105 - - Southbound Route No. 1

"Well, let's see what you have to show us.

At the words of their guide, Garudo, Bettina and the others touch the white adventurer's tags around their necks.

In no time at all, the skills that the Lord had developed appeared on the plate.

"First, the twins ......, let's see."

"......, this is my brother, Tapa."

"The archer is the older brother. Which is the basic and lineage. No rapid fire.

The is a martial art that makes arrows catch the wind, and its power can easily pierce through even iron armor.

The other is , which shoots arcing arrows and manipulates the wind to guide them to the target.

So, that's your brother.

"...... Oh, Tali."

"It's rare to see a wind user. Oh, and you're a wind reader. All you need is a wind sensor, a wind speeder, and a few other aids."

The is said to be the most popular skill of the Wind Spirit Tree's branches. It creates a tailwind to help you walk, and it also adds a correction to the power of your bow.

"Next is the hometown. Thank you for your support, Master Gaidaros."

Thank you. Thank you for your hospitality today, Mr. Garudo.

"Well, I'm on it.

Yes, I'm afraid so.

The is a martial art that is even called essential for shieldmen, and can make the body as hard as stone for a short period of time.

Sand Thorns, which makes sand cling to the shield, is a technique that softens the attack and at the same time blocks the opponent's movement.

This is more correct, however, since what a shieldman needs is not flashy techniques but steady endurance.

"In the end, my lady..."

"Please be gentle with me. I'm not used to being judged.

"Oh, and ...... only ......?　Seriously?"

The lower branch's and the middle branch's are both martial arts that put fire in the sword blade, but they are only basic skills.

Only when one has mastered the and , which were developed from these skills, can he be considered a swordsman.

At the very least, they are not at the stage of being able to come to the wilderness with a white-hardened plate.

"After Thor and the others, here comes the interesting one..."

What is your complaint?

"No, let's take a closer look at what you're hiding: ....... Now, let me explain the rules again.

Basically, the guide does not take part in the battle.

However, they will intervene if they are called upon to help or if there is a risk of death, in which case the adventure will be terminated.

If asked for advice on the way, they will answer, but not if it is dangerous or not.

If he decides that the situation is dangerous, he will give a warning.

After three warnings, the search is also terminated.

The reason why the guide checked the skills of the party he was guiding in advance was to judge such a situation.

"So, it's really just a guide?"

"Yes, it will be. What's the matter, do you miss home already?"

"On the contrary. It's no fun to go on the road with someone to pull you along.

That's a very encouraging word. Well, I think it's time for us to move on.

With these words, Garudo shuffled his chin toward the huge chasm that led to the bottom of the earth.

Unlike the northbound course, which is headwindy, the southbound course is favorable.

However, it is not so easy here.

There were no white sands or strange rocks in the south, but instead countless canyons.

The valleys, carved by winds that have been blowing for many years, are more than several thousand steps deep in the longest ones.

Moreover, they are so intricately intertwined that one does not know where they lead if he or she wanders into them carelessly.

However, even if one tries to continue on the ground, it takes a terrible amount of time to bypass the canyons that lie alongside.

It seems to be quite common to inadvertently end up at a dead end where the canyons intersect.

It is too wide to jump over and too deep to descend.

In the end, the only way to go deeper is to continue through the canyon.

"Tali-sama, please."

"...... got it."

Quietly, the twin brother drew his dagger and held it up to the blowing wind.

The bell at the end of the cord tied to the hilt makes a faint, clear sound.

"...... It's about four hundred paces to the other side. There is no obstruction on the way. There's nothing moving at ......."

"Thank you. Now, let's keep our heads up.

After receiving the wind messenger's report, Godan takes off his sand-shielding hood, holds up his shield, and calls out.

The bowman quickly re-stretched the bowstring that had been removed with his thigh, implying that the first baptism would probably be in this valley.

Bettina also silently draws her thin sword and steps close behind the butler.

Behind her is the wind wielder, with the archer as the leader and Garudo walking a few paces behind.

The group carefully descended the slope into the mysterious interior of the valley.

The canyon, cut off on both sides, is quite deep, and the sun is only faintly visible far above our heads.

The dry, slightly sandy bottom was reasonably easy to walk on.

The width of the canyon, however, is barely wide enough for three adults to stand in a row.

"Hey, I've always wondered, what's the difference between and ?"

As Godan and the others slowly move forward, checking ahead, Garudo asks a carefree question from a little distance away.

"...... is to know where the wind goes, and is to know what the wind brings. They are completely different things."

"Hmmm, I don't understand."

Before Garudo could finish his curt reply, a small bell rang at Tali's waist.

"It's coming!"

At the warning from behind, Godan immediately lifted his shield and stared ahead.

Again, a voice echoed behind him.

No, behind you!

Tapa turned backward in an instant, pulling the string of his bow.

As he turns around, his narrow eyes catch sight of a swarm of black shadows approaching at an impossible speed.