As they ventured deeper into the forest, they were met with increasingly stronger monsters.
A manticore with an old human face and the body of a lion.
A slow ogre endowed with formidable recovery and terrifying strength.
A fungus-like monster releasing fatal venom.
Of course…
Rustle!
[Kiieeeeee!!]
Before Rudell’s party, they were as good as goblins at best.
“Oh yay!! Got another one!”
Reze cheerfully exclaimed as she picked up a coin from a fallen monster’s corpse.
Before long, they had collected over fifty coins.
That was quite a tidy sum for just one day.
“How about you guys?”
“We’re all set over here.”
In response to Rudell’s question, Kurt shook the blood off his hand axe.
“Thank you, Kurt.”
[Th-thank you…!]
Elor and Silphier, who were watching from behind, said that, and Kurt nodded while starting to gather the monster corpses.
“Rudell, it’s getting dark, how about we set up camp?”
“Sounds good.”
Nodding to Reze’s suggestion, Rudell looked up.
The forest had become so dark that he could barely see in front of him.
Pressing further into the forest in this condition wouldn’t be wise.
It was common sense that monsters became stronger in the dark.
Of course, even if monsters got stronger, they couldn’t do much against Rudell’s party. But there was no reason to confront stronger monsters when visibility was close to zero.
There’s always that one in a million chance.
Their enemies weren’t just the monsters but other teams as well, so avoiding any unnecessary variables was justified.
“Kurt, can you handle the cleanup?”
“Got it.”
Having gathered the monster corpses, Kurt said that, and Rudell nodded as he chanted a spell.
Ignition.
At that moment, small flames flickered between the monster corpses, quickly engulfing them.
The unpleasant smell of burning protein wafted through the air, and soon all that was left where the monster corpses had been was a pile of blackened ash.
“Is this enough?”
“There’s a bit of blood left, but… it should do.”
Kurt nodded at Rudell’s question.
“Okay. Then let’s rest here for the night.”
Grrr…!! Finally, we can rest…!!
As if she had been waiting for this, Reze stretched and settled by a nearby tree stump.
[I-I’ll go set up the scouting golems around…!!]
“I’ll come with you.”
Following Silphier who was puffing steam, Kurt moved as well.
The two figures vanished into the dark forest…
“Oh Goddess, please grant me your power to vanquish evil spirits…”
As Elor knelt in prayer, a thin veil of light spread from her body.
It was a kind of barrier based on her divine power.
Monsters instinctively feel repelled by divine power, providing some level of prevention against potential monster approaches.
Of course, if someone erected a feeble barrier of divine power, it would only attract the monsters’ attention, but she was none other than the saint of the Gaia Church.
With her level of divine power, even high-risk monsters would think twice before approaching.
“Let’s see… I believe the tent tools were here…”
“I’ll help you.”
“Oh, thanks.”
Reze, having stood up from her spot, began to search for the tools to set up the tent, and Elor rose to join her, rummaging through their bags.
Ever since Elor realized she had no romantic interest in Rudell, her demeanor towards Reze had noticeably softened.
To Rudell, that was truly a welcome development.
“Found it! Elor, grab this string!”
“Yes!”
Watching the two work together to set up the tent, Rudell smiled faintly as he gathered twigs and stones to make a small campfire.
Ignition.
With Rudell’s incantation, the tinder lit up, crackling softly as the campfire began to blaze.
He drove a stake into the ground and hung a kettle and pot overhead, pouring water from their canteen, where white steam began to rise.
“Hmm… What should we have for dinner?”
Thanks to Kurt and Silphier having consistently gathered edible mushrooms and fruits along the way, there was no need to worry about running out of food.
“When in doubt, it should be stew.”
A simple dish that could be made with just water, salt, and some decent ingredients.
In a place where they couldn’t use proper cooking tools, their food options were limited.
As Rudell took out a knife from his waist and began slicing mushrooms, preserved meat, and dried veggies to toss into the pot with water and salt, a delectable aroma began to fill the air.
Reze and Elor, having finished the tent, came over to settle by the campfire.
“That smells delicious.”
“Yum~ It smells great. What’s for dinner?”
“Stew. Like always.”
Despite being called stew, it was closer to a meat soup in appearance.
If only there was rice to go with it…
Today, Rudell found himself particularly longing for rice as he took out a piece of hard, dry bread from his bag.
[W-We’re back.]
“There don’t seem to be any threats around.”
At that moment, Kurt and Silphier also returned from their scouting.
“Is that dinner for tonight?”
“Yep, you two come and sit down.”
At Rudell’s invitation, Silphier and Kurt settled into their seats as well.
In the dark woods, the hooting of owls could be heard.
“Thanks for everyone’s hard work, let’s do our best tomorrow too.”
“Alright!!”
[Let’s eat well!]
With their meal prepared, they shouted together and started eating.
*
[You don’t have to worry about the watches… My golems are patrolling the area…!]
Silphier was fully showcasing her crafting skills with her golems, doing little but important tasks here and there.
Not only did they eliminate the need for watches, but they also scouted the surrounding area, preparing for any potential threats.
Should any intrusion happen, the traps she laid would buy them time.
Being someone who had shown more support during battles rather than frontline fighting, her contributions stood out more in a peaceful situation.
“Thank you, Silphier.”
[O-Oh, no need to thank me… Kurt has been protecting us…!]
At Kurt’s comment, Silphier emitted a shy purring sound, steaming slightly.
Beside them, Elor knelt, offering her prayers to the Goddess, while Reze was oiling her sword by the campfire.
After watching this scene for a while, Rudell stood up.
“Where are you going?”
“Going for a scout. There’s something I want to check.”
If everything followed the original story, the church wouldn’t make their move for a while longer.
However, that didn’t mean he could just relax and do nothing.
Knowing that this world had already strayed from the original, sitting idle was not an option.
“I’ll go too.”
“I’ll come with you.”
Seemingly sensing Rudell’s intention, the two said and stood as well.
“Kurt, I want you to stay here and keep an eye on Silphier and Elor in case something happens.”
“Uh… alright.”
Kurt let out a low groan, settling back down, and after finishing her prayer, Elor stood and approached Rudell.
“You’re going to find the unholy ones hiding in the shadows, aren’t you?”
“That’s right.”
Having no reason to hide anymore, Rudell nodded.
To that, Elor smiled softly, standing before Rudell and Reze, clasping her hands in prayer.
“May the Goddess’s blessings be upon you two…”
A faint light danced around her body, and Rudell and Reze felt their bodies lighten.
Indeed, an S-rank supporter.
“Thank you, Elor.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m just a weak body that can offer this much. There’s no need to be so grateful.”
Feeling a sense of clarity washing over his mind, just as Rudell and Reze were saying that, Silphier approached them with something in hand.
It was something resembling a small stick with a string attached…
Something that looked quite similar to dynamite.
“What’s this?”
“Wait… what?”
Reze exclaimed, her eyes widening as she received it, and Rudell looked at it with a disapproving face.
[If you pull that string, a signal flare will shoot up into the sky. J-just in case, take it with you…]
“Oh, a signal flare. Thanks, Silphier.”
“I’ll use it. Though I hope I won’t have to.”
Feeling an inexplicable disappointment at that comment, Rudell responded like that.
Seeing Rudell’s reaction, Silphier tilted her head in confusion but soon returned to her spot with a hissing sound.
“Are you ready?”
“Of course.”
Finally checking their equipment, Rudell asked Reze.
At his question, Reze nodded and smiled faintly.
Matching her smile with a quiet chuckle, Rudell’s emerald-like green eyes sparkled as he said.
“Then, I shall be off.”
