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Chapter 98: Let's Go, Towards the Eastern Forest!

Day 209 in Another World

Eight days have passed since the orc search began.

Let me tell you the conclusion first.

In the western part of Nanashi Village, within the Great Forest, not a single orc was found.

We extended the planned investigation period and searched thoroughly, but there was nothing abnormal. We couldn't even find traces of orcs, so we decided to end the search as of yesterday.

During the seven-day extensive search, the only result we obtained was the discovery of items that likely belonged to a deceased Japanese person, found in about a dozen places.

Apart from that, we surrounded the other settlement that used to be the rabbit beastman dwelling with barriers, turning it into an evacuation site for emergencies. Additionally, we placed a 10-meter-wide barrier adjacent to the trade route connecting the village and the city.

Considering the fatigue from the continuous search, today is designated as a rest day for the village. Currently, the key members have gathered in the dining hall to discuss the appearance of orcs.

"After all this time, we couldn't find a single trace of orcs around the village. Why is only the forest surrounding the village like this?"

“According to Drago's opinion, this entire area was originally part of the Great Mountain Range, and it is still protected by the blessing of the Earth Goddess.”

"Judging from the quality of the dragon energy we sense, there's no doubt that this is a special region."

"Does this feeling of dragon energy extend to the area near the dungeon in the east? Although it's a bit outside of the Great Mountain Range, I think that area is still affected."

"Umu, I can feel the same quality of dragon energy in the vicinity of the dungeon in the east. In fact, the deeper you go, the denser the dragon energy becomes."

"I see, so that's why the Chief's barrier skill can be activated here."

Upon further consideration, that seems to be the case. Because the forest stretches on continuously, I didn't pay much attention to it, but the reason why we can expand the territory without any problems on the eastern side of the Great Mountain Range is due to the quality of dragon energy(magic power) there.

"However, on the other side of the river to the east, orcs have been there for a long time, right? Why is only the eastern side like this?"

Haruka's observation is reasonable, and it has been bothering me for the past few days.

"In the city of Kaemos, orc sightings began after they conquered the 15th floor of the dungeon. But we haven't even reached the 15th floor, let alone the boss room."

On the first day of the extensive search, we asked Drago to gather information in the Kaemos territory.

According to the adventurer's guild in Kaemos, after they conquered the 15th floor boss, orc sightings began. We still don't know about other territories or the Amaldia Kingdom.

"Um…I have an idea, but it's purely speculation..."

"Kyoko, please share your thoughts if you have any."

Kyoko seems to have a certain idea, and this is what she suggests:

In the city of Kaemos, when they conquered the 15th floor Orc King, orcs started appearing on the surface. If we apply this theory, when someone conquered the 15th floor of the dungeon in the eastern forest long ago, orcs might have emerged on the surface as well.

Various dungeons up to the 5th floor have been conquered a long time ago. In that case, it's natural for monsters like goblins and giant boars to be on the surface nowadays, and no one finds it strange.

With that situation continuing, a capable person with special skills from Japan came and transmigrated here. They ended up reaching a floor that shouldn't have been conquered and inadvertently allowed orcs to invade the surface.

In the same way, in the eastern forest, someone might have conquered the dungeon's 15th floor long ago, causing orcs to flood the surface.

However, in ancient times, the western and eastern parts of the continent were completely separated by the Great Mountain Range, making it impossible for the orcs to invade from the west. If so, it's possible that the eastern part of the continent also had civilizations and prospering races in the distant past.

It's hard to believe, but there are rumors that monsters still live in the eastern part of the continent, so they might have secured their living area to this day. There's a chance that even more powerful monsters are present, and they might have wiped out the orcs in the eastern forest.

"I see. If that theory is true, then even if we conquer the 15th floor of the eastern dungeon, nothing will change compared to what has happened so far."

"If we conquer deeper floors and release another race, it might be dangerous."

"I want to ask Drago about this. Aren't there any records in the parliament or any dragon tribe legends that have been passed down, related to this?"

"As far as I know, there are none. The great dragons might know something, but there's no way to ask them now."

"I see. Confronting higher-tier monsters would be a problem, but ordinary orcs should be manageable... But I still feel uneasy."

"Village Chief, how about exploring the eastern forest until we gather information from other territories and the Amaldia Kingdom? I'm interested in the boss as well, but it's better not to act rashly."

"I think it's a good idea, but are Touya and the others levels okay?"

"We've already leveled up quite a bit. Besides, if we explore the eastern forest, we might make some new discoveries. It's better to have a certain degree of understanding than to leave it unknown."

"I agree with Touya-kun’s opinion."

"Well then, if Touya and Sakura say so, I have no objections. Gathering information about the orcs will take time, so let's explore the eastern forest in the meantime."

With that decision, we proceeded to hold a meeting to organize the investigation team and the dungeon exploration team.

◇◇◇

Day 214 in Another World

Five days after the village meeting, with the party formation and camping preparations complete, we are finally starting the investigation today.

There were various opinions regarding the selection of members for the investigation team, but in the end, we decided to form a small elite group. Some suggested going in with the maximum strength, but considering the recent appearances of orcs in the city, we decided to leave behind a certain number of people as a force in case of emergencies.

The members selected for the investigation team are Touya, Sakura, Haruka, and Akiho from Japan, along with Drago, the dragon tribe member and Merinard, the sheep beastman. Including myself, we are a party of seven taking on this challenge.

Touya is the strongest fighter in the village, and Sakura's water magic, Haruka's advanced appraisal skill, and Akiho's healing magic, along with Merinard's spatial storage ability, were all indispensable.

My role is to set up barriers, and I also have the ability to "mimic" in case of emergencies. Drago possesses the invaluable ability of flight and has high combat capabilities. Though the number is small, the team's abilities are impeccable.

Kyoko, Roa, and Rado, along with the warriors' group, will continue to focus on leveling up in the dungeon. We plan to increase their strength during this investigation period, which is limited to a maximum of two weeks.

Currently, we have a distance of about 60 km that can be expanded within the territory. Considering the exploration on foot and possible detours, we expect to cover a distance of at most 15 km per day, and in some cases, it might be even shorter.

This time, we plan to conduct the investigation heading north from the location of the dungeon, and I will be fixing the barriers along the way.

Compared to the size of the continent, the scope of this investigation might be insignificant, but even if it ends up being futile, just finding out that there is nothing would be a significant achievement in itself.

"Well then, Tsubaki, I'm leaving the rest to you. Don't hesitate to use telepathy whenever you need to."

"Yes, leave it to me. I'll make sure to have warm meals ready at any time, so take care on your journey."

"We're looking forward to it. See you later."

As we need to fix the location for the transfer of supplies at the search site, I have returned the "Supply Transfer" ability to Tsubaki.

"Touya, don't overdo it, okay? I'll be waiting for you..."

"Yeah... I'll be back safely."

"Just kidding. Aki-chan, do your best too!"

"Yeah, I'll do my best, Nacchan!"

With expectations and anxieties for my first large-scale adventure in this other world, we set off from the village.

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