The road to Lacteus isn’t well maintained enough for wagons to pass through, but we still manage to make our way up without much issue.
It’s not even like we’re putting our experience climbing up a mountain last time to use, it really is just easy to walk.
The road from Marte is much simpler than the one on the other side. The real challenge will be the mountain path from Lacteus to the Republic of Eldo.
That means it’s actually going to be harder to go down.
Unlike Lactea, this place looks like a fort, but it actually was built as a fort to begin with.
It was a long time ago. The name is a remnant from before the Republic of Eldo existed, and there was intense fighting between different races. They weren’t directly involved, but they have a history of being dragged along in the aftermath.
Those battles ended a long time ago, but they can’t renovate the place because of its location, and because even as the ages went by, the feeling remains that war might break out again.
It makes sense. As ages pass, people change. One despot could wreak havoc on the country. And when the time comes, it will bring with it fierce fighting.
“After seeing this, I can’t help but look back at how calm Lactea was.”
That also has to do with the harsh mountain path.
“Is the mountain path easier here?”
“From what I’ve heard, no. In any case, we need to be careful.”
There are a lot of beast people in Lacteus, and I see a lot of young people try to call attention to themselves when they see Sera.
The owner of the inn tells us that’s a courtship pose specific to beast people.
Speaking of the owner of the inn, she doesn’t get many customers, so apparently her main job is something else.
And the inn itself isn’t really an inn. All they have to sleep are fur sheets that we lay on the floor.
“Why are they doing that?”
“Partially because there aren’t a lot of young women… And because they can feel the health and strength, I guess.”
There’s no lie there, she really is strong. None of the young people in the village can stand up to her.
“Sera’s popular.”
Says Rurika in jest, but Sera shakes her head with her usual stoic face.
I guess they don’t measure up.
“But it is rare. I’m not as cute as Chris or Mia or anything.”
The two girls she mentions don’t move, and stare at a part of the room.
And me? I do my best to avert my eyes, fight the magic energy drawing me in, and try to keep my head from moving.
“Big sister Sera. Put on some clothes!”
Well said Hikari. Even though Mia warns you about that all the time too.
Sera and Hikari both tend to walk around lightly dressed, although in Hikari’s case, it’s when she just took a bath.
When she was a slave, I could warn Sera by giving her orders, but now that she’s been freed, it’s like this sometimes. It’s particularly bad with Sera, because my eyes start wandering. With Hikari… Not so much. She’s basically a little sister.
This is probably a side effect of Sera having lived as a combat slave. Especially after having lived in the harsh environment that is the dark forest.
As a guy… Well, I’m glad, but those eyes…
There’s so much bloodlust flying towards me! It makes me think they’re actually going to kill me with their eyes.
“So, about the Republic of Eldo. What kind of route are we taking?”
“Well, there’s only really one path. First we go through the border city of Belka, then Firo and the capital city of Flamen, and I think the town of Nahal should be our first stop.”
“Nahal?”
“We talked about this, Sera. The town where we lived before the war is gone, so they built a new town.”
Explains Rurika and Sera tilts her head. Then Chris steps in and tries to explain it in a way we’ll understand.
According to her, Nahal was built for people affected by the war with the empire, so most of them moved there.
It was actually a collection of villages, but after the war they realized that was dangerous, and built one town.
This idea of making many villages is a remnant from before the republic was formed. Back when they were divided into settlements that fought against each other. Still, there are fewer villages and towns compared to before.
When the empire attacked, not all could be protected.
“That had to do with the fact that not many people from that time of war are still alive today. The so-called time of peace was too long.”
Whispers Rurika, sounding sad.
Chris and Sera look sorrowful too.
If it’s just stories and memories, the terror from that time withers away.
The same goes for us. We see terrifying things broadcasted through recording mediums, but it feels like someone else’s problem from somewhere else
Fear, sorrow, anger. Even if we feel all sorts of emotions, that’s all that is.
“So we should just focus on going forward?”
“Other than checking the slavers, yes.”
“No problem then. And if we can rest in a town, we might as well spend the night there too.”
“Yes, it’s important to check the stalls.”
I see, there is that too.
I look at Hikari, and she’s nodding with a proud look on her face, so I pat her head.
I feel three pairs of eyes looking at me kind of warmly, but I’m probably imagining it.
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The 3 pairs of eyes I wonder if that’s the women in his group. If so 1 has to be Mia then elf girl and I can’t figure out who 3rd would be
Rurika
Thanks for the treat.