Kalbein's Forest
The woman who had taken my bronze plaque stared at it for a long while.
I added that if she found it so hard to believe, I could always demonstrate my skill right then and there.
"Ah, no. It's not that I don't believe you. I was just a little surprised... You've been training as a knight since you were young, haven't you?"
"Mm..."
I nodded at her words.
I couldn't be certain whether the Gatekeeper had truly been a knight, but I had definitely trained under someone who was close enough to one.
The woman smiled lightly, as if she had expected that answer, and handed the rank plaque back to me.
"Good. Both of you pass."
With that, she introduced herself.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Luna."
After introducing herself, Luna rummaged through her pocket and pulled out a small slip of paper, which she handed over.
On it were densely written the departure date and a list of items that looked necessary for dungeon exploration.
The male adventurer gave it a rough once-over and stuffed it into his pocket, but I examined the list carefully.
From ordinary essentials any adventurer would pack—oil flasks for lighting fires, rope, flint—to unfamiliar materials like powdered dried red deer antler and plump mushroom spore powder, the names filled the page.
"Do we have to gather everything on here?"
I asked, holding up the paper. Luna shook her head with a light laugh.
"Not at all. I just wrote down a list of things I thought might be useful. What do you think? Looks decent, right?"
At her question I shifted my gaze to the male adventurer standing beside me.
I was curious what someone who looked more experienced than me would make of the list.
"What about you?"
"Hmm... Thorough preparation?"
He said it with a light chuckle.
From his attitude, it didn't seem as though every single item would actually be needed.
Together with the man I said goodbye to Luna and left the inn.
After that he walked off alone, showing no interest in buying anything written on the list.
Left by myself, I unfolded my map and headed for Adventurers' Street.
Time flew by, and the day of the dungeon expedition arrived.
I shot upright from bed, clutching my pounding chest.
The cold morning air filled the room, yet I felt no chill.
There was still time before the appointed hour, but I had plenty to do, so I had to move quickly.
First I gathered every belonging in the room and dashed out of the inn, not forgetting to return the room key on my way.
My first destination was the Swordsman's Guild.
I raced inside and found the receptionist.
"Hello!"
"Hello, Ceris."
"I'd like to store some personal items."
"Ah, for that..."
The receptionist nodded and pulled out a form, pen already moving.
Then the questions began.
"Storage period?"
"One month."
"Items to store...?"
"This leather."
I showed her the hide slung across my back—the leftover ogre leather and tendons from making armor.
"Storage period one month... items are leather, so a place without humidity..."
Muttering to herself, the receptionist finished the form with a period and handed me a small key.
"Fee is three silver. The warehouse is on the third floor. If you exceed the contracted period, extra charges apply. And if half a year passes from the promised date without you coming to claim it, the items become guild property. Understood?"
"Yes!"
Key in hand, I headed to the third floor, where a long corridor stretched out.
The entire floor served as storage for guild members.
The number tag on my key read 72—meaning room 72 was mine to use.
I hurried over, opened the door to room 72, and tossed the ogre leather inside.
That finished the first errand.
With lighter steps I left the Swordsman's Guild and made for the leather workshop.
Before departing for the dungeon I intended to collect the ogre-leather gear I had commissioned.
"Welco—?"
The moment I stepped inside, the clerk who had been greeting me warmly trailed off.
Apparently he had recognized me.
"J-just a moment, please!"
He spun around and hurried into the back of the shop.
When he reappeared it was with the workshop owner I had met before.
In the clerk's hands was the set of ogre-leather armor tailored to my body.
"Welcome! Mage!"
The owner's voice was far too loud.
Customers browsing the shop began turning their eyes our way.
I could tell what he was after.
He clearly wanted to show off that he was on personal terms with a mage.
"But still... your clothes are the same as ever..."
He muttered with clear disappointment as he looked me over.
I recalled what he had said a week ago and smiled lightly.
If I didn't look like a mage, all I had to do was show some magic.
I cleared my throat and gave a casual wave of my hand.
