Chapter 230:

“Are… are you really human!?”

“Yes, I am. I was accidentally transported to this continent in an unforeseen incident, and the magic device I had as insurance happened to activate at that moment, returning me to my original country. I came back here because I suddenly disappeared back then and worried that it might have caused concern.”

“I see… I had assumed you were some kind of divine messenger… I searched for all the passengers who were swept into the river back then, but there were no traces anywhere. And then I saw you fight that monster, so I naturally assumed…”

I explained the situation. Given the circumstances, it wouldn’t be surprising if someone thought I was a supernatural being, but I assured him I was human. It seemed he accepted it—though still—

“I see… If you’re human, then making a statue without permission… might indeed be troublesome. But we need a symbol, something to anchor our hearts. We need something to make everyone believe that ‘Boundary Breakers will no longer appear.’ This land was originally abandoned by the Empire… but recently, ever since we started this activity, the damage from ‘Boundary Breakers’ stopped, and finally the government took action. Building this village is part of that effort: ‘If you can truly ensure safety, can you build a small village to prove it?’ They said. If we establish a village here as a relay point for merchants and prove peace, the Empire will begin proper support and development.”

Apparently, the land near the Empire’s border had long been treated as a dangerous area, right next to a massive natural dungeon. Ferocious monsters roamed there, and it was considered a kind of cursed territory.

But if the real threat was removed, a village aiding logistics could arise, and it would benefit the Empire while revitalizing the surrounding abandoned settlements.

Originally, the high-speed carriage system was in place here to minimize the risk of encountering monsters.

“Well, that makes sense… until the village stabilizes, they need the religion as a symbol of peace?”

“Yes… technically, we could alter the statue’s design. It’s only in this village and the port town so far. But some believers rode that carriage back then and might oppose changing the design.”

“Hmm… maybe just make it a spear? Cost-wise, too. I could also make it widely known that I’m human.”

“But… the villagers want something tangible they can rely on for reassurance.”

It’s a tough problem. A vast, dense forest has existed right next to the main road for years, full of terrifying monsters that even the Empire gave up on.

Even if someone said, “It’s already been defeated,” it’s hard to convince anyone if Bern was the only one who witnessed it…

Maybe the only way to dispel long-held fears and myths is to use the mystique of the saint who defeated the monster, healed the victims, and suddenly disappeared, elevating them into religious legend.

“Hey, hey, can’t we just clear the dungeon?”

“Don’t be silly, girl. The entire area… the forest filling the border, all of it is a dungeon. Honestly… no one even knows how to clear it. And inside, there are monsters as powerful as the ‘Boundary Breakers.’ The one you, Selene, risked your life to defeat is still lurking. A normal person can’t go in there…”

I see… so something visible is needed to show the threat has truly been removed. Melt’s suggestion might not be entirely off.

We cleared the previous dungeon, “Heart-Piercing Eternal Autumn Sorrow,” and suppressed the abnormal forest growth with its core. If we do the same here, maybe we could shrink the forest and prove it.

“Actually, that could work. Despite being a ‘forbidden dungeon,’ this one can be accessed from anywhere in the forest. Even if the government designates it as forbidden, anyone could challenge it—or maybe they just gave up managing it. They seem to want us to develop this land, and if clearing it removes the threat… it’s worth a try.”

“N-No way! Even you, Selene! That dungeon is like a sea of trees, and getting lost is inevitable! There are monsters, and there’s the dungeon’s mysteries… it’s impossible!”

“No, actually, I was accidentally transported to the center of that dungeon before. I made it out. So I have experience with it.”

“R-Really!? But even so…”

“The two people with me—one has cleared two natural dungeons in Dusterfil, and the other is a top-class adventurer in her clan. They’re both stronger than me.”

“Oh… these young girls… Dusterfil is an adventurer nation, but I didn’t realize they were filled with talent like this… I see why they can compete with other nations.”

I’m using them as leverage, but challenging the dungeon would naturally worry him again.

Bern seems like the type to take on troublesome roles to help others. If we worry him too much, he might form a “Saint Rescue Squad” and storm the dungeon himself. He’s capable enough to raise a religion to save people’s hearts.

