CH 108

“We’re starting tomorrow?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Alright!”

“Can’t wait to explore.”

After dinner, when I mentioned resuming our exploration, Reno was thrilled as expected. Sui also seemed eager to get back to it.

Both of them diligently engaged in agricultural work without saying a word. They even took care of sowing seeds and watering before being asked to do so.

However, they preferred exploration over farming, after all. I too preferred exploration, where I was useful, over farming, where I’m useless.

“Kili, are you okay with tomorrow? You seemed to have used up all your magic today.”

“I’ll be fine. In fact, if we don’t go exploring tomorrow after I pushed myself to finish all the work today, then I wouldn’t know what I worked so hard for.”

It seems that Reno, Sui, and Kili weren’t the only ones looking forward to exploring again. Aria and Milia were also in high spirits.

I heard that Kili was exhausted from using up all her magic power today. That’s why I thought she would want to rest tomorrow, but apparently, that wasn’t the case.

In that case, we can go exploring without any doubt in our minds.

“Everyone’s really excited.”

Aria and Milia weren’t saying anything, but they looked brighter than usual. I’m sure they were looking forward to it as well.

“Well, that’s expected. We’re much stronger than we were a year ago.”

“Yes. I only thought of learning a bit of magic, but I never thought my body would move this well after training.”

Neither of them had realized the extent of the effect their training had until two weeks ago. They must have realized how much stronger they were after farming all this time.

They had all worked on the farm last year as well. They must have realized how much easier it was to plow the fields compared to before.

It’s only natural.

Last year, their mana was 2 or 3, but now it’s crossed 30. It has gone up by more than ten times. Their power and speed should have increased by ten times as well. It’s like the difference between using heavy machinery and doing things by hand.

I’ve been training in the demon forest since before I was aware, so I don’t really understand how it feels, but I’m sure they’ve experienced a considerable change.

I don’t think there will be that much of a dramatic change from here on out. Their mana won’t increase by more than 15 per area either. Despite that, they will double their current mana by the end of this year.

(If it’s like this, it might be good to continue training them.)

I started training the five of them for self-defense. That’s why, at first, I planned to stop training them if they became strong enough after winter.

However, if they’re up for it, I don’t mind keeping this up. Besides, it’s pretty fun teaching something to someone else.

There’s also the case of Sui’s grimoire, so we might need to head a little deeper into the forest.

“Then let’s head deeper into the forest than ever before.”

I looked at everyone as I proposed taking the next step. Keeping Sui’s grimoire in mind, I thought it would be fine to take a little risk and face the blackwolves in the deeper parts.

However, the five who had been discussing tomorrow’s plans turned their heads toward me collectively. Their faces were filled with fear rather than excitement.

“I don’t think you guys can win against a blackwolf yet, so we’ll only continue until we find one and then immediately escape.”

As I said that, the five looked at me without saying a word. I thought it would be fine since everyone was looking forward to it, but I wonder if I overdid it?

“…Will it be fine? This is that blackwolf, right?”

Kili asked anxiously. Aria and Milia had anxious expressions as well. In particular, Kili and Milia’s faces soured.

That reminds me, a blackwolf attacked this place a while back. The four of them had been driven to the verge of death by it. I guess this isn’t surprising.

Was I too impatient?

“I won’t force you, but I think it’s better to fight enemies superior to you as much as you can.”

If possible, I wanted to expose Aria and the others to as many encounters with strong monsters that I can still defeat quickly. The ability to respond in emergencies is something that can only be learned through actual experience, after all.

“Besides, Reno’s enemy search range seems to be wider than a blackwolf’s, so you guys might not even encounter one.”

“! So I should find the enemy first, so that I don’t get found by a blackwolf, right?”

“Just run if you’re found. Same as before.”

Reno answered energetically, and Sui also replied affirmatively. Both of them always kept cool, so they stayed silent until we finished talking, which was enough to excite them.

Reno’s eyes sparkled when she heard about a stronger enemy. It somehow reminded me of a shonen manga protagonist.

It helps that Reno, the scout, is full of motivation. If Reno hesitated, we would have no choice but to postpone the exploration.

The first person to encounter a monster will be Reno.

“Y-yeah. It’s the same as before.”

As if not to be outdone by Reno, Aria showed her motivation as well.

She might be putting on a brave face, but I’m happy to see her like that.

With this, I think tomorrow’s exploration will go smoothly. In the worst case, I’ll defeat the blackwolves as we make our way home.

“I’ll take care of the blackwolves if the worst comes to pass, so won’t you all give it a try?”

“…If Lain says so.”

Kili also agreed, albeit timidly. Milia nodded as well.

(It might be better to pay more attention to the two of them while exploring tomorrow.)

I feel bad for them, but if they’re able to get used to blackwolves here, then the day they’re able to defeat one and reach a ruin comes even closer.

Leaving my curse aside, I want to do something about Sui’s grimoire soon too.

I started cramming tomorrow’s schedule into my head.