Ch.110The NPC Takes a Leap of Faith. (3)

I always seem to shrink into a little ball whenever I have important conversations with Ragni.

But honestly, don’t you think it’s ridiculous that I’d spend 30 minutes on questions this simple?

To be blunt, questions 1 and 2 aren’t particularly difficult or uncomfortable to answer.

The problem is question 3: why I want to enroll Ira in this academy.

My reasoning is based on the game from my previous life, but making Ragni or Ray understand without mentioning my reincarnation would be quite difficult for anyone, not just someone with an intelligence stat of 6 like me.

In other words, I spent most of my mental preparation on question 3.

“So, the consciousness remained in the [Spirit King’s Fragment]. And because we solved the task you were commissioned to do, the [Supreme Spirit] contracted with Ira as payment?”

“Nice summary. Smart people really are good at summarizing, huh?”

I definitely explained it in a long, rambling way, but Ragni showed her understanding by condensing it into something brief and concise.

Her lack of surprise—is that because she’s a genius? Well, anyway, this should take care of questions 1 and 2, right?

“…Truly, there’s never a dull day with you. The Spirit King? Its consciousness commissioning you? Just who are you? Are all Ponia forest keepers like you?”

“Huh? Are you surprised?”

“Why? Did you think I wasn’t surprised just because I didn’t make a big fuss about it?”

Oh? She summarized everything so neatly that I thought she wasn’t surprised, but she’s just shaking her head at me as if I’m being ridiculous.

“Look, Jack? I’m almost always surprised when I’m with you. At this point, I’m wondering how I should even react to more surprises. The [Spirit King]—I know about it from books—is the supreme being of all elemental spirits on this continent of Eight. My master and husband is a man who converses with this transcendent being, receives commissions from it, and even gets paid for it. How could I not be surprised?”

“Hmm, I guess so?”

Even with Ragni talking like that, she really doesn’t look surprised outwardly, which makes me feel rather indifferent. Come on, even if it’s surprising, isn’t it just a case of ‘what a complicated life’?

“Sigh. That’s what you call a response? You kill field boss-level monsters alone without telling anyone, you defeat one of the Seven Deadly Sins demons by yourself, and you easily crush elite imperial assassins while dragging along deadweight like me. Knowing you’re the type who would casually use force against the academy’s headmaster and vice-principal—practically the strongest powers in this neutral city—I’m just pretending to be calm. Want to know what I honestly think looking at you after hearing all this?”

“Uh? Um, what do you think?”

Suddenly Ragni lays out everything I’ve done up to now and sighs as if it’s truly absurd, making even me flinch.

Wait, when you list it all out like that, it does sound pretty impressive, doesn’t it? I’m just running away from continental crises, but my record looks rather spectacular.

“…Jack. Do you know about the [Savior] that the [Holy Theocracy]’s scriptures talk about?”

How could I not know? That’s the protagonist and player character. Of course, I can’t explain that to Ragni, so I just nodded in response.

But wait a minute. Surely not…

“You can see other people’s [Skills], you possess inhuman strength, and even without intending to, you’ve protected countless people in Aigram, and now you’ve saved suffering children in Neti. Now you’re even saying you’ll save the [Spirit King]. If you’re not the [Savior], then who is?”

“No, that’s a misunderstanding. And because of me, there was a monster parade in Ponia…”

“That was just karma catching up to them. I’ve even heard that Ponia has recently started improving working conditions for lower-ranked citizens like forest keepers. And honestly, the claim that a monster parade occurred in the Ponia mountains while you were gone is quite far-fetched. If you were single-handedly holding back monster-parade-level forces for years… it really makes me wonder if you’re some special existence chosen by the world.”

…No. No way. I just reincarnated, and I’m nothing more than an NPC forest keeper.

Wait, am I special? I did start with level 300, and my HP is higher than most bosses.

But that’s it! Me, a player character? No way!!

Yet Ragni was so serious that I tried to laugh it off, but my face just twitched as if having a spasm.

Please, no! I’m not the player character!! The player is right beside…!!

“J-Jack, sir.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“I-is everything you just said true? Y-you defeated one of the Seven Deadly Sins demons alone, k-killed field boss-level monsters… Did you really speak with the [Spirit King]’s consciousness?”

Miho, the beastkin who had been keeping her head down—the one who should be in the player character position—asked with a trembling voice.

Come to think of it, I’ve been traveling with her for quite a while but haven’t told her anything, and now she’s heard it all.

“Just pretend you didn’t hear anything.”

“Right, that’s not the only important thing right now. You, save your unnecessary questions for later. And don’t go talking about this elsewhere. We’ll have you sign a confidentiality agreement later.”

“*gulp*”

After our scolding, Miho swallowed hard and nodded slightly. Hmm, that was a mistake. Maybe I should have just sent her somewhere else?

But Ragni cut off this topic and asked about the next question.

“So. Why does our amazing husband want to put his beloved little sister in this dangerous academy?”

In the game, this was where NPCs could change class to mages, especially [Sorceress], but I can’t really explain that.

Ragni already sees me as something like a protagonist or player character. If I add reincarnation to that?

It would be no different from just admitting, “Yes, I think I am the [Savior].”

Of course, I am absolutely, never, DEFINITELY not the savior or protagonist!! I’m just a forest keeper trying to escape from the world!!

