CH 26

Chapter title: Escaping from the Lost Forest

「Let’s see… This way.」

Serena led us with a light movement and showed us where to go.

It’s a good thing that the elves know where they’re going, even in the middle of a forest without any landmarks.

「We’ve been going south for three days now. We should be out of the woods by now.」

Three days had passed since we had gotten the rainbow carrot, and we were walking through the lost forest.

We were attacked by various monsters along the way.

Alu Bears, Giant Trolls, Deadly Madangos, Golden Spiders, and more.

All of them seemed to be rare monsters that were can be rarely seen. Marie and I struggled to find a way how to defeat them without hurting them.

Thanks to our efforts, we were able to defeat them in a clean condition and put their corpses in my inventory.

「I’m tired of being in the woods.」

Marie seemed to be fed up as well, and walked on, looking bored.

「Whoa, could that be the exit?」

After walking for a while, there was a change ahead of us. There were no trees in sight, but a plain.

「Yes! We’re finally out of the forest!」

「That’s a nice breeze!」

I let out a breath and patted my chest as I looked at the two excited people.

I didn’t mention it on the way, but the illusion that I was walking in the same place all the time was making me uneasy. ‘Are you sure we’re going the right way?’ ‘Shouldn’t we have turned at the previous place?’ ‘Will we make it out of the forest?’ I wondered. That’s what I was thinking.

「Which way do you think we should go, Marie?」

Marie was the most experienced traveler in the group. I asked her opinion and she replied with…

「We should find a river first. There is probably a road in the vicinity, and if we can find it, we should be able to find the place where the humans are.」

Water is essential for human life. If there is a river, it must be drawing water from there, so we can follow it and find a human village.

All right, then, let’s go further south.

It’s no use worrying about it when we don’t know what’s out there.

I made my decision and moved on with firm footsteps.

★

The carriage shakes and my vision moves.

Outside the window, there are knights in armor on horseback, guarding the area.

Alicia was watching the scene in a daze…….

「Hey, Alicia. Are you thinking about Elt-san again?」

「Alice-sama. I’m very sorry.」

It seems that Alice’s point is correct.

「It’s been three weeks since the fortune-telling, and we’re about a week away from our destination, the Kingdom of Erivan.」

Since Elt’s place was located in a destination that crossed several countries, they spent a lot of time traveling.

It’s also possible that the fortune-teller was able to locate Elt in the lost forest.

Alicia’s expression was listless. Alicia had dared everyone there at the meeting, but as time went on, she began to think that there was little hope for Elto’s survival.

It was her only wish that he should survive, but if they use common sense, there is a high possibility that he is dead. Alice thought it would be better if they could find a dead body this time.

「You haven’t confirmed anything yet. Why should you believe he’s dead if we haven’t verified yet?」

But she wanted Alicia to smile, so she encouraged her without letting it show.

「Thank you, Alice. You’re right……. I do not believe that Elt will die easily. Until I see the results with my own eyes, I will act with the certainty that he is alive!」

A bit of energy returned to her expression. Alice smiled and spoke further to Alicia.

「Yes, tell me for how long you have liked him. And what do you like about him? That’s an order.」

「No, no, no, no, me and Elt don’t have that kind of relationship!　We’re just childhood…… friends. We’ve always just been together…..」

Alicia’s face turns bright red and she slumps down. Alice looks at her with amusement.

「I don’t know if I would sacrifice myself for a mere childhood friend. My intuition tells me that he is in love with Alicia.」

「?!」

The next moment, Alicia’s face turned as red as a ripe tomato.

「Well, well, well? Maybe Alicia’s not too happy about it?」

Peeking out from the side, Alice teased Alicia…….

「No, please don’t! It’s really not like that!」

She showed her denial by saying so, but Alicia’s mouth was loose.

「Really? Then maybe I’ll try to be his girlfriend. I’ve been interested in him ever since Alicia told me about him. You don’t mind, do you?」

「Eh?」

This time, Alicia made a face as if her blood had gone cold.

「I was joking. I was just teasing you for not being honest with me.」

「Alice-sama is mean……」

Alicia stares at Alice with resentment in her eyes.

When Alice saw that Alicia was back on her feet, she…….

「The first thing we need to do is enter the Erivan Kingdom and talk to the kingdom. From there, I guess we can hire adventurers, do some research, and make our way to the Lost Forest.」

If there is anything unusual, it might be a clue, but I haven’t heard any such rumors in the towns I’ve stayed in so far.

「We’ll make a decision within two weeks of our arrival. I’m going to ask Alicia to do a lot of work, so please do.」

Alicia looked out of the carriage.

「I can’t wait to see you…. Elt.」

The expression on her face when she muttered this was completely for the person she was thinking about…….

★