Defense specialization and relaxed pace two.

Having finished their cake, the two exited the shop with satisfied expressions. They wandered through the Town, and now decided to head to the Field.

"Since Maple is specialized in defense, she’d be fine even without armor, right?"

"Fufufu, of course! I’ve got VIT in the four digits!"

Maple kept only a discreet short blade equipped, leaving her large shield stowed away.

Displaying such an ostentatious large shield would immediately reveal her identity.

"I’ll handle the combat. I won’t lose to any monsters from the First Layer."

"Okay, I’ll leave it to you!"

They reached the Town’s exit, then paused, considering which direction to take.

"Where should we go?"

"Whatever Maple likes is fine. Hmm… I suppose…"

Sally opened her map, and Maple leaned in to look over her shoulder.

“We explored this place and that place before. And here is the underground lake, right?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Interesting events or hidden spots aren’t all gathered in one place, I think.”

“That’s true!”

“So, let’s go to somewhere we haven’t been… maybe this area? What if we focus on this side?”

“Yeah! Let’s do it!”

“Decided! Then, shall we ride again after so long?”

“Ride again!”

Shiroppu’s aerial levitation and the [Violence] ability were the defining modes of travel for Maple. Not using them meant only one option remained.

Sally confirmed Maple had settled firmly onto her back, hands braced on her shoulders, then broke into a run.

“Back then, I was really slow.”

“Now I’ve improved a little.”

“Now I’m more often the one riding on Maple’s back.”

“It’s repayment, really.”

“Right, right. I’ll avoid monsters as much as possible!”

Sally’s AGI has improved as well, cutting through the wind faster than when she was in the lower tier.

“Fufu… please wait a little longer until we reach the destination!”

“Got it!”

The two arrive at the place they had marked first. At the forest’s edge, sunlight spills through, birdsong drifts in the air. Sally halts, dismounts Maple, and checks the map again.

“Here? It’s quite wide, so something might be here.”

“No one else around at all. And it’s already this beautiful!”

“Far from Town. Probably stronger monsters than usual for a lower tier.”

“Ah… so, use Love That Offers the Body while no one’s around?”

Sally would not be so easily struck down, yet HP and VIT remain unchanged from the lower tier. Level up or not, one hit still means death.

“Planning to wander slowly. Maybe I’ll ask for it then.”

Yes!

Maple activates Love That Offers the Body, draws Sally into its range, and steps into the forest. The forest is vast, as Sally said, so they move carefully, checking the map to avoid circling the same spot.

There! A squirrel, Sally!

It’s leaping at us!

Most things moving in the woods are monsters. A slightly larger-than-normal squirrel darts from the underbrush, lunging at Maple. Maple spreads her arms and catches it. The squirrel is soft-furred, endearing, save for its constant scratching.

Squeak!

Just keep an eye on your clothing’s durability, okay?

Right, yes. Then… climb up here!

Maple places the squirrel on her head and releases it. It scrambles frantically across her scalp and neck, but its attacks land nowhere.

The monsters near the Town were mostly insect-type. This way is better to look at.

Yeah! Wouldn’t another one jump at us… ah!

The squirrel perched on Maple’s head, realizing its attacks were useless, leapt down and vanished into the underbrush.

So it runs away, huh.

Well, not exactly a rare monster. It’ll probably attack again soon enough.

Hmph, I’m ready anytime!

Maple speaks to the unseen monster, then resumes walking through the woods.

Hmm, just an ordinary forest… feels like something’s here, though.

Still, it’s nice to stroll around like this. Like a walk in the woods.

Is that so? Good. Want to eat something while we go?

Sally pulls a sandwich from her inventory, holds it in one hand, and offers it to Maple.

Thanks! I’ll take it! …Hey, Sally, look, look!

“What? Ah, a butterfly…?”

In the green-filled forest, the wing shimmered blue under the light, unmistakably visible.

“Could it be a rare monster? Just now, it was only small animals.”

“It’ll fly away! Let’s go!”

“Okay!”

Sally lifted Maple onto her back and darted through the gaps between trees, chasing the blue butterfly. Yet the distance did not close.

“Unusually fast… shouldn’t be harder to catch than a common monster!”

“You can do it, Sally!”

“Leave it to me… don’t lose sight of it…!”

After moving for a while, the light beyond the trees grew stronger. The two emerged into an open space.

A flower field spread around a slightly larger tree, blooming with colorful flowers. Several more blue butterflies fluttered there—just like the one they had been chasing.

“Oh!”

"Is it really not much of an event...?"

Sally sets Maple down and the two walk toward the flower field. Maple spins joyfully in the center of the field, then crouches to examine the flowers at her feet.

"Mmm, can't pick them to take home."

"Ah, then let's take a photo as a keepsake?"

"Yup! Sally, come here, here!"

They take one photograph, the tree in the background, the flower field included. After Sally checks the image and sends it to Maple, Maple leans against her.

"Maple?"

"…………"

Sally notices Maple does not respond. She checks Maple's status. A sleep anomaly has taken hold. Sally scans the surroundings, searching for the cause.

"Could it be that butterfly...?"

Closer inspection reveals shimmering scales scattered in the sunlight. Sally suspects this may be the cause.

"Indeed, something troublesome from the first layer has made its way here. Still, Maple should be fine."

An anomaly beyond sleep is possible. Yet Maple’s HP shows no change. As long as Sally remains within the range of Love That Offers the Body, there is no issue.

"Still, if monsters of this type appear, something might be nearby… could it be a hit?"

She leans Maple against the tree trunk. Then, carefully checking her range, Sally climbs the tree to examine the glinting object above.

"An apple… but this is… "

It is a true blue apple, its color identical to a butterfly’s wing. Not particularly appetizing, but beautiful—like a gem.

“[Sleep Fruit]… a material, perhaps? Still, it would make a fine keepsake.”

Sally descends from the tree after gathering two. Just then, Maple wakes from her slumber.

“Sally, are you alright!?”

“Thanks to Maple. This is a souvenir I found just now.”

“Amazing! It’s beautiful!”

“Both your share and mine. A keepsake, then.”

“Ah! Then let’s add this—collect a keepsake at each destination we reach on this adventure!”

“Good idea. Shall we continue through the flower field a little longer?”

Sally shows Maple the sleep resistance potion. Maple accepts it. That is her answer.

Though the monsters presented some difficulty, they were no greater than those already encountered. As expected, none proved effective against Maple. The two walked through the flower field until satisfied, then departed the forest.

“Good. We still have so many places left to explore…”

“Even so, we move to the newest layer almost immediately. It’s enjoyable, in a way, like charting new ground.”

“What now?”

“Hmm. We came out with no plan. Any places you’d like to see? The sea, perhaps? Or mountains?”

“Hmm… I want to go see a castle floating in the sky!”

“……! I see. We did promise to go someday.”

“Hehe, you’ve got to make the most of detours when you’ve got time.”

A floating castle, as they called it. With the layers having increased, and new dungeons and terrains added, such a place would not be out of place anywhere now.

Then, a planless exploration would have to be called off. Let’s go look for information. There might be things we need, too.

Yes!

Then, I’ll ride back with you?

Yes!

There might be something on the way back, too.

Even if there isn’t, that’s fine!

...That’s nice.

Sally smiles back at Maple, who smiles as if just being together is enough, and the two return to town.