Part 7
The route that Izayoi and Asuka had chosen to transverse the sea of trees did not wind around too much. Though the inlet was small at first, it soon widen enough to allow a small boat to travel with ease.
Besides the occasional fallen or drifting log, this could be called a smooth road.
Just that---these parts of the river was claimed territorial waters for some Eudemons.
"Oujo-sama, bottom right! It's coming!"
"I know!"
Pulling her reins at the last moment, she managed to shy away from the underwater attack.
What emerged to the surface of the river was a Eudemon similar to a Hippocamp, looking like a horse spirit---a Kelpie.
More of vengeful spirits than faeries, they were a collection of spirits that had passed on in the forest. Once caught in their grasp, there would be no escaping a watery death.
Using stones to confront the enemy, Izayoi soon realize that the stones were passing through the spirit albeit disrupting it's ethereal form for just a short while before it reformed. If it were to be punched by his fists, it might have been a different matter altogether. But according to the rules, support members are not allowed to be in the river. Though there was also the method of leaping to attack, he didn't want to risk it by trying.
"Horrid! Let's just maintain the situation for now! Oujo-sama, just continue to move forth!"
"Got it! Zipopo-san, please give it your best!"
Waving her whip to urge the Hippocamp, it gave off a loud neigh as it started to gallop on the water surface with much renewed vigor. And though she managed to leave some of those Kelpies behind, the increased speed cause her to be slower in reacting to the frontal attack.
"Wu! Horrid! Burn to ashes!"
Lifting her fire jewel inlaid gauntlet, Asuka touched the Kelpie that lunged at her. Even though the Kelpie was made out of water held together by the spirits, the Kelpie was vaporized instantly as though water was never a counter to fire.
The vapor obstructed her vision but Asuka continued to push forward for her instincts told her that it was necessary to obtain victory.
Watching the Hippocamp travel twice its original speed under Asuka's command, Izayoi was deeply impressed.
[Oo? …Looks like she really can strengthen Gifts and Eudemons too.]
Asuka had the power to bring out the maximum potential of Gifts and increase their spiritual level.
Due to the lack of physical strength on her part, it hampered her from using her powers with ease, but……
[If this flaw could be overcome, Oujo-sama might even be quite useful in the future right?]
The FireStarter Gift on Asuka was one that needed the prerequisite, of coming into contact with the intended object, to be fulfilled. And this was due to the fact that the Gift was a weaker type. In other words, if equipped with a Gift with a stronger firepower, it might even be possible for her to lay this whole forest to ash.
"…I'll need to have nice discussion with Jack about this."
"Discuss about?"
"Nothing, just a little private matters----Oh, we have made it through!"
After crossing the sea of trees, the two of them could faintly hear the sound of the waterfall that was gushing down the edge of the cliff.
The close proximity to the waterfall caused mist to cling to the air and visibility was very much reduced.
Though Kuro Usagi had said that the checkpoint was at the top of the mountain, the Hippocamp couldn't possibly hike up this kind of waterfall.
"This waterfall…. Sure does come from quite some height…"
"Yep, I guess if we go around it, we will find the way to get to the top right?"
"Yep…" Izayoi answered simply.
If this was only a common waterfall and river, then where did that sense of unease come from……perhaps it is just my imagination. Izayoi shook his head to clear the doubts as he began to climb the mountain.
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