"What's happening?!"
The ground shook so violently that Hermione swayed, but the little witch had trained well enough to maintain her balance with steady footing.
Dust and stone fragments rained down from the cave ceiling. The surrounding stone walls creaked ominously as cracks began spreading from some irregular point, the fracturing accelerating rapidly.
"Glenn, is it an earthquake?"
With a wave of her wand, the surrounding fissures began reshaping as filling material sealed the cracks. Several supporting pillars rose from the ground to brace the ceiling, and Hermione used Transfiguration to reinforce the edges of the entrance to the outside passage, preventing deformation. Faced with Hermione's question, Glenn immediately expanded his enhanced senses.
"...It doesn't seem to be, but I can confirm this disturbance is coming from the blood sacrifice site below us."
"Also, the influence of the last anti-magic formation maintenance device on our floor has disappeared. I estimate Feng Lian dealt with his opponents and went back to handle that situation."
"At the same time, the range that blocks magical detection in the underground space is undergoing violent changes. The originally spherical area is shrinking irregularly, and most of the cracks in the rock originate from there."
"Is this... a chain reaction from destroying those devices?"
Hermione placed her hand on Glenn's waist, activating sensory sharing to perceive the information Glenn was "seeing."
Based on the current situation, it was hard not to connect these underground tremors to their destruction of the power devices that drove the dark sorcerers' blood sacrifice ritual.
"I think so too. I can't probe for more detailed information, but we need to evacuate immediately and return to the surface."
Glenn shook his head, speaking truthfully.
Though it was just speculation, he thought he was probably close to the mark.
What exactly were these dark sorcerers up to?
"Everyone, can you all hear me!"
Hermione turned and cast a Sonorus Charm on herself while using the techniques Dragon Country beast tamers employed to calm magical creatures, calling out to all the creatures present.
"We need to leave here immediately, or we'll be in danger!"
Magical creatures were intelligent and more sensitive to crisis. Under Hermione's direction, the somewhat panicked creatures immediately stood and formed orderly lines according to the little witch's arrangements.
Even so, several younger magical creature cubs appeared quite agitated and excited, looking very anxious.
"It's okay, it's okay, don't worry. You can tell big sister what's wrong!"
Hermione quickly crouched before them, casting the beast tamer technique used for communicating with magical creatures on herself.
The little ones huddled together, chattering away with soft howls in front of Hermione. She listened and nodded, her expression gradually growing serious.
Understanding the situation, she immediately stood and looked at Glenn:
"As we thought, there really are adult magical creatures imprisoned underground. If no one removes the restraints on them, they might die in this collapse."
"Then let's go. Currently, although the underground restriction on magic use still exists, even if we lose our magical power and get buried under rubble, I have ways to ensure we can escape safely. Do what you want to do, Hermione."
Saying this, Glenn immediately began pulling one incomprehensible item after another from his black ring, finally producing a tactical backpack and strapping all these things to himself.
"After all, we came out to relax this time. Being happy is most important."
"...Though whether your definition of 'happy' is correct remains debatable, this is wonderful. I'm so glad you're here with me."
"I'm counting on you!"
Hermione smiled and gave Glenn a thumbs up, then her expression gradually grew serious.
Rescuing an unknown number of magical creatures imprisoned underground by unknown means was undoubtedly extremely risky. Given the current level of tremors, if they chose to directly lead the magical creatures out of the underground caves, they could undoubtedly escape unharmed.
But knowing about this situation, Hermione felt she couldn't just ignore it.
Looking at it positively, this was kindness, selfless dedication, a great deed.
But looking at it negatively, this was irresponsible behavior toward her own safety and Glenn's safety—willful, saintly behavior.
Hermione knew this was wrong. She should be more selfish and choose to withdraw.
She could easily let those unknown creatures of a different species die silently buried under the cave collapse. Apart from herself and Glenn, no one would know about it.
But Hermione couldn't do it.
Since she knew about this, regardless of the outcome, Hermione would try her best.
This was Hermione—this was the person Glenn loved.
"So go ahead and do it. I'll handle everything."
Thinking this, Glenn manifested an alchemical array beneath his feet. He silently reinforced the passages they'd run through, preventing falling rocks from blocking their path, preventing cracks from appearing in the ground, preventing the tunnels from warping.
He felt his previous definition of "happy" was perfectly fine.
Glenn's "happy" referred to Hermione's mood.
Understanding Hermione as he did, he knew without thinking how sad and self-reproachful she would be if she hardened her heart and abandoned her true feelings for their safety. Then this Dragon Country trip meant for "relaxation and entertainment" would lose all meaning.
If that was the case, then let Hermione do as she wished.
"I've never actually taken on a protection mission before. This really is a novel experience."
While running, Glenn murmured to himself, but Hermione heard him and asked with amusement:
"You're treating this as a mission I commissioned you for?"
"Mm, thinking about it, you could say that. But didn't you also receive a mission from Professor Dumbledore in first year to secretly protect Harry and the others?"
"The nature is different. Can you call it a mission without a one hundred percent commitment to achieving the objective?"
Glenn asked in return. Hermione was somewhat speechless and speculated:
"What do you mean? Are you saying you had no intention of protecting Harry and the others back then?"
"Of course not. I was going after the crippled Voldemort. Dumbledore's request was just a cover. If those two died, they died—what business was it of mine?"
"Now it's different. For you, no matter what, I have to bring you back safely. That's what makes this a proper mission."
"Wow, how touching. So what reward do you want?"
"You decide."
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