Mnotia's Den

 "Has there been any change on your end?" It felt like a somewhat abrupt shift in conversation, but there was no change in Elena's demeanor either. Should I not worry about it? "As for me... it feels like being treated as a guest is going to be my undoing. Everyone around me does everything for me... The rain just stopped, so I haven't had a chance to run errands yet, but when I mentioned that my tasks mainly involved shopping, Grandpa said I don't need to go out because he would call someone to the mansion..." Since umbrella maintenance is difficult in Lutol, I was given a letter of introduction to a workshop in the commercial district of the capital. Although the commercial district had been cleaned up from shady elements and there were no security issues, it was still not a place for a child to wander alone, so I was told to go with someone. It felt like overkill, but I understood the desire to avoid any risks, so it was fine. However, when I thought ...

 Four days have passed since we arrived at the royal capital and began staying at the mansion. The continuous rain finally stopped yesterday, and today it's perfectly clear. It seems the rainy season in the capital is over. "Take that!" I swung the Amber Sword I held in my left hand towards the stake in the garden. Even though I didn't put much force into it, the blade shattered with a sound like breaking glass, and then... "Oooo..." The shattered blade flew straight towards the stake and embedded itself in it. "...Ah" When I deactivated the power, the fragments disappeared, and when I reactivated it, the sword appeared in my hand again. Interesting. "Hiya!" When I slashed at the target again, it shattered in the same way, and the fragments stuck into it. Each fragment was blade-like, about 5 centimeters long, and embedded about 2 centimeters deep. Certainly, this wouldn't cause significant damage to monsters, and it might be hard to ...

 "Welcome. Please come in first. We’ll have your luggage brought in." Upon arriving at the Müller family's mansion in the capital, the old man who had been informed of our arrival greeted us. Even after reaching the castle, the rain didn't let up. Given the short distance, I considered going alone with an umbrella, but thanks to Liesel, who had made arrangements, we were provided with a carriage. Grateful. The old man himself guided us to his room. Inside, Oriana was waiting, and our seats were already prepared. "Please, have a seat." As soon as the old man sat down, he gestured for us to sit as well, and soon after, tea was served. Although I often spend time with Seriana, it's rare for me to be the one receiving hospitality, so it felt somewhat refreshing. "Well then... Welcome once again. Unlike two years ago, you'll be our guests for about two and a half months this time. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask." "Yes. I wi...

 After dinner, in thanks for putting up with us all day, Edgar told us about the "Amber Sword" in the lounge. Liesel and Elisha were also there, but aside from Elisha’s two maids, there were no other servants, making it a relaxed gathering. It was a relief. I hadn’t heard about it since I was in my room, but it turns out that the Sarion family also owns one, thanks to Alex’s clever maneuvering at a recent dinner. …Though I feel he could have handled it a bit better, I’ll let that slide. Well, regarding the "Amber Sword," it’s something the family has inherited, so he hasn’t used it himself, and there wasn’t much he could tell us about it… Still, we learned that even if it’s shattered, it can be restored to its original state by reactivating it, and we got a rough idea of its power. I was wondering if we’d have to use it in a dungeon since we can’t use the training grounds in the royal capital, but from what I heard, it seems the garden at the mansion will suffice. A...

 The sound of Alec and Edgar clashing wooden swords echoed across the deck. "Haah!" Edgar swung down from above. "Sei!" Alec met his attack, not by blocking, but by striking upward from below. They continued their close combat for a while, then distanced themselves, only to clash again, repeating this pattern. There seemed to be some kind of formality in their sparring, as they didn't rely solely on thrusts or brute strength. Though the deck was more stable than the open sea, it still swayed slightly. Yet, they were energetic. Three days had passed since entering the river and heading north. If everything went as planned, they would arrive in the city of Alza tomorrow and disembark there. Afterward, they would travel by carriage to the royal capital, and they seemed eager to regain their senses dulled by the ship journey, practicing continuously since lunch. Moreover, while it was still fine, it wouldn’t be surprising if it started raining soon. If they were goi...

 "It's really rough out there..." We're about to arrive at the capital city of the Marcenal territory. Initially, when we left the river and entered the sea, it wasn't too bad, but the waves have been getting higher and higher. A surfer would probably love these waves, but we've had to fight off monsters multiple times since we entered the sea. I guess marine sports won't be popular in this world... "Do you remember the cape with the lighthouse we passed before noon? The tide changes from there. I knew about it from books, but this is my first time seeing it in person." We’ve been out on the deck watching the sea for a while now, and the big waves keep coming. This ship is about the size of a small ferry, but it's still rocking quite a bit. "Hey, Alex, are you okay with seasickness?" I’m fine since I’m floating, but what about Alex? "I'm used to fighting, so it's no problem. I haven't been on many ships, but I'v...

 "Multiple factions from the West are targeting my life." "You're quite popular..." It's not unheard of in this world for individuals to have their lives targeted, but to be targeted by multiple nations is quite unusual. "It's an honor. They want to kill me with their own hands and make it widely known." "Yeah." By doing so, they aim to prevent the Eastern expansion of the Great Forest Alliance. It's a way of setting an example, showing what happens if you attempt it. Although we group the West together, it's not like we're on bad terms with every country. It's mainly due to the pride and ideology of the leading nation in the West, which has even incorporated the church to actively deepen the rift. "So, they choose their locations and methods carefully... Hahaha." Unable to contain the humor, she began to laugh midway through the conversation. She didn't laugh out loud, but she held her mouth and stomach,...

 "Whoa..." The voice of the workers loading the cargo echoed through the port, and my high-pitched voice echoed in response. "Is this your first time seeing it? It's amazing, isn't it?" Seriana, standing next to me, looked satisfied as she watched my amazement. What lay ahead was a ship. But it wasn't just any ship. It was the pride of the Salion family, a warship. It was the second day since we left the territorial capital. When we left the city early in the morning through the west gate, I thought we would be crossing the mountains. The city was a branching point for detours and direct routes, and the last time I headed to the royal capital, we went north from there. However, by noon that day, we arrived at a village at the foot of the mountains, but instead of staying overnight, we took a short break and then departed again. For some reason, we headed south instead of towards the mountains. Without stopping anywhere, by the time dusk began to fall, we...

 The low sound of a flute echoed in the air, signaling the departure of the carriage Lisel was riding in. Soon, our carriage followed suit. In addition to these two carriages, there was a third one loaded with luggage, including the head of a bear. Looking out the window, I saw a line of servants bowing their heads in farewell. A bit further away stood Jighart and Fiora. They were staying behind. Having them come along would be reassuring, but they needed to stay behind to handle any emergencies that might arise. The "Dragon’s Lung" was left with them, so no matter what happened, we should be fine. "......" "What is it?" Seriana noticed my stare and looked over. "So, which route are we taking in the end?" I still didn't know whether we would go around the mountain or cut through it. "It's still a secret. I don't think you'll blab, but others might. Only I, Lisel, Elena, Alex, and August know the route. In the capital, only my...

 "Let's do this!" With both fists raised high above my head, I faced the holy image. "Just hurry up and get it over with," Seriana said, dismissing my spirited shout. "Mmm..." Jighalt gave a wry smile, shrugging as if he understood. Well, whatever. The night before departure. We decided to try our luck at the gacha, considering it never hurts to have more information on items and skills. So, in addition to the usual three of us, Jighalt and Fiora joined in. I hadn't told the two of them about the [Hideout] yet, but it's not like another [Enhancement] would come so soon. Even if it did, we'd deal with it then. I had hoped to save up 20 tokens for two tries, but with continuous joint training, I rarely had the chance to defeat enemies alone. I only managed to save up enough for one try. Well, it’s do or die. This time, I’ll get that long-range weapon for sure! "Hmmph!" The sacred coin vanished, and a drumroll echoed in my mind. It...

 Time flies, and it's already February in spring. I feel sweat beading on my forehead, probably from the exercise. This cape is getting a bit too warm, but in the forest, it's better to keep the maid outfit less conspicuous... "Seria, are you done over there?" "Yeah, looks like you're finished too. Any injuries?" "None. They've gotten pretty used to it." I see three people standing guard while three others are stacking bodies. This joint training has surprisingly received high praise from the veterans. Unlike in other countries, in this nation, it's rare to go out of your way to train an unfamiliar rookie unless they're from the same hometown or kin. Usually, rookies group together, get some experience, and then join a clan or warrior band, or build a reputation and team up with different partners as needed. Given this custom, there was initial skepticism, but by the time the rookie groups completed a cycle, the evaluations changed....

 "Seria, I have a job for you." "What is it?" Winter in March is almost over. On one such day, Seriana brought up some work. I was thinking of heading into the forest now that the canal inspection was finished. "Look at this." She handed me a piece of paper. It was one of the documents left by Liesel's messenger who had come earlier. The document, written in formal language, listed the names of the town's alchemists and apothecaries. "What's this?" It mentioned something about the solidarity of soldiers and adventurers, but why were the alchemists bringing this up? "Remember the defense battle? A lot of potions were used up, right? They were using their original recipe potions because they were more effective and required smaller doses compared to the usual recipes. After that, there was a steady supply of materials, so the potion supply was back to normal, but they're still short on medicinal herbs." "I haven't...

 The cold wind howled on a winter's day in March. Outfitted with only a "Floating Ball" and "Fairy Eyes," and fully bundled up with gloves, tights, and socks for maximum warmth, I was outside inspecting the frozen waterway. “Oh, it’s frozen…!” The freezing of the waterway… Right now, the flow of water is slightly obstructed, but if left unchecked, it could clog or back up, so it's best to address it early for efficiency. That’s where I come in, monitoring from above by scaling the wall. If it's early freezing, this can solve it. “Ha!” I pulled out an alchemical item from my pouch called "Combustion Fluid," which generates high heat when mixed with a large amount of water, and sprinkled it on the frozen part. “Whoa?!” As soon as it touched the ice, it made a sizzling sound, and steam filled the air. The ice melted away quickly, as if being eaten away, and disappeared in no time. …Apparently, this thing is made from monster bones or bile. How doe...

 "Ooooh..." I couldn't help but let out a gasp as I looked at the thing transported into the mansion's entrance hall. It wasn't just me. The soldiers who had witnessed it and the gathered servants all did the same. "It's huge..." The object placed in front of us was the head of the bear, the boss of the raid. I had seen it while we were fighting, but it was night, and there was some distance. Seeing it again in a bright place, its size was truly apparent. Even though it's just a head, it's bigger than me! And its weight too. Four soldiers had carried it on a board from the front of the mansion, struggling despite it being only about ten meters. "Really... Jigharuto did an amazing job defeating this, but it's impressive that Alex could even stand in front of it." Seriana and Liesel also came closer and spoke with admiration. "That's thanks to the support of my comrades. However... there is no trace of my blow at all......

 "That’s quite a reckless thought… Are you bored?" Liesel shrugged with a smile that invited laughter. She seemed rather at ease. "I understand it's a man-made incident. So, where did it happen?" Seriana didn't seem interested in playing along. She asked about any suspects who might have set the trap. "I can't say where exactly. But I don't think it was the church." "...Not the church?" If something were to happen in this town, the only place I can think of is the church... I planned to keep quiet since there were too many unknowns, but I ended up saying it out loud. "Yes. Thanks to your early discovery and the presence of Zig, the damage was minimal. But honestly, stopping that bear could have caused significant sacrifices." "Yeah. It didn’t seem like we could take it down easily..." Zighart looked our way and raised his glass with a chuckle. "...I want to kick him." "Hey..." I let my true ...

 Reports from the northern and southern bases, as well as this town, had all been concluded. "Alright, let's hear from Alexio. Did you find anything of note?" "Yes. First, take a look at this." Alex spread something on the table, probably the map we had seen earlier in the room. I wanted to see it too. "Alright..." I lifted myself to look at the table. Besides the map, there were a few other documents. Judging by the illustrations and accompanying text, it seemed to be a map showing the distribution of monsters. There were also marks directly written on the map. "Let me explain... The recent attack involved an overwhelming number of monsters, almost three times the usual amount if the previous records are accurate. And then..." He paused and placed game pieces on the map. The locations he chose corresponded to large rocks and river branches marked on the map, forming a rough semicircle centered around Lortul, encompassing both the northern an...

 "The fever is going down," Elena said, placing her hand on my forehead. "Yeah, I'm just a bit tired. Is that... a map?" When I looked at the table everyone was gathered around, I saw a map laid out. It wasn't of the city or the territory, but of the forest. "Ah, it's the area we're currently developing. Did you hear about the number of monsters we've defeated? With that many taken down, this area will be empty for a while. We finished it all in just two days." "I would have liked to leave the running around to the younger ones..." So, Zighardt went along with Alec. They fought all night; they must be exhausted. "Did you find out anything?" Seriana had mentioned there were many, but that's all I knew. "Excuse me. The meal is ready." Alec was about to answer my question when a maid entered after knocking, interrupting him. "Let's continue this over there. Sera, you come too." "Huh?...

 Two days after the attack. Finally, the summary of the damage and the recovery of the defeated monsters' bodies were completed. First, the damage outside of Lutol. There was almost none. The majority of the monsters had concentrated on Lutol. The ample reinforcements sent, along with the many adventurers stationed in the frontier village, allowed us to have enough forces and to take preemptive measures early on. The southern base had a lot of monsters flowing along the river compared to other places, but thanks to Luban's great efforts, it actually suffered the least damage. He has firmly established his position with this incident, which is cause for celebration. Now, about our town, Lutol. There were many injured, both seriously and lightly, but no fatalities. Additionally, both the town and the agricultural area to the west remained undamaged! If anything, the only issue was the depletion of potion stocks due to generous use and distribution to other areas. The fact that th...

 "Sera?!" As I entered the main building's first conference room at the official's residence, everyone inside turned to look at me. "Oh...? There's still a lot of people here." After informing Liezel that we had defeated the boss of the monsters and confirmed there were no more reinforcements in the vicinity, I received permission to return. There was nothing more I could do, and given the time, it was a reasonable decision to head back before I caused any unnecessary trouble. With a simple instruction note from Liezel in hand, I returned. Despite it being late at night, the conference room was filled with Seriana and her entourage, knights, and high-ranking members of the Adventurers' Guild. There were even some commoner-looking people who hadn't been there when I left. Perhaps they were merchants? "Welcome back. You look quite dirty; are you injured?" As soon as Seriana saw me, she said that. Now that she mentioned it, my clothes were...

 The boss of this raid was the bear. The battle with the monsters continued, but if we left things as they were and the monsters took it, it would be a huge loss. Therefore, the reserve soldiers who had been waiting at the main camp came to retrieve it. Efficiently, they tied a rope around it, pulled it with a horse, and loaded it onto something like a sled. "...Thanks for your hard work." "...Yeah." They spoke to Alex and the others, who were standing there, slack-jawed, watching it being carried away. Zighardt, who had taken down the entity that they had thrown themselves at with all their might and yet couldn't damage, with a single blow. They must have realized it too. That they were just in the way. "...You were impressive, you know?" "...Was I?" Alex's voice was weak. But I wasn't lying either. To face a monster the size of a kaiju barehanded. It wasn't an exaggeration to call them an action movie hero party. The result was ...

 Trailing the bear from above for several seconds, Alex and his group finally moved in as they were about to make contact. "Haa!" One of them, who was supposed to be holding an axe, suddenly switched to a hammer-like weapon and slammed it into the ground with a shout. Why? I wondered but quickly understood the reason. The ground rippled and rose where the weapon struck, and though I couldn't see it from behind, it likely hit the bear's jaw directly. The bear's head was knocked back. "A blessing or a protection..." It must affect the earth or the ground. This way, they could stall the bear without a direct hit. Without a moment's delay, the rest of the team began to run. They were going to attack before the bear could regain its posture. "Oraaa!" First, Alex used the elevated ground as a foothold to leap up and strike the bear's head with his club. I had read somewhere that bears, with their thick necks, are less likely to get concussed ...

 "Ha!" Activating Akame's eyes and the "Fairy Eyes," I look toward the forest, but... I can't see anything! Even amidst the battle, it seems like the sound of that flute reached everyone, causing them to be on edge. Many have stopped in their tracks. The timing is bad, as the monsters have changed their tactics. This could be a problem. We're far from the forest; should I ask Jighart to blast it? "Calm down! I'll handle it. No problem!" Alex's voice echoed. Even though it wasn't particularly loud, it reached everyone, and hearing it calmed us down a bit... "Oh... the 'Fierce Horn'..." "There are only a few monsters left! Let's push through!" Then, August's voice echoed as he rode across the battlefield. It felt similar to Alex's earlier shout; maybe he has one too? I didn't quite understand its effect when we used it at the royal training ground, but now I see how it works... Looking aroun...

 "Huh! ... Did that cover everything?" It has been about an hour since this battle started. Among the monsters, there are those that, like serpents, are sensitive to magic and will target healers and support roles first. Since it’s still unclear how the "Prayer" system works, its use had been prohibited until a full understanding of the monster swarm could be achieved. Though the scouts sent into the forest have not yet returned, the type of monsters and their fighting styles were assessed, and the go-ahead for using the "Prayer" was given. If the boss were a demon type, ogres and orcs would usually charge in as the main force, but this time that wasn’t the case, so they were excluded. Goblins wouldn’t care about that but fight differently. If it were goblins, they’d swarm in like a cloud. On the other hand, herbivores, while they might show themselves on the outskirts of the forest to drive people away, wouldn’t attack a town. Because they are herbivores,...