LIGHTNOVELWORLD Ch48 - Neighboring town Racheli
Chapter 48: Neighboring town Racheli
Bathed in the cool blue light, the scenery stretched as far as the eye could see. Lena inhaled deeply, the crisp air filling her lungs. It felt so good… she couldn’t help but smile.
The flowers and grass swayed gently despite the lack of wind, and the transparent, bubble-like creatures, “Shabon Fish,” floated through the air, everything tinted blue. The ceiling, shimmering like the surface of the water seen from the ocean floor, painted the space in shades of the sea.
This place, with its circular floor about 200 meters in diameter, two hidden entrances, and refreshing blue vegetation, was the famous tourist spot on the outskirts of Lachelle, a town neighboring the small city of Toilia on the easternmost edge of the Anees Kingdom—the Labyrinth: Blue Grotto.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Lena said in a sweet voice to her excited familiars, gazing around in wonder. Kureha and Izumi were the first to respond.
“Right?! Whoa, the fish popped!”
“Oh, they really are like bubbles. …Hey, hey, don’t just randomly bump into them, okay? We’re not hunting. …Are they not edible?”
“Pffft! Lena’s such a glutton!”
The slimes bounced around, body-slamming the strange creatures swimming in schools. The fish burst with a pop, scattering into particles of light that rained down on them. Everyone was mesmerized by the beautiful sight, a unique, musky-sweet scent tickling their noses.
“What do these fish eat? …Are they even alive?”
“…Ah, it ate a leaf! Maybe that’s their food. …The leaf disappeared inside its body, and it turned slightly green… It’s probably alive?”
“They form groups and change formations, so they seem intelligent. …Whoa!”
As if to confirm this, the small fish gathered and formed a bubble ring with their bodies, encircling Lena and her group as it spun.
The view of the sea-colored Labyrinth through the transparent fish was exceptionally beautiful. Occasionally, the fish would touch them, turning into particles of light in a rarely seen spectacle known as the “Blessing of Light.” It was said to be a sign that the Labyrinth welcomed its visitors.
The “Labyrinth Fall” remained a mysterious phenomenon. Let’s recap the previously mentioned information. There were two distinct types: the “Labyrinth Fall,” a special, healing place that seemed to gather nature’s beauty, and the “Dungeon Fall,” true to its name, where rare monsters appeared. The unique flora and fauna were often rare species found only within the Falls. New information: these rare species were difficult to cultivate or breed outside the Falls due to incompatible environments. Therefore, all Labyrinths open to tourists were carefully protected and managed by the nation.
Within each Fall, there were two openings: an entrance and an exit. Lena and her group couldn’t return to the surface unless they stepped into the exit, a hole in the ground of the blue space.
As Lena admired the dreamlike scenery, the back of her hand felt a sudden, brief warmth.
“…Oh, is it time to go already?” she murmured, disappointed.
The stamp on the back of her hand, marked with the Lachelle town symbol, had changed from blue to yellow. This magic stamp, applied at the entrance, acted as an alarm to prevent groups from occupying the Labyrinth for too long.
Visits to the Blue Grotto were limited to 30 minutes per group. The stamp turned yellow after 20 minutes, gradually turning red. After 30 minutes, it turned completely red and became hot enough to cause burns, so the time limit had to be strictly observed. Healing magic couldn’t be used while the stamp was red. Dungeon Falls had a different system…but that explanation would have to wait.
The magic stamp system ensured everyone had a chance to enjoy the Labyrinth. Everyone who applied for a Labyrinth visit at the town’s tourist information center received a transparent stamp. If it turned blue by midnight, they could enter the Labyrinth Fall the next day. Numbered tickets were distributed at the reception near the entrance in the morning, and visitors paid 500 ril each in exchange.
The stamp selection was completely random, and for smaller spaces like the Blue Grotto, only 20 groups per day were allowed. Lena’s party, once again, had been lucky to be chosen. The Labyrinth tourism business had established a practical system through much trial and error.
“Do we have to leave already…?”
“I want to play more!”
The slime children whined at the mention of leaving. Lena, the mother hen, crouched down to meet their gaze and spoke gently.
“Other people are waiting their turn, looking forward to it just like we were. It’s not fair for us to keep the scenery all to ourselves, is it?”
“But it’s so beautiful… We have to share…”
“It’s a shame, but…it’ll be nice if we can come back again, Master!”
“Yes, well done! You’re both so thoughtful of others, that’s wonderful. Kureha, Izumi, what do you think?”
“Yes! We’ll look forward to coming back again! …We’ll go home properly today!”
