Chapter 37

The day after Prince Edwin and Elenora came to the mansion, I wandered aimlessly around the capital.

I could easily imagine that Elenora would come to the mansion again today. Besides, Rita would be there too.

Well, I don’t mind aimless walks. My hobby is looking for suspicious shops that sell strange things. Ah, I wonder if there’s an item that can unlock the level cap lying around.

"I should have brought Patrick along."

The words slipped out of my mouth unconsciously.

He had said he was going to the Ashbaton residence in the capital and left alone. I regret not following him. If we stopped somewhere on the way back, it would be like a date. No, is it a date? Aren’t dungeons where you go on dates?

While I was walking through a back alley in a daze, I found myself on a familiar main street.

I must have taken a wrong turn in the back alley today; there was nothing special.

It’s not that I dislike the main street, so I walked along, looking at the shops lining the sides. Today, I wasn’t wearing a hat, so I was very noticeable.

The smell of baking bread made me stop. Come to think of it, it was about lunchtime.

Since Patrick was also absent from the mansion today, I told Rita I didn’t need lunch and left. I wasn’t that hungry, so a little bread would be fine.

Following the smell, I arrived at a chic bakery on the main street.

When I opened the door, a pleasant bell sound rang.

The shop assistant was a girl who looked a couple of years younger than me. She must be the daughter of the shop.

"Welcome... welcome!"

She greeted me reflexively but was speechless when she saw me, then quickly brightened up.

Yes, the usual. I’m being feared.

I’ll finish my shopping quickly and retreat. I picked up a sandwich wrapped in paper and placed a few copper coins on the counter with my free hand.

"Is this enough? Then, I’ll be on my way."

"Wait, wait a moment!"

I had already put my hand on the door when the girl stopped me and I turned around. Huh? Did I not give enough money? I thought I gave a little extra.

She looked at my face intently and spoke.

"Are you Yumiera Dorkness? Thank you for defeating the Demon King!"

"Oh, you’re welcome?"

I was taken aback by the sudden thanks. I didn’t expect to be thanked here.

The girl approached me and extended her hand. What? What? Is the money not enough?

"Can I have a handshake? ...No, no, that’s impolite to the countess. Please forget I said that."

"A handshake is fine..."

Everyone in the kingdom knows I was involved in the Demon King’s defeat. However, the popular one among the citizens is Prince Edwin, so my presence is thin. That’s what I wanted.

So, it’s a mystery why she’s such a fan.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I extended my hand. She grabbed it with both hands and shook it up and down.

"I admire you, Yumiera. Having a dragon as a companion is charming, and using dark magic is cool. Um... do you ever feel like you’re being consumed by the dark power? And, do you have a true power that’s sealed away—"

Ah, this person is just overthinking things. I don’t need the middle school syndrome popularity.

"No, I don’t have anything like that."

When I firmly denied it, she looked visibly disappointed. Don’t be so down.

"...Sorry for asking such a strange question."

"No, I’m sorry too."

What am I apologizing for? As I was thinking this, the bakery girl seemed to have something else to say. What now?

"What is it?"

"Um, you didn’t give enough money. Can I have one more copper coin?"

"...Sorry. I’ll come back another time."

I handed her a copper coin and left the shop.

...Isn’t that expensive? It’s about double the market price. I said I’d come back, but I’ll never go there again. That’s why I hate chic shops. You end up paying for the chic interior, not the product. That’s definitely wrong! ...What am I fighting against?

I suddenly came to my senses and looked for a place to eat my sandwich while walking. I could eat while walking, but I’m still a noble, after all.

While walking with my lunch in hand, I found a good spot. The intersection of the main street in the capital is like a square. I sat down on a bench in one corner.

Listening to the minstrel’s song in the center of the square, I took a bite of the sandwich.

"What is this, it’s so delicious."

I couldn’t help but mutter. It looks like a regular mixed sandwich, but it’s incredibly delicious. To put it in perspective, it’s like a beam comes out of your mouth. Well, it doesn’t, but you get the idea.

I’m sorry for thinking it was a rip-off, middle school syndrome girl.

