It's our second day in Nomah, and right now, we're having brunch together at a restaurant. On the table in front of us: warm manoush stuffed with minced meat, slices of syrup-soaked basbousa, and tiny cups of bold, spiced coffee.
Yomogi takes a small bite of her manoush, chewing and humming softly.
"Mmm… is this lindworm meat? It's delicious!"
Chantal already has half of hers in her mouth by the time Yomogi finishes talking.
"Not bad. Not as spicy as our home cooking, but still good."
Kimberly nibbles her own, chewing slowly and savoring every bite.
"It's been… a long time… since I last… tasted... lindworm meat…"
Curious, I take a bite of my own manoush. The crust is crisp on the edges, but the meat is juicy and soft, with a rich, fatty flavor like pork but wilder. I nod toward Kimberly.
"Oohh... it's delicious! I've never had lindworm before, but I like it!"
Yomogi and Chantal are right. Apparently, the ogres here in Nomah have managed to domesticate lindworms for food. They harvest the meat like a farm animal, which feels insane, but it works. The taste reminds me of pork, which is a big deal because Misdaras banned pork after their pig flu outbreak 300 years ago. If this stuff makes a good alternative, I should definitely stock some before we head home.
And Chantal's not wrong, either. There's a noticeable lack of heat. Tomatoes or chilies don't exist in many countries in Acrusse, not even here in Nomah. But my terrace garden has both, and the girls got used to that flavor in our home cooking already.
Salacia picks at her basbousa with a small fork, then takes a sip of coffee and moans.
"Mmmm~! Incredible~..."
Pinna takes a slow chew of the manoush, then the basbousa, then finally sips the coffee.
"Texture analysis: dense crumb with syrup saturation. Flavor: almond-forward, balanced sweetness. Coffee: extremely bitter, high spice index. Overall satisfaction level… high."
I take a bite of my basbousa, enjoying its buttery, sweet, and moist flavors. Then, I follow it with a sip of coffee, and I wince instantly.
"Phew… that's amazing..."
Salacia was right again. Nomah's coffee isn't just strong, but it's also the best I've ever had. There's spice in it, which is something like clove or cardamom, and the body is thick and bold. And of course, I definitely have to bring this home, too.
Then, the serious conversation begins as Kimberly is the first one to speak.
"Are you… certain… about it, Motegi-sama...?"
"Of course. That's why we came all the way here, remember?"
"Yes…"
Yomogi turns to me, full of trust.
"I'm ready, Motegi-chan. I'll be by your side."
"Thanks, Yomogi. Appreciate it."
Chantal pats the twin daggers strapped to her sides, and Pinna follows.
"What do you think, Motegi-kun? I didn't bring my babies just for show. I'm ready."
"Observer Unit One is active for aerial surveillance. Crawler Unit Two is combat-ready. All systems nominal."
"Good."
Salacia looks at me worriedly, and I rest my hand on hers.
"I just… I hope it won't be dangerous, darling. If something happens, I'm not sure I can heal you fast enough…"
"We'll be okay, Salacia. I promise."
And this is the reason why everyone is looking serious and concerned.
Yesterday, after talking to locals, we managed to trace where the pilus follis might be nesting. Or more precisely, where its eggs could be found.
But unfortunately, the place we would be looking for is known as the Cave of Thousands Snakes, infamous for being the deadliest place in the country. And according to the locals, it's also guarded by the most invincible of all dragons in Nomah, known as the Crimson Dragon.
Unlike our relaxing vacation in Oserin, we all knew our search for pilus follis might turn into something more dangerous, so we had prepared our usual combat gear just in case. And now, I'm relieved because our preparation was worth it.
And again, unlike in Oserin, when we stumbled into Salacia's sea garden by accident without even knowing, this time we'll be walking straight into a dragon's nest on purpose... just for the sake of one strange animal egg.
ONE HOUR LATER
"Ready?"
"Yes!"
"Okay, Float!"
In an instant, the giant carpet beneath us rises effortlessly, and once we reach the height I want, I stretch one hand back behind me.
"Wind Breeze!"
Then, a gust flows at our backs, pushing the carpet forward with a smooth glide that makes it feel like we're drifting on air.
Salacia gasps in front of me.
"Darling, we're really flying… we're flying on a carpet! This is amazing~!"
Yomogi stretches out her arms to the sides, the wind catching her.
"The breeze feels so good, Motegi-chan..."
Chantal crouches near the edge and leans out.
"Motegi-kun, look! I can see the dunes from here! This view's insane!"
