Chapter 51

It was originally scheduled for around 8, but I had some free time after a friend canceled on me, so I'm posting now.

They arrived at a slightly open area in front of a small cave.

There was a reason they didn't enter the cave.

"Hey, Ain. Don't go into that cave, okay?"

"Huh? Why not? Wouldn't it be better to go in if we're here? Is it because of dangerous monsters?"

"Look at the gravel at the entrance. See how it has a purple tint?"

"…Oh, yeah. You're right."

"It's a cave that emits miasma. Old magic and dead monsters mix, creating a troublesome environment. The miasma is toxic to both monsters that don't live in the cave and humans. You don't even have to breathe it in. It's fine around the entrance, but be careful not to go deeper."

"…I see. I'll be careful."

Poison is a common occurrence in places where monsters live. It's not unusual for a cave itself to emit toxic substances, as in this case. Ain, who saw it for the first time, looked inside curiously.

"Are there monsters inside too?"

"Yeah, there are. But it's probably not that bad here. Just some poisonous insects. By the way, miasma also affects crows. Not that they would enter a place like this."

"Then I'm relieved."

"Instead of talking about such dangerous things… Hey, help us prepare."

"Yeah, sorry, Roland. Ain, let's help out."

"Got it."

"Hey, wait, Batts! Is it safe to be here!?"

"It's fine. They won't come out from the entrance, so don't go in no matter what."

"If that's the case, it's fine…"

Leonard was convinced and everyone started preparing for camping. Since it would be dangerous to sleep, Leonard set up a barrier.

The water was fine as it could be drawn from the river, but the food was mainly fruits they had picked along the way, which felt a bit lacking.

"…At least there's something to eat, so it's better than nothing."

"Honestly, it won't fill our stomachs. But as Ain said, it's better than nothing."

"Don't say that, Batts. It's not that bad, is it?"

"Yeah, yeah. It's fresh and tasty, right?"

The atmosphere wasn't too gloomy, and they still maintained their energy.

"Hey, Roland. I know it's sudden, but can you make a magic item for me?"

"What's up all of a sudden… If it's something I can do, sure, what do you want?"

"Sure, if you can. I want you to make…"

Dill was also a concern.

But first, they had to survive.

Thinking about it, the determination to return alive became even stronger.

After they fell asleep, what Batts had feared happened.

Outside the barrier, several crows were watching them. However, the open area was not suitable for them. The fog was also thin. The crows understood this and waited for their prey to leave the barrier and be in a perfect position.

The next morning, they started preparing to leave before the sun was even visible.

After taking turns resting, they had recovered more stamina than the day before, though they were still quite tired.

They left the area just before the sun rose, having prepared thoroughly.

"Hey, listen. When Prince Ain was on watch, he suddenly stood up and went towards the cave entrance… and then went inside."

Roland let out a sigh of exasperation.

"Ain, what are you doing… I told you it was dangerous."

"I had to go to the bathroom. I just did it in the shade of the entrance!"

"If it's just the entrance, then… Your Highness, please don't do anything dangerous."

"I know. Sorry, sorry. I won't do it again!"

The night before, Ain and Roland were paired together, while Batts and Leonard were paired together, taking turns on watch.

During Ain and Roland's turn, Ain suddenly stood up and said he had to go to the bathroom, then went into the cave. Roland, seeing this, thought, "What is he doing?" but couldn't react in time.

A few minutes later, when Ain returned as if nothing had happened, Roland finally let out a sigh of relief.

"Alright, everyone. We need to hurry back and tell Dill what happened."

"Yeah!"

"Understood!"

"Let's do our best today!"

It was the third day, which would normally be the last day of the training. Everyone thought it would be difficult to reach the goal today, but their determination to return alive, no matter how long it took, remained unchanged.

*

Today's journey felt relatively flat compared to before. Since the last part of the training was on flat ground, they were confident they were close to the goal.

"…It was tough, but it looks like we're close to the goal."

"Yeah. I never want to do this training again."

"I agree with Batts. I don't want to do it a second time."

"True… But if we can return alive, I think I'll start exercising a bit more."

"Me too, Roland. I've really felt the lack of my stamina."

"That's a good thing. I'll train with you."

"…Please go easy on me."

The atmosphere was somewhat cheerful as they continued on their journey. They hadn't heard the sound of crows yet, which was a bit suspicious, but it was better not to encounter them.

"By the way, are you guys planning to register with the guild?"

"What's that out of the blue… I won't. I realized that dealing with monsters isn't a job I can do."

"I'll probably register. I think I'll take more requests. I need monster materials for magic item development, so I plan to register."

"I also plan to register."

When Ain answered last, everyone looked at him in surprise.

"Hey, Ain… Isn't it unlikely that you'll be allowed?"

"Your Highness, you probably won't get permission…"

"I've always wanted to be an adventurer, so I think they'll allow me a little."

"I think it will be difficult…"

"But Your Highness, if you want to travel to various places, that wish will likely be fulfilled within a few years."

"Why?"

"Because you are the prince. You will have to travel to many places and perform public duties. So you will go to places far from the capital."

