Chapter 45: Moving Forward Unyieldingly #2

Chapter 45: Moving Forward Unyieldingly #2

‘The darkness of the forest has vanished.’

Priest Eden looked up at the sky.

It was a strange thing.

The sorrow and sadness that had lingered in the shaded forest were melting away like snow.

He didn’t know why, but he thought it was for the best.

‘To the nameless, pitiable soul, may you forget all worldly worries and rest peacefully in the embrace of Lady Justia.’

Eden closed his eyes and prayed.

‘Perhaps she was a victim of the Lich.’

Not knowing Yuria’s circumstances, Eden could only speculate.

He explored the forest, his priest’s robes fluttering.

It seemed the Lich had already left the forest.

Although he had meticulously searched the forest for weeks, the Lich’s presence was nowhere to be found.

‘There are signs of people having been here.’

Eden discovered a cabin.

Inside the cabin, dirty furnishings were scattered disorderly, and in one corner of the backyard, there were signs of freshly dug and covered earth.

‘How strange. What were they doing here?’

Eden furrowed his brow.

He didn’t know.

Just an hour ago, Estel, whom he had been tracking, had returned here.

If Estel had lingered even a little, she might have encountered Eden here.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter. The Lich seems to have headed towards Garden after all.’

Eden concluded with certainty.

The western frontier of Garden.

Estel must be there.

Although she managed to escape the forest, Eden intended to pursue her relentlessly, like a well-trained hunting dog.

‘You’re quite busy running around everywhere, Lich. How long do you plan to keep running away?’

Eden smiled bitterly.

The Lich. An unholy being that defies Justia’s order.

Eden wasn’t just chasing the Lich because Michael had given the order.

He could not tolerate the Lich’s existence itself.

Michael had ordered him to bring the Lich back, but Eden’s thoughts were different.

‘I won’t show mercy this time. I will destroy the holy relic with my own hands.’

If he killed the Lich without permission, he would naturally be severely reprimanded by Michael.

However, Eden was prepared for that as well.

He could not allow such an unholy being to breathe and roam under this sky.

Eden clasped his rosary to his chest.

He prayed that Justia would guide his steps towards her enemy.

‘Lich, I’m also heading to Garden now. We will meet soon.’

***

The large bathhouse in the Guard Barracks.

I stood before the mirror, calming my pounding heart.

‘It’s okay. There’s no problem.’

The mirror reflected a girl wrapped in a large towel.

Her cheeks were flushed a rosy pink, and her gray hair, tied up in a bun, looked quite cute.

…Of course, that girl is me.

Although I’m describing it as if it’s someone else’s story, it’s undeniably my appearance.

‘It’s okay for Mitchell and Flora to show this appearance.’

While adventuring with my companions, I changed my mind.

I decided not to turn away from my changed appearance anymore.

My mind is male, but my body is that of a young girl.

I realized that turning away from this reality and denying it would only lead to accumulated stress.

‘The first time is hard, but I’ll get used to it quickly.’

I swallowed hard and left the dressing room.

I grabbed the handle of the steamy bathroom door and took another deep breath.

Creak.

Warm air rushed out.

Roar-

The sound of gushing water could be heard. The bathhouse was quite spacious.

It was originally a facility that only the Garden guards could use.

Because our party made a great contribution in suppressing Dawson’s rebellion, we received the full trust of the guards.

Being able to use the large bathhouse freely was one of the privileges gained from that.

“Estel! This way-“

Flora’s bright voice echoed in the bathhouse.

Flora waved her hand enthusiastically at me.

I walked towards Flora, suppressing the swirling shyness and awkwardness in my heart.

“This place is nice. And it’s free, which is even better.”

“Right? The water is clean too. The bathhouses outside have stone powder floating in the water.”

While we chatted casually, I was aware of my wavering gaze.

I could feel my cheeks getting hot.

In the end, I couldn’t help but look.

Flora was always a pure child, but her current appearance was even purer.

Flora, innocent like a baby just born from its mother’s womb.

Her raw form, with nothing hidden.

But seeing her like this, the impression was more of beauty than of sensuality.

“Estel?”

Flora tilted her head.

My expression must have gone slack for a moment.

“Senpai, I’ll join you too.”

I took off the towel wrapped around my body and dipped one foot into the warm water.

It’s still unfamiliar to reveal my naked body, but it’s just as unfamiliar to show it.

Still, it would be fair this way.

“Be careful, the floor might be slippery-“

As expected, Flora didn’t show much reaction even when I revealed my naked body.

‘Well, that’s natural. We’re both women.’

For some reason, I felt foolish for worrying so much on my own.

It’s like that with everything. The beginning is awkward, but you get used to it quickly.

In the end, it becomes routine, doesn’t it?

“Hoo-“

“My fatigue is all gone.”

Flora and I soaked in the warm bath, gazing lazily at the ceiling.

Splash-

Splash, splash.

Roar-

Mitchell’s swimming sounds could occasionally be heard from the nearby cold bath.

Glancing over, she didn’t seem to be a very good swimmer. She was just making a lot of noise with a pose resembling a frog’s hind leg kick.

For some reason, I felt cheerful.

My body was melting warmly in the hot bath, and the thoughts filling my mind gradually disappeared.

‘Whether male or female, none of that was important.’

I finally realized it.

I’m me. That’s all.

Everything depends on one’s mindset.

Flora and I spent our time leisurely in the hot bath.

“I’ll scrub your back.”

Flora wrapped a shower towel around her hand and clapped.

