As Kimijima and her two companions were eating breakfast in the dining hall, Yarzak approached. He came to tell them about the new adventurers who had arrived.
Just as he finished telling the three, Spells and Mainui entered the dining hall. When Yarzak informed them about the new adventurers, Spells smirked.
“Ah, I just saw those two a moment ago.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. And it seems they’re heading to Dix Village, deeper into the area.”
“To Dix Village?”
“Apparently, the father is from that village. But that area is also known for having high-level monsters. It’s about time we let these kids face some stronger foes.”
“Hmm… That’s…”
Hearing this, Yarzak made a troubled face. He thought it was too dangerous to suddenly pair these three with unknown adventurers.
But Spells, seemingly unaware of Yarzak’s concerns, continued with a smile.
“The adventurers seem to have their quirks, but I thought it’d be good to have one more skilled escort.”
“…And by that, you mean?”
“Yarzak. You’re coming with us.”
“Huh? But I…”
“Let Stroman handle things here. That’s what a deputy is for, right?”
“Well, yes, but…”
Yarzak tried to resist with a helpless expression, but it was futile. Though not a sage, Yarzak was a graduate of the Keiron Magic Academy. The hierarchy among alumni was unshakable. There was no way to oppose Spells, his Senpai.
Bengar and Amul, the married couple, actually had no ties to Dix Village. They had made a living as adventurers in the Kingdom of Zibe. Amul, who wielded fire magic, and Bengar, a man of immense strength, formed a duo that was well-known locally as skilled adventurers.
Their reason for coming here was simple: to elevate Bengar to the rank of Celestials. That’s why they had come.
Amul had confidence in her husband’s abilities. Though his magical abilities were somewhat lacking, his physical prowess was exceptional. About two years ago, a dispute among adventurers had caused a shift in the rankings, and Bengar had risen by around 200 places. A jump of 200 spots in the triple digits was significant.
Naturally, this changed their guild fees and increased their income. If they could reach the Celestials rank, how much more could they earn? It didn’t take long for them to start thinking that way.
On the other hand, Bryan and his two companions were also skilled adventurers. They had been childhood friends and had registered as adventurers together, forming a party called Trident. They had a strong bond, having supported each other since their early days.
The three belonged to the same adventurer’s guild in the Hodgkin Confederacy and had heard about Carton’s quest for advancement in Doodle Valley. Upon hearing about the opportunity, they immediately set out to claim the Celestials rank for Bryan.
Bryan was the most skilled among the three.
He had a natural talent for wielding various weapons, and he was especially confident in his dual swordsmanship. His good looks earned him the nickname “Dual Sword Elegance.”
His companions were willing to help. While they held off other escorts, Bryan would take down the Celestials. It was a gamble.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
Heading deeper into the territory, Kimijima thought they might meet their Sensei. She quickly accepted Spells’s proposal. Nishina and Sakuragi were also eager to test their skills.
When the three arrived at the town gate, the adventurers were already gathered. It was an impromptu party, and the unfamiliar faces were eyeing each other cautiously.
In this tense atmosphere, Spells addressed Bryan and his group.
“Ah. We’ll try not to interfere with your advancement. But since it’s a high-level area, we’ll lend a hand if things get dangerous.”
“So you’re coming too? Can’t guarantee your safety, though.”
For Bryan and his group, who were aiming for the Celestials rank, having the Federation’s sages and knights around was more of a hindrance. But they couldn’t just abandon their quest for advancement. Reluctantly, they had to accept the situation.
“Don’t worry, the kids have enough escorts. And we can take care of ourselves.”
“…”
Bryan glared at Spells, who spoke so confidently.
The question now was how to use Puppet Mother…
Bryan had sensed something about Bengar and Amul. Amul, who manipulated her husband like a puppet, had been dubbed “Puppet Mother” by other adventurers. She was likely here to elevate her husband to the Celestials rank.
How to use that was the key to victory.
Damn it.
Bryan could barely contain his frustration.
In the end, the group consisted of Bengar and Amul, Bryan and his two companions, Spells, Mainui, Kimijima, Nishina, Sakuragi, Yarzak, and three state soldiers—
a total of fourteen people.
Their destination was far, so they started on foot. Amul was reluctant to leave their pack animal in town, but they were told they’d have to leave it behind if the path became too rough. Reluctantly, they began walking.
The two groups of adventurers were unhappy with this arrangement but couldn’t go against the flow. Yarzak’s stomach churned at the awkward atmosphere, but he couldn’t defy Spells, who seemed oddly cheerful.
Meanwhile, Kimijima and the other two seemed to be enjoying the adventure, though they didn’t actually know where they were headed. On the first night, as they prepared camp and sat around the fire, they were told their destination was Dix Village, about three days’ walk away.
“Huh? That village ahead…?”
Kimijima’s face darkened at the news. Mainui, who was sitting by the fire with him, noticed and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“When I was fleeing with sensei from Gallar Blue, we saw that last… village? It looked like monsters were living there…”
“Monsters in the village? What kind?”
