novelraw Chapter 121 : First Exploration
Chapter 121 : First Exploration
Chapter 121: First Exploration
Robin and Sigbard followed behind John.
There were only the three of them around.
It was a place rife with ominous rumors, so they did not let their guard down, but so far they had not encountered any dangerous monsters.
Sigbard asked in a calm tone.
“John, are unexplored regions usually this peaceful?”
“The outskirts aren’t particularly dangerous.”
“At this level, it looks even safer than traveling through the Empire.”
“That’s not wrong. You can’t help but pay extra attention to the outskirts.”
If monsters were to invade a city, it would be disastrous.
Up to a radius of 3 km, the guild conducted regular patrols.
Usually, border cities submitted requests to the guild as part of their public security management policies.
“That said, you can’t walk around alone. It’s not a place where you can let your guard down.”
What they needed to watch out for wasn’t only monsters.
From his previous journey, Robin had keenly realized that people were the scariest of all.
Most monsters did not hide their hostility, but people were different.
“Have you ever run into bandits?”
“I have.”
John snorted and continued.
“There are many kinds of bandits. Most don’t hesitate to kill.”
“Criminals, then.”
“It’s the way those who committed crimes and fled choose to live.”
“Even if it’s not an unexplored region, there should be other ways. Why do they do it?”
Three years ago, a wanted order had been issued for Robin across the entire Empire.
The refuge he chose at that time was Runeberg.
With the help of Count Wilcock, he had been able to have the wanted order lifted.
In the worst case, he had been prepared to live as a fugitive.
He had judged that surviving while on the run within the Empire was more feasible than fleeing to the lawless unexplored regions.
“They’re addicted.”
“…You mean addicted to killing?”
“Killing, robbery, drugs, rape. Once someone gets a taste, it’s not easy to get out.”
Another way to describe a lawless zone was survival of the fittest.
The word of the strong became law and justice.
For criminals confident in their own force, there was no better place than this.
The difference from criminals who operated secretly within the Empire was clear.
An incomparable level of freedom.
When Robin fell silent for a moment, John deliberately spoke in a brighter tone.
“Don’t worry too much. We’re taking a safe route.”
Just as John said, the three of them did not encounter a single monster, let alone bandits.
Sigbard, looking bored, idly swung his rod through the air.
A cool breeze brushed past the three of them.
The slope grew steeper, and they arrived at the entrance of a mountain.
A mountain where Rainbow Flowers were said to grow.
‘Did it take three hours?’
In terms of distance, it wasn’t far.
However, taking the safe route had taken quite some time.
“From here on, monsters start appearing.”
“What usually comes out?”
“Ratmen, Wild Hogs, Kobolds. They’re not monsters we can’t handle.”
John took six wooden rods out of his backpack.
He assembled the rod-shaped sticks and attached blades to their ends.
A spear was completed.
It was a spear favored by many for its portability.
“If monsters appear, don’t rush in recklessly.”
John did not know the skills of Robin and Sigbard.
That was because Robin had intentionally hidden them.
He would probably think they were around his own level or slightly below.
‘There was never a reason to go all out.’
He had told Sigbard in advance.
If a fight broke out, he was to respond clumsily.
Robin likewise planned to swing wildly instead of using refined swordsmanship.
“And if you happen to spot a Rainbow Pig, tell me immediately.”
“Are we going to capture it?”
“Of course. Even if it’s not a request, it’s a monster that can be sold for a high price.”
“How much can it sell for?”
“If you catch it without injuries, you can get up to fifty silver.”
Perhaps just imagining it felt good, as a smile spread across John’s face.
‘It really must be valuable.’
“The money from selling it will be split evenly, so let’s hope for good luck.”
The matter of loot distribution had been discussed in advance.
The Rainbow Flowers were John’s share.
The monsters hunted by the three would be divided evenly.
Clean and simple.
If not for John’s help, he would never even have thought of coming out here.
