In the forest during the day, the sound of chirping birds was particularly loud.
And there I was, walking in the middle of the forest where the chorus of birds was resounding noisily, with sunlight filtering through the leaves.
In the distance, the faint sound of a stream flowing could be heard. I enjoyed that sound leisurely as I walked.
“This place… It’s really nice. It doesn’t feel anything like that infamous Hangman’s Mountain…”
Sofia Sub-priest, who was walking beside me, spoke while enjoying the sounds of nature just like I was. Her eyes sparkled brightly, reflecting the harmony of sunlight and the greenery around.
“Isn’t it?”
“Absolutely.”
I nodded in agreement, satisfied with Sofia Sub-priest’s question. This place was distinctly different from what I had anticipated.
Despite the tall trees reminiscent of Metasequoia lined up, they did not obstruct the sunlight for those walking through the forest. On the contrary, the fresh golden sunlight filtered through the green leaves, creating a subtle environment that did not tire the eyes.
How wonderful it would have been if I had come here just to refresh my mood or clear my head.
– Beep. Beep. Beep-beep.
“Is it this way?”
“Oh, oh…! It must be this way!”
A sigh escaped me as I watched Daniel walking ahead, excitedly responding to the mechanical sounds from the antenna in his hand. I patted Daniel on the shoulder and opened my mouth.
“Daniel, Student. Don’t walk too fast. Can’t you take it slow?”
“Of course! Just leave it to me! I’m perfectly calm!”
“…Then, I’ll trust you.”
He did not seem calm at all, but I decided to let it go. After all, no one could stop Daniel, who was immersed in an adventurous atmosphere as though we were off to find a mystery.
If I had to point out the only risk in this absurd little adventure, it was getting lost in this green hell where everything looked the same.
To prevent that, all I could do was diligently check the map and compass in my hands while following the two of them.
The map was in a frame on the lodge’s living room wall, and the compass was in the first aid kit hanging nearby. It seemed to have been used by Count Vallerge, Vivian’s father, when he came hunting, so it was truly fortunate that it was still here.
I briefly grasped the map and compass in one hand while holding the knife I found in the first aid kit in the other, swinging it toward the trees growing along our path.
– Thwack!
With a dull sound, a clear mark was left on the surface of the tree.
Even though I had a map, it was difficult to find the way with just the map and compass in a place where the scenery looked the same in all directions. I knew navigation techniques, but if there were such landmarks, it would make finding the way a little easier.
As I kept an eye on Daniel and Vivian, who were walking ahead, checking the map and compass, someone quietly approached me and closed the distance.
“You seem accustomed to reading the map.”
I turned my head toward the voice. Shimmering silver-white hair glimmered in the refreshing sunlight, and beneath it were transparent red eyes fixated on me.
“Laura, Student.”
It was Laura. Since she wasn’t part of the Occult Research Club, she could have stayed back at the lodge if she found it difficult. Yet she followed us silently without complaint.
I was quite thankful for that. After all, it was easier for me to manage if the students were gathered in one place. If Laura had stayed alone at the lodge, I would have had no choice but to leave Sofia Sub-priest there or follow Daniel with an uneasy heart.
Was it because I felt favorable towards her in that regard? Today, Laura’s eyes seemed to sparkle more than usual. I locked my gaze on her eyes and continued.
“It’s a navigation technique I learned in the military. It’s a bit hazy now, but I’m glad I can still use it.”
“Navigation technique…?”
“So, simply put, it’s a way to read a map.”
“Ah.”
Laura’s expression suddenly turned bright red, perhaps out of embarrassment.
It was understandable; it would be embarrassing for someone who had gone through the elite education system in a prestigious Archmage family to not understand a word that turned out to be much simpler than expected.
I subtly turned my head to pretend I didn’t see Laura’s blushing face.
Laura recovered from her embarrassment faster than expected. Only about five seconds had passed before her voice came through.
“I knew it too; I just confused it with another word.”
I looked back at Laura. Her red cheeks had returned to their usual pale color, but the tips of her ears still appeared uncomfortably red.
Seeing that, for some reason, I felt a mischievousness bubbling up in me, different from usual.
“Is that so? Well, I found it strange too. I couldn’t imagine that the esteemed young lady of the Adelhaid Ducal House wouldn’t know such a simple word.”
“So, as I just said… I just confused it with another word.”
“Hmm… May I ask what word you confused it with?”
“…….”
For a moment, the air around me felt as cold as ice. Reflexively checking Laura’s complexion, I felt a pang of regret.
The slight smile on her face vanished, replaced by a cold expression. Laura’s red eyes, with a fierce determination, were fixed squarely on me without a moment’s movement.
Her icy demeanor felt eerily frightening, making me almost call out to Daniel, who was walking ahead.
“Professor.”
“…Laura, Student.”
“It’s just a misunderstanding.”
“I understand. My apologies.”
After I apologized, the cold atmosphere gradually dissipated. I let out a sigh of relief inwardly, calming my anxious heart.
“…Well, let’s just let it go this time.”
“Thank you.”
However, it seemed I wasn’t the only one to feel the chill emanating from Laura.
