Moving forward without giving in #2

 

‘The darkness of the forest has disappeared.’

The priest Eden raised his head and looked up at the sky.

It was a strange thing.

The sorrow and grief that had been lingering in the shady forest was melting away like snow.

He didn’t know why, but he thought it was fortunate anyway.

“Poor, nameless one, forget all the worries you left behind in this life and rest in peace in Justia’s arms.”

Eden closed her eyes and prayed.

‘Maybe he was a victim of Richie’s attacks.’

Eden, who did not know Yuria’s circumstances, could only guess that way.

He explored the forest, the hem of his priest’s robe fluttering.

It seemed like Richie had already left the forest.

I searched the forest for weeks, meticulously and obsessively, but Richie was nowhere to be found.

‘There are signs of people coming and going.’

Eden found a cabin.

Inside the cabin, dirty household items were strewn about in a disorderly manner, and on one side of the backyard, there were traces of freshly dug and covered dirt.

“That’s strange. What were you doing here?”

Eden frowned.

He didn’t know.

Just an hour ago, Estelle, whom he had been chasing, had returned here.

If Estelle had been a little more relaxed, she might have run into Eden here.

“Well, that’s fine. It looks like Richie is headed to Garden.”

Eden concluded with confidence.

Garden Western Frontier.

Estelle will be there.

Although they had managed to escape the forest, Eden, like a well-trained hunting dog, planned to chase them for as long as possible.

“You’re quite busy running around, Mr. Rich. How long do you plan on running away?”

Eden smiled bitterly.

Richie. An unclean being who defies the order of Justia.

Eden wasn’t chasing Richie just because Michael ordered it.

I couldn’t tolerate Richie’s very existence.

Michael ordered Richie to be brought back, but Eden had other ideas.

“This time, I won’t spare you. I’ll destroy the reliquary myself.”

If you kill Richie without permission, you will naturally be severely punished by Michael.

However, Eden was prepared for even that.

We cannot allow such an unholy being to breathe and roam under this sky.

Eden clutched her rosary to her chest.

I pray that Justia will guide you in the footsteps of Eden against your enemies.

“Mr. Rich, I’m heading to the Garden now. I’ll see you soon.”

***

A large bathhouse inside the guard barracks.

I stood in front of the mirror, trying to calm my pounding heart.

‘It’s okay. There’s no problem.’

In the mirror, a girl with a large towel wrapped around her body was reflected.

Her cheeks are rosy and her gray hair is tied up, making her look very cute.

⋯Of course, that girl is me.

I’m describing it as if I’m talking about someone else, but it’s an undeniable aspect of me.

‘If it’s Mitchell and Flora, it’s okay to show this kind of behavior.’

As I went on adventures with my companions, I changed my mind.

Now I’ve decided not to turn a blind eye to my changed appearance.

The mind is male, but the body is female.

Because I realized that turning a blind eye to this reality and denying it would only lead to more stress.

‘It’s hard at first, but you’ll get used to it soon.’

I swallowed hard and left the locker room.

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

Squeak.

A blast of hot air blew in.

Kwaaaa—

I could hear the sound of water gushing. The bathroom was quite spacious.

Originally, it was a facility that only the Garden Guard could use.

Because of our great contribution in suppressing Dawson’s rebellion, our party gained the full trust of the guard.

Being able to use the public bathhouse to one’s heart’s content is also one of the privileges gained through this.

“Estelle! This way-“

Flora’s bright voice echoed through the bathroom.

Flora waved her hand at me.

I walked towards Flora, suppressing the shame and awkwardness swirling inside me.

“This place is nice. Even better is that it’s free.”

“Right? The water was clean, too. The bathhouse outside had rocks floating in the water.”

While we were chatting casually, I became aware of my wavering gaze.

I felt my cheeks getting hot.

In the end, I ended up watching it.

Flora was originally a pure child, but the one in front of me now was even more pure.

Flora is as innocent as a baby just born from her mother’s womb.

A raw appearance with nothing hidden.

But when I actually met her, I got a stronger impression that she was beautiful rather than vulgar.

“Ms. Estelle?”

Flora tilted her head.

For a moment, my expression seemed to have relaxed.

“Senior, I’ll go in too.”

I took off the towel wrapped around my body and soaked one foot in warm water.

It’s unfamiliar to see a naked body, but it’s equally unfamiliar to show it.

Still, it would be fair this way.

“Please be careful when coming in, the floor may be slippery-”

If you think about it, it’s only natural, but Flora didn’t react much even when I showed my naked body.

‘Well, I guess so. Since we’re both women.’

Somehow, I felt like a fool for worrying alone for so long.

Everything is like that. The beginning is awkward.

In the end, it’s bound to become a routine thing.

“Hoo-”

“All my fatigue has disappeared.”

Flora and I soaked in the hot tub, lazily staring up at the ceiling.

slam-

Oh my, oh my.

Quaa—

Occasionally, the sound of Mitchell swimming in the nearby cold water could be heard.

A quick glance revealed that he wasn’t particularly good at swimming. His frog-like, awkward posture made a lot of noise.

Somehow I felt cheerful.

My body melted warmly in the hot water, becoming tired, and the distracting thoughts that had been filling my head gradually disappeared.

‘Whether it was a man or a woman, it didn’t matter at all.’

I just realized it now.

I am me. That’s all.

It all depends on your mindset.

Flora and I spent some leisurely time in the hot tub.

