Chapter 11

Just like in anime rabbitman became a race known for it's violence.

Deep inside the fog, Hajime and his party advanced toward the Great Tree.

After they advanced for 15 minutes while chatting harmoniously, their party finally arrived at the Great Tree.

Hajime's first opinion when he looked at the Great Tree was,

"… … the heck this is"

While half-surprised and half-doubting. Yue also wore the slight expression of someone who had her expectations crumbling. The two of them were imagining it using the scale and a larger version of the trees in Faea Belgaen.

However, the real Great Tree was… … splendidly withered.

Its size was not that far off from their imagination. Its diameter alone could be estimated around 50 meters. There is also the bizarre difference from the surrounding trees. While the surrounding trees had the ever expanding green leaves, only the Great Tree was withered.

"The Great Tree was already withered even before the founding of Faea Belgaen. However, it didn't rot. Ever the never changing withered tree. With the surrounding fog's nature and the forever-withered-without-rotting Great Tree, this place became a sacred place. Well, even with that said, although it could be called a tourist spot…"

Kam explained to Hajime and Yue making inquiring faces. While hearing the explanation, Hajime looked around the Great Tree's roots. Just as Alfrerick had said, there was a lithograph built.

"This is… … just like Orcus' door's…"

"… … Nn, the same crest"

On the lithograph there were seven system-like squares with seven crests engraved on top of it. It was completely the same as the one on Orcus' room's door. To prove it, Hajime took out Orcus' ring. The pattern on the ring was completely the same as one of the patterns on the Lithograph after all.

"It was the entrance to the Great Dungeon after all… but… … what should we do about this?"

Hajime approached the Great Tree and started to 'thud thud' hit it and of course there was no change, when he tried to ask Kam and the others if they know something about this tree, they only had No as an answer. Although he already heard all of the traditions from Alfrerick, there wasn't any concerning the entrance. There was a possibility that he hid it so Hajime started to think, "Should I collect the debt?",

At that time, Yue who was observing the lithograph raised her voice.

"Hajime… … look at this."

"Nn? Is something there?"

What Yue noticed was on the other side of the lithograph. There were empty dents that corresponded with the seven crests on the other side.

"This is…"

Hajime put the Orcus ring in his hand to the dent that he saw corresponded to Orcus' crest.

Then… … the lithograph began to faintly shine.

Wondering what happened, the surrounding Haulia tribe that were on lookout began to gather. For a while, they looked at the shining lithograph which lights gradually faded and somehow characters appeared in its place. Something was written there.

Four proofs.

Power of Rebirth.

Guidepost of Spun Bond.

A new trial will be opened to the one who has those proof.

"… … What does it mean?"

"… … Rhe four proofs… … maybe, wasn't it referring to the other Dungeons' proofs?"

"… … Then, what does the Power of Rebirth and Guidepost of Spun Bond mean?"

Shia answered to Hajime who puzzled over it.

"U~n, Guidepost of Spun Bond, wasn't that it? Whether you got demi-human race as guides or not. Only demi-humans are able to move around easily in the Sea of Trees, and to gain the demi-humans as guides in the Sea of Tree was an exception among exception"

"… … I see. It was something like that"

"… … Next was regeneration… … Me?"

Yue pointed at herself who owns the special magic, "Auto Regeneration". To test it, she thinly gave a cut to her finger to activate "Auto Regeneration" while moving to touch the Great Tree… … but there was no change at all.

"Muu… … it looks like that was wrong."

"… … nn~, to the withered tree… … Power of Rebirth… … along with four proofs… … it's possible that the four proofs meant we have to conquer half of the Seven Great Dungeons, then we might obtain the age of gods magic concerning rebirth, was it something like that?"

Hajime was wondering whether they must use that to restore the withered tree. Yue also gave a consenting face.

"Haa~, damn. So it was impossible to conquer it right now… … even though it was troublesome, there is nothing else we can do but to go to the other dungeons…"

"Nn…"

Hajime could only grind his teeth having come this far. Yue also regretted it. However, because they couldn't enter the Great Dungeon now, although it worried them, it couldn't be helped. They switched their target to obtaining three more proofs for now.

