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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Journey
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As I approached, Rahel scrunched up her face and turned her head away.
For a moment, I felt unjustly treated. What could I have possibly done wrong for her to so blatantly dislike a kind soul like me?
Of course, it wasn't like I was particularly moved. I already knew Rahel disliked me.
'How strange.'
Watching Rahel, all dressed up yet frowning, I suddenly grew curious.
How much time did Rahel spend getting ready like this?
Especially her orange hair, meticulously braided and tied up, was almost awe-inspiring. Even to me, who knows little about women, it clearly looked like at least two hours of effort.
'She is pretty, though.'
Indeed, befitting one of Fran's heroine candidates, there was something about her appearance that captivated men's hearts.
'It's just her personality that's a pain in the ass.'
Rahel was especially so at this point in time, but it wasn't as if she treated everyone that way.
'She only judged people by their utility.'
Rahel was kind to those who seemed useful.
On the other hand, she was harsh and discriminatory towards those who seemed useless or without value.
'Well, it wasn't without reason, though.'
Rahel's personality was shaped by her family circumstances, her situation as an adopted daughter, and her relationship with her father, among other things.
'But for some reason, I just don't feel drawn to her.'
Is it because I dislike pretense? Or is it because I prefer submissive women over those who are feisty and rebellious?
Even back when I played the game, Rahel, who was my lowest-ranked heroine candidate, still didn't strike me as an attractive woman.
'Still, I'll have to solve the problems she has.'
I wasn't keen on it, but I had to. If Fran were to somehow solve Rahel's problems, it would create a very awkward situation.
Moreover, even if I neglected Rahel and Fran didn't step in, problems would still arise.
'Well, she's got over a year left.'
I can put off getting close to her until later.
So today, for my alone time, I'll have to be a bit mischievous.
"What are you looking at?"
As if she'd read my thoughts, Rahel glared at me and asked in an irritable tone.
"Because you're pretty."
I smiled brightly, welcoming Rahel's venomous expression.
At that, Rahel's already crumpled expression became even more intensely contorted.
"You, definitely."
It's a known fact that compliments are most effective when withheld and then delivered all at once.
So, before I really started to tease Rahel, I decided to add a little compliment.
"You look much better without bangs. Who cut your hair?"
"You son of a...!"
The compliment's effect was tremendous, and I was able to part ways with Rahel much faster than I had planned.
****
Inside a very ancient ruin.
Daphne was conversing with a skeleton wearing a hooded cloak.
"So, Camel, the 'Opener of Fate'..."
"Yes, you just need to insert the Sinful Thought into the holes drilled there. Then..."
The skeleton, Malik, looked at the seven empty slots on the old sword blade Daphne was holding, interrupted his former superior, and continued.
"That child will be able to sever the contract we made. And that child will also be able to open the true fate, as prophesied."
"To obtain that qualification..."
"Yes. They mustn't just endure, like that person; they must break free."
"And you, you've been wandering all this time, searching for that method."
"Yes. One wrong contract, and I was enslaved for a thousand years. I know it's not something to say to someone Daphne-nim favored, but even now, thinking about it, he was a truly fucked-up bastard."
"I agree with that."
Daphne, uncharacteristically, smiled broadly, stroked Malik's skull, and spoke.
"You've been through a lot."
"So living as a skeleton for a thousand years was worth it after all. To see Daphne-nim smile in front of me."
"I always used to smile a lot, didn't I?"
"Only to that person, I suppose. Didn't you always frown at the sight of my face, as if you'd seen an orc?"
"I'll be honest. You're better looking now."
"...Daphne-nim is still a truly awful person."
"Better than a skull, though."
"You fu—"
Malik cursed at Daphne's sincere way of speaking, yet he couldn't help but smile contentedly.
It made sense. Malik had never seen Daphne smiling so broadly, not even a long, long time ago.
Moreover, it was Malik's usual belief that no matter how ancient or unattainable an illusion, nothing in this world was as beautiful as the smile of one's first love.
Perhaps that's why. Malik asked Daphne with a wistful expression.
"By the way, when will you be leaving?"
