113. Let The Hunt Begin

Alright. To sum up, Horus' deal is that...

If we want clues about the Relic, we have to destroy the monster called Host... right?

Right. She also said if we decided to take the deal, she wanted us to leave for the ruins immediately to find the Host.

Aaah, seems Horus alone can solve all the problems.

A total reverse turn of events. No wonder she was the commander in chief who crushed the unrest in Nebu. She's really something.

Let's be thankful that she offered to help us. All our efforts to search for clues have not been in vain.

By the way, this is the first time I heard about the Host. Is it like the Crystal Monster in Nebu?

Anubis and Taweret, have you two heard anything about it?

... Uh, this is the first time I'm hearing of it. But that's not surprising if it lives in the ruins.

Those at the top once planned to send a team to the ruins.

Is it the monster that put the plan on hold?... Looks like no one's taken any action since then.

Why don't we kill it once for all? If Horus wants us involved, the monster must be very dangerous.

Put it simply, the plan was called off precisely because it was too dangerous. We've calculated and concluded it would take at least a battalion.

Given the current situation, war could break out among any faction. Every tribe has reservations about sending so many soldiers.

The top priority now is to play safe.

Fortunately, the Host has stayed within the ruins. Since no one has been hurt, the plan was put on the back burner.

The ruins are a historic site. We know we shouldn't let any monster wreak havoc on it...

But right now, lives matter more, so it was the right call.

So are we supposed to attack a monster that takes a battalion to defeat? It's mission impossible!

Mission impossible or not, it's the only clue we have, and we have to do it.

Don't worry. As long as we four work together, we'll definitely fare better than these mercenaries.

Alright... but now it feels like Horus is leading us by the nose, which sucks.

Ah, if only the Relic was right in the ruins where the monster is, then it'll be our luck...

Haha, if only so. Even Horus would be surprised if that kind of thing happened.

You two, no more daydreaming. The higher your expectations, the more disappointed you'll be when your hopes are dashed.

All right... Anubis, go tell Horus. Teslovik is going to take the deal.

... Here you are finally. How much longer are you gonna let me wait?

I've seen you before at Nebu. From what I recall, your name is...

My name is Luciferin. I'll take it from here now, and lead you forward.

But everyone can do this, why me...

Luciferin, are you familiar with the neighborhood?

I think so. While I may not look like it, I'm sort of a wilderness expert.

... But truth be told, traveling is just too much trouble and I don't want to leave the forests at all.

(Is she up for this...?)

... What's wrong? You don't seem to trust me. If you do not agree, we may as well go back. I could definitely use a break.

No, I-I do...!

Alright, alright, I'm sure it's fine! Awakener, no need to worry. Let's hurry up and take care of Horus' commission!

Right, we are not going to solve any problems by wasting our time here. Luciferin, please help us.

... Well, This way. Hurry up.

Um... Musty.

Uh... I was just having a nice nap. How come I ended up in such a place...

I remember the last time we met, you were guarding the border. So are you a guard?

I was seconded to help during the Gift of Waters because there was a shortage of guards. I'm actually in charge of patrolling the protection zone.

I see! That's why you are familiar with the wilderness!

Right... and the ruins you're going to are located in the protection zone, so I got stuck with this job.

I see. ''Even if I'm capable, that's no reason to force this job on me'', ''I've got my own things to tend to'', right?

... Snezhana, don't act so stubborn.

Stubborn? How insulting! Have you ever heard about a saying that ''a job should always suit your aptitude''?

Come on! Same old excuse again? Every time you use it, you'd give the runaround, saying that no job really suits your aptitude!

Hey, that's enough. I know you guys are really close, but we really need to hurry up. I can't always stop and wait for you.

Eh... The Host is nowhere to be found. Has it hidden anywhere?

Sounds cute, if only it'd really do such things.

What kind of monster is the Host?

Hasn't Lady Horus told you?

Nothing specific... But Anubis told me that it was so dangerous that we needed to send a large army to fight it.

Pff... Fine. You should know about this. There were no such monsters in this area. Until one day, suddenly...

...! That's it!