Chapter 14

"Oh, amazing! It's a rainbow butterfly!"

"I can see a rabbit over there!"

"Wh-What's that? A deer? Is it a deer?!!"

"Hinami-sama, please calm down a bit..."

"Oh! Sorry, sorry..."

After about 30 minutes in the swaying carriage, I was captivated by the beautiful scenery outside the city, with so many animals. Though I didn't say it out loud, my body was moving quite a bit. Ugh, it's embarrassing.

This carriage, pulled by two horses, has a simple seating area made of wood with about three rows. However, there are no chairs, so the ride isn't very comfortable. Mo is running alongside the carriage at the same speed. I was surprised by how fast they moved; I thought cows moved slowly, but Mo runs very quickly.

In front of Iku and me, who are sitting at the back, there is a party of three adventurers. The tall, strong-looking man is probably a swordsman, with a large sword on his back. He has short hair and sun-tanned skin, giving him a warrior vibe. The heavy armor he wears, which I couldn't even lift, only adds to his appearance. However, he is sleeping. Next is a man in a robe, who might be a mage. He doesn't have any visible weapons but has a book hanging from his waist. He has beautiful honey-blonde hair and long eyelashes. He has a good figure, like a foreign model. However, he is also sleeping. The last person is a woman with a bow. She has a cute bob cut with pink hair and is a beastkin with cat ears. Her swaying tail and occasionally moving ears look so soft that I want to touch them. Oh, she's awake!

"The scenery was so beautiful, I got really excited!"

"...I see, that's good."

"Yeah. Beautiful scenery really heals the soul."

I took a deep breath and looked at the city, which had become small.

"I'll be back soon, so wait for me!!"

"You're so energetic!"

"Huh...?"

I turned around at the unexpected words. The cat-eared lady was the one who spoke to me while I was looking back at the city. She smiled and said, "It's a good day, isn't it?"

"Oh, yes! It's sunny, so I can see far... it's amazing."

"Yeah, yeah. Rainy days can make you feel gloomy."

I nodded in agreement with the lady's words.

"Are you an adventurer...?"

"Hmm? Yeah, I guess. Are you aspiring to be one?"

"Oh, I'm an adventurer, officially."

When I said that, Iku seemed more surprised than the lady. I realized I hadn't told her much about myself! I need to introduce myself properly when we get home.

"I see. I didn't notice at all, sorry."

"No, it's fine. Actually, the main reason I wanted to be an adventurer was to get an ID card."

"Ah, I see. That's convenient, and joining a guild makes it easier to get information. Many people just register for that reason."

"Really?!"

People register for ID cards, just like me. Since I don't know much about the guild, it's reassuring to know there are others with the same goal. Still, it seems that the guild is a good place to gather information. I'm still new to this world, so it might be a good idea to check out the guild when I go to the city.

"Um, what exactly do adventurers do?"

"Oh, you don't know much, do you? I'll tell you!"

"Wow, thank you!"

The guild is a base for adventurers like me. People who want to become adventurers register at the guild and then become adventurers. Once registered, they can receive support and information from the guild. The guild exists in every country in this world, Lethisreal, but is neutral and doesn't belong to any country.

"Neutral...?"

"Yes. So, adventurers registered with the guild don't need to go through the complicated procedures required to travel to other continents. They just show their guild card at the border, and the guild handles it."

Wow, that's convenient. I organized the information in my head as the lady explained more. The guild is much bigger than I thought.

The guild is an organization that spans the entire world of Lethisreal and is neutral, not belonging to any country.

To join the guild as an adventurer, there are two conditions:

1. Being at least 10 years old.

2. Having no criminal record.

Once registered, adventurers can use the guild's facilities.

Requests: They can accept and issue requests. Requests include those from the guild, the general public, and sometimes from countries. Guild requests involve collecting necessary items and slaying monsters. Public requests can range from escorting, collecting items, and helping with various tasks.

Trading: The guild buys items like materials dropped by monsters. Prices vary by region, but the guild buys all materials, unlike other shops.

Study sessions: There are two types—lectures and technical training. Only registered adventurers can attend the regular study sessions held by the guild. Lectures cover general adventurer knowledge, types of herbs, and information about valuable items and monster ecology. Technical training is for combat skills, often taken by new adventurers.

Information: The guild gathers various information. Information is posted on bulletin boards and can be heard from staff. Especially, detailed information about monster movements is available for safety reasons.

I see... I need to remember all this.

But, it's nice that they offer study sessions... Maybe I'll join one next time... I can learn about herbs and other things! Yes, I'll do that.

"This is the minimum setup, but different guilds do various things. It's good to visit new guilds when you find them."

"Okay!"

"Also, about being an adventurer! It's quite free, you know..."

"Free?"

"Yes. Adventurers don't have any obligations to do something specific. Some, like our party, fight monsters... Some love magic and focus on research without fighting. And... many are alchemists."

"!"

So many alchemists! There are a lot of people like me. Noticing my reaction to the word "alchemist," the lady asked, "Are you an alchemist?"

"Oh, officially..."

"I see, I see. Anyone can become an alchemist, and parties without a healer like ours really need them. We're grateful."

"Healer?"

"Yes. They use healing magic to treat injuries. It's a rare magic, and not many people can use it. That's why our party doesn't have a healer."

I see... It's a rare job. A healer sounds cooler than an alchemist. I thought that if magic could heal, there would be less need for healing potions, but it's a rare job with few people...! I kind of admire that. But, if I join, I'd have to participate in battles, so maybe being an alchemist is better. Yeah, I'm a chicken.

"Ah, we're at a fork in the road. We're going to the next city, but what about you?"

