By the Grace of the Gods (LN) - Volume 16 - Chapter 1

Chapter 10, Episode 1: Return from the Sea of Trees

Glen and I left the village and hiked for a while before we came to the lake that had been one of my landmarks on the way in. I’d been in a hurry then, but now I had the chance to appreciate the beauty of this lake, its crystal water rippling from the breeze and shimmering with the reflection of sunlight. Thanks to that breeze, the air tasted fresh. All around the lake, the banks were coated with fresh moss disturbed only by the small monsters that drank from its lapping ledge. Despite the innate danger this far into the woods, there was a serenity about the place, somehow. Maybe this was how the lake always looked when Undead monsters weren’t around.

“Now we’re close enough,” I said. From here, I could clearly sense the location and condition of the stone slime I’d buried in the ground. I could use Space magic to quickly travel to another stone slime, while making sure that there wouldn’t be any monsters waiting for me on the other end, all by communicating with slimes.

“Why didn’t you bury those slimes all the way from here to the village?” Glen asked.

“That would have been convenient,” I admitted. “But there were too many Undead around at the time.”

“Yeah...I guess you really didn’t have a chance to,” Glen said.

“Next time, I’d like to complete the line to the village. So, are you ready?”

“Yep. If any monsters come knocking, I’ll take care of them.”

“Thank you,” I said. “Here we go. Warp.” Controlling my magical energy to envelop Glen as well as myself, I cast the spell. In the blink of an eye, the lake was replaced by a dense forest. The slime that I’d been sensing in the distance was now directly under my feet. “It certainly worked. Let’s keep going.”

With a series of bursts of Space magic, we flew through each slime marker I’d placed like a train passing from station to station.

“Oh, there’s a raptor pack passing through our next marker,” I said. “Let’s wait here for a minute.”

“I knew we’d be going fast, but it’s pretty insane actually experiencing it. This is where the treants showed up.” Glen jerked his chin to the pair of treant carcasses we hadn’t been able to collect after we had defeated them. If my memory served me right, it had taken us a whole day to walk from this point to the village. With Space magic, we’d retraced that journey in only an hour. “Love the speed, but how’s your magical energy holding up?”

“Within the expected range. The rapid-fire casting does spend a lot, but I have plenty to work with. There’ll be times like this where I don’t make the next jump right away, and I can always summon a huge rock slime and rest if I need to. In case we don’t have time to rest, I also have a store of magic recovery potions.” Considering how quickly we had made it this far, spending the magical energy was definitely worth it. Even accounting for some pauses along the way, we would probably be able to leave the Sea of Trees before the end of the day. “And while we’ve been talking, the raptor pack left the vicinity of our next marker.”

“That wasn’t much of a break. Is there anything you and your slimes can’t do?” Glen said, half approving and half exasperated.

We teleported to our next spot—just shy of the swamp where I reencountered Glen. “I couldn’t bury any slimes in the swamp, so we need to cross it the old-fashioned way.” The slimes would have been fine underwater, but it would have been too difficult for me to collect them. We wouldn’t lose our way, though, thanks to another slime buried in solid ground on the opposite shore of the swamp. Besides, with my boat and slime magic, crossing the swamp would be a breeze, just as it had been on the way in.

Then, I realized a potential flaw in my plan. “Will this hold you?” I asked Glen, pointing at my trusty boat. I’d ridden it with Hudom in Gimul, so the boat could fit me and one adult...one average-sized adult, at least. But Glen’s stature far exceeded the average.

“If I put my hammer away...” Glen said, doing just that and putting one foot in the boat before squeezing on board. We’d be cutting it close both in size and weight.

“You made it on, but we won’t be going too fast,” I noted.

“And I can’t fight if any monsters show up. I can barely move.”

“Even if you could move, you might capsize us... How did you cross this swamp in the first place, when you found me on this side after we first met in that base?” I asked, half expecting him to say that he had run straight through the muck.

He thought about this for a minute. “Don’t know. I was running around whichever way I felt like going until I ran into you. Probably went around the swamp somehow—didn’t make sense to slog through it when I didn’t have to.”

