Volume 6 Chapter 36 Gatekeeper
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
After escaping the hollow with Yasura-sama, the Gargoyles flew off toward the gate. It seems that hollow is their patrol range, isn’t it? Either way, we have to get back to our base and come up with a plan. Yasura-sama was still breathing hard, and since I could not exactly rush her, we slowly made our way back along the path we came. I wonder if the makeshift Gate has been fixed yet.
However, I noticed that something was off. The area where Yohaku-sama and Kororon-sama are was incredibly noisy. With a bad feeling in my gut, I started running, with Yasura-sama trailing behind, wheezing as she tried to keep up.
”Do not let your guard down! It is possible that Gargoyles have appeared over here as well,” Yasura-sama wheezed.
”Understood, Yasura-sama,” I replied.
Sword in hand, I jumped into the shadow of the large rock where Yohaku-sama and the others had been staying.
”What in the world is that!” I gasped.
No. I should not have used such bad language, but I was shocked. That is not a Gargoyle, is it? It has the body of a lion, the head of an eagle, and huge wings growing from its back.
”Impossible! A Gryphon!?” Yasura-sama shouted as she arrived late.
”Yasura-sama. You call that thing a Gryphon? It seems bigger and stronger than the Gargoyles, but…” I said quietly.
”Yes. Both the Gryphons and the Gargoyles are beasts called by the ancient Demon Clan (an evil spirit race). It seems there is no doubt this place is connected to Yggdrasil (the world tree). However… that is not the issue right now. We cannot fight properly in a place where magic is barely usable. We must join up with Yohaku and the others and initiate an Emergency Escape (a spell to flee instantly)!” Yasura-sama commanded.
”Yes! And where exactly is Yohaku-sama?” I asked. As I looked around, I saw something like a large rock in front of the Gryphon, but was that there a moment ago?
”Karin. That rock-like thing is Kororon’s Shield. There is no doubt that both of them are holed up inside it,” Yasura-sama pointed out.
”Ehh! Then if we do not do something about the Gryphon, the two of them cannot get out?” I worried.
”…That may be so… damn it. If only I could use my magic with full power…” Yasura-sama said angrily.
”It cannot be helped, Yasura-sama. I will act as a decoy and draw the Gryphon away. While I do that, please join up with Yohaku-sama and the others to prepare for our escape. I will find an opening and join you,” I said firmly.
”Is that the only way… Karin. Please, be extremely careful,” Yasura-sama warned.
Phew, alright. Sharlin-sensei trained me well, so even if I cannot defeat it, I can at least get its attention! I told myself that and ran straight at the Gryphon.
Yasura sent a signal from the outside to deactivate the Shield, and I could see their faces—they looked completely exhausted.
”Ah, Yasura-san. Are you safe?” Yohaku asked.
”Fool. That is my line. Karin is currently drawing the Gryphon’s attention. We are going to prepare to flee immediately. Now, were you able to fix the Gate?” Yasura replied sharply.
”We were busy! It just suddenly came down from the sky… we only just managed to protect ourselves. Kororon-san has been keeping up the Shield despite feeling sick… I think she is at her limit,” Yohaku explained.
”…”
”Hmph. The eldest of the Spirit Clan (a clan of nature spirits). Get yourself together! You are supposed to be the being closest to the gods, are you not? If we hesitate here, Karin will be in danger,” Yasura said sharply.
”!!”
”Then, Yasura-san, Kororon-san. I am going to use the Emergency Escape device. Everyone must stick to me for us to jump together, so let us hurry and join Ms. Karin!” Yohaku instructed.
Following Yohaku’s words, Kororon stood up with just willpower, even while half-asleep, and sent a telepathy.
[Karin. Hurry over here and touch Yohaku!]
”Ah, yes, Kororon-sama. I am heading your way, so please wait for me,” I called out.
Though I said that, this thing is fast. It moves with a speed you would not imagine from its appearance. Perhaps those wings make it move more nimbly than it actually looks. I have to find a gap and get around it somehow…
Just then, a magic bullet flew from the opposite side of the Gryphon, hitting its head lightly, and the Gryphon was distracted for a moment.
Now is my chance! I jumped into its blind spot, right past the Gryphon’s body, and managed to get behind it.
”Alright. Now, I will run as fast as I can to Yohaku-sama!” I yelled.
Having entered its blind spot, it must have lost sight of me for a second. I could feel from behind me that the Gryphon was looking around, confused.
”Karin-san!” Yohaku-sama and the others were moving closer to me as well.
Good. If it is like this, I can join them!
But at that moment, I heard a whistling noise high above, and I heard Yasura-sama’s voice.
”Karin. Look above!” Yasura-sama yelled.
”Huh?” I glanced up.
When I looked up, I saw another Gryphon diving straight at me.
No. I cannot avoid this!
”Father, Mother!!” I screamed.
I closed my eyes without thinking, and the Gryphon crashed directly into the spot where I was standing.
BOOM!! There was a huge roar that shook the earth.
