"Is this your first time in the Esther Lake? Then you really must take a good look; the unique geological structures here can't be found anywhere else.
The calcium carbonate in the water has deposited here to form tiered calcified bodies. These milky-yellow calcified rock formations combine with mineral water as clear as emerald..."
"Enough. We are about to enter the danger zone marked on the map," Karin interrupted the Wyverian scholar's incessant chattering behind her. "Equip your Ghillie Mantles, stay quiet, and move stealthily."
Following behind the scholar and bringing up the rear, Haifa grinned; as long as Karin's severity wasn't directed at her, she was happy.
Dispatched by the Royal Paleontology Scriveners to provide academic support alongside the two High Rank Hunters, the Wyverian scholar sheepishly shut his mouth.
In truth, he wasn't usually a talkative man; he was just a bit nervous.
Of course, it wasn't the nerves of fear. As an experienced field scholar, encountering Monsters in the wild was part of his daily life.
Even if he suddenly discovered traces of an Elder Dragon species, he would only feel exhilarated, not afraid.
What truly made him nervous was the natural miracle he was about to witness.
The unique geology of the Esther Lake was considered one-of-a-kind even within the entire Old World. For a scholar like him, whose primary research focus was geology, this was a "dreamland."
However, the Guild had long ago designated this lake region as a restricted area, leaving no opportunity for in-depth investigation under normal circumstances. Everything known about the lake's interior came from the papers and photographs of other scholars.
Now that he had the chance to witness it with his own eyes, how could he not be nervous and excited?
Keenly noticing the scholar's increasingly rapid breathing behind her, Karin felt a sense of helplessness.
This investigation quest had come somewhat abruptly, and the information provided by the Guild was sparse, not because the Guild wanted to hide anything, but because the higher-ups were equally at a loss.
All they knew was that some kind of anomaly had been discovered in the Metapetatto Jungle, and the source of this anomaly seemed to be a peculiar type of Monster that primarily inhabited the Esther Lake.
Thus, the Guild had dispatched them to the lake to confirm if any abnormalities had occurred there, causing those Monsters to migrate in such large numbers.
As for the specific details regarding that Monster, the existing data was not particularly detailed.
However, according to the records, those Monsters were gentle by nature; Hunters could walk right up to them without being attacked, and they rarely grew angry.
Therefore, in theory, this investigation quest shouldn't be too dangerous.
She hoped reality would reflect that.
The Wyverian scholar was fit enough to keep up perfectly with the pace of the two High Rank Hunters.
"The tiered mirror lakes are just ahead! Ah! Finally, we've arrived. You are about to witness a true miracle of nature!" the Wyverian scholar began prattling on again.
The three of them moved quickly through a woodland filled with strange pines and cypresses. As they stepped out from the lush forest, an open rocky area with sparse vegetation appeared before them.
As far as the eye could see, there were yellowish rock platforms of all sizes and heights, and further beyond, a rocky depression so vast the far shore was out of sight. "This is the Mirror Lake you were talking about?" Haifa let out a dry chuckle. "Why do I feel like I'm looking at a rocky beach back in the Great Desert?"
The Wyverian scholar's jaw dropped. It took a long while before he clutched his head and let out a wail of despair.
"Ah–where's the water?!"
In the southwestern part of the Metapetatto Jungle, an investigation team moved forward with caution.
They were the only team that had yet to return to Metapetatto, tasked with investigating the area near Metapetatto Bay where the Hyper Yian Kut-Ku had first been sighted.
The ones responsible for guarding this team were none other than the members of the Vanguard hunting party.
As the ones who had originally discovered that Hyper Yian Kut-Ku, the Vanguard hunting party were naturally the first choice when the Royal Paleontology Scriveners went looking for an escort.
Thinking it was a good opportunity to give their trainee some real-world experience, they had brought along their apprentice, Balina.
It was a decision Serl was now deeply regretting.
It wasn't that Balina had slipped up or caused any trouble; rather, as the investigation progressed, they gradually realized that the danger of this mission far exceeded their expectations.
Hearing a faint rustle, Serl raised his fist, signaling for everyone to remain hidden.
