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I rejoined the hero party.

The next destination for the hero party is the northeastern city.

After that, we will slowly curve around and return to the island where our journey first began.

‘About three months, I guess.’

The expected time to return to the island is roughly between three to six months.

There will be various incidents occurring during this time, but the most important will undoubtedly be the joining of the last heroine.

There are also incidents involving demons or magical creatures appearing…

‘Things have changed too much now.’

The original story has transformed into something that is now merely a reference.

This means that any additional variables must be resolved solely by the strength of the hero party.

‘I can do it.’

Because they are my trusted party members.

And for them, and for my own journey, tasks have arisen that I must undertake.

The being that helped resolve the cause of the hero party’s problems when I joined.

I need to do two things for that being.

‘I can do it.’

I just need to focus.

If I keep my mind steady, nothing will be impossible.

With that in mind, I wanted to focus on conducting some related research…

“Rui, could you step out for a moment? I have a favor to ask.”

“If it’s Aswel’s request, I have no choice but to comply.”

…For now, I’ll just attend to Aswel’s request first.

* * *

“Rui, you know…”

“Yes, Lady Rapirie.”

It was just as I was happily eating Ariya’s carrot soup while sitting in front of the campfire.

Rapirie, who had already finished her bowl and was staring blankly at the campfire, spoke up.

“When are you going to stop calling me ‘Lady’?”

“What?”

“How long are you going to keep calling me Lady Rapirie?”

“That’s right, I’m not happy about that either!”

Ariya, who was washing her bowl, chimed in in agreement with Rapirie’s words.

Serelin didn’t say anything but was nodding along, and Aswel was looking at me with a pleased expression.

“Hmm…”

“Honestly, Ariya might have her reasons due to her religion or personality, but you don’t, right?”

“I also have some personality traits…”

“But you casually speak informally to Niabella, right? And you’ve been calling Aswel by his name since a while ago.”

“…………”

“Rui, could it be… that we’re still uncomfortable with each other?”

“Huh.”

I felt like Rapirie’s expression and tone were incredibly subdued.

Avoiding my gaze, she asked me almost in a mumble.

“What did I do wrong…? If that’s the case, I’ll fix it…”

“I’ll also fix anything I might have done wrong…”

“Sorry, Rui. I’ve been holding a sword all my life, so I haven’t had time to notice…”

“Huh, ah, no.”

What on earth is going on?

I suddenly became a person who felt uncomfortable and awkward around Ariya, Serelin, and Rapirie, so I was using honorifics.

That’s completely not true.

After all, when we first met, I called them that because it was our first encounter.

And now it had just stuck to my mouth, so I didn’t think much of it and called them the same.

As for Nia, she was younger than me from the start and spoke to me with respect, so I just called her informally.

Aswel? Aswel’s case is…

“Anyway, it’s not because I’m uncomfortable.”

“Really? Then from now on, drop the honorifics. If you don’t want to…”

“Ah, I understand.”

“Don’t just say you understand. Try saying it properly. We’re taking this opportunity to reorganize our titles.”

“…………Rapirie.”

Ariya. And Serelin.

It’s just calling them by their names, but for some reason, my face started to heat up.

I felt like I wanted to escape this situation right away.

I looked at Aswel with a plea in my eyes, but he was still gazing at me with that soft smile.

“Ugh…”

“Ha-ha, Rui is super embarrassed!”

“Don’t tease me.”

To be honest, after the series of incidents, there was definitely a bit of awkwardness.

But thanks to Rapirie’s help or something, I felt like a lot of those emotions were being washed away in this situation.

“Since I’m done eating, I’m going to take a walk.”

“…………”

“…………Rapirie.”

“Okay! Have a good time~.”

I wanted to feel the warmth of the carrot soup properly, so I stepped out of the campsite and wandered around the nearby forest.

The cold air turned my cheeks red, but thanks to the robe my master provided, I didn’t shiver.

“Sigh…”

As I slightly exhaled, my white breath spread into the air.

It had been about two days since I left Stormblast.

Until two days ago, everything had been dark, and my whole body hurt, but it felt like all of that was a long-gone memory.

