The second forest barrier was considerably wider than the first one.
Even if they had advanced in a straight line, it would have taken a full day to walk.
Still, since there was a barrier, they couldn’t use their abilities for movement, so Kousuke and the others started walking on foot.
By the time they confirmed the barrier’s size from the sky, they were prepared for a long haul, so that was not a problem.
Colette had properly explained to the children before coming, so she could act with them for a few days.
If it went beyond a week, it would become a nuisance to Peach, so they wanted to reach a conclusion by then.
While making such plans, Kousuke and the others, who were walking towards the center of the barrier, decided to have lunch on the way.
“You seem to be taking quite a detour, but how long will it take to reach the center?”
When Floria asked Colette, the person asked replied while tilting her head.
“Hmm. I think we’ll get there before evening?”
“Evening? That takes longer than I thought.”
In their calculations before entering the forest, they had discussed that if things went smoothly, they would arrive a little after lunch.
Given that the time had significantly extended, it was natural for Floria to express such a remark.
Colette replied to Floria with a bitter smile.
“That was the estimated time assuming we could proceed in a straight line. Besides, I didn’t think the forest would be so intricate.”
“Well, you can tell that by looking around. No, I’m not blaming you, you know?”
Colette returned a wry smile to Floria, who quickly said that.
“I know. You wanted to confirm because we’re taking such a detour, right?”
“Well, that’s right.”
Floria answered, her intention easily seen through.
Floria wasn’t bothered by her estimates being off, but it was a question that she seemed to be taking a long detour.
Colette, meeting Floria’s gaze, answered after looking at Kousuke once.
“It’s not a big reason, really. We just proceeded without interfering with the barrier, and that’s how it turned out.”
“The barrier…? What do you mean?”
Kousuke answered Floria, who tilted her head and asked.
“Ah~. I’ll skip the detailed explanation, but if you just push through the barrier ignoring it, you’ll break something that’s already there. It’s a hassle to fix it later, so we’re just proceeding without anything happening right now.”
With their strength, Kousuke and the others could break through the barrier itself.
However, doing so would be more troublesome, so they were taking the regular route even if it meant a detour.
It was truly a case of “the more haste, the less speed.”
Kousuke had no intention of destroying the forest that remained in its natural state thanks to the barrier.
“Besides, considering our original objective, I think it’s better not to stimulate the forest unnecessarily.”
If there was a divine tree in this forest, if they became aggressive here, they might not be able to receive what they could have.
There was no benefit in picking a fight from the start, so the option of breaking through the barrier was out of the question.
“I see. I am greatly convinced.”
Floria, having received explanations from Colette and Kousuke, nodded several times with a convinced expression.
Silvia, who had some understanding of the meaning behind Kousuke and Colette’s actions, asked while glancing at Floria.
“It seemed like you intended to do so from the beginning, but was that because you expected a divine tree here?”
“No, I wonder? However, whether it’s a divine tree or not, there’s no doubt that there’s an existence in this forest that supports such a considerable barrier.”
As Kousuke said that and turned his gaze to Colette for confirmation, she nodded.
“Yes. The arrangement of the trees also feels intentional, so I don’t think it’s just a coincidence.”
Colette answered, keeping in mind the forest that Kousuke and the others had seen last.
While they didn’t have the definitive answer yet, both Kousuke and Colette were almost certain that something was there.
Otherwise, it would be impossible to create such a complex barrier and then deliberately prepare a passage for intruders (?).
The reason Kousuke and the others can currently pass through the barrier without incident is because such a passage exists.
It is Colette and Kousuke’s belief that such a thing could not exist by mere coincidence.
Silvia nodded in understanding at Kousuke and Colette’s explanation.
“The will of someone? In that case, us being inside the barrier…?”
“Of course, I think it’s already been conveyed. The reason nothing has been done in response is either that there was no intention of eliminating us from the start, or perhaps it’s conditional on us taking the correct route… I don’t know about that, though.”
As Kousuke said that, Colette added further.
“I’m betting on the side that they are waiting for us to come.”
“Oh? What makes you say that?”
“Because if that weren’t the case, I don’t think they would go to the trouble of creating such a troublesome barrier.”
Kousuke asked with a slightly curious expression, and Colette shrugged her shoulders.
An existence capable of preparing such a complex “correct route.”
If it wasn’t to welcome those who reached them, it would be meaningless to prepare such a route.
Of course, there might be those who do it just for hobby, but Colette’s opinion was that they wouldn’t go to the extent of using this much of nature for it.
However, Floria then jokingly remarked to Colette.
“Is that so? Isn’t there an existence that might prepare such things just for hobby?”
As she said that, Floria cast a meaningful glance at Kousuke.
No one in the room was unable to grasp the meaning of that gaze.
Everyone except the person himself turned their gaze to Kousuke, and after a moment, they all nodded in unison.
“No, wait a minute. What’s with that reaction?”
Kousuke protested, flustered, but Floria, who had created the opportunity, said with a laugh.
“Oh? So, you won’t go on a rampage calling it a hobby from now on?”
Floria pressed him, and Kousuke, who had a guilty conscience, groaned “Ugh” and averted his gaze.
Without pressing Kousuke further, Floria continued, looking in the direction of the barrier’s center.
“Judging from what you’re saying, I’m starting to feel like they’re similar to Kousuke, you know? Is that alright?”
“Yes. Now that you mention it, I kind of feel that way too.”
To Floria’s concern, Colette changed her previous opinion and agreed.
And Kousuke, who was the subject of their discussion, simply nodded in silence, thinking that if it were him, he might prepare something similar under the guise of a hobby.
Kousuke was cornered for the first time in a while (?).