Hajime then gathered the Haulia tribe.

"As you've heard, we are aiming to conquer the other Great Dungeons now. The promise that you kept to guide us to the Great Tree is over now. If it's the current you, even without Faea Belgaen's protection, you'll be able to survive inside the Sea of Trees. That means, this is good bye"

Then, he took a peek at Shia. His eyes asked her if she wanted to leave behind some words, and Shia understood perfectly that now was the time to voice her intentions. Even though she'll be back, conquering three of the Great Dungeons would take much time. She wouldn't be able to meet her family during that time.

Shia nodded, then took a step forward to talk to Kam and the others"

"Fath- "Boss! I have something to say!" … … huuh, father? This is my turn…"Kam took a step forward while ignoring Shia. 'Bishi', then stood at attention. On his side, "Father? Wait, father?", Shia's words could be heard and as if he was a British guardsman he just looked ahead while standing upright.

A~, what is it?"

For the time being Shia called out, father? father?, but was ignored, while Hajime asked Kam. Kam, while not looking at Shia and ignoring her, started to tell the consensus from the Haulia tribe.

"Boss, please take us along!"

"Eh! Everyone also wanted to go with Hajime-san!?"

Shia was surprised at Kam's words. In the discussion ten days ago, what happened with that mood when you were sending me off!?, were the words she said.

"We are Haulia but at the same time not Haulia! We are Boss's subordinates! By all means, take us along! This is our tribe's consensus!"

"Wait a sec, father! I've never heard of that! Rather, for what purpose did I have to go through those hardships…"

"I admit, we are jealous of Shia!"

"He admits that! He really said that! Really, what happened in those ten days!"

While Kam said the tribe's consensus, he ignored Shia's remark. What is this situation?, was what Hajime thought then frankly answered.

"I refuse."

"Why!?"

Kam tried to ask the reason for Hajime's quick reply. The other Haulia tribe members also approached Hajime in impatience.

"Of course it's because you will only be hindrances, you idiot-"

"But!"

"Don't get caught up in the moment. For our journey, even 180 days is too fast!"

"Is that true!?"

In addition to Kam and the others holding on to him, they started to think, "Even if it was not permitted, we will follow!" It seems because of the General Hartman-like( … )'s training, a strange sense of trust and reverence was born. If this keeps up, they'll really follow Hajime into town. Because he didn't want any to riot, he reluctantly gave them a condition.

"Then, that is. I want you to stay here to keep training. The next time I come to the Sea of Trees, if I can use you then I'll make you my subordinates"

"… … Is there any falsehood in those words?"

"None at all."

"If you lied, we'll continue to call Boss' name in the humans' towns, as if we are creating a new religion, okay?"

"Y-you have quite the bad sense…"

"Well, that is because we have pride as Boss' subordinates."

What a bold subordinate that made Hajime's cheeks twitch. Yue was 'pon pom' patting Hajime's arm to comfort him. Hajime let out a sigh, next he looked up at the sky thinking the next time he came to the Sea of Trees will be troublesome.

"Sob, no one looked at me… … even though it's the day I set off…"

Shia who was thrown to the side wrote the character ? on the ground, while no one minded her as expected.

Hajime, Yue, and Shia were escorted by Kam and the others to the boundary of the Sea of Trees, and once again they got on the magic-driven two-wheeler and dashed into the plain. The order of seating was Yue, Hajime, then Shia. Since he noticed Shia's degree of clingy-ness had increased from the time in the Raisen Grand Canyon, Hajime tried ignoring that. Although, his reaction was immediately discovered by Yue who sat in front of him.

On his shoulder, Shia asked a question.

"Hajime-san. Now that I remember I've never heard about it, where was our next destination?"

"Ah? I never said it?"

"I never heard anything."

"… … I already knew"

To the elated Yue, Shia let out a groan in protest.

"I-I am your comrade now, so please tell me something like that! Communication is important!"

"My bad. Our next destination is Raisen Grand Canyon"

"Raisen Grand Canyon?"

