Considering my own abilities, there’s no doubt that I’ll be fine even if Monsters appear. However, it’s not ideal to be in an unknown Forest for a long time… Thinking about the Wind, I stepped into the Sanctuary Forest.

I thought I could easily find Sofia by detecting her Magic Power if she continued using “Bird Soar,” but… it was impossible. Therefore, I judged that there was a high probability that her Magic Power had run out. It seemed I had no choice but to search the Forest thoroughly.

There was also the option of me using “Bird Soar” and moving around extensively, but this would only allow me to search the surroundings roughly, and there would be a high chance I wouldn’t notice if Sofia called out, and my Presence Detection would also be dulled.

Even if her Magic Power is depleted, I should be able to sense her presence somewhat if I get close… Thinking this, I started searching without using “Bird Soar.” However, I didn’t know how far Sofia had gone, and the Forest was extremely vast and deep. This is difficult… Just then, I noticed something.

I sensed Monsters. However, there was no sign of them attacking.

“It doesn’t seem like they’re being cautious because of my abilities.”

It felt more like they were showing interest in me, an intruder. If I were to initiate an attack, they would undoubtedly retaliate… but this isn’t a situation where gaining more enemies would be beneficial, so I’ll leave them alone.

What about Sofia? If she found out she was being watched by Monsters with her emotions in turmoil, she might attack them recklessly. With an unpleasant thought, I proceeded deeper into the Forest. I wasn’t even sure if going deeper was the right choice… but I had to move regardless.

I moved through the bushes, searching for presences. Perhaps because it was a Forest where human hands had barely touched, the grass had grown quite tall. Furthermore, a unique presence, different from other places, existed in the Forest— I wondered if I felt this way about the Wind because I was aware that this was a Sanctuary.

I don’t think Garuku himself would appear, but there’s a high possibility that monsters will attack if a leader is present. I’d like to find it before that happens, but—

Suddenly, I sensed a presence. I immediately stopped and looked around.

“…What was that just now?”

It wasn’t Sofia’s presence. Nor was it that of the monsters around me. It was a presence akin to a gaze, as if someone was watching me from afar.

No way… I thought, but resumed moving. I can’t imagine a being like the leader of this forest suddenly appearing, but—

As I ventured deeper into the forest, I felt the same gaze as before. I couldn’t suppress the unpleasant premonition that this might actually be it.

Are they on alert because two humans, who normally wouldn’t set foot here, have entered? However, the surrounding monsters show no movement. This is quite strange, and I tilt my head.

Anyway, I have to find Sofia… After quite some time in the forest, I suddenly emerged from it.

Before me, Sacred Mountain loomed closer, and a rough path, formed linearly by the power of nature, led towards the mountain.

“Footprints or anything… no.”

Observing the ground, I looked around. Is she walking around or staying in one place? I decided to search without giving up and tried to go back into the forest.

At that moment, I felt a presence… It was in the forest existing alongside the rough path leading to the mountain.

However, that presence had a different aura than that of the monsters monitoring the surroundings. Just when I thought, “No way,”

“—It’s unusual for humans to come here.”

A deep yet valiant voice was heard. But the voice somehow echoed… As I shifted my gaze, I noticed a wolf emerging from the depths of the forest.

However, its size was such that it seemed to reach the surrounding trees, and at a glance, I could tell it was a monster of considerable power.

Furthermore, its distinctive features were its white fur and black eyes. If it had been roaming the forest, it wouldn’t be strange to find some dirt on it, yet there was none at all.

And its black eyes were extremely rational; it was clear that it possessed intelligence, as it had just spoken.

“Coming here means you have a certain resolve, doesn’t it?”

It spoke without moving its mouth at all—I was so dumbfounded that I couldn’t answer immediately, but eventually, I came to my senses and asked a question in return.

“…Are you, by any chance, Garuku?”

“Among humans, that seems to be my name… Indeed, I am the being called Garuku.”

Oh dear… This is an unexpected situation. A strange sweat broke out on my back.

This is far beyond unexpected. Anyway, I need to handle this peacefully.

“Um, I visited this forest because I’m looking for someone.”

“Someone?”

“It’s a woman, and once she’s found, I intend to leave the forest immediately—”

“Hmm…”

Garuku murmured, looking around.

“Indeed, it seems some of my brethren around here have seen a lost being.”

It seems he can communicate without speaking… or rather, Garuku, Sofia, who uses ‘Bird Soar,’ should be conspicuous, so how is it that he noticed me instead of her?

“Um, once I find that person, I’ll immediately—”

“Are you going to wander around my dwelling under such a pretext?”

It was an overbearing tone. It was clear that he was agitated.

“A being possessing such power. Who are you?”

…Garuku is sensing my abilities? Even Lefin couldn’t fully recognize my power unless I exercised it to some extent… Is this what a Spirit God is like?

Anyway, there’s no doubt he’s wary. I should be humble here—

“No, it’s true. I apologize for intruding this far—”

“It seems to be a power unrelated to the Demon King… Are you a being that has been appeased and dispatched here?”

It seems he has no intention of listening to my explanation… Does he care more about my abilities than what I’m saying?

I wondered what kind of Wind Garuku saw me as… but I didn’t have time to ask. I had to do something.

“Are you an advance guard sent by the Demon King?”

“No, I’m just–“

“If you threaten this Forest, I must also fight to protect my kin.”

I couldn’t explain myself at all. Wait a minute. If this continues, we’re going to fight.

Since I pride myself on having the power to fight even the Demon King without a Barrier, I don’t feel like I couldn’t win if we fought. However, the being in front of me isn’t harming Humans. While its stance in the War with the Demon Lord is one of observation, it’s undoubtedly keeping the Demon Race on edge and somewhat wary, so it’s not an opponent I should defeat.

“Um, I’ll leave as soon as I rescue the woman–“

“It is customary to give a rough welcome to intruders like you, who are different from ordinary Humans.”

Garuku spoke, cutting off my words.

“I will thwart your objective.”

Hey, hey, hey, hey, wait– Just as I was about to raise my voice, Garuku roared.

A howl… I instinctively knew it was a threat directed at me, and I froze.

“Prepare yourself.”

No good. My claims are completely ignored. From Garuku’s perspective, my existence is irregular, and its wariness and intent to fight come from recognizing my abilities… Stopping this is impossible.

Come to think of it, situations like this Wind, where the opponent rushes into battle without listening to explanations, were common in games and manga… I never thought I’d experience something similar myself after reincarnation.

While I was thinking about such trivial things, Garuku’s presence intensified. It seems it’s ready for battle… As for me, I want to run away, but since I have to find Sofia, I can’t.

If Lefin were to come, this situation might be resolved… but if she’s not coming even with Garuku emitting its presence, did something happen after all?

“Let’s go.”

At that moment, with aggressive words, Garuku further increased its Magic Power. I let out a small sigh– and faced the Spirit God.