Chapter 65 – Is the Journey Going Smoothly? (3)

“Ah, now I understand.”

“Hmm?”

Atop the freight wagon, which scarcely possessed anything resembling a roof,

The two lay gazing skyward, using the meager cargo pile as improvised bedding.

Suddenly, Luillin turned to Cariel with an enlightened expression, thrusting her face toward him with confidence.

“It’s because you didn’t emanate any killing intent.”

“Killing intent?”

“Precisely. That’s why I was so carelessly caught off guard.”

“…Wouldn’t ‘helplessness’ or ‘incompetence’ be more appropriate descriptors?”

“Imperial language is challenging. Let’s transition to Badarasa henceforth.”

“By all means.”

“Oh? You’re familiar with it?”

“Circumstantially.”

One of my few noteworthy talents.

Being forcibly relocated throughout my childhood likely accustomed my ear to it.

Foreign languages.

In this domain, I ranked among the Academy’s foremost students.

…Though it wasn’t formally included in the curriculum.

Nevertheless, familiarity doesn’t necessarily equate to proficiency.

“……”

Regardless, it’s inconsequential.

“When one engages in hostile actions, they instinctively project killing intent or antagonism. You, however, exhibit none.”

“Is that so.”

I can surmise why.

From the beginning, my training emphasized not elimination, domination, or defeat of adversaries.

The fundamental premise responded to hostility and murderous intent.

Self-protection rather than aggression.

Defense and counterattack over offense.

This doesn’t preclude initiative when circumstances warrant, but consider:

Have you witnessed a tree striking a passing creature while standing motionless?

What of stone?

Or water and wind?

“……”

Perhaps rather than emulating nature, I’ve achieved integration with it.

As I’ve inclined toward this approach, my consciousness has naturally followed suit.

The difference from before, if any,

Is perhaps that my emotional expressions and responses have become more abundant compared to when I identified with trees or stones?

“Are you attending to my words?”

“Until the midpoint.”

“Honestly! You claim to dislike extensive conversation, yet here we are.”

…Isn’t that fundamentally contradictory?

For every statement I offer, you produce dozens in return.

“Excuse me, sir! We’ll disembark here! Thank you for your accommodation!”

Suddenly noticing something in the distance, she urgently requested the cart to halt, as if spotting some marker.

“From this point, we proceed in this direction.”

Despite the absence of any visible path, she indicated they should plunge directly into the forest.

Glancing upward, one could observe the forest transitioning into a mountain trail. Once entered, it appeared they wouldn’t encounter proper roads for considerable time.

“Very well.”

“Aren’t you curious about my navigational certainty?”

“Wouldn’t a competent guide have made an informed assessment?”

“That’s valid, but unquestioning acceptance can be problematic. Another guide might betray you.”

Then she deliberately rummaged through her garments and extracted a small leather map.

“While comprehensive maps serve their purpose, in such terrain, detailed sketches of specific regions prove invaluable.”

“Particularly for unfamiliar locations?”

“That varies individually. Those with superior directional intuition or spatial awareness navigate confidently after minimal exposure. I haven’t achieved such proficiency.”

“But with cartographic references, you encounter no difficulties?”

“Precisely. Your perceptiveness is commendable. It’s refreshing not to repeat explanations multiple times.”

“……”

Though recognizably complimentary, something about it felt vaguely disconcerting.

“Traversing on foot will require considerable time.”

“Then we shall run.”

I immediately ascended a nearby tree.

“What?”

Then proceeded to navigate swiftly between branches, advancing rapidly.

“What manner of being are you?! Do you possess elven heritage?!”

Her astonished exclamation quickly diminished with distance.

“Wait! Moderate your pace! This isn’t a competitive race!”

…Yet she maintained pursuit admirably.

From my observations thus far,

Luillin’s physical capabilities vastly exceeded ordinary human parameters.

Perhaps attributable to her demonic heritage?

Or possibly exceptional natural endowment irrespective of racial background?

“What velocity would you prefer?”

After descending from the trees, I noticed her regulating her breathing, though only marginally.

“You’re not human, correct?”

“Entirely human.”

“Were you forest-raised? Human physiology shouldn’t permit such movement.”

“Though my mana utilization is abysmal.”

“Is there correlation?”

Indeed.

That aspect intrigued Cariel as well.

“Had you employed mana for such movement, I wouldn’t have remarked.”

“Yet you maintained pace adequately.”

“I exerted myself maximally.”

She glanced backward.

“Observe! Our departure point has vanished completely!”

“Merely obscured by foliage.”

“Cease these rationalizations!”

Yet it wasn’t rationalization.

With unobstructed vision, that distance would remain perfectly visible.

Even ascending a tree now might afford visibility?

“At this rate, we’ll complete our journey days ahead of schedule. Now I comprehend your nonchalance regarding mountain traversal!”

“Indeed.”

“Might I learn this technique?”

“…I’m uncertain.”

The concept of instructing another had never occurred to me.

For those possessing mana, high-velocity movement presents minimal challenge.

Though I move rapidly, this methodology specializes in extended-distance travel.

Consequently, instantaneous velocity lacks considerably compared to mana-facilitated mobility techniques.

If someone refined these distinct methods into comprehensive disciplines?

My rudimentary movement would prove practically worthless in combat.