The Hunters quickly dove into a nearby thicket to take cover. The scholars accompanying them were all seasoned field scholars; without needing a single word of direction from the Hunters, they hid themselves even faster and more discreetly than the warriors.
Shish-shhh–
Amidst the sound of branches, vines, and scales grinding against hard surfaces, a massive, orange-red Bird Wyvern stepped out from the dense shadows of the trees.
It was a Yian Kut-Ku. Its legs, significantly thicker and sturdier than those of a typical specimen, proved that this was a Hyper individual that had undergone an abnormal transformation.
Its head swayed from side to side, its massive, collar-like ears twitching to capture every hint of movement within the jungle.
Everyone held their breath, not daring to move.
In truth, given the strength of the Vanguard party, a mere Yian Kut-Ku, even a Hyper one, wasn't something they usually needed to be so cautious around.
However, as that Yian Kut-Ku slowly lumbered away, a second one appeared in their line of sight, followed by a third...
At Metapetatto Port, Altaïr looked at the airship before him and turned to the Professor with a look of uncertainty.
"Professor, are we taking this airship for the trip?"
The Professor, who was busy cross-referencing and auditing the supplies, didn't even have time to look up. He gave a simple, "Yes."
The gondola of the airship before them was over twenty meters long. The hull was wide, with a split-type air sac system distributed evenly across the upper sections of the gondola, giving the entire vessel a "rotund," cumbersome appearance.
It was clearly not the kind of small airship they usually took, but a medium cargo airship.
This type of airship moved slowly, but it could carry a vast number of personnel and supplies. If necessary, it was even capable of sling-loading an entire Large Monster.
Judging by the academy crest painted on the air sac, this airship did not belong to the Metapetatto Guild; it was reinforcements the Professor had summoned from Dundorma.
"And here I thought since we crashed the last airship, we'd have to go on foot this time..." Altaïr muttered under his breath.
"Not a chance!" Erik, who was helping the Professor tally the supplies, said with a grin. "The Professor is taking this investigation extremely seriously. He'd never let us do things half-heartedly!" Hearing Erik's words, Altaïr stealthily leaned in toward the Professor's side, catching a glimpse of the supply manifest in the latter's hand.
Good grief, setting everything else aside, the sheer volume of food rations was clearly not meant for just the five or six of them.
Isis also leaned in curiously. "Professor, didn't you say before that there was no need to prepare so many food rations?"
Busy as he was, the Professor seemed a bit impatient, but facing the youngsters' questions, he still composed himself to answer: "The members of this investigation team aren't just us; there are also the Airship pilots, relevant scholars, and technicians.
Moreover, this isn't a wide-range survey, but a landing investigation with a clear destination. We will establish a temporary base at a nearby Hunter's Camp, and there's a chance we might stay for quite a while."
"Oh, I see." Isis nodded to show she understood.
Having just dealt with Isis, the Professor found Altaïr leaning in again. "Professor, if that's the case, is there any spare weight capacity on the Airship?"
"What are you planning to do?" The Professor looked at him askance.
Altaïr rubbed his hands together with a smile. "If there's extra capacity, maybe I could bring another weapon or two to handle different situations? Sajji could also bring a couple more pieces of machinery..."
"I could also bring more Ammo!" Nymera added from the side.
The Professor waved them off impatiently. "I'll give you five hundred kilograms of extra capacity. Just don't exceed that. Bring whatever you want."
Altaïr, Sajji, and Nymera exchanged glances and set off at a trot toward the Guild Hall.
Since they were traveling by cargo Airship, they were naturally going to bring as many elemental weapons and Ammo as they possibly could!
Isis scratched her head and stayed behind, feeling strangely like, "If I'm the only one with nothing to do, am I being a bit of an outcast?" But there really wasn't anything extra she needed to bring.
Olivia approached, carrying a supply crate, and said with a smile, "If you've got nothing to do, help us move the supplies."
"Ah, okay!" Isis was instantly happy again. She trotted over to the pile of supply crates waiting to be loaded onto the Airship, hoisted one in each hand, and balanced them on her shoulders.
"Heavy lifting is my specialty!"
(Translated by yourtl.app)