"For now, I don't even know if there was a Great Dungeon in Raisen Grand Canyon. Shune Snowfield is in the demon's country so it'd be troublesome. Although it's better to go to the Big Volcanic Mountain for now, if we go while passing Raisen that spreads from east to west, we'll get there anyway. Maybe we'll find a dungeon along the way, right?"

"T-to cross over the Raisen Grand Canyon…"

Instinctively, Shia's cheeks twitched. Raisen Grand Canyon was popular as an execution ground. Recently, it was also the place where her family was almost annihilated. To have thought of that place as a highway shook her mind.

Hajime, who knew Shia was shaken because she was glued to him, revealed an amazed expression.

"You know, believe in your own power a little. For the current you, the demonic beasts inside the canyon aren't that different from the demonic beasts in the boundary. Didn't you know we can't use magic inside Raisen? For you who specialized in body strengthening, it's possible to move around without any hindrance. Rather, it'd be the stage for you"

"… … I am ashamed as your master"

"Uu~, I am ashamed~"

Yue looked at Shia with amazed eyes. Shia tried to change the topic.

"Th-then, because we are going to Raisen Grand Canyon, are we going to camp today? Or, are we going to the nearest village or town?"

"If possible, I wanted to arrange some seasoning for food, for the sake of the future it'd be great to get some material from the town. According to the map I've seen, there will be a town somewhere along here"

"Haa~ is that so… … thank god"

Having heard Hajime's words, Shia somehow showed a relieved expression. Hajime who was dumbfounded by it, "What is it", asked her.

"Well~, from Hajime-san's story, I thought you'd be satisfied by eating Raisen Grand Canyon's demonic beasts' meat… … Yue-san only needs Hajime-san's blood so she wouldn't have any problem… … I was thinking how I should persuade you for my personal food~, I am glad it was just my imagination. So Hajime-san also eats normal food!"

"Of course! Who likes to eat demonic beasts! … you, what did you think I am…"

"A new kind of demonic beast called Predator?"

"OK, you, I'll tie you up until we reach the town"

"Wa-, stop, from where did you pull that out, that collar! Really, stop~ don't put that on me~, Yue-san don't just look, help me!"

"… … you reap what you sow"

In a sense, the three who advanced on the plain made a commotion that showed their good relationship.

After driving for several hours, finally the day grew dark and the town was finally seen in front of them. They stop the bike little far from the town, Then walked towards the gate.

Then a guard asked us to show us our status plate, hajime show him my fake status plate, he asked guard where he can sell materials.

Guard said that in Adventure guild you can sell materials, guard also tell us About the location of guild.

Hajime and his party thanks the guard, then they entered the town through gate, Town name was Brook.

They continued walking on the main street until they discovered a signboard with a large sword drawn on it. It was the same signboard as the one seen in Hol-ad town's adventurer guild, although the scale was two sizes smaller than the one in Hol-ad.

After confirming the signboard, Hajime stepped inside by opening the door with composure.

Because guilds have the image of a place where rough people gather, Hajime thought it'd be a dirty place, but it was unexpectedly clean. There was a counter in front of the entrance, and a restaurant to the left. There were some people that seemed to be adventurers, eating and chatting. Judging from how no one ordered sake, it might be because they didn't serve it. For those who wanted to drink, they had to go to a bar.

When Hajime and his party entered the guild, naturally the adventurers turned their gazes toward them. At first, because it was just three unknown people they only paid a little attention to them, but when their gazes turned toward Yue and Shia, the curiosity in their eyes increased. There were those who, "Hou", raised voices of admiration, there were those who stared blankly in admiration and then there were those that were beaten by their girlfriends. It was just like adventurers to not stop at a slap.

It was a favorable template, even though there were some people that tried to mess with them, it seemed that they logically held back and simply observed. Because there was no need to keep standing still, Hajime happily went toward the counter.

