Of Course!!

Somehow, it still feels like I got it wrong, but I did my best to call Julius-san’s name with all my strength.

Maybe I should’ve shouted, “I love you,” while I was at it? ...Well, it was probably just some kind of charm, so whatever.

After making a sort of wish that I’d get back safely, I started walking again.

...I slipped on the slope, caught my foot on branches, jumped at the sound of birds taking flight, and fell over again and again. Battered and bruised, I pressed on through the trackless wilderness—

“E...eep...”

A snake thicker than my shoulders glared at me—big enough to be called a giant serpent.

It looked like it could swallow me whole, and it seemed more than ready to try. Please don’t.

Maybe it was a monster? Four horns jutted from its head, and its blood-red eyes glinted fiercely.

(I can’t possibly beat it in a fight...! I have to run...!)

Trying not to provoke it, I quietly backed away to put some distance between us...