Author: Yume Neiji

Night on the first day of the journey.

In the square, several horse-drawn carriages surround a number of bonfires. Our group is spending the night blending in with others.

I lied down and closed my eyes.

I can hear the voices of adventurers chatting. Other than that, I can hear the breathing of my companions and the sound of the flowing river. 

It’s quiet. It’s different from the night in the Royal Capital, there’s the tranquility of being in the middle of nature. Every sound stands out, and I realize once again that this is not in the Royal Capital.

Somehow, I was so nervous that I searched my pocket. 

I touched the cold gold coin with my finger. Earlier, the gods had been talking about the pickpocketing incident. All the gods had different reactions, some worried and some angry. Solana in particular seemed to regret not being able to do anything.

――The next time he shows up, I’ll be his opponent!

――Even if he had succeeded, that pickpocket would have regretted it……!

Such were the exchange between Solana and Thor. I could picture the two gods with flames on their backs and the other gods smiling wryly.

Exaggerated yet they are reliable, and I felt touched.

The lively sound that still rang in my ears made me smile.

Drowsiness doesn’t come easily though.

……Was it excitement? Tension? Or maybe it’s because I’m lying on a hard seat.

I’m wrapped in a cloak, and the cockatrice armor is made to be warm on the inside.

“……Hmm.”

I stood up and opened the window slightly. I could see the fire through the gaps in the carriages. A white streak climbs into the night sky. Merchants and adventurers gathered together and were still talking.

I wonder if they exchange information in such way.

“I wonder if Father did that too……”

For a moment, it’s like I saw my Father sitting by the fire.

Then an owl hoots.

Feeling somewhat restless, I decided to go outside for a while. Taking a deep breath of the night air seemed to calm me down a bit.

“Can’t sleep?”

I was startled.

It was Felix-san. He stood there, leaning against the carriage.

“……Uh-mm.”

“Don’t worry about what’s outside. I’ll be keeping an eye on it.”

Felix-san’s narrow eyes narrowed even more as he smiled.

“……I can’t sleep.”

When I confessed, his eyes drooped.

“Then, how about we talk for a bit?”

Felix-san walked a short distance from the carriage and went under a lone tree. I followed behind him.

“It’s an unfamiliar journey, and it’s a new city for you. I should have paid attention to you, like Mia did.”

“N-no that’s……”

I remembered the pickpocketing incident in the evening.

“Uhm, earlier……!”

“Don’t worry about it. After dark, I had my men casually search around the carriage, but they didn’t find anyone suspicious. At least at this stage, it seems more likely that it was just a random pickpocket, rather than the slave trader chasing you.”

That would mean I caused the trouble….

There was a pause in the conversation for a while.

“Uhm, you said you want to talk……?”

“Yes.”

Felix hesitated for a moment. Eventually, as if he had made up his mind, he put his staff down.

“……I promised you before. I will tell you about your father.”

So that’s it huh. Felix-san looked up at the walls of Kalmar as he always said.

“This is where I first met Rutger-shi.”

Until recently, I hadn’t thought I’d ever hear stories of my father’s adventures again.

The leaves on the forest in the distance rustled.

“I want to hear them. Can you please tell me?”

Felix-san looked up at the night sky as if following the stars and began to speak.

“Here, Rutger-shi……”

He smiled wryly and then he shook his head.

“Let me change the way I address him. I met Rutger-san three years ago.”

I think his expression has softened a little.

“This is the junction of the main roads, and we met here before turning west to go to the Dungeon City. We meet up in the outer city, like we do now.”

“……How was it?”

“How was it? Hehe, it was normal. He didn’t get worked up, he just raised his hand lightly, and that was it. A very ordinary adventurer —if I may say so, that’s the impression I got.”

Felix-san spoke with a bit of amusement.

“However, once I formed a party with him, I realized just how amazing he was. Not only does he have the Awakening skill that unleashes potential, but above all, he has a deep knowledge of monsters and dungeons.”

Seeing Felix so proud of my father made me happy too.  

I’ve formed a party with such an amazing person—I couldn’t be happier to have someone talk about my father in that way.

“An adventurer who has surpassed level 50 —the most elite of the less than 100 people in the world.”

I thought of the commonly-used guidelines.

Up to level 10, you’re a beginner.

Level 20 is the most common, and the so-called “normal” tier.

Level 30 is skilled. Mia-san falls in this category.

Level 40 is elite. Felix-san falls in this category.

And level 50 is—

“It is said that if you are a level 50 adventurer, you can fight off 100 monsters or survive for over 12 hours. Not only was he strong, but he also had excellent judgment, making him an expert.”