“Good, good! You’re all so kind and well-behaved.”
“Let’s enjoy it while we can!”
Though resigned to leaving, the slimes, still wanting to play, puffed up and jumped even higher towards the Shabon Fish.
The fish seemed to enjoy this “attack,” willingly colliding with the slimes. The Shabon Fish particles would sleep in the ground for a while before being reborn as fish from the ceiling. The entire space shimmered with blue light.
“…Shall we take a commemorative photo?”
Lena took out her smartphone and opened the camera app. While Lanash had image recording magic tools, they were large, heavy, and expensive. The smartphone was much more convenient and produced clearer images. …The magic tool developers would probably faint if they knew how convenient the smartphone was.
“We agree!”
“Okay, gather around…”
—Click! The Monster Tamer party, smiling against the backdrop of the beautiful blue scenery, was captured on Lena’s phone. Even the Shabon Fish seemed to strike a pose.
Smartphone-san’s evolution continued, adapting to the world of Lanash.
“Wow, it does everything…”
Lena stared at the screen in amazement. She asked her familiars if they wanted to try the call function when they returned to their lodging, and they replied excitedly, “We can’t wait!”
Waving goodbye to the welcoming Shabon Fish and taking one last look at the blue scenery, Lena and her party stepped into the exit.
…Silence fell upon the Labyrinth as it awaited its next visitors.
Hidden among the swaying blue grass was a single, vibrant blue sprout. A gentle breeze, soft as a human caress, blew around it.
The wind, as if following Lena’s party, drifted across the ground and stopped near the exit. It swirled playfully with the gathered Shabon Fish, scattering their light as it ascended towards the ceiling.
Lena and her group strolled through the streets of Lachelle, Toilia’s neighboring town. Compared to the urban landscape of Toilia, Lachelle had a more rustic charm, despite its larger area. Old, weathered brown brick houses stood at spacious intervals. In the distance, numerous fields of vegetables and wheat stretched out.
While the Labyrinth Fall brought prosperity to the town, the nation’s policy was to preserve its traditional landscape. Life without magic tools had its inconveniences, like drawing water from wells (few people could conjure large amounts of water with magic) and chopping wood for fires. However, those who maintained the traditional lifestyle received special subsidies. Many tourists visited specifically to experience this traditional atmosphere.
The tourist information center offered a variety of Lachelle souvenirs, mostly sea-colored trinkets, perhaps inspired by the Blue Grotto. Lena bought a bag of blue candies to enjoy at their lodging. She tossed a candy into each familiar’s mouth, and they exclaimed, “It’s fizzy!” The blue candies were made from dried and ground Fizzgrass berries.
While the houses were old-fashioned and plain, colorful tapestries decorated the entrances and verandas, adding splashes of color to the town. Listening in on the townspeople’s conversations, Lena learned about an annual festival soon to be held throughout Anees.
It was the Spirit Festival, where the kingdom’s symbol, the Maiden of Wind and Water, Sylphine, was said to visit each town. The colorful decorations were a sign of welcome.
They heard talk of big buffalo meat being served and the possibility of a new Dryad sprout being discovered… The lively chatter put Lena and her group in a cheerful mood as they headed towards their lodging.
Since Lachelle didn’t have a Succubus Inn, they opted for a slightly more expensive inn, 5000 ril for a week’s stay. Once you experienced luxury, it was difficult to return to a simpler life. The Succubus Inn had been exceptionally well-equipped.
“…Phew. Good work, me! We walked a lot.”
Arriving at their room, Lena quickly took off her boots, spread a blanket on the bed, and collapsed. The Labyrinth Fall was quite a distance from the town. While Lena was tired, her familiars were still full of energy. The slimes started bouncing on her.
“Good work, Lena! Should we give you a massage?”
“Yes, please.”
“…Can I brush your hair?”
“Yes, please.”
“Would you like a fluffy cushion?”
“Yes, please…!”
▽Lena is being pampered!
▽Feeling the love…
Surrounded by her adorable familiars eager to attend to her every need, Lena sighed contentedly. I’ll spoil them after I rest for a bit! …She thought dreamily.
“Skill: [Sound Sleep].”
“…Zzz…”
Thanks to her thoughtful familiar’s quick work, Lena was instantly asleep.
She woke up in the middle of the night, having missed dinner.
While she was disappointed about missing her meal, she felt completely refreshed. “Thank you,” she whispered to her familiars, who were snuggled up to her. They must have been tired from their Labyrinth adventure. They responded with sleepy murmurs. Lena chuckled.
“I’m so lucky.”
