Chapter 55: Starting today, I’m becoming an SSS-Class Villainess Adventurer! (3)

“…Are you leaving already?”

“Yes. There’s somewhere I need to go for a bit.”

“Though it was a short time, it was enjoyable company, Lin.”

Rio’s party, having finished their brief companionship.

Bids a reluctant farewell to Lin, who is leaving due to other business.

“Let’s party up again next time! Promise?”

“Yes. Anytime, if the opportunity arises.”

Though there was an inexplicable, instinctive warmth they felt,

They were even more reluctant because Lin had assisted the party with all sorts of useful alchemy and magic.

“Well then.”

And so.

Rio’s party and Sara part ways, waving.

Around the time they disappeared from sight, Asmodeus speaks to her.

“So, how was it?”

“Unexpected. Usually, the eldest son is more outstanding.”

Sharing a conversation only they understood,

She once again processes what she learned about Rio.

“He inherited more than I thought.”

“In that case, isn’t there no need to see the daughter?”

“No, still, I have to confirm.”

More than anything, Lin,

Was enough for that Leona to choose death.

With meaningful words,

Sara fiddles with the payment received from this journey.

She was inwardly excited at the thought of observing new and diverse items, tossing a small gold coin in the air.

“Huh? You’re not going to meet her right away?”

“She’s the governor of this town anyway, right? Just in case. It’s not too late to meet her after enjoying this town as much as I can.”

From a food stall that had arrived just in time,

Sara orders the most delicious-looking menu item and chews it thoughtfully.

“And, before that, I need to stop by my old laboratory once.”

“Huh? Was there one here too?”

“Well, I made them in all sorts of places.”

Sara, having licked clean even the sauce on her fingers, gets up from her seat.

“Well then. Shall we go meet my cute inventions?”

The long vacation was over.

Heine, who had confiscated my precious jeans in the meantime, mended them and returned them.

The jeans, which had been close to tight skinny jeans, returned to me with a slightly more ordinary feel.

No, it’s fine for the receptionist to show half her chest in front of everyone.

But to have to wear a single pair of jeans after such strict inspection….

Fortunately, it was before I had applied any enchantments.

Otherwise, a major catastrophe might have occurred.

Because once an enchantment is applied to a weapon or clothing, if its original form is lost, the bestowed magic effect also vanishes completely.

“So, this is alright then?”

“…Yes. Do as you please.”

Heine, with an expression of half-resignation, when I asked for final confirmation.

Honestly, to me, there seemed to be little difference before or after the additional mending, but apparently, there was a subtle nuance.

At first, I wondered if the pants were the problem, but seeing female adventurers wearing leather pants, it seemed the crucial part was how explicitly the leg line was revealed.

‘Mhm, mhm, as a dignified and elegant villainess, I must maintain proper decorum.’

‘I’ll have to be careful from now on.’

“But… are you really going to be okay alone?”

“Fufu, of course, Heine. Didn’t you see? At the guild earlier, I received a D-rank right from the start, no less!”

Adventurers have ranks.

Starting from the lowest F-rank, through E-rank, D-rank, all the way up to A-rank.

A few beings beyond the scope of ordinary people are sometimes given the embellishment of S-rank, but it’s not an official rank.

The village was gradually starting to run stably.

I thought it was about time to start experiencing real combat, if only to prepare for entering the Academy, which is rife with all sorts of incidents and armed conflicts.

And so, equipped with jeans and a cowboy hat, symbols of a desperado, and a leather holster at my waist, I stepped onto the adventurer debut stage.

“By the way, don’t you think you have too much equipment…”

Added to that, a broomstick for transportation.

Potion bottles and ammunition tucked into my belt and bag.

And my beloved sword, Cheonhwa (Thousand Flowers), worn behind my back.

To Heine’s point that there was no sense of unity at all,

And that the equipment was all too haphazard, I wagged my finger.

“Listen carefully, Heine. This is an equipment selection based on meticulous design.”

