We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak.
And the letter was entrusted.
The Autumn Harvest Festival does not end in just one day!
After all, to survive the long and harsh winter of the Forbidden Territory, a lot of supplies are necessary.
And so, even after spending a fun night, the Autumn Harvest Festival continued for several days.
Thanks to that, preparations for good quality furs for warmth, preserved foods, and hibernation proceeded without a hitch.
Oh, right.
For the cold winter, you want to warm yourself in front of the fireplace with wood flames, right?
So, one interesting thing I noticed was this.
The Shooting Stars were eager to prepare a lot of firewood for the fireplace.
Indeed, firewood is important.
Without firewood, you cannot start a fire in the fireplace, nor can you use it for cooking.
However, I felt something was off, and asked the Shooting Stars.
“But the firewood you gather from now on cannot be used for this winter, you know?”
Firewood, you see, isn’t something you can use immediately after picking it up, right?
Of course, depending on the use, you can use it right away, or utilize it in various situations.
However, the Shooting Stars who were spoken to by me tilted their heads in confusion.
In other words, the Shooting Stars thought that the firewood they used daily was freshly picked.
And, that meant we learned that the Shooting Stars were people who had lived a comfortable life, to the extent that they had no need for a life where they had to gather firewood.
“Um. Firewood that has just been brought in is often damp, so it needs to be dried. For baths or camping, you can use the firewood you pick up as is, but the smoke is terrible, isn’t it?”
That’s right.
Firewood needs to be dried after you collect it!
Otherwise, the smoke is too much, or it’s hard to burn.
By the way.
If you have the luxury, leave the firewood you’ve collected in the wood shed for about a year. This will remove the moisture and make it easier to use.
And, the firewood that is normally used in the Forbidden Territory is not freshly collected either.
The Shooting Stars, who learned this fact, seemed to be genuinely surprised.
The Autumn Grand Harvest Festival, during which we learned of the Shooting Stars’ unexpectedly out-of-touch side, came to an end after we had stored enough supplies for the winter.
And, then, what awaited was the next big event!
Yes, that’s right!
After visiting the Wind Valley and greeting the Wind Spirit King, the rigorous training of the Mimicho Race will begin!
“Meow.”
“Well then, shall I go deliver a letter to the Hero?”
“Momo-chan, please!”
“Muu muu. Priscilla wants to play with Momo-chan more.”
In between the busy Autumn Harvest Festival, I wrote a letter to everyone back home for the first time. Momo-chan, who received the letter from me, despite being troubled by Priscilla-chan’s pleas, flew towards the sky of Dragon Peak.
I’m sure she’ll be back in a few days, but Priscilla-chan must have felt lonely.
That aside.
“Elnea-kun, all preparations are complete,” I was told by Madrine, and when Madrine and I headed towards the west entrance of the mansion, we were met by our family, the Mimicho Race people, and the Shooting Star Miko-sama who were not undergoing the thousand-day ascetic training.
“I never thought the Shooting Stars would be going too?”
“This is also part of the training. If you deem us to be a hindrance, you may discard us immediately. We possess enough ability to return to this mansion on our own.”
Rather, those who do not possess such skill are not suitable for the trials that lie ahead,” said Diana-sama, the representative of the Shooting Stars, with a firm expression.
The Shooting Stars are true “Miko,” so even if they have the aptitude, they cannot use Spirit Arts.
This is because Miko who have received the baptism are forbidden to use any arts other than Hōjutsu.
So, why are the Shooting Stars heading to the Wind Valley as well?
It’s…
Pure curiosity!
It’s a Wind Spirit. Moreover, an opportunity to meet their father and mother, the “Spirit King,” is rare.
In fact, if you live a normal life, you can never meet them, and you can’t even feel their presence.
But, if we head to the Wind Valley with the Mimicho Race people from now on, we can meet the Wind Spirit King.
Therefore, the Shooting Stars decided to accompany us as a valuable experience.
However, as Diana-sama said, it is part of the training.
