episode_0026

Three Months Later

I had a dream. A dream where I became incredibly strong and could overcome everything without Aria’s help. A dream where I overcame hardships with Aria and finally succeeded in exploring every corner of the world. Of course…

“…Damn it…”

Opening my eyes, I realized it was a dream and cursed. After all, such things could only be achieved in dreams. As I told Aria before, life doesn’t go as I think it will. I tried to become stronger to avoid getting Aria’s help as much as possible. However, as if she had read my mind, Aria also tried to become stronger. As a result, the difference in our strength remains unchanged.

“Ugh… I need some fresh air…”

Feeling stifled by the dream I just had, I went outside for some air. Ah… By the way, I should probably explain where I am first. This is a small village near Pharen Forest. Three months have passed, and the reason I’m still in Pharen Forest is that I haven’t been able to explore various parts of Magrion because I was trying to take Karina to Kartun. So, for three months, Aria and I traveled to all the places we hadn’t visited. From caves yielding blue gems to hills with beautiful scenery. Thanks to that, we were able to explore most of the Magrion region, but the problem was…

“…I can see everything, Aria…”

“Oh my? You caught me? Hehe…”

I said, looking up at the second floor. Aria was hiding behind the window, constantly watching me. Aria’s habit of never taking her eyes off me hadn’t changed at all. In other words, I was still living under Aria’s overprotection. Moreover, perhaps because I had asked Aria to rescue the stranded people in Pharen Forest until now, rumors about Aria grew, and thanks to that, Aria mistakenly thought that I, not she, was becoming famous. So, I guess you could say her condition has gotten a bit worse…

“Sigh… I wonder what everyone else is doing…”

“Oh my? Aren’t you the Black Saintess-nim’s porter!”

“Huh? Oh, Ma’am.”

The landlady of the inn where Aria and I were staying happened to spot me while tidying up the surroundings. The reason she called me that was because Aria had successfully gained all the fame instead of me. Thanks to Aria, I was known as a common porter.

“What were you doing here?”

“Just stretching a bit. It’s morning, after all…”

“Oh dear… What if the Saintess-nim is attacked by a ruffian while you’re out!”

“…”

I almost stopped acting for a moment. Honestly, having seen Aria pummel monsters bare-handed for three months, I knew that statement was absolutely nonsensical. But Aria was known as a frail but kind-hearted, good Black Saintess who healed others, which was why the landlady was saying such things. I’d seen Aria catch wild boars bare-handed without even using a staff… How was I supposed to react?

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah… nothing. I was just thinking about what items the Saintess-nim might need.”

“Oh my… Ah! The item the Saintess-nim asked you for the other day… This is it, right? I happened to overhear.”

“Huh? Oh, yes, this is it. Thank you.”

Oh, good. To be precise, it was an item I needed, not Aria. It was a map detailing what was around the Magrion region. Carrying a map of the entire Krentid World was quite inconvenient.

“Oh, you’re welcome! Thanks to the Saintess-nim, our husband recovered, so we’re the ones who are grateful…”

What she meant by that was… When Aria and I first arrived at the inn, the landlady’s husband had fallen off a cliff and injured his leg. So I asked Aria for help, and she healed him. Hmm… Speaking of that, it just made me wonder… If these people knew it was my request, not Aria’s own will, how would the rumors about Aria change?

“We plan to depart today. Thank you for your hospitality.”

“Oh, please tell the Saintess-nim to come again anytime. Then…”

“Yes, thank you.”

Still, talking to someone feels refreshing. Of course, it’s a bit bothersome having to act to keep Aria’s true nature a secret. I can roughly imagine how all the Saintesses of Krentid World would react if they knew Aria was strong. I sighed deeply, opened the inn door, and there…

“Zeeeeeeeeeeke-nim! This morning’s breakfast is Garuda Steak, just how Zeke-nim likes it!”

“…Uh… thank you, but… why is the meat shaped like…”

“Hehehe…”

The meat was heart-shaped. How could she cut meat like that?… Honestly, it wasn’t the first or second time I’d seen it. Before, I’d often seen her cut vegetables into heart shapes too. But considering it appears on my plate every single morning… I wondered how long this would continue.

“Please eat!”

“Th-that’s right. I’ll eat well.”

Right… No matter the shape, Aria is a good cook. Honestly, no one who had tasted Aria’s cooking so far hadn’t been impressed. Karina was like that, the Riera sisters were like that, and so was Fertea… It was delicious, but…

“But are you going to keep staring at me like that…?”

“Yes…!! It’s enchanting to see Zeke-nim enjoying my food, and to see the food I made entering Zeke-nim’s body…! To think my food will become a part of Zeke-nim!”

‘…When you put it that way, is it just my imagination, or has my appetite waned?’

“Ah! I’ll bring a drink too! What would you like?”

