It seems my worries were for nothing.

We crossed the Baekmyo Ridge without any trouble. Meaning, there was no poison in the mist to intoxicate us, and no enemies hiding in the fog to attack us. There were no traps in sight either. And no strange encounters.

Of course, the beast attacks didn't just steadily continue, they increased explosively...

But even that gradually decreased once we crossed Baekmyo Ridge.

It wasn't that there were no beasts, but rather it felt like they were all ignoring us and passing by.

It was a guess based on the fact that the wild beasts we encountered a couple of times just glanced at us before darting away.

"Young hunter, are you alright?"

That didn't mean everyone was perfectly fine, though. It was clear he had bad memories; the closer we got to Ednium, the worse DeB's complexion became.

Considering he groaned in his sleep at night, there was a fairly high chance he had a nightmare.

"I-I'm fine."

I was starting to get a little—no, a lot—worried.

DeB was the type of kid who seemed expressive but was surprisingly good at keeping a poker face when it mattered, yet right now, he was barely managing his expressions at all.

You could tell just by his pale complexion. What good is a blank face when his eyes look so dark and sunken?

"Do you... need a blessing?"

"... I'm good. What's the point of a blessing when I don't even serve a god?"

I always regretted keeping up this concept, but I regretted it especially much right now. If it wasn't for this concept, I would have turned our Meat Dumpling into a happy gimbap.

"God is generous even to those who do not believe in Him."

"I said I'm fine."

"Is that so..."

Meanwhile, the Inquisitor failed too. Considering how she treated me, I thought she might push harder here, but looking at her subsequent reaction, there was no sign of that.

Rather than not wanting to do it, it felt like she was deliberating, 'Is it okay if I do this?' Like someone trying to gauge the boundaries in a relationship that was just starting to get close.

"It feels good to get a blessing, though..."

"No, why are you the one looking more disappointed?"

Hmm, I shouldn't think it's funny that the Kimchi Dumpling has turned into a pathetic dumpling in this situation. But she's just too cute. And the Meat Dumpling getting flustered and walking on eggshells around her because the Kimchi Dumpling looks sullen is cute too.

"I'm not disappointed."

"Don't lie. Anyone can see you look upset."

"I said I'm not upset."

"Bullshit."

"Argh!!"

And as expected, it resulted in a fight.

This was actually better. Bickering like this kept him from having weird thoughts.

"You little slacker!"

"You stuck-up snob!"

"You degenerate!"

"You stubborn mule!"

"Idiot!"

"Hah, I didn't know you could use words like that, Temple Thug?!"

"I am not a thug!!"

But it seems like your mental ages have regressed by at least ten years; is that just my imagination?

"Hoho, everyone is full of energy today as well."

"Ahaha. The young hunter is lively again."

I barely held back a chuckle, nearly laughing along with the Archmage and the Berserker.

Then, I took a vigorous step toward the edge of the forest that was finally coming into view. Beyond the trees, which abruptly ended as if cut off, a sloping plain could be seen.

And when we stepped onto that plain, several rolling hills in the distance and pale, rocky mountains filled our wide-open view.

In the midst of it all, a single city peeked out.

It was Ednium.

"I can see the city. It seems we'll arrive earlier than expected. I thought it would take another day."

"Oh! Can I finally drink some booze?"

"The plain is wider than it looks, so we won't arrive that early."

"..."

I had long since gotten used to sleeping outdoors, so I wouldn't have minded arriving a little later...

I observed DeB's breathing. In just a brief moment, his breaths had become rougher and more ragged. Glancing over at him, his complexion was as pale as could be.

It seemed that in this city, I absolutely couldn't leave him alone.

CLOP, CLOP.

The sound of horse hooves, which had briefly paused to gauge the city's location, began to echo once again.

"They said the land was drying up, but it really is arid."

From a distance, the plains of Ednium had looked like green fields, but upon closer inspection, they had a slight yellowish tint.

It wasn't because harvest season had arrived; the plants were completely dried out and withered from a lack of moisture.

Some areas were so dry that the grass had crumbled away, exposing the bare earth. SWISH. Every time the wind blew, sand-mixed gusts swept around our ankles.

"... Which is why."

"Hm?"

"Which is why we have to be careful. If a spark flies, it could spread into a wildfire."

"Ah, indeed. It would be dangerous if a fire spread."

DeB gave this quiet advice in a choked voice, then urged his horse forward. We were now right in front of the castle; we only needed to pass through the checkpoint.

DeB pulled his hood down to cover his face down to his nose.

