After defeating the giant crabs, we continued on through the cave.
　The gently upward sloping path continued onward, meandering in places.

"But, sir, I think...

"Hmm, what is it, Iris?

Sahagin ......, right? That half-fish? They're probably not in this cave, are they?　If they were here first and moving forward, then the crab from earlier would have been defeated. ......

Well, perhaps they have.

　I answer Iris's question by saying that.

　It is possible that the Sahagin had the means to tame the giant crab, or that they didn't happen to encounter it when they passed by.

　But in all likelihood, the Sahagin would not have passed through here.
　If they did, we should be able to find some more traces.

　Iris walks next to me, her hand over her mouth as she thinks.

But if that's the case, you won't find any sahagin in the depths of this ......?　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at our own web site.

　I patted Iris on the head.
　I patted Iris on the head and she jumped up.

"Good point of view, Iris. It's important to see it that way.

It's good to see your point of view, Iris." "Haha, ......, my teacher complimented me again. ......

　I'm not sure what to make of this.
　Very cute, as usual.

But, Iris. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.

"What?

Right, Marina?

　When I say this, Marina, who has been moving forward, turns around and smiles at me.

You're right, Brett. You're not from the sea, but you're aware of it. This island is entirely surrounded by rocky mountains, but there seemed to be several sea caves big enough to hold a boat, besides the one we came into. It just so happened that the first one we entered was a bingo, but what if it wasn't a bingo by chance, and there were several entrances in the first place...

"But why would you do that? If all you want to do is hide the treasure, don't you need to make several entrances?

　Rio interjected.
　Well, that's a fair point.

　But Marina waves her upraised forefinger.

"It's a game. That's what the legendary pirate Captain Mithril is all about. There are several other islands where Captain Mithril hid his treasure, but they're all rigged so that pirates compete with each other. The pirates are going to have a bloody brawl with each other.

"Wow, ......, Marina, is that for real?

Yes, seriously. That's one of the best things about being a pirate.

...... drunk. ...... I don't understand how a bloodbath is the best part.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

　When Marina heard this, she said, "Hahaha, the little girl doesn't understand yet?

　I don't think it's a matter of age," was the comment that everyone except Marina made in her mind, I think.

　As we continued talking, we eventually came to a second open area.

　It was a vast hollow.
　The sound of rushing water echoed in the air.

　The ground was cut off by a cliff a short distance away, from which a suspension bridge extended.

　The suspension bridge was a crude structure made of thick ropes and wooden planks, and it led to the other side of the river far away.

　I wondered where the reverberating sound of water was coming from, and saw a river with a good amount of water flowing underneath the bridge, at the bottom of a fairly high cliff.

It seems that even a brave man would be in danger if he fell from here. ......

　Anya gulped as she peered down the cliff.

　It is true that the height of the cliff is a bit frightening, and the river looks very swift.
　If you fall from here, even if you're brave, it's doubtful that you'll be safe.

"Sir, there is a stone monument here. Do you want me to read it out?

　That's Iris.
　In front of her, right next to the bridge, there was a short stone pedestal.

"Oh, please. Read it out, Iris.

"All right. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you.

　Crisp!
　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.

　.............

　I'm not sure if you've heard of this, but I'm sure you have.

"...... Oh, Iris.

"Ha, ha!

You don't have to force yourself to be a blabbermouth, imitating Maifa.

"What the hell ......?

　Iris turned as red as a boiled octopus.
　I'm a little embarrassed too, so I hope this is the last time.

"Rio, can you read it for me?

"Sure, bro. Um... 'Cross this bridge quietly. It says, 'Cross this bridge quietly, and those in a hurry will go headlong.

　Rio, looking at the monument from behind Iris, tells her that.
　Rio, unlike Iris, seems to have read it correctly.



　Cross this bridge quietly.
　Those in a hurry go headlong....

　Well, this should be taken literally, without taking it the wrong way.
　But .......

　Marina, on the other hand, was checking the strength of the bridge by pulling on its ropes and stepping lightly on the wooden planks of the scaffolding.

The strength of the bridge seems to be okay. Unless it's rigged up in some way.

Well, I'm sure it's not rigged.

