Chapter 95

【Summary of the Previous Chapter】

Riviera, Non's master, was not a bad person, so she entrusted Lark to him and gave him the High Elf's secret medicine.

Rage borrowed a military ship from the Kingdom of Light Knights in the port town of Zacharhaven and set out to explore the archipelago offshore, where the "Sage of Pharmacology" was said to reside.

Why did Dantes, Mimi, and Zelly suddenly lose contact?

The military ship sailed smoothly offshore, and it had already been one night. As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but the sea.

Come to think of it, Zelly was always seasick... but she went to search for the "Sage of Pharmacology" for me.

She is carefree, hopelessly self-indulgent, and has many flaws that seem beyond redemption—yet she still acts for me.

(If we return safely, I might reduce her debt a bit...)

No, well, Zelly, who still hasn't paid off her debt, is quite something.

'Attention all crew members. The archipelago is in sight. Prepare for combat. I repeat, the archipelago is in sight—'

At that moment, the ship's intercom came on.

On the horizon, the top of one of the islands could be seen.

From here on, it is a place where even the knights of the Kingdom of Light Knights have little information—tides are harsh, and there are birds that attack people.

"Are you sure this is the right place?"

In response to the captain's worried question, I nodded.

"Beyond this point, there are many reefs, and only experienced sailors can navigate... right?"

"Yes. The ship that transported 'Silver Scales' recently had a captain with the best navigation skills in Zacharhaven. This ship is a military vessel and quite large—"

"No, no, it's more than enough that you've brought us this far. I'm very grateful. Could you please come back here in five days?"

"Of course, I will."

Non, Ashia, and I transferred to a small boat that was almost full with our luggage.

The nearest island was less than five kilometers away, and its outline was clearly visible.

Waving to the crew, they saluted us as we left.

"Alright, Non, Ashia, hold on tight."

"Yes."

"O-okay."

"Let's go—"

I positioned myself at the back of the boat and raised my hands. When I cast [Wind Magic],

"Ah!"

"Wh-what!?"

The boat sped through the waves. The fireballs emitted by Ashia quickly disappeared behind us.

"—Wow."

"—I didn't expect it to be this fast..."

"—With Raze, the rules of boating change."

Such voices could be heard from the military ship, but they quickly faded away as we moved further.

"!"

Looking down while using magic, I could see the dark reefs beneath the clear blue sea. The current seemed to be strong, and even though the boat was moving at a speed that would normally ignore the tide, it was zigzagging.

"A little to the right, Raze!"

"Yes!"

I increased the magic power in my right hand, and the bow turned to the right.

"The beach is just ahead!"

"Yes!"

I cut off the magic and turned around. We were already in the bay of the island.

"Excuse me—"

I jumped to the front of the boat and cast [Wind Magic] in that direction. The boat, which had come to a sudden stop, slowly turned and reached the shore.

"Alright, we've arrived."

I jumped off the boat and held out my hand to help Non down.

"Ashia too. ...Ashia?"

"J-just a moment... This is too much for my heart..."

It seems Ashia found it too stimulating... It was like a jet ski...

After a while, I helped her down and moved the boat to a safer place, tying it to a nearby tree with a rope. This should be fine.

"Let's go."

We carried our luggage, which contained five days' worth of food, and ventured into the island—incidentally, the "archipelago" consists of over 30 islands of various sizes.

However, the island where the "Sage of Pharmacology" is said to reside is the one with the highest mountain, and the tide between this island and that one creates a path that can be walked during low tide.

Since we couldn't see Dantes' ship, they might have come directly by boat.

There were wild monsters on the island.

There were troublesome ones like venomous snakes and moths, and even large carnivorous dinosaurs. However, they all seemed to be surprised by the sight of magic and fled.

The plants were similar to those of the Kingdom of Light Knights, but there were many that I had never seen before, especially edible fruits, which was a good thing.

With [All Things], I could immediately tell if they were safe to eat, which was very convenient.

When we reached the other side of the island and confirmed that a mountain piercing the sky was visible across the shallow sea, it was already night.

The low tide had passed, and the tide was now rising—just in time for the next low tide in the morning, we decided to camp on the beach.

"It's my turn to keep watch, so Non, please get some rest."

After finishing our meal, Ashia fell asleep immediately. Although she had experienced harsh days in the "other world," she was originally a pampered young lady. Physically, it must still be tough for her.

