Chapter 44

I have updated the activity report to include an apology for the delayed update. I offer my sincere apologies once again. I hope for your continued support in the future.

In the midst of the cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there. Following her instructions, Eko was allowed to rest in a comfortable position and soon recovered.

Eko said, looking rather embarrassed, "I thought it would be a waste to leave it." Was it because it was so delicious, or perhaps a habit of cat-type beastmen? In any case, we need to control her food intake on this side. If she becomes a fat Eko, it could affect her work.

Everyone sighed in relief, saying, "Ah, that's good." We soaked in a large bath as spacious as a public bath and stayed overnight in a room that felt like a high-end hotel.

The next morning, we were led to a buffet for breakfast and held the final meeting. According to Yuki, if we deliver the appropriate amount of mithril alloy, we can expect a profit of over 300 billion CL. I don't fully understand the details, but my job is simple: I just need to grind through the Prolin Dungeon to gain experience.

After the meeting, we had lunch with the important people. We were served a high-class bento. Sylvia and Eko were also eating the same high-class bento in another room in the mansion.

After that, we signed the contract, and it was officially established.

"I look forward to seeing you all again, everyone from Firstest." The earl looked very pleased. I'm glad for him.

We politely thanked him and left the mansion.

"Would you like to return to the town of Badgold?" Forest asked as we were leaving. It seems they would also take us back. Moreover, they had taken care of our horses during our stay. Seven Stay Oh's coat seemed a bit better. They were truly considerate.

"Hey, what do you want to do?" "Hm? What do you mean?" "Well, like, sightseeing in Renyado." "I'll leave it to you, Master." "Sure, leave it to me!" "I don't mind either way."

Everyone didn't seem very interested in sightseeing. Well, then, let's just go back.

"Ah, then let's go... huh?" "Master?"

I suddenly felt something was off. I feel like I'm forgetting something.

What was it... hmm...?

"Ah, well, let's go back."

"---Just a moment!"

...Oh.

"I'm coming with you!"

I had completely forgotten. I was being bothered by this stubborn earl's daughter.

Sherry pushed aside Forest, who was trying to stop her, saying, "Miss, that's not appropriate," and climbed into the waiting carriage.

...Wait, do I have to ride with her? This prickly girl? For half a day?

"Um, I'm sorry, but..."

Forest looked at me with a truly apologetic face. He must be used to being dragged around by her...

"Master, what's going on here?" And for some reason, Yuki is scary. What did I do?

"...Let's just get in."

I took a deep breath, resigned, and got into the carriage for the return trip.

* * *

Annoying man.

Father is bowing and trying to please him.

I heard he's an excellent spirit mage.

Hmm, interesting, I see.

I'm the youngest genius spirit mage of the earl's family. A promising A-rank solo adventurer. I command the Great Earth Spirit, an ultra-elite. There's no one else like me in the world. Father, Mother, the guild, the nobles, the commoners, everyone praises me.

...But.

I've never been involved in "business" like that man. I've never been valued. I've never been of use to anyone. There's no liveliness around me. I'm always just praised for being "amazing," and then people drift away, as if my words are neither helpful nor harmful. No, maybe it's my personality. Maybe they avoid me.

Yes, I admit it. Jealousy. I'm jealous of that man.

That's why I called him. I wanted to show him the difference in our status.

Spirit Mage Second.

In one word, "weird."

He was always so relaxed. He didn't show any respect just because I'm an earl's daughter. He didn't flinch at all. Rather, he was rude and made silly jokes.

...It's strange.

I'm strange.

I was so jealous, so annoyed, but I find myself thinking that the silly arguments with him were "comfortable," deep down.

Is this what it's like to have a friend?

He didn't take my "harsh words" at face value but as "teasing." I never thought it would feel so good.

It felt like he was seeing me for who I am, and I started to think he might be really kind, and then...

...No, no, no. I'm being fooled.

I'm probably being fooled by his sweet face.

His calm and composed attitude is probably just him looking down on me.

I won't admit it. If I admit it, I lose. I need to make him "admit" it.

I'll show him the difference in our status. Just because he made a contract with Father, he shouldn't get too cocky.

And I'll make him respect me. I'll show him that even a genius like Sherry can't be beaten.

Then, then...

* * *

The carriage, which was supposed to be peaceful on the way there, turned into chaos.

It started with Yuki vs. Sherry, then Sylvia butted in. I was playing with Eko in the corner, but as a party member, I gradually became the target. Then it turned into me vs. Sherry, with Yuki and Sylvia stepping back and relaxing with Eko. How unfair!

For about two hours, Sherry and I kept talking. Whenever I tried to brush things off, Sherry would call me out, and the battle would start again, like a comedy duo's endless loop of jokes and corrections.

To make matters worse, the more time passed, the more lively and fun she seemed. Despite her complaints, she seemed to want to play more, which reminded me a bit of Mine.

"By the way, why did you come along?"

I was getting tired of the pointless chatter, so I tried to switch to a more substantial topic.

"Hmph, it's a challenge! Let's see who's the better spirit mage between you and me!"

"How? Are we going to fight?"

"Why would we! As spirit mages, we should use spirit magic, of course."

