Vending Machine - 165 - The Desert Pillar (Patreon)

Gumihou: I added the most details in this chapter. Just some stuff that makes a scene more exciting and immediate.

“Hey, stand back a bit, ‘kay? I need to check the door for any traps.”

Hyurumi took out something that looked like a stethoscope and began checking the gigantic double-iron doors.

Everyone took a step back as instructed and turned around to keep a lookout while Hyurumi worked.

“I cannot seem to detect the lifeforms within the tower… It looks like some sort of countermeasure had been placed on the Desert Pillar,” said Mishael.

Since Mishael’s ability to detect living forms is pretty good, I have to wonder just what it was that made it difficult for someone like him to ‘look’ inside.

“No traps, but it seems to be bolted from the inside. So, what’s the plan?”

For a set of ruins to be bolted shut from the inside, no matter how one thinks about it, that’s just too strange, isn’t it? We did not see any guards outside, but that doesn’t mean there’s nobody watching on the inside. It’s best to be careful.

“Um, shall we go in from the back?” Ramis said.

"Kuroyata says there are no other entrances.”

So, we can only enter through this one entrance?

“I see, we have no choice but to force our way through, eh?” Ramis grinned.

“Seems like that’s our only option-su,” Shui smirked.

Why do those two look so pleased with themselves?

Seriously, I think the women in our party are more hot-blooded than the men. The guys seemed to be the cautious ones here.

“Well, it would appear that we have no choice. Still, it is best to be careful. I shall enhance our vision and hearing.”

“I’ll go in first,” said Ramis as she placed both hands on the doors, ready to push in with a single motion.

Hevoy and Mishael crouched on either side of the doors, their knees bent and bodies like springs ready to charge through the moment the door was flung open.

“Let’s goooo!!!”

With that one battle cry, the lock cracked and the doors flew open. The two men slipped in first while the rest of us followed from the back.

"'Eh, it's cold in here,” Ramis said, surprise in her voice.

I guess the Desert Pillar being cold is something unexpected. I wonder, just how cold is it that she would be so shocked. At least the cold will be a nice relief from the unrelenting heat outside.

The ground floor of the Pillar was a vast open space. Only the walls of the structure could be seen. In fact, it was so large that it was hard to clearly see the end of the room.

There were windows high up on the walls, allowing enough sunlight to stream in to make the tower as bright as outside.

Upon closer inspection, I noticed magical lighting devices installed along the walls as well. This place may be quite bright at night too.

That said, although I did say that the ground floor was a vast open space, part of the reason why we could not see the other end of the room was because of the monsters. A most unusual number of monsters were crowding the floor.

Huge lizards, similar to the one I had seen earlier; a snake with many legs, making it look more like a [1] squishy centipede than anything; a rat with unusually long limbs, a giant earthworm with a grotesque mouth filled with rotating fangs as well as many other monsters we encountered on our way here.

“J-just how many of them are there?”

“A hundred, no, maybe two or three hundred. But why aren't they reacting?"

Ramis had thrown open the door with a loud bang, but the monsters remained passively in place, unmoving.

“It looks a lot like they are waiting for instructions, but I heard that the commander had been captured,” said Hevoy.

“That’s right, Mister Hevoy. The Scorching Sand Director did mention that. Isn’t it so, Master Hakkon?”

“Welcome”

That’s right, the commander on this floor had been captured and his ring taken from him before he was thrown into a cell. There could be no mistaking this. However, how do we explain the situation in front of us?

It is unnatural for so many monsters to gather in one place so quietly. It makes sense to believe that someone was controlling them.

“What if the commander captured was a fake to make Scorching Sand Director lower his guard? What if the real commander is still out there, gathering his forces in this tower to attack the village in one go? Do you think it's possible?”

No one could respond to Hyurumi's light-hearted theories.

Because, like me, everyone must believe that it was all too likely.

“It makes sense the more I think about it.”

“Looks like at least some of the enemies have a bit of smarts-su.”

“If that’s the case, we cannot allow the enemy to do as they like, can we?”

Hevoy, Shui and Mishael had already shifted into combat stances. Still, is it alright to jump right into a fight like his?

For now, the monsters are not moving. However, if we attack them, they will turn on us immediately. Even though our party is strong, we could still be overcome by numbers.

“No need to rush. You guys are strong, but we can’t win against such numbers easily. Since they aren’t attacking us, let’s take our time with the plan. First, close one of the doors, Ramis. As for the other, leave a gap wide enough for us to escape if we need to,” said Hyurumi, ever the voice of reason. [1]

“Okay~!” [1]

[1] “Hevoy, how far can you extend your illusions and how long can you maintain them on monsters like these?”

[1] “Hmm… I guess a radius of approximately 20 meters. If it’s not a complex illusion, perhaps 10 minutes.”

"Shui, how many arrows do you have?"

"I have thirty."

"Mishael, can you sense any enemies beyond what we can see?”

[1] “No, not as far as I can tell.”

[1a] “Hakkon, can you scatter lots of the highly flammable oil here?”

