Chapter 42 Journey To The Forest Of Death
I arrived at the Ain village, located in the territory of Votslak.
This village was known for being the closest to Abyss Wood, where the miasma was the thickest.
I tried giving them the medicine I had created for combating the miasma...
"Thank you so much, Leaf-sama."
The village head Mia said as she's bowing to me.
The villagers were suffering from the miasma, so I first had them drink a potion, followed by a medicine to neutralize the miasma.
"Oh no! I'm just glad to see everyone feeling a bit better!"
"Yes, we feel much better. For a moment, it felt like we were in heaven..."
Heaven? Was the medicine really that tasty?
"Leaf-sama... Thank you so much. For treating the injured, repairing the village, and even setting up barriers..."
"It's just part of my job, so please don't worry about it."
"...Actually, Leaf-sama, I have a favor to ask."
"A favor?"
"Yes. Actually...a dungeon has appeared in Abyss Wood. I'd like to ask for your help in conquering it."
Summarizing the story from Mia the village head, it seems that the village youth discovered a mysterious shrine in the forest.
Upon exploring inside, they found the presence of monsters.
"There were stronger enemies there than the forest monsters. The youth managed to use hiding skills to somehow return to the village..."
Mercury-san, my buddy, nodded with a serious expression.
"That's... not good. If we don't deal with it quickly, the dungeon will keep getting bigger and we won't be able to handle it."
"Do dungeons really get bigger?"
In response to my question, Eileen-san nodded and explained.
"Dungeons are like living creatures. Just like how children grow every day, dungeons are also left alone to grow and become larger. And the tricky thing is, unlike humans, there is no limit to their growth."
"So... if we leave it alone, there could be a super huge dungeon that could cover the world?"
If that were to happen, the world would be full of dungeons.
Monsters would overflow and it would be a mess.
"I understand. I will conquer the dungeon!"
When I said that, Mia, the village head, had a gleam in her eyes and deeply bowed in front of me.
Mercury let out a sigh and said,
"I will go with you. I don't know what you might do alone."
It's not about what is there, but what we will do.
"I will also come with you. I will protect Mercury-jou."
"Thank you, Tai-chan!"
Eileen-san nodded.
"...I will guide you to the dungeon. Leaf-sama, is it okay for you to go alone without a burdens?"
"Hey, is that about me? Huh? You wanna fight?"
"No~♡ Flat-chested..."
"Don't call me flat-chested!!!"
Tai-chan stopped them from getting into a scuffle. They're good friends!
"...Now, Mia, village head. We will go explore the dungeon."
"Thank you, Eileen-san. Everyone, please take care...!"
* * *
We enter the Abyss Wood to conquer the dungeon that appeared in the forest.
Tall trees. Stagnant air.
In the almost lightless forest, the sounds of beasts and wind echo.
"Hmm, it feels nostalgic."
I say as I stretch.
It feels familiar.
"You seem used to this, my lord."
"Yeah. It was a playground since I was a child."
"...to be calm in such a dangerous place, truly amazing, Leaf-sama♡"
Suddenly, someone grabs my hand.
I look and see Mercury-san with a pale face, trembling.
"What's wrong, Mercury-san?"
"U-um, Leaf-kun. G-ghosts come out of here, right?"
"Ghosts?"
"Yeah, those... ghosts."
Ghosts... oh no!
"They come out!"
"Ahh! I-I knew it..."
Mercury-san collapses where she stood.
Eileen-san says, "Come to think of it," as if remembering something.
"I've heard that the souls of those who died in Abyss Wood wander in the forest."
"I've heard that too..."
Eileen-san giggles elegantly.
"Still... how childish. Being scared of ghosts."
"Sh, shut up! I-it can't be helped! I'm scared!"
"Then how about you go back alone? I'll dive with Leaf-sama."
"T-that's not allowed! I'm Leaf-kun's buddy!"
She thinks of me as her partner... I'm happy.
"It's okay, I'll protect Mercury-san!"
"Wh-what... Leaf-kun... you look cooler than usual... No, I'm the guardian... but..."
Mercury-san twists her body.
Eileen-san looks at Mercury-san with a disgusted expression and mutters, "...A shotacon."
"What did you just say? Hey?"
"Oh, nothing~♡ Just a lewd witch."
"W-what's lewd about me! I'm still a virgin... Hey, what are you making me say!?"
Tai-chan sighs.
"Anyway, can we just go already?"
"Yeah, let's go!"
And so, we set off.
Mercury-san followed behind, trembling.
"Eek! L-Leaf-kun! Look...! What's that...! What's that?"
Ahead of us, there was an old well.
"Isn't that just a well?"
"...It's a discarded old well before the forest spreads."
"The forest spreads?"
"Yes. This forest is alive like a dungeon and expands its territory year by year."
I see... Wait, huh?
"Does that mean this forest is a dungeon? Aren't dungeons living beings too?"
Eileen-san gasps.
"Th-that's right... I hadn't thought of that... So... this forest itself is a monster?"
"H-hey! Don't just blabber! Look at that!"
Slowly, something crawled out from the well.
"A ghost! A ghost!"
"Wait, isn't that the person who fell into the well?"
"No way! That's definitely a grudge spirit! Look!"
Coming out of the well was a person with long hair, wearing a white dress.
"Ahh! It's coming!"
Mercury-san clings to my body.
Slowly, a woman on all fours approaches.
And I...
"Your hair looks damaged, doesn't it?"
"WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU SAYINGGGGGGG?!"
Mercury-san retorts.
"Why are you having a normal conversation with a grudge spirit!?"
"Huh, a grudge spirit? Isn't she just a person who fell into the well?"
"She is clearly looks like a grudge spirit!"
I wonder... She doesn't seem like a bad one though.
The woman with long hair seems confused.
"Oh, look, your hair is dry. Here, please use this."
I take out a small bottle from my magic bag.
"This is hair oil to make your hair shiny. Excuse me, like this..."
I put a bit of oil on my hand and stroke the head of the grudge spirit (pretend).
After I petted it, the hair became shiny and smooth.
"What is this...it looks so shiny."
"It's called a straightening treatment."
"This... could make a lot of money if we sell it. There are many girls who are troubled by their curly hair."
"Oh? Really?"
"Yes, definitely. I could become a billionaire if this sells."
"Hahaha, that's an exaggeration. You have big dreams."
"That's why...wait, wait, wait, WHATTTTTTTT!?"
As always, Mercury-san was surprised (business as usual).
She pointed to a beautiful, translucent woman.
"Wow, she's beautiful!"
'...Am I beautiful?'
"Yes! Very beautiful!"
'...I'm happy.'
Ssshhh... The woman disappeared quietly.
'Thank you...for saying I'm beautiful at the end.'
"No problem!"
And with that, the woman disappeared...
Oh, she was a grudge spirit.
"W-wow... I was able to help the grudge spirit find peace in one shot."
"As expected of Leaf-sama!"
Hmm, if it's a grudge spirit... well, as long as it ends happily, it's okay!
"Alright, let's go!"
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