"Hey, careful. It's just a carpet. If you fall, there's nothing to catch you."
She glances back with a pout.
"Boo. You're no fun, Motegi-kun."
Kimberly sits beside me, her hands folded in her lap.
"This is… a rather strange… yet uniquely... lovely sensation…"
Pinna also explains the same.
"Though aerodynamically impractical, this method of flight achieves sufficient altitude and forward propulsion via elementary wind magic. The novelty factor is… considerable."
I smile to myself as I steer the carpet forward, and once again, another silly childish dream is checked off the list, which is flying on a magic carpet over golden dunes.
All it took was a random carpet I bought from the market with just two silver coins, a Float spell to lift it, and Wind Breeze to guide it... and boom, I just recreated that scene from a famous tale back on Earth.
Although, if we were in flowing outfits and flying under a moonlit sky instead of this glaring sun, it would've been even more perfect. And again, with Yomogi, Chantal, Kimberly, Pinna, and Salacia at my side, it's more me and five princesses instead of one.
And yes, no genie here either, so it's just me and my magic.
After we've been flying for a while, Pinna leans forward and points down at the dunes below.
"Visual marker detected, Master. The formation resembles a natural mound with slight elevation. Probability of it being the target cave… eighty-seven percent."
"Are you sure?!"
"Affirmative, Master."
I follow her finger and spot a raised sandstone hill jutting out of the desert like an oversized termite mound, symmetrical and smooth.
"Alright, we're going down now."
With that, I cancel both the Float and Wind Breeze spells, slowing us to a quiet hover and reducing the altitude gradually. The carpet drifts downward smoothly, and after a moment, it touches down right in front of the formation.
As I look at the cave mouth, I actually believe this is beautiful. The entrance yawns wide and tall with natural curves that almost look carved. Time and wind have smoothed the sandstone into a rippling spiral, and the sunlight reflects off the pale stone in golden hues.
And somehow, for something called the Cave of Thousands Snakes, it's surprisingly picturesque, and I've never seen anything like it. In fact, it looks more like a hidden temple than a death trap.
Yomogi steps forward first curiously.
"Pinna, are you sure this is the cave?"
"Affirmative."
Chantal scans the opening.
"Huh. Doesn't look dangerous. But it's... big...."
But Kimberly's gaze sharpens.
"Don't… let appearances... deceive... you. I sense… immense mana… from within. Fire-aligned… old, and very deep..."
Salacia is also the same.
"She's right. If there is a dragon in there… it might be as old as I am. Maybe older."
With that, I decide to cast a spell.
"Dome!"
And then, an invisible, very wide, and high barrier wraps around us. Dome is a Cosmic element spell that allows something like this and grants everyone inside a protection from what the caster desires, and for this occasion, I want it to protect us from anything.
Finally, I turn to everyone.
"Everyone ready?"
"Yes!"
"Okay, let's go."
And just like that, we step together into the cave. And somehow, we walk inside with our usual formation for the labyrinth run: Yomogi and Chantal walk side by side up front with Pinna's Observer Unit floating between them. Just behind, Kimberly walks next to Pinna, with the latter's Crawler Unit slithering on the ground between them. And finally, there is me in the rear with Salacia.
At first, the cave keeps its earlier beauty, but the deeper we go and the darker it gets... that's when the name finally starts to make sense. The walls and ceilings aren't just rock. They're coated in dozens, hundreds, or maybe more snakes, coiling over each other and crawling across the stone like they blend in with the shadows.
Then, Chantal's ears twitch, and she suddenly draws her daggers as she looks up like she's about to strike something. At the same time, a thick black snake drops straight from the ceiling, aiming right at her... but it never reaches. With a thwack, it slams into something mid-air and bounces off, landing harmlessly on the ground before it wriggles back into the darkness.
Chantal exhales sharply.
"Whew… Thought that thing was gonna sink its fangs in me. Thanks, Motegi-kun."
"You're welcome."
As we keep moving, more snakes drop from above. Some slither along the walls and lunge at us from the sides. But none of them make it through. They bounce off the invisible dome like they've hit a glass wall and are flung back with just enough distance that none of us even flinch.
And I wonder... this is why people call this cave the deadliest place in Nomah. Not because of them exaggerating, but the place is literally full of them. I mean, I don't know what would happen to us if we didn't have this barrier, and I'm also lucky that this barrier is working exactly the way I hoped.
Then, the front pair stops in our tracks as Chantal's ears twitch and Yomogi sniffs the air... but they're all putting serious expressions on their faces.
