Moreover, upon closer inspection, it’s wearing knee-high socks.

What are you doing, seeking an absolute territory during battle?!

“Anyway, I’ve managed to get my equipment ready, so shall we go?”

I stopped by the stable and explained the situation to Alex, who was playing with Persio.

According to Alex, he was just desperately avoiding being kicked when he tried to pet it, not playing at all.

Though, his face sure looks relaxed…

“Persio, I need you to take me to the basilisk in the forest. Can you do that for me?”
“Neigh!”

Persio spread his wings and neighed.

That means it’s a yes, right?

Huh? Isn’t this a little different from before?

“The wings have increased!”

When I came here, there were two wings, but now, um, there are four!

“Well, now that he’s been named Persio.”

The Ermine nodded in agreement.

“Is there that much of a difference when a name is given?”
“When an individual is recognized by the world as that specific being, yes.”
“The world…”

It sounds like an epic tale is unfolding, but I don’t quite understand.

…Well, whatever.

Alright, let’s hop on the carriage and go!

Once we all boarded the carriage, it didn’t take long before we arrived at the forest.

As expected of a named pegasus! We got back to the forest even faster than when we went to Lints Town!

As I dismounted from the carriage, I praised Persio wholeheartedly.

Taking Zeke’s advice, I stroked his neck, and he squinted his eyes happily.

“Alright, I’m off now, Persio.”
“Neigh!”

After unhooking the harness attached to the carriage, Persio flew into the sky.

According to the Ermine, he should come back when called, so it would be nice if he leisurely strolled around in the sky while we defeated the basilisk.

“By the way, the basilisk is a monster with the upper body of a chicken and the lower body of a snake. It has a beak and claws that can petrify, and um, if even a scratch is inflicted, it turns to stone from that point, right?”
“That’s right. You remembered well.”

I mean, a monster that combines a chicken and a snake is quite impactful.

I also thought it was a relief that it wasn’t like Medusa, where you turn to stone just by making eye contact.

“The King Snake had poison, so I wonder if snake-like monsters generally have poison.”
“That’s right. You should be cautious of poison from monsters that have a snake form. Of course, there are monsters without poison, but in the case of mutant types, they often possess poison.”

As we progressed down a path wide enough for a single carriage to pass through, Zeke explained.

Hmm, I see.

So, be cautious of poison from snakes.

“What’s a mutant type?”
“It refers to monsters that have stronger abilities than normal ones. Monsters that are slightly larger or have different eye colors are likely to be mutants.”
“So, that means they’re really strong monsters?”
“Exactly.”

In that case, I guess I need to be careful too, but then I realized I don’t even know what kind of monsters they originally are, so that might be impossible.

…For now, I just need to defeat every monster I encounter. I’ll do my best.

I immediately began visualizing throwing a spiky newt from my wrist while following Zeke.

Behind me were Ermine, Cloud, and Alex.

“The basilisk has a territory, so if we go near where Herbert was attacked, it should come out from there…”

After walking for a while, Zeke stopped and looked around.

Huff, huff.

Zeke, Zeke.

We’ve walked quite a bit, so I think it’s time for a break.

Huff, pant.

“Zeke. The little one is reaching her limit.”

Alex called out from behind.

My legs are fine, but my calves and thighs are starting to hurt.

Of course, I’ve been cooped up at home doing nothing but alchemy. I’m definitely out of shape and sore.

“I’m not little! But can we please take a short break?”
“Sorry, I didn’t notice.”

We decided to take a short break, massaging our thighs and calves.

Ah—. I’m thirsty too, but I don’t have anything to drink.

“That’s it. I’ll drink a potion.”

This is also a drink, after all. Maybe it will help with the muscle soreness.

I quickly took it out from my wrist and chugged it down!

“Wow. The muscle soreness is gone!”

Since Zeke and the others must be thirsty too, I handed them a potion.

My stamina is restored, so now I’m ready for whenever the basilisk shows up!

Perhaps because I was thinking about that, I heard rustling from the bushes, and a gray chicken emerged from there.

“Watch out, it’s the basilisk!”

Zeke and the others immediately entered a combat stance.

So, this is the basilisk…

Its face is definitely that of a chicken, but isn’t it a little too big?!

It’s about the size of a foal!