I continued to use Magic Exploration. It was harder than usual, due to the walls being protected by magic.

  Also, I had to do it carefully, which meant that it took longer.

  That being said, the walls did allow me to get a grasp of how large the place was, so it was also helpful.

  I often cast defense magic on buildings.

  However, I hadn’t considered that it allowed people to figure out the structure of the house by using Magic Detection.

  I would have to be more careful in the future.

  While I continued to work, I told the others:

  ‘Yes, the humanoid presences are vampires, after all.’


  ‘What type?’


  Kathe asked. As usual, she did not seem the least bit worried. On the other hand, Serulis seemed almost too worried.

  She was constantly touching the hilt of her sword with her right hand. It couldn’t be helped since she didn’t have much experience.

  ‘There aren’t too many lessers. Most of them are Archs and Lords.’


  ‘Oh? It’s like a gathering of elites then.’


  ‘So, this isn’t just any ordinary base.’


  Goran and Eric started to analyze the information I gave them.

  ‘So, there are no High Lords?’


  ‘Not yet…ah, yes, there is.’


  I found one just after Shia asked me. He was in a different room that was quite far off.

  ‘Maybe that’s the boss?’


  ‘Could be.’


  Just then, I realized that there were several humans in the room with the High Lord.

  ‘There are humans too. Five of them. They are all charmed.’


  Unlike Magic Detection, Magic Exploration allowed you to tell if they had Charm cast on them.

  ‘They aren’t thralls though. That’s good.’


  ‘Ahh, I suppose that’s a small relief.’


  Eric and Goran said seriously.

  Considering that they were trapped in the room, they were probably not servants.

  Most likely, they were being kept there as food.

  ‘So, they have hostages. That complicates things. It might be better to work secretly.’


  ‘Yes. Shia is right.’


  I agreed. Shia’s tail wagged quietly.

  Just then, I finished using Magic Exploration.

  I was about to explain to them the positions of the enemy, when…


  —DDGGGGGOOOoo.

  The door to the room flew off.

  Behind it, was a magic machine. Four of them.

  Perhaps they had made the door so wide in this place so that the machines could move easily.

  They entered the room and immediately started to fill the air with highspeed balls of metal.

  “Leave the defense to me!”


  I shouted. Everyone moved at once. They believed that I would protect them.

  Eric, Goran, and Kathe were especially quick. In a flash, each of them had destroyed a single magic machine.

  Serulis and Shia ducked low and charged forward.

  And they worked together to destroy the last one.

  Once the room was silent again, Eric said:

  “So they know we’re here now.”


  “Perhaps it was because I used Magic Exploration.”


  The magic machines had appeared right after I used Magic Exploration on the High Lord.

  If that was enough to allow him to detect us, he must be very powerful.

  “Did Magic Detection tell you that there would be magic machines?”


  Goran asked seriously.

  Magic Detection was magic used to search for beings with magic. Magic Exploration was to find out who or what those beings were.

  Usually, I would use Magic Detection first and then cast Magic Exploration after.

  So I wouldn’t use Magic Exploration on something that couldn’t be detected first.

  “No, I didn’t detect the magic machines at all.”


  “I see…”


  Eric gulped. Goran also looked worried.

  After all, while they were machines, they still used magic to operate.

  This meant that they must have been heavily protected by concealment magic.

  While it was just an excuse, I had to bypass the magic defense and cover a large area quickly.

  That was why it was not as precise, and I missed things.

  Still, it was my responsibility. I had to reflect on that.

  “It was my mistake. I’m sorry.”


  “No, it’s enough to know that they were able to get passed you.”


  “Yes. We must be careful. They clearly have a very powerful Sorcerer with them.”


  Eric and Goran said. Shia and the others also nodded.

  As our enemy was stronger than expected, the burden on Shia and the others would be heavier.

  “For now, before we continue… Shia, Serulis, and Grulf. You need to…”


  Just as I was about to say it-

  —CREAAAK!

  A loud sound echoed from the teleportation circle.

  The runes that were on it had shattered.

  “I wanted Shia and the others to return…”


  “That would have been for the best, Locke. But we have no choice now.”


  “…So, they won’t let anyone escape then.”


  Kathe said.

  “Hmm. But can’t you repair the teleportation circle, Locke?”


  “I could, but it would be even harder than making it from scratch.”


  “And how long would it take?”


  “I could do it in a day for sure. Maybe half a day.”


  “So it takes even someone like Locke that much time… So it is impossible under the current circumstances then…”


  It would be foolish to trap ourselves in here and try to fix the teleportation circle.

  Our enemies had many methods of attack. It would be better to go out and fight them.

  “Alright then. Let’s go and kill this High Lord Boss.”


  “Indeed. That is the quickest way.”


  “Yes. We’ll do that.”


  And so it was decided.