Madrine says to the Shooting Stars with a serious expression.
“I will take the liberty of telling all of you Shooting Stars beforehand. If you are late to the meeting place, you will forfeit the audience with the Wind Spirit King. Also, if you realize you are overexerting yourself on the way, please ask for rescue without hesitation. Training is important, but your life is more important than anything else.”
In other words, what this means is.
We will head to the Wind Valley on the west side of the Forbidden Territory.
However, it’s a local assembly!
Each person travels to the Wind Valley on their own.
If you cannot reach the designated location by the promised number of days, you will be considered to have dropped out.
Of course, this also applies to the Mimicho Race people.
From the moment we gather here and depart onwards, the training begins.
The Mimicho Race people will likely race through the forest using Spatial Jump.
But, it will be tough for the Shooting Stars.
Although they have the movement spell “Hoshitoi,” the land is covered with primeval forest.
It’s fine up to the foothills of the Sacred Mountain on the west because there are beast paths that we use, but beyond that, you can only carve your own path where no path exists.
Unlike the Mimicho Race people, for whom the real training begins upon reaching the Wind Valley, the Shooting Stars’ main training is until they reach their destination.
“Please be careful not to be negligent. The area around the mansion is relatively safe, but deep in the forest, there are Magic Beasts that do not associate with us, and even Monsters may appear.”
If you are in danger of your life or determine it to be impossible, please ask for rescue. If you do, Lily will fly in, and in case of emergency, Teruru-chan will help.
Revalia?
Of course, she will help if you ask her!
However, it’s limited to Fiorina and Rim, who are participating in this training!
“I won’t lose!”
“Rim too!”
“Meow.”
“You kids, listen carefully to what Priscilla-chan’s mother says, okay? Otherwise, you’ll get scolded.”
“Muu muu. Priscilla wants to do it without Mom.”
Priscilla-chan will participate, of course!
It’s unthinkable not to participate in such a fun training!
However, since there are many participants this time and we cannot keep an eye on everyone, Priscilla-chan will have a guardian.
Priscilla-chan’s mother, please!
“Elnea-kun, please don’t get caught up in any unnecessary trouble while traveling alone?”
“Finally, even Madrine is saying the same things as Mistral!”
T-this time, it will proceed peacefully…
If I, the organizer, drop out, it would be a disaster!
“As a wife, one should overcome this kind of training with ease.”
“As a wife, one should arrive on time for this kind of movement without delay.”
“Sisters. In other words, does that mean those who are late are disqualified as wives?”
“Fufufu, Seffina is saying that, isn’t she?”
“Fufufu, Seffina has a good resolve?”
“Fufufufu!”
“Oh my, oh my. Wives of Elnea-kun, you shouldn’t wish for each other’s misfortune, should you?”
“Or rather, if you lack cooperativeness, aren’t you disqualified as a wife at that point?”
Of course, the wives will also participate in the movement training.
We have a family goal of traveling individually from time to time to regain the fresh perspective on the hardships of travel and the mindset for camping.
So, I will also be traveling individually, so Lyra, please don’t just follow me quietly!
Lyra is being monitored by everyone, even before I told her to.
“Now then, everyone, let’s do a final check of your luggage!”
That being said.
Everyone, including myself, was lightly equipped.
Our weapons for self-defense were our heaviest luggage.
“Water and food will be procured on-site. There are plenty of lakes, so don’t worry about water! However, there are also poisoned lakes, so be careful. Be sure to use the Magic Crystal Stone for water!”
At my warning, the faces of the Mimicho Race people turned pale all at once.
When the Mimicho Race people, led by Istericia, attacked the Forbidden Territory.
There were various events, and they were sunk to the bottom of a poisoned lake. By Grandma Yuuri.
They probably remembered what happened back then.
We could only offer a wry smile.
After confirming that everyone had re-checked their belongings, I gave the order.
“Then, we shall meet at the entrance of the Wind Valley in five days!”
