Chapter 7

"……Clair, please guide us."

"Understood. Hehe, Lord Leo is so cute."

"Haha, he's a cute one, a bit absent-minded though."

"Woah! Woah!"

Blushing or embarrassed, Leo let out a protest, but both Clair and I found it endearing.

After that, with Clair's guidance, Leo dashed through the forest and we managed to get out in less than ten minutes.

Perhaps if we had let Leo run straight from the beginning, we could have easily left the forest...

But in that case, we wouldn't have been able to help Clair, so I tried not to think about it too much.

Running between the trees at the speed of a car on a highway, I stopped thinking about it, as it didn't make any sense.

"Turn right here, and then follow the road a little further."

"Woof"

Following Clair's instructions, Leo continued running while changing direction.

I haven't spoken a word since then.

Why haven't I spoken?

It's not because Leo is too fast to talk.

The reason is the scenery I can see from Leo's back.

It's the view that started to appear when we left the forest.

As far as the eye can see, there's nothing but the forest we were in.

I can see trees in the distance, but it mostly looks like a wasteland.

The path Leo is running on looks like it's covered with sand, but does such a place exist in Japan?

Even in the countryside nowadays, roads should be properly paved with asphalt.

I haven't seen a sand-covered road since I was a child and went on a school trip to climb a mountain.

"…What is this place really?"

I muttered in a voice that Leo and Clair couldn't hear.

What does it mean that there's almost nothing as far as the eye can see?

I can see something that looks like a horizon in that direction...

...Is this place not Japan after all...?

A setting from a light novel that I had repeatedly ignored in the back of my mind came to mind.

If this isn't a dream, then maybe... maybe this is... another world...?

Waking up in another world... who would believe that...?

And even Leo, who I lived with...?

It's been more than half a day since we got here, but there's no sign of waking up.

Maybe this isn't a dream... such thoughts started to emerge.

Well... if this isn't a dream and it's really reality... I remember they often said in light novels... what was it... another world... dimensional transfer...?

Is that what I did?

Then, is there something like a cheat? Maybe Leo?

Haha, I don't care anymore.

I gave up on thinking, it's too confusing.

That's it, thinking is losing... my colleague used to say that a lot.

"Lord Leo, we're almost there. Please go to the house you can see over there."

I heard Clair's voice from behind and stopped thinking, looking ahead.

I could see a building in the direction Leo was heading, the place we were about to reach.

Ah, seeing a man-made structure makes me feel a bit more at ease. Until now, I've only seen trees, rivers, and weeds.

Still, that building looks quite small... huh? It's getting bigger...

As we got closer, the building that looked small from a distance appeared larger.

It just looked small from far away...

"…A mansion?"

"That's a cottage, not a mansion."

Clair corrected me from behind, but to me, it looks like a sufficiently luxurious building.

So, Clair is a noble's daughter after all.

I understand a little more why her manners were so beautiful.

And this mansion is just a cottage... money really does exist in certain places.

Leo is still sprinting towards the building.

As we get closer, not only the large building but also the reddish-brown brick walls are becoming visible.

The walls are quite high... for a fence.

"Lord Leo, please stop in front of that gate."

"Woah"

A grand gate came into view.

There are four people in heavy armor with spears in front of the gate... will we be okay?

The people in front of the gate pointed their spears at us when they realized Leo was heading towards the gate.

Ignoring the spears, Leo stopped in front of the gate.

The people with spears lined up on either side of the gate to guard it.

"Lower your spears. It's me."

"...C-Claire, Miss! Are you alright!"

One of the four people exclaimed in surprise when Clair spoke.

"Miss Claire... this monster is..."

"An important guest, treat him with respect."

"Hai!"

The four people lowered their spears in unison and opened the gate.

I thought we would just go through the gate, but since Clair got off Leo, I got off too.

...The feeling of Clair riding behind me was a happy one.

Hey Leo, don't give me that glare.

"Mr. Takumi, let's go."

"...Hai."

"Woof"

Prompted by Clair, we went through the gate.

The four people with spears standing at attention on either side made me feel a bit intimidated.

After passing through the gate, a stone path led to a large mansion, surrounded by well-maintained flowers and plants, creating a true garden atmosphere.

About halfway down the stone path, the entrance to the mansion opened, and an elderly man with completely white hair rushed out.

...What's going on?

"Miss Claire! I'm glad you're back safely! If anything had happened to you, what would I tell the master? Are you hurt?"

"Sebastian, thank you for your hard work. I'm sorry to have worried you. I'm fine... as you can see, I'm not hurt. I was saved by Mr. Takumi here."

"Oh, you saved Miss Claire. Thank you very much. I am Sebastian, the butler of the Liebert family. On behalf of the master, I offer my gratitude."

"No, it was just a coincidence..."

Sebastian is bowing deeply and thanking me, but I don't feel like I did anything that great.

Leo did most of the work.

By the way, Sebastian... it's a name that sounds like he was meant to be a butler.

It might just be a coincidence though...

"By the way, Sebastian, where is Tylra?"

"...She is still running a high fever and bedridden, just as she was when you left the mansion."

"Right. We need medicine."

"But currently, there is no medicine that can cure Miss Tylra's illness in the nearby town or in this mansion."

"That's why I went to the forest. I was attacked by orcs, but I'm glad I was saved by Mr. Takumi."

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