As Rigld had declared, preparations were completed by lunchtime.
The choice to head towards the dwarf kingdom was made without any gaps.
With Rigld, my son, leading the group of five, I and Ranga followed behind.
However, is it really okay not to entrust Rigld with the responsibilities of the leader?
I'm a bit worried, but they seem to understand.
Rigld, feeling younger, is full of enthusiasm, and perhaps I worried too much.
Alright, let's take the luggage. Ranga carried me on his back.
Plunging into the fur, I felt the softness.
I fixed myself in place with the surrounding fur. It's the turn of the "sticky threads."
Not having hands and feet is really inconvenient, but I have to make do with my abilities.
I'm secretly practicing controlling the threads.
Cutting enemies with threads! Isn't this a kind of romantic ideal?
I don't know if it's possible to practice, but the road ahead is long. I plan to practice diligently.
The contents of the luggage are money and food.
Three days' worth of food.
If it takes longer, we plan to be self-sufficient.
I could bring more by swallowing it, but I don't want to act spoiled.
Since I don't need to eat, I made a cold judgment.
The money consists of 7 silver coins and 24 copper coins.
First of all, it's not a huge amount.
I've given up on expecting much.
Thinking about what to do upon arrival.
Then, let's set off!
The dwarf kingdom is apparently a two-month journey from the goblin bridge, through the forest.
The Ameld River flows through the forest.
Following this, you reach the mountain range.
The target dwarf kingdom is located at the foot of the Kanat Mountain Range, in the upper part of the Ameld River.
A beautiful city, remodeled from a natural large cave in the mountain range.
That is the dwarf kingdom.
We proceeded north along the Ameld River as planned.
Since we're moving along the river, there's no worry about getting lost. I also have a map in my mind just in case.
Our guide is someone who has been to the dwarf kingdom before, so I asked him to lead the way.
He's running ahead of me.
However, the evolved Arang, now Black Arang, are fast! They don't show any signs of fatigue.
We've been moving for about 3 hours without a break, and they're still running at a speed close to 80 km/h.
There were some rocky areas, but it doesn't matter. They run in a way that doesn't tire the rider!
It's quite comfortable.
At this pace, we might not even need a week.
Well, we don't need to rush. I want to prepare clothing and housing quickly, but there's no point in hurrying.
"Hey! There's no need to rush!"
I said.
For some reason, the speed increased slightly.
For these 3 hours, I enjoyed the speed faster than a motorcycle and the scenery passing by, but I'm starting to get a bit bored.
It's difficult to have a conversation at this speed, but I have "Thought Transmission"!
We can all talk while enjoying the journey.
Thinking this, I created a thought network with everyone.
Alright, what should I start with...
"Rigld, by the way, did your older brother get his name from someone?"
"Old! You don't need to use honorifics with me! And, my brother's name was given by a passing male demon."
"Hmm. A demon came to the goblin village?"
"Yes. About 10 years ago, when I was still a child... He stayed in the village for a few days and said my brother had potential."
"Wow. He must have been a good brother."
"Yes! He was a proud brother. The demon, Gelmut, even said he wanted to make him his subordinate someday!"
"Did he take him away then?"
"No. My brother was still young, and he said he would come back after a few years when he became stronger, and then he left on a journey."
"Is that so. If he comes back this time, he'll be surprised by the complete change!"
"Yes! But now I serve Rimuru. Although it's an honor to be part of the Demon King's army, I can't follow Gelmut!"
"Demon King's army... So there is such a thing. By the way, you seem confident that he won't take you, even though it's not certain yet?"
"Yes, it's not just confidence, it's certainty. My brother evolved into a named being, but not to this extent.
Clearly, the level of evolution is different. I thought I would never hear the 'Language of the World' in my lifetime!"
The Hobgoblins listening around also nodded in agreement.
Is that so?
Giving a name leads to evolution. However, does the degree of evolution depend on the parent giving the name?
