第８９６堀：雲海を抜けて『現実を冒険』する (Part2)
"Normally, they would be withered away, or at the very least, nothing but bare rock would be exposed."
That’s right. It is rare to find greenery at such a high mountain peak. Generally, the higher a mountain is, the harder it is for plants to grow. Although, since this is my first time above the clouds, perhaps things are unexpectedly different.
We were looking upward, lost in thought, when...
"Whoa!! We’re really above the clouds!!"
"It’s true..."
"...The clouds are below us."
I turned around at the voices of Riel and the others to see... a sea of clouds spreading out before us. This sight was just like...
"We really are above the clouds, aren't we! Right now, we’re standing in the middle of a story!!"
Ah, that’s exactly it. We are following in the footsteps of someone who visited this place long ago. We tracked down the source of a tall tale—a story so dubious it was dismissed as mere bedtime nonsense, let alone something passed down as legend.
The realization hit me deep in my core, making my body tremble. I felt an urge to just start running. What is this feeling, this irrepressible desire to shout?
Caught up in a swirl of emotions, I looked at Raiya and Curse beside me. They turned to look back at me, and...
"Kuh, kuhahaha!!"
"Ahahahaha!!"
I thought they had suddenly started laughing for no reason, but then—
"This is why I can't quit adventuring!!"
"Yeah, you said it!!"
That’s right. We are adventurers. Slaying monsters and finding treasure are certainly part of the job, but the true meaning of an adventurer is...
"This is what an adventure is all about!!"
Yes, pursuing legends and venturing into a world that no one has ever seen before. That is what an adventurer is! We are currently adventuring in the truest sense of the word. It’s fun! That’s right, adventuring is fun!!
I had been cooped up in dungeons so much lately that I had completely forgotten. Dungeons are adventures, too, of course, but this—this is exactly what it means to be an adventurer.
As we were getting carried away, Yuki chimed in with a comment that completely killed the mood.
『Hey. It’s fine that you’re enjoying yourselves and remembering your adventurer spirit, but remember that you aren't just some random adventurers right now—you're on duty. Keep that in mind.』
"...Hey. Couldn't you have chosen your words a bit more carefully?"
『Fool. I chose them just fine. If you get all giddy and carried away and end up ruining the negotiations, that’ll be the end of it. Remember that caution is also a necessary part of adventure.』
"..."
There was no arguing with that logic. But still...
"Yuki. You talk as if you’ve actually experienced this yourself."
『Of course I have. I’ve had countless experiences where I got cocky after a success only to have the rug pulled out from under me. I’ve caused people a lot of trouble, and I’ve been saved by them, too. I’ve been complained at plenty. Well, I don't mind if the wives are happy, but I can't be expected to babysit you old guys too.』
"Eh!? Does that mean we can go on an adventure!?"
"Riel, that’s not what he meant."
"...It means he’ll overlook it to a certain extent."
Riel’s eyes were sparkling with excitement, but Tori and Kaya quickly held her back.
『That’s what it means. I’m entrusting the wives to you, so protect them well. If even a single scratch appears on them, it’s going to be a truly terrifying situation.』
"Hey!? Isn't that a bit unreasonable!?"
『Adventure always comes with danger, doesn't it? And as a leader, you have responsibilities to shoulder. You can't live on dreams alone. But reality is far too boring on its own. Balancing the two is the duty of an adventurer. You know that better than anyone, don't you?』
"...Ah, alright, I get it."
That’s right. It’s not just about glory. If you fail, you lose your life. That is the nature of adventure. That is the way of adventurers.
『Good, as long as you understand. Now, Zargis, make sure to collect the plants near the summit.』
"Understood. Now then, let's stop being so moved by the scenery and head deeper. We don't know when a dragon might appear."
"Oh, that's right, this is Dragon Mountain."
"And since we've crossed the clouds, it wouldn't be strange for a dragon to appear at any moment."
Ah, that’s right. At any moment, a dragon could...
*Flap!*
『Hmph. You have some nerve, you puny humans, setting foot in this sanctuary.』
It appeared immediately.
"Um, they seem a bit hostile, don't they?"
"...For now, try to see if you can talk to it. Mauve."
"Ah, me!?"
"Yeah."
Damn it, they really pushed a troublesome job onto me!!
There are things you feel from the scenery you see after climbing a mountain that simply cannot be conveyed through images. In this world, you can see things through cameras and the like, but there are things you feel with your skin—your five senses, and perhaps even a sixth sense. You know, like those "power spots"?
Well, seeing such rare sights is what "adventure" is all about. Let’s remember the true meaning of adventure! You can find adventure anywhere.