Return Journey (2)

Honestly, there’s not much to security measures when camping on the road.

Just drive short stakes around the campsite that reach up to about ankle height, tie thin, barely visible strings between them,

and hang security bells or other noise-making objects at intervals along the strings – that’s all there is to it.

This much is usually enough to catch careless bandit groups. Low-intelligence monsters are even more obvious.

Of course, if we’re dealing with assassins who are determined to take our lives, these security measures would naturally be meaningless, but I doubt anyone would be bold enough to send assassins after Ethan.

“There are no forests or mountains nearby, and no villages or territories in the vicinity. I doubt any bandits will show up.”

“I think so too, but I still believe we should properly set up security measures.”

“Yeah. Of course we should. Just in case.”

As Ethan said, there probably won’t be any bandits, and at most some low-level monsters might appear, but it’s always better to be prepared to avoid losses later.

Moreover, according to the “Security Measures Statistics” someone posted on Lua Gallery, there’s a significant statistical difference in encountering danger when camping with security measures versus without. Needless to say, the side with measures was statistically safer.

In other words, even though it’s a hassle, setting up these security measures reduces the likelihood of unnecessary danger, so there’s no harm in doing it.

‘Though in the game, I often skipped it because it was annoying.’

Driving stakes and tying strings and bells felt like tedious manual labor, and by the mid-game, security measures became meaningless as I grew strong enough to not need them.

Whether monsters or bandits appeared, fighting one or two battles was much faster in terms of playtime than setting up security stakes.

And bandit raids were decent farming events, so I often deliberately didn’t set up measures. Especially when camping with Silena, the named bandit “Elf Hunter” that appeared was great for efficient farming.

Of course, now that this world is reality, I have no intention of doing such reckless things that gamble with lives. Moreover, our camping group today includes Isabelle, a non-combatant.

If I neglected security measures and Isabelle lost her life to bandits or monsters, I’d never forgive myself.

The same goes for Ethan… though given how strong he is, there’s little to worry about him being attacked.

As I drove stakes into the ground one by one, encircling the campsite in a wide ring, I reached into my pocket to pull out a dagger to cut the thin rope for the security device-

But instead of the thin hilt of my usual silver dagger, I felt the slightly thicker grip of another sword in my hand.

Wait, could this be…?

“Ah.”

“What’s wrong, Lilith?”

“…Nothing.”

“…Isn’t that the dagger you picked up during the spar with Luke last time?”

“……I apologize, but yes.”

The dagger Seraphine gifted Luke, which I kept to provoke him during the evaluation match.

I only just realized I’d forgotten to return it, and a sigh escaped my lips unintentionally.

I really meant to return it. I even visited the academy church twice.

But they said emergency patients couldn’t meet anyone except guardians until fully recovered. What was I supposed to do?

I couldn’t just casually entrust someone else with returning Luke’s property-Seraphine’s gift-so I ended up bringing it all the way back with me.

‘…This makes it look like I actually stole Luke’s dagger.’

Surely Seraphine wouldn’t call me a thief the moment we return to the academy.

Well, given Seraphine’s personality, she probably wouldn’t say that, but she might still be disappointed.

I’ll just have to hold onto it carefully to avoid misunderstandings and return it as soon as the semester starts.

“You’ll return it, right, Lilith?”

“Yes, of course-“

-Swish.

“…I will.”

But it cuts really well. Must be because it’s from Princess Mountain.

Compared to the one I got from the border count’s daughter, there’s a noticeable difference in quality…

“…You’ll return it, right, Lilith?”

“…Of course, Young Master Ethan.”

“If you need a new dagger, I’ll buy you one. There aren’t any blacksmiths in Blackwood territory, but there are skilled craftsmen in nearby territories.”

“…Yes, Young Master Ethan.”

I wonder if those craftsmen are skilled enough to make a dagger like this one, which Seraphine personally commissioned for Luke.

I didn’t voice that thought to Ethan.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

Late at night. When everyone was asleep.

By the time the Time Stone’s display passed the number 1, the only light left was the campfire at the center of the campsite and the moonlight in the night sky.

Despite it still being late summer, the night had grown chilly, and I warmed myself quietly by the flickering campfire.

‘This is boring.’

Well, I expected as much, but standing watch alone is incredibly dull.

I was trying to read a book I bought from the Island of Knowledge by the campfire’s light, but reading in dim, flickering light tends to break concentration.

After struggling to focus, I finally gave up and quietly closed the book in my hands.

I could boldly learn a spell like “Eternal Flame” now that I’ve mastered Mana Chains and advanced from first-tier to second-tier support magic, but…

I’m still not past level 10, and wasting skill points just for reading isn’t an option.

The 1,000 EXP I got from defeating Luke in the evaluation match still leaves me a bit short of reaching level 11.

Wasting points carelessly and not having them when I really need them would be the worst.

