After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 65
Chapter 65: Advancing through the Forest
“This is… quite comfortable, isn’t it? It’s surprising how easily we can progress through the forest paths.”
“As expected of the strongest in the wood attribute, Your Excellency.”
The hired hunters, serving as guides, praised Beatrice one after another. Beatrice didn’t seem to mind the compliments. Her fair cheeks blushed slightly, and though it was to a degree only I could notice, she relaxed her lips.
In forests dense with towering trees, shrubs often struggle to grow due to the sunlight being blocked by the leaves. However, in this forest, there were low bushes apparently adapted to dark places, stretching their branches sideways to gather the faint light, making the path incredibly difficult to traverse.
However, when Beatrice muttered a short spell, branches and tall undergrowth that obstructed the path like an earthen roof moved aside as if they were animals, clearing a path for us. And when we looked back after passing through, everything returned to normal as if nothing had happened, with weeds and branches blocking the path once again.
“It’s as if the plants have a will of their own.”
“That’s not entirely wrong. The vegetation here is influenced by magic… and has become somewhat like monsters.”
“Monsters?”
I tensed up in shock, and Beatrice relaxed her gaze slightly.
“Even though I say monsters, they’re not all bad. The plants here are fine… but deep in the forest, there are trees that drain the vitality of living beings and kill them.”
Oh no, oh no. In the forests of my original world, I only had to worry about getting lost, but it seems forests in this world are a bit different. I don’t want my vitality drained, so I want to get out of the forest as soon as possible.
“You don’t need to worry. I’ll protect you, as long as we’re in the forest.”
Oh, Beatrice said that to me too. I’m always being protected by everyone: Gretel, Liese, Ayaka, and now Beatrice. It feels a bit lonely, but I guess I have to accept being “protected.” It’s nice that everyone cares about me.
“My strengths can only be displayed here.”
But Beatrice’s murmuring had a somewhat self-deprecating tone. It must be tough not being able to contribute when it comes to protecting the country as a royal. Apparently, the queens of the past were suited for battle attributes, but maybe it’s just a coincidence.
I want Beatrice to hold her head high as a member of the royal family. With that thought in mind, I quietly whispered an idea to her that I had been thinking about on the way here. The moment she understood the meaning of my words, Beatrice’s already large doll-like eyes seemed to increase by another thirty percent.
“…Then I can do it too. I want to try it soon.”
“To do that, we need to defeat the enemy quickly and drive them back to their territory.”
“Yeah, I’ll do my best.”
Beatrice, often compared to a porcelain doll because of her fair complexion that never shows emotions, was different now. Her eyes widened brightly, flames of determination lit in her emerald eyes, and her cherry lips were tightly pressed together, showing strong resolve. I think I like her better this way…
As I thought about that with a slight smile, I felt a murderous gaze pierce me from behind. When I timidly turned around, there stood my childhood friend, with her strawberry blonde hair puffed up like she had just done a static electricity experiment.
“Oh, it seems like Lutz is quite relaxed. I’ll share some of my luggage with you, so come over here!”
Ah, I’m done for.
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Carrying “just a little” extra baggage from Gretel, I climbed a small hill while catching my breath. As an S-Class Light attribute, she constantly cast body enhancement magic on herself, so she voluntarily carried the luggage, which was almost equivalent to three people’s worth. Her “just a little” was the weight of an average person… By the time I reached the top of the hill, despite my efforts, I was completely exhausted.
“Yeah, you did well. I’ll forgive you now… I’m working hard too, so I want you to pay attention to me occasionally.”
With surprisingly affectionate words, my baggage suddenly felt lighter. At the same time, my body seemed to faintly glow. Even though I had been panting just a moment ago, my chest suddenly felt relieved, and my hamstrings, which should have been full of lactic acid, suddenly felt lighter.
“Thank you for the healing magic. Your healing is really effective, Gretel.”
Yes, as expected, healing magic from light attribute users, also known as the “clerical specialty,” is exceptionally effective. While water attribute healing slowly boosts self-healing like a gentle stream, light attribute magic instantly cures injuries or illnesses on the spot. Especially with Gretel’s S-Class magical power, she can even heal severed limbs or crushed eyes. It feels like a waste to use such valuable magic on my muscle fatigue.
“Eh… Oh, yeah… That’s right, I’m excellent! If you get injured by a branch, just say it, I’ll heal you right away!”
Although I meant to praise her with sincere feelings, Gretel blushed and looked cute for some reason. Whether it was her way of hiding her embarrassment or just hurrying ahead, she was the one carrying luggage equivalent to three people… My childhood friend is really something amazing.