Chapter 68: The World of Fog

With Mount Erechtheion towering in the north, we walked toward the foggy world of the field that could be seen in the distance.

The size of the fields varied, some were the size of a city square, while others were as large as a nobleman's estate. True or false, there are even fields the size of small countries in the so-called misty lands of the northern part of the continent of Eluo.

The field that stretches to the south of Newnery City, our destination this time, is one of the largest in the Kingdom of Levios. It is said to be so large that it would take about a full day of horseback riding to travel from the northernmost point of the field to the southernmost point by detour.

I have never ridden a horse, but I had a vague idea that it would be quite a large area.

It was a little after noon when the scenery in the direction we were going turned foggy.

Look!

Lupetta said quietly.

The white fog spreading out in front of us had an overwhelming presence.

The fog in the field moves its boundaries like the ebb and flow of the ocean, but the field itself does not move anywhere.

I myself have never seen an ocean, but my grandfather back home called the field a white sea.

I think it is probably the point where the field just barely does not enter the field when it fills up with fog. It was fenced off, with a number of simple huts and tents set up and military flags flying.

Although the flag was not a formal coat of arms, but a simplified design, it was easy to tell which coat of arms it was.

The serpents entwined around the crossing spears and the spray of water reminiscent of the rapids of a mighty river. It was the coat of arms of the Quardenze family, which I had seen many times in the interrogation room.

Lupetta's stubby index finger stood up straight, pointing to the military flag. I don't know where in the world she got the information, but it seems that in that base, in addition to the magical beast warning mission, they also support adventurers who enter the field.

“Lupetta. Are you sure you're okay? You're not going to get caught again, are you?”

As I said this, my companions opened their mouths as if caught in the act.

I was a little afraid to approach the military, even with the information that Lupetta-san obtained. …… It must have been difficult for you, Mr. Melgin?”

'That's right. The same is true for Melgin, who was also captured. I'm sure you had a hard time when you got caught, didn't you, Mr. Melgin?

“Melgin, when you were interrogated the other day, they didn't let you go for a long time, did they?

That's right.

We are very wary of the Quardentinze army because of the fact that they detained us as soon as we entered the city of New Nelly. If they caught us again, I don't know if they would let us go this time. , I didn't want to get involved.

If a group of six adventurers with magical powers like us suddenly approached the base, we would be mistaken for a raid and might be arrested.

I got this information from the right people. Don't worry.”

……Who on earth did they ask? Thinking about it again, it seems quite suspicious.

Lupetta is not a very sociable person, and she is shy. I don't think she could get that kind of information in New Nellie City, where she doesn't know anyone.

I asked him, “Who told you that, ……? Can that guy really be trusted?”

I was so jealous that even I was scared to death that I couldn't help but spill my heart out.

Just imagining Lupetta having a friendly chat with someone …… Man without my knowledge makes me sick to my stomach.

I felt deep regret for throwing words at her that could be taken as if I didn't trust her.

'……………… Military man. I heard that when I went to pick up Mergin.”

'I see.

Lupetta doesn't even look at me and says in a voice that is tinged with discomfort.

I have been working with her for a long time, so I understand her emotions at least a little bit.This is not angry, but the tone of voice when she is disgusted with everything.

Oh, I've done it again.

I trust Lupetta more than anyone else in the world, so why am I saying this?

“Anxious? Then I'll go alone. Wait for me.

What? Oh, ……!

Without waiting for our reply, Lupetta turned her head and began walking toward the base.

The first time I saw her, I was so excited that I had to go to the base.

Excuse me, Mr. Mergin? Mr. Melgin? I don't want to go. If Lupetta says she wants to go, I guess I can leave it to her, can't I?

I don't want to go,” Deanna said, posing as if she couldn't help herself.

I've been working with Lupetta for a long time.

We had originally been adventurers in the Duke of Spierzeig's domain, but when the draft came around, and the King's government offered preferential treatment to adventurers, we moved our base of operations there.

