Chapter 90

The chirping of birds could be heard from afar. Looking up, a clear blue sky stretched out, not a cloud in sight. I could see a spider, though. A flying spider was drifting on the wind. I wonder how big it must be to be visible from here...

"Late, are you glad it really happened?"

Kokushin's voice brought me back to my senses.

"Well, a magic bag is tempting, and it would make things easier, but I have a feeling it would just drag on."

Kappo kappo, the three of us were swaying on horseback.

We had left the city of Volare. The day after the events at the cafeteria, we spent a day preparing for our departure and said goodbye to acquaintances we met. While they were surprised by our sudden departure, they didn't try to stop us, knowing that adventurers are like that. And today, we left the city as soon as the gates opened in the morning.

What Kokushin was talking about was when we visited the Adventurer's Guild and Lady Nylva called out to us. It seems she wanted to re-examine two of the abandoned ruins from the incident. She invited us to join her.

"Is the first thing to come out a magic bag?"

"Well, it's just so tempting. You can stuff it with meat."

"Stuff it with meat..."

Kokushin repeated, sounding exasperated. Most people would say that's the wrong way to use such a valuable magic bag. But for me, that's what matters. Fresh meat is important. And, well, it's also convenient for bringing back monsters.

Lady Nylva isn't a bad person, and talking to her is enjoyable. The coachman is strong, and if he hires us as guards, we can earn both points and money. But still...

I was planning to leave the city, but I feel like I might end up staying longer.

"Do what you want when you want. That's my motto. This form is just so convenient."

Since we left the city this morning, I've already stopped to enjoy the scenery twice. Once to chase rabbits for dinner, and another time to stop at some unfamiliar fruit. I can't do this when there are others around. Neither Kokushin nor Rada rush us.

"Late, Late! This is super sweet!"

Rada, who was sitting next to me, showed me the fruit he was holding. It had a spiky appearance, not a very appealing fruit. It's the same one we saw earlier.

"I told you it was sweet. Be careful."

"I know... Ah, here they come! This is mine!"

I moved a bit away from Rada, who started waving his hands and face. Bugs started gathering around him.

"Are you okay with that?"

"I warned you. Rada said he would eat it anyway."

Rada was eating a super sweet fruit. But the scent attracted bugs. I didn't touch it after identifying it, but Rada took the challenge. Even after applying bug repellent, this is what happened. It's kind of impressive.

"It was delicious. Look, Late. They're sticking to my hands."

While fighting off the bugs, Rada finished eating. He waved his hand with a smile, and bugs were sticking to his juice-covered hand. Rada seems to be okay with bugs, but I can't stand the sound of their wings.

"Go wash your hands quickly. You'll get bitten soon."

"I know."

Rada splashed some water, but it wasn't enough to wash his hands clean. He looked at me, troubled by the persistent bugs. I couldn't blame him.

"Hey!"

I stopped the horse and splashed water on Rada. There was a sweet scent, so I decided to give him a thorough wash.

"Kyaah!! At least give me a bath!"

"No way. We can't camp in such a narrow place. It's warm today, so it will dry eventually."

"That's mean."

"Late, how about over there?"

Kokushin pointed to a rock that jutted out. We were currently in a valley-like area, and the road was too narrow for camping.

"Are we camping? And can the horses climb up there?"

"I'll check it out."

Kokushin got on Croco and started climbing the slope. Rada, who was drenched, and I watched him go. Hiiin, Rada's horse, Tsukushi, neighed. Bugs were sticking to Tsukushi too. Rada must have spilled some juice.

"You need a thorough wash too."

I made Rada take off the horse's gear and gently washed Tsukushi with water.

"Are you treating me differently?"

"Rada, you brought it on yourself. Tsukushi just got caught in the crossfire, right?"

Tsukushi snorted. I told Rada to wash the gear he took off. I pulled out a basin and filled it with water.

"Is your magic okay?"

"This much is fine. A bath... maybe we can do it after a bit of time."

"Hekushi!"

"Showing off by sneezing like that."

"No, no, that was a coincidence!"

Rada shook his head.

"It's open on top. There were signs of camping too."

Kokushin came back. I guess we have no choice.

"I'll go prepare the bath. Kokushin, come up with Rada."

"Got it."

"Yay!"

Rada raised his hand in joy. Well, a thorough wash was a bit much. I don't want him to catch a cold... but he can be healed with a recovery potion. A bath in a scenic spot sounds nice. If only we could make it an outdoor bath... I don't know if my magic can handle it.

I climbed the slope with Blanca. It turned out to be a well-trodden animal path, and even a horse with a rider could climb it. We arrived at a convenient open spot with a large flat rock at the edge of the cliff. It looked like it had been modified by humans.

I set up the bath at the edge of the forest to let the water flow. The view was indeed nice, but there wasn't much to see. Just forests and woods everywhere.

"Wow, amazing."

Rada carried the basin up. Behind him, Kokushin was leading the two horses. Rada, out of breath, was excited about the view from the rock.

"I'll fill the bath. You two prepare the camp."

"Got it."

Water splashed from my hands. It's a strange sight, but I can't make it come out all at once with life magic. It's better that the water is coming out at all. Boiling it would take a ridiculous amount of time.

"Rada, I'm in. You can have the first bath."

I thought about preparing dinner while Rada was in the bath, but it was still too early. I planned to make skewers today, so I didn't need much preparation time. Kokushin was setting up the campfire. I lay down on the rock, looking up at the sky.

"What a nice day."

It's a day where it feels like a waste to just daydream, but that's exactly why it's a luxury to do so.

"Late, are you sleeping?"

Kokushin peered over. I opened my eyes and tilted my head.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

"I'm fine. I already took a bath."

"Oh."

He nodded but seemed to want to ask something. I sat up with a burst of energy.

"Where should we go next?"

We left the city without deciding on a destination. We planned to go wherever we ended up, and when we saw signs on the road, we would decide based on that. The two of them didn't say anything.

"Anywhere is fine. As long as we can go together."

Kokushin's cheesy line made me laugh. It's a line you don't often say out loud, but that's just like Kokushin to say it so easily.

Am I feeling lonely? Or maybe anxious?

"Late, it's bad! My face is swelling from bug bites! Give me a recovery potion!"

I turned to see Rada, who looked like a rock, panicking. I couldn't help but laugh. He must have been really panicked to be running around naked. I took a beginner's recovery potion from my magic bag, and Kokushin brought it to him.

"I was planning to live alone until now."

I stretched and stood up. The sky was starting to change color. I should start preparing dinner.

"Late, something's coming."

Kokushin's voice was a bit tense.

Oh no, I just wanted to relax today.