Isekai No Gakusei: Students From Another World
A Journey Through the Forest

The next day, Darren and his party were preparing to go on a mission. Rolf in shiny armor showed the great sword he had just bought yesterday.

"Isn't that the sword that was yesterday in the shop?" Guess Darren.

"Yup, I bought it," replied Rolf as he swung his new sword. "Looks cool, doesn't it?"

"I told you, you look stupid with that sword" Yuzuna said with a laugh.

"Whatever you say. This sword is very powerful after all" replied Rolf. "I can slash a lot of monsters with this."

Darren remembered that he had already ordered a new weapon, and it would be finished this afternoon. Today was the day he had been waiting for.

"Both of you, stay here. I'm going to take my ordered weapon" Darren said.

"alright. Don't be long," said Rolf and Yuzuna.

Darren left while waving his hand. He ran quickly to Rudd's shop. So quickly, he even surprised Rudd upon entering the store.

"You're fast, too" said Rudd, drawing out a sword. "Come on."

The sword was long and thin. The shape is somewhat curved. The part of his blade was black, it was probably because it was indeed the color of the metal.

"It turns out that the rumors in the city about this store are not wrong, yes" said Darren.

"Ha! Sure oes. I am the best blacksmith in the city" Rudd replied proudly.

"So, how much does it cost?" Darren asked while taking out his money.

"Actually..." Rudd suddenly became a bit awkward, "There's something strange about this sword."

"Any?" Darren said in wonder.

"Yes. Yesterday, the moment after I had melted your axe metal head, I had it in a small box" Rudd said, pointing out a long box. "And this morning, the little box disappeared and I found this long box in the same place. It's your sword."

Darren raised his sword and looked at him sharply. The sword looked still smooth, it seemed like it had never been used before.

"But honestly, the sword is made of the same metal as your goblin axe. The performance is equal, no. I think even stronger," Rudd said. "So technically, I didn't do anything. You can carry that sword."

"No, I'll keep paying you" Darren said with a smile. He then handed over two silver coins to Rudd.

"But I didn't do anything" Rudd initially refused.

But Darren keeps putting the money away. Rudd finally accepted it. After that Darren went back to his friends.

.

.

.

"Wow, Darren. That's a really cool sword!" Yuzuna said dazzledly.

"Hmm. I can feel the unusual magic on that sword" said Rolf, holding his chin.

"Unusual?" Darren.

"I've never felt this magic before. But I think it's great" answered Rolf.

As they were conversing, Guildmasters came with many royal soldiers. They were all riding and armed.

"Oh, you. You were that young man, right?" One who had met Darren before reappeared. One who uses black armor and is armed with a large two-bladed sword.

Darren greeted him. "Ah, that's right. What are you doing here?"

"Don't be surprised. I am the leader of this army" replied the man.

"Darren-san, do you know him?" Yuzuna asked as she approached Darren.

"Yes. We happened to meet that time" Darren replied to Yuzuna.

"In that case, let me introduce myself. My name is Michael, general of the kingdom of Europe. Today I was assigned to lead this journey, " said the man.

Yuzuna and Rolf immediately bowed as a sign of respect. Darren just stood there.

"Hey, stupid, just bend your body!" Whisper Rolf to Darren.

"Ah, there's no need to be so formal" Michael said casually. "Take it on this journey, you have the same position as me."

Darren then saw the cavalrymen carrying some sort of large cage. He wondered what the point was.

"Michael-dono's. The cage, what's it for?" Darren asked as he pointed towards the cage.

"We're going to catch a lot of monsters, so we need a big cage to hold them" Michael replied.

"Woah, monster!" Shouted Yuzuna excitedly. "Are we also going to fight those monsters?"

"Ha. ha. ha. ha.., of course not" replied Michael. "We hired you guys just to escort us through the woods. Not more."

After they talked for a while, the journey began. Michael, who leads the army, places Darren and his party on the front row horse, close to Michael.

After passing through the city gates, they began to enter the forest area. The dense tree leaves, block the incoming sunlight, to make the forest so dark.

"Light the torch!" That way, the problem of light is resolved.

Not much happened on the way. Everything's going fine. Monsters don't show up much either. Maybe because they were too afraid to attack a large army.

"Darren-dono, I heard your insight is quite extensive about this forest," Michael said, holding a torch.

"Yes. I hunt here a lot" Darren replied.

"So, it turns out that you have a lot of fighting experience as well, yes," Michael said in a flattering tone.

"Ah, not really. For me, this is my first time running a quest" Darren replied.

The daytime running turned out to be quite fun. With the horse as a vehicle, Darren felt himself as if he were in the era of the European kingdom.

The journey is still quite far. This forest is very thick and wide. Darren estimated that this trip would take about a day.

So they will definitely have to camp when night falls. Because if you decide to keep moving at night, the risk will be great.

It could have been many soldiers who were exhausted and became easy prey for monsters. Moreover, strong monsters often roam at night.

