Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: S1.5. Thousand-Li Escape Journey -2
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When traveling through the wasteland, the utmost caution was needed for securing water. This was even more true in a wasteland prowled by mutants. They left behind foul slime within their territories, polluting the natural world.
The third puddle Elaine's group discovered was a textbook example. Tucked behind a rock, it had formed from rainwater, but murky black slime bobbed lazily on its surface.
It had been half a day since their canteen ran dry. It was enough to last until they escaped the wasteland, but with a beautiful woman in a red dress joining them—who had nothing else to her name—it fell short.
That was why the two of them crouched there with gloomy expressions, gazing mournfully at the puddle.
"Do you think it's drinkable?"
"If you're asking whether it's safe to drink... even if you strain it, it'd probably give you a stomachache under normal circumstances. I've heard it can sometimes cause hallucinations or make your body heat up."
"...Do you think it's drinkable...?"
"If you're asking about the taste... survivors joke that they'd rather eat sardine pie than drink mutant slime."
"I heard this world was barren, but you can still make pies?"
"Sure, minus the sugar, salt, sweet strawberry jam, and nutty butter."
"That doesn't count as pie..."
Elaine covered her face with her scarred hands and let out a groan. Whether they'd find another water source was anyone's guess, and her throat was parched. Even someone strong enough to easily take down an ogre couldn't survive without food, water, and sleep.
For survival, dehydration was worse than a bad stomach, which meant they had to drink this... muddled water topped with suspiciously squirming slime.
"......"
Even knowing what was necessary, some things were just too repulsive to do.
Thoughts of escapism swirled in Elaine's mind: Isn't there another way? Should I really soil this noble palate that's only ever known fine feasts? What if I just used Phero as a human water purifier...
Phero scooped the muddy water with his hand, swirling it to remove as much slime as possible before filling his canteen from the cleanest-looking section. Then, squeezing his eyes shut, he took a gulp.
Gulp.
"...Ugh... urp..."
Phero's face turned ghostly pale, tears welling up in his eyes. The taste and texture were utterly revolting. But grotesque food didn't just stab once with flavor—it followed up with aroma.
The aftershock hit like a rich, fishy stench akin to boiling frogs in a pot, slamming into his nostrils and leaving him on the verge of vomiting.
Just moments ago, they'd roasted a desert rabbit to replenish precious protein. Digestion wasn't complete yet, so puking it up now would be a disaster from a survival standpoint—a massive loss.
The princess stepped up.
For each other's sake—she hated seeing anyone vomit, and Phero couldn't afford to lose nutrients—Elaine hugged him from behind, clamping his mouth shut with a firm grip.
"......!!"
Just let me puke!
Phero wept openly, pleading with his eyes, but Elaine didn't relent. It wasn't her problem, and rationally, this was the right call. And so, she force-fed him the fishy, squishy liquid.
Three minutes later, Phero lay sprawled out, his soul seemingly departed. He'd gotten his water and kept his protein, but his spirit... not so much.
Elaine watched him quietly before speaking in her usual languid tone.
"...I'm not that thirsty, really."
"...L-Liar..."
"I lost my memories, so who knows."
"That has nothing to do with it... You're so mean, Elaine!"
Phero puffed out his cheeks in righteous fury. He spread his arms wide, blocking a space about 160 cm across, and declared:
"You can't pass until you drink some too, Elaine!"
"Do you really have to go that far, Phero? Do you really need to make me eat something sticky and smelly to be satisfied?"
"D-Don't say it like that!"
In the two days they'd crossed the wasteland together, whenever Elaine steered conversations toward lascivious topics, Phero would raise the white flag and flee. Whether it was the slime-fueled rage or finally building tolerance, he didn't back down this time—even as his face flushed crimson. A truly heroic step forward.
But Elaine knew the eternal truth.
Nothing beat superior firepower.
If lewdness failed, escalate to more lewdness.
Elaine spread her arms wide. To show this rebellious boy some grown-up spice, she prepared to unleash her ultimate sealed technique—one unused since Irid—『The Tight Spinning Hug』.
