CH 222

We had decided to challenge the mountain side this time. The map had become quite detailed at this point, and the more we went around while traveling, the closer the map came to completion.

Sword also had fun watching that.

“This is really amazin’. Guess it’s the 『Thrillin’ Adventurin’』 you’ve been talkin’ ’bout. I totally feel like fillin’ out all of the map.”

“Yep. It’s also fine to visit towns, but I want to go to remote regions where no one else has arrived yet. Maybe completely unknown monsters are lurking there. We might also be able to experience shockingly beautiful nature. That’s what adventuring is about!”

Sword has stopped denying it at this point. It looks like he’s finally grasped what I mean with adventuring.

“We have earned so much money that we won’t be able to spend it anymore, right? So, let’s have adventures. Let’s search the unknown. If not for the dragon nest on the floating island, I’d definitely go there, but…”

This alone is something that can’t be helped.

“Is a floatin’ island somethin’ you wanna see so much as an otherworldler? Amato said somethin’ similar as well.”

Mr. Amato must have watched that masterpiece of a movie that featured a certain floating island.

“It should be filled with dreams and ambitions, but…it sounds like it’s filled with dragon poop in this world.”

Probably able to easily imagine it, Sword looked totally dejected.

“Let’s not go there, ‘kay?”

“Yep,” I nodded.

Filthy, scary.

＊

Currently we were heading for a lake. Lakes make you excited in all kinds of ways, don’t they?

“For example, the lake is inhabited by monsters who pull in and devour people, who have been fascinated by the pretty scenery, or you won’t ever surface again after entering the lake.”

“……Sorry, but that doesn’t sound excitin’ to me at all,” Sword apologized when I voiced my imaginations full of giddiness.

“I guess a simple way to make you excited about a lake would be “clear and serene.” While admiring a lake at night as it reflected the moonlight, you’d drink booze.”

“Ohh, now we’re talkin’!” Sword shouted at once.

So he doesn’t get excited if no alcohol is involved, huh?

＊

As we walked further, we ran into a town…no, a small village. Seeing it at a distance, Sword furrowed his eyebrows.

“That’s…a village we should avoid. If we’re unlucky, it might be a den of thieves.”

Sword started to say some weird things. Wouldn’t a den of thieves actually be a place we should approach and destroy?

When I tilted my head in confusion, Sword gave me an explanation, “…There’s all kinds of thieves ’round. Some of ’em usually live amongst ’emselves without interactin’ with others much. They grow and raise their own food, and only become bandits and attack other folks durin’ famines. Well, even if you call it 『attack』, it ain’t like they kill their targets and they only steal enough food to pull through. In such cases, the ones bein’ attacked offer the food to the bandits, if they got some leeway of their own, and as their valuables won’t be stolen altogether either, most of those victims won’t bring it up with the authorities.”

I see, I see, so it’s kind of like demanding forced support.

“Since the stolen goods will be quickly consumed anyway, if it’s food, the victims don’t put up any requests with the guild. Assumin’ they were to put up a request out of retaliation, there wouldn’t be much of loot to be gained from such a village, even if the adventurers catch the whole lot or subjugate ’em. In short, the requester would remain sittin’ on the costs and since there ain’t much to gain outta it, adventurers won’t accept such requests either. ――Well, because of that, they’re often bein’ overlooked, I guess.”

Okay, I see. So rather than them being overlooked due to circumstances, no one wants to hunt them down as it’s pointless to subjugate poor folks anyway.

Sword is probably in the camp of the ones overlooking them, though…

The village was rather tiny and it seemed to have some children. We made a detour, passing it.

＊

As soon as we exited the forest, a lake sprawled in front of us. It was beautiful.

Because it had a beach, we chose that place as a camp and took out Char.

“Now then, it’s a fairly pretty lake. I’d be delighted if it has any pretty monsters or spirits.”

“Well…yeah, looks like you might not be disappointed.”

Oh? It sounds like Sword detected something with his skill to spot presences.

I breathed out roughly through the nose, “Oohh, great! Really great!”

“No, I just said might, not definitely won’t. Don’t get all riled up,” he told me, but Sword saying so usually means that something is around, doesn’t it?

“Alright! This calls for a camp! I took out Char, but camping out will be a lot more fun, I’m sure!”

“…Not that I mind. Well, I s’pose it’ll be excitin’ if somethin’ comes out, yep.”

Sword started to get pumped as well!

＊

First comes scouting. The boards I made before are going to come in handy again, I think. But, before that, I must make sure that this lake isn’t “Ruo Shui.”

Once I tossed a piece of wood into the lake, it floated.

“In the other world existed an unexplored region surrounded by a river called “Ruo Shui.” Its water was said to not let anything float as everything would immediately sink down. That’s why I’ve been making sure when we come to unexplored areas.”

“Hmm…your sayin’ you’ll definitely drown if you enter it?”

I nodded.

Or rather, if such water (or rather, that won’t be water anymore) exists, I’d like to know about its composition, but as might be expected, I suppose it doesn’t exist in this world? Or maybe it does?

Anyway, I’ll visit all kinds of places and look for it. Together with Sword.

“…In the other world, it was a secluded region accessible only to a very limited number of people. After coming to this world, I should have become the only person who can reach such unexplored, secluded regions. That’s why I want to visit it together with you, if such secluded areas exist in this world as well.”

“Sword laughed, “That’s way too absurd, I think. Searchin’ despite not even knowin’ whether somethin’ exist, eh? But! I’ve grasped that this is your 『Thrill』.”

He gently caressed my head.