“Actually, I heard at the Ponia Guild…”

So I decided to lie completely. A classic Korean move—the “I heard that…” approach!!

“…and so, they say you can learn the [Teleport] spell by studying at this academy.”

“I see. So that’s your only purpose?”

“Yes. As you already know, Ira is the most precious person in the world to me, so for her safety, I’ll invest everything—money, time, whatever—in her. Even if…”

“Even if there are threats at the academy. If the benefits Ira gains outweigh those threats, you’ll throw yourself at the dangers and ensure her safety. Is that what you’re saying?”

“As expected of Ragni! When I tell you one thing, you understand ten…”

“Enough. Don’t flatter me. Anyway, I understand what you’re saying. And you there, don’t go spreading what we discussed here. We’ll have you sign that agreement when we get home. Understood?”

Hey, I was complimenting you! Why are you so prickly? I’m hurt, you know?

“Y-yes!”

But my explanation seemed to satisfy Ragni, as she silenced Miho and didn’t ask anything more.

After that, we had a normal conversation about Ira’s exam and how she might “pass” the practical test later.

We ended up sounding like doting parents bragging “Our daughter is amazing!” But honestly, my sister really is extraordinary.

She’s a smart village girl with the endorsement of this genius princess.

Plus, I’ve helped her gain practical experience and level up sufficiently, so I can’t imagine her losing to anyone.

While waiting for Ira’s written exam to finish…

“…So you’re Jack, the gold-rank adventurer.”

“Yes, I am Jack.”

A middle-aged woman with blood-red hair—much darker than Ira’s bright hair—approached me with sunken eyes that suggested she hadn’t slept for days.

At her appearance, Ragni’s face contorted more severely than I’d ever seen before.

Well, we all expected her to approach us, but I didn’t think she’d come before the written exam even ended.

That’s a bit unexpected.

“I believe you know who I am, but I’ll introduce myself. My name is Neti Naika. I am the person in charge of this city and the headmaster of the academy. Could you spare me a moment of your time?”

It seems our children’s mental education has been quite effective—her previously arrogant attitude has completely disappeared, and she bowed her head to me, speaking in a voice that sounded like she might collapse at any moment.

*

As Jack walks away to talk with the middle-aged woman, the headmaster, only Miho and I remain at the practical exam site.

I never thought I’d be alone with this woman again. Well, I won’t be caught off guard like before, but I still can’t help feeling a bit uneasy.

“L-Lady Ragni.”

“Just call me Ragni. What is it?”

“…R-Ragni. Is everything that was said earlier really true?”

Looking at Miho, who’s asking nervously, I sigh. Can’t she just drop it? Jack is already quite stressed because of her.

“Why? Is there a problem if it’s true?”

“N-no, that’s not it…”

This beast-like woman who used to act selfishly, ignoring others and behaving rudely, now appears quite timid, but honestly, I feel neither sympathy nor trust for her.

After all, she’s a pervert who likes women despite being a woman herself. Who knows when she might change again?

Besides, our group consists of quite beautiful women, and like Jack, I also feel she doesn’t really fit in with us.

Moreover, I’ve heard from Jack that she might become an obstacle for Ira and the rest of us.

“U-um, does Jack have any magic power…?”

“No, he doesn’t. You can tell just by looking at him. Why are you asking?”

When I respond curtly, Miho lowers her eyes and starts fidgeting with her fingers.

Because Ira calls me “big sister,” I’ve been acting like I’m giving this woman a chance, but honestly, I dislike her.

My body and heart already belong to Jack, and this woman touched my body without permission. There’s no way I could like her.

“…Y-you might already know this, but…”

“Oh, come on! Stop stammering and speak clearly. What is it?!”

*Flinch!!*

When I snap at her, she looks like she’s about to cry, her golden eyes welling up as she trembles.

How did Gorr train this woman to become so timid? Originally, I was the victim and the weaker one, but now our positions are completely reversed.

I’m almost tempted to ask Gorr to teach me his training techniques directly, not just his skills. Miho is trembling like a puppy, squeezing her eyes shut as she finally speaks.

“Th-the thing is…!! Actually!!!”

And what she said immediately reorganized my thoughts, which had been pleasantly drifting around Jack and Ira-related topics.

…No way. Really?

“Is there any lie in what you just said?”

“…N-no. I-I’m telling the truth. So…”

“Enough. Don’t tell anyone about this. And don’t show any signs of knowing it either. Understand?”

“Eek!! Yes, yes!! Yes!!!”

When I glared at her and lowered my voice, she nodded vigorously as if she’d seen a predator about to devour her, and I reorganized my thoughts once more.

‘No way, really? But… certainly, half of what Jack just said was a lie. If this woman is right, then truly…?’

Jack mixed lies into his explanation about Ira, thinking I hadn’t noticed, but I know even when I don’t want to know.

I can understand anyone’s behavior patterns, movements, and thoughts just by watching them briefly. How could I not recognize the habits and actions of the man I love and want to keep in my sight every day?

However, if it was something he wanted to hide even from me, I had planned to simply not ask and not show any signs of knowing.

But…

“…Jack, what star were you born under?”

Based on the information synthesized from Miho’s words and my existing knowledge, I think I’ve inadvertently figured out what he’s been trying to hide all this time.

As I watch Jack raising his hand toward the red-haired middle-aged woman at the edge of the exam site, I find myself looking at him more tenderly than ever before.