Chapter 35
Two weeks had passed.
The operation of removing mines throughout the former forest was nearing its end, and the muscle pain that had been plaguing my entire body had improved to a level I could endure.
…The fact that even after two weeks, the muscle pain hadn’t completely disappeared but had only progressed to a tolerable extent, was no longer as shocking.
Who should I blame?
I should blame myself for making such terrible stat choices.
“…Today is also pretty quiet, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
“Other people are bustling around the forest, and I wonder if it’s alright for us just to stay here doing nothing.”
“Rir shouldn’t feel uncomfortable. He’s merely following the superior’s orders.”
“…Still, it feels a bit weird.”
If either of us or Rir had joined, the mine removal job would’ve finished much faster. But I had issues with stamina, and Rir had the role of acting as a communication soldier.
Moreover, the deeper we ventured into the uncharted territories, the terrain became harsher, and plants that contained dangerous toxins capable of paralyzing the body with just a touch began to appear. My physical abilities were nowhere near the required standards, so I would only end up hindering the work.
‘Besides, I’ve never even been trained on how to deal with landmines.’
I’m just barely starting to understand why mages chant spells. I haven’t even fully mastered the basics of magic, and suddenly, I’m expected to handle dangerous objects like landmines.
It’s like giving a handgun to a five-year-old child, isn’t it?
The fact that I’m lying here in the corner of the carriage, doing nothing while staring blankly at the leaves and the sunlight filtering through the gaps, is… strictly speaking, for the safety of all of us.
“Then, shouldn’t we help with the construction of the forward base? It’s a bit awkward doing nothing and just resting for two weeks.”
“…Help with construction?”
“Yes.”
“Rir, have you ever studied architecture?”
“…No.”
“How about using a hammer?”
“…I haven’t.”
“Then staying still is helping.”
“That’s true, but…!”
I’m not being lazy or avoiding work because I want to. There’s just nothing for me to do.
“The road paving has just finished! Valleland urgently needs supplies, so let’s send the carts loaded with food and weapons first!”
Valleland is currently the site of fierce battles between countless Marauders and the party of heroes.
The reason the Achilipthus Forest region was important in the game was that it could connect the capital directly to Valleland, this battlefield. Therefore, there was no reason for Colonel Belua to oppose the decision made by the unnamed dwarf squad leader.
Belua nodded and ordered the dwarf squad leader and his subordinates to escort the carts.
As the supply carts slowly moved further away, I was idly wondering meaningless things like, “I wonder how hard the bread in those carts is,” when I noticed a faint glow starting near me.
The crystal sphere that Rir had placed on the floor of the carriage began to shimmer.
“…Uh, just a moment.”
Rir put away the notebook he was holding and cautiously approached the glowing crystal, speaking hesitantly.
“Ah. Erm, secure communication… secure communication…”
This young elf still seemed awkward with military-style communications.
“―Secure communication, 2nd Squad, 7th Infantry Battalion of the Capital Guard Force, 5th Tier Mage Chris Weaver reporting. I’ve encountered something unusual, thus reporting. The elves say this is a plant used as material for Filia fiber, but outwardly, it resembles a rose. It has no thorns, but there’s a thick seed-like structure nestled within its innermost leaves.”
Filia fiber was a rare and expensive item in the game world, used to make high-performance Ranger Hoods.
Had I been an archer, I might have jumped up excitedly and cheered, but as a mage, it wasn’t particularly something I needed.
Still, they could just gather it and load it onto the supply cart, leaving the logistics officers to handle the rest.
“Just gather all you can see for now. As the elves mentioned, it is quite valuable.”
“―Understood. Swept the assigned area and will return by tomorrow morning.”
Recalling my knowledge, plants used to make Filia fiber could only be obtained by climbing a hundreds-meter cliff at the eastern edge of the forest. Given the report of finding such plants, it wasn’t hard to infer the work was almost complete.
