While the others enjoyed themselves comfortably seated in the carriage, I sat atop it, keeping watch for any strange occurrences.
Fortunately for us, the bandits who attacked a few days ago targeted a caravan, not us. They were carrying a load of local specialties from a nearby village, heading towards Korboro.
Those who nearly lost both their money and their lives ended up maintaining both, along with their smiles, graciously offering us a free ride.
As for me, there wasn’t much to do inside anyway. Besides, staying inside felt too stifling, so I volunteered to keep guard, despite the merchant’s insistence that it wasn’t necessary. I still remember his beaming smile.
“…Sigh. Bored. No monsters, no bandits…”
Though, saying they don’t exist is misleading since every time I sense something, I drive it away before it approaches. It was getting to the point where I considered letting something come just to break the monotony.
One must find balance even in the tranquility of vast nature. Watching nothing but mundane hills and plains eventually grows tiresome.
Like flying islands in the sky or impossibly gigantic creatures—if only there were sights like colossal turtles, which are about the most impressive things around here.
Lying flat on the carriage counting birds in the sky, suddenly the carriage stopped. Was it lunchtime already? I distinctly recall having breakfast not long ago.
Doing nothing, lying around like a bum, must have messed with my sense of time. A healthy adult should be doing something productive, but this feels off.
With the intention of at least taking a stroll or digging a hole, I jumped down from the carriage.
I landed dramatically, swirling my cloak, but everyone stared at me. Turning back, I saw that I had completely scratched the wall with my tail, peeling off the paint.
…Having saved their lives, you’d think they could overlook this, right? I casually shook off the awkwardness by brushing my cloak and sat among the group.
“Is it today that your doll is cooking again? Good. Though I was nervous about the food made by the ancestors of those cross-eyed ones, it turned out surprisingly tasty.”
“Alterra, shouldn’t you apologize first before anything else?”
Tch. Not working, huh? I thought they’d let it slide. Guess Myungho also thought this was inappropriate. Considering it’s equivalent to damaging their goods… it can’t just be overlooked.
Hesitantly, I stood up and approached the humans, bowing slightly to apologize.
Still, I did save them, so how stiff-necked can they be? They seemed to accept my apology, forcing smiles as they took out provisions from their carriage.
“…Well, accidents can happen! Here, heroes. Help yourselves. Since you saved our lives, we should offer this much.”
“There’s no need to give us merchandise. That would make us no different from plunderers. But… yes. If you insist, we appreciate it. Mari? Can you help Akashi prepare the meal today? Akashi says she wants to try her strength today.”
-Happy music-
By the way, that doll always amazes me. Its humming seems meaningless, yet it’s a language. And the part about extracting blood—it claims my blood is premium fuel, so I’m giving it willingly for now… but thinking about it, I might be giving more than I’m receiving in this party.
What am I saying? I’m safe and my status is secure. Plus, they’re helping locate that kid.
“Hmm…not sure if risking my life was worth it, but at least I’m not something to waste. Both my abilities and voice deserve better. So, Myungho, what’s the plan now? We’ve found the Dwarf’s treasure.”
“Eh, now? Well, I haven’t really thought about it, but… Hmm… Ah, right. I think I’ll look into Alterra’s father’s whereabouts. While we’re at it, we can search for your parents too. One of the Great Worms’ habitats is in the Elves’ forest.”
“To the Elves’ forest, huh. Perhaps my homeland… Sounds like a good decision, Myungho. Much healthier and better than some breeding obligation.”
“That’s… true. Although… still… the reproductive function hasn’t fully returned yet, but… ugh. Seriously, why did the old Dwarves incorporate such a feature?”
Inside the carriage, we wondered what this “breeding obligation” meant, but surely it wasn’t about making babies, was it? The story was alarming, causing me to frown.
Now I understand somewhat why the Dwarves went extinct. There were mad people who put uteruses in dolls.
Though I don’t exactly side with the gods, I momentarily understood why they made them appear like dimwitted cross-eyed figures—such revulsion.
“They must have been perverts to do that. Otherwise, why suggest having children with a figure like that?”
Mari looked no older than 15 to 17, though actual age doesn’t matter for a doll, still…
“Let’s not dwell too deeply. People back then had their own standards. By the way, this is the first I’ve heard that a Great Worm resides in the Elves’ forest.”