Daphne, whose bright expression wouldn't be visible to a mere skull, replied.
"I have to go right away. What about you?"
"I plan to be there in advance. To break free from this damned contract, I'll have to be of some help to that person. Anyway..."
"Hm?"
"Are you really going to bring him back alive? I'm genuinely concerned."
Malik scratched the back of his skull, asking sincerely.
Daphne considered for a moment, seeing his actions, then answered in a small voice.
"I think I'll have to scold him a bit first before I can give you a definite answer."
"It sounds like you're planning to beat him up first and then think about it..."
"Would you call it discipline?"
"I'd rather call it violence."
"Do you want a beating too?"
"Daphne-nim's discipline will be good medicine for that childish brat."
Malik, recalling a terrible memory from long ago, replied reflexively.
While inwardly crying out, 'Immanuel!'
****
"Why do I suddenly feel a chill..."
It was clearly a warm spring day, with flowers blooming everywhere.
As I wandered through every corner of Arvik, I shivered from a sudden chill.
"I haven't been eating well lately, have I?"
Thinking that, I naturally recalled Mr. Zakel, who must be diligently conducting business in the Viscounty of Darmian.
Although he was undoubtedly playing tricks, Mr. Zakel was still someone I was grateful for.
Because Mr. Zakel was a benefactor, no less than a goose that laid golden eggs, who increased my balance even when I did nothing.
"I've been far too frugal."
Habits are truly frightening. Come to think of it, with my habit of saving, I'd been unconsciously hoarding money.
From now on, I should buy lots of expensive food and spend money freely.
Having made that resolution, I took out the artifacts I'd acquired today from my subspace pouch and began to examine them.
"This one, it'd be good to give to Lily."
First, a ring set with a blue gem.
The reason I intended to give this ring, named 'Tears of the Sea,' to Lily as a gift was because it significantly increased resistance to demonic energy.
Wearing this would alleviate Lily's suffering, even if only a little.
Acquiring it wasn't difficult. My clothes were merely a bit wet from having gone deep into the sea.
Ah, so that's why I felt a chill.
"This one..."
I put the ring back into the pouch, and the next item I pulled out was a gold-colored, star-shaped earring.
"I definitely have to give this to Daisy."
This earring was called 'Power of Delusion,' and true to its name, it was an artifact that increased mana capacity to an almost delusional extent.
'Because maintaining spatial magic requires a lot of mana.'
I planned to enlist Daisy's help with various things, as she was contracted to me, and that was why I intended to give her the 'Power of Delusion.'
"Alright, now let's get something for myself."
Muttering that, I rose from the rock where I'd been sitting and began to walk towards the ancient temple visible ahead.
Whether it was because it was nestled in the mountains, or because it was a temple dedicated to a forgotten ancient god,
I didn't know the exact reason, but just by looking at the old vines and unkempt weeds, I could tell for sure that human footsteps hadn't graced this place for a very long time.
Inside, there were statues of a forgotten ancient god and the Primordial Saintess.
I could obtain a sword with cheat-like performance and a useful elixir simply by infusing mana into specific parts of those statues.
'Sword of Good and Evil.'
The name was a bit childish, though.
This sword was a weapon that applied monstrous bonus damage when imbued with divine power or starlight, making it one of the top-tier endgame weapons that would undoubtedly be a great help to me if I acquired it.
"But why..."
Entering the temple with an excited feeling, I asked the ancient god, who was depicted with an outstretched hand,
"Are your hands empty?"
Seeing that the sword, which should have been in his hand, was missing, I felt a strong sense of emptiness, but the ancient god, with a solemn expression, remained silent.
"..."
After a moment of contemplation, there was only one conclusion I could draw.
The item I had been looking forward to the most had already been looted by someone.
"That one probably wasn't looted."
So, I should at least take what I can.
Just as I thought that and was about to move towards the Primordial Saintess,
[Linked Quest 'First Thought' is initiated.]
[Upon success, a clue for Hidden Quest 'Ancient Contract' can be obtained.]
Unexpectedly, the notification I needed most appeared in the air.