Mountain Morning
I fell asleep in the tent while gazing up at the beautiful starry sky.
If only this weren't work, I would have no complaints—but I couldn't afford to think that way. Depending on the results of the investigation into the mana ore mines this time, the Abbott region would undergo a major transformation.
◇◇◇
Dawn broke, and morning arrived.
When I slowly stepped out of the tent, the surroundings were shrouded in morning mist.
"The visibility's pretty bad..."
From here, we would be moving to a higher elevation, and there were cliffs scattered all around. If we got careless with our footing, fooled by the mist, we might tumble straight down to our deaths.
Still, given time, the fog should clear up a little.
For now, we just had to wait.
Incidentally, it seemed that Gary was the one leading the Knights Order's side.
Apparently, a martial arts tournament would soon be held to choose a new Holy Knight to fill the seat Hank left vacant, and Gary was planning to participate.
Well, he had more than enough achievements, and as long as he performed properly, he should be able to make it through without issue.
The real challenge would be the match against Miracca, who was also set on entering the tournament.
Gary, too, was being cautious of the morning mist.
Some witches were known to use fog like this to commit mischief, but since there was no mana to be felt, it was likely just a natural phenomenon.
After discussing it, we decided to delay our departure a bit.
"An unexpected holdup, huh."
"Yeah... but from here on, we have to proceed carefully.”
"Right."
Up ahead lay a village that had been abandoned for many years.
It was a place where miners and their families had once lived while working the mana ore mines.
Since the mine had closed, no one had come near it.
Which was exactly why there was a possibility that some shady people had made it their hideout.
Even if we found no mana ore, just confirming whether or not any troublemakers had settled there would make coming all the way here worthwhile.
Elina and I prepared for departure, bringing along Lindel, Leon, and Bulk.
While getting ready, my gaze happened to catch sight of Amira staring intently into the mist.
"Is something wrong, Amira?"
When I called out to her, she jumped back slightly in surprise, then began to speak.
"N-No, it's just... I felt some strange magic."
"Strange magic?"
Come to think of it, Asletica had said something similar.
A first-rate magician and an ancient dragon—both speaking of it lent a strange sort of credibility.
However, Amira seemed unable to fully grasp the nature of what she felt, wearing a complicated expression.
Just what was it that she sensed beyond the morning mist?
What do you think about this chapter?