“Well, they were like… boars, I guess…”
Not sure if “boars” would make sense in this world, Kimijima drew a simple picture on the ground with a stick. Mainui immediately understood.
“Those are orcs. In this deep area, they might be high orcs. They’re intelligent and form settlements. It’s entirely possible they’ve taken over an abandoned village.”
Kimijima also mentioned seeing Carton and the state soldiers fighting the orcs, with the soldiers being defeated. Mainui concluded they were likely high orcs.
“High orcs aren’t high-level monsters, but they’re among the top of the mid-level ones. They’re intelligent, use weapons, and work well in groups. That’s why they can survive in areas where high-level monsters roam. They’re troublesome.”
“At that time, drums were beating in the village, and they attacked as a group.”
Bryan, who had been listening, chimed in.
“What? You’re talking about a group of high orcs?”
“Uh, yes. It seems that way.”
“We saw them when we went deeper into the territory. They’re a pain because they travel in groups. We avoided them… Maybe we should give up on Dix Village?”
Mainui responded.
“But Carton and his group took down over ten high orcs. Their numbers must be significantly reduced.”
“Carton? The guy who was stripped of his Celestials rank, right?”
“Yeah, that’s him.”
“So that kid… saw when the Celestials fell? Wait… don’t tell me it was her?”
“N-no, it wasn’t!”
“Right…”
Bryan had pressed the issue, but he quickly tried to act like he wasn’t concerned about the Celestials rank. However, one of his companions couldn’t resist jumping in.
“What? There’s a Celestials? Then we didn’t need escorts, did we?”
Sakuragi answered.
“The Sensei isn’t here right now.”
“Hey, Miki!”
“What?”
“Let’s not talk about the Sensei, okay?”
“Oh. Yeah.”
Nishina tried to stop Sakuragi, but the man pressed further.
“A Sensei? A Celestials Sensei is here?”
“Well… not right now.”
“Come on, come on. You’re asking us to escort you, but you’re keeping secrets?”
“Well, there are a lot of assassins coming because of the replacement thing.”
“Assassins? I’m not one of those. The Celestials is way above my paygrade.”
“Ugh…”
Once something is said, it’s hard to take back. Especially for Bryan and his group, who were now traveling companions. The three from peaceful Japan couldn’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie.
Spells, who had been listening, chimed in with a laugh.
“Well, no need to hide things from your traveling companions. Shigeto is in the deep territory, trying to advance his rank.”
“Spells-san!”
Yarzak tried to stop him, but Spells continued, almost as if he wanted to stir the pot.
“He just transferred here recently. Advancing his rank will help protect him from those targeting the replacement. It’s simple, if you think about it.”
“But—”
“Everyone here is either an adventurer seeking advancement, refugees wanting to see their homeland, or promising kids, right? It’s fine. It’s fine.”
He laughed and downed his tea.
“What are you thinking…?”
Yarzak held his head in his hands. Meanwhile, Bryan and his group were speechless at Spells’s nonchalant words.
“W-we’re not thinking about the Celestials or anything…”
“Yeah, right?”
“Of course.”
Bryan finally managed to speak, and his companions hastily agreed. Spells watched them with a sly smile.
As night falls, they take turns keeping watch. Kimijima reminisces about the days of their escape, marveling at how having more companions allows them to move so leisurely even in the forest. However, Kimijima also feels a strange sensation—as if something has been watching the group all along. It’s an unsettling, restless feeling.
What is this?
The discomfort lingers into the next day.
The sensation remains vague, without any concrete evidence.
Kimijima has felt lingering gazes from the opposite sex before, but this is different—it’s an inexplicable, anxiety-inducing feeling.
While walking, Kimijima occasionally stops to look around, but there’s nothing there. Kimijima has always been confident in her ability to sense presences, but there’s no sign of anything unusual. Yet, the unpleasant feeling lingers in the corner of her mind.
“What’s wrong?”
Mainui notices Kimijima glancing around and calls out. Kimijima hesitates, unsure how to respond.
“Well… it’s just that I feel like we’re being watched.”
“Hmm.”
Mainui also stops to scan the surroundings but doesn’t sense anything.
“It’s probably just my imagination. We were immediately transported to Gallar Blue when we arrived in this world, and the trauma of escaping from there still lingers.”
“I see… but it’s possible that something really is watching us. It’s good to trust those feelings.”
“You’re right. Thank you. I’ll be more careful.”
Sakuragi and Nishina, who had been listening, also look around but don’t sense anything.
Unlike the time when Kimijima and Sensei-fled, the group now walks confidently along the road, moving at a faster pace. The monsters that appear along the way are quickly dealt with by Bryan and the other two. The three from Trident are all front-line fighters, making the party’s balance a bit awkward, but they’re clearly skilled at advancing their ranks by defeating higher-level monsters. Bryan’s movements, in particular, stand out as exceptionally refined.
Nishina watches them, thinking that if they were to turn hostile, he wouldn’t stand a chance.
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