“Then let’s follow the shore, just in case,” I suggested. “We won’t lose our way, so I’d rather be safe than cutting straight through.”

Glen agreed, so we set out on our way. With the help of the mud slime, I started the boat. As expected, it didn’t go as fast as before, but this was easier and quicker than walking through the mud, even at the pace of a leisurely gondola.

Gallow moss alligators must have preferred the deep ends of the swamp, because we were attacked a lot less frequently than I was on the way over. And we were able to dodge even those attacks, thanks to Glen and the slimes detecting the gators before they could get close. Going slowly wasn’t a problem for us.

Suddenly, Glen shouted, “Ryoma! Turn!”

Immediately, I pointed the boat towards the center of the swamp and away from the shore, on which a herd of monsters lounged in the distance. “Oh, shotgun hippopotami...” I noted. According to my research, they boasted high defense—albeit not as much as cannonball rhinos—and were highly aggressive. Like their namesake, they were able to fire attacks from a distance. They preferred to hunt prey with hard exoskeletons like the rock fish and spiky snails that lived in the swamp. Undigested fragments of their shell or scales became the hippo’s buckshot.

“Those guys scatter their crap everywhere—it’s a drag trying to dodge it all. If you don’t want to get showered with scat, it’s best to stay clear,” Glen said.

As silly as it sounded, the shotgun hippos attacked with their feces. That might have sounded ridiculous on paper, but the sharp shards of scales and shells were dangerous enough, not to mention the risk of infection they posed. Luckily, we were able to avoid that herd. That was one monster I didn’t want to face off against for so many reasons.

But since we could see them, they could see us. One of the hippos let out a pained toot.

“It...misfired? Do you think it was trying to scare us off?” I asked.

“Probably. The other ones are agitated too,” Glen said. There was no harm done since we were way out of range already. “No reason to get close or hunt them. Let’s just blow past.”

“Agreed. Let’s take the direct route, even though we’ll cross the deeper parts.”

Dodging monsters lurking in the swamp as well as on the shore, I kept the boat going. On the current of the mud slime, we sailed through an area that smelled of trees and mud and water until we eventually reached the opposite shore of the swamp. From here, we’d travel by Space magic again.

We carried on, taking a few breaks and opting not to stop by the bases along the way. We made it back to where we could see the base at the edge of the woods by the time dusk began to fall.

“Whoa. We really made it here in a day,” Glen said. “Since the sun’s coming down, you wanna stop here for the night?”

“Yes, let’s.” We could still make it out of the Sea of Trees if we hurried, but we’d have to find lodging at the nearest town or camp out like we’d been doing anyway. Either option wasn’t too different than spending the night at the base here, and getting to rest early was definitely a plus. Once we made that call, I encased myself in Light magical energy...and we were ready to go.

We approached the base by foot and a familiar guard opened the door to the base like he knew we were coming. “Welcome back,” he greeted us.

“Ashton!” I said.

“I didn’t know you’d be coming tonight, so I didn’t plan my shift around it or anything, but I’ve been looking forward to seeing you again... We can talk more after you come inside.” He glanced at Glen but didn’t say anything further as he let us both in.

As soon as we made it inside, people at the nearby tavern erupted.

“Hey, look!”

“That kid really came back!”

“Yes! Yes! Yes!”

“No way! Dammit, I lost!”

“Damn! Oh?!”

Their cheers turned into bizarre shrieking before quickly quieting as they noticed Glen.

“Why is that kid with Glen?”

“How should I know? The kid was probably trapped somewhere in the woods and Glen saved him, or something like that.”

“No shot. Glen never gives you a second glance unless you can fight.”

“Maybe he’d save the kid’s life if he came across the scene, but he’d never play bodyguard and escort him back here. The kid isn’t acting like Glen’s protecting him either.”

“Give it up. The results aren’t gonna change.”

“Noooo!”

Everyone who spoke out was either ecstatic or devastated, all of them sneaking glances at me. Come to think of it, I’d heard some whispers of bets being made on me. “Ashton, did they...?”

