"Phew, that should do it."

I exercised for about 30 minutes to get my body accustomed.

It's really disorienting when my height goes from 175cm to 159cm (rough estimate). But no matter how much I move, it's strange that my chest doesn't feel obstructive... Could it be thanks to the god? Well, it's about time to prepare for departure.

I opened the menu and took out a PMC-style outfit, a black T-shirt, and jeans from what I was wearing. I changed into them, put on combat boots, knee pads, and a headset. Then I equipped a chest rig and put on 5.11 tactical gloves, testing their fit by opening and closing my hands. Finally, I attached a CQC holster to my waist belt, completing the outfit.

"Yeah, looking good, looking good!"

Next, I prepared my weapons. For my main weapon, I equipped my beloved Galil ACE32 (using 7.62×39mm ammunition) with a customized setup including an EoTech EXPS3 sight and a 35-round magazine. As for my secondary weapon, I equipped a JERICHO941PSL (using 9×19mm ammunition) and a full-tang karambit knife.

"I'm getting excited!"

I put the loaded magazines into the pouch and double-checked my equipment.

"Alright, preparations complete! Let's go!"

With dreams and hopes in my heart, I started walking towards the town. Along the way, from the small hill where I first arrived, I had a few encounters with monsters before reaching the road. However, most of the monsters here were low-level, and they were taken down with just one shot from the Galil or one to two shots from the Jericho. I asked the god what to do with the defeated monsters.

"Put them in the item box and have the guild dismantle them later. Oh, by the way, when registering with a guild, it's better to join the General Guild instead of the Adventurers' Guild. I'll send you the exchange rate for money by email. I-I didn't forget about it or anything, okay?!"

Well... I did forget about the money part. But why is it better to register with the General Guild? Well, I'll find out in town. I think I can figure it out quickly.

But now I've reached the road. I could easily reach the town by car from here... but... yeah, I'll walk instead of using a car. I don't want to attract any unnecessary attention.

As I walked on the road, a problem arose halfway to the town. For some reason, this carriage has been following me the whole time. Before encountering this carriage, three other carriages passed me at high speed, but only this one doesn't overtake me. Moreover, unlike the three carriages that passed by, there are five guards riding horses and wearing the same equipment, protecting the carriage. The carriage itself looks expensive, and there is some kind of family crest, so I think they are probably guarding someone of high status.

At first, I was wary, but now I'm puzzled. They're not marked as an enemy on my radar, and they haven't approached me or shown any hostility. They are just running the carriage beside me, but there's a certain sense of intimidation... Well, anyway, I really don't know what to do.

...Ah, I've had enough!

Unable to bear this weird atmosphere, I gathered my courage and called out.

"Um, excuse me!"

"Hm?"

One of the guards, a man, turned towards me. I feel scared, but I can't back down now.

"P-Please don't mind me... Please go ahead."

Then, after looking at his companions, he smiled and turned towards me.

"Are you bothered by us being next to you all the time?"

Yes, that's right. I was thinking that I might be kidnapped or something!

"Y-Yes."

"Don't worry. We have no intention of harming you at all. Besides, who would do something like that in a carriage with a family crest?"

"It's not that we're chasing after you. It's just that we have a problem with our carriage, and that's why we're so slow."

The woman next to the man explained further.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you see, ... there's a faint voice coming from inside the carriage, saying 'Please... stop the horse...' Ah!"

Huh? I faintly heard a voice from inside the carriage. Could there be a sick person on board?

As I was thinking about it, the man who was talking shouted, "Stop the carriage!" to the person controlling it. The carriage came to a halt, and one of the guards immediately opened the door. A pale-faced old man came down from the carriage, clutching his mouth and then collapsed on all fours, sobbing.

"W-What? Could it be that the reason for the carriage being slow is..."

"That's right, the Duke has a severe case of motion sickness. As soon as the speed increases, *this*... happens," the woman pointed at the old man. Is it really okay to speak so disrespectfully about the Duke?

"I-I see..."

"Oh, I'm sorry for showing you such an unpleasant sight. Thank you for giving me water."

"No, please don't worry about it."

Afterward, it seemed like the old man was suffering from severe motion sickness and couldn't show himself, so I used my credits to buy mineral water and handed it to him. I had earned a decent amount in the game, so it wasn't a problem.

"Judging by the family crest, I think you already know, but my name is Nelson, Duke Nelson Dia Valdeck. And what's your name?"

"I'm Elaina."

"I see. By the way, Elaina, are you on your way to Gozes?"

Gozes... It was the name of the town set as my destination on my map.

"Yes, I'm going to the town to register with the General Guild."

"I would like to express my gratitude to you. If you're okay with it, I can give you a ride in my carriage."

"Oh, no... I'll just accept your kind intentions."

Because it seemed like the carriage would smell really bad. Besides, being together with a noble seems like nothing but trouble.

"It's better for you to come with us. It looks like you only have a knife as a weapon."

There are guns right in front of them, but they don't consider them as weapons... That means guns don't exist in this world, right? Well, I had expected that since even a high-ranking person like a duke travels by carriage.

"No, I'll be fine."

The woman who was part of the escort realized something and pointed her finger at the back of the horse she was riding.

"Then let me give you a ride behind my horse. This should be fine."

She said that, and for some reason, everyone around seemed to agree.

Is everyone misunderstanding something?

"Well then... I'm already fine, so let's get going. Elaina, please ride on Amy's horse."

Oh no... I guess I don't have the right to refuse anymore. I'll just obediently do as they say.

"Yes... Understood."

And so, I ended up being taken to Gozes.

"By the way, we haven't introduced ourselves yet. My name is Amy Ristett, a human. This is Guell, our captain. By the way, we belong to the Knights of this country."

"I am the captain of this unit, Guell Rat Hondou, of the Black Wolves. Nice to meet you!"

Hm? Hondou?

"Hondou, huh? That's an unusual name."

"His surname, Hondou, is said to belong to one of the heroes who came from another world and fought against the Demon Lord in the past. And he is a descendant of that hero."

Oh, so they had done a hero summoning before us... Wait, who is the handsome guy who whispered that to me from behind?

"I apologize for not introducing myself. My name is Keith Idia, an elf. Nice to meet you. And the girl next to me is Lizlina, and the one behind her is Aid. They are both humans."

"I'm Elaina. Nice to meet you, everyone."

It's basic to greet each other, so I have to do it.

Among the two people introduced by Keith, the woman said, "Nice to meet you," but the man, Aid, just said, "Ah," and started looking around restlessly.

He seems quite restless. Is he being cautious of his surroundings? Or is he nervous because it's his first mission?

"By the way, young lady, if you have the time, would you like to have some tea in Gozes?"

"...Huh?"

What is this Keith person saying?

"Are you flirting again? Didn't you tell the same thing to Amy and Lizlina before we departed?"

"Don't worry, Elaina. He's quite a womanizer. You don't have to entertain him."

"That's harsh. I just want to see the smile of a beautiful woman. That's all."

"I don't know..."

From the conversation between Guell and Amy, it seems like he's quite fond of women. But what I'm more curious about is Aid.

"Um, Amy?"

"Hm? What is it?"

"Is Aid always like this during missions?"

"Well, he's not always like this. I wonder if he's in a bad mood today."

Hmm, a bad mood... He doesn't seem irritated to me, though.

'Warning! Danger detected at 12 o'clock. Possible enemy!'

What!? E-Enemies!!

The radar is showing enemy marks ahead. I have to inform Guell and the others!!