Preparing for travel is second nature to me.
I already knew what was necessary and what needed to be arranged, so everyone moved swiftly.
Although we attracted attention because Origol and the others came to see us off, we were able to head toward the Republic without any incidents.
I delivered more potions than usual to the Adventurer’s Guild as always and informed my acquaintances that I was leaving. However, Reinrich asked for souvenirs as usual, and even Riito-san made a request.
Eh? What is it? Precious herbs from the Republic… or rather, ingredients for herbal medicine? It seems there are many of those.
Well, since I fear the consequences, I will look for them, but since the purpose is not tourism, please understand if I cannot find them.
「Ah… The shaking is minimal, which is nice.」
Thanks to the paved roads.
Origol, I will praise you when I return.
Furthermore, since I laid Magic power balls on the cargo bed, the bounciness is even better.
Since all luggage can be stored in the magic space, lying down is easy and comfortable.
「…My lord. How can you make accessories in such a posture?」
「Hmm? I made the prototypes at home, and now I am just attaching the copies increased with the Multi-Copy skill.」
「Is that so? W-Working on small things meticulously… You are quite diligent.」
Well, it is simple work.
I prepared a diamond-shaped pendant top made of gems, gold, and silver using the Handing skill in the center, and simply attached copies of the same item created with the Multi-Copy skill.
Since she likes shiny things, I focused on appearance rather than performance. Although it deviates from my aesthetic sense, I am making something that feels gorgeous.
Personally, I prefer accessories that are simple yet intricate in the details, but considering the possibility that my preferences might not match hers, I thought it best to increase the candidates.
If she likes even one of them, I can create similar types.
Since this could lead to avoiding combat, I must prepare more than usual… However, making items I do not like is torment, so I am lying down and making them lazily.
「Ah… I wonder if Mizera is okay?」
She said she would stay behind as usual, fearing she might be a burden or that there might be danger.
Since she had just started tending to the herb field and wanted to research more about being an apothecary while we were away, she decided to stay…
「Are you still worried? Lord-sama and the others said they would look out for her, and Pococo and Cyan are there, so it will be fine.」
「That is true, but…」
「You are worrying too muchssu. Mizera said it herself, didn’t she? Protecting the house is also an important role.」
「That is helpful, but…」
Dama also said he would manage the house, but it is more helpful if Mizera, who knows the place well, does it.
「Fufu. What is there to worry about? If we finish early and return quickly, it will be fine.」
「Finish early…」
It takes about two weeks just on the way…
There is no helping that, and I do not dislike traveling slowly by carriage, but on the way back, I will definitely use Point Gate to return once we cross the border.
「Shiro-san, Shiro-san. What do you think about the King who suddenly appeared?」
「Hmm. I think she is strong.」
「Well, that is expected. The soldiers of the Republic are by no means weak, and there are many famous martial artists. If they could not defeat her… then she must be strong.」
I had already told everyone what I heard from Yasis.
When we discussed combat, the atmosphere became tense, but when we talked about ornaments and cuisine, we decided to try that approach first.
It increases my workload, but safety is the priority.
If she is satisfied with the ornaments and cuisine, that is good.
If it leads to combat… we will have to adapt to the situation.
「My intuition is usually good… I think combat is inevitable.」
「Hmm. Shiro thinks so too.」
…To be honest, I think so too.
However, there is a possibility that she will be deeply moved by the ornaments and cuisine and listen to our request, so I do not want to abandon that hope.
「Saracrim… was it? I have been to the Republic many times, but I have never heard of her. Well, I have not heard of her in other places either.」
「I wonder what it means? If she were a martial artist capable of facing an entire country, her name should have spread somewhat.」
「Perhaps it is just that neither Yasis nor Shion happened to hear of her?」
「No, no, no. I was involved in espionage, so at least in the countries I have visited, I should not have missed such information! …Probably.」
She sounded uncertain at the end, but since Shion said so, Saracrim must not be famous.
Saracrim… She is a woman, but what kind of person is she?
Well, knowing what kind of person she is… won’t change much.
「Hmm. No matter who she is, our actions will not change.」
「Wow, that is reassuring. Alright! If combat occurs, I will leave it to you!」
「Hmm. Shion will protect lord with her life.」
「Ah, yes. With her life… O-Of course. Yes!」
Well, you do not need to go as far as risking your life, but I will rely on you.
