Chapter 18: Return #2

Chapter 18: Return #2

On the outskirts of the frontier, in an Orc shaman’s hideout.

I used 420 magic stones to newly add abilities to my Reliquary.

「Increased abilities using magic stones.」

「-Stored abilities in Reliquary:

Health- 8(+4) Mana- 21(+9)

Physical Composite- 5(+2)

Magic Composite- 13(+7)

Faith Composite- 0  」

Ahhh-

This is sex.

Just looking at the increased stats makes me happy.

Based on my original body’s specs, I’m still just a frail girl…

But if you underestimate me based on my appearance, you’ll be in for a rude awakening.

If I summon the hidden abilities stored in my Reliquary, I’m already well above average among frontier adventurers.

And on top of that…

「Gained new skills through accumulated experience.」

「-Dagger Mastery Novice

-Evasion Mastery Novice

-Destruction Magic Novice

-Frost Magic Novice

-Pathfinding Novice

-Harvesting Novice」

「Received aptitude bonus.

-Destruction Magic leveled up to Novice Level 2.

-Frost Magic leveled up to Novice Level 2.」

My performance in the underground waterway was converted into experience points, adding many useful skills.

In “Nine Stars,” honing skills is just as important as stats.

Even if Destruction Magic is only Novice Level 2, its destructive power increases by a whopping 25% compared to having no skill.

Good.

I’m growing smoothly, like a ship with the wind in its sails.

This is probably thanks to being able to monopolize the Ratmen in the underground waterway without interference from other adventurers.

However, there is one minor problem…

“Khuuuk…! How could this happen again!”

The Orc shaman’s eyes widened in shock.

“Again, again! I failed again…! The ritual was performed correctly, but… why on earth?”

Well, from this Orc’s perspective, who doesn’t know the secret of the Reliquary, it must feel like pouring water into a bottomless pit, no matter how many magic stones he uses.

The Orc shaman bit his lower lip and started banging his head on the floor.

“I’m sorry, young lady- I’ve committed a sin worthy of death!”

Thump, thump.

The force with which he was hitting his forehead, without any control, was quite alarming.

I quickly stopped him, worried he might crack his head open.

If you die, who will level up my magic stones?

“Mister, calm down.”

“But how can I face the world after wasting 420 magic stones…! Including the last time, it’s 870… I have no right to live!”

That’s true.

If I had actually lost 870 of my magic stones, this Orc would indeed be unworthy of life.

I might even kill him on the spot.

However, since I haven’t actually suffered any loss, I gave him a magnanimous smile and patted his shoulder.

“Oh, don’t make such a fuss over something so small. It happens in life.”

What adventurer in the world is like this?

He’s practically the reincarnation of Buddha.

“Young lady, you have shown me mercy with your generosity… but I, Yurka, cannot forgive myself. Here, please take this.”

The Orc shaman, Yurka, began to take off the accessories he was wearing.

A necklace of teeth, a ritual dagger, a feathered belt…

Each one is a shamanic tool passed down through generations of Orc shamans.

This is unexpected.

Shamans would rather starve to death than sell the shamanic tools inherited from their ancestors.

They believe their ancestors’ souls reside within them.

“⋯Mister, please put it back. I don’t need this.”

“If you don’t accept it, I will have to live the rest of my life in shame…”

“Sigh. It’s okay, really-“

I appreciate the sentiment, but I really don’t need it.

The shamanic tools are all items specialized for Orc shamans, so they don’t offer much merit to me.

It’s the same for other races, so they don’t fetch a high price on the market.

In fact, they are practically exclusive items for Orcs, specifically shamans.

If I had to choose one…

“Then I’ll take this one.”

I picked up a strangely shaped dagger.

「Orc Ritual Dagger

-Weapon Item

-Durability 11/12

-Attack Power 7 ~ 10

-A small dagger used by Orc shamans for many years. It was mainly used to extract the fresh entrails of sacrifices during rituals. While not particularly effective as a weapon, it is imbued with spiritual power that enhances shamanic effects.

-Additional Options: 「Nature’s Unity」 「Elemental Amplification」 」

「Nature’s Unity

-Reduces the spiritual energy consumed by shamanic spells.

-Increases the effectiveness of shamanic spells.」

「Elemental Amplification

-Increases the destructive power of elemental attacks used with this dagger.」

“Nature’s Unity” is useless to me as I’m not a shaman, but “Elemental Amplification” is quite decent.

