Chapter 90

After the blood had drained well from the prey I had placed in the spring, I proceeded to dissect the Huge Boar, following the guidance of my senior. I carefully separated the fur, the magical organs such as the tusks, and the meat and internal organs.

For the meat we intended to eat, my senior used a tool similar to a plane to thinly slice it, and then seasoned it with a special blend of dried herbs and salt that he had prepared, before grilling it.

Since we were originally planning to stay overnight, the preparations of a capable man were thorough.

The slightly pungent aroma was subdued by the refreshing herbs, and the richly flavored grilled meat was appetizing.

Among the internal organs, the small intestine was opened and thoroughly washed in the spring, and then simmered overnight with laurel-like leaves that Senior Reiad had picked nearby, making it delicious.

It was a waste to leave behind what we couldn't eat or carry, but we had no choice but to return it to the Circle of Life.

Incidentally, while I was on watch, two creatures that seemed to be Dang's Tigers silently approached our campsite, but they fled when I sent a wind magic pressure.

This pressure was quite handy.

After we left, they might eat the remains of the Huge Boar.

By dawn, we had collected the target magic moss and broke down our camp.

"Well, the backpack is mostly filled with materials from the Huge Boar. If we go straight back the same way, we should be able to reach Robles by today. Since we're a day ahead of schedule, do you have any requests?"

In response to my senior's question, Coco raised his hand.

"If we have some time, I'd like to go to the ridge, and if possible, to the top of this mountain for the sake of the magic tool test. I think we can reach the top in about an hour and a half. Of course, we don't intend to fight any Wyverns."

The magic tool developed by the Geography Research Club is designed to create what is known as a 'Point of Record.'

On Earth, there was a system that used artificial satellites to easily obtain location information anywhere, but of course, this world doesn't have that.

To create effective maps of all kinds, a base map that is as accurate as possible is needed.

However, the small-scale maps of this world, which represent wide areas, are notoriously inaccurate.

For example, when it comes to the entire Marquisate, the maps are not as crude as treasure maps drawn by pirates, but they are not far off.

Large-scale maps, such as those of cities and major roads, are relatively accurate, but they become increasingly inaccurate as you move to rural areas. There is no map for places like the Nyappu Forest, where we are now.

Explorers rely on their intuition and experience, so it's no wonder that many accidents occur.

For ordinary people, daily life might not be inconvenient, but from my perspective, having benefited from Japan's geographic information system through smartphones, it is unacceptable.

Therefore, I decided to start by creating an accurate map.

Since artificial satellites are too high a hurdle, I developed a magic tool that uses the method of placing triangulation points on mountaintops or other places with good visibility to accurately determine their positions.

I only conveyed to Fay what I wanted to do and the basic principles of surveying; how to implement it was entirely up to her.

It seems that the magic tool utilizes the property of magic stones to attract each other under certain conditions, but I didn't ask about the complex mechanisms, as they seemed to contain sensitive information.

In summary, by placing the magic tool on mountaintops, you can accurately determine the direction from places with good visibility. Then, by requesting the installation of magic tools nationwide through the association, the 'Points of Record' can be expanded.

By increasing the connections between points, a map that accurately represents distances and directions can be created.

From here, we should be able to connect to the magic tool installed on the Grithes Mountain in the northeast of the capital.

If we can do that, it will connect to the points we set up near the capital and the two points we set up near Robles yesterday morning.

This is the first step for the Geography Research Club to expand the 'Points of Record.'

The development cost of this magic tool was apparently sky-high, but...

Fay, from what I've seen, seems to recognize its usefulness, so she will likely find a way to make good use of it and recoup the costs.

"Yeah, I remember you brought the magic tool for creating accurate maps. I don't quite understand the significance of going to such lengths to create an accurate map in such a remote mountain, but of course, it's fine. However, fighting Wyverns is risky, so please prioritize safety."

Since my senior agreed readily, we climbed to the top of the mountain.

We cautiously set up the magic tool while keeping a watchful eye on our surroundings. With some time to spare, we moved west along the ridge and set up the magic tool on the next peak before descending the mountain.

