BRAND NEW WORLD

Chapter 71 71: A New Camping Trip to Remember

Chirp... chirp... chirp...! Chirp... chirp... chirp...!

The sound of birds hopping from branch to branch, together with the golden glow of the morning sun slipping through the glass window, woke me from my slumber. I opened my eyelids and stretched my lazy body, still reluctant to move. My gaze fell upon the space beside the bed.

Once, we slept apart—me on the mattress, Ringga below on a futon. But everything changed one night when Daisy crept into our room in the dead of night, sleepy-eyed, whispering that she wanted to sleep with Ringga and me. From that night on, Ringga began sleeping by my side, whether Daisy lay between us or not. At first, I found the unfamiliar warmth on my left side strange. Now, I only feel lonely when he is gone.

I rose and went to the bathroom to wash my face. Still in my nightgown, I walked to Daisy's room to gaze upon her sweet face, fast asleep like a little angel untouched by the world. After stealing that peaceful moment, I headed downstairs.

As always, Lu was busy in the kitchen, with Ana beside her. Abi was sweeping the front yard, accompanied by the whisper of the morning breeze. A cup of hot chocolate kept me company on the back porch as I waited for breakfast. Two months had passed since my meeting with Axxel and Key in Bhorneo.

[Two Months Earlier]

The five of us—me, Daisy, Ringga, Axxel, and Key—sat at a table in a family restaurant in the capital of Bhorneo.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Axxel asked.

Ringga and I exchanged glances. With a small nod from him, we began explaining the situation in Parahyangan City to the two of them. Though I said "we," it was Ringga who did most of the talking. As he spoke, the ordinarily relaxed expressions on Axxel and Key's faces turned serious, like a sky darkening before rain.

• •

When Ringga finished speaking, the two of them sank into their own thoughts. Their gazes were blank, fixed on the glasses on the table.

"I can't believe Parahyangan City has become like that now," Axxel said quietly.

"I used to go there with Axxel and the others to hunt boss monsters. I feel sorry for the players who were trapped there," Key said, a shadow darkening her face.

"..."

"So, you're going to raid the place?" Axxel asked.

"That's right. Ringga and I plan to gather players and strong individuals to clear out the monsters there."

"Then I'm in!" Axxel declared firmly.

"I'm in too. There must never be another Parahyangan City," Key replied, her face hard as stone.

"When will we do it?" Axxel asked.

"I don't know yet. We're still gathering people. Probably in about six months, right, Ringga?"

"Yes. While I gather our forces, you two prepare yourselves," Ringga said.

[Back to the Present]

Three days had passed since Ringga left. He said he needed to find something to help us in the upcoming raid on the Forbidden Land. Rima had also gone, gathering strength.

After finishing my cup of hot chocolate, I went inside when Lu called me for breakfast.

"..."

As soon as I finished eating, I prepared to leave for the capital. But before that...

"Sweetheart, Mother is going now, alright?"

"Mm! Take care, Mom!" Daisy replied, her voice soft as a whisper of wind.

"Putih! Bamby! Arimby!"

Hearing my call, the three of them came running.

WOOF! WOOF!

"Bamby, Arimby, please help Daisy look after the house, okay?"

WOOF!!

"Then, Putih... let's go!"

I leapt onto Putih's back, and we sped off toward the capital. Today, I would be accompanying the Nuzantra Magic Academy on an excursion—camping out in the open.

[One Month Earlier]

Large steps and small steps moved in rhythm, creating a harmony beneath the morning sun. That day, Daisy, Ringga, and I walked slowly through the streets of the Nuzantra capital.

A few days earlier, Rania had contacted me. She said there was something important she wanted to discuss. Now we were on our way to an upscale restaurant in the city centre.

• •

A few minutes passed...

Huh? Guards?

In the distance, about a hundred meters ahead, a troop of fully armed soldiers milled about. They were guarding an upscale restaurant not far from where we stood.

"Lun, why did you stop?" Ringga asked.

"Ah... It's nothing. It's just... that restaurant up ahead..."

"You mean the one heavily guarded? That's our destination?" Ringga said.

"Yes..."

Wait a minute. Isn't that the restaurant where I'm supposed to meet Rania? And these are no ordinary guards—they're royal knights. Does this mean we'll be meeting King Siegfried?

