The next day, after I got to know Anneliese, we were riding along a big, open mountain road.
　We were riding along a large, cut-out mountain road.
　She said that this is the most worrisome part of our escort this time, so we are slowing down our running speed and closing the distance between us and the carriage.

''We'll be there in another two days, and it looks like we'll end up with no major problems this time.

'As I said on day one, when you say things like that, something happens... oh?　What is that?

Hmm?

　Sisha pointed ahead, so I peeked out from the side to look ahead, too.
　There was a tree growing there that blocked more than half of this forest road.
　It was quite tall, more than 5 meters high.

　........What is this?　Why is there suddenly a tree growing in the middle of the road?
　It looks as if the trees around it were just brought in and replanted.

　The knolls that were advancing ahead of us stopped a bit away from the tree, and the carriage came to a stop.
　We stopped as well and joined the carriage.

The road is blocked, sir.　What is this all about, sir?

It's such an unnatural tree. To be standing so proudly in the middle of the road...

　We could pass by the tree on our own, but the carriage couldn't get through at this rate.
　And this tree is too suspicious.

　I checked the map app to see if it might be a demon, but there was no response.
　I don't think someone would plant a tree in the middle of the road.
　Or maybe a demon planted it to stop a carriage... either way, what a harassment.

　As if troubled as to what is going on, Egon-san is also frowning.
　If it's just a tree, you can ask Esther to use magic to make it go away.
　But before that, let's check with Egon-san, just to be sure.
　It's not good if you do it on your own and get into trouble.

The best way to do this is to have a look at a few of the things you've done.

'Well I've been down this road many times before, but I've never seen anything like this. Nothing that comes to mind ... no, wait.

　After a few moments of contemplation as he looked down and put his hand to his chin, Egon's face huffed up.

'I've heard that there are tree-like demons in the forests around Queles.

''Does that mean... that tree that is unnaturally blocking the road is the demon?

'Probably ... but this place should still be a long way from Queles, so why are we here ...'

　It looks like that tree was a demon after all.
　I didn't think there was a demon that didn't show up in the map app on my phone... why doesn't it show up?
　I'm sure it's due to an inherent ability or skill but it seems like I shouldn't be overconfident in the map app too much.

　Also, it seems that this demon is not a demon that has yet to appear in this vicinity.
　Could this be a fellow who appeared out of his natural habitat, just like the previous anomalies?
　For now, we need to decide what to do with this tree first.

''We can't pass through as it is, what should we do?''

'Ummm ... give me a minute. I want to discuss it with your husband before I decide.

　Mr. Egon walked to the carriage in which Mr. Arderbel rode.
　He then opened the door and after a short conversation, he returned.

'I'm sorry, but I'd like to have you beat him if you can.

I understand.

　Did Mr. Arderbel decide that we would be okay with it?
　It seems that during this short request for an escort, they're trusting me a bit.
　Alright, let's get into the spirit here and defeat them safely and quickly.

I've heard that tree monsters are the ones that adventurers from C-rank upwards fight against. And I heard that magic attacks are not very effective. I'm sure you guys won't have any problems, but be careful.

I understand. Thank you.

　
　If we leave it to Estelle, the entire forest is going to be a sea of fire, so let's have her protect the carriage this time....

And now, we're going to defeat that demon.

How strong a demon is it, sir?　Okura-dono, are you unable to confirm this?

Yeah, I'll try it now.

　I moved the carriage away from the example tree and tried to discuss how to fight it.
　Then Nol suggested that we should check the status first.
　I thought for sure, so I tried to capture the tree on camera with my phone.
　But the status app didn't respond at all.

'Nope. I thought it might be because the map app doesn't even show it, but...'

'What kind of demon can't even check your brother's phone?'

　Apparently, that tree demon is really just a tree like state.
　Hmmm, I'd like to check its status and such before I fight it.
　Well, Egon-san says it's a C-ranked demon, and I know it's difficult for magic to work, so I guess it's okay.

'So what do we do now?　We can't afford to neglect our guards when we say we're going to take them down.

'Well...'

　Based on the information, we decided to decide who would go to defeat that demon.
　Of course, it's impossible to have no one to escort the carriage, so one person must definitely stay behind.

