Uketsukejo ni Kokuhaku Shitakute Guild ni Kayoitsumetara Eiyu ni Natteta

Chapter 59: Driven by Everyone’s Feelings

The sky was cloudy as we climbed the mountain.

We were walking on a gentle slope with snow going up to our knees.

The path is easier than I thought.

It originally connected the royal castle with the capital. Thanks to the people who built it in the past, the mountain trail remained intact until today.

Still, it’s a bit difficult to walk through the trail buried in snow.

“Higu?!” (Dorami)

“A-are you okay?” (Jade)

“J-just barely! Just barely safe!” (Dorami)

Dorami, whose feet were caught in the snow was about to fall but clung to my clothes and barely managed to avoid doing so.

“Should I carry you?” (Jade)

“Dorami’s fine! She’s an adventurer so something like a snowy mountain won’t stop her!” (Dorami)

She bravely cried out and resumed walking.

It’s fine to try, but… You’re already out of breath. It’s obvious that it’s taking all you have just to carry your own weight.

“Do you want to rest for a bit?” (Jade)

“U-umu. Let’s rest for a while.” (Dorami)

We made chairs out of the snow and sat on them.

Then, I took out a bottle from my rucksack and poured some tea for Dorami.

The bottle had a Heat Bird’s magic stone in it, so the tea is still pretty hot.

After finishing the tea with lots of sugar, Dorami breathed a sigh as if she had just been revived.

“This tastes better than any disease Dorami has ever had…” (Dorami)

“That’s too much, Garnet-san’s tea is obviously better.” (Jade)

“Certainly, Garnet’s tea is better… Dorami wants to drink it again…” (Dorami)

“By this time next month, everything will be over. We’ll be able to enjoy drinking tea together.” (Jade)

“Dorami can’t wait…” (Dorami)

While muttering in a longing voice, Dorami looked up at the snowy mountain.

You can’t even see the castle from here, it’s going to take a while to reach the summit.

“The castle is so far away… Why would anyone build a castle in such a place…?” (Dorami)

“That’s because wars between countries weren’t uncommon in the past. Maybe they thought that if they built it in a snowy mountain, they’re less likely to be attacked.” (Jade)

“But it’s difficult to go back to the castle like this…” (Dorami)

“The king must’ve thought the same. After all, he switched his residence immediately after the war.” (Jade)

“That’s just right… Can Dorami have another?” (Dorami)

“Of course. I prepared this for you in the first place, so don’t hold back.” (Jade)

“Thank you. …Puha, Dorami feels alive again…” (Dorami)

“That’s good. Do you wanna rest for a bit before going again?” (Jade)

“Umu. How far are we planning to go today?” (Dorami)

“For today, up to the mountain hut.” (Jade)

From what I’ve heard, there are mountain huts on the 2nd, 5th, and 8th stations.

There were mountain huts on the 2nd and 5th stations, so there should definitely be one on the 8th as well.

“If it’s just that much, Dorami can handle it!” (Dorami)

Dorami seemed enthusiastic.

Looks like it’s about time to finish the break.

It doesn’t seem like she’s pushing herself too hard but… It’s been around 6 days since we left the capital, and 3 days since we started climbing.

I’m sure she’s tired and she might not like it, but I should still bring it up.

“Wouldn’t it be easier to move around if you become a dragon?” (Jade)

“Dorami doesn’t wanna turn into a dragon. It’s dangerous if we stand out…” (Dorami)

“Unless we approach the castle, Medusa won’t spot us.” (Jade)

The abandoned castle is made of stone.

The Medusa is a monster that loves stone and rarely leaves its territory. Unless we cause a ruckus near the castle, we won’t be found

“B-but, to become a white dragon, Dormai has to take off her clothes.” (Dorami)

“If it’s too cold to take them off, why don’t you just transform directly? The clothes are already dirty anyway.” (Jade)

“Dorami doesn’t want to tear her clothes… Since Jade bought them for her, these are her favorites…” (Dorami)

“I see… In that case, let’s keep trying our best.” (Jade)

“Okay!” (Dorami)

With a resolute nod, we waited for our physical strength to recover and resumed climbing.

After about an hour, Dorami was out of breath.

By the 2nd hour, her feet got heavy.

And, by the 3rd hour, she had to stop once every few steps.

