Chapter 30

Evening.

Just as I finished clearing the ash around the house.

"Amazing."

Hestia, who was resting on a log, muttered.

"What's amazing?"

"This place, it's amazing. After working for half a day and just eating an apple, my magic power has recovered this much, it's surprising."

Come to think of it, Hestia's hair, skin, and clothes, which were in tatters just a moment ago, now seem to be clean.

"Hmm, it's the power of the magic spot. Just by being here, your magic power recovers."

"Is that so?"

"It has recovered and spread throughout my body, allowing me to repair myself. ...This is more powerful than any magic spot I know."

Hestia said excitedly. For me, who doesn't know any others, it's hard to grasp the reality. I'm quite exhausted and starting to feel hungry.

Just being here, I don't feel any recovery.

"...You have an incomparably large amount of magic power, so it's inevitable."

"I feel like I've been pushed away, Hestia."

"Fact. You can't compare yourself to me. You need to be compared to a higher existence. That's why this is inevitable."

She said it decisively. I'm not sure if it's a compliment or if she's exasperated.

"Alright, I'll bite an apple to ease my hunger a bit."

Just as I was about to go to the edge of the apple orchard and pick a fresh one, Dianeya, dressed in an unusually formal dress, asked:

"Sorry, can I have a moment now?"

***

Dianeya came dressed more like a princess than a witch that day.

"Hmm? What's up, Dianeya? Why are you dressed so formally?"

"Formal... I wanted you to call it formal, but never mind. I have something to talk to you about, will you listen?"

"What is it? I'm already tired today, so please be brief."

Even with the help of golems and my housemates, I cleared everything around the house.

I'm not sleepy, but I'm hungry.

"...After such a spectacular battle."

Looking at my house, which was charred black, Dianeya lowered her eyes.

"Sorry. I didn't consider your feelings. After such a battle, I should have waited for you to rest more before coming."

No, I'm not tired from the battle.

But it's similar, so I'll let it slide.

"Anyway, I have a request. Man of the earth's vein, it's fine even if you rest fully. Would you come to my town tonight? I want to award you."

Dianeya bowed and said that.

But, what for?

"What are you going to award me for? I haven't done anything praiseworthy."

"…You are a hero. You saved us, the capital of Prossia, from the huge white dragon king."

"Uh...?"

I don't remember saving anyone.

How did they come to that conclusion?

"When such a huge dragon is fighting, it's visible from the town. From the outside, you looked like a hero saving the town from the giant dragon. A savior. At least, that's what we, the rulers of the town, think."

Ah, so that's how they see it.

I was on the verge of having my house destroyed and couldn't think about anything else.

I fought only for myself.

"But, in the end, you were saved. That's a fact, and I want to express this feeling. At least, that's what we, the upper echelons of the town, think."

I've always taken what I can get, so what should I do?

Honestly, I don't really want to go to town.

It's late, there's still work to be done around the house, I'm hungry, and besides,

"What exactly will I get from this award?"

I don't really understand the benefits of being awarded.

"Um... privileges within the town, such as special treatment if you ever visit, for example."

I don't really need that.

I hardly ever go to town.

"Anything else?"

"Um... simply gaining fame and honor, which will make things easier for you in the surrounding areas."

Fame and honor.

That's hard to judge for someone who hardly ever leaves home.

"Can't it wait until tomorrow?"

"Um... I'm very sorry, but if possible, I'd like you to come today, while the overflowing magic in your body has settled down."

Huh, even after using so much magic, it's still overflowing?

"Even now, a lot of magic is overflowing, but it's better than usual. If you come with your usual magic output, it might turn into a bedwetting carnival inside the castle..."

"That... sounds unpleasant."

"I don't like it either. In fact, I'll be the first to wet myself..."

What is this?

Does that mean if I go to town in a high-energy state, I'll cause everyone around me to have bedwetting problems?

What a troublesome situation.

...But, I hardly ever leave home, so it's fine.

"Anyway, this is your chance. Can you come to my town for a short time? Please..."

She bowed again.

Well, that's true. The privileges and honor in town, both would be good to have.

We had some conflicts at the beginning, but we're not enemies now.

If it's a short visit, it might be okay to go.

"Will this award ceremony really be over quickly?"

"Um, yes! I'll use a teleportation spell, so we can move quickly! It's just a conversation with the upper echelons and influential people in the town, so it will be over soon! You can return immediately if you want to!"

She's being very enthusiastic, but it seems it will be quick.

"Hmm... Is this the teleportation spell I've seen before, where you move instantly?"

"Um, yes. It's one of my specialties. I can use it twice, going and coming, with ease."

I see. Then I don't have to worry about the travel time.

And if I want to leave, I can.

I see, under these conditions, maybe I can show up for a bit.

There's still some time before dinner.

"Alright. If it's a day trip before dinner, I'll go."

"Ah, thank you! I'm very grateful!"

Dianeya grabbed my hands tightly and raised them as if in prayer.

I don't know why she's so grateful, but I'll leave it at that.

...Well, it might not be bad to see the town once.

Just then,

"Hey."

Hestia, who had changed into a white dress after the battle, touched my waist.

"Can I come too?"

"To the town? Do you have something to do there?"

"The material for my staff is hidden in the town. I want to get it."

Ah, to get the material for the staff.

That's convenient.

"Dianeya, can this girl come with us?"

I patted Hestia's head and asked, and Dianeya nodded slowly with a surprised look.

"Um, it's fine... Who is she? I can feel a lot of magic power, though not as much as you. Is she your adopted child?"

She's not my adopted child.

"She's not my adopted child, but she is a housemate."

"O-Oh, a housemate! ...So, your house has space for housemates?"

Dianeya is looking back and forth between my house and Hestia. It's obvious.

Actually, why is she staring at my house so intently?

Is a burned tower that rare?

"Ah, no, don't mind it. I just thought it looked spacious."

"Hmm. I see."

"Then, I'll start preparing the teleportation spell. Are you ready?"

Preparation. Ah, right.

I need to let Sakura know.

"Sakura, I'm going out for a bit, so can you prepare dinner?"

"Yes, I understand."

I called out to the house, and Sakura's soft voice replied.

Good, now I'm all set.

"Alright, I'm ready, Dianeya."

"Then, let's start the teleportation. I'll shorten the distance to nothing—Teleportation!"

Chanting the spell, she grabbed my and Hestia's bodies and moved from the spot.

And so, escorted by the witch princess, I went to the town for the first time.

Finally, the protagonist leaves the house (day trip).

No, I really think I'll return home soon.