"Welcome"

"We also have Kuroyata, Botan..."

After confirming our abilities, Hyurumi closed her eyes, crossed her arms and hummed in thought. We silently watched as she crafted a cunning strategy in her head. Suddenly, her eyes snapped open and she breathed out sharply.

“Alright, let’s give it a try. We will be spotted by the guards if we try to leave anyway. So, let’s wipe out the enemy here.”

If it was anyone else, we may attempt to persuade her that this would be a reckless move. [2] Then again, Hevoy, Shui and Mishael were all raring to go just now, so… with Hyurumi’s confidence in her strategy and their enthusiasm, we could probably win this.

After a briefing of our individual roles, we all got into place once everyone understood what they should do.

First, Hevoy and Mishael slowly walked towards where the enemy was most densely concentrated.

Mishael has the ability to completely erase his own presence and his Gift extends to cover the person next to him. Which is why Hevoy is going with him to the centre of danger.

The two paused a little nervously next to the enemy hoard as if waiting for them to react. When nothing happened, they two proceeded forward. After a while, I could only assume the two had halted as sounds of chanting were heard.

[2] I guess the Gift doesn’t quite cover sounds deliberately made by the people under it?

Apparently, to maximise the use of his Sensory Manipulation, Hevoy needed a chant a spell as his focus. Here’s to hoping that the enemies keep ignoring them under Mishael’s cloaking power.

Meanwhile, I was scattering kerosene over the monsters. Given the wide space and [3] many windows, we probably won’t die from carbon monoxide poisoning. [3] Or was that carbon dioxide poisoning? Or smoke inhalation?

After a while, Hevoy came back with Mishael. [3] I had been scattering the kerosene in a wide circle, while being carried by Ramis, of course. Once Hevoy was out, I tried shooting out a strong jet of kerosene to the middle of the monster horde.

It was pretty eerie to see the monsters just standing there without reacting [3] to me spraying them with kerosene and popping in and out of the horde. Well, just keep not reacting if you can, please.

“I believe that ring is only capable of enforcing simple commands, such as ‘attack’ and ‘stop’. Therefore, unless we acted aggressively first, they probably will not attack until given the attack command or believe we attack them.”

This was information that we managed to acquire. So, [1] looks like all the things we did fell into the ‘non-aggressive' of their brain. It sure looks like they would remain in place for hours if we don't do anything drastic.

“If that old man is here, I’d have him cast a big fire spell for me. Still, while we can’t have have we want, we can still make do, right?”

“Welcome”

Hyurumi’s statement was half serious and half bluster. Which was why I answered in such a cheerful way. Hyurumi must have read my intentions as well and her smile deepened.

“You’re right, we can do this!”

“If Master says so, it must be right.”

“Yeah, we can do it-su!”

“If you’re defeated, I shall keep your shoes as mementos.”

Everyone appears to be in great spirits. If push comes to shove, I can turn into my gigantic size and activate <barrier>. Risk-taking is part of the plan, so, let’s just give it our best shot.

“Now then, who will give the opening blast?”

They all glanced at each other. Then, for some reason, everyone’s glances landed on me.

Wait, are you going to trust the vending machine to set things off?

“Hakkon contributes the most on this floor, right?”

“I would have dried up into a prune if not for the ice-cream and fizzy drinks-su.”

“That’s right, who knows how long it would take us to reach here without you.”

“Kuroyata and Botan also said it’s fine for you to take the lead.”

“Please do it, Master!”

“Yes, we’re counting on you, Hakkon!”

Well, it can’t be helped if that’s how everyone feels. To think they would leave such a crucial task to me. They think they can butter me up with praises, but I'm not that easy to please!

Then again, there’s no point playing the ‘tsundere’ [4] now. Let's just go ahead and do my duty. In fact, why not go all out and do something flashy while I’m at it?

First, I dispense a two-litre bottle of cola and some [3] white mint candy. I quickly open the bottle, toss in the candy and close the lid back before the explosion could happen. Then, I launch the primed bottle into enemy lines.

Just before the bottle hit, I made the plastic disappear causing a massive explosion of [3] sweet fizzy drinks.

The monsters appear to recognise this as an act of aggression and all begin to move all at once.

Now that the curtain of destruction had lifted… I shall be counting on you, everyone.

[Gumihou: I still think the entire group of people depended too much on Hyuru-Doraemon-mi]

[1] The ‘strategy order’ scene seems a bit stiff and unnatural. Adjust

In what way is it ‘unnatural’ you might ask.

Well aside from Hyurumi’s sudden ‘taking command’ position, she started out by asking party members what they could do, it jarred badly when she asked Hakkon [1a] whether he ‘could spread the flammable oil’. Like, dude, if you just met that guy 20 chapters ago, fine, but it’s been over 150 chapters…

If you’re going to give orders, just give orders, don’t pretend to ask questions when you haven’t done so thus far. That’s a minor OOC offence

[2] Insert logic

[3] Add details

[4] Tsundere - a Japanese term that depicts a character with a combative attitude but is also kind on the inside

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsundere