Ch.105Towards the Carmine Forest

The morning of departure, all the party members gathered together, thoroughly prepared in various ways.

Frider wore a fur coat reinforced with metal over his uniform, just as I had seen before. Beneath the coat’s hem, a large saw and a chain-attached throwing axe hung at both sides of his waist, swinging constantly.

“A chain axe? You’ve brought another unusual weapon.”

“Well, since we don’t know what monsters we might encounter, I should prepare some means to attack enemies that don’t approach us, right? Like flying creatures.”

Frider rattled his chains as he laughed.

“Couldn’t you just jump up and cut them down?”

Demian posed the question to her.

“You want to fight airborne enemies in mid-air? Your courage is admirable.”

“Ah, I guess you’re right when I think about it.”

Demian nodded after hearing Frider’s response. He must have remembered falling after getting hit last time.

Still haven’t given up on those jumping attacks, have you, Demian? Those jumping attacks aren’t very effective unless you’re facing medium to large monsters. You should restrain yourself for now, at least until you reach a higher level of mastery.

Demian was wearing armor he had procured privately rather than the academy uniform. Perhaps feeling the necessity for protective gear lately, he wore a sturdy steel breastplate and shoulder guards over quilted armor. His arms and legs were also covered with thin metal plates, and he carried a newly forged black iron greatsword strapped to his back with a leather belt.

“Besides, we already have someone to deal with flying enemies. I mean your childhood friend.”

“Oh, are you referring to me?”

Millia looked up as she was adjusting her clothes.

In contrast to the heavily armored Demian, her attire looked quite light. A white shirt made of tough fabric with black pants. Brown leather gloves and boots.

The leather strap of the quiver on her back dug diagonally between her chest, accentuating the shape of her bust beneath her top. Millia herself didn’t seem to want this kind of attention, as she kept fidgeting with the leather strap with a slightly reddened face.

She was practically as good as naked in practical terms.

One solid hit and she’d be sent straight to the afterlife. Was she trusting her frontline companion that much?

At least her right shoulder was well protected with a metal pauldron. Well, that makes sense since she wouldn’t be able to draw a bow if that area got injured.

She still wore the rapier at her waist in case close combat broke out… but I wonder if that sword would ever be of any use in the future. It seemed to have already become half-ornamental.

“That’s right. You’ll have to deal with enemies that charge from a distance or fly. That’s what you brought the bow for, right?”

“Ah, yes! I’ll do my best!”

“I’m counting on you, Millia.”

Millia happily nodded at Demian’s words. She seemed so pleased. If she had a tail, it would have been wagging frantically from side to side.

Millia with a tail… that might be cute actually… No, on second thought, if she had a tail, Frider would beat me to death.

I too was in full gear for the first time in a while.

At my waist hung a black iron longsword and Durandal. The case for Frosting was attached near my hip, and a bow and arrows on my back. Plus about a dozen throwing daggers.

With every step, a faint noise rang out. The sound of black iron scales on my armor colliding with each other.

Boris’s glossy fur, unlike his appearance in life, had a soft and warm touch.

—-

There was only one change from the original plan. Nigel couldn’t come with us.

It wasn’t her intention. It was Lord Landenburg’s order.

According to the letter sent by the Lord, troops under the First Prince were being dispatched to deal with the undead monster horde rampaging in western Ainfeld territory. The request I had put on hold.

I don’t know whether the First Prince volunteered to enhance his reputation or if it was Isabella’s directive to reduce his forces, as it wasn’t written.

Anyway, because of this, Lord Landenburg also decided to participate with his guards and some private soldiers.

Well, if the First Prince’s army were defeated or if the prince himself happened to die, it would be quite troublesome for the Lord as well.

Therefore, Nigel was also scheduled to head to Ainfeld with the Lord.

If this were Landenburg, it might be different, but the Lord, who was just visiting the islands briefly, didn’t have many forces he could urgently mobilize, so he couldn’t afford to leave a Master idle.

I gladly sent off Nigel, who bowed her head saying she was sorry.

—-

“Shall we depart now? Demian, do you know how to drive a carriage?”

“Huh? I know how, but was I supposed to be the driver?”

Demian pointed at himself. Somewhat incredulously.

Who else would do it if not you?

Frider is our patron, so naturally excluded.