"So, are the monsters here strong?" Ask Michael again.

"Yes, they're quite strong," Darren tried to hide the fact. Though the monsters here are quite weak during the day.

"Hm.. so it is. You know a lot too, yes," Michael said.

In the afternoon, they decided to camp. They found a river that was flowing through the forest. The water is clear and cool, so it can be used to refill drinking supplies.

After putting up the tent, the soldiers began to rest. Some eat and drink, some sleep. While Darren and his party were sitting on the banks of the river a bit away from the soldiers.

They seem to be enjoying the view.

"Beautiful," Yuzuna said with a big smile on her face.

"Yes. The air is also very cool" said Rolf, taking off some of his armor.

"Rolf, what are you doing? Shouldn't we stay on alert?" Darren warned.

"That's it. I guess relaxing a little doesn't matter" replied Rolf casually. "After all, don't you feel sultry using all that gear? Your robe, and your long uniform."

"Yes, it's actually quite sultry, but I can hold it in, '" Darren replied.

Suddenly Yuzuna stood up and went to another part of the river. There was a very large stone, blocking their view.

"Hey, Darren. You'd better take care of him" said Rolf. "It would be troublesome if anything happened to her."

"Alright," Darren replied briefly.

Darren started to step up his legs. He had no idea what purpose Yuzuna was going alone for. What's he thinking? What if something happens to her.

As soon as Darren looked behind the stone. Yuzuna was playing with water. Piprat.

For Darren, seeing that made him happy. He became aware of something.

"Do I have to worry about them? The fear of loss within me was always thrashing. As if yelling: Don't leave me again!"

"But, after I saw them, I was sure that they would be fine."

"They are adventurers. They can protect themselves. I know they are strong. So, what exactly worries me?"

Darren flinched as Yuzuna suddenly called out to him.

"Darren-san, come here," he called.

While staggering around, Darren approached Yuzuna who was sitting by the water.

Not felt, it was getting dark. The sunlight had completely disappeared. There was only moonlight and stars illuminating the existence of the two of them.

"The sky is beautiful, yes," Yuzuna said as she looked up at the sky.

Darren just agreed. He doesn't know what to respond to. His heart was agitated, though he did not know the cause.

"Darren-san, what's wrong? You look agitated, "Task Yuzuna as if she can read minds.

"Ah, no. I was just thinking about something" Darren replied.

Yuzuna smiled sweetly, as if she wanted to make Darren feel better.

"You know, I'm actually feeling restless lately, too" he said in a somber tone. "To be exact last night, I had a bad dream."

"Nightmare? Is that why you went to my room?" Darren.

"Yes," replied Yuzuna. He paused for a moment, before continuing, "In my dream, I thought back to my past. My life is just a disgrace. Even the gods hate me. I hate my life so much. Until I finally chose to start life as an adventurer."

"Then I met you" he continued, with a smile. But slowly the smile faded. "But the dream doesn't end there."

Darren watched with a serious look. It was not every day that he could hear the curses of a woman. So he tries to pay attention as best he can.

"Then, what happened?"

Yuzuna continued, with slow tears. "I saw you leave. Walk away towards a dark path. Until you disappeared and I couldn't see you anymore."

Darren became sympathetic. Is Yuzuna's dream that bad? To make him nervous like this.

Suddenly, Yuzuna hugged Darren tightly. There was no one near them, so this was rather impressed.

"Please promise me you won't leave me!" Said Yuzuna crying in Darren's arms.

Darren rubbed his head. He could feel Yuzuna's body trembling with fear. Darren's getting worried.

"Yes, I promise," Darren replied as he hugged Yuzuna tighter and tighter.

After the moment they were both, it was heard from far away General Michael shouted to order his troops to rest.

"Tomorrow at dawn we will leave. Make the most of your sleep!" His order. "Nobody's staying up!"

The whole army answered simultaneously. "Good, understood!"

Darren and Yuzuna return to camp. But when he got there, Darren and his party were told to stay awake.

After all, it was dangerous for everyone to fall asleep. At least, there should be one or two people standing guard.

"I'll keep watch. Yuzuna-san, Rolf, you two take a break, " Darren said.

"But you can get tired" Yuzuna said worriedly.

Darren just laughed a little. Considering he can do meditation, then the business of sleepiness is not a big problem for him.

"Just calm. I have a talent for fighting fatigue" Darren said with a proud smile.

Yuzuna and Rolf finally agreed. Although they felt bad for giving up this task to Darren.

"If you're tired, I can take your place" Rolf said, holding Darren's shoulder. "Don't push yourself, okay."

"All right," replied Darren.

After everyone fell asleep. Darren sat in front of the campfire.

When he was alone like this, he began to ponder.

"How's my parents doing, huh? I'm worried about them. I left without even saying goodbye."

"Are they sad? I was so sad to imagine it."

"I wish I could make them both proud. My departure will not be in vain."

"How do they feel when they find out that I live in another world? I want to see it."

"I still have a lot of regrets. But it's too late."