Felix-san was silent for a moment. He closed his eyes, and I feel like he is trying to remember something. 

A cold wind comes across. Even with a hood on my cloak, my ears hurt a little.

“Can I tell you about the Blood-Red Sunset?”

“……Please.”

I heard the story in the temple. But I’d like to hear how Father fought.

Maybe Felix-san wanted to tell me this story. To tell the last of my father.

“The cooperation between the Raven Warriors and Rutger-san deepened, and although he may have guessed who we were, it was also a valuable cooperation. At that time, we were tasked with investigating an undiscovered dungeon on the west side of the Royal Capital.”

Felix-san spoke calmly.

“As you know, the dungeon was sprinkled with the ashes of the Giant, and Ymir was resurrected.”

He cleared his throat.

“An impact blasted from the depths of the dungeon. Rocks were sent flying, enough to cause casualties among the warriors. Then a tall man emerged from the torrent of magical power.”

“Was it…… Ymir?”

“Probably. That is if we believe his own words that he is the ‘First Giant’.”

Felix-san scratched the ground with the staff in his hand.

“I felt terrified. I immediately thought about retreating. It was the remains of a dungeon after all, and what’s more, it was discovered in secret. There was no town nearby for us to took shelter so I decided we should retreat and meet up with reinforcements first. But.….”

I trembled.

I understood what Father was thinking.

“Rutger-san and his companions didn’t retreat. Even though it was a remote area, there were still houses there. That’s why they did not want to retreat.”

Father was trying to protect the people from monsters.

“Inspired by Rutger-san, the Raven Warriors also came back to life, and the resurrected monsters were defeated. And although many casualties were inflicted, Ymir also retreated. If we had withdrawn even a little…… Ymir and the others would have used the time they had to use the ashes to increase the number of monsters.”

The events in the Royal Capital crossed my mind.

“If that had been the case, the balance of power would have been broken, and the warriors would have been defeated. The enemy might have attacked another town, and even more monsters might have been resurrected from the dungeon.”

But it failed. Because Father and the others stood in front of Ymir and continued to weaken his power.

“A split-second decision that goes beyond tactics, strategy and politics ―that’s what adventurers do.”

I adjusted my breath.

“Your father’s group continued to support the front line for several hours. They defeated monsters and even wounded Ymir. You can’t imagine how much they inspired those around them in such a hopeless situation…”

After pausing, Felix-san points to my pouch.

“During that last dungeon search, Rutger-san found that horn.”

I took out the horn and looked at it. As expected, it looks more faded than when I fought Skoll. I no longer felt any sign of the seal being released.

Felix-san sighed.

“……I wish that horn had come to you sooner.”

“Well, that can’t be helped.”

I couldn’t believe I would be able to play it either.

Felix-san laughed.

“No, the Raven Warriors were looking for someone who can use the horn that Rutger-san found. But it was mostly aristocrats who tried……”

I kind of understood without him telling me.

If someone can use such a difficult item, it’s only natural that they must be a noble ―that was the mindset that the Raven Warriors seemed to share.

“If I’d kept a more level-headed attitude, I think I would have found you sooner, Rion. You’re the son of the discoverer, after all.”

The story ended there.

Contrary to the silence, I felt my heart start to pound. The circumstances of how my father passed away. And how incredible it had been.

I’m glad to know both.

I still have a long way to go, and I didn’t feel like I would ever be able to give back what I had received. Perhaps I would be able to give back naturally as I took each step forward.

“……Do you want to go back?”

“Y-yes. Uhm, but before that, I want to go to the well over there.”

Perhaps because of what I heard, I was a little thirsty.

Felix-san and I start walking together.

『――Rion』

(Solana)

She’s awake huh.

『Well, I just felt a presence just now, but—』

I stopped in my tracks. Felix-san looked puzzled.

(……Presence?)

『It’s a presence very similar to that of the titans’ ashes. It’s very faint, but how can I put it… it feels like there are a lot of them. That’s why I can tell. 』

I frowned.

(Here? It’s not a dungeon, is it?)

『Well, it should be.』

I used the power of God.

First, I used the 『Divine Protection of the God of Hunting』 ability, 【Wild Heart】. There was no reaction to magical detection. 

Next, I used the 『Alarm』 ability, 【Unseal】. I used the appraisal power that resides within this to search the surroundings. I couldn’t believe it, but I saw a faint light coming from a carriage a short distance away.

“……Felix-san”

“What is it?”

“I’m going to go over there. The Gods has sensed the presence of the ashes.”

Felix-san immediately tightened his expression and nodded.