However, the adventurers who had taken the trouble to visit the royal capital were overflowing, and the payoff was not very good.

After a short period of activity in the city, he began moving again toward the Marquisate of Quardenze, where he met Diana and four other new adventurers.

Deanna, the oldest and leader of the group.

Tonitor, a boy with a rough atmosphere.

Faucon, a man with a careless manner.

Semkus, a boy who is not very assertive.

Deanna, Lupetta, myself and Faucon are the same age, the rest are younger.

When Deanna learned that we were going to the field in New Nellie City, she approached us and asked us to join her.

To my surprise, Deanna and the rest of the foursome all had magical powers.

Huh…….”

I let out a small breath so that Deanna and the others would not notice.

I forcefully persuaded Lupetta that she would be able to play a more active role than ever with the addition of four people with magical powers, but my true intentions were different.

My true intention. I wanted Lupetta to look at me.

I wanted her to see me. I can't let Lupetta go alone.

After confirming that the four of them nodded, I followed Lupetta as she walked ahead.

I was only seven years old when I ran away from my home village because I was fed up with it.

The reality that I was able to do this because of my magical powers, I am amazed myself that I was able to come to the Duke of Spierzeig's territory so far from my hometown at that age.

Although it was my own fault, I had no parents and nothing to rely on, so I soon found myself in trouble. I was eight years old when I arrived at the Duke of Spierzeig. And learning how society works.

I decided to become an adventurer to make use of my magical powers, and it was Lupetta, who happened to be two years older than me and took care of me, who guided me through the process.

She taught me how to fight monsters, how to walk in the field, how to handle weapons, how to use magic well, how to sell the magic stones I acquired, how to avoid military checkpoints, how to read and write, how to cheat on taxes ……. She taught me countless things.

Back then, Rupetta was taller than me, and she looked like a big, dependable back.

When was it that I became aware of Lupetta as a woman, who I looked up to like an older sister? I only remember that it was when she smiled at me and I was surprised.

After my love for her began to grow, I began to have mixed feelings about the fact that Lupetta treated me as if I were her younger brother her.

While I felt relief at our unchanging relationship, I also felt impatience at the fact that she did not see me as a man.

I wanted her to see me as a man, just as I saw Lupetta as a woman.

I was in love with Lupetta, but all that came out of my mouth were words to the contrary.

I remembered how, as a child, I used my magical powers to break furniture to get my mother's attention to her.I hadn't grown up any.

Even joining Deanna and the other four was a selfish act. I had the calculation that if I made a name for myself as an adventurer, Lupetta would look at me and see me as a reliable man.

The most important thing to remember is that you can't just take a chance on a new person and expect them to be happy.

I walked at a short pace and caught up with Lupetta.

As you can see from the back of her, Lupetta is very small.I had overtaken her in height a long time ago.

But I didn't think I had become a man big enough to be convinced on by her.

“Lupetta.”

……Melgin?”

Lupetta looked back at me, and there were a few tears in the corners of her eyes.

I felt a tightening of the rope in my chest.

'Oh …… Rupetta ……. That …….”

I should apologize …… For doubting him, but that thought disappeared instantly.

The small, trembling, heartbroken Lupetta was so …… Beautiful that it took all of my thoughts out of my head.

I'm glad I couldn't think of anything else. If I had done a bad job, I would have hurled another mindless word at Lupetta and hurt her.

Lately, I've been going off the rails to the point where I'm amazed at myself. It has been especially bad since she was released from interrogation by the Quardenze military.

Lupetta does n't like taking baths, doesn't wear makeup at all, and only wipes her face when I give her a wet cloth.Because of this, not many people notice her, but she actually has a very well – defined faces.

She is basically expressionless, but when she smiles like a flower opening just for me, I find her so attractive that I want to hug her and push her down.

Her beauty that only I know, and her best smile that only I can see.

But when I was released, Lupetta was incredibly clean.