“…Aria.”

“Yes?”

“Having received your help for almost four months, something has really made me curious.”

“Ask anything!”

“When you were the Saintess of Esrad, couldn’t you do things like this? Cooking, or… things like that.”

“…”

Ah, was I not supposed to ask that? I asked because Aria seemed skilled at cooking and could do all sorts of odd jobs… *Sigh*… Almost four months into our journey, and I haven’t grown, have I? While I worried about Aria, she quietly brought a bottle of wine from the shelf, poured it into my glass on the table, and spoke.

“No, I couldn’t. The maids did most of my work for me.”

“Ah… I see.”

“Still, by watching the maids work, I studied with my eyes how to do things in such situations. At night, I’d even try them secretly when no one was around. But serving someone else is a first for me. Even so… to think my first recipient is Zeke-nim… I truly feel so happy…!!!”

“I see. Then why did you become a Saintess?”

“Well… that’s how it is for everyone, isn’t it? It’s like my destiny was decided from birth. I was supposed to accept that destiny…”

“…Aria.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s not talk about that.”

“Ah, yes…”

I cut off the conversation because it felt like it would turn a bit gloomy. Someone else’s destiny… *Sigh*… Never mind. I sighed deeply and drank the wine Aria had poured… Wait. Wine?

“…Wine…? Ah… Aria… don’t tell me…”

“Yes?… Wine…!!! Al… Alcohol!!”

“Don’t tell me you deliberately tried to get me drunk…”

“Fuhuhuhu…”

Suddenly, Aria bowed her head and started laughing. Damn it, I was so caught up in the solemn atmosphere that I didn’t notice the wine…!! She still remembered how I got drunk after taking the Potion of Swiftness!

“Aria… you…!!”

“Ta-da!! It’s a trick! This is a wine-like grape juice that doesn’t contain alcohol, so don’t worry!”

“What?… Oh, you…”

Ah. I was fooled. Indeed, the bottle said it was a wine without alcohol content… I had been tricked by Aria for the first time… It was a light prank, but… what was this burning feeling in my heart?

“Zeke-nim. You stopped the conversation because you were worried I might get gloomy, didn’t you?”

“Huh? Uh… uh… yeah, that’s right…”

“Do you remember comforting me, even though you were drunk at the time, Zeke-nim?”

“Uh… I remember.”

“I gained hope to live when Zeke-nim said you remembered me. And until now, I’ve been receiving Zeke-nim’s love. So, even if I was confined to a secluded place in the past… now Zeke-nim is exploring the wide world with me…!”

“Aria…”

“Honestly, I’m not even thinking about exploring the world. For me, the only paradise is wherever Zeke-nim is. So, I’m in paradise right now. Therefore, Zeke-nim doesn’t need to feel pained because of me. I am happy now!”

…She had changed during these three months too. Not only had her strength grown, but her emotional wounds seemed to be healing little by little. Yes. The brighter you become, the happier I am. But…

“…Aria?”

“Yes?”

“Don’t say things like that with that expression…”

“Whaaaaaaaat?”

Don’t say such hopeful sentences with that ferocious smile, Aria… Aria’s ferocious smile hadn’t been corrected yet. But it would be, someday. Aria was a strong Saintess, but her mind was still in turmoil. Still, seeing her improve relieved me. I enjoyed breakfast with Aria, and as soon as we finished, I immediately started packing our bags. *Sigh*… But this…

“Aria. It’s glowing again, is it okay?”

“It’s fine~ It just means it’s gotten stronger due to my blessing, so don’t worry too much, Zeke-nim!”

“I understand your intentions… but this feels ominous.”

My greatsword had also changed over the past three months. Worried about my safety after the Rubdon incident, Aria blessed my greatsword every day, and as a result, my sword, filled with blessings, began to emit a yellow glow. In other words, my sword was radiating light. Well… while such a sword is said to be strong… I worried if it hadn’t become too powerful. Still, it was better than nothing. While I packed, Aria was washing the dishes.

“Alright… Is this enough luggage?… I’ve got the key. Just come out when you’re done with the dishes.”

“Yes~ I’ll hurry~”

“Take your time. This concludes our exploration of the Magrion region… We can come back to Kartun later. Next is the Criton region, which is after the Magrion region.”

“Hmm~ The Criton region? There’s a legend that it was a battlefield where angels and demons fought each other~”

“There’s a legend like that?”

“Yes~ And there are rumors of many monster nests there too.”

“That doesn’t worry me.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re here…”

“…! Zeke-nim is relying on me…! I’ll do my best… No! I’ll protect Zeke-nim even if it means sacrificing my entire body!”

“…You say that every day… By the way, is there that much to wash? It’s taking a while?”

“Yes? Ah… I’m a bit late because I’m washing yesterday’s dishes all at once. Just wait a moment and I’ll…!!!”

