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Translator: Barnnn
At the end of their fourth day in Rinzuda, Hal and Ize found themselves preparing for their departure. Tomorrow, they would set off for Abrol, the final city on their route out of the Lazulseed Kingdom.
After spending two more busy days working for the Adventurers’ Guild, Hal was more than ready to hand his duties back to the Guild’s regular appraiser, who had finally had enough rest.
Relief washed over him in a deep, unguarded sigh, as obvious as the despair on the appraiser’s face when he realized Hal would no longer be around to handle the work — the contrast was almost too vivid not to laugh at.
Though Hal’s brief tenure as an appraiser had served the Guild well, unmasking and penalizing adventurers who had been trying to game the system in the Guild’s crowded season, he knew it was time to move on.
“We didn’t find skewers or too many sweets, but we did come across some nice tea leaves,” Ize said thoughtfully, giving the town a final appraisal of her own. “On the whole, I’d give Rinzuda a decent score.”
“Food-based evaluation, huh?” Hal chuckled.
“Is there any other way?”
“Well, there’s scenery, architecture, art…”
Ize shrugged. “The views weren’t much different from the capital, and the buildings were similar too. But I guess there’s the dancing — it had a nice, rustic charm.”
“Dancing? When did you see that?”
“Every night, across from the inn. The whole tavern crowd was out there dancing.”
“Oh, the tavern… I don’t know if I’d exactly call it a local dance. You see that kind of thing just about everywhere.”
“Then, I guess Rinzuda doesn’t offer anything especially unique.”
“Guess not… but I’ll say, working at the Guild was a worthwhile experience.”
“All things considered, I’ll give Rinzuda three stars,” Ize decided, nodding to herself.
“I’d say the same. What about Dukatten?”
“Four stars. It’s almost good enough to earn five, but then it’d be a potential candidate for settlement.”
“So, a perfect five means a place you could call home.”
“Exactly. Isn’t that our goal here — to find a forever home by reviewing and rating the best spots we pass through?”
“Oh yeah…” Hal pondered for a moment, then fished out his tablet. “Then we should keep track of these ratings in one place. I’ll use that app I used back when I was a supply manager.”
He tapped around the screen, setting up a new project within the app, as Ize leaned over to peek at his work. She noticed detailed reviews popping up on the screen — the look, taste, and even the production process of different goods, neatly organized next to the names of each item and producer profile.
“Ooh, that candy looks tasty,” she commented, pointing to one of the entries.
“It was great. Shame we can’t get it again.”
“Well, with all these notes, maybe we could try making some ourselves if we settle down one day. Don’t you think?”
Hal shook his head, grinning. “Not me. I’m no producer. Always a consumer.”
“Why?”
“Because food is always better when someone else makes it.”
“Can’t argue with that. So, are you going to use this app to keep track of every city we pass through?”
“That’s the plan — lodgings, food, quests, and memorable people we meet along the way.”
Ize nodded. “Names are important. So are the best restaurants.”
“Heh, of course. By the time we’re done, we’ll have something like a ‘Chronicle of Two Fugitive Heroes.'”
“Sounds like a light novel title. Or how about, ‘We Journey Through Another World With Cheat Skills: Solving Problems as We Eat Our Way Across the Land’?”
Hal shook his head. “I’m not here to solve anyone’s problems. Let’s keep those flags unraised.”
“Of course.”
As they chatted, Hal created a new folder labeled “Travelogue,” adding initial entries for Lazulseed’s cities — Lazulesia, Dukatten, Rinzuda, and their next destination, Abrol. He tapped away, seemingly absorbed in his work, and Ize found herself wondering if he’d spent his supply manager days glued to his tablet like this too.
“…Don’t you ever get tired of being reminded of your old job?” she asked.
“Not at all. The company wasn’t exploitative, and I actually enjoyed it. This reminds me of updating my notes on the train after meeting with producers. Adding people’s names and faces felt satisfying. Never thought I’d be doing the same in another world, bouncing along in a horsebus, though.”