This time, if there's a chance to compare, I might conduct an experiment.
But, the Demon King's army.
There really is such a thing in this world!
Will the Demon King attack? If so, which side should I take?
Well, I'll think about it when it happens.
Fortunately, there are "heroes" in this world, and it's common knowledge that heroes fight the Demon King.
After 300 years, it's questionable whether any heroes are still alive... But surely they're doing something lively, like a previous life.
I'll make a note of it in my memory.
Next topic...
"Ranga, I'm in the position of your father's enemy, right? Don't you care about that?"
I asked the very cooperative Black Arang.
"To be honest, I have my thoughts.
However, in battle, victory and defeat are certain for monsters. If I win in any battle, I consider it just.
If I lose, I have nothing left...
Still, my master not only forgave us but also gave us names! I can only be grateful, not resentful!"
"Hmm... If you want revenge, I'll face you anytime."
"Hehehe. I confirmed this through evolution.
In the previous battle, if you had used your full strength, we would have been completely wiped out! If that had happened, our race would have disappeared without achieving the evolution that was our goal.
Our loyalty is to my master, and to no one else!"
What are you saying...
If I had taken the form of a black snake, I could have wiped you out, but I don't want to take such a risky gamble.
This guy is overestimating me.
Well, it's not a problem if he's just delusional...
"I see... You've grown, haven't you?"
"Yes! I am deeply grateful!"
I agreed with his words.
Well, it's about the murder of his parents. If he says he doesn't hate me, it's probably a lie.
If Ranga ever comes for revenge, I'll face him squarely.
Until then, I need to become stronger.
After all, I feel like I'm only at the level of a black snake right now...
With that feeling, we continue our journey while talking.
We didn't encounter any monster attacks, and our journey proceeded smoothly.
We took 30-minute breaks every 3 hours, and after 14 hours, we took a 7-hour rest including sleep.
I said, "Isn't it too rushed?"
But Rigld replied, "It's fine! Thanks to our evolution, we don't get tired that easily!"
Ranga also chimed in, "Don't worry about us! Like our master, we don't need much sleep, and we don't need to eat frequently either!"
Looking at the others, they all seemed full of enthusiasm.
In this situation, I, who am doing nothing, probably look the least enthusiastic.
Well, if everyone is enthusiastic, I'll go with their pace.
We'll be running for 12 hours a day... These guys have really become tough.
On the second day, just before bedtime, while having dinner,
"Hey, Gobta. Do you know how far we are from the destination?"
I asked Gobta, the goblin guide.
"Y-Yes! I think we'll reach it tomorrow! The mountains are starting to look big!"
He answered, flustered and tense, as if he was afraid of biting his tongue.
Indeed, the mountains are starting to look big.
Until yesterday, we couldn't even see them, but we've been moving at an incredible speed.
By the way,
"Hey, Gobta. Why are we going all the way to the dwarf kingdom? Don't merchants come here sometimes?"
I asked.
When I heard from Rigld about the goblin kingdom, he mentioned that kobold merchants sometimes visit.
It seems strange to go all the way to the dwarf kingdom, which takes two months.
"Yes! Magic tools and armor are expensive, and the dwarves buy them at high prices!
However, they pay with tools. Fortunately, we can have the merchants carry them for us!
Besides, there's no one near our village who buys weapons from monsters."
Indeed.
Sometimes, adventurers sell weapons they bring to the village.
I thought there might not be any usable equipment left.
The kobolds might not know the quality of the items, so they might have come here on purpose.
Most of the goblins who fall are probably inexperienced chicks who wander into the forest.
I doubt they have proper equipment...
Still, to receive tools... The dwarves might be a surprisingly kind race.
If things go well, we might be able to establish friendly relations.
More than anything, I hope things go well and we can establish friendly relations!
Thus,
Three days after setting out, we arrived at the foothills of the Kanat Mountain Range.
A grassland spreads out, and a beautiful city, remodeled from a natural large cave in the mountain range.