Chapter 61
Olla Desert (2)
I returned to the chapel and let out a sigh. The negotiation with the Vice-Commander had been quite chilling. Perhaps it was because I had only ever seen her smiling brightly.
The ancient being’s arm I obtained from inside the Guardian’s body during the Tutorial. The mont the Vice-Commander saw it in my bag, she pulled out an Orb.
The decisiveness with which she sealed off the entrance in an instant. And the fierce storm of magic power that burst forth afterward. For a mont, I was truly anxious that I might be gravely injured.
“Is there anything to prepare?”
In the end, the Vice-Commander took the bait. I expressed my deep gratitude that she agreed to help even though she knew. With this, the most troubleso problem was resolved.
“Not really.”
When I told her that, Winter also put on a resolute expression. It was the tension brought on by the harsh environnt called the desert.
“But it’s still a desert.”
“Mm~ our Winter is scared.”
“……I’m not.”
Canis teased Winter, who was worrying intensely. At her sly smile and tone, Winter shot back with sharp eyes.
“The desert is reeeally dangerous, but it’s not dangerous~”
“What are you even saying?”
I let out a hollow laugh at Canis’s words. At the ntion of danger, Worden reacted. I patted his shoulder and cald him back down.
“The desert is similar to the sea.”
“The sea?”
“Yeah. More precisely, it has a unique kind of magic power.”
The desert was similar to the sea. The sea’s defining trait was its distinct, sticky magic power. It was characterized by magic saturated with the water attribute.
The desert was similar. Magic of the fire attribute that expanded as if exploding. If the sea’s magic was so heavy it made it hard to breathe, then the desert’s magic could be said to vanish as if evaporating without you even doing anything.
“We’ll procure equipnt locally.”
“Locally? Hmm. I wonder if we have the money.”
The desert’s inherently difficult environnt could not be helped. Footing that sank deeply and scorching air that burned the lungs.
However, since the people of this world possessed superior physical abilities, there would be no major problem as long as we were properly equipped. I had no magic power, and Winter used Divine Power, so it did not matter.
“Canis’s combat strength will probably decrease a bit.”
“Mm~ it’s fine~ Crystal magic has high efficiency.”
I was a little worried about Canis, since the rotation rate of magic recovery was important to her. But Canis smiled brightly and answered proudly.
“Anyway, that’s the plan. We depart in two days.”
Perhaps because she intended to support us properly, the Vice-Commander even provided travel expenses. I tried to refuse, but after eting her sharp gaze, I had no choice but to accept.
Because of the long-term mission, I ended up drawing considerable scrutiny. It was sothing that would happen eventually anyway, so I did not mind, but it was a little frightening.
It would be difficult to describe the personality of the Imperial Princess, the Vice-Commander’s superior, as good. In the ga, the Imperial Princess’s nickna was [Iron-Blooded Empress].
“But how did you get permission~ Long-term missions are tough~”
“The Imperial Family granted it.”
“……It’s going to be okay, right?”
Winter asked anxiously. I nodded. True to her nickna, the Imperial Princess was extrely cold-hearted. She was the kind of person who would sacrifice countless things for her will and her objectives.
However, in the community, the Imperial Princess was quite popular. It was because of her resourcefulness that spared no ans or thods, combined with the seemingly incompatible trait of caring for the people.
She placed great importance on ability, and that was precisely what I was aiming for.
***
“Ahh~ I’m exhausted~”
The only way to leave Museion Island was by ship. We boarded the vessel that operated once a week and headed toward the nearest territory.
Those carrying the supplies issued for missions stretched their stiff bodies. Winter, seasick, lay sprawled out with a pale face.
“Senior.”
“What.”
“Please drive gently.”
“……Alright.”
Since she could not even move, Davide carried Winter on his back. With a gaunt face, she left behind a timid request.
Canis took the opportunity to tease her relentlessly, but Winter could not even respond.
“Outside? Long ti.”
Excited to be outside for the first ti in a while, Worden looked around repeatedly. Just as he was about to head sowhere, Davide grabbed the back of his neck and led the group.
“Let’s eat lunch and then take the train. Winter. Can you eat?”
“Ugh.”
“Even if you throw up, eat.”
We headed to a restaurant at the pier. The eatery for sailors was filled with all kinds of seafood dishes.
“Where are we taking the train to~ There aren’t many cities in the Olla Desert~”
Canis asked as she ate the grilled orange served as an appetizer. Davide unfolded a map he had prepared in advance.
It was a map marked only with the major cities of the Olla Desert. Davide swept his gaze over the group once.
“There are a total of four cities in the Olla Desert. Two in the north, one in the northeast, and one in the east. We’re heading to the northeastern city.”
Winter’s face was full of worry. Canis was naturally the confident type, and Worden did not care about such things at all.
The Olla Desert did not have particularly strong monsters, but it was a difficult region that required extensive preparation. The cost and ti required to prepare for proper hunting were considerable.
“Don’t worry.”
Winter’s concerns were valid, but there was no problem. Those who used poison posed no threat to Davide.
Those that hid in the sand and launched surprise attacks would be detected by Worden’s instincts, and illusions caused by mirages could be countered by Winter’s Silent Bell.
“At this point, it wouldn’t be wrong to call this a desert-specialized party.”
“That’s true~ Davi is really blessed with good fortune~ He even has a woman like ~”
Thanks to Canis, who could not resist making a silly remark, Winter’s expression gradually relaxed. It was not good for her to be completely at ease, but being overly tense and affecting her condition was not good either.
Davide silently looked at Winter. With a complicated expression, Winter squeezed her eyes shut for a mont before quietly steeling her resolve.
