Chapter 67

The border between the kingdom and the empire is very long.

The kingdom also borders a republic, but the border with the republic is very narrow. Because of this, the movement between the kingdom and the republic is strictly managed, but it is said that there is quite a bit of illegal immigration between the kingdom and the empire.

The kingdom and the empire do not get along very well, so it is common for people to flee to the other country. I don't know exactly how many people are illegally immigrating.

Most of the border between the kingdom and the empire is a mountain range called the Border Mountains, which consists of high mountains, and the longest river on the continent.

There are only a few places where one can cross the border, and there are checkpoints at these locations. Entering the other country from outside the checkpoints is considered illegal immigration. If caught, the penalty is a fine. Occasionally, there are also requests for extradition.

The fine is said to be twenty times the toll for crossing the border. I don't know how much the toll is, so I can't judge if it's expensive or not.

The border river is the largest river on this continent, and there are several bridges at key points. In some seasons and places, it is possible to cross the river... so I've heard. I've never seen it, so I don't know the details.

The height of the mountain range visible from the town... it seems to be quite high. I've never climbed a mountain, so I don't know how high it is. I think crossing the mountains would be very difficult.

However, since part of the kingdom's territory once belonged to the empire, a tunnel was created by improving an existing cave to facilitate travel. The tunnel is still usable, making it easier to cross the mountains... but there is a usage fee in addition to the toll.

The users are almost exclusively adventurers. Occasionally, merchants use it, especially those who do business with adventurers.

I have no business at the border tunnel, but the road leading to it is well-maintained, so I will use it.

However, walking there is quite troublesome. The road is so bad that even if there were bicycles, they wouldn't be usable. Some adventurers apparently use horses, but I've heard that they can only be rented in towns, so I have no choice but to walk.

I left the town in the morning and walked for ten hours... I was almost at the foot of the mountain range... but it was already pitch dark. I gave up on moving further and prepared to camp for the night.

Using earth magic, I created a small hill and then made a large dome like an igloo. I set up my tent inside the dome. At the entrance of the igloo, I placed a board to allow air to enter but prevent small animals from getting in and to prevent light from leaking out.

This way, I can take precautions against most monsters and ask Momo to alert me if there's any danger. Her hearing is better than mine, so she can detect threats over a wide area. If she hears anything strange, she can alert me in time.

However, she is a kitten, so she sleeps a lot... I told her it's dangerous at night, but I'm not sure if she will be useful.

"Meow~"

"Please?"

In the dark, there's nothing to do... I could make a campfire, but I decided not to because it would reveal my location.

And... I spent the night.

There were no monster attacks, but it was cold. Really, really cold... the sleeping bag I brought wasn't enough to keep me warm.

At one point, I went outside the igloo and skinned a long-haired deer monster I had hunted during the day, dried the hide with magic, and used it under and over my sleeping bag. I thought I might freeze.

I had heard that the climate in dungeons is stable, and it was true. The cold of a winter night is not to be underestimated.

I woke up early from the cold and set out before sunrise.

I arrived at the mountain range and climbed to the middle slope to gather materials.

There were different trees and plants than those found nearby, which made it fun. Using the "Appraisal" skill, I gathered materials one after another.

I wanted to use the "Analysis" skill, but I couldn't relax in a place where monsters might attack, so I gave up. I would analyze the materials I brought back later.

The new iron axe I bought made it easier to cut roots and stems.

It can be used as a weapon, but I plan to use it mainly for gathering. It is sharp and easy to swing... it feels good. However, if a monster attacked while I was using it, it would be a hassle to switch weapons.

I put my weapons in my magic bag to gather materials, which was my mistake. No matter how much they might get in the way, I should have kept them on my belt.

By the way, I also prepared a pickaxe, but I don't plan to gather rocks, so it might not be used for a while.

When I reach adventurer rank D, I can go to dungeons where I can gather a lot of minerals, so I plan to use it then.

