Chapter 774: NASM - 774

"Alright, let’s rest a while longer to let our food settle, and then we’ll set off. We have a long journey ahead this afternoon, and I’m sure we’ll see and experience plenty of interesting things along the way!" Hiroshi said cheerfully to Harumiko.

Harumiko nodded with a smile, stood up from her chair, walked around the room a few times, and then lay down on the bed. It felt so comfortable just to rest there for a moment.

"Hiroshi, I’m going to lie down and rest a little bit. We’ll leave once we’re fully rested. I don’t think I’m ready to go just yet — I feel heavy and sluggish after eating so much. I always need a little time to recover my energy after a big meal," she said from the bed, smiling at him.

Hiroshi nodded understandingly. He moved his chair over beside the window, sat down, and looked out at the view.

"It’s almost afternoon already, and look — there are still hardly any people outside. Though it’s a bit busier than this morning, at least. It’s really strange how everyone in this village prefers to come out only at night," he murmured softly, watching the people on the street below.

He realised this place was unlike any other village he had visited. Although there were people moving about now, most of them were travellers from elsewhere. The locals seemed to stay indoors all day and only came out after dark.

"I definitely don’t want to come here a second time. Once was enough. In the future, we’ll go and explore other places instead. I just hope nothing goes wrong on the way home. If we run into enemies, I’ll take them all down quickly — that’s the only way we can travel safely and rest easy," Hiroshi thought to himself as he gazed outside.

It was true — in the past year or so, they hadn’t fought much at all. Only a few times had they encountered enemies in the forests while travelling.

But with how chaotic things were right now, it was likely they would face more trouble on the way home. There were always people from different villages looking to stir up conflict or start wars.

"Still, if anyone tries anything, I can defeat them in no time flat. My strength has grown enough now that I’m certain I can handle whatever comes," he thought confidently.

He had to admit, though, that the air here was wonderful. The sky was a bright, clear blue, and the clouds were pure white and fluffy.

Actually, the air was fresh everywhere in this world. Without cars or factories pumping out exhaust fumes, there was nothing to pollute it.

"I find myself liking this world more and more. Compared to where I came from, this place is practically paradise," Hiroshi thought happily as he looked up at the sky.

Harumiko was lying on the bed, not sleeping, just staring up at the ceiling and occasionally glancing out the window.

They both felt the need to rest, yet neither dared to fall asleep properly — afraid that if they did, they wouldn’t wake up until nightfall.

"Hiroshi, let’s get going after just a little while longer. I feel much less full and heavy now. A bit more rest, and I’ll be ready to move again," Harumiko said with a smile.

Hiroshi nodded back. He too felt his stomach had settled a little; the food was digesting nicely.

"Great! I feel better too — not nearly as stuffed as I was. We’ll just sit quietly here for a few more minutes, and then we’re off," he replied softly.

It was already one o’clock in the afternoon. They would rest for a while yet, meaning they probably wouldn’t leave the village until around two or three o’clock.

"I’m so excited just thinking about it. I was excited when we first arrived here, too — but now I’m excited because we’re finally leaving. Honestly? This place wasn’t all that great. It has one famous spot, sure, but once you’ve seen it once, there’s no need to come back. It’s not that impressive at all," Hiroshi reflected while watching the sky.

Just as he thought, the place lived up to what people said about it — but only just. Anyone who visited once would realise there was no reason to return.

The whole place revolved around doing business, and most locals seemed to make a living simply by taking advantage of travellers passing through.

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