…Still, after working together for two weeks patrolling various parts of the forest, he calls his elf partner not by name but simply as ‘elf’.
This mage, Chris Weaver, must have quite an aversion to elves.
“Aah, secure communication…”
“Secure communication. Secure communication.”
As it turned out, I wasn’t wrong; we received five reports today. Most were notifications of finishing patrols in the assigned areas and planning to return either tonight or tomorrow morning.
‘This is such a cushy job.’
At the start, I was quite baffled when the spirit offered tasks that were completely unfamiliar. But now, looking back, it was a completely effortless task.
After all, I was a “General.”
Which general in this world would personally walk around removing landmines? They just lie back, indulging in luxury while leaving all the real work to the lower-ranked, poor soldiers.
My job was simply to wait while expecting what the spirit’s “special gift” would be and idly observe the barracks, warehouses, and fortifications being internally constructed.
…Isn’t it good to have such a sweet event once in a while? Even with this luck of one, it’s impossible for unfortunate things to happen every single second.
No, that doesn’t make any sense.
“AAAHHH! There’s still more! That filthy excrement left by the Marauders!”
Freaking hell, makes sense, right?
“DAMN IT ALL, MY FOREST…! MY FOREST, IT’S UNBEARABLE! You disgusting filth!”
As soon as the mage and elf squads returned, Rir and I immediately headed toward the giant tree with the rune stone, accompanied by Trian.
Thanks to the familiar route and Trian’s expert guidance over the past two weeks, we reached the location much faster than when we had first arrived.
When we reached the tree in the late afternoon sunshine, we wasted no time before touching the rune stone.
“Why did you stop working? Do you seek to mock me?”
And…for some inexplicable reason, the spirit who didn’t know how to keep calm appeared before us.
“I apologize, I thought we had thoroughly inspected the entire forest… Perhaps you could tell us from which area that foul magical residue originates?”
“Phew… Yes, as humans, you’re bound to overlook things. You’re mortal beings, not transcendentals… mistakes are bound to happen.”
This time, it took me only about six apologies to calm the crazy deer. It seems that calming spirits becomes easier with practice.
“…In the far south, there’s a deep cave. You missed the disgusting stench within.”
Deep cave at the southern end of the forest?
…This feels ominous.
“Ah…Spirit sir?”
“My name is Daljin. Call me Daljin from now on.”
Wow, quick to introduce oneself.
“Aa, yes Daljin sir. Just asking, by any chance, when you say ‘the cave’, you mean the one which has properties that prevent outsiders from observing its interior?”
“Seems like you’re familiar with that cave. Yes, that exact cave. Once you enter through an opening, you can’t exit through the same opening until you’ve explored to the end and found an exit. You seem to know your way, so you don’t need directions. Head there, deal with it, and come back quickly. I’m already filled with too much irritation to hold on any longer.”
Oh, that’s a dungeon alright, crazy fool.
“…How did the Marauders end up pooping all the way in there?”
I couldn’t help but burst out in an awkward laugh.
“What do I know? I’m not interested in or want to know what those revolting creatures are thinking.”
The southern dungeon of the forest was a place very useful for the Barbarian classes, offering a powerful artifact as its ultimate reward. It was famously difficult, so I had no intention of getting near it…
“Ho ho. What can be done about it?”
What I can do is simply accept fate…
“…I look forward to an especially special gift.”
“The gift isn’t something to worry about. I’ll open a path for you into a new dimension.”
The dazzling deer, not knowing what I’m feeling while heading back to headquarters, let out a hearty laugh and gradually disappeared back into the rune stone.
“…Do you know anything about the cave in the southern forest?”
Rir, who had merely bowed since the spirit’s appearance, finally sighed in relief once that blasted critter was gone and lifted his head to ask.
“I need to confer with the captain.”
I rubbed my furrowing brows as I spoke.
This situation is getting more troublesome.
Exploration into the southern dungeon is necessary.
Upon hearing the news, Captain Belua looked at me with a rarely seen expression of difficulty.
