The next morning, all 400 members of the Fifth Pioneer Group were gathered in the square of the Pioneer Village and Base.

　The five of us were among them.

　In front of everyone, there are four representatives standing in front of us.

　Of course, Quilted-san is there too.

"All of you, listen up.

　General Roberto's calm voice echoed in the square.

　According to the story, from now on, we're going to stop exploring the 'Black Great Ape (Dark Ape) Forest' on the other side of the river, and instead, we're going to aim for the 'Great Marshlands' on this side of the river, in the southwest direction, which was also mentioned in the 'Voyage Journal'.

(Yeah.)

　It's just as I heard from Kilt-san last night.

　Also, the search will be carried out as before with a total of 250 people, 50 adventurers and 200 Kingdom Knights, as before.

　The remaining 100 Kingdom Knights and 50 Temple Knights will be defending the 'Pioneer Village and Base'.

　General Robert said.

General Robert said, "The plan is that it will take three days to get to the Great Marshland through the forest. Everyone, prepare yourself with that in mind.

　And the four horsemen of the 'Dragon Horsemen' are currently checking the terrain to the 'Great Marshlands' from the air.

　And currently, the four horsemen of the 'Dragon Horsemen' are checking the terrain up to the 'Great Marshlands' from the air.

　A map will be made based on the map, and will be distributed before the search.

　They plan to leave before noon.

That's all. Any questions?

　There were no questions from anyone in particular.

　General Roberto nodded widely, confirming it.

''Well then, I wish everyone good luck!

　A powerful voice.

　With that, the gathering was dismissed.　

　We, too, went back to the house we had been assigned to and got ready for the day.

　About two hours later, Kirto came back.

"It's a map,

　In her hand was a brand new map that had just been created.

　The five of us peered at it.

　Ms. Quilt's fingers traced over the map.

There are two routes, one along the river and the other through the forest on the other side of the mountain. The distance is closer if you go through the forest. That's why the group of adventurers decided to go through the forest.

　I explained.

　We nodded.

　Mr. Kilt looked around at us.

'Is everyone ready to leave?'
Yes.
No problem.
Okay.
.......................

　I've got my gear in place, and I've got my stuff for the three days in the field.

　Mr. Kilt laughed.

'All right, then, let's go for the 'Great Marshes'!

　We're like, "Oh! I responded.

　Soon after that, the five of us left the "Pioneer Village and Base" and entered the forest to the southwest.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　We walked through the forest to the southwest.

　A landscape of trees and flowers with no substitute for it.

　As they walked, Mr. Quilt would occasionally take out a map and mark their current location with red ink and a brush, noting the date and time as well.

'What's the task?'

　I asked.

　Mr. Kilt said, "Hmm? And looking back.

We're drawing up a route. You know which roads you're taking and how long it'll take.

　He told me.

'If you make this, your posterity will have no trouble.
Hmm?

　In short, it's a route map for the people who will come after us.

　Apparently we are also route pioneers.

　With an unusual feeling, I watch Mr. Quilt's work.

　And.

It's so peaceful.

　Suddenly, Solstice muttered.

(Hmm?)

　I look at the girl.

'It's been five hours since we left the village and there's nothing there. It really does seem like the 'Black Great Ape' is only on the other side of the river.

　I say.

　Illtimina nodded at her sister's words.

'It's just like in that 'Voyage Journal,'

　Yup.

(It adds credibility to the rest of the content, right?)

　Incidentally, the three 'suspension bridges' that were connected to the other side of the river are scheduled to be dismantled by the end of the day.

　If this will eliminate the threat of the Black Great Ape, I'm grateful.

　Ms. Illtimina said.

''However, we must not be too careful. There may be other demons besides the Black Great Ape.
Well, yeah.

　Solstice nodded.

　I looked around at the forest around me.

　...........

　So far, I don't feel any sign of it.

　There's no strange smell either.

　Of course I wouldn't let my guard down, but I somehow feel that the forest around here is safe.

　Zach, zach.

　We made steady progress.

　And so for three days, we continued onward in the southwest woods.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　It was the morning of the third day.

(Oh.....)

　Suddenly, the trees in the forest broke off, and there was a big green meadow in front of us.

　There were patches of trees growing in the meadow, and a large river swept through the meadow like a snake.

　There were also swamps of all sizes in the grassland.

''It's ... a marsh.''

