Chapter 17

Summary of the previous chapter ------------------------------------------------------

Continuing herb gathering and hunting for about a week, we managed to secure some funds and equipment.

To take a step up, we decided to venture deeper into the forest.

Toya's sword and shield were quite expensive, but we splurged within our budget.

They will protect me and Haruka. If they were to be taken away, I doubt I could hold my own, so there was no reason to be frugal here.

We spent a day training to get used to the new equipment, and the next day, we stepped into the deeper parts of the forest, which we had not yet explored.

We already knew the location of the Dindel tree from Diora, so there was no need to search for it. We had promised her three Dindel fruits as a reward, which seemed better than wandering around the unfamiliar forest.

Compared to the outer edge of the forest, the deeper parts were much harder to navigate, as fewer people ventured here.

With Toya leading the way, we trampled the undergrowth, cut branches, and made our way deeper.

"Still, it feels a bit strange to use the sword I just bought for this."

"You'll have to get over it. A machete is expensive and adds to the load. Besides, this broadsword doesn't have a very sharp edge, so it's fine, right?"

In this world, the general purpose of swords is more blunt force than cutting.

Of course, they are well-forged and have a sharp edge, but only the highest-grade magic swords can cleanly slice through things.

Short swords and knives used for dissection have sharp edges, but for adventurers who need to maintain their combat ability, broadswords like this are more convenient. It's not practical to clean and sharpen a sword after each kill.

"Haruka, what about the enemies on the way? Should we hunt them and bring them back?"

"Let's avoid them as much as possible. If there's time, we can hunt a boar on the way back."

"Got it."

Thanks to getting used to the skills, I can now distinguish the targets I recognize with [Scouting] a bit better.

The range of [Scouting] is quite wide when I concentrate, so I can avoid encountering boars.

"But if the target looks like a monster, let's fight it. That's one of our goals, after all."

One of the goals Haruka proposed for stepping up.

That is, to defeat monsters.

More specifically, to defeat humanoid monsters.

It's the first step in dealing with human enemies like bandits.

In this region, bandits appear frequently in certain areas, and the risk of being attacked by humans is higher than by monsters.

"Bandits, huh. They exist in this world, too."

Toya sighs, but in reality, our surroundings have been peaceful, and even in our original world, there were plenty of robbers.

"In our original world, too. Snatching is a kind of banditry, after all."

It's just that they don't kill to take.

In some regions, it's common knowledge that you shouldn't stop at a red light because you might be attacked, and if you go to the police, they might say it's your fault for stopping.

"Well, the main difference is that self-help is recognized in this world."

In Japan, even if the other person is a robber, you can be charged with a crime if you kill them.

The requirements for justifiable self-defense are quite strict.

"But, humanoid monsters... can we handle them?"

"For example, could you defeat a gorilla if it attacked?"

"Gorillas have incredible grip strength... and they throw feces. But, I guess it should be fine. I've defeated a bear, after all."

The gorillas that throw feces are in zoos.

I've never encountered a gorilla in the wild.

"If you can handle a gorilla, you can handle a goblin. Gorillas are closer to humans than goblins."

"True, I guess."

It's strange how I feel more confident when it's put that way.

"By the way, are they really considered human? Wouldn't it be enough to treat them as animals? They just make human-like sounds, after all."

"Ooh... Haruka, you're saying it."

"Yes. I think thugs and social pests are harmful. Extortion, shoplifting, bicycle theft. Don't call it 'delinquency' or anything half-hearted!"

"Right, I agree about bicycles and umbrellas! I really want to kill the thieves!"

Toya nods in agreement with Haruka, and I feel the same way.

The inconvenience after the theft is more than the monetary loss, which makes the resentment build up.

If an umbrella is stolen, you get wet instead of the thief, and if a bicycle is stolen, you have to walk a long distance or use public transportation.

I remember looking at a river on my way home, drenched, and thinking, "If I saw the thief, I'd throw them into this muddy stream!"

"Exactly! They're all criminals, so it would be better to dispose of them quickly!"

--With a look of intense frustration, she became even more harsh.

Well, it's understandable with Haruka.

Even without favoritism, Haruka and her friends are quite cute, so they often get involved in various troubles.