　If that's the case, Estelle would be the first candidate, as I thought about earlier.
　But if it's just Estelle, I'm a bit worried about her alone.......maybe I'll ask Sisha to be her bodyguard too.
　It seems that this forest is not a place where strong demons exist to begin with, so Sisha should be able to protect it well enough on her own.
　If Esther is there too, as long as they are not demons in the labyrinth, they won't be able to harm the carriage.

　Noor is power is power!　The attack power is so high that it's the right choice if you want to defeat it quickly.
　If only Luna was there, she could spear them from a long distance and take them down quickly.......what is she doing now?
　I'm a little worried about her, though she seems to be sleeping normally.

"Alright, Noor and I will take care of it in a flash this time.

Mu, it's been a long time since you and Okura-dono have fought alone!

　When I say that Noor and I are going to go together, Noor gives a gut punch and looks like he's ready to do it.
　On the other hand, Esther's cheeks are puffed out as soon as she hears my words, and she looks a little unhappy.
　Oh no, I don't want you to react like that.

'Don't be in such a bad mood. Estelle should be at Annelie's.

''Well I get it. It looks like you're resistant to magic, and it's better for Noor than for me to go there. But brother, don't let your guard down just because you're a C-ranked demon, okay?

Yeah, I know. Thank you.

　Estelle stopped puffing out her cheeks and this time she looked at me with a worried expression with her eyebrows raised.
　Well you shouldn't take it easy just because you're a C-rank demon.

''I won't be allowed to play an active role in anything this time, will I? I was just riding a horse, even though I'm a priest.''

'You don't normally do the priestly thing...'

　Sisha's shoulders slumped in disappointment at Sisha.
　You're always doing things that aren't priestly, so what are you saying now?
　You can't just say that you beat up all the demons, even though you're a priest, it won't work.

　Anyway, the conversation was settled, and leaving Esther and the others, me and Noor headed for the wooden demon.

"So, what do we do now?

That's true. It would be dangerous to approach them suddenly, so I'd like to take a look at them first.

"Then why don't you try a light attack with my centimeter bra?

Are you sure you're okay?

Don't worry. You'll see what you've been training for!

　The only way to attack it is to get close to it, but we don't know how it will move.
　So that's why it's time for my Centiturbra to come into play!

　I let a plump round silver lump drain from the crystal on my shoulder and float in the air.

''Go, centavrach!''

Oh!

　As soon as he thrust his finger toward the tree with a bishouche, the floating centavra moved forward.
　Seeing this, Nol let out an expected sound, I thought.......

''........Oh?　It's kind of...subtle and fast.

Well, not yet!　This is where the centavra comes into its own!

　His voice, which had been loud at first, became quieter and quieter, and finally he tilted his head back.
　Even though he was now flying as fast as he could run, he was still far slower than Noll's running speed.
　But this isn't the end. My training isn't going to be like this!

　As I reminded myself with a lot of energy, the round block of silver gradually transformed into a thin, pointed, thornlike shape.
　Hmph, this is the attack form of the Centiturbra!
　A sword or something a little finer like that is still impossible.

　The lump that turned into a thorn stabbed into the tree with a knocking sound with the same force.
　Immediately after that, the tree began to sway from side to side, and the branches buzzed like whips, knocking off the silver thorns.
　The centipede that was struck by the branch shattered into pieces and turned into particles of light.

''Ahh!　My centavra!

...has been destroyed.

　Oh no....it said it would break, but it broke that easily?
　Could it be that I didn't practice enough to completely fix the form?

This is no time to be depressed, sir!　It's on the move!

'Ma, really?　He's walking, that tree!

　As I looked down and slumped down, Noll started screaming loudly.
　I looked up and saw that the ground beneath the tree that had grown in the middle of the road had risen and the roots were coming up to the ground.
　Then, using the roots as legs, the tree moved toward us.
　The trunk was creepy, with holes in it that looked like eyes and mouths that hadn't been there before.
　Ki, it's a tree monster!

　And anyway, you might be able to see the status now.
　Let's check it out, just in case.

　------.
Species:Trent
　Level: 45
　HP: 35,000
　MP:0
　Attack Power:550
　Defensive Power:750
　Agility:20
　Magic Resistance:80
　Unique Ability Mimicry
　Skills: Absorbing Demon　
------

　Like Egon said, you're resistant to magic.
　Does the magic absorption mean you suck magic?
　How disgusting that it's so resistant and even absorbed.