“Yeah. They bet on whether or not you’d make it back—and if you came back, whether you’d be hurt or not.”

“Which option had more votes?” I asked.

“Odds were eight to two on you not making it back. Half of adult newcomers disappear, so betting on your survival was definitely a long shot. Twenty percent voting on your return is pretty unusual,” Ashton said. After experiencing the depths of the Sea of Trees, I understood full well how an ordinary child couldn’t have survived what I had.

“Well, we’re hoping to stay the night,” I said.

“Yeah, just let Sutem know. He’ll be at the same tavern as before. Show your face and grab some food, he’ll get a room ready by the time you’re done,” Ashton said. “My shift’s almost over. I’ll buy you a drink or two—call it your cut of my profit.”

I was just about to ask if he was sure, but it sounded like he was part of the twenty percent. “Then I’ll gladly accept.”

I called Glen over and we crossed to the tavern on the other side of the base, drawing every pair of eyes along the way.

“Thought I heard some excitement,” Sutem said by way of greeting. “You’re back.”

“Safe and sound. And we were hoping to book two rooms for tonight—” I started.

“And some food and booze. I’ll be over there,” Glen said, sauntering off to an empty table without waiting for a response.

I turned to him. “Glen—”

“No sweat. I don’t know why you’re traveling together, but that’s normal for him,” Sutem said.

Come to think of it, Glen hadn’t been very talkative since we came into the base. I remembered him telling me about the kind of people who flocked to his fame and strength, so maybe he was trying not to interact with other adventurers more than necessary.

“Looks like you made it to Korumi,” Sutem added.

“You can tell?” I asked.

“There isn’t a shred of regret on your face. Congrats on a successful first exploration of the Sea of Trees. I’ll get you some decent meat and drink. Take a seat with him.” Even though Sutem’s congratulations were blunt, it was nice to receive them nonetheless.

While I was walking to join Glen, I saw Ashton jogging down the same path we’d taken across the base. I waved him over to join us.

“Sorry for the wait!” Ashton said.

“We haven’t waited at all... You’re much earlier than I expected. I hope I didn’t make you rush out on your shift,” I said.

“No, no. My replacement came right as you left. Some guys on my shift started bugging me to buy them drinks, so I had to get them off my tail first.” Ashton glanced at Glen. “I probably should have asked this sooner, but you’re sure you want me to join you?”

“You don’t mind, do you?” I asked Glen, already expecting the answer.

“It’s not gonna bother me if we’re just drinking. Just don’t start talking nonsense,” Glen said.

“Oh yeah? Then I’ll join you.” Ashton confidently took the seat across from Glen, and I sat beside him.

Sutem came over. “You’re here too, Ashton? Give me your order already.”

“Start me off with whatever they’re having. Money isn’t an object today,” Ashton said. “So, how was it?” he asked, once Sutem brought over our mugs and plates.

Since he asked for it, I began retelling the events of my journey since I left this base, from my trek through the Sea of Trees and the bases along the way, to how I met up with Glen past the swamp, and the current state of Korumi...

Throughout the story, Ashton gave me expressive reactions and asked questions just at the right time to make me want to give more details. He was an amazing listener.

When I was done, Ashton blew out a breath. “You guys are...something else.”

“What makes you say that?” I asked. “The things that happened past the Edge?”

“That, too, I guess, but I’m still on the food you ate on the way. With Space magic you can set up crazy camps. I get that. But you guys were cooking and eating hot meals and drinking?! If anyone else did that, it’d be suicide,” Ashton said.

“I had nothing to do with his crazy food. Ryoma’s the only crazy one,” Glen said like he was offended...after all the food he had eaten! “The food was crazy good, but it wasn’t normal.”

“I can’t argue with that,” I relented.

“That’s the best food I’ve had on any job, let alone in the Sea of Trees. Your slime camp is basically the same as a room at the inn. And you’re fun to fight with. I wouldn’t mind teaming up with you.” He said those words casually, but it still silenced everyone else in the room.

After a tense silence, where everyone obviously hung on my next words, I simply said, “No, thank you.”

“All right,” Glen said.

