–What could it be?
Kimishima had a strange feeling for some reason.
It was just a feeling, without any concrete evidence. It felt like someone was watching her.
Though she had felt lingering gazes from the opposite sex before, this was different. It was an inexplicable feeling of unease.
Even as she walked, she occasionally stopped to look around, but there was nothing there. Kimishima had a skill akin to ” Presence Detection”, so she was confident she could detect anything around her. But there was nothing to catch on to. Only the unsettling feeling lingered in the back of her mind. That was the feeling.
“What’s the matter?”
Gazelme noticed Kimishima’s frequent glances around and asked, concerned. Kimishima struggled to come up with a response.
“Oh, it’s nothing… Just feels like I’m being watched.”
“I see.”
Gazelme also paused to look around, but couldn’t sense anything unusual.
“But, it’s probably just my imagination. I’ve been through a traumatic experience, being teleported to Galal Blue as soon as we arrived in this world, and escaping from there.”
“I see. But, maybe there really is something watching you. Such feelings should be taken seriously.”
“Yes, you’re right. Thank you. I’ll try to be more cautious.”
Sakuragi and Nishina, who had been listening to the conversation, also looked around but couldn’t sense anything unusual.
Unlike when Kimishima and Shigeto had fled together, they now walked confidently along the road, maintaining a swift pace. Any monsters they encountered along the way were swiftly dealt with by Brian and his companions. Brian, Keith, and Mike, all frontline fighters, seemed to have a balanced party dynamic, as they efficiently dispatched even higher-level monsters. Brian’s movements, in particular, stood out as exceptionally refined among the three.
Watching them, Nishina couldn’t help but feel that if they were to face these monsters head-on, he wouldn’t stand a chance.
That night, as everyone settled in for sleep, Brian, who was on night duty, sat pondering something while jotting down notes on a small piece of paper.
～When we get close to the village of Dix, I’m going to take the lead on the reconnaissance. I’ll go ahead and train the high orcs in the village. You guys get away from this group in the meantime.
Finishing his note, he woke Keith, who was due for the next shift.
“…Is it time already?”
“Yeah.”
Brian surreptitiously handed Keith the note. Keith, noticing it, showed no reaction and proceeded to take over the night watch.
As Brian watched Keith go back to sleep, he discreetly glanced at the note. Keith examined it carefully.
Later, when Keith’s shift ended, he woke Mike and quietly passed on the note. Mike, while keeping watch, read the note and swallowed it whole.
Giri…
Three days passed, and as they neared their destination, Amul felt a sense of impasse. Two nights ago, Gazelme had mentioned that the Celestials were advancing deeper into the territory to climb the Ladder. However, there was no guarantee that they would encounter any Celestials by going all the way to Dix Village.
In fact, if Dix Village were occupied by High Ogres, they would likely avoid it altogether. High Ogres were categorized as intermediate-level monsters, but their group behavior posed a significant threat.
If they hadn’t encountered anyone thus far, it meant they had ventured further into the territory.
Even if they did encounter someone, there was Brian, who would be a hindrance. Something had to be done…
Glancing at Gazelme. He was barely holding on to his rank at 97, was a Celestial. However… replacing a magician was quite challenging. Amur herself was a magician, so fighting was an option… but Gazelme wasn’t just a Celestial. He was a sage.
–It’s impossible.
That was the only conclusion Amur could draw.
As they encountered stronger monsters along the way, Brian’s group became increasingly tense. State soldiers and Kimishima’s group began to assist them little by little. As they didn’t know what might happen, at Nishina’s suggestion, Kimishima and Miki refrained from using magic. For now, the monsters they encountered were no match for the three’s attacks. With their ascent to the fifth step, their magical powers were also improving. Nevertheless, it was still a group march. Facing one monster with three people was sufficient.
Eventually, they arrived at a slightly open area. That’s when Kimishima noticed.
“Isn’t this…”
“Senpai?”
“Oh, yeah. This is where the Celestial and Sensei fought.”
There were traces of burnt ground like from a campfire, but no signs of bodies. Perhaps the monsters had eaten them. There should have been iron weapons, but there was nothing.
Spellsess, who had been listening, stopped the group and began discussing with Yazzak. Brian, who had been leading, returned.
“What’s wrong?”
“It seems Carton was defeated here.”
“Here?”
“Yeah. Apparently, Carton fought about ten High Ogres here before. We should be near Dix Village.”
“I see… Well, it’s getting a bit late, but what should we do? Keep going to the village?”
“What do you think?”
Asked by Brian, Yazzak also seemed unsure.
At that moment, one of the state soldiers who had been scouting found a medal-like badge and rushed over to Yazzak.
“Yazzak-san.”
“Hmm? This is… Dawson’s.”
It was a badge indicating the rank of a state soldier. It belonged to Dawson, the leader of the soldiers who accompanied Carton. Yazzak stared at it for a moment before stowing it away in his bag.
In the end, they decided to set up camp for the third day. Though they couldn’t see the village from here, they made a fire in a spot hidden by the surrounding trees and prepared their meals. It might seem extravagant, but when traveling with allies, such flamboyant actions were possible.
Moreover, with a Rock Bird around, they felt more confident.
While having their meal, Gazelme approached Kimishima.
“Yuzuki, do you still feel uneasy?”
“Yes, I’ve been feeling the same level of discomfort all this time.”
“I see.”
Then, a male escort accompanying a traveling merchant, who was eating nearby, seemed to be curious and asked.
“Hm? What’s wrong? Do you sense some monster nearby?”
“Huh? Um, well, since yesterday, I’ve been feeling like someone is watching me.”
“Being watched?”
The man looked around puzzled, but couldn’t sense anything.
Unable to find anything, he continued to stare at Kimishima.
“I don’t really understand. Is it a presence or a gaze?”
“Um, I’m not sure either. I just have this strange feeling… like someone’s watching me…”
“Hmm. Well, I often escort merchants and travelers, so I’m good at sensing my surroundings. But for now, it seems fine, right? Maybe it’s just your imagination?”
“Yes, it could be just my imagination, but it’s still bothering me a bit…”
“…I see. Well, if you worry too much, you’ll end up sleepless. It’s better to get some good sleep. We’re supposed to reach the village tomorrow.”
“Yes, you’re right.”
The man once again gazed at Kimishima before waving and walking away. Kimishima looked slightly perplexed, but the man paid no further attention to her.