I paused, thinking for a moment, when...

"Do you want me to knock them all out so we can pass?" Ringga said.

"Not like that... hm..."

"Hold on, let me call Raisya first."

"..."

Before long, a woman stepped out of the restaurant.

"Mother!" Rania called out, waving her hand toward us.

Several guards glanced at Rania, then at us. With that signal, we stepped inside without trouble.

Inside, the restaurant was dominated by the colour white—gleaming white. The floor, pillars, furnishings, and everything were white and sparkling. No other customers were visible. Perhaps the royal family had reserved the entire place. Only the waitstaff stood at the reception desk. With Rania as our guide, we headed to the second floor.

As we reached the top of the stairs...

"AH! Y-Y-You!" someone shouted.

Deva. His face was panicked, slightly pale, and fear lurked in his eyes. He was shocked to see us—or rather, to see Ringga.

"Hi, Deva!"

"Lun! Why is this person here!?" Deva whispered.

"Umm..."

*Ah, how to explain this...*

"Of course I'm here. I'm with her," Ringga said, slipping his arm around me.

"H-Hey!" I whispered.

For some reason, that gesture made my heart suddenly race like a bird startled from its cage.

Before Deva could answer, a small cough was heard.

Ahem!

Deva immediately straightened his posture.

Someone walked toward us.

"Welcome, Lady Luna!" greeted Prime Minister Allan.

I nodded.

"And this..." His gaze shifted to Ringga beside me. "...Forgive me, but have we met before? Somehow, your face seems familiar, yet I cannot recall when," added PM Allan.

"Just your imagination. This is our first time meeting," Ringga replied with a faint smile.

PM Allan paused for a moment.

"Very well, then. Let us save the introductions for later. Without further delay... please, this way!" PM Allan said, inviting us to the dining table.

We then joined the others at the table.

"Please, have a seat," PM Allan said.

Already seated were several important figures of the capital.

Just like that, the tea party back then. Only this time, Bartasz, Verni, Lenti, Daisy, and Ringga are here.

Rania then introduced everyone to Ringga.

"..."

"Ringgamana. But you can call me Ringga... and, erm..." Ringga scratched his temple.

"What else should I say?" his voice echoed in my head.

"Your job," I replied through telepathy.

"...and I'm just an ordinary adventurer," Ringga continued.

That statement was met with exchanged glances and a flicker of confusion.

"Thank you for Father—erm... I mean, Mr Ringgamana, for kindly joining us here," Rania said.

"Lady Rania, no need to be so stiff. That goes for you, too, Lord Radhimar and Lord Bartasz. This isn't an official meeting. No need for such formality," King Siegfried interjected.

"Ahem! Very well. Since everyone has gathered, let us begin. Please, Lady Rania," PM Allan said.

"Thank you, Prime Minister Allan," Rania said.

"The Nuzantra Magic Academy has stood for over 150 years. Many curriculum reforms have taken place. One of them is field practice. Every year, we hold off-campus learning activities—usually three days and two nights, not including travel time. The training will be held one month from now, at a location just one day's journey from Tazik City," Rania explained.

After her explanation, the room fell silent for a moment.

"For the smooth running of this field practice, we have invited other parties. Lord Bartasz's Workshop will provide and maintain equipment and weapons. The Church of the Moon Goddess will run the medical camp. They will provide healing magic services for everyone," PM Allan said.

"Finally, the reason we invited Lady Luna here is to ask for her assistance as a guardian during the training. Will you accept, Lady Luna?" King Siegfried added.

"In that case, I have a question."

"Please, go ahead," King Siegfried replied.

"Why that location? Isn't it quite far? And besides... It's close to the border."

"We deliberately chose a place far from the capital to give the students new experiences," King Siegfried answered.

But... that place is close to where the High Orc once attacked me from the Forbidden Land.

"That is why we wish to ask Mother and Father to come with us," Rania said, her eyes shimmering with hope.

Hearing that, I turned to look at Ringga. He raised both eyebrows slightly.

What does that mean? I don't understand.

After thinking for a moment...

"Alright. I will come."

As soon as my answer left my lips, joyful smiles bloomed on everyone's faces. They looked like people who had just won the lottery. The rest of the meeting was filled with small talk over a delicious meal. Before long, the gathering ended. After saying our goodbyes, Daisy, Ringga, and I returned home to Lake Dewata.

