104 - - Take your time

After much discussion, it was decided that Mu would attend both temples once or twice a week.

He would decide which he liked better.

The next day, Moo went to the temple of exploration, hand in hand with Yuril.

Thor and Thora are resting comfortably at home.

However, they cannot be so lazy since they will be going out into the wilderness again next week.

Thor woke up a little later than usual and went to the garden to swing his sword.

With his breath in the pit of his stomach, he swings his blade down at the shadow of a monster floating in front of him.

He ducks, steps forward, and takes another swing.

Even a thumb's breadth difference in distance makes a huge difference in the power of his slash.

However, in a real battle, it is often the case that you are not as close as you thought you were.

Dadaan has taught me many times to step forward as if I could catch each other's breath.　

So that the blade will finally reach the opponent.

I would flex my knees and ankles and glide along the ground.

It is a gait that draws great power from small movements.

He moves smoothly around the small garden, returning his blade and slashing at his opponent.

Thor has in his mind the scene where he once defeated the evil spirit of red water on the banks of the bloody river.

He silently trains himself to make that move, the one that cut through the water with dozens of slashes, as his own as much as possible.

No matter how hard I train my body, it will return to its original state if I remember to it.

But the memories you have cultivated will remain.

Thor memorizes his movements as if they are etched into the depths of his soul.

The current state of his body is the best he can do.

But it will be at its best if we continue to accumulate the memories of our studies.

The word "protect" is not a word that should be spoken with half-hearted determination.

Twenty-five years ago, Thor was taught the meaning by a childhood friend who risked his life.

And the regret of not being able to protect the little girl during the outbreak nine years ago still remains deep inside Thor.

To keep the bitter memory alive, Thor continued to swing his sword silently.

After practicing all morning, he finally catches his breath at the noon bell.

Thor feels a moderate hunger, and a delicious smell comes into his nostrils.

He goes to the kitchen, where Sola has just finished cooking lunch.

Today's dish seemed to be thinly sliced smoked wild boar meat and chopped cabbage sandwiched between bread reheated in a kamado.

The savory smell mixed with the aroma of sweet and sour sauce was very appetizing.

"Okay, okay, this is the last one!"

Sola gave a troubled look to the cats clinging to her feet as she removed her apron.

She then tosses them a piece of meat that was left on the cutting board.

The two cats, which had been squealing adorably, immediately jumped on it and began to chew.

"Looks like a feast. Can I have some?"

"Oh, Thor, it's freshly made! Here you go."

As we were relaxing on the couch after eating, the cats approached us, yawning.

The striped cat jumped up on the chair lightly, and when it was on Thor's belly, it snuggled down and started to purr.

The black cat was now grooming itself on Thora's lap.

And so, the afternoon is spent in a relaxed manner by the two of them.

In the evening, while Thor is once again wielding his sword in the garden, Ulil and the others come home.

"Tor-chan!　Did you miss Moe?"

"Did you have fun at school?"

"Yes, Moo praised me for my drawing."

"Oh, well, that's good. Good work, Mr. Uril.

Yes, I'm home. Oh, that smells good.

Sola was very enthusiastic about dinner.

Black, Shimmer, have you been a good boy?

Moo comes out to greet them, puts them on his shoulders, and runs happily into the kitchen.

Thor and his friends naturally smile as they watch his back.

The next day, just Thor, Sora, and Moo go to the river of blood to kill the slime as requested.

Yuril did not accompany them this time because he had some business to attend to.

Because of the light rain, the number of slimes did not increase much, and we succeeded in killing only about 150 slimes in half a day.

Nevertheless, I was able to collect a sufficient amount of mucus, so I can say that my request was fulfilled.

"Yes, this much will keep for quite a long time. If you don't sell it at ......."

"I hadn't seen you for a while, Sargon.

"Yes, thanks to Mr. Toll, I've been promoted. Thank you very much.

Thor and his colleagues were greeted at the demolition site behind the sub-branch by a former employee who had often taken care of them.

It seems that he is now the site manager of this blood-spilled river office.

"Oh, yes, here you go, if you like.

The young man from the Tea Horn tribe hands me a leaf packet with a friendly smile.

It's ara of blood-spattered fish. A souvenir for the cats.

"Hmmm, this brings back some memories. Thank you, I appreciate it."

The next day, the hunt for river slime was finished in a similar manner, and at the beginning of the week, Thor and his friends went to the training grounds.

We had been giving training to young adventurers like Sisan and the others for some time now, and before we knew it, Rorolf and the rest of the Thunderbolt Brothers had joined us and it had become a regular event.

We have a lot of mock battles, and in between, I listen to Sisan and the others' problems and complaints.

Although their income has finally stabilized recently, it is said that they used to lead a very tight life.

As Thor, he is not a stranger to this story.

Some of the members seem to have almost no worries, though.

"Look, Moe!　It was so hard to catch this thing!　I had to walk all over the forest!"

"Wow!　You caught a big one like this."

I want it!　I want some, I want some, I want some!"

The red-headed Riccardo boasts about the giant rhinoceros beetle he pulled out of the basket, while the second sons, Ninilas and Moo, take a bite and give him praise.

Gugtaf, the third son, and Hink, the bowman, sighed as they looked at each other from the side.

It is now getting dark, and we move to the green oak grove pavilion.

The banquet afterwards had become a regular event.

Nowadays, there is even a special place reserved without a reservation.

"Are you coming to the wilderness yet?"

"Yes ......, I think my equipment and skills are up to standard, but until Roloff gets a magician in, I'm not sure ......."

"Yeah, well, there's no need to rush into anything."

"And maybe, ......, I think he's being reserved."

Dialgo, who is in charge of the shields of the Thunderbolt brothers, finishes his mug of barley wine and continues his story.

"If you go up to us, the convenience of that ...... carriage is ......".

The current limited number of carriages going to and from the wilderness makes it difficult to make reservations.

He was concerned that if he interrupted them, it would interfere with the transportation of Thor and the others.

"Oh, you are making me nervous. I'm sorry."

"No, I just got drunk and ....... Forget about that."

As the drinks were flowing and the minors had left, a new participant appeared at the banquet.

A steward with a large shield on his back and the twins of the Midoriwa clan appeared.

They looked like they had just returned from the wilderness, and you could see the intense fatigue in their eyes.

"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Thor."

"...... just got back."

"...... little one has already fallen asleep?"

"Oh, you're back. Is the bouncing girl gone?

The young lady went home first. It's been a long time.

"Well, it sounds like you've been through a lot. Can you tell me more about it?

Nodding, Godin tipped his mug and began to tell the whole story of his adventures.