Chapter 58

After searching for a place to stay in the capital and then retreating, we came to the Adventurers' Guild.

Since it's still quite early in the day, we decided to head to Brunne on the same day. So, before leaving Shuting, I came here to inform them of our plans.

"Sorry, but we'll be leaving Shuting for a bit."

"Au, I understand... It was reassuring to have you guys around in case of emergencies, but I guess it can't be helped."

"Ah, but it'll only be for a short while. We'll be coming back here often."

When I told Wijji about our plans to go to Brunne, she looked disappointed and her shoulders drooped.

Even though we're C-rank, I think our party is about B-rank with Noal and the others. We usually only hunt and return every day, so compared to other B-rank parties who are often absent for days on escort missions, we might have been more convenient. We don't take many requests, though.

I plan to come back to Shuting even after buying a house in Brunne. There's a dungeon here, and I still want to hunt in the northern cave.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Shall we go?"

"It feels like it's been a while."

"I was called and came here immediately, so it doesn't feel like it's been a while to me."

"I feel a bit left out... But I'm excited about going to a new town."

We moved to the gate to meet Noal and the others who were waiting outside.

Sisha was slightly moving her body, a bit excited. At first, I thought she was more reserved, but she's actually quite straightforward.

Actually, all three of them express themselves through their bodies, so they're easy to understand.

●

We left the capital and are now riding on a magic carpet.

Noal was trembling, thinking we might have to ride in a carriage again, but we don't need to this time because the map app is working properly.

Considering the speed, the magic carpet is much faster than a carriage, which would take nearly 10 days. We also have some work to do along the way.

"Wow, the magic carpet is really amazing."

"Last time coming from Brunne, I was so seasick I was almost unconscious."

Estel sat cross-legged in front of me as usual, with Noal and Sisha sitting behind her.

She was reminiscing about our last trip from Brunne.

It was really bad back then... I had to force her to lie down because she was almost vomiting.

I even had to shove a universal medicine into her mouth to wake her up... Noal must have had a rough time.

"Now that we have Sisha, we should be fine even if we ride in a carriage, right?"

"Come to think of it, can recovery magic cure seasickness?"

"Probably... I think so. I've never used it for seasickness, so I can't be sure."

Recovery magic isn't Estel's specialty, but Sisha might be able to cure seasickness.

She can cure muscle pain, so it seems possible. Recovery magic seems very convenient, as it can cure colds, headaches, and stomachaches in addition to healing wounds.

"How long will it take to get to Brunne on the magic carpet?"

"Hmm... I think it will take more than two days. According to the map app, we still have a long way to go."

Even though the magic carpet is much faster than a carriage, the distance to Brunne is considerable. Even if we proceed smoothly, it will take more than a day.

With a carriage, there were breaks for the horses and more people, so it would take several days. According to the map, we haven't even covered a third of the distance.

"I might have made a mistake... Should I have retrieved the beacons from Mount Lemuri?"

"Considering the trouble of going back, it might be better to leave them. If we need more, we can collect magic stones in Brunne and use the gacha to get more beacons."

We currently have 11 beacons in total. One is near Shuting, one is in the northern cave, and three are in Mount Lemuri, leaving us with six. I was a bit worried if they would be enough, but I thought it might be troublesome to go back to Mount Lemuri to retrieve them.

Beacons are convenient, but it's a hassle to actually go to the destination to set them up. Still, they are very useful, so I shouldn't complain.

"Hey, there are monsters ahead. Should we avoid them?"

"Mr. Ohtsuka, let's go straight ahead!"

"Huh... Well, okay..."

While looking at the map, we detected a monster's presence ahead. We could avoid them since they were still far away, but Sisha insisted on going straight, so we did.

A few wolf-type monsters were waiting ahead, larger than the wolves we fought before.

When we stopped the carpet, Sisha jumped off and charged at the wolves.

The wolves, noticing her presence, lowered their bodies in a threatening posture and pounced on her as she got closer.

The wolves opened their mouths wide, showing sharp teeth, but their attacks never hit her.

When the wolves got within range, Sisha crushed their heads with her staff.

She finished off the second and third wolves with a mix of kicks and staff strikes, moving fluidly.

The few wolves were all turned into particles of light without even touching the ground.

"Phew... The monsters around here don't have much endurance."

"I think it was unnecessary to fight them..."

"I understand you were bored, but..."

There shouldn't be any strong monsters around here, so I let her fight... but it might just be that Sisha's attacks are too powerful.

She looked very satisfied with a relaxed smile. We've been traveling for a few hours, so she was probably bored.

Still, I think it's a bit much to fight monsters... but sitting for too long can be uncomfortable, so it might be good to get off occasionally.

Still, she can move like that without Estel's support?

"Hmm, that's enough for today. We could keep going at night, but what do you think?"

"It's better to stop. We don't know what might be out there. We have Mofutt, so let's rest for the night!"

We decided to camp for the night after moving a bit further from the monster attack and as the sun started to set.