That's true.

　Marina chuckles at that.

　Anyway, once you've done that much research, all you have to do is cross.

　Either we all cross together or we cross one by one.
　Or, if you want to cross one by one, who should you cross first?

Well, I'll go first. I'll go first. It's my favorite way to test my mettle.

　The pirate girl slapped herself on the chest.
　I'll check with Marina.

Marina, may I ask how you plan to cross?

"Hmm ......?　"Marina, can I ask how you plan to cross? It's not like you're trying to twist it into something it's not.

I agree with you there, but ...... no, I'll go first here.

"Oh, ......?　That's right Brett, you're showing your man. Maybe I'll fall in love with you more.

I'm not saying that, but ......

　I chuckled and stood in front of the bridge.

　I stood in front of the bridge, smiling, and took the first step onto the bridge.
　The bridge wobbled a bit, but that was it.

　I took another step, and then two more.
　For a while, the bridge swayed a little, but nothing special happened.

　I keep in mind that I can always use the wind magic [Feather Fall] for emergencies.

　This is a spell that slows down the falling speed, and can be used in an emergency.
　So far, only I and Meifa, who is good at the wind attribute, can use it.

Brother, hang in there!

Sir, please calm down.

"......, brother, come on!

　With the cheers of my students at my back, I slowly and quietly made my way across the bridge.

　Eventually, I reached the halfway point of the long suspension bridge.
　If I keep going as far as I've come, I'll reach the other side.

　There, I exhale a single, silent breath.

　If I were to fall from the bridge, even if I could use [Feather Fall] to prevent damage from the fall, it would be difficult to get back to the top of the cliff.
　It would be better if I could cross the cliff without any problems.

　With that in mind, I was about to continue on, when...

"Shhhhhhhh!

　Suddenly, a huge monster bird appeared in the sky ahead of me, screeching loudly.

　It's a huge bird with a form that rivals that of an old dragon.

　There was no place in the vast hall where such a thing could hide.

「「「「「 now ......!」」」」」

　Behind me, I can hear the sound of surprise.
　But on the other hand...

"So that's it. Well, I knew something was coming.

　In the middle of the suspension bridge, I took my time.

　In the middle of the suspension bridge, I took my stance. The bird flapped its wings at me, and its claws were bared.

　But the wind didn't pick up, and the drawbridge didn't sway.

"Shhhhhhhh!

"Mr. Brett!

Watch out!　Brother, get out of the way!

But if you fight in there, the bridge is ......!　Sir!

...... No, no, no, that's not...

　I'm not sure what you mean by that.

　But only Maifa seemed to notice.
　Maifa passed.

　The monster bird swung its huge, sharp claws at me.
　I can imagine the destructive power of that thing could destroy a house.

　But that's if it's real.

　As I stood there motionless, the giant claws of the monster bird passed right through my body.
　Not only that, but the monster bird itself disappeared in a flash.

「「「「What ......? 」」」」

　I hear a surprised voice behind me.
　I turn around quietly.

I turn around quietly and say, "Maifa, please explain.

　I say, and Maifa nods her head.

...... The bird flapped its wings, but there was no wind, and the bridge did not shake. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. I'm sure there's ...... some light magic that can do that. ...... No, I guess not. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you out.



"Oh, I see. A highly conditioned illusion spell. ......

Correct, Iris. Did you get it?

I'm not sure.

　You can find a lot of people who are interested in this kind of thing.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

　Anyway, after that, I crossed the suspension bridge without any problems.
　The others crossed after me, but the phantom bird did not attack them again.

　Incidentally, when I looked at the traps on the bridge, I could not find any physical traps.

　There might be some kind of magic trick, for example, a condition that burns the bridge if the player makes a certain amount of flapping movements on the bridge, but I didn't feel like trying it out.

But I didn't bother to try it. "But you're really good, Brett. ....... If I were you, I'd be slumped over a bridge if that thing attacked me. ......

I'm not sure what to make of that. I didn't expect the teachers at the Academy of Brave Men to be so amazing. ......

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.

　I'm not sure if I'm the only teacher in the school of heroes who teaches like this.

　In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, you'll be able to find it on the web.