Her clothes, which had been stained with mud and dust, had been carefully laundered and were so clean you would have thought they were brand new. Her skin was polished without a speck of dirt, and her hair, which had always been shaggy and greasy , was a deep blue color with a graceful elegance.

It was as if she were the daughter of an aristocrat.

Until now, I was the only one who knew how good Lupetta was.But the beautiful Lupetta made all the men on the street look back at her one after another.The feeling of exclusivity that had been satisfied was spilling out, and the frustration that I might lose her was slowly burning my heart.

I wanted her not to show her appearance her to other men, so I said worse things than before, such as that it was useless to try to clean her up and that she did n't look like Lupetta, and I made her look sad.

I felt sorry for myself for being so weak-minded that I could only treat her in such a way, and most of all I felt sorry for Lupetta.

Lupetta was unperturbed by my bad-mouthing her, and she remained beautiful from then on.

I don't know what Lupetta does since we are staying separately, but she seems to take a proper bath and always smells good. I found myself following her figure with my eyes, and when our gazes met, I would hurriedly avert my gaze.

I don't know why Lupetta has become so conscious of cleanliness, but if it's because of her relationships with men, or to be seen by men other than me,…… I might be out of my mind .

To be honest, I think I've been too much in love since Lupetta's transformation, and I think I'm out of my mind. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it, but I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it.

Do you want to go with me, Mergin?”

Lupetta says, wiping her face with the sleeve of her dress her.I think she does n't want me to question her about her crying her.

I nodded silently, not wanting to make him feel bad for saying something he shouldn't.

Uh-huh.”

I inadvertently gave a childish reply, but Rupetta smiled a little.

'It's been a long time since I've seen an honest Mergin.

'Lupetta,……'

I was happy to see her smile her.

I was happy about that. I was really happy that she hadn't been taken back yet.

The soldiers must have noticed our appearance and turned their attention to us after we had been advancing side by side for a while.

We made our way toward the fenced-off entrance to the base, and were able to approach it without being pointed at with spears.

The first thing that comes to my mind is the fact that I am not an adventurer. You don't look so familiar.

Yeah, we're here for the first time. We're new here. I heard that adventurers can receive assistance here. We're about to enter the field.”

The soldier looked at me and Lupetta with a satisfied look on his face.I suppose it is part of his job to remember the faces of adventurers, but I think he spends a lot of time looking into Lupetta's face on her.

I was glad that I had not sent Lupetta here alone.

I knew that if I went to that area, I would find out what was going on.

Okay, thanks.

I thanked him quickly and went on.

It seemed that merchants who had paid the military for space were opening markets as they were pleased, and there were many peddlers in the area.

It seems that the purchase of magic stones in this base is conducted exclusively by military-authorized merchants, and it is punishable by a fine if you buy or sell with other merchants. New adventurers.

There were several tents set up by the military, where we could make free copies of maps of the field and learn about the ecology of the magical beasts that often appear in the area.

The purchase price of the magic stone is cheaper than in the city.

That's true.

The magical stones obtained by killing and dismantling magical beasts are a major source of income for adventurers. Since making a name for myself, I have been approached by merchants, but when I was a nobody, Lupetta and I would go from place to place to find a merchant willing to pay as much as possible for my magic stones.

The purchase price at this base was a little lower than the purchase price of the magic stone we confirmed in the city of Newnery. Since the purchase here is a monopoly, it would not be possible to negotiate the price. Considering the time and effort required to carry them to the city, it might be easier to sell them off here.

Food was also sold at the open-air market, but it was only slightly more expensive than buying in the city.

“I don't need food…….

“Oh, …… Yeah. Yes, we do.”

Deanna and the other four had bought an unusual amount of food.

All four said they had bought so much because it was their first time in the field. They had bought a lot of food, apparently due to a lack of communication due to the lack of group activities in New Nellie City. Thanks to this, their Luggage was full of food.

When we talked about throwing it away because it was too much, Deanna told us, “You can't waste food that can be eaten. ……! Mozzawine will haunt you, you know? She lectured me, naming several spirits, saying, “What in the world is the blessing of Gorkok Fogio? ……

So I had to carry a mountain of food to get here.

