54 - hope of hunting

Thor and his friends, having lightly packed their belongings, decided to head downstream.

The destination was the campsite of the Rorolfs.

"Well, it's easier to talk if you see it once. You can come with us if you like."　

"Oh, you're welcome. It's been a long time since I've had a guest in my house.

"They'll be surprised when I bring home such a pretty girl and a beautiful woman, brother.

I was pushed into going along with them.

Of course, Thor did not believe everything he heard.

But their information was useful, and above all, he was intrigued by the need to exterminate slime.

When I asked the other three, Yuril nodded his head in agreement that helping others was important, Sora agreed with me with a curious look on his face, and even Mu--...

"Hey, Tor-chan!"

"What's wrong?"

"Moo did a great job today, so why don't you tell him he can ride the Ohanamaru?"

"You promised me no more than two hours a day."

"What?　I tried so hard.

"Don't be selfish, Moo-chan."

"Yeah!　Then give Sora a piggyback ride!"

"Come on, Tor-chan, I'll carry you."

He jumped on the child and held him in his arms. Moo was in a better mood and climbed up and straddled Thor's shoulders.

The sun was already beginning to set when the group departed.

The destination was a 40-minute walk after passing a small uninhabited riverbank twice.

Inside the river, which makes a large bend, there is a riverbed the size of a training ground.

However, the bend is so steep that one has to get quite close to the river to see the whole area.

"Wow, it's a big place, isn't it, Thor?　

"Oh ......, have you arrived ......?"　

Are you okay?　We're almost there."

Yuril, who was beginning to breathe a little on his shoulders, responds to Sola's innocent praise.

The exhausted woman looked up and, perhaps impressed by the spectacular view, tightened her grip on Thor's hand.

The first thing that catches her eye is the tent that lines the border between the spacious riverbank and the bank.

They were made of solid wooden frames, and looked quite splendid.

It was quite different from those of Thor and the others, who had only passed around a piece of cloth.

Even more eye-catching was what appeared to be a cooking stove next to it.

Strangely enough, there was a black smoke rising from the hearth, which seemed to be made of piled up stones, even though there was nothing around but grassy banks and meadows overgrown with sucking grass.

Rorolf, who had been watching Tolle and the others, perhaps realizing that his question had appeared on his face, easily revealed the truth of the situation.

"There's a lot more driftwood here than you'd think. We can pick up enough to prepare our dinner.

As we stopped to look at the riverbank, Moo, who had been dexterously lying on Thor's shoulder, woke up.

The child, who was looking around while stretching prettily, flopped down on Thor's face and pointed in the direction of the river.

"Tor-chan, what's that?"

Thor, who looked at him, choked on his words.

Sola, too, noticed, and let out a startled voice.

"What is that?　Are you stoned?"

"Well, aren't you surprised?"

"It took a lot of work to do that, brother."

"Heh heh. That's what we've been working for."

It was a small mountain made of randomly piled stones.

The size of the pile was well beyond even Thor, let alone the large warriors of the Purple-Eyed Tribe.

But that is not the most remarkable point.

The problem was the location and number of stones.

First of all, the piles of stones protruded into the river.

Moreover, they were evenly spaced and quite numerous.

From a distance, they looked like piers that were in the process of being built.

"I'm surprised. Could that be ......?"

"Yeah, it's a bridge across to the other side of the river. They say that it's only on this side of the river."

"Yes, yes. If it was on that side, you wouldn't have anything to complain about.

"You can choose any riverbank you want."

"So that's how it is. I don't know how you've been able to keep ...... going."

Working on a river teeming with monsters.

It must have been a hardship.

"Well, I almost fell apart a few times, but these guys were there."

Don't give me too many compliments. I'm embarrassed, brother.

"This is what we call unity, Mr. Yuril."

Moe spoke cheerfully to the three of them, who were rubbing the tops of their noses in a deliberate manner.

"Hey, did you grab all those rocks?"

"Yes, you did, didn't you?　Little guy."

"You're good. I'm a good rock picker too, but I might be a little outclassed.

I see. You're good at that, too?

"But if you're going to guess the stones, maybe Moo is better than me."

"Yeah?　Stone?"

"It's so much fun when you hit a rock after you've pinched it. When are you going to kill it?

"I'm not gonna beat you!　Don't start talking nonsense."

"Well, can Moe do it?

I won't let you!

Moe jumps off Thor's back and runs along the riverbank, and the three men chase after him in a panic.

Moe was quickly caught and hung by the big men, who began to giggle as they hung him up.

He is pulling their hands from both sides of his body, and is really enjoying the feeling of his body swaying back and forth.

"...... He's such a naughty boy, isn't he?"

"Thank you for playing with me. So is that why I'm here, or is it something to do with that?

"Yeah, let me introduce you first. This way.

With the child dangling, Roloff and the others headed for the tents along the bank.

As they approached the tent, the eldest son shouted loudly.

"Hey, are you there?

"Oh, are you a visitor?"

A brown-horned man with horns on his head emerged from behind a stone hearth.

His shaggy bangs hid his eyes, making it difficult to read his expression.

Compared to his indistinct face, however, his body was clearly defined and assertive enough to be recognized at a glance.

He was not very tall, but his width was quite impressive.

His arms, legs and neck are thick.

He was clad in reddish metal armor, which gave the impression of being heavy and ready to tear off at any moment.

"This is Dialgo. This is Dialgo, our proud shieldman.

"It's nice to meet you. We've met a few times, haven't we?

"Oh, really?"

"I used to see you in the Ogre Forest. Yes, I think most adventurers from Dadang know him.

You must be pretty famous. We're newcomers, so we're a little new to the area.

Don't worry about it. It's all bad news.

With that kind of skill?　You're not a good judge of character, these people. Hey, where's Tapa and Tali?

Maybe he's on break. I haven't seen him since lunch.

You're slacking off again. Nini, Gugu, please.

"Yes, sir."

"Rairai!"

For some reason, Moo joins his brothers in cheerfully replying.

The three of us slinked out of the tent, and two Midoriwa men who were still half asleep pulled us out of the tent.

They, too, were of a rather stout build, but this one had narrow eyes and a low nose, making his face easy to recognize.

Both of them looked exactly the same in face shape and clothing.

The reason for this will become clear soon.

They are twins. They're not with us, they're partying alone."　

"...... Tapa."

"I'm ...... Tali."

Thor and the others greet each other, feeling somewhat unnatural in the way they are introduced.

"So, this is the only one here now. There used to be an old man who used to use a hammer, but he betrayed us and joined an upstream party that had an opening.

"I see. There's a lot going on."

"Well, I'm going to explain about that bridge, but first, will you swear not to tell anyone?"

Roloff's tone suddenly became grave, but then Dialgo, who was peering into the hearth, interrupted him carefree.

"Well, ......, before that, why don't you make some rice?　The pot is simmering nicely."