The Unaware Harem Adventure Tale of the Strongest Enchanter ~~I Don’t Know My Companions’ Faces or Identities, but I’m Pretty Sure They’re All Guys~~ - 42. Second Home is the Super Countryside, Pinots Village

42. 42. 42. 42. Second Home is the Super Countryside, Pinots Village

The guild master was sitting on the sofa in front. He had his arms crossed and a frown on his face.

As always, the guild master’s room in Avantale smelled dusty. And books were stacked up—unclear whether they had been read or were yet to be.

Countless documents were messily piled on the desk. A spear used during his active days was displayed on the wall.

“What’s the meaning of being gone for a whole month?”

“Just like I said. Grannaughts and I are going to a village in the south where we have an acquaintance. So I’m leaving the requests to Felice and Zain.”

“What I’m asking is, why go to such a remote place? To be blunt, there’s nothing in southern Pinots. Not even adult shops.”

“That’s exactly why. I’m feeling a little depressed about it.”

The guild master gave me a sympathetic look.

If I could, I’d rather stay in Avantale. I want to let out all the desires I held back while I was with Umbrella.

But this is a personal matter I can’t postpone.

Also, I thought it was about time.

I pulled out a broken staff from the magic storage on my waist.

“What happened to that?”

“A demon broke it. I can do enchantments with any staff. But to reach that kind of speed, I need one that fits perfectly in my hand.”

“So, you’re going to see a staff craftsman?”

“A master craftsman. Haah… I was prepared for some injuries. But having my staff broken? I’ve failed as an enchanter.”

The staff I used was made of a strong, flexible wood called “Kas Tree.” It was known for its excellent magic conductivity. It was also a memorable gift from my master. Which made it even more shocking.

Now, I can’t be satisfied with anything but this staff.

If possible, I want it repaired. If not, I’ll have to get a new one.

“But still, it’s rare to see you traveling with Grannaughts. You’d normally take Felice.”

“Felice can handle things flexibly even when I’m not around. And she gets along with Zain too. As for Grannaughts, I thought this would be a good chance for us guys to bond.”

“…They’re a guy?”

“Of course they are. I had some misunderstandings with Felice and Zain, but Grannaughts is definitely a man. No one’s more manly than them.”

I can say it with certainty. They’re a man. No, *a man’s man*.

In battle, they charge forward fearlessly, undeterred by attacks.

We feel safe watching their solid back and tough defense.

Well, there’s still a tiny chance they might be a Golem. But even so, there’s no doubt about their manly spirit.

That said, I am curious about what’s inside.

I was secretly planning to find out what they really are during this journey.

“I understand the reason for your absence. Think of it as a long vacation and take it easy.”

“I’ll do just that.”

I gave a quick farewell to the guild master and left the room.

◇

The swaying covered wagon. Outside, a wide grassland spread out.

Ahead was a single road stretching endlessly.

From time to time, steam hissed out from Grannaughts’ armor. It reminded me of the time I wondered if you could grill skewered meat on that steam.

When I stuck my face out from the back of the wagon, I saw a clear, bright sky.

The southern region is hot enough to make you sweat just sitting still. I heard it gets insanely hot if you cross the border further south. But since I’ve never left the kingdom, I can’t say for sure.

I looked diagonally ahead at Grannaughts.

They sat cross-legged in the narrow wagon, arms crossed, silently still.

Truly manly. I’m sure there’s a rugged, craftsman-like guy with a stern face inside.

Trying to casually start a conversation, I called out.

“Did you find any interesting books in Mirdia?”

“THERE WAS A BOOK ABOUT THE SHRINE OF THE UNDERWORLD.”

“Shrine of the Underworld—that’s one of the Five Great Dungeons with an unknown location, right?”

“YES. VERY, INTERESTING.”

They tend to operate solo.

They seem to like adventures and battles. They often choose dangerous destinations.

Their interest in the Shrine of the Underworld seems to be an extension of that.

Then I remembered a question and asked it.

“Did Marquis Flareheart say anything when you left the archives?”

“HE SHOUTED, ‘YOU’RE STILL HERE!?’ THEN TOLD ME TO WAIT A MOMENT AND GAVE ME A LETTER. HE SAID IF I BROUGHT FELICE BACK, HE’D REWARD ME. I REFUSED. I WON’T BETRAY MY COMRADES.”

“So when Silk leaves, he’ll probably hand something over again.”

“NO, HE WON’T. FELICE ALREADY SENT A LETTER TO HER FATHER. BY NOW, HER FATHER IS PROBABLY TREMBLING.”

“I’m curious about the contents.”

Just then, the wagon crossed a small stream with a bridge. The coachman then called out.

“Hey, folks. We’re almost at Pinots village. Don’t forget anything, alright?”

“Thank you.”

Looking ahead, I saw a small village down the road.

That’s the place I lived during my training years—my second home.

◇

Pinots is a village rich in nature. It’s surrounded by mountains.

It has abundant water sources and plenty of harvest.

Most of the residents are beastkin. There are few humans. But there are also elves, dwarves, and even some rare settled dragonewts.

Instead of heading to an inn, we went toward a certain house deeper in the village.

There are no inns here to begin with. The village is mostly self-sufficient and often relies on bartering. Money is only really used when traveling merchants visit.

“Down this street over there. Wow, this brings back memories. It’s been about four years since I came back.”

“DIDN’T YOU WORK SOLO FOR ABOUT A YEAR AFTER THAT?”

“Yeah, so that makes four years. The smell here hasn’t changed at all.”

As we walked down the village path, Grannaughts suddenly started venting steam violently. Then a weird beeping noise began.

Their eyes glowed red, and they panicked.

“What’s that noise?”

“TH-THIS IS BAD! THE COOLING SYSTEM ISN’T WORKING—WHY!? WHY!? AH!! I FORGOT TO ADD WATER! CRAP, CRAP, WHAT DO I DO!? I HAVE TO COOL DOWN!”

“Grannaughts-san…?”

They frantically looked around, fixed their eyes on the nearby stream, and suddenly rolled down the bank into the water.

I rushed after them. I slid down the embankment. I then saw steam violently pouring from Grannaughts, who had submerged their back in the water.

*Pshuuuuu!* A loud sound rang out. And their chest armor popped open from the inside.

“Oh no. Grannaughts has overheated. Heave-ho—Huh? Hmm, weird, I can’t get my butt out!”

What came out from inside was a twin-tailed girl with brown skin.

She looked around seventeen or eighteen years old. Her hair was a light pink color.

She wore a large, loose short-sleeved shirt with one shoulder exposed. She also had tight, thin black shorts on her lower body—what you’d call spats.

The girl emerging from Grannaughts turned her back to me. She took a deep breath as she pulled her tightly stretched spats-covered butt free from inside.

Then the twin-tailed girl’s eyes locked onto mine.

“Ah.”

“Ah.”

“I’VE BEEN FOUND OOOOOOOOOOOOOUT!!!” “YOU’RE A GIIIIIIIIRL!!”

The girl and I shouted at the same time.