“Venturing into a dungeon…hmm…”
Belua’s reaction wasn’t particularly unusual. After all, the ultimate goal of the squad stationed here was “to complete the forward base and ensure its safety.”
Unlike the “mine-clearing” mission which allowed for quick return to the front lines upon receiving battle reports from headquarters, a team sent to “dungeon exploration” couldn’t receive reports or return easily if something occurred at headquarters.
Not forgetting the prioritized goal is an essential attribute for soldiers, especially commanders, so Belua’s reaction was indeed appropriate.
“The decision is entirely up to the captain. I don’t want to hinder the completion or defense of the forward base.”
Therefore, I stepped back easily. Though it felt a bit of a waste of time, with the camp stabilizing and spare time available, I could simply gather a personal party and clear the dungeon at my convenience.
“Make an effective decision, Belua. This mage’s time is valuable to us differently from others. Prominent among promising individuals, known by the nickname ‘The Future of the Continent,’ each of his days is precious.”
Unexpectedly, it was Corporal Trian who added weight to my words.
…Still, when did I acquire the nickname “The Future of the Continent”?
I stared at Trian with a furrowed brow, but the elf completely ignored me, continuing his own speech.
“This mage needs to grow stronger. We, the allied forces, bear the responsibility to support his growth. And, even if anything unexpected happens…we have Alter, an 8th Tier Mage, so it doesn’t seem to be a big problem.”
“Hmm…”
Trian had valid points.
Even with busy efforts to upgrade my skills, I had missed two weeks of Alter’s lectures.
Though Lir taught me various things on the side, it couldn’t compare with the instruction abilities of Alter, equivalent to the number one instructor in the district. Moreover, he inexplicably went into his turtle stance randomly, making it hard to concentrate.
Even though the construction has entered its final phase, it will take around a week to finish the internal construction or finish works.
For the past two weeks, I spent most of my time lying in the carriage reading books I had already read or receiving lectures from Lir that weren’t exactly lectures, thus engaging in inefficient skill-up activities. Therefore, wasting more time this way isn’t something suitable for me.
“Besides, that mage is utterly useless for construction anyway, isn’t he? Since most of the command is handled by you, wouldn’t it be better to just send him to the dungeon instead of keeping him idle here like a decoration?”
Damn, except for that rude tone, I could’ve been thanking that elf.
“…”
The Black Hammer Belua stroked her massive jaw, deep in thought. She had the duty to protect her subordinates and build the forward base alongside the obligation to solidly support the promising candidate who would represent humanity’s future.
“…Alright. Since we have Alter, an 8th tier Mage, we don’t need to overly worry. Actually, this forward base project could have been handled by our squad alone… We didn’t even need to drag such an overly qualified mage as Bin along with us, and Alter was more than necessary for the mission level.”
Deciding after much pondering, Belua made such comments, then began to recite the names of squad leaders who would be suitable for the dungeon exploration.
One of the names she mentioned was very familiar, and I immediately pointed it out without much deliberation.
“I wish to go with Rex, the son of Belzarck.”
It’s better to go with Rex, someone we’ve previously fought alongside, risking our lives to protect each other, rather than with complete strangers.
“He’s a tough warrior, trustworthy even in the most extreme situations with upright qualities. Moreover, I also recommend taking Trian. Though he talks quite ‘Elfish’, he’s agile and has keen instincts, making him an ideal guide within the dungeon.”
“…Whatever, it’s fine with me.”
…Technically, this is an official detachment from the higher-ups, so that elf doesn’t quite have a say in the matter unless there’s some really special situation.
Still, looking at the elf who casually shrugged his shoulders as though he has no choice, sticking out his lips petulantly, I felt a slight headache forming.
This guy… is he really a soldier?
“…What’re you staring at?”
…Alright. I shouldn’t bother trying to understand him or change him. This elf is simply being an ‘elf’. There’s nothing I can do about it.
