Chapter 97

In the activity report, there is an announcement regarding the book publication. It would be appreciated if you could take a look.

Six days since the start of the escort, we have continued without any issues.

There was another monster attack along the way, which caused a bit of trouble.

Since Estel's magic is flashy, this time I left it to Noll... but he charged straight into the monsters on horseback.

However, since the opponent was a Black Oak, there were no particular problems in the battle.

The situation arose when Estel, who was riding behind Noll, screamed due to Noll's horse handling.

When they returned to us after finishing the fight, Estel was pale and trembling with tears in her eyes... she must have been really scared.

Noll was riding at a considerable speed, galloping around.

Since he charged without hesitation, there was no time to stop him.

Noll was being hit from behind by Estel, but I think it can't be helped.

After that, flying monsters also appeared, but they were shot down by Estel's anti-air magic.

I thought it would be my turn with the sentry tower, but... well, I can't aim that well against flying opponents yet.

"Wow, it's peaceful, isn't it?"

"Where is it peaceful...?"

As the sun is about to set today, we stopped moving and started preparing for camping.

If we keep up this pace, we should arrive in Queres in 2 or 3 days.

Thanks to Estel and Sisha's support magic.

I felt relatively peaceful, but it seems Sisha didn't.

When Estel turned around, I told her to try to stop Noll indirectly.

Then, for some reason, Sisha started saying she felt Estel's presence behind her.

There's no way that's possible since I'm sitting behind her.

She must be overthinking and feeling something like a hallucination.

I told her, "Sisha, you're tired."

After the preparations for camping were complete, we were about to sit around the burning logs as usual...

"Um, Estel?"

"Is something wrong?"

I was sitting cross-legged on a sheet laid on the ground when Estel sat down next to me.

When I called out to her, she smiled and tilted her head to look at me.

"Why are you sitting next to me?"

"It's fine at night, right? Sisha, isn't it?"

"Yes! I think it's very good!"

"Leave it as it is, and stop intimidating Sisha..."

Sisha, who was asked by Estel, nodded vigorously in agreement.

If she kept it up, Sisha's stomach might have developed a hole, so I stopped her.

"Ugh, Estel. She's looking at us again."

"Huh? ...Oh, really."

"Every day, she's looking at us more often."

"And she turns her face away quickly when she realizes we've noticed."

When I turned to look in the direction Noll was looking, Annelie was looking at us again.

Every time we camp, she looks at us.

When we notice, she quickly turns away and runs into her tent.

She must be really interested in Estel.

"Is it that interesting?"

"I think it would be strange if it wasn't... especially with her."

This time, she's using only water and earth magic, but it's still quite impressive.

The water spray that shatters monsters, and the giant hand made of earth that crushes them.

If it were fire magic, it would create a small sun in the sky, so this is better...

"Oh, she's walking this way."

"Really?"

I thought she would go back to her tent again.

But surprisingly, Annelie walked towards us.

Egon was following a little behind her.

Even though he's close, he can't let her act on her own.

When Annelie reached us, she stopped for a moment without saying anything.

Her face was red, and she was shaking her head restlessly.

She must be too embarrassed to start the conversation.

"Hey, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Me?"

"Yes!"

It seems she made up her mind, as she looked straight ahead and spoke.

Hmm, she finally approached Estel.

In that case, maybe Noll and I are in the way?

It would be easier for her to talk to Estel alone.

"Should we move away?"

"No, it's fine! Don't worry about it!"

When I asked Annelie, she shook her head and refused.

It seems I was being too considerate.

If I moved away... well, Estel is sitting on me, so that's not possible.

I confirmed with Egon, who was watching us from a distance.

He nodded, signaling it was okay, so we decided to continue the conversation.

"So, what do you need?"

"Well... um... I'm sorry for doubting you before we left!"

After hesitating a bit, Annelie bowed to Estel.

It seems she was bothered by the doubt she had when we set out.

That's why she only watched us from a distance and didn't come over.

We're almost at Queres, so she must have decided to clear the air.

"It's no problem. It's natural to have doubts."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. Why don't you sit down instead of standing?"

"Okay... um, let me try."

Estel accepted her apology without any hard feelings.

She encouraged Annelie to sit down on the mat.

"Um, what's your name?"

"I'm Estel. Nice to meet you, Annelie."

"Why do you know my name!?"

"Oh, on the day we set out, your father called you in front of us."

"Oh, that's right."

It seems Annelie didn't know Estel's name.

On the first day, only I introduced myself, and Estel and the others just bowed, so it makes sense.

This small exchange seemed to ease Annelie's tension, and she gradually became more talkative.

