Chapter 30

The azure curtain Ariel unfurled was wide enough to envelop the entire party and then some. Its vivid color suggested it wouldn’t break from just any ordinary impact.

“What on earth…?”

Mitchell wore a dazed expression. Although a priest, Mitchell was quite knowledgeable about magic and knew just how high-level the shield Ariel had cast was.

A mage capable of casting such a shield would be among the top in the Empire. Moreover, even if one could cast it, could they maintain it while sleeping?

Mitchell couldn’t even imagine how much mana that would require. On the other hand, Jenny, who wasn’t as knowledgeable about magic, seemed less surprised.

“Wow, can we just sleep here?” She was simply delighted.

“We don’t even need to keep watch, we can sleep soundly!”

“Jenny… isn’t this a bit strange…?” Mitchell quietly asked.

“Being able to cast such a shield means Ariel’s magical prowess rivals that of a grand mage.”

“Really? She doesn’t seem like it.”

“You shouldn’t judge by appearances. From what I see, Ariel possesses tremendous magical power.”

“Should I ask her directly?” Jenny approached Ariel, who was petting Ghost while maintaining the shield.

“Ariel, do you know any other spells besides the shield?” Ariel nodded in response.

“Magic Missile.”

“Wow, really? Ariel, you’re amazing! Anything else?”

“That’s all.”

“I see~” Hearing their conversation, Mitchell’s expression became complicated.

“…She can only use Magic Missile and Shield?” That would mean she’s only capable of beginner-level magic.

“But this shield is just…” Jenny poked Mitchell’s side.

“Mitchell, did you hear? No need to overthink it. Ariel isn’t human, she’s an elf. Elves naturally have a high affinity with mana. So, regardless of her magical skills, she can cast such a shield.”

“Listening to you… that might be the case.”

Reflecting on it, Mitchell hadn’t had much interaction with elves. Elves, with their high mana affinity, have a higher proportion of mages.

From that perspective, such a shield might not be that extraordinary for an elf. ‘I was thinking too much from a human’s perspective…’

Following Jenny’s advice, Mitchell decided not to overthink it. He accepted that elves, with their high mana affinity, could cast such shields. Of course, that wasn’t the truth. The notion that elves have high mana affinity and a high proportion of mages was a myth.

They are just a race that lives in the forest and loves nature, and from a human’s perspective, they are not much different. There are elves who can’t use magic well and those without any mana talent. If an elf who knew a bit about magic saw the shield Ariel cast, they would surely be as surprised as Mitchell.

*

Thanks to the shield Ariel cast, the party could sleep safely and comfortably. However, Ariel herself had a nightmare. A nightmare where two giant rubber balloons were pressing down on her face. Struggling to breathe, Ariel thrashed and woke up. Upon waking, she found something was indeed pressing on her face. It was Jenny’s chest. Jenny had tightly hugged Ariel’s face with her chest.

“Oh, Ariel, you’re awake.” Jenny smiled and patted Ariel’s head.

“Did you sleep well?”

“……” Although she hadn’t slept well at all, Ariel simply nodded and got up. It was already morning. Ghost was already up, while Roo and Mitchell were still passed out from drinking.

“Ariel, can you dispel the shield?” Jenny pointed outside the shield.

“We need to deal with that guy. He’s been staring at us for a while, and it’s annoying.” Outside the shield stood a troll, a monster somewhat familiar to Ariel.

“He’s probably waiting to eat us, but it won’t go as he thinks.” Jenny confidently drew her sword.

“I told you, I’m really strong. No need to worry, Ariel. I’ve taken down trolls before. You’ll be safe.” At Jenny’s words, Ariel dispelled the shield. As the azure curtain disappeared, the troll let out a rough roar.

“Kuuuooo!!”

“What, what’s that…?!” The troll’s roar startled Roo and Mitchell awake, and Ghost swiftly got up. Thud! Jenny lunged at the troll, who swung its club at her. Moments later.

“Haa… haa…” Jenny, breathing heavily, wiped the blood off her face. As she had told Ariel, Jenny had splendidly defeated the troll.