The carriage is parked at the outermost end of the ring surrounding the fire. It’s like they’re avoiding people’s eyes.

The light of【Unseal】shines faintly on the carriage trunk. Unfortunately, it was covered with a gray cloth, and I couldn’t see the inside.

『……The presence is close.』

“Is it this carriage?”

There doesn’t seem to be anyone around. Luckily, the carriage’s hood covers the view, hiding us as we peer into the carriage. The situation was too suspicious.

I exchanged glances with Felix-san.

“…… At worst, if we reveal the identity of the warrior group to the owner of the carriage, we can get him to cooperate as an “investigation”. It’s going to involve the temple of Kalmar, so this will be a big deal.”

“It’s not just the Gods, even my alarm skill is responding.”

Felix-san’s eyes widened hearing my words.

“Kalmar is a highway junction. It goes to various cities other than Alvis. It wouldn’t be surprising if ‘something’ was being carried there, but…”

It is someone else’s carriage.

However, there is a clear sign of ashes, and it is loaded with items that can be unsealed. It was too suspicious to ignore.

“……Let’s open it.”

I took the plunge and lifted the cloth.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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The walls are bathed in the sunset.

I was overwhelmed by the bustle outside.

Kalmar, a city on the way to Alvis.

There’s cluster of shops outside the walls – the “outer market”. It was indeed another city. Stalls lined up in rows. Delicious smells come from all over the place. The sound of meat and fish being grilled seemed to remind me of my appetite all at once after a long day of traveling.

I couldn’t help but look around.

Mia-san, who is walking in front of me, turned around.

“This way.”

It’s hard if I got lost. I slip through the crowd and chase after Mia-san’s hood.

After arriving at Kalmar, we parked the carriage in the square. Then me and Mia-san decided to walk outside for a bit, leaving Felix and the others on guard.

“Uhm……”

It makes me squirm around. We are heading to Alvis secretly, anyway. Felix-san had told me to avoid conspicuous behavior.

But my curiosity is beating.

With my hood on, here I am, exploring the outer city of Kalmar. It is not much different from the morning market in the Royal Capital.

It’s evening now.

“Oh, no one is going inside the walls. Even though it’s almost night…”

Mia-san slips through the crowd with her accustomed steps.

“Mm, that’s what a market outside the city is like.”

By buying ready-made soup and bread to take home, you won’t have to prepare dinner. Even consumable items that are expensive to buy before you leave will appeal to those about to depart.

The people who open shops here are all people who are looking for such an opportunity.

Mia-san bought one recommended item after another, such as skewers, bacon and bread with fillings. She decided on a store, negotiated the price, everything is fast.

“……I mean, you are just buying stuffs to eat, aren’t you?”

“Oops, how about you have one, too? The stuff here is good.”

Mia-san gave me a skewer.

She is grinning at me like a cat. This is probably her way to keep me quiet.

“You wouldn’t want to spend your first trip being canned in a carriage the whole time, would you?”

The smell of salty meat.

I wonder if Mia-san is trying to cheer me up.

I took advantage of a senior adventurer’s kindness. Alvis is still a long way off, so it might be too early to get nervous.

“Oh, it’s delicious……”

The meatballs melt in my mouth. After the saltiness, a slightly refreshing flavor kicks in. Maybe because of the chopped fruit in it. I quickly ate the whole skewer, then wiped my mouth.

“Wa….…”

The wind comes and the hood comes off.

I guess the wind is strong since the river is close?

I hurriedly put it back on and followed Mia-san.

“Uhm, aren’t you worried about monsters and stuff?”

“That….…”

Mia paused in her tracks and looked convinced.

“I see. You’ve never been outside the Royal Capital.”

“Yeah……”

“I’ve never heard of any monsters appearing between the Royal Capital and Kalmar. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to farm outside, right?”

“That’s….…”

Or so it seems.

I’m worried about bandits too, but I don’t think they’re going to attack a city full of adventurers like this.

That’s why it’s surprisingly safe outside the wall, I guess.

“Besides, one should always be ready.”

“……You mean about such risks?”

“Yeah. Since there are a lot of carriages passing by here, one can make more money outside than inside the walls.  Those kinds of people who understand such risks are the ones who open shops here and live here for generations.”

Mia-san shrugged.

“And the rest…… For some reason, everyone trusts the seal of the god, Odis-sama. That’s how this country was protected for 1,000 years.”

We’re an exception—I guess.

“That’s right…… Isn’t it?”

In fact, I don’t think I thought about the mechanics of the dungeon or the dangers of the monsters while my father was around. I was convinced that with Odis-sama, everything would be fine.