[Back to the Present]

Thirty minutes had passed since I mounted Putih. Finally, I arrived in the capital. I immediately guided Putih toward the west gate.

"..."

Outside the west gate, many people had already gathered.

"Mother!" someone called out.

I turned. Rania was waving her hand at me. Nearby, Bartasz was talking with someone I assumed was from the academy.

"Good morning, everyone!" I greeted.

"Morning, Mom!" "Morning, Mother!" the three of them replied.

"So? Are you all ready?"

Hearing my words, they exchanged glances. Rania's face—which had been radiant just moments ago—suddenly clouded.

"What's wrong?"

"We're not going," Bartasz said.

"Huh? Why not?"

"We're not going," Bartasz repeated.

"?"

"We're only here to see you off. People in our positions would be highly unprofessional if we participated in an event like this. Even Brother couldn't be here to see you off," Bartasz explained.

"Oh, right, I don't see him. Where is he now?"

"He sent his regards to you through me... while crying," Rania said, half-laughing.

"Is that so... it's tough being a high-ranking official."

"..."

"Don't be sad! I'm only going for a little while," I said with a smile.

"But I wanted to go camping with you outside," Rania said, still pouting.

"How about this—after all this is over, we go camping as a family?"

"Ohh! I agree!" Rania exclaimed, her smile blooming again.

"Mm! I agree too," Bartasz added, nodding with his arms folded across his chest.

We chatted for a while. Before long...

"Lady Luna? Could we speak with you for a moment?" a woman suddenly addressed me.

I turned. Two female knights in armour were approaching. One was short with fair skin; the other was taller with brown skin. Both were human.

They're... royal knights?

"In that case, I'll go check on my students first," Rania said.

"I'll go inspect the equipment," Bartasz added.

Now I was alone with the two of them.

"My name is Ryda, and this is Hellen," said the short, fair-skinned one.

"Is there something you need from me?"

"Forgive me for asking, but... are you Luna from the high elf community?" Ryda asked.

*Hah? The high elf community? Why does she know that term? Could it be...*

I swept my gaze over them. Their levels were indeed unusual for ordinary inhabitants of this world.

"You're a player!?"

Ryda and Hellen exchanged glances.

"Haahh... thank goodness, so you really are a player," Ryda said, her chest rising and falling, her shoulders relaxing with relief.

"Yes, I never thought we were so close yet didn't know each other," Hellen said.

Hearing that, my heart blossomed with joy. I had found another former NWO player.

"But... how do you know about the high elf community?"

"Actually... from my younger brother. He's in that community, and he's mentioned you a few times," Ryda answered.

The high elf community is a small group—exactly as it sounds, only high elves. There are only seven members. That means Ryda's brother is one of the other six.

"Who is your brother?"

"His name is Surya," Ryda said.

"Surya? Surya Pratama?"

"Yes! That's right!" Ryda exclaimed.

"Ah... so you're Supra's older sister. It's a small world, isn't it? Haha."

We laughed together.

"How long have you both been here?"

"I've been here five years. Ryda, four and a half," Hellen answered.

"What about you, Luna?" Ryda asked.

"I've only been here a little over a year."

"How did you end up in this world?" Ryda asked.

"I was fighting an event boss with my friends when suddenly a blinding white light swept over us. When I woke up, I was already here. What about you? Did you arrive together?"

"No. We didn't know each other at first. We only met after coming to this world," Ryda replied.

"Hellen's right. When the white light swept over me, I suddenly found myself in the middle of a forest. I walked until I found a village. At first, I was sad and frustrated. But after a while, as I got to know the locals, I began to accept this fate. To live this second life," Hellen said.

"As for me... I appeared in a small village. After spending a year there, I came to the capital. I met Hellen after becoming an adventurer," Ryda added.

"I see... and how did you both become royal knights?"

"After two years as A-rank adventurers, the kingdom came and recruited us," Ryda answered.

Our conversation continued to flow. We exchanged stories about our experiences in NWO and after falling into this world. As we were deep in conversation, a sudden commotion of voices drew my attention. I turned.

King Siegfried, Prime Minister Allan, Knight Commander Deva, and several others were emerging from the capital's west gate, greeted by whispers and exclamations from the crowd.