「Ah, Fort Milond, huh. That brings back memories. I never thought there would still be someone who knew about it」
「Why did it stop being used?」
It was built because it was important, right?
「The budget was cut. That was around the time when the lord changed. The new lord said he would eliminate unnecessary spending」
「And after that, monsters overflowed and everything ended in disaster, right?」
I do not know if this world even has the concept of a punchline though.
「Yeah. A pack of Maagu attacked. Most of the town was destroyed, and many people were killed」
So the lords of Koraus have been incompetent for generations. It is a wonder the place has not collapsed yet.
「Do you remember the road to Fort Milond? I want you to check whether it is still usable」
「Understood. It is probably being used as a refuge by adventurers. If you ask Mizuho, he might know something」
The branch chief of Rihar, huh. He and Kainzel-san are from the same generation, so he might know about that time as well.
「Please take Ladarion with you」
It would be better to bring someone who can use Home. If repairs are needed, we will be able to transport various things out.
「I will take Azur Rise as well. It has been too long, so my memory of the road is vague. He should know about Fort Milond」
He glanced to the side, so I followed his gaze and looked too. Azur Rise was there!? No, Mishinie was there too!! I did not notice them at all!
「Make some noise when you approach. You nearly stopped my heart」
I have not reached the level of perversion where I can sense people by their presence yet!
「Sorry, sorry. It has become a habit」
If you cannot survive without moving silently, being an adventurer really is a harsh line of work.
「Haa… Azur Rise, sorry, but could you go with Kainzel-san?」
「Understood」
「I will prepare plenty of snacks」
Was it just my imagination that flowers seemed to bloom behind Azur Rise? His face was expressionless, but it was obvious he was happy.
「By the way, do you know the fort beyond the town of Mars?」
「If it is that one, I know it. I have been there several times」
That was Mishinie. She would be going all the way to the town of Mars.
「Is that place usable?」
「Fort Miroid is fairly decayed, but it should still be fine for staying overnight」
If adventurers are using that one as well, it might be better to inform Rusul-san about it.
「Then for Fort Miroid, it will be me, Bisha, Mebi──」
「──I will go too」
「…Mishinie as well. The four of us will go」
Well, we do need someone to guide us, so it cannot be helped.
「You are leaving Miriel behind?」
「Yes. Miriel will stay as the contact person」
We will be walking through the mountains, so it would be hard for Miriel since her legs are still not very strong. It is better for her to remain as the contact point. She will probably complain though…
「If nothing happens, I am thinking of going tomorrow. What do you think?」
「If you want, we can even start today. If it is the town of Rihar, we can reach it quickly with the Wolverine」
「With the Wolverine, you probably cannot carry Azur Rise and Ladarion though」
Azur Rise is about two and a half meters tall, and his weight definitely exceeds one hundred kilograms. Ladarion may have that physique, but her weight is also ridiculous. The load capacity was… what was it again? Well, it would be difficult for Azur Rise to sit in the passenger seat anyway.
「That is true. Then I will use Pioneer No.1」
So we decided to use No.2.
「Should we head to the town of Mars as well? Mishinie, what do you think?」
From here it is more than twenty-five kilometers, but we should be able to arrive before it gets dark. If we inform Rusul-san today, we will be able to move starting tomorrow morning.
「I have no problem with that」
So I called Bisha and Mebi and told them we were going to the town of Mars, then explained the situation to Miriel. As expected, she said she wanted to go too, but after explaining that someone had to stay behind, she finally accepted it. Whew.
Before I knew it, it had already passed fifteen o’clock, but if we move fast we should still make it before it gets dark.
「Ladarion. Gather at Home at twenty hundred. Miriel too」
「Understood」
「Yes」
After a brief meeting, we departed.
「The wind has gotten colder」
I wonder if the temperature is about that of November. Riding in the Pioneer without heating is rough.
「Bisha, Mebi, aren’t you cold?」
「We’re fine. We’re used to the cold」
I envy that. As a modern guy, I want heating even at this temperature.
「Won’t you ask me?」
「I won’t ask someone who’s drinking alcohol」
Anyone chugging wine straight from the bottle can get motion sickness from the vibrations and fall into a hell of vomiting.
We took the road on the Rihar side, and before sixteen thirty the town of Mars came into view.
Before entering the town, I returned the Pioneer to Home, then carried our luggage and went inside.
How many months has it been since I last came to the town of Mars? Since spring, so more than half a year? I passed nearby before, but I never entered the town. Even if it is within the same territory, you don’t come unless you have business here.
It seemed to be the time when adventurers were returning, and several of them were heading toward the guild branch.
…There were quite a lot of adventurers here…
What was it like before…? I only remember things about Rondario-san and his group.
「──Mister!」
A girl about eight years old appeared, carrying a small box. Who?
「Welcome back! I’m glad you’re safe!」
Welcome back? What does she mean?
「Isn’t she one of the church kids?」
Mishinie’s words brought the memory back.
「──Ah, the tax collector!?」
She had become neat and looked like a proper town girl, so I didn’t recognize her.
「Tax collector?」
「Ah, no, it’s nothing. I didn’t recognize you because you look so neat now」
I can’t remember what her face looked like before, but the memory of being taxed in the town of Mars came back.
「After I did what you said, people started giving me alms」
Did I say something like that? I can’t remember at all.
「O-oh, I see, I see. That’s good. I’m in a hurry now, so see you later」
I took out one silver coin and put it into her box, then quickly left the place.
To escape the cold stares from Mishinie, Bisha, and Mebi!
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