Chapter 154 - Volume 8 (1/2)

Volume 8, Chapter 12: I Got Lost, Part 3

“… Okay, let’s calm down.”

I was so surprised I had forgotten to breathe.

… Well, not that I actually need to breathe. I usually do because of my experience as a human, but it can be difficult to keep reminding my servants to stay in the habit of breathing like ‘humans’.

I take a deep breath, even though it doesn’t matter.

“Hmm… Now, what should I do…”

Looking around again, it seemed like a normal forest.

However, because this is a different world from Earth and Atra, there are some differences in the vegetation.

… I wonder what sort of evolution would lead to leaves shaped like hearts.

Luckily, it isn’t dark out since the sun is still high in the air, but with so many tall trees, you can’t tell which side the sun is shining unless it falls further.

By the way, even with the sun shining bright, the forest right now has a presence such that any creature smarter than a bug would run away, with even wind spirits avoiding this “Forest of Death.”

A small squirrel-like creature that had latched onto the carriage had fallen over spasming, foam coming out of its mouth and its eyes rolled back in its head.

Who could do such a terrible thing!

“… I suppose I should go.”

Even if I just sat here, there’s no guarantee that Sefira would come to pick me up.

She had been pulled away from her followers and officers who left with the sail country group, leaving with only a humble escort all while promising safety.

I almost suspect that it was on purpose.

In order to walk through the woods, I reduced the size of the heels in my shoes and my skirt transformed from a shin-length to a knee-length. I unlatched the horses from the carriage and threw out more killing intent towards the woods so that they would not be attacked until they woke.

… Please don’t run away, rescue teams.

Now, I wouldn’t be going into the forest without a plan.

I don’t know where the carriage got off the road, but at least this is a place where a horse-drawn carriage can go, and it seems that there are tracks from the wheels as well. If I follow them, it should lead me somewhere. Fufufu, it’s all coming together.

Oh, also, my style for today is my typical black and silver dress.

As for the platinum backless dress… Since it’s a noble dress I might wear it to a night party, but I have no guts to wear that kind of thing in the middle of the day.

Like how my black-silver dress can be transformed into a choker or shawl, the platinum dress seems to be enchanted as well.

… What is it at the moment, you ask?

Right now, the dress is taking the form of a set of ebony earrings.

They’re pretty cute and are my current favorites. As I lightly pulled at them with my fingertips, they turned into a lace veil covering me from head to shoulders.

This should eliminate the risk of my hair catching on a branch as I move.

Finished preparing, I followed the tracks of the wheels. After a few minutes of walking and enjoying the forest greenery, I quickly got bored and really wanted to fly, but I can’t risk someone seeing me flying with my wings out.

It would be troublesome to have my demonic traits discovered, since everyone things I’m like an angel. I’d die of shame.

Since I had no other choice, I jogged through the forest at the slow speed of about 100 km/h and reached the mountain road quickly.

… The road splits into five ways!

“…Which one?”

When did this happen, what country could decide to make such a crossroads?

“Fuu~…”

I’m no wise sage, but I chopped up a tree nearby to sit on the sump and think.

Even if this is clearly not the main road, surely it isn’t only used by locals who know the directions. If a merchant was going this way, is there something like a “Signpost” that tells them where to go?

“…”

Somehow, I had a foreboding feeling as I looked at the stump I was sitting on.

I stood up without a sound and swiftly placed the tree back to where it originally was before walking around to the other side where I figured ‘something’ was written, and I saw it.

“This will work.”

I was able to get to a village-like place after about an hour after I started to look.

I saw one of the villagers, a young man by the looks of him…

“Heya, welcome to the village of Kanpei.”

“…”

Something’s not quite right here

＊＊＊

North of the large mountain range is a small village of about 300 people called Kanpei village.

Kanpei village is famous for its specialty, which is potatoes, its notable export, which is potatoes, and its staple food, which is potatoes.

It’s quite far from the capitals of any countries, and is bothersome to take over, leaving it as a peaceful and quiet village. Despite how close it was to the land of darkness; they had been left alone.

“Headsman, please let’s buy more medicine.”

“Our village is rarely attacked.”

The owner of the general store and the village head speak with a serious tone.

It was a quiet village, but the situation changed completely after the neighboring country fell to the forces of darkness.

A large number of refugees from the neighboring lands with money were taken into refugee camps, where they would receive food and medical care, but those who fled with only the clothes on their back were turned away, and, after a period of wandering, ended up in a remote village like Kanpei village.