The following day, Rest set out for a forest within the Margrave Lavender Territory under Urula’s guidance.
The locals knew it as the "Forbidden Forest," a restricted sanctuary where entry was strictly prohibited without the Lord’s express permission.
A wall of dense, tangled trees loomed before Rest, the thicket so overgrown that he struggled to see even a few meters ahead.
"There really isn't any sign of human passage... Why is this place called the 'Forbidden Forest' in the first place?"
"Monsters. Strong."
"So it’s off-limits because the monsters are dangerous? Well, I suppose that’s plausible enough."
Like the Subnock Plain, there were several places in this world where one could lose their life simply by stepping inside. This forest appeared to be one of them.
"By the way... what kind of monsters are we talking about?"
"Black..."
"Black?"
"Like... people?"
"Like...?"
He wondered if she meant monkeys or something similar. Urula’s descriptions were always vague, leaving the true nature of these "black monsters" a mystery.
"The ring. Do you have it?"
"The ring...? Where did that come from so suddenly?"
Rest wondered if she was referring to the Rainbow Crystal Ring she had asked for previously. Those were still being processed, so he hadn't brought them with him.
"The ring. I gave it to you."
"Oh... you mean the one you gave me before?"
"Yes."
"I have it. This is it, right?"
Rest reached into his pocket and produced the ring Urula had given him. He had kept it tucked away in a drawer, but he’d remembered to bring it along after receiving the summons to this territory.
"Put it on."
"Put it on? This?"
"Yes. Give it to me."
No sooner had she spoken than Urula snatched the ring from Rest’s palm. Taking his hand in hers, she forcibly slid it onto one of his fingers.
"Mmu..."
It was the ring finger of his left hand.
Engagement rings existed in this world, though there was no tradition designating a specific finger for them. Consequently, Urula likely hadn't intended any special meaning by choosing that particular finger—yet Rest couldn't help but feel a strange sense of self-consciousness.
"Good. Now it’s fine."
"Wait... is this ring some kind of pass?"
"Mm."
"I see. Thanks."
The ring bore no crests or inscriptions, leaving its true purpose unclear. If anything, the way its purple light shimmered seemed to match the aesthetic of the Margrave Lavender House.
"Monsters. Nearby. Be careful."
"Yeah. I'll take the lead; you stay back."
Rest stepped onto the carpet of branches and leaves, pushing deeper into the woods. At the same time, he activated his 【Life Search】 magic. He immediately sensed the presence of countless creatures lurking within the forest.
(Well, I expected as much... Filter out creatures below a certain Mana threshold. Mark anything that poses a potential threat.)
By restricting the amount of information flowing into his mind, he sharpened his sensory range and precision. Now, it would be impossible for anything to take him by surprise.
"The Diamond Bear... isn't here."
He couldn't find anything of the appropriate size near the forest entrance. It seemed this wouldn't be a quick trip; they would have to venture much further in.
"And... here they come! Monsters!"
"Krak-krak-krak-krak-krak-krak!"
A large, strange bird lunged out from the brush, letting out a bizarre, rattling screech. It looked like a two-meter-tall chicken adorned in brilliantly multicolored feathers. The avian monster opened its beak wide, snapping at Rest’s head.
"【Wind Cutter】!"
"Gara!"
A Wind Blade sliced into the bird's neck, sending a spray of blood into the air, but the creature only flinched. With bloodshot eyes, it lunged a second time.
"I see... it’s tough."
Rest unleashed another Wind Cutter, this time imbuing it with significantly more Mana. This time, the bird’s head was severed cleanly. It collapsed to the forest floor and ceased to move.
"Stronger than I expected... I’ll have to stay on guard."
"As expected."
Muttering a word of praise, Urula reached down and plucked a crest-like feather from the bird's severed head.
"Here."
"Oh?"
She tucked the feather into Rest’s breast pocket. After staring at his clothes, now decorated with the vibrant, multicolored plumage, she nodded with satisfaction.
"Good."
"...I see. Glad you like it."
She was a girl with a very peculiar sensibility. Rest decided it was best not to overthink it as he turned his gaze back toward the depths of the forest.