At first, I drew a map of the field on a piece of paper in the military tent.It was a rather expensive piece of paper purchased in an open-air market, but it was the best I could do.This was a real blessing , since in the royal capital, maps were not provided and we had to make our own or buy them from adventurers selling maps.

There were also former adventurers working for the Quordenze military in the tent, and we were able to ask them questions about information inside the field.

The former adventurer who answered our questions said that he had been an adventurer for many years, specializing in the fields of New Nellie. One day, however, a magical beast took him by surprise and bit off his left arm, forcing him to retire. When he wondered how he should live his life, the Quardenze military bought his knowledge of the field, and he changed his job to this company.

His main job seems to be to provide information to active adventurers and, conversely, to gather the latest information and regularly report on the growth of powerful monsters and beasts in the field.

He is hired under a contract as a field specialist, which means that he is treated better than an ordinary soldier in the Quardenze Army, and he is in a stable position, but he is not required to participate in the war. Position.

The Marquisate of Quardenze seemed to have a policy of favoring the adventurers who had been there for a long time, while at the same time promoting the younger adventurers.

I have heard rumors that there is a shortage of adventurers here and there, as adventurers from all over the region have set their sights on the capital. The Marquisate of Quardenze may be trying to keep those adventurers who are leaving.

Hey. Mergin.”

I felt a tug on my sleeve her.I was so happy to see her.

The fact that she was staring at me and touching me, an act that I had taken for granted, made my heart beat a little faster.

What?

How long are you planning to stay in New Nelly? The four of you wanted to come to the fields of New Nellie, so if we leave here, the adventure group will be disbanded, right?”

Silver eyes staring up at me. I'm going to be sucked in.

Yes, I guess so.

Because of this, Lupetta has been avoiding Deanna.

Deanna and the others said they wanted to work in the New Nellie field, and I don't think they would follow us if we were going to another field.

If we leave New Nellie, it would also dissolve my promise to form an adventure group with Deanna and the others.

It would be just me and Lupetta again at …… And we would start our adventuring activities together.

Aside from Deanna, Tonitor, Faucon, and Semkus began to stare at the beautiful Lupetta and seemed to be trying to talk to her.

I think it might be a good idea to break up with Deanna and the others for the last time,” He said. I think the four of us with magical powers can go on our own adventures as long as we learn the bare minimum of what I remember Lupetta once said, “You can't just learn everything from others. It's not enough to have someone teach you everything. So I think it would be good to go back to the original group of two and four after teaching them how to walk in the field this time.

I tried to come up with an appropriate quibble. I think he is a selfish man, but I don't know what to think. How selfish of him, I thought, but I didn't care about such a small self-esteem. Had a stronger desire to return to the relationship I had with Lupetta when we were a duo.

Yes.

And, after all,…… It was better for me to have adventures with …… That,…… Lupetta and I, uh…. I'm not sure if it's a good idea. …… Yeah. It's fun for me too,…… And ………….”

I couldn't look at Lupetta's face any longer in the second half.

Still, I'm glad I got it right.

I'm glad that I could tell her. Melgin, I thought you did n't like me anymore…….”

I didn't.

I'm not. I care about Lupetta more …… Than anyone else.

I care about her more than anyone else.

I'm not sure how much I can do to help you.

The most important thing to remember is that the best way to get the most out of your car is to make sure that it is a good one.

The most important thing is that you should be able to see the difference between the two.

Mergin?”

Oh, no, it's nothing. …… Hey Lupetta. The biggest field around here is New Nelly, right? Even if you and Deanna dissolve the adventure group, you could stay and work here for a while, right?”

What about……?

I've come all the way here. If it's just me and Lupetta, we can work together in the city.

He said, “Yeah, ………….”

I've only been walking around New Nellie City for a little while, but it's not a bad city if you don't think about the fact that I got caught in the first place …… And there are some things I want.”

