The very next day, Rest set out for the Southern Mountain Range.
The range was a sprawling tapestry of peaks, majestic even when viewed from the foothills. Some summits pierced the clouds, draped in a pristine mantle of white snow.
"This is... incredible. It’s even more impressive than I imagined."
It looked exactly like the Himalayas. Of course, Rest had never actually seen those mountains in person during his previous life, either.
"Ah, it’s been a while. The view is as beautiful as ever."
Yuri, who had come along for the trek, leaned in to peer at Rest’s face.
"I’ll be the guide! You can count on me like you’re on a great ship!"
"...No, thank you."
Rest shook his head firmly.
Yuri was practically beaming, clearly thrilled by the prospect of a mountain hike, but Rest had absolutely no intention of relying on her. Entrusting the path to someone with her legendary lack of direction wasn’t like boarding a great ship; it was a mud ship waiting to sink. He could see no future other than the two of them ending up hopelessly lost and stranded.
"I’ve already hired a guide from the village at the foot of the mountains. We’re going to follow her."
"I look forward to working with you today. I’m Libery, your guide."
The woman Rest had hired gave a polite bow.
At the base of the mountains, several guides offered their services; mountain navigation had become quite the established business. Apparently, some people entered the range without a guide to save money, but roughly twenty percent of them were said to go missing, never to be heard from again.
"The mountains are easy to get lost in, and they’re crawling with monsters. Please, refrain from acting on your own."
Libery was a woman in her mid-twenties. She had shoulder-length brown hair and skin tanned to a healthy bronze, likely from the mountain sun.
For the record, Rest hadn’t mentioned that he and Yuri were nobles. Dealing with the sudden shift to formal deference would have been more of a headache than it was worth.
"Now, just to confirm... Lord Rest and Miss Yuri, your objective is monster hunting. You’re here for a Wyvern subjugation, correct?"
"Yeah, that’s the plan."
"Yep, that’s us!"
"...Forgive me for being blunt, but do you actually have the strength to take down a Wyvern?"
Libery eyed them searchingly. Her skepticism was well-founded.
Rest and Yuri were both merely teenagers. To make matters worse, they appeared completely unarmed. Since a Wyvern was a sub-dragon and ranked among the stronger classes of monsters, it was only natural for her to see this as a reckless, suicidal stunt by two children who didn't know their own limits.
"I’m a mage, so I’ll be fine. As for her... well, just trust me, we’ll be okay."
"Don't worry, we're really strong!"
"......"
At their nonchalant responses, Libery’s expression grew even more strained. It was clear she now viewed them as nothing more than foolhardy, impulsive youths.
"Sigh... Well, since you’ve paid the fee in advance, I’ll guide you. However, I will not participate in combat. Whatever happens, you are responsible for your own lives. Understood?"
Libery’s tone was sharp as she laid out the conditions.
When they had first explained their goal of hunting a Wyvern, she had spent a considerable amount of time lecturing them on the dangers. While she hadn’t refused to take the job, she had insisted they sign a contract stating that they were acting at their own risk—that the guide would bear absolutely no responsibility even if they were maimed or killed.
(Well, I can’t blame her... If I were in her shoes, I’d think we were being reckless, too. We look like kids, and Yuri doesn't have a single ounce of tension in her...)
"Yeah, I understand. If things go south, feel free to leave us behind and run."
"...If you're that determined, then I'll lead the way. Just make sure you listen to what I say if you value your lives."
"Got it! Oh, that reminds me—I made a lunch for us! It’s whole roasted Rock Lizard, your favorite, Rest!"
"I don't recall ever saying that was my favorite... Where do you even keep finding these strange monsters to cook?"
"......"
As she listened to their relaxed, casual banter, Libery’s face twisted into a look of pure exasperation once again.