“Davi~ Davi~”
“What.”
As we ate the dishes that began arriving one by one, Canis called out to Davide. She cracked open a clam and nodded.
“Don’t you~ feel sothing?”
I had been sensing an obvious gaze for a while now. I cast a sideways glance. A small table on the opposite side of the restaurant.
I saw a passerby sitting there casually with both feet propped up on the table. They wore a thick robe that completely concealed their body.
“Mm? A stalker~”
“Pardon? Suddenly?”
At Canis’s offhand remark, Winter tilted her head. Unable to identify the figure in the robe, Winter had her head patted by Canis as if she were adorable.
Receiving sudden affection, Winter looked bewildered.
“Our cute Winter should just eat~”
“……What is that supposed to an.”
Winter grumbled as she resud eating. The one who had been groaning that she could not eat because of seasickness was now eating the most diligently.
Worden showed no particular reaction. The one most sensitive to danger remained still.
“Did we do sothing wrong~ As expected of Duhein~”
“That’s true, but Ulbushis wouldn’t be much different, would it?”
I snorted at Canis’s words. The feet of the robed figure resting on the table were covered in armor.
“Well, they don’t seem dangerous.”
Soon, the robed figure withdrew their gaze and left the restaurant. Though wrapped in the robe, I could tell from the build that it was a woman.
Davide paid no mind and focused on finishing the al. Thanks to Winter, the food was disappearing quickly.
“You said you couldn’t eat, but you’re eating well.”
“……Did I say I couldn’t eat? I don’t rember.”
“Well, well.”
When I teased her lightly, Winter shot a look. I burst into laughter at her cheeky reply. She had learned to counterattack fairly well now.
“Alright. Let’s hurry and eat. We don’t have much ti before the train.”
There was a train station close to the restaurant. It was a mode of transportation that existed only in the Empire, operated by sothing called a magic engine.
“There’s a train, yet people still ride in carriages.”
“Mm~ that’s because magic engine technology isn’t fully developed yet~”
Canis added an explanation to Davide’s cynical remark.
“Developed?”
“Yeah~ for comrcialization~ the engines are ridiculously large~”
Davide waved his hand as if uninterested. The massive train was quite a sight to behold, but I could not look for long because Winter tugged at my sleeve.
“Why is it so expensive…….”
Winter seed quite startled by the jaw-dropping price of the train ticket. The cost was indeed significant, but there was no need to worry.
After all, there was soone who would be paying for all the expenses of this mission.
“We just need to go to the lodging and unpack, right?”
“Yeah, pretty much.”
It was currently two o’clock. The train ride would take about four hours, so by the ti we arrived, unpacked, and had dinner, the day would be over.
Davide had overflowing stamina, so he was fine, but Canis and Winter were the type to sleep early and wake early, so they could not stay active beyond that.
“How’s the motion sickness?”
“……We just departed, so I’m not sure yet. It’s my first ti on a train.”
“How did you even enroll?”
“……I was asleep on the ship back then.”
“Worden.”
Winter gave an awkward smile. Davide called out to Worden. Worden, who had been stuck to the window staring outside, turned his head.
For all that, Worden was still an alchemist. When it ca to anything related to drugs, he was worth expecting sothing from.
“Got anything that could help?”
“Help? Mm. Help.”
Worden, who had been quiet until now, took sothing out from his pocket. It was an orange pill.
“Oh. Thank you.”
Winter, extrely grateful, quickly swallowed the pill. Canis looked puzzled, and I let out a hollow laugh.
“Uh, why are you all looking at like that?”
“Are you an idiot?”
“Huh?”
“If it were motion sickness dicine, he would’ve given it to you on the ship.”
“Oh.”
Winter opened her mouth and stared at Worden. Her face was filled with betrayal. Davide also looked at Worden.
He had stayed still on the ship, so I was curious what he had given her now.
“A sleeping pill? It could help?”
“Yeah. Good job.”
It was quite a passive attitude. He had always had a very distinct world of his own, so I let it slide.
Thud.
Unable to hold it in any longer, Winter slamd her head onto the table. One idiot who took whatever she was given, and another who handed over a sleeping pill at this timing.
Under Canis’s piercing gaze, Davide shrugged.
“Mmm~ Davi might have a tough ti~”
“They’re the ones I personally picked.”
The train departed smoothly. Its speed rivaled that of modern trains. The ride was not particularly comfortable, but it was not irritating either.
“What are you going to do in the desert?”
“Mm~ There’s plenty to do in the desert~”
Canis lifted Winter and leaned her against the wall. A red bump had ford on Winter’s forehead. Canis gave a vague answer to Davide’s question.
“For now, I’ll just follow Davi~ I might be a big help~”
Canis looked like she was anticipating sothing.
“Whatever it is, it’ll be interesting. You’ll get what you want too, of course.”
At Davide’s aningful words, Canis gave a charming smile. Davide leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.
Each of us took our rest. For about an hour, nothing unusual happened.
—We will guide you. The train will be making a temporary stop due to external factors. Passengers are asked to remain in their seats and follow further instructions.
Everyone except Winter, who had collapsed from the pill, snapped their eyes open. Davide furrowed his brow deeply.
It was a situation that could be brushed off lightly, yet for so reason, it left an uneasy feeling.
“Mmm~ I wonder what’s going on?”
“How would I know.”
“Mm? Sothing’s coming over there.”
Worden suddenly pointed out the window. We had passed the grasslands, and the desert was gradually coming into view. From the direction Worden indicated, I could see a cloud of dust.
“Looks like an event.”
Whatever was kicking up that dust was heading straight toward the train.
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