I've heard that the mine dungeons don't have materials useful for alchemy or as a pharmacist, but they are good for earning money, so I want to go there eventually.

Exploring the border mountains was quite tough. The mountain paths are completely unpaved, and the slopes are steep, making it dangerous to walk. However, monsters also appear, so I had to be more alert and cautious... honestly, it was three to four times harder than walking on flat ground. The monsters themselves were stronger than those found nearby... but compared to the mushroom forest dungeon, they were weaker, so I didn't have much trouble if I stayed calm. I did slip a few times on the slopes, but overall, I managed to fight them.

However, I still feel that my basic attack power is weak. I could use the attribute sword I just learned and wrap it with magic, but I wanted to conserve my MP as much as possible. It's my trump card in case of emergencies...

This time, I was targeting a flower called "Rodialla" that grows on rocky areas. However, it's not in bloom this season. I was asked to bring the roots and wanted to gather a few plants... but I couldn't find them.

I understand... I think... this is probably a high-altitude plant. I'm currently at the middle slope of the mountain, but the trees are dense... To find rocky areas, I need to climb higher.

I steeled myself and started climbing.

I couldn't say I didn't find them. I climbed hard. Mountain climbing... it's tough.

"It's tough... the view isn't that great here... and the air isn't that clean..."

I grumbled as I climbed higher and higher, not to the summit, but up the mountain.

Finally, I found the "Rodialla" at the top. It was a sweet-smelling herb.

Before I could gather it... Momo, who had run over when she saw it, ate the leaves. She was purring, so she must have liked it. She eats plants too.

Reluctantly, I gathered other plants.

I told Momo that it's valuable and not to eat the ones I bring back... "Meow~" she replied, but I'm worried. Really, don't eat it? I don't want to come back to gather more.

"Meowf"

Fortunately, there were a few more plants in the area, so I gathered a few more. I also gathered a few other high-altitude plants before descending the mountain.

It was already past 2 PM. It took about four hours to get from the middle slope to here, so it would be dangerous to stay longer. I was a bit tired and felt the risk of altitude sickness, so I decided to give up on further exploration.

Ideally, I should rest before descending, but I didn't have the time.

I started moving at 5 AM... it might take less time to descend than to ascend, but it was already a dangerous time.

I hurried to get down before dark, but...

Just as I thought I was back at the middle slope...

Suddenly, Momo barked.

"MEOW!!"

It was different from her usual meowing. It was more like a howl.

I had never seen her bark like that before. She usually meowed and acted playful, but she never barked.

She understood what I said and helped me be cautious of monsters and find plants during our hike.

I was starting to appreciate her more, but her sudden barking surprised me.

"Momo? What's wrong?"

"Meow!"

When she barks lightly, it usually means a monster is approaching, so I was on guard, but I didn't sense any monsters nearby.

I used "Magic Detection" to expand the range of "Presence Detection," but I didn't feel anything unusual.

As I tilted my head, Momo started running forward, calling me to follow.

She ran ahead, guiding me, and I followed, climbing the mountain again. I was feeling better, but it was tough. Momo was leading the way, and the path was quite steep.

Compared to Momo, who could climb easily, I felt my stamina draining. No monsters appeared, so I managed to keep up, but I wondered what was going on.

"Momo, if we go any further, we won't be able to return. It's getting dark, and we need to prepare for the night."

"Meow! Meow~"

The sun was setting, and it would be completely dark in an hour.

If I started descending now, it would be dark by the time I reached the flat ground. It would be too dangerous to spend the night in the mountains, so I needed to secure a place to sleep.

I tried to persuade her to descend, but she seemed determined to go further.

"...Sigh. Okay."

If we don't find a place to sleep, we might have to stay up all night... or at least, it would be dangerous...

I had a bad feeling, and my "Intuition" was tingling, warning me of danger... but I hoped it would be okay.

I braced myself and followed Momo.