When Toya and I go out together, there's no problem, but when the girls go out alone, they often get harassed. It even became a police matter once.

Furthermore, Haruka has a protective nature, so she sometimes has to get involved to help her juniors.

"Especially, if someone commits rape, they should be castrated immediately. There's no value in passing on their genes!"

Haruka's face contorts as she gets even more heated, perhaps recalling a bad memory.

Indeed, people who can't control themselves to that extent are harmful.

But, it's not fair to burden their children with that.

There are victims who might inadvertently bear such children.

"Haruka, I agree in principle, but children can't choose their genes, right?"

I place a hand on Haruka's shoulder to calm her down, and she seems to realize she was a bit too emotional, looking a bit awkward and coughing to clear her throat.

"Yes, you're right. I went too far with the genes. But, considering the victim's psychology and the high recidivism rate of sex offenders, physical punishment is necessary. It's terrifying to think that the person who attacked you might be out in a few years and could be nearby."

Even when calm, she's still a bit extreme.

I understand her feelings, though.

(Toya, what's up with Haruka?)

(Ah, Toya doesn't know. A junior girl was a victim before. Fortunately, she was rescued just in time... but the junior girl...)

(That must have been a serious trauma.)

At that time, Haruka was on edge for a while, and it was quite difficult.

Even though I wasn't at fault, I had to be very careful and try to cheer her up.

"Basically, before talking about a 'second chance' for the perpetrator, the 'irreparable damage' to the victim is more important, right?"

If my friends or family were victims of a criminal's 'second chance,' I would definitely think, "If only they had been castrated" or "If only they had stayed in prison."

The girl's life was destroyed by the 'chance' given to the criminal.

"Well, in this world, there's no such thing, so we have to be sure to do it. If we lose, you'll be killed, and I'll be raped and killed. Keep that in mind, and we should be fine."

"Right, yeah. Thinking about it, I feel like I could kill a thief who's trying to kill us."

"Yeah. In a way, human rights and humanitarianism are the arrogance of the strong. In extreme terms."

In a life-or-death situation, it's impossible to show consideration for a criminal.

But whether you can make that decision in such a sudden situation is another matter.

Thinking about it, the fact that we discussed and prepared mentally beforehand wasn't a waste.

◇ ◇ ◇

We had such a conversation, but...

Fortunately or unfortunately, we didn't encounter any goblins on the way to our destination today.

There were boar-like reactions, but we avoided them all because we noticed them in advance.

It took about an hour to reach the destination after entering the forest.

We were able to find the Dindel tree without getting lost because it was much taller than the surrounding trees.

"Wow, this is... I've heard about it, but it's really tall, isn't it?"

"How tall is it? Taller than an apartment building, right?"

"Is it over 50 meters? I'm not sure."

The three of us looked up at the tree, which was more than twice as tall as the surrounding trees.

Using [Eagle Eye], I could see several red fruits at the top, confirming that this was indeed the Dindel tree.

The trunk was quite thick, not like a tall and thin tree like a cedar, but more like a sturdy and robust tree like a camphor.

Despite its height, it had a strong presence.

I've seen one of the largest camphor trees in Japan before, but this one was probably more than twice as tall and large.

"Wow. Both of you, are you going to climb this? I can't do it."

Yeah, if I weren't an elf, I wouldn't even think about climbing it.

It is tall, but with the experience of climbing trees in the forest over the past week, it seems doable, which is strange.

"But, if there are so many fruits, why doesn't anyone come to pick them? They could make a decent profit, right?"

"There are many Dindel trees, and you have to consider the time it takes to get here."

"Oh, I see."

It took about an hour to get into the forest. Considering the time from the town to the forest, the activity time here would be about 2 to 3 hours.

Even on subsequent trips, the time to clear the undergrowth and confirm the path would be reduced, but it's still far.

Even if you stayed overnight, the amount you could transport would be limited.

"Also, the number of people who can climb this tree is limited."

That's another factor.

The reward is at the rookie level, but it's not a job that anyone can do.

Elves have a racial characteristic of good balance on trees, making it relatively easy, but for other races, it's difficult unless they are particularly good at climbing.

"Furthermore, it's also difficult to bring the fruits down from up there."

Haruka pointed to the top of the tree.

This is the biggest challenge.

