Life as an Adventurer with the Banished Marquis' Daughter - Chapter 39: The Exiled Marquis' Daughter and the Magical Wilderness, Part 2

Chapter 39: The Exiled Marquis’ Daughter and the Magical Wilderness, Part 2

“By the way, what are we hunting today? Is it a request? Or a free hunt?”

Shara asked this as we stood at the edge of the enchanted forest, in the grassy area. 

The enchanted forest is divided into three main zones: the grassland, closest to human territories; the forest area, deeper in; and the innermost section, known as the depths.

Although it’s said to have three zones, even the forest area remains unexplored, so effectively, there are only two zones.

By the way, a free hunt is a term adventurers use to describe hunting random monsters to earn their daily bread.

“The guild didn’t have any good requests.”

Erika said with a smile, as if talking about the nice weather today.

“Let’s hunt the designated target today.”

“Huh?”

Shara looked at my face.

“Huh?”

I just found out too, so don’t look at me like that.

＊

A designated target is a monster that the adventurer’s guild has permanently marked for elimination. 

It’s sometimes called the “Lord” in slang.

Most monsters have a general area where they appear. 

However, these designated targets come from other regions and settle here, earning their name.

They act as if they are claiming territory, hence the term “Lord of the Territory.”

Monsters that push aside other creatures to claim their territory are naturally more dangerous and stronger than the average ones. 

Although they rarely leave their territory, making them easier to find, average adventurers usually get defeated when they encounter these creatures.

The adventurer’s guild designates these targets not so much to ensure their elimination but to prevent inexperienced adventurers from stumbling upon them unknowingly.

Since they don’t move from their territory, they are often left alone. 

This time, we’re going to hunt one of these long-ignored designated targets in the grasslands.

“Are you serious?”

Shara’s face turned pale.

“Yes, I am serious.”

Shara looked at me for help, but I just shrugged and ignored her.

“Do you know what we’re dealing with?”

“It’s a Forest Dragon. It’s funny how it claims territory in the grasslands despite being called a Forest Dragon.”

“Monsters like that are dealt with by the knights, you know?”

Shara couldn’t help but shout.

“Is that so?”

“I’m not sure. In Faltar, the knights didn’t bother with a mere Forest Dragon.”

When I answered Erika’s question, Shara exclaimed that the Faltar Kingdom is just too wild!

“Don’t worry so much. I’m here, and Shin is here too. If it gets dangerous, we can just run away.”

“I don’t want to play a deadly game of tag!”

Erika laughed cheerfully at the noisy Shara. 

At the academy, no one expressed their emotions so openly, so it must feel refreshing and fun for her.

If having a nun, Shara, around can make Erika smile like this, I can tolerate her presence. 

Though, it is a bit lonely not getting much attention.

“Oh, it’s here.”

Shara murmured, looking like she was about to cry.

We could see the Forest Dragon sprawled on a low hill.

“It’s big.”

“Yeah, it’s a bit large.”

“It’s too big!”

I expected it to be no ordinary Forest Dragon, considering it was a designated target. 

It’s about the size of a small house.

“Shall we give it a try then?”

Erika’s voice showed no sign of tension.