107 - Surroundings
As I make my way through the forest, I have Novem and Eva following behind me.
We were moving separately from Miranda, Aria, and Clara's group, hunting down Grey Wolves.
Small groups were scattered throughout the forest.
That said, we weren't keeping that much distance from Miranda and the others. Every now and then, we used magic to generate light to keep in touch.
We were simply confirming each other's positions.
(Maybe we should coordinate more on how to communicate using these means.)
Since there was a chance the enemy might notice, I didn't want to use it too often. However, if I were the one leading, I would hinder the growth of Miranda and Aria.
Besides, I wanted to try the method of acting in small, separated groups.
As I walked through the forest, the ground beneath my feet was uneven. Grass that grew waist-high among the trees was in the way.
I proceeded while clearing it with my dagger, but the enemies would gather upon hearing that sound.
It was easy enough, but the location was poor.
In the past, I would never have chosen to fight in a place like this.
"Sigh, break time. Novem."
When I looked at Novem, Novem raised their staff and created light with magic. After flashing it a few times, Clara responded by emitting light in return.
Once Miranda and the others returned, I decided to find a suitable spot to take a break.
Miranda and the others were also moving slowly, perhaps struggling in the forest.
The reason I deliberately chose to fight in the forest was because I thought it would be a good experience. At the same time, there was Eva's presence.
Whether she had lived in the forest originally or not, Eva had an aptitude for it.
She could advance far ahead in the forest where it was difficult for us to move. She was sensitive to the sounds and smells of the surroundings, allowing her to discover enemies quickly.
Furthermore, in addition to magic, she could handle daggers and short bows.
Even so, she herself had said, "Compared to my kin who actually move and live in the forest, I'm still far behind."
(I'll make sure never to pick a fight with an elf in the forest.)
Thinking this, I looked at Eva.
"How is it? Did you find any enemies?"
We had been requested to subjugate Grey Wolves, but that didn't mean only Grey Wolves would be found.
We had already encountered orcs and goblins several times.
There were times when Eva had fired an arrow just as I was taking a stance against an approaching enemy.
"There aren't any, but do you need to ask me? Lyell, don't you somehow know where the enemies are and where it's dangerous?"
It was a sharp observation, but I—.
"No, I explained that I have a skill for that."
Eva didn't seem convinced.
"Then why are you doing such a meaningless action! Why not just find them and kill them quickly! I thought you were saving mana because you couldn't use your skill constantly, and I felt bad for you!"
Thinking she was asking too much, I explained.
"Unlike you, we aren't used to the forest. I told you that we should spend two days entering normally so we can get used to it during this opportunity."
We couldn't walk normally like Eva. In such a situation, it would be a waste if I used my skill to quickly kill only the requested Grey Wolves.
"Besides, my goal is to defeat Celes. Right now, I want as much experience as possible. I've heard that while you can gain experience by repeating the same thing, the amount of experience gained from changes in environment or new experiences is different."
Of course, that was according to the previous heads of the house.
The Second Generation, whom I can no longer meet, was well-versed in such things.
Using the knowledge from that time, I believe it is more efficient to have various experiences than to repeat the same thing.
Of course, diving into a labyrinth and continuing to defeat monsters is also an option.
While one can have various experiences, there is the disadvantage that travel time is a waste.
"Eva-san, you looked sleepy since this morning, but you weren't listening, were you?"
When Novem spoke, Eva clung to Novem.
"Forgive me, Novem. Besides, yesterday when I sang a song, the villagers gathered. They got to hear my song!"
Looking at Eva speaking to Novem in a spoiled manner, I let out a sigh.
I knew the reason for her staying up late, and I had been awake at the time.
Because inside the jewel, the Seventh Generation had repeatedly treated me like a beehive. I thought he was soft on his grandchildren, but he didn't loosen his attacks, saying I wouldn't die.
To be honest, every previous head was stronger than me.
It wasn't just simple power; they each had their own style.
The same went for the sword. I cannot win against the Third Generation.
Compared to the Third Generation, I don't believe my technical skill in swordsmanship is inferior. However, the reason I lose when we fight is that the Third Generation possesses something beyond the difference in technical skill they have accumulated.
Furthermore, as expected, they are skilled at using their skills.
They fully master the skills they manifested themselves.
Sensing a reaction as something approached my surroundings, I stood up and gripped the hilt of my saber—.
"Oh, a Horned Rabbit. I'll take it!"
Just as a Horned Rabbit poked its head out, attempting to approach, an arrow fired by Eva, who had her bow ready, pierced its vital spot.
