Chapter 5

Alright, the plan is set. Next, I need to get ready to go.

But, all I really need to prepare is a backpack and a water bottle...

I wish I had a knife or something, but a three-year-old doesn’t really have much in the way of personal items. The backpack is in the shed, and if I need water, I can use magic to get it.

I only have the backpack and the water bottle, which I’m preparing just to make the item box look convincing.

There’s no lunch. It’s because we’re in a poor orphanage. I hope I can find something to eat in the forest.

However, my first trip out of the orphanage isn’t to the town but to the Dragon Forest. I really want to see the town too.

The next morning, after eating breakfast, I set out. I have to sneak around because I can’t let the staff know. But, just when I need to be careful, my little sister spots me...

It took me over ten minutes to get away from her. I feel like I’ve been set back from the start.

I take a deep breath, go to the shed, put on the backpack, fill the water bottle with water, and set off!!

Let me explain the layout of the town and the orphanage. The town of Frey is close to the Dragon Forest, so it’s larger than you might expect. The center of town is bustling with people, shops, inns, and the Adventurers’ Guild. On the other hand, the outskirts of town have more low-income homes. Other towns have slums with poor security, but this town, thanks to the Dragon Forest, has some means of earning a living, so it hasn’t become that bad. The orphanage is in one of these low-income areas.

The town is surrounded by sturdy fences and wooden walls. This is because of the monsters. If it were a city or the capital, the walls would be made of strong stone.

To leave the town, you’re supposed to go through the gate at the town’s entrance, but a three-year-old like me wouldn’t be allowed out.

However, the wooden walls are a blessing. I found a hole in the wall near the orphanage that’s big enough for a child to pass through.

Someone probably made it to avoid going through the gate.

This time, I’ll use it. It would be nice if I could leave normally, but...

I immediately went through the hole in the wall and out of town. There’s a road leading to the Dragon Forest, so I should be able to follow it. I don’t have a map or know the direction, so I have to stay on the road.

While walking on the road and practicing my magic detection and awareness, I noticed something approaching from behind.

I quickly hid behind a nearby rock and used my magic to avoid being detected.

After a while, a carriage passed by. It was probably a regular carriage to the Dragon Forest. Since it’s about an hour’s walk, it doesn’t take long to get there by carriage. People with extra money usually take the carriage to the forest. I don’t have any money, so I’m walking, of course. Besides, a three-year-old probably wouldn’t be allowed on the carriage...

I hid for the same reason. A child walking alone would look very suspicious.

So, I have to move without being seen and, once in the forest, avoid being seen by anyone.

I wonder if I can use a spell to become invisible...

About an hour and a half after leaving the orphanage, I arrived near the Dragon Forest. I passed by about ten carriages, but I don’t think I was noticed.

I took a short break and started walking around the edge of the Dragon Forest. There are several paths leading from the road into the forest, and you can get to the middle of the forest relatively safely by following them. Many adventurers use these paths, so the monsters nearby have mostly been defeated, and new ones don’t come close. However, the herbs and fruits have probably been picked clean. Also, the more people there are, the higher the chance of being seen.

So, I decided to enter the forest from a position a bit away from the road.

Thanks to everyone, my work "Orphanage Tamer" has won the "HJ Net Novel Award 2018."

As a result, it will be published in book form in 2019.

Thank you for your support!

Friday, May 24, 2019

"Orphanage Tamer"

Will be published by HJ Novels.

Thank you all for your support!