Ashia, wrapped in a blanket, showed a peaceful sleeping face.

I said I would take the first watch, but Non sat down next to me without trying to sleep.

"It's nostalgic... Although I haven't gone camping with Raze many times, it reminds me of the forest where we first met. Even though we're by the sea..."

"...If I hadn't been found by everyone, I probably wouldn't have been able to lead a normal life."

"Is that so? I think Raze would have done well anywhere."

I shook my head silently.

After leaving the "Six Heavens Mine," I wandered through the forest. I couldn't enter the city because the security was too tight.

That's when I was drawn to the smell of dried meat being cooked over a fire.

With [All Things], I could have learned enough to fight decently even if I hadn't met the "Silver Scales." But the path ahead would have been one of illegal entry into the city, stealing food, and a life of crime.

Once you start down that path, it's easy to fall. I might have even become famous in the underworld.

Lark, I think, barely managed to stop at the last moment.

I don't know why, but I think it was because I was there.

What about me?

If I hadn't taken Lark's hand at the mine, I probably would have continued to regret and eventually forgotten, and ended up on the path of evil.

"...I'm glad I could be of some help to you, Raze."

"Not just a little! I almost shouted, but I caught myself. Ashia moved her eyebrows but stayed asleep. Good.

"I owe a lot to Mimi, Dantes, Non, and... Ralira."

"No, Raze has already repaid us. Just look at my father's condition. ...But thank you for saying so."

"...Non?"

I thought something was different.

At first, I thought she was worried because Dantes and the others had lost contact, but it seemed to be more than that—

"I will definitely find my father and return."

"Of course."

"But... When I return, the journey with the 'Silver Scales' will be over."

"...What?"

I couldn't understand the meaning of "the journey will be over" at first.

"Do you know that I am temporarily away from the church to treat my father?"

"Oh..."

That's right. Non had special permission to help the petrified Dantes.

Usually, once you enter the church, you live with it for life. It may seem restrictive, but in this world, having your food, clothing, and shelter guaranteed is a wonderful condition. Dantes, who had lost his wife, must have entrusted Non to the church.

"Actually, my master came to Zacharhaven partly to bring me back because I hadn't returned from my journey."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know that and still asked you to help Lark..."

"Don't apologize. I had to return anyway. It was lucky that Lark could be examined by my master. Even so, he is one of the top users of [Healing Magic] in the church."

"Will Non go to the church of the Kingdom of Light Knights with Riviera?"

"...I don't know where I'll go. My master is busy and travels all over the continent—so I'll probably be accompanying him for a while."

"Master needs someone to keep an eye on him, right?" Non laughed.

I chuckled, but the sadness that washed over me like a wave didn't go away.

I knew it was inevitable, but I still felt sad.

I knew that someday we would have to part.

"I've had a longer leave than most. But now it's over."

Non, hugging her knees and looking up at the night sky, was illuminated by the firelight.

I almost said, "Is there a way to not return to the church?" or "Can't you leave the church?" but I couldn't. I couldn't.

Until now, the church had raised Non and even supported Dantes' mental stability. Now it was Non's turn to repay that.

Just as I owed a lot to the "Silver Scales."

"...Does this mean we won't see each other again?"

A pitiful voice came out.

Non, looking at me, also looked surprised before taking out a handkerchief and pressing it to my cheek.

"Of course we'll see each other again... So don't cry."

"I'm sorry. Non is fine, but I... I'm crying..."

Tears kept falling.

I was sad, but it wasn't just that. Non, who had always been with Dantes, was facing her responsibilities and decided to return to the church—her resolve was cool, and I was proud of her, and my emotions overflowed.

"...I'm not fine either. I'm not fine at all."

Non reached out and pulled me towards her.

Non was still a little taller than me, and I ended up with my forehead against her chest.

Just before that, I saw a glimmer in her eyes.

"...Raze."

"...Yes."

"...Don't tell anyone until we return to the town. I haven't told anyone yet..."

"...I understand..."

The waves lapping against the shore were small, and the sound of the waves echoed in the night.

◇

The next morning, we started moving. A path had formed on the beach, connecting to the next island—where the "Sage of Pharmacology" was supposed to be.

"Amazing... A path has formed where there was once sea. This is something you'd never see if you stayed inside."

Ashia was impressed.

"Being able to see such sights is a privilege of adventurers. Some people who live in mountain villages may never see the sea in their lifetime, and others may never see snow."