...I hate elves.
The resentful voice of the Fifth Generation echoed from within the jewel, but I ignored it and looked at Eva.
Since entering the forest, Eva's movements seemed different.
"Do you get stronger when you enter the forest? Or rather, you have amazing skill."
It was a small bow, but it had power, and Eva mastered it.
"It doesn't really change. But I've entered forests often, and I'm from an elven clan that originally left the forest. My bow and equipment are specialized, after all."
Since she spoke boastfully, I—.
"For all that, your outfit when you sing is thin and flashy, isn't it? Is exposure your hobby?"
Then, Miranda and the others, who had finally approached, joined us, and Eva headed to collect the kill while complaining to me.
"The crowd is different! I will NOT be told that by Lyell!"
Looking at Eva moving through the forest with a flick of her tongue, Aria, who was covered in mud, spoke.
"Elves really do get energetic when they enter the forest. I'm envious."
Apparently, she had fallen after entering the forest.
Clara took a towel from the luggage, used magic to produce water to wet it, and handed it to Aria.
Having received it, Aria placed her equipment on the ground and began to wipe her body.
Novem was on guard for the surroundings and was positioned slightly away from our circle.
Miranda reported their results.
"Three goblins and six Grey Wolves. I think it's a lot, but finding them was still a struggle. I panicked when I was almost attacked suddenly."
Even the capable Miranda was struggling in the unfamiliar environment.
At this point, the objective had been achieved, but we decided to continue gaining experience in the forest for a while.
Eva, holding the Horned Rabbit, approached and looked at Aria—.
"What, did you fall?"
She was giggling.
"Shut up! Unlike you, I wasn't raised in the forest!"
I thought about Aria's usual behavior and her spirit of not caring even if her naked body was seen. I began to feel that Aria might get used to the forest quickly.
Eva shrugged her shoulders and, looking slightly exasperated, placed the prey on the ground and took a knife from her waist.
"It's an elf anyway. Now, I'll butcher it here."
Humming a tune, Eva began to butcher the Horned Rabbit.
From the jewel came the sorrowful scream of the Fifth Generation and the exasperated voice of the Third Generation.
I hate this woman!
I, for one, hate the Fifth Generation for calling Horned Rabbits cute. Honestly, it's just as expected for someone who was fallen for by a Kirin that's like a small child.
Suppressing the urge to nod at the Third Generation's sarcastic opinion, I looked at the materials Miranda and the others had gathered.
Some of the stripped materials and magic stones were in good condition, while others were poor. They probably made a mistake when killing them.
(Well, the earnings don't matter this time. Right now, it's enough if I can gain even a little experience.)
Taking frequent breaks, we moved through the forest.
Then.
"Hey, since we're keeping our distance anyway, let's try Lyell's skill. Was it Connection? Why don't you try using it on me?"
At Miranda's sudden suggestion, Aria burst out laughing.
"W-what are you saying! It's a kiss, a kiss! And an adult one at that!"
Aria was flustered, and Clara adjusted her glasses with a slightly red face.
Novem, perhaps concerned about me, glanced my way several times.
Eva, seeing Novem, spoke.
"...Is there a need to use it? Without even testing it? If you underestimate the forest too much, you'll have a painful experience."
She was warning Miranda.
From the jewel, the Fourth Generation spoke.
Well, if there are three or more humans, factions will form. Now then, this is where Lyell shows his skill. Good luck!
(Give me some advice! Give me some advice at a time like this!)
Griping the jewel and rolling it with my fingertips to urge for advice, the previous heads spoke in order starting from the Third Generation.
I only had one wife, so I don't know.
Same here. Multiple people... I don't really understand that.
Do nothing. That is all.
...I wasn't successful, so advice is impossible.
I was devoted only to Zenoa.
Useless previous heads.
As the atmosphere became tense, Miranda said with a smile.
"Then, let's try it when we return. I'm fine anytime."
She said.
To meet my eyes while I was sitting, she leaned forward and directed a smile at me.
"N-no, well! I-I don't have much experience..."
As I averted my gaze, stood up, and put distance between us, Clara spoke.
"Despite trying to kiss a Kirin?"
A few days had passed, but among my companions, I was still treated as a pervert who tried to kiss a Kirin and made it angry.
And so, I—.
"...Novem, go on break. I'll do the lookout."
—fled from the scene.
I heard a click of the tongue and voices saying "He ran away," but I ignored them and swapped lookout duties with Novem.
"Then, I'll leave it to you."
