We then decided to safely meet up with Travis and the others who were fighting in the center of the island and exchange information about the achievements we had made with each other.

　Although we weren't worried at all in the first place, every single one of those guys over there were safe, and there was no need to even bother using [Restoration] to heal their wounds.

　The troublesome part of the battle in the center of the island was not one or two things, but it seems that even that was not a problem as long as you cleaned up from the side where they appeared in order.

''Well, let's start with a report on our findings.

　What I wanted to hear, Ambrose would quickly cut to the chase.

　I've left it to Ambrose to explore the depths of the waterway with bird-shaped messengers.

　Since whether or not the ship is able to travel to the third level is an important factor that will determine the success or failure of future operations, I would really like to hear a good report.

'Let's get to the conclusion. "In conclusion, we did not have any disturbances during the movement of the waterway. In addition, the size of the water surface and the depth of the water below the surface should not interfere with the passage of small vessels.

　I inwardly patted my chest at the good news for now.

　However, it looked like there was still more to report, so I decided to wait for the rest of Ambrose's remarks without interrupting as much as possible.

'There were some fences and such that could be obstacles, but I suppose they could be easily destroyed. The problem is the next one, right after that, right after we get through the channel.'
Did you reach the third level of ......?
"We were intercepted shortly after it passed and the connection (link) was lost.

　Ambrose easily said something that was very hard to miss, in a tone that was no different from everyday conversation.

　It is true that if there was no interference, they should have reached it, but the fact that they were intercepted immediately afterwards cannot be ignored.

''We don't know the details of the attack we received. "The details of the attack are unknown, but it was not a strong attack. It was powerful enough to kill the birds it sent in, but it wasn't overly destructive and it wasn't blown away.
Let me ask you a question. Do you think it was an Aggarwaldo-Ram interceptor?
To be honest, I can't say for sure either way, but I didn't feel like I was 'ambushed' when I was hit by .......

　Lightly waving the sleeve wrapped in the long hem, Ambrose lightly put into words what he felt as he felt it.

''Immediately after seeing the light on the third level, the messenger (over there)'s consciousness was cut off, but since it was hit without any sign of anything, my first reaction was 'Did you hit the wall by mismanaging the controls? I even thought.
'So, you mean that Agart Ram's forces weren't lying in ambush, only low-powered interceptors were left in place ......?
'Or there was a completely unrelated wild animal that was just hunted down as an unintentional bird. It was abrupt enough to feel that way, and it was so easy to miss the beat.

　I folded my arms and ran a hand over my mouth, sorting through my thoughts about the report from Ambrose in my head.

　There was no interception mechanism in the middle of the channel, and although there were some obstacles, they could be destroyed without problems.

　However, he couldn't get any information about the destination of the waterway.

　The reason for this was because a bird-shaped messenger had been killed, but we couldn't determine the cause.

　At the very least, there was no indication that Agart Ram's puppet (Ningen) had been ambushed, nor had it been exposed to excessive firepower, and it was impossible to discard the hypothesis that it had simply become a target for wildlife hunting.

'As for me, I'm hoping it's just a pattern of unlucky local demons targeting me. Didn't they send a second bird in?
'I didn't want to do that. In case that was an intercept system under the watchful eye of Agart Ram, in case a second bird wandered in after standing up, I could feel the artifice.
'Sensible. Thank you for making the right decision.

　A bird from the second level wandered into the waterway and arrived at the third level - this alone would be normal.

　However, if a second or third bird flew in with almost no time lag right after the first bird was killed, as expected, it might be suspected that 'someone is sending it in from the second level.

　Of course, that was only if Agart Ram was monitoring the exit of the waterway in real time, not if it was just an automatic interception system or an unfortunate accident, but it was a possibility that was not worth considering.

'Let's do a second advance reconnaissance later again. It shouldn't be a problem if it goes on at the same time as the construction of the machinery (cranes) to lower the ship.
Yes, sir. Next time, bring a wizard with you to your day job. I've got a lot of research to do, and I'd like to stay in the lab for a while.

　I couldn't help but let my mouth relax into a wry smile at his unprecedentedly emotional manner.

　The new research subject would definitely be Dagon.

　It's a typical idea for Ambrose, who is a researcher by trade, to tie the experience of that battle to the research first and foremost.

'...... By the way, we just fought a demonic beast like Hydra's master just now. This is also a strange thing to do. I'm sure that the Dagon we fought just now was one of the things that was integrated with the Mother Hydra.
'That's interesting!　By all means, can you tell me more about it? Since you're a demonic beast, that Hydra had a medallion, right?　If you don't mind, I'd like to use a medallion from either Dagon or Hydra: ......
Well, well, well. We'll talk about it when we get back to the boat. The lakeside boys will be waiting for you.

　I quieted Ambrose, who was unusually talkative, and I decided to take everyone out of the island.

　The adventurers in the lakeside are waiting for us to return with Leila and her absent-minded group.

　I have to let them know we're safe as soon as possible, or else Leila is going to suffer a heart attack.