Page 185

(Walson)

If someone knew what I would do, they would most certainly think of me as a fool, after all, the act of sneaking away right under the nose of a [Hero] of all thing is so hard, especially if the one who tried to sneak away is a [Village] of all thing, calling this endeavor as impossible to is not wrong.

But, that statement is only true for the rest of the [Village], I'm different from them! All thanks to my Minecraft power, all would be possible, even if the [Hero] has an excellent scouting skill and is alert to her surroundings.

To escape from her watch, I don't mind using some illegal means secretly, for example, the powder that I had secretly put into the food that is being prepared for all of us? It's the powder of the [Sleeping Grass]! It's odorless and tasteless too, so unless she has a skill to know what kind of thing she is eating at all times, she would definitely drink it.

The [Sleeping Grass] stuff grows in the deep mountains, and it's also a substance that is being controlled and watched by the kingdom, so it's not easy to get your hands on it. But my old base is based on the Nakula Forest, and in there, I secretly made a bunch of it using [Bone Powder], it's illegal, but as long as I keep the grass inside my [Inventory], no one will find out.

In detail, this stuff can be used in two ways: through inhalation from the mouth and by being ingested. The former is not very effective when someone is on guard, but it can have surprisingly effective results when used properly. As for the latter, if you discover it immediately and drink a lot of water, you can neutralize it... but due to it being tasteless, it's hard to detect.

As for how I nor any of my Party are not affected by the powder, it's all thanks to [Milk Potion].

The moon is high, it's 9 PM in the evening, and the vast darkness envelops the entire grassland. Ordinary travelers have already set up camp and gone to sleep.

Rifle and Little Black side by side, enjoying the cool night breeze and the lively rhythm of Barella Ukulele, with the three carriages rattling along.

I made some minor adjustments to the configuration of the carriages before we left.

Now, the first two sections are living areas, and as for the distribution of beds, I sleep in the driver's cabin, Grace, Melon, Barella, and Derisha sleep in the first section, Alice and Tanaya, who like to play with redstone, sleep in the second section, which also serves as a storage area for clothes and potions. As for the third section, it's used for storing tools and equipment, and Rifle and Little Black's nests fill the entire carriage.

"...Walson, can I ask why we're leaving so early?" Grace, who was sitting on the left side of the driver's seat, asked softly.

"Well... Continuing to have any dealings with those people will sooner or later lead to trouble. Those guys are heroes." I said gloomily.

By the way, only we know about Felia's identity as a [Hero], the villagers are unaware.

From the look of it, that Felia girl didn't tell the villagers about her status as a [Hero], and are letting them simply calling them as "adventurers", I didn't want to have any trouble with the girl, so I go along with it and try not to mention her status in front of the villagers.

"I still think it's a bit of a shame, after all, she's a [Hero]! Before being corrupted, she is the one who saved the village, and I want to thank her for that." Derisha, lying on the roof, heard this and sat up. Her beautiful legs dangled down from above and swayed in front of me.

"Well, that's true, but we have saved them from their frenzied state, so we are even with them."

"Perhaps.... But still! A [Hero]! Someone who saves everyone and defeats the [Demon King]! To think we would meet someone like that, how cool was that!?"

"Ha? What's so impressive about it? Isn't it just a title that attracts trouble?"

"While rescuing people is important, she hasn't defeated the Demon King yet, and furthermore, that little girl also got a strange curse from one of the Demon King's subordinates... Besides, we're also on the same level as her! Derisha, aren't you..."

"Master, have some fruit." Melon, who was sitting on the right, quietly cut an apple and fed a slice to the protagonist.

"Oh, thanks... Aren't you a [Vessel of Water]?"

"Um... I think so?" Two beautiful legs swayed thoughtfully.

"About that, Walson, I've always found it a bit contradictory." Barella, on Rifle's back in the driver's seat, stopped playing the ukulele and spoke.

"Hmm?" I asked, feeling guilty, and Grace's silent gaze was painful.

"The reason you don't want to get involved with them is to protect yourself in the face of a world-threatening crisis, right?" Barella said.

"Yeah."

"So, our reason for heading to the Labyrinth City right now is to understand and even solve the withering problem, isn't it? There are actually a lot of potential dangers in that too, right?"

"Uh... Well, uh... I mean, taking the initiative is the best way to protect yourself, right?" I was at a loss for words, trying to explain.

"Even though you say you don't want to, you won't just stand by, right?" Barella ignored my explanation and drew a conclusion.

"Walson is such a kind person," Derisha said. Her beautiful legs swayed and-Ouch!

What the f*ck! It hurt so much!

"Walson, tsundere," Grace commented and released her hand from my waist.

"Master, have some fruit." Melon, who showed no emotional changes throughout, blinked her beautiful eyes and handed over a fragrant apple slice.

Melon, you're truly the best, you're like an oasis in my soul!

Just when the atmosphere was perfect, a sudden loud noise rang out!

Eight beams of light rose, each occupying a different position, surrounding the convoy in a circle. At the same time, an unidentifiable bass sound rang out, followed by countless musical notes, piecing together to form a unique style of symphony.

"Oh, la la la - here they come! This will be a beautiful encounter! Don't you think so, Margaret?" A neutral voice appeared in the music, sometimes distant and then close.

"I think so too! Big brother Roel!" Then, a woman's voice appeared, equally elusive.

"You're absolutely right—"

"Absolutely right," followed a somewhat childish voice.

Strangely, under the symphonic music's performance, these people's conversation seemed exceptionally clear, almost... as if the music itself was the background music!

Wow, they come with their own background music!?

Eight purple magic orbs slowly rose, and the beams began a chaotic dance. Finally, in perfect harmony, they all pointed in the same direction—the direction of our already bewildered selves!

Four dark figures rushed towards us from a distance, and in the blink of an eye, they were beneath the spotlight!

There, at some point, a very conspicuous tree appeared, its petals fluttering in the light.

"Deng deng deng deng! Deng deng deng deng! Do you see it? The wolf's footsteps racing under the moonlit mist!"

"Howl! Howl! Who is it? Who is it? Who is calling the wild wolf's howl?"

"The wind! The noisy wind blowing inside us!"

"Lurking in the cold night, dancing in the flashes of swords and blades!"

"The supreme leader, Roel!"

"The Vice Captain filled with love and wisdom, Margaret!"

"The cold-blooded strategist, Barbara!"

"...Banana."

"We, The Four Wolves of the Wilderness, the Red Wolf Mercenary Corps, are here to be your opponents!"