Steel and Sorcerers - Chapter 26
About a week after Feo Raizo was secured, the convoy Itami was attached to finally reached their mid-way stop on the way to Feo Berkana. That stop was Feo Jera. Or rather, the other side of the Great Rift from Feo Jera. The reason why they had stopped here was because even though their vehicles were too heavy to cross over into the city, supplies and personnel could still be brought across the bridge to help replenish their forces. Many of these supplies would be key in passing the last two great trials.
Four days later, the first contingents of the joint JSDF-US taskforce had reached the scorching hot cave system known as the Land of Molten Magma.
Itami's squad stared across at the pools of lava and flowing streams of molten rock. Even from a considerable distance they were being blasted by the immense heat it was giving off.
"Alright, here you go. These will protect you from the worst of the heat" explained one of the dwarves, handing Itami's squad an amulet each. "Just keep these around your necks and you'll be fine. Just make sure not to fall in."
"So… haha, how exactly are we supposed to get across? I can see a few possible ways but they seem pretty dangerous" asked Itami.
"The way you'll want to get across is via a path known as the 'Royal Road'. It's just over there, can you see it?" The dwarf gestured at a narrow unsteady-looking path that ran across the region, just a metre or so above the lava.
"Oh no… You're joking, right?"
The Dwarf grimaced. "Like I said. Be careful not to fall in the lava, keep your amulets on at all times, and you should make it across just fine."
"What if there are Quagoa? Can they survive here?" asked Kurata nervously.
The dwarf scratched his beard. "The Quagoas' thick hides would probably shield them from the heat, but I doubt they'd survive falling in. Anyways, if you encounter any on the way, they probably wouldn't be able to charge at you very fast due to the unsteady footing."
"Is that so" replied Kurata, still looking unconvinced.
"Alright, we'll head off now then" said Itami. "We'll contact you once we reach the other side so you can start sending over the others."
With that, Itami's squad, equipped with their fire-resistance items began making their way across the land-bridge. All their other gear had also been specially altered to be heat-resistant.
Once they had made it about a third of the way across, there was an exclamation from Shadu. "Holy crap, did you guys see that?"
"See what?"
"I think I saw some kind of giant fish thing in the lava!"
"Oh, the dwarves did mention there being something like that here didn't they?" said Itami. "They said it only seemed to attack people that had fallen into the lava, so we should be alright…"
The squad continued to move once again, much more cautiously this time, often taking a moment to peer into the lava.
"You know, these fire resistance items are pretty handy" commented Kurata. "I can barely feel the heat even though we're right next to the lava."
He then paused for a moment.
"Heh… So you know how one of the weaknesses of trolls is fire right?"
"Yes?" replied Itami.
"Well, imagine if they were equipped with these items, how deadly they would be. Well, actually, we managed to take down a few without using fire back during that big attack didn't we anyways..."
"Hey, shut it you guys!" hissed Kuribayashi. "I can see some Quagoa up ahead."
"How many?" asked Itami.
"Five. One of them is a bit larger than the others. They're a couple of hundred metres away, travelling single file heading in our direction."
"Alright. Shadu will take lead. Everyone else ready your weapons" ordered Itami.
Shadu carefully shuffled past each group member and took his position at the front. Rather than taking out a fire-arm, he chose to unclasp and ready the halberd that he had strapped to his back.
After a few minutes, it seemed like the Quagoa had spotted them, as they began brandishing their claws, and moving at a much faster rate.
Once they came within 100 metres, Itami gave the order to open fire. Shots rang out, the impact of one of the bullets causing a Quagoa to stagger off balance and fall into the lava. At this, the other Quagoa began moving much more cautiously, and using their arms to shield themselves from the bullets.
Despite this, all but the largest one was brought down by their lightning-enchanted bullets before even coming close.
The final Quagoa, who had resisted all their attacks thus far was now within 10 metres of Shadu, who was at the lead of their formation. With reddish fur and long sharp claws, it would've cut an imposing figure if it weren't for the fact it was only 155 cm tall.
Itami emptied a rifle magazine into the monster, to little effect. It growled and stepped forwards, taking a swipe at Shadu, and chopping off the end of his halberd.
"I could use some help guys!" Shadu called out.
The Quagoa took a moment to chuckle at Shadu, who was now trying to fend him off with what was essentially now just a stick.
Suddenly a shot rang out. The Quagoa cried out in pain, holding an arm up to one of its eyes. At this, Shadu seized the initiative, stepping forwards and shoving the distracted Quagoa off balance into the lava with his stump of a halberd.
Looking back, the group saw Kurokawa holding a smoking M24 sniper rifle. Pulling back the bolt she chambered another round, before nodding at the group to continue moving.
Itami's squad managed to reach the other side without any further issue, so they radioed the rest of the scout contingent, saying it was clear to move up.
It would take some time for the path across the lava region to be usable for vehicles, so until then Itami's squad and a few others would be deployed forward in a reconnaissance role to assess the defences of Feo Berkana.
