Volume 7 – There are Secrets in the Void Forest
Chapter 36 – Shadow Falling Over the Village
As autumn deepens, what is the neighbor up to?
—Though when I say neighbor, there’s quite a distance between us.
So, the day has come for us to investigate the elven settlement that, like us, resides within the forest.
The members of our party are me, Karen, Berde-san and Schnei-san, the Ejetia twins, and Noah and Parker-san—eight in total.
「Bark!」
「Of course, you’re coming too, Chocola.」
To be precise, it’s eight people and one animal.
Two weeks have passed since the party celebrating Berde-san and Schnei-san’s marriage. After returning to the forest with Pochi and the others to recharge, we’ve come back to Sidera.
The settlement we’re investigating is a village inhabited by one of the six founding elven clans, the Athenak. According to the global positioning magic, it’s located in the mid parts of the Void Forest. However, the forest is vast, making the route a bit tricky.
「About ten days one way.」
The day before departure, in the guild’s meeting room, Berde-san spread out a map and said this.
The Void Forest covers most of the northeastern Gregorum region.
The northern edge, where Ji Liz’s settlement is located, has been significantly eroded by an inland bay. Ignoring that, the forest is roughly circular—radiating outward from the area where our house is located.
Sidera is situated at the southern edge, but the other gaps are surrounded by high mountain ranges.
Berde-san’s thick finger points to the map.
「Sidera is here. The elven settlement should be around here.」
「It’s quite a bit west.」
「Right. So our route will be to travel clockwise around the outer edge from here. Going straight would mean traveling through the middle parts for the entire journey.」
「Given our strength, wouldn’t it be fine to go straight? Sui is with us, after all.」
「I’m sorry, Parke Ruru-dono*. That’s neither possible nor advisable.」
TN: Yeah. Probably a typo but let’s leave it be.
Parker-san’s question was met with a shake of the head from Rick—the elder twin of the Ejetia siblings.
「This investigation is primarily my and Noemi’s responsibility. So, in a way, we’ve requested your cooperation.」
「Yes, and although we possess the title of ‘Witch’, we are still lacking in strength… We don’t have the magic to contend with the mid-levels of this forest.」
Noemi, the twin sister, added in agreement.
「This is, after all, our mission. We can’t rely entirely on you. I apologize for our selfishness, but I hope you understand.」
「Oh, if that’s the case, you should’ve said so sooner.」
Parker-san said with a shrug, simultaneously giving Rick and Noemi a friendly pat on the shoulder.
「That’s the spirit. I like it. You’ll become strong for sure. Leave it to us… We’ll give you our full support.」
She said, her face breaking into a grin that looked almost fierce.
Berde-san and Schnei-san exchanged wry smiles.
「Well, if you’re going all out, we wouldn’t need to be here. This time, let’s stick to Sidera’s way… focusing on collective movement rather than individual prowess, prioritizing safety.」
It wasn’t humility but fact.
When it comes to magic, they are the least skilled among the mages present. Their combat capabilities fall far short.
—In this world, the concept of ‘strength’ is quite skewed due to the presence of magic.
Simply put, there is no notion of ‘quality over quantity’. Quality always surpasses quantity, and exceptional individual power can overcome any number of lesser opponents.
For example, Karen and my mother can easily venture into the depths of the forest alone.
For example, Berde-san’s team can’t advance beyond the mid-levels of the forest.
For example, a single mutated creature can pose a significant threat to a dragon’s settlement.
Great combat power and outstanding magical ability surpass all else.
No matter how well-coordinated an army or how skilled a knightly order might be, they cannot overcome a single ‘Witch’.
This is also why the Sorx Kingdom holds my mother, the world’s strongest witch—Viole Ella Mucare Hatano—in such high regard, granting her even the title of ‘Deer Slayer’. Her mere presence serves as a deterrent against the state. Compared to the fact that the ‘Heavenly Bell Witch’ resides within the kingdom, any disrespect or arrogance towards the royal family seems insignificant.
Having returned to this world for seven and a half months, I have finally come to understand this reality. At the same time, I realize that not only my mother but also Karen, Chocola, and I ourselves are similarly dangerous.
Still, despite this,
Berde-san and Schnei-san’s magical prowess and combat abilities are far inferior to ours—everyone understands that.
And yet, the respect everyone here holds for them remains unwavering.
「The clients are Rick and Noemi, and we’re here to assist them. Berde-san is the leader, with Schnei-san as the deputy. Once we enter the forest, we’ll follow Berde-san and Schnei-san’s instructions. We’re counting on you both.」
There are things that we—myself, Karen, Chocola, and even mother—cannot do.
Leading a group of adventurers into the forest, avoiding as many dangers as possible, and ensuring everyone returns alive.
Not missing a single trace of monsters, preparing for every possible situation.
In terms of surviving the ‘Void Forest’, these two are the ultimate specialists.
「…In reality, our destination is a place adventurers don’t usually go, and the forest is in rough shape. We don’t know what might happen, so stay alert.」
「In return, if any mutant appears, leave it to us. Of course, we intend to avoid them as much as possible.」
Berde-san and Schnei-san smiled at my words and looked around at everyone.
Of course, not only Rick-san and Noemi-san, whom I always look up to, but also Noah and Parker-san, with whom I have done investigations before, were looking at the two with great trust.
「Yes, I’m looking forward to it. I’ll learn a lot from Schnei-san’s scouting skills. It will definitely be useful for my life at home.」
「Bark!」
Karen also fired herself up with enthusiasm, while Chocola, whether understanding or not, panted with his tongue out.
Honestly, my heart was bubbling with excitement.
After all, this was the first time since coming to this world that I would be doing something truly adventurer-like.
And with trusted friends by my side.
「We’ll gather and organize the supplies today. We’ll leave early tomorrow. Be careful not to overeat or overdrink, and make sure to rest well.」
「Yes!」
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‘Volume 7 – There are Secrets in the Void Forest’ begins!
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