Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Survival Arc (2)
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The next day, the carriage raced on.
As I grew accustomed to the repeating scenery outside, I suddenly grew curious about Kiru's plans and opened my mouth.
"What do you plan to do in Acrom, Kiru?"
"I'm thinking of taking mercenary jobs at the request hall."
"Are you planning to join a mercenary band?"
"No, I'll do it alone. There's no need to join a band."
"There must be jobs you can handle by yourself."
"Some jobs are solo, others are done in small parties of a few people. The request hall has everything from day labor to monster subjugations. I'll start with what I can do alone and establish myself."
Nellin, sitting beside him, interjected with a worried look on her face.
"Take it slow for a while. And absolutely no dangerous requests."
Kiru replied with a reluctant expression, as if he didn't mind her nagging.
"When Nellin left Acrom before, did the guild master let you go easily? It must not have been simple, considering your position."
To my follow-up question, Nellin sighed and said,
"They kept trying to stop me, so I said I'd be fine and hire guards. I'd been feeling stifled by the overprotection, so I didn't budge either."
"It'd be best to take it slow for now. No dangerous deals."
Nellin's furrowed gaze turned to Kiru, but he just wore a satisfied smile.
Time passed in conversation.
That night, the carriage stopped again, and they began camping. Kiru slipped away once more, returning at dawn.
Like that, seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
The carriages arrived near the small village where I would get off and set up camp.
Short Stature folk poured out from all eight carriages, heading toward the village, startling the residents.
The people bought necessities or bartered goods from the village, preparing for the rest of their journey.
And that evening, the three of us gathered in the tent for our last night together.
"Here, Aroin. This is our gift to you."
Nellin held out a Transforming Pouch, a dull gray robe, lightweight leather boots and shoulder belt, along with a map and a pocket watch.
"This tent and bedding are yours now too, so put them in the pouch. I've also stocked it with food and water, so don't forget to cast Preserve before bed."
"So that's why Kiru kept disappearing every night?"
Nellin nodded with a smile at my question.
"We spent several nights debating what to get you and preparing it together."
"I just carried materials as Nellin instructed. She hounded other Purple Mages to make them."
I felt overwhelmed and burdened by these precious gifts.
Even the Transforming Pouch alone was said to be rare outside Acrom...
Reading my mind, Nellin waved her hand dismissively.
"We're giving it because we want to. We can make another pouch. It's nothing compared to you, Aroin."
"Still, because of this, Nellin..."
"I said it's fine. If you don't take it, I'll hate you?"
"...Thank you so much. Truly, Nellin."
As I expressed my gratitude to her warm words, Kiru unfastened Privé from his waist, scabbard and all, and handed it to me.
"It suits a magic user like you more than me. Outside, always hide your mana, and keep Privé concealed inside the robe."
"Privé? But that's yours, Kiru..."
"It never suited me to begin with. Greed for it only brought trouble. Come to think of it, both Nellin and I were dragged to the Magic Trading Post because of you."
Kiru pressed Privé against the side of the belt I'd received. The scabbard clicked onto it like a magnet.
Nellin explained proudly.
"That's a custom-made magic tool belt. Scabbards for precious weapons like Privé are made to stick right on like this. To release, just flow a bit of mana in. The robe and boots are mid-grade magic tools we put care into—they'll suit you well. They link with Mana Coat, so they won't get wet in rain either."
Truly, the more I heard, the more undeserving these gifts felt.
How much effort they must have put in over those days...
"I don't know if I deserve all this... Thank you. I'll treasure these heartfelt gifts for the rest of my life."
"Considering your lifespan, 'rest of your life' works out to about a century..."
Kiru lightened the mood with a joke, and Nellin smiled proudly.
I didn't know how to express more thanks. I could only vow to repay them someday greater.
Thus, our last night passed quietly.
The next day, before the carriages departed, we shared a deep embrace.
Nellin, eyes already glistening with tears, clung to my hand.
"Nelllin, you have to let him go now."
Kiru soothed her and nodded to me.
"Yes, time for me to go. Thank you for everything, Nellin, Kiru."