Before then though, there was still one more great trial to overcome. The Maze of Death. This probably wouldn't be too much issue since they could simply wear gas masks, but they had to be careful due to its proximity to Feo Berkana. They would depart the next day.
(The first part of this next section is basically copy-pasted from the LN, but is needed)
The lord of the frost dragons, Olasird'arc Haylilyal, coiled around his throne, looking down on the Quagoa who craved an audience with him.
"So, you have come. What is the matter?"
"Yes, I am deeply honoured to be granted an audience with the mighty White Dragon Lord, Olasird'arc Haylilyal—"
"—Dispense with the formalities. Get to the point."
"Yes! Firstly, I wish to thank you for granting an audience. Now…"
The Quagoa waiting behind the Quagoa Lord produced a beat-up old sack. They opened it, and as expected, the glitter of gold spilled forth. It was not enough to satisfy him, but that amount should have been all the Quagoa could manage, so he had to bear with it.
"Alright then, what do you want."
"Yes! In truth, there are some uninvited guests with designs upon our homes, so I was wondering if we could call upon your matchless might, White Dragon Lord-sama."
"Hm..."
"And who are these people?"
"We are not sure. We have not grasped their true identity yet. However, they should be Dwarves."
"Dwarves. ...Umu."
Olasird'arc glanced at the great door behind him. Behind that door was the Dwarven City's former treasury. No matter how many times Olasird'arc had attacked it, it had not opened or been destroyed. The protective magic worked on it by the Dwarven runesmiths had defended their treasures from all the attacks he had brought to bear on it. His obsession with the contents of the vault had long faded, and that door was little more than a scratching post for his claws. However, when he heard about the Dwarves, the smouldering embers in his heart ignited once more. If these Dwarves could make it here, perhaps they might have a way to open this vault. Is it time to abandon the Quagoa? The Dwarves are more useful, in various ways.
As Olasird'arc contemplated these matters, he glared coldly at the Quagoa beneath him, and the Quagoa Lord's pleas finally came to an end.
"I am sure that you will be able to defeat the Dwarves or whatnot with contemptuous ease, White Dragon Lord-sama. Please, lend your strength to us! Needless to say, when they are defeated we will offer up double the sum from just now, no more than that!"
His greed tickled by that last line, Olasird'arc's face twitched.
"...I see. I shall consider it."
"Please wait! White Dragon Lord-sama, the enemy is close! And the Dwarves seek to retake this city!"
Olasird'arc turned his keen gaze upon the Quagoa.
"What do you mean by that? Are you implying that these measly Dwarves can evict me from my nest?"
"I did not say that! But, there's no telling what the Dwarves intend to do! For all we know, they might have a way to destroy this city!"
"Do you not think they would have done so already if that was the case?"
"It is very likely they intend to destroy the city from the inside!"
"Hm," Olasird'arc thought. It seemed a little far-fetched, but it could not be entirely ruled out.
Olasird'arc regarded his concubines, sprawled lazily around the room. They were three female Dragons. There was the youngest of them, with a single alabaster horn, Mianatalon Fuviness. The one who had fought with Olasird'arc for territory many times, Munuinia Ilyslym. And then there was the only Dragon in residence here who could use divine magic (albeit only of the first tier), Kilistran Denshushua.
"What do you think?
"...Why not help them? After all, the miserable little Dwarves are hardly fearsome foes."
"I agree too. Frankly speaking, I don't care what they say. But if the Dwarves attack, knowing that we're here, that would be equivalent to looking down on us. We ought to carve fear into the hearts of those cocky little creatures."
He turned his gaze from Munuinia, who was scratching at the floor with a sharp claw, and towards Kilistran.
"And what say you?"
After addressing Kilistran, she tilted her head.
"I oppose and approve of it. I oppose it because we cannot be sure that these attackers really are Dwarves. In addition, if they're attacking while aware of our presence, they must have surely taken our power into consideration. However, while the very idea of destroying the city is absurd, a mechanism capable of doing so is not out of the reach of Dwarven technology. It would be foolish not to respond to that."
Olasird'arc smiled bitterly. She had such a twisted personality. That was why he liked her.
"So, the ayes have it. —Well then. I shall accept your request, inferior Quagoa."
"Yes! You have our deepest thanks!"
As Olasird'arc glared coldly at the Quagoa kowtowing before him, he made a pronouncement.
"However, you must offer ten times the previous amount of tribute."
"Ten! Ten times?!"
"My my, that is quite the sum isn't it?"
A chilling voice echoed out across the hall.
The Quagoa and dragons stopped what they were doing to turn and see who had spoken.
Standing a small ways behind the Quagoa delegation was a humanoid figure dressed in a bright red exotic striped garments, wearing an ornate blue and gold mask. A metallic spiked tail flicked to and fro. A short distance off behind this well dressed individual there was another strange looking individual.
"A demons!" cried the Quagoa, jumping backwards.
