CH 201

The next day was spent meeting with Cyrus-san and others, shopping, and gathering information about golden dragons and golden dragon nests in the reference room. The next morning, the four of us left the clan house together…

Just in case, I checked with Cyrus-san.

“The meeting place is under the big tree at the end of the east gate, right?”

“Yeah, that should be right.”

We were to meet outside the town, as it would be conspicuous to gather in the town.

We proceeded through the town, passed through the east gate, and after a while, we saw a carriage parked under a large tree.

The carriage was a simple roofed wagon, similar to those used by merchants to transport goods, the kind you see everywhere.

“You’re here. Please get in for now.” (Mimi)

Mimi-san, who appeared from inside the wagon, said as we approached the wagon.

We nodded our heads and got into the wagon.

As soon as we got in, Mimi-san gave a signal to the driver, and the wagon began to move immediately.

“Now that we are all here, I will explain the mission again.” (Mimi)

Mimi explained the mission as follows.

The mission this time is to explore the Golden Dragon’s nest.

Investigate the Golden Dragon’s nest and its surroundings to find out why the Golden Dragon took off.

Bring back the Golden Dragon’s materials.

Then, although every other part is low priority, investigating the monsters and vegetation around the Golden Dragon’s nest is the important one.

To avoid irritating the Golden Dragon when it returns, leave as few traces as possible.

Do not leak any information about this mission to anyone outside.

After that, Mimi-san gave a short introduction of the members.

First, there were four of us. Then Mimi-san and Gordo-san. From the duke’s family, Dalita-san, Trisun-san, and Count Moss. A slender, lanky man named Zag-san was the coach, bowing slightly to us.

“That’s roughly everything. Do you have any questions?” (Mimi)

“What are we going to do about food and other supplies?”

I was curious, so I asked.

There were only ten of us in the carriage, and although each of us had a backpack or rucksack, I could not see any supplies.

“As for food, I am carrying it in a Magic Bag, so don’t worry.” (Mimi)

“Oh, I see.”

I see. Magic bags.

I had never seen other people using magic bags before, so it had slipped my mind, but I guess the clan and the dukes must have magic bags prepared for use in times like this.

However, it was Dalita-san who has surprised me the most. I didn’t expect Dalita-san to come. I didn’t expect the future duchess to participate in such a mission… No, she doesn’t feel like a “duke’s daughter”.

I looked at her and our eyes met, so I bowed lightly and she opened her mouth with a mischievous look in her eyes.

“Father was talking about something interesting, so I forced him, wedging myself in! If I miss this, I’ll never see the Golden Dragon’s nest! But then, I even dragged Grandpa Sem out of there!” (Dalita)

Count Moss, a.k.a. Grandpa Shem, sighed lightly as he folded his arms beside her, and Gordo-san laughed, “You’re still such a tomboy girl, aren’t you!”

It seems that everyone except us has known each other for a long time.

Well, that’s true. I leaned my weight on the wall of the carriage.

I only came here a short time ago, but I guess they have a lot of connections in this town because of their status and ability.

I looked at Seam-san, who was sleeping with his head resting on Cyrus-san’s shoulder, and at Lucille, who was reading a book even though she was in the carriage.

No wonder it was so quiet! But no matter how much she likes books, if she reads a book in the carriage, she’d get motion sickness, right?

But…

“Why is Mimi a maid outfit even here?”

I looked at Cyrus-san next to me and he said, “Dunno?”, shrugging.

“We have arrived.” (Mimi)

After a few hours in the rumbling carriage, I find myself in a village that looks a little familiar.

This was Tanla Village, the first village I stopped at after leaving the cave where I met Borok-san.

“I had to pick up a few things, so please feel free to go about your business for a while. Please be discreet and not stand out.” (Mimi)

Even if I was told not to be too conspicuous, it would still be conspicuous if a group of people who did not seem to be merchants showed up in the village. I got out of the carriage as well, thinking, “I’m not going to stand out too much,” but everyone else got out in droves and began to stretch out or go into the stores and do whatever they wanted to do.

I went into a store that I had used before and bought some fruits. I didn’t have time to buy anything in town, so it was perfect.

I think I see an unpleasant white dried fish-looking thing hanging on the corner of the store, but I delete it from my memory.

As I do so, Lucille appeared out of nowhere.

“Where did you go?”

“Mom.” (Lucille)

“Huh?”

“I’m at my parents’ house.” (Lucille)

“Eh!”

So you are the person I mistook for a ghost. …… I realize once again that I was mistaken after all.

That ghost—who was she?

After a while, Mimi-san came back and said, “Shall we go then? We’ll walk from here,” she said.

It seemed that Zag-san would be taking care of the carriage in this village, and we would say goodbye to him here.

The nine of us left the village and continued on our way to the cave leading to the dwarven village.

I didn’t think I would ever come back here again. No, we had marked the spot, hoping we would come back.

“It must be around here…” (Mimi)

“Oh, here it is.”

The marker came in handy right away.

It was a cross mark on a large tree with a thick trunk.

“I see, I remember… that Rook san came here. That helps.” (Mimi)

Mimi-san, who had been leading the way while looking at the map, passed by the tree marked with a cross and entered the forest. We all followed her, and after walking for a while, the entrance to the cave came into view.

I must have missed it. Shion used to play here. I also remember how bright the sun was, which I hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Rook-san, can you please use the magic [Light Source]? I’m not good at it.” (Mimi)

“Okay, Light, illuminate my way, [Light Source].”

Mimi turned around when she saw the light source magic floating in the air.

“Then we will enter the cave, are you ready?” (Mimi)

“Yeah.”

“No problem.”

“Of course.”

After hearing the rest, Mimi-san nodded lightly and proceeded to walk into the cave.