“Yes, yes…”

First, I slowly explain the philosophy behind the order of potions tucked into my belt.

Heine, who would usually focus on my stories, for some reason, answered perfunctorily, looking tired.

‘Well, lately, she did seem very busy with paperwork….’

‘Then, for Heine’s sake, shall I just explain this very simply and finish?’

“At first, I was very worried too. Left hand and right hand. Which one should hold the revolver, and which one should grip Cheonhwa.”

“That must have been a real dilemma for you.”

“Exactly! Of course, I’m a pro villainess who can use both hands freely, but still, I felt I had to decide this for sure.”

“Of course. That much needs to be certain.”

“As expected of my Heine. I knew you would understand. Anyway, after much deliberation, I decided to handle everything with just my right hand, shall we say…. This part is a bit long to explain, though.”

“Both a gun and a sword with your right hand!? Wow, that’s amazing. As expected of Lady Lin!”

“H-Heine…? Are you perhaps tired of my story…?”

“Huh? Oh, no way. Stories like whether Lady Lin holds her weapon in which hand or not, which are completely inconsequential, I’m so, so eager to hear them, you know?”

‘Was it that day…?’

For some reason, I felt that way.

Because there was no way a story about a right-hand dominant deployment design, based on a double-bluff to make it unclear whether I’d use rapid revolver fire or a quick draw, could be uninteresting.

There was no way Heine, who was warm-hearted even if she occasionally scolded me, would exude such a frightening atmosphere.

“Haa…. I’m sorry, Lady Lin. I was just worried about you…”

“Yes, yes!? I wasn’t scared at all…!? There’s no way a pathetic young lady who gets scared by her own maid e-exists, right…?”

As I fidgeted, glancing at Heine, she apologized with a small sigh.

Hearing her story, it seemed that I, who was trying to explore Abel Forest, which was practically a trauma for her, alone, was already making her very worried.

And yet, I, the person in question, was just grinning happily, talking about weapons and equipment, so she had momentarily lost her temper.

“…I’m sorry, Heine.”

“Lady Lin….”

“As your master, I should have considered your feelings more.”

Indeed, considering Heine’s position, I feel it was understandable.

Just like she’s hugging me warmly now, Heine is a child who respects and is loyal to me so very much.

At first, I planned to set off alone to find new ingredients, but considering Heine’s feelings, I decided to change the plan a little.

“So.”

“Yes.”

“Are you asking me to let you join my party now?”

And so.

I decided to take over the party of my younger brother Rio, who had returned from exploring the forest.

Just as Heine worried about me, I was also worried about my weak younger brother.

As an older sister, to look after our Rio,

And to collect the rare ingredients from the back of the notebook that I had postponed,

I was planning to start practical training in preparation for the Academy.

However, knowing Rio’s personality, it was obvious he would throw a fit, absolutely refusing.

In this case, using the authority of an older sister to crush him at once would be most effective.

“…Alright. Understood.”

“Of course, you don’t have a right to refuse, so it’s no use saying no… …Eh?”

“The next departure is in a week.”

“Huh…?”

‘Wait… huh?’

‘Why is he being so compliant today?’

Wondering if he had perhaps eaten some strange poisonous mushrooms in the forest, I wave my palm in front of Rio’s eyes.

Then, a noogie, just like usual, flew at me, and it hurt so much.

“I see. Young Master Rio…”

“Young Master knew that Lady Lin’s adventurous spirit could never be stopped, so he decided to protect her firmly by his side instead.”

“Young Master…!”

Rio’s three party members are moved, each in their own way.

‘No, no, no, that can’t be it, can it?’

‘No doubt, he’s just planning to show off by catching low-level monsters like goblins next to me.’

‘Still, it means he also has a desire to travel with this older sister, deep down.’

‘He’s being rather cute for a change, isn’t he?’

‘Fufu, it can’t be helped.’

