Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 99

I was able to defeat the Archerfish and collect a few materials and magic stones, so I came to the cabin where Barbaroi-san was.

Peeking into the cabin from outside, Barbaroi-san, who is a skeleton, is sitting on a chair as usual, seemingly unchanged from before.

From a distance, it looks like a hanging ornament, but if I try to approach the item box, it will probably move to eliminate me.

The danger level of the skeleton itself is E, quite low.

In terms of pure combat power, the Archerfish from earlier would be more formidable.

Nevertheless, considering that he was originally human, there was an indescribable difficulty.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself, and enter the cabin.

As I boldly approach the item box in a straight line, Barbaroi-san, who was sitting down, immediately draws his saber and slashes at me.

Anticipating this, I dodge with a backward step.

Barbaroi-san positions himself with the item box at his back and aims his saber at me, as if to deter me.

“Barbaroi-san, I’ve been tasked by young master Lucas to come and retrieve it. I’m not here to steal your items.”

Barbaroi-san is undoubtedly a monster. It’s confirmed even by the skills bestowed by the gods.

However, if there’s even a faint trace of humanity left, perhaps he’ll understand if I explain.

“So, would you please let me through?”

Clutching onto a faint hope, I try to ask, but Barbaroi-san remains silent.

As I take a step forward, he boldly strikes at me.

Only remnants of the desire to protect the items remain; all other memories and emotions seem to have slipped away.

I activate water magic to push Barbaroi-san back.

He is pinned to the wall along with the chairs and tables in the cabin. In the process, the saber he was holding falls to the ground.

However, perhaps due to years of deterioration, the furniture proves fragile and is smashed by Barbaroi-san.

As I head towards the item box, Barbaroi-san, without bothering to pick up his saber, charges at me in a panic.

“Freeze.”

Seeing his reckless charge, I turn around and invoke ice magic.

The seawater in front of me begins to freeze, engulfing Barbaroi-san’s body.

In an instant, Barbaroi-san, frozen solid, becomes an ice statue with his hand reaching out towards me.

His desperate attempt to protect something precious is palpable, as if his cry for help is about to echo any moment.

I confirm the magic stone at Barbaroi-san’s chest and shatter it with a small ice pillar.

With that, it seems Barbaroi-san, as a skeleton, has been defeated, and I’m able to store him in my magic bag.

“Now, it’s time to collect the items and mementos.”

I mutter cheerfully, trying to mask the indescribable bitterness, as I approach the item box and open its lid.

Then, there were numerous items stored there.

Some seemed unusable, likely due to being immersed in seawater for so long, but there were plenty that seemed salvageable with a little repair.

Feeling relieved that the items were still intact, I begin storing each one carefully into my magic bag.

There were as many as twelve items just in this box alone.

With this many items, it’s understandable why Lucas would request retrieval.

However, it’s possible that the items aren’t only here. They could be in other cabins or might have fallen to the seabed during the sinking.

I decide to utilize my detection skills to search for items and mementos within the sunken ship.

♦ ♦ ♦

The day after retrieving items and mementos from the sunken ship,

I asked Klaus to have Lucas come over to deliver the retrieved items.

“These are the items I recovered from the sunken ship.”

In the conversation room, there are nearly twenty items along with what seems to be Barbaroi-san’s necklace, ring, and other props like mirrors.

And at the edge, there’s Barbaroi-san frozen.

Lucas postpones checking the items and approaches the frozen remains.

“Grandfather…”

Seeing the skeletal remains of Barbaroi-san, Lucas wears a sorrowful expression.

“Thank you for retrieving him in such a dignified manner.”

“No.”

“I would like to sprinkle holy water, could you please melt the ice?”

Probably received from Saffy. Lucas holds a beautiful blue bottle in his hand.

【Holy Water High Quality】

Pure water with purifying effects on malevolent spirits.

Contains abundant mana, drinking it replenishes magical power.

When sprinkled on undead creatures, it has significant effects.

Appraising it, it’s undoubtedly holy water. It’s impressive that she can produce high-quality items with an orange value just like that. Truly befitting a master alchemist.

“Understood.”

Nodding at Lucas’s request, I dispel the ice magic.

The ice covering dissipates, leaving only the skeletal remains unchanged.

