Chapter 101: Arrival in Luganda
It’s approximately 350 kilometers from the Royal Capital to Luganda Forest.
The further one goes into the countryside, the rougher the road becomes.
The road is getting harder and harder as we approach the end of our journey, but the pioneers are in high spirits.
[Yahagi-saaaan, snack time!]
A group of boys and girls crowded around me, all between the ages of 12 and 13, asking for snacks.
These children had just graduated from their orphanage this spring.
Well, even though I said that, they were actually forcefully kicked out.
They had nowhere to go, so I took them in.
At the beginning of the trip, they all had gloomy faces, but as the day went by, they got used to me and the adventurers and carefree smiles started appearing on their lips.
[You are in your growing phase after all. Are you hungry already?]
[Ehehe, we’re actually still fine, but Grandpa Sanaga, Mirai-san and the others looked tired.]
Sanaga-san, the blacksmith, and Mira-san, who sells restorative tea, will be moving to Luganda with us, and they are on the move with us now.
[Heeeey, you brats! Don’t use other people as a pretext to extort people for food! I’m still quite lively here!]
Sanaga-san waved around his clenched fist angrily.
Besides him, Mirai-san was silently giggling to herself.
[Now, now, Sanaga-san. I’m getting tired too anyway, so let’s take a break.]
[Keh, if that’s what Yahagi...... Lord-sama wants, then it’s fine.]
Seeing the sulking Sanaga-san, Mirai softly giggled once again.
The two of them are talking more and more these days, and after Michelle wondered what their relationship was like, rumors about them began circulating.
[In that case, I’ll hand out “Kabayaki Sansukes” to everyone again today.]
This is very convenient food for the trip because it boosts stamina.
The children, however, looked dissatisfied.
[Ehhh~~ That’s delicious, but I’m getting a little tired of it. Besides, eating that makes me thirsty.]
With how convenient it is, we were eating them everyday after all......
[Then, how about this one? It’s sweet and tasty.]
Product name: Klico
Description: Delicious caramel. One piece will allow you to walk 3000 meters without feeling fatigue! Comes with a small toy.
Price: 60 rims (6 pieces)
[What’s this!? Whoa, it has a monster model inside.]
[This one has a ship model!]
The children who opened the box cheered at the small plastic toys.
Japanese junior high students might have been indifferent to them, but the 13-year-olds in this world are pure-hearted children.
They were still innocent, and they tucked their toys into their pockets with great care.
Ten days after leaving the capital, we arrived at the entrance to the forest.
From here, we’ll leave the main road and take a narrow forest path.
While logging is active nowadays, deep within lies an untouched primeval forest.
The dungeon we were aiming for was apparently in the middle of such a forest.
[We’ll have to mend a road for this place eventually......]
We sure have come a long way.
I sighed as I looked at the deserted forest path.
Seeing me sighing, Michelle gently encouraged me.
[Don’t be so downhearted. If Yuusuke wants, I’ll burn the forest to a crisp!]
[Haha...... I can’t have Michelle becoming the natural enemy of the Elves. Eventually, when the territory’s income settles down, I’ll gradually have it developed.]
The local Luganda Cypress grows tall, averaging 30 meters.
The path through the trees was dimly lit, and it looked as if a large creature might attack from behind the trees at any moment.
[Everyone, be careful. Michelle, you take the front, Team Harukaze, you cover our rear.]
Titti and Marco had long since left their convoy and were walking freely, so I had them take their own positions.
There were some children with low fighting skills in our group, but young adventurers made up the majority of our members.
If it’s just a bear, we should be able to easily repel it.
We cautiously proceeded along the path overgrown with weeds deep into the forest.
After two hours of walking along the path away from the main road, the forest in front of us suddenly cleared.
In that area, a wide expanse of trees had been cleared, and the evening light was gently coloring the slope in shades of orange.
[We’re here. This is Luganda!]
The aide Nakaram-san happily exclaimed, and a sigh of mixed emotions escaped from the pioneers.
[So this is Luganda huh......]
This circular clearing in the huge forest looks like a bald spot on a giant’s head.
The King had arranged for a group of mages to clear the land, but there was not a single establishment in sight.
The place feels as if it’s a housing complex before any houses are built.
It has the vibe of being in the midst of a full-scale sale......
[Yuusuke, isn’t that the entrance to the dungeon?]
Michelle was pointing to a rock formation resembling an ancient tomb visible below us.
[That seems to be the case. It’s the same as the drawing I saw in the documents. Let’s check there first. You guys can put down your luggage and take a break. Michelle, Titti, Team Harukaze, follow me.]
I’ve heard that monsters sometimes come out of the dungeon.
They had apparently sealed the entrance, but it would be a good idea to check.
[Why even me......]
Titti grumpily stands up.
[You do know you’re a convict, right? I have to make sure you work properly. Besides, your personality aside, I’ll be counting on your magic.]
[Hmph, I know that! I make a point of not paying my debts, but I’ll make an exception for Yahagi.]
[When we’re done, I’ll give you some of your favorite Chirorin Choco, Titti.]
[Something like sweets won’t be luring in me! Well, if you’re going to give me those, make sure it’s the strawberry choco or the milk-flavored one......]
It seems that the sisters have similar tastes in food.
Michelle also likes strawberry chocolate and milk-flavored chocolate.
At that moment, I felt a tug on my sleeve, and noticed it was Michelle.
She was looking at me as if she wanted to say something.
It seems like she didn’t like the fact that only Titti was getting those Chirorin Choco.
[I’m also giving lots to Michelle.]
[You gonna feed me?]
Michelle whispered in my ear.
[A- Alright. However, let’s leave that for the night......]
I whispered back, to which Michelle stood up with a satisfied look on her face.
[Now then, let’s hit the dungeon!]
No, no, we’re just gonna be sealing the entrance......
<Translator’s Notes>
Klico – Based on Glico caramel Chirorin Choco – Based on Chiroru Choco
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