The name New Nellie City has become widely known over the past few years. Perhaps because of this, the city of New Nelly was very crowded with people.

New Nelly soap is the finest soap on the continent, and New Nelly silk is the fabric of choice for rich young ladies.

Since I had come all the way to the home town, I wanted to buy some New Nellie silk clothes. Of course, they are not for me, but for Lupetta.

When I was strolling alone in the city, I entered a clothing store that sold New Nelly silk. I wanted to give Lupetta some New Nellie silk clothes, so I went to check it out.

Lupetta has become more beautiful recently, but her clothes are still the same cheap ones that can be used for both men and women.I don't think she has ever worn clothes made of New Nellie silk fabric in her life .

The only feminine clothing Lupetta owns is a two-piece women's outfit that she wears on rare occasions, but it is made of linen and looks very worn out after many years of wear.

When I save up the money, I think it would be a good idea to invite her to the clothing store I previewed and have a new two-piece fashionable outfit made.

And if you can express your feelings at that time, you can do so at …….

What do you want?”

I can't tell Lupetta that yet.

I'm embarrassed, and I also want to surprise her.

'Oh. So I think I'd like to stay in New Nelly for a while. What do you think, Lupetta?”

My cheeks relax as I imagine Lupetta's delight at wearing the outfit I've given her. I've never worn something like this before. The cutest thing to see her embarrassed.

I'm not sure how much I'm going to be able to do with it, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.I'm sure she'll look adorable in her shyness her.

I couldn't help it, my face was all smiles.

Perhaps she thought my attitude was strange, but her expression clouded over for a moment.

I'm fine with that. That's fine with me too.

There is no clear entrance to the field. The only thing that is clear is that there is an endless expanse of fog, so you can enter from anywhere you like.

However, the ground is well trodden and easy to walk on in places where there is a lot of human traffic, and it is also easier to be detected in case of any accident.

We decided to wait right in front of the fog and watch the people going in, trying to figure out where to enter.

Sometimes people would enter the field pushing a cart or, conversely, some groups would come out with a rock-like object on the cart.

According to Lupetta, these were people who were collecting rock salt.

We chose to enter the field around the entrance and exit of the group.

We entered the fog, walked for a while, and when we looked back at the path we had taken, there was nothing but white space. We could no longer see outside the fog.

We had completely entered the field, the world of fog.

The fog seems thicker than the field in King's Landing, doesn't it?

Yes, it is.

Because of the white fog, it is impossible to see far into the distance.

The fog is so thick that if you throw a rock as hard as you can with no magic power, you will probably not be able to see where it falls.

So this is the field.

The four of us who had just entered the field for the first time were looking around, but all we could see around us was white fog.

If we go a little further, the ground will also change its nature into something different. The current situation is not much different from everyday scenery, just with poor visibility.

Deanna's walking speed is rather slow due to her eyes wandering from place to place.

The probability of encountering magical beasts is higher in the backcountry of the field, so there was no point in staying in the vicinity at the entrance.

This time, we're going to make a round of the field and see what's going on. Let's go quickly. We are running out of time.

It was the first time for me, Lupetta, and Deanna to enter this field. So we decided to wander around the whole area as if we were licking the map to see what kind of field it was.

In addition, I want to tell the four of them what to expect in the field and talk them into disbanding the adventure group.

After how long we had been walking, the ground, which had been thick with short grass, had changed to reddish-black ground with fine cracks like the hand of a cracked old woman.

As we proceeded through this eerie land, the first demonic beast appeared.

It was a demonic beast resembling a snail. It was about the size of three rupetas and had an eerie appearance, with its shell stained a blood-red color.

We had heard about it beforehand at the base, but because it resembled a snail, it moved slowly and could be easily defeated by attacking it with magic from a distance.

If a human could not use magic, he said, he would weaken it by throwing stones at it from a distance and then defeat it. If you approach the snail while it is still strong, it is said to be very dangerous because it sprays dissolving Liquid vigorously from the tip of its antennae.