‘This older sister, who even instantly killed a King Troll—Exia disposed of it—will protect you, so you don’t have to worry about the upcoming journey at all, shall we say.’

‘Even if it gets a little dangerous, Kiriel and Exia will protect everyone. Yes.’

Meanwhile, all three companions are girls.

Even though he became an adult after his birthday this year….

Rio, this fellow, just how much of a playboy is he?

As an older sister, I really can’t help but worry.

“Well then, shall we get going?”

“Yes!”

“Today, we’re going to get the rare ingredients Lady Lin said she wanted to collect, right?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

The day of departure.

Rio and his party members, who had gathered early, are energetic.

Excluding only me, they look incredibly harmonious.

‘Huh?’

‘Did I, perhaps, butt in without being aware…?’

‘No… right?’

‘Because I’m the older sister of Rio, the party leader!’

‘There’s no way I’m a tactless nuisance who suddenly barges into a party that was already enjoying an adventure together and acts like the boss, right?’

“It would have been nice if Lia was here too.”

“But she said she had other business.”

“I hope we can meet again.”

“Huh? Lia?”

Just then, an unexpected name pops up.

Lia, the protagonist of the story within a story that Cain was reincarnated into.

Wondering why on earth she would appear here, I quickly ask.

But listening to the story, she seemed very far from a saint and rather like an alchemist, just like me.

Apparently, it was just a simple case of having the same name.

‘Well, of course….’

‘Just like Michael, Lia setting foot on the colonial continent is something that happens only after the main story.’

And so, following the former party leader Rio, I begin the full-scale exploration.

For reference, the class arrangement has Rio as a warrior in the lead.

The other party members consisted of a ranger, a healer, and another warrior.

With two warriors, the front line certainly looks solid.

However, their ranged attack capability is a bit ambiguous, shall we say?

It’s inevitable to feel uneasy with just one ranger.

And right there, this nefarious desperado young lady makes her entrance!

With a single revolver fanning, she unleashes magical firepower that can instantly kill six enemies.

And was that all?

Lately, thanks to mastering the secret alchemy technique of instant enchanting—it only temporarily bestows magic, it doesn’t last—she could also greatly boost the party members’ confidence.

“Stop. Orc pack.”

Rio, who was in the lead, gives a hand signal.

If I used Kiriel and Exia, I could subjugate an orc pack of that size anytime, but then there would be no adventurer’s romance.

Of course, if it seemed even slightly dangerous, I would use them immediately.

Besides, with Dinavel around, it’s hard for unexpected situations to occur in the first place.

In other words, there were no problems regarding safety.

I was also curious about Rio’s party’s skills.

So here, I decide to follow Rio’s instructions for now.

“They haven’t noticed yet.”

“Young Master, shall I shoot?”

The party members each offer their opinions.

Rio, after a moment’s thought, assumes a combat stance and then permits a preemptive shot.

“Just a moment.”

Before her ranger companion snipes the leader,

I cast an instant enchantment on her bow and arrow.

‘Fufu, how about that?’

‘High-level alchemy like this isn’t something you can see just anywhere, you know?’

And so.

After bestowing the instant enchantment, I observe the party members’ reactions.

“Ah, thank you.”

…Huh?

Why is their reaction so lukewarm?

This… is an instant enchantment, you know?

Even alchemy books said it wasn’t a skill just any alchemist could perform….

That’s right.

Originally, when reincarnated into a novel, whenever one uses some special skill, the surroundings are bound to be astonished.

And indeed, it had been like that until now.

But why?

Why are they showing such a lukewarm reaction?

Rather, a dissatisfied look….

No, beyond that, it feels like there’s even a sense of pity, as if thinking, ‘Ah… her skills are still very lacking.’

Thwip!

While I was thinking this and that inwardly,

The leader of the orc pack is pierced by an arrow and dies.

Rio, not missing the chance while the orcs are in disarray, cuts them all down.

“…Eh?”

Surprisingly.

