Chapter 6: Exploration Part 2

I walk through the gates with the knights.

This is amazing.

Ok.

Where should I start exploring first.

Mother told me that I shouldn't stray too far away from the front gate. I wonder why.

I think it is probably because of the wild animals and monsters roaming around. I wonder how strong they are.

If they are weak enough, I could use them as a means to get stronger.

Ok.

Let's do that.

But first, I should find a suitable secret hideout to hide all of my research and stuff.

I run around the trees, looking for a place that looks like a cave to hide my stuff.

No.

Not a cave.

A cave might attract animals and monsters. Then, they might find all of my precious things and ruin them.

So, the hideout should be a place that is unaccessible to monsters and animals.

Hmm.

A cliff?

No. Too dangerous.

What other places in a forest are high enough?

...

Duh. Trees of course.

I forgot that they exist as well.

So, the only option is to make a hideout in the trees.

How will I be able to do that?

No.

Before thinking about what it will look like, I must find a suitable foundation for it. In other words, a big tree that looks like it can support a lot of weight.

I should ask one of the knights here if they ever saw a big tree while on their patrol shifts.

"..."

I just realized.

I don't know the names of the 3 knights who are with me. I'll ask them.

"Misters, what are your names?"

"Our names? Oh! We forgot to introduce ourselves."

"My name is Corvin."

"I am Jaysen."

"Max is my name."

So, the knight who I called out to me first on the street is Corvin. Jaysen is the one who said that my father was the captain of the knights. Lastly, Max is the one who said that they can get a bonus for guarding me.

Yes.

I heard you saying you can get extra money for taking care of me. I'll just let it slide for now because they don't look like bad guys. Actually, they look like friends to me.

"Are all of you friends?"

"Yeah, we are. I have been friends with these guys ever since I first landed a job here."

"And, when was that?"

"That was just last year."

Wow.

Only one year of knowing each other and they are all talking to each other like they were friends since they were kids. Actually, Corvin looks like he is the youngest one here. Maybe I should ask him how old he is.

"Mister Corvin."

"Yes?"

"You look like you are the youngest here. How old are you?"

"Oh. I am 23 years old."

"That young and you are working as a knight?"

"Young? Kid, I am already a fully grown adult at this age."

Really?

Humans are already adults when they reach the same age as Corvin?

Ok. That means that I only have 19 years before I become an adult as well.

Oh.

I am getting distracted. I need to ask them if they saw a big tree around here.

"During any of your patrol shifts, did you happen to see a very big tree?"

The one who answered were Max and Jaysen.

""We saw a big tree around here before. Why do you want to know?""

Wow.

Such perfect synchronization between them. Did they practice that?

Anyway.

Why do I need a secret base to put all of my records, documents and maps?

I can't put it in my room because I am pretty sure every week my mother comes up there to clean my room. It would be pretty bad if she would stumble upon all of the things I was planning to hide.

"I need it."

"Why do you need it?"

"I need it because I want to make a secret base."

"Oh! So you are going to make your own base for you to protect this village?"

"We will help you in making it!"

"Wow. This kid is already thinking about his duties to his village at his age."

I think they are misunderstanding what I meant by needing it but, they got spirit. Isn't it okay to let people who are enthusiastic about something keep their own image of what they are doing in their heads instead of ruining it?

"Okay. Max, Jaysen, can you tell me where you found this tree?"

""Alright!""

Another perfect overlap of their voices.

But, aren't they acting a bit like kids? Why are they more enthusiastic about this than the actual kid who is with them. At least Corvin is acting normal. Rather, I think he is thinking the same thing as me, judging by the wry smile on his face.

After that, I followed Max and Jaysen through the forest of trees for around 20 minutes until we reached a tree in a clearing.

Wow.

There is only one word that can describe this tree.

Gigantic.

It is so big that it has its own clearing. I wonder how old this tree actually is. It has to be hundreds of years old to grow to this size. Rather, isn't this the perfect place to have a secret base?

It has a clearing to know where it is. Check.

It is very big to accommodate a big base at its top. Check.

The leaves drape down, covering the top of the trunk to disguise my base. Check.

Perfect.

I should praise the guys who found such a beautiful place.

"Wow. This place is amazing! Thanks for telling me where it is!"

"You're welcome, kid. So, is this the only reason you wanted to go outside?"

"Yeah. It is."

We should put marks on the trees so that I can find it again without these guy's help. I don't want to disturb them while they are doing their job all the time.

"Hey. We should make marks on the trees leading to this place so we can always find it."

"Good idea. Should we head back now?"

"Yeah. It's okay."

I just wanted to find a suitable tree on this trip.

I am already satisfied. Plus, it is almost lunch time.

********************

We are on our way back right now.

Of course, we are marking the trees by making X's on their trunk with the knight's swords.

While I was thinking about all of the good things I have achieved in just one morning, Corvin came closer to me.

"Hey, Alex."

He whispered to me. So, I whispered back.

"What?"

"You're not an ordinary kid, are you?"

Did he find me out!?

"You are very ambitious for a 4 year old. You already acting like an adult even at your age. But, you have, like this sort of little brother vibe that makes me want to protect you even though you we aren't related."

I have that kind of vibe?

No. Actually, what is he getting at?

"What are you getting at?"

"Well, when I have free time, we can go to this place together and I can help you build your base. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, sure. That is definitely okay!"

I am definitely not missing out on a chance to get free help from someone nice like Corvin.

"Then, that is a promise."

Wow.

Such a nice expedition to the forest.

I hope the sword practice will be just as fulfilling as this.