After leaving Nanase's research lab, I began preparing for this trip.
I was quite looking forward to seeing the legacy of the first Water God. In my memory, Orsted was capable of using the Water God Style at a divine-level realm.
Though I didn't know if he had mastered all the secret techniques of the Water God Style, given his overwhelming power that allowed him to instantly kill the current Water God, Leda Lia, he should know at least three or more of its secret techniques.
I hoped this journey would yield good results.
I wasn't the least bit worried about my safety. After all, I was traveling with Orsted. In this world, there was simply no one who could kill him.
I estimated it would require gathering at least three to seven of the Seven Great Powers to besiege him together for there to even be a possibility of victory. However, due to his restriction of minimizing magic use, I'd probably still have to deal with any minor monsters we encountered along the way.
I started visiting acquaintances at the university and requesting leave from Vice-Principal Gynas.
Since Orsted hadn't specified exactly how long this would take, I was afraid there might be unforeseen situations I wouldn't have time to prepare for.
So, I told all the important people how to contact me and handed over my summoning messenger scrolls to the relevant individuals.
As for Rudeus, I told him to notify me via messenger if he found any news about his mother.
I still planned to try and save Paul. I hoped this time there wouldn't be another tragedy. A person's value doesn't need to be proven through death.
On Ariel's side, she seemed to have grown accustomed to my occasional disappearances. This time, she didn't complain much, only asking who I was going with.
Perhaps, in her view, me going on adventures with other young girls was something she greatly envied and resented?
As long as that wasn't the case, she could accept it.
I did my best to comfort her. Orsted had already requested that I help Ariel ascend to the throne, so there shouldn't be any major issues with her becoming queen.
At the very least, meeting Perugius should be easy to arrange. Orsted had a way to meet Perugius; asking for his help should make it simple.
So, I promised Ariel that after I returned from this trip, I would take her to meet Perugius. Only then did she seem a bit happier. Sigh, such a pragmatic woman.
The others didn't have much of a reaction. Linia and Prusena even seemed somewhat excited when they heard I'd be away from Sharia for a while.
I felt like giving each of them a flick on the forehead. They were probably waiting for me to leave so they could dominate Ranoa Magic University again! It would be a case of 'when the cat's away, the mice will play.'
So, I notified Sylphiette to help keep those two in check.
However, one person surprised me: Elinalise. She expressed a desire to travel with me.
Was she that cruel? Did she want to suck me dry into a 'human husk' along the way?
Honestly, if Orsted weren't coming along, I wouldn't mind bringing Elinalise. Traveling alone is indeed boring, and having a woman to warm the bed on the road wouldn't be bad.
If we encountered a succubus, she could even help me detoxify.
But this time, I was traveling with Orsted. His curse would probably scare Elinalise into wetting herself before she even saw him. Seeing me together with Orsted in person, she'd probably think I'd been brainwashed by an evil god.
So, I righteously and solemnly refused her. I told her there would be opportunities to travel together in the future. When the time came to explore the Teleportation Labyrinth, we would definitely bring her along.
After hearing my explanation, she didn't make a fuss. As expected, an understanding older sister is sensible.
I also said goodbye to everyone else one by one. Doris was very well-behaved, except she kept clinging to me late into the night these past two days.
I didn't know if it was because I was about to leave or some other reason, but I cherished this peaceful campus life even more.
I had a premonition that after I returned, I would never be able to live so peacefully in one place again.
Three days passed quickly.
After saying goodbye to my family, I left Sharia.
The forest 20 kilometers southwest of Sharia. I wasn't entirely sure if this was the forest that hid the Teleportation Magic Circle Rudeus used to go to the Bekalite Continent.
I had passed by this location before during my time as an Adventurer.
Being one of the forests near Sharia, there weren't any particularly dangerous monsters here.
Therefore, Adventurers were rarely seen here either.
After walking alone for about two hours, I arrived at the designated forest.
Although Orsted hadn't explicitly stated it, I knew we would definitely use teleportation magic. After all, if we weren't using teleportation magic, we wouldn't need to meet in such a remote forest.
Upon reaching the forest, I didn't have to wait long. About five minutes after entering, I saw two figures, one large and one small, approaching me.
...Why one large and one small? I was a bit stunned. The large one was undoubtedly Orsted, but the small one turned out to be a girl with black hair, wearing a white mask and a wide magician's robe.
That mask, no mistake!
"Nanase, what are you doing here?"
"Reiner, when I first came to this world, I often traveled around with Orsted.
I've probably been to more places in that time than you have in your twenty years here."
Alright, that seemed... true. After all, she teleported everywhere with Orsted. It must have been faster and more convenient than my way.
Then Orsted spoke up:
"The ruins we're going to this time aren't very dangerous for Nanase. There are also many magic texts left behind by our dragon clan there. Nanase can go there to study and learn."
Alright, since Orsted said so, I had no objections. I nodded in agreement.
Then Nanase pointed at the luggage on the ground.
"Reiner, you carry this luggage for me. These are all magic materials I've collected. I think they might come in handy at the ruins."
I felt a vein bulge on my forehead. How could she have the nerve to ask me to carry what looked like at least 40 pounds of luggage? I wasn't her anything.
Why were women so naturally adept at ordering men around?
Although it looked heavy, I still helped her shoulder that luggage pack. Consider it exercise.
After the teleportation, I'd buy a carriage locally. Otherwise, I'd just make Nanase carry it herself.
I noticed, somewhat surprisingly, that Nanase liked calling me by my previous life's name. She also liked me calling her Nanase.
Probably when talking to me, she didn't feel the loneliness of being in a different world.
While walking with the luggage on my back, I smiled and called out her Japanese name: "Nanahoshi Shizuka" (The Japanese pronunciation of Shizuka Nanahoshi).
I had privately asked Rudeus to teach me that name.
Upon hearing me call her name, Nanase was visibly taken aback. Probably feeling nostalgic for Earth again, she grew sentimental.
I went over and patted her shoulder, saying:
"This journey is quite long. How about we chat about our life experiences on Earth? It could pass the time and let us reminisce about home."
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