Re: Death - Reincarnated Dead Into Another World

Fleur has eaten and rested,

Purin had finished preparing preserved food,

I am floating, and so…

We depart!

Purin: "Useless trash, purin."

[You there, shut it!]

I ignored Purin's mind reading again and went my way.

We're walking using the trail often used by travelers to enter and exit the forest. I never thought that this was a trail used by the travelers. If I did think of that, I may be out of this forest even before meeting these two.

Purin seems to know her way, in and out of this forest, so I leave it to her and act as a guide to lead us out of here. I don't feel exactly safe with her leading the way, but I believe her loyalty towards Fleur overpowers any ill intent towards me. I bet she won't do anything that may hurt her master, after all.

As usual, the sky is covered with dark clouds. Some of the light comes from Glow Stones, stones that have absorbed Crysaztel to a degree where they are infused with it and becomes a magic crystal. Those stones are called Glow Stones. Thinking they may end up useful in the future, I store a few of them whenever I stumble upon some.

Correction, a lot of them. I'm also thinking of how I can use them to make better weapons using my Weapon Create skill.

Right, right. I'm also using the Store skill to store the luggage Fleur needed from the dungeon. Well, it's not that much, anyways. So right now, it looks like we're just out for a walk instead of a long travel.

See? I'm not useless, right?

Right?

[Fleur, are you really sure you're okay? Your face is still red.]

Fleur: "Eh?! A-Ah! W-Well… It is hot, I… guess?"

It's cold, though.

Hmmm… Suspicious.

Oh well. It looks like she's energetic enough for a walk and is fine like she says so, so there's no need to worry. I'll just look out for her and hope nothing else bad happens.

[Purin, my friend. Where are we heading to?]

Purin: "Do not call Purin thine friend, purin. We are not, purin."

[Come on, don't be like that. We're travelling buddies now.]

Purin: "…"

Ignored, huh?

I'm really hated for some reason. Am I really that worthy of a rival? I really don't think so, if you ask me.

I'm a much weaker monster than her. I can't use magic. I know next to nothing about this world. I don't even know much about her master, if anything.

[Purin, my friend.]

Purin: "Purin is telling thee to not call Purin 'thine friend.'"

[Do you not like me?]

Purin: "I abhor thee."

[O-Ohh…]

That much… It even went past the degree of hate, huh?

I was thinking of at least getting along with her since we'll be travelling alongside each other from now on. I don't know what will happen from now on, we may be attacked by monsters much stronger than us. That's why, I at least want to be able to cooperate with her.

But with this… *sigh* It's far from treating me as an acquaintance, I feel like I'm treated less than a bug.

Purin: "Purin IS treating thee lesser than a bug, purin."

[… Stop reading my mind.]

Geez, this slime…

[Fleur, my dear. What do you think I should do?]

Fleur: "Ciel, my dear. I think you can only persevere on trying to get along with her. Fufu~"

Oho. This girl rides along well.

[I see. But from the looks of things, if I try that, I can only imagine myself getting cursed to death.]

Fleur smiled dryly at my remark.

Well, it's nothing that needs urgency. I can just get along with her from here on out. I mean, we're both monsters. Monsters alike should stick together in times of need, right? Right?

Anyways, let's just focus on the road. We don't know when a hostile monster may pop out to attack us.

Hmm… Wait a sec. Now that I think about it…

[Fleur, I only noticed now but, why are there no monster approaching us? We've been walking out in the open for quite a while now.]

Fleur: "Ah, you see. That is because of Purin."

Hearing her name, Purin jerked while bouncing.

[Hohoh. I see, I see. So it was because of the Grand Slime, Purin, huh? That makes sense.]

Fleur: "Yes. Purin is not only strong but is also well respected among the monsters around this area."

Fleur giggled gently. It looks like she noticed my intent and got along with my silly quip.

[I see. It's no wonder. It's Purin we're talking about after all. Maaan… We're really saved. It's all thanks to Purin, right?]

Fleur: "That is right. Fufu."

She glows red even more brighter with every words spilled out of our mouths. Mufufu. It's working.

[You're a great help, Purin. Thanks.]

Purin: "H-Hmph…! I-It is not like Purin is doing this for a sc.u.m like thee, purin. Purin is doing this for Milady, purin! D-Do not misunderstand, you trash!"

T-Tsundere…?

