Chapter 71

Thanks to the tailwind, we arrived at the gorge earlier than scheduled. I entrusted the horse to the owner of the mountain hut at the foot of the mountain.

"---But, this is troublesome."

The captain grumbled. Should they descend into the gorge to conduct the investigation, or should they climb the mountain and survey the gorge from above?

"The mountain allows us to avoid encountering the water-fin crocodiles. However, the mountain is covered in snow, and camping will be tough."

The gorge can be reached by descending through the forest and heading for the river. However, the gorge is flanked by cliffs on both sides, and the riverbed is filled with uneven rocks. The water-fin crocodiles lurk in the river.

"Well, the probability of encountering monsters while walking through the forest is also high. In a battle on a slope, those coming from above have the advantage."

Encountering monsters during the already challenging climb would be the worst. However, the gorge is equally dangerous.

The captain was apparently given the responsibility to make the decision on the spot. Unusually, the captain was pondering, eyes closed, deep in thought, not seeking advice from anyone. This was probably because of the captain's responsibility.

"---Alright."

The captain seemed to have made up his mind. The path ahead is---the gorge. Once decided, they would descend the forest slope.

◇◇◇

The Siren Gorge. It is a deep valley with a fast-flowing river and a high population of monsters, making it a place where people do not approach easily. According to the Magic Research Bureau, high-quality magic stones can be extracted from the rocks here, and they have attempted to collect and investigate them several times. However, due to the unstable footing and the appearance of monsters, they have repeatedly advanced and retreated.

What will happen with this investigation? Hopefully, we won't encounter any water-fin crocodiles.

I put on the luggage I had taken off the saddle. Deputy Captain Berry tied the pot and bag for me.

"Risris, is it not too heavy?"

"Yes, it's fine."

I also inserted my magic wand, Gura, into the bag. I attached a string to it so I could carry it without holding it. Carrying food alone is tough, so I share the load with Reislotte, Urgas, and Gar-san. With this, the preparations are complete! We set off. First, we descend the mountain path to reach the gorge. Fortunately, there are no signs of monsters, and the path is relatively well-trodden, making it somewhat easy to walk---but.

"Kyaa!"

Reislotte slipped. Gar-san immediately caught her.

"Hey, Lichtenberger, be careful."

"Yes, yes..."

The captain's voice rang out. Reislotte thanked Gar-san and moved away. The mountain path is thinly covered with snow. We are wearing boots with spikes on the soles, but the surface is frozen, so we slip easily. There are many things to be cautious about. One wrong step, and you could fall off the cliff. It's a terrifying path that leads straight down to the gorge.

While walking carefully, a "Rin" sound was heard.

"---Huh?"

It's a clear, bell-like sound that shouldn't be heard in the forest. I stopped and listened carefully. Indeed, the "Rin" sound was heard again. What is this?

"Qua... Qua!!"

Amelia also noticed the anomaly. Gar-san's ears perked up, and his fur fluffed out.

"Risris, what's---"

"Ah, wow!!"

"Quaaa!!"

Suddenly, a monster appeared in front of us. It was about the size of a palm, completely black, and enveloped in a mist-like substance, making its full appearance a mystery. It floated in the air, and a high, clear "Rin" sound was heard. Then, a magic circle appeared in the air, and two ice pillars, like the horns of a monster, appeared and shot towards us like arrows.

"Kyaa!"

"Qua!!"

One of the ice pillars was knocked down by Amelia's claws before it reached me. The other was split in two by Zara's axe.

The captain tried to slash the misty monster with his sword, but it was too fast and missed.

Still, what is this? I've never heard of a monster using magic.

---Rin

"Huh!?"

A bell sound came from behind. I turned around to see another monster enveloped in black mist.

"Whaaat!?"

Surprised, I let out a cry, but in the next moment, a magic circle appeared right in front of me.

---Rin, Rin

The bell sound rang twice. Then the magic circle appeared, and ice pillars shot out. I couldn't avoid them!! I clutched my head and squeezed my eyes shut.

"Mel-chan!"

I heard Zara's voice. I felt a strong force push me, and my body tilted. The sharp impact of ice did not come. Instead---my body floated in the air.

"Kyaaaaa!!"

Zara and I were thrown off the cliff. We rolled down, still hugging each other.

It was more of a steep slope than a cliff. The ground was covered with soil and withered grass. We rolled down over it.

"Kyaaaaa!!"

