Chapter 292: Landing on the Sky IndThere was an ind floating 3000 meters in altitude, as though sitting on a bunch of clouds.


    The mountain that was 1000m in elevation had likely been the ce that the Aligerous Tribe resided in. Ake was visible in the ind. It would seem that clean water springs forth mysteriously. The water, which flowed from theke to the river to all the way out of the Sky Ind, forming waterfalls. The water that flowed down from those waterfalls turned into clouds, giving rise to the wonderful spectacle.


    「The forest has encroached upon it so it’s hard to tell, but there are still vestiges of an ancient civilization that remain, right?」


    「The dungeon is likely within the ancient ruins swallowed up by the forest.」


    Alongside Sophia, I couldn’t contain these feelings of excitement at the fantastical scene like this as we looked at the ruins that could have once been stone buildings that have copsed and covered by the forest.


    「Still, where does the water in thatkee from?」


    「<em>Ahh</em>, thatke? I can tell you that a magic device from ancient times for welling water works even now.」


    Valkan-san answered my question, telling me the sayings from his ancestors.


    The Sky Ind had other things from ancient times. He informed me that one was a special barrier that covered the ind.


    This barrier didn’t have the ability to block the invasion of flying monsters, but could protect against the strong winds at this altitude and doesn’t let lightning strikes pass through. However, it doesn’tpletely stop the flow of wind, it is just to defend against factors that could cause harm to the ind. Since it doesn’t hinder people’s and monsters’ movements, it did not be fetters on Valkan-san and his tribe when they fled.


    Another thing, this ind has a proper cycle of seasons, creating an easily livable environment for its inhabitants. Because the climate on the ind which had been no different to those above ground was being maintained, the people, animals, and nts had no problem surviving.


    For starters, we must first think about looking for the tribespeople that Valkan-san and the others had been separated from.


    「Until the monsters overflowed and we had to flee the Sky Ind, the vige had been up on the mountainside. I dare say that they dug another cavern on the mountainside far from the forest and now live there.」


    ording to Valkan-san, the heart of the Ind had already been swallowed by the forest ever since the Aligerous Tribe began inhabiting this ind. And with there being few monsters and plenty of wild animals inhabiting that forest, the Aligerous Tribe whom were capable of flying were rtively safe digging a cave in the mountainside and living there.


    「When monsters overflowed from the dungeon, we would have incurred tremendous damage had we lived in the forest.」


    After that, the forest changed into a hunting ground where dangerous monsters would stroll about, as such, the vige split into two.


    「If either one were to survive, the blood of the Aligerous Tribe will be saved.」


    「It must have been hard.」


    「……it must have been even more difficult for our tribesmen who were left behind, but it was also truly a struggle to the death for us, who were unable to fly for long distances, to descend to the solitary ind.」


    Valkan-san must be recalling the events from those times, he was looking into the distance.


    There’s no doubt that fleeing the Sky Ind 3000m high with the elderly and children was dreadful. They must have also been unable to bring much luggage, and it was highly unlikely that they could livefortably in that lone ind after that.


    Even so, Valkan-san and his people chose to return to the Sky Ind. This wasrgely because the Aligerous warriors grew from power-leveling in the Demon Continent and, above all, our support.


    「Iruma-dono, you had given arms to our tribe’s youths, trained them in monster nests, and now you are even making it possible to save our tribesmen. I only have words of appreciation for you.」


    「Hahaha, don’t worry, Valkan-san. I also wanted to see the Sky Ind, after all.」


    I didn’t feelfortable epting too much gratitude. As for why, it was because I genuinely wanted to see a floating ind in the sky, and Valkan-san and his tribe’s circumstances had be a chance to do that now.


    I just didn’t want to miss the opportunity to have “The Fantasy” known as a flying ind. The only other member who was like me, Akane said “Wouldn’t you want to fly to it if you were told of its destruction?” when we talked about a certain super popr animated movie [1] …… a masterpiece that transcends generations.


    「Then we’llnd at the foot of the mountain and search there, right?」


    「Please do. If I remember correctly, there should be a ce a bit farther north where we cannd, but……」


    As expected, because his memory is from 200 years ago, Valkan-san gave directions without confidence, so I lowered the Ouranos’ altitude and speed as we searched for a ce tond at the foot of the mountain.


    「Everyone, we’rending so please take a seat.」


    Just as Valkan-san said, we found enough space for the Ouranos tond slightly northward, so we made preparations tond.


    Soundlessly, the Ouranos descended vertically, andnded carefully.


    ***


    <strong>Footnotes:</strong>


    1. Reference to Laputa: Castle in the Sky | 天空の城ラピュタ.