Plip. Plip.
"...Ah."
"Oh my."
It started raining.
They entered a small cave and lit a campfire.
Finding a small cave in the wasteland was simple. First, prepare someone strong enough to carve rock with bare hands. Then... gently caress a suitably large boulder, and miraculously, a small cave appears.
Amazed by her wondrous scouting prowess, Phero's eyes went wide as he gave a standing ovation.
The cozy warmth, the cool patter of rain pouring outside, their little space bathed in the campfire's warm glow—Elaine found herself humming a tune without realizing it.
Phero bobbed his head to the rhythm, then glanced outside and said:
"Lucky the rain came. We've got plenty of drinking water now... Once it stops, the sand will settle, the sky will clear up, and it'll be easy to navigate!"
"You're right, Phero. How fortunate that it rained just in time..."
She wouldn't have to taste that nasty mutant slime.
Elaine was sincere in teasing the boy, but she had no intention of actually going without water. It was loathsome, yes, but survival trumped all preferences. She'd have drunk it eventually.
Chewing tough mutant wolf meat reeking of fishiness, pressing on through the wasteland with the boy in search of paradise—it was all for survival.
In the world of the First Princess, personal tastes came far after survival.
Thus, all her choices boiled down to what to discard. Discard sympathy, expectations, faith, and...
"—Elaine, Elaine?"
"...?"
Phero's face was suddenly close. He pressed his forehead to hers, checking her temperature. The bold skinship froze Elaine's thoughts for a moment.
"No fever... Are you feeling unwell somewhere? You didn't respond when I called."
"No, nothing like that. I'm fine."
"Your face is a bit red."
"...It's the firelight."
"Really? If you're sick, you shouldn't hide it. I'll go find some herbs!"
"You're not pretending not to know, are you?"
"...?"
Phero tilted his head. Elaine worked her lips for a moment before silently pulling away. A tactical retreat, one might say. Distance from Phero: about 1 meter.
The considerate boy interpreted it as I want to be alone and moved to the opposite side of the fire. Distance from Elaine: about 3 meters.
Bothered by that, Elaine pretended to warm herself closer to the fire, closing the gap. Distance from Phero: about 2 meters.
Both stopped moving. Phero and Elaine alike found 2 meters ideal. Not too far, not too close. They could see each other but hide their scents.
And so, the two waited for the rain to stop.
The weather cleared.
The fierce sandstorms that had obscured vision and scratched skin were bloated with water and subdued. The land remained barren, coated in horrific slime in places, but the sky was blue and clear.
She took a deep breath for the first time in ages. Fresh air filled her lungs, then exhaled. She felt alive down to her bones.
Phero grabbed Elaine's hand to signal her and pointed beyond the horizon.
"Looks like we've come farther than I thought!"
"Oh... the ground is a fresh green? Here and there, at least."
Lush grass. It had been so long.
Since falling into this ruined world, the only plants she'd seen were withered dead trees, creepy mushroom clusters in corners, or tumbleweeds. Phero didn't hide his joy, letting it burst in his voice.
"We made it out of the wasteland. Up ahead is the 'Plains of Encounters.' The sandstorms hid how close the exit was... Hehe."
"'Plains of Encounters'... Is there a reason for the name?"
"Mutants are rare there, so it's relatively safe. Local survivors route through it, so you meet lots of people!"
"No one settles there? Seems like a good spot for a base."
"Ah, well... Being plains, there's not much cover or shelter..."
Phero trailed off, then gave a faint smile.
"Everyone who tried making it a base is dead."
"Ahh..."
Elaine eyed the 'Plains of Encounters' knowingly. Good encounters came with bad ones. Meeting people wasn't always positive, she realized anew.
Then a thought struck her.
Phero hadn't said they're said to be dead... but they're dead. As if he'd seen it himself. Maybe Phero was one of those who'd tried claiming the plains as a base.
Worth considering how someone with low combat ability but various survival skills had made it out alive.
A small seed of doubt sprouted beneath Elaine's eyelids.
Distance remaining to Paradise.
Approximately 320 km.