After dismantling the snail hexenbiest, we obtained a magic stone about the size of an adult's fist. This is nothing special, since the snail has not yet grown at all.

When we were all taking a break after dismantling the snail, Tonitor shouted loudly, “Whoa!

What the heck is this? What the hell is this?

What's going on!”

I ran over to Tonitor, and he turned up his sleeve to show me his arm his.

His arm was covered with dozens of white insects, as if his entire arm was covered in white scales.

What is it? It's a leech.

A leech! Get it off me! Why would there be leeches in a place like this, where there are no mountains or forests?

Hey, don't force me! You'll get blood everywhere!

He placated Tonitor, who was in a confused state, and grabbed his hand to try to forcefully pull off the leech.

He said, “When you walk in the field, leeches stick to you. That's just the way it is.”

It is said that leeches may be a kind of magical beast created by the fog.

When you walk through the field, before you know it, leeches are attached to your body.

There is no pain, so if you are idle, your whole body will be covered with leeches.

There is even a story of an adventurer who was tied up with ropes and left in the field, only to die the next day from leeches sucking all his blood his.

Leeches will attack you regardless of whether you are wearing clothes or not, so everyone who enters the field for the first time is surprised and uncomfortable.

You've been in the same position the whole time you've been carrying your gear, right? Leeches tend to stick to parts of the body that don't move much. .

Damn, how do you get this off……?

Just release your magic power lightly. It will come right off.”

The most hated people in the field are leeches, but we, the magical ones, can have it a little easier.

Leeches are not good at magic, so when we release the magic, they are startled and let go of their mouths, making it easy to remove them.

They are surprised and let go of our mouths, so we can easily remove them.

Tonitor is also a person with magical power, so naturally he was able to release his magical power.The leeches fell off easily by just stroking them with his hand.

The leeches are easy to release magic power when you take them.It is not possible for a normal person to do it.Remember that leeches will melt away when you go out of the field.

Strangely enough, leeches cannot live outside the field.

I said as I turned back to Deanna and the others, and Faucon and Semkus also began to roll up their sleeves to check for leeches.

It seemed that they both had leeches on them after all, so they decided to release their magical power and work hard to remove them.

The scene seemed very nostalgic to me. When I first entered the field, I was also troubled by leeches. The memory of Lupetta looking a little annoyed as she removed the leeches from my back comes to mind.

Now, when I'm in the field, I'm always thinly energized, so I don't have leeches on me. The same goes for Lupetta. This was an essential skill for adventurers working in the field.

Adventurers with magical power can work in the field for long periods of time because of this.

I'm sorry, Lupetta, but I can't help you. I'm sorry, but could you help Deanna catch leeches? As you can imagine, I can't be in a woman's skin.'

Hmmm, okay.”

Lupetta walks over to Deanna.

I took out a piece of paper with a map scribbled on it and confirmed our current location.

At regular intervals in the field, the Quardenze military buried iron stakes.

By comparing the symbols with the map they had copied at their base, they could get a rough idea of ​​where they were.

Our first target was the rock salt area. This was because Lupetta wanted to eat rock salt, but it was also convenient in terms of searching for magical beasts, since it was located deep in the field.

We checked our position with the map and compass, and it looked like we still had a long way to go. It would be night on the way, so we would make preparations for encampment once we had made some progress.

We decided to wait for Lupetta to return so we could discuss our camp plan with her, but she soon returned.

'The leeches weren't lucky, so it was quick. Is Melgin thinking about the encampment?'

'Yeah, what does Lupetta think?

'N…… It's the first place we're going into, so I think we'd better be ready earlier than usual.

Right?”

Lupetta is a cautious type, so she prepares for the encampment earlier in the field she is entering for the first time.

When he first entered a field in King's Landing or a small-scale field in various locations, he also prepared to encamp early.

I guess they want to make their base while it is still light.

The fog that covered the sky made it difficult to see the height of the sun.

I told the four of them to get ready for encampment as soon as possible.