Creating a gentle breeze with the mana inside me was hardly a difficult spell.
"The air's a bit stuffy in here. Are you airing the place out properly?"
A breeze carrying faint starlight began to stir.
It was not the cold winter wind from the street, but a soft, warm current, so everyone could tell.
This wind had not come from nature—it had been made by magic.
Surprise bloomed on the customers' faces, and only then did a satisfied smile spread across the workshop owner's.
"Let's check the goods."
"Ah—look at me. Show her."
"Yes!"
With the clerk's help I began examining the full set of ogre-leather equipment.
First were the boots made of ogre leather.
I immediately kicked off my worn old pair and pulled on the new ones.
"How are they?"
"Good."
The fit was solid. They gripped my ankles firmly, almost eliminating wasted force.
I tried a few stances and nodded.
Next came the bracer-style gloves.
Once I put them on and tightened the cords made of ogre tendon, I felt a powerful elasticity.
I could swing a sword as hard as I liked without worrying about my wrists giving out.
The ogre-leather armor possessed far greater strength than I had expected.
Naturally, scraping the leather with an ordinary blade left not a single mark.
Boots, gloves, belt, cloak, trousers, and tunic—everything.
After putting on the full set in the changing room, I nodded again.
The distinctive solid weight of ogre leather gave a comfortable sense of stability.
I handed the workshop owner the ten gold I had promised.
That finished the second errand.
I disposed of my old gear at the leather workshop and set off again.
My destination was the large inn that served as our meeting place.
Out front stood a big carriage for travel, along with the adventurers who would be heading into the dungeon.
I hurried over and found our client Luna checking the numbers among them.
Looks like I was the last to arrive.
I approached her with an awkward smile.
"Miss Luna."
"Ah, Ceris. Right on time."
"I thought I might be a little late."
"No. You're not late."
Luna looked me over and nodded.
"Then we'll depart at once!"
It was the client's order. The adventurers moved quickly, climbing into the large carriage.
It was a big freight wagon, already loaded with a great deal of cargo.
I was the last to board, and I couldn't help tilting my head.
The adventurers had split into two groups.
The ranger, swordsman, and priest sat crammed together in the narrow space, while the female mage sat comfortably by herself in a separate spot.
Why on earth had they divided themselves like that? Still puzzled, I went over and sat beside the mage.
She glanced at me, gave a strange little smile, and turned her head away.
"We're off!"
Luna called loudly from the driver's seat, and the carriage began to roll slowly.
Apparently we couldn't pick up speed until we left the city.
Just as I expected, once Luna passed the castle checkpoint the carriage truly began to race.
I stared blankly out from the moving carriage.
The scenery flashed past, and the Karuma Empire grew smaller with every passing moment.
When the endless sea finally disappeared from view, the rough sound of hoofbeats scattered on the wind.
As if entranced, I looked outside again.
The cold winter wind met the vast snow-covered plain and raised white waves.
Those waves rode the wind and came rushing toward the carriage.
Ssshhh—!
In an instant a wave of snow swept through the interior.
White flakes settled on the adventurers' bodies, and curses spilled from their mouths.
I got covered just like the rest of them, yet laughter burst out of me instead.
After a full day of travel by carriage, Luna informed the adventurers of the dungeon's location.
"The dungeon is in Kalbein's Forest."
"Kalbein's Forest...?"
At her words every adventurer except me wore an intrigued expression.
It seemed to be a fairly famous place.
I quickly opened my adventurer's guidebook and looked up Kalbein's Forest.
"Kalbein's Forest" is a mysterious region born from the death of the Red Dragon Kalbein.
The scorching mana released upon his death has continually reshaped the terrain and ecosystem, and the monsters there continue to evolve under the influence of Kalbein's mana.
It is an attractive area where materials from new monsters can be obtained, yet one that demands the utmost caution.
So that's how it is...
After reading the entry I nodded along with the other adventurers.
They were thoroughly excited by Luna's words and began chattering among themselves.
Talk of how there was sure to be a dragon's treasure, or that a dragon's egg must be hidden somewhere.