Chapter 87: Exploration of the Undeveloped Lands

The next morning, I stored the meat pies I had asked the head chef to bake using Storage Magic and teleported to the town of Tintern in the south of the Fairchild territory. Seeing that everyone on the exploration team was bringing hard-baked biscuits and dried meat, I wanted to feed them something more delicious. Good food gives you energy, after all.

“Whoa!” When we teleported into the room at the inn, Gilbert jumped up in surprise. Since it wouldn’t do to be seen by others, we had arranged the day before to teleport to Gil‘s room. “I’m sorry for startling you. No, I knew you were coming, but…” “You lack training.” Ophelia is strict. “No, Senior, anyone would be surprised if a light suddenly flashed in front of their eyes and people appeared.” Ahaha, I’d surely be surprised if I were in Gil‘s shoes too.

We met up with the exploration team on the first floor of the inn. “Oh, to meet the Lord Savior again. You have already mastered Teleportation Magic.” I am grateful that Aulasneal, the Elf Captain, is happy for me, but I feel it’s a bit of an exaggeration. “Well then, shall we head out now that everyone is here?” James called out, and the exploration team departed. Riding the horses borrowed from the town’s Magistrate, Ophelia and I left the town together with them.

The town of Tintern is close to the border of the Fairchild territory, and after proceeding for two hours, we arrived at the southern edge of the Margravate. After thanking the soldiers at the guard station monitoring the border and bidding them farewell, we finally entered the undeveloped lands. Let’s brace ourselves.

After proceeding for a while into the undeveloped lands, it became a vast grassland as far as the eye could see. Shrubs grew here and there. Watching the vast grassland swaying in the wind is somewhat enjoyable. However, I heard from the Magistrate of Tintern that this land hasn’t been developed because the soil is poor and unlikely to support agriculture. Unlike my original world, the Albion Kingdom has a low population density, and there is still plenty of land that can be turned into farmland. That is why land with poor conditions seems to be left undeveloped.

Judging by the position of the sun, it seemed to be around 1 PM, so we decided to take a lunch break. There are no convenient items like portable watches in this world. So how do people know the time? Usually, there is a clock tower in the town square that rings a bell every hour. Everyone lives by knowing the time through the sound of the bell.

We decided to dismount and eat lunch while taking turns keeping watch. I brought out the table and foldable chairs I had transported using Storage Magic. The foldable chairs were things I made because Mother asked me to, saying they would be convenient when she runs soup kitchens for the poor. They come in handy at times like this too. I spread a tablecloth, which I had also stored, on the table and lined up the meat pies I had the head chef bake.

Huh? I feel like the pies are warm. “Wow, it’s warm! And it smells good. It’s just like a freshly baked meat pie.” A female knight’s eyes sparkled as she held a pie. “Seriously? Warm pie on a tablecloth. To be able to eat that while sitting on a chair… I can’t believe we are on an expedition.” Gilbert was beaming with joy. “It looks delicious!” The Elves were happy too.

Even so, until now, when I transported food using Storage Magic, it would be cold when we eventually ate it. However, this time it seems to be in the same state as when I stored it. It’s as if time has stopped for the stored items. Come to think of it, the Elder said that Teleportation Magic is Space-Time Magic. Perhaps Storage Magic has also upgraded, and time inside has stopped.

“It’s fine to be happy about a delicious meal, but don’t forget that this is the undeveloped lands.” James tightened everyone’s focus. It is a good quality of James that he says what is necessary even if people might dislike hearing it. That is why he is trusted by both Father and Liam. The knights and Elves nodded, checked their equipment, and then we departed.

After proceeding through the grassland for a while, an Elf skilled in Detection Magic stopped everyone. “There are shrub thickets to the front left and right, but Magic Wolves are lurking behind them.” As expected of ungoverned land, monsters do appear. Still, even though this isn’t the Sea of Trees, for a pack of Magic Wolves—not Magic Dogs—to appear suddenly is surprising. Moreover, since they are ambushing us, they must be led by an intelligent individual.

However, thanks to knowing their position in advance, we advanced slowly without carelessly getting too close, taking a formation to half-encircle the shrub thickets on the left and right respectively. Then, the Elves and the knights capable of magic fired elemental magic into them. Wind and fire magic flew through the air and hit the thickets. The shrubs shattered, and the hiding Magic Wolves, unable to bear it, jumped out. The knights, who had anticipated this, blocked them with shields, and the Elves shot arrows from the rear.

Mithril swords sliced through the Magic Wolves, and Mithril arrowheads pierced deeply into them. As expected, good materials make a difference. Since I was told not to step forward, I stayed in the rear with Ophelia. If any Magic Wolves slipped past everyone, Ophelia defeated them. I also threw spears to support anyone who was struggling.

“Alright, we defeated them all. No one getting injured is an excellent result.” James praised us, which is rare. Everyone defeated them easily, but Magic Wolves are generally considered formidable enemies. “We have been training considerably in the Middle Layer of the Sea of Trees, after all.” The Knights are all used to fighting Magic Wolves. “I am glad the Fairchild Family Knights came. You have my gratitude.” Aulasneal expressed his thanks. It is significant that the knights can block with shields. Elves are skilled at forest battles, but dealing with a pack of Magic Wolves in a grassland would have been difficult with only Elves. I am grateful to James and the others once again.

I kept the Magic Cores dropped by the Magic Wolves. I don’t know what Magic Cores purified by the World Tree can be used for yet, but since they are at least purified and harmless, I am collecting them. I feel like they will be useful eventually.

After that, we were attacked by packs of Magic Dogs three times, and a pack of Magic Wolves attacked us one more time. It seems many monsters really do run rampant in the undeveloped lands. Everyone defeated them without difficulty, but I realized once again that this is a dangerous place for ordinary people.

Eventually, the sun began to set. There was a slightly elevated spot just ahead. Since we could survey the surroundings, it was decided we would pitch tents and rest there. “Well then, see you here again tomorrow morning.” I bid everyone farewell and teleported to the workshop with Ophelia. After talking a little with the workshop craftsmen, I walked back home. It feels strange considering I was in the undeveloped lands just moments ago. Being able to move a long distance in an instant… Teleportation Magic really is amazing.