Technically, I'm not a spirit mage.

"Fine, what's the method?"

"Um, well..."

"You're thinking of it now, aren't you?"

"N-no! I was just deciding which one to use because there are so many options!"

Very obvious.

"Oh, I know. Let's have a contribution point challenge at the adventurer's guild!"

"Didn't you just say that?"

"Excuse me, I didn't say that."

But you did...

"Anyway, how does spirit magic relate to contribution points?"

"Huh? As a spirit mage, you should use spirit magic to earn points, right?"

"...Oh, I see."

"Ha."

I got a look like, "That's why I can't stand you," and a sigh. Irritating!

I can earn contribution points without using spirit magic. I'm different from you.

"Alright, I get it. How long is the challenge?"

"One day! From sunrise to sunset the day after tomorrow. OK?"

"OK."

Be prepared. I'll make you regret that pretty face with a double score.

While thinking this, I continued to be Sherry's conversation partner, determined to win, until we reached the town of Badgold.

* * *

At night, we took rooms at our usual inn, had dinner, and returned to our rooms.

Sherry also took a room next to mine, and since we had dinner together, it was quite noisy.

The inn's first-floor bar is popular with adventurers. About 90% of them were excited, saying, "It's Sherry Lambjack!" "A genius spirit mage!" "It's really her!" Sherry seems to be quite famous in the adventurer community. You're more impressive than I thought, I said, and she replied, "Don't say 'more impressive'!"

But I'm getting used to it. Plus, she always teases me, which is actually a bit fun. Sylvia is too serious, Yuki is too cold, and Eko is too cute, so I can't really expect good teasing from my team members. In a way, Sherry might be filling a gap.

"Ah, right."

While relaxing, I remembered someone I had completely forgotten about.

I summoned Angolmois while lying on the bed.

"---My Second, it's been a while. What?"

She was angry.

I had called her as a conversation partner on a whim and then sent her back in a huff during her "Barii!" mode and left her alone.

Angolmois puffed out her cheeks and leaned in close.

...Being cornered by a beautiful woman while lying down is a bit strange.

"Sorry, I've been busy."

"...Is that so? Well, tell me about it."

She wants me to talk, I guess. Is she trying to share through "unity" or does she want to hear it from my mouth? Or is she just being annoying because she knows I've been talking a lot today?

I explained to Angolmois, even though I didn't fully understand.

"Hmm, you met No-Mides, did you?"

"Her name was Tera. She seemed fluffy."

"That's her. A hard-to-pin-down girl."

"By the way... didn't you kill her father? Is it okay to meet her?"

"I didn't kill him, I destroyed him."

"Oh, I see."

"Hahaha, don't worry. It's no problem. In fact, he was happy to become a Great Spirit."

"...Really?"

"Really."

Tera might be a cold spirit after all.

"I see, so it should be okay to introduce you."

"Yes, and I'll surprise that Sherry kid too."

Angolmois laughed mischievously. She's surprisingly playful for someone with such an imposing appearance.

"Want to go now? It's the next room."

"...What?"

As soon as I said that, Angolmois's expression changed.

"What's wrong?"

"You said next room. That's the left one, right?"

The room on the left is Sherry's, and the one on the right is where the three of them are staying.

"I don't sense anyone in the left room."

She's not in the room?

Where did she go in the middle of the night?

...Wait.

Hold on. Something's not right.

What did Sherry say? She said we'd have a guild contribution point challenge. When? The day after tomorrow.

Why not tomorrow?

What's the point of a half-baked challenge she thought of on the spot?

Why is Sherry picking a fight with me?

Why did she come with us?

Why does she want a challenge?

...Could she have a real purpose?

"Jealousy."

Angolmois's insight.

Makes sense, jealousy. I can see that.

Sherry was jealous of me. Probably as a spirit mage.

To get rid of that jealousy, she decided to "come along."

So her goal is to take away my significance, right?

In other words, in Badgold, she wants to...

"---No way!?"

"Indeed, it seems so."

"Damn! How much more trouble can that woman be!"

I held my head.

I figured out Sherry's goal.

It's reckless. Too reckless.

If this continues, she'll probably die.

Oh, oh, oh, oh...

"Damn it! This is so annoying!"

I jumped out of bed, where I had been about to fall asleep, and rushed out of the room.

"Hehe. Complaining but rushing to help, that's the spirit of a hero, my Second."

* * *

I'll clear the Prolin Dungeon before Second. That's my plan.

If I do, then

I'll have no choice but to recognize me.

I'll have no choice but to evaluate me.

Father, Mother, Second, everyone will see me.

No one will leave me.

The liveliness around Second will be mine.

Then I won't be lonely anymore.

I'll change.

I'll change, using my jealousy of him as a stepping stone.

"Tera, let's go."

"...Yes, Master."

Good girl, Tera. You've always been by my side since childhood.

Even with my twisted, high-and-mighty, harsh words, you've always been by my side.

"...Hey, after we clear it, okay?"

"Yes?"

"Tell me to... 'join' them. If I can't say it properly to him... then you should back me up, okay?"

"Sure thing!"

Thank you for reading.