After handling some paperwork, we leave Avid two days after returning from the dungeon.
If we left and went to a place away from people’s eyes, we could easily return to the Republic of Eldo with Transfer, but it’s hard to tell exactly where we are in the Borsheil Empire, so we leave it without using Transfer.
It seems the attack on Avid caused a big aftershock. I wouldn’t need to care if I didn’t have to return to the empire, but there is still one dungeon left to conquer here.
There are three routes out of the empire. Most people use the ones leading to Elesya or Eldo, but there is also the one to the Holy Kingdom of Frieren.
There is a forest to the south-west of Zuirya, and a path to cross it. Said path leads to Frieren.
It’s not used a lot, apparently because strong monsters live there. It’s said the forest monsters became strong because the many users of the dungeon hunt outside of it, but others say the imperial army purposefully made them so.
“Well, it could be to stop people from leaving.”
Says Argo plainly.
Apparently that is part of it, but the biggest reason is to stop an invasion from the Holy Kingdom.
They’re not currently enemies, but apparently a lot happened, and it’s a remnant of that.
We’re going to use this path to leave the empire.
We stay two nights in Zuirya, and leave through the south-western gate.
The south-western gate is empty, since no one uses it. The guard is confused when we say we want to leave.
After leaving and a day on the road, we see a fortress. The imperial army is stationed there, observing.
After showing our adventurer cards and going through the formalities, we’re let through.
When we leave the fortress, I call Map and use Presence Detection and Magic Energy Detection.
Presence Detection doesn’t pick up anything around the path, but Magic Energy Detection does.
I look at Map for a while, but the reactions don’t move.
After thirty minutes of walking after the fortress, we reach the forest, and go right in.
The path is just wide enough for a wagon to pass, and while the ground isn’t smooth, it’s not too bad.
It would shake a lot, but it’s not bad enough to be impassable for a normal wagon. Maybe we should’ve come by wagon. We didn’t because I heard in Zuirya the path was bad. If I had to point out a problem, it would be the trees right next to it.
The branches are right at eye level and luscious, so visibility is bad.
I’d have to be pretty careful if I didn’t have detection skills.
“I feel a strange flow of magic energy.”
Says Chris while looking around, as we walk.
I don’t know about strange flow, but there are magic energy reactions at fixed intervals. I feel them a little away from the path, on the ground near the trees.
I would cast Appraisal if I could see them, but unfortunately, there’s nothing as far as I can see.
We could go into the forest to check, but I don’t think it’s good to stray from the path without a good reason.
“Sora, how much longer do you think we have to walk to clear the forest?”
“Less than a week, but…”
Asks Mia that night after we finish eating.
I check the distance we traveled using Map. We could move quickly with Transfer, but I can’t use it very well. Chris said the flow of magic energy is strange, so maybe that’s influencing it.
Actually, I don’t know what else it might be.
“…But I might be able to use Transfer before that.”
Looking at Map, it seems the magic energy reactions alongside the path go on for about two more days worth.
Right in the middle of the forest.
Maybe I’ll be able to use Transfer then.
“Then let’s try it there.”
“Yes, that’s the plan.”
I nod to Mia.
“But I’m curious about it not working.”
Says Rurika. Me too.
Maybe we should investigate it, so we’ll know going forward. But maybe it would be better closer to the Holy Kingdom.
With that settled, we rest for the day.
We take turns keeping watch, but there are no people or monster reactions around.
“What are you doing when you’re back in Nahal, Argo?”
“Take it easy for a while. Then I could do something new.”
His wallet is looking very rich after conquering two dungeons in a row.
If Argo and the others aren’t terrible at handling their money, they don’t have to work anymore.
A lot of it is down to the Item Box and the fact that we could bring the monsters we took down with us.
Normally there would be a limit to how much we could bring back, but we made a lot of money because we could bring everything.
“What about you guys?”
“Take it easy for a while, and take on another dungeon?”
Argo looks exasperated.
I agree that we work too much, but it can’t be helped.
I also want to conquer all the dungeons.
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