Bai Shi and Melina sat back down at the Gatefront Site of Grace.
Bai Shi opened the map fragment. Unlike in the game, this map had been buried underground beneath a stone monument.
Perhaps to prevent it from being blown away by the wind, or perhaps to keep it hidden from the soldiers.
In any case, this predecessor had left behind the tattered map fragment with a line of text on the back.
"If you've found this map, I hope it helps you. If you can, I hope you'll leave a map to help the next person."
It was impossible to tell what era the map was from, but despite its frayed edges, the drawings and writing were still clearly visible.
This map held no magic; the Sites of Grace he had previously touched did not appear on it as they did in the game.
Bai Shi handed the map to Melina.
He pointed to the approximate location of the Church of Elleh on it.
"I want to make a trip here. I've already touched a Site of Grace at that location. Is that possible?"Melina took the map and studied it for a moment.
"I can help you copy this map onto a magical chart and bind it to you. That way, any Sites of Grace you've touched will appear on it."
"Oh? You can do that? Then I'll leave it to you."
Melina pulled a large roll of parchment from a satchel on Torrent's back and spread it flat on the ground.
She then took out various tools engraved with arcane symbols and knelt to begin drawing on the parchment.
Watching Melina's focused profile, Bai Shi hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Shouldn't we find a more suitable place? Somewhere with a table and chairs? This looks tiring for you."
Melina shook her head.
"That's not necessary. Since I've promised to fulfill the duties of a maiden, I'll naturally do my best. I'm not that delicate."
"Besides, you're the one who has to fight, which is more tiring. This sort of work is nothing."
Bai Shi said no more. Melina had her own convictions; he had learned that much from the game.
He simply watched her profile in silence.
'If only you could live for yourself...'
Bai Shi couldn't help but think.
"Bai Shi..."
Melina's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Hm? What is it?"
"Could you please not stare at me?"
Melina shot him a glance.
"Ah, sorry. I'll be more mindful."
Bai Shi thought it over. It was true; from Melina's perspective, they had just met. Staring at her like that was a bit of a turn-off.
Melina lowered her head and continued her work on the parchment.
Bai Shi's constant gaze had made her a little uncomfortable.
Especially when she remembered the night before, when he had held her hand so firmly.
All the knowledge and memories Melina possessed were related to her mission. No one had ever taught her how to interact with people.
In other words, this was beyond the scope of her knowledge. Melina didn't know how to react.
However, when he said he would protect her, for some reason, she had actually felt a little happy.
"Hm? What's this...?"
Melina had discovered a coordinate hidden on the map fragment with arcane symbols.
—
Bai Shi had turned away as soon as Melina spoke. He didn't want to be a creep and ruin her impression of him.
He fed Torrent some Rowa Fruit he had picked from a bush.
Watching Torrent eat with relish, Bai Shi tried one himself.
Well, a horse's palate really was different from a human's. Bai Shi silently removed the fruit from his list of emergency rations. Stroking Torrent's smooth coat, he began to plan his next steps.
First, a trip back to the Church of Elleh to sell all his unused equipment to Kalé. That should fetch a good amount of Runes. With the Runes he had farmed earlier, he wondered if he could level up twice.
It would be ideal if he could meet Ranni the Witch at the Church of Elleh and get the Spirit Calling Bell for free.
But Bai Shi wasn't counting on it. Ranni only knew someone was riding Torrent through her intelligence network.
And right now, he hadn't yet made a name for himself, and all the witnesses at the Gatefront were dead.
No matter how strong Ranni's network was, there was no way she could show up today when he had just gotten Torrent yesterday.
Ranni had a connection to Torrent's former master, but it clearly wasn't to the extent that she could sense Torrent's location.
She might show up in a few days, or she might not appear at all like in the game.
He stopped thinking about Ranni. There would be plenty of opportunities to meet her anyway.
After selling his things and coming back, he would still head for the Weeping Peninsula. On the way, he would also meet Boc the seamster and Sorceress Sellen.
What Bai Shi hesitated over now was whether to head straight for the Weeping Peninsula or to take a detour to the Mistwood and get help from Blaidd to obtain the Bloodhound's Fang.
After thinking it over, Bai Shi decided to go to the Weeping Peninsula first. For every day he delayed, the chances of Irena, the castellan's daughter, being killed increased.
What was impossible in the game, Bai Shi would do. Those he couldn't save in the game, Bai Shi would save.
For no other reason than because he wanted to.
He was going to give everyone a perfect ending.
If you didn't have any ambition after being transported to another world, you might as well go home and be a farmer.
—
Melina calmly handed the parchment to Bai Shi, as if nothing had happened.
Only the bottom-left corner of the huge parchment was colored in; the rest was still blank.
"As I recall, this map fragment corresponds to this approximate area in the Lands Between. The blank parts will have to be filled in later."
"Give me your hand. I'll bind this map to you."
Bai Shi obediently did as he was told, placing his hand on Melina's fair, small hand. Though she had just been drawing on the ground, her hand wasn't the least bit dirty.
Before long, Bai Shi faintly felt a connection form between himself and the map.
He could now sense his position on it, and the Sites of Grace he had touched had appeared.
"Which Site of Grace do you wish to travel to? I will take you there."
But Bai Shi shook his head.
"Wait a moment. I'll be right back."
With that, Bai Shi stood up, holding the old map fragment.
He returned to the stone monument where he had unearthed it, wrapped it up well, and buried it again.
Melina watched Bai Shi return to the Site of Grace, a little surprised.
"Why did you bury the map again? It was hidden so deeply. To be honest, I have no idea how you even found it."
Bai Shi smiled.
"I have a new map now, so I'll leave this one here to help the next person. As for whether they can find it, that will depend on their luck."
"But, if you all aim to become the Lord, then they will all be your enemies."
"The one who left the map wasn't afraid of that, were they? If I truly lose to a successor in the future, it will be because my own strength was lacking. It would be a fair loss."
Bai Shi spoke with confidence.
"Besides, I'm not going to lose."
Melina gazed deeply at Bai Shi. She now saw him in a new light.
She had to admit, his straightforwardness was very endearing.
Melina said nothing more, only extending her hand once again.
"Please, touch my hand. I will take you to the Site of Grace you wish to go to."