Happy New Year, everyone.
Thank you always for your abundant support. It’s a little early, but since it’s New Year’s Day, I’ve updated today. I look forward to your continued support this year as well.
“Please wait!”
Just as we, having finished our business, were discussing our next destination, I saw an employee from the Adventurers Guild we’d visited only once come rushing over.
“…Phew. I’m glad you were still here.”
“Is something wrong?”
When Aria asked, the stout male employee wiped his sweat and took out something that looked like a document.
“Um… You are Aria-san and Snow-san, correct? A message has arrived from Dolton-sama of the Rainbow Sword.”
Dolton had sent out a mass communication from the Royal Capital’s Adventurers Guild to the guilds in regions Samantha was likely to visit.
Just putting up posters in various guilds costs a considerable amount, so I wonder how much money it cost him to actively search and contact us?
The guild employee went out of his way to find us probably because we were a conspicuous party of a young woman and an old woman, and because Aria was famous.
The scout of a Rank 5 party. The “Ash Covered Princess,” feared even by thieves and assassins.
Her prestige, which once resounded only in the underworld, is gradually spreading beyond the country’s borders.
“So, what is it?”
“…Return to the Royal Capital immediately. That’s all.” Aria, who was reading the message, replied when I asked.
“Look.”
“…Concise, isn’t it.”
That was truly all that was written. Conversely, it meant it was an extremely important matter.
Moreover, by sending it to so many guilds, any astute person would realize that the Rainbow Sword, which has connections with nobles, was planning something.
But Dolton prioritized time over being found out by opposing factions.
“Let’s go back. …Are you alright?”
“It can’t be helped, can it.”
If Aria is serious about hurrying, it means we’ll cut straight through the forest instead of using highways or carriages.
I haven’t fully recovered either, but Grandma taught me some things, so let’s proceed while putting them into practice.
We stored the preserved food we’d bought at a shop in the viscount’s territory into my 【Shadow Storage】 and started heading straight southeast, towards the Royal Capital.
…In the end, I couldn’t even sleep in a bed for a single day.
We used Physical Enhancement and dashed through the deep forest.
“Living in a hurry”… I truly think that phrase exists for us.
Aria risked her life for what she had to do, what needed to be done, and for her oath.
I, for the sake of hatred, to kill everyone and be killed, couldn’t stop until my fleeting life ran out.
Those who know nothing, those who only know kindness, would probably pity us, thinking how pitiful we are.
Those who have lived without seeing anything, those who have lived in a narrow world, would probably call us monsters and fear us, who can kill even demons while still in our early teens.
While other children were having their parents read them picture books until they fell asleep in bed, we continued to fight, vomiting blood.
And we neither regret nor look back on it.
Because these were all things we decided for ourselves.
Being able to complain to someone is probably a privilege of the truly blessed.
Did you know?
Most dissatisfaction in this world disappears by either “dying” or “killing.”
That’s why we had no choice but to become “strong.”
And we are still “living in a hurry.”
“You look pale.”
“…I don’t need any medicine.”
Seeing Aria about to take something out of her 【Shadow Storage】 after looking at my complexion, I instinctively stopped her.
Because, while death isn’t that scary, Aria’s medicine is bitter.
“You’re right. It’s about time for some new medicine…”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Why are you digging in the ground for new medicine? What’s in the forest soil? Does roasted earthworm really work?
As I, with a smile, stopped Aria who was looking puzzled, Kitty-chan on her shoulder sighed and her illusion form disappeared.
“Nero?”
“Growl”
The next moment, from the shadow of Aria who had called his name, Kitty-chan’s “true form,” as large as a small house, emerged.
“What’s wrong?”
As Aria stroked his muzzle, Kitty-chan caressed her cheek with his ear-like feelers, then looked at me and narrowed his eyes as if I were a bother.
“He says he’ll let you ride on his back.”
“…Oh, is that so.”
I really wonder how she understands what he’s saying?
After getting a ride on Kitty-chan’s back, we reached the outskirts of the Royal Capital in just a few days, a journey that would have taken Aria over a week on foot.
We were supposed to stop in a town along the way for a day or two, but I missed out on sleeping in a bed again.
Partway there, Kitty-chan returned to Aria’s shadow, and when we arrived at Dolton’s mansion in the Royal Capital without any issues, we found Dolton about to board a carriage.
“You guys were quick. Perfect timing. You come too.”
“Me too?”
It’s not the Rainbow Sword’s carriage for adventurers, but an inconspicuous one like a merchant would use, so the one who summoned him must be that person, right?
“That’s right, you too, Snow. Aria as well, but I was told to bring you if you were here.”
“…Hmmmm.”
She’s surprisingly resolute, the princess. Even though I’m supposed to be dead, summoning the very person who destroyed the Royal Capital… does she have a death wish?
She’s really living in a hurry. Aria boarded the carriage as if she didn’t mind… but a bed is out of the question again, I see.
But, as expected of the princess. Whether it was planned from the start, or she believed Aria would come, the princess was waiting for us not at the royal castle, but at the mansion of a noble house nearby.
“Welcome, Dolton, Aria. This is a confiscated mansion of a former noble faction member, and it’s under my custody, so you don’t have to worry about prying eyes. That includes you.”
“…I am much obliged.”
As I sat down on the edge of the offered sofa without removing my hood, the Kruz person and the black-haired handmaiden in the room glared at me warily.
It seems there are hardly any ordinary knights in this mansion, but the handmaidens and servants are likely knights from the Shadow Unit, quite a collection of skilled individuals.
Naturally, they’re most wary of me. But since the princess allows it, they can’t object. How troublesome for them.
“…Because we may need your power.”
The princess let out a small sigh at my faint smile and the wary handmaidens, then began to speak quietly.
“First, Aria. Regarding this matter, I intend to use all my power to protect you. The final decision will be left to you, but please don’t forget that.”
“Understood.”
When Aria nodded, the princess paused for a breath and showed a serious expression.
“To state the conclusion first: The ‘Hero’ who appeared from another continent has stated, as a formal request from the Holy Church, that he wishes to welcome Aria, who possesses Hero-Class power, into his party.”
He’s here…
Is the Hero an enemy or an ally? And what of his abilities?
The first chapter of my new work, “The Dragon Girl Who Travels the Apocalyptic World,” is complete.
It’s currently undergoing revisions, but please give it a read if you’d like.
Your support motivates me!
Don’t forget, the new volume of Otome Survival is out on January 15th!