-Elf, Crew-

Looking back at the small figure of the town from the distance while sitting at the back of the carriage, I already started missing the comfortable bed at the inn.

Thinking about how we can't use a ship and can only travel using a horse carriage, already made me regret joining the expedition on this planet.

"Seeing your expression, I bet you're already regretting that you joined the expedition this time, Anna."

Hearing the gruff voice of the crew's advisor, I can't help but suffer more because of how accurately he can guess what I'm thinking. Turning away from the back of the carriage, I look at Giron to see him looking at me with an amused face.

"I know that you're suffering because of how slow it is this time, but understand that we can't do anything with how the Authority of Protection wants this world to be."

"I also know about that, Giron. I just don't know how the people of this world can go through their lives without the convenience of better technology. Even us elves know how convenient the technological advancement of the universe is. And then there's this world that got millions of residents living here without feeling uncomfortable."

Finding it amusing, Giron chuckles as he pulls out a book to read.

"Because even if this world doesn't have the convenience of technology, people find this kind of life more peaceful than those that use technology."

"And this world doesn't need those advanced technologies because they have the protection of the Authority of Protection. The power that the Authority put on this planet doesn't allow those advanced technologies to work here. Though I don't know how it decides how advanced it is."

Hearing Theia explain more as Giron read his book, I went silent as I agreed with what he said. In a world that doesn't have any advanced technology, this world is much more peaceful compared to other worlds that use those technologies.

As a traveler before joining Theia's crew, I had already seen hundreds of worlds going through wars and using more deadly weapons compared to this world. Some worlds even ended as their technological advancement went further.

"... I agree that this world is peaceful, but why did you and Theia choose a horse carriage instead of those flying carriages?!"

"Well we're not in a rush and Theia said that this world looks so clean and pure that she wanted to travel slowly. And knowing that we're going to a forest, a flying carriage is not suited to travel there because some monster that lives there are territorial."

"Just relax, Anna. It's not like this is your first time experiencing this kind of travel with how long you've been in the crew. Though maybe the reason why you're impatient is because you're still a child with how small you are."

"Shut up, Byron."

"Haha."

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Feeling annoyed at Byron as he laughs after making fun of my height, I grab something random inside the bag beside Palos, one of our crewmate, in front of me and throws it at Byron who is sitting at the other side of the carriage.

"Ahk! Why are you throwing something at me?!"

Hearing his pained voice as the thing that I randomly threw at him successfully hit him, I felt satisfied.

"The two of you should stop. And Anna, don't throw food at someone just because you feel annoyed."

"Yeah yeah."

Dismissing his nagging, I look back at the direction of the town and notice that I can't see it anymore. Turning my attention to Palos, I can't help but feel sleepy looking at him peacefully sleeping beside the supply bag.

Looking at the moving scenery, 4 days passed as we traveled in the carriage. Passing through mountains, we went off the road in the middle of the journey and finally reached the forest that our group was searching for.

"From the description that you people gave me, this is the forest that you're searching for. This forest is called the Forest of Rest, though I'm not sure if there are ruins in here."

"Was someone able to check if there are no ruins in this forest?"

"No."

Shaking his head, he walks towards the carriage and takes out his bag where he stores his equipment.

"It's not that no one thought of checking this forest, they just can't because there's a guardian that owns this forest."

"Guardian?"

"Yeah, a monster called Aravan. It's a centaur-like being with two giant swords as arms. Well, it doesn't care about trespassers as long as they don't destroy the forest."

Going down from the carriage, I took out my bag and sword before stretching my body out. Thinking about what he said, we will not need to fight the Aravan to reach the ruins.

"Oh yeah, you people probably don't know but this forest is considered as a forbidden zone. I don't really know why but the royal family made a decree about it hundreds of years ago so make sure you people don't mention that you went in here or else they will report you."

"But didn't you say that you explored some parts of this forest 5 years ago?"

"I did, but it was mostly going through the outer layer of the forest with my batchmates and Teacher that time. Though I remember my Teacher entering the forest and coming back after a few hours before we travel back home."

As our group took our equipment from the carriage, I started checking my equipment and sword to see if I hadn't forgotten anything and got everything that I already got everything that I need while listening to him, I looked at the forest only to suddenly feel a wave uneasiness spread through my body, as if the forest itself is shouting that there's something dangerous inside.

Just the feeling made me step away from the forest as I felt cold sweat flowing down my back. I look at the others only to see them not acting normal.

"... Are you okay, Anna?"

Noticing my state, Giron looks back at me. Seeing my state, worry flashes over his eyes as he approaches only for me to feel something fast approaching our direction. Noticing the ground shaking and hearing sounds of trees getting knocked over started reaching us, Giron suddenly looked in the direction where the sound was coming from as he pulled out his weapon.

"EVERYONE! SCA-"

Before Giron finished what he was about to say, something big jumped out of the forest. A being with the body of a horse and the upper body of a man soars through the sky, crossing its arms that look like blades, it looks at us with its head that looks like a demon.

The only thought that went through my mind was that it was the Guardian, except it was covered with countless tentacles wriggling out of its body even some wriggling out of its mouth.

As I finish those thoughts, it swings its arms out in a cross as it sends a strong wave of mana that looks like a blade toward the carriage instead of us, I watch as the carriage along with the horses in it explodes sending us flying.

Not expecting how strong its attack was, I was not able to stabilize my body making me unable to control my body resulting in me hitting a tree with my head. Feeling my consciousness slowly fade, I try to move my body as I watch Giron and Palos fight the guardian side by side in the distance with my blurry eyes.

"Byron! Take Anna away and hide in the forest... regroup when...!"

"Understood!"

"Gui... go escape... help...!

Feeling someone carry me and run somewhere, I slowly lost consciousness.