Chimera...?

　Lucy murmured, mumbling.

　A huge beast lay there.
　It has the two heads of a lion and a goat with a snake head on its tail.
　The fur on its entire body was dark gray.

　It appears to be asleep, but there are signs that it is about to wake up as it approaches.
　I guess it's a gatekeeper, guarding the door.
　It's like this is a magical creature that was created by someone else.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.
　Nina is undeterred.

''Oh well, hold on. First of all, I'll try to find out about the demon with my 'appraisal'.
You look strong.
"Leave it to me........hmmm. I'm sure the demon is a chimera. Its weakness seems to be 'fire'.
That's my cue!
　Lucy suddenly started to get tense.

'I also heard that you were born in the '10 years before salvation'. That's a long-lived demon.
Eh!
　Nina and Lucy shouted in surprise at Fujiyan's voice.

''Oh it was a demon from a thousand years ago, Ka. That was a close call.''
Hey, that's not a good idea.
　Nina and Lucy are getting impatient.

'Lucy, what's wrong with you?'
'Lord Nina. Is that demon strong?
　The otherworldly duo didn't have a clue.

''Master, you know the story of how the demons were stronger than they are now in the Dark Ages up to a thousand years ago when the Savior-sama saved the world, right?
You've heard the stories.
　I know that too.

It is said that demons were more ferocious then than they are now due to the influence of the Great Demon Lord, and many of the humans and elves who fought them were stronger swordsmen and wizards than they are now.
'So that means he's been alive for a thousand years, so he's pretty strong. I wonder how strong he is compared to an ordinary chimera?

It's said that demons from a thousand years ago were roughly three to four times stronger than today's demons.
Isn't that something else?
　It's too bad, isn't it? A thousand years ago.

''I thought it was just a demon, but there are even stories of veteran adventurer parties being wiped out by demons from a thousand years ago.
What do you want to do, give up and go home?
　To be honest, I don't want to push myself too hard.
'No, let's go,' suggested Nina.

'Nina-dono, do you think the odds are good?
''Those kinds of demons often don't move from the gate. If they're no match for you, we should run.
　Hm, Fujiyan nodded.

I have an item called the 'escape card' that allows me to escape from the dungeon. If you are in danger, shall I escape from the dungeon?
I see.
　Then you're safe.

"I'll support you, Nina, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
　Generate water with spirit magic.
'Water Magic, Water Flow'
　Manipulate the generated water and make a huge water ball.
　The downside is that it's slow compared to activating magic with your own magical power.

''Lucy, make sure you chant fire magic too.
Okay.
　Last time, the Gryphon couldn't win if Lucy's magic didn't hit it.
　I have a feeling that Lucy's magic attack power is going to be important this time as well.

It's a good idea. Fujiyan, please take care of that guy too, when the time comes.
Yes, sir.
　I've got some backdoor tricks up my sleeve this time.
　It's nice to have a group of friends to help you out.

Well, I guess I'll have to go first.
　Nina approaches the chimera with a light step.
　I follow a little later.

　Fujiyan and Lucy are waiting near the stairs.
　Lucy is chanting a spell.

--The chimera wakes up with a slither.

　I knew I hadn't slept.
　You're the gatekeeper, of course.

"Hooray!
　Nina closed the distance in one swift movement and fired a kick at the chimera.
　There was a heavy thud, but the chimera only staggered a little.
　In return, Nina dodged the chimera's paw, saying "wow" as it swung its paw at her.

'Water Magic, Ice Arrow.
　He released his magic to stop the chimera in its tracks.
　Bash, bash, bash, bash, bash and all the bullets hit.
　However.

'It's not working nay.
　Nina pats her cheek.
　The chimera doesn't even avoid my magic.
　Was it a mosquito?　Or something like that.
　d*mn it. That's annoying.

　After that, Nina would attack behind and to the side of the demon, but the chimera had little room to maneuver.
　The three heads of a goat, a lion and a snake are always on the lookout for you.

Hmmm, it's still a lot stronger than an ordinary chimera.
　Nina says, a bit distant and troubled.
'Is that so?'
I could take out a normal chimera with my kicks, but this one won't budge.
'As for my magic, you don't even seem to be trying to avoid it...'
　I haven't been able to use the spirit magic I've been working on at all yet.

''Phew!　I knew it had to be me!
　I can hear Lucy's voice.
　She seems happy to finally get her turn.

'Oi, Lucy, cover me too!'
I'm on it!　Fire magic, Fire Arrow!
Is that an arrow...?
　I heard Fujiyan murmur.
　A pillar of flame, too thick to be called an arrow, headed for the chimera.

　Chimera, who had no interest in my magic, dodged this one.
　The pillar of flame slammed into the crystal wall and flames scattered in all directions.
　Shards of flame, large and small, poured down.
　Chimera and ... me and Nina.

　The chimera makes an abhorrent noise with a guru, but this one is no match for it.

Nina-san runs away and says, "Wow, wow!
''Hiiii.''
　I've been traumatized by burns lately, and I rushed back to the stairwell area where Lucy and Fujiyan were.
　I noticed that Nina was close by, too.

　For some reason, the chimera is not following us.
　Perhaps they are wary of the fire magic that Lucy is releasing.
　It'll take three minutes to activate it again, though.

'Hey, Lucy.
Huh?
　The wizard who had just detonated the fire magic earlier is tilting his head in a cute way.
　This guy.

''Lucy-dono's magic is of great power. Is Nina-dono okay?
No, I'm in a bit of a hurry.
　Nina laughed, not seeming to be angry.

'I'm sorry,' Lucy apologized, as expected.
'Well, let's be careful next time. The crystal walls in this dungeon seem to play magic.
There's a danger of hitting them all with a few shots.
I don't know what to do.

　Anyway, since there's nothing to do now, let's move on to the next step.

Fujiyan, please.
Oh, that thing you were talking about. You're early.
I don't want to waste my time.
That's true, then.　

　Fujiyan sticks his right hand out in front of him.

'Storage magic/removal.'

　At that moment, water flowed out of Fujiyan's right hand like a waterfall.

　That amount of water cannot even be compared to my spirit magic.
　In no time at all, the floor was filled with water.
　The water was filling the floor to the knee, including the chimera.

　If you were to use your storage magic to carry water, how long would you be able to carry it? I asked him.
There's plenty of room for a 50-meter pool.
　When they said, "This is it! I thought.

'Oh no, master's magic is amazing,' Nina said admiringly.　
'How much water do you use this kind of forceful method just because there is no water? Lucy said, in a dumbfounded voice.

'You come up with some interesting things,' said Fujiyan.
'We have to do whatever we can,'
　I am the weakest wizard-in-training in the world. This one.

　Inside the dungeon, the glow of the crystals on the ceiling and walls reflected off the water, creating an even more magical landscape.
　Beyond that, there's a large chimera staring at us.

　Okay, let's do it.