It’ll slightly increase the attack power of my main magic, Frost Sword.

“If you’re giving it to me, I’ll use it well.”

“Are you sure that’s okay?”

“Yes, it’s fine.”

“⋯Still, really-“

“Mister, if you say that one more time, I’ll get really angry.”

Only then did Yurka shut his mouth tightly.

The Orc, who looked like he had aged ten years in an instant, said with a grim expression,

“Young lady.”

“What is it now?”

“Please. Give me one more chance. I promise I won’t disappoint you next time.”

“Alright.”

I casually replied, fiddling with the newly acquired dagger.

Whether I give him a chance or not, I’ve never been disappointed in the first place…

Yurka let out a sigh so deep it seemed to sink into the ground,

and immediately closed his eyes and entered meditation.

He’s a bit pathetic. He must be angry at himself for wasting magic stones twice in a row.

But what can I do?

He’s going to fail again next time.

***

A private bathroom in the frontier rest area.

It’s a small bathroom with only one bathtub filled with hot water, but the usage fee is by no means cheap.

Bathing in the frontier is a luxury, but…

Still, Flora didn’t skimp on the cost.

She couldn’t give up this sweet time that warms her entire body, no matter what anyone said.

After taking off her clothes and folding them neatly.

She first untied her neatly braided hair and washed herself from head to toe with lather.

She wanted to soak in the hot water immediately, but Flora’s way was not to rush things.

She wanted to enjoy it leisurely, like savoring a precious piece of chocolate melting on her tongue.

After meticulously washing away the lingering smell of the underground waterway, Flora dipped her toes into the bathtub to check the water temperature.

Perfect.

Not too hot, not too lukewarm.

Finally, the moment she had been waiting for.

Flora slowly submerged herself in the bathtub,

“Kuh-“

Her body trembled at the overwhelming pleasure.

“Haa…”

Her body was melting.

She felt like she would turn into a warm lump and dissolve into the water.

Flora looked up at the steamy bathroom ceiling with languid eyes.

It had been a two-day journey, but many things had happened.

There were thrilling adventures, and moments of chilling crisis.

And then…

She saw a genius.

“My teacher was right.”

Flora murmured languidly.

“The world is vast. There’s an amazing child. Was my teacher like that when they were young?”

Estel.

Flora’s first junior.

If you teach her one thing, she learns two, no, ten.

A child more mature than her senior, herself.

Truly, a talent bestowed by heaven.

“But teacher.”

Flora stirred the bathwater with her hand and recalled Estel’s face.

Sharp yet soft,

cold yet warm,

A strange child that cannot be easily described in a single word.

“That child… seems somewhat precarious.”

She had vaguely sensed it.

The hidden secret deep within Estel’s heart.

The high walls built as if to strictly refuse entry to others.

“I want to be of help.”

She didn’t want to leave her alone.

She had a premonition that if she did, that intelligent child might wither away uselessly before she could even bloom.

This is a premonition that is close to prophecy.

Flora herself cannot explain it properly, but the premonitions she feels so clearly always come true.

Poo-

Flora scooped up the warm water with her palm and wet her face.

Water droplets trickled down her clear skin.

If she becomes closer to that child someday,

if the thick wall around her heart crumbles a little.

Perhaps they could even bathe together.

It would be wonderful if such a day came.

Flora let out a small sigh and stretched her legs out over the bathtub.

***

Back in the barracks.

“Oh, you defeated the Ratmen of the Underground Waterway. And only the two of you?”

The Guard Captain nodded with satisfaction, looking at me as if seeing me for the first time.

⋯How strange.

That smiling face, I’ve seen it somewhere before. It looks like someone I know.

It must be my imagination.

“I was worried, but perhaps I underestimated you. You have great skill.”

「Defeated monsters in the Underground Waterway, contributing to the stabilization of the Garden Western Frontier. Merit points increased by 1204.」

The message appeared the moment I finished reporting to the Guard Captain.

This completes the first stage of the subjugation quest.

‘As expected, this route is the best for accumulating merit points.’

There are other missions that give more merit points than subjugating the underground waterway.

For example, a large-scale “Conquest” quest to annihilate all monsters in the Garden Western Wilderness.

This quest gives a whopping 10,000 merit points.

However, it’s impossible to monopolize all those points.

You can’t defeat all the monsters spread across the vast wilderness alone, and other adventurers also participate in the quest, so you have to share the rewards.

If you share merit points with tens or hundreds of adventurers, the points per person will be at best 200 or 300 points.

