Chapter 33

Prologue The Wind on the Prairie A pure-white horse-drawn carriage speeds across the deserted plain. Shrubs intermittently fill the plain sprawling toward the horizon, yet it’s void of a distinct path forward. In this idyllic setting, one can catch a glimpse of the occasional bird-type creature, but given how fast the carriage is traveling, they’re not likely to approach. The canopy of the carriage, its wheels, and the horse pulling it are all as white as the pure driven snow. This is Grassland Wind, a powerful magic item legend says was created in antiquity by a band of sprites. It’s pulled along by horse golems that function on only a small amount of magical energy and never tire. The white canopy contains an enchantment that warps space and time to fit a much larger capacity than its outward appearance would suggest. The carriage can also be shrunken down to fit in the palm of a person’s hand. At the helm of this priceless magical carriage is an androgynous, raven-haired human figure. Naotsugu Toudou—the Holy Warrior summoned by the most powerful kingdom in all humanity, the Kingdom of Ruxe. She is the budding hero on her quest to defeat the Demon Lord along with her exceptional party members and powerful magical implements, including the holy sword Ex and holy armor Fried. However, Toudou is currently seated in the carriage driver’s seat, operating the reins and yawning profusely. It’s been ten days since the party left Golem Valley, and the scenery they’ve passed hasn’t changed one iota. The Kingdom of Ruxe is massive, and the majority of its lands have not yet been settled. Golem Valley is a rather remote region itself, but the distance to their next destination—the water capital Cloudburst—is farther than any they’ve covered between cities so far. The horses pulling the carriage don’t require rest, which reduces the group’s overall travel time. However, even Toudou has reached her limit of taking in the exact same scenery day after day after day. The sense of excitement she felt from their magnificent surroundings has long been overwritten by sheer boredom. As Toudou lets loose her fifth huge yawn, the canopy of the carriage opens suddenly. Looking back, Toudou sees a brilliant head of blond hair. Her companion, Limis Al Friedia, pokes just her head out. Toudou can see her own face reflected in Limis’s deep-blue eyes. “Hey, Nao. I assume nothing’s up?” Toudou smiles and shrugs. “As you can see, this place is so full of nothing that I’m bored out of my mind…” One or two days is doable—but after ten whole days, Toudou can’t even manage to stay alert. “If this goes on much longer, I’m gonna turn into gelatin.” “We can’t afford to just stop and fight some monsters. Besides, there won’t be a chance of leveling up for us anymore in these parts, will there?” “Well, yeah, you’re right.” The open prairies contain a large number of monsters, but they’re drastically weak compared to the ones in Golem Valley. Leveling up here would be a challenge, certainly for Toudou at level 40 but also for Aria and Limis at level 29. “I wonder if we should’ve gained a few more levels in Golem Valley.” Golem Valley is one of the most efficient places for gaining levels in the entire Kingdom. Toudou just got used to battling the monsters there, and though she had good reason to move on, she can’t help wishing they could have spent more time in the valley. “Establishing a covenant with an elemental spirit is more important. It’ll provide you so much more combat strength than simply leveling up. Your mobility will improve, too, so it’s about time you contracted with a spirit, Nao.” Limis has her pointer finger raised as she explains, but Toudou smiles bitterly. Limis is right; the Demon Lord in this world is different from the ones Toudou battled in video games before she was summoned here. This one is actively trying to take her life. Toudou may be well accomplished in magic, but because she hasn’t entered into a covenant with an elemental spirit, she can’t put those accomplishments to use. Regardless of efficiency, levels can be gained ad nauseam. Securing battle prowess takes much greater precedence. Establishing a covenant for Limis is the first order of business in Cloudburst, with Toudou’s covenant a close second. Noticing Toudou’s exhausted face, Limis sighs herself and says, “I can definitely see where you’re coming from. There’s nothing here…” “Vale Village was also surrounded by grassy plains, but they were nothing like these…” It’s been just a few months since they began their journey. Being together every day, topics of conversation tend to be in short supply. Although the carriage is spacious, training inside it while moving is impossible. Limis comes out from the canopy and sits next to Toudou. She must be just as bored as Toudou is. “The water capital, huh…? I wonder what it’s like…” “Me too… I’ve never been there, but it’s got that famous sunken temple at the bottom of the ocean. You used to be able to get to Cloudburst by boat before the Demon Lord set his plans in motion…” Just as its name, the water capital, suggests, the city of Cloudburst is located along the ocean. Getting there by land via Ruxe territory requires passing through the mountains and can take over ten days. Following the coastal route takes half that time. However, traveling that route would be highly ill-advised for Toudou and her party; the coast has been in the hands of the Demon Lord for close to ten years, making it one of the most dangerous locations in the Kingdom. The majority of ports, throughout not just Ruxe but the world, are currently inoperable. The party applied for boat clearance in Cloudburst but was denied. “A sunken temple at the bottom of the ocean… I can’t even imagine it…” “…Well, I guess we’ll know when we get there. Seems like that’s where we need to go to establish a covenant with a water spirit…” “…Hope we get there soon…” “So do I… We should have our cardinal directions straight, at least…” Toudou stares at the horizon in the distance and opens her mouth for another massive yawn.