Chapter 267
We returned to our inn after deciding that we would leave the capital on the following day . I told the innkeeper we would be leaving so we could check out, and then we packed our things, had a quick meal and went straight to bed . …Well, Daniela did invite me to a little night sport, so we didn’t sleep immediately .
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“It will be a long time until we can do it again…”
“I’m not so sure…”
But now that I think about it, we had been quite busy recently with the tournament and the auction and other events . It had been a while, which resulted in us getting a little carried away .
Still, I slept soundly that night . We only barely got up in time to check out of the inn . After that, I had to use Presence Block and Legs of the God Wolf in order to meet the others at the guild without being too late .
“You must think very highly of yourself to not be on time . ”
“Sorry…”
“Well, I will forgive you then . But the amount will be docked from your wages”
“I don’t work for you anymore…”
It was rather nostalgic, though . A past I couldn’t return to…
That being said, I had never been late to work .
It was colder than usual . And so I took out the cape from my bag and put it on . Daniela had also taken her own out at some point and was wearing it . Damn, that bracelet was convenient… I looked at her with envy as we walked towards the south gate and filled our stomachs with street food .
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Apparently, Manager and Lemon were always packed and ready to be able to leave, and so they also had winter clothes . Manager had come from a colder region in the first place, which was convenient as she had been disguising herself . They were both carrying medium-sized backpacks as they followed after me and Daniela .
“To think that we would one day travel together like this… Life sure is strange, Asagi . ”
“I’m also surprised to be traveling with you people . ”
They muttered . As for me, I had actually thought something like this would happen . I knew that things wouldn’t be normal the moment that she showed up . Well, perhaps I didn’t expect to keep bumping into Lemon . In any case, while traveling with just Daniela was great, it couldn’t hurt to experience being in a larger group as well . We had traveled with Fiona to Spiris, but that was mostly just rushing through the plains .
“So, we just have to go out the south gate and go straight through the forest . Reserentrible will be on the other side . Unfortunately, there are no official carriages going out, as it is too dangerous . ”
“Official?”
I asked Daniela, who had suddenly turned into a guide .
“Illegal…would be a bit of an exaggeration . But yes, there are carriages . However, they charge five times as much . ”
“Ugh . ”
“It is because of the danger to the driver and the assumption that any who would go would have heavy pockets . Is there not a saying about tough times and opportunities?”
“I guess there is…”
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Probably something that old Hero said .
“It is too expensive . Besides, we should not have any trouble getting through the forest . Asagi even purchased some barrier tools that should keep us safe at night . ”
“I don’t know if it will mean much if some ridiculously strong monster appears… But then again, we wouldn’t need barriers to notice something like that . ”
Saying such things could raise a flag, but we had three Imperial Sword Tournament fighters here . And Lemon had a lot of experience fighting bandits and monsters as a town guard . It was way too early for us to start stumbling .
“We will journey to the forest edge today . Then we enter it tomorrow and hopefully reach the other side before nightfall . After resting, we will enter Reserentrible on the third day . It is the fastest we can go without inviting too much danger . ”
“…Hmm . I suppose it is fine . How about you, Lemon?”
“Of course, I’m fine . Miss Rindo . ”
They probably didn’t bother to ask me, because I had Legs of the God Wolf . They knew what this skill could do . As for it being from a monster… -though, Rachel might not appreciate that description- I just told them that it was someone powerful . I never did like explaining things… And it wasn’t as if I knew much myself . She had insisted that it was privacy protection .
“So, there’s the plan . It should be easy enough . It’s been a while since I traveled with others, so I want to enjoy it . ”
“Me as well… And there is a lot that I want to hear from Asagi on the way . ”
“I don’t have much to tell . ”
She jabbed me in the ribs with a mischievous grin . But it was true, I wasn’t sure what I could tell her that would be interesting .
“First of all, what were you doing last night?”
“Alright, let’s go . Lemon, do you want to be left behind?”
“Oh, wait a minute!”
I called to her just as we went through the south gate . Daniela and Manager were talking amusedly about something as I gave the guard our status cards . Unfortunately, I did not have Ears of the God Wolf .
We came out to a vast open field . There were small hills in the distance . It reminded me a little of Spiris . There was a dirt-colored path splitting it in half . A hardened road . It was wide enough for carriages to pass each other .
“I heard that the Empire intends to pave some actual roads here . ”
Manager said . I imagined the amount of stone that would require . Still, it would make traveling easier for many people . More traffic meant more money . The city would grow even larger… Maybe there would be taverns and inns on the side of this road by then . Future tournaments would get even more crowded… It was a nice thought .
“The increased traffic would mean the city will be overflowing with people . ”
“But, that is a good thing!”
Daniela and Lemon voiced what I had been thinking, so I just nodded . This place had a long history, but it would continue to develop . I hoped the capital of Lambrusen was similarly glorious . I wanted to visit it one day…
It was easy traveling through the plains . The weather was nice, and while we met other travelers, there were no monsters . Besides, this wasn’t just an ordinary merchant road . It led to what was practically a nest for people who fought as their trade . If anything, monsters would probably want to stay away .
Several hours passed after we started . The grass grew taller and the trees started to appear .
“We should be careful . ”
Daniela suggested . I instinctively touched my weapon of choice for the day . The demon armor sword . It really was easy to use . It felt like a part of my body now . I was quite sure that I could smoothly sheath and unsheath it on my back at this point . Or maybe I was delusional . The blade itself was very durable, which was no surprise, since it was ore that was usually used for armor . It made me wonder what a set of armor made from it would be like .
I used Presence Detection as we moved . After a while, I sensed something up ahead . As Daniela had the same skill level, she noticed it at the same time and stopped .
“It is behind those trees and boulders . Goblins . ”
I couldn’t even tell what the monster was . Recognizing their signals was easy, but not at this distance… I suppose Daniela’s experience still gave her the upper hand in that area .
This was our first monster after leaving the capital . If we wanted to maintain our good start, we’d best be careful, but also bold . I prayed for our success in Reserentrible as I unsheathed the friend that hung on my belt .