Chapter 59

In the deep green, smooth dress that accentuated her slender figure, Asha, despite having experienced a rather rough journey, still had white, fine-featured arms.

With her hair up, her nape was visible, and the light makeup made her seem almost bewitching—she was a temptress.

One couldn't say that even a horse could look good in a costume. Asha was originally incredibly beautiful, so it was like giving a demon a club, or an elf a makeover.

"—Well, um, everyone gathered here, thank you very much for coming today."

Not only I, but everyone in the hall was entranced. Some men had dropped their forks and were being glared at by their female companions.

The mayor, who had somehow managed to recover, proceeded with the greeting for the sea monk extermination party. When my gaze met Asha's, and she smiled, my heart beat even faster. I managed to stay calm thanks to Polina standing behind Asha with a smug look on her face.

When the mayor announced that he had also been present at the sea monk extermination, a murmur of "Oh!" rose from the gathered crowd.

He then touched on the activities of our group "Silver Scales," the bravery of the knights, and concluded by mentioning Asha's magic. The number of gazes directed at us was so overwhelming that it was quite embarrassing.

"Please enjoy yourselves today, everyone."

As the mayor's speech ended, an ensemble of about eight string musicians began to play.

In this world, the enjoyment of music was almost nonexistent, except for bards singing in taverns, so it felt very fresh.

"Go on, Ragi-kun, go ahead."

Without the luxury of enjoying the music, I was pushed by Miminoh-san and started walking toward Asha. She, too, was slowly making her way over.

"…Ragi, I feel so strange. I've worn dresses like this many times before, but today I feel particularly embarrassed."

"You look very beautiful."

I was surprised that such a straightforward compliment slipped out, but Asha blushed—perhaps it was just the sunset making her look that way—and smiled with her naturally red lips.

"Hehe. Hearing a compliment from you, Ragi, makes me feel so happy. I don't feel that way when anyone else says it."

"R-Really…?"

Being told that made my heart race, as a young man with little dating experience.

"Is it alright for you, Onee-sama?"

"Yes. Cook and the others are with her now… Thank you for caring about Lark."

"Hehehe. You call Onee-sama as if she were a stranger."

"Well, she is a stranger, after all."

"…Eh?"

"The place we came from had only adults, no other children. So Lark insisted that I was her younger brother."

"Wait a moment. Onee-sama, I mean, Lark-sama, is really a stranger…?"

"Yes, a complete stranger. We don't even look alike."

"If that's the case, then… does that mean Lark-sama—"

Just as Asha was about to say something,

"—Lord Ragi, Princess Anastasia, please don't have a conversation just between the two of you. Please include us in the circle."

The mayor and his brother approached. Since Lark had destroyed the magic ship dock and even stolen a magic ship, it was impossible to refuse their request.

"Yes, of course. —Asha, is that alright?"

"Y-Yes, it's fine."

Asha looked a bit sad, but she had the discernment of a royal. We could talk later, after all.

"Lord Ragi, you were flying in the sky!? How do you do that?"

"By combining [Fire Magic] and [Wind Magic]—"

Since there was no need to hide it, I explained how I flew, but it seemed that no one quite understood. Apparently, exploding [Fire Magic] near one's body would just cause burns.

"My, I wonder what kind of talent you possess. To be able to control two magic systems at an expert level and have such a high amount of mana—"

A sharp-eyed, merchant-like man said. I thought he might be a merchant because of his stout build and the way he walked, which suggested no martial arts experience—[All Things] confirmed this.

The mayor said nothing about it. He must have seen me use [Dark Magic], but if I did, it would mean using six skill holders with magic alone, and the composition of one's talents can be a significant secret, so he probably intentionally kept it hidden.

But… his face clearly said "very interested."

I smiled inwardly and replied.

"I don't have anything special."

"No, no, all experts say that. I am Yago, a trader operating mainly in the Keithgran Federation. The appearance of the sea monk prevented us from sending large ships, and I was at a loss. I cannot thank you enough, Lord Ragi. Please remember me—"

"A, yes."

When I shook his hand, it was soft, as if he had never held a weapon. The calluses on his fingertips might have been from a pen.

(…Hm?)

There was a very slight change in the strength of the handshake—something I wouldn't have noticed without [All Things].

The hand quickly pulled away, but Yago's eyes showed surprise.

(Aha, I see.)

It clicked. This man had seen my talents.

In the past, I had been asked to shake hands and was seen at that time. It happened when I met the Specular 2nd Secretary at the Sylis Earl's residence.

The earl had said:

—The talent [Orb Sight ★★] allows you to see the talents of the person you look at. At his level, he can't see the number of stars, though…

At that time, I didn't have [All Things] on, so I wasn't seen.

But now I do.

"Yago, did you see something?"

I smiled and asked.

What happens next?

(1) Yago is silenced violently before he can tell anyone else.

(2) It turns out Yago is also a reincarnated person, and we hit it off, leading to a great age of exploration.

(3) Yago didn't see the contents of my talents.

(4) Yago couldn't understand the contents of my talents.

The answer will be revealed tomorrow!

(3 and 4 are similar but slightly different)

[Announcement]

The book version is now available, so I would be overjoyed if you could purchase it at your local bookstore!

Additionally, the comic adaptation by Obasuki will begin in the November 27th issue of "Dengeki Daioh"!

It will be delivered in 64 pages with a center color spread.

Please look forward to it.

I also posted an activity report, so please refer to that as well.