“Ugh…! It just suddenly got a little cold!”
“I felt it too. Isn’t it summer? Is it because we’re in the forest?”
“Oh, oh…! Just now, I felt a chill! There must be a ghost around!”
“The basics of a paranormal phenomenon: the temperature around you drops sharply. Daniel, let’s get started.”
Daniel and Vivian began to walk slowly around, holding the bizarre tools they had taken out.
Before long, the antenna in Vivian’s hand began to slowly whirl and activate. I watched that scene with uneasy eyes.
“…Laura, Student. Before it gets any later, we might want to tell the truth.”
“What… what do you mean?”
“That chill from earlier, it came from your magic, right?”
Since Laura specialized in ice-element magic, I was certain that the unknown chill we felt earlier had originated from her spell.
Before she answered, Laura narrowed her eyes slightly and began to speak.
“I didn’t cast any magic.”
“…Excuse me?”
If that were true, then the chill we felt a moment ago…
And at that moment.
– Beep-beep—! Beep! Beep-beep—! Beep!
With a constant periodic sound starting to ring out, Laura and I slowly turned our heads.
It was the antenna in Vivian’s hand. After spinning slowly, it stopped moving and began to scream while pointing towards a specific direction.
And at the end of the direction the antenna pointed…
“What, what is that…?”
In the distance we were looking, it was a place that was unusually sunny compared to any other areas of the forest we had passed through so far. It was as if someone had artificially created this environment.
Receiving that fresh sunlight, something stood tall, entwined with vines. Our gaze naturally drew toward it.
Not too far away, nor too close. Therefore, we could estimate its shape even at a distance.
A perfectly normal stone with no sign of artificial touch was firmly embedded in a small mound of earth that rose slightly. The vine growing around it was in harmony, making it appear to be naturally formed at first glance…
I recognized it.
“…A grave?”
That was the shape of a gravestone erected at a tomb.
*
At a lookout on the hiking trail of Vallon Mountain, which overlooked the path below, stood a post.
Among the guards of Count Vallerge’s territory, this post was manned by two people alternating shifts, and this week it happened to be Captain Luke and Private Tim who were in charge.
As Captain Luke stood guard like usual, he longed to lie down on the bed inside the lookout. He staved off the drowsiness overwhelming him and adjusted the rifle resting on his shoulder. His gaze turned sideways.
Standing next to him, Private Tim was silently standing guard like a statue, not moving an inch. Watching him, Captain Luke’s mischievous side kicked in.
“Hey, Tim.”
“Yes, Captain Luke.”
“You’re really focused. Who whipped you into shape?”
“Not at all.”
“Really? That’s strange. I’ve heard so many stories about you.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Nah. What’s there to apologize for? I’m just saying.”
Captain Luke quickly lost interest in Private Tim’s stony demeanor. His mind filled with boredom again.
“Hey, Tim.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“Shall we make a bet?”
The unusual word flowing from Captain Luke’s mouth made Private Tim’s expression twitch for a moment. It seemed that this time, it was a topic that piqued his interest.
“What kind of bet are you talking about…?”
“That’s simple. You know about the rumors of a monster living in these mountains, right?”
Of course, Private Tim was aware. It was a rumor circulating among the guards of Count Vallerge, a story about a monster living on Vallon Mountain. Excitement sparked in Private Tim’s eyes.
“Yes, I know.”
“Good. Frankly, I think it’s a lie.”
Such a story, with people saying they had heard it but no one claiming to have seen it – a strange situation. Even among the guards, there were often debates over whether this rumor was true or false.
Captain Luke belonged to the side that believed it wasn’t true. He was a stickler who would never believe something unless he saw it with his own eyes. He continued his speech.
“We haven’t seen a trace of that monster while standing guard all this time, right?”
“That’s true.”
“So, as a boredom breaker, let’s make a bet. Let’s bet on whether that monster will show up while we’re on guard this week. Let’s put down the price of drinks for this weekend. Just so you know, I’m betting it won’t—.”
“…Isn’t that a bit harsh for me?”
“…Is that so?”
Thinking it over, it might be. Captain Luke, who wasn’t one to bully junior soldiers, readily nodded at Private Tim’s complaint.
“Well, now that I think about it, let’s pretend it does not exist.”
“More than that, Captain Luke.”
“Huh?”
Private Tim attempted to shift the subject. Wanting to escape his boredom, Captain Luke was pleased with that. Private Tim continued.
“Didn’t we find that weird tombstone last time we were on patrol?”
“…Ah, that?”
“Yes. Who on earth is that tomb dedicated to?”
Captain Luke’s expression turned stiff. Noticing that change, Private Tim hastily tried to retract his words.
“Oh, I’m sorry…”
“No, I’ll tell you.”
Captain Luke took a moment to catch his breath. Private Tim, with an expectant gaze, looked at him with a tense expression, waiting for his next words.
“That’s the Earwig Burial Ground.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Those, you know, the ones we fought like crazy with back in the day.”
“You mean the Elves…?”
“Yeah, those guys.”
Captain Luke shrugged nonchalantly.
“That’s an Elf Burial Ground.”
The words that followed were indeed serious matters.
