Chapter 6
THE TORNADO INSPIRED even more awe up close. The vortex was perfectly controlled; it gave no openings to enter, but neither did it damage anything around it.
This allowed them to stand twenty meters in front of it, unharmed. The sound of the dark wind rumbled like a low roar.
Aaron heaved a deep sigh at the overpowering vortex. “Yeah, this seems like a no to me.”
This storm was strong enough to be calamitous, and no human—let alone a single adventurer—could hope to fight it.
“Definite no.” Spider laughed dryly next to him.
“Can’t run through that one…”
“A rock golem would not be able to withstand it, either.”
Scorpion and Snake did not believe that their powers could overcome it.
Right there, Spider, the unknown woman, Aaron, Scorpion, and Snake began an impromptu strategy meeting to figure out if there was any way they could all deal with cooperatively. Behind them, Mira put a finger to her chin and stared at the tornado thoughtfully as she listened in.
The cage of wind raged with such force that it barred all entry. Given the situation, it was all but certain that this had been created by Chimera. And no doubt they were making headway on their schemes within the Illusory Corridor while the group stood here and chatted.
Waiting would only put them at a disadvantage…but what was the alternative? Their discussion failed to reach any agreement.
I suppose it wouldn’t be impossible… Mira appraised the situation and stepped out in front of the group.
“I believe that I could break through it alone,” she announced, walking toward the whipping wind. “Could I ask you all to stand by out here?”
“Wait, wait, wait! We couldn’t do anything even with our combined efforts. There’s no way you can—” Spider’s protest was cut short by Scorpion.
“You mean it?! Once you’re in, try and dispel the tornado, if you can!” She looked at Mira expectantly. All the power of the Hidden had failed to break through it. But Scorpion saw hope in Mira.
“I was planning to prioritize thwarting their schemes, but… Hrmm, that’s not a bad idea.”
If Chimera was using some method to create this tornado, then its source must be somewhere that Isuzu couldn’t easily reach—such as inside the vortex itself. But it would defeat the point if Chimera Clausen achieved their goal while she searched. After a pause, Mira seemed to hit upon an idea. She answered confidently that she would think about it.
“Well, I mean…” Spider began to speak again.
“Given the scale of the storm, the source must be large. I believe it is within the mountains surrounding the dungeon rather than inside the vortex of the tornado.”
This time, Snake stopped Spider’s objection. She had caught glimpses of Mira’s power on the way here, and she had a feeling that perhaps the young summoner could indeed break through the barrier. She retrieved a fist-sized orb from her pouch and handed it to Mira, as if entrusting her with their hopes. “This is an implement that seals the power of spirits with negative energy. Simply throw it at them.”
“Hrmm. I should use this on the source, then?”
Whoever made this tornado would have to be incredibly powerful. Only a small handful of mages in all the world—those in the same class as the Nine Wise Men—could possibly create one of such size and ferocity.
But there were others who could create phenomena such as this: spirits. And since Chimera Clausen was involved, it was likely that this tornado was the result of abusing spirits’ power in ways that went against all their wishes.
“If you can, please,” Snake replied and gazed at Mira with pleading eyes. Mira accepted the orb and squeezed Snake’s hand.
“Leave it to me,” she said with a confident smile.
“What in the world…?” Spider grumbled. He had been interrupted twice now; he felt left out of their warm little circle of mutual understanding.
“You can’t really grasp this young miss’s power unless you see it for yourself. No worries, buddy.” Aaron patted Spider’s back reassuringly.
“Yeah, so you say, but…” Spider stared dismally at Mira, who was clad head to toe in trendy magical girl-style clothing.
Spider had faith in the abilities of himself and his allies. Yet even combined, they could not find a way to break through the barrier. And now Mira was going to do it alone? He knew he should trust Scorpion and Snake’s judgment, but…
“I won’t rest unless I’ve done everything I can. You’ll have to let me do exactly that.” Mira understood Spider’s feelings, but her resolve was unyielding. She returned his stare with a fearless smirk.
Spider looked away, somewhat taken aback by her confidence, and finally answered with a sigh, “Fine. Do what you want.”
“Aww, what’s the matter?” Aaron joked. “Your ears are red.”