Hearing this, Ain smiled broadly.

"That's great news. I'm looking forward to it."

"Really, you're a greedy prince, Ain…"

"Better than being a shut-in. It's reassuring for the people too."

Registering with the guild and traveling as an adventurer to see many places was something Ain looked forward to. Considering his status as a prince, it wouldn't be easy, but he never forgot that dream.

In the midst of this, Ain and Batts stopped at the same time.

"…Batts"

"Yeah. The fog is a bit thicker than before. They probably targeted this place."

"Both of you? What's going on?"

"Roland, Leonard! Follow us!"

A distant "kiki" sound began to be heard. It was the sound of crows targeting Ain and his group and preparing to attack.

"Where should we run…?"

"We have to run towards a more open area! Let's go!"

A large group of crows started chasing them. They had to escape first and find a place to fight.

Just like the day before, the chase with the crows began suddenly.

"Leonard!"

"…What is it, Your Highness!"

"Can your barrier protect against poison!?"

"P-Poison!? I can protect for about ten to fifteen minutes! But…!"

"I'm relieved to hear that! Hurry!"

Leonard, who didn't understand why he was asked about poison, had no time to think. He and Roland followed Ain and Batts, who were running in a certain direction.

After a few minutes of running, they arrived at a place with large trees that could serve as a shield.

As soon as they arrived, Ain gave instructions to Leonard.

"Leonard!"

"Y-Yes!"

"Hurry and set up the barrier! Please!"

"Wait, Ain! Even if we set up the barrier here, they'll just attack again when we take it down!"

"I know what you're saying, Batts! But please, Leonard!"

"…Understood!"

Leonard sat down and started preparing to expand the barrier. From a distance, many crows were flying towards them. Roland and Leonard were behind, while Ain and Batts prepared to face the crows.

"Leonard, hurry! We can't hold them off for long!"

"Got it, Batts!"

Leonard, despite the urgency, was making steady progress in setting up the barrier. Roland, standing next to him, watched everyone with a tense expression. Ain and Batts were protecting them. A few crows that were flying ahead came towards Ain and Batts.

"Ain!"

"Got it!"

A few crows were manageable. Batts attacked, and Ain finished them off. As long as they didn't get hit by the paralyzing attack, they could handle it.

They managed to defeat the crows one by one, but a large wave arrived. It was a group of dozens of crows.

Ain and Batts tried to handle them two against one, but the number of enemies was too great.

After a few minutes of defense, the feared moment finally happened to Batts.

"Ugh… Damn it…"

"Batts!"

Batts was hit by the paralyzing attack from a crow. Now only Ain could fight, and it seemed like the end.

"…Barrier, activate!"

The area was enveloped in light as Leonard's barrier activated. The barrier that spread from their surroundings pushed the crows away, allowing them to escape the dire situation.

"Phew… Sorry, Batts."

"Y-Yeah… Thanks, Leonard."

"Batts! Are you okay!?"

Ain rushed to Batts, who was paralyzed and lying on the ground. Fortunately, the paralyzing attack from the crows was not highly toxic, which was a stroke of luck.

"Stay down and rest."

"That's all I can do. I'll rest."

"…But, Your Highness. Did you have something in mind when you suddenly told Leonard to expand the barrier?"

"I had a plan. It's a one-in-a-million shot."

"Your Highness? I was confused when you suddenly asked for the barrier… What do you plan to do?"

"I'll explain, but let's take a short break first. I'm exhausted…"

Ain had a plan. If it worked, there was a chance to eliminate the group of crows. But first, he needed a short break. After swinging his sword against many crows for several minutes, his stamina was almost depleted.

"Here's some water. I'm glad we drew a lot yesterday."

"Thanks, Roland. …Phew, I wish I could enjoy the water in the forest at a time like this."

"Sure, sure. You don't have to say that even now."

Ain drank the water and took a breath. He planned to take a short break and then execute his plan.

"…I'll use the disposable magic item Roland made yesterday."

"Roland, what did you give to the prince?"

"Don't look at me like that… It's a simple item that preserves the surrounding air. I just made the range a bit larger, so it should spread about 20 meters instantly."

"…From what I hear, it doesn't seem to have any offensive capabilities."

"Leonard is right. What do you plan to do with it, Ain?"

"That's a secret. But it will work, I'm sure. As long as the target is a living creature."

Hearing this, the three were just filled with questions. But Ain's expression was serious, and they understood he was serious.

"Is there anything we can do?"

"Leonard, you probably don't have much magic power left, but please maintain the barrier. Roland, please keep an eye on Batts."

"Is that all?"

"Hey, Ain. That means you're going alone."

"That's right. This plan only works if I go alone, so I'll do it."

"Ain, I can't let you do something so dangerous."

"It's fine, Batts. You told me it would work yesterday."

"You told me…?"

In the end, Ain didn't reveal what he was going to do. Batts tried to recall what he had told Ain, but nothing came to mind. He grunted, trying to figure it out.

"Wow, there are so many on the trees."

Looking up at the nearby