Non, who said this, seemed as bright as if she hadn't cried the night before.

We hurried to cross to the next island before the path disappeared—this island was so large that it could be mistaken for part of the mainland, with a towering mountain.

Beyond the beach was a primeval forest untouched by human hands.

As I thought it would be difficult to proceed through here,

"...Are you 'Silver Scales'?"

A voice came from deep in the forest.

A man dressed in a robe-like garment, similar to a kimono, appeared before us. He looked to be in his late twenties.

His hair was dark brown and long, tied up in a complex knot at the back.

His eyes were golden, and his expressionless gaze fixed on us.

He didn't seem to have any weapons, but my [All Things] revealed that his muscles were highly developed.

"Are you one of the 'Sage of Pharmacology's' companions?"

I was sure that the sage and his companions had moved here.

"—Follow me. The sage will see you."

He didn't answer my question and walked smoothly into the primeval forest—through the woods without a clear path.

Although he seemed suspicious, we had no choice but to follow him. We still needed to explore the island, and we remained vigilant as we moved forward.

"Is it... safe? It felt like we were being ambushed."

"I understand your concern, Ashia, but perhaps he was waiting for us?"

"Waiting...?"

"By mentioning 'Silver Scales,' it seems Dantes and the others came here first. They probably anticipated that others would follow and were waiting. Since the only way to wait is for an excellent sailor to come directly or during low tide, the waiting time wouldn't be too long."

"Oh, right!"

Ashia seemed convinced, but I had my doubts.

One was what they were waiting for. It could be Non or me. Was it Non's healing magic or my combat skills? Given that the "Sage of Pharmacology" is a specialist in potions, I felt they were waiting for me.

In any case, it seemed we would be dealing with a troublesome situation.

And another thing,

(He's... not a human.)

Although there were no clear differences like with elves or dwarves, my [All Things] revealed that he was not a human.

The man who greeted us walked smoothly, but eventually followed a game trail.

"—Is that... a town? I can see it."

Non, who was walking quickly ahead, said.

The trees suddenly opened up to reveal a vast farm. Beyond that was a wall made of stacked rocks, and rows of houses could be seen.

It was—larger than I imagined.

Not just ten or twenty, but over a hundred houses.

The foundation was stone, but the buildings themselves seemed to be wooden. The walls were plastered with a material like stucco or clay, and the roofs were of various colors.

The colors were exactly like the flowers we had seen on the way here. Bright crimson, yellow that evoked spring, tropical pink, and fruit-like orange—all warm colors, with no cool colors used.

The animals carved at the ends of the eaves were also distinctive. There were dynamic depictions of monkeys, boars, birds, and mice, but it seemed to be only mammals and birds.

We hadn't seen any animals in the primeval forest, only heard birds, but perhaps these animals lived deeper in the island.

"—Visitors?"

"—Unusual, isn't it?"

"—Companions of the ones from before?"

People dressed similarly to the man who greeted us were exchanging such words as they saw us.

Some carried baskets full of fruit, others held shovels as if heading out to work, and for some reason, many were carrying books.

Dwarves, halflings, and beastmen were also seen here and there, but the majority were of the same single race as the man who greeted us.

"Over there."

The straight path was rare, and we turned several times along a gently winding road. I noticed there were no horses or cows here. People carried things and moved on foot.

Our destination was a three-story mansion, the largest in the town, backed by the highest mountain in the archipelago.

The grounds were surrounded by stone walls, but there was no gate, just a boundary.

In the front courtyard, we saw a familiar figure—

"Dantes—"

Non ran ahead of me.

She threw herself at her father, who caught her, surprised but firmly.

It was a touching reunion—except that after a moment, Non's expression turned fierce,

"Father!! What are you doing without any contact?!"

And the scolding began. For a few minutes, Ashia and I could do nothing but watch, and the man who greeted us observed the father-daughter interaction with no particular emotion.

The interaction, if you could call it that, consisted of Dantes sitting on his knees and repeatedly saying, "I'm sorry," "I'm wrong," and "I really regret it."

"So... what's going on?"

When Non's emotions had calmed, Dantes stood up with a wry smile and patted his knees.

"Well, I don't know what to say... but Mimi and Zelly are helping the townspeople, so don't worry. The people who brought us by boat are also helping."

Dantes reassured me, who was a bit