"We are adventurers from Camberer. For our pass..."

It was even worse at the checkpoint. While the Archmage took charge of the conversation, DeB kept his head bowed low and didn't lift it once.

He didn't even make a sound. Considering how he usually spent his time teasing the Inquisitor, the atmosphere around him was undeniably tense.

"Green hair, huh?"

"Is there a problem?"

"Ah, no."

Fortunately, the inspection ended quickly. The guard's gaze turned to DeB with bizarre frequency, but it didn't escalate into an issue.

At the very least, he didn't seem to recognize him.

"Berserker is hungry."

"Let's hurry to the Temple."

"I don't like the Temple because they only have wine."

"Then can't we just unpack our bags and come out to eat?"

If I tried feeding him something sweet to aim for a sugar high... it would still be a stretch, wouldn't it? Damn it. Why did I have to adopt this kind of concept!

"More importantly, this city is very quiet. The streets are clean, too."

"Is this clean? It looks even dirtier to Berserker's eyes."

"The streets themselves aren't particularly clean or quiet, so that's why. But the reason the Inquisitor feels that way... is probably because there are fewer beggars and children soliciting customers in sight."

"Ah! I see! I believe you are right."

I stopped walking on eggshells around DeB and inwardly let out an exclamation like the Inquisitor. I thought it felt somewhat serene compared to other cities, but there really were very few children.

Normally, the very first people you encounter upon entering a city are children chattering away, offering to show you a good inn.

"Why are there so few?"

"It's not that there are none at all, just very few, so it can't be outlawed by decree. And there are too many children playing in the streets to say it's a city with a low child population..."

The Archmage stroked his chin as he delivered his final sentence.

"Considering that the children who usually solicit customers are either innkeepers' children or street orphans, it's likely that there are simply fewer of the latter."

DeB visibly trembled. Unfortunately, since he was standing at the back of the group—in the same row as me—it was a movement the speaker couldn't see.

"To have so few wandering orphans on the streets. It's a good place."

'No, it's not. There's a very high probability that it's not.'

"How fascinating. Are there really cities with few orphans?"

'Berserker, you stop too! Stop!'

Was this how it felt to watch people tossing extra firewood onto a bonfire roasting a bomb, instead of throwing water on it?

I screamed inwardly and mentally slapped my face.

The atmosphere around DeB was taking a nosedive in real time, making me feel even more uncomfortable.

"Who knows. It might not necessarily be a good sign. It could be thanks to the Lord's rule, but there's also the possibility that someone is taking the children elsewhere."

"Ah. Then could it be demon worshipers...!"

"I couldn't say. You mentioned that no demonic energy could be felt in the city."

"There is a possibility that they are hiding."

"Indeed. That is why we came here, isn't it? Though, of course, we also have to deliver the request from the Young Lord of Camberer."

On top of that, the reason we had to come to this city still remained.

It meant we had no choice but to investigate this matter because of the cancer-like figures that might be operating in secret within this city.

I already felt like I was sitting on a bed of nails.

"... I'm hungry. Let's just hurry up and go. Are we not going?"

"I'm hungry! Let's go!"

Fortunately, thanks to DeB speaking up himself, the conversation was cut short for now. I headed toward the Temple on pins and needles.

A street with fewer begging vagrants and orphan pickpockets gave off a somewhat eerie feeling rather than an impression of good public order.

"It's true that you rarely see anyone begging..."

"Can't we just eat first before we go?"

That was probably because everyone of a certain age group visible on the streets bore injuries.

And not just ordinary scars, either. Scars of the sort that would be carved into those who had fought for their lives.

"... There's a good restaurant in that alley."

"Hm?"

"Oh!"

"It might be gone, though. It's just something I heard about a long time ago."

It seemed he still had the composure to speak, at least. DeB calmly pointed to one side. Not just the Berserker, but even the Inquisitor's eyes sparkled.

It seemed the Kimchi Dumpling had secretly been hungry as well.

"Then let us stop by there first."

The one who eventually lost was the Archmage. He probably made that decision because he could manage the horses and luggage with magic. Plus, the request wasn't overwhelmingly urgent.

"Give the horses to me."

"To you?"

"There's no stable there, since it's an alleyway restaurant. I'm not that hungry anyway, so I'll drop them off at the Temple instead."

'Ah, he only had the composure to speak.'

"... If you leave, how are we supposed to find the restaurant?"

"Ah."

'He literally only had the composure to speak.'

"Ah, damn it..."