Olasird'arc narrowed his eyes at the intruder. "What are demons doing here?"
Instead of answering his question, the front demon responded, "You haven't been treating these Quagoa very well have you? Such an exploitative master-servant relationship, perhaps a change of leadership is in order?"
"Are you threatening me puny devil! Hmm… wait." Olasird'arc's nose for treasure began to kick in. "Those garments of yours seem quite valuable. Offer me your raiment, and perhaps I might just let you live."
The demon tilted its masked head slightly to one side. "Perhaps I could say the exact same thing."
Olasird'arc was confused for a moment by what the demon meant, since as a dragon he naturally wasn't wearing any clothes. However, he soon grasped at what it was insinuating.
"Bastard, I'll kill you!"
Olasird'arc stepped down off his throne and swiped at the demon with a scaled claw.
Rather than dodging, the demon lifted up one of its arms to effortlessly block the strike, catching Olasird'arc's claw in one of its gloved hands.
"What the hell?!"
Olasird'arc struggled, but was unable to pull his arm free from the demon's grip despite their immense size difference.
[Hell Flame], announced the demon, Olasird'arc's hand suddenly erupting into a raging inferno which rapidly began to spread up his arm.
Panicked, Olasird'arc attempted to put out the strange dark flames with his freezing breath. However, it had no effect.
Just before his entire body was engulfed by flame, he cried out, "Hurry up and kill him you idiots". He then collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain as he was burnt to ashes by the black flames.
The air in the room turned cold. None of the dragons or Quagoa dared make a move.
"Hmm… such a waste. Well, now seems like a good time for introductions" announced the demon. "My name is Jaldabaoth, consider me your new master."
Demiurge watched the dragons and Quagoa scurry about, informing the rest about their new ruler. So far, everything had gone smoothly. Burning up that frost dragon's body was a shame, as it was a waste of valuable resources. However, that image should be burned into the minds of any who dared oppose him. In his great wisdom, Ainz-sama had said he wanted to keep the dragons alive for now, in case they were needed for other purposes. Indeed, at some point in the future Demiurge wanted to set up a farm for harvesting dragon parts. Since he had no intentions of killing them, it should be fine to start work on that as soon as he had some time available. He was going to be quite busy for the near future.
Ainz had also mentioned that Aura might enjoy having one as a pet. She was currently working with Mare to construct a decoy Nazarick, in case the humans from Earth decided to deploy something called a nuclear weapon. Demiurge personally felt such attacks would be incapable of breaching Nazarick's defences, in which case Ainz had probably been more concerned with the collateral damage, as they would dirty the landscape Nazarick was currently located in.
Anyways, he was getting distracted.
"Let's go then" he announced to Pandora's actor, who was currently behind him transformed into the supreme being known as Garnet, the creator of CZ2128 Delta. His skills would be needed for an upcoming task.
For now though, Demiurge turned his attention to the dragon's hoard. It was nothing compared to Nazarick's Treasury, but it was still the largest pile of wealth he had seen ever since coming to this world. There were gold coins, but those were outnumbered by gold-bearing ores, and what looked like raw gemstones. There was a golden chain over five meters long, a pelt from some beast, golden gloves studded with jewels, and a plain staff that looked magical among other items.
[Message] "Shalltear, open a [Gate] at my location. Send over the slimes."
"Right away" replied Shalltear.
A [Gate] opened in the air in front of him, a number of yellowish slimes emerging from the portal. These were Treasure Slimes (I just made these up), and as expected they instinctively moved toward the dragon's hoard, engulfing the pile of valuables. Once they were full, they moved back through the [Gate]. After the hoard was completely gone though, not all the slimes had had their fill, so they clung to Demiurge and Pandora's actor, seemingly trying to absorb the valuable equipment they were wearing. This was a slight nuisance, but Demiurge tolerated it since they weren't impeding his movement or senses much.
Thus, Demiurge and Pandora's actor, followed by the remaining slimes then entered the dwarven royal palace. It was immense, with high reaching ceilings and vast open spaces. It was no wonder the dragons had made it their nest. Although Demiurge had scouted out the area previously, and was familiar with its layout and inhabitants, he dispatched his shadow demons to move out ahead of him just in case.
After a short walk the two of them, along with the slimes, reached their objective. It was the door to the dwarven treasury.
"Shall I?" asked Pandora's actor.
"Of course, whenever you're ready" replied Demiurge. Although he knew it was Pandora's actor, seeing him in the form of one of the supreme beings instinctively made him treat him with a higher degree of respect.
Pandora's actor, currently transformed as Garnet, put a hand to the treasury door, activating an ability. (I don't know if Garnet could actually do this) The door then began to swing open, revealing the glitter of a massive pile of treasure.
It couldn't compare to the wealth stored in Nazarick, but was still a considerable amount, and would help greatly in Nazarick's new operations. They would sort through all this treasure later. For now, he ordered Shalltear to open another [Gate], unleashing more slimes upon the heap of wealth.