Okay! Explanation time! *clap* *clap* *clap*

(Tsundere is a Japanese term for a character development that describes a certain person who is initially cold, is then gradually showing a warmer, friendlier side over time. Most often, these characters tend to shy away from their true feelings and instead, show a thorny or snappy attitude to hide their embarrassment. The word is derived from the terms 'tsun tsun', meaning 'to turn away in disgust or hate', and 'dere dere' meaning to become 'lovey-dovey.')

W-Well… I doubt she's anything but lovey-dovey to me right now. I can only feel the tsun.

*sigh* Enough teasing. One wrong move and I may find myself cursed to death. I don't want to waste my precious resurrection in a trivial matter.

Let's just say, I learned that she's not that bad to be with after all.

…

..

.

Wait, what?

[So we have to cross this mountain range to get out of this forest?]

It has been a week since we departed from the cave. During the day, we traveled with Purin, sometimes dealing with monsters. It seems like there are monsters who haven't yet heard about the strongest monster in that area. Or like, they can't just perceive it with their low Intelligence Level.

With all that, I helped Purin defeat the monsters from here and there, using Soul Consume whenever I get the chance. Because of that, I leveled up to level 35. It looks like the average level of the common monsters here are around 30 to 35, so it's getting quite hard for me to level up. The lower my opponent's level is, the lower the experience points I get from them, after all.

The notification to evolve appeared when I reached level 32, but it looks like I can still level up without doing so. Perhaps, I can get to a different evolution if I tried to avoid evolution as soon as possible.

I mean… Inferior Ghost…?

If there are other possible evolution for me to have, then better.

During the night, we will rest. Actually, we just make Fleur sleep since Purin and I don't need sleep in the first place. She was insisting to not be worried about her and continue our travel, but it's clear that she's been pushing herself. Well, there's also her excitement about her very first journey so it's not like I can't understand.

But a rest is a rest. I've also been curious about her face getting flushed from time to time. I want to observe her condition as much as possible.

Back to present.

Purin: "It is not necessary use this route, purin. However, this is the safest exit, considering where we would end up after, purin."

We're exactly in front of a huge entrance, made by a naturally formed rocks – It's the entrance to the Dastrientel Mountain Range. A mountain range with caves as interiors and is also considered as a dungeon by adventurers. It is also one of the few entrance and exits of this forest.

Or so I heard from Purin.

It's towering… I can't see the top of the mountain with it being covered by the dark clouds…

I was expecting us to traverse this mountain by climbing, but it looks like there's a passage way through it. Much better, considering we have Fleur.

[Hmhm. You're trying to say that if we went through the other exits, it would only result to trouble. Is that it?"

Purin: "Pretty good for a trash like thee, purin."

… That's unneeded of you, Purin my friend.

Purin: "The other exits lead to either the Aelven Continent or the Demon Continent."

[Hm? Aren't you both from the Demon Continent- Ahh…]

Purin: "It is just as thou suspected. Therefore, Purin plans to meet this certain individual Purin is acquainted with. That person is a Faunalia and is someone who is unconcerned about the war within races. Purin is hoping that that person could lend us a hand."

[A hand? For what?]

Purin: "Tch. It is to help Milady fulfilling her dream. Anyhow, Purin will be going out to hunt for provisions."

Dream… So we'll ask that person to help us with our travel, huh? But I think there's more to Purin's intention than what it seems.

Still… Hoho. We're going to the Faunalian Continent, huh? I guess that will be our first objective for now.

Since in my mind, we're just travelling aimlessly, this will be a good start. I mean, I know next to nothing about this world. I'll remember that.

And, right.

Fleur escaped from the Demon Continent to spend the rest of her diminishing time away from people, where there won't be any worries about her hurting other people.

But, in actuality, Fleur had already wreaked havoc across the Demon Continent, losing control from here and there.

Calling these two fugitives is certainly not an exaggeration.

[Hm. I've been hearing about them but, what are Alves and uhh… Faunalias? Well, I know they're a race aside from Humans and Demis, but how are they different?]

Information gathering, start!

We rest before the entrance in a shade under one of the large black trees with black leaves. Also, Purin said that we will be needing to pack more food, since it will be hard to procure them inside. Purin went to hunt, so my question directs towards Fleur instead.

I also feel like she just didn't want to be the one to talk to me.

