It's been three weeks since I started living in this run-down house. After all this time, I somehow got used to it.
— Anyway… I think it's about time to leave.
During these weeks, I went to the orphanage every day. Besides getting my lunch and dinner, barely enough to fill my stomach, I also received treatment for my arm. I couldn't spend as much time with the girl as I did the first time, so my recovery was much slower than I expected.
Now, my arm still hurts a little, but I can move it and use it normally.
— I managed to save up a bit of money… it should be enough.
In the end, since I couldn't improve the skills [Gatherer], [Cook], or [Stabber], I ended up focusing on [Fisherman]. That's what led me to seek the old man's help and even earn a little money.
Only recently did I ask his name and found out he's called José. On top of that, his family is quite influential, controlling several towns in this region. From his simple demeanor, I'd never have imagined that, but I didn't think too much of it; after all, I don't plan to stay here for long.
— If I really am in the world of the novel, then I want to explore it for real.
One of the places that sparks my curiosity the most is the city of the aquatic people. But I can't go there yet, the trip is too expensive.
That's why I plan to visit other, more accessible places: the Wonderland or the Sleeping Kingdom.
— Leaving that aside… I guess it's time to say goodbye to that girl before I leave.
Following the usual path, I find Estela sitting on her usual bench, alone, her eyes fixed on the sky. The wind plays with her hair, and for a moment I notice just how beautiful she'll probably become in the future.
— Come to think of it, I'm probably about the same age as her… Better wait until she grows up. Besides, I don't even know if I'll ever see her again.
As I approach, Estela quickly notices me and stares in silence. Ever since the first time I startled her, she has always been on guard when in this place.
— Good morning — I say, stopping in front of her. — I came for the last treatment today.
— Mmm…
With just a slight nod, she lets me sit beside her. Quietly, I allow her to use her magic on me once again. I don't know if we can be called friends, but after so many days together, we're certainly more than strangers.
— What… will you do? — she asks softly.
— I don't know yet — I answer, looking toward the horizon. — But I'll probably head to another town.
— I see…
As always, it's impossible to read her expression. Watching her, I get the feeling she's a little sad, but I can't be sure.
— Haa… — I sigh, unsure of what to say next.
A silence I've grown used to settles between us, broken only by the distant sound of the wind swaying the trees. Estela keeps healing my arm, but soon her magic runs out and she needs to rest.
Taking that as my cue, I stand up and face her.
— Thank you for everything you've done for me… but it's time for me to go. — I say, adjusting my simple yet freshly bought clothes.
— …
Estela doesn't answer right away. She just watches me in silence for a long moment, and I, not knowing what else to do, hold her gaze until, finally, she speaks:
— …Goodbye. — she murmurs, slowly standing and walking back toward the orphanage.
I can't quite understand her, but once I realize I've been left behind, I turn around and head on my way. First, I stop by the orphanage for my last lunch, then continue toward the stable.
For someone like me, the wagon was the only way to travel. So I stood before the place to check the schedules and destinations.
— Let's see… None of the nearby towns look interesting, but I could switch wagons along the way and keep moving forward.
Looking at an old map pinned to the stable wall, I studied the stops to decide which town I wanted to reach.
— So many options… The Grotto might be good. It's a country focused on technology, though still far behind my world… But entering there doesn't look easy…
The Grotto is definitely one of the places I want to visit most, since it's the most advanced country in this world, but I need to prepare for a long journey before heading there.
— Countries I'd visit just for sightseeing aren't really a good option right now…
I studied each town on the map, trying to recall the novel, and if some looked interesting but I didn't know much about it, I asked the stable owner. After analyzing several places, in the end, almost none seemed worth going to now. The only one that would probably be useful to me was the Gate of the Abyss, home to the Abyssal Dungeon, the place where the hero fell.
On its first levels, the enemies are relatively weak and drop magic stones, which is perfect for me since I'm looking for new magics. Plus, I can start leveling up a bit and improving my skills.
— I think the first monsters are… goblins? — I mutter, trying to recall. — I just hope I don't end up getting some useless magic…
The leveling system is simple, just like in any RPG: kill monsters to gain experience. The stronger the monster, the higher the reward, and the faster I grow.
— Yeah… I don't have much of a choice. My next destination will be the Gate of the Abyss.
By the way, since the novel's protagonist visits the Dungeon at the very start of the school term, I probably won't run into him. It'll take me quite some time before I get there.
— If my calculation's right… I'll arrive about a month after his fall. That is, if he really is starting school right now.
That deduction came from the old man's granddaughter, who was leaving for school. If she's heading there now, that means the protagonist must also be beginning his school life at this moment.
With that reasoning in mind, I go to the stable counter and ask for a ticket to the nearest town to the Gate of the Abyss.
— Sorry, kid — the woman says. — But the next wagon with open seats only leaves next week.
— Ah… I see. Then give me the ticket anyway.
She writes my name down in a time-worn register and hands me a crumpled ticket stamped with the stable's seal.
After leaving, realizing I still have a free week, I decide to go back to the orphanage to see Estela and then go fishing.
[To be continued…]
[???]:
— He must have thought it would be like in his world… Where you just buy a ticket and leave the same day, or the next.