The Autumn Harvest Festival ended, and then the Autumn Grand Training began.
The Mimicho Race people disappeared all at once.
Using Spatial Jump, they vanished to the west in an instant.
Next, the Shooting Stars moved.
They recited blessings individually and headed towards the sprawling western forest with the smooth movement of Hoshitoi.
“Let’s go too!”
This is a great opportunity to show my wives my cool side!
I’ll arrive at the destination before anyone else and welcome everyone.
Hahahaha.
My wives will surely fall in love with me again when they see my manly figure!
I also activated Spatial Jump and left the entrance in an instant.
With the first Spatial Jump, I overtook the Shooting Stars who had gone ahead.
Mistral, who was faster than me, overtook me in an instant.
“Eh!?”
Aren’t you too fast!?
My body stopped in surprise at Mistral’s true speed, and Seffina passed by my side.
“I’m ahead.”
While smiling so coolly!
“Elnea-kun, what’s wrong?”
“Muki, wait up!”
And then, Ruiseine and Madrine, who also use Hoshitoi, overtook me.
“Elnea-kun, you’ve stopped moving.”
“Elnea-kun, you’ve stopped your hands.”
“Hahahaha. Elnea-sama, I cannot accompany you this time.”
“Lyra, you’re disqualified the moment you cheat.”
“Everyone else, if you cheat, you’re immediately disqualified! Your older sister and I are watching!”
Bustlingly, Yufilia, Nina, Lyra, Yunyun, and Rinrin ran past me.
“Elnea-sama, good luck!”
“Um, we’re cheering for you!”
“Please be safe.”
While being worried about in such strange ways, I was overtaken by the Shooting Stars I had already passed.
“Overtake me!”
“Overtake!”
“Um, is older brother the demon?”
“This isn’t tag, nya.”
Furthermore, even the little ones overtook me.
W-why!?
I was really surprised and stopped by Mistral’s initial speed, but after that…!?
Huh, I sorted out my current situation.
I stopped for a moment right after activating Spatial Jump.
So, why didn’t I activate Spatial Jump again?
No, no, even though I was surprised, I am not someone whose movements are easily hindered!
So, was it for some reason?
I looked down at my body as if to check my own condition.
And then, I found the cause!
“Obstruction, obstruction.”
“Ares-chan!”
Even though it’s individual movement training, there’s no way I, who am one with Ares-chan, would be separated.
No, I want to be separated!
Ares-chan, who was tightly clinging to my lower body, was obstructing my Spatial Jump!
What a naughty child she is.
I picked up Ares-chan.
“Bad children are punished, you know?”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“You’re looking forward to it!?”
She’s a truly troublesome spirit.
But, I somehow understood Ares-chan’s intentions.
After returning from the Verdant Demon Lord’s country, I’ve been busy with various things, and I haven’t been to that place.
Surely, I have to go there first.
“Fufu, fufufu. Where are you heading?”
“I won’t allow you to be lazy alone!”
Finally, I was caught up by the Puppet King and Astel, who were walking at their usual pace.
These two are getting along!
No, perhaps not.
Saying “I don’t like it” means they are keenly aware of each other, and the fact that they don’t break off completely even when teasing each other means they deeply acknowledge each other.
And, after being forbidden to fight in the Forbidden Territory, the two finally found common ground.
A troublesome common point: enjoying teasing me!
The wicked Primogenitor Race duo, who hit it off, leisurely walked west, leaving me behind.
Watching the two, I slightly changed my intended direction.
“Ares-chan, sorry for making you wait.”
“Apologize to Spirit Tree too!”
“Guf. I’ll apologize plenty!”
When I go somewhere, reporting it to Spirit Tree is my important mission.
I haven’t forgotten, you know?
It’s just that I’ve been busy with various things until today.
But, now I have five days of free time.
So, I must go play on the summit of the Sacred Mountain!
Activating Spatial Jump anew, I headed towards the Sacred Mountain, which spreads its foothills widely to the west.
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