If you don't want to just drift through life, you have to go through time.

Xin Shi Ji, 28 years.

The central states.

After nearly a month of trekking, they finally reached the outskirts of Likel Canyon.

It's summer now.

The temperature is frighteningly high.

Likel Canyon is called a canyon because the continental plate is cut off by a river about 500 meters wide. From the cut side, it looks about 100 meters deep. The canyon is covered with trees on both sides, which makes the temperature rise even more.

"Haa—"

Truman let out a long sigh, glanced at the slightly tired Frillian and Philon, and said, "We've had a long journey, and we don't know if there will be any unexpected events here. Let's just set up camp here and go in tomorrow."

"agree."

"I...I think so too."

Frillie gave up much sooner than expected; she lay down under a dense tree to cool off, not at all like someone in a dangerous forest.

Unlike Frillie, who acted like a big shot, Truman quickly set up the tent, while Philon was setting up the visitor bell.

By the way.

This magical artifact has been a great help to them. It has given them early warnings of danger in the wild, allowing Truman and his companions to deal with the situation calmly.

"It's so hot! I'm going to get heatstroke! My body feels so sticky! I really want to take a shower!"

Frillie started complaining.

She wasn't like this before; she only became spoiled after Truman told her she could embark on her journey at her own pace.

She looks a bit like Philon.

Truman thought for a moment and said, "Then Frillie should go take a bath. Isn't there a long river at the bottom of the canyon ahead? That would be a good place to wash up."

Then he looked at Philon.

"Philan, you should come too. It's too hot. If you keep pushing yourself, you might get heatstroke. To avoid making things complicated, Phyllan, you should go."

"But……"

Philon looked at the mess on the ground.

The tent wasn't set up yet, and the visitor bell was only half-installed. If she left, Truman would have to do the rest of the work.

"It's alright, leave it to me. Besides, Frillie needs someone to keep an eye on her too."

"……I see."

"Can you two stop making it seem like you're only compromising because I'm causing you trouble?"

"Lady Frillien...sigh..."

"What an awful sigh."

Frilian and Philon walked toward the river together, but after only a few steps, Frilian turned back.

"Don't peek!"

"……hehe."

Truman looked Frillie up and down, her curves slightly undulating, and gave a disdainful snort.

"I feel like I've been insulted."

"Alright, Lady Frilian, let's not waste any more time, let's hurry up."

Philen urged Frilian on.

It seems she's been wanting to take a shower for a while, but she's been waiting for an opportunity because she's not good at bringing it up. Honestly, Philon is always so reluctant to express her true feelings.

After watching the two leave, Truman began to set up his tent.

Summer temperatures are high, so tents aren't strictly necessary. However, insects and venomous snakes pose a greater danger in the forest, so a tent can at least provide some protection.

In addition, we need to apply another layer of Frillie's mosquito repellent.

Open the suitcase.

"Wow..."

The box was a jumble of random things: books, magical materials, potions, and small bottles of various colors. And, of course, there was something that looked like a white scarf.

scarf?

Truman was puzzled. After all, Frilian had never worn a veil before, but the thing in the box must be a precious item. So who gave it to her?

Unconsciously, he took out the gauze and tugged at it.

The fabric is soft and of superior quality; just by holding it in your hand, you can tell it's a high-end product. It's no exaggeration to say that Truman has never encountered a fabric of higher quality in the world.

and many more!

Truman seemed to realize something. He pulled the fabric up to the sun and finally saw what kind of object he was holding.

They're white stockings!

Wow, that's amazing! White stockings!

Frillie always wore a top, trousers, and boots, which was undoubtedly very suitable for outdoor adventures, but it was by no means attractive.

But white stockings and stuff...

Hmm, a silver-haired twin-tailed elf wearing white stockings? Even though I don't know who gave them to her, I have to say she has great taste, just like me! ...Just like me?

Truman realized something and twitched the corner of his mouth.

I don't think I'd be that bored, do I?

I think so?

He was also unsure of himself.

Also at this time-

"F-Lord Frilian!!!?"

Philon shouted in a panic, catching the attention of Truman, who was deep in thought.

Could something really have gone wrong?

With Frilian around, he wasn't worried about any danger, but he still couldn't help but act on the spot. After stuffing the stockings back into his suitcase, he quickly ran towards the river.

A few minutes later.

Truman saw Philon standing anxiously by the river, and Frilian drifting along with something in her arms.

"Philan, what happened?"

"Lady Frillien said she was just here to catch ingredients for dinner, and after seeing a big fish, she immediately jumped in. Now—"

Following the direction.

Truman saw that Frillie was indeed holding a large fish. Although he didn't know exactly how big it was, it was definitely quite large. The evidence was that Frillie was being slapped back and forth by the fish's tail, but she couldn't bear to let go and could only let the fish's tail slap her face.

That idiot...

Philon seemed to have tried to pull Frilian up, but she was too weak, and her magic was not yet strong enough to carry Frilian and the weight of the big fish, so she could only watch helplessly from the shore.

"There's just no way to deal with her!"

Truman immediately stripped naked, wearing only shorts, and jumped into the river.

He knew perfectly well that it was impossible to get Frilian to throw away the big fish; otherwise, Philon would have already rescued her. And instead of yelling at Frilian to throw away the fish, he should have jumped into the water and pulled her out.

It's so cool~

Having jumped into the water unprepared, Truman involuntarily shuddered, and his overheated mind quickly calmed down.

Without hesitation, he swam toward where Frillie was.

Frillie was still being slapped by the fish's tail.

"Seriously, what are you doing?!"

Truman slammed his hand onto the fish and activated his skill, [Absorption Touch], instantly draining the lively fish dry. He then flicked the fish's tail and tossed it onto the shore before carrying Frilian back to shore.

Frillie wasn't injured or choked on water; she was just a little flustered by the big fish slapping her face. After Truman came to help, she immediately used the momentum to swim to the shore.

"Huff...huff...!"

Truman was panting heavily.

It was thanks to absorbing the big fish's energy that it was able to swim back.

"Thank you, Truman, you've been a great help."

"You...sigh..."

"Why don't you just say something to me?"

Instead, Frillie felt guilty about Truman's disappointed sigh.