Frieren used a blood sample to cast [Tracking Magic], and a few scattered footprints gradually appeared on the ground.
The pale blue magical footprints were crooked and led deeper into the forest.
"Two people. No, three."
Frieren crouched beside the footprints, studying the scattered traces as she tried to figure out what had happened to the people they were tracking.
"One of them is badly injured, and another is supporting him. The third... seems to be an old man."
"Was there an old man in the caravan?"
In response to Frieren's question, the merchant immediately shook his head and pointed at the coachman. "There were two people assigned to each of the caravan's three wagons. Aside from us, the other four people in the caravan are all young."
At this, Shane fell silent for a moment.
He had no doubts about the accuracy of Frieren's magic or her extensive combat experience. So something must have happened that they didn't know about.
"Frieren, have there ever been Demons in the Southern Nations who looked like humans?" Shane asked.
Frieren shook her head. "Because the Southern Nations are so far from Demon King Castle, there have been very few powerful Demons in this land since the Demon King was defeated. Only a few monsters appear from time to time."
"Besides, I don't think these are Demons' footprints. If they were Demons, the other two people wouldn't have left footprints."
Shane nodded. He really had been too nervous, forgetting the Demons' habit of eating people.
Since it wasn't the worst-case scenario, they could deal with everything else. There was still a good chance they'd find those caravan workers.
"The trees are tangled together in this forest, so that giant bird monster can't fly in here. But there could still be ordinary beasts. Stay close together and don't get separated."
Shane led the way, following the magical tracks deeper into the forest.
The defenseless merchant and coachman walked in the middle, with Frieren bringing up the rear.
The four of them moved slowly.
The southern forest was full of snakes, insects, rats, and other small creatures. Every so often, a shadow darted across their feet.
Shane walked in front with his sword, on high alert.
But they walked for a long time without seeing anyone. Watching the moon gradually climb above the treetops, Shane began to feel that something was strange.
After walking for a few more minutes, he raised a hand to signal everyone to stop.
"This is the fourth time we've passed this crooked tree."
At Shane's words, Frieren circled the crooked tree in front of them, resting her chin on her hand as she pondered.
"My [Mana Detection] hasn't sensed any monsters nearby, and I haven't noticed any magic formations with a hallucinatory effect, so..." Frieren paused, then continued, "Could we be lost?"
"..."
Shane rubbed his forehead.
"Is there a spell like [Point Me in the Right Direction When I'm Lost]?"
"Magic is a world of imagination. How could anyone imagine the right direction while lost? And if they could imagine it, how could they be lost in the first place...?"
All right.
The world of magic really did have its own unreasonable logic.
After thinking it over, Shane slapped his palm. "Then there's only one way to solve this."
He casually sheathed his sword, stepped forward, cupped his hands around his mouth, and drew a deep breath:
"Hey! Is anyone there?"
"Is anyone there?"
"Anyone there?"
"Anyone?"
"Anyone?"
In the still of the night, Shane's booming voice echoed through the forest again and again, startling countless birds into flight.
The merchant beside him stared at the spectacle, dumbfounded.
"Hey, won't that attract... attract..."
Shane waved a hand. "Don't worry."
They were already trapped, walking in circles, and no wild beasts had attacked them. That meant the area was generally safe. Frieren had also said there were no Demons nearby, and with her around, there was no need to fear even if any showed up.
So he decided to take a gamble on his [Strong Luck].
Sure enough, a miracle happened: a small yellow light appeared deep in the forest.
The tiny light swayed as it slowly moved toward them.
As it drew closer, Shane finally saw that it was a lantern.
Its owner wore a Monk's uniform. He had an old face, a somewhat hunched frame, and a pronounced limp, but his bearing was remarkably composed.
"Greetings, travelers."
"My name is Beryl. I'm a Monk undergoing ascetic training here. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"The forest isn't safe at night. Would you like to come to my home for a cup of hot tea and warm yourselves?"
Hm?
The words felt so familiar that Shane had the strange sensation of not knowing what year it was.
Following the Monk's tone, he tentatively asked, "Old sir, we're looking for our missing companions. Have you seen four young people passing through?"
"Companions... What a word, full of wonderful memories." The old man sighed. "I, too, once had many companions, until I took an arrow to the knee... Ah, let's not dwell on the past."
"Come with me. The people you're looking for are this way."
Seeing how things were unfolding, Frieren blinked. She turned to Shane, her eyes tinged with admiration.
So this was an effective way to find your way after getting lost.
The home the Monk had mentioned was actually a Monastery.
It was very old-fashioned and very humble.
There was no enormous bronze bell and no statue of the Goddess. Only the moss on the stone walls, thick as a wool blanket. The Monk pushed open the creaking wooden door, revealing four young people resting in the courtyard, some standing and others sitting.
At the sight of them, the merchant rushed in first.
He carefully checked the injuries of his four workers, patting one and looking over another. He couldn't stop feeling relieved that they were all safe. Thank goodness.
The Monk gazed at the people in the courtyard with a smile, his face full of compassion.
Shane was puzzled. The Monastery wasn't small, and its lights were on. How had they failed to find it despite walking around the forest in circles so many times?
The Monk seemed to notice Shane's confusion and explained:
"Wild beasts often roam these mountains, so I placed a Barrier around the Monastery."
At this, Frieren frowned and looked over, her tone a little displeased. "I didn't detect any trace of [Barrier Magic]."
The Monk smiled. "You're a mage, aren't you? This isn't an ordinary magical barrier. It's the Goddess's Barrier."
"The Goddess's Barrier?"
"That's right. I've spent my whole life interpreting the Chapter of the Heavenly Paradise in the Holy Scripture. A few years ago, I discovered this Barrier in its pages. It offers protection comparable to [Barrier Magic], can conceal everything within it, and can't be detected by [Mana Detection]."
As he spoke, he opened the Holy Scripture in his hands, a book recording the deeds and commandments of the Goddess who had created the world. Countless Monks in later generations had tried to interpret its chapters and uncover the Goddess's magic.
Now, the page for the "Chapter of the Heavenly Paradise" was covered in dense notes.
The Monk lovingly stroked the text. A hint of pride appeared on his aged face as he spoke with reverence and conviction. "This is the most perfect Barrier created by the Goddess."
Shane nodded unconsciously. It really was perfect.
Then he suddenly froze.
Because a line of information had appeared on the Holy Scripture in the Monk's hands:
[Goddess's Barrier]
Type: Barrier Magic
Effect: Provides a powerful protective barrier and conceals everything within it
Status: Not learned
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