「Alright. The first one is complete for now.」
I connected the diamond-shaped pendant tops to form a rectangle and embedded gems of different colors into it. It is not meant to be worn, but rather displayed for enjoyment.
I drew a pattern with gems like pixel art… But since they are all gems, it turned out glaringly gaudy, which could be considered tasteless.
The pattern I drew was a dragon.
Not a dragon like Reagaia or Cassandra, but a long-bodied dragon that flies without wings, known as an Eastern Dragon from my original world.
Since the Gigoshoku Republic resembles Chinese culture, this was the image I had in mind. Unfortunately, I ran short on emeralds and sapphires, so I used rubies, resulting in a red dragon. I think it looks cool in its own right.
「Wow… This is not something one could make in this situation, and just thinking about how much it cost is scary, but it is amazing…」
「Well, no matter the cost, it will be expensed, right?」
「Will they… pay for it?」
「It would be troubling if they did not… This is only the first one.」
I will definitely make them pay.
If the alliance is resumed, they will surely judge it to be cheap.
「Now then. Shall I make the next one?」
「Master. Please do not overdo it. There is still time, and making one a day should be sufficient.」
「Hmm. Since I am lying down, it is like killing time, so I do not get tired. It is fine.」
Most of the items I made this time were completed using the Multi-Copy skill.
I will not work on items requiring intricate decorations while traveling, but since having more varieties increases the possibilities, I thought I would make as many as I can when possible——
「My Liege! Apologies, but we are stopping!」
「Eh? Mgyu!」
Just as Aina called out from the driver’s seat, my body swayed… and my face was enveloped in something soft.
It wasn’t ‘something.’ This sensation is… Wendy’s breasts.
It seems that due to the sudden stop, I plunged into Wendy’s cleavage.
I intended to lift my face immediately, but as a short break after completing one item, I felt that enjoying this sensation a bit longer would not bring divine punishment.
「There are monsters ahead… but… That is…! It is a Manticore!」
「「!」」
Manticore? What was that… It sounds familiar… Wait, huh?
「I thought we might encounter one after hearing about the Republic, but it seems we did so immediately.」
「Indeedssu. Well, I hold no grudge against that individual… but we have to kill itssu.」
「Ah, that is right. Shiro, Shion, please guard the carriage.」
Wow… Their expressions are filled with intense killing intent. Did something happen?
Ah, the Manticore. That is the poison Hayato used when he stabbed me!
I was told later that it was a blood poison from a Manticore, and that using recovery potions would worsen the condition.
Wait, could their high killing intent be because it is the poison that tormented me?
Oh… I am slightly happy.
The Manticore looked like a lion the size of an elephant, but its mouth was somewhat human-like, adding a different kind of fear.
Furthermore, its tail had a shape like a scorpion’s stinger. Not only was it poisonous, but its claws and fangs were large, making it look incredibly strong… Wow, it was a one-sided battle.
Sorte’s spear pierced the Manticore’s body, creating holes. Renge struck its abdomen, causing it to vomit dark blood. Aina burned it while slicing off its limbs.
「The three of them have become stronger… The Manticore is the strongest monster in this area, but they seem to handle it with ease.」
「Hmm. If they cannot defeat something like that easily, it would be troubling.」
「Hahaha… No, that is an S-rank designated monster, you know…? It usually requires about three groups of A-rank adventurers to deal with…」
Three groups of A-rank means it is quite strong, but they completely dominated it.
Ah, it seemed to end, as it turned into dust and vanished.
「Hmm. Next, Shion will challenge one alone.」
「I refuse!? Why are the three who are stronger than me working together, while I am alone!?」
「Shiro will also do it alone.」
「Wow, we are together! No, we are not! I refuse! It is impossible!?」
「It will probably be fine. Fight on.」
「M’looooorrddd! Help me! Shiro-san is not listening!」
Unfortunately, I can only tell her to give up…
「Please, Goddess! I will do anything, so please do not let a Manticore appear! Since it is a rare monster, please do not let it appear!」
Afterward, Shion managed to defeat a Manticore alone…
Aina and the others surrounded it to prevent escape, while Shion fought in the center.
Although it looked like the three surrounding her had weakened it significantly… It is probably best not to say that to Shion, who is striking a victory pose.
By the way, since Manticore blood poison was on Reinrich’s souvenir list, we had them draw blood before defeating the monster.
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