“So… the three of us plan to head into the dungeon.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes. But… please keep this secret. It would be troublesome if the Empire found out the forbidden dungeon was cleared without permission. I’m confident the forest will shrink once we clear it. That way, we can convince the villagers without relying on religion. They’ll see the forest is peaceful now.”

“That would be the strongest proof… but—”

“Don’t worry! We’re strong and used to the forest.”

“Yes, rest assured. I’m a hunter, and she’s an expert in forest dungeons.”

“Bern, you can safely focus on the village construction.”

Hearing me—who had actually defeated a powerful monster—confirm that the two with me are even stronger finally convinced him. Still, he handed over some preserved food and camping supplies, worried as always.

…For this cautious ex-adventurer, we really do need to clear the dungeon.

It’s likely a massive natural dungeon, maybe even worse than normal. But if we can solve the surrounding problems and obtain a powerful dungeon core, it’s not a bad choice.

After leaving the village, we rode the carriage a little further toward the place where I had emerged from the dungeon. From there, we could almost move straight to the abandoned village swallowed by the forest.

“So, we’ll leave the carriage at a nearby village and proceed to the dungeon on foot.”

“Serin rode the carriage in that village, right? If you’re in that form, the villagers might surround you and revere you like the man earlier. Maybe you should return to your original form first?”

“That’s true. Honestly, the dungeon is huge, with lots of trees and monsters. We should go full force from the start. I won’t be Selene… I’ll tackle it as Silent.”

Following Sheele’s advice from the driver’s seat, I chose to enter as Silent rather than return to Serin.

I’ve grown stronger, but that’s only in terms of instantaneous full-power attacks. Silent can push forward at full strength continuously—perfect for clearing obstacles aggressively.

“Becoming Silent again, wow! It’s exciting!”

“I talk to myself like this often, but yeah, it’s been a while to show this form.”

I switched the character in the menu from Selene to Silent. Light filled the carriage, and in an instant the ceiling seemed closer.

Looking at my hands and feet, they were unmistakably Silent’s.

“Wow… what an intimidating presence. The carriage feels so small now.”

“Right! Wow… such power! Anyone seeing this would think ‘a top-class warrior.’ No one will worry like before!”

“I understand now. Acting as Serin or Shizuma, I realized how important appearance is. A visible sense of security is something young Shizuma couldn’t provide. When I was Same, it conveyed ‘depth’ instead.”

“Huh… so if I looked stronger, it’d solve the problem? Maybe I should carry a big sword too?”

“Let’s not, that’d just be cute.”

“Yes, appearances matter here. Building our reputation through actual achievements in this country will validate our strength more than Dusterfil’s internal rank, which barely matters here. Bern trusted me a little because he knew Dusterfil was an adventurer nation, but otherwise it’s meaningless.”

“Even if we clear this forbidden dungeon, it won’t count as official achievements. Once done, we’ll focus on inland dungeon conquests.”

Eventually, that’s where things lead… Big nations don’t let things progress as smoothly as smaller ones.

I see… appearance really is important… can we do something about it?

We reached the village to leave the carriage, made a formal contract for lodging, and left the carriage. Locals had gathered, curious about travelers. Some said: “The Holy Spear Saint blessed us! More travelers will come!”

If it inspires hope, Bern’s actions were justified… though I still wish the statue was gone.

“Alright… from here, we walk. About three kilometers, I think? We’ll enter the dungeon from the main road.”

“It’s strange… the forest is so vast, yet no one enters, and no beasts come out. The dungeon seems to restrict its inhabitants…”

“Yes. Perhaps the ‘Boundary Breakers’ were too strong to leave, or—”

“Maybe, like me, they could leave only under certain conditions.”

Right… Melt was also bound to the dungeon as an inhabitant. This topic might be uncomfortable for her.

“Alright! Let’s go! I probably know more about forest dungeons than anyone! Let’s clear it and get a proper dungeon core!”

“Yes! Let’s go, Silent. I’m counting on you.”

“My approach for this challenge… came from a hint Sheele gave me.”

“Me? Really?”

Yes, indeed. You… pushed through the previous dungeon “Heart-Piercing Eternal Autumn Sorrow” aggressively.

Thus begins the “Forest Destruction is Fun!” operation.