Chapter 66

Well, it's a fairly large building with dozens of rooms. It would be a hassle to search each one individually.

So, I'll have to rely on detecting with magic.

I could use my usual method of spreading my magic to detect, but today's building is quite large. I think I'll try a different approach.

I'll diffuse my magic.

This is something I trained based on the technique the demon used to diffuse its fighting aura.

Until now, my magic has been activated and launched within the range of my magic field, which is the area where I can spread my magic from my body. I create fireballs or wind blades and launch them outside the magic field.

Once launched, the magic starts to lose speed as soon as it leaves the magic field and quickly disappears. So, when I needed to launch something outside the magic field, I always used stones or wood chips as projectiles to hit the target. This was fine; it couldn't penetrate enemies that were hard enough, but it could pierce through enemies that carried some fighting aura, so the power was sufficient.

However, telekinesis, which I often use, can't do this. The power doesn't reach outside the magic field and can only be used within it. Well, that wasn't too inconvenient. When I spread it to the fullest, the range of over a hundred meters was more than enough.

The training started with a simple idea.

The demon diffused its fighting aura like a wave to nullify my fireball.

Usually, it's impossible to separate fighting aura or magic from the body. That's what I thought. But the demon did it.

At the same time, I remembered the healers I had seen before.

Ordinary healers are not mages. There was Ember, a mage, but he was an exception. The other healers should not be able to spread magic outside their bodies. Yet, they used spells by placing their hands and healed injuries and diseases.

In other words, healers use spells outside their magic fields.

The demon used its fighting aura, and the healers used their magic, both detached from their bodies. I realized this fact.

I heard that magicians who cast fire or lightning do the same.

I still can't do it with fighting aura, and at that time, I couldn't do it with magic either.

If I could use it, it might be useful for something.

If asked which I'm more accustomed to handling, fighting aura or magic, I would say magic.

With that in mind, I started training to send out my magic.

The training itself was a trial and error process, and I didn't even know the method.

I tried to constrict a part of my magic and tear it off like a gourd, but it just disappeared on the spot once separated.

I tried to make the original magic appear outside my body, but I couldn't do it no matter what.

I was puzzled and then realized something.

I couldn't see the movement of the healers' magic, but I could see the movement of the demon's fighting aura.

The biggest hint comes from the biggest enemy. Reflecting on it, there were hints.

As a result, I succeeded in sending out my magic by spreading it like a wave.

Like magic, it might work because it's a principle I can understand within myself. But if it works, that's fine.

The technique of sending out magic has produced an unexpected side effect.

Originally, I can perceive everything within my magic field. Even if it's difficult to perceive the inside of living beings with weak fighting aura or magic, I can clearly understand the shape, color, texture, and smell of objects.

Exploring the properties of objects touched by the diffused magic wave.

Although the details are not as clear as within the magic field, simple exploration is possible. This allows me to understand a wider area.

Enough to explore the entire building, which is as large as the Tokyo Dome.

And there's one more thing.

This is probably the original function, but due to the nature of sending out magic, when used in conjunction, the range of spells like fireballs can be significantly extended.

I can launch a fireball as far as the magic wave reaches.

It's not something I need often, but it's an unexpected bonus.

I'll use this magic wave exploration.

The diffused magic passes through the building. The number and layout of the rooms are irrelevant at this point. What I need is the number of living beings of a certain size or larger.

When I detect, many small animals are caught. Not just rats, but a considerable number of cats, birds, and bats.

Today's job is to drive these animals out.

Fortunately, there don't seem to be any monsters, so it looks like an easy job. I couldn't help but smile.

I could drive them out by force, but that would still require searching each one.

To save that trouble, there's something called knowledge. Indeed, there's a perfect item in the herbalism I learned from Gustav. I take a large bottle from the bag on my waist. The dried contents are the leaves of a plant called Mutsu.

I go around the rooms where animals are likely to be and scatter the Mutsu leaves.

Mutsu. This herb has leaves shaped like hollyhocks with a red underside. It seems to have a smell that animals avoid. Just a small amount scattered in the room with the wind is enough to make rats and other animals flee.

It works like a repellent, which is why I brought it today, and it seems to be very effective.

Using Mutsu, I open the rooms smoothly.

Cleaning is apparently the responsibility of others, so I don't have to do it. I was told not to intentionally dirty or damage things, but scattering a few leaves should be fine. I decided this on my own.

If there's a door, I open it, and if not, I enter the room and scatter the Mutsu leaves. It's a simple task.

Thanks to the leaves acting as a repellent, the animals don't come back.

Before long, I finish the ground floor.

At this rate, it should take no more than an hour to finish everything.

Three more floors. I put my foot on the stairs to go to the second floor.

At that moment, the upper floor suddenly becomes noisy. Then, rats and cats start running down from the upper floor.

Looking outside the window, some are even jumping down to escape.

It's clearly an abnormal situation. Something is making them flee. Right now, on the upper floors.

Could it be? Another troublesome matter?

I sigh.

What should I do? Should I run up there? Or should I go outside and check from the air?

I hesitate for a moment, but the situation seems more urgent than I thought.

"Ahhhhhh!!"

A scream like a tearing silk. Someone, probably a woman, is in danger.

I use magic to detect again.

The result is three humans and a monster on the top floor. That's all I can sense.

I can't help but grit my teeth.

There shouldn't have been anyone in this building when I entered.

Did they flee here from a monster? Or did they corner the monster? The latter shouldn't make them scream. But the situation is strange. A woman seems to have fallen on her bottom, and two men are lying on the ground, probably entangled.

Frustrated, I run up the stairs.

Oh, great. This was supposed to be a simple request, but now there's trouble.

I want to leave it alone, but the request is to clean out living things from inside the fortress. If there's a monster, I have to eliminate it. It was originally that kind of job, but it feels like I have one more task, and it makes me feel terrible.

The building has a simple structure. I can reach the problematic room without hesitation.

Looking at the room from the corridor, I feel a bit overwhelmed as the problem has increased.

The wall is burning. Not only is the wooden frame charred and blackened, but some parts are on fire.

This is ridiculous. If the reward is reduced because of this, it will be a big loss.

I don't know who set it, but I'll have to complain.

Thinking this, I kick through the broken door and rush inside.

Inside, there's a red-haired girl trembling, two men in black lying on the ground, and one more.

It's the same fox I killed yesterday.