Chapter 176

Ch. 176 Meeting Up

While staying aware with [[Presence Sense]], I retrace the path that my game of tag with the giant centipede had led me down. I dont expect either the ball rabbit or Adofu to have moved from where I left them.

I cant see anything when using [[Roll]], so I occasionally fly up and look into the distance while proceeding through the desert.

On the way, I rest in the vicinity of some cacti and come across a three-headed camel. As luck would have it[1], I got both water and meat as a package deal. I mercilessly attack it with [[Kamaitachi]], so I could serve the three-headed camel as a present for ball rabbit and Adofu. Sorry, three-headed camel. Here, the weak are meat for the strong to eat.

On my third flight, I spot a dirty-looking swamp in the distance. That is the slugs territory. Nonetheless, when I saw it earlier on the way over I thought that it was a beautiful lake. So that must mean that [[Mirage]] was dispelled while I was fighting the giant centipede.

By any chance, are the ball rabbit and Adofu over there? It became a good landmark. Even slugs are occasionally useful. Did they defeat the slugs with that in mind? Knowing the ball rabbit, it is possible.

Approaching the swamp, ball rabbit and Adofu come into sight. Looks like they made a water supply by purifying a section of the swamp with [[Clean]]. Adofu heard my footsteps and turned his head this way.

Youve come back? It seems you went to raise your level.

Oou, hearing the word level from a human, I feel a little shocked. That Hero also possesses [[Status Check]], surprisingly its more common than I thought.

To be blunt, its impossible. You cant catch up to him in just a few days. Irushia is strong. He was going fairly easy on me as well, but you saw how it went. Sure, he used some underhanded tricks, but even without those I couldnt have won anyway.

Normally that would be true, but I have my double experience cheat from [[Walking Egg]].

If I go all out with enough force to destroy the ants nest, even if catching up to him will be difficult I should be able to take him down in one shot while hes being careless.

However, it is tough to explain this to Adofu Also, I have to go through ball rabbit.

If levels have been introduced, then maybe I should consider that the knowledge of skills have also become widespread? I dont have a clear understanding about this area at all. In that case, perhaps humanity also knows the true identity of [[Voice of God]]? Once things calm down, a part of me wants to examine that area.

Therefore, leave it to me. You want to save that woman of the beastman tribe, right? Irushia believes that I am dead. Once a great number of people are gathered in the town square, I can refute Irushias points. If I succeed, even the church will no longer be able to protect him.

We may share the same name, but I wish hed stop calling out Irushia, Irushia repeatedly. Honestly, being lumped together with that guy does not feel good.

Dragon, it would be better if you waited in the desert. Ill definitely bring her back, just watch.

If that would settle things smoothly Id be all for it Though that hero most likely wont leave it that easily. Even Adofu, marching into Haranae on his own, might be seen as a criminal brazenly returning, and be immediately returned to prison without being heard out We also need to consider that.

To Adofu, does it seem like our chances of victory are much lower in the scenario where I enter Haranae? At that time, the country would fall into chaos, and if I look at it from Adofus perspective,

he might feel indebted towards me.

Whether or not Adofu was there, wasnt that Hero coming for me?

But assuming I let him take responsibility out of consideration for his feelings, if it doesnt go well, I wont be able to do anything. Sorry for diving into a place where there are lots of people, but given the current circumstances I have no choice but to do so.

GUuWAa

Roaring, I spit out the cactus and camel from my mouth. Because I emphasized speed, I switched between walking on four legs and [[Roll]] while moving. I couldnt use my hands. Well, it should be fine if I pass it through fire.

This is

GUuoo

Is this okay to eat? Y-yeah, thanks

Pefuu

Neither ball rabbit nor Adofu react very favorably.

W-what, arent you hungry? Ill roast it, okay? Itll be fully cooked, alright?

I roast it with [[Scorching Breath]], evaporating the saliva. Ball rabbit eats it resignedly. Adofu alsoseems to get over it and eats a mouthful.

GUuoo

I call out to ball rabbit.

Oi, Ive got something I want you to ask Adofu real quick. Is there anyplace a beastman slave could live in peace?

Ball rabbit removes its mouth from the camel head it was biting into, and turns towards Adofu.

Pefuu

[Nina, in peace, place to live, where?]

Nina?

Adofu asks, tilting his head. Then he remarks Oh, that young girl? and gives a small nod.

There isnt.

After all, I didnt expect there to be such a convenient place. Even if shes safely rescued, things are likely to become difficult after that. I hope I can disable [[Dragon Scale Powder]] when I evolve, though.

necessarily no place for her to go. (ED: its a continuation of his previous line)

Is there? Whats with that weird, overblown style of speech. You got me all anxious for nothing. However, Adofu seems to have difficulty saying it. Is there some problem with it?

However, I dont think a dragon will be able to enter.

Oh, that? Thats unfortunate but I was already prepared for that a long time ago.

Adofu continues speaking after seeing my reaction.

Near Haranae, there is a country named Ardejia. It seems that recently, Ardejia has been forming treaties with countries where lots of beastmen live, and since theyd benefit from an undisturbed relationship between their countries, they, unlike Haranae, dont treat beastmen as slaves, and are working towards their liberation. As for Ardejia, if they hear that shes an escaped slave from Haranae, I think they would gladly shelter her.

I see, in that case taking Nina there is an option.

I have Adofu draw me a map in the sand. To get to Ardejia from here, pass through Haranae and proceed in a straight line from there. You wouldnt be able to miss it even if you started on the opposite side.

GUuoo

While youre at it, lets think about our future immigration too. Because after making an appearance at Haranae, living out in the desert is also likely to become difficult. Somewhere with not that many people and plenty of nature would be nice. Since the desert has been quite arduous.

Pefuu

[Us too, future immigration, you consider. People, few. Food, tasty]

Well food is important you know.

Hearing ball rabbits translation, Adofu adds more to the map in the sand.

East from Ardejia theres a large river, and beyond it theres an enormous forest. Its said to be a dangerous place where many heroes have met their end. I think thats the only place around here that satisfies your conditions. This area is dense with countries surrounding the desert.

A forest along a river? Is it perhaps, the forest where the black lizards are? It is said to be an enormous forest, the likelihood that theyre related is high.

There are hardly any people, its just that a dangerous race known as the Lithuvar[2]tribe, classified as a demon tribe, is said to live there. I dont know the full details, I hear they are few in number, so it isnt likely that you will encounter them in that great forest.

Ehhwell then, is that no good?

But other than that, are there only places where people come and go frequently? I can clearly see soldiers being dispatched right away again. I guess its the number one candidate after all And the stronger the enemy, the easier it should be to gain experience.

As far as the others are concerned, youd be going in the opposite direction. This way might be safe. Youd have to pass through a country in the middle of a civil war, but this

Personally, I think Ill pass on that direction Is this world nothing but dangerous places?

[1]The original line was which translates to It was exactly like a duck had come along carrying green onions. Its a common Japanese idiom for a fortunate and convenient event. Since you make duck soup with green onions, the duck has brought the ingredient with it.

[2]Raw: