107. Even If I’m Unprepared, I Can’t Complain, Isn’t It?

The completed sacred sake should be handed over to Raidoc; they should use it.

Ideally, the Raidoc unit would stay hidden, give the Hydra the sake, and once it’s drunk, attack it all at once.

So, first, we need to meet up with Raidoc.

If we can meet up, we have options other than just fighting.

Anyway, we need to meet up and hand over the sake.

“Alright. Let’s discuss this with Raidoc in this direction.”

Thinking about that, I send a telepathic message to Raidoc.

“Raidoc, if you’re available now, telepathy—”

[Craft! What did you do!? The Hydra’s charging straight at us!]

Even before asking for permission, the telepathy connected instantly, and Raidoc’s angry voice resounded.

With mutual telepathy, Raidoc’s view is also projected in my mind.

It seems Raidoc is running.

Ahead of his sight.

I see the back of a giant eight-headed Hydra charging through trees, causing splashes as it runs straight ahead.

“What the hell is that!?”

[That’s my line! Didn’t you do something!?]

Raidoc immediately assumed it was my doing.

Sad!

It’s like I always mess things up!

Well, I kind of did mess up!

“There’s only one thing I can think of. I made sake that the Hydra might like…”

[What the hell are you doing, idiot!]

No, no, no!

I didn’t think it would be so strong that a distant monster would come running even in this thick fog!

Is it the smell?

Is it the smell!?

[Why did you make such sake!? You have a plan, right!?]

Raidoc gives orders to the adventurers and lizardmen units while yelling at me.

Behind Raidoc, the unit is following, and for some reason, Zaid’s unit is with them too.

Doesn’t matter.

“This sake, if monsters drink it, they apparently get very drunk! I was planning to give it to you to use…”

Raidoc’s small click of the tongue could be heard.

[I see… It’s easy to follow the Hydra, but we’re getting left behind! I don’t know how far you are, so I can’t tell how much time it’ll take to catch up!]

“I’ll buy us some time! Get here as fast as you can!”

If the eight-headed Hydra is heading straight for the sake, leaving it should buy us some time.

Moreover, the path the Hydra took looks like a tornado passed through. Even in this thick fog, Raidoc and his team won’t get lost.

[Soral and Jitaro are searching for Kyle-sama. If they find him, they’ll move to our location…]

“Can they find their way in this fog?”

[If it’s Soral, he can find Kyle-sama given time. Unlike you, they’re a unit. Plus, with the ranger’s abilities, they can remember the paths they’ve taken, so the plan was to bring Kyle-sama’s unit to our waiting location.]

I see. The ranger’s emblem must have such abilities.

With that ability, they can return to the camp, track Kyle’s traces from there, and bring him back.

Once they meet up, they can return the way they came, through the camp, back to where Raidoc was hiding.

So, Kyle and his team should be fine.

Let’s have them wait there for a while.

We can meet up after defeating the Hydra.

“No time. I’ll start preparing right away!”

[Yeah! Don’t push yourself!]

“If not now, when!?”

[…Yeah. Don’t die, Craft.]

“Help me before that.”

I stop channeling mana into the telepathic device.

I have about half my mana left. If only I had saved one mana potion… No, that one potion could be the difference between life and death for Eva and the others. I shouldn’t be greedy.

Myrna looked at me anxiously.

Listening to my conversation with Raidoc, she should understand the situation.

“Myrna, listen carefully. That huge Hydra is coming this way.”

“…Black…”

“Yes, that big black eight-headed Hydra. There’s no time. I’m going to prepare now. Myrna, stay here no matter what.”

“…What?”

Without waiting for Myrna’s reply, I took out the alchemical hardening rock set.

Gravel, volcanic ash, alchemical medicine, and an empty barrel.

There’s no time, so I forcefully mix the materials with magic, and thickly plaster them to hide under the tree roots.

Then, I forcefully dry it with magic.

Since this isn’t proper magic, my brain feels like it’s burning up!

I glance at Myrna.

I promised to protect her! Both to Myrna and Kyle!

Just before running out of mana, I manage to complete a shelter made of alchemical hardening rock under the tree roots.

The entrance is just narrow enough for me to fit through.

With this, even if the Hydra notices, it won’t be able to stick its face in.

The hardness of the alchemical hardening rock is guaranteed.

No matter what happens, it won’t be easily destroyed. But it’s my job to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Just in case, I pile up preserved food and water in the corner of the shelter.

“Wait here for a bit.”

As I was about to go out the entrance, Myrna tugged on my cloak.

Stronger than usual.

“…Don’t go.”

Don’t go.

Well, of course. Being left alone in a place like this would be scary.

I want to stay with her too.

But I can’t.

I have to buy time so that Raidoc’s team can meet up without being found.

“Myrna…”

“…”

Myrna began to shed tears.

Of course, I won’t collect those tears. I won’t.

I stare at Myrna.

Slowly, I untie the doll from my waist.

At first glance, it’s a rabbit doll, patched all over, looking injured.

Myrna had put a lot of effort into it.

“Myrna. Can you hold onto this for a while? I’ll definitely come back for it. It’s important to me.”

“…This…”

“If you have this, which has been on adventures with me, you won’t feel lonely, right?”

Myrna stares at the doll, then looks up at me.

Her lips tighten.

“…I’ll wait…”

She must have gritted her teeth to say those words.

Myrna was much stronger than I thought.

“…So. I’ll always… protect…”

Yeah, that’s right.

If I make that promise, I have to come back alive.

“Yeah. It’s a promise. I’ll definitely come back.”

“…Yeah.”

After patting Myrna’s head, I leave the shelter.

I camouflage the entrance with branches.

Then, using a method that monsters can’t discern, I leave many marks around the shelter that indicate someone is there.

I move away just enough to not lose sight of the shelter and glare into the thick fog.

My mana is nearly depleted.

No comrades.

Terrible visibility, and the ground is a marsh.

“Kuh… kuh kuh kuh…”

For some reason, laughter leaked from my throat.

The situation is so bad, all I can do is laugh.

But.

“But… I promised. I will survive… and protect you!”

Shouting my resolve.

◆

“…”

I placed two barrels a bit apart.

Each contains half of the sacred sake.

A rich aroma wafted around.

It seemed like the fog was thinner around the barrels, but it must be my imagination.

I squeezed into a tree root where I could barely fit, and waited.

“…”

In other words, just waiting.

Like this, in a crouched position.

“…Don’t say it looks lame.”

Until the Hydra comes, there’s nothing to do but hide!

What was seriousness again?