Most faces in the tavern were twisted in surprise. Ashton practically climbed onto the table as he turned to me and squeezed out, “Are you serious, dude?! An S-rank adventurer just offered to team up with you?!” Judging by the other faces around us—some actually nodding in agreement—he had spoken for the whole tavern.

“Of course, I have no doubt of Glen’s abilities or accomplishments. I just want to choose which adventures I go on,” I said.

“Yeah. I’m always gonna do what I want when I want,” Glen said. This time around, I had been the one making calls because he had tagged along with me of his own volition. If we were to properly team up, I had a suspicion that he’d run the show most of the time—impulsively, by his own admission. Not that I was much better when it came to letting my feelings guide me.

“Most adventurers would have jumped at an opportunity like that... But it’s your decision, even if I don’t understand why you wouldn’t team up. You’re both pretty cut-and-dried about this, huh?” Ashton said.

“We both want to do what we want. If what we each want to do ever aligns again, we can work together for as long as it does. Like I followed you this time around,” Glen said.

“Yes, if the opportunity arises,” I agreed. I wondered what I’d gotten myself into when I first met him, but these past few days had been pretty fun. I meant what I said—I wouldn’t mind us working together when our plans and moods aligned.

Our conversation was over, but not without leaving an impact on the eavesdroppers in the tavern. Their gazes started to burn, and I could hear their whispers more clearly. Perhaps living in this harsh environment made them put a lot of stock in the words of someone with proven strength—like an S-rank adventurer.

A few moments later, Glen clicked his tongue quietly but clearly. “Hey, old man!” he bellowed.

“I’m not deaf, you know. What?” Sutem answered.

Glen was approaching him, sticking his hand into his pack...and dragged out the carcass of the immortal snake. “Put everyone here on my tab. If this doesn’t cover it, I got more.” Then, he hoisted the massive serpent with one arm and shouted, “All that whispering is getting on my nerves! If you’re gonna talk, make it a party!”

A beat of silence, then the tavern patrons roared out cheers. It wasn’t that I had expected Glen to snap and start throwing punches, but I definitely hadn’t expected this.

“Does it cover it?” Glen asked Sutem.

“It’s been years since I’ve seen an immortal snake brought in, especially in such clean condition. The hide of this one alone will more than cover it.”

“In that case, feed them the meat,” Glen said.

“You got it. Hey! I don’t care who, help me carry this thing!” Sutem bellowed above the rising cheers of the tavern. The immortal snake was carried off to be cleaned, cooked, and served.

“Don’t you owe people money?” I asked Glen.

“It’s better than letting that crap sour my drink. I probably made more than usual on this trek. If it’s still not enough, I’ll go back out and make some more,” Glen explained.

It was no skin off my back, since the immortal snake was part of Glen’s cut, as we’d already arranged. This explained how the S-rank adventurer had racked up his debts. Still, I kind of liked that about him.

Even if the odds were against me four to one, some of them had bet on my survival, and I could take that as their way of encouragement in the Sea of Trees. Sutem and Ashton were openly celebrating my return, so it felt right that I return the favor somehow.

After asking Sutem for his input, I decided to provide the extra fresh vegetables I had. As I unloaded them from my Dimension Home, the excitement of the adventurers only grew, turning up the voltage of our impromptu party.

Even though I hadn’t been around long to earn the adventurers’ respects the traditional way, Glen’s approval and my offering of vegetables—that happened to be proof of my ample food supply—served to prove my abilities to them.

A few hours later, I was standing in the middle of a howling crowd.

“Hey! Wake up, Glen! Wake up!”

“Open your eyes! Please!”

“Not going to happen. He’s out cold.”

“Then the kid—I mean, Ryoma—wins!”

Glen, drunk and passed out, sprawled before me, amid a few other adventurers who’d gone down earlier. Ashton had been carried out a while ago, having passed out early.

With a little bit of a buzz, I tried to remember how I ended up here. Once the party began, a drinking contest had started before I knew what was happening. Maybe I should have expected that from a party full of ruffians and adventurers. Glen was paying and I was the main subject, so the attention of the adventurers zeroed in on us, and we ended up in the center of the contest.

