Chapter 125

Our journey was going smoothly. We hadn’t encountered any monsters, nor had we run into bandits or thieves. Perhaps it was because the terrain was rugged and there were few human resources around—meeting anyone was a rare occurrence. But maybe that’s what made it all the more charming. It wasn’t every day you could wrap yourself in a blanket on a snowy mountaintop, sitting by a bonfire while twilight painted the sky with hues of deep blue and crimson.

“The scenery is beautiful….”

The crackling embers danced into the darkening night sky. Once a day, this fleeting moment where time seemed to pause—a blend of dusk and dawn that shimmered like an illusion before fading away. The beauty of such subtle color changes lingered in the evening air.

What’s travel really about? Isn’t it for experiencing things we’ve never experienced before? Travel isn’t just about finding something extraordinary; sometimes, it’s also about discovering small wonders hidden within everyday life—the joy of unexpected encounters or sharing moments together.

“Should we head inside?”

“Yeah, we should.”

“Let’s go together.”

“I’ll check the carriage real quick and then come in.”

“Alright.”

Suri was already dozing off on my shoulder, her breathing steady. Evangelin yawned behind her hand, looking sleepy as well. Anne followed suit, covering her mouth as she stifled a yawn too, then slowly climbed into the carriage.

Now I was alone by the dying fire. Staring at it blankly, I realized why people said “staring at a fire makes you lose track of time.” Gathering myself after a while, I stood up and decided to give the carriage some attention before bed. Time to tinker with it a bit.

“Hmm…”

I didn’t know much about cars—just that they had steering wheels, accelerators, and brakes. That was about it. Still, ignorance can be bliss when paired with magic and experience. Following instincts guided by high probabilities and choices, I began enchanting the carriage piece by piece. No need for expensive artifacts or magical items since I could fuel it with my own mana.

Instead of replacing horses entirely, I added telekinetic controls so the driver didn’t have to sit upfront. Large windows allowed visibility from inside, along with extra safety features. Power would come directly from me, no external sources needed. Why bother when my labor could replace them?

This makeshift contraption wasn’t exactly a car—it still required horses—but it was functional enough for now. Someday, I’d craft something truly impressive. For now, this worked fine.

Back inside, the upgraded carriage provided comfort during long trips. Thanks to a touch of magic, everyone could relax however they wanted without worrying about driving. Magic really did make life easier.

As I finished tinkering, I glanced at the horse resting in the snowless field nearby. A temperature-regulating device attached to its bridle ensured warmth. Items like these existed precisely for situations like this!

“See you tomorrow morning.”

With that thought, I climbed into the carriage. Inside, silence reigned. Curling up quietly, I drifted off to sleep.

—

From here onward, our journey shifted subtly—from the driver’s seat to the cozy interior of the carriage. Protected from the cold winds, we watched the world unfold through large windows, enjoying each other’s company. If we felt like stretching our legs, we’d step out briefly; if hunger struck, we’d stop for meals. This spontaneous style made the trip even more enjoyable.

Just like how Suri appeared unexpectedly, part of the fun came from unpredictability.

“Who’re you?!”

A tiny pair of ears twitched playfully atop a fox sprite’s head, its fluffy tail swaying adorably.

“A human.”

“Whaaaat?! How can you understand OUR language?!”

Was this thing called a Fox Sprite? Whatever it was, it stood shorter than Yul but radiated charm nonetheless. Yul leaned closer, giggling loudly and pointing at its elongated ears. The fox sprite joined in unreserved laughter before suddenly snapping back to seriousness with a huff.

“Not cool! Laughing is contagious!”

Its peculiar dialect amused us greatly. Was this due to translation errors or genuine quirks? Either way, it was certainly unique.

“This is OUR territory! You shouldn’t… *sniff* …you shouldn’t enter without permission… but wow, what a nice smell!”

Mesmerized, the fox sprite waddled closer, sniffing curiously. Meanwhile, another figure emerged silently—an elf with impossibly long ears framed by delicate green tones. Her graceful presence commanded respect.

“We don’t welcome outsiders here. Please turn back.”

Anne gasped audibly upon seeing her. It hit me immediately: elves weren’t just legends—they were real. My reality differed far more from games than I’d imagined.