I released Nellin's hand and bowed deeply.
"...See you again, Aroin."
"Take care, Aroin."
Nellin's voice trembled, unable to say more, while Kiru bid farewell calmly. Leaving them behind, I soon turned my steps toward the Rock Forest.
'My first time alone.'
The thought came soon after I started walking.
Suddenly, a chill ran through me, goosebumps rising all over.
"Prompt to Magic Cast—Warms."
I warmed my body with magic, shaking off the sinking feeling.
Heading north, I pondered my plans ahead.
'With body enhancement, I can probably cut the two-day distance to a day and a half.'
Nellin had confirmed on the map: about two days from Greenleaf Village to Rock Forest.
Enhancing my legs, I figured I could arrive by tomorrow afternoon, even with sleep.
With that, I began the journey proper.
After an hour, the man-made path vanished.
The second hour brought muddy terrain.
By the fourth hour, wild grasses and fields obscured my view endlessly.
'Good thing the robe and boots are magic tools.'
The Mana Coat enveloping them the whole way through the fields blocked unnecessary contact and grass cuts.
In normal clothes, thorns hidden in the weeds might have torn them already.
After about six hours, Night Vision was already active in my eyes.
The surroundings looked as clear as day despite the night—I risked losing track of time.
'Without Night Vision, I'd have stopped from fear of the dark.'
I hadn't seen any threatening wildlife yet.
But as night deepened, unease grew, so I walked while scanning for tent spots.
—Grrrrumble
Though I'd marched relentlessly with leg enhancement, hunger finally halted me.
'No choice. Over there.'
Three hours after deciding to find a spot, still no good place amid the thick grass fields.
I settled for pitching on bare dirt with minimal grass.
I undid the robe, detached the pouch from the belt, set it down, and infused mana.
The pouch expanded, surpassing my height.
'Two meters... Impressive every time.'
Infusing mana into the front clasp opened the flap sideways, revealing the interior.
Strings like clotheslines hung above for items, below a U-shaped storage divided into compartments.
I marveled at the stocked contents.
Even though I'd seen them last night while Preserving food, Nellin's care amazed me again.
One compartment held a week's fruits and jerky; another the morning-added two-person tent and bedding; yet another a large water jug with cup.
I set up the tent first.
Joints connected with mana, and being small, it was easy.
"Prompt to Magic Cast—Dirt Clear."
With clean hands, I took out fruits, jerky, and water.
Shrinking and retrieving the pouch, I entered the tent for a simple meal.
"Prompt to Magic Cast—Warms."
I heated the water and jerky, chewing slowly.
—Crunch, crunch, crunch
Rough wind battered the tent.
—Whoooosh
In the pitch-black tent without light, amid wind howls, I chewed quietly.
To an onlooker, it might seem eerie.
I grew scared too.
Even with Night Vision, the wild night's darkness weighed on me.
Being alone in such a place and mood bred anxiety the more I dwelled.
Just fear, loneliness, or both—clinging to consciousness helped nothing.
Sleep would ease my mind most, so I cleared the meal and lay on thin bedding.
Day-long fatigue crashed in.
'Move at first dawn.'
With that thought, I sought sleep.
In the end, I only dozed shallowly and rose early dawn.
In unfamiliar wilds, worry of mid-sleep threats prevented deep rest.
No help for it—I packed the tent and walked into dim dawn.
How long? Breakfast-lunch later, walking on, the sun hit midday before I knew.
Habitually checking the watch's back compass kept me on course.
I expected the forest entrance in an hour or two.
And finally, it appeared.
'There it is!'
A massive forest loomed afar—the Rock Forest's grandeur I'd missed inside before.
Hard to imagine villages thriving inside, living no differently from the outside world.
Excited and urgent, I quickened to a run.
The spot screamed entrance: a path split left-right through the woods.
'Finally back, finally.'
A grin spread across my face.
A heart-swelling joyful moment.
I hurriedly resumed steps.
Trees lining the path rustled branches in wind, greeting me welcomingly.
The forest was home, yet every scene felt novel.
'Feels awkward.'
