Chapter 300: Training

After the two woodcutters saw Liyakade and the others walking up the mountain path, they stopped what they were doing and looked at the three of them with slight wariness.

“Don’t be scared. We’re here to look for something, so there’s no need to worry.”

Seeing that the two woodcutters seemed cautious, Field stepped forward to reassure them.

“Are you two residents of this mountain? Could we ask you something?”

“B-Big Brother…”

The stronger woodcutter didn’t immediately answer Field’s question.

Instead, he turned to look at his companion sitting on the tree stump and addressed him as Big Brother.

The man who appeared less sturdy was the one the strong man called Big Brother.

He stood up from the tree stump and swept his wary gaze across Liyakade and her two companions.

Instead of answering Field right away, he questioned their identities with great caution.

“Who are you? That outfit of yours doesn’t look like common folk. What business do you have on this remote mountain?”

Field paused to think after hearing his interrogation, then decided to reveal part of the truth.

“…We’re travelers accompanying a caravan. The caravan has run into some trouble and needs to find a new water source. We had no choice but to come up the mountain. We didn’t mean to disturb you.”

Field politely explained their situation to the two woodcutters.

Although she couldn’t confirm if they were actually mountain residents, their clothes and bamboo baskets suggested they were ordinary folk.

Since they weren’t bandits, it was important for Field to act courteously.

After all, if there were residents, there had to be a water source, and the residents would surely know where it was.

But in reality, all of this had been prearranged by the so-called Big Brother.

Not only had he disguised himself and the strong man as woodcutters, but he had also prepared the dialogue he’d use when meeting Liyakade and the others.

Their cover story was that they were a pair of brothers living in the mountains, dependent on each other, with a small cabin somewhere up the hills.

They spent their lives in the wilderness.

As for the strong man, Big Brother figured he’d never be able to lie properly, so he gave him the fewest lines and actions possible—just look toward Big Brother and wait for him to speak.

Big Brother’s extremely wary demeanor wasn’t without reason.

If they really were mountain residents, seeing three strangers would naturally make them cautious of the newcomers’ identities, regardless of gender or appearance.

Rushing over warmly just because the visitors were three beauties would look far too fake and would instead put Liyakade and the others on guard, making them suspect ulterior motives.

So Big Brother’s tactic was to play hard to get.

He’d try this approach first.

If it didn’t work, they could always subdue Liyakade and the others by force.

Hearing their purpose, Big Brother secretly rejoiced.

He knew full well the connection between residents and water sources.

Since Liyakade and her group were now in need of his help, he had the upper hand.

But Big Brother wasn’t the only one celebrating.

Liyakade, standing behind Field, was also chuckling inwardly.

She had already recognized that the two were bandits in disguise.

Although the one called Big Brother had disguised himself well, Liyakade keenly caught a hint of greed in his eyes.

His gaze appeared cautious, but it swept up from below.

Even if she hadn’t known who they were, that look would have sent a chill down her spine.

However, she didn’t tell Field and Alice.

She wanted them to spot the problem on their own.

After all, the Magic Domain they were about to enter was content from the later stages of the original story.

Though they were now strong enough, they might still need training in other aspects.

This was Liyakade’s small test for the two of them.

If they could see through the disguise, it would prove that their abilities in other areas had reached the level required for the Magic Domain.

“There’s no water on this mountain. Go back.”

Big Brother answered Field coldly.

He then turned and glanced at the strong man, signaling him with his eyes, and made to leave.

Seeing this, the strong man grew frantic.

Liyakade and her companions had clearly let their guard down, yet Big Brother was about to leave.

What was the meaning of this?

“B-Big Brother… I don’t think these folks are bad people… Should we… uh, give them a hand?”

The strong man weighed his axe in his hand and looked hesitantly at Big Brother, sneaking a glance at Liyakade and the others as he turned.

Idiot!

Big Brother cursed inwardly.

Why wasn’t the fool following their rehearsed script?

He was supposed to obey Big Brother without question and keep quiet—if he couldn’t talk, he shouldn’t talk at all.

Liyakade’s group was desperate for water, so desperate that three finely dressed young ladies had to climb the mountain looking for it.

As pretend mountain residents, they naturally knew where the water was.

So even if the brothers acted a bit pushy, Liyakade and the others would tolerate it.

Besides, they’d only shown caution.

Big Brother didn’t believe that after he left, Liyakade and the others wouldn’t chase after them.

“Don’t worry, we’re not bad people. Please, take us to find some water. We’re willing to pay with gold, silver, jewels, or anything else—is that okay? By the way, this is your little brother, right? He has pretty good judgment, hahaha.”

Seizing the opportunity, Field immediately begged them again, this time offering treasure as payment.

She even teased the two, trying to lighten the mood.

“Yeah, yeah! Big Brother, look, they really need help. Let’s help them!”

The strong man even spoke up for Liyakade’s group.

“…Sigh.”

Big Brother hesitated, thinking quickly.

In the end, he decided to go along with the strong man’s words.

If he kept acting so wary now, it would seem overdone.

So he let out a heavy sigh, feigning helplessness.

“Alright… He really is my little brother. He’s always had a slow mind, but he has a kind heart—a pure soul. Since he thinks you’re good people, I’ll trust you too. Follow me.”

With that, Big Brother waved his hand to signal the strong man and Liyakade’s group to follow.

He then turned and led them up the mountain path.