Riding on the giant rat Hezrat-kun, I set off from the village together with Jisrare-san.
Just like last time, there was a bit of commotion before departure, but somehow, we managed to begin our world journey.
Toward a world yet unseen, we slowly began to move――
「You’ve gotten a bit faster」
「Huh?」
「Hezrat has gotten a bit faster」
「Ah, yes, that’s right. It’s been five months since the last journey, and Hezrat-kun has been working hard」
As a result of his efforts, his 『Agility』 has increased, and although he still hasn’t acquired the 『Riding』 skill, Hezrat-kun has been training as much as he can.
Just as Jisrare-san said, his movement speed has improved compared to our last journey.
It’s still a slow pace, but Hezrat-kun is steadily growing stronger.
「I think his 『Agility』 was 4 during the last journey. Now, he’s at 『Agility』 6」
I praised him by roughly patting around his neck.
「『Agility』 6, huh. May I ask, what level is he now?」
「Kii」
「He says it’s fine. His current level is 3」
「I see. Level 3 with 『Agility』 6 is impressive」
Saying that, Jisrare-san also began patting Hezrat-kun.
「At level 3, that’s more than enough speed. Just hearing 『Agility』 6 might sound slow, but at level 3, it’s plenty」
「…………」
「Hezrat will surely keep getting faster. 『Agility』 6 may not sound very fast yet, but he’ll continue to grow」
「…………」
Isn’t she indirectly insulting me, since my 『Agility』 is also 6…?
Well, she probably doesn’t mean it like that, but still…
「Kii…?」
「Ah, it’s fine, Hezrat-kun. Keep up the good work」
As I was feeling a bit uneasy, Hezrat-kun seemed to notice and tried to comfort me.
It’s fine, Hezrat-kun. Don’t worry about me. Just keep improving your 『Agility』 as much as you can.
「Is something wrong?」
「No, it’s nothing. Anyway, the first place we’re heading to is――」
「Kirk Village」
Kirk Village. A human village said to be located northeast from here.
It’s the human village we couldn’t reach last time.
「How long will it take to get to this Kirk Village?」
「Hm? Let me see…」
Jisrare-san thought for a moment in response to my question.
She’s probably calculating based on Hezrat-kun’s travel speed.
「About two weeks, I think」
「I see. Two weeks」
「In about a week, the forest should end. If we keep going for another week after that, we should arrive at Kirk Village」
「I see. One week to the edge of the forest」
I understand. That must be the boundary of the elven lands. The point where the forest ends is probably the very edge of their territory.
In that case, could Yggdrasil-san warp up to that point? Maybe it would have been an option to have her come along that far.
She did say before, 『Shall I come along too?』, so if I had asked, she probably would have joined us. A three-person journey until that point might have been interesting.
Well, we’ve already set off again, so it’s too late to think about that now.
Unless we end up restarting the restart――a third departure, there’s no point in thinking about it.
…There’s no point in thinking about it.
Unless, like last time, Jisrare-san forgot her bow and we had to return early, leading to yet another departure――
「Alec」
「Eh…? W-what is it…?」
「Is something wrong?」
「Ah, no, it’s nothing…」
…Right as I was thinking something unsettling, Jisrare-san spoke to me, and I ended up getting flustered.
「So, did something happen…?」
「Monsters」
「Eh? Ah, I see」
Oh, I see. Monsters. It seems some appeared nearby.
Alright then, I’ll use my 『Search』 skill to――
「Let’s see… maybe over there?」
「This way」
「…………」
Relying on my not-so-reliable level 0 『Search』 skill, I sensed a presence and pointed to the rear right, thinking it might be there――but Jisrare-san pointed to the front left.
At this point, being completely opposite is almost impressive.
「Shall we get a bit closer?」
「Yeah」
Following Jisrare-san’s lead, we moved ahead, and at last my 『Search』 skill gave a clear response.
Or rather, I could already see the monster.
「It’s a giant rat」
「Yeah」
A giant rat. A wild giant rat had appeared.
Hmm. Even though they are both giant rats, looking at it like this, the wild one and Hezrat-kun feel completely different.
Hezrat-kun has a sense of intelligence and dignity. How should I put it, he has refinement. Yes, refinement.
He also looks clean. His fur is glossy and smooth. Soft and fluffy.
So, without really thinking, I started fluffing Hezrat-kun, and he turned back toward me as if to say 『Eh, what’s wrong all of a sudden?』, but I kept fluffing him anyway.
That said, Hezrat-kun is technically the same species, so I wondered if he might feel some resistance toward fighting a giant rat, but… it seems there is no problem at all.
He hunts the giant rats himself without hesitation, and even when I defeat one, he shows no particular reaction.
「Alright then, Alec」
「Understood」
I got down from Hezrat-kun, took out my bow from the magic bag, and began preparing for battle.
It has been this way since we were in the village, but whenever I go out with Jisrare-san, I handle the fighting. Jisrare-san hardly steps in. She says it is training.
…This is the only part. The only part that actually feels like 『training』 in Jisrare-san’s training.
Anyway, Jisrare-san said she would not interfere this time either, so I was about to quickly take care of the giant rat—
「Ah…」
「Hmm?」
「By the way, Jisrare-san. I have one request… if possible, could I ask you to handle this one?」
「Me?」
「That giant rat is the first monster we have encountered on this world journey. I am not sure if calling it commemorative is the right word, but at any rate, it is the first monster」
Come to think of it, last time we did not run into a single enemy.
Well, the trip did not even last a full day, so that can happen.
「For our first battle against our first monster, I would very much like Jisrare-san to take it on」
「Hmm…? Wouldn’t it be better if you fought it, Alec?」
「No, no, this is something I would like to leave to you, Jisrare-san. It is a special occasion, after all」
「I see…? Well, I do not mind…」
My reasoning was not particularly convincing, but Jisrare-san seemed willing to go along with it.
Good, good… Then while I have the chance, I should quietly check.
I should discreetly confirm whether Jisrare-san actually brought the 『World Tree Bow』.
Last time, she was deeply upset about forgetting her bow, and ended up spending several months preparing for this trip.
If I were to directly ask something like 『Did you bring your bow properly this time?』, she might end up sulking.
In that case, it is better not to ask outright, and instead confirm it quietly.
「Then, Jisrare-san, please」
「Alright. Then—」
Nodding at my words, Jisrare-san turned her palm toward the giant rat—
「Ah. If possible, with a bow! It would be great if you could defeat it with a bow and arrow!」
「Hmm?」
「Since you are an elf, it would be nice if you could fire a clean shot…」
「I do not mind…」
Seeing Jisrare-san about to use magic, I hurriedly stopped her and asked her to use a bow instead.
Though slightly puzzled, she accepted my request, withdrew the hand she had pointed at the giant rat, and slipped it into her magic bag.
Then, she took out a single arrow—
「Here I go」
「Yes. …Hmm? Wait?」
Just the arrow? Where is the bow?
Ignoring my confusion, Jisrare-san held the arrow by the tip, snapped her wrist, and threw it at the giant rat.
「Eh…」
「Hehe. How was that?」
「Well, it is impressive, but…」
The arrow she threw flew straight forward and cleanly pierced the giant rat.
It really was impressive, and strangely cool. I even felt grateful to Jisrare-san for showing me something so interesting.
But still… what about the bow?
What about the World Tree Bow? Did she actually bring it?
That was the only thing I wanted to confirm.
next chapter: Jisrare-san’s Water
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