Chapter 134: Western Valley

The next morning―

「Let’s go.」

Straddling on the back of the dinosaur-type monster, Ciel ordered her monsters to walk again.

The three dinosaur-type monsters received the order and immediately started running while carrying Aria and co. on their backs.

Their goal was the western valley and its surroundings. If they couldn’t find Belphegor in the vicinity of the western valley, they planned on entering the labyrinth inside the valley.

「Please! Be careful, everyone!」

「Come to our village again if something happens.」

Hana, who had prepared their bath, meal, and lodging the previous night, saw them off. The village chief was there as well.

◆

「This is the western valley.」

Ciel said as she descended from her dinosaur-type monster.

After moving for about two hours with a few short breaks along the way, the group had finally arrived in the western valley. From here on, they had to go on foot since the scaffolding in the valley was terrible.

The party walked along a river. As they looked ahead of them, they found various kinds of dinosaur-type monsters here and there.

「They are herbivorous dinosaur-type monsters. Looking at their condition, it seems Belphegor isn’t around this area.」

Ciel showed a disappointed look as she spoke. She made her judgment after seeing how well behaved the herbivorous monsters were.

May, who walked beside Ciel, took out her compass-like device.

「…! It’s faint, but I’m getting a demon king-like reaction from this tool!」

When she saw the movement of the needle in her magic tool, she raised her voice and notified everyone. The group stiffened upon hearing her words.

「What do you mean by faint, May-sama?」

Aria asked with a stiff look on her face.

May explained to her.

「I think this might be the result of her revival, but it seems as if something is obstructing her presence!」

「Obstructing her presence… Does that mean Belphegor is hiding inside the labyrinth?」

「I see! The possibility is quite high.」

Cedric nodded at Ciel. He agreed with her opinion.

In short, Belphegor really did come to this valley.

「But, we still lack the decisive evidence to confirm whether Belphegor is really inside the labyrinth or not. Let’s take a look around the valley first before entering the labyrinth.」

Ciel led the way as she spoke. The others started their search.

◆

One hour later―

「Can’t find her at all!」

「Nyaybe, Belphegor is really inside the labyrinth?」

Aria and Vulcan exchanged a conversation with slightly tired faces. When Ciel saw that, she suggested that they start looking inside the labyrinth after a short break.

「Let’s take a lunch break for now! Don’t you agree with me, Tama-chan?」n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

「Nyan(Leave it to me, Cedric-dono)!」

Tama let out an adorable cry to answer Cedric’s question while invoking 《Storage》. The group still had some leftover ingredients, which they had prepared before their journey.

「Aria! Meat for me!」

「Come to think of it, it has been a while since we ate in nature. Let’s have a simple barbeque, Stella-chan.」

「YAAAAAAAAAY!」

Stella showed a delighted look on her face and struck a guts pose.

Hearing that, Tama started the preparation for new firewood.

Everyone worked together to build a simple bonfire near the river. Then, they stuffed the firewood into that bonfire and set it on fire.

After that, they set a metal net on top of the bonfire and placed the meat that they had already pickled in sauce beforehand along with sliced vegetables on top of the net.

Aria turned over the food, checking its grilled state.

The meat juice that had spilled over on the net evaporated due to heat. This gave rise to an unbearable, smoky aroma, which baited Stella and the two fairies to come closer.

While waiting for the food to be ready, Aria and Vulcan prepared the plates for everyone.

「Let’s dig in!」

Stella gobbled down on the meat after she said those words. It was followed by a delighted voice. It seemed she had been quite hungry.

Even the other party members showed astonished looks as they tried the meat. The meat that had been pickled in Aria’s special sauce was just superb.

Aria offered a piece of meat pierced with her fork to Tama with an 「A~h」 while grilling the next batch.

Tama happily stuffed his cheeks with the meat. As he stuffed the meat into his mouth, his expression was that of pure bliss.

「T-Tama-chan, I want to feed you too…」

Ciel also presented some meat to Tama with blushed red cheeks.

She was slightly embarrassed since her current actions were the exact opposite of her usual cool attitude.

（It has been in my mind since a while ago, but…）

（Ciel-sama is so adorable nyan…）

Aria and Vulcan whispered to each other as they saw that scene.

However, right at that moment―

【GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR…】

A roar resounded inside the cave, the labyrinth.

Following that, several carnivorous-looking, small dinosaur-type monsters came out from the cave.

「They are… 〝Raptors?.」

Seeing the incoming enemy, Ciel stood up and summoned 《Celcius Blade》 in her right hand.

「Since the monsters are coming out of the labyrinth…」

「It means that something abnormal has happened right inside the labyrinth! And the cause of that might be none other than Belphegor!」

Cedric and May said.

At this moment, the monsters, the raptors, rushed toward Aria and co.

「EAT THIS! 《CELCIUS NAIL》!」

Ciel swung her 《Celcius Blade》 to the side as she shouted the name of her skill. The raptors that got hit by the shining ice blade instantly turned into ice sculptures, then shattered to pieces.

「Everyone, it seems this is the signal to end our lunch. Let’s enter the labyrinth.」

The entire party nodded at once. After tidying up the bonfire and preparing their equipment, they headed into the labyrinth.