ALL NOVEL
Chapter 113.3
“Ah… another splendid reinforcement.”
Upon arriving at the landslide site, Hans started stroking the stone wall on the slope.
There were handprints here and there, suggesting other travelers had touched it. This made me a bit happy.
I averted my gaze from the admiring Hans and began the inspection.
There were wheel tracks on the mountain path, indicating several wagons had already passed through.
I wasn’t worried since it withstood the rampaging Gausas cattle, and it seemed to be passable without issues.
But that was only for a moment, as I stopped at the hard sensation underfoot.
Stonewall?
It was supposed to be at a reasonable depth, but—
I looked around and found traces of water flow.
Ah, drainage.
While there were gaps in the stone wall on the slope, nothing was done underneath the road.
I had completely forgotten. The soil above had probably washed away.
I watched Hans while walking around.
Then, using the stone wall as a medium, I cast [Earth Bolt], directing it towards the forest.
“Huh?”
Hans tilted his head and looked back but masked it by gazing into the distance.
Now the stone wall below is full of holes. It shouldn’t be exposed easily.
If it still doesn’t work—I’ll have to redo it.
After finishing the additional work, we crossed the mountain.
By early afternoon, we arrived at the forest in the Selen territory.
From here, it was a familiar forest.
Since there was time until evening, we decided to take a short break.
Sitting on the roots of an overhanging tree, I refreshed myself with General’s Tea, and Hans with his own canteen.
As expected from someone confident in his legs, Hans was quite fit.
He kept up even as we increased speed on the mountain path, without showing any signs of fatigue.
With this much energy, a little should be fine.
I took out a leather pouch and equipped the lowering magic tools.
Then, I switched from the armor-piercing sword to a shamshir.
Hans watched my preparations with keen interest.
Even if it’s a shamshir, a merchant would notice my accessories are cheap.
Still, his interest was piqued, likely due to the potential of the magic tools.
He’s correct. Though they’re all negative effects.
When I glanced at Hans, he only had a dagger at his waist.
He hasn’t mastered the [Dagger] skill, and right now, attack range is more important than lethality.
I cut an appropriate branch and handed it to him. He seemed to think it was a walking stick and thanked me.
Now we’re all set.
Protect yourself.
After the break, we left the highway and stepped into the forest.
Soon enough, we found goblin tracks. Following them, they noticed us, leading to a battle.
There were four of them.
With my agility significantly reduced, I struggled against the goblins’ wave attacks.
Hans was screaming and flailing the branch around, unintentionally aiding as a diversion.
We managed to win somehow, but I sustained several cuts and bruises.
Getting injured by goblins—oh, this is the first time. Leaders are always different.
Satisfied with the tough fight, I started dismantling.
I collected one magic stone and chose a dagger that looked salvageable from the goblins’ weapons.
Perhaps noticing my finished task, Hans asked worriedly, “Are you feeling unwell?”
I willingly showed him my accessories and explained.
“Please, stop it!”
Suddenly, he pleaded with me, almost worshipfully.
I told you, didn’t I? I can’t protect you.
Well, if goblins are this tough, a group of orcs or dokoru would be harsh.
So, I chose suitable monsters, and we ended the first day’s journey in the forest.
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