Chapter 134 – Return Path

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“Now, let’s go!”

The next morning, I headed towards the guard house near the outer wall, where I had planned to meet up with Mezerir. I soon saw her, riding on top of a horse. However, it was the horse that was the problem.

“Why is Mulze here?”

“Because I brought him from Nanaze village, obviously.”

I thought that the coat looked familiar. It was surprising that she had brought him all of the way here. And she didn’t even tell me. In spite of the fact that I was his owner.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I brought him because you broke your leg and were in trouble. But when I arrived, you had already got a new one. And then I forgot to tell you.”

Mezerir explained awkwardly. Apparently, she had left him with the Guardians up until now. So that’s why she wanted to meet up at the guard house. I petted Mulze, and he pressed his face towards mine as if pleased.

“Mr. Ajifu. Ms. Mezerir. Are you going to depart now?”

“Yes, it is about time we leave.”

As we were talking in front of the building, Mr. Finze came out to greet us. Though we were leaving now, I actually planned to see him again soon.

Currently, Nanaze village and the elves were working together to seal off the cave. The elves had dispatched the Guardians, and from what I heard, the work underground was very difficult. They had to be careful so as to not alert the dragon. And so progress was going to be slow.

“In a few days, I will be going to Nanaze village as well. Please let the chief know.”

“Very well. I will be waiting for you there.”

As there were not many elves who could speak in the language of humans, they would have to take turns going. And Finze was one of those people. And so after promising to meet again, we left the guard house.

At the gate, I showed the gatekeepers the ring I got from Captain Rajen, and they lifted their spears in greeting. I pulled the reins to make Mulze trot through the gate, and then the scenery around us changed to an ordinary forest. As I had been around huge trees for a while, I suddenly felt like a giant.

“Even though it is an elf forest, it is not untouched.”

As I looked at the forest, I noticed things that I had not while coming here. Like the fact that many of the trees were the kind that bore fruit, or would have some other use in daily life.

“Of course. They have to use firewood and eat fruits. Otherwise, they would survive. The forest needs to be taken care of.”

When I looked ahead, I saw a herd of deers running in the distance. Perhaps because there were few monsters, there seemed to be a lot more wild beasts here than most places. The forest was like a farm and field that supported the city.

“I know the forest is lovely, but keep your eyes on the road.”

“Hmm… I don’t think I can remember the way.”

There were several paths through the forest, but they were nowhere as wide as a road. Just enough for a horse to walk through. Even without the barrier, I would probably get lost.

Speaking of Mulze, she was currently riding on him as she showed me the way. At first, we had both tried to ride together, but it seemed like it was too much for Mulze. While still energetic, he was not young anymore. And so I didn’t want to overload him. Mezerir suggested it was because of my new heavy armor. Regardless, I decided to hold the reins and walk instead.

“Heey!”

As we walked, I saw an elf up ahead, who was waving a hand. And as we got closer, I saw that he was familiar.

“Nent? What are you doing here?”

“A fellow hunter told me that he saw a human in the forest. And I thought it must be you.”

So someone was watching us. I had noticed it at all. Elf hunters were so good at concealing themselves.

“Thanks to you, I got a new leg. I’m on my way home now.”

“Ajifu. You know him?”

“Aye. Nent is the one who saved me while I was wandering in the forest. It’s all because of him that I’m now safely making my way back.”

“Bah, you’re exaggerating.”

Nent said with a wave of his hand. But he really had helped me a lot. I just wished I could repay him somehow.

“I know. Do you like human wine? I could bring you some next time.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad… But I doubt you can return so easily.”

“Actually, I met with the Great Nananakihi, and got permission.”

“You what!?”

Nent was astonished. But he was even more surprised when I showed him the mark on my arm, and told him that I could not navigate through the forest.

“To think that you would be able to meet the Great Nananakihi. You did look like anyone special.”

“I completely agree.”

“Hey.”

The two were not holding back. But I couldn’t really argue with them. If I became stronger one day, would I have some kind of powerful aura? ‘Gah! This guy…is too strong!’ Like that. I had continued to train with my sword, but there were no signs of me having a more dignified presence. Not even a little.

“What is it? Why are you swinging your sword all of a sudden?”

“Uh, I’m trying to exude a more capable air.”

“I don’t think it works like that.”

Ouch. That serious expression hurt. Oh, well, it wasn’t something I needed right now anyway.

“Well, until we meet again then.”

“Aye. I’ll be waiting.”

It was a simple farewell. However, in the past, I would always feel a slight pain in my heart when I had to say it while leaving a town. And so being able to actually mean it…it was like a thorn had been removed from my chest.
Before leaving, Nent told me where I could find the hunters’ settlement. You better come and visit. And bring the wine.

“How nice. You finally made some friends.”

“Yes. I don’t want to thank the dragon, but it was all because of that encounter.”

“A dragon mediator. It sounds wonderful.”

“You wouldn’t say that if you saw its ugly face.”

Even now, if I closed my eyes, I could see it unleashing that breath. A chill ran down my spine and I shuddered. It was a miracle that I was alive.
I shook my head and continued to walk. After some time, Mezerir stopped.

“The barrier is up ahead. Can you tell?”

I squinted my eyes. There was a thin mist in front of me. I had not been able to see it on my way here.

“Yes, there is a green mist there.”

“So you can see it. Then there is nothing to worry about. Let’s go.”

When I touched it, the mark on my wrist glowed a little. And it felt warm. I then continued to thrust my arm in, and the mist flowed away as if to avoid me. Eventually, it was all around, but continued to flow past my body.

“Are you alright?”

“Aye, I am. I can see you. My vision is fine.”

She did not disappear like Nent had. Though, I could not tell if my sense of direction was normal.

“The mark of Nananakihi. You know, both the wall of thorns and the forest barrier are part of the contract with the forest spirits.”

Nent had said something like that.

“Spirit magic. That’s amazing.”

“But Great Nananakihi is special. No one else would have been able to make a barrier of this size. All the tree spirits of Amernisus are putting their power together.”

Spirit magic was different from the other attribute magic. Apparently, you could make a contract with a spirit in order to use their power. However, I had never met anyone who could do it up until now.
When we were inside of the barrier, it seemed normal at first, but the area was almost unnaturally quiet. Sometimes, the wind would blow the treetops, but there was hardly any sound.

“Are animals not able to enter?”

“They can. The forest can not live with just trees. However, it is only the people and animals that are accepted by the spirits. Like your horse.”

Though I was pulling the reins and walking straight, Mulse would try to go in other directions. And so I had to pull back and guide him. Since I knew what it was like, I guessed that Mulze was trying to walk straight as well.
And while it must be stressful to have your course corrected so much, he obeyed without objection. He really was a good horse.

Still, it was tiring. And so we stopped several times in order to rest, and then Mezerir got off of Mulze’s back, and we continued. And eventually, we were out of the lost forest.

“Well done.”

I said and patted Mulze on the head.

“We might encounter monsters now. Be on your guard.”

“Oh, that’s right.”

I had been taking it so easily recently that I forgot. I had done some training to check my movements, but this might still be the first time I fought with the new gear.

And so I checked my armor to see that it was secure. Though I had walked quite a distance, it had not become loose. The elves were not bad crafters. And my prosthetic leg also seemed to be in good condition.
Still, I didn’t know what would happen in a fight. And so I braced myself and took a step forward.

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Ossan Boukensha no Jimichi na Isekai Tabi