Therefore, he would have tolerated John claiming a little more for himself, yet John did not even bring it up.
Crunch, crunch.
After climbing the mountain for an hour, stepping on leaf-mixed soil,
they arrived at the first destination John had mentioned.
“We’re lucky.”
Slowing his pace, John carefully placed his steps.
Petals blooming in rainbow hues greeted him.
“Would you stand guard while I harvest it?”
“Alright.”
Robin and Sigbard turned their bodies outward on either side.
The sound of gently digging soil continued for a while.
After transplanting the flower into the pot he had prepared, John wiped the sweat from his brow.
“Look at this. Isn’t it truly beautiful?”
As the wind blew, the Rainbow Flower emitted seven colors of light.
Looking at the splendid seven petals, John lifted the corners of his mouth.
“The flower is pretty.”
“How did you find a place like this?”
Because the two of them reacted so calmly, John let out an awkward cough.
“It’s a spot I discovered after wandering around for a long time. I’m probably the only one who knows about this place.”
“John, smart.”
At Sigbard’s praise, John turned back with a proud expression.
Unlike the sloppy impression he gave at the inn, he was clearly a veteran adventurer.
‘Only he knows about it…….’
Seeing John grinning broadly, Robin smiled back at him.
“Let’s ride this momentum and head to the next spot!”
John obtaining the Rainbow Flower was something Robin welcomed as well.
If things ended quickly, they could secure more time for hunting.
‘Let’s follow along with the mindset of learning.’
Just before the sun set,
they arrived at the second destination.
“Haha! It must really be some kind of lucky day!”
This time as well, they harvested the Rainbow Flower in perfect condition.
The smile never left John’s face.
He moved the pot into a cage shaped like a small birdcage and fixed it in place.
His careful hands, mindful even of storage so it wouldn’t be damaged, were full of devotion.
“The sun’s gone down. How about camping around here?”
“Let’s do that. I know a flat place that’s good for sleeping.”
After walking for ten minutes, they came upon a spot that was almost flat ground.
“A place spacious enough for even five people to lie down.”
The three of them did not take long to prepare camp.
It had naturally become ingrained in them from traveling between cities.
Sigbard was also adept, having spent years alone in the snowy mountains.
“Are you really novice adventurers?”
“We did a lot of camping on the way to Narvik.”
“You could’ve used a carriage. Was there a reason you chose to travel on foot?”
Robin looked back at Sigbard.
John nodded as if he understood.
“Well, with that build, there probably aren’t many carriages you could ride.”
“What are you talking about? If you travel by carriage, doesn’t that defeat the purpose of traveling?”
At Sigbard’s counterquestion, John asked back in confusion.
“The purpose of traveling?”
“That’s right. A great warrior does not take the easy road.”
Sigbard’s lecture, directed at John, began.
What was a great warrior?
One who did not avoid hardship and built achievements that would leave a path behind in the world.
He spoke of how he had followed Robin in order to become such a warrior.
After that, praise of the Barbarian Tribe continued.
“Our tribe was the first to defeat the giant demonic beast Appsilow.”
“Oh, that’s truly impressive!”
“An achievement neither humans, elves, nor dwarves could accomplish.”
“I’ve never heard about the Barbarians before, but they sound like an incredible tribe?”
John answered sincerely, but Sigbard’s gaze changed.
Every human he met said they had never heard of the Barbarian Tribe.
That seemed to prick his pride in a strange way.
“If it weren’t for our tribe, the Empire would’ve been reduced to ruins long ago!”
“Uh, uh……?”
“Have you never heard of the great warrior and hero of the Barbarian Tribe, Gunrad!”
“I’m hearing it for the first time…….”
“I’ll tell you about him!”
“Ah, alright, just lower your voice……!”
John broke out in a cold sweat as he played along with Sigbard’s story.
Only after Robin poked him in the side did Sigbard finally quiet down.
“This is a monster activity area.”
“Sorry. I got carried away.”
John let out a sigh of relief.