“Trolls have strong regenerative abilities, so you have to aim for the neck.” Jenny sheathed her sword as she spoke.

“But that’s not easy. So first, attack the legs to slow the troll down, then attack the arms to prevent it from attacking. Then, aim for the neck.” It was the most ideal method of hunting trolls known among adventurers.

“That’s how you effectively take down a troll. Of course, knowing the method doesn’t mean anyone can do it. It’s possible because I’m strong. How about it, Ariel? Isn’t your sister cool?”

If it were a village kid instead of Ariel, they would have nodded vigorously with sparkling eyes. But Ariel wasn’t like that. Ariel just stared blankly at the troll’s corpse.

The troll’s limbs were torn apart, and its head was severed. It wouldn’t fetch much if sold. Monster corpses lose value the more they’re damaged. From Ariel’s perspective, it was somewhat a waste. It seemed there was no need to put this troll corpse in the inventory.

“Are you hurt, Jenny?” Mitchell, having regained his composure, approached Jenny.

“My wrist is a bit.” Jenny’s wrist was fractured from blocking the troll’s club. Mitchell quickly cast a healing spell and said,

“Still, to take down a troll alone with just this injury, you’re truly amazing.” Jenny shrugged off Mitchell’s praise as if it were nothing.

“Well, I am strong.” In truth, Jenny wasn’t particularly pleased with Mitchell’s praise. What she had hoped for was Ariel’s reaction. She wanted Ariel to look at her with a bit of admiration, even if she didn’t shout

“Sister, you’re cool!” But Ariel didn’t even glance at Jenny, just frowned and stared at the troll’s corpse. ‘Was it a bit gruesome…?’ Jenny had deliberately swung her sword more violently when taking down the troll, conscious of Ariel watching. As a result, the troll was completely torn apart, and she thought it might have looked a bit gruesome to Ariel.

“…Let’s move for now. The smell of the troll’s blood might attract other monsters.”

In truth, it didn’t matter much if monsters were attracted. With the sun up, Jenny was confident she could easily take down any monsters that came. What Jenny was concerned about was Ariel. She wanted to get Ariel away from the gruesome troll corpse as soon as possible.

“Let’s do that.” Mitchell nodded.

“There’s no need to fight monsters unnecessarily.” And so, the party hurriedly left the area. *

“By the way, Ariel, why do you want to go to the Dwarf Mountain Range?” Jenny asked as they walked through the forest. Ariel replied,

“I want to meet a dwarf.”

“You want to meet a dwarf? But elves and dwarves don’t get along.”

That was true. Elves, who love nature, and dwarves, who destroy it. Naturally, conflicts between the races were inevitable. In the past, the two races had engaged in quite severe wars. But with the appearance of demons, elves and dwarves called a truce, which has lasted to this day.

To be precise, it’s more accurate to say they lacked the strength to fight each other, as both sides suffered greatly while driving out the demons. Of course, they only refrained from war; the two races still disliked each other. They would scowl if they met on the road.

“Aren’t you worried about being mistreated if you go there?” Jenny was concerned for Ariel. As an experienced adventurer, Jenny had been to the Dwarf Mountain Range a few times, and the dwarves were generally ill-tempered.

“Those half-sized guys are so sensitive. Many are drunkards too. Ah, but their craftsmanship is excellent. Dwarf-made weapons are flawless. But Ariel, you don’t really need that, do you? Why do you want to meet a dwarf?” After a moment of thought, Ariel answered.

“Just because.” It really was just that. There was no other explanation.

“I like dwarves.”

“……” Jenny made a bewildered expression, and Mitchell chimed in from the side.

“Then, Ariel, how about visiting the abandoned temple I’m investigating? That building is a temple built by dwarves in ancient times. Modern dwarves are too proud to build for humans, but in ancient times, such cases were common.”

“Really?” Jenny looked at Ariel at Mitchell’s words.

“How about it, Ariel? Want to visit the temple Mitchell is investigating together?” Ariel immediately nodded in agreement.