On the way back through the jungle, my senior, with his extensive knowledge, added some valuable magic herbs and mushrooms to our haul.

This completed the request we received from the lady at the Robles branch.

Additionally, I discovered a new waterfall using my detection magic.

The waterfall had a drop of about 40 meters and a considerable flow rate.

My spirits soared when I saw this waterfall.

The waterfall where the magic moss grows in the Ripu Ripu Nyappu is a gentle, elegant cascade flowing over a stepped rock face.

This is what a waterfall should be.

"Al! A water mage can't avoid this essential training! It's a waterfall meditation!"

I dragged the reluctant Al into the waterfall and had him stand under it.

Senior Reiad and Coco looked at Al with pity, but I ignored them.

"Cold! What's the point of this, Allen!?"

"It's mental training! Don't think about the logic! The meaning is in being hit!"

"If it's mental training, it doesn't have to be water-based!"

This is just a whim. There's no real meaning.

However, I accidentally discovered a cave behind the waterfall, where the magic moss we were looking for was growing densely.

It was a pleasant surprise.

We decided to stay one more night and return to Robles the next morning.

Incidentally, from this location, we could see two of the three mountaintops where we had set up the magic tools. By measuring their directions, we could accurately determine our position.

In other words, we were using triangulation.

Of course, we could also accurately calculate our position relative to Robles, which is connected to the mountaintops, so our return trip would be more efficient.

My senior was impressed.

"Hmm, I see. This is... more convenient than I thought. I can see the Geography Research Club's goal. I only have half a year left in my third year, but I'd like to help in any way I can. Can I join the Geography Research Club, Coco?"

"Of course. We'd be delighted to have you, Senior Reiad."

Coco seemed very happy, as he and my senior got along well.

Their expertise in animals and plants complemented each other, and it was good that they became friends here.

After that, we used Al's magic to catch about five magic fish and added them to our haul.

I thought we would head straight north-east to Robles, but my senior took a slightly more northerly route.

By cutting through that direction, we should reach the road by mid-morning, which would be faster and easier.

He was already making the most of the magic tool, showing excellent judgment.

Thus, we completed the senior's request and returned to Robles by mid-afternoon.

When we entered the town, we saw the trio who had tried to follow us at the start of our journey heading out to the western plains, looking ragged and worn out.

I'm glad they are safe.

Incidentally, we were able to sell the materials from the Huge Boar and others for 80,000 reals.

The lady who is a fan of Mr. Reiad, the evaluation officer at the delivery office, played a significant role in this.

Her attitude towards me was as terrible as ever, but...

My senior covered all the expenses, including the Mac Agate arrows we used, and even tripled the fixed reward to 180,000 reals because we discovered a new cluster of magic moss.

I initially refused, as it went against our original contract, but he explained that the client has the right to increase the reward up to three times based on the on-site evaluation.

Furthermore, the value of being able to steadily supply this magic moss for a certain period in the current situation is immeasurable, and even double that would not be unreasonable. I gratefully accepted it.

After splitting the earnings, each of us made a net profit of 80,000 reals, which was more than I expected, and I felt a bit guilty.

This is how my fun summer vacation began.

◆

Looking back at their illustrious careers, this exploration of Robles seems surprisingly ordinary.

However, when viewed from the perspective of future generations, the historical significance of this seemingly insignificant exploration is profound.

Firstly, the practical start of the 'Comprehensive Geography of the Kingdom,' which was completed decades later and is said to have transformed the world, was this exploration activity, led by the second director of the Royal Geography Institute, 'The Friend of All,' Coco Nialdi.

Secondly, the subtle connection between Coco Nialdi and 'The Father of Taxonomy,' Reiad Ghoosh, who became lifelong allies after this exploration.

And thirdly, the impact on the extraordinary fate of 'The Great Waterfall,' Aldore Engreaver.

With his exceptional foresight, Allen Lovene, who was later called a 'Time Traveler,' may have seen how far this exploration would influence the future.

Even for the three of them, who were contemporaries and participants, it was never clear how far he could see.

I will take a break on the weekend due to personal matters!

Thank you as always!