CH 32

The duo left the village early in the morning.

As Gendar mentioned, the national borders had been reopened, making it possible to go in and out of the country.

[Meat jerky, smoked food… We got all sorts of provisions from Ryodou, but is there enough space for you to store it with your spatial magic?] (Seto)

[Yes, no problem there. …But I have to say, this is a generous amount.] (Satis)

[Yeah, he said it was to thank me for helping him with work and for listening to him. Though I never thought he’d even give me money…] (Seto)

[With this, we won’t have to worry about food and travel expenses for the time being. …So, what did you talk about with Ryodou-san?] (Satis)

[Well… We just talked about the old days. He asked me not to tell too many people about it, though.] (Seto)

The two of them walked down the long, quiet and seemingly endless road while making small talk, just like before their arrival in the village.

Fortunately, they ran into a horse-drawn carriage parked along the road.

They did not expect to see anyone yet since the national borders had just been reopened, but merchants were quick to work.

They talked to the coachman and his companions, and asked them for a ride to the next city.

[Thank you very much. It seemed to be a long way to the next city, so we thought…] (Satis)

[Hahaha, of course. The war with the monsters is finally dying down, so it’s gotten a bit easier to go around.] (Coachman)

[How far is the next city?] (Seto)

[Let’s see… Well, if we keep up this pace, we should arrive by tomorrow morning. Do you folks have your own food? If not, we can share with you.] (Coachman)

[No, it’s alright. She’s carrying ours in a pocket dimension.] (Seto)

[Ohh, that means you’re a mage, then. …Must be nice to be one. I assume you can store and carry everything in there.] (Coachman)

[Well, not exactly everything, but… Well, it’s good for transporting food and other such necessities.] (Satis)

They chatted with the coachman and the people accompanying him.

They were warm-hearted people, and they shared the story of their journey up to this point.

Like one time when they were suddenly attacked by monsters, or another when they apparently ran out of food and went into a panic.

Despite it all, they overcame their hardships by working together, and made it all the way down those mountains and to the vast grasslands.

[Have you been to the public bathhouses of Clay Shut? Their hot baths are the best there is!] (Passenger A)

[We have! I’ve gotten really fond of their baths myself! I would’ve loved to bathe there everyday, but that would be…] (Satis)

[Hahaha! Must be quite the luxury! Sounds nice, I’d love to live that kinda life at least once!] (PAssenger A)

They knew many things.

They had a vast amount of knowledge and experience, and from Seto’s point of view, superior travelers.

Perhaps he could learn many things by listening to their stories.

With that in mind, he tried to come up with a topic to bring up.

Ah, right… There’s something I’ve been curious about.: that stuff Ryodou told me.

“…Apparently, the Hero’s party that was dispatched to defeat the Demon King has gone missing.” (Ryodou)

The disappearance of the Hero’s party.

Not counting Hydra, it should be a group of three.

Having traveled a lot, the merchants may have some information about them.

Normally, he would not be concerned with that, but due to Hydra’s arrival, this matter somewhat piqued his interest.

[Say, I have a question.] (Seto)

[Hm? What is it?] (Passenger A)

The coachman’s young companion turned to Seto.

[During our stay at a village, I heard some strange news. About the Hero’s party that was sent out to defeat the Demon King going missing.] (Seto)

[The Hero’s party? Oh yeah, that topic. It’s a pretty famous one among travelers.] (Passenger A)

[You’re right. I was shocked when I heard about it too. I wonder if something happened to the Hero.] (Passenger B)

[I hope they’re all right.] (Passenger C)

He did not hear any more news from them.

However, the questions kept piling up.

That stuff Hydra said about how the party made her promise to be their slave. And that ghastly expression on her face… Just what the hell happened between them? And then, there’s this mysterious existence that attacks passing peddlers, and appeared around the same time the party was reported missing. It makes me curious… (Seto)

While Seto was lost in his thoughts, Satis, who was sitting next to him, quietly tugged at the hem of his clothes.

When he turned his eyes on her, she gave him a pained look and shook her head.

Apparently, she did not want him to think about the Hero’s party.

And she did not want to remember that last incident with Hydra either.

Out of consideration for her feelings, he decided to drop the subject.

I find myself connected to them again because of Hydra’s arrival, huh. …Yeah, better forget about it. (Seto)

He changed his mind, and asked them about the delicious meals they had had.

Like what sort of dishes they had eaten, and how tasty they were.

Eating all the tasty food he wanted..

This was one of Seto’s joys on this journey.

The people in the carriage laughed as they answered his questions.

Satis watched it all with a smile.

Hearing the names of the dishes and how they tasted gave Seto an appetite.

Seeing as it was getting close to noon, they stopped the carriage and had lunch.

The food of the people in the carriage was similar to the duo’s.

They had smoked fish, pickles, cheese, etc.

Everyone sat in a circle and enjoyed their simple meals.

The pair also shared their own food with the others, and enjoyed whatever they had never eaten before to the fullest.

[Hm? These pickles… They’re yummy.] (Satis)

[This cheese- *Munch* is tasty too. Might be even better- *Nom* if you eat it with bread.] (Seto)

[Come on, stop talking while eating, it’s bad manners.] (Satis)

[Hahaha! It’s all right. I’m just glad you like the food so much.] (Coachman)

As they laughed and chatted in a heartwarming atmosphere and over their meals, Seto noticed someone walking towards them.

A character wrapped in a yellow robe, carrying birds and other small animals on his shoulders and head, making a dragging sound as he advanced in the direction of Seto and the others.

Is that… (Seto)

He looked familiar to him.

Rather than saying that his hood was obscuring his face, it looked more like there was nothing but an endless shadow inside the hood.

And the yellow robe seemed to be fluttering and undulating like a living being rather than a regular piece of cloth.

No way… The Wendigo!? Why now of all times…!? (Seto)

The Wendigo of Death, Ahas Patel.

Seto instantly grabbed his knife, wondering if he had been chasing after him and Satis.

However, he did not sense any hostility of murderous intent from him.

In fact, it looked like he really just wanted to walk the same road with the animals that adored him, and nothing more.

As they passed each other, he seemingly threw a glance at Seto for a second, but then, he resumed his stroll.

Huh…? He’s just walking away? But wait, what did he come here for to begin with? (Seto)

[Seto? Is there something wrong?] (Satis)

Satis’ voice brought him back to his senses.

The carriage’s other passengers were already getting ready to leave.

It appeared that no one but Seto could see him.

Both Ahad Patel and the animals who liked him were gone before he knew it.

Even his peculiar footprints had already vanished.

[You’ve been spacing out for a while… Maybe you’re feeling tired?] (Satis)

[Eh? Ah, no. I’m fine.] (Seto)

He decided not to mention this to Satis.

He was shocked by the sudden appearance of Ahas Patel, but it did not seem to be anything worth panicking over.

But why was he heading in the same direction as us? …Hm? What’s this? (Seto)

Seto was holding a letter in his right hand.

This envelope he had never seen before was closed with a wax seal with an unknown symbol drawn on it.

A letter…? Since when do I have that in my hand? Did it come from him? …And wait, Wendigos actually write letters? (Seto)

[Setoooo! Come on, let’s gooo!] (Satis)

[Ah, yeah! I’m coming!] (Seto)

Seto put the mysterious letter in his pocket and boarded the carriage.

The carriage rocked along the road as it kept stretching on.