"Oh, we're getting off here~"

"I see. Well, see you...! Good luck, new adventurer!"

"Thank you! Thank you for telling me so much!"

After confirming the carriage had stopped, Iku and I got off. We firmly planted our feet on the ground to keep our balance. No, I'm not the type to fall for no reason.

I waved to the carriage heading in the opposite direction and shouted, "Thank you!" to the lady. I didn't get to talk to the other two, but they were probably sleeping. It's nice to meet so many good people.

"Let's go, Hinami-sama."

"Okay. Let's head home and try our best!"

As we walked towards the forest, I looked around. We were in a grassland, and a pleasant breeze gently caressed my cheeks.

"Hey, if we see any rare herbs or flowers along the way, let me know, okay?"

"Okay, I understand."

"...Mmm"

"?"

Grr. Does Iku always speak so formally, or is it just to me? I'd prefer if he spoke naturally... Iku is slender and handsome, so his formal speech doesn't feel too out of place, but...

"Hey, is Iku's way of speaking natural, or are you speaking formally to me?"

"Eh..."

"Oh! You looked away! So you were speaking formally, right!"

His face turned away from my gaze, confirming my suspicion. I need to challenge him! Of course, it's a stubborn challenge between Iku and me.

I'll stare at him until he stops speaking formally. If he looks away, I win. If I look away, he wins. By the way, there's a counter move called the Skill: Prostration!

This was a move used against me by my sister during a channel-changing dispute. I ended up giving in and letting her change the channel...

"..."

"...Um"

"...Stare"

"...Okay, I'll stop using formal speech."

"Good, I won!"

I won in three minutes. Iku doesn't seem used to staring contests. Well, most people aren't, right?

Anyway, I think this is a good start. It's only the second day, so it's a good outcome!

After that, Iku and I chatted about trivial things as we walked. Actually, Iku seemed more exasperated by my inability to find my way home. Wait, do they think I'm lost? It's often said that women are bad at reading maps, and... well, I am.

Then, after walking for about 10 minutes, we saw the entrance to the forest. We were almost home.

"By the way, your home is in the Forest of Confusion, right? Do you know the way?"

"Eh...?"

"Eh...?"

Eh...?

I blinked. Right, the location of my home...! I just thought we needed to enter the forest. What a fool I am...

"No, it's fine. Once we reach the Forest of Confusion, my home is close!"

"...Well, if you say so, it's fine. We can manage in this forest without magic items, so let's keep going."

"Okay. I can handle it, trust me!"

I have a plan.

Shia ran from a regular forest to my home while being chased by a Hard Wolf. So, the distance isn't that far! It's impossible to run such a long distance while fighting. I think it's pretty close.

We entered the forest, and Iku, Mo, and I walked in that order. The forest, being a good place for beginners to train, had relatively easy paths. Iku also helped by avoiding branches and smoothing the ground as we walked, which was very helpful.

"Hinami-sama, there are rabbits and chickens a little ahead. They won't attack, so we'll just pass by them."

"Wow... rabbits! I have chickens at home."

"Really? There are a lot in this forest."

But... I can't see any rabbits or chickens... Is Iku's eyesight bad...? Why can he see them?

After walking about 30 meters, I could see the small rabbits and chickens.

"Hey, Iku, why can you see rabbits so far away?"

"Ah... it's an exploration spell. I can use wind magic."

"Whaaat!? Really!?"

"Well, it's not that surprising, is it...?"

"No, no, no. I didn't know, so I'm surprised!"

So, Iku can use magic. What about magic in this world? Can everyone use it...? Is it common, and only a few can't...?

"Is magic not rare...?"

"Well, most people can use it, but not many use it effectively."

"Wow... so you need to practice to get better?"

"Right."

"So, Iku is in the top tier!?"

"Not really. I can just explore. It's convenient, though."

Oh, no flashy attack spells or anything. Not that I'm disappointed, but I kind of wanted to see them and thought it would be cool to use them. But, like with Shia, casting spells requires incantations, which I find a bit embarrassing.

While thinking about this, we walked past the rabbits and chickens. I wanted to take them home, but Mo is with us, so I can't. I'll come back to see them another time...! I want to keep a rabbit. They're so fluffy and cute.

"A Hard Wolf is coming this way."

"Eeeek!?"

"Whoa, where did that come from...?"

As Iku said, a Hard Wolf was running towards us. This is bad, really bad!

"Iku, we need to run...!"

"Huh? It's fine, I'll take care of it."

"Ah...! Right, Iku can fight...! But it looks strong!?"

I contracted Iku as a bodyguard, but I'm still scared of actual combat and can't just say, "Kill it!" So, as I panicked, Iku took a step towards the Hard Wolf. He spun his staff in his right hand and thrust it upwards from below. I gasped at his smooth, beautiful movement.

The Hard Wolf was thrown back and hit a tree, then disappeared, leaving behind its fangs and fur.

"Wh-What? One hit!?"

"Well, it's just a common enemy."

"..."

I said "po-ka-n" without thinking! Iku is so strong? And that wolf is a common enemy? I don't get it...! But, I'm glad we're safe.

I was about to run to Iku when he called out to me.

"Stop...! There's something there..."

"Eh...?"

Iku held out his right hand to stop me and gestured for me to be quiet.

Thank you for all the favorites, reviews, ratings, and feedback. I really appreciate it!

I'm sorry for the delayed responses to your reviews...

I received a lot of feedback about the slave system! I was surprised by how many comments I got...

I plan to introduce a unique, slow-paced Hinami-style + slave system in this world.

I hope you can look forward to it! However, I'm very grateful for all the feedback, including comments about the slave system.

Thank you so much...!!