It's the morning of the fifth day of the Dark Continent.

　Four representatives of each group were standing in front of where we, the Fifth Pioneer Group, had gathered, and they were informing all the group members of their future exploration plan.

　The content of the message was the same as what we heard from Kirt yesterday.

We will avoid the forest to the south, where the Black Great Ape is located, and explore the forest to the east to look for the ruins in the "Voyage Log".

　The three suspension bridges that lead to the other side of the river are going to be removed to prevent the Black Monkey from coming to us.

That's all. Do you have any questions?

　General Roberto asks.

(...now, not really.)

　Everyone seemed to think the same way I did, and no one asked any questions.

　He looked around at us and nodded.

''Good. Then as soon as we're ready, we'll explore the eastern forest!　All hands, get ready at once!

　At the general's words, we all started to move at once.


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Okay, let's go.

　Half an hour later, we left the frontier village and base under Kirto's command.

　Our route was to the east.

　This search will be carried out with a total of 250 adventurers, 50 adventurers and 200 knights of the kingdom, for a period of 20 days.

　The period of time is 20 days.

　They will return to Pioneer Village and Base after 20 days, regardless of whether or not they achieve anything.

(....................Ruins, I hope we can find them.

　With that thought in mind, the five of us entered the forest to the east.

　.............
　.............
　.................

　A few hours passed as they began to walk.

　The inside of the forest in the east was not particularly different from the previous forests.

　Green plants and trees.

　Faint signs of animals.

　It was a common forest scene.

　If you turn your gaze to the right, the steep southern mountain range rises in the distance, and beyond that, the blue sky stretches out.

(.........What's on the other side of those mountains?)

　It occurred to me.

　The day came to an uneventful end and we camped out in a corner of the forest.

'That was boring,'

　Solstice said as they ate around the fire.

　Everyone looks at her.

'I've been on the lookout for the 'Black Great Ape' to possibly show up, but to no avail.

　Yeah, I guess so.

　I was walking around with my hand on the hilt of my sword the whole time, too, just in case.

　But there was nothing.

　Illtimina-san, sitting next to me, opens her mouth.

'It wouldn't be a bad thing. That means that the information in the Voyage Journal was correct.''

　You see.

The Black Great Ape's main habitat is the forest across the river, and I was right.

　So.

That means the remains in the logbook do exist.

　I said hopefully.

　Illtimina laughed and nodded yes.

　Crackle.

　The flames of the campfire rose into the night sky.

　Solstice looked up at it.

The remains of an unknown civilization, eh? I wonder what kind of civilizations existed in this dark continent?

　He said somewhat wistfully.

　'Mug.'

　Next to her, Poe was chewing dried meat like a small animal while looking up at the girl's profile.

　We pondered that civilization for a moment.

　Eventually.

To find these ruins, I suggest we rest after we finish eating. We need to conserve our strength for a long search.

　Mr. Kilt said.

　We nodded.

　Then we took turns keeping watch and our first night in the East Forest passed.


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　Five days have passed since we entered the East Forest.

　The search has been going on without any new discoveries.

　During these five days, there were only two battles.

　Both times were against the Black Great Ape.

　But the first time we encountered a group of three, and the second time there was only one.

　Moreover, compared to the Black Great Ape I'd seen before, it was smaller in stature.

　He was able to win without any danger.

　Mr. Kilt stared at the skinny demon's corpse.

Perhaps the Black Great Ape has a habit of chasing weaker individuals away from the pack.

　He said.

(Hmmm?)

　In other words, the one in the east forest is the 'Black Great Monkey' that got separated from the pack.

　...It's a bit pitiful.

　But that monster is trying to kill us too.

(I can't afford to feel sorry for him... right?)

　Or so I told myself.

　With that in mind, the five of us proceeded through the woods to the east.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　On the sixth day, it was raining.

　Raindrops fell from the gray sky, bouncing off our waterproof robes.

(I can't see very well.)

　The rain prevented us from seeing very far.

　The sound of the rain hitting the hood and the leaves of the trees made it hard to hear well either.

'Be even more vigilant of your surroundings than usual.

　Mr. Kilt advised.

　We nodded.

　As it was, we walked through the rainy forest.

　Zah, zah.

　After walking for a while, we found a stream running through the woods.

　It's about 2 meters wide.

　It's about thirty inches deep.

　Solstice kicked the water with a snap.

"Is this a tributary of the river that separates us from the forest to the south?
Maybe.

　I nodded.

　Mr. Kilt said, "Hmmm," and pondered for a moment.

(?)

　What's going on?

All right, we'll be exploring along this creek for a while.

　Huh?

　I was so surprised.

A monument is a thing made by man. Water is necessary for people to live, right?　It may be near the water.

　And Mr. Kilt.

(Oh, I see.)

　I'm convinced that's why.

　Then the five of us walked along the creek and through the woods.

　.............
　.................
　...............

　We did about three hours?

I can't find it.

　Solstice blurted out.

　Iltimina chuckled.

It's natural not to find them. You can't be so hasty, can you?

　So chided my sister.

　Solstice puffed out her cheeks behind her waterproof hood, "Mmm.

(Haha....)

　Me and Mr. Kilt laugh too.

　And then.

　slurp

What?

　Maybe it was because I was distracted by Solstice, but I slipped and fell on the muddy soil.

　Ouch.........

　I was on my ass.

Well, are you okay?
What are you doing, stupid Merle?

　Illtimina-san is surprised and Solstice is smiling with a really happy smile.

(Kuh.....)

　I'm so embarrassed I feel like crying.

　Sweet Poe silently holds out his hand to help me up.

　I try to take it in my hand.

(...Huh?)

　I noticed the view of the forest from a low position.

　I saw a gap in the trees that looked different than it did when I was standing - and beyond that, I saw something big and black.

'What's up, Merle?'

　Mr. Quilt asks me when he notices me.

　As I stand up.

There's something over there.

　I muttered.

　Mr. Kilt said, "What? He looked surprised.

　My sisters looked at each other too.

　Poe nodded his head as he stared at my profile.

　I start walking towards them alone.

'Oh, wait, Merle,'

　Illtimina hurriedly followed, and the other three followed soon after.

　Zaaaaaah.

　The sound of rain echoed in the gray world.

　We continued walking through the forest.

　And then - unexpectedly, the trees were cut off and we came upon an open space.

(!)

　My feet stopped.

　The four people who came late also saw it and immediately stopped.

'....There it is.

　The words slipped out of my mouth.

　In the space in front of me stood the remains of a huge stone pyramid that was 30 meters high.