! You guys grab on quickly too!”

Soland shouted and clung to me, starting a tug-of-war.

And the mercenaries rushed over and grabbed me.

“Eilon! What are you going to do now! Kuh! At this rate, we’ll be dragged out together too.”

“It’s okay! Um… right, Kruse?”

As I barely held on and muttered, the worm wriggled.

It’s not thrashing around trying to break free from the restraints.

It’s enough to just keep the monster from running away.

She must be really angry by now.

“She’ll be out soon.”

Soon, the worm exploded.

Scattering flames from inside its body, the fragments of the monster that shattered as it was are scattered in pieces.

“Wow… it explodes well. Gross.”

“Did you do that just now?”

“Of course not. Ah, she’s coming down.”

Soon, the flames cleared, and Kruse, with a tired face, landed from within.

“Thank you for your hard work, Kruse. Gee, that was a big deal. What bad luck that a worm popped out there.”

“Hehehehe.”

Her low laughter.

But it’s clear that she’s not laughing because she’s happy.

Ah, she’s angry.

“Spiritist? There’s one thing I’m curious about. Did you know this would happen?”

“Of course not. I was also taken by surprise. After seeing Kruse figure out the location of my spirit, I thought the other side might do that too.”

“…Really?”

“I swear.”

It’s half true.

In fact, I noticed quite a while ago that the monster was reacting to the spirit and coming up to the ground.

It’s just that the reaction of that monster was so huge that I was reluctant to deal with it, so I kept my mouth shut to pass it on to Kruse, but that was half intentional.

Thanks to that, it simply took the bait and exploded on its own.

“By the way, what about the other monsters?”

“Well, I don’t think they’ll pop out again.”

Kruse said, staring at the inside of the pit where the worm came out.

She’s wary this time because of the accident a little while ago, but it’s quiet.

I also took a quick look, but it didn’t seem like anything would pop out.

“We can go in here… but at this rate, the owner of this workshop will have noticed too.”

“It doesn’t matter. We just have to catch them before that. Let’s go right in. Let’s go in as soon as possible.”

It seems that Kruse started urging me because she was annoyed by the accident a little while ago.

“…That’s how it is, but what are the others going to do?”

I asked, leaving the mercenaries who were hesitating.

“I guarantee you’ll definitely have a hard time if you go inside.”