“…As long as you’re enjoying it, Hal, that’s what matters.”
“Thanks, Ize.”
That evening, the two stayed up well past midnight, reminiscing about their travels and eagerly filling out details in the app. They hoped, by the time their “Travelogue” project was complete, to have found the place they could finally call home.
◆
The journey from Rinzuda to Abrol offered two paths, each with its own unique challenges and allure.
The mountain route, rugged yet direct, cut the journey to eight days. By contrast, the river route wound around the mountain, extending travel to ten days, but it was far more popular among travelers. There, they could rely on the river to provide a constant source of fresh water along the way.
For Hal and Ize, the choice had been clear — or at least, it had seemed that way to Hal. A quick glance at him now, conjuring a steady stream of water through his hands, was evidence enough of their decision.
“You know, if we’d chosen the river route, you could’ve taken a break from being a fountain for once,” Ize remarked.
Hal just grinned, unbothered. “Why would I pass up this opportunity? The last two trips showed me that water magic pays well. Not only does it shave a nice bit off our travel fare, but I can pick up extra coins along the way. Besides, we’re going to need all the funds we can get, so I’m sticking with it.”
“Well, as long as you’re happy with it,” Ize replied with a shrug, glancing out at the landscape outside their horsebus window. “The mountain views are beautiful, too.”
It was the fourth day of their journey, placing them at the halfway mark, and they were nearing the mountain path’s highest peak.
As they climbed, the scenery shifted — some of the trees had begun their autumn transformation, splashing the forests with vibrant reds and rich yellows that lit up the mountainside. The view was as soothing as the inside of the horsebus, quiet and far less crowded than usual since they’d waited five days after travel restrictions lifted.
◆
“When you reach the border town, dear Ize, don’t miss the polpetta,” advised an older woman seated nearby. “It’s a little bitter on its own, but roasted just right, the inside melts like butter. My husband burns his tongue on them every time — always too impatient to let them cool!”
“Polpetta?” Ize parroted, eyes bright with curiosity. “Is it some kind of vegetable?”
“Oh, it’s more like a nut. Harvested from fall into winter — so they’re just coming into season, you know.”
“Wow! Do you think they grow wild here? I’d love to try one right now!”
The woman chuckled at Ize’s excitement. “Now, I wouldn’t know about polpetta trees up here in the mountains…”
“Aww, too bad! If they did, I have no doubt I’d eat them all!”
“Oh my, now that’s the appetite of a growing kid!”
“Thanks, lad. The horses are set for now.” The driver gave Hal an appreciative nod.
“All right. So, back on topic — you mentioned something about Abrol’s local beer?”
“That’s right. They age it in barrels from a special wood — gives it a unique flavor. The taste’s out of this world!”
“Same wood they used in Dukatten for steaming meat, right?”
“Aye. Already tried some yourself, eh? When it’s aged just right, the beer’s scent alone gets sweeter than the prettiest lady.”
“N-now THAT sounds tempting!”
“Heh, I know, right?”
Bit by bit, Hal and Ize had honed their skills in gathering local knowledge. Ize, especially, had developed her way of charming people into talking.
◆
On the morning of the final day’s ride toward the border city, Ize, perched beside the driver in the front seat, was the first to spot something strange up ahead.
“Mister driver, look — there’s a horsebus coming up fast. Do we have enough space here to pass?”
The driver squinted, adjusting his grip on the reins as he glanced down the trail. “Ah, must be a return trip from Abrol. Should be no issue; we’ll pass at the base of the mountain easily enough.”
“But… it’s coming REALLY fast.”
“What? That doesn’t sound right. Hold on, let me take a closer look…”
“Please do.”
The driver frowned, pulling a small, telescope-like tube from under his seat and peering down the road.
While he adjusted his view, Ize slipped back into the horsebus, squeezing through the window that connected the driver’s seat to the interior and sliding down beside Hal.
“…What’s going on?” he asked, noting her unease.
“There’s a horsebus speeding towards us. It’s just barely within range of my Perception, but… oh, now I can see it — they’re being chased by an enemy… A Mystic Beast!”