My older brother was much stronger than I thought.

Of course, it was thanks to my instant enchantment on his sword, but even considering that, his movements were quite skillful.

“…? Why are you standing like that?”

“Fufu, isn’t it perhaps because the Young Master was much stronger than the Young Lady had thought?”

The party, chattering away after quickly subjugating the small orc pack.

Their attitude suggests that this level of work is very much an everyday occurrence.

“Pant pant….”

One of the elite puppies I brought on the adventure nuzzles its head against me comfortingly.

‘No, don’t comfort me!’

‘I can do that much too, you know!?’

“By the way. What is this? This shoddy enchantment.”

“What… did you say?”

Just then, Rio complains that the enchantment I cast was shoddy.

Other things aside, I cannot forgive anyone criticizing my alchemy.

And in reality, it was an instant enchantment of considerable skill, by no means inferior.

“Rio, do you even know how amazing a technique this instant enchantment is?”

“Instant enchantment is a basic technique.”

“…Ha?”

“You pestered me so much, so I brought you along, but…. This won’t do, after all.”

Let me say it again,

The enchantment I just performed is not a skill any alchemist can use.

Even enchanting by hammering for a long time isn’t something anyone can do.

Let alone instantly.

With just a wave of the hand like this…!

An alchemist who can bestow an enchantment effect, even if only for a short while…!!!

“Does it look common anywhere!?”

“The party member I met briefly last time could not only multi-enchant but also rust enemies’ weapons.”

“Don’t lie! That’s almost the final stage of enchantment techniques, you know!? In terms of mages, that’s at least 7th circle level! Why would a high-level alchemist like that be in a place like this!?”

“She said she was a magitech scholar, not an alchemist.”

“It’s the same thing, you know!?”

“Anyway, she said that much is a basic level of alchemy.”

“Uuuugh…!”

How much he wanted to tease me.

Rio suddenly starts making up a fictional super-genius alchemist and comparing me.

Just hearing about it, her skills are on par with Sara Flask, the very first magitech scholar.

‘If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable!’

Even his companions nod their heads, joining in on the clumsy lie.

Ah, I see.

He’s definitely trying to find fault with me in this ridiculous way to lock me up in the village again.

‘You betrayed me, Heine…!’

‘Others might, but you, of all people, I believed without a doubt that you were on my side, so why…!’

“Of course, that fellow’s skills were good. But no matter how I think about it, your alchemy is at best at a basic level.”

“What nonsense is that…. Didn’t you see people lining up at my smithy…?”

“Hmm, right. Let me correct myself. Your combat alchemy is less than basic.”

“Why did the evaluation go down even further!”

I needed results.

Something eye-catching right now,

A definite result that would shut up even Heine and Rio, who were trying to block my adventurer’s dream.

“Really? Then did that previous party member have a weapon like this?”

“…What is that?”

“Ah, she didn’t? This is an ex~tremely basic magitech weapon, you know? Hmm, I see. She didn’t have one, huh?”

And so.

Me, taking out the new weapon slung on my back with both hands.

The hefty weight was truly exquisite.

“Grrr…. There it is! Avenge our fallen brothers, we will!”

“Young Master! More orcs…!”

“Th-There are too many…!”

Prey that arrived just in time.

At such a truly opportune moment, I quickly loaded the weapon held in both hands.

“Everyone, stand back! You too, behind me…!”

“Hmph. Rio, you just watch.”

“What? W-Wait…!”

Before Rio’s hand could reach me, I quickly hopped onto my broomstick.

Standing on the broomstick with practiced balance, the orcs all look up at me in unison.

Pop!

Pulling the trigger, a grenade flies with its characteristic sound.

The grenade, falling soon after, collided with the orc pack.

BOOOOOOOOOOM─!!

With an enormous explosion,

It turned them into ashes in an instant.

“You… what on earth is that?”

“Grenade launcher.”

And so, I,

Completely triumphed in the contest against the previous party member named Lin.