5 Days Later

After preparing for 3 days, we rode on Rheinbach-samas Ignis dragons, and headed for the Trail Canyon. Right now, were taking a breather somewhere in the mountain roads, but it wont be long before we reach Teressa, the town closest to the canyon.

Everyones carrying an item or two with them, but most of our luggage is being stored in mine and Sebasus-sans Item Box and Dimension Home. Ive especially packed plenty of medicine, weapon, equipment, and other tools in mine.

Theres enough that we can afford to stay in the canyon for a long time and still have enough to sell to other adventurers. Its common courtesy for adventurers to help the ill-prepared. Of course, thats provided that theres material to spare.

Two of our partys members are S Rank Adventurers, and Sebasu-san and I can fight pretty well too. And when you add the grave slimes on top of that, theres no question that we have more than enough to watch over the girls training. I mean if anything, this much is overkill.

Anyway, setting up the camp defenses at the canyon was my job. So, Ill be doing just that while selling to the pa.s.sing adventurers and digging out magic jewels. The place hasnt really changed much in the past years. And with the grave slimes being the undeads natural predator, there wont be much for me to do.

Should we head out now? We should be able to reach Teressa soon. [Rheinbach]

Itll probably take another 2 hours, which means Well be arriving at noon.

And so, we rode on the two dragons, and headed for Teresa. The dragon Im riding on will listen to orders even if Rheinbach-samas not riding it, so Im sure we wont fall, but its still nerve wrecking.

And Im not sure why, but for some reason, these Ignis dragons dont seem to like me. They dont hate me, but they have their guard up Ah, whatever. Rheinbach-sama did say that its fine, so Im sure its safe. Im sure theyll eventually get used to me. And people back at my previous life did say that animals can feel when people are nervous, so Ah, wait, can I even put dragons and animals in the same basket?

A strong wind blew as we pa.s.sed over the mountains, but the dragons continued on, unfazed, About an hour later, the walls of Teressa finally came to view.

What a big town! [Elia]

Its gotten a lot bigger these past two years! It was so small back then too! [Ryouma]

The sound of the wind drowned our voices, so we had to yell at each other to talk even though Elia was right behind me.

Teressas no Gimuru but its a lot bigger now compared to when I first visited it. A lot of undead had started appearing at the canyon, and when adventurers went to investigate, they happened upon a magic jewel vein. From then on, a lot of adventurers and diggers started coming, resulting in the towns exponential growth.

The town walls that appeared from a distance grew closer in the blink of an eye, a testament to the dragons speed. Wed cause a ruckus if we were to land in town, so we landed some ways away from the town, and then walked. They were already expecting us, so when we got to the gates, there were eight guards all-in-all ready to receive us.

We did ride in a dragon after all, two no less. So, of course, theyd be able to prepare even without us asking them too. Thanks to that, the process went a lot smoother, and we were able to get into the town quickly.

It was then that s.h.i.+va-san spoke.

We should be staying at the inn tonight, but we can also go ahead if youre all fine with it. Is everyone tired already or? [s.h.i.+va]

Its almost noon but weve already eaten, so theres not really any reason to walk around town

Im still fine. I was just riding at the back of the dragon, after all. [Riera]

Everyone nodded. And so, well be pus.h.i.+ng our plans forward a bit. But before that

Can I drop by the adventurers guild? I figured I might as well get some simple requests. [Ryouma]

No problem, they all said. Like that we headed for Teressas Adventurer Guild. The Town of Teressa is situated at the western edge of the country, a frontier, so to speak. Yet despite that the streets were hustling and bustling with people and carriages.

Theres so many people even though its the border. Oh, by the way, would it be alight to dig some magic jewels myself? [Kanan]

As long as you give a part of it or pay the corresponding tax, then there shouldnt be any problems.

I dont know whether the lord in charge of this place is just tolerant or because he needs that much money, but he seems to be just watching how many the people can actually dig He might also just decide to monopolize everything one day. Yeah, theres a lot of rumors going around now, good or bad, but for now it should be fine. [Ryouma]

The future is a mystery. Even if you can right now, that doesnt mean youll be able to in the future, so you should take your chance now! ~Is what everyone else is thinking which is why theres so many people here Oh, were here.

We saw a couple of adventurers when we entered the guild. Its noon, so most of the adventurers are either out working or eating. Its a lot quieter here than outside, but as soon as we entered, all eyes focused on us.

Most are just glancing, but a fifth of them are outright staring at us. Well, we do stand out, so it cant be helped. Ah, it seems there are people who know of Remiri-neesan and s.h.i.+va-san. Im sure they mustve been trying to be hush about it, but its really quiet, so they can still be heard.

After I greet everyone, I walk up to the request board. Lets hurry and find something Elia and the others can do, and then get out of here. And just as I was thinking that, I found something suitable.

An investigation of the Trail Canyon that can be accepted anytime by E Rank adventurers up. The pays cheap but theyll pay more if the info is good. Its really more of a patrol than an investigation, so its really easy.

Also, because a lot of monsters appear in the night, its recommended that only C Ranks above go. And as such, theyll also be paying more for those who can investigate in the night.

We were planning to stay at the canyon for a long time anyway, so we might as well. But was there always such a warning? While Im sure its necessary since lots of undead frolic in the night, a D-Rank should be enough. I should ask the receptionist first.

Excuse me, I was thinking of accepting the Trail Canyon request but theres something Id like to ask first. [Ryouma]

Yes, what is it? [Receptionist]

The receptionist was a young woman. From my conversation with her, I found out that theres a lot of people who have been going missing lately.

