The Neighborhood High School Girl, Miss Isezaki, Is the Great Saintess Returned from Another World~ And I, Suddenly Awakened as Her Exclusive Mana Supply Uncle, Travel Between Earth and Another World with Time-Space Magic~ - 199. The Dragon’s Lair

199. 199. 199. 199. The Dragon’s Lair

As we made our way forward, the sound of the waterfall pounding the surface of the water grew louder and louder, guiding us to the basin. Fortunately, it seemed the Earth Dragon truly wasn’t around anymore, and we easily arrived at our destination. 

The area around the waterfall was refreshingly cool, a stark contrast to the sweltering heat we endured during our climb. Isezaki-san, who had been melting in the heat, now seemed to relax. She narrowed her eyes in comfort. Meanwhile, Maristel effortlessly hopped onto a nearby boulder and peered into the basin below.

“Hmm… Last time, the Earth Dragon was napping here, so I quickly fled before it noticed me—but it’s not here now. It looks like the one Matsunaga defeated was the one living here.”

“If that’s the case, then we’re lucky. I wouldn’t want to face something like that again.”

“Muhuhu, it’s because of my good karma, I’m sure!”

“Good karma… right?”

Isezaki-san shot a cold glance at Maristel, who ignored it and sniffed the air. She then pointed to the thickest and tallest tree a bit away from the waterfall.

“Sniff, sniff… That spot has the strongest scent of magic. I bet under that big tree, there’s a bunch of high-quality herbs growing.”

“Really? In that case, let’s—”

“…? Wait, Husband. Something feels off.”

Just as I was about to step forward, Isezaki-san grabbed my sleeve tightly. Maristel just shrugged mockingly.

“What’s the matter, Isezaki? Are you questioning my nose? It’s a shame you can’t appreciate how capable I am. That kind of narrow-mindedness isn’t good for you, you know? The only thing that should be narrow is a woman’s—”

“Isezaki-san! What’s wrong?!”

Interrupting Maristel before she could say something weird, I asked. Isezaki-san was still fixated on the large tree and replied.

“Master, look carefully around that tree.”

“Okay, got it—hmm?”

As I followed her instructions, I noticed several small wooden plaques driven into the ground just before the large tree.

“…What are those? They seem to be man-made.”

Squinting, I could see that the wooden plaques were covered with some sort of writing. They looked like small grave markers, giving off an eerie vibe.

“Oh, you’re right. Hmm… I feel like I’ve seen something like that before, but what was it… Hmm, hmm…”

Maristel muttered to herself, trying to recall where she had seen them before. Just then, the ground around the plaques began to rise slowly. It took on a humanoid shape as it gradually stood up—and Maristel cried out.

“Oh, right! Those are golem talismans! When you stick them into the ground, they turn the surrounding earth into Sand Golems!”

“Golems?!”

I shouted in surprise. Golems are magical creatures typically made of earth or stone, a staple in fantasy worlds. They’re often depicted as obedient servants, and it seemed that held true in this world as well.

“Looks like someone besides the Earth Dragon was creating other creatures to serve them. Look, now they’re crawling out everywhere!”

As if the first golem rising signaled the others, the surrounding soil began to swell.  More and more golems kept forming. 

The golems were thin and dark. Their bodies were compacted from the excavated earth, making them resemble black mannequins—or perhaps the silhouette of a culprit from a certain famous detective series. The golems I knew were usually bulky and heavy, but these had a strange, intimidating presence that was genuinely frightening.

“It seems they’re programmed to automatically eliminate any intruders. Maybe the previous owner didn’t want anyone stealing those valuable herbs… Matsunaga, didn’t the beast tamer who died seem like a pretty nasty piece of work?”

“Yeah, he was definitely an unpleasant individual.”

“That’s what I thought. But since it’s you, Matsunaga, taking them down should be easy, right? Come on, just finish them off, quick and easy!”

“Maristel, stop giving orders to Master—wait, Master, look up! Above you!”

Isezaki-san suddenly shouted in a sharp voice.

I hurriedly looked up, and what I saw was a gigantic bird with bright red feathers circling above us. Its sharp gaze was clearly focused on us, and it seemed like it could attack at any moment.

“Oh, that’s a Scarlet Bird. It’s a nasty creature that impales its prey with its sharp beak. I wonder if it’s tamed like the golems? But unlike the golems, it would be released once the master dies… or maybe this area is just its territory.”

It seemed the Scarlet Bird wasn’t too happy about us trespassing in its territory. As it circled above, it gradually lowered its altitude. It was getting closer and closer to us, seemingly waiting for the right moment to strike.

Golems on the ground, Scarlet Bird in the sky—this situation was getting worse by the minute. In the midst of all this, Maristel elegantly ran her hand through her hair. She let it flow behind her as she spoke with confidence.

“Well, whatever. Matsunaga, go ahead and take care of them!”

She raised her voice and pointed decisively at me. Of course, I had to protest.

“What are you talking about? There’s no way I can handle all of this at once!”

I had just learned the hard way how difficult it was to take down even one monster. Now, facing multiple unknown creatures with an aerial threat included was way beyond what an ordinary guy like me could manage.

Seeing my outburst, Maristel’s face turned pale.

“What? No, no, you’re joking, right?!”

When I shook my head, she visibly panicked and took a couple of steps back.

“S-so that’s how it is… Oh, I just remembered I have something urgent to do! Sorry, but I’ll head back home first! See you later!”

Maristel suddenly turned her back and started running. But she tripped spectacularly after just a few meters, flailing her legs as she let out a pained cry.

“G-g-g-gah… M-my neck…! G-g-gah…!”

Clutching her neck in agony, Maristel’s face was still pale as she tried to remove a toy-like necklace that was glowing faintly. Seeing this, Isezaki-san raised an eyebrow.

“Hey, Maristel! You were really trying to run away, weren’t you? Have you already forgotten about the [Sacred Oath]?”

“N-not running away! I’m not running away, so please, hurry up and—ah! Haa, haa, haa…! W-what do you think you’re doing, Isezaki?!”

“It’s not my doing, that’s for sure!”

It seemed the necklace loosened on its own after a moment. Maristel was now drenched in sweat. She protested to Isezaki-san, but I remembered that the necklace was supposed to be an automatic restraint. It looked like she had tried to abandon us and escape.

Though I understood her urge to flee—I’m also considering it—there’s no need to risk our lives just to gather herbs. After casting a quick glance at Maristel, Isezaki-san hurried over to me and whispered in my ear.

“Master, I know you said it’s impossible to handle those monsters, but… hehe, I have a feeling you’re thinking the same thing as I am. Maristel has been trying to push everything onto you, and I think it’s time for her to be taught a lesson. I have an idea.”

I hadn’t actually been thinking that. But right now, I was willing to consider any plan. If Isezaki-san had an idea, I was ready to listen. We could always run afterward.

“What’s your plan?”

“Yes. First, Master, please take care of the golems. Meanwhile—Maristel.”

“Huh? W-what is it…?”

Maristel had finally managed to stand up. She then looked at Isezaki-san with suspicion.

“While Master deals with the golems, you should distract the Scarlet Bird and serve as the decoy!”

As if it had heard her, the Scarlet Bird immediately locked onto its target and began a rapid descent straight toward Maristel. Its sharp beak was aimed right at her.

“Wait, what?! Me?! Why is it coming for me?! No way! No, no, no, no, no way!!”

Maristel screamed in desperation, her cries echoing across the field as she gazed up at the sky.