As I was thinking so, I felt a presence on the right side of my body.

It may be due to the ability “Wild Heart”. I could hear the unnatural footsteps approaching me plus the heavy breathing.

“Tsu?”

I reflexively grabbed the hand that was extended to me.

The other party seemed to be startled.

“What are you—”

He threathend me, but I didn’t let go of his hand. Even I could tell.

He’s a thief. He’s a little taller than me, and he’s small for an adult. But his eyes are sharp, and he has a scar on the tip of his nose.

“Let go……”

His right hand was clearly trying to reach into my pocket. Especially in the right pocket of my jacket, containing the gold coin where the Gods stays.

I glared back at him.

“What do you want?”

“Tch.”

He swatted my hand away, but he caught the string connecting my coin purse to my jacket. The coin case pops out of my pocket, and I catch it in a hurry. The exposed gold coin shone in the setting sun.

The man’s eyes widen upon seeing the gold coin.

……Darn it!

Even in the poor parts of the Royal Capital, there were people who had these eyes.

“Hey, you!”

Mia-san approached us. The thief then flinched and clicked his tongue.

“Goodness…… what a lame string to wear!”

My cheeks went red.

“Wait.”

I shouted but the man quickly blended with the evening crowd.

Using God’s ability “Wild Heart”, I could hear the rough footsteps receding into the distance. But the sound suddenly became quieter.

“That guy……”

I think he probably has 『Bandit』and 『Scout』 skills.

He got a skill to hide himself.

“……You let your guard down. Are you okay?”

“Yes……”

“I’m sorry. I only thought I’d just go out to buy some groceries, but I’ve ended up causing unnecessary trouble.”

I shook my head at Mia-san, who apologized to me.

There are pickpockets everywhere, even in the Royal Capital, and I think it’s difficult for Mia-san to predict so much.

Suddenly, I remembered what my father had said.

――Adventurers savor their journey to the fullest.

It means “cherishing encounters,” but it’s also a warning.

On a journey, you never know what will happen. That’s why you have to savor the little things ―you need to chew well, chew and scrutinize.

“……N-no way, right?”

There was a slight stir and a sense of discomfort in my chest.

I feel like that guy is coming straight at me. It’s as if he had already decided on a target.

I adjusted my hoodie, which had shifted slightly. Maybe because of our argument, a bit of my hair was showing.

“……Let’s go back.”

“Mm, I’ll let Felix-san know exactly what happened.”

Looking up, the city walls cast longer and deeper shadows than before.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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The horse-drawn carriages drove through the cold air just after dawn.

It was a long journey to the mining town of Alvis. The road is rough. Potholes and stones caused the carriage to shake so much that our butts bounced up from the seat.

“Ouch!”

I don’t know how many times I’ve hit my head against the window. But I can’t stop looking out.

“The sky is so vast……!”

My breath turned white and quickly flowed backwards.

So this is what it looks like when there are no walls or buildings huh.

First off, the air is different. There is no obstruction, and the wind travels everywhere. The land as far as my eye could see is covered with greenery until it disappeared from view across the river. The morning sun also illuminates the landscape rippled by the wind.

My heart feels warm.

“I’m glad you like it.”

Felix-san chuckles.

“Rion-san, your forehead is red.”

“……yeah”

I sat back in my seat.

“You seem to be very curious about the outside.”

“Y-yes…… I only heard about it from Father’s stories you see.”

Felix-san narrowed his eyes.

“Every journey can only be made once, so adventurers should enjoy the journey to the fullest……”

For me, it was my first time.

This is my first journey.

But of course, I can’t just have fun and get carried away.

I calmed down and look inside the carriage. The Raven Warriors provided five wagons and two boxed carriages. Our group disguised as a combination of traveling merchants and escorts. In reality, we are all adventurers. There are five people in this carriage by the way.

It was more like a small room than a cargo bed, and the seats were set up so that the seats were facing each other along the left and right walls.

Across from me is Felix-san, who checks the itinerary just in case.

“Are we heading north?”

“That’s right. Alvis is upstream of the river, so a horse-drawn carriage would be a good way to get there.”

I could see a boat on the river bathed in the morning sun. Heavy weapons and ores must be transported by water.

“There are a lot of merchants who go through the same route, so it’s a good way to blend in.”

None of us wore the cloak with two ravens on it. The position of the Raven Warriors is a secret after all.

Felix-san is still wearing his usual coronet and he got his staff, but he was clad in thick, earth-colored robes. He was dressed like an adventurer magician.

