episode_0093

The morning of the second day dawned.

The group got up, cleaned up the tent and campsite, had a quick meal, and then set out on their journey again.

L looked healthy thanks to a good night’s sleep, and the others were not so weak that their fatigue showed on their faces because they had been on alert.

Thanks to this, the group moved at the same speed as yesterday… No, I guess I was getting used to the forest at all, so I started moving through the forest a little faster than yesterday.

Charlie’s skill in leading the group was flawless at this point, and perhaps due to luck, no major accidents occurred.

So we went deeper and deeper into the forest.

The second day in the forest ended without any incident, and the third day went by smoothly.

“Nothing special is happening. Are you lucky?”

L asked with a hint of boredom in his eyes, wondering if he was bored with such an easy journey.

“Haha. It looks like the lady is bored.”

Charlie must have noticed that, and smiled and turned his head.

“That’s because we haven’t gotten beyond the beginning yet. Because it is a relatively safe section.”

“Hmm… … .”

At Charlie’s explanation, Elle didn’t say anything, but a slight dissatisfaction appeared on her face.

“Lady. I didn’t come here to have fun.”

Dorothy scolded her for that.

“… … .”

Naturally, L had a pouty expression on her face like she always did.

“Ha… … .”

Dorothy sighed a little as she looked at her like that.

This has happened a few times on the way here.

Perhaps this is a picture that often occurs when they are together.

A picture of Dorothy stopping Elle, who can’t control her curiosity.

Looking at it that way, I got the feeling that both of them were quite different from the impression their appearance gave.

Elle, who exudes elegance, is a girl who is close to being a slut, while Dorothy, who has an innocent look, has a surprisingly sharp personality.

Well, that doesn’t mean that L goes on a rampage without hesitation.

Right now, I can’t hide my boredom and it shows, but I don’t go around causing accidents because of it.

It means that you know how to discern between right and wrong.

It seems like Dorothy knows that too and doesn’t say anything strongly.

“Still, if you go a little further, there will be something to see. I don’t know if she’ll be happy though.”

Charlie’s words flew into Elle, who was still looking dissatisfied.

At those words, El raised her head with sparkling eyes.

“Really? What is that?”

The question that gives you a sense of momentum.

“Let’s check that for yourself.”

Charlie left a puzzling answer.

In response, El again showed a dissatisfied expression, but fortunately, it didn’t take long for that expression to disappear.

It didn’t take long for what Charlie said to appear before my eyes.

“Wow… !”

When L saw ‘that’, her eyes widened and her eyes lit up.

“I’m glad you like it.”

Elle walked forward, just ignoring Charlie’s words.

Eventually, what she reached and looked up was a building.

No, more accurately, should I say that it was a ‘building’?

Destroyed by time, or rain, or wind, or someone, or some living thing, and changed considerably from its original form, it was the remnants of an empire that existed here a long time ago.

“This is the empire… !”

L’s eyes lit up and he began to look at the buildings in front of him.

“This is believed to be the location of one of the cities in the empire.”

Charlie added.

“Buildings of Empire… ! I’ve seen it in pictures, but this is my first time seeing it in person… !”

El’s eyes were sparkling with a force that had never been seen before.

And Dorothy was looking at Elle with a happy face.

In the end, it was an expression that revealed that Dorothy valued Elle even if she pretended not to.

I, too, was looking at L with a slightly pleased gaze.

The appearance of L now was as innocent as a child receiving a birthday present.

“I know this building is in pretty good shape, so it would be nice to stay there today.”

“Really?!”

At Charlie’s words, L turned her head with a scary look.

“Yes. There are few places where you can stay this safely.”

Saying that, Charlie pointed his finger at the wreckage behind him.

What was there was another wreck.

Compared to the surrounding wreckage, it is in very good condition to be called a wreck.

The remains, which were believed to have originally been a four-story building, had collapsed where the rooftop was.

But other than that, the rest of the place was relatively fine.

It was inevitable that the walls had worn out due to the passage of time and wind and waves, but there were no holes other than the rooftop.

“Wow… !”

L exclaimed again.

Then she started running straight toward the building, and Dorothy followed behind her.

She would have confirmed that there was nothing around, but since it was just one thing, she wouldn’t want to be away from El if possible.

Eventually, Charlie followed, and I also walked towards the building.

It looked like today’s campsite would be over there.

***

After settling into the building, we prepared for camping as usual.

However, it is a bit simplified compared to previous preparations.

If it had been just a building in good shape, it would have needed some cleanup, but since the building seemed to be quite well-known among mercenaries and adventurers entering the forest, the inside was organized better than expected.

So much so that there is no need to pitch a tent.

However, since the women probably had a lot to worry about, we decided to set up the tent and sleep while Charlie and I stayed there.

Camping preparations were completed by spraying incense around the building and setting up an alarm just in case.

And the group went to eat.

For a larger meal than usual.

It was Charlie’s opinion that cooking would soon become more difficult and that it would be better to have a proper meal for the last time.

A rather luxurious meal has passed.

After finishing my meal, I went out of the building to look around just in case.

And not long after I came out, Elle ran out of the building as if she was being chased.

Then I started walking around and looking at the buildings around me.

I looked at that scene with distant eyes.

“… … .”

It was good that L was so happy, but it was a little… No, it was quite unexpected.

I had no idea she would be so interested in old imperial buildings.

Among those who visit Darbil and this forest, there are many noblemen who are drawn to such things.

Archaeologists and historians are literally fascinated by such things.

However, I didn’t know that L would do that.

Moreover, it is not just a level of interest.

She wasn’t just looking at the buildings with her eyes shining; she was properly examining, analyzing, and studying the buildings.

It wasn’t even a clumsy imitation.

The things written in the notebook she still holds in her hand were clearly things that could never be known unless one properly delved into archeology.

That means she studied archeology seriously.

To be honest, archeology has the impression of being boring and boring.

Archaeologists may be angry when they hear this, but the public’s perception will probably not be much different.

However, El seemed to have studied archeology professionally.

She is presumed to be the daughter of a nobleman.

It is not true that even among nobles there are people who study archeology.

However, it is quite difficult to find cases of serious study.

There are very few people born as nobles who choose to become archaeologists.

“… … .”

Along with the thought of surprise, a faint sense of anticipation arose.

Honestly, I didn’t have high expectations.

I accepted the request of my own volition and followed her on my own, but that decision was only made out of frustration, and I did not act that way because I was convinced that she would have something to do with the ‘work’ the old woman had mentioned.

Neither what appeared on the outside nor the destination she designated seemed to have anything special about it.

The place she designated as the destination for her request was a place with nothing special about it, except that it was located quite deep outside the early part of the forest.

Even in this extremely dangerous forest, there are places that are widely known to the outside world.

For example, places where old imperial buildings are well preserved or places like ruins.

Places that archaeologists from outside often target.

However, rather than such a well-known place, L chose a very unfamiliar place as his destination.

At first, I thought it was just a curious noblewoman deciding on a destination without any plan or thought, but seeing her like that changed my mind.

El, who is so interested in archeology, set aside several places that could be called sacred places for archaeologists and chose another place as his destination.

And there wasn’t even a hint of regret or hesitation about it.

Like someone who is sure there will be something there.

That fact fueled my expectations.

Of course, you won’t know unless you check for yourself.

However, wouldn’t it be okay to have some expectations?

With that in mind, I looked at El, who was still wandering around.

Elle wandered around the ruins of the city for a long time, and her exploration ended only when she was about to fall asleep.

L went back to the building, and I also went back to the building.

After that, I stayed on watch as usual, and with that, my day in the forest came to an end.

Even the next day, our journey seemed to proceed without any problems.

That is, until Charlie raised his hand and stopped the group.