　I spilled out.

　It was a large marsh as far as the eye could see.

　Illtimina-san, who came next to me, nodded widely.　

'We're finally here,'
Yes.

　I nodded.

　This is the 'Great Marshland' that was described in the 'Voyage Log'........

"..........
..........
..........
..........
..........

　The five of us gazed at the vast "Great Marshland" that stretches to the end of the horizon in silence for a while.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


We'll build our base here first.

　Kilt said.

　He said that they are planning to explore the 'Great Marshlands' on top of that.

　So in order to gather the others as well, we shot up a luminescent signal bullet.

　''Paaan.

　A magical light shone in the blue sky.

　Within an hour, quite a few people had arrived.

　Kirt gave instructions to those people, and they all worked together to build the base.

　He cut down the grass and trees that were in the way, set up a simple tent temporarily, and surrounded them with an assembly-line iron fence.

(Phew, phew.)

　I sweat and work hard, too.

　Just before sunset, we managed to finish the work.

　Also, during the work, the "dragon squad" that saw the luminous signal flare came to me and asked me to give them a message to the "Pioneer Village and Base".

''Give this to General Robert.

　As he said this, Kirt also handed over the route map he had made.

　He told us that the 150 people from the "Pioneer Village/Base" would be coming here to make use of this map.

　They are scheduled to arrive in 3 days.

　We, on the other hand, would be resting for three days.

　For three days, we stayed in a simple tent and relaxed, but some of the adventurers had come to explore the area.

　And we found the remains of the "Third Pioneer Group" base nearby.

(I see....)

　We are chasing after the 'Pioneer Group' thirty years ago - I strongly felt that fact.

　Three days later, General Robert, the Knight Commander of the Temple, Aase, and 150 others arrive at the Great Marshlands Base.

　The 250 of us leave to take our turn at the base.

''Alright, let's go!''

　The search for the "Great Marshlands" had finally begun under Kirt's orders.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


We walked through the muddy earth toward the "wilderness" at the end of the "Great Marshlands".

　The dirt is wet underfoot.

　Some parts were muddy.

　The grass grows waist high and continues to the edge of the horizon.

　It was also dotted with swamps of all sizes, ranging from puddles to large ponds.

　Gapo, gapo.

Oh, it's so hard to walk.

　Just as my feet were in the mud, the ground sinking to my ankles, Solstice was spilling out her complaints.

(Sure is hard to walk on.)

　With every step, it feels like my feet are sucking on the ground.

　It's hard to lift them.

　Nevertheless, my vision was open and I could see the sky, so I didn't get lost in the direction.

　It was hard to walk, but the view was open.

　Kirt-san, as usual, is marking on the map.

''Hm........''

　He gave a small snort.

(?)

What's up, Kilt?

　Mr. Illtimina asks, noticing.

　Mr. Kilt turns around and

No, it's not a big deal. As Reidl said, this 'Great Marshland' is quite large. It's going to take a few days to clear it.

　I said.

(Really?)

　Solstice asks in disgust.

'How long?'
Seven to ten days, maybe.

　And Kilt.

　Solstice, a look of despair.

　Speaking of which.

Even with the dates in The Voyage Log, it took about ten days to get there.

　I reminded him.

　Mr. Kilt nodded, "Mm.

　And.

Speaking of The Voyage Journal, there were a few other things in there that bothered you a bit, too.

　Suddenly, Illtimina said.

　Our gazes were drawn together.

''The 'Immortal Doll,'''

　A beautiful voice spun the words quietly.

'There is such a being in this 'great marshland' that 'no matter how you try, you can't defeat it.'
..........
..........
..........
..........

　I look around.　

　In the meadow, where I have a clear view, but now I don't see such a presence.

　Ms. Illtimina asks, "What do you think it is?

"And what do you think it is?
I don't know.

　Mr. Kilt replied.

'However, since you say 'immortal', I would expect it to be an undead type of demon.
I see.

　Undead-type demons.

　For example, a skeleton, an immortal ogre, or a skeleton king?

　.............

(They all look formidable........)

　I am the one who sighs softly in my mind.

　Kirt says.

Fortunately, the view is good. As long as we keep an eye on our surroundings and keep moving forward, we should be in good shape.

　Hmm, yes.

　No matter what kind of dangerous demon you are, you just have to move on.

(And if we're all together, we'll figure it out.)

　Yeah!

