Although steep and rugged earlier on, the mountain path leading straight to the entrance of the highland also proved this point.
After all, if no one maintained it, there wouldn't be such a road leading directly to the highland.
But the expansion of civilization stopped here.
This seemingly robust, but actually only skin-deep wall, would make any commoner's head bleed if struck. In this highland infested with magic creatures, it's really just so much posturing.
Building is always harder than destroying. The fortress constructed here by spellcasters from Far Reach, when facing magic creatures of the Earth Element, isn't much stronger than a sand castle built by children.
Therefore, the walls that can truly withstand the Arcane Surge often require each brick to be engraved with magic patterns, and even the ground must have large arrays drawn on it to avoid being directly demolished by magic.
That is what counts as a truly massive project.
Thus, in the Kingdom, the grandeur and nobility of a structure are not determined by its size or scale.
The ability to erect a frontier fortress on this highland doesn't mean that the Kingdom Army is truly capable of conquering this place.
While they've reached the station, the aftermath of the previous grueling march still lingered, so the few decided to rest at the station first.
With nothing better to do during rest, the Hero and several female adventurers continued to chat.
"Did you say the quest you saw involves investigating the highland's water source anomaly?"
As reciprocity dictates, since the female adventurer shared the precious information about the Reverse Flow Sea, the Hero did not conceal her own purpose.
"Though I've heard of border water sources being polluted, this is still my first encounter with such a case.
"But you're brave to take on that quest; crossing the highland is not something a normal person can do."
Despite the Hero's claim that she was just checking out the quest description and came up to take a look, the female adventurer's tone was tinted with teasing.
"Well, under these circumstances, the water source probably isn't the Reverse Flow Sea, it's more likely the upper stream of the rivers that flow through the city.
"Look, probably in that direction."
Prompted by the female adventurer, the Hero also realized.
She didn't think she could traverse the highland to investigate that so-called Reverse Flow Sea...
But thanks to the reminder from the female adventurer, the Hero had a rough idea of what she was going to do next.
In any case, follow the nearby river upstream, kill any goblins encountered, then investigate the water quality in foam formation to see if there's an issue, and if so, what caused it.
Having determined the next task, the Hero, who had just recovered a bit from motion sickness, had no intention of staying at the station any longer.
She bid the three cordial female adventurers farewell, shouldered her backpack, and headed towards the station's gate.
[Do the female adventurers follow?]
[The malice from the female adventurers?]
[Direction of the Highland Volcano (the higher the reading, the closer to the edge of the highland; 95+ would be Twin Volcanoes, one half in the sea)]
Without needing to present the Count's Black Card, just by showing her own Adventurer card, the Hero easily got permission to leave.
After all, beyond this station-cum-fortress lies the uninhabited highland.
After nodding to the Border Guards stationed here, the Hero stepped forward, following the female adventurer's earlier directions, towards the nearby river.
Although still somewhat dizzy and her body lackluster in strength, the Hero knew, for her, the best way to recover at the moment was not to rest in the stuffy station fortress, but to actively adapt and step into nature.
As she stepped onto the highland grass, the girl's hair color transformed into—
[Hero activates Skill: Vitality]
Nature is not your friend, nor your kin, but it will never refuse your arrival.
[Hero's recovery (Constitution d2+30, 54+ to alleviate highland reaction, 78+ to relieve dizziness)]
2d80+30=d80(72)+d80(20)+30=122
[Hero's highland reaction alleviated, Hero's motion sickness relieved]
The leading female adventurer squinted, watching the Hero take steps away from her and the others, back turned.
With each step she took, her stride became steadier and more robust.
Her stunning Sky Blue hair, too, oddly took on the hue of Emerald Green as she progressed, just like the pureness in her eyes.
As her figure diminished in size, the girl, who was staggering upon leaving the carriage, no longer exhibited signs of lethargy but disappeared from their view with vigorous and graceful steps.
She had no doubts about her own guidance; her light steps revealed the excitement in her heart.
She must be pleased about this chance encounter—probably feeling happy about meeting kind people.
"Should we follow her?"
The female adventurer, who nearly vomited to death, also came forward; her complexion was still a bit pale, but her tone had stabilized.
The leading female adventurer shook her head, smoothing out the pleased curve of her lips.
"Though she hid something, it probably has nothing to do with us."
The Hero's clumsy excuses under motion sickness probably couldn't deceive anyone,
But everyone has their own secrets, and as a Second-transformation Professional, she is certainly skilled among adventurers, and naturally won't probe into everything.
"We just need to do our own tasks."
Just as the Count said, no matter what the Hero decides or doesn't decide to do, the world will continue on its set course, and people will act according to their own will.