After finishing my lunch quickly, I listened to the minstrel’s song, making sure to remember the location of the bakery. The song was about a prince standing up to the Demon King.

The black-haired dragon tamer, who was supposed to be a supporting character, didn’t appear in the song. Huh?

Glancing at the center of the square, I saw that there were only a few people listening to the song. When it ended, there was almost no tip.

I stood up and walked to the minstrel. The people around me hurriedly moved away from him when they noticed me.

The man looked dejected, staring blankly at the few coins he had. I threw a gold coin into his view.

He stared at the gold coin in shock.

"Wh-what!? A gold coin!?"

"Yes, I thought you might perform the song at my house."

Thinking I was a noble lady who wanted to invite a minstrel to her house, he looked up at me with a bright face.

"Oh, you’re a noble lady. Of course..."

He was speechless when he saw my face. His face twisted as he looked at me.

"Prince and the Holy Maiden, and two companions... four people, right? I haven’t heard the story, so I’d like to hear it in detail."

"Ah, ah..."

The man turned pale and his teeth chattered. Isn’t he overreacting? I just wanted to surprise him a little.

"No, I won’t do anything. I just want to hear the story."

"Are you... real?"

Real? What does he mean?

It took some time for the minstrel to calm down. People were starting to return to the square, which had been deserted.

"I don’t know what you mean by 'real,' but I am Yumiera Dorkness, no doubt. I’m real."

"Yes, I’m sorry."

"No, I don’t want an apology... I wanted to know why I’m not in your song."

I don’t intend to boast about my achievements in defeating the Demon King. However, it’s a bit of a problem to be left out of the story of the battle a year ago.

One of my goals, which may or may not be achievable, is to reduce the prejudice against black hair. I wanted as many people as possible to know that a black-haired person fought the Demon King.

It’s important that people know Yumiera stood up to the Demon King, not that Yumiera is stronger than the Demon King, which might make people more afraid. It’s a delicate balance.

The man hesitated and spoke nervously.

"Well... I didn’t know how to include the countess. Other minstrels feel the same way..."

"I’m hard to include? What do you mean?"

"The countess’s appearance and attributes are... well..."

The man hesitated, but I understood what he meant. I come off as a villain.

In this world, especially in this country, black-haired characters often appear as villains in creative works. These demons and witches typically use dark magic and stand in the way of the protagonist.

Including me as a member of the protagonist’s side feels as out of place as having an ogre among Momotaro’s companions.

I’m not particularly friendly, so it’s understandable. But the mascot-like, adorable presence that should be next to me...

"I understand why it’s hard to include me. How about making me a bonus with the dragon?"

"The dragon is usually an enemy. I’ve seen black dragons, and they are truly..."

What do you mean by "truly"? A dragon as cute as Ryu is definitely on the protagonist’s side.

Putting Ryu aside for now, I need to think of a way to dispel the villainous image of dark attributes.

Dark attributes aren’t dangerous or anything. Unlike fire attributes, they don’t spread, and unlike water attributes, they don’t soak everything.

They can bind, melt, skewer, or erase the target without affecting the surroundings.

No matter how much I explain this, it won’t make a difference. In all my life, no one has ever said dark attributes are cool... except one person. The middle school syndrome girl I just met.

But I don’t like the idea of dark attributes being seen as middle school syndrome.

Well, it’s worth a try to suggest something to the minstrel.

"Um, how about making black hair and dark attributes cool?"

"Opposite?"

"Scenes where the character is almost consumed by dark power, or uses a forbidden power to defeat a nemesis..."

I felt embarrassed saying it, but the man’s eyes lit up.

"That’s great! Really great! The dragon tamer in front of the Demon King is almost consumed by their power. Saved by the power of their companions! The dark magic that can even consume the Demon King... That’s interesting!"

Isn’t that a huge deviation from the truth? Ignoring my shock, he continued.

"An evil power sealed in the arm, unsealed to save a companion... That’s a hot plot! I need to create a new story from scratch!"

"...That’s good to hear."

Middle school syndrome is contagious, as the name suggests. I hope the immunity of everyone who hears his song is strong.