Chapter 5

"——Huh"

When Emily abruptly sat up, it was still the middle of the night.

"Are you awake? I'll make some tea."

"No, wait, what, I was sleeping!?"

"Please relax."

"No, no, no! I can't! Why am I being taken care of by you!?"

"Here's your tea. It will help you wake up."

"Ah, thank you... I mean!"

The wooden cup offered to her was filled with a refreshing herbal tea. When she took a sip, it indeed felt refreshing and invigorating.

"… I don't even know why I fell asleep... but—"

"You must have been tired."

"… I won't do that again."

"!"

Perhaps because of her strong tone, Nina's eyes widened, and then her lips trembled as she said,

"I'm sorry. I overstepped my bounds."

She bowed deeply.

"That's not it! I don't want you to apologize!"

"But... "

"You asked me for help, and I accepted your request. I want you to be my client. ...Otherwise, I'll really feel miserable."

"——I'm a maid who doesn't know much. So, I really appreciate having you, Emily."

"That's nice to hear, but there are much more experienced veterans than me."

"……"

Emily swallowed the bitter regret with the herbal tea.

"… I should have explained from the beginning. Why I was arguing with the guild. Why I'm called a 'Perpetual Rookie.'"

And so, she decided to tell her story—about being an "adventurer" and "magic" to Nina, who knew very little about these things.

For Nina, it was all new.

She had seen magic before. Working at the Markwood Manor, she often encountered famous mages among the guests.

However, the magic she saw during their first camping trip seemed incredibly wonderful.

It felt like they were truly on a journey.

That's why she realized she was enjoying herself too much, and after hearing all about Emily's situation, she felt a deep sense of discomfort.

What did Emily think of her being so carefree?

Thinking about how much pain Emily had endured... it made her even more uncomfortable.

"… So, I'll guide you to the Clay Spring tomorrow, but when we return to Fullmoon, if you need help again, please ask a proper adventurer, not me."

Nina thought how kind this person was.

She had been told she had potential, but her body couldn't use it.

Despite that, she didn't give up and kept going to the adventurer's guild.

(And she accepted the request of a maid like me... Not only that, she even shared her story, which she probably didn't want to, and she cared for me...)

Nina felt that Emily's kindness was warmer than the soup and herbal tea she had made.

"I'll ask Emily again next time."

"… If you're saying that out of sympathy—"

"It's not sympathy! I want Emily! She's very strong, very responsible, and very kind!"

"You..."

Emily, who had been speechless, then said with a small, bitter smile,

"… You're more stubborn than me."

"Is it okay if I ask you?"

"Yes, I want Emily."

"Is it really you and no one else?"

"Yes, I want Emily and no one else."

"Then there's nothing I can do."

"!"

Nina realized that this meant she was giving her permission,

"Yes! There's nothing I can do!"

She replied in a loud voice.

The distance between them, which had existed in their hearts, disappeared at that moment.

The titles of "client" and "adventurer" vanished, and they became much closer.

"What will you do when you return to Fullmoon? And why are you wearing a maid's uniform?"

"I was fired from the manor..."

This time, it was Nina's turn to share her story.

Emily, as if it were her own, got angry on Nina's behalf.

Nina was happy about this.

She thought that if she had told her maid friend Mona at the manor, Mona would have gotten angry like Emily.

She felt a bit sad that she couldn't say goodbye to Mona.

But, she had met Emily only because she left the manor.

"… So, I'm currently on a sightseeing trip."

"Are you planning to leave Fullmoon soon?"

"Yes..."

Thinking that she would have to part ways with Emily, whom she had just met, made Nina feel down.

"Then, I might go with you."

"——What?"

"I don't have any particular attachment to Fullmoon. Besides, it would be reassuring to have a seasoned senior on the journey... What do you think?"

"I, I'm happy!"

Thinking that they would part ways, Emily's offer to go with her made Nina jump up in joy.

"But, if it's a stagecoach, that's fine, but if we need to go to a place a bit away from civilization, I think it would be tough with just me. Actually, our combat abilities aren't that different."

"Is that so?"

"That's right. 'First Tier' magic is about that level. So, we'll probably need to hire adventurers along the way."

"……"

"… Nina? What's wrong?"

"… Emily, I have an idea."

At that moment, Nina remembered something from her 10 years of maid experience.

"I once spoke to a famous mage. … I have something I want to try with Emily. Is it okay?"

"Try... something?"

She had always thought Nina was a strange girl.

From the context, she probably wanted to do something to help her, who could only use 'First Tier' magic despite having the potential for 'Fifth Tier' magic.

(I appreciate the sentiment, but...)

She had tried expensive potions and the guidance of famous mages, but none of it worked.

It wasn't something a mere maid, no matter how skilled in cooking, could change.

She didn't even have the hope that it might work.

But, she was willing to go along with it until Nina was satisfied.

Because they were going to travel together.

That was all.

"First, please extend your hand. Can I roll up your sleeve?"

"Um. Like this?"

"Wow... Emily's arm is so white and smooth."

"Hey, don't look at such places!"

Emily noticed that Nina's hands were small and had many small scars. Her fingertips were hard when touched.

(The hands of someone who works...)

Emily could sense that Nina had worked diligently as a maid every day.

"I'll start massaging."

Contrary to Emily's thoughts, Nina's small hands began to move—

"Ah!? A, ah, what is this feeling, it's amazing, what!?"

Nina's fingers, as if melted at the base, smoothly moved, massaging Emily's arm from the wrist upwards.

"A, ah, this is, something, strange...!"

"This is the feeling, okay?"

Nina's tone remained unchanged, but her hands moved incredibly fast, moving up from the elbow.

After thoroughly massaging the upper arm, her fingers moved to Emily's back.

"Ahn!?"

It was the same feeling as the scalp massage earlier.

A weak electric current-like sensation ran through her back.

Instead of making her sleepy, it made her body warm.

(No way... Is this... my magic power being awakened!?)

The magic power that she knew existed within her.

But, she had never been able to use it.

It was like a dam that would never open.

But—Nina was unraveling it.

Not just her physical body, but the magic power within her as well.

"A, a, a, aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh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