It's too high to throw the fruits down, and the branches would get in the way. It's impossible to catch 100 apples thrown from the roof of an apartment building.

Even if you attach a rope to a bag, you can't bring it down in one go because of the branches, and you would need multiple relays, which would take time and reduce the yield.

"In that case, we have backpacks, which is an advantage."

The advantage of backpacks is that they allow you to use both hands and are close to your body, making it less likely to lose balance.

It's not for nothing that they are used in the military.

"So, can I just wait down here?"

"No, it would be dangerous to be alone, so it's better to climb to the lowest branch."

Now that I think about it, Toya will be alone when we climb up.

Toya can now defeat a boar alone, but it would be dangerous to be alone in a place where goblins might appear.

"The lowest branch... that one?"

Toya looked up at a branch about 5 meters from the base, which is about the height of a two-story house.

"Pretty high, huh?"

"Also, how do we get up there? No way we can reach it, right?"

Even with improved physical abilities, it's not possible to jump up to a 5-meter branch.

The trunk near the base is relatively straight with few protrusions, making it difficult to climb.

Once you reach the lowest branch, it's easier to climb because there are more branches, but getting there is the challenge.

"Of course, I thought about it. Information gathering is a given, right?"

Haruka looked up at me, tilting her head.

...Sorry, I was just relieved to know the location.

"I brought the tools."

Haruka took out a long rope.

--Is that it?

I have one too, as Haruka told me to bring it.

"Here, I'll throw it!"

Ah, there's a weight at the end of the rope.

The rope Haruka threw went over the target branch and fell to the ground.

"Hold both ends of the rope, and pull it like this..."

The rope tightened and was tied to the base of the branch with a tug.

"Then, just use it as a support to climb up."

Haruka quickly climbed up using the slight protrusions on the trunk and the rope.

"Wow, she climbs so easily. Naoto, can you do it?"

"Hmm... probably?"

In our original world, it would have been impossible, but now it seems doable.

"Alright, here we go!"

Oh, I made it. I reached Haruka's side in one breath.

This height doesn't seem to be a problem.

"I can't do that. But, with the rope, I can manage."

Toya pulled the rope a few times, gripped it tightly, and climbed up with a few quick movements.

This is like rope climbing.

Unlike us, who used the trunk as a foothold, Toya is lifting his own weight and equipment with arm strength alone, which requires considerable strength.

"...So, what do I do from here?"

Toya reached the top of the rope and looked up at us, a bit puzzled.

If the branch were thin, he could grab it and climb up, but the branch we're standing on is over 50 cm thick.

The rope hangs from the underside of the branch, making it difficult to move to the top.

We used the protrusions on the trunk to climb up, but we should have tied the rope to a higher branch before Toya climbed.

"Can't be helped. Here, grab this."

"Sorry."

I extended my hand to Toya and pulled him up.

My strength isn't great, but I can support one person, and with the added agility of a beastman, this is no problem.

"Are you okay? We're going up, but..."

Toya will stay here.

Waiting on this branch for a few hours will be boring and tiring, but compared to climbing up, harvesting, and coming back down, it will be easier, so please bear with it.

"Hey, Haruka, can I borrow your bow? And Naoto's spear?"

"Sure, but Toya, you can't use them, right?"

"Well, I can't, but from here, I can safely defeat them, right?"

"Bows are expensive, and I don't want you to waste them... try aiming."

Toya tried to draw the bow as instructed, but it looked awkward and he couldn't draw it properly.

It shouldn't be too strong for Haruka's bow, but...

"Draw it with your body, not just your arms."

Following Haruka's instructions, Toya adjusted his stance and managed to form a proper stance after a few tries.

It's not clear if he can shoot the arrow accurately, but...

"Try not to waste the arrows, okay?"

"Of course, I don't intend to waste them."

"And don't do anything reckless just because you're bored."

"Got it, got it."

Toya's casual response makes me a bit unsure.

Haruka seems to feel the same way, frowning but then sighing and turning back to us.

"I'm a bit worried, but it's fine. Naoto, let's go."

"Alright."

"Be careful, both of you! I'm more worried about you two than I am about myself."

Indeed.

If you fall, you'll die.

Despite that, the fear is minimal.

I waved to Toya and started climbing up.