episode_0253

The morning meeting ended somewhat aimlessly after adding a few points to be careful of in the Witch’s Forest.

Ketmyajosyegwati and Serista, along with Seraphine, were planning to head to the northeastern Great Plains in two days, while I and Edan, with Agnes joining us, were going to the southwestern Witch’s Forest in four days.

A letter from Ketmyajosyegwati mentioned that we would arrive first to help Lara, and then a week later, Ketmyajosyegwati and the others would arrive to proceed with the main event.

Knowing the rough development of Lara’s episode, I could easily understand the progression. After all, the first-week exam wouldn’t be too difficult. Even without the hero and Serista, the three of us could manage just fine.

“In the end, we’ll catch both rabbits.”

From the perspective of the players of ‘Luminor Academy,’ it might have been a greedy play that could have backfired, but as long as we succeeded, we would gain support from both sides and two unique items, so the return was certain.

Since the hero had mentioned heading to the Great Plains with Serista and Seraphine, at least we would definitely finish the Liria episode before returning.

There was a slight possibility of things going wrong if I intervened with Lara, but Ketmyajosyegwati, who had chosen the Liria route, would definitely finish that episode and return.

I wasn’t particularly worried about Seraphine accompanying us. Besides her future sight ability, she was a political and diplomatic cheat key, so there was no reason to worry.

“Once this episode is over, this tiresome saint play will finally end.”

Honestly, the only time I had properly used my power as a saint was during the MacHeart subjugation, but I didn’t feel any regret. I didn’t really need such a troublesome power in the first place.

Wealth and power only brought obligations and responsibilities, so passing on this bothersome power to Serista and returning to being a regular person, A, was the most ideal future for me.

With the schedule set, the departure date was just one day away, leaving a floating feeling in the air. Since there was no need to hunt monsters or practice magic in the Imperial Capital, these ten days naturally became a vacation for me, Edan, and Agnes.

As we walked back to our private quarters on the second floor from the meeting room, Edan casually asked me about the schedule for the remaining days.

“Lilith.”

“Yes, Lord Edan.”

“We agreed to leave in four days, but do you have any other plans in the meantime?”

“No, my schedule is generally based on Lord Edan’s schedule, so nothing is set.”

“…I see. But last night at the social gathering, you participated as my noble partner, not my maid, right? How about living as a normal noble lady for a few days instead of my maid?”

“As a commoner, it sounds more like a joke than a suggestion to me, Lord Edan.”

“…Hmm, is that so?”

Well, I roughly understood what Edan was getting at.

During our stay at the Star Palace, it seemed that Edan wanted Lilith, his exclusive maid, to act as Lilith Rosewood, the eldest daughter of the Rosewood Marquisate, for a few days.

Finally, it was a vacation, so Edan must have meant for me to enjoy a break from my duties and position. Although in terms of status, being a lower noble or a Blackwood maid might seem similar, I decided to overlook that part.

“Still, it’s tiring to address everyone in a formal tone all the time. Since everyone already knows that Lillis is the Viscountess, they probably won’t pay much attention even if you don’t do maid duties.”

“Alright, Edan. If you say so, I’ll try to relax for a while.”

“…You say you won’t do it, but you change your stance quickly.”

“I was actually planning to ask for permission to go out tomorrow. I was worried about leaving your side while doing maid duties, but if I do this, I won’t need to ask you before going out.”

“Go, go out…?”

Edan was suddenly flustered upon hearing that I would be going out.

Was he planning to do something else with me tomorrow? But if that’s the case, there’s no reason to cut short the vacation, right?

“Is there a problem, Edan?”

“If Lillis says she’s going out on a rare vacation, I don’t really have a reason to stop her, but… Can you tell me where you’re going tomorrow? Not in a weird way, I’m just curious.”

“I’ll probably go to the market. The journey to the Witch’s Forest isn’t exactly short, so I’ll need to buy supplies and tools for a two-day camping trip.

Originally, I was planning to ask Princess Seraphine for some help, but she’s going to the Northeastern Plains with Prince Machart right after finishing his funeral, so it would be a bit too much to burden her with my request.”

“Ah, I see. That’s the kind of outing it is…”

“Besides that, I’ll prepare rations, nuts, spare clothes, and a perfume that repels bugs in case I stay longer in the Witch’s Forest. Of course, if I think of any other necessary items, the list might grow a bit longer.”

“You’re thorough in your preparations. It’s as if you’ve been to the Witch’s Forest several times.”

“…I’m just trying to have the essential items for the journey.”

After saying this, my excuse felt awkward. Should I have just said that I saw the future of going to the Witch’s Forest with the Saint’s powers?

After hearing my entire story, Edan seemed to be calculating something in his head, nodding a couple of times before suddenly expressing his intention to join the schedule for tomorrow.

“Then, can I come along too?”

“Huh?”

“I should prepare rations and spare clothes too. It’s better to go together than to go alone.”

“Oh, it’s okay. I was planning to prepare Edan’s rations and spare clothes from the beginning. I know your clothes sizes too.”

“In that case, we should go together even more. I can’t just leave everything to you and have fun by myself, right?”

“But, there will be a lot of luggage…?”

“Then we’ll need someone to carry the luggage. That’s a reason to go out together, right?”

“….”

…Come to think of it, is that so?

When doing maid duties, it had become a natural routine for both of us to take care of our share of work, but thinking about gathering three days’ worth of rations all by myself didn’t seem so easy.

No matter how much Seyi helps with wind magic, there must be limits. Sally is a fire spirit, so she won’t be of any help.

The moment the thought of Edan carrying his share of the luggage crossed my mind, I realized that we could comfortably move around with just one person’s worth of luggage.

“Good, Edan. Let’s do it that way then.”

“Sure, Lillis. After breakfast tomorrow morning then…”

“Oh, by the way, Agnes also needs to prepare food and change of clothes, right? Should we all go together like this tomorrow?”

“….”

“….”

Edan, who suddenly stopped talking and looked at me with a stiff expression, and Agnes, who seemed uninterested as if she was discussing something unrelated to herself, but then looked at me with a puzzled expression at my words.

Feeling puzzled by the sudden change in atmosphere, Agnes let out a sigh with an incredulous expression.

“…Hah, are you really doing this on purpose every now and then to confuse me?”

“Me?”

“Never mind, I’ll prepare separately. I’m not so clueless as to intrude on someone else’s date.”

“Date? What date?”

“Well, isn’t it? Your master, who is not a nobleman between a lord and a maid, suggesting to meet outside as equals, isn’t that a date?”

…Oh.

Wait. So, is that really what it is?

“A date…?”

“Lillis, you really are a fool, aren’t you?”

“….”

“One is a fool who only knows how to be a maid, and the other is just a fool. Fools really do get along well.”

With that, Agnes made an absurd expression towards me and Edan and entered her room next to mine, which was her own lodging.

As she disappeared, only Edan and I were left in the awkward atmosphere of the second-floor corridor.

“Was it really a date request, Edan?”

“…Yes.”

“I’m sorry, I was clueless.”

“It’s okay. I kind of expected it. I thought it would be okay even if I didn’t think of it as a date.”

“I see…”

“…Did you plan to reject the date, Lillis?”

“Oh, no. I wouldn’t do that… Edan and I are temporary lovers, so we can go on a date anytime…”

“…I see. Well, see you at mealtime later, Lillis.”

“Yes, Edan.”

As soon as we realized the concept of a date, the atmosphere quickly became awkward, and in the end, Edan and I couldn’t exchange a proper conversation until the next day.

…I guess we just have to keep it normal like the last date. Just normal…