"Let's go take a look first and decide. Didn't you say yourself that it might be gone?"

"Yes, sir."

'Is this really going to be okay...'

"Ah, if it's about the horses, there's an empty lot I know. We can hire an errand boy to keep watch over them."

Fortunately, the restaurant DeB knew of was still there. We could even stow the horses away.

Although the Archmage had to go and set up an additional barrier because he didn't trust the errand boy—which couldn't be helped, considering horses were highly expensive creatures and the errand boy was so small that he looked like he wouldn't be able to put up a fight if an adult decided to attack him.

"I could have kept watch..."

"There's no need for you to starve. It's not far, and the barrier is more than enough to handle ordinary people, so put your mind at ease."

"..."

"Here you go, soup made with a secret family recipe passed down for generations."

"Oh! Secret soup!"

If only I were simple enough to grin from ear to ear at a single word like the Berserker... I wouldn't be suffering like this. Damn it.

With a lament bordering on jealousy, I put a spoonful of stew into my mouth. The rich broth enveloped my tongue. It was an unexpectedly deep flavor.

"... It's delicious!"

"The ingredients are fresh. I was prepared for the vegetables to be of poor quality due to the drying land."

"Haha. Our Young Lord is quite skilled, you see. Whenever his hand touches them, withered plants spring back to life, so we worry less about a vegetable shortage. Ah, but meat is beyond his abilities, so there's less of that."

"That is perfectly fine."

I actually preferred that it was tomato-based. I slowly filled my stomach by dipping the rye bread that came with it into the broth.

DeB's sharp nerves must have naturally softened in front of delicious food, as his expression relaxed a bit after his first bite.

"Owner, another bowl!"

"Yes, sir! You must have liked it."

"I like it a lot!"

"I-I'd like another bowl too, please!"

This really was a great restaurant. Even though DeB said he'd only heard about it, it was highly likely it was a place he personally knew, and it was so nice that the flavor hadn't changed over such a long time.

There were no real 'trends' here, and it wasn't easy to change professions—to the point where most people considered inheriting the family business to be their destiny—so it might be a given, but still.

"You all eat so heartily."

"It is truly delicious."

"Berserker has come to like this place!"

Perhaps it was because we had paid a hefty sum upfront to cover both the meal and the horse storage. Or maybe it was because the awkward time of day meant we were the only customers.

The owner stood near our table watching us, except for when he was bringing out the food. Him frequently striking up sociable conversations with us was a bonus.

"Come to think of it, there are very few children soliciting customers or beggars around here... Is there a specific reason for that?"

"You look to be an elder, so please feel free to speak comfortably. And as for why there are so few of them... well. It's been that way for a long time. Haha."

"Ah, for a long time."

"Yes. Because of some incident that happened in the past."

In other words, we were managing to exchange this kind of information.

Of course, since DeB, who usually took charge of such things, was in no state to step up, the Archmage had to take over in his stead.

"Ah, right. Um... customer."

"Hm?"

"Are you... adventurers? Did you just enter the city?"

"We are."

"Then, well. It's not my place to say this, but please tell your companion over there to be careful..."

"Is there a problem?"

However, even if exchanging information was good, I didn't know if hearing something like this was genuinely a good thing.

"Some of the citizens in this city... people don't really like green-tinted hair."

DeB put down his spoon.

"Green hair... you say?"

"Yes."

"Why is that?"

At the Inquisitor's question, the owner made a slightly troubled face. A thick scar was briefly visible on his arm as he awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

"Well, it's not something I should say in front of someone with green hair."

Moreover, if you looked closely at one of his legs, you could tell his movements were slightly unnatural.

"In our city, there's a rumor... that a person with green hair brings bloodshed."

Upon hearing those words, I likewise put down my spoon.

Since he explicitly stated it was due to an incident in the past, he hadn't said it with malicious intent, nor was it likely intended as a personal attack on DeB.

Still, if he thought it wasn't something he should say in front of someone, I wished he would have just kept it to himself.

Even if it was meant as a warning. He could have at least said it so the person in question couldn't hear.

"That seems far too illogical..."

"Did that rumor also start because of the incident that happened in the past?"

"Well..."

SCRAPE!

While the owner hesitated over whether to tell the story or not, I pushed my chair back and stood up.

It was an action I took a step faster, having noticed that DeB was about to get up from his seat.

"You...?"

"Customer?"

DeB wasn't going to stay here, and if I followed him out after he left, it would break my character concept...

"I've lost my appetite."

In that case, I'd rather be the one to walk out first.