Oh, amazing! Rainbow-colored butterflies!
There are some rabbits over there!
Ah! What’s that!? A deer? Is that a deer—!!?
“Hinami-sama, please calm down…”
“Ah! I’m really sorry…”
It’s been about 30 minutes since we went into the carriage. The scenery outside the window was beautiful and there were many animals, so while I didn’t shout out loud, I moved my body a lot. Uwaa, how embarrassing.
The carriage, pulled by 2 horses, had 3 rows of simple wooden boards for sitting. However, there were no backrests so it wasn’t the most comfortable. The moo was being pulled by the carriage, running at the same speed. It was faster than I expected, so I was surprised…! I thought that cows walked slowly, but maybe moos can run very fast.
In front of Ikuru and me who were sitting in the back, there was a 3-person adventurer party. I wonder if the strong-looking bulky man is a swordsman? He had a large sword on his back. With tanned skin, the man fights as his short hair flutters in the air! Or something like that.
He was also wearing armor that would be too heavy for me as if it were the most natural thing. But he was nodding off now.
Then next to him, there was a man wearing robes. A mage, perhaps…? I couldn’t see his weapon, but I could see a book hanging by his waist. He had pretty and soft-looking blond hair and thin eyelashes. His style was good, that he seemed like a foreign model. He was also sleeping.
The last person was a woman with a bow. Her pink bob hair was fluttering cutely, and she had cat ears above that—a beastman.
The swaying tail and the ears that sometimes moved looked so soft that I almost unconsciously reached out. Ah, this person isn’t sleeping!
“The scenery was beautiful, so my excitement went up!”
“…I see, that’s nice.”
“Yup. A beautiful scenery heals the heart.”
I took a deep breath and looked back at the city which now looked small.
I’ll be back soon, so wait for me!!
“You’re quite nice and lively!”
“Eh…?”
I turned around at being suddenly talked to.
It was the lady with the cat ears who talked to me who had turned around to see the city.
“It’s nice that it’s sunny and clear outside,” she commented as she smiled.
“Ah, yes! It’s clear so I can see far…it’s great!”
“Yeah. It feels depressing when it rains.”
I nodded in agreement.
“Are you…an adventurer?”
“Hm? Yes. Do you want to become one?”
“Oh, I am an adventurer for the time being.”
When I conveyed that, Ikuru seemed more surprised than the lady. Come to think of it, I never really said much about myself…! I’d have to properly introduce myself once we get home.
“Is that so? I never realized, I’m sorry.”
“No. Rather, wanting an ID card was the biggest reason.”
“Ah—I see. That is convenient, and it’s easy to get information if you’re in the guild. There’s a lot of people who only register for that reason as well.”
“Eh! Really??”
It seems like there are also people like me who register only for the ID. For me, who does not know much about the guild, I somehow felt relieved that there were others like me.
Still…I guess information is easy to get at the guild. Because I’m still new to this world, taking a look at the guild might be a good idea.”
“E-Excuse me! What do adventurers specifically do?”
“Ahh…so you really don’t know the details. Then let me tell you!”
“Wow! Thank you very much.”
“Sure. The guild acts as a base for adventurers like me. People who want to become adventurers can register there to become one. Then there’s support and information from the guild. The guild exists in any country in Letisreel, yet it is not affiliated to any countries. It’s neutral.”
“Neutral…?”
“Yes. So adventurers registered in the guild don’t need to go through bothersome procedures to get to other continents. If you show your guild card at the border, the guild takes care of the rest.”
Ohhh…that does sound quite convenient.
While reorganizing the information in my head so that I wouldn’t forget, I asked the lady about many other things.
It seems like the guild of this world is bigger than I thought.
The guild is an organization that spreads out to all regions of Letisreel.
It is not affiliated with any country and its stance is always ‘neutral.’
To register as a guild adventurer, there are two conditions:
First: The person’s age must be at least 10.
Second:The person should have no criminal records.
Once registered in the guild, guild facilities can be used:
Requests—They can be received or issued out. There are requests from the guild, requests from normal people and even requests from the country sometimes. The requests from the guild are the gathering of items that are always necessary. That, and the subjugation of monsters. Requests from people are usually escort requests, requests for collecting certain items, or for other miscellaneous errands.
Buying and Selling— Items such as materials dropped by monsters will be bought immediately. The prices depend on the region, but unlike normal stores the guild buys all materials.