Indeed, first time entering from outside.
Beyond border villages, I knew no other forest spots.
'Back home, I can help village work with Blue Magic I've learned. Someday, I'll earn recognition.'
Even if not, it was fine—I kept walking with positive thoughts. Reunion with Grandmother mattered most; others could sort themselves.
Like that, I walked five hours.
Sunset reddened as sun dipped.
I'd known the forest was vast from outside, but unease grew.
'Border post should've appeared by now. Why nothing?'
In wonder, I heightened focus, memorizing surroundings: tree shapes, grass heights, even ground stones.
Time passed, and realization hit.
I'd looped the same path three times already.
Then I remembered.
Pre-kidnapping memory.
'Outsiders entering the forest get lost in loops by magic, but traders with forest pacts get guides—the sole exception.'
A stifling recall from frustration at never leaving home due to trader visits.
I was looping. For five whole hours.
'Ah... Realizing now? You idiot.'
Calling myself foolish, I plopped on the ground.
Traders likely sent guides upon arrival.
'They camped a day after arriving too. Villages confirm entry via watchtowers, then send guides—takes time...'
I recalled hearing during childhood magic aptitude test trip.
Watchtower sentries monitored borders with far-sight magic.
They'd spotted the caravan that way.
Sorting thoughts, I opened the pouch for tent to camp.
One more day was fine. Just arrived today.
Soon to see Grandmother—smiling at the thought.
Anticipating tomorrow, I ended the day.
Three more days passed, the forest silent.
Day two ended in guide expectations; by third morning, I clung to hope.
'Some circumstance delaying them.'
Self-soothing, I paced the tent. Yesterday's stone throws and shouts echoed back empty—only wait remained.
Leaf rustles or distant bird flaps had me turning, straining ears—just time slipped by.
By fourth morning, hope died.
'So this is how it ends.'
I'd half-expected it.
They might not accept me.
But mere possibility, not certainty—thus I'd come hoping.
Vain hope; forest silent.
'Heart aches inescapably...'
As recalled day one: watchtowers scan borders with far-sight magic.
They'd seen me, yet ignored—forest rejects me.
Childhood whispers as kids shunned, adults' awkward smiles hid fear.
All due to 'Demon King Nel's' shadow, I knew.
So I'd thought more effort sufficed.
Endured six hellish years, returned... Denied even start.
'Selfishly hoped, selfishly crushed...'
Chest ached.
Missed Grandmother. Her warm, kind voice.
Still in border village? Or back with central kin...?
'Family... Yes, Grandmother has real family, not me.'
Staring blankly at forest long, I finally looked away, heavy steps falling. Hands mechanically stuffed tent and bedding into pouch.
Packing done, final forest glance.
Welcoming branch sways on arrival now stood rejecting.
Turning back, I walked long, soon passing entrance outward.
Muster resolve somehow, plan next.
'To Acrom. Where Nellin and Kiru are.'
Pulled map from robe inner pocket.
Current spot: eastern Aria Kingdom lands. City-state Acrom northwest. Between: vast central-northern Arcana Empire.
To Acrom: east Aria start, cross central-north Arcana, end northwest Acrom.
'Nearest city first.'
Closest: Rock Forest south, Aria capital 'Bellunia'.
To Bellunia: head to recent disembark village 'Greenleaf', find transport.
"Hoo..."
Sighing, trudged silently.
Return two days reversed arrival mood entirely. Each step weighed like lead, heavy and sagging.
Slowed march ended arduous two days at Greenleaf entrance. Evening glow reddened.
Stepped into village.
Entrance had small campfire; one resident warmed against chill.
Spotting me, wary eyes scanned.
Short folk recently, now another outsider shortly after—suspicious.
To seem harmless, I removed hood, approached slowly.
"Excuse me. Any carriages to Bellunia here?"
He eyed my revealed face and garb up-down, then relaxed, shaking head.
"No passenger carriages. Village head's son trades monthly—try him. Biggest roof that way."
His pointed house wasn't huge, just slightly larger.
"Thank you."
Bowed thanks, headed straight for village head's.