…Despite being thrown into another world with weak stats, pursued by villains, and forced to wander for self-preservation, Lena recognized the happiness she found amidst the hardships. She smiled tenderly at Kureha, Izumi, Lily, and Hamaru.
“Good night. I’ll make a delicious breakfast.”
Choosing to sleep until morning rather than stay awake, Lena rested her head on her fluffy pillow and closed her eyes. Moonlight illuminated her youthful face, and a gentle breeze, coming from nowhere, stirred her dark eyelashes.
The next morning’s breakfast was sweet crepes topped with an abundance of fruit and filled with a special cream with a hint of tangy cheese.
“Lenaaa!?”
“Whoa! P-Patricia, your voice is too loud…”
“Ah, sorry.”
“…Ow…”
Lena rubbed her aching ears, wondering if she’d disturbed the other guests. Fortunately, the walls of the Lachelle inn seemed thick, and no one came to complain.
As everyone calmed down, a notification about a smartphone update popped up.
“Wow, so convenient…”
“Seriously, what is that magic tool of yours, Lena?”
“Ahahahaha.”
“Well, it’s fine… You guys being extraordinary isn’t new. So, telepathy mode means the voice echoes in your head?”
“Yeah. It’s convenient because other people can’t hear it.”
In the incredibly useful telepathy mode, whatever you wanted to convey was transmitted telepathically to the other person. It didn’t seem to expose all of your thoughts.
A small, rectangular window appeared before Patricia, who was watering her flowers back in Toilia, displaying the text:
Lena talked about the blue scenery she’d seen in the Labyrinth Fall, and Patricia happily reported on the smooth progress of her flower shop preparations. Lena laughed as her familiars, climbing onto her lap, looked up at her curiously.
“Your familiars seem to be doing well. I’m glad.”
“Yeah! It’s a shame I can’t let them hear your voice now… Can I call you again outside later, with the normal ringing sound?”
“Sure. I’m available anytime. Alice…is studying for her exams, so let’s call her after she passes. I’ll tell her about the call function. Hmm…that smartphone? It’ll stand out in town, so if you want to talk normally, it’s better to do it outside town.”
“Thanks! I’ll call you again when we’re outside. Good luck with work. I’m rooting for you.”
“Thanks, Lena. See ya!”
—Beep! The call ended with an electronic tone echoing in both girls’ minds. The smartphone returned to its home screen. The window floating before Patricia disappeared simultaneously, causing her to clutch her head in Toilia. For Smartphone-san, the friend call function was something it had worked hard to implement because its master wanted it.
Lena stared at her smartphone, trying out various apps. While some functions were unavailable, they would likely be updated for Lanash eventually.
…A pang of sadness hit her, feeling like she was losing a connection to Japan. But considering her life in this world, the smartphone’s updates were invaluable. She’d been helped countless times by the information on the web, from butchering animal meat to arranging recipes, playing videos, and…how to tie someone up… Smartphone-san’s search history was becoming questionable.
“I wish I knew what state the smartphone is in, how far it will evolve.”
Well, Lucky, do your thing.
Anyway, let’s introduce Lena’s new title, [Crimson Queen].
[Crimson Queen]… She who dons crimson garments shall command even fate and judge all villains. Defy not the fate guided by the Queen. When her overwhelming queenly nature blossoms, all those with blackened souls will bow before her. Intelligence increases the more red items are equipped.
While the description was abstract and its effects unclear, it sounded incredibly powerful. It was so absurd it made one’s speech patterns strange.
Lena, who had heard from Luca that Lanash’s fundamental structure was quite malleable, nearly fainted when she confirmed this title’s effects. Just this morning, she had forced down her confused thoughts and mindlessly eaten crepes. The delicious treat had somewhat lifted her spirits. She decided to put the troublesome title aside for now.
Lena, unwittingly embarking on the path of a queen… One hoped she and her merry band would one day find a place to call home.
“We just arrived in Lachelle, so let’s take it easy today. We’ll just check out the requests at the Adventurer’s Guild and start working tomorrow!”
“Yeah!”
Though their wallets were full thanks to Alice buying a large quantity of slime-made jewels, they wouldn’t neglect their combat training, preparing for emergencies. Incidentally, Alice had a predatory glint in her eyes when she saw the slime jewels.
They planned to stay in Lachelle for the week they’d already paid for, level up, and then resume their journey. It was a shame they’d miss the Sylphine Festival in two weeks, but they had to accept the unfortunate timing. It was an unusual turn of events for someone as lucky as Lena.
After getting ready, Lena and her group, driven by their appetites, headed to the grocery store.
▽What fate awaits Lena and her companions!?