At the dinner table, Talhand was already completely drunk, slumped on the ground, emitting steady and rhythmic snores.
Elinalise got up, sighed helplessly, and helped him up from the ground.
"This guy, honestly, he barely ate anything, just drank. It hasn't been long, and he's already this drunk... hopeless."
As she supported Talhand, she turned to Roxy and said:
" Roxy, I'll take him home first~"
"Oh! Okay..."
Roxy subconsciously responded, then turned around and looked at the lively table.
Rujierd sat in the corner, silent.
By this time, Eris was already fast asleep in Rudeus's arms, as quiet as a kitten that had let its guard down.
Seeing this scene before her, Roxy couldn't help but reveal a complex smile, and sighed softly:
"You two have such a good relationship."
"Haha, after all, I've watched Eris grow up, so of course our relationship is good."
Rudeus responded with a smile.
"Yeah..."
Roxy lowered her eyes, her voice so soft it almost blended into the tavern's noise.
"Because... I didn't watch you grow up...?"
However, even amidst the surrounding laughter and clinking of glasses, that soft murmur still reached my ears clearly.
"Teacher, you don't need to think that way."
Rudeus said seriously:
"Although my teacher wasn't always by my side, I will always remember the teachings she gave me."
"For me, my teacher has always been one of the most important people in my life."
"Yeah..."
Roxy raised her head slightly, a faint smile appearing at the corner of her lips.
"Am I really that important to Rudeus?"
"Certainly."
Rudeus answered without hesitation.
"Don't think too much, teacher. Get some rest; we still have a long journey ahead tomorrow, right?"
"Um..."
Roxy nodded gently.
Goodnight, Rudeus.
Goodnight, teacher.
The next morning.
The group left the inn and decided to hike south, following the legendary Holy Sword Highway, and traversing the vast Great Forest on the edge of the Demon Continent.
"The First Kingdom! Is this the Holy Sword Highway?!"
Eris ran excitedly along the straight and wide road, her eyes filled with amazement.
" Rudeus! Was this path really carved out with sword energy? That's incredible!"
Well...
Rudeus gazed at the road that seemed to stretch to the horizon and slowly said:
"According to the legend, that's certainly true. However, I'm not entirely sure what exactly happened."
Just then, Elinalise suddenly put on a serious expression, as if she were recounting a long-forgotten history.
Long ago, a fierce war broke out between humans and demons.
At that time, the demon army relentlessly advanced towards this land, plunging humanity into an unprecedented crisis.
"Faced with an overwhelming enemy, the brave Saint Millis led the human race in a valiant resistance. But even he, who was later revered as a saint by the world, could not easily change the course of the war."
"Until the final battle, Saint Millis gathered all his strength and raised the legendary holy sword."
That sword... pierced through the earth!
"Where the sword's edge strikes, mountains are severed, forests are torn apart, and it even crosses endless oceans."
"From here, we will extend all the way to the Demon Continent, utterly crushing the enemy's forces."
That's an exaggeration!
Eris's eyes widened, her face filled with shock.
"What kind of strike could possibly traverse an entire continent!"
Rudeus also showed an expression of admiration.
Sensing the faint aura of divine magic still lingering in the surrounding air, he couldn't help but have a question.
Could it be... that Saint Millis is also a magic swordsman?
Elinalise continued:
"The huge mark left by that sword as it slashed across the earth was gradually repaired by people and eventually became the road we see today."
"To commemorate the saint who saved humanity, people named this road -- the Holy Sword Highway."
"It was precisely because of Saint Millis's decisive sword strike that turned the tide of the battle that the Holy Country of Millis exists today."
"Yosh! It's decided!"
Eris suddenly seemed to be ignited with fighting spirit, her eyes shining with a determined light.
"I will become a magic swordsman even more powerful Saint Millis!"
Then he unleashed a sword aura that was wider and longer than the Holy Sword Highway!
Seeing her energetic appearance, Rudeus couldn't help but rub his forehead and smile wryly:
"If you can guarantee that after you unleash that sword strike, you'll still have the strength to repair the damaged terrain..."
"I support you doing that."
"Eh... why is this happening~~"
Eris deflated instantly, her shoulders slumped, and all her previous high spirits vanished without a trace.
Seeing her like this, everyone finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.
As evening fell, the setting sun gradually sank into the depths of the forest, and golden rays of light filtered through the dense canopy of trees.
After a day of travel, the group finally decided to stop for the night and rest on the edge of the forest near the Holy Sword Highway.
Let's set up camp here for today.
Talhand glanced around at his surroundings, then took out his camping gear from his bag.
Elinalise also began to organize the tents that needed to be set up.
"It's not as good as a hotel, but at least I'll have somewhere to shelter from the wind and rain tonight."
Watching the two skillfully prepare the camp, Rudeus suddenly remembered a question.
Why should I watch them work so hard to set up the tent?
There are clearly more convenient methods.
"Please wait a moment."
"Um?"
Elinalise turned around in confusion.
The next second, Rudeus walked to the center of the open space and raised his hand.
Magic slowly gathered.
"Earth Flow - Construction."
As the magic was activated, the ground began to shake violently.
Large amounts of soil surged up as if they were alive, rapidly piling up and taking shape in front of everyone.
A few seconds later, a huge earthen building, large enough to accommodate six people, rose from the ground.
Not only are there complete walls, but rest areas are even divided according to a simple structure.
"..."
A moment of silence fell over everyone.
Talhand's eyes widened.
" Rudeus... did you just build a house out of thin air?"
"Hmm, more or less."
I nodded.
"While it's not comparable to a true military-grade building, it should be sufficient for temporary rest."
"That's so unfair..."
Elinalise looked at the earthen fortress in front of her and muttered to herself.
"Everyone else pitches a tent when they travel, why do you just conjure up a house...?"
"Of course! Rudeus is very powerful!"
Eris stood with her hands on her hips, looking as if she were showing off some precious treasure.
Hearing her words, Rudeus couldn't help but smile.
After all, why increase your workload when a problem can be solved with magic?
Once again, he took out plates of delicacies from his Magic Pocket, and with the accompaniment of the food and the system's notification sound of increasing Emotion Points, he ended this boring day.
After a simple dinner, everyone went to the earthen fort to rest.
After a day of travel, everyone quickly fell asleep.
The forest was very quiet at night.
Only the occasional chirping of insects and the low growls of monsters in the distance could be heard.
Rudeus leaned against the wall, closing his eyes to rest.
Just then, a familiar voice suddenly rang in his mind.
"Owner."
It's Yanli.
Rudeus was slightly taken aback.
"What's wrong?"
I've discovered something strange.
Yanli's voice turned serious.
"On the west side of the forest, several humans are secretly taking away some beast cubs."
Rudeus's expression froze instantly.
"A beastman cub?"
"Um."
"And there's one of them..."
Yanli paused for a moment.
"Possibly a legendary Sacred Beast beast of the orc race."
Upon hearing this, the corners of his mouth turned up.
Oh, really...? The Sacred Beast has appeared?
So, in this life, who will be that so-called savior?
That's really intriguing!
But no matter what, he couldn't just stand by and watch several children fall into the hands of thieves.
Where is it located?
Yanli passed the general direction to Rudeus.
He slowly stood up.
In order not to wake others, they chose not to wake everyone.
After all, he could handle such a small matter on his own. There were some things he needed to confirm personally.
He gently opened the gate of the earthen fortress, slowed his pace, and walked out silently.
The door closed again.
Suddenly, a pair of scarlet eyes lit up in the dimly lit room...