The peaceful ambiance I experience now and the lively noise of my party members in the distance.

I liked these things, which is why I rejoined the journey.

“…………”

So, I really want to work hard on this journey.

I will overcome my own trials and walk the right path alongside my comrades.

“Hmm…”

“Rui.”

“Gyah!”

When I turned around, I saw Aswel waving at me while puffing out breaths.

“Why… Why are you here?”

Thump. Thump.

I was so surprised that I struggled to calm my pounding heart as I asked Aswel.

He should be enjoying his time with the other heroines by now; why is he here?

“Um, I was worried about you getting too deep in thought, so I followed you.”

You worried about me and followed me.

Thump.

Why does such a simple reason make my heart race even more?

“If you were uncomfortable… I’ll go back.”

As I kept silent, Aswel offered a sheepish smile and turned his body.

Rustle.

“…………Rui?”

“Well, um, I guess it might not be so bad?”

“Huh?”

What on earth am I saying? I was so startled by this sudden situation that I forgot my grammar and continued speaking.

“I don’t think it’s good to go back and forth inefficiently.”

“Oh, um… So it means I can stay here?”

“To put it simply, yes…”

“Thank you.”

Fortunately, I prevented the hero from leaving.

…Fortunately?

“Um, so you were just taking a walk?”

“Yes? Yes. I was thinking about what happened last time… at Stormblast.”

“Ah, I see. By the way, did you hear anything from the Duke or your master?”

“What about?”

“I received requests from both of them.”

“Huh?”

That’s news to me.

When I met them to say goodbye, they didn’t mention anything, and even when they packed up ingredients for me like I was visiting my family during holidays, they didn’t say anything.

In an instant, a tiny bit of anger surged within me at the thought of Aswel being pestered by my master and Kunder.

“What did they say?”

“Just… to take good care of you.”

…………Huh?

“That was it. I was wondering if they said anything separately. If not, that’s fine.”

“Um, I see…”

Hearing a request that was so different from what I expected made me quietly lower my head.

‘…What kind of request are those two making?’

It’s true they care for me like parents or family in this world, but that request feels… above that.

As if they are asking someone they acknowledge as their boyfriend to take good care of you…

‘That can’t be right!’

“You don’t have to worry too much about that. I’ll do my part diligently…”

“No, that can’t happen. They made their request, but it’s also a promise we made long ago.”

“…………?”

“The promise that I would prioritize your well-being.”

“…………”

I wanted to say something, but the sly glance from Aswel, shining brighter than the stars in the night sky, rendered me speechless.

“Then, um… please take good care of me.”

“Ah, okay.”

We awkwardly bowed to each other, me and Aswel.

An awkward silence followed.

I desperately sought a topic to break the silence and soon grew curious about his thoughts.

“Aswel.”

“Hmm?”

“I have something I’m curious about.”

“Ask me anything.”

“Is there anyone in our party that you’re particularly concerned about?”

“……Huh?”

I thought this was a question fitting for a vigorous young man in his twenties.

But for some reason…

Aswel’s face turned a shade of surprise.

* * *

Last night, I ultimately couldn’t get an answer from Aswel.

Aswel, who had been avoiding my question-laden gaze for a while, suddenly said, “Oh, I have something I need to do,” and took off.

But now that I think of it, it wasn’t entirely incomprehensible.

‘It’s likely he thinks I could inform the involved party.’

It would be fortunate if nothing happened and we don’t end up leaving the party due to a falling out.

Of course, I know the original story, and having helped them directly, I’m well aware of the current situation.

That no matter whom the hero confesses to, they will surely accept because they would have feelings for him.

Even until we parted ways in Lakr, we made efforts so that everyone could spend time with Aswel.

In the original, it was Ariya who first connected with him; I wonder how it is now.

I slowly closed my eyes and began to imagine one of the party members with Aswel.

Good grief.

But soon, it felt as if my heart was being stabbed, so I stopped.

“Rui. It looks like we’re about to arrive.”

“Huh? Um… I guess so.”

In the distance, I see the large ramparts of the northeastern city.

With Rapirie’s words as a trigger, I focused on organizing our plans for the city, ultimately losing track of the mysterious pain I felt.