“Do you wanna stop here for today?” (Jade)

“D-Dorami can still keep going.” (Dorami)

“I understand how you feel, but don’t overdo it. If you want to rest here, I can make a snow hut. It’s alright for you to rest.” (Jade)

“Dorami can still keep going! After all, she wants to help those people who have been turned into stone as soon as possible! If it were Dorami, she’d be sad if someone important to her were turned into stone!” (Dorami)

“I also want to help them, but you’re also important to me. If something happens to you because I was in a hurry, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself.” (Jade)

“B-but, Dorami really can still do her best! She’ll rest when she can’t really go on anymore, so let her walk a bit longer!” (Dorami)

Despite the clear exhaustion, her voice was still powerful.

The story of the duo who came all the way from the Sundeil Kingdom to defeat the Medusa spread in no time—

We were seen off by the townspeople when we left the capital.

Their encouragement is the source of Dorami’s strength.

Seeing Dorami using her feelings as her driving force makes me feel nostalgic.

It’s like I’m looking at the me who was single-mindedly accepting quests—hoping to become friends with Garnet-san.

As her guardian, I know I should let her rest, but… I know that no matter what I say, she won’t rest.

In that case, I have to encourage her.

“Got it. Let’s walk a little longer!” (Jade)

“O-okay, Dorami will do her best…!” (Dorami)

Dorami put on a resolute face as she started to walk.

By the time the mountain hut came into view, the sun was already setting.

It’s a bit worn out, but the roof and walls are still intact. A draft would likely seep through, but it’s better than having to sleep outdoors.

“W-we can finally rest…” (Dorami)

As soon as we entered the hut, Dorami collapsed.

She laid on her back and breathed with her belly.

“Good work. You really did your best!” (Jade)

“Thank you…! But, Dorami’s exhausted…” (Dorami)

“Of course you are. It’s been three days since we started climbing, and we’ve already reached the 8th station.” (Jade)

“But, Jade doesn’t look tired at all…” (Dorami)

“That’s because I’m an adult. If I tried to do the same thing when I was your age, it would’ve been impossible. Dorami is really amazing.” (Jade)

“Y-you’re praising her too much…” (Dorami)

“On the contrary, I haven’t praised you enough. You really did great.” (Jade)

“T-thank you for all the compliments…! Okay, Dorami will do her best tomorrow too~!” (Dorami)

“We don’t have to walk too far tomorrow. The abandoned castle is near.” (Jade)

“W-we’re finally going to fight it tomorrow…?” (Dorami)

Dorami’s face tensed up.

I nodded.

“If we do well, we can rescue everyone by tomorrow.” (Jade)

“Did you make sure to bring the lava potion?” (Dorami)

“Of course. If even one of them activates, we can defeat the Medusa.” (Jade)

A lava potion is about the size of a small fruit and it explodes when stimulated.

Even though it’s small, it’s pretty powerful. If the Medusa steps on the lava potion, it’ll get all battered up.

“The problem is where we should place it.” (Jade)

“Can’t you just scatter them outside the castle and then lure the Medusa?” (Dorami)

“If that happens, it might not step on it.” (Jade)

“Then, why don’t we scatter them in the castle’s corridors?” (Dorami)

“Yeah. A place where the Medusa is likely to pass would be the best spot. Granted that there are no stone statues of any adventurers nearby, that is.” (Jade)

“In that case, we can just carry the stone statue to a safe place.” (Dorami)

“We also have to be careful not to make any noise.” (Jade)

“Umu. We have to be careful not to be found… Just in case, should we also sneak in at night?” (Dorami)

“No, most magical beasts have good night vision, so that would put us at a disadvantage.” (Jade)

“The Medusa has no openings…” (Dorami)

“Well, she’s not on the impossible-to-subjugate list for nothing. However, since the Medusa is a stone statue, there should be distinctive sounds from its footsteps.” (Jade)

“So, if we listen carefully, we’ll notice it approaching?” (Dorami)

“Exactly. The rest will depend on tomorrow’s weather. If it ends up being a snowstorm, it’ll be difficult to hear its footsteps…” (Jade)

“Since Dorami has been a good child, tomorrow will definitely become sunny!” (Dorami)

Hearing her say that in such a cheerful voice makes me feel like it’s really going to become clear tomorrow.

Now then.

“Should we have our long-awaited meal?”

“Yeah! Dorami’s been waiting for it~!” (Dorami)

Dorami immediately jumped to her feet.

After splitting up the stew that was heated up by the cups with magic stones, I dipped some crunchy bread in and took a bite.

After the meal, Dorami began to doze off while drinking a cup of sweet tea.

When I unfolded her sleeping bag, she dove into it and immediately began to snore.