Study Sessions—There are two kinds, theory classes and skill classes. A guild adventurer can participate in the study sessions regularly hosted by the guild. In theory classes, general knowledge for adventurers, as well as knowledge on varieties of medicinal herbs, precious items and habitats of monsters can be learned. The skill classes have veteran adventurers personally guiding battle techniques, so there are many novice adventurers in those classes.
Information—Various information is gathered in the guild. From the guild posters or from guild employees, various information can be learned. Especially regarding the movement of monsters, the information is directly related to the well-being of adventurers, so it’s closely monitored.
So that’s it… I should make sure to not forget.
But study sessions—that sounds nice…should I participate next time…? I would be able to learn about medicinal herbs! Right, let’s do it.
“That was the minimal information. Other than that, the guild hosts many things, so if you find a guild in other places you should visit.”
“Yes!”
“Next, about the adventurers! Adventurers are relatively free…”
“Free?”
“Yup. Adventurers don’t have an obligation to do anything specific. There are people like us who fight with monsters…and there are also people who only research magic without actually fighting. And then…the most common are chemisters.”
“!”
Chemisters are the most common after all! There are lots of people like me in this world. Perhaps noticing how I reacted to the word ‘chemister,’ the lady asked, “Could you be a chemister?”
“Ah, for now…”
“I see, I see. Anyone can become a chemister and it would be hard for parties without healers like us if we didn’t have potions. We’re alive thanks to those.”
“Healer?”
“Right. People who fix up injuries using healing magic. It’s a rather rare magic, so there aren’t many people who can use it. That’s why our party also doesn’t have any healers.”
I see…it’s a rare job. Healer…it sounds grander than a chemister. I thought the demand for potions would be low because of magic, but apparently healing is a rare magic that not many can learn…! I long for such things quite a bit, however, that would mean participating in battles, so being a chemister would have to be good for me. Yes, I…am a chicken.
“Well then, we’ve reached a stop. We’re going to stay on and head to the next city, how about you?”
“Ah, we’re getting off here~”
“I see. Then it’s goodbye for now…! Work hard, rookie adventurer-san.”
“Yes! Thank you for teaching me various things!”
After confirming that it stopped, Ikuru and I got off the carriage. Without losing balance or tripping, my two feet reached the ground.
No, well, I…I’m not someone who trips where there’s nothing, you know? It’s true!
We waved to the carriage heading in the other direction and I shouted, “Thank you,” to the lady.
Come to think of it, I couldn’t talk with the other two people…well, weren’t they sleeping? So it couldn’t be helped. For some reason, all the people I have met are nice people, so I feel happy.
“Now then, shall we go, Hinami-sama?”
“Yes. Let’s do our best to get home!”
***
While going down the path to the forest, I looked around. Currently, we were traveling through the plains. A nice breeze was blowing, tickling my cheeks.
“Right! On the way, we’ll be picking some rare herbs and flowers, so tell me if anything happens, okay?”
“Yes, understood.”
“…Muu.”
“?”
Hmmm. Does Ikuru use this kind of polite language all the time? Or is he just being polite because he’s talking to me? No, he’s definitely being polite just to me, right? If possible, I’d like him to be more relaxed with me…Ikuru is a sharp ikemen, so it doesn’t feel weird even if he always speaks politely…but still.
“Hey, Ikuru, do you always talk like that? Or are you just being polite to me?”
“Eh……”
“Ah! You averted your gaze! So you were being polite after all!”
The way he avoided my eyes gave me the answer. It’s time to have a match! Of course, by that I mean a staring contest with him.
I stand still and glare at him. It’s a daring skill used until Ikuru stops being so polite. It’s my win if Ikuru looks away! It’s Ikuru’s victory if I look away. By the way, this actually has a counter technique. The name of the skill is <Do-Ge-Za!> (***Dogeza is that Japanese kneeling bow, prostrating oneself while touching one’s head to the floor. It is used to show deference to a person of higher status, as a deep apology or to express the desire for a favor from said person.)
A long time ago, when I had a fight with my little sister that we couldn’t give up, I was caught splendidly by that skill and had no choice but to concede the TV channel to my little sister…
“……”
“……Uh”
“……Stare”
“…Okay, I’ll stop with the polite speech.”
“Yay, I won…!”
At the 3 minute mark, my victory was decided. It looks like Ikuru’s not used to the staring. No, I guess people wouldn’t normally be used to that, I guess…
Anyway, this went in a nice direction, I think? Or is that too relaxed of a thought? Still, it’s already the 2nd day, so it’s a good result! Let’s just think about that.
