Day three of collecting magic stones.
Yesterday, we spent a long time searching for fallen Harpies and repeatedly dismembering them. Since their faces are human, dismembering them is impossible. Even if they didn’t have faces, their bodies are female, making it impossible. I don’t think I can become an Adventurer. I didn’t even try to make them into fried chicken. The reason? It’s just impossible!
We loaded the Harpy materials into our magic pouches and proceeded deeper. The formation remained the same. I never got a chance to speak with the Mages from the White Rose Brigade, so I couldn’t even thank them for how useful the Water Wall was.
However, when they finally took off their robes during a meal, I was able to see their faces across the campfire, and I couldn’t help but feel triumphant inside.
Nora, the Fire Element Mage, and Nicole, the Water Element Mage. Nora had sun-tanned skin, dark as if from her own magic flames, with white teeth that gave her a healthy appearance. Her thick eyebrows suggested a strong-willed woman. Nicole, in contrast, was pale, seeming almost insignificant, and exuded a watery coldness. She had cold eyes that didn’t betray her emotions.
Aside from Fire Element Mages, it’s different from being a Mercenary when Water Element Adventurers can be so active. I wonder if Water Element Mages are necessary for transporting water over long distances on their own.
The journey on the third day wasn’t significant, only a giant bear that reached up to the sky appeared.
“It’s a Giant Bear! Fall back!”
Our leader, Priscilla, and Rose from the White Rose Brigade ignored the Vice-Captain’s words as if they hadn’t heard them. Rose, I wish you’d stop arguing with Priscilla.
I also pushed forward through the vegetation, wanting to see, but stopped when I saw the bear. I returned the way we came, leaving the bear to Priscilla, and then Nora, Nicole, Sophia, Rufina, and I engaged in a lively discussion about magic.
Nora and Nicole, the two Adventurer Mages, carried maces. It seems that even Mages among Adventurers need close-combat capabilities.
The Mages in war, whether they held anything or not, usually only had staves. Sophia and Rufina were also bare-handed. Occasionally, they used throwing knives.
I was interested in Water Element magic. I wondered how useful it could be. It turns out it’s quite useful. Some Water Element spells include healing magic, so it seems a party doesn’t lose functionality even without someone specializing in healing like Sophia.
Rather, they are seen as professions capable of offense, defense, healing, and logistics. You never know what becomes important depending on the situation.
While we were engrossed in our conversation, the Giant Bear fell towards us. Priscilla was on top of the toppled Giant Bear, which had fallen with a roar and a cloud of dust, delivering the finishing blow.
Well done, Priscilla! I’ll praise you later.
“Haa, haa, what the hell are you doing?!”
What am I doing? I’m communicating. You seem quite out of breath, are you alright? Would you like to have some tea together? With Fire and Water Element Mages and some tea leaves, we can have all the tea we want.
“We’re fighting for our lives, and you’re talking about ‘tea’?!”
Don’t be so dramatic about fighting for your life. It’s not just a small bear, it’s a rather large one. More importantly, I have crucial information for you, Priscilla. These four Adventurers are all single and have no boyfriends. They say that while you can meet people in this line of work, none of them are any good.
It’s natural for Adventurers to risk their lives together. Therefore, it’s only natural that Priscilla and Rose would help each other defeat their enemies.
“Wh-what is it… I … I…”
What is it? Are you going to declare your love in front of everyone? I’m fully accepting confessions from you, Priscilla. Go on, say it. Tell me you love me, and then prostrate yourself before me. …Godspeed!
“Die!”
Priscilla’s sword easily cut through the tree I was sitting on and embedded itself in the ground. I predicted that, Priscilla. It’s exactly what you would do.
“Sophia, Alana was on Guard Duty today, right? Since she’s not here, we’ll have to move up. I’ll slot Priscilla in.”
“Don’t go too far away.”
With Sophia’s smile seeing us off, we entered the forest. Cutting through the trees.
“Is your Captain always like that?”
Rose, who had taken down the giant bear, returned to the group.
“Yes, she’s the best Captain.”
Unaware of their conversation, I was expertly dodging Priscilla’s loving sword.
Day four of collecting magic stones.
We didn’t return until morning. I walked back with my arms crossed, but it was hard to walk, and my Armor hurt. The White Rose Brigade members looked at us with blank faces, but for the White Lily Corps, this was normal. They said they were scared by the wild animal’s howls at night, but that too was normal for the White Lily Corps.
Today, nothing happened except being attacked by a small bear. “You go!” Priscilla’s encouragement rang out behind me. Once I quickly finished it off, I heard “Cheater” as a compliment. Thank you.
As we set up camp and ate dinner at night, the Captain praised us, saying, “This time, we had a great haul.” Just as the White Rose Brigade was looking at us with envious eyes, they arrived.
“What are these guys?!”
The Vice-Captain was cut down in a surprise attack, and the White Rose Brigade panicked, while the White Lily Corps continued their dinner. I believe the lookout from the White Rose Brigade was Rhys today?
“These are Redcaps. Be careful, they’re fast!”
They haven’t even finished dinner yet. But these guys look like wrinkled old men. That red hat is probably a fashion item, but their taste is terrible.
“These fairies cut off heads with sickles and drink blood. Scary, *glug*.”
Sophia, I don’t think it’s a good idea to talk while eating. But drinking blood… there was someone nearby who did that.
“Drinking blood is unacceptable. This blood is mine.”
Stop grabbing my sleeve and declaring ownership. My blood is mine. There are many Redcaps. Except for the White Lily Corps, will another victim fall? Could you please let go for now?
“Unacceptable, unacceptable. This blood is all mine. ■■■■, Rose Vines.”
I told you, my blood is mine! As Rufina chanted, thorny rose vines grew from the Redcaps’ feet, wrapping around them and immobilizing them.
Like barbed wire, the rose vines entangled the Redcaps, and the more they struggled, the deeper the thorns dug in, constricting their bodies.
“The match is decided. I’ll go find Rhys, so I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“You think I’d give even a drop of my blood to any of you! Rossa!”
“Yes, my Lord. ■■■■, Swamp of Decay.”
Both of you, please reply when the Captain is speaking. Also, try to gain some weight before you come to me. Rossa’s chant caused small, disgusting swamps to appear at the feet of each Redcap.
“You think you can die easily. I’ll sink you one by one, so you can know what it’s like to rot with your own bodies.”
The rose vines released by Rufina slowly pulled them into the swamps. The Redcaps let out screams that couldn’t be articulated, like “Gyyaa!” or “Wagyaa!”, as they rotted and sank into what could only be described as puddles of swamp.
When the Redcaps disappeared, the vines and swamps vanished, leaving only a stench of decay and magic stones. I thought there wouldn’t be any magic stones since they walked on two legs, but lucky me. Rufina was about to sink the next one, but I couldn’t bear to watch, so I decided to go find Rhys.
Where Rhys was supposed to be, a trail of blood led into the depths of the forest.
