Volume 3 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Volume 3 Chapter 2: On the way

Translator: “Pink Tea” Editor: ”Ryunakama”

The road leading to the City of the World Tree was a straight line through the plains northeast of the City of Water

And now I was walking along that road with two comrades and two clients.

「We walked quite a distance from the City of Water, the smell of the sea breeze can hardly be noticed anymore.」

「Yes. But the smell of soil and trees kinda got stronger, Master.」

One of my companions, Berzelia, replied to my words, shaking her red hair. Next to her was Saki, the hero of magic.

「According to those siblings, in order to get to the City of the World Tree… I mean, the City of God Tree, we will have to get through those plains, hills and then the woods. The landscape is about to change even more.」

「Yeah. With so much green around it’s about to turn into a pleasant journey.」

Showing a usual smile I answer in a bit of a louder voice than normal. It’s a bit hard to converse, but with the formation we picked for this road it can’t be helped.

Yes. This time I walked with twins next to me and Berzelia and Saki in the front. That was because—

『I will walk in front, Axel, go ahead and take your place next to me.』

『Nnguh… I will walk in front, so Master should walk with me!』

『『……』』

『Fumu, so you want to be in the vanguard that much. Then both of you can take positions in front.』

『『Eh?』』

『I will walk behind and support the siblings, our clients. So don’t mind us and advance forward.』

『『Ah.』』

And as a result of that conversation, we ended up with our current formation.

「……Aaah. I can’t hear Axel’s breath, Hydra, it’s all because of your stubbornness……!」

「I also wanted to feel Master’s warmth being close to him, it’s all because you are trying to be sneaky……!」

Despite the argument, from the fact that they are actually walking, there is no real problem with this formation.

There will be basically nothing but plains all the way to the City of God Tree, the two in the front are better suited for spotting possible enemies, so this formation is fine.

While thinking so, I turned to the siblings. They didn’t walk right next to me but just a little bit behind.

「So, are two of you okay? The two in front are competing with each other, so we are walking at a bit of a high pace.」

Right behind me was a girl holding a spear and a boy carrying a greatsword. Our employers this time, Cecile and George.

Following in a semi jog, they reply while breathing a bit heavily.

「Y-yes. No problem at all… So this is a little bit fast for Axel-san’s group, huh.」

「That’s right…… Too slow?」

「N-no, not at all! After leaving Sylvestre yesterday we walked quite a lot. R-right, George?」

「Y-yes. I’m glad that we went through hellish marathons at the dojo, nee-san. On this journey, we are running on par with that.」

Both of them are trying to show that they are still full of energy.

「Mmー…… You both are sweating quite a lot, let’s slow down a little.」

We weren’t in any rush, so seeing their condition I made a proposal, but the two answered by shaking their heads vigorously.

「No, no, you don’t have to worry about us, Axel-san.」

「That’s right! No need for that concern!」

「No need you say… That won’t do. The request is to deliver you to your home at the City of God Tree.」

They are the ones who made this request. Of course, I should be concerned about them.

「Besides, didn’t we cover more than half of the planned route already?」

「Y-yes. Just as Axel-san says, soon enough the symbol of the City of God Tree should come in sight, God Tree Aleden. It’s a giant verdant green tree, so we should be able to spot it right away.」

「In that case, it won’t hurt to slow down a little bit. I also hardly been to the City of God Tree, observing the surroundings without rushing should be fun as well.」

Being told so, Cecile and George went 「Eh」, and tilted their heads.

「Axel-san, you haven’t been to the City of God Tree?」

「Since you are a hero that fought all over the world, we thought you’d know about the magic science guild or the headquarters of the order of knights of god tree there. 」

「Unfortunately, it’s my first time hearing about them. I spent most of my time up in the sky after all. I rarely would stroll on the ground like this.」

Since most of the time I was speeding through the air, I rarely had the chance to observe the ground.

…So I appreciate such walks when I can hear explanations about that magic science guild or what is that order of knights.

As such I told them that it would be a good experience to take it easy at least now, but—

「We are almost running, but you are taking it easy… The heroes have different training after all…」

「I think you are hanging onto the wrong thing… Or rather, at the moment I’m a carrier, not a hero.」

And while I had such chat with the two siblings.

「Master. Something appeared ahead.」

Berzelia called out to me.

「At the flanks as well.」

As did Saki.

Looking closely, magic beasts were in front as well as to our left and right.

「…Grrrr…!」

Two-headed and four-legged magical beasts, both of the heads being those of the dogs, it was a pack of orthruses.

Were they to stand upright they would’ve been about the same height as an average human. Armed with sharp fangs and claws the pack looked at us while leaking drool and growls from their maws.

「Those are, orthrus…!」

「So you guys are familiar with them?」

「Yes, they are tough enemies we had to battle with during our previous journey.」

While saying that, the two ready their weapons.

「During that time we were in the party with people arranged by the adventurers guild, but each one of those was so strong that several people ended up with injuries……」

「Yeah, this time we must do better……!」

I’m glad that they are so full of fighting spirit. But—

「You two. You don’t have to get so worked up about them.」

「Eh?」

「There is a relatively safe way to get rid of them.」

While providing support during the travel also meant assisting in combat, it also meant reducing the number of needless fights and safely escorting clients to the town.

As such, let’s fulfill that duty, I thought and got in front of the two.

「Gaw…!」

That alone made the pack start enclosing onto me.

Trashing in anger with their spiked tails, they attempted to intimidate us with their roars that clearly showed their desire to eat us, but I, caring for none of that—