When we landed on the forbidden island, we were constantly pushing through a forest full of bizarre plants. The island is a treasure trove of ferocious plants, such as moray mullets, which look a lot like moray eels, and man-eating grasses, which look like giant flytrap grass.
On the other hand, we were able to see some very rare plants. A beautiful white flower that blooms beautiful flowers that are as transparent as glass. Purple flower which emits a beautiful purple light at night. Bubbles that store drinkable water in a round transparent membrane. A centennial flower that blooms only once every hundred years. The more you start looking, the more you can find.
“Teryaaa! Marga, finish it!”
“I know. Flameburst!”
Liberto slices through the tentacles that are extended, and finally, Margaret destroyed it by advanced magic. Tina, who was in charge of the rear, also won the victory without danger. The enemy that the Sword of Glory is fighting is called Giant Slime.
It can grow to about three meters in size, and it changes parts of its body to entangle its opponent like a tentacle. If you get caught, it can be said that it’s your end. You will be turned into mush by a strong acid that dissolves even the bones.
After defeating the two giant slimes, the five of them took out the core stone, which is the brain and heart of the slime, and then they rejoiced together.
“Look at this size. Even a slime of this class can cost a lot of money.”
“Well done, Liberto. It’s no longer a dream to buy a house just for us.”
“Aaah, this place is truly a treasure trove. We’re lucky.”
The five of them are grinning as they stare at the slime core. At first, they were trembling with nervousness, but after realizing the value of this island, they took the initiative to fight the enemy. Thanks to that, the Homeless group had no chance to try and were bored.
“It’s good that we don’t have to fight. I can sleep all the while.”
“Whether we have to or not, you’re probably sleeping all the time. By the way, you are keeping an eye on the surroundings, right?”
“Of course. With Pero’s sense of smell, Erna’s hearing, and my enemy search, I can immediately tell if there is a powerful enemy approaching. So far, there has been no reaction for dragon-like beings.”
I nod in response to Liz’s words. The island’s biggest threat is the high-ranking dragons. If we encounter them, we don’t know if we can win even by chance.
◇◇◇
On the first day, we decided to camp on top of a steep mountain. Liz and the others flew to the top of the mountain first to prepare for camp. On the other hand, Liberto and the others climb the vertical rock wall on their own. At their current state, they should be able to climb it in less than an hour. By the way, I told them that those who arrive early will be able to eat first. And the last one might not get to eat meals at all.
“Hmmm, no matter how many times I look at it, it’s huge.”
What I took out of the bracelet was a clam I found on the coast of this island. It was about 20 centimeters in size, and the surface of the shell was glossy and striped. I didn’t have much time, so I only caught about a dozen, but they were big enough and sufficient to be used as an ingredient for soup.
In addition, I secured a few clams about 10 centimeters long and 10 Iwagaki oysters about 40 centimeters long that I found on the rocks. Even before cooking, just looking at it makes me drool. Slurp.
For now, I’ll grill the clams with soy sauce and butter, make soup with the clams, and fry the oysters. Of course, I’m planning to make a lot of other things too.
“I can’t see too far.”
“Yeah. I thought that if we climbed the top of a mountain, I would see how big the island is.”
Pero looks into the distance with a disappointed look on his face. Unfortunately, there was fog everywhere so we couldn’t see well.
I hope I can see it tomorrow though…….
Only about ten minutes after we started cooking, the first person reached the summit. As expected, Tina was the first to arrive.
“This is a piece of cake for me now. I want to be able to fly like Master as soon as possible.”
“Mmmm, it’s going to be difficult, unless you evolve in a special way like Father and the others. But that is okay, you see I can’t fly either, but I’m pulling it off.”
“But I want to soar in the sky someday. It’s too early to give up, Pero-sama.”
“……That’s true. Maybe in the next evolution we will be able to fly.”
Tina and Pero chat with happy look on their faces as they wait for the meal to be ready.
Ten minutes is too early no matter how you look at it. Nothing is cooked yet. With the help of my companions, I threw a large breaded oyster into the oil. A pleasant sizzling sound resonates through the air.
“Fuuu, it was harder than I thought.”
Dominique—rather, Catherine—came second. It took about 20 minutes. It was quite quick.
“Are you okay?”
“Leila, aren’t you pushing yourself too hard?”