”Karin—!” Yasura screamed, and Yohaku was pale-faced and could not even speak.
”What have I done. Karin… damn it, how miserable… I am the eldest mage of Zerlant. Yet… why does it end like this!?” Yasura cried.
”Even I… eh? Yasura-san. Where is Kororon-san?” Yohaku asked.
”What? No, until just a moment ago, she was clinging to the hem of your clothes, completely exhausted?” Yasura noted.
”But… ah, Yasura-san. Look at that!” Yohaku gasped.
When I looked in the direction Yohaku pointed… what was this? The body of the Gryphon that had crashed into the ground was starting to float?
”I-impossible. Is that… is that Kororon’s doing?” Yasura questioned.
Yasura saw the massive body of the Gryphon gradually being lifted into the air, with a small tornado of wind underneath it.
”Ah, is it possible, Kororon-san. Your own Qi (life energy)…” Yasura whispered.
[Stop your endless talking, you old hags. Hurry up and jump into this wind. Karin is safe, too. But I cannot hold this for long…] Kororon sent.
”Ah, ah. Understood. Let’s go, Yohaku!” Yasura ordered.
But as Yasura and Yohaku stood up and began to run, the Gryphon that had lost track of Karin approached them rapidly.
”Hmph. I will not let you Spirit Clan folks have all the fun! Fireball!” Yasura shouted.
At the same time as Yasura’s words, a massive ball of fire was created—or rather, it was as if Yasura and Yohaku were swallowed by the fireball themselves, and they charged into the Gryphon just like that.
Gryaaaah. The Gryphon twisted in pain as its whole body was covered in flames.
”Huff, huff… ah, I hate getting old…” Yasura panted.
”But as expected of you, Yasura-san. A Gryphon, burned,” Yohaku remarked.
”But I could not control the heat… both I and you are almost burned to a crisp,” Yasura groaned.
”Hohoho. I apologize for showing you the naked body of such an old woman,” Yohaku laughed.
”Damn it, enough with the talk. Let us join up with Kororon quickly. The other one is starting to move, too,” Yasura said sharply.
When Yasura and Yohaku, whose clothes were mostly burned away leaving them half-naked from their own fireball, reached the side of the wind mass, the lifted Gryphon was beginning to try to get free.
[It does not matter. Hurry and jump in. My limit for holding this thing down is also near…] Kororon warned.
”Understood. Then, without waiting… HYAAH!” Yasura shouted.
Inside the wind mass that Yasura and Yohaku jumped into, Karin was lying unconscious.
”Oh, it seems she is still breathing. But Kororon. Where are you?” Yasura asked.
[Hmph. I have already turned most of the Qi in my body into wind. So… do not worry about me, and get away quickly.] Kororon replied.
”No, I cannot do that…” Yasura objected, but Yohaku interrupted her.
”Then, Kororon-san. Please leave the rest to me… Emergency Escape sequence start!” Yohaku declared.
With Yohaku’s words, the surroundings were enveloped in a bright light.
—
Summary:
Karin manages to save her companions from a pair of Gryphons by drawing their attention as a decoy. Kororon uses the last of her life force to manifest wind, lifting one Gryphon and allowing the others to escape. Yasura and Yohaku use a desperate fire spell to clear their path, ultimately reaching the wind mass to initiate their emergency escape sequence.
—
Trivia:
The Gryphons and Gargoyles are both beasts summoned by the ancient Demon Clan.
The area is confirmed to be connected to Yggdrasil.
Magic is significantly restricted in this specific location.
Kororon is a member of the Spirit Clan and the eldest among them.
Karin’s training under Sharlin was essential for her survival.
Notes:
• Yasura – The Eldest of the Elf Clan and a member of the Three Elders, they appear as a young girl but speak with an elderly, rural speech pattern, blending aristocratic, superior air with curmudgeonly banter. Armed with ancient knowledge of Elven legends and the World Tree, they analyze ambient Mana flows for geographic navigation and direct exploration near the glacier, providing magical projectile cover.
• Kororon – Over ten thousand years old, this oldest and most powerful member of the Three Elders appears as a young girl. A nonchalant Spirit Clan member, she speaks with a direct, casual rhythm and uses telepathy to read minds, serving as Karin’s protective guide. Highly skilled in combat, she expends qi, Ki, and Mana to deploy advanced defensive shields.
• Yohaku – A member of the Demon Clan who possesses spatial warp magic with a limit of four targets. She displays an elegant yet whimsical demeanor and desires to travel the world. One of the Three Elders who utilizes a provisional gate to teleport the group while tracking coordinates.
• Karin – A young human woman with an uncanny immunity to highly dense mana, who serves as an assistant caring for the Three Elders. Though she strives to stay brave despite perilous circumstances, she worries intensely about her mother and Syu. Notably vocal, she always lands at the bottom of the pile during warp teleportation.
• Sharlin – A master and mentor who praised Karin for her intuitive skill in locating others during the rescue.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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