The group decided to go and meet the sage who lived in the forest.
After doing some shopping, we immediately headed south with a map in hand. Elana was in a bag purchased from a nearby pet shop. The shop had animals like dogs and cats and was also well-stocked with pet supplies. This showed that an advanced civilization existed here too.
We placed her in a large carrier for dogs and lowered the sunshade, making it difficult to see her from the outside. It was a bit pricey, but it would allow us to leave town without arousing suspicion.
As soon as we left town, the buildings disappeared, and the entrance to the forest came into view. That said, a wide road was maintained, and several tracks from wheels could be seen on the ground. There must have been horse-drawn carriages coming and going. So, rather than being in the forest, it felt more like a pleasant walking course.
“I wonder if we can really go to the sage’s place like this,” Nina grumbled with a dissatisfied voice.
“Well, we just left town. Let’s see how things go for a bit longer,” Philiana said, calming us down as we enjoyed our walk for a while. Elana, who had been complaining at first, seemed to quite like it and didn’t want to get out.
“Don’t you think it’s about time you walked on your own?”
“Eh, it’s fine. It’s easy, I don’t get the sun, and most importantly, I don’t have to walk. Let’s just do this from now on.”
As I dragged the carrier, I checked the map. If we continued like this, we would reach the next town. It seemed there was a boarding school if we proceeded further. There was also some kind of mark written there, but I didn’t know what it meant.
“If we keep going like this, we’ll reach the school. What should we do?”
“Indeed. Then, let’s turn right at the road ahead. The road will narrow, but the sage is probably deep in the forest.”
Following Sharin’s suggestion, we stepped onto a small path to the side. The ground was a little rough, and the carrier’s wheels got caught on stones, making it difficult to move. Elana emerged due to the bumpy ride.
“It’s so bumpy I can’t stand it. Let’s walk.”
With her out, I put the luggage I was carrying into the carrier. This small path continued through the forest. The map showed that it became complicated and intertwined ahead, looking more like a hiking trail than a way to get somewhere.
Listening to the babbling of the nearby river, I wondered if we could meet some of the wild animals that lived here. Well, if we walked with such a large group, they would probably be scared and run away. We decided to take a break by the riverbank. The chirping of cute birds and the beautiful water were a natural joy I hadn’t experienced on the continent I was on before. It would have been even more fun if we could have fished. We could have had a barbecue together, and that’s how we would enjoy camping.
After eating, I lay down for a bit, using the bag as a pillow. The wind blowing through the forest was pleasant. I was already full just from this. I wanted to go home without searching for the sage. Everyone else seemed to feel the same, sitting down and dozing off. It was important to rest when you could. I closed my eyes, vaguely watching the beautiful waterfowl catching fish in the distance.