“Hehe, I’m fine. Chuuu~”
Liberto and Leila arrive later. It seems that the two of them climbed steadily while encouraging each other like lovers. However, I envy that they kiss so openly in front of their master —Ahem, I certainly don’t want to be jealous.
After 30 minutes of cooking, almost all the dishes were completed. When each of them begins to eat, they smile and shout with delight. All of the shellfish on this island are large and rich in flavor. The oysters in particular are too special. The moment you bite into it, a fist of intense flavor uppers your brain. In addition, it was a supreme dish combined with homemade tartar sauce. As I stir it with white rice, I want to scream that I have no single regret in my life.
“Hey, isn’t it getting pretty late? Marga should have reached the top of the mountain by now, right?”
At Liberto’s words, I checked my pocket watch. Already an hour and a few minutes. She’s slow, for sure.
The cooked food is enough to satisfy ten people. But if she runs into some kind of trouble along the way and took more time, it would only be a matter of minute before the food is eaten.
Surprisingly, Liberto stands up and removes his sword, breastplate, and other equipment.
“Master, I’ll go check on her. If anything happens, please take care of my team then.”
“Are you planning to go unarmed? There might be enemies you know.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take a knife with me, and if necessary, I’ll help Marga at least.”
He begins to descend the rock wall with a brisk attitude. He’s a really good leader who can put his body on the line for his teammates. Certainly, if it is only ability, Tina would be the best. However, Liberto has the ability to lead people.
“Erna, go check on the two of them.”
“Me? I don’t really mind but…… I think Freya and Liz are better suited to fighting in this kind of environment.”
“I chose you on purpose. This is a good opportunity to show Margaret what you are capable of.”
“That’s right. I haven’t been able to play an active role since I came to this island, it seems that it will be easier later if I am properly acknowledge early on.”
Erna, who soared lightly, descended in pursuit of Liberto.
◇◇◇
-Margaret’s POV-
The ivy that grows on the rock wall wraps around my hands and feet and refuses to let go. Moreover, the ivy had sharp thorns that cut into my body and pierced my skin.
“Aggh! What the hell is this? Someone, somebody, come help me!!”
I called out at the top of my voice, but there is no answer from the top of the mountain.
Damn! All four of my teammates are happily having a meal while I’m going through this! That pervert Tanaka, who usually comes up with such training, is the worst! He’s always asking for so much grueling training that makes me want to ask if he got some brain problems.
No, maybe something is really missing in his head. There’s no doubt about it. He’s always wandering around and I don’t know what he’s thinking, and when he’s free, he’s grinning at breasts and ass.
I can’t help but wonder if he is really strong. Then there’s the mage elf called Erna. Maybe she is telling that Tanaka guy to bully me. Actually, I seem to understand. That woman is a smug mage who can only use elementary magic. The reason why she can keep a big face at the team must be because she and the leader, Tanaka, get along pretty well.
I also think that she established her current position by using her body. Well, that maybe true, I guess. There is no way that she’d be bedridden due to seasickness for a month. She must have been hiding because she didn’t want me to see her lousy magic.
I’ll expose that damn elf soon!
Shashasha.
The ivy digs into my hands even more. What emerged from the gap in the rock was a plant demon beast with a head like a red rose. When the flower opens, I can see a mouth lined with sharp fangs from it. Then I heard rustling sounds, when I looked around, I saw several of the same magical beasts crawling up the wall approaching me.
I’m an easy prey right now. I have to do something about it.
“Don’t think you can easily eat me, Flame Bomb!”
I used my wrist’s range of motion to the limit and hit them with magic. Because it is a plant, it seems to be vulnerable to flames. One of them that was hit directly fell to the ground in flames.
I’ll clean up the rest of them like this.
I haven’t come close to death for nothing!
“Agh!?”
With a sharp pain, I could feel something entangling my thigh. I was careless. It seems that there was another one directly below me, where I couldn’t see.
The vines then rise in a spiral way.
“What a nasty plant! Pervert! I’ll definitely burn you!”
I tried to kick around, but the ivy showed no sign of coming off. The enemies around me also stretch out their vines and burrow into my body. It really sucks. I can’t believe I’m being killed by such an enemy in a place like this.
Come to think of it, I’ve always been unlucky.
My father ran away after getting into debt. My mother died of overwork. My first boyfriend was an abusive man. Then the money I earned through sweat and blood was taken away by my father, who appeared for the first time after several years. My second boyfriend turned out to be an M and a pervert. The rented room I was living in caught fire. The mage master I studied under eventually abandoned me, saying that I don’t have talent. The person I finally liked with all my heart is also taken away by a gay! What’s more, that gay is prettier than me!
