Chapter 6
Cave Dating (or
not)
Translator : PolterGlast
"Rikuto-sama,
look! I can move like this!"
Fenley jumped around
the area excitedly after the curse was lifted.
"I see you.
That's amazing."
My stat is C rank and
this girl is B rank. I'm completely outranked.
By the way, in this
world, no matter how many monsters one defeats, one's status does not go up by
itself. The only way is through discipline and training. This girl must have
worked really hard. Meanwhile, I'm ranked C, even though I did my best.
Anyway, I know you're
amazing, so can you please stop running around in circles around me? Fenley's
figure is passing in front of me at a pace of about once a second since a while
ago.
"Rikuto-sama, you
are just as cool as I thought you would be!"
When I thought that
she finally stopped, she brought her face close to mine and said such a thing
to me. I was a little embarrassed.
"Thank you, I'm
flattered. Eh, as you thought I would be?"
Wait a minute, I don't
know what she's talking about.
"Until a few
minutes ago, I was affected by my ability, ≪Low Vision≫, so I was only able to see vaguely. This is the first time I could see
your face clearly."
So when she was
occasionally rubbing her eyes, it was because she was having trouble seeing. I
guess she literally started to see the world shining brightly. Good, that's a
relief.
"All right,
you've had enough, right? It's about time to leave."
"Please let me
see it a little more. Or perhaps, ...... is it annoying because I'm such a
filthy rag after all?"
That's cunning. Anyone
would consent to her when they see her looking down with moistened eyes. This
girl might be a surprisingly good schemer.
"Alright,
alright. But it's embarrassing for me, too, so please keep it in
moderation."
"Yes~!"
She's all smiles. I'm
getting a little nervous.
I have to be careful
about this ......
"Well, let's get
out of here for now. I'm thinking of heading towards Mithwin town first."
"I see. Mithwin,
is it? ......"
Oh, so that's how it
is.
"It'll be fine.
If you meet someone you don't like, I'll protect you."
"Yes!
Please!"
Her gloomy expression
suddenly changed, and she radiated more brightness than a magic stone.
She looks good with a
smile on her face. I hope she keeps smiling because it cheers me up too.
◇◆◇◆◇◆
From this point on, we
must be on our guard.
Since it is necessary
to proceed with Fenley in mind, let's be even more vigilant.
And then, just as soon
as I thought so,
*Rustle, rustle,
rustle.*
"Hih~? W-, what
was that?"
Fenley hugged me,
startled by the sound of the monster moving. On the other hand, I'm surprised
at her actions.
"It's a monster.
Don't worry, it's not strong."
"B-, but it's so
huge!"
It is indeed huge, but
that's all.
Let's defeat it
quickly.
≪Reverse≫
────────────
Name: Dark Scorpion
Stamina: B → D
Physical Attack: S → F
Physical Defense: A → E
Magic Attack: S → F
Magic Resistance: A → E
Magic Power: A → E
Agility: A → E
────────────
"It's just a big,
scorpion-shaped creature. Even Fenley can defeat it. Wanna give it a try?"
Even I can take it
down with a single blow. Fenley would have plenty of time to do it.
But Fenley went into
hiding behind me. She was trembling so much that I could feel her fear.
"Fenley?"
"I-, I'm sorry. I
...... have to go to the bathroom."
"Eh, here! Wait a
minute, I'll defeat it right away."
Bash! With one swift
motion, I killed it.
"I'll face that
way. But please don't go too far from here. If we get separated, we'll be in
trouble."
"I'm all right
now."
When I turned around,
there was no longer any fear in her eyes. I looked at the lower half of her
body, but she was not wet. Apparently, it was safe.
"Are you afraid
of monsters?"
She nodded stiffly.
"Up until now,
I've been a little less scared thanks to my bad eyesight. But I never knew it
could be this scary ......"
She had been exposed
to a lot of terrifying experiences, so it is understandable.
"You can close
your eyes if you want. Here."
I held out my hand
toward Fenley.
"~Ah, Thank
you."
"You don't have
to thank me."
I hold her small, cold
hand firmly.
Then Fenley
intertwined her fingers with mine so as not to be separated from me.
After that, I defeated
the approaching monsters one after another with ≪Reversal≫ and arrived at the exit without any trouble. Sometimes I had to carry Fenley
on my back or carry her in my arms with a princess-carry, which made it
difficult for me to move, but I managed somehow.
"Fenley, we made
it. You're not afraid anymore, are you?"
"Yes♡."
That's strange. There
are no more monsters now, but she won't separate from me. She doesn't seem to
be scared anymore.
"If you don't
separate from me, I'll leave you here you know?"
This is fine for now,
but I'm trying to get her to get over it eventually.
I can't always be
there to help her, and I can't keep spoiling her.
"I'm sorry!
Please don't throw me away!!"
She apologized in a
serious manner. She bowed her head until it was at just the right angle in a
serious tone. Even though I was just joking.
"Well, I wouldn't
go that far."
Then her expression
lit up with a flash of relief. I never get tired of watching her dramatic
changes in emotion. Well, don't worry. I would never do such a horrible thing
as expelling you.
"Oh, that reminds
me, I haven't told you this, but I'm thinking of defeating the Demon
King."
When I said so, Fenley
looked at me with a shocked expression on her face.
Now then, are you
going to quit following me? Or maybe are you going to make fun of me?
The answer is neither.
"I already
expected you would say so. There is no one who can beat him except Rikuto-sama
after all! I will follow you until you throw me away!"
Did she already expect
me to say this? I'm glad to hear that you trust me. I will do my best to live
up to your expectations.
＊＊＊
Once we stepped out of
the cave, a village spread out in the distance. After a short walk through this
village, we would reach the town of Mithwin. It seems we will make it in time
by this evening.
Let's think about what
to do next tomorrow.
--- I thought so, but
it does not seem to be so.
"Look,
Rikuto-sama! The village is bustling with activity."
"You're right.
What's going on?"
It is a small village,
but fully armed men are gathered there.
It does not seem to be
a festival.
It looks like an
emergency. Even from here, I could see that everyone was moving in a hurry.
"Shall we
go?"
"Yes!"
When we entered the
village, there was a commotion.
It was a state of mild
panic.
"Has something
happened?"
"Are you an
adventurer? If you don't mind, could you lend us a hand? Monsters have attacked
from the nearby forest. We will give you whatever reward you desire to the
utmost extent possible. Please, please save this village!"
An old man who looked
like a village chief pleaded to us.
"Rikuto-sama!"
"Yeah, I know.
Village Chief-san, we will help you. Please explain the situation."
"Really!? Thank
you, thank you."
There are so many
troubles today.
But I don't mind. Some
lives are being saved because I was there. Thinking of it that way, it doesn't
bother me at all.
I will save this
village, too.
