"That’s an incredible bow. How on earth do you even fire it?"
"Like that... then this."
"Hmm, I see. But if you do it that way, wouldn't it be more like... that? Right?"
"Clumsy... Like that, then this."
"Ah, right, right. I get it now. It definitely goes 'like that' and then 'like this.'"
As they trekked across the eastern side of the plain, Yuri and Urula were deep in conversation. The topic was almost exclusively focused on Urula’s bow.
Yuri had been fascinated ever since witnessing the girl’s sublime display of marksmanship earlier, and she was currently bombarding her with questions. Yuri was naturally inquisitive; she lived honestly, pursuing whatever caught her interest regardless of who the person was or what the subject involved.
At the moment, she was peacefully chatting with Urula, receiving a personal lecture on archery techniques.
"Like... this? Hmm, I can't seem to hit anything."
"Too small."
"Ah, you're right. This bow is much too small for me. I’d need something larger and sturdier."
"Tighten."
"I see, so the string needs to be pulled even tauter. Right, right..."
Before Rest even realized it, Yuri had begun conversing with Urula as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Rest didn't have the slightest clue what Urula was trying to say most of the time, but Yuri already understood her perfectly without any need for an interpreter.
"Yuri... you actually understand her?"
"Hmm? Oh, you shouldn't try to understand her with words. You have to accept it with your heart! It’s all about passion!"
"............I see."
Rest didn't see at all. Apparently, such a level of communication was still beyond him. It didn't look like there was any room for him to join their harmonious circle.
Well... honestly, I'm just glad she's here to act as a buffer, he thought.
To be blunt, if it had just been him, Urula, and the retainers of the Margrave Lavender House, the atmosphere would have been unbearably awkward.
Bringing Yuri along was definitely the right choice. Her brand of innocence is a talent in its own right. I wonder if it's just her natural personality or a result of her upbringing? What kind of life did she actually lead back at the Marquis Catreia House?
"We are entering the wetlands now," Ostray, who was leading the group, announced.
Looking down, Rest saw that the moisture in the soil had indeed increased, with water pooling in shallow depressions like a series of interconnected puddles. Further ahead, small marshes were scattered across the landscape, and even the "dry" land had turned into a sludge of waterlogged mud.
"I probably should have asked this sooner, but... is there really a benefit to developing land like this?" Rest asked.
With this much water and mud, he doubted it would even be possible to build a town, let alone plant crops. As he voiced his skepticism, Urula shook her head slowly.
"Fish. Crabs. Water."
"Her Ladyship means to say—" the attendant began.
"Oho! So you're planning to farm seafood like fish and crabs, or perhaps use this as a reservoir to pipe water toward the east! I see, I see... The soil looks incredibly nutrient-rich, so I bet the fish raised here would be nice and fatty!" Yuri interjected.
"Ngh...!"
Yuri had forestalled the attendant, speaking for Urula before the woman could open her mouth. Having been usurped of her primary duty, the attendant glared at Yuri, sparks practically flying between them.
"So the wetlands have their own specific uses. In that case, we’d better clear out the monsters that are getting in the way."
"Yes, we are counting on you," Ostray said, bowing his head. "We can handle most of the threats ourselves, but the Worm is a different story. It’s beyond our capabilities, and we’ve been at our wits' end. If you could do something about it, Count Clover, it would be a true blessing..."
"Well, I’ll do my best. I can’t exactly guarantee a win against an enemy I haven’t even—"
Rest cut himself short.
His Life Search magic had just caught a massive presence. It was approaching from the west, dragging itself through the water of the wetlands.
"Everyone, on guard! It's coming!"
"GYAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
The moment Rest shouted his warning, a low, guttural shriek tore through the air. A massive spray of mud erupted into the sky as a creature resembling a giant serpent surged out from beneath the water.
"Whoa, it’s huge!" Yuri’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
"It's... really big..." Urula whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
"Is that... the Worm?!"
"GYAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
The great serpent, as thick as a sturdy pillar, reared its head toward the heavens and screamed again. Rest focused his mind, refining the mana within his body to intercept the colossal monster.