As I absentmindedly poked the burning campfire with a stick, lost in thought-

…Suddenly, I sensed an unexpected presence behind me.

“…Young Master Ethan?”

“How’d you know?”

“It wasn’t so much knowing as hoping. I’d rather it be Young Master Ethan than bandits or monsters.”

“…Sorry, did I scare you?”

“I wasn’t scared. But please be more careful next time. If I’d mistaken you for a bandit, I might have reflexively attacked.”

“…I’ll be more careful.”

“No. It was my fault for not noticing.”

I’d checked the tent just ten minutes ago-when did he sneak up behind me?

I must have been too focused on trying to read to notice him leaving the tent.

Not even noticing the tent opening right in front of me proves that reading on watch is a terrible idea.

“Why are you awake already? Your watch shift isn’t for another hour.”

“…Just couldn’t sleep.”

“Come to think of it, you couldn’t sleep deeply for the first few days in the academy dormitory either. You must not handle unfamiliar sleeping arrangements well.”

“No, that was because Lilith… no, never mind.”

What did I even do? What does his insomnia have to do with me?

Lately, misunderstandings have been spreading about things I didn’t even do, and I’d rather not hear baseless accusations from Ethan too.

Especially since I’ve been supporting him in every way possible-even physically-it feels unfair.

“Are you accusing me of something when you know I’ve been handling your raging libido almost every two weeks?”

“N-no! That’s… really nice-I mean, I’m grateful, but…”

“Just four days ago, I even let you touch me without any conditions, all because you made excuses about being worried about your match with Natalie.”

“W-well, it was because you seemed upset after the spar with Luke…?”

“What?”

“N-never mind! …Th-thanks for letting me touch you, Lilith…”

“Good that you know.”

Well, I only allowed it because I didn’t want to see Ethan lose to Natalie.

Even though Natalie was my favorite in my past life, now she and I are just first- and second-year academy students with no real connection.

Meanwhile, Ethan and I have grown up together since childhood, so we’ve built up a complicated mix of affection and irritation.

It’s not strange that I’d root for Ethan over Natalie now.

“…Hey, Lilith.”

“Yes, Young Master Ethan.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Hmm?”

“It might be a bit of a sensitive question for you to answer right away.”

“……”

Why is Ethan suddenly acting so serious again?

In a moment that felt like a heroine’s confession event in the game, Ethan cautiously posed his question to me.

Unsure how to respond to his demeanor, I hesitated briefly, the crackling of the campfire the only sound filling the silence.

“What is it, Young Master Ethan?”

“…Do you still have any bad feelings toward me?”

“Huh?”

“I… don’t remember leaving a good impression on you when we were younger. I kept bothering you while you were busy working, pulling stupid pranks, doing things you hated, like sexual harassment.”

“……”

“I was wondering if you’re still angry at me for what I did back then.”

…After building up the mood, this is what he wanted to ask?

If I was still holding a grudge over things that happened years ago?

Of course, I’d long since forgotten about those incidents. It wasn’t until Ethan mentioned them that I even remembered they happened.

Honestly, I wasn’t even mad about the sexual harassment back then. I just hated how he kept interfering with everything I did, making my life difficult.

Already frustrated, getting poked in the butt and taunted while I was in too much pain to move was the last straw.

It’s been years, and Ethan has visibly reflected and grown since then, so holding onto that grudge would be pathological.

I simply told him I wasn’t holding onto any resentment from back then.

“No, I’m not holding onto anything from back then.”

“R-really?!”

“It’s been years. I was definitely angry at you back then, but not anymore.”

“Th-that’s… good to hear…”

Why is he so concerned about my opinion when he’s my master and I’m his personal maid?

What would he even do if I was still holding a grudge? Venting personal grievances in front of a duke’s heir is something I only did that one time.

As I thought this, I turned my gaze back to the campfire and tossed another log into the flames.

Ethan, sitting beside the fire, called my name again and spoke cautiously.

“…Hey, Lilith. There’s something I want to say.”

“Then say it.”

“I… want you to listen seriously.”

“……Huh?”

…What? Is this really a confession event?

No, why would Ethan suddenly confess to me?

But the mood felt oddly like it was heading that way, making my heart flutter with confusion.

Unaware-or perhaps aware-of my thoughts, Ethan took my hands in his and spoke earnestly, as if about to confess.

“I hate beating around the bush, so I’ll be direct.”

“…Young Master Ethan? Calm down and think this through-“

“Lilith. After we graduate from the academy, would you…?”

-Jingle, jingle, jingle…

“……”

“……”

Just as a seemingly pivotal, serious conversation was about to unfold, the sudden ringing of bells reached our ears.

At this hour, there are only one or two possible reasons for that sound.

In the heavy silence, a single emotion surged in my mind.

‘Fuck, I jinxed it.’

No wonder it felt weird the moment the flags started popping up.