Chapter 29

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Waking up to the sunlight streaming in through the window.

Since coming to this world, this has become the norm.

I wake with the sunrise and go to sleep when it sets. Lighting by magic tools is costly.

Naturally, I've developed this habit.

"Getting up this early..."

I put on the equipment I took out from my dimensional storage and leave the room.

When I go down to the dining hall, Lumina is already eating.

"Good morning, Lumina. You're up early."

"Hey, Toya. Today, I need to head to the guild after breakfast. It takes some time to prepare my equipment, so I need to eat and change quickly."

Indeed, since coming to this town, Lumina has been wearing casual clothes.

She doesn't wear that—bikini armor—on a regular basis.

It's a bit disappointing, but I'll enjoy the view later.

I sit at the adjacent seat and start eating breakfast.

While I'm eating, Dai and the others wake up.

We greet each other, finish our meals, gather in front of the inn, and head to the guild to return to Fendy.

In front of the guild, four carriages are being loaded with goods.

Lumina goes in to represent us, and the rest of us help with the loading.

"Thanks a lot. Four carriages of goods are quite a bit. Still, you're a magic user, right? You're pretty strong!"

A middle-aged man helping to load the guild's goods comments.

Even as a magic user, I'm at a different level from ordinary adventurers. There's no need to explain, but I smile and continue loading the goods.

With more people, the loading is quickly finished.

Then, the leader of the caravan comes out.

"Thank you for the return trip. Let's get going."

Lumina and I lead the way, leaving the town of Dambler.

The return journey proceeds smoothly, and we reach the first campsite for the night.

We set up the tents and start preparing dinner. For some reason, everyone's gaze is on me.

Lumina sits next to me.

"Toya, —you do have it, right?"

Her eyes are full of expectation. Looking around, I see Dai and the others also looking at me expectantly.

I sigh deeply and take out a pot of soup.

"I guess I have no choice... Please prepare your own bowls."

"Of course, Toya!! You know us well~"

Lumina grabs my head and pulls it into her chest.

The feel of the bikini armor... it's honestly painful! It's painful! The armor is hard, even though there's something soft underneath.

We distribute the food and sit around the fire to eat.

Dai's attitude has softened on the return trip, which is a relief.

After finishing the meal, we decide the watch schedule as we did on the way there.

I'm second, and I'll be on watch with Lumina.

When it's our turn, I chat with Lumina by the fire, and Kokuyou approaches.

*Burururu...*

He gives a small cry and gently bites my head.

"Wait, wait. What's up, Kokuyou...?"

"Hahaha. You're loved by the Obsidian Horse."

As I wipe the drool from my head with my sleeve, Kokuyou turns his head toward the forest.

"Kokuyou... Is something coming...?"

My detection hasn't picked up anything yet.

There's nothing within 200 meters.

"However, he must have sensed something..."

Lumina stands up, picking up her sword.

I stand up as well, directing my detection toward the forest.

"What!?"

By focusing in one direction, the range extends.

Then—dozens of reactions appear, all heading straight for us.

"Monster reactions! Dozens of them! They're coming this way!!"

"What!?! Everyone, wake up!! It's a monster attack!!"

At our words, Dai and the others jump up, quickly equipping themselves.

The merchants, trembling with fear, get out of the carriages and follow Lumina's instructions.

They gather the carriages in one place and hide inside.

"I'll take the lead. You're a party, so form up to protect the merchants! Toya, you're a healer, right? Provide support from the back!"

I shake my head and stand next to Lumina.

Then, I take out a two-handed sword from my dimensional storage.

The large sword, as tall as I am, makes Lumina's eyes widen.

"Toya! You use something like that!?"

"Yes, I'm most comfortable with this."

"...Understood. You're the only one who can heal. Don't overdo it."

I nod at Lumina's words and check the distance to the monsters. We're about 100 meters from the forest, and they should be visible soon.

Then, the lead monster appears.

It has a pig-like face and a fat body, holding a club. It's about 2 meters tall, and I can easily look up at it.

It's omnivorous, attacking and eating both animals and monsters. Humans are not excluded.

Moreover, orcs have the habit of kidnapping human women to use as breeding stock.

They are natural enemies to humans.

"It's a group of orcs!"

At Lumina's words, I ready my sword.

Dai and the others form up, preparing for the attack.

The orcs, having spotted us, let out a strange cry, calling for their companions.

In response, more orcs emerge from the forest.

"Such a number... It's impossible..."

"I've never faced this many before..."

In front of Dai and the others, who are trembling with fear, over 30 orcs grin, having found their prey.

Then, one of the orcs in the group lets out a cry, and they all charge at us.

"Get ready!! Absolutely don't die!!"

Lumina's voice echoes, and the battle of six against thirty begins.

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Thank you as always.