In the counter was a charming… … smiling auntie. Her build was good. Her width about twice Yue's. Apparently a beautiful woman as a receptionist was just a fantasy. It was like how the real and professional maids on Earth were aunties. No matter which world you're in the harsh reality is the same. By the way, Hajime was just normal, he didn't expect to see a beautiful woman as the receptionist. If he said he didn't then he didn't. That's why, Hajime wanted Yue and Shia to stop their icy glares. From a little while ago, their glares had been pierced into him.

Maybe because she knew what was going on in the mind of Hajime and his party, the auntie kept giving them a charming.

"Even though you have a flower in both hands, is that still insufficient? It is regrettable that I am not a beautiful receptionist"

The auntie probably didn't use special magic for mindreading. Hajime, with twitching cheeks was somehow able to give an answer.

"No, I have never thought about that"

"Ahahahaha, are you underestimating a woman's intuition? I am simply able to understand a man's simplicity. Don't try to avert your eyes too much, it'll reduce your credibility, you know?"

"… … I am deeply impressed"

Hajime's answer was, "Oh my, to be old and suddenly giving out a sermon, because it was our first meeting, can you forgive me?", an unapology-like apology to the auntie, after all it's not like he hated her. The adventurers who were eating, took a peek at Hajime while saying, "Ah~ he also got preached to by the auntie~". It seemed the adventurers were behaving because of this auntie.

"Well then, once more, welcome to adventurer guild, Brook's branch. What is your business?"

"Aa, I want to know where to sell raw materials"

"Selling raw materials it is. Then, can you show me your status plate first?"

"Nn? Is it necessary to show your status plate for purchasing something?"

To Hajime's question, the auntie was, "Oh my?", showing that kind of expression.

"Aren't you an adventurer? Certainly, the status plate isn't necessary to purchase something, but if you are confirmed as an adventurer there will be a 10% increase in the price of the things you sell"

"I see"

"So how can we register as adventure." Hajime asked the auntie.

"Do you want to register? The fee is 1,000 ruta."

Ruta is this world's common currency that's used in the northern continent, Tortoise. Zagaruta ore is the special ore used to make this currency, the difference in colours are made by mixing it with different minerals using a special method along with the carved seal. Blue, red, yellow, purple, green, white, black, silver, and gold were the colours, from the left the values are 1, 5, 10, 50,100, 500, 1.000, 5.000, and 10.000 ruta respectively. Surprisingly, its value was the same as Japan's.

"I can't register now. I am sorry, I don't have any money at all. Is it possible for me to sell it first? Of course, the first sale value is good as it is."

"Don't say that in front of these two cuties. I will help, it's not like it'll inconvenience me, you know?"

Hajime accepted her kindness and showed his status plate to auntie. Then new occupation was added in his status plate adventure with blue mark.

This blue mark was the adventurer's rank. It continued with red, yellow, purple, green, white, black, silver, and gold. Like currency.

"If you're a man, then work hard to reach black, okay? Don't show any uncool sides to these girls."

"Aa, I'll do that. Then, is it okay to sell them now?"

"No problem. I have the qualifications for appraisal, so show it to me."

It seemed auntie was not only a receptionist but also able to appraise sold items. She was an excellent auntie. Hajime already took out the raw materials from the "Treasure Box" and placed it in a bag beforehand. Those items were demonic beasts' furs, nails, fangs and magic stones. When the container was put on the counter and the raw materials were seen, auntie displayed an astonished expression.

"Th-these are-!"

She timidly took it, then ascertained the items inside-out. After holding her breath in nervousness, auntie finally looked up, then she gave out a sigh and looked at Hajime.

"You've brought something unexpected. Aren't these… … from the Sea of Trees' demonic beasts?"

"Aa, that's right."

Hajime also wanted to remove the template here, that was why the raw materials from Abyss's demonic beasts couldn't be taken out here. If unknown materials were taken out, it'd immediately cause a big commotion. Even though he was hesitating because the raw materials from the Sea of Trees' demonic beasts were also unusual, he didn't have any other raw materials, so he sold that. Having seen auntie's reaction, it was unusual after all.