It hurts my fragile heart be hated this much, to be honest… *sniffle*

Fleur: "I see. Being someone from the other world, it is not strange for Soul to not know about these things. Let me explain it to you from the beginning then."

[Sure. I'm listening.]

Fleur sat down on the grassy ground after rearranging her skirt beforehand. She then gazed at the horizon, as if to reminisce about something.

And as if the place wanted to match with the current atmosphere, the cold breeze brew.

Fleur: "This is how it tells… There are four goddesses that reigned over the world, which is known as Teralha.

The first goddess decided to create – she created the Humans. She was then known as the Human Goddess, Ninnea. The second and third goddess followed their sister's decision and also made their own creations.

The second goddess created the Aelves, and was came to be known as the Aelven Goddess, Elise.

The third one created the Faunalias. She is then came to be known as the Faunalian Goddess, Beatrice."

Fleur paused for a while to catch her breath and then continued.

Fleur: "Humans are known for their wisdom. Their ability to create is more than enough prowess than can compare to other races. They can also manipulate Crysaztel at a certain degree.

Aelves are known for their great aptitude with Crysaztel. Trying to outbest her elder sister's creation, she made her creation to be much better at magic, which lead to them, however, to losing other aspects. They became physically weak.

Faunalias, on the other hand, are known for their great physical abilities. The third goddess learned from her sister's mistake and made it so that her creation will be healthy. However, their sensitivity to Crysaztel became dull, as a result."

… Uhh… What the heck are these goddesses doing…?

[Hmhm. Wait, what about the fourth goddess?]

Fleur: "Yes. The fourth goddess also made her own creations. However, being the one who is not yet accustomed to her own powers, her creation failed and they turned into monsters. That is how monsters were born."

[I see. And then?]

Fleur: "Because of the chaos brought forth by the monsters, the rest of the goddess persecuted the fourth Goddess and exiled her to a small island, south of the Faunalian Continent. She is then labeled as the Lost Goddess."

[… Huh?]

… Did I hear that right? L-Lost Goddess…

Like a hot magma, beating out of my core, I was left stupefied by the sudden word.

Fleur: "Hm? Is there something wrong, Ciel?"

[A-Ah… Nothing. Continue the story.]

There's only one Lost Goddess who I got to know of after arriving here in this world… And she's seeking help.

Is that why? Because she was exiled? That's it?

But… I feel like there's still more to it than that. I don't know why, but now that I've heard this story, the word 'Lost Goddess' now has a different vibe to it.

Like…

Fleur: "All races followed the image of the goddesses with only certain differences. The Humans have the exact traits as the goddesses. Two arms, two limbs, they walk upright, and have clear skin without any specific appurtenance. The Aelves are known for their feature of having long ears and fair, pale skin. Lastly, the Faunalias are known for their beastly appearance, adorned with beast ears and tail."

Now that I have a clear image of them, they look exactly like the template for races in fantasy setting books.

Aelves are Elves.

Faunalias are Beastmen.

And well, Humans are… Humans.

[And as for the Demis, they're the monsters created by the fourth goddess, right?]

Fleur: "Yes. That is correct."

From what I heard from Purin, Demis are monsters that developed to have an intellect close to those of the other races, if not fully. Fleur's mother being one of them, gathered them and created an Empire for them to live peacefully.

Of course, even though they're monsters before, they have become something that are not. They evolved, in short. And so, they are different from monsters. They have been successfully transformed into a splendid race.

I wonder if the Lost Goddess knew about this. I'm pretty sure she'll be happy to know that her creations are now a race, just like how she created them to be.

Fleur: "Well, all of those have only come from the legends and myths. Fufu. I have only learned them from class, too, back in my hometown."

Seriously?!

Man… I thought it's the truth…

At any rate, I can't still consider it as just a legend or myth. If it is indeed only a legend, then who is this Lost Goddess giving these Arcana Titles?

It all fits perfectly to be a simple legend or myth.

… Hmhm. There's no smoke without fire, as they say. I better look into it more.

Purin: "Purin is back, purin."

[Welcome back.]

Purin: "…"

Ignored again.

Fleur: "Welcome back, Purin."

Purin: "Yes! Purin is glad to be back, purin~ Thank you very much, Milady, purin!"

[… What's with the difference in treatment???]

With that retort from yours truly, we entered the entrance that leads to the interior of the Dastrientel Mountain Range.

…

..

.

Chapter End