Chapter 94 – Tataratta Tarara
As they had accomplished their goal, they now had five days left before the boat would arrive to pick them up. And so due to Menew’s strong request, they decided to spend the time adventuring.
That being said, the island was small enough to be circled in one day. And since it would offer opportunities to secure a supply of meat, the others agreed to it.
First, Torum invited them to his settlement, and they were greeted very warmly there.
Torum was about two meters tall, but the average Garuda was close in size to Menew. The children were the size of Totto.
There were flat lands around a stone altar and they sat down on grass mats and lived in a rather civilized fashion.
Menew and the others were led to seats on top of the altar, and they were offered many fruits.
“So you are herbivores…”
Menew muttered in surprise, and Torum nodded.
‘As we are birds.’
Well, he could not argue with that.
All of the fruits were sweet and fragrant. It was something Menew had rarely tasted in this world, and he ate them happily.
Menew had often eaten nothing but glucose tablets, but when he thought back, he did have memories of eating various delicious things. Perhaps once he started to care again in this world, those memories had come back.
After they were finished eating breakfast, the party continued their trek through the jungle.
They avoided Falis’s territory they were in yesterday, and went deep into the mountains.
It was more tiring than when walking on flat ground, and so they took breaks in between. Though, Toto would use the opportunity to gather plants. On the way, they were attacked several times by monkey-like monsters.
They had long white fur and cute red faces. However, they were very aggressive, and would throw fruits and jump around over their heads.
Menew did not fight back, but instead summoned Falis to block their attacks.
“You do not use magic?”
“Yes. I am a Summoner, after all.”
It seemed a little late to be saying such a thing, but Mofusen nodded anyway.
He wanted to stay on that path as much as possible. It was common sense that Menew had only learned recently.
People would attack him if they were afraid. He did not want to scare others. And it was not as if he had to use magic. In that case, he should just avoid it, and do things that don’t scare others.
Currently, Menew was trying to search for a way to live while avoiding conflict.
Still, when it came to times when he could not yield, or when it was necessary to use his abilities, he would not hesitate.
That might sound like a contradiction, but there was a reason for it.
After resting, they continued to walk.
The deeper in they went, the more hostile the white monkeys became. Menew wondered what the reason was, but once they came out into a clearing, he raised his voice in surprise.
“Woah…!”
It wasn’t only Menew. Ralph, Totto and Mofusen’s eyes were also shining.
Kanon howled happily and began to run in a circle.
In front of them was a massive building that was carved out of rock.
The walls were like stone slabs, and the sides were supported by four pillars in the shape of gods. The building was two-stories tall.
In the center there was an entrance, and a statue that stood there as if to guard it. A gatekeeper that had the head of a wolf.
Menew and the others decided to rest there and eat lunch. They would explore the interior after they had eaten.
Menew cooked. He grilled the fruits from earlier with meat and sprinkled salt over them. The sweet and sourness of the fruit went well with the meat.
They drained it down with some tea, and then turned back to the building.
The inside has been carved out so that there was a large chamber. And there were pictures drawn on the walls.
Farmers, sun, bugs, monkeys, plants, birds. A volcanic mountain.
Sea, fish, and sirens.
All of the nature of the area, and the work of humans of the past were depicted.
“Huh. So people lived here a long time ago.”
“No, it’s the other way around.”
“Other way around?”
Menew was puzzled by Mofusen’s words. But Mr. Wal explained.
“Previously, this island was part of the continent. And then it separated.”
“Ah, I see… Like Pangaea.”
He muttered the last part to himself.
Menew had assumed that this world was one single continent, but perhaps he was wrong.
A world where there were places that humans had not explored yet.
He was excited. The thought of being able to draw such a world sent shivers through his spine.
He had not finished exploring this continent yet though. So he would not think about it until then.
Menew took in a deep breath in order to calm himself.
Suddenly, he saw a staircase in the corner of his vision.
“Oh, you can go underground! Let’s go!”
“Ah, wait…!”
But Menew ignored Ralph’s warning and rushed to the entrance to the underground. And then he stepped on something that clicked.
Sety had said it. Dungeons were filled with traps.
Menew had forgotten that completely.
Gogogo… There was a rumbling sound, and then the round sun that was depicted over the entrance began to move.
It disconnected from the wall, and started to plummet as gravity dictated.
As for the entrance, the gatekeeper’s spear moved to block it.
Of course, Ralph and Mofusen, and Totto carrying Kanon and Mr. Wall ran down to the stairs where Menew was.
Boom! Gorogorogoro… There was a loud crash as the sun fell down, and then it rolled loudly on the slanted floor.
When they caught up with Menew, he returned to himself after being stunned, and they all rushed down the staircase.
The sun accelerated. It rolled down the stairs at an alarming speed.
Up ahead, the path stopped abruptly.
“Kanon! Stan! Please!”
Menew shouted, and then Kanon and Stan grew large, and they picked up Totto, Menew, Ralph and Mofusen and flew over the gap.
Then the sun fell and fitted inside the gap perfectly like a bridge. They would be able to walk over it on their way back.
“That was close…! No, it was incredibly fun!”
“You bloody idiot.”
“I-I-I thought I was going to die…!”
“Don’t put old people in danger like that!”
There was a clang as false teeth fell to the ground, and the others landed safely as well.
Inside, it was too dark to see anything.
Menew took out a lantern just in case, but since there was no one else there, he used magic light without hesitation.
“…You. What happened to acting like a Summoner?”
Mofusen grumbled as washed his teeth. Menew thought for a moment and answered with a, ‘right man for the right job.’
That was not how the saying was used, but the others were too tired to reply.
Thanks for the chapter!