Chapter 76
Adrian continued speaking, his expression serious.
“The monsters we faced last time in the Silvegrove Forest were also creatures that appeared in local legends. I found stories related to a tree giant. So, I think investigating the legends passed down around here wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
As expected, his earnest, thorough approach to everything really was just like him.
That thought crossed my mind.
But even so, I still couldn’t shake off the suspicion surrounding him, and I didn’t know how to face Adrian. I only felt awkward around him.
“Ugh, investigating again? I thought we wouldn’t have to do any of that ourselves this time since the royal family said they’d give us a guide…”
Darren groaned and looked at me.
He seemed to want to hear my opinion.
“…Well, it’s not like we have much else to do until the desert sandstorm settles anyway, right? I think looking into it—just like Sir Adrian said—might be fine.”
Either way, that was the originally intended order of things.
We would wander around the city, listen to the townspeople, help defeat minor monsters.
And after spending enough time doing that, that dream demon would come attack us on its own.
Tomorrow night, to be exact.
“If that’s what the Captain says… well, guess we’ve got no choice.”
Darren groaned again.
While we were discussing our plans for the next day, before we knew it, we arrived at the detached palace assigned as our lodging.
We were just about to enter our respective rooms after being told to rest well.
“Excuse me, Miss Elaine. Could we talk for a moment?”
Adrian quietly stopped me.
What did he want to talk about?
Had he perhaps realized that I had tailed him earlier today…?
All sorts of thoughts raced through my mind.
But when I actually faced him, it didn’t seem like he was about to bring up anything so serious—he was simply smiling gently.
“I, um… wanted to thank you. Inside the robe…”
Ah. He was trying to thank me for the brooch and the gloves.
I felt embarrassed for letting my imagination run wild—truly like a guilty thief fearing his own shadow—when all he wanted to do was offer a simple, sincere thank-you.
“Oh, no, not at all… As long as they weren’t bothersome, I’m glad.”
I had ignored his tastes again and made them however I wanted, so I’d been worried.
But contrary to my concern that he might refuse them, he had worn them without complaint—and for that, I felt grateful instead.
“How did you even know my glove size? They fit perfectly.”
“I, uh… You lent me your gloves once before, remember? I remembered the size then.”
I’d guessed the size based on the gloves he’d lent me when we were searching the library together.
And thankfully, they more or less fit.
“Ah, I see. Well… thank you. They match the formal clothes I have, so I think I’ll use them often.”
Adrian rubbed the back of his neck, looking a bit embarrassed.
As the one who gave the gift, there was no compliment more gratifying than that.
So I nodded and spoke honestly.
“I’m glad you’ll use them.”
“Yes. It’s just that… I do worry you might overwork yourself preparing things like this when you’re already so busy. So…”
So he meant to say I didn’t need to take care of him.
That was probably what he wanted to convey.
Normally, I would’ve laughed and said it was just something I enjoyed doing.
But now, an unbearably awkward tension lingered between us.
At this point, wouldn’t Adrian also notice that my reactions were strange?
Just this morning I’d given him all sorts of gifts and practically thrown myself at him, and now I was acting distant.
Even I found the situation bizarre.
I let out a soft sigh and forced a smile—my usual smile.
“I… I like doing it, so I hope you don’t feel too burdened. It’s more fun making things than I thought.”
“…Hmm. I figured you’d say something like that.”
Adrian chuckled helplessly and nodded.
Seems I’d hidden my feelings better than I thought.
“Then, rest well.”
Having said everything he needed, Adrian bowed and began heading back to his room.
Seeing his retreating back, I called out before I could stop myself.
“S-Sir Adrian…!”
But why did I call him?
Was I about to say, I followed you earlier today?
Or ask outright why he’d been crying…?
Scolding myself internally for stopping him with no plan, I forced myself to speak calmly.
“I… if you ever have something on your mind, you can talk to me anytime. Anything at all…”
In the end, all I could say was something vague and pointless.
“That’s rather sudden, isn’t it?”