Its unfortunate but the issue isnt just the undead. The footing in the area isnt stable, and a lot of people have already disappeared in some accident. Because of that, were recommending that C Ranks go. Also, a lot of the people whohave gone missing are low rankers who pushed themselves too hard in that investigation request. [Recipe]

The receptionist was a bit sad when she spoke, but it shouldnt be an issue as long as we take care

I understand. Id like to sign up for this request. Oh, and do you have a list of the missing people? Were planning to stay at the Trail Canyon for a while, so [Ryouma]

Very well. [Receptionist]

The receptionist immediately processed the request, and then came back with the list of names. The genders, ages, and other special characteristics were also written in the list. As for the time they went missing, well that wasnt really important.

After that we left the guild, and then the town through the gate close to the Trail Canyon. The guards asked if we were going on a trip, and I said we were going camping. Im sure theyre talking to me because its too hard to talk with the others.

We plan to come back anywhere from one to two weeks. [Ryouma]

Thats a long trip, please be careful. A lot of people have been going missing lately. [Guard]

Might as well ask them about it

Are there really that many? [Ryouma]

Well [Guard]

The guard made a troubled face as he looked at a particular direction.

Its because there are people like those, so [Guard]

At the end of that direction was

Lets make lots of coin today too! [Adventurer 1]

Should we try going a bit deeper this time? [Adventurer 2]

Thats dangerous. [Adventurer 3]

Nah, itll be fine. Weve beaten plenty of zombies, right? [Adventurer 1]

But [Adventurer 3]

It was a group of three young, inexperienced adventurers.

Its great that the citys flouris.h.i.+ng, but a lot of reckless people have been coming too But then againg, thereve always been reckless people around here, so if anything, I guess theyve increase.[Guard]

The guard whispered those words while watching the three leave. He was trying to keep up appearances, but I dont think thats really necessary.

You mean like those people? [Ryouma]

Yes, like them. Its especially dangerous the day after they make some bank. Its safe around here unless they go in deep, so everyone who goes missing usually brought it on themselves [Guard]

I thanked the guard that seemed to have a lot on his mind, and then we left.

We traversed the mountainous roads and entered into the canyon.

People walked beside and above the now barren cliff, and people dug holes left and right, but as we continued, the people around us grew less and less. After an hour of walking, there were still no zombies in sight.

The undead still hasnt shown up. [Ryouma]

I thought theyd be more proactive. [Remiri]

There sure are a lot of civilians here though. [Elia]

Its still close to the town, so its not just adventurers who [Ryouma]

While I was talking, a man dressed in blood-drenched clothes with vacant eyes walked up to us. Most of the mans neck had been hollowed out, and his body was clearly rotting. It was a zombie. When the girls noticed that, they immediately a.s.sumed stance.

In contrast, Remiri-neesan casually spoke.

Theres just one zombie, so relax. Youll do fine as long as you follow your training. [Remiri]

The girls nodded to her words. A rotting smell filled the area as the zombie approached, and the girls countenance visibly soured. Seeing that thing face-to-face is quite a shocker Though I think theyd be nervous either way.

Strengthen Body Lets go!

After a deep breath, Riera used her strengthening magic. She matched the speed of the zombie, then she swung down her sword. That flash embodied all the efforts she had spent training her sword. And it cut down the zombies left arm so quickly that it didnt even have the time to cry. Then she followed up by bas.h.i.+ng her s.h.i.+eld against the zombies face.

Elia! [Riera]

Fire Ball! [Elia]

As Riera called out to Elia, Elia casted a fireball, and the zombie was no more.

Huh? Thats it? [Kanan]

Well that was easy. [Mich.e.l.le]

Complained Kanan and Mich.e.l.le who didnt have a chance to fight. Miyabi hadnt said anything, but she seemed to think the same.

Of course, its easy. You kids arent so weak that youd have a problem offing one zombie. [s.h.i.+va]

Zombie flesh is a lot softer than a humans, and their bones are brittle too. You girls cut a lot of bamboo back at Ryoumas place, right? Then its only a given that youd be able to cut one down with ease. [Rheinbach]

Your magic has gotten stronger too, and the one who shot that fireball just now was Elia who has the strongest magic of you lot. The real practice starts way deeper into the canyon. Being able to kill a few zombies is a given. [Remiri]

Youve always been fighting against Ryouma-samas slimes, so you might not be aware of just how strong you are. [Sebasu]

Zombies are D-Ranked magical beasts but they can be beaten even by E-Rank Adventurers when toppled over, so its obvious that the girls would be able to kill one. Thats also the reason why therere so many greenhorn adventurers in the town.

Killing a few zombies wont be an issue for them, so well be leaving the fighting to them from here on out.

This time Ill be the one to finish it! [Mich.e.l.le]

Riera, Kanan, stop them! [Elia]

Understood! [Riera]

Leave it to me! [Kanan]

Be careful, theres a lot of them! [Miyabi]

As their movements had got better over time, Riera and Kanan was able to quickly cut off the limbs of the zombies to stop them in their tracks, while a barrage of magic was unloaded on them to stop them from regenerating. And just like that, the girls offed seven zombies.

Meanwhile, we were nonchalantly watching the girls fight.

They can still handle more. [s.h.i.+va]

Should we up the difficulty? [Remiri]

We should give them more to fight with [Rheinbach]

How about ghouls and wraiths? The grave slime can bring them. [Ryouma]

I suggest allowing the ojousamas to get used to the zombies first. [Sebasu]

We discussed like we were watching a sports tournament.

Then after some more walking, we made camp beside a cliff that was roughly 6 meters tall. Time for work, I guess.