　I nodded widely, along with my faith in the people I was with.

　And so the five of us walked through this vast "great marsh" under the blue sky.

　--I'm not going to be the only one who has the ability to do this.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　The first person to notice something unusual was Poe.

"..........

　QUIET.

　A small hand suddenly pulls on my arm.

(Wha?)

　I stepped on the tatara as he forcibly stopped me.

　Everyone stopped in their tracks with us.

What's up?
..........

　Poe didn't answer my call.

　Her gaze just stared towards the swamp right beside her.

(?????)

　I wondered, and I looked at it too.

　kopop

　An air bubble floated on the surface of the swamp.

　Copopo.

　The surface of the mud slowly rises as it ripples.

(What...?)

　We hurriedly readied our respective weapons.

　Emerging from the swamp was a lump of muddy earth about two meadows high.

　It was stocky and stout, with short limbs.

　There were indentations in what appeared to be its head, like eyes and mouths, but the muddy water flowed on its surface, making it look like it was crying and screaming its sobs.　

　Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

　It moves its short, muddy legs and sluggishly approaches toward us.

'What the hell is this?'

　I couldn't help but back away with my sword at the ready.

　Mr. Kirt had a grim expression on his face.

It's a monster. Beware of the mud foothold, everyone. Remember, we can't move as we usually do.　

　And I warn you.

(Uh-huh.)

　It was.

　I put a little effort into it, but it feels like the soles of my shoes are slippery.

　And yet, when I try to move, my feet feel like they're being sucked to the ground and pulled lightly.

　Mud footholds are a pain in the ass.

　Gasp.

　The 'Mud Monster' emerged from the swamp and slowly approached, shaking its massive body.

''I'll set it up.''

　Illtimina said, and moved forward.

　A smooth movement that didn't seem to have bad footing.

　Crunch.

　He stepped in, lightly scattering the surface of the water, and a white spear flashed through the air.　

　Zacun.

　The beautiful blade did not miss its aim and severed the head of the approaching 'mud monster'.

　The severed head fell and fell to the muddy ground, where it was assimilated with the earth.

　The monster stopped moving.

''..........''
..........
..........
..........
..........

　We'll just keep looking at it.

　Then.

　sizzling sound

(Uh.....)

　The muddy water that flowed down the surface of my body from the swamp at my feet gathered and once again, I re-formed a mud head.

　Gapo, guchari.

　Again, we start walking,

　Solstice said, aghast.

'Huh, it's back?'

　Kilt-san's expression also became even more grim.

　With a dignified expression, Illtimina-san regrasped the white spear in her hand.

''Ha!''

　Ding dong, dong dong.

　A series of white light-like blasts were unleashed, severing hands, feet, and torso.

The Mud Monster crumbled to the ground with a thud.

　But

　sizzling sound

　Sucking the mud from the swamp again, the monster revived.

'Are you kidding...?'

　I muttered, stunned.

　Illtimina-san also frowned at her beauty and stepped back.


Mmm.

　Mr. Kilt snorted.

'If only!'

　The magic stone of the great staff Solstice was holding in her hand glowed red.

''O birdcage of great fire!　Burn that bunch of mud to the ground!　--Fa Leia Lord!

　Thanatos magic letters shimmering in the air.

　It turned into a ball of red fire and floated above the head of the 'Mud Monster'.

　The ball of fire spun on the spot.

　It descended in a spiral, leaving behind a tail of flames that trapped the 'Mud Monster' inside.

''It's like a tornado of fire!''

　The heat wave reaches here and the steam boils up.

　Joooooooo.

　Eventually, the flames came to an end.

　There was a large chunk left behind, which had become dark, dry soil.

　It cracked and eventually crumbled in the wind.

　Galla.

Yes...!

　That's what I thought.

　But.

　slurp

　Shortly thereafter, the dry and crushed soil sucked up the muddy water from the swamp and gathered back into one.

''Nah.......it's not true!

　Even the wizard girl is stunned.

　In front of our eyes, the resurrected 'Mud Monster' has appeared again.

　...that neither swords nor magic can defeat it.

　No way.

This is... the Doll of Immortality?　

　I mutter.

　Everyone looks at me in surprise.

　Guffaw.

The Mud Monster is slowly approaching us.

　Slowly, slowly, slowly.

　Little by little, but surely, with the fear of a nightmare that can never be defeated...