　And the reason I couldn't see it in the app was apparently because of the inherent ability.
　Does that mean it was deactivated because it started moving?

　If you take out the skills and such, it's not a very strong demon.
　I guess I can hunt this one without any problems.

Hmmm, it's not that strong. It's only about the size of a minotaur.

If that's the case, it should be a quick and easy one.

　Once we've checked it out, me and Noll quickly start running towards Trent.
　As we get closer, a branch at the top of the tree grows toward us like a tentacle.
　I try to brush it away with a crowbar to get closer, but the more I pay it off, the more it grows.

　After doing this for a while, some of the branches came together, pointed at the tip like a spear, and plunged towards me.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time with the help of a few of your friends.

'Whoa, whoa!

Okura-dono!

　I thought my arms were lifted up and hung in the air, and now I was pulled toward Trent.
　Trent is waiting for me with a wide open mouth-like hole, and it looks like he's going to throw me into it.

　But I'm not the kind of person who would be eaten as it is.
　I tear off the tentacles entangled in my arms with the crowbar and attach myself to Trent's body, leaving the momentum of the pull in.
　

　Trent swings his body from side to side, but the heaving me can't get it off with that much.
　The control of the tentacles was also disrupted, and soon afterwards, Noll rushed over and slashed the tree trunk in half with a single swing.
　Trent's body, which was split up and down, collapsed and turned into particles of light as he jumped down from his body before he fell down.

''Hmph, hmph, brilliantly decided!

Where is it, sir? By the way, are you hurt, sir?

Yeah, I'll be fine.

　Oh, I'm surprised!
　I thought I'd prevented it, but I didn't realize it was going to be through and wrapped around me.
　If it was the type that wrapped its tentacles around me further, Heihachi's precious tentacle play would have been made public.
　

　While thinking about such foolishness, I collected a log about the size of a knee or smaller, which was a drop item from Trent, and returned to the carriage.

''Already, that's why I told you to keep your guard up!

I'm sorry, I'm sorry...

　When I returned, Esther raised her eyebrows and ran over to me.
　Gugu, I was warned about it beforehand, but the tentacles took my arm........
　But that was like a first-time kill, right?　I hope you'll forgive me a little.

　There was no way such an excuse could be made, and a pompous and angry Esther lectured me.

●

　By the time we came out of the mountain road and onto the plains, the sky was already beginning to darken.
　We hurriedly began to prepare for the encampment after we left the forest and managed to complete it before the sun went down completely.
　And today, Annelie came over again, happily chatting with Esther.

''So, the moment I cracked it open, a strange smell filled the room and caused a commotion!

'That's a tough one. Was it that great?

It wasn't great. The guy who did it passed out with his eyes wide open and foam coming out of his mouth.

　Couscous and laughing at each other, Esther and Annelie-chan are happily talking.
　Now it seems that they are talking about the time they broke the fruit........what's that fruit?
　Is there a fruit that looks even more dangerous than Dorian........

'Ah, we should get back soon. Thanks again for the day, Esther!

'Yes, I enjoyed it too. I'll talk to you soon.

　Annelie looked at her tent and stood up, saying she was going back today.
　She then walked towards the tent, turning around and waving to us on the way.
　Estelle was responding to that by waving back.
　Well, it's kind of funny to watch.

　When Annelie-chan entered the tent, Estelle, who was smiling, furrowed her eyebrows and looked somewhat disappointed.

'What, Esther. Did you want to talk to Annelie more?

... No, that's enough. I'm kind of tired today, and I'm going to go to bed early.

　I asked, and after a short pause, Esther answered.
　Then she quickly got up and walked into the tent alone.

'Hmmm, I've never seen Esther like that before.

That's true. Maybe it's different after all to talk to a child of the same age.

'You seemed to be really enjoying yourself. It was just like when Luna and I were talking.

You made it all up! It's not the same thing.

　Esther, talking with Annelie, seemed to really enjoy herself.
　Unlike Noll and the others, Estelle didn't go out on her own.
　We were the only people she talked to, and maybe it's refreshing to talk to a girl her own age.

　I'd be very happy if you continue to get along with Annelie.
　It would be great if this is how Estelle meets and plays with Annelie on a regular basis.

　........Huh?　Then, maybe I'm not the only one who hasn't interacted properly with people in this world.....
　No, no, that's not true!　I can usually meet people easily too........people.....