“Akashi probably pulled some tricks again…”
Myungho shrugged, leaning back more comfortably. Over there, they were struggling to start a fire, so I casually went over, sparked it with flint, and returned.
Hmm, the Elves’ forest. I didn’t know such a place existed. Having killed many Elves but never conversed with a living one, I was curious.
What kind of folk are they? Are they rough yet kind like Yuna, or contemptuous like Dwarves? Seeing Yuna, they might be beautiful, at least.
“Alright, alright. You know how your masters cook. Asking why you know would be troublesome. Anyway, you can’t understand me, so just go ahead and cook.”
It’ll likely take a while. Leaving the cooks to their own devices, I grabbed Myungho’s hand and stood up.
Myungho seemed confused about what was happening until he looked at me, then at his hand.
“Taking breaks occasionally is good, but you’ve rested enough, right? Let’s move our bodies a bit.”
Stretching alone would suffice, but it’d be boring. Pulling Myungho’s hand, I invited him to join me.
After hesitating briefly, he reluctantly agreed, saying only until dinner.
“So, what exactly are you planning to do?”
“To loosen up before dinner… and it doubles as your training… How about this? Try to reach me somehow.”
Like a game of tag. Simple, yet subtly exhausting, it seemed perfect for warming up and training.
“What, if you just dig into the ground and hide, that’s all there is to it, right?”
“Don’t worry. I won’t use my abilities. I’ll dodge while considering your level appropriately.”
“…You’re not just teasing me, pretending to get caught, are you?”
“Ho ho. Teasing, you say. This is purely to stimulate your desire to improve. Then, shall we begin? Come at me.”
To be honest, half of it is teasing, but I genuinely want to help his training. He may not become like me, but he should at least reach Yuna’s level to confidently call himself a man.
Myungho tilted his head, seemingly dissatisfied, then suddenly shifted stance and charged forward.
Of course, I easily evaded. Good, he does have the intention to improve. Nice, nice. With determination, that’s already commendable.
“You’re too slow, and your movements are inefficient! Try being more concise and efficient!”
He has decent speed when he charges properly, but bad habits hold him back like shackles.
Dodging his renewed charge effortlessly, I taunted him by tapping his back with my fingers.
“Getting worse instead? Do better! Lower your stance, don’t unnecessarily extend your hands! Your center of gravity is collapsing!”
It felt like bullfighting. As he kept charging, I began finding rhythm, gradually improving.
Alright, let’s move now. Signaling to him while dodging, I told him to run full force.
“Don’t hold back for later; treat this as your last chance and run!”
Initially, I intended to go easy, but got carried away and decided to go slightly serious.
Myungho, watching me flee, used magic to chase after me determinedly.
The original light exercise purpose was forgotten. Sensing Myungho’s vibrations as he chased me to exhaustion, I wondered if I teased him too much.
Then, his vibrations suddenly disappeared.
Thinking he fell, I briefly turned back to see Myungho leaping toward me like a predator.
Stupid guy. I told him not to stretch his hands, yet he lunged with both extended. Clearly, if he continued like this, he’d land face-first. Slowing down, I positioned myself to cushion his fall.
“…Idiot. I said don’t stretch your hands, and you lunge with both extended?”
Running and catching a strong man was disorienting.
Apparently, Myungho was similarly dazed, unable to answer clearly. His flushed face suggested something was wrong. I knew this would happen—he hit the ground.
That’s his karma, but why does my chest feel so tight? Could it be because he landed on me?
Ah. It’s because he inadvertently placed his hands on my chest while rolling. His flushed face is due to that.
“It wasn’t intentional…!”
“I know. Just get off. You’re heavy.”
Since it wasn’t intentional, I won’t reprimand him, but why does he have a knack for accidentally touching my chest?
Shaking off such pointless thoughts, I stood up and dusted off the dirt from Myungho’s clothes.
“…Sorry for provoking you too much. Guess I went too far.”
“I’m the one who charged recklessly…”
“In situations like that, it’s fine to just admit it.”
Me. Both body and mind, he has a long way to go to be a real man.
Rubbing my temples amidst these increasingly complicated thoughts, I returned to the bonfire.
