Vol 2 Chapter 5.1 (2/2)

For a while, she stayed still as if pondering over something. Then, she grabbed the spear leaning against the wall.

She was carrying a large bow on her back. It must weigh quite a lot, yet she lightly strode toward outside.

「Kwoo」

The Griffon――Luna, that was watching Alba leave with round eyes, uttered a cry upon getting its throat caressed.

「――Sorry, Luna. Would you please… hear my request?」

「――Uwaaa… It really is beautiful.」

Upon witnessing the scene at the Paudal Wetland Belt, Lim had an expression of a child who had just left childhood.

After getting off Rook’s back, she spread both her arms wide and inhaled deeply.

She’s able to breathe the same air br.i.m.m.i.n.g with nature as in her hometown, which happens to be on the other side―in the south to be exact―of Rave Mountain Range, which happens to be in our line of sight. Is that why she’s in high spirits?

Her expression turned really bright…

I’m grateful to Rook that brought us here.

Just as planned- No, the two of us had to inevitably ride together. That said, it wasn’t a 『back hug』.

Nah, it’s not like I was expecting it.

Because Lim jumped on Rook’s back quickly, I had to sit in the back.

Why don’t you understand, Lim? Why don’t you understand?

However, Lim has not the slightest idea as to how much I enjoyed her *fuwafuwa* fluffy tail touching my arm while I was holding the reins.

Nah, it really was *fuwafuwa* fluffy.

That my fist loosened control and that I steered us in the wrong direction is a secret.

We arrived safe and sound, but…

「Ah……」

「H-hey, are you alright?」

Upon stepping on an afloat water plant in the swamp, Lim’s body tilted.

Carrying her sopping wet body on my shoulders 『tehe☆』――――

Didn’t come to pa.s.s… Lim agilely corrected her posture and jumped.

That she’s a cat beastkin doesn’t mean she’s a cat. She doesn’t particularly dislike water. Anyone would hate getting wet.

「It’s more convenient to move about the wetland belt with Rook. Let’s get on?」

「Uun, I want to walk a little.」

After pondering for a while, Lim said such a thing.

Because she had been sitting on Rook all this while, she wanted to walk on her own feet.

…Impossible!

「Is that so? Then, when you feel tired, do let me know.」

「Thank you.」

――Thereafter, we hunted (plundered) the Slimes noncommittally while pa.s.sing the time enjoying the nature of Paudal Wetland Belt leisurely. Since it wasn’t a quest with a time limit, we could afford to be carefree.

When the time approached noon, we decided to search for a good spot so we could eat.

It wouldn’t be at all right if we were disturbed by the Slimes during the lunch break.

In an open s.p.a.ce, we sat under a shrub facing each other so as not to leave a blind spot and took the lunch out of the leather bag.

I know that today’s lunch isn’t Dario-san’s work.

It’s the information I received from Dario-san himself.

…This time, don’t fail――I was stressed.

Dario-san, GJ.

Lim seems to be intent on exacting revenge for last time.

I rented Rook as usual, so I paid for it.

In exchange, Lim arranged for lunch.

She didn’t say any such thing as 「I prepared it myself」. She pretended as if she bought it at Feeder Pops’.

Had I not received the information in secret, my body would again have been subjected to a planted landmine.

Because of such a mood, Rook had been permitted to retire till we returned.

My heart seems to have been clenched.

Fufu, I won’t make the same mistake twice.

Credit goes to Dario-san, though.

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