Welcome to the Special-Grade Guild! ~ The Beloved Elf Poster Girl Soothes Everyone’s Hearts ~
Chapter 167

167. Monster Circumstances

A peaceful village came into view. I think it’s still early morning, but the villagers were already busy working. They wake up early!

“My, my, it’s rare to see travelers.”

As I was looking around the village, an old man, who had been working in the fields, stopped and called out to us. At first, he looked at us suspiciously, but when he noticed us children, he immediately relaxed and smiled. The children effect is amazing.

“Good morning. Does no one come to this area?”

Ravi-san smiled and asked this in response. She seemed used to it.

“That’s right. Just those traveling merchants! You’re headed somewhere, right?”

“Yes, to the central capital.”

“Wow, that’s quite far. There’s no shops here, so you won’t be able to resupply. Two villages over, it’s a bit larger, so head there.”

He’s such a friendly old man. And kind. He’s telling us what we need to know even though we haven’t even asked.

“Two villages over, is it? Thank you. By the way, how long does it take to get there?”

“It would take about a day and a half, on foot. Ah, that’s right! Hey! Jet!”

The old man, who had been thinking with his arms crossed, called out to a man taking care of a horse in the distance. Such a loud voice! It’s like he’s projecting from his diaphragm. His bold aura reminds me of Nika-san, I can’t help but to grin.

“Hmm? What’s up?”

The man, who seemed to be called “Jet,” came over to us. He had short, curly, dark brown hair, and was well-built. But he still seemed young. Maybe in his thirties? Ah, I made eye contact. But his amber eyes, a darker shade than Ravi-san’s, immediately softened.

“Could you take these kids two villages over? You’re headed there to resupply, right?”

“Yeah, I was about to leave. There’s not much room in the wagon, but if that’s okay, you’re welcome to ride.”

“Are you okay with that? That would be a big help!”

How lucky. Apparently, it’s his once-every-ten-days trip to buy food and daily necessities for the village. He said we’d arrive by the evening, since it’s a horse-drawn carriage. Jet-san said he’d load up with goods in the village tomorrow, then return the day after. He warned us that it would be a bit cramped because it’s currently loaded with vegetables from the village, but we’re getting a ride! That’s all that matters!

“Well, wait here for a bit, until the carriage is ready.”

Saying this, Jet-san headed back to his horse. Such a handsome, older man!

“Um, does Jet-san always go resupplying by himself?”

Licht asked the old man, who had become our conversation partner while we waited.

“Yeah, he’s usually in charge of that.”

“Isn’t it… dangerous…?”

The old man’s eyes widened in surprise at Licht’s question, and then, as if he’d understood, he nodded repeatedly as he answered. What was that about?

“Were there bandits or beasts where you guys were?”

“Y-Yeah. The beasts were small to medium-sized, so it was actually a welcome place to hunt, but there were bandits. They were like small-scale thugs…”

Bandits… So there are those kinds of people too. It’s hard to grasp, because this environment is so different from before, but maybe I was too naive. Ultimately, I need to protect myself.

“Well, I took care of them.”

“Oh, you’re strong! You’re carrying a sword, are you an adventurer?”

“Yes, I’m these kids’ bodyguard.”

“Wow, that’s reassuring. But this area’s incredibly peaceful, so you might not have to do anything!”

The old man laughed heartily. His bold laugh reminded me of Nika-san, I’m trying my best to hold back my laughter. And the feeling of longing. So this area’s peaceful, huh. That’s why Jet-san can resupply on his own without worrying. The village itself, with just a simple fence surrounding it, looked peaceful. There were no signs of destruction. So it must be true. Though he did add that sometimes beasts come out of the forest to raid the fields. Well, that makes sense.

At this point, something suddenly bothered me. But it wasn’t something I could ask the old man, so I tugged at Licht’s clothes. Licht, noticing this, turned to face me, and I put a finger on my lips, indicating that I wanted to whisper something to him. Licht, understanding, crouched down and tilted his head towards me.

“On the human continent… are there… no monsters?”

That’s right. On the Demon Continent, it’s normal to encounter monsters, if you go a little ways out from the villages and towns. Not swarms or anything. Because even monsters have their own territories. But there are some who cause trouble, and they end up being defeated. It’s honestly dangerous for those without the means to defend themselves to walk outside of villages and towns.

“Ah, I see. There are monsters on the Demon Continent, right… I’ve heard about it.”

Licht raised an eyebrow, looking like he wanted to ask “What the heck are you talking about?”, but then he remembered that I’m from the Demon Continent.

“They can’t be born on this continent, because there are so few magic particles in the air. So, no, there aren’t any.”

Ah, I see. It’s a harsh environment for monsters, because there are so few magic particles. I’d forgotten, because my body was slowly starting to get used to this.

“But there are some around the mine.”

“Eh, really?”

Ronny, who had been listening to our conversation, said this. Around the mine? That means…

“The area around the mine… does it have a high concentration of magic particles?”

“Yeah. But I don’t think it’s as much as the Demon Continent… We can use magic.”

Now that he mentions it, that’s right. If there weren’t any magic particles, the spirits wouldn’t be able to live, and Ronny, a Dwarf, wouldn’t be able to use nature magic. I wonder if it has something to do with the fact that the mine here’s connected to the one on the Demon Continent with a teleportation magic circle. But this gives us some hope. Because, it means I’ll be able to use magic once we get to the mine, right?

“Shou-chan, if there’re magic particles, can you go to the Demon Continent on an errand, even if we’re far apart?”

That’s right. I thought maybe it would work, since the Demon King’s on the Demon Continent, so it wouldn’t be that far. I whispered this to the magic stone in my bracelet, to confirm. I can usually communicate with them in my mind, but since they’re weak right now, I spoke out loud. The bracelet’s hidden under my clothes, but they should be able to hear me.

『It depends on how concentrated the magic particles are, but I think the distance won’t be a problem if I’m going towards the Demon Continent.』

It said it should be okay, because its strength would gradually recover as it headed for a place with more magic particles. And I can just call it back when it’s done, it can teleport back to me immediately because of our spirit contract!

“Meg’s… spirit?”

Ronny asked this as I was talking to Shou-chan. Ah, that’s right, since he’s a Dwarf, he can hear Shou-chan’s voice.

“Yes, a voice spirit. I’ll introduce you sometime.”

“Voice? That’s rare… I have a contract with an earth spirit. I’ll introduce you when we get to the mine.”

Ronny lightly tapped his chest, so he must be hiding a magic stone necklace under his clothes too. An earth spirit, huh? I’ve never met one, so I’m excited. We grinned at each other.

“…What a strange conversation.”

Licht, who had been watching Ronny and me, tilted his head, looking confused, and I couldn’t help but to chuckle. Sorry, sorry! Because he was making a funny face!

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