“I’ll push your back.”

Flora wrapped a shower towel around her hand and clapped her hands.

Flora’s hands still feel awkward on my skin, but I’ll get used to it soon.

A naked Mitchell came over and stroked my head.

“Little one, it feels so good and refreshing to wash up, doesn’t it?”

“I’ve never not washed. I just didn’t wash with him.”

“You’re nitpicking again-”

Mitchell sat down next to me and poured a bucket of water over his head.

Indeed, when we face each other with our naked bodies and honest selves, it feels like a layer of the wall in our hearts has disappeared.

‘I wonder if I can confess to them someday.’

My secret that I couldn’t tell you and kept hidden.

That I’m rich.

That I am a stranger from another world.

Of course, you still need to be mentally prepared.

I had a feeling that my colleagues would be generous enough to understand my secret.

‘Maybe they’re all fools and don’t think much about it.’

I thought optimistically, which is unusual for me.

‘Well, somehow everything will work out.’

It was difficult to think seriously with a body that was tired and relaxed.

It was a peaceful time that I felt after a long time.

***

Freed from the tyranny of the vigilantes, the streets of Garden were full of life.

Adventurers strode down the streets with renewed vigor, and the faces of the residents brightened.

“You’ve become so beautiful that no one can recognize you.”

Wagner chuckled, stroking his beard.

Our party was pale and white after the bath.

Even Wagner.

“She was beautiful even when she was covered in dust and dirty, but now that she’s washed so cleanly, I think she’s beautiful all over again.”

“Mr. Wagner, you look so different after taking a bath. You look like a fluffy bear.”

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

Wagner frowned, his eyes narrowed in thought.

I know Flora’s innocent words are not malicious, but that’s why they sometimes hurt even more.

“I shaved my beard and washed myself clean, but am I still a bear?⋯.”

Wagner’s shoulders slumped. Mitchell slapped Wagner on the waist.

“What are you sulking about? Bear, it’s still better than not washing at all, so straighten your shoulders.”

“I see. Thank you. You’re beautiful too, Mitchell.”

“Huh? What, what all of a sudden?”

Mitchell blushed, perhaps not expecting such a reaction.

Mitchell’s lips twitched as if he was about to say something, then he closed them again.

‘There’s a subtle current flowing between the two of them.’

I looked back and forth between the two people’s faces.

As a party leader, you need to always carefully observe the interpersonal relationships between party members.

Is there any chance that something new could develop between the two?

It’s still unknown. However, there’s a possibility, so we’ll have to calmly observe for the time being.

‘Even the slightest hint of that should be sabotaged.’

Our party prohibits office romance.

I absolutely cannot stand to see the two of them flirting.

“This coffee milk is delicious! It’s even better after taking a bath.”

Flora’s eyes widened.

The coffee milk we drink is a new menu item from Garden Cafe and Threesome Place.

The cafe owner smiled happily.

“Thank you, Estelle. The new menu is incredibly popular right now. I never imagined a combination of strong, sweet coffee and milk. Thanks to Estelle, I discovered a new combination.”

“I’m glad the response was good.”

“How about you come to our cafe as an advisor? Estelle, you definitely have a talent for culinary research!”

The cafe owner seemed very enthusiastic, as if he really thought so.

Of course, we can’t just accept that compliment straight away.

Coffee milk is not something I developed, it’s just a menu item that exists in reality.

I just gave you the recipe.

It was a truth the cafe owner could never know.

“Well, come to think of it, it’s probably impossible. Estelle is currently the most popular adventurer in Garden. We can’t monopolize her at our cafe.”

“Hey, what again-”

“Really. Everyone is grateful that you took care of that villainous Dawson.”

The cafe owner nodded several times, and his daughter smiled warmly next to him.

If I hadn’t cooperated in suppressing the vigilantes, my daughter would have been dragged into an underground cave and turned into an outlet for her dirty desires.

Through my work, countless people have been saved.

I feel a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

“From now on, you won’t need to bring your wallet to our cafe. We’ll treat you to everything for free, no matter when you come.”

“Really? Then I should be grateful.”

“Of course, the same goes for Estelle and her party members. It’s only natural that we treat our benefactors this well.”

The cafe owner and his daughter were full of enthusiasm and kept bringing out dishes until there was not enough room at the tables.

Pancakes, sandwiches, cookies and toast, coffee and tea⋯.

No matter how much you eat, it’s endlessly refilled. And it’s even more delicious because it’s free.

While we were enjoying the cafe food to our hearts’ content.

“Oh, but the food here looks pretty good. It must be delicious.”

I felt eyes on me from behind.

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

“Well, it’s quite a bit more than that. For a place in the countryside.”

The girl with slitted eyes like a fox pouts her lips.

A middle-aged man wearing a blindfold glanced at the woman.

“Stop being so country, country. If you’re already prejudiced, you’re useless.”

“But is it true? The smell itself is different. I think my nose would really rot if I walked around here.”

“Let’s be quiet and sit down.”

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

‘Those guys are definitely-’

At first glance, it may seem like a random tourist, but it is not.

These were faces I knew.

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

Jack and Maria.

These are the skilled people who are classified as named in “Nine Stars.”

I also know why they came to Garden.

“So that means the Adventurer’s Guild qualification exam is about to begin.”

The long-awaited opportunity has finally arrived.

It’s time to leave the garden and venture out into the bigger world.