(TL: This is a bit of a pun. An unbridled horse is made of the Kanji for Sky and Horse, but in this case, it’s a sky horse carriage.)
Dammit. Perhaps that was supposed to be common sense here. Since Hiiro was stopping by the 『Evila』’s continent for the first time, he never learned of the existence of Sky Carriages. Perhaps his current behavior had given away his identity.
But Silva’s next words cleared away Hiiro’s unease.
“Is that so? Hiiro-sama appears to be of the 『Imp Race』. I’ve heard that they don’t interact much with other races, but perhaps that has lead you to be a bit unaware of the affairs of the world.” (Silva)
It seems he came to an understanding on his own. By the way, the 『Imps』 were a race of 『Evila』, and with dark skin, and pointed features. They’re great in numbers, but possess a cowardly nature. Apparently, they avoid interactions with other races.
“The Sky Carriage is a service managed by couriers. A form of business.” (Silva)
They charge money depending on the distance, and carry cargo and people to designated locations. Of course, they transport living things as well. As their names implied, Sky Carriages carried things through the sky.
(Like a Taxi, I guess)
Using the system, Silva set this mountain as his destination, and asked to be brought there.But as he approached the mountain, a problem occurred.
“It suddenly became impossible to control the carriage, and while it was planned that I would be dropped here, I was dropped far, far to the east…” (Silva)
He pointed his finger. In that direction was a sea of trees.
“The Eastern Forest… Also known as the 【Beguiling Woods】. I fell into that place.” (Silva)
“How unlucky.” (Hiiro)
“Yes… But I am a butler. I can’t give up because of such things. No matter how irregular the situation, it is my duty to follow my master’s orders. So I wandered around the forest alone.” (Silva)
“And you had used up all of your strength by the time you got here?” (Hiiro)
“It was a great dishonor to me.” (Silva)
Silva lowered his shoulders.
“If you were hungry, why didn’t you hunt, or forage?” (Hiiro)
“Unfortunately, the 【Beguiling Woods】 do not contain anything edible. There are things that look like food, but once you put them in your mouth, you get status afflictions strong enough to change your personality entirely.” (Silva)
That was the scary part of the forest. In it were devilish edibles. All of them have confusing side-effects, and their strong effects crumble’s one’s personality and purpose.
(A plain swarming with Rank S Monsters, a Mountain of Poison, and a Beguiling forest… I’ve come to an incredible place…)
There wasn’t a single safe-haven. Hiiro decided that he would have to be more wary than he could imagine.
Silva himself took severe damage as he finally exited the forest, but he was constantly attacked by monsters, and there was nothing to eat. After desperately clawing his way here, he gave in to his own hunger, and collapsed.
“But I digress. Anyways, I have a reason that I have to enter this mountain.” (Silva)
“…” (Hiiro)
“If you plan on crossing this mountain no matter what, then I think it best if I were to accompany you.” (Silva)
Silva had to cross it to return home as well. Their destinations were the same.
(But…)
The problem was whether one not he wanted to bring along someone who may be a burden to such a dangerous place. It’s not like they were comrades or anything, and he didn’t have any particular attachment to him. And seeing the old man in front of him get beaten up and poisoned was not a good sight for the eyes.
Mikazuki was enough of a burden to him, but then he remembered something.
He survived the 【Beguiling Forest】, and the monsters that attacked him up until now. Perhaps this old man had a little bit of skill. Even though Silva was collapsed from hunger, he had nothing that resembled a serious injury.
Hiiro immediately cast doubtful eyes on Silva. No, perhaps they were appraising eyes.
(This guy… could it be…)
As he thought that, Hiiro secretly tried to write 『Pry (覗)』. He concentrated magic on his finger. But the next instant, Silva’s eyebrow’s twitched, and he glared at Hiiro’s face. Hiiro immediately stopped writing.
“… What happened?” (Silva)
“… Meaning?” (Hiiro)
“No, I just felt a slight flow of magic.” (Silva)
“!?” (Hiiro)
It was truly a shock. It seems that Silva was able to sense that Hiiro was trying to do something.
(I definitely let out magic, but no one’s been able to sense that until now…)
Perhaps the 『Evila』 Race, which specialized in magic, were all sensitive to its flow. He would have to be careful not to use magic in excess from here on. In the end, Hiiro was unable to check Silva’s 《Status》 screen..
“No, it’s nothing.” (Hiiro)
That was all he could say. And Silva didn’t press any further.
“About that, Hiiro-sama.” (Silva)
“… What?” (Hiiro)
“How about it? I think my knowledge will prove useful to you in some way.” (Silva)
It was true that Hiiro knew nothing of this land. It’s always better to have information than to not. But this Old Man’s aura made it seem that he would be hard to deal with.
(Is he weak or strong… I still don’t know. I might be able to get directions from him, but…)
If he accidentally used 《Word Magic》 and got found out, a problem might emerge. It wasn’t a magic he wanted to flaunt to others, so he wanted to refuse, but as their destinations were the same, and as Silva still wanted to return the favor, it may end up that they would be travelling together regardless.
(If I can skillfully draw out whatever info I need, and take out monsters with just my Katana…)
Thinking that, Hiiro made up his mind, and turned back to Silva.
“Fine. However, don’t do anything unnecessary. We’ll just be traveling together, got it?” (Hiiro)
“Nofofofofo! Understood. I’ll repay my debt in all sincerity! Nofofofofo!” (Silva)
He respectfully bowed.
(It seems I’ve made a companion I have to be wary around.)
Hiiro gazed at the mountain, with doubts swirling around his head. But this was merely another part of travelling. He hit Mikazuki’s back again, and proceeded forwards.