Chapter 47

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"Gauston! Gauston! Gauston! Gauston!"

The arena was enveloped in a frenzy.

Every one of the thousands of spectators raised their arms and shouted the same name.

It felt like a famous rock band concert I had seen in my previous life.

"Gauston! Gauston!"

I, too, was swept up by the atmosphere and raised my arm to shout.

Mia, seeing me, also raised her arm and started cheering for Gauston.

"Gauston! Gauston!"

The excitement that coursed through my veins burned my brain's nerves and drove me into a frenzy.

It was fun. Incredibly fun.

The stands were enveloped in a sense of unity.

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Learning from the反省 of the Zeshum ruins, this time we decided to take a more practical and shorter trip to the forest.

Here, only suitable monsters exist, and there's no need to use a carriage for transportation, so the expenses are lower, which is a relief.

I couldn't coordinate with Maisen, so it's just Mia and me on this trip.

It seems the two of us, who were part of the previous party, were relied upon.

Surely, they must have dissolved the party without much thought, and without a leader, the party couldn't function.

Maisen, while saying "Oh well, can't be helped," seemed quite happy to take on the responsibility.

...But the two of them, a couple, were cuddling without any consideration for Maisen. Was Maisen really okay with that?

It looked like a group of three, but it felt more like two and one.

Mia, with a dreamy expression, said, "I envy couples like that, Mia really does," but I wish she would pay more attention to the plus one.

Maisen's happiness was painful to see.

That guy definitely needs to move on.

The forest was said to be problematic because of the remaining unicorns that had appeared due to a monster disaster, and it was overrun with money-hungry adventurers targeting the unicorns.

However, it turned out to be a rumor spread by adventurers who wanted to monopolize other hunting grounds.

The main culprit of the rumor was being hung and beaten up behind the adventurer support office.

With a bruised face, he shouted, "Look at me! I made a profit while you guys were wasting your time!" and was attacked even more fiercely.

I hope it doesn't turn into a murder case...

But, as usual, or rather, I don't know what to say...

When the investigation team and the adventurers were fighting over the rights to the ruins, I thought the same thing: the adventurers in this town seem to enjoy pointless conflicts.

No, they are all serious, I guess.

The unicorns had long been hunted to extinction.

Apparently, a merchant who came to the town of Romane bought a large amount of unicorn fur at a price not much lower than the market rate, which is why the adventurers were so enthusiastic.

The merchant... it couldn't be James.

He seemed to be living quite frugally. I doubt he had the means to buy up so much fur.

Is he still in town? I haven't heard from him at all.

"Umm, shall we... take a break...?"

I wiped the sweat from my forehead and sat on a nearby rock.

"Huh, again? No! Nothing at all. Actually, Mia was just starting to feel tired and was about to suggest it! Oh, perfect timing! Phew, I'm relieved!"

Mia responded to my suggestion.

...Being so obviously considerate is the most painful thing.

I took out my hydor and drank the water inside.

A hydor is a water bottle made from the hollowed-out interior of a gourd-like plant. It is treated to prevent rot and enchanted to be durable.

It's apparently the best-selling item at the magic item shop "Chimera's Tail."

By the way, it cost 248G. The shop owner seems to be living a rather modest life.

"Are you really okay? Umm, maybe we should turn back and come again with a carriage... What do you think? That way, we can bring back more, and it might be better... Mia thinks so, at least."

It's a kind offer, but I can't accept it.

Hiring a carriage is quite expensive.

If we use one for such a short trip, we'll definitely end up in the red.

"...It's fine, really. We need to move our bodies sometimes, or we'll get stiff."

"Ah, I see... getting stiff... I see..."

Mia seemed like she wanted to say something but quickly closed her mouth.

"Water"

I used magic to refill the hydor with water.

This significantly reduces the weight of our supplies.

Usually, carrying water is the biggest challenge for adventurers.

There will probably be a river in the forest we're heading to, but in a dungeon, that's not always the case.

Even with a mage, the effectiveness depends on their attributes and type.

I tapped my calves and gently massaged them.

I was already starting to feel muscle soreness.

I didn't expect that choosing a forest as our hunting ground would present such a challenge.

By the time we reach the forest, I might not be able to move.

Just then, I remembered my conversation with Maisen at the ruins.

"Right! Maisen, carry me and chase after Eberheid!"

"Uh, um... Ah, yeah, okay, but..."

Oh, right.

I could do that.

"Hey, Mia! Carry me... um..."

"Hmm, what is it, Abel?"

"N-no, never mind."

...I can't really ask a woman to carry me.

I hope my legs hold out.