Zara and I rolled down the slope. Our bags opened, and the contents spilled out.

Ingredients flew past my eyes like a slideshow.

Ah, my bread... dried meat... pickled vegetables... roasted beans... Goodbye. Oh, and smoked meat and biscuits too. The large pot tied to the bag also came loose and rolled away. It was a precious item chosen with Deputy Captain Berry.

Still rolling, Zara and I continued to roll down. It was scary, painful, and our food was rolling away. Slan, who was hanging around my neck, was safe, firmly held between Zara and me.

The momentum didn't stop, and my voice was hoarse. And at the very end---

"Huh, whoa, heeeeeee!!"

My body was thrown off the slope. I fell into the river. I lost consciousness after that.

◇◇◇

...chan, ...chan

"Ugh..."

I felt my body being shaken violently, making me feel sick. Also, it was extremely cold.

"Mel-chan!!"

"Ahchoo!!"

I opened my eyes slightly. In front of me was Zara, looking worried. She was a beauty from the snowy country---no!!

Where are we...? It seems we are in a place surrounded by rugged cave walls, with sunlight shining through the entrance.

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

"Um, yes. I'm fine."

There were some bruises and scrapes, but nothing was broken or bleeding.

"That's good..."

I got up.

"Um..."

I tried to organize my confused thoughts. We encountered an unexpected enemy and were attacked. Ice pillars of magic approached us, and Zara protected me by putting herself in harm's way. After that, we rolled down the cliff and were swept away by the river. Zara brought me to shore while I was unconscious. And now, here we are. Slan seemed to be fine but was trembling anxiously in the bottle.

"Is Zara hurt?"

"No, I'm fine. I may look frail, but my body is tough."

"I'm glad to hear that."

Despite the dramatic fall, we didn't seem to have any major injuries.

"I'm sorry I couldn't help you properly."

"No, no, thank you!"

I bowed deeply to Zara.

"If you hadn't saved me, I would be... impaled by the ice pillars right now." The thought was terrifying, and I shuddered.

"Are you okay?"

"Ah, yes. It's just a bit cold."

I shuddered, but it was not from fear of the monster, but from the cold due to being drenched. Once I relaxed, the cold hit me. However, all our belongings were also wet, so there was nothing I could do.

"We should wring out the water from our clothes. Maybe we should take off our undergarments too."

"Ah, yes, that's a good idea."

First, we needed to take emergency measures. I took off my clothes and wrung out the water. I also removed my undergarments, which were sticking to my skin.

"I'll keep watch at the entrance of the cave."

"Thank you."

Zara turned her back to me. I placed my bag on the ground and took off my heavy coat, uniform, undergarments, and shoes. I was almost completely naked. It was too cold. I tried to wring out my coat with my trembling hands---

"Kyaaaa, it's cold!"

"Mel-chan, do you want me to wring out your clothes?"

"Ah, um, what should I do?"

My fingers were numb, and I couldn't apply any strength. After some hesitation, I decided to let Zara wring out my clothes.

"Sorry, I'm naked, so just like this."

"Ah, okay."

I gently placed the coat behind Zara. She wrung it out for me. During this time, I wrung out the water from my undergarments and uniform. I put on the wrung-out coat over my bare skin and buttoned it up tightly. It felt cold, but there was almost no water left. The coat was long, reaching down to my calves, so it should be fine.

"Thank you."

Zara offered to let me wring out her clothes, but I shook my head.

"No, I'm from a snowy country, so I'm not cold."

"But your face is red. Your ears are bright red too."

Zara reached out to touch my forehead, thinking I might have a fever, but I quickly avoided her.

"I'm fine, really."

"Are you sure?"

Zara took out a bag of first-aid supplies from her bag, thinking of giving me some cold medicine---

"Wow..."

All the powdered medicine had dissolved. The ointment in the tin seemed to be fine.

Here, we checked our supplies. The bread was soggy, the first-aid supplies were wet and unusable, and the spare clothes were wet. The fire-starting tools were also submerged. The only thing that was fine was the drinkable herbal water in the leather bag. My magic wand, Gura, was still in the bag, undamaged.

"I threw away my weapon before falling off the cliff."

"I see."

Zara's weapon was only a knife on her belt. The food bag seemed to have been swept away.

What should we do now? I have no idea. And where should we dry our undergarments? I stood there, holding the wrung-out undergarments. We decided to stay here and wait without moving.