“Put my grandfather’s remains inside…”

“Yes sir.”

The maids of the Asteros family brought a coffin and respectfully stored the skeletal remains inside.

The coffin was lined with beautiful flowers, so even with the remains inside, there was no sense of loneliness.

Once the remains were placed inside the coffin, Lucas opened a bottle and sprinkled holy water over them.

Then, there was a sizzling sound as if something was burning from the remains.

【Barbaroi Asteros’s Skeletal Remains – Normal】

It seems that the holy water was able to dispel any malevolent influences.

With this, Barbaroi-san should not turn into a skeleton again.

After sprinkling the holy water, the coffin was closed, and the maids carried it away.

Lucas quietly watched them go, then turned back to me.

“So, these are the items and mementos here?”

“Yes.”

Saying so, Lucas began examining the items laid out on the cloth.

However, his expression seemed somewhat dissatisfied.

“Um, I apologize for asking something impolite, but are these really all the items on the ship?”

“Yes, I’ve thoroughly checked the entire ship and extensively searched the surrounding seabed.”

“I see.”

I wonder if something’s wrong? Could it be that the expected items weren’t there?

“Is there something odd?” As I tilt my head, Klaus, who was present, asks Lucas.

“No, it’s just that I heard my grandfather had over thirty items stored on the ship… so it’s fewer than I expected.”

I see. Despite that, I recovered nearly twenty items. To be precise, eighteen.

It’s understandable if Lucas feels there are fewer items than he anticipated.

However, of course, I didn’t skimp on any items.

But since Lucas didn’t suspect me, I decided to gently assert my position.

“Barbaroi-sama’s ship sank many years ago. It might have been swept away by the sea during the sinking. I used exploration skills to recover the items, so they might not be there anymore.”

Even with my detection skills, finding items sunk in the vast ocean is nearly impossible.

“Yes, you’re right. I apologize for saying something that could imply doubt towards Shuu-san. Despite the conditions, you managed to recover this many items.”

“I’m grateful.”

With a slight bow, Lucas returns to examining the items and mementos.

Among the mementos, there are some that seem too decayed to be of any use, but I tried to collect as many as possible, hoping there might be something that retains Barbaroi-san’s presence.

Seeing that there might have been something that retains Barbaroi-san’s presence, Lucas looks at the mementos with a melancholy expression.

Once the confirmation process was completed, the maids of the Asteros family began packing the items and mementos into boxes, which were then loaded onto the carriage.

“Lord Klaus, thank you for introducing us to such a skilled adventurer this time.”

“Yes, indeed. We scratch each other’s backs when in need. Count on us if you ever need anything.”

“Of course, gladly.”

Responding to Klaus’s words, Lucas turned towards us with a formal demeanor.

“Shuu-san, I truly appreciate you accepting this sudden request.”

“No, I’m just glad I could be of assistance to you, Lord Lucas.”

“This will be the additional reward for this task.”

Taking the leather bag brought by the Asteros family maid, it felt heavy with gold coins inside. While the main reward for the retrieval was the items, it seemed there was an extra bonus for dealing with the skeleton and bringing back many items.

Indeed, as expected of the Lord of Lindblum, they pay generously.

“Also, I’ll present you with this Sea Guardian’s Bracelet. With your abundant magical prowess, Shuu-san, I’m sure you’ll be able to make good use of it.”

“Thank you very much!”

To be honest, I was happier to receive this item than the money.

While I’ve been wearing it basically the whole time I’ve been here, it was essentially borrowed.

So, having it officially become mine still brings me joy.

“Oh, I forgot to mention. Saffy and Lumia mentioned they’d like to visit tomorrow, is that okay?”

They said they’d reach out after work, but that’s really soon.

“Yeah, let them know it’s fine.”

“Got it.”

Lucas gives a polite farewell and leaves in his carriage.

“That wraps up Lord Lucas’s request, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“Phew, now we can really let loose.”

Most of all, it’s great that we didn’t encounter any troublesome monsters this time.

Encountering monsters with a danger level of A or higher like Red Dragons or Dvoraks, as we have in the past, was definitely odd.

It’s unbearable when monsters like that show up so easily.

From tomorrow, there won’t be any requests, so I can leisurely spend time in the port town or dive into the sea for some thorough gathering.