“Hey, are you sure he’s not a dwarf?” a person in the crowd began fearfully.

“He’s not. I just asked him. His grandfather was a dwarf, but they weren’t related by blood.”

“There’s no way. Look at this mess.”

Thanks to the blessing of the god of drinks, I was the last one standing. Given how many people had drunk themselves unconscious, the party would soon be over. While I still could, I bolstered myself with physical energy and slung Glen over my shoulder. There was no way to avoid dragging his feet on the ground, but Glen stayed asleep—I’d just have to chuck him into his room. “Sutem, I’m sorry to leave a mess here, but if we could get our rooms...”

“They’re ready. Don’t worry about the tavern, I’ll take care of it. Are you not even drunk after all that?” Sutem asked.

“I am, but not enough to affect my motor function or speech. I do have a blessing from the god of drinks, so the people who bet against me didn’t stand a chance.”

“That’s their problem. Besides, no one around here is going to quit just because they lost a bet or two.”

“Is gambling really that rampant here?” I asked.

“Adventuring in the Sea of Trees is like putting your life on the line every day in hopes you strike it big. You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who isn’t a gambler,” Sutem said as I followed him to our assigned rooms. Chucking Glen into one of them, I went to sleep in the other.

***

The next morning, Glen grumbled, “Dammit. I never thought I’d lose in a drinking contest.”

“We were down to a one-on-one in the end, so I know you can hold your liquor,” I said.

“Hey... I tapped out at the beginning—ow. How are both of you so unaffected?” Ashton asked.

I’d woken up normally without being hungover. Glen didn’t seem hungover either. While we enjoyed a big pile of breakfast, Ashton brought over a bowl of soup that looked soothing to the stomach.

“No idea,” Glen said. “But even after I black out, I’m never hungover.”

“I have a god’s blessing... Do you think your internal organs are automatically strengthened like the rest of your body?” I asked. I’d noticed last night that Glen did get drunk—just much less than anyone else. On second thought, perhaps his heightened metabolism helped break down alcohol quickly.

We kept discussing the party until all of our plates were clean. When I rose, Ashton—still looking groggy—asked, “You’re off? Not that you’ll need it, but...be careful out there.”

“I’ll come back again soon. Take care,” I said, knowing that we’d see a lot of each other in the future—there was no point in drawing out this goodbye. With a quick word of farewell, we left Ashton nursing his soup, Glen and I left the tavern and the base itself.

Then, I used Space magic to get us to the edge of the Sea of Trees, and we walked the final few meters. In a reverse of what happened on the way in, I felt the air cool and dry all around me. “Now we’re out of the Sea of Trees,” I said. “What now? I’m going to the nearest city if you want to tag along.”

“Nah, I gotta sell off some stuff to turn it into cash. I’m going to the capital,” Glen said, pointing in a direction that had no road or town as far as the eye could see... Was he going to literally run the whole way to the capital?

“See you around,” I said.

“Yeah. Let’s tussle when we meet again!”

That, I might have to decline. Still, Glen would make for a great partner to practice on.

Glen sprinted off, then suddenly stopped and turned on his heel. “I almost forgot! Ryoma! When I get the cash I’m going to come buy your instant food, so have some ready for me! Just name-drop me to your noble friend! Thanks!” he bellowed. Then he was off again without waiting for an answer. By the time I even thought about responding, he was a speck in the distance.

“There was never a dull moment with him...” I muttered. “I don’t think he’s a bad person, though.” Since I wanted to replenish the stock of meals I’d used on my journey, I decided to ask the goblins to amp up production of them. Glen hadn’t mentioned specific dishes or numbers, but he ate a lot, so he’d be happy with a decent amount of each variety. All in all, he was a great client to have, since he could usually afford to pay.

I’d still have to ask Reinhart about selling the instant food to Glen. “Wait. Did I mention the Jamils to Glen?” I wondered.

When we first met, I’d kept my guard up and never mentioned the duke’s name...or the specific city I lived in.

I had realized that too late, though. Glen was already long gone beyond the horizon.