Eight days, huh? That's quite an extended period for a quest. However, my first step is to ensure I'm well-prepared. I head to the item shop to stock up on potions and acquire a leather bag. This bag will not only carry additional items and supplies but also any potential loot I might come across during my journey. Next, I visit the pub to purchase enough food provisions to sustain me for a week, which should cover four days of my adventure.

Thanks to the knowledge I gained from Alpha and Josh during our previous journey, I know how to set up my provisions efficiently, just as they did back then. It's a source of pride for me to be self-reliant and capable of handling various aspects on my own now.

As I make my way towards the front gate, a deep sigh escapes my lips. My thoughts drift to Alpha and Josh. I can't help but wonder about their well-being. Despite the painful memory of Alpha's actions, particularly his role in Amy's death, I try to approach it logically, acknowledging that Amy...

Amy is...

I find myself lost in thought once more.

Shaking my head, I decide to push aside those thoughts and venture outside the city, heading towards the plains. Wooden signs, thoughtfully placed along each path, help me stay on course as I journey eastward. I maintain a steady pace, unwavering even when I come across several boars along the way.

“Haah!!”

With a cry, I wield my Bastard Sword and eventually manage to overcome the boars after some effort. Reflecting on my past self, I realize that if I were still the same person I used to be, these boars might have been a formidable challenge. I might have been adventuring under the care of Alpha and Josh once more. However, I acknowledge that the path ahead won't always be smooth, and here I am, embarking on this adventure alone.

A slight smile graces my lips as I retrieve my backpack from the ground and put it on. I rotate my arm a couple of times to ease the stiffness caused by battling the tough-skinned boars. I also remember to collect some of the boar's parts for emergency food, following the example of how Josh did it during our previous journey. With everything in order, I continue my eastward journey.

I spend a day and a half marching towards the eastern outskirts of the Capital. The landscape gradually shifts to sandy biomes, and the soothing sound of the vast sea fills my ears. Finally, I find myself standing at the edge of a vast ocean, taking in the breathtaking view.

…

Hmm, something feels off.

According to the hand-drawn map on this parchment, there should be a cave around here. But as I survey the area, all I see are endless sandy plains. I can't help but release a sigh of frustration.

To make matters more perplexing, even the Guildhouse staff weren't entirely sure who posted this quest in the first place. And this "unknown magical creature" they speak of? It sounds like the sort of fantastical tale people share over drinks at a tavern—creatures that may not even exist. So why did I even accept this quest? Is there something peculiar going on?

I decide to take a break by the ocean, walking toward the water's edge and settling down. I take out some provisions and begin to eat as the sun slowly descends over the plains I've just crossed. As I gaze at the evening sky and try to clear my thoughts, something astonishing happens. Suddenly, the sky flashes a brilliant shade of purple in less than a second, right after the sun dips beneath the ocean's horizon.

Startled, I accidentally spill the water I was drinking. "What in the world was that?" I mutter to myself, scanning my surroundings in bewilderment. To my astonishment, a small, dark cave has materialized out of nowhere.

...

Uh, I can swear that cave wasn't there a moment ago. With a quick packing of my belongings, I approach this newfound marvel.

The cave itself is truly extraordinary; its entrance stands almost twice as tall as me, and the rock formations resemble an emerging petrified giant serpent. Now, as I stand at the cave's entrance, I draw my trusty Bastard Sword and take my first step inside.

Upon entering, I'm taken aback by the surprising vastness within. It's like a hidden world revealed to me. But something feels off...

Wait.

I dash back outside the cave and then cautiously re-enter, my curiosity getting the better of me. This is absolutely fascinating. From the outside, the cave appears deceptively small, but once inside, it's as if I've stepped into a deep ravine. The ceiling is much higher than it seemed from the exterior.

What kind of phenomenon is this?

...

Choosing not to dwell on the wonder of this mysterious place, I forge ahead. The cave is gently illuminated by a dim, purplish light that seems to emanate from the ceiling. A sense of relief washes over me as I realize I won't need a torch, a detail I had entirely overlooked in my haste.

Yet, my curiosity remains as I traverse this surreal cavern. It's filled with various stone formations by the wall, and some in my way, each resembling peculiar creatures I've never encountered or even heard of before. There's one that takes on a human-like shape but possesses four legs, akin to a horse, and it wields a curved blade in its right hand. Among these curious creations, I spot goblins, two-headed snakes, a gigantic eye with wings, and numerous others, all intricately carved from stone.

So, these are the "magical creatures" mentioned in the quest description. However, they appear to be nothing more than decorative wall formations. They hold an artistic allure, but their true nature remains an enigma.

Continuing deeper into the cave, I notice that its path gradually spirals to the right. My curiosity leads me to the cave's end, where I encounter a massive stone blocking my way. It's a plain stone, towering three times higher than me, with a unique shape distinct from the decorative walls I encountered earlier.

I make a swift swing with my sword at the imposing stone block.

Clang!

My blade merely bounces off, leaving the stone unscathed. Frowning in puzzlement, I examine the stone carefully.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

For the next few minutes, I meticulously inspect the large rock, hoping to find some hidden mechanism or clue that might trigger its movement. Occasionally, I even approach the stone creature statues, wondering if they hold the key to unlocking this enigmatic barrier. But to no avail—there's nothing.

A sense of hopelessness creeps over me as I realize I'm at a dead end. With a heavy sigh, I decide to retreat from the cave. There are no creatures here, no signs of life whatsoever. It's been quite the adventure, though not in the way I expected.

As another days passes in the plains, I finally reach back to the gate of the capital.

…

"Halt! State your business!" A fully armored guard with unfamiliar face raises his spear, his stance alert and wary.