“Nothing!” Spider yanked his hood over his head and looked down.
“Let’s do this.” Mira approached the tornado and cast a spell to assist her crossing.
[Resonant Evocation: Sylphid]
A magic circle flared to life beneath her feet, rising from the ground and enveloping her before dispersing as wind. This was not one of her usual summons. Mira felt the power of another covering her body. With that, she became certain that this would let her enter the vortex.
Ah, I feel much lighter. So, this is how it feels to use it in real life.
She acted swiftly now, running forward and leaping into the raging winds.
***
Scorpion and the others watched, astounded. They saw true hope in that moment. If all went well, the tornado would soon be gone. Spider ran off to report to his remaining comrades that they should be ready to act at a moment’s notice.
Aaron, Scorpion, and Snake remained where they were and gazed at the towering wall of wind.
“Whoa, what the hell was that?” Aaron asked with a faint grin.
“Uncertain.” Snake remained expressionless save for a gleam in her eye.
Scorpion added, “I wonder what happens when Mira really gets serious?”
All three of them shuddered at once.
***
The inside of the vortex was ruled by roaring, mercilessly savage wind. Yet Mira paid it no mind as she ran through, secure in her magic. Resonant evocation was a technique that temporarily allowed the user to incorporate a spirit’s power into themselves. And Mira had harnessed the power of a wind spirit.
It was a rather advanced technique; it commonly lasted less than a minute and consumed vast amounts of mana. Even Mira could only maintain it for two minutes. But while she did, she could ignore any damage dealt by wind.
Mira dashed through the raging walls of air with ease.
When she’d proceeded a hundred meters, the wind suddenly calmed. Sprawling ruins came into view—she had arrived at the center of the vortex. Towering ancient edifices stood carved from an enormous mountain. It was a work of craft beyond human reckoning, a glimpse of long-lost civilization and unimaginable sculpting technique.
Seeing it again in the flesh really gives you an idea of how incredible this place is.
As she walked along the sloping road leading up to the mountain, Mira was amazed by how overwhelming it all was. She had seen this place many times in the game, but now that it had real substance, its awe-inspiring presence was a tidal wave that crashed against her heart.
Nobody keeping watch, hm? After surveying the ruins, she concluded that nobody was present. Perhaps that was proof of how much they trusted their barrier.
She looked around for the source of the storm, just in case. Nothing popped out at her. Perhaps it was hidden somewhere in the ruins? With that in mind, Mira searched again.
“Seems I have no choice.”
Searching the whole mountain would be ridiculous. She didn’t have time for that. So, she called forth the perfect person to whom to delegate the task.
Mira cast her summoning magic, and a magic circle appeared. It rose to reveal Cat Sith, who sat with his legs tucked beneath him like a loaf of bread. The sign on his shoulder read, FIRST FELINE SOLDATO! FUHGEDDABOUDIT! He was a walking mafia cliché, though it was a mystery where or why he’d learned such things.
“Ya wanna put a hit on a guy, meowstress?”
Mira gave him a hard look. “I have a lot of questions, but they can wait. First Pupil, listen well. Something around here is creating the tornado that surrounds us. I want you to deal with it.”
“Leave it to me-ow, Boss!” Cat Sith grinned. At some point, he’d turned his sign’s stick into a sword cane.
“Just throw this at it, and that should take care of it.” Mira maintained a straight face and handed over the orb she’d received from Snake.
“Roger that! I’ve got the goods!” Cat Sith took the orb dexterously in his padded paw, wrapped it in cloth, and tied it to a sling over his shoulder.
“Make sure you get it done!” Mira called out.
“I’m gonna whack ’em good, boss!” Cat Sith called back excitedly as he charged into the ruins. The sign on his back bore a drawing of a cute cat and the text, WARNING: DO NOT WHACK CARELESSLY.
“I’d best get going, too.”
After seeing Cat Sith off, Mira grinned wryly to herself and summoned Pegasus. The creature wordlessly nuzzled her, and she absently stroked its soft nose as she beheld the enormous gate in the center of the ruins.
“It’s been a while, but I hope you’re still up to this,” Mira said as she mounted Pegasus. The flying horse whinnied happily, flapped its wings, and flew toward the gate.
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