"I hear something. Big breathing... up ahead."
"I can smell it too. Something powerful up front."
Pinna's Observer Unit delivers what it sees to her.
"Master, heat and seismic feedback suggest the presence of a high-tier lifeform ahead. Estimated identity: Crimson Dragon."
Salacia draws closer to me.
"That mana is old. If we keep going, we're heading straight toward it, darling..."
Kimberly's eyes narrowed.
"This dragon… won't... welcome us. Their kind… are no gentler… than krakens. Be wary… Motegi-sama..."
I nod, taking in their warnings.
"Understood. So, should we go?"
But none of them answer, and instead, they just turn to look at me like they're leaving the decision to me.
I take a deep breath and let it out, slow and steady. My heart's pounding a little, but it's clear.
"Alright, we'll move."
Yeah, this is for the pilus follis after all. We came all this way to find it.
With that, we continue to walk. And then, the cave widens into a massive stone chamber, and at the center, a figure — red, scaled, long, massive, and serpentine with four clawed legs — coils atop a raised rock like it's sleeping.
Then, its head lifts and its face emerges. Lion-like and whiskered, with eyes that snap open and fix on us.
Kimberly's voice comes out barely above a whisper.
"The Crimson… Dragon..."
I stare, jaw tightening.
This is not a Western or Arabian dragon, this is an Oriental one.
First, ogres that look like Japanese kijins, and now this dragon that belongs in a legend from the East. Honestly, this country is just... strange. It's like two completely different mythologies jammed together in this sandy culture.
The dragon's mouth opens, and its voice... deep, feminine, but with a growl that vibrates through the air.
"Hoh… what have we here? A brave human… a wolfkin… a pantherkin… an elf… an automaton…"
It stops as its gaze shifts to Salacia.
"And thee. A loner… like myself. One who walked alone… now enters mine nest."
Salacia stiffens, her eyes widen, and her voice trembles.
"Wait... what? Loner? You… you know who I am?"
"Indeed. Thou art the kraken of Oserin's depths. The guardian beneath the tide. I see thee clear. The age in thy bones… matches mine own. Thy Water… roils as deep… as my Fire."
Then, the dragon continues to speak, low and confident.
"Thou art impudent… yet clever enough to walk through my serpents unscathed. No mortals enter this place and leave whole."
It shifts its massive form and lifts its head higher.
"For such gall… I shall offer thee reward. Name thy desire. Gold, jewels, gems… ancient relics buried deep in mine hoard. All of it, thine for the taking."
I step forward calmly.
"Thank you, truly. But we didn't come here for treasure. We only want… a pilus follis egg."
"Pilus follis?"
Its tone is questioning and incredulous somehow.
"A curious request. A human with such vast mana… walks boldly into my den… and wishes not for gold… but for an egg? Truly… foolish."
Then, it speaks again.
"So be it. If that is thy wish… then thou may have it."
"Really? Thank you."
I bow deeply this time. However, I really don't expect what the dragon does later...
"But first… let us see..."
And suddenly...
"Motegi-chan!"
"Motegi-kun, get down!"
"Motegi-sama...!"
"Master, alert!"
"Darling!"
FWOOSH!
I look up and suddenly see a wave of fire explode from its mouth, screaming toward me, and I raise my arm reflexively because I'm too late to dodge.
"Whoa...! Earth Wall!"
A thick stone shield erupts just in time to catch the brunt of the dragon's breath. Flames crash into it, and I can see the dragon is rising, uncoiling its massive body from the stone, and its voice is filled with disdain.
"Didst thou think… I would simply give what thou seeketh? Thou may claim to want an egg… but I know better. Thou art after my treasure. Admit it!"
"No! That's not true! I came here only for... whoa...!"
I shout, but it doesn't let me finish and just roars, divebombing at me and crashing its jaws down to me. I roll to the side, and it slams into the floor where I just stood.
"I am the most invincible of all dragons in Nomah! Not one creature — man, beast, or mine fellow dragon — hath ever bested me. If thou seekest to claim what is mine… then thou shalt die trying."
Again, I'm lucky.
If I hadn't boosted my stats with [Temporary Boost] before this encounter, I'd be ash by now. Also, of course that dragon doesn't believe me. I walked into its domain and suddenly asked for something as if I had the right, like an arrogant fool, even if it's just for an egg.
Hahaha...
A cozy life by selling soap?
Living in peace without stepping into something big?
What do they mean by that if in the end, I would fight a kraken and a dragon anyway...