As we talked, the conversation naturally turned to magic, which she was clearly interested in.

"Estel, you're amazing! I've never seen water magic that comes out so forcefully!"

"Hehe, thank you. When you say that, I want to show you other magic too."

"Really, you can do more?"

"Yes, of course. How about this, my favorite fire magic—"

"No way! If you use that in the dark, monsters will be attracted!"

"Oh, what a pity."

Annelie raised her hands in front of her chest, looking a bit excited.

Perhaps encouraged by this, Estel suggested showing her fire magic with a determined look.

Of course, I couldn't let her do that, so I stopped her.

Annelie, who had been looking happy, now looked disappointed.

Ugh, when you get that reaction, you feel guilty... but if Estel uses fire magic in the dark, it will attract monsters like fireworks.

She'll have to wait.

"By the way, I've been wondering, why are you sitting on that person? You can sit normally, can't you?"

"This is my VIP seat. Right, big brother?"

"When did my lap become your VIP seat..."

It seems Annelie was curious about why Estel was sitting on me.

Estel, of course, said it was her VIP seat.

I ride on a magic carpet with her, but... I'm not sure how to agree with that.

"Indeed, I think it is Estel's VIP seat..."

"I support Estel! Please sacrifice yourself, Ohtaka!"

"Hmm? Sisha, is that the right way to say it?"

"Ah—Forgive me!"

Sisha tried to back Estel up, but chose the wrong words and was now being stared at by Estel with a smile.

She quickly apologized and ran to Noll.

She really has a lot of trouble... I'll have to meet Luna as soon as the escort mission is over and get some aftercare.

"Why are you an adventurer, Estel? You're such a powerful mage."

"Is that unusual?"

"Yes, it's unusual. I have a friend who wants to be a mage, but she's still studying in school. No one our age becomes an adventurer."

Annelie, who had been watching our conversation, asked Estel.

Is she going to Queres to meet this friend?

If so, she must know a bit about mages, which is why she asked if Estel was really an adventurer.

"Well... I don't have a particular reason for being an adventurer... but if I have to say—"

"Hmm?"

Estel put her hand to her cheek and thought for a moment, then stared at me.

What? Is she going to say I'm the reason?

It's true that I called her to be an adventurer, but...

"Is it for that person?"

"Hehe, that's right. Big brother is special to me."

"Try to avoid making statements that could be misinterpreted?"

It's not wrong, but that kind of statement can be misinterpreted depending on who hears it!

Egon, who was listening from a distance, burst out laughing when he heard it!

"Hmm... you and Estel seem to get along well. Um..."

"Oh, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Ohtaka Heihachi."

"I'm Noll Fanya. Please call me Noll."

"I'm Sisha Alvi. Nice to meet you."

I realized we hadn't introduced ourselves to Annelie yet.

I introduced myself, and then Noll and the others followed.

She seemed much more relaxed now.

I hope she gets along with Noll and the others as well as with Estel.

"Hmm, since you're interested, I want to show you some magic... Ah, how about this? Hey!"

Estel seemed dissatisfied that she couldn't show Annelie any magic.

She thought for a moment, then snapped her fingers and pointed her index finger in a circular motion.

Then, the ground nearby began to rise, and something gradually formed.

When it was fully formed, Estel touched it and separated it from the ground.

Hmm? It looks very familiar... very familiar... what is it?

"What is that..."

"Hehe, it's a palm-sized big brother figurine."

The object Estel created was a figurine of me, made of earth and small enough to fit in the palm of her hand.

She looked at it with satisfaction.

Wait, wait, wait, that's not right. Why did she make a figurine of me!

And it even has armor, and the quality is surprisingly high!

"Wow, this is amazing! It really looks like Ohtaka!"

"To go to such lengths... Estel, you're scary..."

Noll approached with interest, took the figurine from Estel, and exclaimed in surprise.

Sisha, on the other hand, looked a bit scared by Estel's ability to create such a detailed figurine.

It's impressive, but it's a bit scary to have such an accurate figurine made...

"It's amazing, but... it's a bit different, isn't it?"

"Oh, then—"

Annelie looked a bit embarrassed.

Yeah, she probably wasn't expecting that.

Then, Estel started showing her relatively safe magic, entertaining Annelie for a while.

She created small tornados and rainbows on the palm of her hand, among other things... I didn't know she could do all that.

Finally, she seemed satisfied and waved goodbye as she returned to her tent.

She seemed to have a good time talking with Estel and the others.

I hope this will be a good memory for her during the escort mission.

In the activity report, there is an announcement regarding the book publication. It would be appreciated if you could take a look.

This is important, so I ended up writing it twice. I apologize.