If he took out raw materials from the Abyss, it'd be like, the Guild head appeared! Sudden raise in rank! The Receptionist lady's eyes became hearts!, it'd be that kind of template… … it was a good thing he didn't do that. That's why, Hajime wanted Yue and Shia to stop looking at him with icy glares, because it made his body tremble.

"… … You are also unexpected" Auntie looked at Hajime in amazement.

Hajime me just nods his head at that.

"There are a lot of good quality raw materials from the Sea of Trees, thanks for selling them."

Auntie, even though she didn't know anything, continued to speak. It seemed she was capable of reading the mood. She truly was a pleasant and excellent auntie.

"Are these unusual after all?"

"You know. A human's sense of direction would be driven out of control inside the Sea of Trees, because once you get lost there would be no second time. It's a place with high risk. That's why no one tries to go there. Although it's possible to buy demi-human slaves to enter it, it's more profitable to sell them at central. They will sell at a high price, and it'll make it easier to raise one's name."

Auntie took a peek at Shia. She probably guessed that they received Shia's help to go around the Sea of Trees. It seems, thanks to Shia, she didn't become suspicious of the raw materials from the Sea of Trees.

After auntie assessed all of the raw materials, she presented the money. The value of the sold items were 487,000 ruta. It was an excellent amount.

"Is this much okay? I think it'll sell for more at central."

"Well, I don't mind this much."

Hajime received 51 pieces of the Ruta currency. This money, maybe because of an ore characteristic was strangely light, that's why it wasn't bothersome to carry more than 50 pieces ruta currency. After all, if it was a bother, Hajime could just put it inside the "Treasure Box."

"By the way, I heard from the guardsman that I can get a simple map of this town…"

"Aa, please wait a moment… … here, this is it. Please refer to it because the recommended inn and stores are written there."

On the given map, there was elaborate useful information and descriptions written with simplicity that made it a wonderful item. He felt it was rather unbelievable for this to be free of charge.

"Oi oi, is this okay? For such a splendid map to be free of charge. I thought it'd need some money to make something of this level…"

"I don't mind, I only do it as a hobby. For those that have the job to make it, that's just like a scribble."

Auntie truly an excellent person. Just why did this person become the receptionist of the guild?, was the the level he wanted to rebut. Surely, there might be a sublime drama behind it.

"I see. Well, it helps."

"That's a good word. Moreover, because you have money, please just stay here for a while. Although this town's public order isn't bad, there might be some reckless men out there, because of these two."

Auntie who paid attention until the last minute, truly was a good person. Hajime answered, "I'll do that", while grinning, then turned his feet toward the entrance. Yue and Shia followed suit after bowing their head. Some adventurers in the restaurant were sneakily whispering, while their eyes were glued to Yue and Shia to the end.

"Fumu, in a lot of ways, they are interesting people…"

Auntie happily muttered toward their backs.

Then hajime and his party walked towards the masaka inn. When they enter all the people who were dining gazes were focus on shia and yue.

They walked towards counter where there was a girl, she welcome them and asked they are here for lodging or eating only.

Hajime said for lodging for one night,one meal and a bath. Jusk like in anime hajime asked one room with triple bed but Yue say double room one for hajime and her, shia is other room.shia complain about that, Yue replied shia will be distracting her, Then like in anime shia asked how,

All of the men who are dining looked hajime with envy, the girl also have reddened face.

Then just like in anime said to give her virginity to hajime.

Then there beat her. Then asked the girl for triple room. Then they bath and go to their room to sleep.

The next days just like they planned they buy clothes, food and daily necessities. There was a proble though not with me but shia and Yue, while I am doing my business, some men try to flirt with them one even wanted to use force but Yue with her magic smashed his crotch multiple times. Then other men run away.

Then some girls are saying Yue onee sama.

When they arrived at hajime place Hajime asked how was the shopping, they say it was good.

Hajime passed Shia a cylindrical object with 40 cm in diameter and 50 cm in length. A silver cylindrical object with a handle installed on its side.

Just like in anime hajime made shia her weapon while they are shopping. Shia was happy about hajime giving her a gift.

Hajime then said they will start to advance, hajime walked out followed by Yue and Shia.

It was time to travel again.