Chapter 88

Thanks to Senior Rio, we managed to receive the material collection request from the old lady without any issues and borrowed the storage sacks. We stayed at an inn that catered to explorers for the night and left while it was still dark.

We each carried one of the borrowed sacks.

Senior had his own basket on his back, and Coco had a backpack containing a map-making magic tool developed by the Geography Club.

For dinner, I wanted to try the local specialty at the inn's attached cafeteria, but Senior Rio said, "I have a bad feeling, so let's skip it," so we ended up eating emergency rations.

Although I have nothing to hide, I had a bad feeling more than anyone else, so I obediently followed his advice.

Actually, I had detected with a scouting spell that a few people from the Association, who seemed to have some skills, were following us.

The old lady was shouting loudly...

Although we don't know what business they had, it's better to be safe than sorry.

"Alright, let's head into the forest right away.

This season, a few tough monsters that are usually not much of a threat appear.

We need to be on our guard."

Senior's usually gentle face tightened up.

"Nyappu Forest's dangerous monsters are the Dantz Tigers during their breeding season and the Rinos in heat.

Are we going over the ridgeline?"

Coco demonstrated her impressive knowledge.

By the way, Coco has overcome her shyness quite a bit.

She's not yet actively talking to people, but one reason is the group life in the dormitory and her role as the president of the Geography Club, which forces her to communicate with others.

Another reason is that she has gained confidence.

Like all the students in Class A, in Coco's case, she is living independently in the dormitory, participating in the Hillside Club and the Geography Club, and engaging in explorer activities while keeping up with the high-level classes at the academy.

I'm doing all of this.

With such pride, one doesn't worry much about what others think.

Furthermore, I often praise Coco's extensive knowledge, especially about monsters, so the classmates clearly look up to her.

Still, I feel a bit frustrated that even so, her greatness isn't fully recognized.

"Wow, Coco, you're impressive.

Did you research this just yesterday?

By the way, we don't plan to cross the ridgeline.

If you asked, it means you've also studied that there's a risk of Wyverns flying in to hunt during this season, right?"

A ridgeline is the line connecting the peaks of mountains.

It's a question about whether we plan to cross the mountain to the other side.

"Even without researching, I have all the kingdom's monster ecology and distribution data in my head, Senior.

My family, the Canardia family, compiled the 'Canardia Monster Encyclopedia.'"

Senior asked Coco with a smile, but I answered for her.

It's still too much for Coco to proudly boast about her extensive knowledge.

"I see.

That's very reassuring.

With a fixed reward of 60,000 reals, we might have gotten an excellent talent at a bargain."

Senior winked at Coco.

"…I still have a lot to learn.

It's important to confirm things with my own eyes and turn them into living knowledge...

I think a lot of old knowledge has changed.

So, I'm happy to be able to come along this time.

Thank you."

Coco answered earnestly, blushing.

By the way, Rinos are usually herbivorous monsters, with vertical stripes only on their lower bodies, similar to an okapi.

They rarely attack humans, but during their breeding season, they become aggressive and can attack humans.

Their speed in the jungle can reach up to 60 km/h, making it difficult to escape once targeted.

◆

We entered the path leading from the rural road into the forest and steadily made our way deeper.

The trio of mid-level explorers who had been following us since yesterday quickly fell behind and disappeared from the range of my scouting spell.

Their last words were something like this:

"Those kids, what a pace!"

"Damn! If we could keep up, there would definitely be a lot of valuable materials!"

"It's no good, let's turn back! This forest in the current season is too dangerous for us alone!"

"...Hey, something's... moving...?"

"...No way...?"

"Run!"

The last part was hard to hear, but the word "run" was clearly audible.

I can only hope for their safety.

The path eventually disappeared, and we continued through the dense jungle.

We didn't encounter any of the tough monsters that Senior was concerned about.

Coco discovered the hoof prints and droppings left by Rinos, and the claw marks on trees marking the territory of Dantz Tigers, allowing us to detect the danger in advance.

It might sound simple, but it's not that easy.

"This is also Rino droppings.

Females that haven't paired up often pile it up at the base of Tanda trees.

From the smell and softness, it's been about three days.

I don't think it's particularly dangerous."

While saying this, she casually picked up the droppings, smelled it, and felt its texture.

To me, who has only read books, all herbivorous animal droppings look the same, just round and small.

Even Senior Rio, who is deeply knowledgeable about field exploration, was impressed.

Coco was thoroughly trained in on-site investigations, sometimes even on expeditions to other territories, by her parents.

Additionally, the Canardia family has accumulated diaries and precise records over the years, amounting to 50 times the volume of the encyclopedia.

For example, I casually asked Coco, "Why do Rinos have vertical stripes on their lower bodies? Isn't it too conspicuous for a herbivore?"

She immediately replied, "It might look unnatural to humans, but most monsters and animals are said to see the world in black and white.

In black and white, that pattern blends in with the grass.

Rinos living in the forest have colors and patterns that integrate with the grass on the lower half and the trees on the upper half."

The Canardia family's records include illegal investigation diaries that can't be released, making them like secret books. I plan to visit her home someday and try to get a look at them.

By the way, the Canardia family was granted the title of Court Baron, a noble without a fief, for their 30-year effort in compiling the monster encyclopedia, and they long served in positions related to monster control in the kingdom.

However, about 100 years ago, they lost a political struggle, and some of their past illegal investigations were exposed to the enemy camp. They were demoted to barons and are now serving as magistrates in a remote royal territory.

It's a ridiculous story to keep such a passionate family suppressed for 100 years.

Getting back to the point, thanks to Coco's knowledge and my scouting spell, we steadily advanced, dealing only with the minimum necessary monsters.

Hunting monsters or collecting materials on the way would just add to our load.

Incidentally, Al, who was almost forgotten, also contributed a bit.

After Coco picked up the droppings, Al used magic to provide water for her to wash her hands.

Seeing how Al was feeling down about being almost invisible, Senior encouraged him like this:

"Water mages are very valuable as explorers.

Water supply is crucial for exploration, so having Al around makes a huge difference in our freedom of action.

Moreover, Al can use a sword and fight even when magic can't be used, and he has the stamina to keep up with this pace.

If we asked the Association to help us form a party, I think we'd get over a hundred invitations."

The naturally positive Al immediately perked up at Senior's encouragement.

Senior is indeed a capable man, taking care of the party's mental well-being.

Of course, a water mage who can also move around is not something you find just anywhere.

Although Al has become a character to be teased, he would be a golden egg for other parties.

Thus, we reached our destination, the waterfall, by evening.

◆

In the middle of the jungle, the forest suddenly opened up, revealing the destination, the Ripu Ripu Nyappu Waterfall. It was a mystical waterfall with a gentle staircase-like cliff about 100 meters deep, quietly holding water.

At the base of the waterfall, a clear spring about 15 meters in diameter spread out, and its water flowed into the jungle through several small streams.

"I didn't expect to arrive today, and even before dark.

I was surprised by Coco's extensive knowledge, but Allen's scouting spell is also incredible.

I remember you didn't use a scouting spell when we went collecting before?"

"Yes.

Seeing Senior walk through the night forest without a light, I thought I'd like to learn it someday.

By chance, my master is skilled in scouting spells and taught me."

Senior pressed his forehead in amazement.

"You mastered such a precise scouting spell in just a few months?

Your magic control sense is truly unbelievable...

Well, let's set up camp.

We can collect the moss tomorrow morning, so let's rest today.

We've been walking all day, and I'm starving."

"Yes, I'm also quite hungry.

We planned to catch fish in this spring, right?

We don't have fishing gear, so how are we going to catch them?"

"Hehe.

With just Allen and me, we planned to chase them to the edge and catch them using Body Reinforcement, but it's inefficient.

Since Al is here, let's make it a bit easier."

Senior smiled.

We've reached 10,000 unique PVs in total!

Thank you!