In that regard, my choice was the right one.

The strategy of pioneering the underground waterway route, which no one paid attention to, and monopolizing all the rewards.

There’s no need to worry about other adventurers, nor is there a need to share the rewards.

“Captain, can I ask for a favor?”

“Tell me anything. If it’s a request I can fulfill, I’ll do my best to accommodate you.”

It seems that by continuously undertaking quests, I’ve built up trust and favor, as the Guard Captain readily agreed.

I decided to use the accumulated merit points immediately.

With a thousand merit points, I could borrow decent equipment from the armory or dispatch soldiers for assistance, but…

I already had a specific use in mind.

“I want to recruit a companion. Can you look into it for me?”

“Ah, that’s what it is. A companion. Indeed, even if you two are skilled, it might be a bit unstable with just two people.”

“Yes. I’d prefer someone trustworthy. It would be great if the Captain could recommend someone.”

I needed party members immediately.

To conquer the “Contaminated Deposit,” a sub-dungeon of the underground waterway, Flora and I alone wouldn’t be enough.

But I can’t just accept any party member blindly.

So, I decided to get a recommendation from the Guard Captain.

“Leave it to me. I happen to know a few decent adventurers I’ve been keeping an eye on.”

By using merit points, the Guard Captain provides a curated list of adventurers.

It’s like a luxury catalog of the frontier.

Although it’s only considered luxury within the frontier.

「Used 1200 Merit Points. Can recruit party members from the list of advanced adventurers in the Garden Frontier.」

I carefully reviewed the list and selected two adventurers.

***

A tavern in the center of the frontier.

Today, in this humble tavern, many adventurers are exchanging the gold they earned by risking their lives for a drink.

In one corner of the tavern, with its high ceiling, a noisy gambling session is in full swing, while in another, drunks are gathered, arm in arm, singing loudly.

It’s a bit chaotic, but the scene isn’t entirely unpleasant.

“It’s amazing- I’ve never been to a place like this before.”

Flora said, looking around repeatedly.

“Um, Estel, have you been here often?”

“No. It’s my first time too.”

“But you seem very familiar with it.”

“I’m just pretending to be familiar. Senior, there’s never any good in showing that it’s your first time at anything.”

I pulled my hood down deeper.

The world of “Nine Stars” is full of beginner hunters like jackals.

Whether it’s a tavern or anywhere else, there’s no need to reveal my inexperience to the world.

Flora nodded as if she had learned something new, then cleared her throat and adjusted her posture.

“Th-that’s right- Um- It’s nice to come to my- f-favorite- tavern-“

What’s with that awkward tone?

Why emphasize “favorite” so unnecessarily?

Flora rested her chin on her hand with stiff, puppet-like movements.

Why is she malfunctioning again?

“What’s wrong? Just act normally, senior.”

“This- is- normal for me-.”

Sigh.

I shook my head and popped a peanut into my mouth.

Thump.

But the peanut didn’t reach my mouth and fell far away.

Why is this happening? It’s embarrassing.

I shelled another peanut and, as if nothing happened, tossed it in like a regular at the tavern…

But it missed again.

The peanut bounced off the table, the wall, the floor, and rolled into a mouse hole in the corner.

“Wow, Estel, you’re good at throwing peanuts!”

“⋯.”

“I see… So these peanuts aren’t meant to be eaten! I’ll practice too. I want to throw them as coolly as Estel.”

Flora whispered.

The misunderstanding is deepening.

I pushed the peanut plate far away and picked up the adventurer profiles given by the Guard Captain.

“The meeting time is approaching.”

I chose two adventurers.

Wagner, a human warrior.

Mitchell, an elf brawler.

Our party currently consists of only two mages, so the balance is a bit skewed. This was a decision made to supplement with two sturdy front-liners.

For the record, neither Wagner nor Mitchell are particularly famous.

Then, five minutes before the scheduled meeting time.

“⋯Those peanuts.”

A voice came from behind.

Shadows fell over Flora’s and my faces.

“You’re not eating them? What a waste.”

A man with a deep, gruff voice spoke to us.

He was a man so large he could be mistaken for a bear.

Flora, thoroughly intimidated, carefully returned the peanuts to the plate.

“⋯Are you Wagner?”

“That I am.”

Wait a minute.

That mountain-like physique.

Those large hands like cauldron lids.

⋯And those pants.

Those are the pants I picked out for him.

Wagner and I recognized each other then and our eyes widened simultaneously.