“It’s fine. Let’s do it together.”

Not wanting to waste time, I started washing dishes with Aria. Well… With me next to her, Aria was again making an ecstatic expression, her hands trembling. Don’t drop the dishes…

“Z-Z-Z-Zeke-nim… r-r-right next to… me…!!”

“…You stick right by my side every time we walk, so why are you reacting like this over *this*?”

“B-b-but this is a cheaaaaat…”

“…I’m sorry for being someone who doesn’t know such ‘cheats’.”

“Ehehe… Ehehehe…”

This habit also hadn’t changed at all. However, what hadn’t changed was that even after three months, this Aria didn’t bother me at all. Good. With me helping, the dishwashing finished quickly. As soon as the dishes were done, I wiped my wet hands with a towel and put on my backpack.

“Ugh… The luggage has gotten a bit heavier…”

“Yes… By the way, Zeke-nim. How much of the exploration log has been written?”

“Hmm… About 40 pages seem to be written. Shall we… depart?”

“Yes! I will protect Zeke-nim, no matter what monster comes!”

“Alright. Let’s head to the Criton region!”

I set off towards the new region with an excited heart. But the people on the street started whispering again when they saw Aria, and Aria once again began to shield me from their gazes with her entire body.

“Zeke-nim. There are many people looking at Zeke-nim today. I’ll protect you.”

‘It’s not me, it’s you…’

“Oh my… The Black Saintess-nim seems to be leaving…”

“Thank you, Saintess-nim!!!”

“Zeke-nim, it seems people have come to know your kind heart.”

It’s not me, it’s you… It’s all about you!! Ugh… I wonder how those people would react if they knew Aria was thinking this… I continued to receive Aria’s meaningless protection as we left the village. Hmm… To get to the Criton region… Is it another forest…?

“Ugh… another forest… Huh?”

I carelessly looked ahead and saw several monsters poking their heads out of the bushes, staring at us, then fleeing. Well… they must be scared after being tormented by Aria for three months… But it was truly incredible to see even large monsters running away.

“…Aria, what kind of training did you do, anyway?”

“Hehe… It was nothing! But I wonder if the Criton region is also in winter, like the Magrion region?”

“Hmm… I did bring short-sleeved shirts. Tell me if you get hot later. I’ll take one out and at least let you wear my short-sleeved shirt…”

“I’m hot right now…!!!”

“…Your intentions are too obvious, Aria…”

You just want to wear my clothes…!! When I absolutely refused, Aria clicked her tongue and turned her head away. It wasn’t like it was a waste… Ugh… If someone even worse than Aria appeared, would I be able to handle… No. Aria would probably chase that person away before anything. The reason I hadn’t found any other companions so far was because Aria strongly disliked the idea of me having more companions. Karina was an exception because she had saved my life when I was in danger.

“Alright… What is famous in the Criton region… First, there’s Ogphosphoria, a rocky area with beautiful night scenery, and Probeliytu, a forest with giant trees… Hmm? This place isn’t connected to the sea. And it says elves live in Probeliytu, where the giant trees are.”

“Elves…?!”

“Yeah. Elves live there… Huh?”

Why did her face suddenly darken? Wait, elves…? Ah, right. I heard that elves are a race with many beautiful women. Their beauty is said to surpass humans. So Aria… is she worried she might lose me because of those elves?!

“Let’s skip Probeliytu…! I don’t think there’s any need to go to such a place!”

“…Why? Are you afraid you’ll lose to the elves?”

“…What?”

“You were thinking you’d lose me to an elf, weren’t you? So you think you’ll lose to the elves…”

“W-what are you talking about! There’s no way I’d lose to an elf! Fine! Since it’s come to this, I’ll show you I can win! Let’s go to Probeliytu!”

…So I was right. But I don’t intend to stay in the elf village in Probeliytu either. That would put exploring on the back burner… It’s a needless worry, Aria. Hmm… Anyway, what else is there? Oh… There’s also Croa Spring, where spirits gather. And a place where fairies gather. It seems my dream of going to villages or cities inhabited solely by other races might come true in the Criton region!

“It seems hardly any humans live here. Elves, spirits, fairies… Indeed, if it’s a continent-only region, many such races would live there.”

“I see. Then where will you go first? Surely not Probeliytu…”

“*Sigh*… I’ll probably go there first. That village is on the way…”

“…Why is that village close at a time like this?! Ugh…”

“…You confidently said you’d win just a moment ago… Haha… Hmm…”

I unconsciously looked back. It was because of the things that had happened in the Magrion region. Indeed, I had met many people in the Magrion region besides Aria. There were some bad things, but… more than that, there were many different connections that made it enjoyable. I’ll come back later, Magrion region. Because I have to keep the promises I made with Tess and Karina.