“Let’s get some sleep for today and prepare for tomorrow.”
They went to bed earlier than usual.
Given the nature of mountains where the sun set early, it couldn’t be helped.
No matter how confident one was in their skills, traversing mountains at night was dangerous.
“How should we decide the watch order?”
“Drawing lots would be fair.”
John took a small container out of his backpack.
Inside were several fingernail-sized beads, each marked with a number.
“Let’s go from 1 to 3, first watch to last watch.”
“Alright.”
After shaking the container in his hand, he held it out toward Robin.
“If you press the button, a bead should come out.”
Click.
A bead dropped into Robin’s hand.
“I’m first watch.”
“Next, Sigbard, you draw.”
The bead Sigbard drew was 3.
“You’re last watch.”
“Then I’m automatically second.”
Robin observed carefully, but it didn’t seem like there had been any manipulation.
‘There’s no benefit in arbitrarily deciding the watch order anyway.’
“If you want, I can switch the order.”
“Aren’t you underestimating us a bit? Waking up in the middle is obviously more tiring.”
“Whoops! Caught me.”
Perhaps it was just a light joke, as John smiled good-naturedly.
Leaving out Robin, who was first watch, the other two prepared for sleep.
Robin whispered quietly beside Sigbard.
“You didn’t forget what I said, right?”
“…….”
“Sigbard?”
“Khuhp, what is it? Did a monster appear?”
‘He fell asleep in less than a minute?’
Once again, Robin marveled at how quickly Sigbard fell asleep.
‘This isn’t the time for that.’
“After John and I switch, don’t fall asleep. Just pretend to be asleep.”
“Understood. I’m confident when it comes to pretending to sleep.”
“…If you notice anything suspicious, even the slightest sign, let me know.”
“Understood.”
There was no way to tell if he truly understood.
‘As long as I do my job, Sigbard doesn’t need to stay alert.’
Grrrrrrrk.
Sigbard’s snoring began in earnest.
Checking John’s reaction, he saw that John was sleeping comfortably with earplugs in.
‘Does John trust me?’
Judging by first impressions, it hadn’t been a bad meeting.
He hadn’t forced Robin into anything, and when refused, he had withdrawn cleanly.
Since Robin had been the one to ask first, harboring suspicion like this weighed on him a bit.
‘I should blame the fact that trustworthy people are rare.’
Robin had witnessed ugliness so vile it was hard to believe it was done by humans.
Looking at the soundly sleeping John, he let out a sigh.
‘It’s because it’s the first exploration. I need to know if he’s someone worth taking as a companion.’
Two hours passed quickly.
When he shook John awake, John spoke with a face still heavy with sleep.
“Good work. You must be tired, so get some rest.”
Robin lay down and closed his eyes.
He did not actually fall asleep.
He slightly narrowed his eyes and checked on Sigbard.
Grrrrrrrk.
‘He really looks like he’s asleep.’
It was fine.
John was alone anyway.
Even if he harbored ill intent, he couldn’t deal with both of them at once.
John faithfully kept watch.
Even after an hour passed, he was simply sitting in place.
Nothing suspicious.
If the remaining time passed like this, Robin’s trust in him would rise.
Swoosh.
John, who had been sitting still, stood up.
‘There’s still time before the switch.’
Grabbing the spear he had been leaning against his shoulder, he walked toward the center.
Robin held his breath and focused on his hearing.
Rustle.
Something was approaching.
He subtly turned his body so he could spring up and draw his sword at any moment.
Even as the unknown footsteps drew closer, John maintained silence.
By any measure, it was a situation where waking his companions would be appropriate.
Robin revised his earlier thought that John couldn’t handle two opponents alone.
‘This changes things.’
He inhaled silently.
The footsteps were now close enough that he could estimate their number.
‘Five.’
They could be bipedal monsters like goblins or kobolds, but it was more likely they were humans.
If they were monsters, their distinctive cries would have been heard.
Before long, John moved his steps toward them.