Hiring another driver would be an unnecessary expense, and given that our destination is practically a demon realm, who would want to come along?

If I had any conscience, I couldn’t ask Millia to do it.

Me?

I don’t know how to drive a carriage. And I don’t plan to learn.

“Of course. Were you planning to stay inside the carriage? With two women on either side of you, all day long?”

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

Demian hesitated.

Well, anyone would hesitate if put that way.

Unless they had exceptionally thick skin.

“Then good luck. There’s no one else I can entrust this to.”

On the surface, there are three women and only one man.

The token male is always stuck with the dirty work. Remember that, and don’t even dream of a harem.

Eventually, Demian reluctantly nodded and sat on the driver’s seat.

It wasn’t a particularly luxurious carriage.

That was understandable, as there was no need to spend a lot of money on a carriage we’d only be renting for a fortnight.

Inside the elongated wooden box, long wooden planks protruded from the sides, serving as seats.

At least the seats were covered with blankets. Though they didn’t seem to offer much cushioning effect.

In the center of the carriage were piled supplies for lodging and meals over the fortnight, such as sleeping bags, portable food, and camping equipment.

Above, three arch-shaped metal railings were arranged, with thick waterproof canvas covering them like a ceiling to block the sunlight.

Only the ceiling and sides were covered, while the front and back were wide open, creating a semi-open structure.

It reminded me of the cargo bed of a 2.5-ton military truck I had ridden before.

“It seems a bit… crude.”

“Does it? Isn’t it normal?”

Millia asked back.

Well, this probably is a normal carriage. It’s just that the ones I’ve ridden so far were top-of-the-line.

“I deliberately chose this one. It’s better to get used to it, right? We can’t always travel in expensive carriages.”

Frider commented as she climbed into the carriage, looking back at me.

“I am used to it. It’s just been a while since I’ve seen one like this.”

“Well, I suppose even the eastern barbarians would have the ability to make carriages… they do, right? Or maybe not?”

“Do you think the Ka’har are monkeys? Of course we have them.”

They’re called barbarians because of their barbaric actions, but their civilization level is at least medieval.

Their magical engineering technology might be non-existent, making them somewhat behind the Empire, but still.

—-

The journey was more boring than expected.

No bandits attacked us, and we didn’t encounter any traveling merchants either.

Well, it’s always been like that.

All day long, we endured the pain in our buttocks while riding in the carriage, and when mealtime came, we would find a nearby water source, get off the carriage briefly, and cook simple stews.

Then we’d rest for about an hour, stretching our bodies lightly, before getting back on the carriage.

When night fell, we would park the carriage on the side of the road, light a bonfire, and go to sleep in our sleeping bags.

The four of us took turns standing guard, each for about an hour and a half.

We stopped at a small village once along the way.

We enjoyed a proper meal and replenished our depleted supplies.

I had to cover my face again, which is becoming rather inconvenient. I should find a solution to this someday.

“We only have two double rooms left, is that alright?”

The innkeeper was a middle-aged man with a gruff impression.

Just two double rooms. Well, that’s typical for an inn in such a small village.

It was a perplexing situation.

It meant one of us three would have to share a room with Demian.

Well, there’s only one solution.

“I’ll share a room with Demian, and Millia, you can share with Frider.”

“Haschal…? No, wait…!”

“That’s better.”

Millia and Frider’s reactions were polar opposites.

Millia waved her hands in panic, while Frider nodded as if it was obvious.

“Um… is that okay?”

Demian also seemed a bit hesitant.

Of course it’s okay.

I was planning to make you sleep on the floor anyway.

Try climbing onto the bed if you want your back broken.

“We don’t have a choice, do we? Better me than Frider or Millia. I’m used to it anyway, from my days on the steppes. All my subordinates were men.”

In reality, I did stay alone in a large tent, but he’ll probably just accept this explanation.

“But you sleep on the floor. Unless you want to die from getting hit during my sleep-talking.”

“I was planning to sleep on the floor anyway.”

Thinking the sleep-talking comment was a joke, Demian nodded with a slight smile.

“Lady Frider…? Is this really okay…?”

With a flushed face, Millia looked back and forth between me and Demian, then carefully leaned toward Frider and whispered.

“Would you rather share a room with him? I don’t want to sleep on the floor at an inn, and I don’t want to die in my sleep in a bed either.”

Frider’s stance was firm.