Adrian looked genuinely baffled.
And honestly, there was no reason whatsoever for such a comment to appear at this moment.
“…You’re right. I just meant… if there’s ever something you want to talk about, I’ll always listen.”
The more I talked, the more pathetic I felt.
Overwhelmed by the growing awkwardness, I practically yelled “rest well!” and fled into my room.
Lena stared at me as if I were strange, but it was still better than the suffocating awkwardness with Adrian.
Thus ended our first day in the Aither Desert.
The next morning.
The meal provided by the royal palace was as extravagant and plentiful as last night’s banquet.
Various heavily spiced meat dishes, flat wheat bread…
There were many unfamiliar foods, but fortunately they suited my tastes well enough.
After breakfast, we were given free time.
As we had discussed last night, my teammates split up to investigate the current state of the Aither Desert.
I too left the palace to walk through my assigned area and hear the residents’ stories.
But I didn’t feel particularly enthusiastic.
There was nothing specific I absolutely needed to find.
And due to last night’s restlessness from being emotionally unsettled, I was tired.
In short, I wasn’t feeling motivated.
The small blessing was that the people here weren’t nearly as unfriendly as the citizens of Silvegrove City.
Most worked in commerce, and being a tourist-heavy area, they were all quite welcoming.
“Hm? You say the Heroes’ Order of Hagion came to resolve the desert’s darkness?”
“Yes. Have monsters been appearing more frequently lately?”
“Oh, yes. We’ve always had undead like skeletons or mummies show up at night, but lately they’ve been rampant both day and night.”
I nodded.
I already knew that, but having asked the question myself, I couldn’t exactly pretend not to listen.
Yes—the primary monsters in this Aither Desert dungeon were mostly undead types like skeleton soldiers and mummies.
It didn’t really match a dream demon being the dungeon boss… but it was what it was.
‘Feels like I’ve covered the area I was assigned. Maybe I should head back to the palace…’
I could’ve looked around more while I was out, but honestly, I just wanted to escape the scorching desert sun and rest indoors.
All I could think about was lying in a hammock under some shade and napping.
I had just started walking back toward the palace when—
‘….’
The lively chatter of the townspeople abruptly vanished, and I felt an uncanny sensation as though I were completely alone in the world.
A phenomenon I’d experienced once before.
Looking around, I saw everyone frozen in place like statues.
There was only one thing that could cause this.
‘The Cash Shop. It has to be the Cash Shop.’
I widened my eyes and scanned the surroundings.
There had to be that suspicious person—Cash or whatever—somewhere nearby.
And just as expected, Cash leaned against a wall between two street stalls, long white hair fluttering, waving at me.
“Were you looking for me?”
Her greeting was infuriatingly smug.
Cash was dressed very differently from last time.
She was wearing clothes similar to the locals here.
A turban like those worn by men in the area, a short sleeveless top, and wide pants.
“Oh, nice. When I was looking for you, you didn’t show up, but now you appear without warning?”
The last time I visited the Silvegrove Forest, no matter how hard I searched, she didn’t show up.
Who would’ve expected her to suddenly pop out here in the Aither Desert?
I complained with a full scowl, but Cash simply gave a bright, delighted smile.
“Oh my, I didn’t know you were searching for me so desperately. Hohoho. Is there something you need?”
“….”
This person(?) clearly had a communication problem.
My point wasn’t I found you, it was why didn’t you show up when I needed you—yet she only heard what she wanted and became happy over the idea that I’d been looking for her.
Talking more would only tire me out.
I waved my hand, exasperated.
“Uh, that emperor penguin you showed me before. Do you still have it?”
“But of course! It’s a special item prepared exclusively for our Goddess’s Hero!”
Special item, she says…
How dare she treat our precious Pengsoon like merchandise.
I grumbled and gestured for her to bring it out quickly.
Cash beamed and opened a stall shelf, lifting out the baby emperor penguin.
“A splendid choice. To think you can obtain such a familiar for only thirty Rainbow Stones…! You won’t regret it.”