“This area belongs to the Forest Realm. Kindly retreat,” stated the elf formally.

“Oh no! Look who showed up! Ear-lady arrived!”

“Don’t call me ‘Ear-lady!'”

“But look! The person over there smells amazing!”

The fox sprite’s bold remarks contrasted sharply with the elf’s composed demeanor until…

“Huh?”

She tilted her head, sniffing cautiously once again.

“Eh…?”

Confusion clouded her face as she continued investigating.

“What is it?”

Evangelin stepped forward protectively, shielding me from the increasingly intrigued elf.

“Huh…? This person too? Strange… how…?”

Though speaking common tongue, something seemed off about her behavior—half-broken, perhaps.

“Is everything alright?”

“No, nothing serious… just…”

“Noticed it yet? These humans carry a delightful scent!” interjected the fox sprite gleefully.

“Yes, indeed. Their aroma carries traces of Cheong-rok.”

At those words, memories surfaced—a decorative branch hanging near my window, tea leaves frequently consumed… Could it be connected?

“Could this be it?”

[Branch of Blue-Green]

It turned out the seemingly useless item embedded itself deeply within us, unnoticed until now. Those attuned to forest scents recognized its distinctiveness instantly. Pulling out the branch confirmed their suspicions dramatically.

“Whaaat?!”

“Heeek!”

Reactions varied wildly between shock and awe. Thankfully, Evangelin remained vigilant, standing firm despite the elf halting mid-approach.

“Where did you obtain this?”

“It sort of fell into my hands.”

“From the desert chest, maybe?” I mused aloud, though details grew fuzzy. Initially dismissed as worthless, this object clearly held significance judging by their reactions.

“Impossible! That must belong to Father!”

“You think so?”

“Absolutely! Its fragrance matches perfectly, and only THAT could explain why we’re drawn to you!”

Eavesdropping became effortless thanks to heightened senses. Conversations whispered privately unfolded clearly before me. Understanding the situation better now, I regarded the branch anew—not merely decoration but something far greater.

“Ahem. Apologies for earlier. Since this branch holds importance to us…”

“Would you take it?”

“Really?!”

“There are spares at home.”

“Thank you! We humbly accept!”

Bowing deeply multiple times, gratitude overflowed from the elf. Beneath her polished exterior lay someone surprisingly excitable. First impressions proved deceptive.

“Welcome! Anyone carrying such a fragrance deserves hospitality!”

“Indeed. Welcome to the forest. Shall we proceed?”

“Is it safe?”

“Good smells always herald kind guests. Feel free to join us.”

Guided by both fox sprite and elf, curiosity sparked among our group. Explaining briefly—that our household plant held unforeseen value—we handed it over willingly. Eyes widened with wonder as everyone stared at the humble twig in my grasp.

“So THIS is what it does…”

“Never would’ve guessed.”

Meanwhile, Yul wandered casually toward the fox sprite, petting it freely despite protests.

“Stop petting me!”

“Hehe.”

“Don’t laugh either! It spreads!”

“Hehe!”

“Grrr!”

Laughter bridged gaps effortlessly. Tensions eased as shared amusement lightened the mood. Finally calm, the elf extended an invitation.

“Shall we continue this way?”

“What lies ahead?”

“Our home and the true owner of that branch await.”

“Then let’s not hesitate.”

Adventure thrives on novelty. With no apparent danger looming, venturing further felt natural.

Together, we guided the carriage deeper into the woods. Seasons seemed askew here—barren trees lining paths leading inward, yet vibrant spring awaited beyond. Stepping through veils of twilight, emerald hues enveloped us warmly. Suddenly, the elves’ lightweight clothing made perfect sense.

Inside, temperatures were surprisingly balmy.

“Wow…”

“Amazing…”

Even Yul clung tightly to the fox sprite, giggling softly. Such sights might appeal less to children than cuddly creatures, though. Ignoring pleas for mercy, I smirked watching despair transform into adorable drooping ears and tail.

“Friends of the forest. Welcome to our sanctuary. I am an elf, guardian of Cheong-rok.”

Formally bowing, her introduction harmonized beautifully with the surrounding ambiance. Despite newfound solemnity, remnants of earlier antics lingered endearingly. Thus, our journey took a detour into unknown realms filled with mystery and wonder.