Flora’s touch on my skin was still awkward, but I’ll get used to this too, eventually.

The naked Mitchell approached and stroked my head.

“Kid, doesn’t it feel great and refreshing to wash up? Right?”

“I haven’t not washed. We just haven’t washed together.”

“Oh, you’re playing word games again-“

Mitchell sat next to me and poured water from a basin over her own head.

Indeed, seeing each other honestly without any pretense felt like a layer of emotional barrier had disappeared.

‘Can I confess to them someday?’

My secret, which I couldn’t speak and kept hidden.

That I’m a Lich.

That I’m a stranger from another world.

Of course, I still need to prepare myself mentally.

I had a feeling that my companions would generously understand even my secrets.

‘Maybe they’re all so foolish they won’t think anything of it.’

I thought optimistically, which was unlike me.

‘Well, everything will work out somehow.’

With my body relaxed from the warmth, it was hard to engage in serious contemplation.

It was a peaceful time, something I hadn’t experienced in a long time.

***

The streets of Garden, freed from the tyranny of the Vigilantes, were vibrant with life.

Adventurers walked the streets with renewed confidence, and the faces of the residents were bright.

“Everyone has become so beautiful, I can barely recognize them.”

Wagner stroked his beard and laughed heartily.

Our party, after bathing, was fair and white.

Even Wagner.

“Even when covered in dust and looking disheveled, you were all beautiful, but now that you’re clean, I’m reminded anew that you are all beauties.”

“Wagner, you’ve changed a lot after bathing too! You look like a fluffy bear.”

“Flora, can I take that as a compliment…?”

Wagner narrowed his brows, unsure.

He knew Flora’s innocent remarks held no malice, but that’s precisely why they sometimes stung more.

“I shaved my beard and washed up, but I’m still a bear…”

Wagner’s shoulders slumped. Mitchell patted Wagner’s waist.

“Why are you so glum? Bear, you look much better than when you were dirty, so lift your head.”

“Is that so? Thank you. Mitchell, you are beautiful too.”

“Huh? W-what’s with the sudden compliment?”

As if she hadn’t expected such a reaction, Mitchell blushed.

Mitchell’s lips twitched as if she was about to say something, then she closed her mouth again.

‘There’s a subtle vibe between them.’

I looked back and forth between their faces.

As the party leader, I always need to carefully observe the relationships between party members.

Is there a possibility of a new relationship forming between them?

It’s still uncertain. But since there’s a possibility, I should observe calmly for now.

‘If there’s any sign of it, I’ll have to interfere.’

Our party has a no-fraternization policy.

I absolutely cannot stand to see them acting lovey-dovey.

“This coffee milk is delicious! It’s even better after bathing!”

Flora’s eyes widened.

The coffee milk we’re drinking is a new menu item from Garden Cafe, Threesome Place.

The cafe owner smiled with satisfaction.

“Estel, thank you. The new menu is a huge hit. I never imagined the combination of rich, sweet coffee and milk, but thanks to you, Estel, I discovered a new combination.”

“I’m glad the response is good.”

“Why don’t you become our cafe’s consultant? Estel, you clearly have a talent for culinary research!”

The cafe owner seemed genuinely enthusiastic, as if he truly believed it.

Of course, I couldn’t take that compliment at face value.

Coffee milk isn’t something I developed; it’s just a menu item that already exists in reality.

I merely provided the recipe.

This was a truth the cafe owner could never know.

“Well, thinking about it, it’s probably impossible. Estel is the most popular adventurer in Garden right now.”

“Oh, come on-“

“Really. Everyone is grateful that you defeated the wicked Dawson.”

The cafe owner nodded several times, and his daughter beside him also offered a warm smile.

If I hadn’t cooperated in suppressing the Vigilantes, that daughter would have been dragged into the underground cave and reduced to a mere outlet for depraved desires.

Countless people were saved thanks to my efforts.

I feel a sense of rewarding accomplishment.

“From now on, you don’t need to bring your wallet when you visit our cafe. We’ll treat you to everything for free, anytime, anywhere.”

“Really? Then I’m grateful.”

“Of course, the same goes for Estel’s party members. It’s only natural to treat our benefactors this way.”

The cafe owner and his daughter, full of enthusiasm, kept bringing out dishes until there was no more space on the table.

Pancakes, sandwiches, cookies and toast, coffee and tea…

They were refilled endlessly, and they tasted even better because they were free.

As we were leisurely enjoying the cafe’s food until we were full.

“Oh, the food here looks pretty good, doesn’t it? It looks delicious.”

I felt eyes on my back.

A man and a woman were looking at the food on our table over my shoulder.

“Well, it’s presentable. For a backwater town.”

A young lady with eyes like a fox’s pursed her lips.

A middle-aged man wearing an eyepatch glanced at the woman.

“Don’t keep saying ‘backwater town.’ You shouldn’t be prejudiced from the start.”

“But it’s true, isn’t it? Even the smell is different. Walking around here, I feel like my nose is going to rot.”

“Be quiet and let’s just sit down.”

The middle-aged man took the woman and sat at another table.

‘Those guys are definitely-‘

Although they look like casual tourists at first glance, they are not.

They were faces I recognized.

‘They’re veteran adventurers from the Adventurer’s Guild.’

Jack and Maria.

They are classified as named characters in “Nine Stars” as well.

I also know the reason they came to Garden.

‘The Adventurer’s Guild qualification exam is about to begin.’

Finally, the opportunity I had been waiting for had arrived.

It’s time to leave Garden and move on to a bigger world.