I spent the most comfortable night of the year in Doris's gentle embrace.
Then, early the next morning, I packed my bags, said goodbye to Doris and Philip, and set off on a new journey, leading "Silly Bird" along with me.
At Sharia's west gate, I met Rudeus, Roxy, and Elinalise, who were waiting for me. It seemed they had arrived at the gate quite early.
I shouldn't have been late, so I didn't know why they were so energetic.
The location of the Teleportation Magic Circle to the Bekalite Continent that I got from Nanahoshi was much further than the one I used to go to the Demon Continent.
They had prepared two horses and brought along an Adventurer.
It seemed they planned to have the Adventurer bring the horses back after reaching their destination.
But I didn't want to do that. I still had a bunch of experimental materials to collect on this trip to the Bekalite Continent.
When we rescue Zenith and head home, we'll likely have a lot of luggage. We'll need at least several carriages then, so instead of preparing them on the Bekalite Continent, it's better to just ride there from the start.
So this time, I brought along "Silly Bird," the mount that accompanied me throughout the Demon Continent.
After explaining my plan to bring back materials to Rudeus and the others, they readily agreed to take the horses with us.
I then gave the nearby Adventurer ten copper coins and sent him away. He would have probably earned two silver coins for bringing the horses back, as one might encounter monsters on the long road back to Sharia.
But since he received ten copper coins without doing anything, he was very happy.
Then, we all mounted up and set off on our journey together.
Because my Silly Bird is a breed from the Demon Continent, its actual size is quite large—about 50% wider than a human horse—and from a distance, it looks more like a dinosaur.
It didn't seem to struggle at all while carrying me and Nanahoshi all the way from the Demon Continent. Thus, Elinalise naturally took a seat behind me.
On the road, Rudy and Roxy weren't surprised by my new mount at all. I suppose it's because they both have experience traveling the Demon Continent!
Still, Silly Bird attracted a lot of attention from the people of Sharia. I didn't care much. We soon left the Sharia territory.
It takes about a week's travel southwest from Sharia to reach the forest containing the teleportation circle to the Bekalite Continent.
After all, I've never actually been there; I only have a simple map Nanahoshi drew for me. I was quite worried about not being able to find the place once we reached the forest.
If I hadn't guaranteed that the teleportation circle would save us a lot of distance, Rudy and the others would probably be nearing Ars by now, wouldn't they?
If I couldn't find the teleportation circle, I'd be too embarrassed to explain it to them; I'd have to make amends by leading them over the Red Dragon Mountain Range.
Elinalise seemed very happy to be traveling with me. Although she didn't say it, her actions constantly told me she was in a great mood.
Knowing there would be vast deserts at our destination, I prepared wide cloaks. This way, it wouldn't be too hot, and they would provide sun protection.
Elinalise took the opportunity to wrap both of us together in the cloak.
Elinalise really is a considerate older sister figure.
Her hands inside the cloak weren't still at all. She often left me in a state of agitation, which was quite annoying.
Perhaps Rudy and Roxy didn't notice, or maybe they were just used to traveling with Elinalise.
I saw Rudy riding a horse alone and was a bit curious; I remembered from the novel that Rudy never knew how to ride. Could he have lied just because he wanted to sit in a woman's embrace? Impressive, truly impressive!
After another five days of riding, we finally found a forest that looked like it might contain a Teleportation Magic Circle.
There are many forests southwest of Sharia, after all. I didn't know which one it was specifically, but I noticed this forest was exceptionally gloomy.
Seeing that the monsters looked more powerful, I figured this was the one. If a Teleportation Magic Circle isn't the type powered by magic stones, it must be built in a place with high mana density.
So, compared to other ordinary-looking forests, I felt a high-danger forest like this was more likely to house a magic circle.
After dismounting, we decided on a formation. Since we had traveled together when returning to Sharia from the Millis Holy Kingdom, we were familiar with each other.
Everyone had an understanding of each other's specialized skills.
However, I had changed my fighting style, so I made a suggestion.
"For special reasons, I can't use many of my spells normally right now. I'm in a state where I have to minimize the use of Healing Magic and Detoxification Magic.
So for this journey, just treat me as a swordsman.
Fortunately, we have enough mages in this party. Rudy, you have the Eye of Foresight, so follow behind me as we lead the way. Roxy, you take the third position and manage the horses.
Elinalise, you'll be responsible for the rear. How does this arrangement sound?"
"No."
The word came from all three of them at once, which surprised me!
"Big Brother Dorin, I don't know why you can't use magic right now, but it's too dangerous for you to face enemies at the very front."
"That's right, Dorin! I should be at the front. I have plenty of combat experience, and besides, forests are the kind of terrain we Long-eared Race excel in. I can easily tell directions and prevent us from getting lost. Let's swap; you take the rear!"
"No, Big Brother Dorin, you take the third spot. I'll be the one to cover the rear."
Being called "Big Brother Dorin" by a girl who was nearly sixty years old left me a bit bewildered.
Finally, after some debate, the formation was changed.
Elinalise took the lead to clear the path.
Rudeus stood in the second row, using his Eye of Foresight to watch for enemy attacks.
Roxy stood in the third row, providing all-around magic support.
I was relegated to the last row to protect the horses and cover the rear.
Sigh, I'm being coddled. These juniors look down on my swordsmanship far too much.
No matter. Historically, only Elinalise and Rudeus were able to successfully reach the Teleportation Maze.
I won't steal their thunder.
Once we reach the bottom of the Teleportation Maze and encounter the Nine-Headed Dragon, I'll reveal my Water King Style swordsmanship and dazzle them all.
After resting outside the forest for the night, we entered the woods the next morning and began our dangerous adventure.
According to Rudy, this forest is called the Rumen Forest; I don't know where he heard that name.
But the forest is truly massive, with towering trees everywhere, some spaced only a meter apart.
The ground was covered in various grasses, shrubs, and fallen leaves, making it very difficult to traverse.
If it weren't for the dangerous monsters, I think this would be a logger's paradise.
After all, we had two horses and an even larger bird with us.
So, we had to clear a path suitable for the animals as we went.
Although it slowed our progress, we patiently cleared the way so the return trip would be easier.
For some reason, I've noticed that ever since I started practicing the Water God Style using the overflow magic method, I've encountered monsters more frequently.
In less than two days, we've been attacked by no fewer than a dozen waves of monsters.
This is clearly abnormal; such frequency wouldn't even happen in a monster-infested labyrinth.
I haven't found the exact reason yet, but I suspect the pure mana overflowing from my body is attracting these monsters, much like how magic crystals in a labyrinth draw them in.
It's a bit awkward. While I can use the monsters to train my sword skills, if my body stays like this, how will I ever explore labyrinth ruins in the future?
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