Chapter 28

The bushes rustled again. This time, I knew. Sermia had lived in the forest and, being a tiger beastkin, was skilled at muffling her footsteps and presence, but this one was different.

"Rike"

"Did I intrude, Master?"

"No, not at all."

Not at all... I hope. Sermia was still pressing her head against my chest, sobbing. I was being hugged with almost full beastkin strength, and my injuries and bruises hurt, but it would be better not to say anything.

"Sermia said that Master's return was too late. If you had been killed, you would have returned long ago. She suggested we go check on you."

"Going outside could be dangerous..."

"Well, well, you can't stop a lovesick girl. Then, both the scent of the black bear and Master approached together, so I was waiting, thinking that perhaps the worst had happened."

"I see..."

So Sermia must have jumped at me first to get me back. With just the bear's arm on my shoulder, it might look like the bear was carrying me by the shoulder. I pretended not to notice the lovesick girl and thanked her for coming to check on me.

"Thank you."

"No, it's Sermia you should thank."

"Thank you, Sermia."

"Uh-huh..."

Sermia had regained some composure but still wouldn't let go. This was a problem.

"Let's go home, okay?"

Saying this while patting her head, she finally let go.

"Master, did you completely finish off the bear?"

"Yeah. I haven't removed the intestines yet, but I think the meat will be fine."

"I don't think there are many humans who can survive a fight with a black bear... Let alone a mere blacksmith. I doubt even a dwarf could do it."

"That's because I have my reasons."

I grinned.

"Alright, let's leave it at that."

Rike sighed but let it go for now.

"Alright, let's carry it..."

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

Sermia was concerned, but I put on a brave face.

"Well, it's only about half the distance left. I can manage that much."

I was bluffing, but I think I could make it home if I took my time.

"Alright, if Eizou says so, then it's fine."

Sermia and I each took one of the bear's arms and dragged it. I gave Rike a spear. It was supposed to be a short spear, but it looked long for Rike's height. Rike was examining the spear as we walked. It was a custom-made model.

"Be careful walking and looking at it."

I warned Rike, as I would warn someone about walking and using their phone in my old world. Spears are dangerous, so it's best to stop doing that.

We reached a lake, so after consulting with Sermia, we decided to submerge the bear there until tomorrow. It was only a short walk from there to our home.

When we got home, I was hit by a wave of fatigue. But first, I needed to clean up... I stumbled to the kitchen and used magic to start a fire in the stove.

"I'll prepare the bath and the meal. Sermia, take Master to the bedroom."

"Alright, got it."

Wait, my bedroom?

"No, I'll use the study..."

"Shut up and listen, you're injured."

I was intimidated by Sermia's authoritative tone.

"O-Okay..."

"Alright, I'll help you. Let's go."

So, with Sermia's help, I entered the bedroom. Thinking about it, this was the first time I had used this room in my own home. It felt like a new room.

If I lay down like this, the bed would be covered in mud, so I sat on a round chair.

"Ouch..."

The abrasions weren't too bad, but the bruises were starting to hurt, and I was sore all over.

"Hey!"

Sermia sounded panicked.

"It's okay. I have a few bruises, but no broken bones or deep cuts."

"Really?"

She looked at me with teary eyes.

"Yeah."

Sermia looked relieved. She's quite a worrier, I thought, but I kept it to myself. I didn't want to make her pout.

"Let's clean up... Sermia, let me know when the water is ready."

"O-Okay. I'll check on you."

Sermia left the room, and a long-awaited silence fell. My body desperately wanted to rest. This was my body recognizing safety and prioritizing rest. This wasn't good... and... I... fell... asleep...

I woke up to a floating sensation in my head. Realizing I had fallen asleep, I panicked. I hadn't cleaned up yet.

I quickly sat up, and Sermia, who looked surprised, also jumped.

"Good morning."

Not knowing what to say, I blurted that out. Sermia, still looking surprised, replied,

"O-Oh, good morning."

"Did I fall asleep?"

"Y-Yeah. You were out cold. Rike said that not cleaning your body would let bad winds in, so we cleaned you with water and put you to bed. We didn't take off your underwear, though."

"I see... Sorry about that."

"Don't worry about it."

I lay back down on the bed. Rike entered the room at that moment.

"Oh, Master, you're awake."

"Yeah. Sorry, Rike."

"No, no, it's fine. By the way, Sermia was shouting 'Eizou!'..."

"AAAAAAA!!!"

Sermia suddenly shouted loudly, almost like a tiger's roar.

"Y-You idiot! Don't say that!!"

"Well, I don't think it's a big deal. You're just being shy."

Rike casually brushed off Sermia's panic. Rike was a few steps ahead in this. Hmm?

"Are you both not using honorifics anymore?"

"Yes. Sermia and I decided to do that when we put you to bed. Right?"

"Right. Since we're living together, it's better this way."

"That's good."

I genuinely thought so. As Sermia said, we would probably be living together for a long time, not just a month, so it was better to make things easier for both of us.

"Rike, you don't have to call me Master either."

I casually included myself, but...

"That's not acceptable, Master."

I was easily shot down.