Additionally, it heavily depends on spatial configuration and environmental conditions.

Even in comparable forest or mountain settings, without discernible pathways or interstices… both approaches become futile.

“Then it genuinely constitutes an elven characteristic. Yet being human, the limitations must be substantial—essentially a partial ability.”

“Perhaps.”

“You haven’t studied your own capability?”

…It wasn’t particularly worthy of exhibition or acclaim.

Ascending buildings invited reprimands about damaging rooftops or leaving footprints on walls.

Thus I employed it primarily at night for scaling barriers quietly, rarely displaying it openly.

‘In retrospect, its frequent application is rather recent.’

After gaining familiarity with wall-climbing, I began developing techniques, eventually mastering efficient movement.

Through practice, I attained proficiency, though I never anticipated such adeptness.

“Excellent. Having a client with instructional value benefits me equivalently.”

Thereafter, she inundated me with inquiries throughout our journey.

“Explain regardless of my comprehension.”

Given her insistence, I provided the simplest explanations possible, provided they weren’t excessively burdensome.

“Nevertheless, it must be racially inherent. Consider this seriously—’gaps created by wind’? How could that function? Do you genuinely believe that’s logical? Wind isn’t visually perceptible, surely you recognize this?”

“Well…”

“Wind mages who visualize airflow merely perform for spectacle. Truly weaponizing wind requires sound suppression, eliminating even the faintest breeze—achieving absolute stealth…”

Her verbosity was remarkable.

She appeared entirely unaware of it herself.

Still, her observations weren’t entirely without merit. Some aspects warranted consideration.

…Though approximately half were immediately dismissed.

After less than several hours traversing the mountain path, the incline gradually lessened, revealing valleys and cliff formations.

“Can you ascend that as well?”

“…Challenging, but worth attempting?”

“Fortunate indeed. Having to carry you would have proven exceedingly troublesome.”

Pardon?

No sooner had she spoken than she began scaling the cliff bare-handed.

“Um…”

Her technique was impressively steady, finding secure handholds and footholds.

“Is that feasible?”

A vague path appeared visible upon close inspection, though it frequently disappeared. One misstep would likely result in plummeting.

“……”

If failure occurs, death would be the consequence.

Only after completing the ascent did I recognize the recklessness of my decision. During the attempt, I hadn’t even considered the wisdom of my actions—I simply commenced climbing.

“We’ll establish camp here. Having recently disembarked, land-sickness likely persists.”

“Indeed?”

Land-sickness.

An intriguing characterization.

“Without access to temples or apothecaries in this wilderness, sudden deterioration of condition would prove catastrophic. Preventative self-care is essential.”

She appeared unburdened by extensive baggage, yet after shaking her thick robe several times, something heavy audibly impacted the ground.

“…Another magical artifact?”

“Unlike yours, mine merely expands volume capacity. Weight remains unaltered.”

Thunk!

Merely the hem of her robe brushed the ground, yet the surface fractured slightly as if impacted by something substantial.

“Precisely.”

“…I see.”

In populated areas, she clearly concealed this ability, so I refrained from inquiring then.

But when she unhesitatingly stowed purchases and provisions directly into her robe, I presumed she wasn’t attempting concealment from me at least.

So when opportunity presented itself, I inquired and received immediate response.

While mine might be minimal, I still transported belongings in cumbersome packs.

“Yet you maintain such mobility despite that burden.”

No wonder those imposing adversaries were propelled airborne by her impact—there was substantial explanation.

…Which likely accounts for her incomprehension regarding my neutralization of her.

“It constitutes part of my training. Skill development ensures survival. Neglecting training during employment—who compensates for that lost time? The heavens? Earth? Oceans? Rivers? Lakes? Marshlands? Plains?”

“……”

Her assessment is entirely accurate, though excessively elaborate.

“Since circumstances allow, teach me subjugation without emanating killing intent.”

“…?”

She presented it as entrusting me with something significant.

“Is that impermissible?”

“Is that included within the commission’s compensation?”

At my inquiry, Luillin struck her forehead.

“Please! Can’t you simply instruct me out of generosity?”

“……”

Her apparent honesty is commendable, but explicitly referencing naivety and generosity seemed peculiar.

Is this childish manipulation, testing whether I might acquiesce?

Verbal requests cost nothing, after all.

Yielding in minor matters inevitably leads to substantial concessions.

Similarly.

Permitting minor liberties eventually results in major allowances.

…A painfully acquired lesson through repeated humiliation and oppression by others.

Regardless.

Perhaps responding to my impassive expression,

Luillin began constructing an elaborate argument.

“Consider how diligently I’ll perform my guide responsibilities! Beyond that, perhaps transcending our professional relationship into something more profound! Potentially developing into something truly intimate!”

Her slightly flushed countenance and upturned gaze possessed undeniable charm.

But Cariel merely blinked, displaying no particular reaction.

“And that benefits me how, exactly?”

“Honestly! Establishing a long-term connection with a guide of my caliber represents significant advantage! How can someone so intelligent fail to recognize this?”

She was audacious.

Boldly impertinent.

Cariel shook his head in surrender.

“Very well. Teaching isn’t particularly challenging.”

“Excellent!”

Luillin triumphantly clenched her fist.

Cariel permitted himself a quiet laugh.