"Huh?" I look at the gate, which is locked shut, with a chain hanging outside.

I quickly introduce myself, "I'm Raiken J, a novice swordsman."

Recognition flashes in the guard's eyes. "Oh, it's you, the one who's always with General Alpha."

The guard lowers his spear and sighs, shaking his head. "Sorry, kid," he says with a hint of sympathy. "The city is currently on lockdown due to the sighting of a rogue wizard. It finally revealed itself not too long ago. His Highness ordered us to lock down the city until the wizard is captured, dead or alive, or until ten days pass without incident. Yesterday, some of our men spotted a wizard dressed in a brown cape wandering the city, so we implemented the lockdown procedure."

"I thought so, it's the wizard again." I nod in understanding as the other guard removes the chains and opens the gate, allowing me entry.

"Stay safe!" The guard's parting words echo in my ears as I step through the gate and into the evening. The town remains abuzz with activity, filled with whispers and murmurs that seem to underscore the seriousness of the situation. The increased presence of patrolling guards throughout the capital is a clear indication that they are taking the current circumstances very seriously.

I begin to make my way toward the Guildhouse, my steps heavy with contemplation. However, as I reach for the door, a sudden hesitation washes over me. I pause.

Wait.

This situation raises questions. My quest was to slay magical creatures, yet I found nothing inside that peculiar cave. Now, with a citywide lockdown in effect due to a rogue wizard, how will they react when I report that I discovered nothing in that cave?

"Crap. Let's give it a few days," I mutter to myself, releasing a sigh of frustration. My thoughts swirl with uncertainty as I decide to leave the Guildhouse behind for the time being.

As I stroll through the streets, making my way to a mini garden at the northeastern part of the city, which lies just below the castle's expansive garden, something peculiar catches my attention. Several guards are sprinting in different directions within the castle's garden.

"Come on, she can't be far from here!" one of the guards exclaims, approaching me with an urgent tone.

"Hey, did you see a wizard dressed in black pass by?" he asks me.

Black? Wait a minute. Didn't the guard at the front gate mention the wizard was in a brown cape? Or could it be that there are multiple wizards within the city?

I shake my head, genuinely not having encountered any suspicious individuals on my way here.

"Damn it!" The guard vents his frustration by punching the ground.

"Okay, thanks for your cooperation. Let us know if you spot anything suspicious," he says, managing to calm himself down.

As he turns away, I hear a voice call out, "Hey, I think I saw something near the buildings!"

"What!?" All the guards in the garden dash towards the source of the voice. I watch the scene unfold with curiosity.

Before long, I catch a fleeting glimpse of someone hidden behind a tree, concealed by the surrounding bushes. The figure briefly tilts her head in my direction before swiftly disappearing from sight once more.

I approach the tree where I spotted the mysterious figure and discover a short girl dressed in a long black gambeson adorned with a red-shaped gem on her chest. She holds a distinctively shaped wooden staff, its top featuring a white crystal. Her black, straight hair cascades to her neck, and her eyes, slightly larger than usual, have an unusual blue color with red crystalline pupils. With her rounded nose and chin, she carries an adorable appearance.

Her gambeson is embellished with fabric-shaped belts, and she sports dark leather gloves, along with slender legs clad in snowshoes. As I draw near, she pleads with me, her face pouting, eyes watery, and legs trembling in fear. She points the wooden staff at me, ready to defend herself.

"S-stay away! Please, don't hand me over to them!" she implores, her voice trembling with fear.

I furrow my brow, trying to make sense of the situation. "Are you... the wizard?" I inquire.

She remains silent, seemingly lost in her own thoughts, forgetting my presence entirely. I glance around, finding no guards in sight. With a sigh, I raise both hands in a non-threatening gesture.

"Alright, I promise I won't turn you over to whoever targetting you. Now, can you lower that thing?" I ask gently.

"Y-you mean it?" She hesitates for a moment, and I simply nod. With a relieved sigh, she lowers her wooden staff.

…

Both of us find refuge behind the bush, concealed from the view of any approaching soldiers to avoid detection.

"So," I begin, gazing at her with a serious tone. "How and why did you come to this place? Don't you know wizards aren't allowed here?" I raise an eyebrow, questioning her motives.

She shakes her head, closing her eyes, as if trying to recall the events. "I don't know how I ended up here... Last thing I remember, I was inside a ruin. I saw a big, broken mirror. After that... I found myself being chased by armed men..."

My suspicion grows with her story. "Huh. That only makes me more suspicious," I admit.

"P-please believe me!" She pleads earnestly. "I'm just randomly transported to unknown places!" Her legs shake even more, and she eventually kneels down, seemingly unable to stand any longer.

"Hey! Are you alright!?" I ask with concern.

Grooooowlll~

A loud growling sound fills the air, causing us both to freeze. Her face turns a shade of red, and she looks down, clearly embarrassed.

"Umm..."

Quickly, I retrieve some food from my pouch and offer it to her. She eagerly grabs it and devours it as if it's her last meal ever. However, she soon starts choking, frantically patting her chest in distress.

"Slow down, will you!" I chide gently, handing her my drinking pouch. She gulps down the water without hesitation. Once she finishes eating and drinking, she lets out an adorable, satisfied sigh.

"Now, can you tell me your name?" I inquire, my tone softening.

She gasps, as if suddenly remembering my presence. "I-I'm... You can call me Ruby! S-sorry about that... I was really starving, so..."

...

"Forget about it. I'm Raiken J. You can call me Rai," I say, trying to put her at ease.

We both take a seat and shake our hands.

#

End of Chapter 25