“Your carriage is a blessed item, is it not?” Stella reminded. “The area around the bottom of the mountain is a restricted zone to prevent attacks. That includes restrictions on items with spatial blessings.”
“Incidentally, what will happen if we don't leave the carriage before we hit that zone?” Robin asked.
“Well, this carriage appears to be a carefully constructed room placed inside a carriage, correct?” Stella asked.
“Yes, that's correct.” Jasmine replied.
“In that respect, it works similar to a spatial bag. What happens to a spatial bag when you enter a restricted zone?” Stella asked.
“The bag remains, but you end up unable to access the space-oh!” Jasmine realized. “We would be trapped inside of it.”
“Precisely. And it wouldn't look too good, either. Moreover, if you didn't move the carriage back out of the restriction zone, there would be a limited amount of air inside. If the carriage driver wasn't aware of the fact that the carriage needed to leave the restricted zone…” Stella prompted.
“Ugh. That sounds like a horrible way to die.” Robin shuddered.
“Just make sure you get out before you hit the tree line and you will be fine.” Stella smiled.
Everyone present agreed. It was better to walk, or ride a horse, than to be stuck inside a carriage. Robin even made sure to remind the others to take out their adventurer's card, or other forms of ID out in case they couldn't access it later.
“I didn't think that I would be using this again here.” Robin took out the messenger bag she had been wearing when she arrived. While it wasn't anything large like a backpack, she could still store some things inside of it.
“Hey! That's mine! Give it back!” Elise chased Skye around in the air, after Skye snapped up the last piece of Elise’s favorite food.
“Whoever is fastest gets the treat~!” Skye teased. Eventually, Skye let Elise win, and the last piece was returned to Elise, who was quite out of breath. She bore a smug triumphant grin until Skye asked if she wanted to go for another flight.
“Hmmph!” Elise focused on the more important task: putting her snack where it couldn't be snatched, in her stomach. This little exchange lightened the mood of the group a lot.
The party finished their food before preparing for the mana restricted zone. Some food provisions were taken out and packed on one of the knight’s spare horses. Anything they wouldn't be needing was packed away in spatial storage. With preparations finished, they set out once again.
Elise and Gerard rode ahead of the carriage with another knight. Using a white round light attached to his staff, Gerard led the way. Once the lights went out, they would know they were about to cross the restricted zone.
~-~
“It's out!” Gerard called back as soon as the dancing lights were extinguished. Immediately, the carriage stopped, and everyone got out.
“It seems that we’ll be at the front gates soon, huh.” Robin noted.
“Yup. And here is where I will leave your party. Once you have reached the restricted zone, you are now officially in Beastman territory.” Stella explained.
“Ah, right. You’ll be wanting to rest now.” Briar nodded, before smiling. “See you later, then, Stella.”
“Please give my regards to Brandi.” Stella nodded in reply before jumping up into the trees, and disappearing amongst the foliage.
A breeze blew through the trees as the surroundings became quiet.
“We’d best get a move on. It's probably going to rain later on today.” Briar looked up at the sky and smelled the air. “Maybe even a little bit of thunder and lightning, too.”
“Oh?” Robin looked at Briar. “You can predict the weather?”
“My main elemental affinities are Thunder-Lightning, Fire, and Air, with several other lesser affinities.” Briar replied. “That means in terms of weather, I can probably predict just as good as a wanderer or an herbalist, granted that I have experienced the weather before, of course.”
“So, is it true that elves have an eidetic memory? They can remember anything they've seen or heard down to the tiniest detail?” Jasmine asked.
“It's true.” Briar paused slightly before answering. “That's partially why elves are considered a bit reclusive. We remember everything, including all the bad things that have happened, down to the last detail.”
Robin shivered. There were things she wanted to never recall, especially in detail. “That's…how do you keep your painful memories from overwhelming you?”
“Well, they happened, that's for sure.” Briar nodded. “I can't deny them or forget them. But I can make more memories. Often, elves who experience really painful memories might seclude themselves for a hundred years, or distract themselves with something that requires their full attention.
What happened is in the past. It is not happening now. What happens in the future is something I will have to discover for myself. But…if necessary, I would prefer not to think of them.”
“Heh. I don't think I can hide away for a hundred years…” Robin chuckled.
“Hmm.” Briar eyed Robin with an appraising glance. “Well, you’re talented in invocations, right? If you became an archsage, your life span would lengthen immensely. A hundred years as a youth is not impossible at that point.”
Robin chuckled. “It isn't worth a thing if the person I want to share it with is dead.”
Christian glanced at Robin with a hint of concern in his gaze. What did Robin mean by saying that? His gaze lowered, and he thought to himself as they walked.
“Well…You’d be surprised. Not all long-lived people can actually reach the limits of their lifespan.” Briar chuckled.
“I would be more surprised if they did.” Robin shrugged. “What do they even do with all that time, anyways?”
“Research, travel, hobbies, fighting…Some join the Celestial Courts directly. Others head to areas of natural disasters, to help speed up the recovery process. Still more create dungeons to pass down their legacy to those who succeed.”
“You can create a dungeon?” Robin asked.
“Sure. If you have the proper knowledge. But, these aren't tethered dungeons that you have to travel to. They're more likely to be instance dungeons in which you can only enter if you touch the core. And that core could be a book or a hairpin, a robe or a staff.”
Robin nodded. “So there's a difference between dungeons, huh. Good to know.”
A voice called out from the clearing in front of them.
“Halt! State your name and business!”
“Shall I answer? Or shall you?” Briar asked Robin quietly.
“Let me.” Robin raised her voice. “I am Hero Robin. I have come to speak with the leader of the beastfolk. May we be allowed passage into these lands?”
“...hold on, Hero Robin!?” A large figure stepped forward, his features obscured due to the brightness of the sun behind him. He wore no shirt, just a pair of pants. He scanned the group.
“Hmm yes, it seems to be similar to what was in the report.” He took another step forward and Robin blinked in surprise. The person who had stopped him was a Panda Bear with a bamboo twig sticking up out of his mouth like a cigarette. A large scar cut diagonally through his face, just barely missing the eyes.
“Well? I am Brandi, the leader of the beastfolks. What would you like to talk about?” Brandi asked.
Robin blinked. “Um…” She looked at Briar.
Briar laughed. “Brandi, how's it going?” She greeted. “People always find themselves at a loss when they encounter you before even stepping foot into Beastfolk lands.”
“The strongest should guard the weak. And, well…I had to do something. The wife is about to deliver cubs, and I'm more nervous than she is right now.” Brandi chuckled.
“So, what can I help you with?” Brandi asked again, looking at Robin.
“You're a Guardian of the Demon King, right?” Robin asked.
“Yes? And?” Brandi tilted his head, waiting with a amused smile.
“I was wondering if I could borrow your seal of approval.” Robin asked.
“Oh. Of course! Hold on!” Brandi turned his back and suddenly shrunk, becoming a human. Despite his panda form being chubby and cute, his human form was lean and wirey, with a healthy tan. His hair was white with streaks of black here and there, as well as two black panda ears.
Brandi reached into his bag and took out a shirt with a practiced ease.
“Sorry about this.” He laughed. “My shirts don't fit my beast form.” After making sure he was properly clothed, he reached into his bag once more turned back around.
“My seal, right? Here you go.” He placed his seal into Robin’s hands as she stared blankly at him.
“Why?” She asked.
“ ‘Why’ what?” He asked in response.
“Why did you just give it to me? Aren't you supposed to give me some sort of test to see if I’m trustworthy or not?” Robin asked.