Afterwards, Ikuru and I chatted about childish things as we walked on. Actually, Ikuru was quite dumbfounded, “Why can’t you go home alone…?” he said. Are you saying that I’m like a lost child? People say that women can’t read maps well, but I……yes, I’m bad with maps.
Then, about 10 minutes later, we could see the entrance to the forest. It’s only a little bit more until we get to my house.
“Come to think of it, the house is in the Lost Forest. Do you know the way?”
“Eh…?”
“Eh…?”
…Eh…?
I blinked a few times. Right, the location…! I thought that I would know once I got to the forest. What am I doing? How stupid can I be…!?
“No, it’s okay. My house is close by once we get to the Lost Forest!”
“……Well, if Hinami-sama says so, then alright. Even without magic tools, this forest should be fine. Let’s continue onwards.”
“Yeah. It’s alright, so leave it to me!”
I did think this out.
Thia-chan was chased by the hard wolves from the normal forest up to my house. Thus, it shouldn’t be too far! Running while fighting is very hard, so I think it should be quite close.
We set foot into the forest in the order of Ikuru, the moo, and then me. Perhaps because this was a forest for beginners to train in, it was quite flat and easy to walk in. In addition to that, Ikuru snapped branches or called out obstacles as he took the lead so that it would be easy to get through. I felt bad for making Ikuru do all the work, but it really helped.
“Hinami-sama, up ahead, there’s a rabbit and a chicken. They won’t attack, so we’ll pass right by them.
“Ohh…a rabbit! I raise chickens in my house.”
“Really? Well, there are lot in this forest.”
But…I can’t see any rabbits nor chickens…? Didn’t Ikuru have bad eyesight…? How can he see…?
But after we proceeded about 30 meters, I could also see them. A small rabbit and a chicken.
“Hey, Ikuru, how did you see the rabbit from so far away?”
“Ah…it was search magic. I can use wind magic.”
“Ehhhhh!? Really!?”
“It’s not that surprising, is it…?”
“No no no. I never knew—that’s amazing!”
Ikuru could use such a magic. Rather, what is magic like in this world? Can everyone use it…? Could it be that most people can use it while not many people are unable to…?
“People who can use magic aren’t rare…?”
“I think most people can? But there aren’t many people who can use it effectively though.”
“Hmm…so you can’t get better if you don’t practice?”
“Something like that.”
“Then, Ikuru is amazing!”
“No way. I can only use magic for searching. Well, it’s convenient, though.”
What, so nothing flashy like attack magic? No, I’m not saying that I’m disappointed, I just wanted to see it, or that I felt it’s quite amazing, something like that.
But I see. Thia-chan also chanted something to use magic. I don’t need to do that for my skills, but it’s fine because incantations are a bit embarrassing.
While thinking about that, we passed the place where the rabbit and the chicken were. I wanted to take them home, but right now I have a moo so I can’t! I’ll definitely come back later, so wait for me…! I thought that and parted ways. I want to raise a rabbit because it’s fluffy and cute.
“Ah, a hard wolf is coming this way.”
“Eh—ueh!?”
“Wait, what was that…”
As Ikuru said, a hard wolf was rushing this way. Oh no, dangerous, so dangerous!
“Ikuru, we have to run away…!”
“Eh? It’s okay, I can win.”
“Huh…! Right, Ikuru can fight…! But it still looks strong!?”
Indeed, the contract was for escort purposes, but if it’s actual combat it’s still scary!
Go get ‘em!…Or something like that—there’s no way I can say it~!!!
As I was panicking, Ikuru took a step towards the hard wolf. Then he swung his staff and smashed the hard wolf from below. I let out a cry of admiration from the beautiful flowing movement.
The hard wolf that was knocked back hit a tree and disappeared, leaving behind some fangs and the fur.
“Eh…with just one strike!?”
“It’s just a small fry though?”
“Pokaan”
I ended up saying ‘pokaan’ from my mouth! Ikuru was this strong? Rather, the wolf was a small fry? What?? I had no idea…! But still, we’re safe, so it’s all good.
When I stepped in front of the moo to get to Ikuru, he suddenly called out.
“Stop…! There’s something…”
“Eh…?”
Ikuru put out his right hand to stop me and gestured to be quiet.
KizunaTLs 