We set up beacons and Sisha attacked monsters a few times, but nothing particularly troublesome happened.

We could move at night with the magic carpet and map app, but since Noal is carrying Mofutt, it's better not to take unnecessary risks.

"Hehe, the food is really delicious."

"It's great that we can eat delicious food even outdoors. It's good that the food is R-rank."

"We can never have too much of it."

"That's true... but... I mean, we've been relying on it a lot... hmm..."

We set up the camp and gathered around the fire to eat.

The sizzling steaks, fluffy plain omelets, and various other dishes were delicious.

I would love to eat gacha food all the time, but it would run out quickly if we ate it for every meal. We try not to eat it in town.

I think it's good that the food is R-rank, but it's a bit complicated to be happy about it... R and SR items are always the ones you want more of. Maybe it's to lessen the shock when you fail?

"Last time we were attacked by a minotaur, but it seems we're safe this time."

"Yeah. The map app shows some red dots, but they're far away, so we should be fine."

The map app showed red dots scattered in various places, but they were far enough away that they wouldn't come here.

We decided to take turns keeping watch while Noal and I slept. Estel and Sisha would sleep properly because they use magic and need to be mentally rested.

I was told to sleep in the tent, but I politely declined and slept in a sleeping bag because it would be too close with three people.

●

On the third day of our journey, we arrived safely in Brunne.

It was a good trip with no incidents. We set up five beacons, and it seems we have enough.

It's been a while since we were here, but compared to the capital, it feels more relaxed with fewer people. Maybe this is a better place to live?

We arrived in Brunne and wanted to buy a house, but first, we decided to greet the Adventurers' Guild.

We'll probably be staying in Brunne from now on, so it's good to let them know we're back.

"Ah, Mr. Green! It's been a while."

"Whoa!? Who are you!?"

We went to the Adventurers' Guild and saw a familiar middle-aged man. He's Mr. Green, the first adventurer we met in this world.

He was staring at the request board, so I called out to him from behind.

He turned around, saw me, and jumped back in surprise, asking who I was.

...Did he forget me just because we haven't seen each other in a while? I feel a bit sad. I thought we were acquaintances, but maybe he didn't think so and forgot about me.

I almost felt like crying.

"Wait, that strange weapon and the pot lid... and that girl... It's Ohtsuka, right!?"

"Ah, yes, that's right."

Oh, he remembered me.

But he recognized me based on the bar and pot lid, and Noal. I guess there aren't many people with such equipment...

"You've changed so much... I didn't recognize you at all. At least take off your helmet before you call out to someone."

"Ah, you're right. But did I change that much?"

"You haven't changed in a bad way, but..."

I realized I was wearing a helmet. No wonder he didn't recognize me. I'm glad he didn't forget me.

"Still, your party has grown a lot."

"Yes, we added two members since the last time we met. A mage named Estel and a cleric named Sisha."

"I heard about the mage, but a cleric too!?"

Mr. Green glanced at Noal and the others behind me.

He wasn't here when we left, so he didn't get to say goodbye.

Estel registered as an adventurer here, so Mr. Mana must have told him.

He was quite surprised to hear that we have a cleric in our party. It's rare to have both a mage and a cleric.

"Hi, I'm Estel. Nice to meet you, sir."

"Sir...?"

Estel greeted Mr. Green with a smile, but he looked a bit uncomfortable being called "sir."

...I thought he was middle-aged, but maybe he's younger?

"Nice to meet you, I'm Sisha Alvi."

"Ah, um, nice to meet you..."

Sisha greeted him with a gentle smile.

Mr. Green stared at her face, lost for words. He quickly snapped out of it, gave a short reply, and led me away from Noal and the others.

His face and ears were slightly red.

"What's up?"

"Hey! What's with that beautiful woman!?"

"Huh? Ah, we just met normally..."

"Ugh... To have a beautiful woman in your party... You're so lucky."

He whispered to me, trying not to let the others hear. He seemed captivated by Sisha's appearance.

While all of them are attractive, Noal's face is hidden, and Estel is young. Sisha, on the other hand, is in her early twenties and her face is visible.

It's natural for a man to react to her. I guess it does sound like a good position from an outsider's perspective, and I do feel fortunate.

But they all have their own issues... Sisha, for example, can punch through monsters with a smile.

"So, why did you come back from the capital?"

"I thought about buying a house. It was too expensive in the capital, so I thought I'd try here..."

After the greetings, he asked why we came back to Brunne, looking curious.

Maybe not many people return after going to the capital.

"Ah, it is expensive. ...Wait, what!? You mean you're going to live with those girls!?"

"Huh? Yes, that's the plan."

"...That's... quite something."

He nodded in understanding when I mentioned buying a house, but then he shouted in surprise.

Huh? Is it that surprising to live with Noal and the others?

...Now that I think about it, hearing that I'm living with three girls in the same house does sound suspicious. Even if it's not like that, it feels a bit awkward.

It's probably better not to let too many people know.