We were going through the forest like this, but when it was noon, the forest finally broke up and a sheer rocky mountain appeared in front of us.

Finally, the surprise area was over. ...... It was quite tiring.
"Thanks for the help. How's your magic?
To be honest, I could use a break.

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

　Shadow Vipers and torrents are both difficult enemies to detect.

　In a situation where you never know when they are going to attack you, it is very hard to keep your attention on [searching for enemies].

　If Toya were here, he could share some of the work, but it's just the two of us.

I'm sure you'll be able to do the same. If we use the Sanctuary, we can relax a bit, right?

Sure.

　When we got out of the forest, we sat down some distance from the cliffs and started to prepare for lunch after using the sanctuary.

　There weren't any suspicious trees around, and we didn't have to worry about Torrent or Shadow Viper, but we had to be careful.

　I've made sure that there are no rock spiders attached to the cliffs,......, but come to think of it, this level is full of enemies that want to take you by surprise, not just in the forest.

　So the surprise area is not over, but will continue?
　I hate it. I'm going to be tired.

"Well, Nao, what do you want to eat?　It's always good to have something warm.
"Oh, I want to eat something sweet. Would you like a ding dong?
Ding dong. --Yes, please.

　When you are tired, you need something sweet.

　The common people might say, "How extravagant! But Natsuki and I ate one ding dong each.

　Well, a single dingdol is more expensive than a whole lunch at a good restaurant, so it is a luxury.

　That said, I have no intention to save money.
　Since I don't have much in the way of entertainment, I'd like to be free to eat good food.
　This is especially true if the food is not bought, but picked by oneself.

There is some cake left, would you like some?


"Cake or ......

　Ever since the milk from the Strike Ox became available, Natsuki and his friends have been making butter and cream.

　This is a great way to make sure you are getting the most out of your time with your family.

...... No, let's have a normal meal. Let's have some meat.
"Okay.

　I finished my lunch with bread and meat, which Natsuki served me again, and I took out my bunk and lay down comfortably on it.

　Natsuki made a light fire and put a kettle with tea leaves and water on it.
　He was in full rest mode.
　He would like to concentrate on recovering his magic power until the evening.

Speaking of which, Natsuki. You make butter and such, but you don't make cheese, do you?

"Cheese?　We've always wanted to eat cheese, but it's a little hard to make fresh cheese, let alone real cheese.

　When I asked her what she was interested in, she replied.

"Oh, so it's difficult. Do you know how to make it?

"Roughly. But it's not as easy as it sounds. Even if you had the cooking skills.

It'll take time. -- "Didn't they sell it at Crevilly?　Didn't you buy it?

　I'm sure you're not the only one who's had it.
　It was a little different from what I imagined cheese to be, but it was quite delicious.

　I don't know how it is sold, since it was almost liquid, but since it was served in the restaurant, it must have existed.

　However, what Natsuki replied to my question was a wry smile.

It was sold, but whether or not it would suit our palates was another matter. We didn't buy most of them because Toya, Mary and Mitya couldn't handle them. The smell was too strong.

"...... Oh, I've heard that foreign products have a strong smell. Is it like that?



"Most of them are better than that, in my opinion. I've bought some of the stuff that looks edible. ......

　I'm not a big fan of smelly cheeses either, and if you're a beastie with a good nose, you'll probably have a harder time.

　If you think about it, some cheeses are eaten with mold, so it's a very risky food.

So far, I've only added it as a secret ingredient. A little goes a long way. It doesn't bother you much, does it?

"It's in there? Natsuki's cooking is always delicious, you know.　I appreciate it.

No, no, no. It's worth the effort to hear you say so. --Here's your tea.

　I took the tea offered and sipped it.
　The warm tea soothed me, and I thanked Natsuki.

　After that, I continued to chat with Natsuki, resting and trying to recover my magic power.



　In the evening, when my magic had mostly recovered, we put away the fire and the bunk, and began to prepare for the transition.

　I'm not completely recovered, but I'll be able to make the transition from here...

Hmm?　The transfer point is increasing: ......?

　I focused my attention on the transfer point, and frowned at the different reaction from the morning.

What's wrong with you?

No, as of this morning, there were two transition points, but they're increasing. Normally, it's not far enough to increase the number. ......

　I thought the other transition points in addition to the ones at the two entrances were to mark our return, but I don't understand the significance of the additional transition points.

　It is so close to the second transfer point that there is no reason to put it there.

Why ......?

　It costs a lot of money to build a transfer point.
　Installing more than necessary is a complete waste of money.

　I don't think Haruka would do such a wasteful thing, so it must have some meaning. .......

You'll find that out when you get back. Let's hurry up and join them first.


"Whoa, yeah. Okay, Natsuki.
Okay.

　I hold Natsuki's hand and search for the transfer point.
　There's not much difference in distance, so it's better to set up a new one.
　It's not too far away, and there's a good chance Haruka and the others will be there.

I'm not sure what to do. ............ Oh?

　I'm not sure what to do.
　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but I think it's a good idea. ...... No, actually, it's a magic that tried to work but didn't.
　I nodded my head at that.

What's ...... wrong with you? You're not transferring.

I'm not sure what's wrong.　I'm sorry, I'm not sure why. I'm sorry, I don't know exactly what's going on.

　I can see where the transfer points are, but I can't connect the lines to them. ......?　This is the reason why the number of transfer points is increasing?

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm not sure what to make of this. That prediction may not be wrong. If it's in the vicinity, is it possible to transfer?

Probably not a problem.

　As a test, I tried to transfer to a place about 10 meters away, but .......

Oh, no. ...... is slightly off.

　The grass that had been the target of the transfer was sprawling.

　I was supposed to move right above it, but I actually moved right next to it.

　The gap is less than 20 centimeters, but it was never a gap in the first place, let alone in the recent past. .......

This could be dangerous if used improperly. Yuki, I hope you didn't make a mistake and head off a cliff. ......

Let's hope that ...... is okay. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.



Am I right?

　Since the number of transfer points has increased between this morning and now, I guess it's safe to say that we're still alive.

The problem is on our side. The problem is us. If we can't transfer, we'll have to return on our own. ......

　I'm not going to say it's 90 degrees, but I'm going to say it's 90 degrees.

　It's not a mountain climb, but it's a rock climb.

　If you can see the top, you can climb it, but when you look up, all you can see are clouds.

　But when I look up, all I see are clouds. I have no idea how high it is.
　No matter what I do, I won't be able to climb it in a day, and there's no way I can keep up my strength.

　I've seen rock climbers camping in tents on rock walls, but of course it's not something we can do.

　What kind of punishment is it to sleep in the air?
　I don't think we can do such a thing in this place where demons can fly in.

I'm not sure I want to climb this rocky mountain. ......
Yes. It's too dangerous. I think we should look for a place where we can climb. ......

　Natsuki slurred his words, looked around, looked at the sky and sighed.

I'm sure that's it for today. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what you need to do.

"No. You'll get hurt for sure.

　Even in the daytime, it takes a lot of nerve to detect [cloaking] and [mimicry].
　I don't even want to think about doing that at night.

So, now that we've cleaned up, let's get ready to set up camp again, shall we?

　Natsuki and I looked at each other and sighed together.