Hal’s face tightened, and he immediately called out to the driver. “Sir! It’s a Mystic Beast!”
“Yeah, I see it too!” the driver replied, his voice tense. “Looks like it’s closing in fast. If they keep that pace, they’ll ram right into us. And we don’t have the room for a Beast to charge us here on this narrow path!”
Without wasting a moment, the driver pulled on the reins, halting the horsebus, and began coordinating with the guards to turn it around.
“…Hal, the Mystic Beast’s dot just hit one of the — ah! It’s… it’s gone!”
As the Beast closed in, the small icon representing one of the oncoming horsebus’s passengers suddenly flickered and disappeared from Ize’s Perception Map.
“N-no…! Another one’s…!”
She watched in horror as another icon blinked out.
Ize’s face went pale, and she sat there, trembling, her wide eyes reflecting the scene unfolding on the map.
Hal wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close as his mind raced for the right course of action.
Outside, the guards’ voices rang with alarm, and one of them called for abandoning the other group to protect their own passengers.
“Ize, I need you to do something for me. Ize? IZE!”
She blinked, coming back to herself. “H-Hal…?”
“Focus. We need to keep this horsebus safe. Can you use Stealth to cloak it? All of it — the horses, the passengers, everything.”
She took a deep breath, steadying herself. “The… the whole horsebus?”
“Can you do it?”
“Y-yeah.” Ize nodded, a light of determination returning to her eyes as she dried her tears. “I can.”
“Good.” Hal gave a reassuring pat on her head. “Do it right now, and I’ll go speak with the guards.”
“You’re going outside?”
“Yeah. And if it comes to it, I’ll help fight. You stay put — I’ll be right back.”
“B-be careful!”
Right as Hal slipped outside, Ize activated her Stealth, her power wrapping the horsebus in a barrier of invisibility.
The air grew thick, vibrating with energy, and a heavy silence settled over the interior as passengers glanced around.
“Ize, what did you just do…?” asked the woman Ize had made friends with.
“I’ve put a barrier around the horsebus,” she explained. “Sound, scent, presence — everything’s hidden now. But it won’t help you if you step outside — so please, everyone, stay in here until it’s safe.”
A gruff man — the woman’s husband — called out, “Kid, what’s going on out there?”
“A Mystic Beast is attacking another horsebus. If it breaks through, we might be drawn in too.”
“Aw, hell… And I thought they already cleared out the big one days ago!”
“I’m going to help. But don’t worry — the barrier isn’t going anywhere. So please, everyone, stay put!”
“Ize, are you sure you can hold your own?” The woman stopped her, pulling her arm. “Wouldn’t you be better off staying here?”
“That’s right! You’ll just get in the way out there.”
“I’ll be fine,” Ize said, managing a small, reassuring smile. “Besides, I promised my brother I’d stay by his side. Even in a fight.”
With that, Ize dashed outside, feeling the Stealth barrier holding strong as she moved through it.
She hurried to where Hal was waiting with the guards, who were watching the oncoming scene with grim expressions.
“Kid!” the driver exclaimed, catching sight of her. “You’re hiding sound and scent? That’s a mighty fine power you got!”
“Mister driver, pull the horsebus behind the trees,” she urged. “Once you’ve done that, please stay inside with the others. If the Beast charges, you could be thrown outside the barrier.”
“Right, good thinking,” he replied, nodding. “Now, all of you — don’t go doing anything reckless. If things get bad, you can always take cover inside the barrier and wait the Beast out.”
“But the other group won’t have that option,” the leader among the three guards interjected. “Now that we’re hidden, we need to help them. Some of those guys might be our friends.”
The guards and driver of the other group were likely Union men. They couldn’t just abandon them, not with them currently fending off the Beast.
Ize glanced at Hal, and he gave a quick nod. Without another word, they both broke into a run, joining the guards as they sprinted down the path toward the scene.
Ready or not, they would soon be facing their first true battle in this world.
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