Published: August 15, 2025
Today, four chapters are posted simultaneously.
This is the fourth chapter.
Although we were a bit delayed due to the morning’s revelations, we set off again for the ghost town. As yesterday, we frequently encountered undead, but today’s journey went smoother than yesterday’s. The reason? We were riding an emperor scavenger slime.
“I never thought about traveling by riding a slime, but once you get used to it, it’s not so bad,”
“It’s surprisingly stable while riding. It’s like gliding over a smooth board.”
The emperor slime moves by crawling like an ordinary slime, but because of its large body, its stride is wide and it’s strong on rough terrain. According to Mr. Seaver, it moves at about the speed of a horse’s trot, so it easily navigates this pathless ravine, which makes it fast enough.
Also, when traveling on foot, fighting undead every time wastes time, but if you’re riding the emperor scavenger, you can absorb a few enemies into its body and keep moving. Even if there are many enemies, you can reduce their numbers with magic from a distance and continue without stopping.
“Even if something hits us, or if I happen to fall off, it wraps me up and cushions the fall, so it’s very safe and convenient.”
However... there is one drawback. The undead it’s digesting are right under your rear.
The absorbed undead cannot escape on their own, and we’ve taken safety measures by using a waterproof cloth as a leisure sheet and coating it with light attribute mana to serve as a blindfold, prevent accidental swallowing, and act as a protective barrier. Considering travel efficiency and conserving energy, it’s an excellent method, but I can’t lie—it's a little uncomfortable.
It seems everyone noticed this, because the conversation stopped here.
After a moment, Lord Reinbach spoke.
“Ryoma-kun, regarding this morning’s talk, I think it’s best to limit discussing it only to my son and his wife.”
“I trust Lord Reinbach and the two of them, so I have no objections, but shouldn’t we tell Aria?”
“Hmm. Actually, when Aria was young, we discussed within the family how to raise her, considering the possibility that she might be the child of god... In the end, we decided to focus more on teaching what’s important as a person rather than as nobility.
First, to shower her with as much love as possible, to protect and nurture her innocent heart. We want her to learn how to defend her mind and body against others’ malice, but while she’s young, we adults will protect her. And if she ever awakens her power, we pray she can still trust others.”
Now that I hear it... though it might be a stereotype, nobility tends to be seen as scheming and calculating—even children can be duplicitous and pragmatic. Aria’s being straightforward and like an ordinary girl must be thanks to this education policy and everyone’s efforts.
“It’s thanks to that that Aria has grown up so well, but she isn’t very good at subtlety. She may inadvertently show her feelings or be careless in her daily words and actions.
Moreover, many noble children attend the academy, and many of them are sharp-eyed. We must prevent gossip from spreading unnecessarily.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Honestly, I’m sure they want to tell her right away... I’m just grateful.
“Without you, Ryoma-kun, she would probably have carried that worry her whole life. That thought alone is a great relief. I feel saved myself, and I can give Aria good news.”
Aria? I haven’t heard that name before. Judging from the name and the flow of conversation, she must be a relative…
“Aria-chan is Lord Reinbach’s wife.”
“So, she’s Aria’s grandmother?”
“Lady Aria wasn’t very healthy and worried about her young daughter’s future until just before she passed. When that time comes, I think I’ll have good news to report as well.”
“I hope she lives a long life.”
“Really, that’s not something to say—it’s gloomy. I understand the relief, but aren’t you taking it too lightly?”