“So that’s……the Great Forest……”
Morning of the third day of travel.
We crested a gentle hill, and the Sariel Great Forest — our destination — came into view.
The greatest unexplored territory on the continent, and it looked every bit the part.
A dark, black forest stretching on without end, vast enough to throw off your sense of distance just looking at it.
Not a sign of human presence anywhere in the area, and strange birdsong drifted from somewhere out in the trees.
“It’s more terrifying than I imagined.”
“Yeah, this is bad. The mana density is off the charts.”
Misha, the mage, said that while breaking into a cold sweat.
I was picking up some vaguely unpleasant feeling myself, but apparently from the perspective of a magic specialist it was even worse.
The soft, easy look she’d had on her face up until now had gone quite tense.
“Makina, don’t let your guard down for a second.”
“Of course. As long as I am here, nothing will lay a finger on Master.”
With that, Makina bowed deeply.
While we were doing this, we climbed out of the vehicles and finally set foot inside the forest.
“……Oh! Come to think of it, how far are you all escorting me?”
The contract with Sword of Dawn was for an escort as far as the Sariel Great Forest.
If that was the case, shouldn’t we be parting ways about now?
That thought in mind, I turned to Alicia — and she fell into quiet consideration.
“Actually, about that. ……Lord Viktor, would you consider taking me on?”
“Huh?”
“I imagine you’ve more or less figured it out, but I was born into a knight’s family. The reason I’ve been working as an adventurer is to build a name for myself and eventually enter someone’s service.”
That made sense — I’d had a vague feeling from her equipment quality, and it turned out to be exactly that.
Plenty of people do adventuring work with the goal of becoming a knight someday.
Not at the level of an earldom, but it’s a common enough story for lower nobility.
“Honestly, I’d be grateful — but are you sure I’m who you want? I genuinely have nothing to offer right now.”
“I see potential in Lord Viktor.”
“Once this job wraps up, you’d have a connection to my family back home. That might open a door toward a posting there.”
“It is not the Stein main house I wish to serve. I wish to serve under Lord Viktor himself.”
With that, Alicia closed the distance between us.
Looking at her properly now……she really is a striking woman.
I hadn’t paid much attention since I assumed we’d be parting soon, but her golden hair, blue eyes, and refined features were a match for even Makina, whom I’d poured my heart and soul into crafting.
“Wait, leader, are you serious?”
“I am. You saw those golems, didn’t you? Lord Viktor will without a doubt build a city in this demon frontier.”
“Hmm, well, if you say so, leader……. You know what, I might as well ask to join Lord Viktor too!”
Misha said that with a grin, looking to me for permission.
She’s a skilled mage, and I had no particular reason to refuse.
I nodded right away.
“Yes! Nice to meet you, Lord Viktor!”
“Mmm, working under someone isn’t really my style. Sorry, but this is where I bow out.”
“Be honest, Henry — you just don’t want to give up chasing women.”
“Oh, lay off, Ganz! Like you were planning to stay either.”
“Actually, I am staying. Because of Makina.”
With that, Ganz shifted his gaze to Makina, standing at my side.
……Surely he wasn’t — was he interested in Makina?
That was out of the question. Makina belonged to me, her Master!
She was the crystallization of my blood, sweat, and tears. I wasn’t handing her over to anyone!
“I’m not giving up Makina!”
“……I only want her as a sparring partner.”
“Sparring partner?”
“Yes. Makina is without question the strongest being I have ever encountered. Even occasionally would be enough — I want her to train with me.”
Ganz suddenly bowed his head and made his plea.
Well, if that’s what it was about, I didn’t mind.
I glanced over at Makina, and she nodded as if to say she had no objection either.
“I have no issue with it. Improving Ganz’s combat ability would be beneficial for protecting Master.”
“I’m grateful!”
“……So everyone’s staying except me. Guess that means I’m the one reporting back to the earldom and collecting the pay.”
“I’m leaving it in your hands. Sorry to send you back alone.”
“Nah, traveling solo suits me better anyway.”
Henry was the one who chose to return to town.
He turned on his heel and took off at a quick trot.
He might have been using wind magic — he was gone like a little whirlwind.
On his own, he’d be fine.
“Well then, once more — I am Alicia Harney. I look forward to working with you.”
“I’m Misha. Looking forward to it~!”
“Ganz. Glad to have you.”
Each in their own way, the three bowed their heads deeply.
I was a touch nervous, but cleared my throat lightly and returned the greeting.
“Likewise. I’m Viktor Stein, and I’m going to pioneer this Great Forest. It won’t be easy living for a while, but let’s give it everything we’ve got!”
Right on cue with my words, the golems behind us clattered and clanked.
Makina quietly thrust a fist into the air.
A silent way of saying we’re here too.
“I haven’t forgotten the golems either, of course. Makina especially — I’m counting on you.”
“Thank you very much. I will give everything I have to meet Master’s expectations.”
Makina bowed with great formality.
Right — with that, the real pioneering life was finally beginning.
“For now, let’s head to where the last expedition had their base. Once we get there, we’ll start by building shelter.”
“Yeah——!!”
And so we set off, heading deeper into the Sariel Great Forest.