Chapter 6: "I'll try using the Return magic."
"Right now, is it around late spring in this world of Edelasis?
The green is vivid, and the air is fresh.
And, the afternoon sky remains blue forever.
While thinking about returning when the sky turns red, I was picking medicinal herbs in the forest.
It's a quiet forest near the imperial capital, with light flickering through the canopy.
I reached here in no time using silver magic 'Flight,' which is much faster than 'Levitation.'
My current set includes silver magic, gathering, and enemy detection. Although there is also silver magic 'Teleportation,' unfortunately, I couldn't use it. It's a magic that instantly teleports to a teleportation array you've touched, so as long as I haven't touched any teleportation array in this world, there's no way around it. I wonder if there are teleportation arrays here.
Well, leaving that aside, it's time for medicinal herbs.
Carefully picking them one by one from the roots.
The locations where medicinal herbs grow can be roughly identified by turning on the mini-map feature embedded in my unique skill 'User Interface' through the effects of the gathering skill. After that, I match it with the knowledge of medicinal herbs that Lilias taught me, pick the grass that seems right, and put it in the item inventory. Once it's in the item inventory, the name of the item is displayed. If it's just a weed, discard it.
Picking the grass. Picking the grass.
It was a modest task.
Moreover, gathering three herbs only yields one small copper coin.
About 100 yen.
It's disheartening.
I should have the strongest combat power.
I can unleash ultimate magic or wide-area annihilation magic.
I also have plenty of combat experience.
My body moves freely, just like in the VRMMO days.
Although I haven't really fought anyone yet, there's no way I'm weak.
Why am I doing something like this?
However, just hearing about it at the guild won't make the day end.
Because I have no money.
I did manage to get the adventurer card safely.
And I accepted a gathering request as instructed.
And I'm in the forest now.
I can't afford to stay at the inn, but it seems I can have dinner.
...Sleeping, on the other hand, would be using 'Transparency' and staying under some bridge or something. Sad.
I hope someone says, 'I'll treat you tonight.' Someone must be saying that. Yeah, they surely are saying it.
...
Let's go back.
I decided to return to the imperial capital since my energy is depleted.
And, just as I was about to close the user interface, I noticed a certain magic.
It's the 'Return' magic.
A teleportation magic that allows all characters to instantly move to a preset safe location. It's available for normal use.
"Should I give it a try...?"
In the game, my return point was inside my house.
If I can return to my house.
There, plenty of items.
All-you-can-eat pizza, pasta, cake, sushi.
"Return!"
I used it.
The world changed with a swoosh, and I returned to a familiar place.
"...Kuu-chan!"
"Oh, Sera. Hey."
Surprisingly, I returned to the fountain where I met Princess Sera, the golden-haired, blue-eyed beauty of the same age. And she was by the fountain this time too.
"Ahaha, sorry for the abruptness again."
"No, it's okay. More importantly, I'm really happy to see you again! I was praying to meet you again!"
Approaching, she took my hand, delighted with a bright smile.
"So, why are you here?"
"Oh, well. I got bored with work, so I thought of going back, and here I am."
"Do you have a job?"
"I'm gathering medicinal herbs."
"Amazing! I admire you!"
"It's nothing special. I'm just barely managing to eat."
"Eating... is it. Even spirits have meals?"
"Well, yeah."
I'm in a materialized form, after all.
"By the way. If you're okay with it, how about having dinner with me? I don't think there's any problem with the arrangements."
"Are you sure? Isn't it sudden? And dinner, too."
"Siluela, there's no problem, right?"
"Yes, Your Highness. There is no issue."
"If you say so..."
"If you're okay with it, I'm grateful!"
"Well, okay."
"Then until the time comes, would you like to chat in my room? I'll also prepare delicious tea for you."
"Really? That sounds great. I love tea."
Holding hands with Sera, I walked towards the Grand Palace.
"But, you know, I'm just a suspicious person. Wouldn't it be awkward?"
"Princess Sera, is there a problem?"
"No, Siluela. There's no problem."
Siluela, the maid who stood behind, replied without any hesitation.
"If you're okay with it, there's no issue. His Majesty even said that if Ku-chan comes again, we should offer the best hospitality, whether it's morning, night, or midnight."
"...Is that okay?"
I asked Siluela.
"There is no issue. We have received His Majesty's words."
"Then it's decided."
Free food.
Nothing beats that.
Father is equal to His Majesty, well, I somehow understood that, so let's not worry about it.
Because, honestly, I'm hungry.
"By the way, yesterday, Siluera, were you okay? Sorry for causing trouble."
"There is no need for an apology. I am not bothered. Moreover, I showed an unsightly sight last night, and I deeply apologize."
The Grand Palace, seen up close, was magnificent and huge enough to make me look up in awe. Guards stood on both sides of the entrance. Both of them looked strong.
"These are Ku-chan-sama and Princess-sama's precious friends."
"Hai!"
Introduced by Siluera, the guards easily let me through. Is it really okay that easily? I thought, but well, if it's okay, it's okay.
We entered Sera's room.
While sipping the tea Siluera brewed, we chatted about various things.
"I was really surprised. Sera, you suddenly started taking off your clothes. I didn't know what to do."
"Well, when I happened to look at my hands, the black marks that had been clinging to me for so long were gone. I was really surprised."
"We were both surprised."
"Yes. That's true."
"And then, after that, I went to the town, and it was in an uproar—"
Sera listened with great interest.
Sera seems to have never stepped out of the Grand Palace grounds in these five years.
"By the way, can I hear about the curse?"
When I asked, Sera showed a troubled expression.
Oh no. I shouldn't have asked, but it's too late.
"Is it...?"
"Oh, sorry. Forget it."
"Oh, no. It's fine."
"Princess, I don't mind."
"But—"
"Oh, come on, it's fine!"
"All right. If you say so."
Siluela bowed and began to speak.
"There was a betrayal among the nobles. The person became mad with insanity and desire, repeatedly
committing heinous acts, kidnapping people in their territory. When this was exposed, His Majesty was furious and immediately dispatched the knights to thoroughly confirm the facts. The noble, cornered, stabbed himself in the chest with a dagger in front of the knights and wished to the evil god. 'May the curse be upon the Emperor's child, Seraphine.' His voice reached, and the princess suddenly suffered, falling into a high fever and awakening with the curse invading her."
"Why Sera?"
"The princess witnessed the noble assaulting her maid in the shadows of the palace. Furious, she separated the maid, who had no relatives, and placed her under her protection. The noble, filled with resentment, used that as a grudge."
"...There was such a thing. It must have been tough."
Silence.
I refrained from touching upon whether the maid was Siluera.
Considering the previous conversation, it probably was.
But it's better not to mention it.
Because I don't know what to say and how to say it.
"I'm glad you're better."
I smiled at Sera.
"Kuu-chan, thank you so much for saving me. I really appreciate it."
"Don't worry about it. Besides, it's the power of Assis-sama."
Sera is a splendid girl.
She managed to keep a pure heart despite suffering from the curse.
"Sera is a good girl."
I unintentionally patted her head.
"Kuu-chan, that's really embarrassing. We're the same age, you know?"
"Sorry, sorry, it just happened."
Tapping.
The door was knocked.
The maid reported that dinner was ready.
Dinner was to be taken in a different place, not in Sera's room.
We were guided through the palace.
A complete turn from the somber medicinal herb gathering.
An unexpected palace dinner.
A smile naturally spread.
What kind of meal will it be?
I'm looking forward to it.
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