Chapter 89

After reaffirming the pact, the Silver Dragon warped space to create a shortcut to the shallow layer.

"You retainers are worried. I will provide a guide. You should return."

The light that had led us to the Silver Dragon floated around us again, guiding us as if to say, "This way."

"Thank you for making the way back. I can't easily come here again, so it's probably impossible to say, 'See you again.'"

"The pact has been reaffirmed. We can communicate at any time."

"Okay, then, see you. If you ever call me again, I want to bring someone other than Nebel, so please let me know in advance."

"Aye, understood. Ah, that's right, my ally. Take the scale that has fallen there. Do you collect my scales, human child?"

"I don't just collect them; I use them as materials for weapons and magical tools. If you're giving it to me, I'll take it."

"Al, I have a rope, so I'll take it."

Nebel took out a rope from his waist pouch, selected a scale large enough to carry, and tied it to his back.

"Come, you should return now, my ally."

Waving goodbye to the Silver Dragon with Nebel, we started walking.

As we retraced our steps, the mist appeared again.

"Nebel, let's hold hands so we don't get separated."

"Got it."

Holding hands with Nebel, we followed the floating light. My ears started to feel stuffy again. The place where the Silver Dragon lived must have been at a high altitude.

After walking for a while, the mist gradually cleared, and we emerged onto a forest path.

The light that had guided us to this point floated around us in circles and then ascended into the sky.

So, the guide is only up to here, huh.

"Well, we should be back in the shallow layer. The question is, which direction should we go?"

"There are signs to the placement base on the forest path, but we don't know where we encountered the Hippogriff."

"The Fairvarters are probably looking for us."

The sky hasn't darkened yet, but we can't be complacent.

I really need a radio. If we had one, we could contact them as soon as we were within range.

I'm in a bind. The rule for getting lost is to stay put if you're lost, but are we really lost? We don't know the way back, so are we lost?

And this is the Forest of No Return, a den of monsters. If we stay still, we might encounter a monster and end up hunting again.

Listening carefully to the sounds around us, all I can hear are the leaves rustling in the wind and birds singing.

Even though it's not dark yet, the Forest of No Return is dangerous in the shallow layer when it gets dark. We decided to follow the signs on the forest path to the placement base.

"For now, there doesn't seem to be any dangerous presence, right?"

"Assuming the monsters haven't hidden their presence."

He's talking about the Hippogriff.

From Piet and Tref's reactions, the Hippogriff isn't a monster that usually appears in the shallow layer. The Hippogriff that appeared without any presence might have been relocated from the deep layer.

I'm not sure, but it was probably the work of the goddess Vistaria.

"Nebel."

"What is it?"

"I want you to keep it a secret that I have memories from before my rebirth."

Nebel tilted his head at my request.

"Sure, but is that the only thing you want to keep secret?"

I was expecting him to ask for a reason, so his response caught me off guard.

"Huh?"

"Things like being the reincarnation of the first head of the Marcosias family, the pact between the Silver Dragon and the Marcosias family, and the goddess doing something mischievous—do you not want to hide those?"

"Ah, I plan to report those to Grandfather. The pact between the Silver Dragon and the Marcosias family should be recorded in the family's history. I'm not sure about the goddess, but it might be good to report that she interfered with Mother's consciousness."

"I see. Got it."

"I'll explain the reason for keeping it a secret to everyone later. Hilt will be there too. There's one more thing I want to ask Nebel and Hilt."

After hearing the Silver Dragon's story, I was certain.

The Princess Einhorn's reincarnation in this world was definitely the work of the goddess Vistaria. I want Nebel and Hilt to hear this story too. They are the two people who will follow me no matter what, and I trust them deeply.

"Got it. If we return safely, I'll let Al tell the story."

"Okay. I'll tell it properly."

While talking with Nebel, we heard a rustling sound from above. It wasn't the wind; something was moving through the leaves.

Could it be a monster? A primate-type monster that moves through the trees?

We tensed up and got ready. Then, we heard Piet's voice.

"Master!!"

Nebel and I looked at each other and called out.

"Piet! Over here! We're here!!"

"We're here!! Lord Albert is safe!!"

"Master! Lord Nebel! There you are!! I found you!!"

Piet, who had been moving nimbly from branch to branch, landed in front of us.

"I'm so relieved!!"

Seeing us safe, Piet's face showed a mix of relief and tears.

"I'm sorry for worrying you."

"We're safe. We're not injured."

"I'm glad. When you were sucked into that strange hole, I didn't know what had happened. Ah, wait a moment."

Piet took a cylindrical object from his waist pouch, placed it on the ground, and lit the string protruding from it with a flint.

When the lit string reached the inside, it made a hissing sound and shot a flash of light into the sky, which exploded with a loud bang.

It's probably a signal to indicate our location.

"So, how far were you transported?"

In response to Piet's question, Nebel and I looked at each other and answered in unison.

"To the Silver Dragon."

Nebel showed the Silver Dragon's scale he was carrying, and Piet's mouth dropped open in shock.

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