Chapter 58

As we progressed through the forest, a week passed.

At Natalie's request, we advanced while defeating monsters and leveling up.

Although I was eager to reach the Lunette Empire as soon as possible, I also wanted to gain the strength to turn the tide of battle. With the two of them also agreeing, we conducted mock battles as well.

Since then, there have been no pursuers from the town.

We met some adventurers who had been watching our battles from a distance at the entrance to the forest. They all turned pale and looked down, clearly not wanting to get involved. I told them, "Please return to the town and take care of the bodies," and gave them a few silver coins. The adventurers replied, "Yes, sir! We'll go right away!" and ran off as if fleeing.

With this, the disposal of the bodies should be fine.

◇◇◇

"Still, this house is really comfortable."

Natalie, fresh from her bath, was relaxing on the sofa in the living room, sipping tea.

Just a moment ago, she had been casting spells at the monsters, being the most active.

During the battles with the monsters to level up, Natalie shouted, "I don't want to lose to you two!" while casting spells, and the two of us had grimaced. The humiliation of being at a lower level must have been significant.

In the dining room, I spread out a map, and the three of us confirmed our destination.

"Toya-sama, I think we are already halfway there. After about three days of walking through the forest, there is the fortress city 'Lian' of the Beastman Autonomous Region. If we believe that man's words, heading to Lian should be fine."

"There is also my mansion there, which can be used as a base."

According to the two of them, in the capital of the Lunette Empire, various races live together, but there are autonomous regions, such as areas where beastmen and elves predominantly live. Of course, there are also cities where humans predominantly live, but since the capital is currently under the control of the Generate Kingdom, it is likely that it has already fallen to the Generate Kingdom.

"Understood... Let's head to Lian first. We need to gather information about the capital there."

The two of them nodded at my words.

From the next day on, we continued through the forest, leveling up while heading towards the Lunette Empire. And a week passed.

"Toya-san, look. We should be able to leave the forest soon."

A voice came from Al, who was leading the way. Looking ahead, it seemed we were only a few hundred meters from the edge of the forest.

However, there was a possibility of encountering a monster village, as we had before.

I used my exploration skill to investigate the area ahead. ...There is no presence of monsters. Finally...

Al's pace gradually quickened. A few minutes later,

We emerged from the forest.

Before us stretched a vast grassland, with grass reaching up to our knees.

After seeing nothing but forest for about two weeks, it felt fresh.

I brought out Kokuyou, who had been in the dimensional storage due to the forest's roots and his size.

"Sorry for keeping you in there for so long."

Kokuyou let out a slightly disgruntled cry, gently bit my head, and started walking, tapping the ground with his feet.

"You never change, do you..."

I chuckled and wiped the saliva from my head with my sleeve.

"Toya-sama, you and Kokuyou are still as close as ever."

Shal also smiled and started walking.

Thinking that this kind of grassland could be traversed by a carriage, I suggested taking a break for a meal.

I sliced the meat from the monsters we had defeated, seasoned it, and cooked it over a fire. I set up a simple table and chairs, placed the cooked meat on plates, and prepared soup and bread.

"It's ready."

At my words, everyone gathered to eat.

"From here, if we travel northwest by carriage for two days, we should reach the city of Lian."

"In that case... If we have Kokuyou pull the carriage, we should be able to arrive by tomorrow."

"Finally... Finally, we can return."

Shal, as expected, seemed worried. As we got closer to the Lunette Empire, she became quieter and more thoughtful. No matter how much that man was captured, it couldn't last forever.

If I could go on a rampage, I might have been able to save him alone, but my magic power has a limit.

I can fight a hundred people alone, but whether I can maintain my magic power when facing a thousand or ten thousand is uncertain.

It's impossible to go on an adventure.

"What's wrong, Toya? You don't look happy."

In response to Natalie's question, I replied, "It's nothing. I'm fine," and continued eating.

We took out the carriage, harnessed Kokuyou, and prepared to depart. The carriage, pulled by Kokuyou, ran through the grassland without a road. Even with a comfortable carriage, it was still a concern to travel on a roadless area. We couldn't go at full speed, so we stopped the carriage in a safe place before sunset and took a break.

There was a possibility of being found after leaving the house.

We set up a tent from the dimensional storage and spent the night.

The next day,

After finishing breakfast, we got into the carriage and continued on our journey.

"Once we pass that hill, we should be able to see the city."

Al informed me through the small window of the carriage.

With the anticipation of a new city, I pulled the reins a little harder and aimed for the top of the hill.

Thank you.

This concludes Chapter 2.