"Yeah."
Novem thanked me with a smile and returned to the circle of companions. However, once I moved away, the conversation could only be heard in fragments.
From within the jewel, the bored voice of the Third Generation spoke.
Tsk, couldn't you have held out a bit longer and entertained us?
(Why do I need to entertain you guys!)
Suppressing my irritation, I used my skill to guard the surroundings.
For practice, I decided to check further than usual.
A map of the surroundings floated in my head, and several red light points were displayed.
(Grey Wolves are still there. If I go deeper into the forest, it seems there's a slightly larger pack. It would be easier if they came this way.)
As I was thinking that, I discovered a complex point flashing yellow, red, and occasionally blue.
When I turned my gaze in that direction, the opponent immediately put distance between us.
An unpleasant sweat ran down my back, and I felt a small sense of relief that the opponent had moved away.
"...Did they follow me?"
That reaction was undoubtedly that of a Kirin—Mei.
"For tonight's dinner, I intend to use chicken, which that Chicken Bastard loves, and make a stew. Now, assistant Shannon-san, did you cut the ingredients properly?"
In the building in the village where adventurers and travelers stayed, Monica was preparing the meal with Shannon until Lyell and the others returned.
If Shannon entered the forest, she would be a hindrance. Furthermore, she understood this herself and used it as an excuse because she didn't want to enter.
However, that didn't mean she did nothing.
Under Monica, she did cleaning and meal preparation for the returning companions.
"You usually call her Shannon without honorifics or treat her like a brat, so why do you add -san when she becomes your assistant?"
"Hmph, it's what you call an aesthetic. Now, the ingredients are... YOU BRAT!!"
Monica screamed loudly upon seeing the vegetables Shannon had cut.
"W-what! It's fine! Isn't it cute!"
The vegetables Shannon had cut had, surprisingly, lost a large portion of their mass and had become star and heart shapes.
However, perhaps because she had shaped them by shaving with the knife, they were distorted shapes.
"Listen, when you make those shapes, you use a mold! Regardless of the shape, throwing away the remaining parts... well, let's just chop them finely and put them in. Listen, since you went to the trouble of making them, put them in the pot gently."
Not destroying the star and heart-shaped vegetables Shannon made was Monica's own kind of kindness.
"Leave it to me. Whoever eats these will be the winner."
"I wonder if there's a prize, or if the shaped vegetables themselves are the prize... Now then, let's do the prep."
Just as Shannon was about to throw the ingredients into the pot, Monica spoke again.
"YOU IDIOT!! What do you think cooking is!!"
"But I usually only do the dishwashing and peeling! I already helped, so it's fine!"
Monica, her twin-tails flailing as she lectured Shannon, was furious.
"Teaching you how to cook is the Chicken Bastard's order! For this Monica, it is my mission to provide the Chicken Bastard's orders with maximum effort and the best results! I will hammer house chores into you and handle this with the resolve to be called a demon until you are perfect."
Looking at Monica's declaration of determination, Shannon looked displeased.
Then, Shannon looked behind Monica.
There, the village youths—or rather, boys of twelve or thirteen—were looking at the porter parked next to the building.
I thought they were just peeking, but apparently, that wasn't the case.
"What are you guys doing!"
When Shannon shouted, the boys were surprised and ran away.
Monica let out a sigh and resumed cooking.
"Is it okay? Those guys looked like they came to steal something."
Monica said to Shannon while preparing the ingredients.
"The door to the porter's cargo bed is closed. They can't open it. Even so, I wonder what they came to steal... Could it be, the inconspicuous maid outfit I'm currently making!"
Shannon spoke with a look of utter disbelief, wondering if she was serious.
"No, it would be solved immediately if you just moved away from the maid outfit. What do you mean, 'inconspicuous maid outfit'? Maid outfits are conspicuous, so it's meaningless."
Shannon resumed helping, but as she looked around, she found the boys had come close again.
They probably intended to hide, but they were clearly visible to Shannon.
And she understood that they held emotions toward her that were not very favorable.
Envy, fear, and contempt.
"I'm not exactly being welcomed, am I?"
When Shannon said that, Monica—.
"Is that the reason you've stopped your hands? If you don't work hard, I will report it to Miranda."
"You're unfair! Why are automatons so unfair!"
Monica laughed through her nose.
"Hah! I don't care how I'm thought of by anyone other than the Chicken Bastard. Unfair? I'll take that as a compliment."
Monica and Shannon were cooking enjoyably, but occasionally, Monica kept a guard on the surroundings.