“Uuuu…… No, what is this life! I just want to be happy!”
Tears blurred my vision.
“Marga! Are you okay!?”
I looked up at the sound of the voice and I saw Liberto coming down the rock wall.
Why did you come? I’m just a friend to you, right?
“Damn! Get out of the way! I won’t let you touch Marga!”
“That’s enough! Leave me alone!”
“What are you talking about? I see… you’re being poisoned by these guys!”
Liberto cuts the ivy with a knife and kills them one by one. In the past, he would have had a hard time. Liberto was unrecognizably strong now, he’s jumping from wall to wall and fights well. When he knocked down the last one, he cuts off the ivy wrapped around my limbs and smiled.
“I’m glad you’re safe.”
What’s this? It’s not fair. I was going to stick as his friend, but this makes me like him even more.
Liberto carried me on his back and he told me to grab onto him.
Don’t tell me… is he planning to go up in this state?
It’s all nonsense. I struggled to get down and told him that I would go up on my own.
“Don’t you think this is going to be good training too? Surely, I can’t match Tina or Dominique—I mean, Catherine. Besides, I may not even be able to match Leila in strength. But that’s just for now. That doesn’t mean I can’t be stronger in the future.”
“You feel the potential to..…”
“Yes, I can be stronger, and seeing Tanaka-san and Erna-san made me believe in myself again. Tanaka-san said, if I give up, that’s the end of the game.”
Don’t give up huh…… I wonder if I still have a chance.
Suddenly, I saw something moving in the sky in the distance. It seems to be a group of pterosaurs.
“Hey, was there a hole around this place?”
Liberto’s words sent chills down my spine. When I looked closely, I can see that there are countless holes in the rock wall we are climbing, and what seems to be a pterosaur chick is squealing and showing its face from inside.
So is that herd coming back here?
“Liberto, if you don’t go up quickly, we’ll be their food!”
“I know. I’m also hurrying now.”
Pterosaurs fly around us and threatened us. Its body length is about 2 meters, and their number easily exceeds 100.
We’re in a desperate pinch!
“Multiple Flame Bombs!”
Descending from the sky was an elf with beautiful wings. The pterosaurs that try to swarm us quickly fall into flames. Her graceful flight was like that of a butterfly, and I thought she was a legendary fairy.
“Are you both safe?”
“Yes. Thank you for coming Erna-san.”
“I’ll take care of them, you two head for the summit quickly.”
It took us 20 minutes to reach the summit.
◇◇◇
“Erna-shisho, please forgive me for my rudeness!”
Margaret bowed down to Erna. Apparently, it had the effect I had expected.
“Look up. I don’t mind anything of it.”
“No, all this time, I was foolish enough to think that Erna-san was incompetent. It turned out that you are a wonderful mage, all along! I thought you seduced that Tanaka guy and got your current position with your body! I’m ashamed of myself for coming up with such an idea!”
“Stop. My heart is screaming.”
Erna, who was hurt in another way, pressed her forehead and stepped back.
Wait a minute, isn’t she proudly calling me Tanaka guy? It’s really rude. Hmmm, should I be a little more intense?
“Marga, let’s eat together. All three of us have left a share for you.”
“Thank you guys.”
Tina, Dominique—uh, Catherine and Leila smiles at her. As a result, their unity seems to have strengthened.
—Oops, it’s time to let them drink that.
“All five of you, drink this when you’re done eating.”
“What’s this?”
“You’ll know it when you drink it.”
I gave each of the five people a glass of Saint Water. I hadn’t made them drink it until now. The reason was simple: I wanted all five of them to evolve at the same time. I thought that if only one person evolved ahead of others, some would be pessimistic about their difference in ability. Besides, it will also become troublesome to think of a training course for each of them. That’s why I hadn’t given them a drop of it until now.
“Well then……”
The five of them drank all the water in one gulp. In the next moment, an evolutionary option appeared in my field of vision. All five, of course. The choice of evolution comes to the person in charge—the leader of the team. It seems that evolution itself is a rare thing, so only a few people know about it. It was something I don’t know about until Liberto told me.
I chose the evolution destination while consulting with the five people. They then fell asleep with excited expressions.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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