Mia-san also wears a dark green cloak. Underneath is a black leather armor. She had a chain wrapped on her right arm, and the end was tied to an axe. Her red hair is tied up like a cat’s ears.

As for me—I’m wearing the gauntlet that Lu made for me, and the rest of my clothes is light. However, part of my chest was covered in white armor. The leather of the monster bird cockatrice is reinforced and finished with magic-resistant paint. The clasp of the cloak is also decorated with white feathers. I liked its combination with the grey cloak.

 A cloak is a necessity for long trips, but it was also a longing for me.

The other warriors also wear armor and light clothing, and are equipped as they please.

Felix-san held up his finger.

“There is also the matter of the golem found in the Western Dungeon. There are not many people available from the Royal Capital, but this is also a good way to sneak in and head there.”

I nodded my head in understanding.

“So that’s the plan then?”

“Yes. I think the golem is a kind of diversion set up by the slave traders. The magical city of Toledo, which is east of Alvis, is famous for its golems. There is also a dungeon there. So we’ll investigate that area extensively while we sneak in to Alvis—which would be dead on target.”

I guess it’s a strategy to pretend to be caught by the other person’s invitation. While I was at the temple of Odis, Pauline-san and the others were discussing about it.

The feeling of elation I had earlier is now replaced by a sense of tension.

『Rion』

I was surprised by the voice.

It was Solana who spoke from the coin in my pocket.

『Show us the outside.』

I smiled a little.

The coin case that Lu made for me is tied to my jacket with a string. And even with the gold coin in it, the top half of the coin was visible outside.

I guess she deliberately made it so that the Gods in the gold coin could see outside too and at the same way, so I could easily touch it to “unseal” them.

“Got it.”

With a smile, I held the coin up to the window.

『『『『『Oooooh!』』』』』

God’s voice echoed in my head.

『Nature is reviving! The fact that there is such a big river means that there are magnificent forests and mountains!』

『Is that ship carrying weapons? Hammers perhaps?』

『There must be medicinal herbs that can only be found in this era, if the world is so rich that is.』

『……Guys, can you let me see it too? Don’t take it for granted, and just use me as a stepping stone, you know.』

I imagine the Gods rushing to the window and Loki being stepped on underneath. It was disrespectful, but it made me laugh.

There are also birds flying in the sky.

Before I knew it, the sun was rising higher and the gods went quieter. As I gaze at the clear blue sky, I remember the voices I heard from there.

“…… I wonder if Odis-sama can see it.”

If he is still the main god, and if he has sent the whole message, he may be able to see it.

『……If you’re expecting help, you’d better not do so.』

Solana’s voice came.

It hit the nail on my head, so I stammered.

『Maintaining the seal and the skill to bestow upon people. That alone must use a lot of power.』

“……That’s right. If he comes down here and got defeated, then….”

『There is a risk that those two powers will disappear, so he will not come down lightly.』

A god is a god, and it seems Odis-sama has his own thoughts about it.

『If there’s no help, there must be a good reason for it ―that’s what we’ve decided to think.』

Solana looked a little lonely.

……That’s right. She was sealed without being told anything.

“Yes, please help me when I’m in trouble, Goddess-sama.”

“Mm!”

For now, we have no choice but to trust the power at hand and move forward.

Without encountering any monsters walking outside, the carriage ran smoothly and we reached today’s destination.

Mia-san was amazed that I never got bored, and with a red spot on my forehead spreading, I made it through the first day of my journey.

We arrived at a large city along the river. There is also a city wall in front. Dozens of merchants’ carriages were lined up outside.

“Kalmar huh.”

Mia-san stretched. While scratching her eyes, she said,

“Hmm… I guess we’ll be sleeping in this carriage tonight huh.”

“That’s the plan.”

Felix-san nods, and I tilted my head.

“Eh? We won’t go inside?”

“There is not enough room inside the city to accommodate a large number of carriages, and the walls of most cities are full of houses inside.”

Oh, that’s right……

Come to think of it, there aren’t many walls as wide as the Royal Capital.

“If you’re in a caravan with an escort, it’s more common to spend the night outside the walls. Besides, there’s a village outside the walls and something like a simple town has been established there as well.”

Except in the bitter cold season.

Felix-san shrugged.

“Being an adventurer is tough. Warriors are pretty tight on the pockets too.”

“Heh….…”

Oh, I see….…

There’s a place near the city walls where carriages gather, and it looks like we’ll be joining them there. Trails of smoke from the bonfire are rising into the sky.

“Outside the wall huh……”

I hope there isn’t any. But I could hear the roar of beasts from the forest in the distance, and I flinched a little.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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